Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?

Spain is one of the 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement, which means it offers visa-free travel to nationals from 60 other countries including Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom. To determine whether the country you're travelling to requires a visa, head to the Schengen Visa's information website.

When is the best time to travel to Spain?

There is so much going on throughout Spain at any time of the year, but the best time to visit is usually late spring (April-May) or early autumn (September-October), when you can avoid the intense heat of the summer and the peak season crowds. Spring sees many major festivals, with Semana Santa in March or April, the Feria de Abril in April, and Las Fallas in March.

What is the weather like in Spain?

Spain’s climate and weather varies greatly across the country. Along the Atlantic coast in cities like Santander and San Sebastián, it’s cool and humid. Central Spain is dry and sees the hottest summers, but also the coldest winters, while Mediterranean cities like Barcelona and Valenica are mild and sunny throughout the year. Mountainous areas like the Pyrenees and the Sierras are predictably much colder, and the Canary Islands see tropical temperatures all year round.

What currency does Spain use?

Spain uses the official currency of Europe, the Euro (€).

Is tipping customary in Spain?

Tipping in Spain is not mandatory, but if you experience good service then a tip of around 10% is customary when dining out at restaurants, or simply rounding up the bill.

What is ATM access like in Spain?

You won't have trouble finding an ATM in Spain, particularly in popular tourist areas or major cities and towns. Look out for signs for 'cajero automático' or 'cajero' in Spain in airports, shopping centers, on high streets and outside banks. If you're heading off the beaten path into more isolated rural areas, you may struggle to find an ATM so get some cash out just in case.

Is tap water safe to drink in Spain?

99.5% of Spain's tap water is safe to drink, though particularly in southern Spain many locals and tourists prefer to drink bottled water due to its taste – conversely, Madrid has some of the best-tasting tap water in the country.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance for a Trafalgar tour to Spain?

We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip. Please ensure you add the details of your insurance to the My Trafalgar portal. Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events.

What is the culture like in Spain?

Spain is known for its vibrant, welcoming and relaxed culture, with Spanish people often characterized as passionate and expressive – Spaniards certainly don't hold back when celebrating historical, religious or national events! Mealtimes are prioritized and are a particularly social event, with dinners often taking place over a few hours.

Are there any direct flights from the UK to Spain?

Many UK airports fly directly to Spain, including London Gatwick and London Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Belfast International, and Liverpool. To fly from London to the north of Spain takes under 2 hours, while direct flights to the centre of Spain take around 2 and a half hours, while flights to the south of Spain take around 3 hours.

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Spain tours & holidays

Name: Best of Spain
Brand: Trafalgar
Price: 6728 NZD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5

Travel guide

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A country of ripe vineyards, endless coastlines, rugged mountain ranges and historic villages, our trips to Spain will venture into the spirit of Spain uncovering the heritage of its luscious surroundings. This culture means more than siestas and sangria, proved as we move from monument to museum to the beat of flamenco. In Madrid, we’ll discover the meeting point of old and new via charming alleyways and taverns. Our Spain trips will certainly bring delight with Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, whilst the mountain of Montserrat proves there is magic to be found beyond Spain’s bountiful cities. Between the map points, we will discover this country’s culinary delights and understand how they form part of the cultural fabric. Fierce passion, national pride and reverence for tradition seep through every inch of this intriguing land. The lure of Spain tours is enormously strong and will stay with you long after your visit.

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View of Albaicín district through ornate Moorish arch at Alhambra in Granada, Spain

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4.5

Best of Spain

15 Days

2 Countries

15 Locations

15-Day Spain Tour of Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Seville and Cordoba

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$6,728

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$7,475

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4.4

Northern Spain

11 Days

1 Country

11 Locations

11-Day Northern Spain Tour from Barcelona to Madrid

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$4,856

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$5,395

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4.5

Mediterranean Highlights

12 Days

5 Countries

13 Locations

12-Day Europe Tour from Barcelona to Rome

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$7,050

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Save up to $674

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4.5

Spanish Wonder

9 Days

1 Country

9 Locations

9-Day Spain Tour of Madrid, Seville, Granada and Barcelona

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$3,443

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$4,050

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Unedited Spain tour reviews

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"Trip of a lifetime!"

“I really enjoyed the length of the tour. It was long enough to see so many incredible sights and not be rushing from place to place, and there was enough free time to enjoy shopping for some food. Kassie was the best guide ever! She was organised, knowledgable and fun, making the trip run smoothly.”

- Bonnie J., Spanish Wonder

"Northern Spain at its best"

“Both our Travel Director, Kirsti, and our driver, Dino, were professional and friendly. Any questions or needs we had were taken care of. Because of their enhancement of our experience, we are not only planning to book another tour with Trafalgar, but plan to recommend them to friends and family."

- Trusted Customer, Northern Spain

"Great experience"

“Our Travel Director was always so helpful when we needed anything. We were lucky to see so many beautiful towns in both Portugal and Spain. This tour helps you get a feel for the culture and sights so that you will have a better understanding to be able to do your own sightseeing."

- Salvatore M., Treasures of Spain and Portugal

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Do you need a visa to go to Spain?

Planning a trip to Spain? Find out if you need a visa.

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Spain experiences with Trafalgar

With Trafalgar, you’ll journey into the heart of each destination. Be My Guest invites you to connect with locals, while MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences let you positively impact communities. Plus, on many tours, you’ll overnight at Stays with Stories accommodations with tales as rich as the places you explore. Here are just a few of these unforgettable experiences on a Trafalgar Spain tour.

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Be My Guest

Meet the Morillo family at Basilippo hacienda, Seville, Spain

In the charming company of the Morillo family, you’ll see their Basilippo hacienda, and learn how they produce their award-winning 100-percent organic extra virgin olive oil, known worldwide for its exceptional quality. Then, enjoy a traditional Andalusian dinner with the family. Experience on Best of Spain, Spanish Wonder, Treasures of Spain and Portugal, and Great Iberian Cities.

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Stays with Stories

Meet the Castañón family at their cider mill, Oviedo, Spain

Discover the heart of Asturian culture at the Castañón family’s cider mill near Oviedo. With a rich cider-making tradition, they invite you for an unforgettable evening of local flavours, a delicious homemade meal, and warm hospitality in a truly authentic setting. Experience on Northern Spain.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Enjoy a taste of organic Horchata from a family-run vendor, Valencia, Spain

This nut-based drink is made using only natural ingredients and traditional production methods. And feel good knowing your experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Experience on Best of Spain and Spanish Wonder.

Enjoy the flavours of Spain at Basilippo Hacienda

Join Isaac, your host at Basilippo Hacienda for a behind-the-scenes look at your Be My Guest experience in Seville. You’ll see Isaac’s farmhouse and how his family produces their award-winning Spanish olive oil. Let Isaac and his family show you what makes their Hacienda so special. Experience on Best of Spain, Spanish Wonder, Treasures of Spain and Portugal, and Great Iberian Cities.

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The best of Barcelona

Discover our featured Spain destination, the artistic city of Barcelona.

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Colourful Mosaic Wall in old part of Barcelona, Spain

Spain at a glance

A country of ripe vineyards, endless coastlines, rugged mountain ranges, historic villages, magical architecture and passionate traditions, Spain is a country that stays with you long after your visit. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and discover the true spirit of Spain.

Currency

Euro

Capital City

Madrid

Winter avg

10°C

Language

Spanish, Catalan

Summer avg

25°C

Good morning

Buenos días

Time Zone

GMT+2

Good evening

Buenas noches

"It's always a nice moment when you see the guests enjoying a sangria by the olive groves of Andalucia"

Alexandre, Travel Director

Weather in Spain

Discover the weather, temperatures, and seasonal trends across Spainto plan your trip.

Our top 5 things to do in Spain

Discover Spain with Trafalgar and get to know the intricacies of its heritage through music, dance, religion and architecture. Our trips are filled with both iconic and unexpected experiences, and will cement your love for this country.

Discover the Old and New Madrid

Get lost in the narrow streets and charming alleyways running off Plaza Mayor. Wooden shops and tavernas pull you in, taking you into spaces handed down through generations. With contemporary architecture and experimental restaurants, anything’s possible in the city of Madrid. The collision point of old and new.

Feel the rhythm and magic of an Andalusian flamenco

No trip to Spain is complete without witnessing an Andalusian flamenco. Emotion, seduction and mystery form into this traditional Spanish dance, making this so much more than just a pastime. Feel the guitar, the heavy clapping, the heart-thumping steps and 500 years of passion in a tablao – the region’s historic enclaves where this dance comes to life.

View the Bullring in Valencia

Aside from being the centre of one of Spain’s most traditional activities, the Plaza de Toros de Valencia is a commanding example of neoclassical architecture. Look up at the Roman-inspired building and you can almost hear 150 years of crowds roaring through the brick arches.

Admire Gaudí architecture in Barcelona

Barcelona means little without Antoni Gaudí, the 20th century architect whose unmistakable approach to Art Nouveau has made its mark on the Catalan city. Walk past Gaudí’s residence, Casa Vicens, pick out his Islamic influences in Parc Güell and watch history being built at la Sagrada Familia.

Travel to the mountain of Montserrat

Escape the city and venture to Montserrat, the jagged mountain range just outside Barcelona. Here, hike to Montserrat’s highest summit, Sant Jeroni, or take the scenic cable car to the 16th-century cliff top Christian complex of Santa Maria de Montserrat. Sweeping Catalonia views and religious history combine on this incredible experience.

Best museums in Spain

Surrealism, cubism, modern history and expressive architecture, you will experience it all with the museums we visit in Spain. Let Trafalgar unlock the culture of this remarkable country.

Figueres

Dali Museum

Walk through the Dalí Theatre-Museum and get a glimpse into the mind of one of Spain’s most famous exports. Designed by the artist himself, this is a building of grand Surrealist proportions, housing decades of Dalí’s works. Enjoy a surprise and new perspective at every turn.

Barcelona

Picasso Museum

Spend at least a few hours at the Museu Picasso, a warren-like building of courtyards and staircases filled with more than 4,000 original artworks. Explore the rooms of five joined medieval mansions, and bear witness to the artist’s broad and varied talent. This is a collection concentrating on Picasso’s earlier, lesser-known years.

Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum

Come for the architecture, stay for the art. Frank Gehry’s most-referenced work of modern architecture has revolutionised Bilbao and is a masterpiece in itself. Dismiss all ideas of what a building should look like and revel in the Deconstructivist design while getting up close to large-scale installations by contemporary artists.

Best food in Spain

Enjoy traditional Spanish food in the very place the meals originated. With simple ingredients and rich flavours, the dishes we share with you on a trip to Spain will connect you with the authentic culinary heritage of the country.

Paella Valenciana

Take a seat and immerse in a large pan of Paella Valenciana. The rice dish packed with meat and vegetables is found all over Spain but the original hails from Albufera, on the coast next to Valencia. Eat it straight from the pan with fellow dinner guests for an authentic Spanish mealtime.

Gazpacho

A cold soup of raw, blended vegetables may not sound appealing, but Andalusia’s age-old dish is one that you will quickly learn to love. Try history-drenched gazpacho - typically made of tomatoes, stale bread, cucumber and bell pepper - for a light and refreshing option during a hot Spanish summer.

Escudellia

For Catalonians, nothing evokes memories of home like Escudella i carn d’olla. Devour the centuries-old meal over two courses, consisting of a soup of broth with pasta or rice (or both) followed by a large ‘pilota’ meatball livened by garlic and parsley.

What to pack for a tour in Spain

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

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Catalan, Basque or Galician phrase book

Depending on where you’re visiting, speak like the locals and swap Spanish for a few phrases of the mother tongue. You’ll make friends for life by showing such enthusiasm for the local dialect.

A jacket

Spain has a reputation for being dry and sunny, but cool and rainy days do come. Pack a jacket for and easy layers, particularly if visiting Spain in winter.

Sturdy walking boots

Spain may be renowned for its cities and beaches, but you may need sturdy walking shoes when visiting the idyllic mountain ranges.

Espadrilles

Forgo ‘flip-flops’ or ‘thongs’ and do as the Spaniards do; don a pair of traditional espadrilles for walking around the cities and travelling the country’s coastline. Comfort and style combined.

A scarf or pashmina

A scarf or pashmina is a must for air-conditioned transport, cooler evenings and when visiting religious sites and cathedrals, which require bare shoulders to be covered.