What's the best way to travel between Spanish cities?

Take the train. High-speed AVE trains connect major cities in a few hours, drop you in the city center, and skip the airport hassle that flying involves.

Do I need to speak Spanish to visit?

No, but it helps. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas, especially in Barcelona and Madrid — a few basic Spanish phrases will still get you a warmer welcome elsewhere.

Is Spain expensive to visit?

It's generally cheaper than Northern Europe. Madrid and Barcelona cost more than smaller cities, but eating and getting around by public transport is still good value compared to much of Western Europe.

The Alhambra palace and fortress in Granada, seen from across the valley at golden hour

Jebulon / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Europe

Spain Travel Guide

Spain sits at the edge of Europe, with the Mediterranean on one side and the Atlantic on the other. It's a country of big contrasts: snow-capped mountains a few hours from sandy beaches, quiet whitewashed villages not far from some of Europe's liveliest cities. Meals run late, streets stay busy well past midnight, and there's always a plaza nearby for a coffee or a glass of wine.

Quick facts

Flag: Spain
Capital: Madrid
Language: Spanish
Currency: EUR (€)
Timezone: Central European Time (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
Calling code: +34
Driving side: Right-hand side

Beyond the food and the weather, Spain packs in centuries of history — Roman ruins, Moorish palaces, and Gothic cathedrals all within reach of each other. This guide starts with Barcelona and Madrid, Spain's two biggest cities and the ones most first-time visitors fly into. More cities are coming soon.

Planning your trip

Best time to visit: Aim for spring (April–June) or fall (September–October). The weather is warm and pleasant without the peak-summer crowds. July and August are hot, especially inland, and it's when many Spaniards take their own vacation — some small shops and restaurants close for a few weeks.
Good to know: Spain uses the euro (€). English is common in hotels and tourist areas, though it helps to know a few Spanish phrases outside the big cities. High-speed trains connect major cities quickly and are usually easier than flying once you add in airport time. Tipping isn't required — rounding up the bill is normal and appreciated.

Cities

Where to stay in each of Spain's cities — pick one below to see its best neighborhoods and hotels.

Chris Koerner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Barcelona

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Families, Architecture lovers, Beach time

AudaCity3371 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Madrid

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers, Nightlife

Fernando / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Málaga

Best for: First-time visitors, Beach time, Architecture lovers, Couples

Kallerna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seville

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers, Couples, Nightlife

Palma Cathedral (La Seu) seen across the reflecting pool of Parc de la Mar, with the Almudaina Palace beside it

Thomas Wolf (www.foto-tw.de) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE

Palma de Mallorca

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Beach time, Architecture lovers

Cateecatee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Valencia

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers, Beach time, Nightlife

Dilema / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Alicante

Best for: First-time visitors, Beach time, Couples

The Alhambra at sunset seen from the Mirador de San Nicolás, with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it

Slaunger / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Granada

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers, Couples, Budget travelers

Tiia Monto / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Bilbao

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers

D.Rovchak / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Santiago de Compostela

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers

Tips

Meals run later than you might be used to — lunch around 2pm, dinner from 9pm. Many restaurants don't open for dinner before 8pm.
Shops and some restaurants close for a few hours in the afternoon, especially outside the big cities. Plan errands for the morning or early evening.
Book train tickets between cities a few days ahead in high season — the high-speed AVE routes between Madrid and Barcelona can sell out.

Good to know

Spain has one of the highest numbers of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country, on par with Italy and China.
Spanish is the official language nationwide, but Catalan, Basque, and Galician are also official in their own regions — you'll see street signs in two languages in cities like Barcelona.
The high-speed AVE train covers the roughly 500km between Madrid and Barcelona in about two and a half hours.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to travel between Spanish cities?: Take the train. High-speed AVE trains connect major cities in a few hours, drop you in the city center, and skip the airport hassle that flying involves.
Do I need to speak Spanish to visit?: No, but it helps. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas, especially in Barcelona and Madrid — a few basic Spanish phrases will still get you a warmer welcome elsewhere.
Is Spain expensive to visit?: It's generally cheaper than Northern Europe. Madrid and Barcelona cost more than smaller cities, but eating and getting around by public transport is still good value compared to much of Western Europe.