Spain Travel Guide and Tips

What Visa Do I Need to Travel to Spain?

U.S. citizens are permitted to travel to Spain without a visa. The United States and many other countries can visit Spain for 90 days without requiring a visa. In addition, residence visas, work visas, and student visas are available at Spanish embassies throughout the U.S.

What Kind of Currency Do They Use in Spain?

As a European Union country, Spain uses the euro as currency. Therefore, the symbol € represents the euro. Denominations of euro banknotes include €5, €10, €20, €50, and €100. Travelers looking for up-to-date exchange rates for the euro and U.S. dollar are available online.

Spain Time Zones Compared to U.S.

Time Zones You can easily find out the time in Spain compared to various U.S. time zones by using this online converter: Time Difference.

Can U.S Citizens Travel to Spain Without Needing Vaccinations?

Currently, U.S. citizens traveling to Spain from the U.S. must show documentation proving they have been vaccinated against COVID19 or have recently tested negative for COVID-19. Alternatively, travelers can provide a recovery certificate upon arriving in Spain. You can learn more about recovery certificates here.

Children under 12 years of age entering Spain do not need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result.

When is the Best Time to Travel To Spain?

The weather in Spain is cool (40 to 50 degrees F.) for three months out of the year — December, January, and February. However, this is the best time to go skiing in the Catalonian Pyrenees, the Penibetico Mountains, and the Central Mountains. It’s also the least crowded and cheapest time to visit Spain.

The peak tourist season for Spain is the summer months. As a result, it may be more difficult to find desired flights to Spain and accommodations located near the best places in Spain to travel. If you want to enjoy the best beaches in Spain, vibrant nightlife, and sunny, hot days, make sure you plan well ahead for your summer trip by booking your flight, reserving hotel rooms, and getting travel insurance for Spain.

Five Fascinating Cities in Spain to Visit

Marbella, Spain

Marbella is a popular tourist attraction on the Mediterranean Sea because of its cultural events, museums, and archaeological sites.

Salamanca, Spain

Situated by the Tormes River and surrounded by rolling hills, Salamanca’s Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cartagena, Spain

If you love beaches, Cartagena is the place to visit. It has the most “Q for Quality” certified beaches in Spain (Levante, Barco Perdido, Playa Honda, etc). In addition, the El Portus beach is next to a nudist camping site, so it is acceptable to swim nude on this particular beach.

Murcia, Spain

Famous for its gorgeous landscapes, Murcia’s tourists flock to the Parque Regional de Carrascoy y el Valle natural park, the Carrasco pine tree grove, and the southern semi-steppe area.

Madrid, Spain

Madrid is known for its bullfighting, cultural centers, shopping, and five-star restaurants, the most popular city in Spain for tourists to visit. Learn more about things to see and do in Madrid here.

How Safe Is It for Tourists in Spain?

Generally, Spain is just as safe to visit as any other European Union country. However, here are the most recommended safety tips for Americans traveling to Spain:

Always keep your passport, credit cards, money, and identification on your person. Consider making digitalized copies of your passport, IDs, and birth certificate and storing them on a USB file.
Never accept assistance of any kind from unknown individuals.
Never leave valuables in your hotel room when you are not in the room.
Never leave luggage, wallets, or purses unattended. Make sure you keep these items in sight at all times. In addition, the U.S. Department of State recommends leaving passports or other important ID documents in a hotel safe or lockbox.
Crimes can be reported to the local police by calling 112. U.S. tourists may also contact the U.S. Embassy in Spain at (34) 91-587-2200. Be aware that local law enforcement is primarily responsible for criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Do You Need Travel Insurance While Visiting Spain?

Planning an overseas vacation to Spain, France, the UK, or any other country will likely be one of your more exciting ventures. But, unfortunately, eagerly anticipating seeing and doing fabulous things that most people don’t get to can sometimes make you forget about the possibility of experiencing a calamity.

Never assume the unexpected can’t happen — your airline cancels the flight, you arrive in Spain without your luggage, you become ill while visiting Spain, or you are injured seriously enough to require medical evacuation. And, what happens if you receive an emergency phone call from a relative back home? Did you know that booking a same-day flight back to the U.S. can be three or four times more expensive than a planned, scheduled ticket costs?

The best way to have peace of mind once you arrive in Spain and prepare to enjoy the trip of a lifetime is to obtain travel insurance from Aegis Travel Insurance. With our comprehensive travel insurance, you never have to worry about not having enough money to take care of problems like lost luggage, illness, or the need to return home ASAP.