Spain

Spain is much more than paella, toros, sol y playa (paella, bulls, sun and the beach). The country is well known for its friendly inhabitants, sunny weather and yummy food, but it has plenty to offer beyond Madrid, Barcelona or Sevilla.

From a breathtaking heritage to a vibrant culture, Spain features a variety of landscapes and things to do. Are you a beach or a mountain person? Do you prefer fish over meat? Spain has it all and I’m sure you’ll be putting the country on your bucket list before you know, especially after reading this page and all my travel-related blog posts. 🙂

WELCOME TO Spain!

Basic facts

Population: 47.5 million (as of July 2024)
Currency: Spain belongs to the Eurozone, hence the euro (€) is its official currency.
Language: Spanish is the official language in the country, although Basque, Catalan or Galician have an official status too.
Territories: Spain is made of 17 regions (called ‘Comunidades Autónomas’) and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla, located on the African continent).
Main cities: Madrid (capital), Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Bilbao.
Fun fact: we Spaniards eat 12 grapes at the beginning of the New Year while listening to the clock on Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. It’s supposed to bring good luck!

Things to do

Visit Madrid, the vibrant Spanish capital

Barcelona and its beaches are one of the most famous destinations in Spain

Watch a flamenco show while exploring beautiful Andalusian cities such as Córdoba, Granada, Málaga or Sevilla

If you're a foodie, head to San Sebastián and eat as many 'pintxos' as you can!

Browse the following Spanish regions on my blog

The picturesque 'Arco de las Monjas' in Vejer

Andalusia

San Miguel de Lillo in the outskirts of Oviedo

Asturias

Balearic Islands

Pasajes de San Juan, one of the stops along the Camino del Norte

Basque Country

Cantabria

Palacio del Infantado, my favorite spot during this Spain road trip

Castile - La Mancha

Enjoying life by the Duero river in Soria

Castile and Leon

Catalonia

Community of Madrid

Extremadura

Galicia

Having some drinks in the famous Calle del Laurel in Logroño

La Rioja

Olentzero, a famous character in Basque traditions

Navarre

'Agua de Valencia' is a popular drink in this Mediterranean city

Valencian Community

ACCOMMODATION IN SPAIN

Spain features an impressive heritage and you can advantage of it by staying in the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient buildings in our country. Book your room at one of the various Paradores throughout our geography and enjoy.

Other great options when it comes to hotels include brands such as Meliá, NH Hoteles or Barceló. If you prefer more flexible stays such as campings, you can do that too.

FOOD IN SPAIN

Spain is famous worldwide for its olive oil (aceite de oliva). Our liquid gold is the key ingredient in Spanish cuisine, which translates into a healthy lifestyle. Our Mediterranean diet (dieta mediterránea) is based on olive oil, fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes.

In addition to that, we Spaniards LOVE pork in all its forms, especially when it comes to cold meats (embutidos). That is why we can’t go without our ham (jamón ibérico), our chorizo or our loin (lomo). We eat it just like that with some bread, and we add it to pretty much any stew.

What to eat region by region:

Spain is a vast country with its own particularities, especially when it comes to food. Here’s my own list of the most typical products (both salty, sweet or drinks) you should try whenever you visit one of these Spanish regions.

What to eat and drink in Spain, by region

Andalusia: gazpacho, salmorejo, pescaíto frito (fried fish); drink: rebujito

Aragón: ternasco (lamb)

Asturias: cachopo (fried veal fillets with ham and cheese); drink: cider

Balearic Islands: coca (like a pizza), ensaimada, sobrasada

Basque Country: chuletón (grilled meat) or fish, txistorra (similar to a chorizo but thiner); drinks: sidra (cider) or txakolí (white wine). To experience the true Basque way of eating, head to a sagardotegi in the Astigarraga area near San Sebastián, preferably in the period between January and April. The typical menu includes tortilla de bacalao (cod omelette), chuletón (grilled meat) with peppers, cider, cheese, quince and nuts. Txotx!

Canary Islands: papas con mojo, ropa vieja, sancocho

Cantabria: sobaos pasiegos, quesada

Castile- La Mancha: pisto, Manchego cheese

Castille and León: cochinillo (grilled piglet), morcilla (blood sausage), sopa de ajo (garlic soup)

Catalonia: pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), calçots amb salsa romesco, escalivada, butifarra (sausage); drink: cava

Community of Madrid: cocido madrileño (stew), bocata de calamares (calamari sandwich), chocolate con porras y/o churros

Extremadura: migas extremeñas (fried bread crumbs), Torta del Casar cheese

Galicia: seafood (nécoras, percebes, almejas,zamburiñas), pulpo a feira (octopus ); drink: Albariño (white wine)

La Rioja: potatoes Rioja style (patatas a la riojana), lamb chops with vine shoots (chuletillas de cordero al sarmiento); drink: Rioja wines

Murcia: Murcian salad, zarangollo

Navarre: txistorra, vegetables; drink: patxarán

Valencian Community: paella, horchata, oranges, coca (cake)

Good to know when travelling to Spain

Depending where you’re coming from, you might be surprised when visiting Spain because of our late hours. We tend to eat around 2pm and have dinner around 9-10pm, so plan accordingly. In small cities, shops close at lunch time and open again in the afternoon.
‘Siesta‘ is one of the Spanish clichés. Although we love to take a nap, I’d say you’re lucky if you can do it everyday with our busy lifestyle. However, it’s more common during the summer time or in smaller villages.