Spain Travel Guide

Spain is one of my favorite countries that I’ve visited. From its incredible architecture to its fascinating historical sights to delicious food, it’s a country that has a lot to offer.

Let’s plan your trip!

Top Things to Do | Itineraries | Know Before You Go | Transportation | When to Travel | Costs & Budget | Solo Female Travel Advice | Photo Inspiration | All Blog Posts

Top Things to Do in Spain

Barcelona – Check out the famous modernista architecture, including the iconic and stunning La Sagrada Familia.

Madrid – The capital of Spain has loads of art museums and makes a great base for exploring nearby cities.

Bilbao – The largest city in the Basque Country is home to numerous art museums, including the famous Guggenheim Museum.

Seville – This city is less about sight seeing and more about relaxing. But you’ll still find some great sights in the Real Alcazar and the Seville Cathedral.

Granada – My favorite city in Spain and home to the famed Moorish palace of The Alhambra.

Toledo – The former capital of Spain is full of history. Visit the cathedral, take a walking tour, or visit an art museum on your visit.

Santiago de Compostela – For pilgrims completing the Camino de Santiago, this is their final stop. For non-hikers, come visit the cathedral that so many walk for hundreds of miles to see.

Segovia – This is an easy day trip from Madrid and while you can see it’s castle and cathedral, it’s the aqueduct that runs through the heart of the city that is the real attraction.

Málaga and the Costa del Sol – Spain is famous for its beaches and you’ll find some amazing beaches in this part of Spain.

White Hill Towns of Andalusia – Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, and Zahara are just a few of the small, picturesque hill towns you can explore in southern Spain.

Itineraries in Spain

So far, I’ve only been to Spain once, but it’s a country that I can’t wait to get back and explore more. But, I’ve put together what I think is the perfect 10 day itinerary for anyone’s first trip to Spain.

Know Before You Go

Currency – Euro. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

Language – Spanish is the official language of Spain, but you’ll hear Catalan in Barcelona and Catalunya, and Basque in Bilbao and the Basque Country. English is spoken, but I didn’t find it to be as widespread as some other European countries. In my hotels, the staff spoken English, but in restaurants, it wasn’t uncommon to have waiters who only spoke Spanish.

Power – 230V and 50hz. Types C and F.

Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.

Water – The tap water is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle.

Traveling Around Spain

By Plane – Use planes for longer jumps, such as Barcelona to Granada. Vueling is Spain’s low cost carrier and has a hub in Barcelona, but you’ll also find numerous flights connecting Madrid and Barcelona with smaller cities across the country.

By Train – Trains are fast and efficient and can help you connect cities that are further apart. Spain also has high speed trains and these should be booked far in advance to get the best price. Renfe is Spain’s national train operator.

By Bus – Buses are cheap and affordable, but can take longer. They’ll fill in the gaps where planes and trains don’t have great connections.

By Rental Car – If you’re traveling to smaller towns, a rental car may be a better option because public transportation is often limited.

When to Go to Spain

Low Season – Winter is low season when the weather is coolest and crowds are at their lowest. Expect major sights to have more limited hours at this time of year.

High Season – Summer is high season when crowds are at their peak. Temperatures can soar in Spain, so if you’re traveling during summer, air conditioning will be a necessity.

Shoulder Season – Spring and fall have the best mix of good weather and manageable crowds. This can be the ideal time to visit Spain.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Spain

In general, I found Spain to be an affordable European country. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you should expect.

Accommodations – Larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona will be more expensive than small towns. In Madrid and Barcelona, I stayed in centrally located, basic hotels. Those same hotels cost about 150 euro per night in 2023. In Seville and Granada, I paid the same price for centrally located, but much nicer hotels, but you can find some basic hotels in these cities for 100 euro per night.

Food – One of the easiest ways to cut your food costs is to take advantage of the “Menu del Día”, or Menu of the Day, for lunch. For 10 to 15 euros, you get an appetizer, a main dish, a desert, and a beverage. Dinners and fancier restaurants will cost more.

Transportation – Transportation costs vary wildly based on which mode of transport you choose, when you book your ticket, and which cities you are traveling between. For flights and high speed rail, book earlier for better prices. I’d recommend budgeting 70 euro for flights, 60 for trains, and 20 for buses between cities, but it’s better to look at the actual routes you take to get a more accurate idea.

Activities – Budget 15 to 20 euro per museum or sight that you plan to visit.

My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler

I traveled to Spain in October of 2019 as a solo female traveler and spent 11 days exploring the country. There was never a time where I felt unsafe. However, it should be noted that I didn’t go out after dark and I never drank, which standard for my travel and lifestyle.

My one warning is you should expect some attention from older men. I sat down on a bench to cool off in the shade and there happened to be an older man on the other end of the bench. He would not stop talking to me and was a little too friendly. I eventually left and ducked into a store and exited through a different entrance. I never felt unsafe, just uncomfortable. However, other than that one incident, I never had any issues in Spain.

Photos to Inspire Your Travels

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