Spain
Everything you need to plan a great trip — from Gaudí's Barcelona to the Alhambra's Moorish courtyards — without the guesswork.
Spain rewards a trip that mixes regions: 10 days minimum, 12–16 days ideal. Combine Madrid (3 days), Andalusia's Seville and Granada (2–3 days each), and Barcelona (3–4 days), connected by high-speed AVE trains. Best months are April–June and September–October (warm, thinner crowds than summer). US/UK/Canadian/Australian/NZ passports currently enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ETIAS is targeted for Q4 2026 but not yet required as of mid-2026. Budget from $70/day backpacking, $150–250/day mid-range.
Spain has a habit of over-delivering relative to expectations — most people go in thinking 'sun, tapas, maybe some flamenco' and come out having also fallen for Gaudí's genuinely unlike-anything-else architecture, one of the world's great art museum collections, and a Moorish palace that quietly out-impresses half of Europe's more famous castles. It's also a big country with real regional differences — Catalonia, Castile, and Andalusia don't just look different, they eat, talk, and party on different schedules.
This guide covers everything: where to go, how many days each city actually needs, when to fly, what it costs in USD and euros, and the entry rules for your specific passport — including the incoming ETIAS system most other guides haven't caught up on yet. Written to be genuinely useful, and updated through the season.
Destinations
All Destinations ←
Madrid
3 days, stay near Sol or Malasaña — Spain's capital doesn't need convincing.
Barcelona
3–4 days, book Gaudí tickets early, and don't sleep on the beach.
Seville
2–3 days, real flamenco, and orange trees on every street.
Granada
2 days, book the Alhambra early, and let your tapas come free with the drinks.
Valencia
2–3 days, futuristic architecture, and the actual birthplace of paella.
San Sebastián
2–3 days, a shell-shaped beach, and more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere on Earth.
Attractions
All Attractions ←
Spain's Best Attractions
What genuinely earns its place — and how far ahead you need to book it.
Sagrada Família
Gaudí's basilica — now with all 18 towers finally standing.
Alhambra Tickets & Booking, Explained
Spain's hardest ticket to get — here's exactly how to get it right.
Park Güell
Gaudí's mosaic park — book ahead, arrive early, thank us later.
Museo del Prado
Home to over 8,000 artworks, this museum is a must-visit for art lovers.
La Sagrada Família
This iconic basilica is a masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí's imagination.
Food
All Food ←Spanish Food: Tapas, Paella, and Wine
How to actually order, real prices, and how to spot a tourist trap.
Spain's Best Wine Regions
Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jerez sherry, and Cava — explained without the jargon.
How to Bar-Hop Spain: The Tapeo, Explained
Three to five bars, one plate and one drink at each — here's how it's really done.
Practical Info
All Practical Info ←
Spain Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
The real answer, broken down by passport — not one generic rule.
Money, Safety, Trains & eSIM in Spain
Cash, cards, high-speed trains, real safety risks, and staying connected.
Articles & Comparisons
All Articles & Comparisons ←Barcelona or Madrid: Which Spanish City Is Right for You?
An honest head-to-head — not just 'both are great.'
Best Time to Visit Spain: A Month-by-Month Guide
When it's cheapest, when it's calmest, and when to just avoid the south entirely.
Hiking the Camino de Santiago
You don't need a month off or a religious reason — here's the real version.
The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in Spain
The stuff every guide mentions once, scattered — here it all is in one place.