How to make your trip to Spain flawless!

Published June 12, 2023. Updated September 27, 2023.

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.

When preparing for your trip to Spain, and when packing for it, it’s important that you don’t forget anything. We in Spain Less Traveled know how problematic is to arrive in Spain and realize that you have forgotten back home an important document or an essential gadget. So we have prepared this Spain travel checklist, so you won’t forget anything important.

And of course, we are here to help. Have questions for Spain destination specialists? Need help planning your trip? Be sure to check out the professional Spain travel planning services we offer.

What documents do you need to travel to Spain?

Do I need a passport to travel to Spain?

The first thing on your Spain travel checklist should be to make sure you have the required documents to travel to and around Spain.

Make sure your passport is up to date with at least six months of validity after the last day of the trip. (Spain technically only requires three, but many airlines require six. They have the final say and can deny boarding, so a minimum of six is recommended.)

Travelers arriving on US passports currently do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days (in the whole Schengen area). If you are arriving from another country check with your local Spanish embassy or consulate.

During your trip, you’ll need to show your passport many times. For instance, by law, it will be photocopied when you check in to a hotel or an Airbnb. It will be asked for when you board a local flight or can be asked for when boarding a high-speed train. And when visiting some monuments, such as the Alhambra, you will need your original passport and the name and number will need to match the ticket.

Do I need an International driving permit in Spain?

If you plan to rent a car, make sure you have an International Driver Permit (IDP) as it is the law to drive in Spain on any non-EU-issued driver’s license. This can be obtained from most AAA branches in the United States and must be issued before you leave your country of origin. The cost is anywhere from $25-$36 depending on if you are a member of AAA and/or if you supply your own passport photos. The IDP is valid for one year.

The rental car company may not require it (more and more do), but if you get pulled over by the police there could be trouble without one. It is the law to have one.

This is something you will need to check off your Spain travel checklist before you leave your home country as the IDP can not be issued in Spain.

Money matters

Should I travel to Spain with cash or credit card?

Money is often a topic that comes up in our Travel Spain! community.

Spain uses the Euro (€).

Check the current exchange rates at xe.com. Credit cards are widely accepted (Visa or MasterCard), but it is a good idea to carry some cash too. ATMs generally give the best rates, but there are fees associated with using one for most US banks.

If you are a frequent international traveler, you may want to consider joining a credit union as many of them waive foreign ATM fees.

Be sure to call the bank(s) that issued your credit card(s) before you leave to alert them that you will be aboard. This is an important step on your Spain travel checklist.

Often, when you pay with a US-issued credit card you will have the option to pay in Euros or US Dollars. As long as your credit card has a good exchange rate, you should always choose the option to pay in Euros. Your credit card should get you a much better exchange rate from the vendor.

How can I exchange money in Spain?

You’ll find money exchange booths and offices at the airport, in the baggage claim area, and just after you exit it. You’ll also find those offices in the most touristy areas of these popular cities. Those offices are convenient but normally apply a very bad conversion rate and commissions.

We recommend using ATMs that are attached to banks. And call your bank at home to see if they have an agreement with any Spanish banks. Some do, and they offer lower fees for pulling out cash.

Pro-tip: Only use ATMs during the daytime and when the corresponding bank is open. That way, if the machine eats your card, you will be able to get help. Never use the ATMs not attached to a bank. Those are strictly for tourists, and the rates are outrageous.

Do I tip in Spain?

In restaurants, service is always included in the bill, but leaving a few euros in change as a tip is customary if the service was good. Tips can not be added to a credit card, so make sure to have some change to tip in cash. There is no set percentage, but anywhere from between 5-10% is sufficient. You do not need to tip at bars.

Tour guides should be tipped between 15-20€ per person, or 30-40€ (total) for a group of more than six people. And don’t forget to tip your guide if you are taking a free walking tour. Especially on the higher side if the tour was of value.

At hotels, it is always nice to leave a daily tip for housekeeping (3-5€ per day) and porters should get 1€ per bag.

It is customary to round up to the next Euro or two if you are paying for a taxi in cash. Many taxi apps allow for tipping. 5-10% is customary.

Tipping should always be done in cash.

Should I buy travel insurance for Spain?

Yes! Read on more about why:

What is the best travel and medical insurance for Spain?

Travel insurance is one of those things that no one wants to think about but really is necessary.

It is highly recommended to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy for your trip that includes “cancel for any reason” (CFAR). It is important to purchase insurance during the initial stages of trip planning.

There is a lot of fine print in each policy. Since these are important details to be aware of, including specific CFAR coverage limits, reach out to the insurance company before purchasing a policy to be sure it has adequate coverage based on your needs.

Also, it’s important that you check before the trip if your medical insurance is valid outside of your country. Many companies have agreements with local companies so you can access medical care in case of an emergency.

Be sure to add all of these important insurance items to your Spain travel checklist before you depart.

What if I have a European health card?

If you are resident in a European Union country, you can ask for a European health card at home. This card will give you easy access to the Spanish public health system.

Power and electricity

What adapters and converters do I need for a trip to Spain?

You will need an adapter to charge small electronics and most laptops in Spain (Spain uses Type C, Type E and Type F).

Can I bring my hair dryer to Spain?

For certain items, such as hair dryers, you will need a converter for it to adapt to Spain’s power system. But be warned that even with a converter, sometimes devices can blow out. Also, converters are normally too big and heavy to carry on your luggage. Most hotels above three stars have hair dryers in the room or available at the front desk.

Best advice: leave those things at home, and if you need one, buy one in Spain.

Add “getting data” to your Spain travel checklist

How do I get data on my phone in Spain?

If you want to have data on your phone (or device) while in Spain, there are a few options:

• Contact your carrier and add an international plan before you leave home. This is most convenient for shorter trips. It is not often the cheapest option.

• If you have an unlocked phone, you may want to consider purchasing a Spanish SIM card, especially if you are staying for more than a few weeks. You can buy these at the airport or in many shops in Spain. Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone are the biggest mobile providers in Spain (and their shops can set you up). This is the least expensive but will involve setting up the SIM card which can take some time in the shop. Be sure to bring your passport!

• If you are a resident of the European Union and have a phone with an EU company, there are no roaming charges when traveling through Europe, so you can use your phone as if you were at home.

Getting data on your phone requires a bit of preparation. If data is important to you, be sure to add investigating the best option to your Spain travel checklist.

Can I use maps and navigate without data in Spain?

Many map apps such as Google Maps allow you to download the maps for the cities or regions you’ll visit. It’s a good idea to do it before traveling so you can have all the information on your phone without using data. But keep in mind if the map needs to recalibrate, you may need data to get the new route.

How should I pack for my trip to Spain?

How to dress during your trip to Spain

Spain is a casual country in general. You will not need anything super dressy unless you are going to certain fancy restaurants.

You can wear shorts, sundresses, jeans- anything that you are comfortable with. Just leave the workout clothes and yoga pants for when you are actually working out or doing yoga. Otherwise, just about anything goes. And remember, good comfortable walking shoes are a must. You will most likely be doing a lot of walking.

When you enter a cathedral, church, or a religious site, be sure to cover your knees and shoulders. A light shawl works wonders for this.

Top packing tips for a trip to Spain

The general rule for packing is to pack as light as possible. Trust us, you will be much happier.

Hotel rooms are usually smaller than at home.  There are often steps on public transportation (even sometimes for high-speed trains).  Many streets in the historic centers are cobblestone. 

And for getting around Spain, you will be much happier with a lighter load. High-speed trains have little room for large suitcases, and you will be carrying your own bag(s) from the station entrance to the tracks.  Domestic flights (including inner-EU flights) have very strict luggage limits, especially on low-cost carriers. 

Bring things you can mix, match, and layer.  

Before you pack, you may want to make a list of things to pack to add to your Spain travel checklist.

What are Spain’s hours and opening times?

When you are planning your trip, it’s important you take into consideration the times in Spain. They can vary from the time schedule you are used to at home.

Spain’s daily hours

Spain is on Central European Time (CET). The Canary Islands are one hour behind.

Spain works on a unique schedule, working in time for “siesta,” which is basically a long lunch/rest period (historically) during the heat of the day. You will find that in small cities many shops, small museums, and businesses will be closed during this time, generally 2-5 pm (some opening even later, especially during the summer months).

Banks and post offices are open weekdays from 9 am-2 pm and sometimes have limited Saturday hours. They are all closed on Sundays.

You will find that some restaurants and museums are closed on Mondays (or in some cases Tuesdays or Wednesdays).

One of the most common Spain travel mistakes is not getting on Spain time.

What are the important holidays in Spain?

Outside of Madrid, many shops are closed on Sundays and holidays, including most supermarkets. In some areas, during summer months and right before the holidays, shops may be open on Sundays.

These are the national holidays, some may change from one Autonomous Region to another:

• January 1st: New Year’s Day

• January 6th: Three Kings Day

• Easter Friday (In late March or April)

• May 1st: Labor Day

• August 15th: Assumption of the Virgin

• October 12th: Spain’s National Holiday

• November 1st: All Saints Day

• December 6th: Constitution Day

• December 8th: Immaculate Conception Day

• December 25th: Christmas Day

Every Autonomous Region has its own two holidays, as well as every city. And each area has a wide array of festivals and special events.

When planning a trip to Spain, you may want to take some of these holidays into consideration.

Which languages are spoken in Spain?

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Spain, but there are also several regional languages including Catalan (which is the de facto language in Barcelona).

As well as Basque (San Sebastián and Bilbao)

… and Galician (Santiago and Vigo).

To a lesser extent, Valenciano is spoken in the Valencian region.

English is not as widely spoken in Spain as it is in some other parts of Europe. However, you should not encounter any major problems finding English speakers in larger cities. In the smaller towns (and places more off the beaten path) it is helpful to learn some key Spanish phrases.

What translation apps are recommended for my trip to Spain?

There are many translation apps you can download in your phone, such as Google Translate (It works especially well in a pinch for basic needs), iTranslate or TripLingo.

Setting expectations for a trip to Spain

Spain is different

Although Spain is a developed western-European country, it tends to work on its own time. This was true even before the pandemic and is very much the case now. 

You might notice that things will work slower. Places might not always be open when they say they will (even online).  Hours can be wonky. The services and amenities you are used to at home might be limited. Even websites of attractions, restaurants, shops, and walking tours might not list the correct hours.  Many small shops and restaurants are family-run and owned, and they may modify their hours at the last minute/close for a few days with little or no warning.  

Even the bigger attractions such as royal palaces and cathedrals can close for a few days at a time at the last minute. This often happens when there is a special event or members of the royal family in town.

Although the items on your Spain travel checklist can be ticked off, things may not always go 100% as planned. It is very important to know this going into it and to be flexible, patient, and kind as this is Spain’s way of doing things.

It’s all part of the adventure! You wouldn’t travel this far to have everything just as it is at home!

If you liked this… check out our other resources!

As you can see, a lot goes into planning a trip to Spain and your Spain travel checklist. There are ins and outs and best practices for how to visit and make the most of your time in the country. Let us help you customize your dream Spain trip based on your unique interests and timeframe. 

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