Spain is a spectacular country known for delicious wines, delectable tapas, and a whole host of beautiful attractions. These top travel tips for Spain promise an exciting (and affordable) adventure!
Before moving to South Korea, I had the privilege of crashing with my friend who was teaching English in Spain. I was able to travel the country for three whole weeks before starting my own teaching adventure in Asia! In that time I crossed off so many incredible cities from my bucket list, and collected some pretty fun facts about Spain, too. Not to mention, I learned a whole lot about what it takes to travel around Spain, and am here to share my top tips to help you.
Since I was there during the winter in Spain, we set our sights on the warmest cities in the south exploring places like Granada, Seville, and Toledo. Here are my top Spain travel tips.
12 Best Travel Tips for Spain
1. Bring your student ID.
There are student discounts galore here. Museums, cathedrals, palaces – basically all of the major tourist sights. If you’re a student you can save some big bucks! Who doesn’t love a good discount?
2. Indulge in the tapas culture.
In Spain, nearly every bar or restaurant will serve you a tapa, or small dish/snack with each drink you order. If you’re looking to have fun and save some money, look to tapas as your go-to dinner! The further south you go in Spain, the bigger and more plentiful the tapas become. Granada has the absolute best!
3. Great ready for days without a “normal” breakfast.
Breakfast in Spain is much different than breakfast in other places. A typical breakfast consists of cafe con leche and maybe a bit of toast or a slice of tortilla (egg bake) and that seems to be about it. Don’t plan on enjoying lavish pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage – it’s nearly non-existent.
4. Practice your survival travel Spanish phrases.
Not everyone in Spain speaks fluent English – in fact, the majority don’t! If you learn a little bit of Spanish before your visit, it will go a long way. And the locals will really appreciate it! A few to note:
Hola – Hello
Adiós – Goodbye
¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el/la ____? – Where is ____?
Lo siento – I’m sorry
Necesito ____ – I need ____
Por favor – Please
Muchas gracias – Thank you very much
Ayúdame – Help me
5. Water is not free in restaurants.
Ordering tap water is not a very common practice in Spain and most of Europe for that matter. Be prepared to pay for a bottle for the table – and don’t forget to order your agua sin gas if you don’t like or want sparkling water! Sparkling is the standard in many places in Europe and Spain.
6. Buy bottled water at the store.
In a grocery store, you can find bottled water for SO cheap! I think the most I paid for bottled water was 0.20 euros. Whereas when you order it at the restaurant, you’ll end up paying 2 – 4 euros per bottle. That’s a crazy markup!
7. Carry tissues with you everywhere (and hand sanitizer).
80% of the bathrooms I encountered in Spain were either missing toilet paper, soap or both! If you want to avoid having to drip dry and walking around the city with dirty hands, I recommend coming prepared with the good stuff just in case!
8. Remember the siestas.
When planning your to-do for the day in Spain, be sure to factor in siesta time. Many shops and restaurants close their doors mid-afternoon for a few hours to take a break – around 1 – 4pm. Plan ahead and avoid being disappointed at having arrived to a destination only to find it closed for nap time!
9. “Slowness” is not considered rude.
The culture in Spain is very laid back and relaxed. When you dine in a restaurant, you may not see the server after they take your order for another hour or more! As an American used to constant attention in the service industry, it was hard to adjust to. This isn’t to be intentionally rude, Spaniards just take time to enjoy their food and their company. Embrace the change of pace!
10. Spain is a dry place.
If you have dry skin, lips or get parched easily, be sure to prepare with ample amounts of lotion, chapstick and bottled water. You won’t regret it!
11. Tips aren’t expected.
No need to worry about tips here! If you think the service was outstanding, tips are appreciated but not mandatory. If you feel obliged to tip, it’s common to leave behind your change or round up to the nearest round amount. Otherwise a 10-15% for exceptional service works too.
12. Meals are eaten later in the day.
Meals, especially dinner, are often eaten at much later times than what is typical in America or other countries. Try to catch dinner when the locals do – normally starting around 9pm. It may be difficult to find a place to eat any earlier than 8pm. This was a Spain travel tip I wish I had known before hand, it would have saved me a lot of confusion!
The Best Places to Visit in Spain
Before planning your killer Spain itinerary, you should know what some of the best places to visit in Spain are! Here is a quick list of must-see Spanish destinations to help you in your planning.
- Barcelona: This northern Spanish city is a popular tourist destination for good reason! Whether you’re visiting Barcelona by cruise or making the journey inland, you don’t want to miss spend a couple days in Barcelona.
- Madrid: Spain’s capital city, Madrid is the third-largest city in all of the EU. It’s bustling, lively and promises a good time.
- Seville: Located in the south in Spain’s Andalusia region, Seville was one of my favorite cities to visit in Spain.
- Granada: Home to some killer architecture and quaint cobblestone streets, a long weekend in Granada is a must.
- Málaga: A warm port and beach destination in the south, Málaga makes for a nice beach getaway even in the winter months.
- Valencia: Another city along the coast, Valencia is home to the traditional dish paella.
- Toledo: This cute little Spanish village stole my heart the second I arrived. The fortress is straight out of a fairy tale. Highly recommend at least a day trip to Toledo.
- Aracena: This small town is a hidden gem just over an hour from Seville. There are many unique things to do in Aracena that can easily fill a day trip or overnight getaway.
- The Canary Islands: Spain’s beautiful archipelago off the coast of Africa boasts sandy beaches, epic volcanoes and lots to do like whale watching off Tenerife and hiking Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote.
Travel Tips for Spain: The Best Foods to Eat
One of the best parts of traveling in my opinion is eating all of the amazing food that a place is known for! You definitely will want to check out the best traditional Spanish foods before you head to Spain! Here’s a quick list for your reference.
- Paella – A delicious rice dice. The absolute best paella is found in Valencia but can be enjoyed nearly anywhere in Spain.
- Churros con chocolate – If you’re in Madrid, go to San Gines for your churros con chocolate. Hands down the best I had the entire time I was in Spain.
- Olives – Spain is world-famous for their olives! Be sure to try every variation you can while you’re there. A lot of the mercados (markets) in Spain have all different types of stuffed olives like with cheese, fish, meat, etc.
- Jamón Ibérico – Jamón ibérico is a must while in Spain.
- Tortilla – Egg bake usually made with potatoes and onions. SO good.
- Croquettes – Deep-fried mashed potato type tater tots stuffed with yummy goodness (normally cheese and meat of some kind).
- Flan – Spanish caramel-ish custard dessert.
- Manchego Cheese – Spanish cheese.
Best Spanish Drinks to Sip
- Wine – Spain is world-famous for their wine as well – don’t miss the opportunity to sample the best of the best! Rioja was my personal favorite.
- Tinto de Verano – Red wine with lemon soda.
- Sangria – Red wine with soda and fruit and sometimes vodka.
- Cruzcampo – Local beer from Seville. Not the biggest fan but had to try at least one Spanish beer.
These are just a few of the main things I wish I had known before venturing off to Spain! Did I miss anything? Share your best travel tips for Spain below!
