Spain is a hot climate with a rich culture and affordable beer—it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Here are our 5 best tips when heading to Spain for a holiday.

How to get around

It’s common to rent a car in Spain. After all, it’s a big landmass, so if you're planning a road trip from Malaga, you may feel like you can see more of it with a car. This is fine if you’re renting a villa on a mountain or are going with a big family. However, our biggest tip here is that walking trails are the hidden gem of Spanish holidays. Historical routes like the Camino de Santiago can mean setting off on a 1-day hike, or 4-day, and weave in and out of historical trade points, villages, and stunning architecture, as well as meeting other walkers. 

It’s also a great idea to rent a bicycle for some long, open road journeys around the magnificent landscapes Spain offers, once you head out of the city.

When to visit

If you’re looking to sunbathe or visit music festivals, it’s best to visit during the summer months, which are June to September. Although it depends on where you go, there’s little rain and mostly 30 degrees centigrade and above weather. However, these are the busier and more expensive months, meaning that April, May, and October are all very sunny, usually, yet are cheaper with fewer crowds. Spring and Autumn are also better if you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking, as midsummer may be too hot.

Currency

Spain uses Euros, which you likely already knew. However, what many people don’t know is that you are likely being ripped off by your bank when paying for things. A British or American bank is likely taking a several percentage cut from each transaction (and possibly a fee on top of that). Services like Wise and Revolut help avoid this, and are completely free. 

Also, try and avoid the first ATM you see—most of them charge pricey fees, even if you are using Revolut/Wise. Instead, only use ATMs that are outside high street banks, as these are free.

Where to stay

Where to stay in Spain will depend on what you’re looking to do here. If you’re looking to surf, it may be best to head to the southwest coast of Andalucia (to the left of Gibraltar), whilst of you don’t surf, there is an endless array of choices for a beach holiday (the islands are worth exploring). If you’re looking for the hottest weather, head to the Canaries; these are hot even during winter. For food, it may be worth going inland to certain villages, and this is also where you can escape the crowd of tourists. If you want cheap resorts and English fry-ups, then head to Benidorm. 

What to bring

Our best tip here is to pack lightly. Unless you’re going during winter, you will need very little material to keep you warm, but it’s worth packing at least one jumper/thin rain jacket no matter what time of year, just in case. Bring both cash and a credit card, medication, a small medical kit, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, bug spray, and comfortable footwear for all the walking.
Wherever you are, you’ll likely have swimming opportunities, so bring a swimsuit and potentially a microfiber lightweight beach towel, too. 

And finally, bring your COVID-19 documents just in case (i.e., proof of vaccination).