Spain: Travel Guide

Spain is best for...

Couples: With Spain being one of the most romantic countries in the world, it is home to truly amazing architecture, quaint picturesque towns, magnificent cities and a wealth of gorgeous beaches. Why not take a trip to Seville, the most romantic city in Spain, and quite possibly in the world.

Families: Spain is a perfect holiday destination for families where you will be sure to find pleasantly warm weather, sensational food and magnificent beaches. Why not take a trip to the Costa Brava, one of the best family destinations in Spain, stretching over 100 miles along Spain's northeastern coastline and filled with clean and calm waters and sandy beaches, ideal for children.

Night owls: Spain offers a truly exhilarating nightlife scene for all where you can relax and unwind at night in a traditional tapas restaurant in the bustling city of Madrid, dance the night away in one of Ibiza's renowned nightclubs or even head to the popular traditional flamenco shows in Andalusia, guaranteed to really fire up you're evening.

Getting around Spain

By train: Train is the most convenient way to explore Spain as it provides an extensive railway network, particularly high-speed trains, covering the main tourist destinations and used by millions of visitors every year.

By metro: The metro is the fastest, most efficient and reliable way of travelling around Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia.

By boat: With many major cruise ports, all destinations in Spain can be easily reached by ferry or catamaran, particularly the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

By car hire: Hiring a car in Spain is a convenient way to explore at your own leisure, offering a modern road network as well as a majority of towns and cities are well connected.

travel advice

Get advice about traveling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings on

FCDO website.

Fast facts for Spain

Language: Spanish, although English is widely spoken across Spain, particularly in tourist resorts and hotspots. If you are considering heading off the usual visitor trails, make sure you pack a phrasebook or download a translation app.

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Local time: Spain is +1 hours ahead of UK time

Fly to:

Alicante Airport for Costa Blanca
Girona Airport for Costa Brava
Reus Airport for Costa Dorada
Malaga Airport for Costa del Sol
Transfer times vary from 15-100 minutes

Flight time from the UK: The flight time from the UK to Spain is around 2 and a half hours.

Tourist information: Find further information on various Turkey destinations at the official Spain tourism website.

Visa/health: British citizens do not require a visa for Spain holidays for visits up to 90 days in any 180- day period, but you do need a valid passport. Visit the UK government's Spain travel advice for up-to- date visa and health recommendations.

Your Guide to Spain holidays

Food & Drinks
Beaches
We Love
At a Glance

Food & Drinks

With Spain's food and drinking culture, it makes one of Spain's greatest attractions and it is renowned for its sizzling culinary scene.

You will be sure to find a restaurant to suit every taste and budget, whether you are on a budget holiday or a lavish getaway.
Why not sample Spain's traditional tapas inside a culinary cabinet of wonders, Quimet and Quimet, one of the most famous and beautiful tapas bars in Barcelona.
Indulge in traditional Castilian style cuisine in Restaurante Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world and a benchmark of Madrid.
Experience true culinary delights at Zalacain, the first 3 Michelin starred restaurant in Spain, offering indulgent and iconic French cuisine.

Beaches

With more than 600 blue flag beaches, Spain certainly offers some of the best beaches in the world with crystal clear waters, coves, and 4,900km of gorgeous coastline. Whether you are looking for all night parties, family fun beach days or to escape the hustle and bustle, there is always a stretch of sand ideal for you.

Take a trip to Playa de Levante, one of the most famous beaches in Calpe, perfect for families with great swimming conditions and crystal-clear waters.
The Costa del Sol offers incredible water sports activities, and its surrounding areas offer some of the best water activities in all of Europe.

We Love

It is so easy to understand why millions of tourists visit Spain every year. It certainly has something to offer everyone, despite age or personal interests.

Tapas - The traditional Spanish cuisine, well known all over the world, particularly for its incredible flavours and vast selection. Sampling on tapas is a must in Spain, a long-time favourite amongst both locals and visitors.
Spain offers truly mesmerising iconic attractions, rich in heritage as well as a diverse selection in nature. Picos de Europa is one of the most famous national parks in the whole of Spain, where you will find stunning lakes and majestic mountains. The Spanish architecture is also reflected by an abundant of old towns that date back to the Medieval Times as well as some of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world.
Spanish wine - Spain is in fact one of the largest wine producers in the world and you will be guaranteed to come across a wide selection of red, white, rose, sweet wines and Cava.
Weather - Spain is one of the only European countries that sees the most amount of sunshine during the wintertime. With more than 300 days of sunshine in southern Spain, it makes an ideal destination all year round.
Spanish beaches, as they are renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe, with millions of tourists visiting every year for the sun and sand.

At a Glance

The average flying time from the UK to Mainland Spain is approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes
You can fly from all UK Airports, depending on the final Spanish destination.
Time Zone GMT +1
Transfer Times: Between 20 minutes and 120 minutes, depending on the Spanish resort.
Spain offers pleasant climate all year round.