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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip. Please ensure you add the details of your insurance to the MyTrafalgar portal.

Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events.

Book your travel insurance with Trafalgar's Travel Protection Plan, which includes the Cancel For Any Reason Credit Certificate Feature and the Travel Insurance Benefits that may help to protect your vacation payment against the unexpected.

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.