Spain

Overview

Spain's official tourism site describes roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and around 8,000 km of coastline. Climate varies strongly by region: Mediterranean areas have generally hot, dry summers and mild winters, northern Spain is cooler and wetter, inland areas run hotter in summer and colder in winter, and the Canary Islands stay spring-like year-round. Official guidance points to spring and autumn as especially suitable for cities, culture and nature, while July and August are the hottest months and the peak beach and festival period.

Climate: Regionally varied: Mediterranean coast hot and dry in summer with mild winters; the north cooler and wetter; the interior hotter in summer and colder in winter; the Canary Islands spring-like year-round.

Plan 7–14 days to see Spain without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Spain will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Spain fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Spain

• Rated 9/10 for beach (editorial score)
• Rated 9/10 for food (editorial score)
• Rated 9/10 for nightlife (editorial score)
• Mid-range for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 7–14 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach9/10
• Nature7/10
• Food9/10
• Nightlife9/10
• Culture9/10
• Adventure6/10
• Romance8/10
• Family8/10
• Backpacking7/10
• Luxury8/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Spain is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. Barcelona, Madrid, the islands and the summer months run materially higher than inland and northern Spain off-season.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Spanish (with Catalan, Basque and Galician used regionally); English is common in tourism areas

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Power

Type C/F, 230V

Safety

Generally safe for visitors; take normal precautions with valuables in crowded tourist areas

Tipping

Not obligatory; rounding up or around 5–10% for good service is common

Entry

Spain is in the Schengen area. Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Spain

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Barcelona

City

Architecture, beaches and nightlife in one city.

Explore Barcelona

Madrid

City

Museums, plazas and a late-night food culture.

Explore Madrid

Valencia

City

Beach city with paella roots and easy cycling.

Explore Valencia

Seville

City

Andalusian heart: flamenco, patios, Moorish palaces.

Explore Seville

Granada

City

Alhambra hill city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.

Explore Granada

Mallorca

Island

Coves, mountain villages and sailing.

Explore Mallorca

Canary Islands

Island

Volcanic islands with a spring-like climate all year.

Explore Canary Islands

When to go to Spain

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• Classic Spain

  10 days

  Two great cities plus a coastal finish.

  Route: Madrid → Seville → Valencia

• Andalusia road trip

  8 days

  Moorish cities and white villages by car.

  Route: Málaga → Granada → Córdoba → Seville

• Island reset

  7 days

  Slow week of coves, hikes and seafood.

  Route: Mallorca

Getting around Spain

• Strong domestic rail coverage links the largest cities, including high-speed services
• Frequent domestic flights to the Balearic and Canary Islands
• Long-distance coaches reach towns off the rail network
• A rental car is useful for Andalusia, the north coast and rural regions

Major airports

• MAD · Madrid

  Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas

• BCN · Barcelona

  Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat

• AGP · Málaga

  Málaga–Costa del Sol

• PMI · Mallorca

  Palma de Mallorca

• TFS · Tenerife

  Tenerife Sur

Spain guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Spain

  When to go to Spain: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Spain cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 14-day trip to Spain at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Spain

  Matching Spain's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Spain on a budget

  How to travel Spain cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  14 days in Spain: itinerary

  A realistic 14-day route through Spain with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Spain in April

  What Spain is like in April: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.