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From the month of September, when the summer months are officially approaching its end and the temperatures are well above 30°C, you can select to adopt frequent dips in the pool and cool yourself with chilled beer. However if you simply desire a better method to beat the temperature, then visiting Spain has to be wonderful idea. With beautiful holiday spots in the nation, mainly the southern side - Costa del Sol and Costa etrusca, get ready to experience a gentle weather as well as a variety of interesting activities.

Spain is enjoyable anytime of the season. And you can thank you for trip here further in the event you own one of the lo romero property. Therefore a lot of the holidaymakers vacation, especially those who originate from UK and other countries of Europe, be aware of different varieties of Spanish properties. Having ones own put in place america makes sure that there is a very spacious accommodation, where you can live and luxuriate in with your way, when you stay here.

Whether you come to Spain in the peak time or outside that, you possess an assured arrangement of staying here. You do not have to spend hefty amounts for living in plush hotels, yet you have a better destination with increased space to move around freely. You do have a more enjoyable atmosphere and do anything you wish to as this is your individual space. In a nutshell, it is your own house in Spain.

To look at different kinds of Spanish properties or to be entertained by varieties in Spain, you can go for rental-car services. You can get rental car services in the major cities and towns. And if you visit Spain in this part of the year, do not forget to take pleasure in the renowned Feria de Pedro Romero (or even the famous Spanish Bullfighting season).

Spain [8] (Spanish: España) is a diverse country sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the country with the third-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, after Italy and China.




Immigration Spain holds a historical attachment to its neighbors, Andorra, Portugal and France, to its former colonies, to former citizens and their descendants, and to a special category of former citizens, namely Sephardic Jews.


The population of Spain is growing in large part due to migration from areas that have a historical or linguistic attachment to Spain, such as Latin America [e.g Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru ], Europe (mostly Eastern Europe), Africa and Asia.



Regions of Spain Northwestern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria) Northern Spain (Basque Country, Navarre, La Rioja) Northeastern Spain (Catalonia, Aragon) Central Spain (Community of Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, Castile-Leon, Extremadura) Eastern Spain (Murcia, Valencia) Andalusia Balearic Islands Canary Islands Autonomous Cities (Ceuta, Melilla)

Cities Spain has hundreds of interesting cities. Here are ten of the most popular:

Madrid — the vibrant capital, with fantastic museums, interesting architecure, great food and nightlife Barcelona — Spain's second city, full of modernist buildings and a vibrant cultural life, nightclubs, and beaches Bilbao — industrial city, home to the Guggenheim Museum Cadiz — oldest city in Western Europe with nearly 4,000 years of history, celebrates a famous carnival Cordoba — The Grand Mosque ('Mezquita') of Cordoba is one of the world's finest buildings Granada — stunning city in the south, surrounded by snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, home of La Alhambra Seville — a beautiful, verdant city, and home to the world's third largest cathedral Valencia — paella was invented here, has a very nice beach Zaragoza — fifth largest city of Spain that held the World Expo in 2008

Other destinations Costa Blanca — 200 km of white coast with plenty of beaches and small villages Costa Brava — the rugged coast with plenty of seaside resorts Costa del Sol — the sunny coast in the south of the country Gran Canaria — known as "a continent in miniature" due to its many different climates and landscapes[9] Ibiza — a Balearic island; one of the best places for clubbing, raving, and DJs in the entire world La Rioja — Rioja wine and fossilized dinosaur tracks Mallorca — the largest island of the Balears, full of amazing beaches and great nightlife Sierra Nevada — the highest mountains on the Iberian Peninsula, great for walking and skiing Tenerife — offers lush forests, exotic fauna and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanoes, beautiful coastlines and spectacular beaches [10]

Get in Entry requirements Minimum validity of travel documents EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, need only produce a passport or national identity card which is valid on the date of entry. Other nationals must produce a passport which is valid for the entirety of their period of stay in Spain. More information about the minimum validity of travel documents is available at this webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain. Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement.








By plane Spain's national carrier is Iberia.



Low cost carriers operating to Spain include: Vueling [12], easyJet [13], Ryanair [14], Blue Air [15], and [16].


By train The best option to arrive in Spain by train is the high-speed track from France, connecting Paris with Barcelona and further with Madrid. It takes 6 hours of travel from Paris to Barcelona. Cross-border connections are also frequent on the other end of the border with France, between San Sebastian and Bayonne. A more scenic option is to from Toulouse to Barcelona is the regional train TER from Toulouse to Latour-de-Carol, on the border, connecting with a regional spanish train to Barcelona.

Trains from Portugal are slow and not so frequent.

By bus Bus travel in Spain is increasingly an attractive option for people traveling on a tight budget.






Another popular route is from Barcelona to Genoa.

Spain Yatching Group S.L. [17]. Yacht charter and sailing - INTERNATIONAL YACHTING GROUP, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in Spain and Wordwide.



For Latin American people, especially those from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela, you need to have a hotel reservation confirmed, and international insurance for at least 30.000 EURO; if your trip is from 1-9 days you need €514, for each additional day €57 and a return air ticket.


Get around By train RENFE is the Spanish national rail carrier. Long-distance trains always get in time, but be aware that short-distance trains (called Cercanías) can bear long delays, from ten to twenty minutes, and especially in the Barcelona area, where delays up to 30 minutes are not uncommon. To be safe, always take the train before the one you need. Trains and facilities are clean, services are fast and reliable and prices are on par with those found elsewhere in Western Europe, but there is one catch. Since absolutely all long-distance trains require a reservation (not only the high-speed AVEs!) and are booked out long before, especially in the tourist season, getting around Spain by train is rather difficult and planning ahead is essential. If you turn up at the Madrid-Atocha station expecting to buy a same-day AVE ticket to Barcelona or to the costas, you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, passengers in Spain ride in style, everyone seated and no people standing in the aisle. This is in sharp contrast with most other European countries, where compulsory reservations are either non-existent or only required for the highest category of trains.

FEVE Narrow-gauge, slow, but scenic trains around the northern coast of Spain are operated by another company, FEVE. These trains are a completely separate ecosystem. They require different tickets and are not covered by Rail Passes! The FEVE company was formally merged with RENFE on January 1, 2013, but it'll take some more time until the factual merger completes.

If you'd like to travel by trains, you have the following choices:

Buy tickets in advance through the RENFE website. They can be significantly cheaper when bought a long time ahead. Fortunately, the RENFE website has seen some major improvements in the recent years, especially its English version, which used to be severely limited. A RENFE ticket can only be bought for a specified train and date. Best price can be achieved by buying approx. one month in advance (of course, discounted tickets are non-refundable). Beware though, that you cannot buy a separate seat reservation without a ticket (if you're travelling on a rail pass) on the Renfe website. That can be bought easily in Spain at a railway station, but by the time you get into Spain, the train will likely be booked out. It is technically possible to buy Spanish seat reservations (including domestic routest) everywhere in Europe, at any train station selling international tickets, since the railway companies are interconnected, but it's not easy. Imagine explaining to a ticket selling person in, say, Germany or Poland that you want to buy a reservation for a train in Spain! That being said, it is nonetheless possible. Always give the train number (very important!), exact date, departure and arrival points. With these information, buying a reservation abroad should succeed. Alternately, you can buy a seat reservation on the RailDude website. It is a bit more expensive (€10 for a 2nd class reservation), but you'll avoid haggling with railway staff and it is your best option if you're outside Europe. Travel only by local trains (Cercanías - suburban trains, or Media Distancia - medium distance trains). Sadly, quite a lot of the Media Distancia trains are subject to compulsory reservations, too. Always check for each connection whether you require a reservation or not. There are e.g. only 7 daily trains between Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña (a relatively short way) which don't require a reservation. All other trains on that route (29 more trains) require a reservation, either being Media Distancia or Larga Distancia (long-distance services). Anyway, the main difference is that the Media Distancia trains do not tend to be booked out weeks before so it is usually possible to buy a reservation minutes before your desired departure. CAVEAT: The RENFE website only accepts those foreign-issued credit cards which have a 2-Step Verification System like those issued by Indian Banks so it will not accept US Banks issued Credit Cards. If however the transaction fails, you can contact your bank, but don't expect a solution. Use a PayPal account instead, or pay about 10 Euros more to buy your ticket from a travel agent.

These facts turn travelling by train in Spain into a nightmare for rail pass holders, and into (at least) a mild nuisance for other travellers. Even young Spaniards don't travel long distances by train very often. They usually ride a bus (when they're on a tight budget or have to travel on a short notice) or fly (when they can book in advance). Flights within Spain are not much more expensive than trains and are well worth looking into, because of the time you save. Just keep in mind that the AVE high-speed train service between Madrid and Barcelona is actually faster than taking a plane, when you factor in all airport transfers and security checks! On the other hand, trains are more comfortable and allow you to take plenty of luggage.

By bus The easiest way to get around most parts of Spain is by bus. Most major routes are point to point, and very high frequency. There is a different operator for each route, but usually just one operator per route. At the bus station, each operator has its own ticket. The staff at any of them is usually happy to tell you who operates which route. The following two are major bus companies serving much of the country:

Grupo Alsa, Avenida de América Intercambiador 9-A, 28002 Madrid, ☎ +34 902 42 22 42, [1]. which also included Continental Auto Grupo Avanza, ☎ +34 91 272 28 32, [2]. operates the Alosa, Tusza, Vitrasa & Auto Res lines ... or see (an independent bus booking site) for additional smaller bus lines serving specific autonomous regions or provinces in the country or see the article(s) on a specific city, town, province or autonomous community as to what's there.


Yacht and boats rentals in Spain [18], - Costa Brava, Costa Central, Costa Daurada, Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Luxury yachts in Spain [19], - Yacht charter and sailing, one of the worlds largest acht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in Spain. Operating from nine offices worldwide (USA, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Hong Kong and Dubai)




There are two types of highway in Spain: autopistas, or motorways, and autovías, which are more akin to expressways. Most autopistas are toll roads while autovías are generally free of charge. [20] Speed limits range from 50 km/h in towns to 90 km/h on rural roads, 100 km/h on roads and 120 km/h on autopistas and autovías.


Green light for cars about to turn is frequently on at the same time as green light for pedestrians: every time you turn, check if the pedestrians' path you cross doesn't also have green light for them.



Speed Limits:

Usually, maximum speed limits are as follows: Motorways - 120 km/h; Fast main roads – 100 km/h; Other non-urban roads – 90 km/h; Urban towns and cities – 50 km/h.

The minimum speed allowed on motorways is 60 km/h. Be observant! Some residential roads in Spain have lower speed limits – even 20 km/h. Luckily, all speed limits are adequately indicated on large warning signs in their locations.

Speeding fines (multas) are high in Spain and depend on the degree to which you exceed the speed limit. On-the-spot fines can reach 600 EUR. Speeding fines must be paid within 60 days. If you pay your fine within a certain amount of time, you may get up to 50% discount. Spanish police use numerous static speed cameras and portable radar traps. Static cameras are mainly set on the 120 km/h motorways. They can be occasionally painted in fluorescent yellow with a speed limit on them 21.












Talk Many English words have their origins in Latin, which makes it easy for English speakers to guess the meanings of many Spanish words. However, Spanish and English also have a number of false cognates that one needs to be aware of to avoid embarrassing mistakes. -embarazada - pregnant; not embarrassed -suburbio - slum; not suburb -preservativo - condom; not preservative -bizarro - brave; not bizarre {{{2}}}


However, there are a number of languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician, Asturian, etc.) spoken in various parts of Spain. Some of these languages are dominant in their respective regions, and, following their legalization in the 1978 constitution, they are co-official with Castilian in their respective areas. Of these, Catalan, Basque and Galician are recognised as official languages according to the Spanish constitution. In the Basque Country and Catalonia, Spanish is more widely spoken than Basque and Catalan, but the regional governments try and encourage the use of both languages in their respective regions. Apart from Basque (whose origins are still debated), the languages of the Iberian Peninsula are part of the Romance family and are fairly easy to pick up if you know Castilian well. While locals in those also speak Spanish fluently, learning a few words in the local languages where you are traveling will help endear you to the locals. Galician is the only language which has a native majority in its region. All Spaniards are functionally bilingual and no-one should have problems communicating in Spanish.



Castillian Spanish differs from the Latin American varieties in pronunciation and other details. There is also a pronoun ("vosotros", literally "you others", used to address a group of two or more people in the second person) and its associated verb conjugations, rarely used in Latin American Spanish. However, all Latin American varieties are easily understood by Spaniards, and are recognized simply as different versions of one language by the Royal Spanish Academy, the barometer for all things Spanish language. While some Spaniards believe theirs is the more 'pure' version of Spanish, most Spaniards recognize the reality that there is no 'pure' Spanish, even within their own country.




Itineraries Via de la Plata Route Historic 800km route from Gijón to Sevilla. Way of St. James Historic cities Historically, Spain has been an important crossroads: between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, between North Africa and Europe, and as Europe beginning colonizing the New World, between Europe and the Americas. As such, the country is blessed with a fantastic collection of historical landmarks - in fact, it has the 2nd largest number of UNESCO Heritage Sites and the largest number of World Heritage Cities of any nation in the world.


Moving north across the plains of La Mancha into Central Spain, picturesque Toledo stands as perhaps the historical center of the nation, a beautiful medieval city sitting atop a hill that once served as the capital of Spain before Madrid was built. Not far from the Portuguese border, Merida contains well preserved Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site. North of Madrid and an easy day-trip from the capital city is El Escorial, once the center of the Spanish empire during the time of the Inquisition; Segovia, noted for its spectacular Roman aqueduct which spans one of the city's squares; and the beautiful walled city of Avila. Further north, culture tourists will enjoy Burgos, with its beautiful Gothic cathedral and the world famous archaeological site of Atapuerca; Leon, whose Gothic cathedral was the first national protected building; Salamanca, known for its famous university and abundance of historic architecture; and Soria, with the nearby pre-roman archaeological site of Numancia.


Visitors should be aware of the limited hours and likely entrance fees at many historic Spanish churches. With entry fees averaging €8, families will need to take the expense of religious sightseeing in Spain into account. Another important consideration when planning your trip to Spain are the limited hours of access to Spanish churches. Unlike neighbouring countries Italy, France and Germany, churches in Spain are only open for mass once or twice a day and thus, only open to the local worshipping population. While large cathedrals are open all day, these only represent some of the significant christian legacy of Spain. When combined with the high entry prices and bans on photography levied against you to visit most of the large cathedrals of the country, a trip to Spain to indulge yourself in Christian history can be challenging.




Outside of Madrid and Barcelona, the art museums quickly dwindle in size and importance, although there are a couple of worthy mentions that should not be looked over: Many of El Greco's most famous works lie in Toledo, an easy day trip from Madrid. The Disrobing of Christ, perhaps El Greco's most famous work, sits in the Cathedral, but you can also find work by him in one of the small art museums around town. Valladolid is home to the National Museum of Sculpture, with an extensive collection ranging from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Bilbao in the Basque Country of northern Spain is home to a spectacular Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry that has put the city on the map.

Besides the public museums, you will also find some contemporary art treasures in private galleries. A directory containing a major part of them is available at Consorcio De Galerias.

Do Festivals Spain has a lot of local festivals that are worth going to.

Feria de Abril (Sevilla in April/May) - Best fair in the whole Iberian peninsula that attracts thousands of people from all over the world. If you enjoy folklore, flamenco, dancing and drinking, this is your place. Sevilla's & Málaga's Semana Santa (Easter) - worth seeing. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Lots of processions occur within that week. Holy week (Easter Week) - best in Seville and the rest of Andalusia; also interesting in Valladolid (silent processions) and Zaragoza (where hundreds of drums are played in processions) Córdoba en Mayo (Cordoba in May) - great month to visit the Southern city Las Cruces (1st week in May) - big flower-made crosses embellishing public squares in the city center, where you will also find at night music and drinking and lot of people having fun! Festival de Patios - one of the most interesting cultural exhibitions, 2 weeks when some people open doors of their houses to show their old Patios full of flowers Arde Lucus - biggest roman recreation festival of Europe, all inside the walled city of Lugo, UNESCO World Heritage. Last weekend on June. Cata del Vino Montilla-Moriles - great wine tasting in a big tent in the city center during one week in May Dia de Sant Jordi - The Catalan must, in April 23th Barcelona is embellished with roses everywhere and book-selling stands can be found in the Rambla. There are also book signings, concerts and diverse animations. Fallas - Valencia's festival in March - burning the "fallas" is a must Málaga's August Fair - flamenco dancing, drinking sherry, bullfights San Fermines - July in Pamplona, Navarra. Fiesta de San Isidro - May 15 in Madrid - a celebration of Madrid's patron saint. Carnival - best in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Cádiz Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three wise men parade) - on the eve of epiphany, 5th of January, the night before Spanish kids get their Christmas presents, it rains sweets and toys in every single town and city San Sebastian International Film Festival - held annually in San Sebastian, a gorgeous city in the Basque Country, towards the end of September La Tomatina - a giant tomato fight in Buñol Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians, mostly found in Southeastern Spain during spring time) - parades and "battles" remembering the fights of medieval ages 85 festivals in Galicia throughout the year from wine to wild horses. Holidays New Year's Eve: There's a tradition in Spain to eat grapes as the clock counts down the New Year, one grape for each of the last twelve seconds before midnight. For this, even small packs of grapes (exactly 12 grapes per pack) are sold in supermarkets before New Year. Outdoor activities Vías Verdes in: Cycling from the Pyrinees to the Mediterranean Coast: a weekend getaway This is an experience that combines nature and sport, has 2 contrasting landscapes: the mountainous Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Costa Brava, goes off-the-beaten-track places where few tourists and foreigners go, offers delicious inland Catalan food and finishes by with a swim in the Mediterranean and eating Mediterranean food. Green-Ways, also known as Vías Verdes in Spanish, are old railway tracks that have been recovered and reconditioned for walkers and cyclists. They are an awesome way to discover Spain. They are easy to access and since trains once rolled over these paths, there is no So it is a great activity for all ages and fitness levels.There are 1,800 kilometres of Vías Verdes all over Spain. There is easy access to Vías Verdes by train. In total, there would be 138 km of cycling for one weekend. The trip starts in the Pyrenees and finishes in the beaches of Costa Brava. Until Girona the landscapes are mountaineous, green, wet and you can feel real nature. You cross small villages and rivers. After Girona the towns become larger and there are some parts that look more industrialized. But as you approach to the end, in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, the scenery becomes more Mediterranean and you start smelling the pine trees and for sure the sea. The hardest part of the trip is climbing to the coll of Santigosa (hill of Santigosa). Along the way there are plenty of opportunities to stay at rural homes and truly experience local living. If you are interested in a trip like this contact:

For more information about Catalan Green-Ways you can look here:

Canyoning: see Spain section in the Canyoning article Climbing in: Los Mallos (Aragon) and Siurana (near Barcelona) Whitewater sports in: Campo, Murillo de Gallego (Aragon) Hiking in Galicia Downhill skiing There are a lot of downhill skiing resorts in Spain. Skiing in the northen region of Spain

Scuba Diving For a treat, try Costa Brava and the world renowned Canary Islands.













Custo Barcelona, [3]. Headquartered in Barcelona, has stores in Bilbao, Ibiza, La Coruna, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Leon, Madrid, Marbella, Palma de Mallorca, Salamanca, Tenerife. Kowalski, head office: Ctra. del Leon, km, 2; 03293 Elche, ☎ +34 966 630 612, [4]. Designer shoes and sneakers (trademark Herman Monster and others) for women, men and unisex. Department stores El Corte Ingles, [5]. Major national chain that can be found in nearly every city. In most cities, enjoys central location but resides in functional, uninspiring buildings. Has department for everything--but is not good enough for most purposes, except maybe for buying gourmet food and local food specialties. Still very popular with uneducated travelling shoppers - the locals consider it expensive for a department store, though its customer service is well regarded. Tax refund for purchases at El Corte Ingles, unlike most other stores in Spain, can be returned only to a debit/credit card, even if you originally paid in cash. Also, given that they usually occupy very large buildings, Corte Ingles stores are usually a landmark in major Spanish cities and are very well connected to the local mass transit networks. Others Casas. A chain of footwear stores that selects most popular (?) models from a dozen+ of mid-range brands. Camper, [6]. Camper shoes can be seen in most cities in the country. While it may seem that they are sold everywhere, finding right model and size may be a trouble--so if you find what you need, don't postpone your purchase. Campers are sold both in standalone branded shops, and as a part of a mix with other brands in local shoe stores. Standalones generally provide wider choice of models and sizes; local stores can help if you need to hunt for a specific model and size. For, [7]. Private national fashion chain featuring many premium brands. Main location is Bilbao; some stores in San Sebastian and Zaragoza. Eat

Spanish mix of tapas


Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner times Spaniards have a different eating timetable than many people are used to.

The key thing to remember for a traveler is:

breakfast (el desayuno) for most Spaniards is light and consists of just coffee and perhaps a galleta (like a graham cracker) or magdalena (sweet muffin-like bread). Later, some will go to a cafe for a pastry midmorning, but not too close to lunchtime. "el aperitivo" is a light snack eaten around 12:00. However, this could include a couple of glasses of beer and a large filled baguette or a "pincho de tortilla". lunch (la comida) starts at 13:30-14:30 (though often not until 15:00) and was once typically followed by a short siesta, usually at summer when temperatures can be quite hot in the afternoon. This is the main meal of the day with two courses (el primer plato and el segundo plato followed by dessert. La comida and siesta are usually over by 17:00 at the latest. However, since life has become busier, there is no opportunity for a siesta. dinner (la cena) starts at 20:30 or 21, with most clientèle coming after 21. It is a lighter meal than lunch. In Madrid restaurants rarely open before 21:00 and most customers do not appear before 22:00. there is also an afternoon snack that some take between la comida and la cena called la merienda. It is similar to a tea time and is taken around 18 or so. between the lunch and dinner times, most restaurants and cafes are closed, and it takes extra effort to find a place to eat if you missed lunch time. Despite this, you can always look for a bar and ask for a bocadillo, a baguette sandwich. There are bocadillos fríos, cold sandwiches, which can be filled with ham, cheese or any kind of embutido, and bocadillos calientes, hot sandwiches, filled with pork loin, tortilla, bacon, sausage and similar options with cheese. This can be a really cheap and tasty option if you find a good place. Normally, restaurants in big cities don't close until midnight during the week and 2-3AM during the weekend.





Pintxos Pintxos (pronounced as pinchos) are unique to the Basque Region, and are similar to tapas, in that they are small portions typically served at bars, but with different styles, and traditions, and should not be referred to as tapas. Pintxos are traditionally finger food served on a sliced baguette, or on a wooden skewer, but it's not uncommon to find bars that have dispensed with that tradition, especially for higher end pintxos. Most pintxo bars will have a selection of pintxos to choose from on the bar itself, and some will have an additional menu posted you can order hot made to order pintxos from. In regions known for their pintxos, like San Sebastian, it's not uncommon to find very high end, and well prepared pintxos that would be at home on some of the worlds best restaurant menu's. Pintxo prices are typically relatively inexpensive, and range from €1 - €5, and are usually ordered with a drink (for example: Txakoli, a dry wine, or Kalimotxo, red wine mixed with cola, both common in Basque Region) for an additional €1 - €3.






The presa ibérica, being "Iberico black pig shoulder blade cooked medium-rare and served with pea purée" Pork cuts which are also highly coveted are those known as Presa Iberica and Secreto Iberico, an absolute must if found in the menu of any restaurant.






Tipping and VAT Service charges are included in the bill. You are free to tip if you are very pleased: you would typically leave the small change after paying with a note. Maybe at the most touristy places they expect you to give some extra, but Spanish people do not commonly do it.

VAT is-not-included is a common trick for mid-range and splurge restaurants: always check in menu whether VAT (10%, IVA in Spanish) is included in menu prices.


Food & Wine Tours Those looking for some orientation to the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Spain can consider going on a food tour. Options are plentiful in every city, and especially in Barcelona, San Sebastian, and Madrid. A quick Google search will reveal the most popular ones.





Specialties to buy Cheese: Spain offers a wide variety of regional cheeses. Queso Manchego is the most famous one. Cabrales,Tetilla,Mahon are also popular.



Boquerones Fritos Typical Spanish dishes include:

Aceitunas, Olivas: Olives, often served for nibbling. Bocadillo de Calamares: Fried battered calamari served in a ciabatta sandwich with lemon juice. Boquerones en vinagre: Anchovies marinated in vinegar with garlic and parsley. Caracoles: Snails in a hot sauce. Calamares en su tinta: Squid in its ink. Chipirones a la plancha: Grilled little squids. Churros: A fried horn-shaped snack, sometimes referred to as a Spanish doughnut. Typical for a Spanish breakfast or for tea time. Served with hot chocolate drink. Empanadas Gallegas: Meat or tuna pies are also very popular in Madrid. Originally from region of Galicia. Ensaladilla Rusa (Russian Salad): This potato salad dish of Russian origin, widely consumed in parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, is strangely enough, extremely popular in Spain. Fabada asturiana: Bean stew from Asturias. Gambas al ajillo: Prawns with garlic and chili. Fantastic hot stuff.

Gazpacho Gazpacho Andaluz: Cold vegetable soup. Best during the hot weather. It's like drinking a salad. Lentejas: A dish made from lentils with chorizo sausage and/or Serrano ham. Mariscos: Shellfish from the province of Pontevedra. Merluza a la Vizcaina: The Spanish are not very fond of sauces. One of the few exceptions is merluza a la Vasca. The dish contains hake (fish of the cod family) prepared with white asparagus and green peas. Potajes or pucheros: Garbanzo beans stew at its best

Paella Paella or Paella Valenciana: This is a rice dish originally from Valencia. Rice is grown locally in what look like wheat fields, and this is the variety used in paella. The original paella used chicken and rabbit, and saffron (el azafran). Nowadays varieties of paella can be found all over Spain, many containing seafood. Locals suggest to find true paella in large parties like a wedding in a village, but few restaurants still can compete with it. Patatas Bravas: Fried potatoes which have been previously boiled, served with a patented spicy sauce. They are potatoes cut in form of dices or prism, of one to two centimeters of size approximately and that they are fried in oil and accompanied by a sharp sauce that spills on potatoes using hot spices. Pescaíto frito: Delicious fried fish that can be found mainly in southern Spain Pimientos rellenos: Peppers stuffed with minced meat or seafood. The peppers in Spain taste different than all other peppers in Europe. Potaje de espinacas y garbanzos: Chick pea stew with spinach. Typical of Seville. Revuelto de ajetes con setas: Scrambled eggs with fresh garlic sprouts and wild mushrooms. Also commonly contains shrimps. Setas al ajillo/Gambas al ajillo: Shrimps or wild mushrooms fried in garlic. Sepia con alioli: Fried cuttlefish with garlic mayonnaise. Very popular among tourists. Tortilla de patatas: Spanish egg omelet with fried potato. Probably the most popular dish in Spain. You can easily assess how good a restaurant is by having a small piece of its potato tortillas. Frequently it is made also with onion, depending on the zone or the pleasure. The potatoes must be fried in oil (preferably of olive), and they are left soaking with the scrambled egg for more than 10 minutes, although better if it is average hour so that they are soaked and they acquire the suitable consistency. Drink Tea and Coffee Spanish people are very passionate about the quality, intensity and taste of their coffee and good freshly brewed coffee is available almost everywhere.





Bracafe that means 'brasilian coffee' offers high quality coffee.


Alcohol The drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages in Spain is 18. People under this age are forbidden to drink and buy alcoholic drinks, although enforcement in tourist and clubbing areas is lax. Drinking in the streets has recently been banned (although it is still a common practice in most nightlife areas). Alcohol may not available in some stores between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. without the store possessing a specific license to sell alcohol.












While beer production has been dominated by big brands, nowadays a new brew appears in the market quite regularly. To date there are around 400 producers of craft beer in Spain, although it represents just a tiny fraction (0.3 percent) of the country beer market, brews are growing like beer-foam. Between 2008 and 2015 it grew 1.600%. The [ Spanish Craft Beer revolution] is challenging big brands.



Cider (Sidra) Can be found in the Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Pais Vasco. This is slightly different to ciders found elsewhere in the world, since it not carbonated. It is often served in small doses (culines) that are poured from great height (called escanciar) in order to give it the feel of a carbonated beverage. This practice is particularly common in Asturias, although nowadays many establishments provide a small machine that makes the slightly difficult process of escanciar easy to do at your table.












In a bar: for red wine in a bar, ask "un tinto por favor", for white wine "un blanco por favor", for rose: "un rosado por favor". In certain bars you have to specify "un crianza" (for an aged wine) or "un Rioja, un Ribera" (for a wine from Rioja or Ribera de Duero) if you don't want a cheap wine.

Wine tourism: Spain´s wine regions offer many opportunities to enjoy wine tasting at wineries and local food. Most popular wine destinations are Rioja due to its tradition as a red wine producing region, Jerez de la Frontera, due to its proximity to holiday destination and the impressive wineries that specialise in Sherry production and the wine region south of Barcelona in Penedes. Many interesting itineraries and routes are proposed by local wine organisations. List of wine tourism routes in Spain [24]







Casas rurales vary in quality and price throughout Spain. They are strictly controlled and inspected.






There are some promotions available:

Over 60 year olds can enjoy a discount. Youngsters under 30 can visit the paradors at a 10% discount. The discount also applies to companions over 30. Two nights half board have a discount of 20%. A dreamweek of 6 nights is cheaper. 5 nights at €42 per person. The promotions do not always apply, especially in August they are not valid, and may require advance bookings.


Xanascat [26] is the National Network of Youth Hostels of Catalonia if you are visiting Barcelona, Girona, Taragona or other locations in the region. Apartment rental Short-term, self-catering apartment rental is an option for travellers who want to stay in one place for a week or more. Accommodations range from small apartments to villas.


Camping Camping is the least expensive lodging option.

Stay safe Police There are four kinds of police:



Thieves prefer stealth to direct confrontation so it is unlikely that you will be hurt in the process, but exercise caution all the same. There have been instances where thieves on motorbikes drive by women and grab their purses, so keep a tight hold on yours even if you don't see anyone around. Try not to show the money you have in your wallet or purse. Always watch your bag or purse in touristic places, buses, trains and meetings. A voice message reminding that is played in most of the bus/train stations and airports. Do not carry large amounts of money with you, unless needed. Use your credit card (Spain is the first country in number of cash points and most shops/restaurants accept it). Of course, use it with caution. Beware of pickpockets when visiting areas with large numbers of people, like crowded buses or the Puerta del Sol(in Madrid). If you report a thief, people are generally helpful. Don't hesitate to report crimes to local police. In general, you must bear in mind that those areas with a larger number of foreign visitors, like some crowded vacation resorts in the East Coast, are much more likely to attract thieves than places which are not so popular among tourists. Avoid gypsy women offering rosemary, refuse it always; they will read your future, ask for some money, and your pocket will probably be picked. Some gypsy women will also approach you on the street repeating "Buena suerte" ("good luck") as a distraction for another gypsy woman to try to pickpocket you. Avoid them at all costs. A great tourist attraction is the Flea Market (el Rastro) in Madrid on the weekends. However, as it is nearly standing room only - it is also an attraction for pickpockets. They operate in groups... be extremely cautious in these tight market type environments as it is very common to be targeted... especially if you stand out as a tourist or someone with money. Try to blend in and not stand out and you will likely not be at as much risk. Women who carry purses should always put the straps across their bodies. Always hold on to the purse itself and keep it in front of your body. Keep one hand on the bottom, as pickpockets can otherwise slit the bottom without you ever knowing. Never place anything on the back of a chair or on the floor next to you, keep it on your person always. If you must use an ATM, do not flash the money you have just picked up. Scams Some people could try to take advantage of your ignorance of local customs.


Stay healthy Pharmaceuticals are not sold at supermarkets, only at 'farmacias' (pharmacies), identified with a green cross or a Hygeia's cup. Nearly every city and town has at least one 24 hour pharmacy; for those that close at night, the law requires a poster with the address of the nearest pharmacy, possibly in one of the nearby streets or towns. People from the European Union and a few more European countries can freely use the public health system, if they have the appropriate intereuropean sanitary card. That card does not work in private hospitals. Agreements are established to treat people from a few American countries; see the Tourspain link below for more info. However, do not hesitate to go to any healthcare facility should you be injured or seriously ill, as it would be illegal for them not to treat you, even if you are uninsured. Though most foreigners tend to think Spain is a warm place, it can be terribly cold in winter, especially in the Central Region and in the North, and in some places it is also rainy in summer. Remember to travel with adequate clothes. In summer, avoid direct exposure to sunlight for long periods of time to prevent sunburn and heatstroke. Drink water, walk on the shady side of street and keep a container of sun cream (suntan lotion) handy. Most cities have a good water supply, especially Madrid, but you may prefer bottled water to the alkaline taste of water in the east and south. Smoking On 21 December 2010, the Spanish Parliament approved a law prohibiting smoking in all indoor public and work places and near hospitals and in playgrounds, becoming effective on 2 January 2011. Smoking is now banned in all enclosed public spaces and places of work, in public transportation, and in outdoor public places near hospitals and in playgrounds. Smoking is also banned in outdoor sections of bars and restaurants. Smoking is banned in television broadcasts as well.


Spanish cities can be noisy in some areas so be warned.