Top 10 reasons to visit Spain at least once in your life - ConnollyCove (2023)

Spainis the second most visited country in the world. It is visited by many international tourists because it offers a lot for everyone. With a variety of cultures and cultures, it has many UNESCO World Heritage sites, including monuments and castles. He also leads a happy, relaxed lifestyle. In addition, it offers countless outdoor activities and adventures.Zatoka Connolly'egopresents the top 10 reasons why you should visit Spain at least once in your life.

10 reasons to visit Spain!

Spain is the fourth largest country in Europe in terms of area. It is mainly located on the Iberian Peninsula and borders the Arab African countryMorocco. It also crosses the Atlantic Ocean from the northwest and southwest. Continue reading! Here is a list of the top reasons why you should visit Spain.

1. Aesthetic natural beauty

If you are a nature lover, Spain has endless natural landscapes where you lose track of time. You will do nothing but enjoy the heavenly view of nature. There are mountains, mines, lakes, natural arches, caves, islands and much more! This beautiful nature encourages enjoyable physical activities such as country walks, hiking, mountaineering and bird watching. Don't forget to take lots of photos and take great selfies.

2. Dazzling Mediterranean beaches

With more than 3,000 beaches, Spain is the most preferred country for sun, sea and sand. It has the highest number of blue flag beaches in the world, with 621 flags in 2022. The blue flag means the beach is clean and safe. You can bask in the sun on the white sands while enjoying the bright blue and green scenery with crystal clear waters. You can also swim and enjoy many exciting water sports such as kayaking and rafting.

3. Favorable climate

The good climate is also one of the main reasons to visit Spain. In Spain you can spend a wonderful holiday both in summer and winter, because the country has many climatic zones. The climate is moderately continental in the central plateau, with hot summers and cold winters. However, the northern coastal region has an oceanic climate with cool summers and winters. The south coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.

4. Sustainable development and ecological travel

Ecotourism and sustainability are some of the main reasons to visit Spain as Spain encourages them. It has over 70 million hectares of protected land, or almost 33% of the country's territory. The country is also very rich in art and history. San Sebastián is the most sustainable place in Spain where you can enjoy hiking while admiring the beauty of nature. It is also tempting to immerse yourself in the history of this city.

5. Culturally rich cities and meticulously preserved monuments

Spain has hosted many cultures for hundreds of years. In every inch you will come across carefully preserved monuments dating back to the times of the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths or Umayyads from Andalusia. It is now also known for its cultural diversity. As it is a port country, you can make friends with different nationalities and get to know their way of life.

Spain has many museums of history, ancient and modern art, and sports. The Alhambra will amaze you with its Gothic and Islamic style. You will also be impressed by La Sagrada Familia, an unfinished Roman Catholic church that combines Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. For cultural tourismBilbaois currently the most popular destination in Spain.

6. Adventurous travel related to sports

Are you a madridista? Or maybe a Barcelona fan? Of course, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the best and richest Spanish clubs with fans all over the world. As we know, Spaniards are crazy about football. They are famous for die-hard soccer fans. You can join them as they sing, shout or celebrate if you visit Spain during Champions League or Copa Del Rey matches. The best would be to visit the Camp Nou stadium, the largest stadium in Europe. You will enjoy discovering its magnificent structure and delving into its glorious historyFC Barcelona.

7. Medical Tourism Center

Medical tourism is also growing by 20% annually in Spain. It attracts tourists from all over the world as its nation is one of the healthiest in the world. It also has affordable treatments. you can expect savings of 30% to 70% on medical expenses. In addition, it has advanced medical services, world-class medical facilities and highly qualified medical staff. In addition, most hospitals and clinics are in ideal locations. Therefore, these surrounding graphic points help in better and faster recovery.

8. Quality of life at affordable prices

Offering comfort and a high quality of life, Spain is relatively affordable compared to other countriesEuropean countries. Its average monthly cost of living is between 850 and 1,100 euros per person. In 2022, it was 19% cheaper thanUnited Kingdom—Source: Eurostat.

9. Distinctive local cuisine

Among the important reasons to visit Spain is its local cuisine. It is known that world famous chefs come from Spain. So it would be a great idea to enjoy some specific Spanish local cuisine. You should try Tapa, a delicious snack with various items such as calamari, cheese and olives. Made with eggs and potatoes, Tortilla España (Spanish tortilla) differs from the Mexican tortilla and is served as tapas. Gazpacho is another famous Spanish cold soup made with pureed tomatoes and other seasonal vegetables. It is also worth trying Paella, a classic rice dish cooked with chicken, seafood, vegetables and saffron.

10. Dynamic flamenco

Tourists also travel to Spain to witness dynamic Flamenco. It is a popular art form that emerged in southern Spain. It consists of various folk songs (toque), song (cante) and dance (baile). Flamenco involves clapping and dancing in heels, and the musical instrument used is mainly the guitar. Spaniards skillfully combine all these elements to create an elegant Flamenco show. In November 2010, UNESCO recognized flamenco as a world intangible cultural heritage.

The best time to visit Spain

As mentioned earlier, you can enjoy all four seasons in Spain. However, the best time to visit is late spring, from April to May, to enjoy outdoor activities and national holidays. It is also nice to visit Spain in early autumn, from September to October.

If you want to travel to Spain during the cheapest season, you should travel around January and February during the low season. However, keep in mind that during these months there is bitter cold inland and rainy weather on the coast. So bring heavy coats and sweaters during these months.

Tips for visiting Spain on a budget

Spainit is relatively cheap compared to other European countries. However, you can still reduce the cost of visiting and traveling to Spain. From sightseeing, shopping and dining to accommodation and transportation, we'll share our tips on how to extend your trip to Spain on a budget.

Lot

• Book your flight six or eight months in advance.
• Better to book an open-mouthed flight that arrives in one city and departs from another. This saves you money and time as you don't have to travel back to where you came from. In addition, open tickets are cheaper than regular return tickets.
• On the way stop in the city center for a day or two. You will reduce costs and gain a chance to get to know a new place.
• Only pack hand luggage to avoid additional charges.

Transport

• Book your airport transfer through a licensed company in advance.
• When traveling, use only licensed taxis or vehicles of verified transport companies. Advance booking is required in some cities in Spain.
• Take the bus as it is the cheapest way to get around.
• For longer journeys, avoid taxis and take the subway instead. The bus is time consuming.
• Book your ticket online to reserve your seat on the AVE high-speed train.
• The slow train is cheaper and will allow you to see the area. however, it takes a long time.
• The cheapest way to travel between Spanish cities is with low-cost airlines.
• If you are driving, book a car with free cancellation and preferably pick it up at the airport.

Accommodation

• Stay in smaller or remote towns and villages that don't have train stations or airports. These destinations have lower accommodation prices.
• Book your stay as early as possible to get the best deal.
• Accommodation without a view saves a few euros.
• Stay in a hostel, B&B or Airbnb to save money.
• If you love animals, you can find free accommodation with your pet.
• If you need private accommodation, rent an apartment with laundry and kitchen facilities.

Food

• Eat your main meal at noon because dinner in Spain is expensive. Many restaurants offer a menu del día, or lunch menu, with special prices. Available from 12:00 to 13:00 or from 15:00 to 16:00, the menu includes an appetizer, main course, drink and dessert.
• Avoid eating at the main tourist squares as their food is expensive.
• Leaving a tip of a euro or two is welcome. However, no exceedance is expected.
• Explore local markets and grocery stores. Their local dishes and delicacies are cheaper than in restaurants. You can check outBoqueria, the most famous market in Barcelona around the world.
• Take a bottle of water with you and refill it whenever possible.

Sightseeing

• Go to the tourist information kiosks for advice and free maps.
• Many museums, botanical gardens and monuments are free on certain days or at certain times of the day.
• If there is an activity or activity you can't miss, book it in advance to avoid queuing and have plenty of free time.
• Do two trips in one day. Just check the bus schedules and decide which places you can visit in one day.

Shopping

• Winter sales start in late December or early January. However, summer sales start at the end of June and end in August.
• Use credit cards that don't offer extra fees for international transactions. Check with your bank before you travel.

Staying connected

• Use free Wi-Fi in trusted areas and avoid free calls in public places to protect yourself from cybercrime and hacking.
• Before traveling, negotiate international roaming conditions with your SIM card provider. Alternatively, you can buy a Spanish pay-as-you-go SIM card to save money.

Facts about traveling to Spain

Before your trip, you can get to know Spain through facts and statistics. They can recommend the most visited cities and attractions in Spain. In addition, you can perfectly plan your itinerary before your trip, discovering the traditions, customs and languages ​​of Spain. Here are some interesting facts about Spain.

• The most spoken language in Spain is Spanish, followed by Catalan, Galician and Basque.
• Spain has two time zones: Central European Time (CET) and Central European Summer Time (CEST). The standard time is UTC +1:00 and changes to UTC +2 in the summer.
• The current currency of Spain is Euro €. One pound sterling is approximately €1.15 and one US dollar is approximately €0.92.
• The standard voltage in Spain is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. If your electrical device runs on 110 volts, you will need to use a transformer (inverter).
• Spanish electrical sockets and plugs are type C "or euro plug" and type F. Type C has two round parallel pins, while type F has two round pins with two ground terminals on the sides.
• Before you travel, get the right travel insurance and make sure it provides adequate protection.
• You cannot buy meat, milk or products from either of these when traveling in Spain or any other EU country.
• Spaniards like to let their hands do the talking. They have many gestures, each of which corresponds to a word or way of expressing a thought.
• Barcelonais the most visited city in Spain, thenMadridIPalma de Mallorca.
• To drive, you must obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), a translation of your national driving licence. It would be best to always have it together with a valid national license.
• As Spain encourages sustainable tourism, it restricts vehicle access and imposes speed limits in some cities.
• Drivers always sit on the right side of the road.
• Driving without a shirt or wearing flip-flops can result in fines.
• Watch out for street crime. Working in groups of two or more, thieves use distraction techniques to steal passports, money and other valuables. Therefore, do not keep all your valuables in one place and keep a copy of your passport in a safe place.
• When planning a walk or hike, check your local weather forecasts for warnings as temperatures change very quickly in some parts of the country.
• Be sure to dine at the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world, Restaurante Botín. It has been open since 1725.
• Spain is the leading producer of olive oil, providing 44% of the world's production. The main region producing the most olive oil in Spain is Andalusia. You must try it!

Terms of travel in Spanish

If you have decided to visitSpainthis year why not try to learn some Spanish words and phrases that are often used by travelers? This handy Spanish-language guide will help you navigate your way around, greet people, ask basic questions, search for accommodation, and give you the best shopping experience.

There are many reasons to visit Spain. What are you waiting for? Spain is waiting for you! You may also consider visitingVigo,Ibiza, ISevillewhen you are there.