Spain international medical insurance and visa guide
January 04, 2019
Spain Travel Guide: A land of culture, history, beautiful scenery, and adventure
From iconic tourist destinations to lesser-known attractions, Spain offers world-class cuisine and culture, plus magnificent scenery, and ancient architecture. Our Spain travel guide offers tips on everything from the best places to visit to preparing for your trip.
From bustling modern cities to idyllic coastal towns with white-sand beaches, the country includes an incredible range of travel experiences to include on your itinerary. Wherever your Spain travels take you, it’s important to also make sure you’re aware of health and safety considerations, including adding Spain travel health insurance and travel protection to your trip planning, such as SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus or International Travel Medical
Best places to visit in Spain
Spain has a wide range of destinations, with something for art lovers, outdoorsy types, food and wine connoisseurs, history buffs and big-city fans alike.
Northern Spain includes the sophisticated art museums, architecture and outdoor spaces of Bilbao and San Sebastián. It also is home to La Rioja, the top wine region known for its fine vineyards and unique traditional Basque gastronomy, where they serve at type of tapas called pintxos, a culinary journey and little bite of heaven served on a toothpick.
While in the area, ask a local about bodegas: Underground wine-aging cellars that have been converted into hyper-local bistros with fire-seared meats and samplings of artisan wines and liquors. Other must-sees in this part of Spain include Pamplona (see the famed bull-running!), Picos de Europa mountains and El Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail.
Northeast Spain houses Catalonia, a picturesque region next to the Pyrenees Mountain range and the Mediterranean, and includes Barcelona, a destination for many travelers from around the world. Things to do in Barcelona, Spain include soaking up the sun on delightful beaches and walking tours of Antoni Gaudí architecture. And don’t miss his masterpiece, the still-unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral. Hop one of the local train lines to explore up or down the coast, and find tiny towns with monasteries, museums, Roman ruins, fishing bays and much more. A quick cultural tip: When traveling to Northeast Spain, such as Catalonia, Valencia, or the Balearic Islands, be prepared to hear Catalan spoken more often than Spanish, as this is the official language of these regions.
Central Spain offers a deep-dive into the many cultures and rich history of the country. Madrid, the capital and largest city, is filled with fascinating neighborhoods and incredibly well-preserved historic sites. Don’t miss El Prado, the country’s national art museum, as well as the modern-art treasures at the Museo Reina Sofía and the magnificent Palacio Real, home to generations of the royal family.
Also within an easy drive from Madrid, you can explore Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage site (don’t miss tasting the distinctive olives of the region), check out Mérida’s Roman ruins, and lose yourself in the cobblestone streets of the ancient cities of Salamanca and Toledo, both with Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. If you’re craving coastal adventures, you’ll find many things to do in Valencia, especially if you’re a fan of forward-thinking urban planning: the city diverted a river to prevent floods, and converted the riverbed into a park that winds throughout the city. Plus there is a historic old quarter that thrives alongside the ultra-futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Southern Spain includes two of the top-visited palaces in the world. Seville includes the Real Alcazar, a Moorish castle built in the 14th century with lavish patios and gardens plus incredibly ornate detail work throughout. The nearby city of Granada offers the Alhambra palace, equally ancient and just as fascinating. The tapas in this region are known for their unique fusion of many cultures, plus it’s the region to catch a flamenco performance from true masters of the art. The Costa del Sol (the Andalusian coastline) is also known for the cities of Málaga, Marbella and Cadiz, each with their own fascinating histories, unique seafood-forward cuisine, and sun-soaked beaches.
Looking for more things to do in Spain? A trip to Ibiza, the Baleares or the Canary Islands means days enjoying beaches, water sports, and lazing in the sun; after sunset, indulge in clubs with world-class DJs and all-night excitement. Now that you know the best places to visit, check out our expert Spain travel tips below.
Spain Travel Guide: Before you go
Spanish etiquette in business settings syncs with most places in the world, where people greet each other with handshakes. But don’t be surprised if both men and women lean in for a double-cheek kiss as a greeting—it’s a common custom—and in general, physical contact is typical, and personal space is much closer than in many other countries. Work and class schedules are adhered to, but in social situations, punctuality is not a priority
Here are some top tips for traveling to Spain:
- Major tourist attractions make tickets available ahead of time online and sell out during peak periods, so plan ahead.
- When entering religious sites (whether for liturgical services or sightseeing), women should be sure that their knees and shoulders are covered.
- Otherwise, dress codes are not rigid. However, most business people wear semi-formal professional attire during work hours.
- Smoking is prohibited in outdoor restaurants and bars, outdoor public places and on public transportation.
Travel documents
- Required travel documents are a valid U.S. passport and a valid visa required upon entry. Spain is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, which provides for the free movement of travelers between the signatory countries within Europe under a common visa policy. The Schengen visa is a single-entry visa that allows visitors to travel between member states for up to 90 days without needing a separate visa for each country.
- Individuals in Spain are required to show authorities a photographic ID (usually a passport for foreign travelers) if requested by authorities.
Also, when out and about
As with any tourist destination, be aware of your belongings and surroundings. Most visits to Spain are trouble-free, but there is street crime targeting tourists. Be careful with your passports, wallet and cash, particularly on city streets or as you get on/off transportation. Spaniards dress neatly and stylish. Thieves can often spot a foreigner who is wearing athletic shoes or shorts.
Mealtimes can be much later than you’d expect, so be prepared with snacks in backpacks or at your hotel room in anticipation of lunch happening at two or three in the afternoon. Particularly important to know if you’re traveling with children: The tradition of siesta, where one takes a mid-afternoon nap to sleep through the hottest hours of the day, isn’t universally observed throughout the country as it once was. However, many smaller shops still close at lunchtime or in the early afternoon to allow employees a — right when many travelers are looking for food to tide them over until lunch menus are available. The dinner hour is closer to 9 pm, and is leisurely both in service and in the amount of time you will spend at the table. A two-hour meal is not uncommon.
In restaurants, the law requires menu prices to include the service charge. Tipping is a matter of personal choice, and most people leave some small change if they’re satisfied (5% is usually plenty).
While the Castilian Spanish you probably learned in high school is the official language, certain regions of Spain also have other languages. As with any travel, picking up a few key phrases in the local lingo will go a long way in making your travels more enjoyable: Catalan in Catalonia in the northeast, Galician in Galicia in the Northwest, and Basque in Navarre up North.
Safety and crime
Now let’s talk about some safety tips for traveling to Spain: Spain is a vibrant and dynamic country with a strong tradition of civic engagement. As a result, demonstrations and strikes occur frequently in Spain and sometimes affect security conditions and have the potential to disrupt your trip, such as train transportation delays or cancellations. Petty, opportunistic theft often occurs on public transportation and in crowded areas that tourists frequent. Thieves may attempt to distract their victims before robbing them. Common tactics include spilling something on an individual’s clothing or dropping items, such as coins, near potential victims.
In case of emergency, the local numbers to dial are:
- Ambulance & Medical emergency services: 112 or 061
- Fire: 112 or 080
- Police: 112 or 092
Spain has excellent doctors and hospitals. However, if you unexpectedly need medical care while traveling there, some Spanish health centers will still require a cash payment. Most U.S. health insurance policies do not cover medical care in Spain, so it may be wise to purchase travel medical insurance.
As you navigate the country, consider a plan B for cancellations or unanticipated interruptions in your itinerary. Research trip protection* in case you lose your luggage or find you need to book an unexpected night at a hotel. Take a look at International Travel Medical Plus, perfect for anyone wanting to be covered for not only medical emergencies but also unexpected changes in itinerary or travel plans. There’s even an extreme sports add-on for bungee jumping at Costa Almería, paragliding in the Canaries, rafting in Sierra Nevada National Park or other once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Another option is International Travel Medical, which covers you for any medical emergency including medical evacuations, repatriations, and more.
We hope this comprehensive Spain travel guide helps you on your travels.
*Policy availability varies.
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