Common Spain travel mistakes-
and how to avoid them!
Originally published September 20, 2022. Updated September 26th 2023
All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.
Bilbao.
We are Spain travel specialists and we’ve seen all of these mistakes
We all know that Spain is the perfect country for travelers. Its history, culture(s), art, architecture, food, wine are amazing and something to experience firsthand. And above all, the warm, friendly, and welcoming nature of the Spaniards themselves is something travelers remember for years to come.
But there are a lot of misconceptions about Spain, and many of these misconceptions translate into mistakes travelers to Spain make. But don’t worry! Here at Spain Less Traveled, we are happy to share some of these Spanish travel errors, and more importantly, how not to make them.
Check these out! And if you want us to personally help you plan. your dream trip to Spain, be sure to check out the varying levels of Spain travel planning services that we offer.
What are some of the most common Spain travel mistakes?
Too many places, too little time
Spain is full of beautiful and amazing places. You are not going to see it all in one trip.
Many people don’t realize this, Spain is really big! In land area, it is the second largest country in the European Union, roughly size of the State of Texas. Aside from the mainland, there are also two distinct chains of islands, one in the middle of the Mediterranean and one off the African coast in the Atlantic Ocean. Not only that, but within this large area, there are so many sights, cities, small towns, beautiful beaches, and spectacular nature packed in.
In other words, you are not going to see it all in just a few weeks. So many travelers try to pack way too much into a short trip, transversing regions, visiting cities in all parts of the country. Doing this, they usually only have a day or so in each place, including large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, that offer so much.
And instead of really taking it in, they end up seeing more trains, airplanes, train stations, and airports than actually exploring Spain!
Don’t do this.
Instead go for the “less is more” approach to Spain travel itinerary planning. Consider regional trips instead of all encompassing trips. Andalucía, the Madrid area, Cataluña, and more are all great destinations for a week or two. You can get much more in-depth without wasting time going all over the place.
Even for “highlights of Spain” trips think of places that link together well instead of zigzagging across the country (we will discuss more on that below).
Common Spain travel mistakes: what is a day trip and what a day trip is not
Cuenca is a great day trip from Madrid.
“Day trip” is a current buzz word in the travel industry. In essence that means taking a side trip to another town or city from your base city. Let us make this clear: we at Spain Less Traveled love adding day trips to client itineraries. Day trips are a great way to see something different without having to constantly move around and relocate.
But day trips can be a double-edged sword if not well thought out.
There are some cities that should just never be day trips from anywhere such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. These cities just have too much to see.
And there are some places such as Córdoba or Granada that are often included, but only as day trips from elsewhere. We strongly believe that these cities should be destinations within themselves, and not just day trips.
With just a few hours in a place you really only scratch the surface and miss so much of the essence.
Then there are impractical day trips. We’ve seen or heard about all of these:
San Sebastián or the Balearic Islands from Barcelona (way too far)
Cádiz from Málaga (you will waste half your day in transit)
And even the Algarve in Portugal from Seville (why? Just why?)
Then there are the Moroccan day trips, which, in our opinion are never a good idea. Morocco, like Spain, deserves a trip of its own. Getting there from most parts of Spain for just a day is a hassle. And arguably, Tangier, where the ferry goes, does not represent the best of Morocco.
Here are just a few of our favorite day trips:
Madrid to Cuenca in Castilla-La Mancha (We’ve listed some of the other best day trips from Madrid!)
Barcelona to Girona…
(And some of our other favorite Barcelona day trips!)
Seville to Jerez de la Frontera (if well thought-out and planned, as Jerez requires planning)
Málaga to Antequera…
(And some of our other top Málaga day trips)
Bilbao or San Sebastián to the Basque Coast.
Valencia to Xàtiva or Peñíscola (hint, you can visit one of the best castles in Spain!)
There are many more. These are just an example!
Paella in Seville, flamenco in Barcelona
Flamenco Tablao in Granada, Spain, one of the top places to see flamenco in Spain!
As we’ve noted above, Spain is a very large country.
It is also regionally-based, with just about every area of Spain different from the others. Spain does not have a singular culture. It has loads of cultures. And while Spanish is the official language of the country, in some areas, such as parts of Valencia, Cataluña, Galicia, and Basque Country (just to name a few) you might hear other languages spoken (sometimes even more than Spanish)
Not only that, but the culture, customs, gastronomy and more varies so much across the regions of Spain.
See, eat, and do things in the region they came from. Order paella in Valencia or Alicante, not in Bilbao. Don’t see flamenco in Barcelona (unless there is a flamenco festival or special performance at the beautiful Palau de la Música). See it somewhere in Andalucía such as Seville or Granada.
Plan wisely. Try to design a Spain travel itinerary that takes in a local festival for a deeper look into the culture of the area you are visiting.
Pay attention to the regional differences of Spain, and plan activities that are unique to the area you’re in. That way, you will truly sample some of the best food in Spain and even the world!
Putting together a trip that does not make logistical sense
Spain’s train system is great, but knowing how to string it together in an order that makes sense is essential!
We touched on this above, but due to the way Spain’s network of roads and public transportation is set up, it is essential to plan smart Spain travel itineraries that make logical sense. This is also why our Spain travel itinerary services are so popular, because it is very important to get this right.
Going back and forth across the country during a trip eats up so much time. Even itineraries along routes that look like they should be well-connected at first glance can quickly turn into travel planning nightmares. Sometimes you realize there is not a direct train, or any reliable transport between point A and point B, and your “few hours of travel time” quickly turns into an all-day event. And that eats more time out of your itinerary, making it one of the worst Spain travel mistakes.
Instead look closely at official train and bus schedules (note: “Rome2Rio” and similar sites are far from reliable) to determine a plan that is most logical. And if you need help untangling this all, schedule a Spain travel consultation call with us so we can help you figure this out.
Not thinking about what YOU want to get out of your trip to Spain
Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path to places like Cabo de Gata in Almería province. With a little legwork and planning, you can make it happen!
We can’t tell you how many clients have come with a plan to hit certain cities or places because they are popular and “must-sees.”
Some of our first questions when we start with a new client is “what do YOU want to get out of your trip?” and “What kinds of things do you want to see and do in Spain based on your interests?” Then we can determine what places in Spain we recommend based on personalized factors.
Where travelers think they should go, based on the opinions of others and where travelers should actually go based on their interests are usually two very different things.
Bloggers, Facebook groups, Instagrammers, friends and family who have previously traveled to Spain all have a million of opinions on where to visit. But it is up to you to take that and do the homework and the research to figure out what is right for you. We love our Travel Spain! community and it is a great resource. But we are often reminding our 30,000+ members that these are all just opinions and they do not replace doing your own research and working with a professional travel planner to design YOUR perfect trip.
Maybe you want to go hiking the Picos de Europa in Asturias!
Or maybe you’d prefer a roadtrip to discover Andalucía’s hidden gems!
Perhaps the capital of Cantabria, Santander’s up-and-coming art scene is calling you.
Or your dream trip to Spain might include time in Cabo de Gata, the wild side of the Mediterranean.
Maybe you want to head to Jaén province and sample some of the best olive oil in the world.
or perhaps the historic cities of Castilla y León resonate with you.
Spain has it all! If you are have a specific interest such as staying in a castle,
Spain’s rich Jewish history.
Or having an outdoor adventure, you will want to make sure your Spain travel itinerary includes it.
Don’t just follow the crowds. Think about why you are coming to Spain and what you want to get out of it. Personalize the perfect trip for YOU! (…or even better, let us help!)
Overpacking
You will be so much happier if you have less stuff to lug around.
Europeans have always traveled differently, lighter. Because of this, even a lot of Spain’s top notch travel infrastructure is not set up to accommodate large bags and heavy loads.
Here are just a few reasons why overpacking is a very frustrating Spain travel mistake:
Spain has many narrow streets with even narrower sidewalks that can not accommodate large suitcases.
Even if you take the high-speed trains, you will be hauling your stuff (at minimum) from where you are dropped off at the station all the way down to the tracks.
Space on trains is often very limited, and there is not always rack space. In some cases, you will need to be able to easily lift your bag(s) to the rack on top of your seat.
Some stations do not have escalators or elevators, and these can be out of order.
Even if you opt to take a taxi everywhere, many streets are pedestrian only, meaning you will need to carry your luggage from the nearest drop-off point to the entrance.
Some hotels and many Airbnbs do not have an elevator. Even those that do will often have several steps to get to the elevator.
Domestic flights have very strict luggage limits, including carry-ons.
As you can see, overpacking can make getting around Spain a nightmare.
Instead, pack smartly, wearing outfits that you can mix, match, and layer. And remember, many travelers do laundry in Spain. You don’t need to bring a different outfit for every day! The lighter your load, the happier you will feel, and the easier it will be to travel in Spain.
And if you can get it all down to carry-on only, your luggage will arrive with you, and you can get out of the airport much quicker!
Not booking anything in advance
The Alhambra of Granada is one of those monuments you should book in advance.
Spain has some incredibly impressive monuments. These are world-class, often designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and many people want to visit them for a reason. Therefore, things can sell out.
There is nothing more disappointing than arriving in a place like Granada and realizing that you will not be able to visit the Alhambra because it is all sold out. Or going to Barcelona and missing out on Gaudí’s awe-inspiring la Sagrada Familia because there are no tickets available.
Booking major monuments in advance is key. And knowing which days and even times of the day are best, so you can really plan the perfect visit to these special places, is important as well (another thing Spain Less Traveled can advise on!)
The same goes for trains to get the best selection and pricing as well as hotels. Travel is back, and it is back with a vengeance. Things are selling out in advance more than ever. Don’t make the common mistake that travelers to Spain make and not book anything. Trust us, you want to see these monuments!
But leaving no room for flexibility
But at the same time, give yourself time to get lost and wander.
But on the flip side, over planning can be a Spain travel mistake too.
Planning a day down to the minute. Booking several back to back to back attractions, tours and museums without a moment to breathe. Doing a day trip every day you are in a city so you have no time to actually enjoy your base city
Part of the beauty of Spain is to chill out and take it all in. A long lunch at a beautiful outdoor restaurant, a lingered coffee or drink while watching the world go by, like the Spaniards do. Wandering around these beautiful cities with flexibility to explore and discover your own hidden gems. This is all an intrinsic part of traveling in Spain and is in essence what makes Spain, well Spain.
Enjoy where you are. Wander, explore, and get lost! Flexibility and free time is a must!
You may think this is funny coming from a professional travel planning company, but we always leave room in our clients’ personalized Spain travel itineraries to explore, get lost, and just take it all in.
Not adjusting to Spanish time: one of the biggest Spain travel mistakes
Make sure to adjust to Spanish time, in particular mealtimes, so you can sample Spain’s best food and wine!
Mealtimes are, unfortunately, one of the hardest things about traveling in Spain to adapt to. But ignoring Spain’s set mealtimes is a big Spain travel mistake that can easily result in eating subpar food.
Spain is a country full of delicious food. It is a foodie’s paradise and no trip to Spain is complete without sampling some of Spain’s signature dishes. But Spain is also a country that takes its mealtimes seriously, and most restaurants, especially the best ones that locals go to, are not open outside of standard mealtimes.
The biggest issue that most travelers face is that Spain eats dinner late. But it is important to hold out so you can truly eat well here. Don’t forget to have a small merienda, a light snack at around five in the afternoon, to hold you over for that late dinner!
Similarly, but not food related, not adjusting to the timeframe in which Spain works is also one of the common mistakes travelers to Spain make. Again, this often leads to frustration. Not everything is instant. Things tend to take longer here in general. And many historical sites and museums, especially smaller ones, observe Spanish hours, often closing in the afternoon or only being open a few days a week. Unfortunately, the internet is not always a reliable resource for this as things change and employees often neglect to update the hours online (if they even have an online presence).
Just going with the flow and accepting it is important “Spanish time” is a real thing!
Buzzwords and stereotypes
A tinto de verano and some free snacks that came with it. This is more authentically Spain than “sangria” and “free tapas.”
Probably there are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions about Spain from your home country. But one of the biggest mistakes that Spain travelers make is not traveling mindfully. Try to see past these cliches and dig deeper.
Let’s start with two of Spain’s buzzwords: (free) tapas and sangria.
The “free tapa” is really only a thing in certain cities. It’s very rare that you will get enough “free tapas” to make a meal out of it. Often all you get with a drink is a small dish of olives, potato chips, or Spanish-style cocktail mix. That’s if you get anything at all. There are plenty of bars that do not give any sort of snack with their drinks.
Expecting to get a free meal with every drink ordered is unrealistic and will lead to “hanger” and disappointment.
Keep in mind that a “tapa” can be just about anything from a few patatas bravas to a small plate of jamón and more! Tapas can be just about anything. They are simply small portions of food. There is also much more to Spanish cuisine than tapas.
Then there is sangria, which these days is mostly marketed to tourists. Instead, order a tinto de verano. You will love it! And pay a fraction of the price for one in a local bar instead of a sangria in a tourist bar.
Spain is not all free tapas, sangria, bulls, flamenco, and “olé!” - look past the stereotypes. Dig deep. And embrace the beautiful culture(s) of Spain!
Extra help to avoid these Spain travel mistakes
So there you have it!
Some of the top Spain travel mistakes, but more importantly how to avoid them.
Let us help you customize your dream Spain trip based on your unique interests and timeframe.
We offer several levels of professional Spain traveling planning services. Spain Less Traveled can work with all different types of travelers and travel planners, from those who want our full support throughout the entire travel planning process to those who simply need to talk with a Spain destination specialist to assist with specific aspects of travel planning.
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