12 Essential Spain Travel Tips for First Time Visitors
Planning your first trip to Spain? From meal times and tapas to flamenco and more, here are 12 Spain travel tips to know before you go.
If you’re planning your first trip to Spain, you’re in for a treat! From the lively streets of Barcelona to the historic charm of Seville, Spain is a country bursting with rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible food.
To help you make the most of your adventure, we have put together 12+ essential tips based on our recent travels around Spain to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Spain Travel Planning Cheatsheet
12 Essential Spain Travel Tips
1. Learn a Few Spanish Phrases 🗣️
While many people in tourist areas speak English, learning a few basic Spanish phrases will enhance your experience. We always find that locals appreciate it when we make an effort to speak Spanish, and it can help in less touristy areas. The more you learn, the better!
Some useful phrases to know include:
- Hola (Hello)
- Gracias (Thank you)
- Por favor (Please)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
- La cuenta, por favor (The bill, please)
💡 In Catalonia (Barcelona), you may hear Catalan instead of Spanish, but Spanish is still widely spoken.
2. Adjust to Spain’s Meal Times 🍽️
Dining in Spain is very different from what you might be used to! The biggest change you’ll find is that Spanish diners, including families, like to eat late in the evening, partly due to their siesta. If you’re not a night owl, you may find this a challenge.
You’ll still find three meals a day in Spain but the quantity of the different meals may not be what you are used to.
✅ Breakfast (Desayuno) is a light meal, typically coffee and a pastry.
✅ Lunch (Comida) is the biggest meal of the day, and is usually served between 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
✅ Dinner (Cena) is served late, often after 9:00 PM, and is usually lighter than lunch.
If you’re hungry earlier in the evening, look for tapas bars, which serve small plates throughout the day.
3. Embrace the Siesta Culture 🕰️
In many smaller towns and traditional areas, businesses close in the early afternoon (typically 2 PM – 5 PM) for lunch and a siesta (a daytime rest or nap).
Large cities like Madrid and Barcelona are less affected, but some shops and restaurants may still observe this break. Plan your sightseeing accordingly.
If the weather is hot when you visit Spain, you’ll feel the benefit of having a siesta too!
4. Tapas Are a Way of Life 🍷🍤
Food in Spain is a social experience, and tapas (small sharing plates) are the best way to affordably try a variety of local dishes.
Some must-try tapas include:
🥘 Patatas bravas – Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce
🍤 Gambas al ajillo – Garlic prawns
🍖 Jamón ibérico – Cured Iberian ham
🦑 Calamares – Fried squid
💡 In some cities like Granada and León, a tapa dish is free when you order a drink!
Recommended Tapas Tours
Seville
Madrid
Barcelona
5. Use Public Transport in Cities 🚆
Spain has an excellent public transport network and using it will save you time and money. Hiring a car in major cities is not recommended; traffic is congested and parking can be a nightmare.
🚇 Metro – Madrid and Barcelona have efficient metro systems. For example, in Barcelona trains run from 5 am to midnight with later hours on the weekend. A single ticket costs just €2.55 or you can buy 1,2,3,4 or 5 day travelcards offering unlimited travel on the metro, buses, trams and suburban trains.
🚍 Bus – Major Spanish cities have a good, affordable bus network, but unlike the metro, you risk getting stuck in heavy traffic. Note that buses will not stop at a bus stop unless you wave to the driver to stop. You must buy your ticket before boarding (by cash or card) and validate your ticket when you get on the bus.
🚖 Taxis – Spanish taxis are affordable but watch out for tourist traps (such as overcharging and not setting the meter to zero. We found Uber was available too in the cities we visited on mainland Spain (Mardid, Seville and Barcelona)
🚄 Trains – The AVE high-speed train connects Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, and more; it’s the second largest high-speed rail network in the world. You can travel from Madrid to Barcelona in just 2.5 hours and for a very reasonable price.
🚙 Driving – If you choose to hire a car for inter-city trips, we recommend using Tripiamo guides. They’ll teach you everything you need to know about driving in Spain, including regulations and road signs.
💡 For long-distance train journeys, book in advance for cheaper fares! We use and trust Omio when booking trains in Spain.
6. Pack Comfortable Shoes 👟
Spain’s cities are best explored on foot, but that means cobblestone streets and lots of walking. Bring comfortable, supportive shoes for exploring cities like Seville, Barcelona, and Granada.
7. Be Aware of Pickpockets 🎒
Like many European destinations, pickpocketing is common in busy tourist areas. Particular hotspots include La Rambla in Barcelona and Puerta del Sol in Madrid. You should also be wary when using busy public transport and at metro stations.
Tips for deterring pickpockets include –
✔️ Using a crossbody bag with a zipper (we never travel without our Travelon anti-theft bags)
✔️ Carry backpacks on your front on public transport. Do not carry it on your back or have it loose on your lap when sat down.
✔️ Keep phones secure. We use – and love – this comfortable and sturdy phone lanyard wherever we go.
8. Dress Appropriately for Churches & Religious Sites ⛪
Spain is a devout Catholic country, and some religious sites (like Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or Seville Cathedral) require modest dress for both men and women.
This means:
✅ Covering shoulders
✅ No short shorts
✅ Wearing clothes which do not have offensive logos, captions or images
💡 Keep a light scarf in your bag if visiting religious sites during hot weather.
9. Try Churros & Chocolate for Breakfast 🍫
Churros con chocolate is a popular breakfast or light snack. You can’t visit Spain without trying them – we think they’re delicious. The long, doughnut-like treat is hot, tasty and filling.
Some of the best ones are at San Ginés in Madrid (the city’s oldest and most famous chocolate shop, established in 1894) and Granja La Pallaresa in Barcelona.
💡 Unlike Mexican churros, Spanish churros are not coated in sugar—they’re meant to be dipped in thick hot chocolate!
10. Experience a Flamenco Show 💃
Flamenco is a must-see in Spain, especially in Seville and/or Granada. Look for authentic tablaos (small, intimate venues) instead of big tourist shows. The centuries-old music and dance show consists of four elements – guitar playing, singing, hand clapping and dancing. Not all flamenco shows include dancing so if dancing is what you really want to see, check before booking.
🎶 Tip – The best place in our opinion to see Flamenco in Seville is at La Casa del Flamenco. You can combine a flamenco show and tapas on this fun tour which includes 8 tapas and 3 drinks at 2 different bars.
11. Don’t Expect Free Tap Water in Restaurants 🚰
In Spain, water is not automatically served for free at restaurants. You’ll usually need to order “agua con gas” (sparkling) or “agua sin gas” (still) and pay for it.
💡 If you don’t want to pay for water, bring a refillable water bottle—tap water is safe to drink in most places!
12. Explore Beyond Madrid & Barcelona 🚗
While Madrid and Barcelona are incredible places to explore, there’s so much more to Spain than just its cities! Some amazing places you could add to your itinerary include:
🌊 San Sebastián – Known for its beautiful beaches and world-famous pintxos (the Basque version of tapas)
🌄 Granada – Home of the breathtaking Alhambra Palace, one of the best preserved examples of Islamic architecture in the world which dates back the the 13th century
🏰 Toledo – A stunning medieval city just 30 minutes from Madrid and a UNESCO World Heritage site
🍷 La Rioja – Spain’s famous wine region
🏖️ The Islands – Relax on the golden or volcanic beaches of The Balearics or the Canaries.
💡 If your itinerary is city based, consider taking day trips along the coast or into the countryside to see more of Spain’s diverse landscapes!
Final Thoughts
Spain is a beautiful, diverse, and welcoming country, and with our tried-and-tested tips, your first visit will be unforgettable!
Whether you’re enjoying tapas in Seville, exploring Gaudí’s masterpieces in Barcelona, or sipping wine in La Rioja, you’re in for an incredible experience. We guarantee you’ll leave Spain planning to return.
