Spain — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Flamenco, tapas, Gaudí, and Mediterranean beaches”
Spain is the world's second most-visited destination — the Sagrada Família and Gaudí's works in Barcelona, the Alhambra palace in Granada, flamenco in Seville, tapas and wine on every corner, paired with the Costa beaches, warm sunshine, and a nightlife that never sleeps.
Spain at a glance
Choose a city in Spain
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Spain right for you?
Why people love Spain, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Gaudí's architecture
The Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and modernist houses in Barcelona.
Moorish heritage
The Alhambra palace, the Mezquita of Córdoba, and Islamic traces across Andalusia.
World-class food and wine
Paella, tapas, Ibérico ham, and Rioja and sherry wines.
Flamenco and festivals
Flamenco dancing in Andalusia, plus La Tomatina and the running of the bulls.
Beaches and sunshine
The Costa del Sol, Costa Brava, and the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Nightlife
Late dinners, tapas bars, and parties till dawn, especially in Madrid and Ibiza.
Spain vs its neighbors
| Spain | Italy | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $65–130 | $80–145 | $55–110 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Getting around cities | Fast AVE trains · good metro | Good trains but some lines are slow | Convenient trains and trams |
| English | Decent in tourist cities | Limited | Fairly good |
| Known for | Gaudí · tapas · flamenco | Colosseum · food · art | Beaches · Porto · good prices |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Madrid and Barcelona first-timers
Base yourself in the two big cities — Madrid (the Prado, the Royal Palace) and Barcelona (Gaudí, La Rambla, the beach) — connected by a 2.5-hour AVE train.
See this plan → 🏰Andalusia and the Moors
Seville, Granada and Córdoba — flamenco, the Alhambra and the Mezquita, the most romantic heart of southern Spain.
See this plan → 🏖️Beaches, islands and relaxation
The Costa Brava, Valencia, or a flight on to the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza) for Mediterranean sun and sea.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
5 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Barcelona, Spain (Eixample, Gothic, Beach)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Ibiza, Spain (Beyond the Party Beach)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Madrid, Spain (Sol, Salamanca, Prado)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Seville, Spain (Santa Cruz, Centro & Triana)
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- 1🥘
Paella
Saffron rice cooked in a pan with seafood or chicken — Spain's national dish, from Valencia.
📍 Valencia - 2🍢
Tapas
Small plates eaten with a drink — bar-hopping one dish at a time is the Spanish way.
📍 Nationwide - 3🍖
Jamón Ibérico
Dry-cured black-pig ham, rich and melting — famous the world over.
📍 Nationwide - 4🍫
Churros
Crispy fried dough dipped in thick chocolate — a popular breakfast and snack.
📍 Nationwide - 5🍅
Gazpacho
A refreshing cold tomato soup, perfect for the southern summer.
📍 Andalusia - 6🥚
Tortilla Española
A thick, soft potato omelet — a homely dish that every bar serves.
📍 Nationwide - 7🍷
Wine & Sangria
Rioja wine, sherry from Jerez, and chilled fruity sangria.
📍 Rioja · Nationwide
- 1⛪
Sagrada Família
Gaudí's basilica, under construction for over 140 years, with stunning spires and stained glass — a World Heritage site.
📍 Barcelona - 2🏰
Alhambra
A Moorish palace-fortress on a hill, with the Court of the Lions, water gardens, and exquisite Islamic detail.
📍 Granada - 3🌿
Park Güell
Gaudí's public park, with bright mosaics and views over the city and sea.
📍 Barcelona - 4🖼️
Museo del Prado
One of the world's great art museums — Velázquez, Goya, El Greco.
📍 Madrid - 5🕌
Mezquita
A grand mosque-cathedral with a thousand red-and-white arches — a uniquely distinctive World Heritage site.
📍 Córdoba - 6🚶
La Rambla
A lively pedestrian boulevard with the Boqueria market, street artists, and cafes.
📍 Barcelona - 7💃
Santa Cruz
An old quarter of narrow lanes and white houses, with authentic flamenco shows.
📍 Seville - 8🏟️
Camp Nou / Bernabéu
The legendary stadiums of Barça and Real Madrid — tours available.
📍 Barcelona · Madrid
🚆 Getting around Spain
AVE train
High-speed trains linking Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia — book ahead for good fares.
City metro
Madrid and Barcelona have extensive metros; a travel pass is good value.
Domestic flights
Convenient, cheap flights to the Balearic and Canary Islands (Vueling, Iberia).
Car rental
Ideal for Andalusia and the Costa Brava; drive on the right, with good roads.
Long-distance bus
ALSA reaches small towns the trains don't, at budget prices.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Spain
Siesta and a slower pace
Some shops close in the afternoon and nightlife runs late — set your clock slower.
Late meals
Lunch at 14:00, dinner at 21:00–22:00 — don't look for dinner at 18:00, the kitchen isn't open yet.
Greetings
A kiss on both cheeks is normal once you know someone.
Tipping
Not required — rounding up or 5–10% at a sit-down place is plenty.
Strong sun
Summers in the south are very hot — bring sunscreen and water and avoid walking midday.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / 2★ hotel $25–45
Eat the menú del día at lunch, use the metro, and wander the old towns for free.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel in the city center $50–90
Go on a tapas crawl, book tickets ahead (Alhambra/Sagrada), and take the AVE between cities.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury hotel / castle parador $145+
Michelin dining, a night in a parador (a hotel in an old palace or castle), and private tours.
🗓️ When to visit Spain
Spring
Mar – MayPleasant weather, flowers in bloom, and Seville's Feria festival — the best time of all.
Summer
Jun – AugVery hot in the south, but the beaches and islands buzz with festivals — accommodation prices spike.
Autumn
Sep – NovComfortable weather, the grape harvest, fewer crowds and lower prices — second only to spring.
Winter
Dec – FebCool but not bitter in the south, with Pyrenees skiing and cheap accommodation.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Spain — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Spain?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Spain
How many days do you need in Spain?+
7–10 days works well for Madrid–Barcelona plus Andalusia (Seville–Granada); add Valencia or the islands if you have more time.
What tickets should I book in advance?+
The Sagrada Família and the Alhambra must be booked online weeks ahead — tickets sell out very fast.
Is Spain safe?+
Safe overall, but watch for pickpockets in tourist areas and on the Madrid/Barcelona metro — keep your valuables secure.
How do you travel between cities?+
The AVE train is the fastest and most comfortable (Madrid–Barcelona in 2.5 hours) — book ahead for good fares, or fly to the islands.
Tips before you go to Spain
- Book Sagrada Família and Alhambra tickets weeks ahead — they sell out fast.
- Shift your meal times later — restaurants don't really open for dinner until 21:00.
- Try the menú del día at lunch (a good-value set meal) — better value than ordering at night.
- Watch for pickpockets on the metro and along La Rambla.
- Take the AVE train instead of flying between big cities — fast and it drops you in the center.