Spain
Currency
Spain’s currency is the Euro which you can get from every ATM machine or bank. 1 Euro (EUR) equals around 1.20$ (USD).
Weather
Spain has a mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and sometimes rainy winters. Of course it depends on where you’re staying in Spain. The weather could be cooler in winter and hotter in summer in some cities than in others.
Language
Spanish as the official language of Spain but you won’t have any trouble getting along with English. For some basic Spanish words, keep scrolling to the end of this blog post.
Quick Facts
Spain is part of the European Union (EU) and has a population of around 50 million people. Due to the mediteranian climate, Spain is also very famous for its wine, beautiful beaches and welcoming culture. Spain is a popular destination for all types of travellers and a great choice if you’re looking for affordable options. My own favourite part of Spain is definitely Andalusia which is located in the south. The eastern coast is also very popular, especially the city of Barcelona. Spain is fantastic for nightlife and a laid-back experience, a unique cuisine and lots of experiences in nature. It’s popular among a younger crowd of travellers but also a lot of European expats who choose to live there permanently.
When to go
If you’re on a budget I would recommend visiting Spain between the months of November and March. Due to the slightly cooler temperatures you won’t have lots of tourists walking around and prices will be more affordable. However, you might also encounter rain and this time is not the best choice for a beach vacation. If you want the full experience of Spain’s hot weather you should definitely come between June and September. This is the “high season” in Spain and the most popular for tourists of all nationalities. Especially the coast will be packed with visitors and prices might be a bit more expensive. You should be aware that Spain’s hotspots like Barcelona or Madrid especially can also be very crowded and expensive during this time.
Where to stay
Spain can roughly be divided into the north, eastern coast, south and the center. Madrid is the capital city and a fantastic spot for sightseeing, culture and food. You’ll love the many museums, beautiful architecture and incredible selection of things to do. It can get very hot in central Spain during the summer though so keep that in mind if you’re visiting in July or August.
The north of Spain is slightly cooler and not as touristy as the other parts. Bilbao is a large and interesting city with a good selection of cultural activities. San Sebastian is much smaller but very popular among tourists. Some of the best food and most famous restaurants in the country are located in San Sebastian and it has fantastic beaches perfect for surfing.
Barcelona, Valencia and Murcia represent the largest cities on the east coast of Spain. Barcelona and Valencia are known for their nightlife and lively nature. These cities are perfect if you enjoy sightseeing but also want to experience Spain’s fantastic party culture. You’ll love the beauty of these cities and their unique feel.
In the south the largest cities in Spain are Malaga and Seville. Malaga is surrounded by incredible mountains with lots of opportunities for hiking and exploring. The sea here is a bit rougher but still stunningly beautiful. Malaga perfectly combines city beaches with culture, beautiful architecture and of course the famous Spanish nightlife. In the mountains you’ll find smaller villages which are a great getaway for a day or two.
Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza represent Spain’s larger islands. Ibiza and Mallorca especially are known to be nightlife centers with international DJs and a very loose drinking culture. Although you’ll find quiet spots on these islands as well you should primarily come here to enjoy this laid back culture. They are slightly more expensive than the mainland in most cases.
How to get around
Spain is not the largest country so you can get around quite easily. There are some flights from cities within Spain but usually it’s almost more convenient to drive or take a train. If you have a car or are willing to rent one we highly recommend going on a road-trip through Spain. The landscapes are stunningly beautiful and you’ll get to go to all the little towns and secret spots you would have missed out on otherwise. The long distance train network in Spain is also decent and a good option if you’re travelling on a budget. You can travel comfortably from city to city although the options for destinations are quite limited in some cases. Within larger cities you’ll of course find buses, trams and smaller trains to help you get around. E-scooters are also very popular and a fantastic way to get to know a city in a short period of time. You can rent them for just a few euros per hour and they’re very fun to use. Spain is fantastic for a road-trip especially if you’re also exploring the nearby countries of Portugal, France or Italy. You can drive along the eastern coast and see Barcelona or go north to San Sebastian. The options are endless and you’ll love the many opportunities for sightseeing and exploring.
How to get to Spain
Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca and Malaga have Spain’s largest airports and represent popular tourist destinations. Most people will fly to one of these places and then travel on within Spain. You could also drive over the border from France or Portugal without any issues. The European Union does not have any border checks so it’s perfect for a road trip. Spain also has popular islands such as Ibiza or Mallorca. You can either take a flight or a ferry there if you want to take your own car. Both of these islands are known for nightlife, beaches and a general vacation feeling although they are also popular among digital nomads.
Must know words
Hola - Hello
Adios - Goodbye
Uno - One
Dos - Two
Tres - Three
Por Favor - Please
Gracias – Thank you
Lo Siento - Sorry
Donde? – Where?
Come estas? – How are you?
Cuanto cuesta? – How much is it?
Bien - Good
Yo no entiendo – I don’t understand
Estoy perdido – I’m lost
Aqui - Here
Hi, I'm Victoria
Welcome to Guide your Travel – a blog about South East Asia and how to travel on a budget.
I’m a blogger, writer and photographer and love to introduce my favourite destinations to others and encourage them to see the world.
I’m originally from Germany but spent four years living in the UK, quite a bit of time in Spain and Malaysia, and am now travelling full time with a home base in Bali, Indonesia.
