Spain
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, a country of stark regional contrasts — arid Castilian plateaus, Pyrenean peaks, Atlantic green, and Mediterranean coast — where afternoon silence still falls across cities at siesta and life reconvenes loudly after dark.
Overview
Located in southwestern Europe and bordered by Portugal, France, Andorra, and the small British territory of Gibraltar, Spain covers approximately 505,990 km² and is home to around 47 million people. Madrid is the capital and largest city. Spanish (Castilian) is the official national language, though Catalan, Basque, and Galician hold co-official status in their respective regions. The currency is the Euro. Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a constitutional framework dating to 1978.
Visa Requirements
Spain is a member of the Schengen Area, allowing nationals of many countries — including the United States, Canada, Australia, and most of Latin America — to enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travellers from countries requiring a visa should apply through the Spanish consulate or embassy in their home country. The EU's forthcoming ETIAS authorisation system will eventually apply to previously visa-exempt non-EU visitors.
Airports in Spain
46 airportsAirlines based in Spain
21 airlines
Famous Attractions in Spain
Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona remains unfinished after over 140 years and still draws more visitors than any other Spanish monument. The Alhambra palace complex in Granada offers Nasrid-era Islamic architecture set against the Sierra Nevada. Madrid's Prado Museum holds one of Europe's foremost collections of European art. The pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago terminates at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Seville's Real Alcázar is an active royal palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Teide volcano on Tenerife is Spain's highest peak at 3,715 metres.
Weather & Climate
Spain's climate varies considerably by region. The central plateau (meseta) experiences a semi-arid continental climate with hot summers reaching 35–40 °C and cold winters that can dip below 0 °C. The northern Atlantic coast stays mild and wet year-round, rarely exceeding 25 °C in summer. The Mediterranean coast and Andalusia enjoy warm, dry summers around 28–34 °C and mild winters of 10–15 °C. Spring and early autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons for travel. Light layers are advisable even in summer for evenings inland.
Interesting Facts About Spain
- Home to the world's oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botín.
- Spanish is the second most spoken native language globally.
- Spain has 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Flamenco originated in Andalusia's Romani communities.
- Spain produces more olive oil than any other nation.
Official Resources
- tourspain.es — Spain's official national tourism board
- exteriores.gob.es — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa and consular information
- aemet.es — State Meteorological Agency, weather forecasts and climate data
- renfe.com — National railway operator covering intercity and high-speed rail