Facts about Spain
Below you can read a number of practical information in connection with trips to Spain. Read, for example, about time difference, tips and currency
- Residents: 50 mill.
- Capital: Madrid
- Language: Spanish, Catalan, Galician and Basque
- Religion: Roman Catholicism
- Currency: Euro
- Surface: 505 370 km2
Worth knowing
Time difference
There is no time difference between Sweden and Spain.
Transport in Spain
The buses we travel with in Spain are in good condition and all are equipped with air conditioning.
Price level
Prices in Spain are lower than in Sweden. It is possible to get a good meal at a very reasonable price, but you will of course find all price ranges. Half board and other included meals usually do not include drinks.
Tip
It is customary to tip and you usually round up. If the service has been satisfactory, you tip about 1-2 euros per person.
For cruises, other rules apply. See the travel program for your trip.
Currency and credit cards
Spain’s currency is the euro (EUR). Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express can be used as debit cards almost anywhere in Spain. In the larger cities you will find ATMs where you can withdraw cash.
Credit cards are not quite as common in Spain as they are in Scandinavia. Even if stores and restaurants advertise that they take credit cards, it is not certain that they will accept it if the purchase price is less than a certain amount. This is because the stores pay a high fee for receiving foreign credit cards.
Electricity
In Spain, 220/230 volts apply, just like in Sweden. Spain has the same sockets as in Sweden, and you do not need to bring an adapter.
Telephone and internet
According to allcitycodes, the international country code for Spain is +34. The EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are covered by Roam Like at Home, which means that you must be able to use your subscription within the EU at the same price as at home. However, your operator has the option of limiting how much data you may use, so check with your operator what is included in your particular agreement.
Tact and tone
When visiting museums or churches, keep your legs and arms covered to show respect.
Smoking
During air travel and transport, there is an absolute ban on smoking. You may not smoke indoors in public places unless you have set up a special smoking room.
Climate and weather in Spain
On this page you can read about the climate and weather in Spain. See, for example, temperatures for the capital Madrid, Barcelona and Santa Cruz on Tenerife.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | CHRISTMAS | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
Madrid | ||||||||||||
Daytime temperature | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 19 | 14 | 10 |
Night temperature | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 4 |
Precipitation (mm) | 33 | 35 | 25 | 45 | 51 | 21 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 60 | 58 | 51 |
Malaga | ||||||||||||
Daytime temperature | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 20 | 18 |
Night temperature | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 9 |
Precipitation (mm) | 69 | 60 | 52 | 44 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 57 | 101 | 100 |
Barcelona | ||||||||||||
Daytime temperature | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 14 |
Night temperature | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
Precipitation (mm) | 38 | 37 | 36 | 40 | 47 | 30 | 21 | 62 | 81 | 91 | 59 | 41 |
Palma de Mallorca | ||||||||||||
Daytime temperature | 15 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 16 |
Night temperature | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 4 |
Precipitation (mm) | 37 | 32 | 26 | 34 | 32 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 50 | 62 | 55 | 48 |
Santa Cruz, Tenerife | ||||||||||||
Daytime temperature | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
Night temperature | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 |
Precipitation (mm) | 32 | 35 | 38 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 34 | 43 |
The climate in Spain varies from temperate inland to subtropical in the south. On the Atlantic coast in the north, there is a lot of precipitation in winter and the summers are cold. In the east and south along the Mediterranean coast, the climate is subtropical with a mild winter. During the autumn and spring a lot of rain falls. Southern Spain, including the Canary Islands, has a subtropical to tropical climate. The average temperature is between 18 and 24 ÂșC during the year.
Northern Spain
Further north in the Basque Country and on the northern coast, more art and more experiences await. Do not miss the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao built by the international top architect Frank Gehry. The museum is half-built and half-sculpted, with a silvery, fish-like armor created from thin titanium plates and equipped inside with American pop art, abstract expressionism and other leading, modern art from around the world. Northern Spain also attracts with Rioja and its wines, which should be enjoyed at any of the area’s all exciting wineries and with Hemingway’s favorite city Pamplona in Navarre, where you can experience the famous and infamous San Fermin festival. Every year on July 7, the bulls are released on the narrow streets and young adventurous – or foolhardy – men are allowed to play game for a day.
The south of Spain
Continue your journey in southern Spain to the Spanish sunny coast, which is much more than the beaches of Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol. It is also Picasso’s hometown of Malaga. Many of the master’s works can of course be seen here at the Museo Picasso, which is housed in the prestigious Palacio de Buenavista. Southern Spain is also the white villages (Los Pueblos Blancos) in Andalusia. For example, Ronda with the 100 meter deep ravine that divides the village in two, and the charming mountain village Frigiliana, where several Danish artists have chosen to settle. Sunny southern Spain can also offer Granada with the famous Moorish fortress Alhambra and the city of Seville, where you can see good flamenco.