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Spain

Spain is Mediterranean and Atlantic beaches with golden sand, the excitement of bullfighting and the passion of flamenco, the severe grandeur of Escorial and the intricate riot of forms of Sagrada Familia. Spain is multifaceted: its history and culture are woven from Moorish and knightly motifs, seasoned with the irony of Cervantes and the surrealism of Dali. The Spanish are a very cheerful people and know how to enjoy life.

Why go to the country?

Traveling to Spain is a great way to combine a Mediterranean beach holiday with an introduction to the culture of Castile, Leon, Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia, Galicia and the Basque Country – distinctive regions that were once separate states.

The resorts of Spain attract tourists with excellent beaches, high level of service and a variety of entertainment, as well as the opportunity to choose between relatively budget and luxury holidays. The cultural program will introduce you to ancient palaces, castles and monasteries, transfer you to the pages of films and books – to the times of the legendary Sid and the valiant Reconquista, Isabella and Ferdinand, the great inquisitor Torquemada and the gloomy Philip II. By the way, in terms of the number of cultural heritage sites, Spain ranks 3rd on the planet, second only to Italy and China.

For many travelers, Spain is the country of El Greco, Velasquez, Goya, Picasso, Antonio Gaudi and Salvador Dali. And some want to immerse themselves in the bright colors of Spanish holidays and festivals, bullfights and flamenco. As they say, the good news is that you can get all this in one trip.

Spain is interesting for fans of gastronomic tourism and shopping, offers cruises and holidays at ski resorts, is famous for its water parks and oceanariums. In addition, the country has a well-developed medical tourism sector, and the prices are much more democratic than in Germany, Israel or Switzerland.

The main thing about the country

Holidays in Spain are considered slightly more economical than in Italy, but slightly more expensive than in Greece. And definitely cheaper than on the French Riviera.

If you are planning a budget vacation, you can get by — together with inexpensive accommodation, modest meals and mostly independent excursions — for 100 euros per day (a little more than 10 thousand rubles at the exchange rate for September 2023). For a comfortable and eventful vacation in popular tourist spots, you will need 300 euros per day (30 thousand rubles).

Basic facts about the country:

  • The capital is Madrid.
  • The official language is Spanish. In Catalonia (capital Barcelona) Catalan has official status. The Basque Country has its own language. Other regions have their own dialectical features.
  • Most Spaniards are Catholic.
  • Time zone UTC+1. Twice a year, Spain changes its clocks to summer and winter time, so in summer the country lives on UTC+2.
  • In the Canary Islands, which also belong to Spain, the time zone is UTC+0 (UTC+1 in summer).

The Spanish are cheerful, emotional and love bright holidays. They treat tourists in a friendly manner, especially since a significant part of the population, especially in resort areas, earns money from travelers in one way or another.

Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal. The border with France runs along a narrow isthmus, along the Pyrenees Mountains.

90% of Spain’s territory is plateaus and mountains. But Spain is famous primarily for its seaside resorts rather than its ski resorts. Its main natural wealth is thousands of kilometers of beaches. Spain is washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the east and the waters of the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The country is separated from Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar.

In addition, Spain owns two archipelagos: the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

The climate varies in different parts of the country:

  • In the north there are warm summers and mild, wet winters, greatly influenced by Atlantic currents.
  • In the southeast there is a dry and very hot summer, a warm short winter. The climate is Mediterranean.
  • In the center of the peninsula there is a sharply continental climate, with cold winters.
  • There are practically no changes of seasons in the Canaries; the whole year is a holiday season.

Visa

To visit Spain you need a Schengen visa. 

When to go

  • The resort season on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, including Catalonia, begins quite late – in June. Only in the south, in Andalusia, do they start swimming in May. But the season lasts until October.
  • If you don’t like the heat, it’s better to come in the “velvet season” – in September or October, since in July-August the air temperature on the coast is above +30 °C. Spring and autumn are best suited for excursions.
  • On the Atlantic coast the sea is cooler, but by August it warms up to +22 °C. The best time for a holiday is July, August and early September.
  • You can vacation in the Canaries at any time of the year.
  • The ski season in Spain runs from the end of November to the beginning of March.

An interesting feature of the country is its rich holiday and festival life. Whenever you come to Spain, there will definitely be a festival or a local holiday in some city. Perhaps with original and even extreme traditions, like, for example, in Pamplona in Navarre, where the crowd runs away from the bulls. It is simply impossible to list all the Spanish holidays. Spain is one of the world centers of event tourism, so it makes sense to find out before your trip – where they are celebrating what now, where which festival or carnival is. It will definitely be fun and interesting there.Day and night temperatures+13 +4 Jan+14 +5 Feb+15 +6 Mar+17 +8 Apr+20 +12 May+24 +15 June+27 +18 July+28 +19 Aug+25 +16 Sen+21 +12 Oct+17 +8 Nov+14 +5 Dec

Currency

Spain is part of the Eurozone, the currency is the euro. In large cities and popular tourist places, Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. However, in the provinces there are still small cafes and souvenir shops where cash is required. It can be withdrawn from ATMs – in any bank office, in many shopping and entertainment centers.

It is better to travel with a reserve of cash, since rubles are not exchanged for euros in all exchange offices, especially in small towns. And the rate will be unfavorable. You can exchange dollars without problems even at a hotel or airport, but there is no point in going to the Eurozone with American currency. Banks in Spain are usually open until lunchtime – from 9:00 to 14:00. On Saturday – until 12:00, Sunday is a day off.

Prices

The following examples give an idea of ​​prices in Spain:

  • A room in a very modest hotel in a less popular place can be found for 30 euros (3,000 rubles), but it is more realistic to focus on prices from 70 euros (7,000 rubles), in Barcelona, ​​Ibiza – from 100 euros (10 thousand rubles). A comfortable room in a four-star hotel with a good location costs around 150 euros (15 thousand rubles). There are rooms for 500-800 euros (50-80 thousand rubles) and more.
  • The cost of lunch in a cafe is about 10 euros (from 1000 rubles), in a restaurant 20-50 euros (2000-5000 rubles). A cup of cappuccino costs on average 1.8 euros (180 rubles).
  • Public transport costs 1.5–2.5 euros (150–250 rubles). An unlimited tourist bus pass costs 35 euros (3,500 rubles) and is valid for 2–3 days.
  • The price for a taxi ride is 2-3 euros for boarding and 1.1-1.3 euros per kilometer (200-300 rubles + 110-130 rubles per km). A transfer from the airport costs 30-40 euros (3,000-4,000 rubles).
  • Bicycle rental costs 7 euros per day (700 rubles), car rental costs from 8 to 60 euros (800–6000 rubles).
  • Sightseeing tours – from 15 euros (1,500 rubles), bus tours – from 35 euros (3,500 rubles), to interesting sites – for example, the Montserrat Monastery – from 50 euros (5,000 rubles). Individual – from 150 euros (15 thousand rubles).
  • Tickets to museums, aquariums, zoos – usually from 7 to 20 euros (700-2000 rubles). But there are also more expensive objects. For example, a visit to the Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum in Girona will cost 70 euros (7000 rubles).
  • Attractions, water parks – from 30 euros (3000 rubles).
  • A set with flamenco attributes starts from 50 euros (5,000 rubles), although you can find cheaper options (but there will most likely be questions about the quality).
  • A package of jamon in a supermarket costs from 5 to 15 euros (500–1,500 rubles). A whole leg costs from 120 euros (12,000 rubles). Jamon Serrano and jamon Iberico can cost 200 euros per kg (20,000 rubles).

How to get there

Spain has many international airports, allowing tourists to fly directly to the region they are interested in. There are airports in Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Girona, Alicante, Malaga, and also on the island of Tenerife. Flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg have been temporarily cancelled, but you can fly to Spain via Istanbul, Dubai, and some other cities.

If you are travelling in Europe, you can travel from France and Portugal to Spain by high-speed train.

There are also cruise ports in this country, so those who wish can get there by sea – for example, on the route “Hamburg – Lisbon – Barcelona”. But it is much more convenient to first fly to Spain, and then from Barcelona go on a sea voyage along the Mediterranean Sea.

Resorts

Spain has three types of resorts: seaside, ski and balneological.

The main tourist flow is directed to the sea. The most popular are the Mediterranean coast with Barcelona and the island resorts of the country – the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. The climate at the Atlantic resorts is cooler.

The center of resort life on the Spanish Mediterranean is Barcelona, ​​the capital of Catalonia. This is a metropolis with a population of 1.6 million people, where everything is for a tourist: cultural life, entertainment, sports competitions (by the way, in 1992 the Olympic Games were held here), shopping centers, historical sights. Even when vacationing in small towns on the shores of the Mediterranean, travelers at least once visit Barcelona.

One of the advantages of Mediterranean resorts in Spain is the opportunity to find a relatively budget place to relax on a long coastline.

Spain’s island resorts, the most famous of which are Tenerife, Ibiza and Mallorca, are more expensive.

The country’s most famous ski resorts are located on the border with France, in the Pyrenees. The highest is Sierra Nevada. Another ski area is in the Iberian Mountains, where the largest winter resort in Spain is located – Formigal. Small ski resorts can be found in the vicinity of Madrid and Barcelona.

The balneological resorts of Spain have been known since the times of the Roman Empire. Now they are premium-class health resorts with health resorts and SPA centers. Olmedo, Solares, Villa Thermal Las Caldas, Guitiris and Lake Lago Thermal are famous for their waters. The main center of balneological recreation in Spain is Aragon.

Beaches

Spain, located on the Iberian Peninsula, has almost 7,761 km of coastline and about four thousand beaches – sandy, pebble, rocky. There are even some with black volcanic sand – on the island of Lanzarote.

On the Iberian Peninsula there are three beach areas belonging to Spain:

  • The most popular are on the Mediterranean Sea. These are the Costa Dorada (literally translated as “Golden Coast”), Costa Brava, Costa del Garraf and Costa del Maresme in Catalonia, and Costa Blanca in Valencia.
  • In the south, where Europe and Africa are separated by the Strait of Gibraltar, there are two beach areas of Andalusia – Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz.
  • On the western coast of the peninsula are the Atlantic beaches. These are Galicia, Costa Verde and Cantabria.
  • In addition, Spain owns the famous resort archipelagos:
  • The Canary Islands, with Tenerife and Lanzarote, are in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • The Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, are in the Mediterranean Sea.

Attractions

Spain has 48 monuments of world significance and hundreds of simply interesting places that any country can be proud of. Therefore, you can spend your vacation in the Pyrenees every year, and each time choose a new excursion route. Here is just a small list of the most famous sights of Spain:

  • In Madrid there is the Royal Palace with the Sabatini Gardens, the Prado Museum with a huge collection of priceless paintings, the Plaza de Cibeles with a magnificent palace and an elegant fountain, a monument to Don Quixote, and the Almudena Cathedral.
  • An hour’s drive from the capital is the Escorial palace-monastery, the residence of the most cruel king of Spain, Philip II.
  • In Seville there is the Alcazar Palace, the Giralda Tower and other colorful examples of the Moorish architectural style, as well as the modern and fantastic Metropol Parasol.
  • In Granada is the Alhambra Palace, which once belonged to the emirs who ruled Andalusia before the Reconquista, and the Royal Chapel, the burial place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Castile.
  • Barcelona has one of the most famous oceanariums in the world, the Picasso Museum, the Temple of the Sacred Heart on Mount Tibidabo, the Boqueria market, plus the phantasmagorical legacy of Gaudi – Park Guell, Casa Batlló, Milà, Vicens, Leo Morera and the unique Sagrada Familia.
  • Not far from Barcelona is the mountain monastery of Montserrat.
  • In Valencia there is the Oceanographic Centre and Botanical Garden, the Cathedral and the ancient Aguas Palace, the Prince Felipe Science Museum and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.
  • In Cordoba there is the Alcazar fortress (yes, it has the same name as the palace in Seville), the Calahorra tower, the Almodóvar del Río castle and the Mezquita, a former mosque from the era of the Cordoba Caliphate that has become a museum.
  • In Toledo there is the Alcazar castle (another one), the El Greco house-museum and the Inquisition museum.

The number of Alcazars in Spain should not be surprising – it is simply a general name for fortresses built during the Arab rule. To avoid confusion, they are sometimes called the Alcazar of Seville, the Alcazar of Cordoba, the Alcazar of Toledo – and so on.

Entertainment

Spain will appeal to those who love attractions, sea cruises, water parks, water sports, beach parties – in general, a rich resort holiday with a variety of impressions. If you prefer cultural pastime with the muses – there are also many options.

  • Diving, windsurfing, sea fishing, sailing, paragliding, helicopter excursions – what is not offered to tourists here, so that they will never get bored.
  • For lovers of aristocratic recreation there are equestrian clubs and golf clubs.
  • For connoisseurs of beauty – theatres and concert halls. The main ones are the Royal Opera House in Madrid and the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.
  • For children – water parks, zoos, oceanariums, dolphinariums, rope towns, dinosaur parks, amusement parks with attractions. (Adults also really like them).
  • The stadiums host football matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
  • Flamenco fire shows – on numerous stages and right in the squares.
  • Festivals, carnivals and city celebrations are held on the streets every now and then.
  • The nightlife beckons with the lights of clubs and casinos.
  • Boats and yachts – for every taste and budget. You can ride a fashionable yacht for a couple of hours or go on a full-fledged cruise.

Barcelona will delight you with a full range of these joys of life, Ibiza is famous for its youth and disco life, and other tourist cities in Spain also abound with entertainment for every taste.

What about bullfighting? To see a fight between a bull and a bullfighter, it is best to go to Madrid, where the largest arena in Spain, Las Ventas, is located, or to Seville, where the oldest is located. There is no bullfighting in Barcelona – it is prohibited.

As for the encierro in Navarre, when a crowd runs through the city streets from the rushing bulls, tourists are strongly advised to watch this extreme entertainment from safe places. It takes place from July 6 to 14.

Kitchen

Spain is one of the world’s centers of gastronomic tourism. Wine and culinary tours are organized in this country with visits to wineries, cheese dairies, master classes with chefs and lessons in slicing jamon. Jamon is undoubtedly the most famous Spanish delicacy. The most valuable types are jamon serrano (mountain) and jamon iberico (“black leg”). Spain is also famous for its sausages – Chorizo, Fuet, Sobrasada, Morcilla, Salchichon. Local cheeses are also valued, especially Asturian cabrales with blue mold. In the coastal cities, you will find an abundance of fresh fish and select seafood.

National cuisine in Spain has distinct regional characteristics – each region has its own culinary traditions. Dishes that are considered national – for example, paella – will be prepared differently in different parts of the country. The most famous Spanish dishes are cold tomato soup gazpacho, tortilla, paella and churros, donuts dipped in chocolate. But this is only the tip of the gastronomic iceberg.

To get acquainted with Spanish cuisine, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money: according to tourists’ reviews, national dishes are best prepared in small restaurants. Tapas bars are extremely popular in the country, where you can have a drink, chat with friends, and try a variety of snacks, which in Spain are united under the name “tapas”. 

In Michelin-starred haute cuisine restaurants, the cuisine is signature, and the prices are sky-high. For example, at Sublimotion in Ibiza, dinner costs 1,700 euros (170,000 rubles). This is one of the most expensive restaurants in the world. They serve molecular cuisine.

There are also historical restaurants in Spain. Madrid’s Sobrino de Botín is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest continuously operating restaurant on the planet. It opened three centuries ago, in 1725. According to legend, Francisco Goya himself washed plates there.

Souvenirs

The first association that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “gifts from Spain” is jamon. But this country has many other delicious products and attractive things that you will definitely want to take with you:

  • locally produced cheeses and sausages;
  • turron and other national sweets;
  • olive oil;
  • paella cooking set (can come with a frying pan);
  • lace from Galicia;
  • hand embroidery;
  • porcelain and ceramics;
  • espadrilles and other shoes from local manufacturers;
  • branded clothing from Spanish fashion designers;
  • T-shirts, balls and other fan paraphernalia with the logos of Real Madrid and Barcelona;
  • figurines of bulls, bullfighters, flamenco dancers, as well as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza;
  • interior accessories in the style of Antonio Gaudi;
  • Spanish style decorations, antique;
  • leather accessories (embossed leather from Cordoba is especially good);
  • decorative daggers made of Toledo steel;
  • Spanish fans, mantillas and hair combs;
  • bullfighter costume;
  • flamenco shoes and a frilled skirt (and don’t forget the castanets!).

The funniest souvenirs brought from Barcelona will be the Catalan caganers — shitting (forgive me) little people with the faces of very recognizable people. You can choose Trump, Merkel or someone else. Such figures cost from 4 to 15 euros (400-1500 rubles). It is believed that caganers bring luck and wealth. This is a Christmas souvenir, but it is sold at any time of the year. And not only in Catalonia — funny figures, beloved by tourists, can be found in souvenir shops all over Spain.

If you are going to buy clothes and shoes, it makes sense to go to the fashionable Madrid quarter of Argüelles or the shopping village with outlets. And in Barcelona there are special buses for shopaholics – Barcelona Shopping Line, they are easy to distinguish by their blue color. They make stops at popular shopping centers.

As for jamon, it is better to buy it not at the airport, where the price will definitely be too high, but in a supermarket. But even better – in the Madrid Jamon Museum or a specialized store selling delicacies.

Transport

Public transport in Spanish cities includes buses, trams, metro, commuter trains, and taxis. In large cities, you can buy a two- or three-day pass for a tourist bus. The routes of such buses pass through the most interesting places, and stops are near key attractions. A convenient and fairly budget-friendly way to see the city. The cost is around 35 euros (3,500 rubles). There is also a tourist train in Spain – Expreso de la Robla. Its route passes through the picturesque places of Leon and Castile. But the pleasure is not cheap – a single compartment in 2024, for which tickets are already on sale, will cost 1,900 euros (190 thousand rubles), a double – 2,200 euros (220 thousand rubles). This is more like a “hotel on wheels” with premium service.

For budget travel between cities and regions of Spain, you should choose commuter trains and intercity buses. There are also local flights. If you decide to go to neighboring countries, you can take a bus or a high-speed train. Five trains leave Spain for France every day, and three for Portugal.

Cruise ports in Spain offer a wide variety of routes. Most of them are from Barcelona – for every taste, from three days to several weeks. The most budget option, with accommodation in an inside cabin, will cost 330 euros (33,000 rubles). Other cruise ports are Valencia, Malaga, Cadiz, Vigo, as well as island ones – Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas in the Canaries, Santa Cruz in Tenerife.

Safety

Spain is ranked 32nd in the 2023 Global Peace Index, out of a total of 168 countries. That is, according to experts, life in the country is calm and safe. Some tension is created by separatist rallies that periodically take place in Catalonia: in early 2023, there were even clashes between police and demonstrators. Large nationalist demonstrations also occur in the Basque Country. Tourists are strongly advised to simply moderate their curiosity and not join street gatherings to “see what happens.”

In tourist areas during the high season – from July to September – the police operate in an enhanced mode.

In general, the main problems that tourists face in Spain are banal thefts in crowds or “mysterious disappearances” of bags and cameras left unattended.

Customs regulations

Before flying to Spain, it is worth checking whether your smartphone, tablet and other equipment are charged: they are checked at customs. If the gadget does not turn on, it can be confiscated from the tourist.

When going back, remember that customs regulations do not allow the export of more than 5 liters of strong alcohol (from 24 to 70%). Wines, including sherry (it has a strength of up to 22%), can be exported in any quantities. But if you find something stronger than 70%, customs will not let such drinks through at all.

To receive a VAT refund, the receipt must contain goods for at least 90.15 euros (about 9,250 rubles at the exchange rate for September 2023). In this case, the receipt must be from a store where Tax free is issued.

Medicine

The level of medical tourism in Spain is perfectly characterized by the fact that thousands of Germans come to the Iberian island for treatment, although Germany itself is one of the main medical hubs in the world. There is no paradox here: the quality of medical services in Spain is high, and the prices are much more humane. People also come to this country for treatment from Great Britain, Belgium, and other European countries. Every year, Spain receives 200 thousand foreigners who come for treatment and rehabilitation.

The most famous medical centers of the country are located in Barcelona. The health direction is even more popular. At any resort in Spain there is a harmonious combination of healing natural factors. Spanish balneological resorts are widely known. And by the sea there are many thalassotherapy centers.

Traditions

In Barcelona and other cities of Catalonia, you should not question the uniqueness of Catalan culture and call the locals Spaniards. It is better not to engage in political debates on this topic. And you should also not criticize bullfighting, even if you do not like such entertainment.

Internet

Communication and Internet cover the entire country. Mobile Internet speed is higher with Orange and Yoygo operators, Vodafone and Yoigo have wider coverage (they are better suited for car trips in the outback). Wi-Fi is available in hotels, restaurants, cafes. In Barcelona, ​​establishments that distribute free Internet are united in the GuaiFi network (this is often indicated on signs). Registration is required to connect, but it is free.

If you also need a computer, tourists can use internet cafes called Locutorio.

Useful facts

  • Tipping is voluntary. As a rule, in Spain it is only 3-5% of the bill. Usually, they just don’t take the change. In beauty salons, tips are almost never given. In hotels, tips are given to the staff personally. Tipping in Spain is a gesture of gratitude, emphasizing that the client is satisfied with the service.
  • The tradition of siesta as an afternoon nap has already become archaic in Spain. But lunch breaks in shops and institutions are quite long: as a rule, the doors are closed from 13:00 to 16:00. The exception is large supermarkets and department stores.
  • Most shops are closed on Sundays.
  • In hot August, owners of small shops and service businesses take a month-long “siesta” – they go on vacation.
  • Many restaurants take a break before the evening rush of visitors: from 5:00 PM to 8:00 or 9:00 PM. Then the restaurant doors open again – for those who decided to have dinner and have a good time until late at night.
  • When traveling through Spanish cities, you will often come across the names Calle Mayor and Plaza Mayor. It’s simple: Main Street and Main Square.

Local laws

You must always have your identification documents (or a copy) with you.

Ignoring a police officer’s direct orders may be considered “disobedience,” which is a criminal offense.