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The essential guide to visiting Spain
Here’s what you need to know about exploring this Mediterranean country’s sophisticated cities, sunny beaches, and gastronomy.
Best time to visit Spain
Spring: Go hiking, birding, and canyoning in Aragón . Soak up the sun in the Balearic and Canary Islands . Take a foodie road trip through Catalonia . Taste wine in Rioja , a region in Spain known for its reds. Celebrate a larger-than-life traditional festival, like the fiery Fallas of Valencia .
Summer: Take refuge from the heat in the lush, mystical forests of Galicia . Sip cider in rugged Asturias , and nibble pintxos in cosmopolitan San Sebastián . Toss tomatoes in Buñol ’s epic tomato squish-fest, La Tomatina , or get spritzed in Haro ’s Battle of Wine —it’s a wine fight you don’t want to miss!
Fall: Savor chocolate con churros in the plazas of Madrid . Stroll through sophisticated Salamanca , and beneath Segovia ’s 1.6-mile Roman aqueduct . Follow Extremadura ’s cheese route , or hunt for mushrooms in Soria . Enjoy food festivals like the Cacau d’Or Awards , which honor the most creative l’esmorzar , a Valencian midmorning snack.
Winter: Costa del Sol ’s sparkling beaches are blissfully quiet in winter. Flamenco heats up throughout Andalusia , especially in Seville and Jerez de la Frontera . From late November through the Epiphany in January, nearly every Spanish plaza is decked out in holiday decorations.
Lay of the land
Cities: Start in Madrid ’s central Sol neighborhood and explore the capital’s many shops, restaurants, and bars, plus attractions like the Royal Palace and sprawling Plaza Mayor . Seville has its own magnificent square and palace, Plaza de España and the Royal Alcázar , respectively . Sample frutas de Aragón in Zaragoza, the birthplace of European chocolate. Antoni Gaudí’s architecture, including 144-years-in-the-making Sagrada Familia Basilica , plus markets and food halls like Il Boquería are the biggest draw in Barcelona .
North: The craggy cliffs, blustery coastlines, and rippling valleys of “Green Spain” are made for nature experiences, including the Camino de Santiago . View Paleolithic art at Cantabria’s Cave of Altamira and the canyons of Sierra de Guara . “If I had to summarize Aragón in one spot, this would be it,” says Alba Cruells, founder of tour company Spain Insights , about Guara’s hiking paths, accessible from Medieval town Alquézar .
Stop for fresh seafood in Gijon , or any Basque Country coastal fishing village. Trod the 241-step footbridge to the shrine at dramatic San Juan de Gaztelugaxte . Enjoy San Sebastián ’s gastronomy, beaches, and iconic Wind Comb sculpture .
Beyond Barcelona, the Monserrat Nature Park and Monastery features mountaintop panoramic views and is home to the famed Black Madonna . In the Empordà , go cycling or swimming, or take a hot-air ballon ride.
Central: Cultured, diverse Madrid ’s grand historic architecture, museums, 350-acre Retiro Park , and culinary options—from humble bars serving regional tapas like croquetas and patatas bravas , to Michelin-starred restaurants—deserve a few days’ exploration. Take the Metro to tranquil Capricho Park , which Spanish nobles once dubbed their “very own Versailles.”
In compact Toledo , tour the Jewish quarter and walk the narrow, winding UNESCO World Heritage streets. Ávila ’s historic attractions are tucked behind 1.5 miles of beautifully preserved Medieval fortress walls. Marvel at the hanging houses of Cuenca , or relax with coffee and pastry in Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of national treasure Miguel de Cervantes.
South: Along the eastern Mediterranean coast, Alicante is known for its beaches, especially the nearly two-mile-long stretch of white sand at San Juan. In Valencia , visit the historic El Carmen neighborhood, and La Lonja , a Gothic silk-trading house with vaulted ceilings and twisted columns.
Near the border of Portugal, Mérida was once the capital of the Roman empire. The tug-of-war between the Christians and the Moors is evident all around the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Cáceres .
Don’t miss Andalusia ’s denomination of origin sherry, produced in the wine-growing triangle between Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda . Take in the ornate majesty of the Muslim-designed Alhambra , the Renaissance Granada Cathedral in Granada , and the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba , a Christian church constructed within an elaborate mosque.
Islands: In the Balearic Islands, wander the whitewashed villages or snorkel the caves of Formentera . Besides its picturesque beaches, Minorca has excellent fish and produce markets, and some of the best ensaimadas —flaky, powdered sugar‒dusted rolls—in all of Spain. Hike or horseback ride along the Camí de Cavalls, a 115-mile trail that encircles the island.
Emy Rodriguez Flores, co-author of Fodor’s Essential Spain 2025 , says, “Small towns like Pollensa [on Mallorca ] offer more local gastronomy and culture. I recommend spending two days in the cities and then exploring the smaller villages and calas [scenic coves] for at least a week.”
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands . The views from Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, are unforgettable. Fuertaventura is a haven for windsurfers and kitesurfers, especially near Corralejo Natural Park , a 10-square-mile stretch of dunes along the northeastern coast. The otherworldly volcanic landscape of Lanzarote is complemented by the outsize works of visionary artist and conservationist César Manrique .
( What are the top must-do experiences in Spain? Find out here! )
Taste of Spain
Don’t leave Spain without sampling these iconic foods. Street vendors aren’t common, but you can easily find these specialties in restaurants and bars, even those located in small towns.
Jamón ibérico. Spain’s version of prosciutto—thinly sliced, cured ham with a complex layering of flavors—is sold in most large food halls, markets, and grocery stores around the country. At La Zarola cooking school in Zaragoza, explorers can learn to make traditional appetizers while enjoying the delicacy with a glass of wine.
Tortilla de patatas . Usually served as an appetizer, tortilla, or omelet, comes in several flavor combinations. The most famous, tortilla de patatas, is made with potatoes cooked in oil. Most Spaniards fall firmly on one side or the other of the great tortilla de patatas debate: con cebollas or sin cebollas (with or without onions). Bar Néstor in San Sebastián serves one of the best.
Paella . The tastiest paella—slow-cooked rice with vegetables, fish, and/or meat, hails from the province of Valencia, especially near the coast. Restaurante Casa Julio and Restaurante Casa Domingo , both on San Juan Beach in Alicante, Spain, serve exceptional paella. The squid-ink version is especially flavorful.
Shrimp. All around Spain , travelers will find a dizzying array of shrimp, which has a creamier texture and much greater depth of flavor than the types we eat in the United States. Must-try varieties include gambas de roja (red shrimp) and langostinos (giant prawns). Order them a la plancha or grilled and drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt.
Croquetas . These croquettes feature a crispy, deep-fried coating around a tender, creamy bechamel. The most traditional version is croquetas de jamón, which includes chunks of ham, but you can also find croquetas with chicken ( pollo ) or mushrooms ( boletus ). Sample them at Santerra , Bar Melo’s , and Bodega de la Ardosa in Madrid.
Regional desserts. Spaniards love a sweet finish, and each region has its own specialties. Among the most famous are turrón , a crunchy confection made from almonds, sugar or honey, lemon rind, and cinnamon. This dessert is made throughout Valencia, particularly around Christmas. Crema catalana , a milk-based custard similar to crème brûlée, is specific to Catalonia, while tarta de Santiago , a simple and deceptively delicious almond-flour cake, hails from Galicia.
Traditionally, many sweets have made by cloistered nuns. In Alcalá de Henares, at the Convento de las Clarisas de San Diego (Convent of the Poor Clares of San Diego), place your money on the turntable and be rewarded with garrapiñadas, candied almonds the Poor Clares have been making since the 1670s.
Getting around Spain
By plane: American Airlines, Iberia , and TAP Portugal run daily flights into Madrid and Barcelona from major U.S. hubs; Delta and United fly three to five days per week. Newer budget carrier Level operates out of Barcelona.
By train: Use the Trainline app to book tickets on Renfe ’s excellent AVE (high-speed) or Larga Distancia (long-distance) service between larger cities. Around the Madrid metropolitan area, the Cercanías commuter line is more affordable, if less plush.
The Metro system in Barcelona , Bilbao , and Madrid is generally timely, efficient, and safe. Thirteen cities, including Alicante , Seville , and Zaragoza , have street-tram service.
By bus: Intercity bus networks can be challenging to understand; it’s best to visit a bus station to examine maps. For long-distance routes, look to companies like Alsa , Avanza , and Daibus .
By car: Most Spanish cities have an abundance of taxis, plus ride-share services like Uber and Cabify. Rent a car to explore smaller and more remote destinations.
By boat: In addition to cruise ports in Barcelona, Málaga, Cádiz, Valencia, and Bilbao, Spain has boat and ferry service to and around the Canary and Balearic Islands. Pablo Rovira, founder of accredited home-rental company Viu Empordà , recommends touring parts of Costa Brava, in Catalonia, via llaüt , a traditional wooden boat. “It gives you a nice perspective on the coast and allows you to go very deep inside the many caves,” he says.
Know before you go
Cultural heritage: Spain is comprised of four main ethnic groups: Basques, Castilians, Catalans, and Galicians. Cultural differences are most pronounced in the north, especially Basque Country, Catalonia, and Galicia, which have their own languages.
Spaniards prioritize social connections. City plazas have historically served as gathering points for group strolls and meals are the best form of culture immersion.
Although pockets of machismo still exist, Spain was the third country to legalize same-sex marriage. Barcelona, Madrid, and most other large cities are very LGBTQ friendly.
Passion for soccer runs deep, especially for the country’s two largest teams, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona . During important matches, streets and pubs are filled with raucous revelers.
Hours: In this late-night culture, bars are open past midnight on weekdays and 2:00 a.m. on weekends. Few businesses, including pharmacies, open before 10:00 a.m. Many close between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., to reduce energy costs during the hottest part of the day.
Breakfast, usually served around 8:00 a.m., is a nonfussy affair, followed by almuerzo , a light snack, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Lunch is served between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., and dinner between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.
Tipping: Because Spain’s minimum wage is strong, hospitality workers don’t rely on gratuities to make a living. Tip $1-2.50 (€1-2) for good restaurant service, and $23 (€20) for a guide who leads a daylong tour.
How to visit Spain sustainably
Spain’s investment in renewable energy ranks it tenth on the Green Future Index . It has 55 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the most of any country, as well as 17 geoparks and 15 Starlight Reserves.
The country has grappled with overtourism and a housing crisis, mainly in Barcelona . This has led to a crackdown on Airbnb or Vrbo rentals. “One of the best things you can do is book in a standard hotel or hostel, which have legal authorization to run an accommodation,” says Cruells. Rodriguez recommends traveling outside of summer and spreading the love among cities and a variety of smaller towns and villages.
( Find a hotel in Spain that fits your travel style .)
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