Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, historic cities, and lively culture, it attracts millions of visitors every year. However, there are some important things to know before your visit to make the most of your Spanish holiday. This guide outlines 12 key tips for tourists to help you plan your perfect trip with Spain Visa UK!

Although some Spanish people speak English, don’t expect everyone to understand you. Learn a few key Spanish phrases. Hola (Hello) and Gracias (Thank you) can go a long way!
To make your trip easier, focus on learning phrases for asking directions, ordering food, making purchases, etc. “Donde esta…” will help you ask where something is located. “Cuanto cuesta…” to inquire about costs. And numbers are very useful for purchasing items or understanding directions involving “turn left/right at the third street”.
Even just mastering “Hola”, “Gracias”, “Por favor” (please), “Lo siento” (sorry), and “No hablo español” (I don’t speak Spanish) will help you communicate with locals. Many will appreciate your effort to embrace a little bit of the native language. Spanish speakers tend to use hands and props, so don’t be afraid to gesture as needed. So, what are you waiting for? Book a Spain Visa Appointment today to get started on your Spain trip!
Many shops and businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon, usually 2-5 pm. Plan sightseeing for the morning and evenings when everything is open.
Locals take the siesta very seriously as an opportunity to escape the midday heat and recharge for the evening activities ahead. So, don’t expect stores or restaurants to budge on these set hours.
If you’re visiting famous Spanish attractions, map out morning itineraries hitting the key places you want to see and then relax back at your hotel when the afternoon siesta hits. Or if you want to soak up the atmosphere on sidewalk patios and public squares, plan to have long lunches before things shut down around 2pm.
Avoid mistakes like showing up at locked gift shops or missing that pivotal tapas break because you didn’t know about siesta. Adjust your body clock to truly live by Spanish schedules. And don’t forget to apply for Spanish Visa Manchester in advance for a worry-free visit to Spain!
While cards are widely accepted, cash is still king in Spain. Always carry some Euros for small businesses, markets, taxis etc.
Have cash on hand for bakeries, newsstands, food stalls, shoe shines, and more where you may not be able to use cards. Smaller shops and family-run businesses will also happily take cash but might not have credit card machines on hand.

And don’t forget to keep coins and smaller notes for quick subway rides, locker rentals, and bathroom fees in some public places. Having cash ensures you can easily hop into a taxi, pick up cold beverages at corner stores, or buy souvenirs from local artisans confidently without hassle.
Even if you plan to use a credit card predominantly, having a cash buffer brings flexibility. Just be wise by not carrying too much cash openly at once or flaunting large bills unnecessarily.
Taxes and service charges are usually included in menu prices. Tipping is at your discretion, locals generally tip 5-10%.
One advantage for tourists eating out in Spain is that tricky math around food bills becomes less complicated. Menu sticker prices reflect the taxes and reasonable gratuity upfront instead of trying to tally all that at the end.
Servers are still working hard for your business, so leave behind 5-10% extra if you received good service. But it’s not considered insulting if you don’t tip either. A few spare Euro coins are appreciated.
Jaywalking is illegal and strictly enforced. Use pedestrian crossings at intersections or risk facing fines.
Spaniards may have a quick, bustling pace of life similar to other big European cities but road rules are not taken lightly. Even if you don’t notice cars coming, don’t chance crossing streets haphazardly. Use the designated zebra stripes and traffic signals.
Tap water is safe to drink across Spain. This can save money compared to constantly buying bottled water.
Don’t fall into the trap of wasting money and plastic buying endless agua embotellada (bottled water). Spaniards happily drink from fuentes (public drinking fountains) found in charming squares and parks. Tap water flows just fine in hotels, airports, and restaurants too.
Advanced filtration and quality testing ensure H20 purity following strict European standards – meaning water straight from Spanish taps is perfectly potable. Your drinking water troubles are sorted for a worry-free Spanish holiday. Simply get your Spain Tourist Visa UK to enjoy an incredible vacation with loved ones!

Avoid July and August if you dislike crowds. Shoulder months like May/June and September offer warm weather with fewer tourists.
Summertime undoubtedly brings buzzing energy and liveliness across Spain’s cities. But temperatures frequently breach 30°C and popular sites battle relentless visitor congestion.
If you’d rather not deal with packed attractions, booking headaches, jacked up hotel rates or potential heat fatigue, visit before/after traditional vacation months.
May-June enjoy gloriously long sunshine ideal for basking at sidewalk cafes or beach days without oppressive humidity setting in yet. September-October still means plenty of beach weather mixed with cooler evenings and festive autumn celebrations ahead.
Reserve hotel rooms in advance for better rates and availability, especially during peak season.
With tourism thriving all year long, fitting Spanish lodging into budget can take effort. Comparing deals across booking platforms and locking in rooms promptly is key. Or consider platforms like Airbnb offering unique “homes” alongside usual hotels.
Booking early also allows picking spots strategically near top sights you want nearby instead of random availability further out. Review hotel cancellation terms too permitting penalty-free adjustments if needed. And make sure to book your Spain Visa appointment in advance for a smooth trip to Spain!
Indulge in tapas, paella, seafood, ham, and other Spanish delicacies. Don’t just stick to touristy restaurants, explore authentic neighbourhood eateries.
Forget heavy British staples while in Spain. Embrace the fresh Mediterranean diet overflowing with flavorful olive oils, gazpacho soups, stuffed peppers, thinly sliced jamon and regional homemade sauces. Don’t be afraid to try new things!
Wander away from main city places lined only with generic tourist menus. The best pintxos bars in San Sebastian, hidden Catalan cafes in Barcelona, oceanside rice dishes in Valencia – find where nearby residents eat. Authenticity shines through here!
Market-fresh pescados (fish), mariscos (shellfish), revueltos con setas (sautéed wild mushrooms), pimientos de Padrón (blistered Galician peppers), tortilla Española (potato omelette)…let your tastebuds explore true Spanish gastronomy.
Many apartment buildings enforce afternoon siesta and overnight quiet hours from 10pm-7am. Avoid making too much noise during these times.
Spaniards take daily rest very seriously. So be courteous avoiding loud music, running washing machines, and cleanup noises within complexes during sacrosanct sleep schedules. Even restaurants/bars close up to rest for the night.
If renting holiday flats, understand that footsteps, parties, loud voices easily echo plus walls are thinner than expected. Consider sound levels so babies can nap or aging residents aren’t disturbed.
Northern Spain can be cooler than the southern coast. Carry light layers, hats, sunglasses and apply plenty of sunscreen as needed.
Visiting Spain any time of year necessitates UV-blocking lotions but don’t assume weather stays hot permanently. Portugal-bordering Galicia sees plenty rainfall. Central plain cities observe scorching summers yet brisk winters.
Check forecasts for specific destinations and pack layers accordingly. Fleece jackets, knit scarves, weatherproof shoes make appearances when temps drop. Hats help against heat or chill plus the sun’s glare.
Don’t forget proper sunglasses either – Spain’s sunlight intensity surpasses Britain. UV levels hit dangerously high ranges during midday without proper eyewear protections!

Getting a Spain Tourist Visa UK is pretty easy with Visa Travel Club. Here are a few simple steps to follow to quick get your tourist visa:
1). Fill out the Spain Visa application form online. It hardly takes 5 minutes!
2). Our experts will connect with you and book a Spain Visa appointment for you.
3). Simply visit the BLS visa centre on the day of the appointment you’re your documents.
4). Get your passport along with visa via courier in just a few days!
That’s it! Simple, right?
Now, you don’t need to worry about long appointment wait times or trip cancellations. Simply connect with Visa Travel Club and experts will take care of the rest!
Spain is an amazing country with something for everyone – historic sites, art museums, beaches, hiking trails, lively nightlife and incredible food. By keeping these insider tips in mind, you can avoid hassles on your Spanish vacation. Just grab a Spain Schengen Visa and focus on having an unforgettable trip full of great memories.
Trains are generally the most convenient inter-city option. Budget airlines offer cheap domestic flights too. Renting a car allows you to visit smaller towns flexibly.
Carry at least 100-200 Euros in cash on arrival for transit, meals etc until you find an ATM. Notify your bank about travel dates to prevent card blocks.
Yes, tap water is perfectly potable all over Spain due to advanced filtration systems. No need to buy endless plastic water bottles!
Respect religious sites by covering bare knees/shoulders. Some places like the Mezquita in Cordoba forbid sleeveless tops or short
Key phrases include “Hola” (Hello), “Gracias” (Thank you), “Por favor” (Please), “Lo siento” (Sorry), “No hablo español” (I don’t speak Spanish), “Dónde está…” (Where is…), and “Cuánto cuesta…” (How much does it cost?).s so carry a scarf/top.