13 Useful Tips To Know Before Traveling To Spain

Know before you go.

To visit Spain is to fall in love with the care-free, sunny, and happy-go-lucky country with its diverse regions, deep traditions, and gorgeous scenery. But before you go, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Expect to pay for water at meals.

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While the tap water in Spain is completely safe to drink, restaurants will always pour bottled water and charge you for it. If you want tap water while dining out, make sure to specify.

2. And also for bread.

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Most restaurants will bring bread to the table without asking, but it's not complementary. There is usually a per person cover charge for the table setting and bread. So if you touch the bread on the table, don't be surprised when there's a line item on your check for it.

3. Prepare to eat later than normal.

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If you make a 7 p.m. dinner reservation in Spain, you could easily be the only one in the restaurant. That's because most Spanish people eat their meals later than is customary in the U.S. A typical lunch hour is around 2 p.m., and dinnertime can be as late as 10 p.m.

4. Beware of pickpockets.

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There isn't a ton of violent crime in Spain, however there is a good amount of pickpocketing. When you're walking on the street or taking the metro, keep an eye on your things. A crossbody bag, which you can zipper or close and wear across your body is a good idea.

5. Spanish isn't the only language spoken.

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The most commonly spoken language in Spain is Castellano (what most people know as Spanish), but if you travel around the country, you'll likely hear different languages too. In Barcelona, people speak Catalan as a first-language, while in Galicia they speak Galician, and in the area along the Spanish-French border near the Pyrenees Mountains, you'll hear Basque (also known as Euskara) spoken.

6. Siesta time is real.

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If you're walking around a neighborhood around 3 p.m. wondering why mostly every store is closed, the answer is that it's siesta time. This Spanish tradition dates back to the good old days, when people would close up shop to nap during the hottest hours of the day. Nowadays, people don't necessarily nap all afternoon, but many do take a mid-afternoon break.

7. And most things close on Sundays.

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Spain is a primarily Catholic country and Sunday is the day of rest. So when you visit, plan accordingly. Don't be surprised that most shops, retail stores, and a good number of restaurants close for the whole day.

8. Check the calendar for fiestas.

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Spain is famous for having tons of national celebrations — called fiestas — throughout the year. Different regions from Catalonia and Pamplona to Seville and Valencia hold big, crowded celebrations throughout the year. That being said, check the calendar before you plan a visit. Fiestas often coincide with big crowds, blocked off streets, and store/restaurant closings.

9. It's not always hot, hot, hot.

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You might be convinced that it's always summer in Spain. But the country experiences seasons much like the U.S. does. While Seville, Tenerife, and much of southern Spain remains relatively warm throughout the year, much of the country experiences mild winter with temperatures in the 50s. Near the Pyranees Mountains, you can even see snow.

10. Take advantage of the lunch "menu del dia."

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If you're looking to eat well on a budget in Spain, many restaurants across diverse cities offer a menu del dia or menu of the day. This daily menu is usually a generous, three-course meal for a very reasonable price.

11. Tipping is appreciated, but not expected.

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Unlike in the United States, waiters and severs in Spain make a living wage so tipping is not expected or necessary. That being said, it's usually customary to round up or leave around 10% if you liked your service.

12. If you're traveling within Spain, consider flying.

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Thanks to budget airlines like Vueling and Air Nostrum, it's common to find super affordable flights from one Spanish city to the next. In fact, if you get lucky, you can fly for cheaper than you could take the train (called Renfe in Spain).

13. Book your visits to tourist attractions in advance.

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If you're planning to walk right into Gaudí's iconic Sagrada Familia Cathedral, think again. This popular attraction, like many others across the country, requires that you book a ticket in advance with a designated visit time. You can book pretty much anything online, so just do a quick Google search to learn about the ticketing process.