What should I know before traveling to Spain?

It may be a good idea to speak some Spanish

Although many Spaniards speak English, it’s not as common as other European languages. Knowing a few Spanish phrases is a great idea to have before you arrive. ?”Donde esta?” “Where is …?”)?” could be very helpful when searching for an address. While simple greetings ( Hola, Buenos Dias) or pleasantries ( Gracias), are always appreciated by locals.

People eat late

Spaniards in Spain eat late. Lunch is at 2pm, and dinner is at 9pm or 10pm. Most restaurants won’t open until 8pm, or later in the evenings. This means you will need to adjust your meal times. Tapas are usually available throughout the day so you won’t feel hungry.

Public transport IS your friend!

It is easy to travel around Spain with the extensive public transport network. There are many options for getting around Spain. These include national budget airlines such as Vueling or Iberia Express, the extensive and cheap railway network, and the Renfe train network.The metro and buses can be used to get around cities. You can also buy day- or weekly tickets.

Siesta is a real thing

Although the siesta is a part of Spanish culture that everyone envies, it’s not what most people think. Although most shops and businesses close between 2 and 4 pm, that doesn’t necessarily mean people sleep. They go home most of the time to have lunch with their families.

Patience is a virtue

Public transport may be on time, but everything else takes its sweet time! Although official things will start on time, if you have invited friends to a party or arranged to meet up, you might be the first to arrive. It is possible that events will take a while to start so pack your patience and your swimsuit.

Beware of pickpockets!

Pickpockets are notorious in Spain’s big cities, particularly Madrid and Barcelona. They often pickpocket tourists who are walking or riding on the metro. You can take extra care of your money by wearing a money belt, or making sure that your purse is zip-secured and oriented towards your body. Be alert in crowds and don’t let it be obvious that you are a tourist.

Drink the tap water

Even in large cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, tap water is safe to consume (in Madrid it comes from the Guadarrama mountain range). So don’t worry about buying expensive bottles of water to stay hydrated.

Don’t travel in August

August is not the best month to visit Spain. The majority of Spain is on vacation in August, and many businesses close, including cafes and restaurants, to enjoy the beaches or countryside. While major tourist attractions will remain open, you can visit the country’s smaller towns and villages by choosing a different month. August is also Spain’s hottest month. It’s not the best weather for sightseeing and walking, as cities like Granada and Seville regularly experience temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

These are our suggestions on things you should keep in mind when traveling to Spain! Let us know whether it was as helpful as we designed it to be.