Spain tours & vacations

Due to its size, Spain has a varied climate, but along the coast, you can expect Mediterranean temperatures with hot, sunny summers and chilly, rainy winters.

The best time to visit Spain is in the early summer (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when you can combine sightseeing and beaches while still having great weather with fewer crowds.

While summer (June to August) in Spain is stunning, it’s also the busiest time with crowded beaches amid peak tourist season. If you don’t mind the crowds, then the hot weather will want you on the coast in places like Valencia or San Sebastian.

The low season of November to February is a great time to visit cities like Madrid and Barcelona if you’d prefer to share the streets with more locals and fewer tourists.

Learn more about the best time to visit Spain

An abundance of fresh seafood and produce, a long wine-making tradition and diverse culinary influences make for a vibrant food culture in Spain. You can find delicious delicacies everywhere, from bars to restaurants, cafes, street fiestas and markets across the country.

Things to try in Spain

Paella
This delectable rice dish is served throughout Spain and comes in many different ways. The mixed version (with chorizo, mussels and prawns) is the most popular internationally, but if we have to recommend just one,it’s got to be the original Valencian version – with rabbit, chicken and butter beans.

Albondigas
This tapas staple of meatballs swimming in a spicy tomato sauce is a classic. Typically made from a combination of veal and pork mince, the dish is simple to make and even easier to eat, particularly when washed down with a glass of tempranillo.

Croquettes
Another tapas favourite, this time one that vegetarians can easily get behind. These delightful little balls of fried bechamel come with a number of fillings, from beef and ham to broccoli and goat’s cheese.

Sangria
Jugs filled with chunks of apple, lemon and orange in chilled red wine are the perfect accompaniment to a golden Spanish sunset. Sangria is a well-known ticket to extended late-night revelry, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Calamares a la Romana
This dish of crispy, deep-fried calamari is popular in coastal regions like Barcelona. Eat a plate of it at a beachside restaurant or head to a bar and include it in your tapas mix.

Churros
For a sugar hit, try Spain’s version of the doughnut. Churros are sticks of deep-fried dough, dipped in chocolate for good measure! Find them at open-air food stalls and cafes.

Tortilla de Patatas
Potato tortilla (or Spanish omelette) is a slice of authentic Spanish culinary tradition. A simple dish that’s often served as part of a tapas spread, it’s a great option for vegetarians wanting something hearty.

Learn more about what to eat in Spain

Learn more about what to drink in Spain

Located in southwestern Europe, Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula and shares borders with France, Andorra, Portugal, Morocco and Gibraltar, as well as the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The region’s topography is a blend of mountains, low-lying plains and a long coastline.

The northern Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa are two northern mountain ranges that draw travellers from the continent and around the world in search of active adventure. The Picos de Europa is smaller and popular with hikers, while the powdery slopes of the Pyrenees attract hordes of skiers during an impressively long snow season. 

Spain’s coastline and islands are world-renowned. The Mediterranean Coast, in particular, is incredibly long and beautiful, featuring a mix of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and protected bays. While many know its beaches, fewer travellers are aware that southern Spain is home to the only real desert in Europe – the Tabernas. However, most of the countryside in Spain’s central and northern regions offers green valleys, olive groves, rolling farmland and flowing rivers.

Spain is a land of passion, history and fiestas, made up of 17 autonomous communities each with its own flair. From the flamenco beats in Andalusia to the proud independence movements of the Basque Country, every region has a story to tell. And let’s not forget about the food – tapas in Seville, pintxos in San Sebastian and paella in Valencia prove the country’s commitment to flavour.

Another major part of the country’s culture is art and creativity. Spain’s creative genius is on display everywhere you turn, from Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona to the surreal worlds of Salvador Dali and Madrid’s museums and Gothic cathedrals.

Whether it’s politics, food or football, Spaniards run on passion. Spain’s fiestas are legendary, like Valencia’s Las Fallas and its fiery traditions, or the chaotic joy of La Tomatina in Bunol.

Roman Catholicism is the backbone of many traditions, focused on community, celebration and honouring saints with individual flair.

Spain’s history is full of conquests, monarchies and coups, from a unified kingdom in 1512 to being the first global empire. Today, it is a thriving democracy with a high level of civic engagement (they truly are passionate about everything).

Learn more about popular festivals in Spain

1. Santiago de Compostela

Even if you don’t follow the Camino, or Way of Saint James, to get there, it’s hard not to be moved by the flocks of faithful who arrive in the courtyard of the city’s eponymous cathedral at the end of their pilgrimage. Soak up the cathedral's holy atmosphere, marvel at the impressive stone facades and soaring towers, or explore the labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively squares and perfectly manicured gardens.

2. Logrono

Welcome to the capital of Spain’s famous La Rioja wine region. Logrono is home to the must-visit Calle de Laurel – an ancient medieval street where you'll discover some of Spain's best pintxos​, small bites of food served on a skewer or piece of bread. The city is also the gateway to countless wineries, ancient castles and stunning Spanish countryside.

3. Seville

The capital of Andalucia, Seville, is famous for its flamenco dancing, oranges, tapas and the world's largest Gothic cathedral. Explore the city's elaborate Moorish architecture – a product of over 400 years of caliphate rule in the Middle Ages, watch a lively flamenco performance at local tapas bars, or enjoy a refreshing rebujitos cocktail in the bustling main street of the Triana quarter.

4. Valencia

Sun-drenched Valencia has clean beaches, picturesque parks and a mixture of medieval architecture and creative modern design. Be sure to take a walk through the Jardin del Turia – a riverbed that was turned into a park that snakes through the city, pick up some local goodies at the market in Old Town, or try Valencian paella made with rabbit, chicken and butter beans.

5. Barcelona

Surreal Gothic architecture, superb dining and non-stop nightlife make Barcelona an unmissable spot. Wander the labyrinthine streets of the Old Quarter, grab fresh juice at the colourful La Boqueria market, sample Catalan dishes on a tapas crawl through the funky El Born neighbourhood, or discover Gaudi's architectural masterpieces.

6. Granada

Come for the sprawling beauty of the 11th-century Alhambra Palace, stay for the small flamenco taverns and some of the best tapas in Spain. Whether you want to do a local produce tasting at a family-run delicatessen, explore the Moorish Albaicin quarter and traditional tea houses or marvel at the beautiful tombs at the Royal Chapel, it's impossible not to fall in love with Granada's charm.

The official currency in Spain is the Euro (EUR). 

Major credit cards are widely accepted by large stores and hotels, but smaller cafes and shops may not accept them, so make sure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases! 

For your cash needs, ATMs are very common in Spain, so finding one won’t be a problem in most towns and cities.