Spain Snapshot

The months of May, June, September and October are ideal for visiting Spain. July and August, can get extremely hot (particularly in the south) and is the peak period for Spaniards to travel. During these months there is a mass exodus from the cities to the coast. The ‘Costas' become a hive of activity and the cities are fairly deserted.

Generally, pleasant weather can be found in different areas of the country, depending on the season. Why not retreat to the north of Spain and enjoy the beaches and mountains in the height of summer? In winter, the north can become quite cold so perhaps this is the time to enjoy the mild winter of the south?
  • Barcelona weather chart

Eating and Drinking in Spain

  • Tapas: Who would have thought that little bowls of seafood, pork, beef, vegetables and olives could be so filling? Have fun hopping to different tapas bars, trying classics like patatas bravas, croquetas, pulpo a la gallega and jamon serrano.
  • Wine: Don’t leave without trying a glass of tempranillo or sherry, both native to Spain. The Jerez area is famous for its sherry varieties, so have fun visiting local cellars for some taste testing.
  • Beer: Although Spain has a strong wine culture, local beer is still a great choice, especially on a hot summer’s day. Try Moritz, San Miguel or Estrella for a refreshing afternoon beach treat.
  • Coffee: Spaniards serve their coffee espresso-style, which is perfect considering the amount of caffeine required to stay up partying with the locals until the sun rises.
  • spain tapas local cuisine restaurant dinner restaurant

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. Food doesn’t get much better or fresher than in Spain. An abundance of fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, wines and pastries ensures there’s plenty to try in the bars, restaurants, cafes, street fiestas and markets of Spain.

Shopping in Spain

  • Leather: Spain is known for its excellent leather products, which generally offer good value for money. Bags, belts and footwear are the best picks, and will often last a lifetime.
  • Moorish Mementos: Elaborate Moorish-style decorated tiles, jewellery and scarves are great buys when travelling in Seville, Toledo, Cordoba and Granada.
  • Modern Art: With such rich artistic traditions, Spain is a good place to pick up a souvenir piece of art to hang at home. Whether it’s an iconic reproduction from a museum or an original piece from an up and coming artist, there’s enough variety here to satisfy most tourists.
  • Range of Moorish-style decorated tiles from Barcelona

Home of cult-fashion brand ZARA, Camper shoes, Lladro porcelain, Mango clothing and some of the best wine and olive oil in the world, shopping in Spain may not be cheap but quality is pretty much guaranteed if you stick to authentic brands and handmade goods, rather than fake imports.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Accommodation

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Spain you may find yourself staying in a:
spain accommodation hotel deck balcony view rooftop
  • Simple Hotel

  • Intrepid prefers smaller, character-filled hotels to hotel chains. When staying in Spain, enjoy staying in small, simple hotels owned and run by friendly locals, often with gardens, terraces and antique furniture.

Transport

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Spain, you may find yourself travelling by:
Underground subway train in Spain
  • Train

  • Spain’s trains are a reliable, fast and cost-effective way to travel around (and between) the cities. Many Intrepid trips in Spain incorporate rail travel, giving passengers the chance to take in the scenery and interact with locals and fellow travellers.