Spain
Spain
Sunshine, vibrant cities and tapas
Spain moves to a rhythm no one has ever managed to copy. Tapas at midnight in a Seville backstreet, sunrise over the rooftops of Barcelona, or the silence of a white village in Andalusia: every corner tells a different story.
At a glance
Exchange rates and flight times are approximate.
Why Spain
Cities to live in, not just visit
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, San Sebastián: cities where you sit down, taste everything, and keep coming back.
The Spanish table
From Basque pintxos to Galician seafood, by way of the markets of Valencia. Spain is as much about eating as it is about sightseeing.
The forgotten villages
Ronda, Frigiliana, Cadaqués: gems clinging to the cliffs, where time stopped somewhere between yesterday and forever.
The right season for Spain
April to June (spring, ideal weather, beaches already inviting) and September to October (moderate heat, thinner crowds). Avoid July-August (extreme 35-40°C heat, heavy mass tourism, inflated prices) and the rainy northern winters. Andalusia: winters are milder than elsewhere.
Mediterranean climate in the south, continental in Madrid. Hot, dry summers (30-38°C depending on the region), mild winters on the coast, chilly inland. Pack sunscreen, a hat and light clothing. January-February: you may need a coat in the mountains and the north.
The must-sees
Barcelona · Sagrada Familia & Gaudí
An architectural masterpiece between nature and modernism. Park Güell's mosaics seen at sunrise change everything.
Madrid · The Prado Museum & nightlife
A hypnotic collection of Velázquez and Goya. Then terraces until midnight in the streets of the centre.
Seville · Alcázar & Andalusian soul
A fairy-tale Moorish palace, a Gothic cathedral, then tapas in cobbled lanes until 11pm.
San Sebastián · Basque gastronomy
The best street food in Spain. La Concha with Mount Urgull as a backdrop: the perfect cocktail.
Ronda & the white villages · wild Andalusia
Little pueblos blancos clinging to the cliffs (Nerja, Frigiliana, Grazalema). Panoramic roads where the landscape changes every 30 km.
Granada · The Alhambra & the Albaicín
A Nasrid palace of breathtaking finesse. A maze of Moorish lanes made for wandering without a watch.
Local flavours to try
- Paella valenciana: the true Valencia recipe combines saffron rice, rabbit, chicken and green beans (the seafood version is paella de marisco)
- Basque pintxos, topped slices of bread: anchovies, txuleta, cheese & truffle, in Bilbao & San Sebastián
- Jamón ibérico: cured Iberian pork ham aged 2 to 4 years, nutty flavour, served in wafer-thin slices
- Andalusian gazpacho: a cold soup of tomato, vinegar and bread, perfect in summer with a glass of sherry
- Croquetas & montaditos: ham, prawn or cheese croquettes, little bites at the bar
- Galician seafood: pulpo a la gallega, mussels, prawns, sea urchin straight from the source in Galicia
Practical tips
- Transport: ultra-fast Renfe trains (AVE) link Madrid-Barcelona-Seville in 2-5 hours. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for reduced fares.
- Lunchtime: 2:30-4pm. Shops close. Dinner after 9pm is normal. Meal plan: eat light at 1pm or hold out until 8:30-10pm.
- Wifi access: free in bars and cafés. Mobile data: a local Vodafone/Orange eSIM (€5/week) is cheaper than roaming.
- Tipping: 5-10% in bars and restaurants, optional (round up or leave coins rather than paying by card). Taxi: 10%.
- Watch for pickpockets in Madrid/Barcelona: metro, train stations. Keep documents and money separate.
- Power sockets: type C/F (Europlug/Schuko), 230 V, identical to Luxembourg, no adapter needed. A USB power strip can help if you're carrying several devices.
Frequently asked questions · Spain
Do I need cash, or are cards accepted everywhere?
Cards are accepted almost everywhere (restaurants, hotels, museums, taxis). ATMs are plentiful in cities. Still, keep €50-100 in cash for small vendors, markets and bar tips. Spain has been largely contactless since 2020.
Is one week enough to see Spain?
One week covers 1-2 regions at most (e.g. Barcelona + Costa Brava, or Madrid + Andalusia) without wearing yourself out. 7-10 days is ideal for a real taste of the country. Shorter than that: stick to 2-3 cities maximum.
La Tomatina in Buñol: do I need to register in advance?
Yes, and it's pricey and limited. Tickets €10-15, enormous crowds. Fun, but very touristy. Instead: the grape harvests in September and the low-key local fiestas in every village (far more authentic).
Which region has the best food and atmosphere?
San Sebastián and the Basque coast for gastronomy at its peak, Michelin stars included. Seville for Andalusian soul and tapas late into the night. Barcelona for cosmopolitan energy. Budget-wise, expect €45-50 per meal in the Basque Country, €20-30 in Andalusia.
Getting between cities: Renfe train vs Flixbus vs car?
Renfe (train): fast, comfortable, scenic. Flixbus: 2-3x slower, 50% cheaper. Car: freedom in the countryside and villages, expensive fuel (€1.50/L), tolls. Our advice: train between the big cities, a rental car for the coast or a 3-4 day Andalusia loop.
What's the best beach?
Costa Brava (Lloret, Cadaqués in the north) = wild coves, caves. Costa Dorada (near Barcelona) = easy to reach. Costa del Sol (south) = popular, beautiful sunsets. The Balearics (Ibiza, Mallorca) = turquoise water, beach clubs. For wilder coves, head for the northern Costa Brava (Cadaqués, Cap de Creus).
You don't just visit Spain. You live in it, even if only for a few days.
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