Money and payments
Cards and cash
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
Tipping
Tipping, or "propina" in Spanish is not mandatory nor considered customary in Spain.
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Europe · Southern EuropeUsable guideCountry in Southern and Western Europe
Photo: Eurostarshoteles, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Spain (Spanish: España) is famous for its friendly inhabitants, relaxed lifestyle, its cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and world-famous folklore and festivities, and historically the core of the vast Spanish Empire. It has the second-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites after Italy and the largest number of World Heritage Cities.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Spain.
Cards and cash
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
Tipping
Tipping, or "propina" in Spanish is not mandatory nor considered customary in Spain.
Spanish
Many English words have their origins in Latin, which makes it easy for English speakers to guess the meanings of many Spanish words.
For supported unlocked phones, a local SIM or an eSIM is another alternative.
The tap water in Spain is safe and of a drinkable quality.
The tap water in Spain is safe and of a drinkable quality. The water in some southern regions of the country, however, is sometimes sourced from salt water which can have a high mineral content.
Generally speaking, Spaniards are widely regarded as welcoming and friendly.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the vibrant capital, with fantastic museums, interesting architecture, great food and nightlife
Spain's second city, full of modernist buildings, a vibrant cultural life, festivals, and beaches
former industrial city, home to the Guggenheim Museum and other cultural features; main Basque city
Also called Cordova, The Grand Mosque ('Mezquita') of Cordoba is one of the world's finest buildings
stunning city in the south, surrounded by snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, home of La Alhambra
the heart of flamenco with the beaches of the Costa del Sol
a beautiful, verdant city, and home to the world's third largest cathedral
paella was invented here, has a very nice beach
200 km of white coast with plenty of beaches and small villages
the rugged coast with plenty of seaside resorts
the sunny coast in the south of the country
known as "a continent in miniature" due to its many different climates and landscapes
a Balearic island; one of the best places for clubbing, raving, and DJs in the entire world
the largest island of the Balears, full of amazing beaches and great nightlife
the highest mountains on the Iberian Peninsula, great for walking and skiing
offers lush forests, exotic fauna and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanoes, beautiful coastlines and spectacular beaches
Places in Spain on the World Heritage List.
Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Listed 1999
Cave of Altamira
Listed 1985
Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
Teide National Park
Listed 2007
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
Burgos Cathedral
Listed 1984
Garajonay National Park
Listed 1986
Tower of Hercules
Listed 2009
Doñana National Park
Listed 1994
Poblet Monastery
Listed 1991
Lonja de la Seda
Listed 1996
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Mild climate, stark mountains, and ties to the sea. This is the least touristed region of Spain, with a relatively mild climate compared to the rest of the country. The most prominent tourist destination in the area is Santiago de Compostela.
Known for its cuisine and for landscapes ranging from the beaches of San Sebastián to the wineries of La Rioja.
Impressive Roman ruins and popular Mediterranean beaches. The most famous and most visited city in the region is Barcelona. But it also includes Valencia and Costa Blanca.
With a more extreme climate than elsewhere in Spain, this region is dominated by the capital, Madrid. Another destination that attracts many visitors is the historic city of Toledo. Apart from the metropolitan area of Madrid, this is a sparsely populated area.
Community of Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, Castile and León, Extremadura
Full of history, including Moorish architecture and Arab-influenced culture, as well as mountains and beaches. Important cities in the region are Granada, Córdoba, Seville, Cádiz, Málaga as well as the Costa del Sol.
Super-popular Mediterranean beach destinations.
Volcanic islands off the coast of Morocco at a two-hour flight from mainland Spain. A place where the weather is warm even in the winter months.
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, Lanzarote, La Palma, El Hierro
Spanish exclaves along the coast of Morocco.
Public transport and paid services in Spain.
By bus
The least expensive way to get around most parts of Spain is by bus. Most major routes are point to point, and very high frequency.
By boat
Regular ferries travel from mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands (3-7h) and Canary Islands (36-40h). The major port serving Mallorca is Barcelona, while for Ibiza it is Denia.
By car
In major cities like Madrid or Barcelona and in mid-sized ones like San Sebastian, moving around by car is expensive and nerve-wracking. Fines for improper parking are uncompromising (€85 and up).
By e-hailing
Several cities in Spain are covered by Uber, Cabify, Bolt, Free Now and Pide Taxi
By taxi
All the major cities in Spain are served by taxis, which are a convenient, if somewhat expensive way to get around.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Spain.
Finding apps for Spain…
Other ways to travel:By thumbBy bicycle
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Madrid · International · MAD
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Madrid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 9° | 10° | 14° | 18° | 23° | 30° | 34° | 33° | 27° | 20° | 13° | 9° |
| Avg. low | -1° | -1° | 2° | 5° | 9° | 14° | 17° | 17° | 13° | 8° | 3° | 0° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 38 | 39 | 48 | 52 | 42 | 22 | 9 | 14 | 24 | 66 | 54 | 40 |
| Humidity | 84% | 78% | 73% | 69% | 59% | 46% | 35% | 36% | 48% | 66% | 79% | 83% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$70
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$190
Per person, per day
Luxury
$485
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $35 | $105 | $280 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $40 | $95 |
| Local transport | $10 | $20 | $45 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $65 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Spain due to terrorism and unrest. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning and target: Tourist locations Transportation centers like airports and train stations Markets and shopping malls Local government facilities Hotels, clubs, and restaurants Places of worship and educational institutions Parks Major sporting and cultural events Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Reconsider travel to Ceuta due to unrest.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the travel advice for France before you start your journey. If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey. No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about the risks of travel, to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Spain.
ItinerariesHow to book Renfe AVE, Iryo and Ouigo high-speed trains across Spain, avoid luggage traps and plan seamless multi-city rail itineraries.
6 min read
Culture & historyHow to secure elusive Alhambra tickets, explore Córdoba's Mezquita and experience Seville's Real Alcázar without crowds or booking errors.
6 min read
Food & drinkHow to master the tapeo bar crawl in Spain, decode free tapas in Granada, order Basque pintxos and eat like a local from Madrid to Seville.
7 min read
InspirationTen places with real character and room to breathe, from Ohrid's lakeside churches to Argentina's high-altitude vineyards.
7 min read
Food & drinkAlthough less famous than its culinary neighbours to the east or north, Spanish cuisine is one of the great cuisines of the Mediterranean, and Spaniards are very proud of their gastronomy.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Spanish Empire (Spanish: Imperio español) lasted from the time of Christopher Columbus to around 1900, and was the starting point for many of the famous European explorers and the home of an empire that, for…
Wikivoyage
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