Spain is a noted and prevalent European location that you should not miss out on. Numerous different civilizations have been significantly influenced by the Spanish language, culture, and cuisine.
There is enough to see and do, from the peaceful Pyrenees villages to the great capitals of Barcelona and Madrid. You’ll probably want to return to Spain for vacation every other year.
However, before you begin strolling on the lovely streets of Spain, it is critical that you become acquainted with all of the vital items you will require to guarantee your next trip to Spain proceeds successfully.
15 Top Tips to Ensure Your Holiday to Spain Runs Smoothly
Here are some professional recommendations for visiting Spain.
- Choose the Perfect Time to Visit
- Plan Your Transportation
- Create A Budget
- Research Locations
- Choosing Your Preferred Accommodation and Board Type
- Familiarize Yourself With Spanish Food
- Learn A Few Local Words
- Beware of Getting Huge EU Mobile Roaming Bills
- Get Travel Insurance
- Start Packing
- Avoid Scams – On & Offline
- Get Prepared For Emergencies
- Don’t drive unless you have to
- Don’t waste your time getting angry about things you can’t change
- Don’t always assume that a room with a view is the best hotel room for you to book
1. Choose the Perfect Time to Visit
As a general rule, a perfect time to visit Spain is in late spring or early fall. Many places may get excessively hot throughout the summer, so it’s important to evaluate the weather before venturing out. You might also benefit from the ski season, which runs from November to May.
Spain has plenty of wonderful spots to visit at any time of year. However, bear in mind that most establishments, including as stores, museums, and cafés, offer extended lunch breaks, often known as the famed afternoon siesta.
2. Plan Your Transportation
Another important aspect of visiting Spain is organizing your transportation while there. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture, try hiring a car. Car rental is a popular option for many travelers since it allows them to see many stunning destinations in one trip. Moreover, Spain has one of Europe’s finest modes of transport.
You could also choose to travel one of the several fast AVE trains that now connect most of Spain. If you want to travel on busy routes, it is usually a good idea to purchase train tickets ahead of time if feasible, but you may also simply buy a ticket on the day and experience a broad selection of delightful itineraries.
3. Create a Budget
Expenses vary with location in Spain, so the place you select will have an impact on your budget. For example, Madrid and Barcelona are significant tourist destinations; therefore rates will be higher than in other locations.
If you want to get lower prices, visit Spain during the colder months of the year. As a consequence, it’s vital to research your trip properly to find out how much money to bring and what to expect.
It’s usually an excellent work to plan your vacation and the fees and write in a word doc page or something similar. Flights, airport transfers, vehicle rental, transportation, lodging, sport activities (if necessary), souvenirs, meals, and a general spending budget should all be included.
4. Research Locations
If you want to properly plan every aspect of your vacation to Spain, you should consider the kind of places and attractions you wish to see. For example, you may like a more rural setting at a country estate or hotel, or you may prefer to stay near the sea. Consider if you would want to be on the mainland of Spain or on one of the Balearic or Canary Islands.
Spain truly has a wide variety of locales to offer, from the rocky Pyrenees in the north to the dry regions of Almeria and the wild vistas of Lanzarote. You might want to do something physical, such as hiking or skiing. In this scenario, you should go to Northern Spain, where there are lots of lush landscapes and great hiking trails. Southern and eastern Spain may be better alternatives for seaside attractions and milder weather.
5. Choosing Your Preferred Accommodation and Board Type
The large selection of lodging options in Spain is one of its main advantages. Choose from opulent seaside homes, modest boutique hotels, expansive 5-star all-inclusive resorts, a ski lodge in the Pyrenees, and a variety of other accommodations. You could even be considering stopping at one of Spain’s numerous excellent yacht marinas while sailing around the Mediterranean.
The selection of lodging is vast, but you also need to consider the kind of board you and your family will need. Check the offers to see what are included, such as a complete continental breakfast and alternatives for half or full board. There is no rationale why you won’t be capable to discover the ideal place to stay with the abundance of options available to you.
6. Familiarize Yourself with Spanish Food
The famed Spanish food is among the most significant features of a trip to Spain. Additionally, each location has its own special meal, so you might want to research the cuisine available where you’re going.
Paella, for instance, is a typical rice dish from Valencia that is frequently served with a range of vegetables, fish, and different forms of meat. You might also want to try Gazpacho, a cool tomato-based soup, on a hot summer day. Since this cuisine originates from Andalusia, it is a must-try when you are here.
One of the main attractions for many tourists is Spain’s world-famous cuisine. Think of olives, premium extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables, tapas, garlic, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Also consider Iberian cured ham, world-class wine, and mouthwatering rice dishes like Paella or sardines grilled over an open flame.
7. Learn A Few Local Words
Whilst you might be able to communicate in English in larger Spanish cities, many individuals in other areas might only speak Spanish. In light of this, it is usually beneficial to acquire a few of the most crucial Spanish expressions and regional terminology, just like in other foreign locales.
You might want to spend some time learning the language before you visit so you can try to converse with locals in their tongue. Luckily, you may improve your Spanish language abilities by using the many accessible and cost-free tools available online.
8. Beware of Getting Huge EU Mobile Roaming Bills
You could have to pay extra fees to use your mobile phone when you go from a non-EU nation, such the UK, to Spain since you can turn on EU roaming. Many horror stories have been told about individuals returning from vacation only to find a terrible surprise in the form of an enormous, unwelcome mobile phone roaming charge.
Fortunately, you can utilize some fantastic SIM-only offers on your upcoming vacation to Spain. Lebara Sim-Only, Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, MasMovil, and Yoigo are the major mobile service providers with SIM-Only offers.
9. Get Travel Insurance
Since the UK exited the EU, travel insurance is once more a crucial necessity you must take into account when making travel plans to Spain. It will safeguard you from misfortunes throughout your vacation, including the theft or loss of your passport, checked baggage, money, and much more.
Having travel insurance also enables you to cover any expenses you could have in Spain for accidents or medical care. Additionally, a number of unforeseeable events, such as health issues or cancellation by the hotel or travel agency, may arise and force alterations to your vacation plans. Based on age, travel insurance for solo journeys can cost as little as a few pounds, so it’s well worth looking into.
10. Start Packing
As the day of your trip to Spain approaches, you should give yourself plenty of time to pack everything you need. You must ensure that your attire is acceptable for the environment where you are traveling, depending on the type of trip you are doing.
Spain has a diverse geography, topography, and climate, so it’s crucial to have the right gear and equipment on hand. In general, it’s a good idea to bring several coats or cardigans in addition to a lot of lightweight clothing.
It is reasonable to assume that if you intend to travel to Southern Spain in the summer, you won’t need to carry warmer clothes. If you plan to travel to Northern Spain, you’ll need a jacket and sweaters, and if you want to go skiing in November, you’ll need better winter wear.
11. Avoid Scams – On & Offline
Additionally, it is vital to steer clear of travel fraud when visiting Spain. It seems like fraudsters and con artists constantly come up with something new, no matter how frequently you travel.
When you’re traveling to Spain, be cautious of internet frauds and practice safe online behavior just as you would at home. It’s simple to get into the Christmas spirit and sometimes let your guard down when clicking on emails or other unwelcome advertisements.
Scams might not only ruin your trip but also inspire con artists to try their luck again in the future. As a result, you should constantly keep your possessions secure and watch out for the most typical scams in Spain. For instance, pickpocketing, which frequently occurs on buses, trains, and metros, may be a serious issue. Additionally, avoid accepting anything from strangers who seem to be trying to assist.
12. Get Prepared For Emergencies
When traveling, keep in mind that anything may happen, thus you should always be ready for emergencies. For instance, if you are traveling alone, make sure to let someone know your destination and to get in touch with them frequently. In order to swiftly cure frequent headaches, stomach illnesses, and motion sickness, don’t forget to take a basic first-aid kit and a hygiene kit.
Making a note of all emergency numbers in Spain, including the local police number, ambulance, and health emergency numbers, is a smart idea.
112 is the primary emergency number in Spain and can be used to contact the coast guard, police, ambulance, or fire department.
Numbers for individual services are as follows:
• Ambulance Service: 061
• National police: 091
• Local police: 092
• Fire brigade Service: 080
13. Don’t drive unless you have to
Driving in the city might be difficult, and parking can be difficult at some times of the day or if you’re staying in the Old Quarter of some towns, like Sevilla. For lengthy trips, the high-speed trains here are excellent. Get an English-speaking private driver, especially for airport pickups following a long journey when you don’t feel like navigating timetables, road networks, or taxi ranks.
Hire automobiles or take the bus in hilly regions like the northern part of Spain. Also incredibly useful for off-the-beaten-path journeys when having a team of locals makes the journey so much simpler. When planning winery excursions, private drivers are fantastic so you can really appreciate the wine samples!
14. Don’t waste your time getting angry about things you can’t change
Don’t get irritated if you dislike the traffic, the mealtimes, or the confusing a/c systems here. Also, try not to become upset if you think the service is a little too sluggish. Service in Spain is rarely hurried, and restaurants don’t actively promote two sittings at a table at mealtimes, so if you’re in a rush, get something at the bar. They are pretty content for you to remain and have a coffee conversation.
15. Don’t always assume that a room with a view is the  for you to book
You should choose a room that is either very high up or one that doesn’t view into the square but instead faces onto an inside patio or courtyard if your hotel has rooms that look out onto a busy square. This is particularly relevant at events, which may be noisy and run into the early hours of the morning.
Conclusion
For all the rules to follow when traveling to Spain, especially if it’s your first trip there, read the entire list of travel recommendations!
