Spain Car Rental

Guide to Spain

Climate in Spain

Tourists flock to this gorgeous land all through the year, however, the best time to visit Spain is typically in the spring from March to May or during autumn from September to November. This is when you’ll experience long balmy days and a plethora of festivals. Temperatures hover between 9°C to 24°C during spring and from 17°C to 29°C during fall making these seasons quite pleasant for sightseeing. It is good to be prepared for a few sudden rain showers during the autumn months.

Geography

Spain occupies 85% of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal. The country’s mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea, to the north and northeast by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay, and to the west and northwest by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean respectively. Its territory includes two archipelagos (the Canary Islands off the coast of North Africa and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea), many small islands in the Alboran Sea, and enclaves across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean.

Culture

Spain’s culture is a vibrant mix of Roman Celtic, Iberian, Phoenician, Carthaginian and Greek influence. The national language – Spanish – is mostly derived from Latin. However, you may also occasionally find vocabulary that is Greek or Arabic in origin. Spain has an extraordinarily high number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, and we definitely encourage you to make the most of your Spain trip by seeking out the nation’s rich architecture, literature, and traditions.

In modern Spain, you’ll find numerous ethnolinguistic groups. The most widely spoken dialect is Castilian Spanish but you’ll also find those who speak Catalán (also sometimes known as Valenciano), Gallego, Basque, and Aranese. Spaniards are a warm and polite folk, and a simple ‘buenos días’ when meeting new people typically goes a long way.

Festivals in Spain

One of the most unique things to do In Spain is experiencing La Tomatina on the last Wednesday of August every year. Often touted as the World’s Biggest Food Fight, it attracts people from all over the globe who gather in the small town of Bunol and throw thousands of kilos of ripe tomatoes at each other for about an hour. The party starts with sharing a massive feast of paella, and it is indeed a remarkable sight to see crowds of people throng the streets with squashed tomatoes all over them. The phrase ‘paint the town red’ indeed takes on a whole new meaning here.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain is the famous Flamenco Festival, known as Bienal de Flamenco, which takes place in September. The incredible guitar performances, flawless dancing, lovely vocals and handclaps are absolutely enthralling. The elegant dancing on heels is especially difficult and is a treat for the eyes. In 2010, UNESCO declared Flamenco as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Some of the best places to witness a truly memorable Flamenco show in Madrid include Casa Patas, Cardamomo, and Villa Rosa.

Things To Do in Spain

Art aficionados should not miss the Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid, which consists of three of the most important museums in the country. The Museo del Prado pays homage to artists like Velazquez, Goya, El Greco and Rubens. Two of the most significant Spanish artists of the past century, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali’s works can be found in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Picasso’s Guernica is among the highlights here. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the triumvirate and displays some of the best Expressionist and Impressionist paintings from the latter half of the 20^th century.

In Barcelona, the famous Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudi, is known for his world-famous works of architecture like the La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. La Sagrada Familia is an architectural marvel with its stunning ornate spires, dazzling stained-glass interiors, and intricate facades. In 2010, the site was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI as a minor basilica. The church is a place of worship for many locals as well. Visiting hours are limited so you should book your spots in advance. Park Guell is a sprawling system of public parks that has colorful tiled mosaics, the iconic salamander, picturesque fountains, and quirky benches. The breathtaking views from the main terrace and the Carmel Bunkers at sunset are spellbinding. Other Barcelona must-sees include Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Casa Calvet and Colegio Teresiano de Barcelona.

While in Barcelona, you should definitely visit the Camp Nou Stadium. Even if you are not a football fanatic, the largest stadium in Europe is an impressive sight to behold on its own. But if you are a football fan, then catching a football match here is surely a must-do while you’re in Barcelona. You can also explore the Barca Museum and see the brilliant trophies won by the famous football club.

For winter sports enthusiasts, the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Andalucia region in Granada offers some of the best ski resorts in Europe. It has the highest concentration of peaks above 3000 meters. There are ski tracks with world-class amenities gliding over snowy landscapes for beginners as well as expert skiers. The fantastic view from the peak stretches from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Mediterranean beaches in the south and the plains in the northeast.

The Alhambra Moorish fort complex at the hills of Granada is one of the most-visited sites in Europe. This magnificent blend of medieval Islamic, renaissance Christian, and modern architectural styles is utterly captivating. Grand chambers with lofty ceilings, marble fountains, intimate royal baths, and pomegranate gardens adorn this palace city which some refer to as the eighth wonder of the world. Most people complete a guided tour in around three hours but photography lovers are known to spend more time.

Eating Out in Spain

Traditional Spanish cuisine is diverse and full of flavors. Spaniards love their food dearly and this is reflected in their down-to-earth menus where most of the ingredients are sourced locally. The two basic ingredients used all over the country are olive oil and garlic. Tapas are light snacks or appetizers usually eaten with drinks. It may be cold such as mixed olives and cheese or hot such as chopitos which are battered fried baby squid. It is quite common for a tapas bar to have 8 to 12 different kinds of tapas in warming trays with glass partitions covering the food.

Coming from the Valencia region, the rice-based dish, Paella, is often considered the national dish due to its great popularity. Ingredients include chicken or rabbit, or seafood, saffron, olive, beans, vegetables, spices, and herbs. The seafood paella is possibly the most famous rendition although vegan and vegetarian paellas are slowly gaining popularity.

Some of the other top food items that shouldn’t be missed while in Spain include Gazpacho, Tortilla Espanola, Pisto, Gambas al Ajillo, Patatas Bravas, and Jamon. The best restaurants that we would like to recommend include El Bulli near the Catalan town of Roses; Jockey, La Terraza del Casino de Madrid, DiverXO, Cebo, and A’Barra in Madrid; and Caelis, Alkimia, Cinc Sentits, Disfrutar and Cal Pep in Barcelona.

Transport in Spain

Airports in Spain

The largest and most popular airports in Spain are Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid and Barcelona International Airport (BCN) in Barcelona.

Getting Around

Spanish transportation is characterized by an extensive network of roads, railways, rapid transit, air routes, and ports. There is well-developed integration between its long-distance railway system and inner-city metro systems. The national train network, Renfe, is quick, reliable, and affordable and is often the best way to travel across cities. Renfe’s high-speed train called AVE (Alta Velocidad) runs between major cities. You can cover the 311 miles from Barcelona to Madrid in just 2 hours and 40 minutes. It is advisable to book advance tickets to reserve your seats.

Metro service is there in most cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia. Metro tickets and passes allow you to avail all types of public transportation like city buses and suburban trains. Spain’s highway system has both tolled and free motorways.