Spain Travel Essentials: What You Must Know and Do Before Your Journey 🛫📝💃
🆘 Emergency Numbers
Generical emergency: 112
Local Police: 092
National Police: 091
Ambulance: 061
Fire department: 080
🛂 VISA Requirements & Arrival
Do you need a VISA to enter Spain?
Check it in the link below before you book your flight.
⛅ Weather
Spain experiences different temperatures in its different parts, but the best overall time to visit is spring or autumn as the temperatures are hot enough to enjoy your time on the beaches and not too hot if you'd like to explore the cities.
Unless you want a full summer experience and just enjoy your cocktails near the pool or with a sea view.
💵 Currency and Payment Methods
Currency: The Euro - EUR - €
Cash is not nececarry in major cities, but always good to have if you would like to tip.
I use Revolut as a Travel Card and I didn't have any issues during my many trips to the different cities.
📱 Internet and SIM Cards
If you are travel from the EU, you will not need anything else as there free roaming within the EU. However, if you come from the UK or from other non EU countries, you will probably need to get data somehow.
I recommend you check what your plan includes and what your sim company offers before checking other options. But if you do need other options, there are so many nowadays.
Whatever option you choose, always remember to make sure it is compatible with your phone model.
ESim
eSims are very popular as you don't need to physically switch your sims and it is so easy to just activate/deactivate. A con is that you don't have access to phone calls, but if you don't need them I find it the best choice.
I used Airalo in the past for overseas trips. It was very easy to buy and activate it from the app.
Pocket Wifi
Another option is Pocket Wifi.
This is very convenient if you have multiple devices and you will not need to check if it is compatible with your devices.
Physical Sims
If you prefer having calls available or a more traditional option, you can get a sim at the airport or in some store. Here is an article if you'd like to know more.
🚈 Transportation
Transportation in Spain must not be the best in the world, but it is quite efficient compared to other countries in Europe,
Here below is my opinion from experience and a link that explains everything in more detail.
I've travelled between Malaga and Madrid with the AVE and it went smoothly, I actually would do it again.
I've used taxis only in Valencia, but I swear they were so cheap! As we were staying in the Marina area and it was a bit far from the city, we used it a lot and in two it was definitely worth it compared to the time spent with the metro or buses.
In Malaga, we've rented the car with an agency, but can't remember which one, but honestly, they are all kind of the same as usual. We also used the rental scooter from the app and even though it was more expensive than metros and buses, it was worth the time saved along with some fun.
Also used trains to travel near different cities around and they were quite good and clean. And the same goes for the buses in the cities.
The metro in Madrid was the best one, but the ones in Malaga and Valencia were good too. There is an internet connection (if you come from London like me you know), even when busy they weren't crazy busy and it was on time, but not so often tough.
🔌 Sockets Voltage and Types
Power plug sockets: Type C & F
Standard voltage: 230V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Check your electronics before hands, usually cameras, phones, powerbanks, tablet and similar all have "100-240V" and "50-60Hz" market which mean they are safe to use over there as well.
Things that require more energy like laptop chargers and hair dryers usually are not suitable and you must buy a converter rather than a simple adaptor.
If you need a simple adaptor, I strongly recommend this one. Me and my partner used it in Japan, the UK and Spain and with all its ports, it was enough for all our appliances.
📌 Personal tips
Wherever you come from, you will always get some cultural shocks while travelling. The question is which ones you will get in Spain?
Well, it depends on where you come from. From my personal experience, here are the ones I noticed.
⏰ They start their day much later than usual and their hours are all more 'late' compared to what you might be used to. It is normal to have breakfast at 10 am, lunch at 3 pm and dinner at 10 pm and then walk their dogs around midnight, especially in summer when it's more chilling than daytime.
🥘 They either eat very small portions, like tapas, or gigant portions that could easily be a serving for two. No half away and you need to accept.
Also if Italy is all about bread and pasta, Spain is about bread and rice. Paella, boccadillos, piquitos, and so many dishes. They either have bread and rice as a mean thing or as a side, but they are essential.
🌅 It's not only beaches! Yes, if you go to the islands or the coast, you will find beautiful beaches and you will have an incredible time there. However, you can also find so much art, architecture, natural experiences and spirituality too. For example the Santiago path or Sierra Nevada where you can even ski, or the beautiful landscapes in Galizia. Spain has different environments and you will only need to understand what you are looking for and pick the perfect ones for you.
🗣️ Even if you speak Spanish, every dialect is different and you might not understand what they are saying. If you do not speak Spanish, well, good luck as locals are not fluent and only in tourist places you will find English speakers.
🏖️ Free the nipple is a vibe on Spanish beaches and you will see even the elderly in topless. Be respectful and do not stare at people. They are used to topless and you should be ready for it.
💤 Siesta is a real thing here! It is not only for people at home and not working but also for businesses. So I highly suggest checking shops, restaurants and businesses opening hours to avoid finding them closed.
If you need help booking your trip to Spain, book a consultation call and ask me anything 💃
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