Spain

Travel Guide

Travel to Spain

Vacation vibes are a way of life in beautiful Spain! The weather in Spain is fantastic year-round, so you can enjoy fruity sangria in the sun, take relaxing siestas in the afternoon, and dance the night away at street fiestas. Culture, food, parties, and beautiful landscapes unite to create an extraordinarily colorful and exciting way of life.

How to Plan Your Trip to Spain

Follow our Spain travel guides to plan the ultimate trip! Whether you’re backpacking around the country and looking for affordable and lively destinations, or you’re yearning for a metropolitan city trip, we’ve got you covered. Discover the best places in Spain, like ancient Seville, artsy Barcelona, or ancient Granada.

Want to visit Spain for longer? Follow our 2-week Andalusia itinerary in the south of the country for the ultimate mix of culture, beach time, and mountain hikes.

Best Time to Visit Spain

Planning your perfect Spain holiday? Find out about the weather in Spain to choose the best time to discover some of the country’s most popular regions!

High Season (May-September): The most popular time to visit Spain is in the summer (also the high season), which brings the hottest temperatures and endless days of sunshine perfect for enjoying the beaches. Although there may be more crowds during this time, it’s the best time to visit Spain if you’re an ocean lover, so you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, and SUP boarding on tranquil waters, particularly on the east and south coasts.

Shoulder Season (March, April, May, October, November): The best time to visit Spain is the shoulder months during Spring and Fall when skies are still clear, and temperatures are mild, making it perfect for city sightseeing, hiking, or camping.

Low Season (November-February): Winters in most of Spain are still sunny and mild unless you visit mountainous regions or the north, where you’ll find colder temperatures and sometimes even snow. It’s also an excellent time for budget travelers and backpacking in Spain, as it’s considered the low season, with fewer crowds and lower prices.

Best time to visit Spain for festivals: If you want to experience the fiesta culture (one of the best things to do in Spain!), you’ll be pleased to hear that something is happening almost every month. However, spring sees some of the most significant events. For example, the Las Fallas festival in March in Valencia, the Feria in April in Seville, or the courtyard flower festival in Cordoba during May.

Whatever you’re looking for, every season in Spain has its charm, so whether you’re chasing seasonal food, adrenaline adventures, or relaxing beach days, you’ll find the perfect time to explore each destination in our Spain travel guides.

Coastlines and Beaches in Spain

The rolling green hills, sheer cliffs, and horseshoe bays of Spain’s northern Atlantic coast are totally different from the turquoise Mediterranean blues and honey-sand shores of the south. Surfers will love the more rugged northern beaches or the windy southern tip of Spain in places like Tarifa, where surfing and kite surfing are popular. For those who want sunbeds and upmarket beach bars, the coastline near Malaga offers plenty of choice. Alternatively, head for the rocky coves with crystal clear water, perfect for snorkeling on the Costa Blanca below Valencia on your vacation in Spain.

Prefer island life? Head offshore to the incredible Balearic islands to discover some of the best places in Spain! Discover tiny islands like Formentera with white sand and clear oceans, the world-famous nightlife and bohemian culture of Ibiza, or the sheer cliffs and narrow mountainous roads of Mallorca.

Tip: For those who want an adventure on their Spain holiday, Mallorca is perfect for biking, hiking, kayaking, and boating as you explore the diverse landscapes that lie just a few hours away by ferry from the mainland.

Food, Culture, and Religion in Spain

Spain offers some of the most unique architectural and culinary wonders in Europe. Here, locals gather to enjoy plate after plate of tapas, as they sit in the shadow of ancient historical buildings, vibrant street art, and innovative abstract sculptures.

Food: Savoring the flavors of each unique region is one of the best things to do in Spain. Discover a foodie paradise where meals last for hours as Spaniards chat and laugh in the warm evening temperatures. Day-to-day life operates outside, so get ready to see the beach become the living room and the street the kitchen as you sample seafood paellas, mouthwatering tapas, rich cheesecakes, and seasonal vegetables.

Religion: Religion forms the backbone of many of Spain’s most important cultural events and buildings, with the majority of the population practicing catholicism. The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (which has taken 140 years to complete!) is one of the most important religious and cultural monuments in the country. Other famous religious events take place throughout Spain, like the pilgrimage along the famous Camino de Santiago walking path, which is still hiked by many today, and there are hundreds of religious festivals held throughout the country, especially during Spain’s Easter week (Semana Santa).

Culture: Spain is unique in other ways too — an extraordinary time capsule to the past, despite being a modern country. See beautifully preserved buildings, charming cobbled streets, impressive cathedrals, and sweet mountain villages. However, dig deeper and discover Spain’s spirited and fun side. Street art breathes life into cities with bright, colorful, imaginative murals. Architects and artists are pushing the limits with their phenomenal designs, from the futuristic ‘City of Arts and Sciences’ in Valencia to the weird and wonderful designs of Gaudi in Barcelona (one of the best things to do in Spain).

Why You Should Travel to Spain

With such an intricate history deeply rooted in both Christianity and Islam, the culture and architecture in Spain are unrivaled. Here, ancient cathedrals open their doors to Moorish designs and orange-filled patios, and innovative modern architecture sits next to cobbled flower-filled streets.

Although known for its fantastic beaches, its landscapes are extremely diverse, from rolling green hills, thick forests, and roaring waterfalls in the north to snow-capped mountains, hilltop pueblos, and turquoise Mediterranean shorelines in the south. With a northern tip that touches France and a southern tip that almost touches Africa, it’s no surprise that there’s a landscape for every type of vacation in Spain.

Safety and Travel Advice in Spain

Safety in Spain is generally very good. However, petty theft can occur, especially in bigger cities where organized crime is more common, like Barcelona. Exercise caution by keeping valuables secure and leaving any important belongings at home. Like any destination, we recommend avoiding isolated areas at night and sticking to well-lit spots with more people.

Learn more about travel safety

Car theft: Though rare, car theft does happen from rental cars, especially in popular beach destinations around Spain. Because of this, always be mindful of where you park, and don’t leave anything on display inside.

Travel Insurance: One of the most important things to do before your Spain holiday is purchase travel insurance. Although Spain itself is safe, there is potential for accidents – for example, an injury, canceled flight, or lost baggage. Check out these best travel insurances.