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Spain Mini Guide
Source: World Travel Guide
Overview
The straw donkey and sombrero image of Spain is now largely consigned to the bin - along with the paella and chips. In its place comes a sheaf of sparkling and evocative new images, as the visitor trend turns from sun-and-fun package holidays to individually tailored, more sophisticated themes.
Spain is a country on the move, a place of rapid change. High-speed railways have conquered the country's mountainous terrain and many cities now have modern metro and tram networks, testifying to a vibrant and growing economy. But here, too, you will find a country where time stands still, where Roman columns rise into a clear blue sky, where crumbling Arab watchtowers maintain a lonely vigil over vast and magnificent landscapes, and city plazas where the baroque jostles with the modern to strike a uniquely Spanish harmony.
The historic cities of Spain are drenched in the atmosphere of the past, but well equipped to meet modern needs as well. The countryside is infinitely varied, from the ‘Green Spain' of the rugged Atlantic coast to the parched plains of Castile and La Mancha. The open roads across endless open spaces produce a steady stream of surprises, with hidden villages and unexpected castles, shepherds roaming with their flocks and hilltop windmills appearing unexpectedly. It is a great country for touring.
Rich in history and natural beauty and with more than a fair share of sunshine Spain is a year-round, natural choice for many different kinds of holiday, from outdoor adventures to world-class museums and art galleries to an infinite variety of popular beaches and secluded coves. Not least the people are warm and welcoming - and they know how to party. The Spanish experience would be incomplete without joining in at least one of its famous fiestas.
Passport/Visa
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Passport Required? |
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British |
Yes |
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Australian |
Yes |
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Canadian |
Yes |
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USA |
Yes |
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Other EU |
1 |
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Visa Required? |
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British |
No |
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Australian |
No/2 |
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Canadian |
No/2 |
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USA |
No/2 |
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Other EU |
No |
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Return Ticket Required? |
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British |
No |
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Australian |
No |
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Canadian |
No |
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USA |
No |
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Other EU |
No |
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Money
Currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Currency Exchange
Money can be changed in any bank, and at most travel agencies, major hotels and airports.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are widely available.
Traveller's Cheques
International traveller's cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling. Traveller's cheques should be changed at banks or exchange bureaux.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri, generally 0830-1330.
Health
Vaccinations
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Special Precautions |
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Diphtheria |
No |
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Hepatitis A |
Sometimes |
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Malaria |
No |
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Rabies |
No |
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Tetanus |
Yes |
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Typhoid |
No |
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Yellow Fever |
No |
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Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited. |
Health Care
If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident during a visit to Spain, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travellers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) obtained in their country of origin. Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.
Mallorca
The recent holiday history of this beautiful little Balearic playground is very much a tale of two islands: the anglicised Majorca (famously mispronounced with a hard j) and the original Spanish Mallorca.
Unspoiled gems
Away from the coast, particularly in the beautiful Tramuntana hills, the island has always been unspoiled. The capital, Palma, has developed into one of Spain's most beguiling and fashionable small cities. The package resorts still remain but their excesses have been curbed and the island is once again famous for its beautiful people and celebrated for its style.
Getting There
Getting There by Air
The national airline is IBERIA (IB) (website: www.iberia.com).
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Barcelona is 2 hours; to Madrid is 2 hours 20 minutes and to Málaga is 2 hours 45 minutes. From New York to Madrid is 8 hours 35 minutes.
Main Airports
Madrid (MAD) (Barajas) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city. To/from the airport: Bus and underground services depart to the city regularly. Taxi service is available. Facilities: Restaurants and bars, bank, several car hire offices, hotel reservation and tourist information desks, and outgoing duty-free shop.
Barcelona (BCN) (el Prat) is 3km (2 miles) southwest of the city. To/from the airport: Bus and rail services to the city depart regularly. Taxi service to the city is available (journey time - 30 minutes). Facilities: A bank, restaurant, bar, several car hire companies, hotel reservation and tourist information desks and duty-free shops.
Alicante (ALC) (Altet) is 12km (7 miles) southwest of the city. To/from the airport: Bus service runs to the city regularly. A taxi service is available to the city. There is a taxi connection between Alicante and Valencia Airport. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank, bureau de change, car hire, tourist information and restaurant.
Málaga (AGP) is 10km (6 miles) southwest of the city. To/from the airport: Buses run regularly throughout the day. A train service runs regularly also. A taxi service to the city is available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and car hire.
Mallorca Palma de Mallorca (PMI) (www.aena.es) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Buses to Palma run regularly (journey time 20 to 30 minutes). Taxis are available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank/bureau de change, bars, cafes, VIP lounges, car hire, tourist information and post office.
Spain boasts over 30 international airports, run by AENA (Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegación Aérea) (website: www.aena.es).
Departure Tax
None.
Getting There by Water
Main ports: Barcelona (website: www.apb.es), Cadiz (website: www.puertocadiz.com), Santander (website: www.puertosantander.es), Valencia (website: www.valenciaport.com) and Vigo (website: www.apvigo.com).
Brittany Ferries (tel: 0870 366 5333, in the UK; website: www.brittany-ferries.com) operates a service to Santander (on the north coast) from Plymouth (journey time - 18 hours). P&O European Ferries (tel: 0870 520 2020, in the UK; website: www.poportsmouth.com) operates a service from Portsmouth to Bilbao (journey time - 35 hours).
Mallorca: Main Ports: Palma and Alcúdia.
Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es), Baleària Eurolínies Marítimes (www.balearia.com) and Iscomar (www.iscomar.com) operate vehicle ferries between Palma and Barcelona, Valencia, Ibiza and Menorca. Iscomar also operate between Alcúdia and Ciutadella (Menorca). Cruise ships also moor at Palma.
Getting There by Rail
The quickest route by train from the UK is through the Channel Tunnel with connections from Paris to Spain. Eurostar operates direct high-speed trains from London (St Pancras International) to Paris (Gare du Nord) and to Brussels (Midi/Zuid). It takes 2 hours 15 minutes from London to Paris (via Lille) and 1 hour 51 minutes to Brussels. For further information and reservations, contact Eurostar (tel: 0870 518 6186, in the UK or +44 1233 617 575, outside the UK; website: www.eurostar.com); or Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk).
There are direct trains between Madrid-Paris and Madrid-Lisbon, as well as Barcelona-Paris, Barcelona- Zürich or Milan, Barcelona-Montpelier and Barcelona-Geneva. These services are called Estrella, Talgo or Train-Hotel. On other international services to and from Spain, a change of train is necessary. However, work on the AVE (high-velocity train) route between Madrid and Barcelona is expected to be completed in December 2007, after which the French border connection is expected to be fully operational in 2010 and it will be possible to connect with the French TGV (high-velocity route) and the rest of the high-velocity routes in Europe. Motorail services run between Paris and Madrid. For more information, contact the Spanish Rail service (tel: (020) 7725 7063; website: www.spanish-rail.co.uk).
Rail Passes
InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Eurailpass: Options include a comprehensive Global Pass with practically unlimited travel in 18 European countries, the more limited Select Pass and Regional pass, or the single-country National Pass. For more details, contact The Eurail Group (website: www.eurail.com).
Getting There by Road
The main route from the UK is via France. The main motorways to Spain from France are via Bordeaux or Toulouse to Bilbao (northern Spain) and via Marseille or Toulouse to Barcelona (eastern Spain).
Eurolines (tel: 08705 143 219, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services to Spain. Passes: Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass.
Note
For information on travel to and within the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, see the respective sections.
Climate
Spain's climate varies from temperate in the north to dry and hot in the south. The best months are from April to October, although July and August can be excessively hot throughout the country except the coastal regions. Madrid is best in late spring or autumn. The central plateau can be bitterly cold in winter.
Required Clothing
Light- to mediumweights and rainwear, according to the season.
Contacts
Gran Hotel LaFlorida
Official Site - Gran Hotel la Florida. Luxury Resort Hotel and Spa in Barcelona. Reserve Online.
Ctra Vallvidrera al Tibidabo 83-93
Website: www.HotelLaFlorida.com
Spanish Embassy in the UK
39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5555.
Website: www.maec.es
Spanish Consulate in the UK
20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 8989 or 0906 550 8970 (recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute) or 0906 554 0714 (to make an appointment; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: www.conspalon.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0915-1400 (visa information by appointment only).
Spanish National Tourist Office in the UK
Second Floor, 79 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XB, UK
Tel: (020) 7486 8077 or 0891 669 920 (24-hour brochure request line; calls cost 60p per minute).
Website: www.spain.info/uk
Embassy and Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain in the USA
2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Tel: (202) 452 0100 or 728 2340 or 728 2330 (consulate).
Website: www.maec.es
Spanish Tourist Office in the USA
666 Fifth Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10103, USA
Tel: (212) 265 8822.
Website: www.spain.info
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