Spain

Spain Flag

Why visit Spain?

Offers something for everyone to enjoy art, beaches, bullfighting, castles, cathedrals, caves, churches, coastlines, culture, cultural events, diverse landscapes, gastronomy, golf, hiking, historical sites, kitesurfing, mountains, museums, music, national parks, outdoor cafes, palaces, shopping, skiing, spas, spectator sports, tapa bars, traditional fiestas, villages, water sports, windsurfing, and wineries.

Toledo, Spain. Photo Credit: Steven Yu/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Copper, guitars, handmade furniture, handmade shawls, knotted rugs, lace embroidery, leather goods, liqueurs, paintings, sculptures, pottery, swords, and wines.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Cochinillo Asado (roast pork). Fabada (bean stew). Gambas al Ajillo 
  (prawns). Gazpacho (cold soup). Leche Frita (dessert). Paella (rice dish). Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes). Pisto (eggplant dish). Pollo al Ajillo (garlic chicken). Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus). Tortilla Española (omelette). Turrón (nougat).
• Local Drink to Try: Agua de Valencia (cocktail). Barraquito (coffee). Catalan Ratafia (liquor). Cava (spirit). Clara (beer). Granizado (frozen). Horchata (chufa milk). Kalimotxo (cocktail). Rias Baixas (wine). Rioja (wine). Ronmiel de Canarias (rum). Sangria. Sherry. Tinto de Verano (cocktail). Queimada (cocktail). Rebujito (cocktail). Sidra (cider). Veterano (brandy).

Begur, Spain. Photo Credit: Enrique/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Torre de Hercules (La Coruna) is the oldest lighthouse in the world (20BC).
  
• Hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics & Paralympics (Barcelona). 
  
• Menorca's port city (Mahon) is the birthplace of mayonnaise.
• Europe's fourth largest country.
  
• World leader in organ donation and  organ transplants.
  
• World's second most visited country.
• Transcontinental country with territory in both Africa and Europe. 
• Mount Teide is the highest mountain peak.
  
• Madrid is the highest capital city in Europe.
  
• Mount Teide is the third largest volcano in the world. 
  
• Has 11 major Islands: El Hierro, Formentera, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, La Gomera, Lanzarote, La Palma, Mallorca, Menorca, and Tenerife.
• Second largest car manufacturer in Europe.
• Six highways connect to Madrid.
• Has the most extensive high-speed rail network in Europe.
• Fourth highest number of UNESCO World Heritage (49) sites in the world.
• Encierro (running of the bulls) occurs at 8AM from July 7 - July 14.
  

Barcelona, Spain.  Photo Credit: Joaquin Aranoa/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Granada Reconquest Festival, La Tamborrada, (February) ARCO (International Contemporary Art Fair, Barcelona Beer Festival, Barcelona Carnaval, Carnaval de Cádiz, Festival de Jerez, Gastro Festival, Madrid Carnaval, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, (March) Fallas de Valencia, (April) Feria de Sevilla, (May) Cordoba Patios Festival, Feria del Caballo, Festival de los Patios, Fiestas de San Isidro, (June) Haro Wine Festival, La Noche de San Juan, Sónar, Suma Flamenca, Verbena de Sant Joan, (July) Benicassim Festival, Festival Internacional de Musica y Danza de Granada, Fiesta de San Fermín, Fiesta de Santiago, San Sebastián Jazz Festival, The Capture of the Beasts, Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, (August) Battle of the Tomatoes, Festival Internacional de Santander, Fiestas of Lavapiés & La Paloma, Málaga Fair, Mystery of Elche, Saffron Rose Festival, (September) Diada de Catalunya, Festa de la Mercè,  San Sebastián International Film Festival, (October) Amorevore Food & Arts Festival, Feria de Otoño, and (December) Christmas Markets.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Assumption of Mary, Hispanic Day, All Saint's Day Holiday, La Almudena, Constitution Day Holiday, and Immaculate Conception.

Asturias, Spain. Photo Credit: Enrique/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Point Tarifa is considered the best for kitesurfing and windsurfing in Europe.
  
• Soccer Season runs from September - June.
  
• Spanish coffee is very strong, for a weaker cup, ask for Americano.
  
• Lunch service starts around 1:30PM.
• There's a 300EUR fine for violating use of a mobile phone without a hands-free device.
• Dinner service starts around 9PM.
  
• Anti-smoking Law Bans smoking in enclosed public spaces: airports, bars, casinos, cinemas, clubs, hotel lobbies, office buildings, open-decked tourist buses, restaurants, and theaters.
• Siesta (time of rest) is from 1-4PM.
  
• Dress conservatively.
• International Driving Permit is required.
• Requires Liability Insurance to operate any rental vehicle.
• Considered to provide one of the highest degrees of liberty in the world for LGBT  community.
  
• Rail system links: Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Valladolid, and Valencia.

Plaza de España, Seville, Spain. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.

Menorca (Minorca), Balearic islands, Spain. Photo Credit: Lutz Hirschmann/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: April - June & September - October
• Coldest Months: December - February
• Hottest Months: July - August 
• Peak Season: June - August

Lakes of Covadonga, Asturias, Spain. Photo Credit: Enrique/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Albaicín, Alcalá de Henares, Alhambra, Antequera Dolmens Site, Aqueduct of Segovia, Archivo General de Indias, Atapuerca, Ávila, Baeza, Burgos Cathedral, Cáceres, Camino de Santiago, Casa Batlló, Catedral de Sevilla, Cave of Altamira, Cave of Altamira & Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain, Ciudad Vieja de Ávila e Iglesias Extramuros, Córdoba, Cuenca, Doñana National Park, Garajonay National Park, Generalife, Granada, Ibiza, La Pedrera-Casa Milà, La Sagrada Familia, Lonja de la Seda, Las Médulas, Lugo, Monasterio de Santa María de Poblet, Monte Perdido, Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon, Municipality of Mérida, Oviedo, Palau de la Música Catalana, Palmeral of Elche, Parc Güell, Pyrenees, Royal Alcázars of Seville, Royal Monastery of Saint Mary of Guadalupe, Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Salamanca, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, San Millán de la Cogolla, Santiago de Compostela, Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, Segovia, Tarragona, Toledo, Úbeda, and Vizcaya Bridge.

Málaga, Spain. Photo Credit: Pexels/Pixabay

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                              All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.