Travel is an incredible gift, one that allows us to finally take a little time for ourselves and decompress despite the busyness of our hectic lives. But, if you’ve already managed to make your way to France, Italy, and some of the other vacation heavy hitters, you may find yourself a little confused about where to take that gift from here. 

Rest assured, however, there are still many, many great destinations for you to check off, and Spain is among some of the best. Curious about learning more before buying your ticket and setting off on your next big adventure? Keep reading our Spain 2021 travel guide for all the essential info you should know. 

What to Expect Before Traveling

  • Just knowing a few words in Spanish (probably) won’t be enough to get you by. It’s no surprise to anybody out there, but English has become increasingly common around the world. Because of the US’ vast global presence, influence, and power, knowing some level of the language – even in faraway places – is seen as a critical skill. But don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security when traveling, especially in Spain. Many people may be fluent in English, but just as many (if not more) will only know the basics at maximum. In other words, don’t only rely on English plus a few words of Spanish. Try to learn as much of the language as possible, and don’t forget to learn some of the regional languages and dialects as well! 
  • Debit/credit cards shouldn’t be a problem. Once upon a time, cold hard cash was the only way to go when traveling abroad; there are even still some places where this holds true. Good news, though, Spain largely isn’t one of them.  ATMs are plentiful, and the two most prominent cards – Mastercard and Visa – are accepted at nearly any restaurant or shop. Of course, there is an exception for places well off the beaten path. Going into an isolated area, you’d still be wise to have a few euros on hand just in case. 
  • You should be aware of pickpockets. There are a lot of things to appreciate about Spain. The food, the people, the atmosphere, all are pretty incredible and well-celebrated by all who’ve experienced them. The lack of widespread crime is also thoroughly appreciated by travelers. Yet you should be aware that there are still some pickpockets out and about regardless of the country’s high safety rating. As such, be alert and cautious when in metros and especially tourist-heavy areas. Keep personal items close to you, stay mindful about maintaining distance from others, use anti-theft backpacks and purses, and try not to carry your most expensive or important items around the city. Your hotel or accommodations are probably a much safer bet. 
  • A solid map will be your best friend. Spain is simply one of those places where you feel like you can genuinely let go and have a little fun. All manner of planning and good intentions often go out the window as soon as the plane lands here, with folks going wherever their heart takes them and embracing experiences as they come. We applaud this – really we do. However, there is a bit of a downside to this “go with the flow attitude:” you’re going to get turned around. After all, Spain has many twisty paths, confusing alleys, and an overall layout that frequently makes no sense to travelers. That certainly does no favors when you’re trying to avoid getting lost, but a good folding map can be a big help. Keep a couple on hand, and you should be able to find your way back, no matter how far you’ve wandered off or how poorly Google Maps might be loading.

Where to Stay and When to Travel

When traveling, how positive or negative your experience ends up being is partially controlled by the things you do, the places you visit, and the people you see. There’s no doubt all of that makes a huge difference, but where you call home for the next few days/weeks and when you choose to travel play a critical role, too. Pick wrong, and you’ll have a hard time coming back from that. 

That begs the question, though, when should you visit Spain? And on top of this, where should you take up residence during your stay? A good portion of people claim that anywhere from June to August is the obvious choice because the weather tends to be ideal for enjoying the country’s beautiful beaches and extensive coastlines. Yet, we’d argue that sometime around September or November is even better since you’ll get to witness Spain’s many ancient trees turn gorgeous fall colors and get to reap the benefits of the year’s wine harvest. 

Really, though, the choice is up to you and dependent on your priorities. Plan on getting your feet wet and relaxing in all the sand you can? A summer visit is probably more appropriate. But if you want to see Spain in its full autumnal glory and delight in all the best wine tastings possible? Well, you’re better off visiting come early fall. 

Either way, our suggestion for accommodations remain the same. Pick somewhere in Barcelona! The city’s really the best of all worlds, vibrant and full of unbeatable architecture, fantastic food, and countless opportunities for shopping and entertainment. Accommodations also vary dramatically in price, allowing everyone on nearly any budget to find somewhere that will suit their needs. 

Activities that Should Be on Your Radar

  • When in Barcelona, make sure you stop in to check out Picasso’s art and Gaudi’s well-known architecture. 
  • Go on a “tapas crawl” whenever you’re traveling through Madrid. 
  • Let your hair down and live a little by taking part in one of Spain’s lively and famous festivals. 
  • Stop in to eat a meal at Botin, also known as the world’s oldest surviving restaurant.
  • Complete the Camino trail either alone or with a few friends.
  • See a real, authentic flamenco show.
  • Visit Seville and take care to see its most incredible attractions, including the cathedral and its bell tower, the Alcázar castle complex, and the Plaza de España.
  • Celebrate Pride in Madrid.
  • Go clubbing – or simply enjoy a good, long swim in Ibiza

– Let us know what you thought of this article and if you have any questions!  Reach out and share your thoughts with us at www.mapshop.com.

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