Europe

Spain

A country of Moorish palaces, Roman and Visigothic history, Atlantic and Mediterranean islands, and regions that feel distinct from one another.

Start with the essentials Where to stay Plan a trip to Spain

Spain is a country mostly on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Its capital and largest city is Madrid, and Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga are among its other major cities. The country has 17 autonomous communities, each with its own parliament and government, and Catalan, Galician and Basque are co-official in their own regions. The Balearic Islands lie in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, and Ceuta and Melilla on the North African coast.

Visitors come for the Moorish past and the Roman and Visigothic layers beneath it. The Alhambra in Granada was built under the Nasrid rulers, and Medina Azahara near Córdoba is a palace-city ruin from the Caliphate of Córdoba. Toledo, once the Visigothic capital, and Santiago de Compostela add older and religious layers. The trip suits travelers who want several regions in one visit, mixing cities, coast and mountains. Summers are hot and dry in the south and interior, so spring and autumn suit most of the mainland. Plan at least two weeks to cover more than one region.

Five things to know before Spain

Eat on Spanish time
Many kitchens close between lunch and dinner. Before 8.30pm you will mostly find tapas bars.
Book Sagrada Família and the Alhambra early
Both sell timed entries online and sell out weeks ahead in spring and summer. Barcelona
Compare the three high-speed operators
Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo all run Madrid to Barcelona in about 2.5 hours. Prices vary a lot by day and time. Getting around
Expect EES at the border
Visitors from outside the EU register fingerprints and a photo at their first Schengen entry. EES explained
Budget for the tourist tax
Barcelona and several other cities add a per-person, per-night tax to hotel bills. It is not always in the price you see online.

Spain travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Barcelona

Gaudí, the old town and the beach

Read the guide Madrid

Prado walk, barrios and late dinners

Read the guide Seville

Alcázar, cathedral and flamenco

Read the guide Granada

The Alhambra, the Albaicín and tapas

Read the guide Mallorca

Palma, the Tramuntana and coves

Read the guide Canary Islands

Volcanoes and winter sun, island by island

Read the guide Getting around Spain

High-speed trains, buses and ferries

Read the guide Tourist taxes in Europe

Per-night charges added to hotel bills

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Spain

See all attractions in Spain

Museum · Canary IslandsMuseo de HistoriaAllow at least an hour to explore the displays.

Sight · Basque CountryFaro de la Plata

Sight · MadridTurismo Madrid

A beach with palm trees and houses on a hill

Sight · Alicante ProvinceCastillo de San José

Destinations in Spain

CityPicos de EuropaExplore

Woman on balcony overlooking coastal town and sea

CityNerjaExplore

CityAlcúdiaExplore

CityCórdobaExplore

A group of boats sitting on top of a beach

CitySan Vicente de la BarqueraExplore

CityComillasExplore

a boat floating on top of a large body of water

CityDéniaExplore

CitySitgesExplore

Where to stay in Spain

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides

aerial photography of city during daytime

BarcelonaWhere to stay in Barcelona: five neighborhoods compared

LanzaroteWhere to stay in Lanzarote: four bases, Puerto del Carmen to Famara

Itineraries

3 daysBarcelona in 3 days: Gaudí, the old town and MontjuïcA three-day Barcelona plan: Sagrada Família and a Gaudí house, the old town and the beach, Park Güell and Montjuïc, with ticket prices and closing days.

a group of people swimming in a body of water

5 daysHow many days in Menorca: 3, 5 and 7-day plans with covesHow many days in Menorca: 3, 5 and 7-day plans covering Ciutadella, Maó, south-coast coves, the Camí de Cavalls and Talayotic sites, with parking and wind tips.

Beach scene with a stone pier under a cloudy sky

7 daysCosta del Sol in 7 days: a route by car, or by train and busCosta del Sol in 7 days: Málaga, Nerja, Ronda, Marbella and Estepona, with a car route, a no-car version using the C1 train and buses, and where to sleep.

high-angle photography of stadium surrounded by high-rise building

2 daysMálaga in 2 days: Alcazaba, Picasso, beach and tapasA two-day Málaga plan: Alcazaba, cathedral and Picasso on day one, port, art and beach on day two, with checked ticket prices and closing days.

the inside of a building with columns and arches

2 daysCórdoba in one or two days: a timed plan and when to stay the nightCórdoba in one or two days: a timed plan for the Mezquita, the Judería and the Roman Bridge, day trip times from Seville, Madrid and Málaga, and when a night is worth it.

2 daysSan Sebastián in 2 days: a pintxo-led route from old quarter to IgueldoA two-day San Sebastián itinerary: the old quarter and Monte Urgull on day one, La Concha, Ondarreta and Monte Igueldo on day two, with pintxo etiquette and rain plans.

3 daysValencia in 3 days: old town, Turia gardens and the seaA three-day Valencia plan: old town on foot, Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences, then beach, Albufera or Cuenca, with checked prices and hours.

a narrow street lined with potted plants next to a building

7 daysAndalucía in 7 days: Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Ronda and MálagaA seven-day Andalucía route from Seville to Málaga: two nights in Seville, one in Córdoba, two in Granada, a Ronda stop and a Málaga finish, with trains, tickets and heat tips.

a large building that is next to a body of water

2 daysBilbao in 2 days: the Guggenheim, the old town and a pintxos eveningA two-day Bilbao plan: the Guggenheim and river on day one, the old town, market and a coast or funicular half day on day two. Timed route and what to book ahead.

What a day costs in Spain

Per person, in EUR

Work out your trip

Budget€68a day≈ $76 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: €35
Food: €25
Transport: €8
Sights: Free

Mid-range€185a day≈ $206 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: €90
Food: €60
Transport: €20
Sights: €15

Comfort€390a day≈ $435 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: €160
Food: €120
Transport: €60
Sights: €50

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Marisol VegaA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, quiet
FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Spring
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Easter crowds
MayClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Warm
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Beach season
JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hot, crowded
AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hottest, busiest
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm sea, La Mercè
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Quiet
DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, lights

Average daily high and low in Barcelona, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SpainPut the places you like in Spain on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Spain

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 19%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Castile and León

09:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today20°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue15°7°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed15°4°8%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
Thu17°6°9%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 9%.
Fri16°5°28%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sat16°11°36%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 36%.
Sun15°13°78%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 78%.

Updated 07:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Spain

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

a group of people standing in front of a float

MarchLas FallasMar 15 – 19, 2027

A religious procession with people watching

MarchSemana Santa in SevilleMar 21 – 28, 2027

AprilFeria de Abril de SevillaApr 13 – 18, 2027

Festivals by month

JanTamborradaSan SebastiánLa VijaneraCantabria
FebCarnivals of LantzPamplonaCarnival of Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de Tenerife
MarLas FallasValenciaSemana Santa in SevilleSeville
AprFeria de Abril de SevillaSeville
Mayfestivities of San Isidro LabradorMadridPrimavera SoundBarcelona
JunUEFA Champions League finalMadridPHotoESPAÑAMadrid
JulSan FermínPamplonaVitoria-Gasteiz jazz festivalBasque Country
AugLa TomatinaValenciaViking Festival of CatoiraPontevedra
SepFestivity of ‘la Mare de Déu de la Salut’ of AlgemesíValenciaPontevedra Feira FrancaPontevedra
Oct
Nov
Dec

On tour in Spain: Muse The Wow! Signal Tour Madrid, Valencia, Jan 19 – 23, 2027 · Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Pamplona, Apr 17, 2027 · Olivia Rodrigo The Unraveled Tour Barcelona, May 1 – 6, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Jun 3 – 27, 2027 · Oasis Live '27 Barcelona, Jul 10 – 11, 2027 · Harry Styles Together, Together 2027 Madrid, Jul 30 – Aug 2, 2027

Before you go to Spain

Spain high-speed trainsCompare Renfe, Iryo and Ouigo by dayRead the guide

Alhambra and Gaudí ticketsTimed entry sells out in springBook timed entry

eSIM for SpainData for metro apps and train timesRead the guide Travel insurance for SpainCover for theft and cancelled flightsRead the guide

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Rules for Spain, checked

Spain is in the Schengen area, so non-EU visitors must meet Schengen entry rules, including passport validity, before arrival.Read more Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish cities on the Moroccan border, and crossing from Morocco has its own checks; read the travel advice first.Read more Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory that Spain claims, and the land crossing from Spain has border checks on both sides.Read more

Spain FAQ

When do people eat in Spain?

Lunch from about 2pm and dinner from 9pm. Many kitchens close in between, so eat tapas if you are hungry at 6.

Is Spain too hot in summer?

Inland it can be: Seville and Madrid can pass 40 °C in July and August. Barcelona and the north coast are milder.

Madrid or Barcelona first?

Either. The high-speed train links them in about 2.5 hours, so fly into one and out of the other.

How many days do you need for a first trip to Spain?

Ten days fits Barcelona, Madrid and Andalucía by train with two or three nights in each. With a week, choose two cities or one region, and add an island only if you have time to spare.

What is the best time to visit Spain?

April to June and September to October for most of the country: warm, with fewer crowds than July and August. The Canary Islands suit winter sun, and the north coast is mildest in summer.