BARCELONA | BILBAO | MADRID | VALENCIA |
Spain is a diverse country sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. It's the second country with the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites after Italy, and the first with the largest number of World Heritage Cities also by the UNESCO. Spain is seen as a exotic country in Europe due to its friendly inhabitants, its relaxed lifestyle, its mostly warm weather (compared to other European regions) and especially by its cuisine, the vibrant nightlife, and its world-famous folklore and festivities. Among many places worth visiting are Spain's thriving capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona, the famous "Running of the Bulls" at Pamplona, major andalusian cities with moorish architecture, like Seville, Granada and Córdoba, the Way of St. James and the paradisiacal Balearic Islands and Canary Islands.
With great beaches, fun nightlife, many cultural regions and historic cities, Spain makes a great destination for any kind of trip. A country of large geographical and cultural diversity, Spain is sometimes a surprise to people who know its reputation for great beach holidays. There is everything from lush meadows, snowy mountains, huge marsh and salines and deserts in the south east.
Once the center of a global empire with territories in North, Central and South America, Africa i.e. Equatorial Guinea, and Asia i.e. the Philippines, contemporary Spain has overcome civil war and fascism in the 20th century to stand proud and centered in itself.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Spain's national carrier is Iberia. The busiest airports are Madrid, A Coruña, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Murcia, Barcelona, Jerez de la Frontera, Seville, Valencia, Bilbao, Alicante, Santiago de Compostella and Vigo. All are listed on the official airport governing body website: Madrid and Bilbao have the most beautiful airports, designed by famous architects.
By train - Train system in Spain is modern and reliable, most of the trains are brand new and the punctuality rate is one of the highest in Europe, the only problem is that not all the populated areas have a train station; sometimes small towns don't have one, in those cases you need to take a bus. Another issue with the Spanish Rail network is that the lines are disposed in a radial way so almost all the lines head to Madrid. That's why sometimes traveling from one city to another geographically close to it might take longer by train than by bus if they are not in the same line. Always check whether the bus or the train is more convenient.
By bus - Bus travel in Spain is increasingly an attractive option for people traveling on a tight budget. Thanks largely to European Union funding, Spain's road network has vastly improved over the past twenty years, so bus journeys don't take nearly as long as they used to.
There are lots of private bus companies offering routes to all major Spanish cities. If you want to travel around Spain by bus, the best idea is to go to your local bus station (Apart from Madrid and Barcelona, most towns and cities have just one) and see what is available.
Visas - Spain is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, which governs its visa policies. No visa is required for citizens of other EU member states, and those of nations with whom the European Union has special treaties. There are no border controls between Spain and other Schengen Agreement nations, making travel less complicated.
STAY SAFE
Some people could try to take advantage of your ignorance of local customs.
In Spanish cities, all taxis should have a visible fare table. You shouldn't agree a fixed price to go from an airport to a city: in most cases, the taxi driver will be earning more money than without a pre-agreed tariff.
In many places of Madrid, especially near Atocha station, and also in the Ramblas of Barcelona, there are people ('trileros') who play the "shell game". They will "fish" you if you play, and they will most likely pick your pocket if you stop to see other people play. Most of these scammers are foreign immigrants from Eastern Europe.
RESPECT
Spaniards in general are very patriotic about both their country and/or the region in which they live. Avoid arguments about whether people from Catalonia or the Basque Country are Spaniards or not. Safety is not a concern in case you engage in an argument but you will be dragged in a long, pointless discussion.
It is customary to kiss friends, family, and acquaintances on both cheeks upon seeing each other and saying goodbye. Male-to-male kisses of this sort are limited to family members or to very close friends, otherwise --a firm handshake is expected instead.
Spaniards of all regions are keen to maintain physical contact while talking, such as putting a hand on your shoulder, patting your back, etc. These should be taken as signs of friendship.
During lunch or dinner, Spaniards do not begin eating until everyone is seated and ready to eat. Likewise, they do not leave the table until everyone is finished eating. Table manners are otherwise standard and informal. When the bill comes, it is common to pay equally, regardless of the amount or price each has consumed.
When Spaniards receive a gift or are offered a drink or a meal, they usually refuse for a bit, so as not to seem greedy. This sometimes sparks arguments among especially reluctant people, but it is seen as polite. Remember to offer more than once (on the third try it must be fairly clear if they will accept it or not). On the other hand, if you are interested in the offer, politely smile and decline it, saying that you don't want to be a nuisance, etc. but relent and accept when they insist.
When in a car, the elderly and pregnant always ride in the passenger's seat, unless they request not to.
Spaniards do not drink or eat in the street. Bars (not franchises) will rarely offer the option of food to take away. Especially unheard of is the "doggy bag".
Appearing drunk in public is generally frowned upon.
In Spanish beaches it is okay for women to sunbathe topless. This practice is particularly common in touristic areas. Full nudity is only allowed in "clothing-optional" or nudist beaches.
While Spaniards are not the most punctual people in the world, you should never arrive late to appointments: this will seem very bad to most people.
