Spain

When to go

Spring and autumn win for almost everyone. Summer works only if you embrace siesta and swim before noon.

Where to go

Spain splits into distinct personalities. You cannot do it all in one trip. Pick a lane.

Andalucía is the sun-drenched south with Moorish palaces, flamenco, and white hill towns. Seville, Granada, and Córdoba are essential. The Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella) is a concrete beach strip for British package tourists. Skip it unless you want cheap beer and fish and chips. Instead drive the white villages (Ronda, Vejer, Arcos de la Frontera). It suits romantics and history buffs.

Catalonia has its own language and culture. Barcelona is the obvious draw but avoid August beach crowds. Girona and the Costa Brava coves are better for a calm coastal break. Tarragona has a huge Roman complex. Suits foodies (El Bulli legacy) and architecture fans.

Madrid is the capital with three world-class art museums (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen) and a nightlife that starts at 1am. Day trips to Toledo, Segovia, and El Escorial are easy by train. Suits museum lovers and party people.

The Basque Country (Bilbao, San Sebastián) has the highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita and pintxos bars. San Sebastián's beaches rival any in the world. Rain is common. Suits serious eaters.

Northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria) is green, rainy, and has incredible seafood, Celtic music, and Romanesque churches. Santiago de Compostela is the pilgrimage endpoint. Suits hikers and seafood lovers.

The Canary Islands are volcanic year-round warm. Tenerife and Gran Canaria have mass tourism. La Palma has stargazing. Lanzarote has surreal lava landscapes. Suits winter sun seekers.

Navarre and Aragón have the Pyrenees, the Camino de Santiago, and Pamplona's running of the bulls (July 2026). Suits hikers and festival lovers.

Getting around

Trains are the best choice for major cities. Renfe high-speed AVE trains connect Madrid to Barcelona (2h30, 60-120 EUR one way), Seville (2h30, 40-90 EUR), and Málaga (2h40, 40-80 EUR). Book at least 3 weeks ahead on renfe.com or via Omio for 30-50% discounts. Regional trains (Media Distancia) are cheap but slow: Madrid to Toledo 2 EUR for a 30-minute ride.

Buses are cheaper but slower. ALSA covers the entire country. Madrid to Granada bus takes 5 hours (25-35 EUR) vs 3h train (50-80 EUR). Use buses for small towns not on the rail line.

Flying is only worth it for long distances (Barcelona to Canary Islands, 2h30, 40-80 EUR each way on Vueling or Ryanair). Add check-in and bag fees. Landing at London Stansted is not a holiday.

Car rental costs 35-70 EUR per day including insurance. Automatic transmissions are rare and expensive. Drive in Andalucía or the north for small villages. Do not drive in central Madrid or Barcelona. Parking in historic centers is a nightmare.

Taxis and ride shares: Uber and Cabify work in major cities but are not cheaper than taxis. A typical short city ride costs 8-12 EUR.

Budget

Realistic low season budget for a solo traveler: 60-80 EUR per day. For a couple in mid-range: 200-250 EUR per day.

Mistakes to avoid

Eating dinner at 7pm. Restaurants open for dinner at 8.30pm earliest. 9pm is normal. You will get cold food and a confusing waiter if you show up at 6pm.

Going to Sagrada Familia without a ticket. You wait 2-3 hours in line in the sun. Book online at least 3 days ahead. Same for Alhambra in Granada. Book 2 weeks ahead in summer.

Ordering 'una cerveza' generically. You will get a tiny glass of industrial lager. Ask for 'una caña' for a small draught beer. For craft beer, say 'una artesana.' In cider bars (Asturias, Basque Country) drink sidra correctly: hold the bottle high.

Calling the food 'tapas' in Sevilla correctly. In Andalucía tapas come free with a drink at some bars. In Madrid you pay for each aperitivo. In Barcelona you order 'raciones' (full plates). Do not expect free food in Barcelona.

Assuming everyone speaks English. Young Spaniards and service staff do. Older locals in villages do not. Learn 10 words: 'hola,' 'gracias,' 'por favor,' 'la cuenta,' 'una caña.'

Taking a taxi from Madrid airport to city center. Metro is 5 EUR and takes 25 minutes. Taxi costs 40-60 EUR and takes the same time. Train (Cercanías) costs 2.60 EUR to Atocha.

Visiting in August without planning for closures. Many small shops and family-run restaurants close for 2-4 weeks. Madrid becomes a ghost town. Barcelona is overrun. Skip coastal crowds.

Getting scammed by 'free' flamenco tickets. On Las Ramblas in Barcelona, men offer free flamenco tickets. They lead you to a club that charges 50 EUR for a drink. Book at an accredited tablao like Casa de la Memoria (20 EUR).