Five Things You’ll Love & Hate On a Spain Vacation
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Spain, one of my favorite places to visit in Europe. A trip to Spain is always a good time, whether you visit Seville, Madrid, Barcelona or elsewhere, Spain is awesome! Here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new country. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, on a Spain vacation.
Hate #1: The Weather
A lot of people come to Spain for the great weather because it’s supposed to be sunny and warm all the time. However, if you visit southern Spain in the summer, it’s oppressively hot, so you should stick to beach destinations in Spain at that time of year. In the winter, northern Spain can be cold and even snowy, so it’s not always sunny and warm in Spain.
Hate #2: Foreign Languages are Not a Priority
In much of Europe, foreign languages are heavily emphasized in primary school so that you can often find someone who speaks English, French or Italian nearby. In Spain, that’s not always the case. It is super helpful to learn a bit of Spanish before you visit Spain.
Read: Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language
Hate #3: Siestas and Sundays
What’s wrong with siestas, you ask? Who doesn’t love an afternoon nap? Well, siesta in Spain can be super frustrating if you happen to need something like aspirin at 2:00 in the afternoon. Stores, banks, pharmacies all close up during the afternoon siesta, and it’s even the law in some smaller towns. Keep this in mind when planning your day and don’t find yourself caught off guard needing something during siesta. The same goes for Sundays; pretty much everything, including grocery stores, is closed on Sundays, so you have to plan ahead!
Hate #4: Tourist Scams
As a traveler or a tourist, you will be taken for a fool in many places in Spain. Taxis, bars, and restaurants are known to take advantage of tourists, so pay attention to prices and review your bills before paying them. Have a good idea in advance how much a taxi should cost; you can easily ask at the hotel for an estimate so you know when you’re not getting ripped off. At a tapas bar, don’t fall for the “full portion” swap where you order a small plate and get the full-size dinner.
Hate #5: Pickpockets
Everyone warned me before visiting Spain to watch out for the pickpockets. It’s no surprise that Barcelona has been named the “Pickpocket Capital of the World” by TripAdvisor, with Madrid not too much farther down the list. It’s not just picking your pockets, it’s bag slashers and bag snatchers and a whole host of other ways to get robbed in Spain. Always be on your toes!
Read: The Most Common Pickpocket Techniques
Love #1: Regionality
One of the coolest things about Spain is that everywhere you go in Spain is completely different from the next region. Andalusia, Catalunya, Galicia, and Madrid are all so different and interesting. The cultures and cuisines vary from region to region, and much like the United States, there are so many unique places in Spain that you really have to visit more than just one big city to get a feel for the “real Spain.”
Read: How to Piss Off a Catalan
Love #2: Spanish Tapas Bars
No matter how much of a tourist you are, there’s something about sitting in a tapas bar, enjoying wine and good food that will make you feel like you are Spanish. It’s just such a part of the culture, and something Spaniards really do, so you can interact with locals and learn about the culture, all while filling up your belly with amazing food and drink.
Love #3: Spain Tourist Attractions
Spain is popular with tourists for a reason; the sights here are incredible. There are tons of museums and the Prado in Madrid is one of the top art museums in the world. On top of museums, there are fantastic cathedrals, forts, and towers. Not only does Spain have enough history and culture to fill several vacations, but there’s also a ton of natural beauty! You can hike in the Pyrenees, find remote beaches and so much more! You are going to fall in love with all of the Spain attractions.
Love #4: Nightlife in Spain
No matter where you are from, I challenge you to try and keep up with the Spanish and their nightlife. They can party all night long, every night. If you are looking for a nightlife destination, you can’t beat the nightclubs of Spain. (Don’t worry if nightlife isn’t your scene, you’ll still have a great time in Spain!)
Love #5: People of Spain
No matter where you travel in Spain, the people are what make this country so special. It seems counterintuitive that so many tourists get ripped off because when you actually meet Spanish people, they are so kind and welcoming. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, they will try to help you and make you feel welcome.
Obviously, we love Spain and can’t recommend it highly enough! The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to take a trip to Spain. Want to know more about travel in Spain? Check out some of our other blog posts!