Spain

Spain greets you with sunlit plazas, late-night tapas, Moorish courtyards perfumed with orange blossom, and coastlines that flip from wild and volcanic to calm and crystalline. Each region feels like its own small country—Gaudí’s whimsical Barcelona, the royal pageantry and museum mile of Madrid, Andalusia’s guitar-and-flamenco soul, the Basque Country’s pin-sharp cuisine, and island chains where time slows to the rhythm of the sea. It’s this rich variety – culture, food, nature, and celebration—that makes Spain as perfect for a quick escape as it is for a long, layered journey.

Spain’s capital is Madrid; you’ll fly into either Madrid or Barcelona for most itineraries. Spanish (Castellano) is the national language, with Catalan, Basque, and Galician proudly spoken regionally. The currency is the Euro (€), contactless cards are common, and the electrical system uses 230V with Type C/F plugs. Spain runs on Central European Time (CET; CEST in summer) and an easygoing daily rhythm: lunch later than you expect, dinner often 8:30–10:30 pm, and small shops that may pause for a siesta. Tipping is not obligatory; round up or leave 5–10% for standout service. In cities and tourist hubs, keep an eye on valuables—Spain is welcoming and safe, but pickpockets love busy plazas.

When to go?

Spring (March–June) and autumn (September–October) deliver the sweet spot: balmy weather, lively festivals, fewer crowds, and—in autumn – grape harvests and golden light. July–August is beach and island season, with the south running hot and popular sights busy. Winter brings culture and value in the big cities, balmy breaks in Andalusia, and springlike days year-round in the Canary Islands.

Where to start?

Think in regions. Catalonia’s Barcelona is a masterclass in modernist architecture: Sagrada Família’s towers, Park Güell’s mosaics, the playful lines of La Pedrera—plus urban beaches and a thriving food scene. Madrid showcases Spain’s royal heart and artistic soul: the Prado, Reina Sofía (home to Picasso’s Guernica), grand boulevards, and tapas-as-a-lifestyle in La Latina and Chamberí. In Andalusia, Seville dazzles with its Alcázar, cathedral, and flower-filled patios; Córdoba’s Mezquita layers centuries of history in its forest of arches; Granada’s Alhambra, best seen at golden hour, is a Moorish poem in stone. Valencia pairs futuristic architecture at the City of Arts & Sciences with Mediterranean beach vibes and paella in its birthplace. The Basque Country (Bilbao and San Sebastián) serves world-class museums and pintxos bars that turn dinner into a treasure hunt. Out at sea, the Balearics—Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza—offer coves, sailing, cliff walks, and design-forward stays; choose Ibiza for nightlife, Menorca for hush, and Mallorca for a bit of everything. Farther south-west, the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria) deliver volcanic landscapes, black and gold beaches, and sunshine almost every week of the year. For mountain arcs and stone villages, the Pyrenees and Val d’Aran are superb in both hiking and ski seasons.

What to experience:

Make your first evening a guided stroll – cities like Seville, Granada, and Barcelona glow at dusk, and expert stories unlock the palaces and alleyways. In Barcelona, a Gaudí-focused walk with rooftop access lets you trace organic geometry from street to skyline. In Seville or Madrid, a tapas-and-flamenco night folds rhythm and flavor into one vivid memory. Food lovers can spend an entire day snacking, from San Sebastián’s pintxos crawl to a market-to-table tour with a local cook. For wine, pair La Rioja or Ribera del Duero vineyard visits with a leisurely lunch beneath vine trellises. Sun-chasers should block a sailing day: anchoring in a Mallorcan cala, swimming in clear water, and drifting back under a peach sunset is Spain at its softest. Pilgrims at heart might try a short Camino de Santiago stage in Galicia—with a host to carry the stories while you collect the stamps. If football is in season, a match night in Madrid or Barcelona drops you into Spanish passion at full volume.

On the plate:

Tapas and pintxos are the grammar of Spanish dining: croquetas, tortilla española, patatas bravas, anchovies and olives, grilled octopus, and veggie-forward plates like escalivada or salmorejo. Beyond bar snacks, Valencia is the home of paella and its many rice cousins. Charcuterie lovers will meet their match in jamón ibérico; cheese fans, in manchego. Sweets run from churros con chocolate to almond-rich tarta de Santiago. Spain’s wine map is vast: Rioja and Ribera del Duero for reds, Priorat for concentrated power, Albariño for seafood days, plus sparkling cava from Penedès. Don’t miss a vermouth hour on a lazy Sunday.

Festivals and living culture:

Spain’s calendar carries the country’s character from solemn to euphoric. Holy Week (Semana Santa) brings candlelit processions, especially powerful in Andalusia. Seville’s Feria de Abril fills riverside fairgrounds with music, dancing, and family casetas. Pamplona’s San Fermín is world famous (and not for the shy). La Tomatina in Buñol—yes, the tomato one—keeps late August playful. Throughout Catalonia, castellers (human towers) rise at local fiestas. Dates shift year to year, but your trip can easily weave around one of these if you want to feel Spain turned up to 11.

Getting around:

Spain’s high-speed AVE trains shrink the map: Barcelona–Madrid in about three hours, Madrid–Seville in a similar window, with comfortable seats and city-center to city-center simplicity. Domestic flights tie long hops and the islands together. For Andalusia’s white villages, Rioja’s vineyards, or island loops, a self-drive delivers flexibility. In cities, metros and trams are clean and reliable – and most historic centers are best explored on foot.

Practicalities:

Connectivity is easy: eSIMs are widely available and coverage is solid. Most major sights offer skip-the-line entries and accessible routes; advance booking is smart in peak months. If you’re visiting churches and mosques-turned-monuments, carry modest coverings and read room-by-room etiquette—it’s a small gesture that goes a long way. As for health and safety, Spain maintains high standards of food hygiene and public cleanliness; your biggest risk is sun exposure and, in crowds, pickpockets—simple awareness rules the day.

Entry and visa basics:

Spain sits in the Schengen Area. Many travelers can visit up to 90 days within a 180-day window; others need a short-stay Schengen visa. Standard documents include flights, accommodation confirmations, proof of funds, travel insurance, and a clear purpose of travel. Requirements evolve—always check the latest rules for your nationality before you book nonrefundable services.

How many days are “enough”?

A great first trip runs 7–10 days, letting you string together two or three regions without rushing. If you can stretch to 12–14+ days, Spain really opens: one major city, a second region for contrast, then either a wine country or an island for the finale. You can also combine Spain with Portugal or the south of France thanks to quick flights and growing rail options.

Trip style:

We design itineraries in three simple styles to match your time and travel personality:

• Escape (5–7 days): For a first taste, pair Barcelona and Madrid with a Toledo day trip, or settle into Andalusia with Seville, Córdoba, and Granada. Think curated highlights, skip-the-line entries, and neighborhood food tours that make a short trip feel rich.
• Explore (9–12 days): A classic arc we love: Barcelona → Madrid → Seville → Granada, stringing together Gaudí, galleries, flamenco, and the Alhambra. Foodies might pivot north: Bilbao → San Sebastián → La Rioja → Barcelona for art, pintxos, vineyards, and seaside afternoons.
• Exclusive (12–14+ days): Go grand without going loud. Mix Barcelona and Valencia with Madrid and an Andalusian loop through Ronda and Granada, weaving private guides, vineyard lunches, and a sunset sail into the edges. Or fly to the Balearics for a villa-and-yacht rhythm—Mallorca for coves and countryside fincas, Menorca for quiet beaches and heritage trails, Ibiza for design-forward stays and polished dining.

Across all styles, we match accommodations to your comfort—3★/4★/5★ and boutique stays—prioritizing great locations so you spend more time exploring and less time commuting.

Family-friendly Spain:

Spain travels beautifully with kids. Barcelona’s Gaudí rooftops feel like stepping into a storybook; Valencia’s Oceanogràfic is a full-day wow; Mallorca’s easy coastal walks and boat trips let little legs set the pace; short, engaging flamenco shows introduce culture without testing attention spans; and churros breaks may become a daily ritual. With thoughtful pacing (free afternoons, pools, parks) and a handful of hands-on experiences, families thrive here.

Travel light, travel right:

Spain rewards curiosity and respect. Refill water bottles where possible, eat in family-run places, and book licensed guides and regulated flamenco venues so your euros support the craft. Dress codes matter in active places of worship, and quiet hours in old neighborhoods keep life livable for residents. Small choices, big impact.

Vegetarian and vegan travelers:

Plant-based options have blossomed: look for “vegetariano/vegano” on menus and markets. Cities and islands alike now feature excellent plant-forward kitchens; with a bit of pre-planning, you’ll eat wonderfully across Spain’s regions.

A final note on style and rhythm:

Do the cities first while you’re fresh – museum miles, palace courtyards, rooftop views—and save the islands or coasts for your last chapter. That way you end on a soft landing: sea swims, vineyard sunsets, and a calendar that suddenly has nothing urgent left on it.

When you’re ready, tell us your Spain vibe—city buzz, island calm, or foodie heaven – and we’ll craft the route, secure the entries, line up special access, and match you with guides who love sharing their Spain. From Gaudí rooftops to Balearic sunsets, your only job will be to arrive hungry for the day.