Must knows for your trip to Spain
Currency. Euros are the currency in Spain which makes it nice and simple. You can normally get good value for your pounds just make sure to keep an eye out for good rates and deals. Try not to leave it to the last minute either as airport currency exchanges can really sting you with their rates.
Plugs. Unlike the UK, Spain's plugs are two-pronged with rounded pins. This means you'll need an adapter if you want to plug in your British appliances and chargers. A top tip is to simply buy a single, high-quality adapter and take a good quality plug extension with you. This means you just use your one adapter for the extension and you can use your standard UK plugs in the extension, only one adapter needed.
Time difference. Spain is on GMT+1 time so they're 1 hour ahead of UK time. Nice and easy.
Vaccinations. As long as you're up to date on your routine vaccinations, chances are you won't need any further shots. These guidelines are always changing though and it's always best to check before you travel, especially if you're travelling with kids, pregnant ladies or the elderly. There's more info here. Regardless though, you should always make sure to get your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you travel.
Emergencies. 112 is the Spanish equivalent of 999 in the UK or 911 in the USA. Emergency only.
Best way to get about in Spain
Of course, we always recommend driving since the freedom and flexibility that comes with hiring a car is second to none. If however, you're not able to do this, Spain has a ton of great ways to get around. the high-speed train or AVE (Alta Velocidad) runs between most big cities. It can cover the 500km trip from Barcelona to Madrid in under 3 hours. Other than that, Spain has a whole host of local taxi and metro systems, just be sure to always stay safe.
Useful resources and links for Spain
- Spanish tourism main site
- Entry requirements for travelling to Spain
- Spain safety from .GOV
- General Spain travel advice from .GOV
Tips for saving money on your Spain trip
Free Museums. Lots of Spanish museums offer periods of the day or week where entry is free. Check out the local museum websites for this info for a great, free day out!
Shop around for your exchange rate. This applies to anywhere you travel but is good solid advice: don't buy your Euros with the first rate you see. Do some research and shop around to make sure you get the best value for your £s.
Best things in life are free. Spain has so much to offer and so much of it doesn't cost a thing you just need to look. Whether it's a gorgeous local park or a sit on the beach, sometimes you can save good money by just going with the free option instead of the paid options.
The cuisine is remarkable and definitely unforgettable. The mixture of styles of architecture demonstrated throughout the many churches, fortresses and palaces littered through Spain are truly extraordinary. The sheer natural beauty of this country often gets overlooked, be sure to explore with car hire when visiting Spain to ensure you get the best from your visit.
Spain Tourist Board: The official website for the Spanish National Tourist Office – a useful resource for planning your trip to Spain.
Know Before You Go: Travel advice for Spain from the FCO.
Things to see and do
- Visit a Tapas bar, and enjoy some traditional Spanish cuisine.
- Go and see a bullfight; it is an inescapable part of Spain’s history.
- Take a tour of Gaudi's Barcelona: Antoni Gaudi’s famous Basilica has drawn many people to the city of Barcelona.
- Visit the Alhambra in Granada: this Moorish fortress protected the city's inhabitants from invasion for hundreds of years. The gardens are beautiful and a whole day can easily be spent exploring them.
- Make time to see a Flamenco show and always do your research before going to ensure that you see an authentic show.
- Visit Madrid's Three Essential Museums and see the works of Spain’s famous artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Museo Del Prado and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
- Seville is a lovely city; its cathedral is breath-taking and the Giralda tower, the neighboring Alcazar castle and garden complex and the Plaza de España are not to be missed.
- See the Green Spain of Asturias & Galicia: this lush green area differs to the rest of the country and is well worth a visit to see an alternative side to Spain.
Festivals and events
- La Endiablada or The Disguised Devils in Cuenca held in Castilla y La Mancha. (February)
- Fallas de San Jose celebrates the beginning of spring in Valencia. (March)
- The Feria de Abril runs for six days in Sevilla, Andalucia. (April)
- Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos reenacts a famous battle in Spanish history held across many Spanish cities. (April)
- Corpus Christi is celebrated throughout Spain. (May)
- The Hogueras de San Juan marks the summer solstice and is celebrated in Alicante. (June)
- Dia de Santiago, the annual feast of Saint James is held in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia. (July)
- Romeria Vikinga is a fiesta to commemorate the Viking invasions in Pontevedra, Galicia. (August)
- Fiesta de Verano is celebrated with fireworks in Malaga, Andalucia. (August)
- La Tomatina is a famous tomato fight festival in Valencia. (August)
- Tamborrada de San Sebastian also known as The San Sebastian Drum Festival held in San Sebastian, Basque Country. (August)
