Enlarge

Destination:

Spain


Basics

topWhen to Go

In nearly all of Spain, spring and fall are the best times to visit. The Atlantic Coast is an exception because it experiences heavy rains in October and November. At higher elevations and in the Basque region, October can be a bit cool – sweaters are often needed for evenings.

Summer: Madrid has a dry heat in the summer. Seville during July and August has the reputation as the warmest city in Spain. Barcelona is cooler and quite humid. The coolest spot in Spain is the Atlantic Coast from San Sebastian to La Coruña. Spain is overrun with tourists during the month of August, when Europeans travel here.

Winter: The most popular area is the coast from Algeciras to Màlaga reaching temperatures around 60°F. Madrid gets as cold as 34°, with bitter winds. Majorca is warmer, around 50°.

topWeather & Temperature

Spain has a warm, temperate Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and moderate temperatures in winter. The Canary Islands facing the coast of Africa enjoy mild temperatures year around. The Cantabrian coast gets high rainfall and offers mild winters and comfortable summer temperatures. Higher elevations are substantially cooler – long winters are the norm in the Pyrenees (the mountains of Sierra Nevada), the Central and Iberian ranges and the Cantabrian Mountains.

topTime Difference

Mainland and the Balearic Islands: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT) in winter and 2 hours ahead (+2GMT) in summer. Canary Islands: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and (+1GMT) in summer.

Daylight saving time changes the last weekend in October (1 hr back) and the last weekend in March (1 hr forward).

topMoney Matters

Currency

The currency in Spain is the Euro, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euro. Bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Euro.

ATMs—most with instructions in English—are located in all cities and most small towns, usually in or outside banks. Outside of normal banking hours, you gain access to ATMs by inserting your credit or cash card into a slot in the door.

Changing Money

Bank offices are open to the public Mon-Sat, from 8:30am to 2pm (except during the months of June through September, when they remain closed on Saturdays). Most banks will change traveler's checks, but the commissions vary. Exchanging money is more streamlined at the big banks in city centers than at small local branches. Private exchange bureaus are located in the city centers, and most stay open until midnight or later. Although private bureaus generally don't charge commission, they tend to give a less favorable rate of exchange.

Taxes

A value-added tax (called IVA) of 16% is added to the price of most goods and services. With a little paperwork, nonresidents from outside the European Union can obtain a tax refund for purchases made in Spain. To obtain the refund, you must spend more than 90 euros in a single store displaying a "tax-free" sticker. Refunds usually amount to about 13.8% of the purchase price. You need to present three things to the VAT refund officer at the airport before departure to get a refund: the article you purchased, the receipt and a refund form (which must be picked up at the place of purchase).

topTipping

Guide half-day: €20-30
Guide full day: €40-50
Transfer service: €10
Half-day driver: €20
Full-day driver: €40

Except for private guides and drivers, tipping is not obligatory in Spain - it is up to the customer to tip if they are happy with the service. If you do tip, you can't go wrong with the amounts below.

Restaurants: Although a service charge is usually included in the bill, for good service in a restaurant we recommend leaving 5-10% of the total amount in cash for the waiters.
Porters: €1-2 per bag
Chambermaids: €1-2 per day
Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare

topPersonal Security

Spain is no more dangerous than other countries in western Europe, though travelers should exercise common sense and remain aware of their surroundings. Petty thievery is the most common threat for visitors. Thieves do exist in Spain and, sadly, are quite good. Your best defense is a sharp awareness and some simple ways of protecting your belongings.

- Wear backpacks on your front in crowded areas.
- Keep cameras in sight or on your front.
- Place wallets in front pockets.
- Be aware of people who appear especially helpful when you have not asked for their help.
- Be aware of “Traveler’s Children.” These are groups of women and young girls wearing long dresses, with or without small children, holding cardboard, papers and/or carrying bags.
- Be aware of teenagers with motorbikes.
- Leave all jewelery and valuables in the hotel safe, not scattered throughout your hotel room.
- When driving, always lock the car and never leave luggage, cameras or valuables in sight.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash – better to use credit cards and/or travelers checks.
- Never show large amounts of money in public.

A few small regional terrorist groups are found in Spain. The most active is ETA (a Basque separatist group). News reports say their actions, including car bombings, are usually directed at the police and military, but they have targeted a few tourist areas as well.

US Embassy
Calle Serrano, 75 28006 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 587 23 03

topHealth

Spain has modern medical and dental facilities, but take along all prescription and nonprescription drugs you'll need for your trip—your brand names might be unfamiliar to some pharmacies in Spain.

In general, you can eat the food and drink the tap water throughout the country. The sun is quite strong, so take sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Be sure to take along a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

topTelephone

Most regular Spanish phone numbers contain nine digits: The area code must be dialed for all calls, even if you are calling from within the same city or region.

Country Code: 34

Area Codes:
Madrid 91
Barcelona 93
Marbella 95
Sevilla 95
San Sebastian 943

For international calls, first dial 00, then the country code, then the area code and number. Call 1005 for an international operator to assist with calls to Canada or the US; dial 1008 for assistance with calls to Europe.

Spanish cell phone numbers begin with 6, toll-free lines with 900 and special-rate services with 902.

In an emergency, dial 112.
For an ambulance, dial 061.
For police, call 091.
For directory assistance, dial 118.

Lost or stolen credit cards:
Visa 915 192 100
Eurocard – MasterCard 915 192 100
American Express 915 720 303

Public Phones

Public pay phones are disappearing, but you will still find ones that accept coins, cards issued by Telefonica (Spanish Telecom) and credit cards. The phones have clear instructions in English. You can also find pay phones in many bars and cafes, although they tend to cost more. You can buy Telefonica phone cards at post offices, tobacco shops (estancos) and newsstands.

In most cities and major towns, you can make cheap international calls at phone centers, called locutorios, which offer discounted international connections. You make your call in a private booth and pay in cash when you're through. International or national calls from your hotel room are very expensive.

Mobile Phones

Spain uses GSM technology, not compatible with some countries such as USA or Japan. US citizens will need a tri-band mobile.

topElectrical

220 volts/50 Hz

topStreet Addresses

The abbreviation s/n (sin número) means the building or house has no number. C/ is the abbreviation for Calle (Spanish for street); c/ is the abbreviation for carrer (Catalan for street).

topCustoms/Etiquette

Breakfast is often very simple: coffee with pastries or toasts, nothing too large. La Comida is lunch, often the largest, heaviest meal of the day. Dinner is not typically very large, due to its later hour, which is why tapas are a great option as a small meal.

Breakfast hours: 8-10am
Lunch hours: 1-3:30pm
Dinner: 8:30-11pm
Many establishments (bars, cafeterias) are open continuously during the day, where tapas and appetizers can be purchased.

Smoking

In many restaurants throughout Spain smoking is very common, especially after the meal. When making a reservation, if you do not smoke, you should request a table in a non-smoking area. You should also be aware there are some restaurants that do not offer separate seating for smokers and non-smokers. Additionally, all bars, pubs, taverns, discos and clubs, as well as most public places, allow smoking.

Personal Introductions

Handshakes are the typical greeting. Last names with the appropriate Spanish title are used. If your acquaintance has a professional title, you will learn it when introduced; if not, señor (male), señora (married female) and señorita (unmarried female) are appropriate. The title and the person's last name should be used until you are instructed otherwise. Note that it is typical for Spanish people to have two surnames, one from their father and one from their mother. The father's surname will be given first during the introduction, and that's the name that is used to address or speak of the person. Thus, "Señor Federico Garcia Lorca " would be addressed as "Señor Garcia."

Body Language

Conversations take place at close quarters, and polite conversational touching may be practiced. Even in some business environments it is common to greet and say goodbye to women by kissing them on both cheeks, but a man should allow the woman to initiate this.

Conversation

If you don't speak Spanish, try to learn at least a few phrases well. Spanish culture is always a good topic, as is Spanish literature if you are knowledgeable. Sports and travel are good topics. Do not criticize bullfighting should the topic arise. Be aware that, in many regards, Spain is still a country of regions: Many people will identify more strongly with their local area than with the country as a whole.

Siesta

Outside the large cities (and in some cases, even within cities), museums, shops and businesses shut down for the afternoon siesta, generally 1-4 pm. It's an opportunity to refresh and recharge yourself, as well as to avoid the hottest part of the day. If you must be out, wander quietly through residential streets during those hours.

topWhat to Wear

Spain is a conservative country. In the cities, people dress stylishly and neatly. It's best to save shorts for the beach, and wear skirts, cropped trousers, or lightweight slacks in towns and cities. Never wear shorts in a church. The summer sun is intense, so take a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to avoid overexposure. Take a light jacket or sweater with you for mornings and evenings in autumn and spring, and warmer clothes for the mountains or in the winter months. Above all, pack comfortable walking shoes.

topDriving in Spain

You must be 21 years or older to rent a car in Spain. An International Driving Permit is required.

Talking on a mobile phone is prohibited. Hands-free systems are OK.
Car radios and mobiles must be switched off when refueling.
Child car seats and seatbelts (front and back seat) are required.
Helmets must be worn when riding on motorbikes, mopeds, and bicycles.
Speed limits: 120km/h on motorways, 100km/h on main roads, 90 km/h on other roads and 50 km/h in urban areas.

topBringing Items Home

Spain's hams are a source of national pride; however, Spanish ham and other pork products are generally not allowed into most countries. In the past, customs officials have confiscated plastic-sealed jamón and chorizo bought in the airport’s duty free shop.

topPublic Holidays

Jan 1, New Year’s Day
Jan 6, Epiphany
Maundy Thursday (throughout Spain, except in Catalonia)
Good Friday
May 1, Workers’ Day
August 15, Feast of the Assumption
October 12, National Day
Monday following Constitution Day (Dec 6), except in Castile-Leon, Catalonia, Region of Valencia, Madrid, Navarre and Basque country
December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 25, Christmas Day