Flamenco, art, culture, bullfights, paintings, literature and sport - Spain has many attractions and Find your travel arrangement to Spain here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Espana
Capital
Madrid (3.000.000)
Size
504.782 km2
Principal Languages
Spanish, Catalan, Gallic and Basque
Principal Religion
Roman Catholicism
Inhabitants
39.371.147 (1999)
Government
Monarchy
Geography
Spain is a big country where the landscape varies a lot. From the green hills in Galicia in the North-western corner of Spain and the mountains in the Pyrenees to dry hot and arid Andalusia. The river Guadalquivir is Spain's largest river. Spaniards also boast of access to the Atlantic Sea in the north and south, and the Mediterranean in the east.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
You can visit Spain any time of the year. In the summer the long coastlines and the islands with wonderful white sand beaches entice travellers. In winter you can enjoy the overwhelming quantity of cultural and historical experiences Spain has on offer. However it is a good idea to avoid places like Castilla-La Mancha in the middle of the country and Madrid in July and August, when the temperature rises well above 40 degrees.
Literature
Let's go Spain & Portugal
Lonely Planet Spain
Lonely Planet Spain
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
In Spain you use the following measurements
Length: metres
Weight: kilos
Volume: litres
Length: metres
Weight: kilos
Volume: litres
Photography
It is acceptable to take pictures almost everywhere in Spain. However be aware that many Spaniards are fervent catholics. Therefore you should take pains to find out whether photography is allowed when you are visiting holy places. You should also ask before you take a picture of one of the locals.
Drinking water
You can safely drink tap water most places in Spain. However if you want to be totally sure of avoiding a stomach infection you should buy mineral water. Mineral water is in general a good idea because the tap water does not taste very good in Spain. You can buy mineral water in most convenience stores and off licences.
Electricity
In Spain you use:
220voltAC/50Hz
220voltAC/50Hz
Behaviour
Spain is today a modern nation. The austere religious norms that dominated Spanish culture earlier have few strongholds today. Instead modern Spain is marked by the liberal thinking that permeates modern civilisation. In spite of this, however, you should not walk around in your swimsuit in the cities. Also show respect and wear decent clothes at religious places.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 9.00 to 13.30/14.00 (Monday-Friday)
Shops are open from 9.00/10.00 to 13.00 and again from 16.30 to 19.30 (Monday-Saturday)
Shops are open from 9.00/10.00 to 13.00 and again from 16.30 to 19.30 (Monday-Saturday)
Food and drink
The food in Spain is simple and traditional. The Spaniards eat a lot of flesh - such as a thinly sliced salted ham known as serano. Spain's national dish is Paella - cooked in a pan and containing rice, lobster, shrimps, squid, mussels and other seafood. Spain is also famous for its tapas served at bars. Tapas are snacks - made for example from potatoes or deep fried fish. The Spaniards drink a lot of wine and have a large selection of them. There is also the famously refreshing sangria.
Disabled travellers
In Spain you will only find a few places designed with the needs of the disabled in mind. At destinations with many tourists like Mallorca and Costa del Sol you will find some places where such needs have been taken into consideration. If you plan to travel on your own it is a good idea to find out in advance how the conditions are where you are planning to visit.
Holidays
New Year's Day, 1st January
Epiphany, 6th January
Labour's Day, 1st May
Assumption, 15th August
National Day, 12th October
All Saints Day, 1st November
Constitution Day 6th December
Immaculate Conception 8th December
Christmas 25th December
Bank Holidays that changes year for year
Good Friday, March or April
Easter Monday March or April
Epiphany, 6th January
Labour's Day, 1st May
Assumption, 15th August
National Day, 12th October
All Saints Day, 1st November
Constitution Day 6th December
Immaculate Conception 8th December
Christmas 25th December
Bank Holidays that changes year for year
Good Friday, March or April
Easter Monday March or April
Accommodation / Hotel
In recent years Spain has experienced a mass influx of tourism. These tourists have stimulated a rapid growth in the number of hotels. There are therefore many hotels covering all prices to choose from. Spain also has plenty of private B&B's and hostels. Camping sites are everywhere and in several places you can rent cabins run by the Ministry of Tourism.
Book your Hotel in Spain here
Book your Hotel in Spain here
Camping
There are plenty of camping sites in Spain of different qualities and prices. If you would like to camp outside a camping site you have to get a permit from the local police station.
hotels are everywhere in Spain. In the large cities you only have to walk a few steps before you see a Hotel. hotels are also well represented in smaller towns. In Spain the hotels cover all prices.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
There are plenty of boarding houses and guesthouses in Spain. The fact that tourists are a source of wealth is something that Spaniards discovered long time ago. So plenty of locals rent out rooms to tourists and often also provide breakfast.
Hostels
There are 200 small hostels in Spain today, most of them are of good standard. The hostels often serve breakfast. To spend the night in a hostel you need a card from The Spanish Youth Hostel Network (REAJ).
Other Accommodation
If you need accommodation in an isolated area you can rent cabins or other sorts of accommodation through the Spanish Ministry of Tourism. You can get a cabin but also try sleeping at a castle, an old convent or a palace. The standard is usually quite high.
Local transport
It is easy to travel around in Spain. The trains are very well connected and cheap. Spain also has good bus connections. Domestic planes go between larger cities and holiday places. If you wish to go to the islands the ferry services have high standards. The roads in Spain are also good to drive on if you prefer driving your own car.
Planes
You can fly between large cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. Planes also go to large holiday places like San Sebastián, Mallorca and the Canary Islands. However, be aware that the domestic routes often are expensive
Bus
Buses cover large parts of Spain and drive both between cities and locally. The buses are cheap but rarely as comfortable as the trains.
Trains
Trains cover almost every corner of Spain. You can choose between different classes. Tourist class costs nearly half that of the fast trains. In general the trains in Spain are some of the cheapest in Europe.
Taxi
It is easy to get a taxi in Spain. You can usually hail them on the street and it is a cheap way to get around. The drivers are often helpful but do expect a tip in return. The fare is standardised by a meter.
car rental
You can rent cars everywhere in Spain. Local car rental companies are often cheaper than the large chains except in the big tourist places like Mallorca and Costa del Sol.
Boat or Ferry
Ferries to North Africa, the Canary Islands and the Balearian Islands sail regularly from Spain. You can choose to sail on a car-ferry or a fast boat.
Other Transport
Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Madrid all have good subway systems. The subways are the easiest way to get around in the larger cities.
Special conditions
Spain is the country of bullfighting. If you can stomach this unnecessary brutality you can experience one of the big bullfighting contests which take place in Seville. The atmosphere at the bullfights is truly Spanish, but if you are not de-sensitised to cruelty to fellow-animals you should stay away.
Region and City Guides
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