Travelling in Spain
Travelling in Spain means lively cities where life happens outdoors, a strongly regional cuisine and landscapes that range from Mediterranean beaches to the Pyrenees. In one trip you can go from the Prado in Madrid to the Alhambra in Granada, or from the Galician rías to the coves of Menorca, with fast trains linking the main cities.
When to go
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) suit most of the country: mild temperatures, long days and fewer crowds. Summer is very hot inland and in Andalusia, but it is a good time for the green north, from Galicia and Asturias to the Basque Country, and for the islands. In winter the Canary Islands stay mild, while the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada fill with skiers.
Where to go
Madrid
The capital puts the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen within walking distance, and life spills onto the street: tapas in La Latina, sunset in El Retiro, evenings in Malasaña or Lavapiés. It is also an easy base for day trips to Toledo and Segovia.
Barcelona
A Mediterranean city with its own beaches and Gaudí's modernista architecture: the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló. Wander the Gothic Quarter and El Born, eat at La Boqueria market and head up Montjuïc for views over the city and the port.
Andalusia
Seville, Granada and Córdoba hold the great Moorish monuments: the Real Alcázar, the Alhambra and the Mezquita. Between them lie the white villages of Cádiz and Málaga provinces, Ronda perched above its gorge, and the wild coastline of Cabo de Gata in Almería.
Galicia and the green north
Northern Spain is green and Atlantic: Santiago de Compostela at the end of the Camino, the Rías Baixas and their seafood, the Picos de Europa between Asturias and Cantabria, and San Sebastián with La Concha beach and its pintxo bars.
Balearic Islands
Mallorca pairs Palma and the Serra de Tramuntana with clear-water coves; Menorca is quieter, with undeveloped beaches and towns like Ciutadella; Ibiza and Formentera offer far more than nightlife, from whitewashed villages to salt flats and sunsets over the sea.
Canary Islands
Volcanic islands with a mild climate all year. Head up towards the summit of Teide on Tenerife, explore Timanfaya and César Manrique's work on Lanzarote, walk the Maspalomas dunes on Gran Canaria, or hike the trails of La Palma and La Gomera.
What to do
Go out for tapas
Across Spain people eat by sharing small plates at the bar: jamón ibérico, tortilla de patatas, croquetas, pimientos de Padrón. In Granada a tapa often comes with your drink, in the Basque Country they are pintxos, and in Galicia pulpo á feira rules.
Flamenco in Andalusia
Hearing cante and watching dance in a tablao or peña in Seville, Jerez or Granada is one of the most intense experiences in the south. In Granada's Sacromonte, flamenco is performed in caves dug into the hillside facing the Alhambra.
Walk part of the Camino de Santiago
You do not need to walk all of it. The last stretch of the Camino Francés, from Sarria, takes five or six days on foot, sleeping in pilgrim hostels and small villages before you reach the Praza do Obradoiro.
Mediterranean coves
Beyond the big resort beaches, the Costa Brava hides pine-fringed coves around Begur and Cadaqués, Menorca has Macarella and Cala Turqueta, and Almería keeps a wild, undeveloped coast inside the Cabo de Gata natural park.
Hiking in the Picos de Europa
This limestone massif between Asturias, Cantabria and León has routes for every level. The best known are the Cares gorge trail, cut into the rock high above the river, and the Lakes of Covadonga above the sanctuary.
Valencia with children
The City of Arts and Sciences and its aquarium, the old Turia riverbed turned into a long park, and Malvarrosa beach make Valencia an easy city with kids. It is also the place to try a proper paella valenciana.
Practical tips
- Meal times are later than in most of Europe: lunch is usually around two and dinner from nine in the evening, especially in the south.
- For long distances, high-speed trains link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Málaga and Valencia; for villages and coastline, a hire car gives you far more freedom.
- In summer, avoid the middle of the day inland and in Andalusia: plan visits for early morning or late afternoon, and rest when it is hottest.
- Book the Alhambra, the Sagrada Família and other heavily visited monuments well ahead, as timed entry slots are limited and often sell out.
- Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country, Valencia and the Balearics have co-official languages, so expect bilingual signs and place names in Catalan, Galician or Basque.
As a couple, family or with friends
Spain works for every kind of group: Andalusia or the Basque Country for couples, the Valencian coast or the Canaries for families, Madrid or Barcelona for friends. Renting a house with a pool or a central flat is often more practical than booking several hotel rooms. In Gata you can save ideas and choose the stay and the route together.
Save ideas and stays and decide as a group with the Gata app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Spain?
Spain is too big to see in one trip. With a week you can combine Madrid with Andalusia or with Barcelona; with two weeks you can add the north or an island. It is better to pick two or three regions and explore them slowly.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
Spring and autumn are ideal for cities and inland routes, with pleasant temperatures. Summer is beach season and a good time for the north; in winter the Canary Islands and the southern coast stay mild, and the mountains are for skiing.
Is it better to get around Spain by train or by car?
Between major cities, high-speed trains are fast and comfortable and drop you in the centre. For the white villages, the coast, Galicia, Asturias or the islands, a hire car takes you to places that public transport serves poorly.
What food should you try in Spain?
Every region has its own cooking: paella in Valencia, gazpacho and salmorejo in Andalusia, octopus and seafood in Galicia, pintxos in the Basque Country, cocido in Madrid and fabada in Asturias. Jamón ibérico, tortilla and olive oil are everywhere.
