Spain is one of the Mediterranean countries which have beautiful places and rich history, making it worth visiting for a longer trip. There are definitely many places you should not miss when you are traveling to this country. You do not know where to start? No problem. We have compiled this Spain travel guide to make your life easier when it comes to visiting Spain. Let us go and check it out!
What to include in your Spain Travel Guide?
- Basic information for traveling to Spain
- Tips and tricks for traveling to Spain
- Itinerary and where to go
- Day 1-2: Barcelona
- Day 3-4: Valencia
- Day 5-6: Toledo
- Day 7-8: Granada
- Day 9: Cordoba
- Day 10-11: Seville
- Day 12-14: Madrid
Basic information for traveling to Spain
Before you go to Spain, it is important to note down some basic information about the country. Check the details below:
| Currency: Euro (around USD 0.97) | Official Language: Spanish and Catalan (in Barcelona) | Plug Type: Type C and F |
Visa and Entry Requirements: You should also check if your citizenship is permitted to enter Spain without a visa. If not, you need to make an arrangement to make a Schengen Visa for your trip to Spain. In addition, you also need to look into its border restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic before entry.
Tips and tricks for traveling to Spain
We know that you want your travel to Spain to be safe and as enjoyable as possible. So, we also provide you with these tips and tricks for your Spain travel guide.
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, there are a lot of options you can choose from, from hostels to hotels. Each city has its own price range, so you need to prepare beforehand. Lucky you, Spain’s accommodation is relatively cheap compared to most European countries. The cheapest option for accommodation is staying at dorm beds in hostels which typically costs around EUR 15 per night. For the hostel private rooms, it costs EUR 45 to EUR 60 per night for a double bed.
If you want to look for more convenient accommodation such as hotels, it can cost you at least EUR 55 for a twin or double room per night. Another cheaper option to save money on accommodation is Airbnb, which usually starts from EUR 30 per night. There is also a high chance of you getting lower prices outside of major cities for accommodation.
Transportation
The next thing to put into your Spain travel guide is budgeting for transportation. There are many modes of transportation offered in Spain so choose wisely based on your budget and needs.
City Zones
Most large cities in Spain have a comprehensive bus system which you can use to explore the city. We suggest you take daily passes which usually cost around EUR 8 to EUR 15. This daily pass also allows you to roam the city by metro.
In Madrid and Barcelona, the metro systems there are relatively extensive. Meanwhile, cities like Valencia and Seville have limited but practical systems of metro or light trails. You can buy the daily pass easily in the ticket machines around the stations.
Long-distance travel
One of the most important things to include in your Spain travel guide is the transportation budgeting for long-distance travel. These are options you can choose to travel between cities in Spain.
Bus
It is pretty common that the bus is usually the cheapest way to travel, especially traveling between cities in Spain. One of the best bus options you can use to get the cheapest tickets is FlixBus for ticket prices starting from EUR 5. For example, if you take a 9-hour journey from Madrid to Barcelona, the ticket price starts from EUR 30 or if you want to travel from Seville and Granada for 4 hours, you need to pay around EUR 20.
Train
In addition to buses, you can also explore Spain by train at a relatively higher speed compared to the bus. You can choose between high-speed trains or regular trains from the national railway in Spain called RENFE. High-speed trains are indeed more expensive, but it is worth it if you are short on time.
You only need around EUR 58 for a 2.5-hour journey from Madrid to Barcelona. For 2.5-hour trip to Seville from Madrid will cost you around EUR 30. Meanwhile, if you want to travel to Valencia from Madrid, it costs around EUR 25 for a 2.5-hour journey.
Flight
Going by airplane is another option for you who need the fastest option to travel. One of the most known budget airlines in Europe is Ryanair, which you can choose for a flight trip within Spain. Flying from Madrid to Barcelona is around EUR 65 for a round trip. However, you need to notice extra payments for checked baggage if you bring many pieces of stuff.
Food
When it comes to food, Spain is among the top places in the world. Moreover, the prices of delicious food in this country are not that expensive. Some favorite foods in Spain are gazpacho, paella, jámon ibérico, churros, patatas bravas, and tortilla. You can find them in many restaurants or stalls in the entire country. Tapas and sandwiches in Spain cost around EUR 5 to EUR 10.
If you prefer eating a decent meal at a restaurant, the general price is around EUR 20 with a drink. You will also need to spend EUR 30 for a meal consisting of paella, drinks, and appetizers. However, you can also get a decent meal by doing groceries and cooking by yourself. With only EUR 35 and EUR 55 per week, you can get rice, pasta, seasonal vegetables, meat, and seafood.
Itinerary and where to go
Do you know where to start? Just follow this 2-week Spain travel guide that we provide. These places below are worth visiting and should not be missed on your Spain trip.
Day 1-2: Barcelona
There are dozens of activities you can discover in Barcelona. Thus, you need two days of staying in this beautiful city known for its Roman, medieval, and Catalan architecture. In this city, you can enjoy a refreshing break by simply sunbathing on Bogatell Beach. Alternatively, you can also visit its famous entertainment street, La Rambla, where there are a lot of boutiques, stores, and restaurants to explore.
Tourist Attractions: Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Barri Gòtic, Casa Milà, La Rambla, Bogatell Beach, Palau de la Música Catalana, Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, Museu Picasso de Barcelona, Plaça del Rei, and Camp Nou.
Day 3-4: Valencia
The next stop for the third and fourth day of your 2-weeks Spain trip is Valencia. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, where there are also a lot of tourist attractions that you must visit. Home to many medieval architectural wonders, the city has a bunch of places that will look good on your camera. Besides its panoramic buildings, this city is famous for its City of Arts and Sciences which has a futuristic design that looks so beautiful during the day.
Tourist Attractions: City Of Arts and Sciences, Cathedral, Miguelete, Holy Grail, La Lonja, El Carmen, Central Market, Albufera Natural Park, Valencia’s beaches, Valencia Aquarium Oceanografic, Marina of Valencia, Museo de Bellas Artes, Turia Garden Valencia, and Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir de Valencia.
Day 5-6: Toledo
One of the most interesting places that you must visit for your Spain travel guide is Toledo. The city is established atop and down a hill. Therefore, if you want to explore this unique city, you need to bring comfortable walking shoes since the city is really beautiful to enjoy on foot. The views are more like an old world in an old time because most of the buildings were built in the 13th century, with a Gothic style of architecture. You will love it when you visit this hidden treasure in Spain
Tourist Attractions: Catedral Primada Santa María, Alcázar, Plaza de Zocodover, Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz, Puerta de Bisagra, El Greco Museum, El Tránsito Synagogue & Museum, Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, Casco Histórico de Toledo, Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, and Mirador del Valle.
Day 7-8: Granada
Going further to the Andalusia region, your next stop for the seventh and eighth days of this Spain travel guide is Granada. The city is well-known for its Alhambra castle and huge fortress complex. Even more, Granada has been named one of the top sights to visit in Spain. This city has a rich history, which influences its architectural design. You can find the touches of Islamic architecture in many places in the city, where you can learn about its history as well.
Tourist Attractions: The Alhambra, Generalife, Albayzin, Mirador de San Nicolas, Nasrid Palaces, Basílica de San Juan de Dios, Sacromonte, Royal Chapel of Granada, Parque de las Ciencias, Monasterio Cartuja, Carrera del Darro, and Paseo de los Tristes.
Day 9: Cordoba
Cordoba is one of the oldest cities in Spain, which has a rich history involving three different cultures. Those cultures are Romans, Muslims, and Christians, and all of them have left some marks on the city’s architecture and culture today. One of the most important legacies of this mixed culture is the magnificent Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba which was initially built as a mosque until it became a Christian church in the 13th century. This is the perfect place for you to learn more about history and religions.
Tourist Attractions: Calahorra Tower, Calleja de las Flores, Medina Azahara, Palacio de Viana, Juderia de Cordoba, Cordoba Synagogue, Puente Romano, Festival de Patios, Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, and Mezquita of Cordoba.
Day 10-11: Seville
Do you know that Seville is the only riverport city in Spain? This city has relied on the Guadalquivir River for its economic growth over the centuries. Besides the famous river, the city gave birth to tapas, flamenco, and sangria. Therefore, Seville has been prevalent as one of the most influential cities in Spanish culture. Moreover, you will also get stunned by its beautiful architecture decorated with many buildings in the city. Thus, you need two days to explore the city to get the most out of it.
Tourist Attractions: Catedral de Sevilla, Real Alcázar, Parque de María Luisa, Plaza de España, Barrio de Santa Cruz, Museo de Bellas Artes, Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador, Santa Semana, Museo del Baile Flamenco, Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, Barrio de Triana, Casa de Pilatos, and Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla.
Day 12-14: Madrid
The last city for this 2-week Spain travel guide that you must visit is absolutely Madrid, the capital of Spain. The capital has a lot to offer so you need at least two or three days to explore the city to the fullest. You can go shopping at its prevalent flea market or visit various kinds of museums in the city to learn more about the history of Madrid and Spain. If you are a foodie, you should try churros y chocolate, which is typical Spanish street food that will taste good on your taste bud.
Tourist Attractions: Museo Nacional del Prado, Buen Retiro Park, the Crystal Palace, Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Fuente de Cibeles, Gran Via, Temple of Debod, Goya Frescoes at Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
That is the ending of the Spain travel guide for this blog. So, are ready to go to Spain now? Or are you still not sure yet? Worry not! JoinMyTrip has the best offer for you to explore Spain with fun. You will have our dedicated travel buddies and fellow travelers with whom you can experience and explore Spain to the fullest. So, grab your clothes and passport, and go to Spain with JoinMyTrip now!