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Spain

Capital

Madrid

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Language

Spanish

Best Time

Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct

Time Zone

CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)

Sustainability Politics
Flag of Spain
Welcome to Spain

Spain's Passionate Culture and Sun-Soaked Coasts

Welcome to Spain, a country where passionate flamenco rhythms, historic architecture, and sun-drenched coastlines create an unforgettable atmosphere. Barcelona's Gaudí masterpieces, including the Sagrada Família, showcase some of the world's most imaginative architecture. Madrid's grand boulevards and world-class museums reflect Spain's rich artistic and royal history. Andalusia's Alhambra palace reveals stunning Moorish architecture amid the dramatic hills of Granada. Spain's Mediterranean coastline offers golden beaches, charming fishing villages, and lively coastal cities. The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route winds through scenic countryside toward the historic cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Spanish cuisine, from tapas to paella, reflects deep regional pride and centuries of culinary tradition. Spain invites travelers to experience a country of passion, art, and vibrant culture.

Popular City

Madrid

Madrid’s Prado Museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of European art, including masterworks by Velazquez and Goya, within an easy walk of the Retiro Park’s grand crystal palace and boating lake. The Royal Palace, still used for state ceremonies, offers opulent rooms filled with tapestries and frescoes. Plaza Mayor, the historic heart of the city, is ringed by cafes and has hosted markets, bullfights, and royal ceremonies for centuries. The Mercado de San Miguel offers an elegant, glass-walled setting for sampling tapas from vendors throughout the market. Madrid’s late-night dining and flamenco tablaos capture the city’s famous nightlife energy, which regularly stretches well past midnight. Its dense concentration of world-class museums and lively squares make Madrid one of Europe’s most rewarding capitals to explore.

Travel News

Popular City

Barcelona

Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi’s still-unfinished basilica, remains one of the most extraordinary buildings in the world, its towering spires and intricate facades drawing visitors from across the globe. Park Guell, another Gaudi masterpiece, offers mosaic-tiled terraces overlooking the city and the Mediterranean beyond. La Rambla, the city’s famous pedestrian boulevard, leads toward La Boqueria market, a vibrant covered hall of produce, seafood, and tapas stalls. The Gothic Quarter’s narrow medieval streets contrast with the modernist architecture found throughout the nearby Eixample district. Barceloneta Beach gives the city an easy, urban stretch of Mediterranean coastline just steps from the old town. Barcelona’s combination of Gaudi’s fantastical architecture, beach access, and Catalan cuisine make it one of Europe’s most visited cities.

Travel Tips

Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.

Before You Go

  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.

Money & Payments

  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.

Stay Connected

  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Transportation

  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.

Electricity

  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.

Weather & Clothing

  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.

Food & Water

  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.

Safety

  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.

Language & Etiquette

  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.

Emergency Planning

  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.

Smart Packing

  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.

Local Research

  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.
Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

Popular City

Seville

Seville’s Alcazar, a UNESCO World Heritage royal palace, showcases Mudejar architecture with intricately tiled courtyards and gardens still used by the Spanish royal family today. The Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, holds the tomb of Christopher Columbus and offers views from the Giralda bell tower, a converted minaret. The Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter, winds through narrow, flower-lined alleys leading to small plazas and tapas bars. Plaza de Espana, built for a 1929 exposition, offers a dramatic semicircular building with a canal that can be crossed by rented rowboat. Flamenco, born in Andalusia, can be experienced at intimate tablaos throughout the old town, offering an authentic taste of the region’s most famous art form. Seville’s blend of Moorish architecture and passionate cultural traditions make it the heart of southern Spain.

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Spain's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Paella

Paella is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Tortilla Española

Tortilla Española is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Jamón Ibérico

Jamón Ibérico is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Patatas Bravas

Patatas Bravas is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Pulpo a la Gallega

Pulpo a la Gallega is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Croquetas

Croquetas is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Churros

Churros is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana is a well-known part of Spain's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Dining tip: Regional specialties and preparation styles vary throughout Spain. Explore local markets, independent cafés and family-owned restaurants for an authentic taste of the destination.

Little-Known Facts

Spain

Spain is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than almost any other country in the world, and its capital region includes the Cave of Altamira, whose Paleolithic paintings, created roughly 36,000 years ago, were so remarkably sophisticated when first studied that some 19th-century scholars initially refused to believe they were genuinely ancient. Spain is also home to the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, a still-unfinished basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, construction on which began in 1882 and is now finally expected to reach completion in the coming years, making it one of the longest ongoing construction projects for a single building in the world.

Spain has a unique linguistic landscape, with Spanish serving as the primary official language alongside regional co-official languages including Catalan, Basque, and Galician, and the Basque language in particular is considered a linguistic isolate, unrelated to any other known language family in the world. The country is also home to La Tomatina, an annual festival in the town of Buñol where thousands of participants throw tons of overripe tomatoes at one another in a massive, good-natured food fight.

Spain's Camino de Santiago, a network of historic pilgrimage routes converging on the city of Santiago de Compostela, has drawn religious pilgrims and modern travelers alike for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously used pilgrimage networks in the world.