General
Transport
Money
SIM & Internet
Travel Tips
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It’s the second-largest EU country by area and home to 17 autonomous communities, each with a distinct identity and sometimes their own language.
Climate varies dramatically — wet green north, dry central meseta, warm Mediterranean coast, and mild Canary Islands year-round.
🗺️ 17 regions
✈️ EU / Schengen
🌞 Mediterranean
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Metro & Bus
Madrid and Barcelona have extensive metro networks. Single ticket ~€1.80, 10-trip card ~€11.35 in Madrid.
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AVE High-Speed Rail
Madrid–Barcelona ~2h30m. Book via Renfe.com — prices rise closer to the travel date.
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Taxi & Rideshare
Uber, Cabify and FreeNow work in major cities. Taxis are metered and reliable.
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Car Rental
Credit card usually required for deposit. Toll roads on main highways — budget €10–30/day extra.
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Currency: Euro (EUR)
No exchange tricks — official rates at ATMs and banks. No black market.
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Cards
Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere. Contactless is standard. Amex less so in smaller places.
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ATMs
Widely available. CaixaBank and BBVA are most common. Use your bank’s network to minimize fees.
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Local SIM
Available at airports and supermarkets. Vodafone, Orange, Movistar, Yoigo. From ~€10 for 10GB.
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eSIM
Works well across Spain. Recommended: Airalo, Holafly. Coverage excellent including rural areas.
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No restrictions
All Google services and social media work freely. No VPN needed.
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Late schedule
Lunch 2–4pm, dinner 9–11pm. Most restaurants don’t open for dinner before 8:30pm.
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Siesta
Many small shops close 2–5pm in summer, especially outside big cities.
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Best time to visit
May–June and September — warm, less crowded, lower prices than August.
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Free museums
Prado and Reina Sofia offer free entry evenings. Check official sites for exact times.
