Spain Travel Facts

The Basics

Country: Spain

Where is it: Spain is located in southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France.

Why do people go here: Whether you go for the sunny beaches and small coastal towns or Spain’s world-famous nightlife that starts when most people have gone to bed, the country pleases millions of travelers each year and is one of Europe’s most popular destinations. The country is known for a variety of things that are hard to find elsewhere in Europe: flamenco dancers, bull-fights and hundreds of works from Spanish artists Dali and Picasso. Spain is slightly less stable than other European countries as some people fiercely believe that areas such as Basque County and Cataluna should have independence from Spain.

What are the main entry points: Travelers take trains from France into Barcelona and San Sebastian or fly from the UK into Madrid or one of the smaller cities on cheap airlines.

Currency used: Euro

Country Code for Phones: 34

Religion: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%

Population: 47 million

Ethnic Breakdown: 88.0% Spanish, 12.0% other

Government: Parliamentary monarchy

Languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%

Travel Information

Major Cities: Madrid, Barcelona

Attractions: Flamenco dancing, Architecture, Nightlife

Accommodation: Spain Hostels, Spain Hotels

Tourism Office locations and links: Spain-Secretaria General de Turismo Maria de Molina 50 28006 Madrid +34-1-411-4014; FAX +34-1-411-4232 //www.spain.info/ www.tourspain.es

Off-the-Beaten-Path: Yes = Si, No = No, Please = Por Favor, Thank you = Gracias, Do you speak English? = Se habla Espanol?

Health Issues: No vaccines are required to enter Spain. Health care is on par with the rest of Europe and the U.S.

Tips for Visiting

When to go: Winter is mild along the coast and travelers can escape to the cooler temperatures in the north during the hot summer months. Like the rest of Europe, tourism peaks in July and August.

Common Phrases: Yes = Si, No = No, Please = Por favor, Thank you = Gracias, Do you speak English? = Se habla Espanol?

Specific Events/Holidays: Hispanic Day, 12 October

Getting Around: Trains are decently priced, although they do not stop in small towns. Eurail is valid in Spain. Buses are cheaper, and faster, but can be very cramped and hot.

Good to know: There are regions of unrest, especially in the Basque region. However, the seperatist groups rarely cause large amounts of destruction and never target tourists.

Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Spain is the Madrid Airport.

Need more information?: Check out the Spain travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.