Languages
Spanish, Catalan
While in many of the tourist areas you may do fine with English, Spain is a country where it is very helpful to speak Spanish. We suggest learning some key phrases and travel with a phrase book. Better still, learn the language.
Currency
Euro (EUR)
While in most places you can use credit cards its not as ubiquitous as some places. Having some euros on hand is a good idea
International Airports
- Barcelona
- Biarritz
- Bilbao
- Gibraltar
- Granada
- Madrid
- Malaga
- Pamplona
- St-Jean-de-Luz
- San Sebastian
- Santiago
- Sevilla
Tipping
Restaurants: About 1 euro per person
Airlines With Good Deals
- LEVEL – Iberia’s low cost long haul carrier
- Iberia – Spanish national airline
- Vueling – discount Spanish Carrier
Most airlines fly to Spain, Use KAYAK, Skyscanner, or Hipmunk to find the best deals
Restaurants
Spanish cuisine is hearty and meals are served in big, inexpensive portions. I would not bother with cooking yourself unless you really want to. But the time to eat is something else entirely. Generally the big meal of the day is lunch at 14:00. Work ends about 19:30 and thus dinner starts at 21:00- 22:00. You will feel like your grandparents and the senior citizen early bird special if you show up for dinner at 20:00. If you can’t wait that long, tapas bars may be a good choice for some earlier food.
Not-to-Miss Local Food, Drink
Spain is known for great cuisine. Tapas are an art form into themselves, and the Spanish love affair with ham is legendary. Paella of course is a must do. . Spanish wine is among the best in the world – be sure and try some Spanish whites as well as reds. DO NOT leave without trying true Spanish sherry.
Water
Drinking tap water in this country is perfectly fine. Bring your reusable water bottle and request tap water at restaurants (aqua del grifo)
Food
Spain has a well known and excellent reputation for food. Iberian ham from happy acorn fed pigs is dry cured and aged and is ubiquitous.
- Jamon
- Seafood (try the octopus)
- Paella
- Tapas
- Sofrito
- Suckling pig
Wine
Spain is one of the largest wine producing countries in the world. Be sure and sample. The main wine varieties include tempranillo (especially from the Rioja region in the north), cava (sparkling wine), but also some very interesting white varieties not often found in other areas. The standard use red will be called a tinto – ask for a crianza or reserve for better quality. And by all means try a sherry from Jerez.
- Whites
- Txakoli (From the northern coast near San Sebastin)
- Albarino (especially from the Rias Baixas area on the west cost)
- Verdejo
- Viura
- Reds
- Rioja (this is the region – usually mostly tempranillo but often blended – crianza, reserve, grand reserve depending on aging and quality)
- Ribera del Duero (usually unblended tempranillo – crianza, reserve, grand reserve depending on aging and quality)
- Priorat – intense wines, usually a blend of grenache
- Monastrell – a type of grape used in various areas especially in the south
- Sherry
- The word sherry is the English name for the Spanish Jerez, which refers to Marco de Jerez, the viniculture area in the westernmost region of Andalucía, in southern Spain, where grapes for sherry are grown. Not all sherry is suite – if you are in Sevilla or the white hills towns of the frontera be austere and try the different varieties. Guide to sherry
- Sangria
- Multiple types whites, reds, just try a bunch
Not-to-Miss Sites
- Granada: Alhambra
- White towns of the fronterra
- Sevilla: especially cathedral, Alcazar
- Cordoba: mosque / cathedral
- Toledo: town + cathedral
- Madrid: Prado / Reina Sofia (Guernica)
- El Escorial