Spain tours & vacations
Spain is full of culture, charisma and savory cuisine
Passion is the constant across Spain’s diverse regions and cultures, from the twirling skirts of flamenco dancers in Seville to the eccentric architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona. Here, art isn’t just in the grand paintings of Picasso in Madrid; it’s in the jamon expertly cured by a family who’s been making it for centuries; it’s in the life-affirming pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, and it’s palpable in the Catalonian wine region as you sip on local samples made with love. Like its art, Spain offers something for everyone.
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Spain at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Madrid (6.9 million)
POPULATION
47.5 million
CURRENCY
Euro (EUR)
LANGUAGE
Spanish
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Madrid winter, (GMT+02:00) Madrid summer
CALLING CODE
+34
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
Learn more about Spain
Best time to visit
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.
Eating and drinking
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 favorite, 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
A 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.
Geography and environment
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 travelers 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 travelers 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.
History and culture
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 flavor.
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).
Top places to visit 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 colorful La Boqueria market, sample Catalan dishes on a tapas crawl through the funky El Born neighborhood, 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.
Money matters
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.
Spain travel FAQs
Generally, you will not need a visa to travel to Spain for up to 90 days. Some citizens of a select few nationalities may need to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Spain. For more information, please visit the government of Spain’s website or the Essential Trip Information.
If you are from a Schengen visa-exempt country, you must still abide by the entry requirements of the EU country you are entering. To enter Spain, you may need:
A passport issued within the past ten years
A passport valid for three months after your date of departure from the EU
Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds
Proof of onward or exit travel
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Tipping in Spain is entirely optional. If you would like to tip, rounding up the bill or leaving spare change in restaurants should be sufficient. Feel free to tip more for good service, but it isn’t expected of you.
What you need to pack for a trip to Spain depends on when and where you are traveling.
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions we travel to, so we recommend dressing lightly in breathable clothing for your comfort.
The weather can be unpredictable in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, so we recommend packing layers that are easy to add or remove and waterproof clothing—just in case it rains!
Winter is cold, and snow is always possible, so you will want to pack warm layers and perhaps some gloves and a hat. Of course, this depends on where you are travelling, whether you’re going to be in the chilly northern mountainous region or down on the southern coast.
Drinking water from taps is safe in Spain unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water!
Internet access is good in Spain. Internet cafes and wi-fi hotspots are easily found in most cities and major towns. In some very remote and rural areas, access can be patchy, but this is improving.
Cell phone coverage is generally very good in Spain. If you want to use your cell phone, purchase a local sim or ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive (but be aware of the fees this may incur).
Flushable, Western-style toilets are the standard in Spain. Be aware that public toilets aren’t as common in Spain as they are in some other countries and you often have to pay to use them. Be sure to carry change to avoid being caught short when it's time to go!
Overall, Spain is a welcoming and safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers. Same-sex marriage is legal, and laws exist to protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals to live free from of discrimination (though employment discrimination laws do not yet protect transgender individuals).
Public opinion on LGBTQIA+ individuals is relatively positive. Though LGBTQIA+ travelers may encounter more conservative views in rural areas and small towns, the risk of experiencing overt discrimination in Spain is very low for travelers.
Transgender individuals and gender non-conforming folks are widely accepted in Spain, though gender identity-based discrimination still occurs.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveler
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Spain directly support our foundation partner, Open Arms.
Open Arms
Open Arms protects people fleeing from their home country to reach Europe by sea. Donations from our trips help them protect immigrants abandoned in international waters fleeing war, persecution and poverty. They collaborate with healthcare and frontline research teams to support immigrants through health emergencies and work in their countries of origin to strengthen communities and build alternatives to irregular or unsafe immigration.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
Spain is a mixed bag when it comes to access for travelers with disabilities. While some regions like Catalonia are proactively working to meet the needs of travelers with disabilities, others may prove challenging for travelers with mobility and/or visual impairments.
Barcelona is notable as one of the most wheelchair-friendly cities in Europe. All of Barcelona’s major sights are accessible for wheelchair users, and some beaches have all-terrain wheelchairs for free hire as well as boardwalks that extend to the water. The vast majority of metro stations and all buses are accessible to folks with reduced mobility. Many train stations in Barcelona have tactile strips to direct folks with vision impairments to platforms, ticket machines, and elevators. Ticket machines and elevators have speech options in a variety of languages.
Madrid is also a city committed to accessible travel, with metro and bus systems that can be used by people with mobility and visual impairments and many accessible monuments.
Spain’s national parks are somewhat accessible, as they are commonly outfitted with accessible interpretation centers and viewpoints. The trails of the Picos de Europa are well-maintained and non-reflective, so may be accessible to people with visual impairments (depending on the severity of the impairment).
Travelers who use battery-operated hearing aids should familiarise themselves with the Spanish equivalent of the batteries their devices need.
If you do live with a visual, hearing, or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you, and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.