Spain Travel Guides

Discover all the incredible places you can visit in Spain on this page, from popular cities like Barcelona to small charming towns and pretty villages to fall in love with.

Learn what to do and see, the lifestyle, culture and language from a Spaniard!

General Spain travel guides

Not sure where to go? Check out these travel guides for some inspiration:

Tips for visiting Spain

Explore outside Southern Spain

Alicante

Barcelona

Bilbao

Santander

Spanish Islands

Valencia

Gifts and souvenirs for people who love Spain

Life in Spain

Language guides

Quick facts about Spain

  • Continent: Europe
  • Capital: Madrid
  • Language: Spanish
  • Population: 46,802,587 as of 2024
  • Currency: Euro, €
  • Hottest month: July (average 31ºC, 86F) 
  • Coldest month: January (average 9ºC, 48F)

The best time to visit Spain

White buildings in the old town of marbella.

This depends on the activities you love to do when you travel. If you plan to sightsee and visit cultural places, late spring (April to May) or early autumn (September to October) are the best times due to the mild temperature and fewer crowds.

July and August are the liveliest and hottest months. Travelling to Spain in June is a good option if you want summer temperatures but fewer tourists.

If you’d like a different Christmas experience and get to know more about Spanish culture, December is your month. And, last but not least, if you want to see snow in Spain, go between January and March.

Traditional Spanish food to try on your trip

Savoury dishes

Boquerones fritos. They are fried anchovies that are normally served with lemon slices. 

Croquetas. Croquettes are traditionally filled with ham or chicken. However, you can also find vegetarian options too.

Espeto de sardinas. You can easily find these sardines in Malaga. Sardines are put in skewers which are placed on a small barbeque made in a little boat.

Gazpacho. It’s one of the most popular Andalusian dishes. It consists of a cold tomato soup usually enjoyed during the summer. 

Paella. The most well-known Spanish dish. Paella comes from the city and region of Valencia. You can find many varieties of paella – vegetarian, mixed (it includes seafood and meat), rabbit, etc.

Patatas bravas. Fried chunky potatoes topped with a spicy tomato sauce.

Pulpo a la Gallega. A traditional dish from Galicia, Northern Spain. It consists of boiled octopus served with sliced potatoes and topped with smoked paprika and olive oil.

Tortilla de patatas. Known as the Spanish omelette. This omelette is made of eggs and potatoes, although you can also find omelettes that include fried onion or other vegetables.

A plate of grilled sardines, fried squid and aubergines with sugar cane honey
Spanish french toast.

Sweet dishes

Arroz con leche. Similar to a rice pudding, it’s made of rice, milk, cinnamon and lemon.

Churros. Delicious fried dough that is often served with a thick hot chocolate to dip it in. You’ll find them in many cafes and churrerías (dedicated cafes that sell churros).

Crema Catalana. A must-try dessert from the region of Catalonia. Crema Catalana looks pretty similar to a French crème brûlée, but the process of making them is slightly different.

Roscón de Reyes. If you happen to be in Spain during Christmas, you need to check this cake that is typically served the night before or the morning of the Three Kings. However, you can easily find them in many bakeries and supermarkets from mid-December.

Torrijas. Similar to French toast, torrijas are usually made during Easter time. But you can easily make them at home anytime!

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Spain

What are 3 things a traveller should know about travelling to Spain for the first time?

1) Be aware of pickpockets in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. 
2) Mealtimes are different from other European cities. Spaniards have lunch and dinner late. Don’t be surprised if a restaurant is closed at 7 pm. 
3) August is the worst month to travel to Spain. Many businesses close for the holidays, the coast is very busy, and you won’t see the most authentic side of Spain.

What should I avoid in Spain?

– Avoid eating in restaurants and bars near main attractions. You’ll spend more money on the meal, and the quality won’t be as good as in other places.
– Avoid going to the beach on Sundays. This is the busiest day as many locals don’t work on Sundays.
– Don’t take punctuality very seriously. It isn’t unexpected that many locals arrive late to places.
– Avoid travelling to Southern Spain cities that don’t have a beach in the summer months. Cities like Seville and Cordoba experience 40 degrees during the afternoon, and it’s very difficult to sightsee. 
– Don’t talk about politics and regionalism. This is a very tricky topic that may lead to arguments. 

How do I not look like a tourist in Spain?

– Dress up according to the season. Many travellers wear short clothes in early spring or autumn in Spain, whereas locals wear a jacket (even if it’s 18 degrees).
– Don’t walk fast. If you look like you’re in a rush all the time, it may mean you aren’t part of a relaxing lifestyle. 
– Eat when the locals eat. Familiarise yourself with the Spanish mealtimes. 
– Don’t go clubbing before 12 am.