As one of the most popular destinations to visit in Europe, visiting Spain is one of the most rewarding trips any traveller can take. Incredibly diverse, packed with history, friendly people, great weather and amazing food, Spain is an absolute delight to travel through. If you’re planning a trip to the Iberian peninsula, follow the advice in this Spain travel guide in order to plan the best trip possible.
Spain has so much to offer visitors and, despite its popularity, it can be a bit challenging to travel through depending on where you choose to visit. The articles in this guide are meant to assist you in planning your ultimate trip to Spain so that you can enjoy this incredible country to its fullest!
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Planning a Spain Route
Spain is a massive country with numerous different regions and places to visit, making planning the perfect route through Spain a bit tricky. The most popular places to visit — like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville — can lie quite far from each other and it can be difficult to figure out how long to spend in each place or where to go in general.
We’ve spent a lot of time travelling through Spain and have tried to take the guesswork out of your trip planning! Browse the articles below to map out your ideal itinerary!
Choosing Where to Go
There are a lot of places to visit in Spain so when planning a route you might find yourself trying to narrow down which places to visit if you only have a limited amount of time.
If you find yourself in this situation, browse the guides below where we compare many popular places in Spain and help you choose between them!
Places to Visit in Spain
Spain is quite a large and diverse country comprising numerous different regions with unique cultures, cuisine and, at times, even different languages (though everyone still speaks Castillian Spanish throughout!).
Each city and town and neighbourhood in Spain has its own character and vibe that is very much worth exploring, so if you need some help figuring out the best places to visit in Spain, browse the articles below to help plan out the day-to-day activities of your trip!
Great Day Trips in Spain
If you’re visiting some of the major cities in Spain, a great way to see more of the country and head out to smaller towns or cities is by day trip. Depending on where you’re basing yourself on your trip to Spain, there are countless great day trip options.
Browse the articles below to figure out the logistics of some day trips from some of the most popular Spanish cities!
Best Time to Visit Spain
Contrary to popular, all of Spain isn’t filled with sunshine and warm weather year-round. Spain is quite a diverse country with numerous different climate zones and while it may be sunny and warm in the south of the country in the winter, you can experience freezing temperatures in places like Madrid and further north. Knowing the average weather and popularity of the season is a good starting point when planning your trip to Spain.
Winter in Spain can be quite variable but do expect continental temperatures and cold weather in the north and centre of the country if you’re visiting in the months of November-February. In places like Madrid, the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia, you will need a proper winter coat and clothing in order to be prepared.
In coastal regions, the weather can be a bit warmer but don’t expect it to be warm enough for lounging on the beach wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Nights and mornings can be especially chilly, even if you’re travelling in the southernmost part of Andalucía.
However, because the country has so many different climate zones, make sure to do some independent research on the general weather averages in the area that you plan to visit to ensure that you are prepared.
The summer months of Spain tend to be quite hot throughout the country, especially in the south. This is also when you should expect there to be the most tourist crowds and highest prices for accommodation.
If you want pleasant weather and fewer tourist crowds, then your best bet is to try and visit Spain in the shoulder seasons of March-May and September-November. However, you are sure to enjoy visiting Spain any time of the year.
If you want to know more about visiting Spain in the winter months, make sure to have a look at the articles below!
Cost of Travelling to Spain
Spain is often lauded as a budget traveller’s perfect destination, however, it is far from the most affordable destination in Europe. That being said, however, there are a number of areas where travelling in Spain can be affordable and there are great ways to save money while on your trip.
If you’re wondering about your trip cost or how much to budget when visiting Spain, then make sure to have a look at the articles below!
Transportation in Spain
Figuring out how to get around Spain is one of the major considerations before taking off on your trip. There are a few different options at various price points when it comes to Spanish transportation to consider.
If you would like to get around via public transit — which is a decent option if you’re planning on visiting mostly major towns and cities with good links — then you have two options: the bus or the train.
If you’re travelling on a budget and want to save some money on transport costs, then the bus is going to be the best option for you. Buses are frequent, safe and plentiful and can be quite comfortable, making this a great transport option.
If you’re after a bit more comfort, want a quicker option and don’t mind spending a bit more money on transport than you would if you were taking the bus, then you should consider taking the train. Like the bus, trains are frequent and connections are plentiful and there are even high-speed options on major routes that can significantly cut down on your travel times.
Regardless of which public transport option you choose, it is always a good idea to book in advance to ensure you get a great deal. We recommend using Omio for both buses and trains in Spain.
If you want a bit more flexibility or if you want to visit some villages or smaller towns that don’t have as frequent public transport connections, then renting a car in Spain can also be a great option. We recommend using Rentalcars.com to find and book a great deal on car hire as they aggregate prices across many major companies.
Accommodation in Spain
Finding accommodation in Spain is another major consideration that you need to take into account before your trip as there are lots of options available. Everything from luxury hotels to backpacker hostels are options throughout Spain so you will be spoilt for choice when travelling in Spain.
If you’re visiting on a budget or are backpacking through Spain, you will be happy to know that there are ample hostel options in most major cities and towns in Spain. Whether you’re looking for a party hostel, a major chain or a small, locally-run spot, you’re sure to find something to suit you.
The same comes for hotels — you will find something to suit any budget and presence across Spain. If you’re fond of international chains, you will find these, along with cool boutique hotels and more affordable locally run guesthouses and B&Bs.
Another great option when travelling in Spain is Airbnb. Whether you’re looking for a local experience while saving some money in a private room in a local’s home or would rather have your own apartment, there are countless choices all throughout Spain.
Whatever you are looking for, you’re sure to find something that suits your travel style while in Spain.
Hopefully, this Spain travel guide will assist you in planning the perfect trip to this Iberian nation. There is so much to see and do in this incredible country that you’re sure to leave feeling completely enchanted by this wonderful destination.