Book cheap flights to Spain

The popular season of summer (June – August) is one you should avoid, if you prefer skipping crowds, low availability and high hotel costs. The towns and cities along the eastern and western coasts get plenty of visitors, guaranteeing crowded beaches. If you visit the city of Pamplona in July, make sure to book for later in the month. Visiting this city during early July will mean handling crowds of tourists who have come for the annual bull run. Northern Spain is a good place to visit during the summer, due to its relatively overlooked status. You can enjoy the wonderful hot days, but prepare yourself for plenty of rain. Other parts of northern Spain, such as Barcelona, are best visited during the late-spring to early-summer period (May – June). The summer crowds have yet to arrive meaning good hotel deals. As for the rest of Spain, including the capital Madrid, early autumn (September – October) is another good time to visit. The crowds of the summer will have left, guaranteeing you more hotel deals. An additional convenience is the still pleasant temperatures, giving you the ideal opportunity to enjoy the attractions of this part of Spain at your own pace.

You will need a Schengen visa to visit the cities of Spain.

Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.

See this guide on how to apply for your Schengen visa.

The South African Embassy is in Madrid.

Address: Edificio Lista, Calle de Claudio Coello 91-6, Cor of J Ortega & Gasset, Madrid 28006

Phone: 34 91 436 2780

Fax: 34 91 577 7414

Get all the routine vaccinations before you depart for Spain. Furthermore, you may need vaccinations and medication for other diseases based on where you go and what you do in the cities of this European nation. These include hepatitis A (spread through contaminated food and water), hepatitis B (spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products) and rabies (spread through the bites of infected dogs, bats and other mammals).

Violent crime is not a serious issue in many Spanish destinations, nevertheless, it would be wise to stay alert. Pickpocketing is a common problem around the world, so make sure you keep your valuables close and out of sight. If you’re carrying a bag, keep it in front of you at all times. Be careful around crowded areas and avoid gypsy women offering to read your future (this is a common pickpocketing strategy). Keep large amounts of money and your credit card hidden when in the open.

When dining out, make sure to keep track of what you order so that you know the total you must pay when you are finished. Some waiters may try to charge you more. Tipping is optional and when you do so, 5-8% of the price is normal. If you are overcharged, bring it to their attention and ask for the menu again.

Spain offers accommodation to suit every budget and travel style, from five-star luxury paradores and boutique design hotels in historic city centres to lively backpacker hostels and self-catering casas rurales. Major international chains including Marriott, Hilton, Meliá, NH Hotels, and Barceló operate across all major cities, while a rich tradition of family-run pensiones, hostales, and bed and breakfasts provides charming, personal alternatives throughout the country.

For coastal accommodation, beach resorts along the Costa del Sol, Costa Brava, and Costa Blanca range from all-inclusive hotel complexes to private villa rentals and boutique seafront hotels. In the interior, Spain’s iconic network of Paradores — state-run hotels housed in castles, monasteries, convents, palaces, and fortresses — offer a uniquely Spanish way to experience the country’s heritage. Book well in advance for peak season (July to August on the coasts, Easter week nationwide, and major festivals such as La Tomatina and San Fermín).

In Madrid, accommodation is concentrated around the city centre neighbourhoods of Sol, Gran Vía, Malasaña, and Salamanca. In Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter, Eixample, and the beachfront neighbourhood of Barceloneta are the most popular bases for visitors. Seville, Granada, and San Sebastián each offer a wealth of boutique hotels and guesthouses within easy walking distance of their main attractions.

Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels, charming bed and breakfasts, beachfront resorts, or budget-friendly hostels, you can find and book a huge variety of accommodation across Spain at Travelstart Accommodation.

Spain is well suited to exploration by car — the road network is modern and extensive, with a comprehensive motorway system connecting major cities, and self-driving through the countryside, wine regions, and coastal roads is one of the most rewarding ways to see the country. You can compare and book affordable rental cars across Spain with Travelstart Car Hire. Car hire is available at all major airports and cities including Madrid Barajas, Barcelona El Prat, Málaga, Alicante, and Seville, from companies including Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, and Goldcar. Drive on the right-hand side of the road. Note that Spain has Low Emission Zones (ZBE) in cities across the country — including Madrid and Barcelona — where access may be restricted for higher-emission vehicles and prior online registration may be required for foreign-registered cars.