Top Tips for Travelling in Spain

Planning a trip to Spain? Culture Trip has the lowdown on everything you need to know
Planning a trip to Spain? Culture Trip has the lowdown on everything you need to know | Willian Justen de Vasconcellos / Unsplash
Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

Dreaming of tapas, sangria and seemingly endless sunshine? Here are all the travel tips you need ahead of a vacation in Spain.

Plan your itinerary

This might seem obvious, but many tourists who visit Spain do as little planning as is possible ahead of flying out. That’s because a lot of them don’t even leave their squeaky clean beach resort, and those who do often don’t stray further than their city or island destination of choice. This is one of Europe’s largest countries, though, with a diverse range of regional cultures, natural landscapes and culinary highlights. Spend a bit of time thinking about what you want. Lots of history, culture and nightlife? Madrid and Barcelona. A tantalising foodie escape? Try San Sebastian and Bilbao in the Basque Country. Guaranteed summer sun and dreamy coastlines? You can’t really go wrong with the south coast, Balearic or Canary Islands.

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Of course a proper Spanish adventure should take in multiple regions of this beautiful country. We recommend broadening your horizons and trying to combine multiple destinations into one trip. It’ll give you a far greater insight into Spain as a nation, and it means you can sample even more tapas delights. You just need to do a little planning first!

Logistics not your forte? That’s where Culture Trip steps in with our carefully curated selection of small-group trips. Our Travel Experts know their stuff, whether it’s which bucket-list sights are worth seeing, hidden gems you haven’t even heard of, or simply the best way to get from A to B (to C to D). From Spain to Japan, Costa Rica to Morocco, we have immersive, authentic travel itineraries that take the boring stuff off of your plate. All you need to do is book the flights and show up!

Travel by train

There’s no excuses for not seeing multiple regions and cities in one trip, since Spain has one of the most extensive high-speed rail networks in all of Europe, connecting vastly spread out major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Malaga with comfortable, punctual and well-catered 300 km/h (186 mph) trains. Standard regional trains are reliable as well, and if you book either in advance then it shouldn’t cost too much.

You can also purchase a Renfe Spain Pass – Renfe is the national railway company, so it’s valid on both regional networks and high-speed AVE trains. The standard tourist pass can include up to 10 journeys within a month. Prices vary.

Our Travel Experts took advantage of Spain’s awesome rail network to create our Magical Madrid to Marrakech by Train itinerary. It’s a continent-crossing odyssey that charts the cultural, historical and culinary evolution from the heartlands of Iberia to the gateway to North Africa. The Spanish half of the trip starts in Madrid, before heading south to the extraordinary historic city of Córdoba and the fiery home of flamenco dancing, Seville.

Embrace the local schedule

For Western travellers the biggest cultural difference in Spain by a distance is their approach to the day. Summers can get super hot, so you can understand why Spaniards have developed the habit of doing everything a little later, lunching at around 2-3pm and not sitting down for dinner until 9pm at the earliest. Be wary of opening times, particularly of food establishments, many of which close for a few hours in the afternoon. Adjusting your routine to the local schedule will not only immerse you deeper into the Spanish way of life, but it also ensures that you align yourself with local businesses, meaning you can make the most of the country’s incredible range of restaurants, bars and cafes.

Don’t forget our favourite Spanish concept, either. The siesta, a mid-afternoon break, is still a commonly observed time to rest and relax. This is when many businesses close for a few hours. You can either join in with a nap or some sunbathing, or you can take advantage of this afternoon lull to explore cities when they’re a little quieter.

Even the cats in Spain embrace the siesta spirit

Be aware of regional differences

Spain is a far more diverse country than many people realise, and each region has its own distinct identity. Many people in Catalunya or the Basque Country don’t even see themselves as Spanish. This means that wherever you travel in Spain, you’re likely to come across different dialects, customs and traditions, as well as cuisines. Do put a bit of effort into researching the area you’re visiting and, if you can throw in the odd Catalan thank you or Basque hello (when in the relevant region, of course), you will be embraced with a warm and appreciative welcome from the locals.

Packing tips for Spain

Always check the weather ahead of your trip to Spain, especially if you’re travelling outside of summer season. The north tends to be a lot cooler and breezier compared to the sweltering south. Generally, though, you’ll be wanting to stick to light, breathable clothing. A sturdy pair of shoes are essential. The cities are pedestrianised and very walkable, so expect your daily step count to rack up. Spain is also an incredible hiking destination, so you won’t regret packing some hiking boots if you hit the countryside.

There’s the obvious stuff like suncream, a hat and sunglasses, adapter plugs and chargers. You can stick to paying with card in most places if that’s your preference, but do pack some Euros, especially if you’re visiting smaller towns and more rural regions. If you’re going anywhere near the sea, don’t forget to pack your swimwear! Even a city breaks in Spain can include lots of time on the beach.

Travel with Culture Trip!

We just have to say it – the best way to fully immerse yourself in a destination is always with Culture Trip! Not only are our trips highly curated by seasoned pros, they’re also led by on-the-ground Local Insiders. They’ll be your group’s private guide throughout the trip, offering priceless cultural insights and local tapas recommendations, as well as taking care of all the logistics.

At the time of writing our only itinerary in Spain is the Magical Madrid to Marrakech by Train trip. Half of this 12-day epic is spent travelling through Spain’s historic heartlands, from the imposing capital city to the extraordinary Córdoba – the best place to understand Spain’s truly multicultural history – and Seville, one of our favourite cities in Europe, teeming with incredible food, unique architecture and must-see flamenco shows. You’ll even get to hop over into Africa for the second half of the trip, exploring Tangiers, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech thanks to the majesty of the locomotive.

Read the full itinerary of our Magical Madrid to Marrakech by Train trip or keep an eye on our Spain hub for brand new Spanish trips coming soon…

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

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WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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