Spain is Europe's most diverse country — a place of extraordinary regional differences, world-class art and architecture, one of the great food cultures on earth, and a climate that ranges from the green mountains of the Basque Country to the desert landscapes of Almería. Barcelona and Madrid are two of the world's great cities. The Alhambra in Granada is one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed. And the food — from pintxos in San Sebastián to paella in Valencia — is extraordinary. Here's what you need to know.
Visas & Entry
Spain is a member of the Schengen Area. EU and EEA citizens can enter with a national ID card or passport. US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and most other Western nationals can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. From 2025, non-EU visitors require ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) pre-travel authorisation — a simple online application costing €7, valid for 3 years. UK citizens (post-Brexit) are subject to the 90/180-day Schengen rule and require ETIAS. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date. Spain uses 230V electricity with Type F (Schuko) plugs. The emergency number is 112. Note: the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) are part of Spain — the same entry rules apply.
Understanding Spain's Regions
Spain is not one country but many — each region has its own language, culture, food, and identity. This is essential to understand before you visit. Catalonia (Barcelona): Catalan is the primary language; the culture is distinct from Castilian Spain; the food is extraordinary. The Basque Country (Bilbao, San Sebastián): Basque is the primary language; San Sebastián has more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere on earth; pintxos (Basque tapas) are the world's finest bar food. Andalusia (Seville, Granada, Córdoba): the Spain of flamenco, bullfighting, sherry, and the Alhambra — the most "traditionally Spanish" region. Madrid (Castile): the capital, with the world's greatest collection of Spanish art (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen). Valencia: the home of paella and the City of Arts and Sciences. Galicia (Santiago de Compostela): green, rainy, Celtic — more similar to Portugal than to Andalusia. Each region deserves its own trip.
Spanish Food Culture
Spanish food culture is built around sharing, socialising, and eating late. Lunch (2–4pm) is the main meal of the day — the menú del día (set lunch menu: starter, main, dessert, bread, and wine) costs €10–15 and is the best value meal in Spain. Dinner starts at 9–10pm — eating before 8:30pm marks you as a tourist. Tapas: in most of Spain, tapas are small dishes ordered at the bar — you pay for each one. In Granada and Almería, tapas are free with every drink (one of Spain's great traditions). Pintxos (Basque Country): small bites on bread, displayed on the bar — take what you want and pay at the end. Must-try dishes: jamón ibérico (cured Iberian ham — the finest in the world), tortilla española (potato omelette), gazpacho (cold tomato soup), paella (Valencia's rice dish — never order it in Madrid), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), and churros con chocolate (fried dough with thick hot chocolate — the best breakfast in the world).
Getting Around Spain
Spain has one of the world's best high-speed rail networks. The AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) connects Madrid to Barcelona (2.5 hours), Seville (2.5 hours), Valencia (1.5 hours), Málaga (2.5 hours), and Bilbao (5 hours). Book in advance on Renfe or Iryo for the best prices (from €20 each way). Vueling, Iberia, and Ryanair operate domestic flights — useful for the Canary Islands and Balearics. Car hire is essential for Andalusia's rural areas, the Basque coast, Galicia, and the Pyrenees. Within cities: Barcelona and Madrid have excellent metro systems. Seville has a good tram and bus network. Taxis: use Cabify or Bolt — cheaper than street taxis.
Best Places to Visit
Barcelona: the Sagrada Família (Gaudí's extraordinary unfinished basilica — book in advance), the Gothic Quarter, Park Güell, and the Picasso Museum are the highlights. The food scene is world-class. Madrid: the Prado Museum (Velázquez, Goya, El Greco — one of the world's great art museums), the Reina Sofía (Picasso's Guernica), the Retiro Park, and the tapas bars of La Latina. Granada: the Alhambra (the most beautiful building in Spain — book months in advance) and the Albaicín neighbourhood. Seville: the Cathedral (the largest Gothic cathedral in the world), the Alcázar, and the Triana neighbourhood for flamenco. San Sebastián: the most beautiful city in Spain — the Concha beach, the Old Town pintxos bars, and the Michelin-starred restaurants. Toledo: a perfectly preserved medieval city 30 minutes from Madrid by train — the El Greco Museum and the Cathedral are extraordinary.
Practical Tips
Siesta: many smaller shops and restaurants close from 2–5pm — plan around this. Major tourist attractions and supermarkets stay open. Language: Spanish (Castilian) is spoken everywhere; Catalan in Catalonia, Basque in the Basque Country, Galician in Galicia. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and by younger people. Tipping: 10% in restaurants is appreciated but not obligatory. Round up taxi fares. Safety: Spain is generally very safe. Pickpocketing is the main risk — particularly on Las Ramblas in Barcelona, the Madrid Metro, and crowded tourist areas. Keep bags in front of you. Weather: Spain's climate varies enormously by region. The south (Andalusia, Murcia) is very hot in summer (40°C+). The north (Basque Country, Galicia) is mild and rainy year-round. Madrid has extreme temperatures — very hot in summer, cold in winter. The best time to visit most of Spain is April–June and September–October.
