Travel advice for Spain
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Spain
- Europe
- Spain
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Spain is a vast and varied country, and you can't cover all of it in a single trip. Our Grand Tour concentrates on Spain's major cities and outstanding sights, while our other suggested routes focus on two fascinating regions, one in the south, one in the north. Each itinerary will take a packed two weeks to cover; with only a week to spare you can cover part of one, and get a flavour of the whole country or one of the regions that make Spain special.
9 days / from2491 USD
Andalucía Explored
Discover the best of Andalucía's breathtaking palaces, churches, museums, vineyards, and more, as you travel through spectacular scenery dotted with pueblos blancos and bordered by rugged mountains and coast en route to Granada, Seville, Ronda and Jerez de la Frontera.
customize ⤍4 days / from649 USD
A culinary experience in Seville
Explore the cuisine and surroundings of Seville in Andalucia. From Iberian ham over sherry wines to the production and secrets of olive oil, this tour is an ideal weekend getaway. Decide yourself if you prefer a rental car or a chauffeur-driven car to explore the beauty of Andalucia.
customize ⤍10 days / from3826 USD
Spanish Honeymoon
Discover Andalusia, starting with the cultural city of Seville, then on to Córdoba and Granada, home of the stunning Alhambra Palace. Next you'll visit Granada and the Albayzin Arab quarter, then enjoy a stunning hot-air balloon ride, before ending your trip with a luxury boat trip from Marbella!
customize ⤍5 days / from1493 USD
Made for Madrid
Take to the Spanish capital for art, culture and a taste of life in the city, Madrileño-style. Explore age-old churches and pretty plazas, stroll through the lovely Buen Retiro Park and visit captivating Toledo. Then, come sundown, discover the city's vibrant barrios and lively nightlife.
customize ⤍4 days / from1412 USD
A Madrid getaway
Spend four days discovering the wonders of Spain's capital Madrid: from fascinating museums like El Prado and Reina Sofia over exploring unknown corners with your private guide to a day trip to the surroundings, this itinerary packs the best of Madrid.
customize ⤍18 days / from4633 USD
Hidden Spain - From Barcelona to Basque Country
Do you want to explore highlights in Spain while staying in nature at the same time? Look no further. Start your Spanish adventure in Barcelona before heading off to the mountains - drive your rental car to Andorra and further on to Basque Country. Decide between driving yourself or guided tours.
customize ⤍If you are planning your travel to Spain yourself, use these itineraries created by our travel writers as a starting point for inspiration.
Seville, Plaza de Espana © Shutterstock
Two weeks in Spain and no idea where to start? Our "Grand Tour" puts you on the right track.
1. Madrid
The vibrant capital is at the heart of all that makes modern Spain tick, from world-class art collections to a buzzing café society and a wild nightlife.
2. Toledo
With time for just one side-trip from Madrid, it has to be the old rock-bound capital of Toledo, the home of El Greco and packed with magnificent buildings.
3. Seville
You could spend weeks exploring Andalucía – but for a taster, Seville combines gorgeous buildings with a vibrant flamenco and tapas scene.
4. Valencia
The rapidly changing city of Valencia – cultural hub of the east, not to mention the spiritual home of paella – makes a natural break on the journey up the long Mediterranean coast.
5. Barcelona
Leave Spain – as the locals would have you believe – for the cool Catalan capital, with its Art Nouveau architecture, designer shops, and stylish bars and clubs.
6. Figueres
The two-hour side-trip towards the French border is made with only one destination in mind – the extraordinary Teatre-Museu Dalí.
7. Logroño
This handsome city sits at the heart of the Rioja region, and while it's only small there's nothing modest about its superb tapas and wine bars. From here, you could detour along the northern coast.
8. Valladolid
Re-live Spain's Golden Age in the capital of Castilla y León, whose majestic Plaza Mayor has no equal.
9. Salamanca
The most beautiful city in Spain, its buildings fashioned from a honey-coloured stone that glows as the sun sets.
1. Málaga
This transport hub is the obvious place to start, but it's also worth lingering for a day to enjoy this vibrant coastal city.
2. Ronda
Sited astride a towering gorge is the queen of Andalucía's white towns.
3. Seville
The essence of all things andaluz, with a stunning cathedral, Moorish Alcázar and atmospheric old quarter.
4. Córdoba
A must-see destination, featuring one of the world's greatest Moorish buildings, the Mezquita, at its heart.
5. Baeza and Úbeda
These twin Renaissance architectural jewels are filled with a wealth of monuments in honey-tinted stone.
6. Cazorla Natural Park
A stunning array of wildlife inhabits the rugged mountains, gorges and forested valleys of Cazorla. See Parque Natural de las Sierras de Segura y Cazorla
7. Granada
Overlooked by the seductive Alhambra, the historic city of Granada is one of Spain's most compelling attractions.
8. Almuñécar
The Costa Tropical's main resort has great beaches and plenty of places to eat, drink and dance the night away.
1. Bilbao
Revitalized by the success of its Guggenheim Museum, the energetic city of Bilbao is set amid the spectacular green hills of the Basque Country.
2. San Sebastián
This elegant seaside resort boasts one of Europe's best city beaches; its superb cuisine is at its most affordable in the pintxos bars of the old quarter.
3. Pamplona
An intriguing destination, which comes alive during the bull-running of July's San Fermín festival.
4. Santillana del Mar
Often hailed as Spain's prettiest village, Santillana is an exquisite medieval ensemble with some gorgeous hotels.
5. Picos de Europa
Just a few kilometres back from the sea, the snowy peaks are interspersed with lush meadows and ancient settlements, and offer superb hiking.
6. Llanes
Delightful seaside towns dot the Asturian coast, but bustling little Llanes, close to superb beaches and soaring mountains, is perhaps the finest of all.
7. Oviedo
Ravishing little Visigothic churches pepper the hills here – though you'll have to tear yourself away from the city's cider-houses to see them.
8. The Rías of Galicia
The fjord-like estuaries that slice into Galicia cradle dramatic scenery and splendid beaches, with the wild Rías Altas in the north and the busier, gentler Rías Baixas to the south. See The Rías Altas
9. Santiago de Compostela
For over a thousand years, this magnificent cathedral city has welcomed footsore pilgrims; its historic core, bursting with bars and restaurants, remains irresistible.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Spain
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 10.05.2021
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Linda F, USA
I just returned from a wonderful trip to Spain. The accommodations were wonderful, the tour guides terrific and the logistics went incredibly smoothly. Ant...
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