SPAIN (España)
Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe and is overrun by tourists during the summer months. The cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia are very popular destinations. The Canary Islands, which are located west of Morocco, belong to Spain as well. The Pyrenees are located at the border of Spain and France. The mountain range is an interesting place for skiers and cyclists. The largest airports in Spain are Madrid Barajas Airport, Barcelona Airport, and Palma de Mallorca Airport. All three airports have a place in the top 25 busiest airports in Europe. The Spanish aviation authority AENA has one official website for all Spanish airports. We offer useful information about airports in Spain.
Car hire is very popular in Spain, at the airports you can choose from different providers. Next to the big international car rental companies, you can rent a car from Spanish providers. Well-known and reliable car rental companies in Spain are Gold car, Record Go, Auto Reisen, Cisar and Top Car. Auto Reisen, Cisar, and Top Car are only available in the Canary Islands.
Main Destinations
The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Granada, Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, and Gaudí Sites, The Great Mosque of Córdoba (La Mezquita), The Prado and Paseo del Artes, Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Seville Cathedral and Alcázar, Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Location
Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. The capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado Museum, housing works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval castle (the Alcázar) and an intact Roman aqueduct. Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical modernist landmarks like the Sagrada Familia church.
Main Airport
Madrid Barajas Airport MAD, Barcelona Airport BCN, Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI, Malaga Airport AGP, Alicante Airport ALC, Gran Canaria Airport LPA, Tenerife South Airport TFS 1, Valencia Airport VLC
Capital City
Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez, and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.
Language Spoken
The official language of Spain is Spanish (or rather Castellano) and is understood everywhere in the country. More often than not, the people of Spain refer to their language as Castellano rather than español because the latter can be any of the other languages spoken in the country.
Currency
Spain joined the European Union in 1986 and was one of the first countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.
Emergency Calls
In Spain, 112 is the general number for contacting emergency services.
Peak Season
The best time to visit Spain is between March-May (spring), or September - October (fall), when the weather is quite pleasant, and the crowds are low. The high season is between June - August, and this is when most of the crowd's head to the country - especially toward the beaches and the cities.
Low Season
According to Hotels.com, the cheapest time to visit Spain is usually from December to March, which also happens to coincide with both its coldest months and its thinnest tourism season.
Temperature
Temperatures vary only slightly, both on a diurnal and a seasonal basis, and averages range from 9 °C (48.2 °F) in January to 21 °C (69.8 °F) in July.