Spain

Good to know

1. 1Spanish is spoken everywhere, but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also official in their regions, so you will see signs and hear conversations in more than one language.
2. 2Spain uses the euro, and cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants, though small bars and market stalls may prefer cash.
3. 3Meals run late by many countries' standards. Lunch is often the main meal of the day, usually from about two in the afternoon, and dinner rarely starts before nine.
4. 4Tapas began as small bites served with a drink in bars, and in some cities, such as Granada and parts of the north, a small plate still often comes with your order.
5. 5The Alhambra in Granada, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the Prado Museum in Madrid are among the best-known sights, and they show how different the country's regions are.
6. 6The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrim routes that ends at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, and people walk parts of it for faith, exercise or the company.

Tips for a first visit

• Book tickets in advance for the most popular sights, such as the Alhambra and the Sagrada Família, because visits are limited and slots can fill up.
• Eat on the local schedule when you can. Kitchens in many restaurants are closed in the late afternoon, so a snack or a bar stop can fill the gap.
• Try regional dishes rather than only the famous ones: paella around Valencia, seafood in Galicia, pintxos in the Basque Country and jamón ibérico almost anywhere.
• Carry a little cash for small cafés and markets, and keep a card for everything else.
• Greet people with a polite buenos días or buenas tardes when you walk into a small shop or bar. It is a small habit that is appreciated.
• In summer, plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning or evening and rest indoors in the afternoon, as the middle of the day can be very hot in the south and centre.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the easiest times for most trips, with mild weather for cities and walking. Summer is hot inland and in the south, but good for the beaches and for the cooler north coast. Winter is mild on the southern and island coasts, cold and sometimes snowy in the mountains and the high interior, and often grey and wet in the north.

Getting around

Spain has a good network of high-speed trains linking Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Málaga and many other cities, and these are often the most comfortable way to cover long distances. Long-distance buses reach places the trains do not and are widely used. For the islands, or for very long trips such as from the north to the south, a short domestic flight can save time. A car is useful for villages, national parks and the countryside, but not needed in the big cities.