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InternationalTravel.ai > Spain

Spain

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Spring

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: November

Famous For: Flamenco, Mediterranean beaches, Moorish architecture, Tapas and wine

Train Access: Yes (renfe, ave, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (ALSA, Avanza, Damas, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: EU and US citizens can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement. Passport validity of at least 6 months beyond travel dates is required. Non-Schengen citizens should verify specific requirements with Spanish consulates.

Spain spans Mediterranean beaches, Pyrenees mountains, and diverse regional cultures across Catalonia, Andalusia, Basque Country, and Castile. Travelers visit the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, flamenco performances in Seville, and coastal towns like San Sebastián. The country features tapas bars serving jamón ibérico and seafood paella in Valencia, wine regions in La Rioja and Ribera del Duero, and whitewashed villages in Andalusia. Experiences include hiking in Picos de Europa, exploring Roman ruins in Mérida, attending bullfights, and swimming in the Mediterranean or Atlantic coasts.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Spain

Weather: Spain experiences a Mediterranean climate in coastal areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters, while inland regions can be more continental with greater temperature extremes. Summer temperatures typically range from 25-35°C (77-95°F), with coastal areas being slightly cooler. Winters are generally mild in the south and coastal regions, ranging from 5-15°C (41-59°F), though inland areas can be colder. Rainfall is concentrated in autumn and spring, with summers being predominantly dry.

Festivals: San Fermín (Pamplona), La Tomatina (Buñol), Las Fallas (Valencia), Semana Santa (Seville)

Best Destinations for Kids: PortAventura theme park near Barcelona and the interactive CosmoCaixa science museum in Barcelona provide full-day entertainment. The beaches of Costa Brava and family-friendly towns like Nerja in Andalusia offer swimming, water sports, and relaxed coastal exploration suitable for children.

Hidden Gem: Asturias in northwestern Spain features dramatic green valleys, coastal cliffs at Cabrales, and the Picos de Europa mountains with minimal tourist crowds compared to southern regions. The region offers authentic cider culture, Romanesque churches, and hiking trails through unspoiled landscapes.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations range from €20-40 per night in hostels to €50-80 for mid-range hotels outside major cities. Meals at local menú del día (set lunch menus) cost €10-15, while tapas and drinks run €3-8 per item. Regional trains via Renfe and long-distance buses through FlixBus provide affordable transport between regions at €15-50 depending on distance. Grocery shopping at Carrefour or Mercadona reduces food costs significantly for self-catering travelers.

Accessibility: Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona have accessible metro systems with elevators and designated spaces, though older neighborhoods feature narrow streets and stairs. Accessible taxis and rental car services are available, but rural areas and historic town centers present mobility challenges. Hotels in city centers typically offer better accessibility than rural accommodations.

For the Solo Traveler: Spain is safe for solo travelers with well-developed tourism infrastructure and frequent public transport connections between regions. Solo travelers navigate easily via trains, buses, and metro systems in major cities. Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville attract solo visitors with active hostel scenes and walking-friendly layouts. Women solo travelers report general safety, though standard urban precautions apply in crowded areas and late-night transit.

Planning a 1 Week Stay: A 7-day itinerary covers Barcelona (2 days) for Gaudí architecture, Madrid (2 days) for museums and plazas, and Seville or Granada (2-3 days) for Andalusian culture and the Alhambra. This route connects via high-speed AVE trains and captures Spain's architectural, artistic, and regional diversity without excessive travel time.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: A 30-day journey begins in Barcelona and Madrid (5 days each), continues through Andalusia visiting Córdoba, Granada, and Seville (7 days), then explores lesser-known regions like Asturias, the Basque Country around San Sebastián, and wine regions in La Rioja (10 days). Reserve final days for coastal areas like Costa Brava or the Balearic Islands to balance cultural immersion with relaxation.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Others, Pan's Labyrinth, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Popular Foods: Spanish cuisine is rich and varied, with popular dishes including paella, a rice dish often made with seafood or meat; tapas, small plates of food like olives, cheese, and cured meats; and tortilla española, a thick omelette made with potatoes and onions. For dessert, churros with chocolate, a fried-dough pastry served with a chocolate dipping sauce, is a beloved treat.

Unusual Eats: Casu Marzu is a Sardinian cheese that contains live insect larvae and is considered a delicacy in Spain, although it may be off-putting to visitors. Orujo is a strong Galician spirit distilled from the remains of grapes after pressing, which can be quite intense for those not accustomed to potent liquors.

Popular Sports: football, basketball, tennis, cycling, motorcycling

Popular Teams: Real Madrid CF (football), FC Barcelona (football), Atlético Madrid (football), Valencia CF (football)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: In Spain, it is considered rude to enter a room or leave a group without greeting or saying goodbye to everyone present. It's also a faux pas to rush through a meal; Spaniards enjoy long, leisurely dining and it's important to savor the experience. Additionally, be mindful of the siesta; many businesses close in the afternoon for a few hours, and it's considered impolite to disturb someone during this rest period.