Travel in Spain: the complete practical guide

In short: Spain is best discovered city by city thanks to an excellent high-speed rail network: Barcelona for Gaudí and the sea, Madrid for its museums and nightlife, Seville and Andalusia for Moorish heritage. Book the most popular sights ahead, and adapt to the Spanish rhythm: lunch and dinner are late.

• ✈️FlightsCompare
• 🏨HotelsBooking.com (partner link, opens in a new tab)
• 🚗Car hireAutoEurope (partner link, opens in a new tab)
• 📶eSIMCompare
• 🎟️ToursTiqets (partner link, opens in a new tab)
• 🚕AirportWelcome Pickups (partner link, opens in a new tab)
• 🧳LuggageRadical Storage (partner link, opens in a new tab)
• ⚖️Flight delayAirHelp (partner link, opens in a new tab)

Partner links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to go to Spain

• Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November): the best time, especially for Andalusia and Madrid.
• Summer: ideal for beaches, but very hot in the south and centre (Seville, Madrid). Sightsee early in the morning and in the evening.
• Winter: mild on the Mediterranean coast and in Andalusia, cooler in Madrid; few crowds in museums.

Entry requirements

Spain is part of the European Union and the Schengen area. EU citizens travel with a valid ID card or passport. Other travellers need a passport and, depending on nationality, a visa; the European Entry/Exit System (EES) has registered non-EU travellers since April 2026, and the ETIAS authorisation is announced for late 2026.

Arriving in Spain

• Barcelona El Prat: the Aerobús reaches Plaça de Catalunya in about 35 minutes, day and night; the metro (line 9 South) and the train are other options.
• Madrid Barajas: metro line 8 links all terminals to Nuevos Ministerios, and an express bus runs to Atocha station.
• Seville: the EA bus links the airport to the centre and the stations.

Getting around Spain

• High-speed trains link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Valencia and Cordoba. Several companies share the main lines (Renfe with the AVE, Iryo, Ouigo), so compare.
• A car is ideal for Andalusia (white villages, coast) or the northern regions, but useless in big cities, where parking is hard.
• In town, the Madrid and Barcelona metros are fast and easy to use.

Booking the major sights

• Barcelona: the Sagrada Família (dated ticket with time slot) and Park Güell’s monumental zone must be booked, often several days ahead.
• Seville: the Alcázar and the cathedral; Granada: the Alhambra, to book well in advance.
• Madrid: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen; the Prado is free during its last two opening hours.

Money, internet and practicalities

• Currency: the euro. Cards are very widely accepted.
• Tourist tax: some regions and cities charge one, notably Catalonia and Barcelona, where it rose in 2026.
• Internet: EU mobile plans usually work at no extra cost. Outside the EU, a travel eSIM is the simplest option.
• Hours: lunch is often around 2pm and dinner from 9pm; many shops close in the early afternoon outside the big cities.
• Stay alert: in crowded places and on public transport in Barcelona and Madrid, keep an eye on your belongings.

What to see in Spain

• Barcelona: the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta.
• Madrid: the Prado, the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park.
• Seville: the Alcázar, the cathedral and the Giralda, Plaza de España, Triana.
• Andalusia: Granada and the Alhambra, Cordoba and its Mosque-Cathedral, the white villages, Malaga.
• And also: Toledo and Segovia near Madrid, Valencia, the Basque Country (San Sebastián, Bilbao), the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Suggested itineraries

7 days: 3 days in Barcelona, then the train to Madrid (2 days, with a day trip to Toledo), and 2 days in Seville.

10 days: add Cordoba and Granada for a full tour of Andalusia.

Where to stay in Spain

Stay in a central, well-connected area: our Barcelona, Madrid and Seville pages present the best areas for your travel style. In summer in Seville and Madrid, air conditioning is essential.