Spain
Spain

Europe

Spain travel guide

Cities, beaches, culture, transport and mobile connectivity

Quick facts

Capital
Madrid

Spain’s capital and largest metropolitan area.

Currency
Euro (EUR)

Cards are widely accepted, but some cash is useful for small purchases.

Languages
Spanish and regional co-official languages

Catalan, Galician and Basque are widely used in their respective regions.

Emergency number
112

The unified European emergency number for police, fire and ambulance.

Power
230 V, 50 Hz, plugs C and F

Travellers from countries with other plug types will need an adapter.

Driving side
Right

Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road.

Spain is one of Europe’s most varied destinations, combining major cultural cities, Mediterranean beaches, Atlantic landscapes, islands and strong regional identities.

Best places to visit in Spain

Madrid and Barcelona are the main gateways, while Seville, Granada and Málaga showcase Andalusia. Valencia combines beaches and modern architecture, Bilbao and San Sebastián highlight Basque culture, Palma opens Mallorca, and Santiago de Compostela anchors Galicia and the Camino.

Best time to visit Spain

Spring and autumn provide the best balance for cities and sightseeing. Summer suits beaches and islands but can be extremely hot inland. Winter is quieter, with mild conditions in southern coastal areas and the Canary Islands.

Getting around

Spain’s high-speed rail network makes travel between Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga straightforward. Reserve popular routes early. Metro, bus and commuter rail systems are effective in major cities.

Mobile internet and eSIMs

A Spain eSIM provides mobile data for maps, rail bookings, restaurant reservations and translation without relying on public Wi-Fi. Regional Europe plans are useful when Spain is part of a multi-country itinerary.

Power adapters

Spain uses Type C and F plugs with 230 V and 50 Hz electricity. Travellers using other plug systems should bring an adapter and confirm voltage compatibility.

Spain travel FAQ

How many days do I need in Spain?

Seven to fourteen days works well for two or three regions. A focused Madrid and Barcelona trip can fit into one week.

How much mobile data do I need?

Most travellers use 5–10 GB per week. Choose 10–20 GB or unlimited data for longer trips, hotspot use, video and remote work.

Do I need to reserve attractions?

Advance booking is strongly recommended for the Alhambra, Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Royal Alcázar of Seville.

Stay connected in Spain

Get mobile data for your Spain trip with a local or region-wide eSIM.

View all Spain plans

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Destination ratings

TravelFi editorial destination ratings.

Culture and history

9.5 / 10.0

Exceptional museums, architecture, historic cities and distinctive regional cultures.

Food and dining

9.5 / 10.0

Strong regional cuisines, markets, tapas culture and internationally recognized restaurants.

Transport

9.0 / 10.0

Excellent high-speed rail between major cities and strong urban public transport.

Beaches and islands

9.0 / 10.0

Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts plus the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Travel value

8.5 / 10.0

Good value outside the most popular centres and peak summer periods.

Power plugs in Spain

230 V · 50 Hz

Type C

Two round pins. Usually ungrounded.

Type F

Two round pins with side grounding contacts. Often called the Schuko plug.

Grounded
Adapter guidance

Spain uses Type C and Type F plugs. Travellers from the UK, North America and other plug systems generally need an adapter.

Voltage notice

Check that devices support 230 V before connecting non-dual-voltage appliances.

Check if you need an adapter

Weather and climate

Forecast location: Madrid, Spain

Spain has varied climates: hot dry summers across much of the interior and Mediterranean coast, cooler and wetter conditions in the north, and mild subtropical weather in the Canary Islands.

Loading current weather…

Featured cities

Places to include in your Spain itinerary.

Community of Madrid

Madrid

Spain’s capital is known for major art museums, grand boulevards, lively neighbourhoods, parks and late-night dining.

Suggested stay: 3–4 days
Catalonia

Barcelona

A Mediterranean city combining Gaudí architecture, beaches, historic districts, food markets and strong cultural identity.

Suggested stay: 3–5 days
Andalusia

Seville

Seville offers monumental architecture, orange-tree courtyards, flamenco traditions and atmospheric historic streets.

Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Valencian Community

Valencia

Valencia blends beaches, a walkable old town, futuristic architecture and the culinary heritage of paella.

Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Andalusia

Granada

Granada is centred on the Alhambra, with Moorish heritage, hillside neighbourhoods and the Sierra Nevada nearby.

Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Andalusia

Málaga

Málaga combines Costa del Sol beaches, a revitalized historic centre, museums and convenient access to Andalusia.

Suggested stay: 2–4 days
Basque Country

Bilbao

Bilbao is a design-focused Basque city known for the Guggenheim Museum, riverside regeneration and excellent pintxos.

Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Basque Country

San Sebastián

A refined coastal city famous for La Concha beach, Michelin-starred restaurants and pintxos bars.

Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Balearic Islands

Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca’s capital offers a striking cathedral, historic lanes, waterfront dining and access to beaches and mountain drives.

Suggested stay: 3–5 days

Top attractions

Featured experiences and landmarks.

Architecture

Sagrada Família

Antoni Gaudí’s landmark basilica is Barcelona’s defining attraction, noted for its towers, sculptural façades and luminous interior.

Suggested visit: 1.5–2 hours
Historic site

Alhambra

A vast palace and fortress complex above Granada, celebrated for Nasrid architecture, intricate decoration and gardens.

Suggested visit: 3–4 hours
Museum

Prado Museum

Madrid’s principal art museum houses major works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and European masters.

Suggested visit: 2–3 hours
Architecture and park

Park Güell

Gaudí’s colourful hillside park combines mosaic-covered structures, gardens and views across Barcelona.

Suggested visit: 1.5–2 hours
Palace

Royal Alcázar of Seville

A layered royal palace complex combining Mudéjar design, courtyards, tilework and extensive gardens.

Suggested visit: 2–3 hours
Religious and historic site

Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba

A celebrated monument where an immense former mosque and later cathedral reveal centuries of layered history.

Suggested visit: 1–2 hours
Museum and architecture

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Frank Gehry’s riverside museum is both a contemporary-art institution and an icon of modern architecture.

Suggested visit: 2–3 hours
National park

Teide National Park

Tenerife’s volcanic landscape surrounds Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, with dramatic viewpoints and trails.

Suggested visit: Half day to full day
Landmark

Plaza de España, Seville

A monumental semicircular plaza featuring bridges, ceramic tilework and a canal beside María Luisa Park.

Suggested visit: 1 hour

Featured experiences

  • Barcelona architecture
  • Madrid museums
  • Andalusian cities
  • Mediterranean beaches
  • Spanish food and nightlife

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn offer comfortable weather for cities and sightseeing. Summer is best for beaches and islands but can be very hot inland, while winter is mild in the south and popular in the Canary Islands.

Travel tips

Book high-speed trains and major attractions early, especially the Alhambra and Gaudí sites. Expect later meal times, use public transport in large cities, and keep mobile data available for maps, tickets and reservations.

Current travel updates

Check dates and official sources before making travel decisions.

General guidance

Spain travel planning

Reserve major attractions and high-speed trains in advance during popular travel periods, and verify current entry and local transport information before departure.

Related travel guides

Spain Travel Guide 2026

Spain Travel Guide 2026

Plan a trip to Spain with practical information on cities, transport, weather, power adapters, mobile data and top attractions.

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Information is general guidance and may change. Verify important details with official sources before travelling.Last reviewed: August 01, 2026