Guide to Spain

Weather in Spain

Spain has the privilege of being an all-year-round holiday destination, owing to its huge variety of activities and its warm climate. Peak season starts in June and the very high temperatures last until August. Spain is particularly pleasant in the months immediately before and after this season, with warm temperatures in April and May, and September through even to early November.   

The country can be split into three main climate zones:

The Mediterranean climate zone: dominant in the peninsula, characterised by dry, warm summers

The semiarid climate zone: in the southeast of the country, especially in the region of Murcia and in the Ebro valley. The dry season here extends beyond the summer into the early autumn months. Good for off-peak holidays.

The oceanic climate zone: the north of the country, especially in the region of Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria and some of Galicia. Winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean, and there is no seasonal drought.

Note: Temperatures in high summer in Spain can reach very high levels, particularly in the South and it is advisable to come equipped and suitably prepared. The high temperatures in some regions can pose a risk (in July and August, for instance, Madrid is virtually deserted as it gets unpleasantly hot and humid) so don’t forget your sunscreen, take a bottle of water with you when you are out and a wide-brimmed hat, and avoid the heat at midday when the sun is at its strongest.
 

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Visa Requirements for Spain

Spain is a Schengen country; please refer to Schengen Visa information.

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Health in Spain

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Spain Currency

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Best Time to Visit Spain

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Security in Spain

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What to Take to Spain

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Trains in Spain

Spain boasts the most extensive high-speed rail network in all of Europe, and comes second in the world only to China. High speed services based on the system in France now link the main cities of Malaga, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Valladolid. The high speed service also boasts the second best punctuality record after the Japanese bullet train (Shinkansen) and extensive plans are underway to extend the network over the next decade in order to link the majority of Spain’s provincial cities to Madrid with a travel time of no more than 3 hours, and to Barcelona with a travel time of no more than 4 hours.

The highest speed trains are called AVE, which stands for Alta Velocidad Español, whilst the high speed service connecting Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante is the Euromed. Ticket reservations are necessary to travel on any train other than Regional Exprés or Cercanías (suburban train).

There are a number of different rail passes available for use on Spanish trains, including the two-country France‘n’Spain Pass and Spain‘n’Portugal Rail Pass. The Spain FlexiPass offers 3 days’ unlimited train travel in any 2 month period, and EuRail passes are also accepted.

Most rail tickets can be booked online in advance of travel.

The Spanish rail system is state run by RENFE. An English language version of their website, with maps, timetables and ticket information, is available here.
 

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Spain Flights

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Spain Tours

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Buses in Spain

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Driving in Spain

Spain has a largely centralised road system which connects most of the larger cities. There are six main motorways, which connect Madrid to the Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencia, West Andalusia, Extremadura and Galicia. There is also a motorway service along Spain’s Atlantic coast, from Ferrol to Vigo, along the Cantabrian coast from Oviedo to San Sebastian and along the Mediterranean coast from Girona to Cádiz.

Spain has a rigid and strictly monitored traffic and road system and it is essential to be familiar with some basic rules and regulations if you will be driving through Spain, with your own or with a rented car (a rental car is a great way of travelling through a region on a driving holiday in order to get the most out of the variety of destinations, and rental vehicles can be hired in Spain relatively cheaply. It is also possible to book a rental car ahead of travelling in order to find the best deal).

Items to be carried with you at all times when driving in Spain

Driver’s license (permiso de conducer)
Insurance documents (Poliza de Seguro)
Ownership documents (or appropriate rental documents)
A spare pair of glasses if the driver wears glasses
Fluorescent jacket (for all occupants)*
Two warning triangles
Fire extinguisher (recommended)
First-aid kit (recommended)

Types of road in Spain

Spanish road names that begin with an ‘AP’ are toll roads. These are normally less crowded than the non-paying roads which often run parallel but which often have the advantage of picturesque views out over the passing landscape. Apart from the six main highways, most of the country is served by the smaller 'N' roads. These vary in design and speed limits so watch out for signs. Some ‘N’ roads feature traffic lights, others operate in much the same way as motorways.

Authorities

There are two types of law enforcement agency in operation on Spain’s roads. The local police (Policia Local) are responsible for traffic control in and around the municipal boundaries of each town or city. They are also responsible for dealing with petty crime and low level law enforcement. The Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) have patrol units that monitor the country’s open roads and motorways and are notoriously stringent on regulations. Their vehicles are usually white with green bonnets bearing the insignia of their official coat of arms.
 

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Boats in Spain

There is a regular ferry service to mainland Spain from:

The UK (Plymouth Harbour: Brittany Ferries to Santander)
Ferries depart from Milbay Docks. A car ferry service runs twice a week from mid-March to mid-November. An additional service runs from Portsmouth Harbour to Bilbao: P&O Ferries)

Algeria (Alicante to Oran/Almeria to Ghazaouet: Acciona Transmediterranea)
Ferries depart daily at 7pm and take 13 hours from Alicante, and from Almeria they depart at midnight and take eight hours to reach Ghazaouet

The Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife/Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Cadiz: Acciona Transmediterraneacar)
The Santa Cruz ferry leaves at 5pm and the Las Palmas ferry leaves at 2pm every Saturday. Total journey time is 48 hours

Italy (Genoa to Barcelona/Vivitavecchia to Barcelona)
Ferries run from three to six times a week depending on the season

Morocco (Tangier/Al Hoceima/Nador/Ceuta/Melilla to Almeria, Malaga, Algeciras, Gibraltar and Tarifa)

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Crossing Boarders in Spain

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