A–Z Travel Tips
A
Accommodation (see also Camping and Recommended Hotels)
Those travelling independently will find a wide range of options. For a comprehensive listing of accommodation and rates throughout Spain, consult the Guía Oficial de Hoteles, available from the Spanish National Tourist Office (for more information, click here) and larger bookshops.
By law, prices must be displayed in the reception and in the room, showing seasonal adjustments. Meals (including breakfast) are not usually included in the basic price, and VAT (IVA in Spanish) will be added to your bill.
Establishments in Spain are graded by each of the 17 autonomous governments, and may vary from region to region. More expensive hotels will have air conditioning where necessary, and rooms will have showers. Hotels are rated according to the system detailed below, with one of the following ratings plus the appropriate number of stars:
Hotel (H): rated one to five stars according to services offered.
Hotel Residencia (HR): a hotel without a restaurant, but often with a bar and cafeteria facilities.
Motel (M): rated same as hotels, but motels are few and far between in Spain.
Hotel Apartamentos (HA): apartments with hotel services and facilities, and rated the same as hotels.
Residencia Apartamentos (RA): residential apartments without a restaurant, rated the same as hotels.
Hostal (Hs): a more modest hotel, often a family concern, graded from one to three stars. Rates overlap with the lower range of hotels. A three-star hostal can cost about the same as a one or two-star hotel.
Hostal Residencia (HsR): a hostal without a restaurant.
Pensión (P): a boarding house, graded one to three stars, with only basic amenities and usually shared bathrooms.
Ciudad de Vacaciones (CV): a hotel complex complete with sports facilities.
Casa Rural: a country or village house offering bed-and-breakfast or self-catering accommodation.
Parador: a state-run hotel, often housed in a castle or other historic building, always in a fine setting and furnished in local style. Prices are mostly in line with those of a four- to five-star hotel. Advance booking is advisable. For information and bookings in Spain contact the Paradores de Turismo, Central de Reservas, Requena, 3, 28013 Madrid, tel: 902 547 979 or www.parador.es; in the UK contact Keytel International, The Foundry, 156 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EN, tel: 020-7953 3020; in the USA and Canada contact Marketing Ahead, 381 Park Avenue South, Suite 718, New York, NY, tel: 1 800 223-1356 or 212-686-9213, email: mahrep@aol.com.
I’d like a single/double room. Quisiera una habitación individual/doble.
with bath/shower con baño/ducha
What is the rate per night? ¿Cuál es el precio por noche?
Airports (see also Getting There)
Madrid’s Barajas Airport (14km/9 miles northeast of the capital) is the main gateway to Spain from North America, but there are direct flights to Barcelona and Málaga. Other important international airports are Alicante, Seville and Valencia. There are also major airports on Mallorca, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Madrid is Spain’s main air transport hub, and airlines such as Iberia and Spanair offer frequent connections to regional airports throughout the country and to the Canary Islands and the Balearics.
B
Budgeting for Your Trip
Accommodation. Although Spain is sometimes thought of as a budget destination, hotel prices in the cities can be comparable with other European cities, so if you are planning a city-based stay on a limited budget choose your accommodation carefully. Rates for a double room can range from as low as €50–60 at a pensión or hostal to as much as €360–420, or even more, at a top-of-the-range, 5-star hotel. As a rule of thumb, a good 4-star hotel will cost in the range of €100–150. Prices normally exclude breakfast and IVA (value added tax).
Car hire. Car hire costs are generally lower than average for Europe, but prices vary, so shop around. Fly-drive deals are often good value. If you want a small, manual-transmission car primarily for local use, it is generally cheaper to hire from a local company, especially on the Costas and the islands (see also Car Hire).
Meals and drinks. While simple meals and drinks are good value, prices vary considerably, according to where you choose to eat. The cheapest three-course meal with one drink, menú del día, in a small bar/restaurant will be around €12–15. Dinner in a medium-level restaurant will be about €20–30 per head, including wine. At the top restaurants expect to pay anything over €50 per person, plus wine.
Entertainment. Approximate prices are: cinema €6–8, flamenco club (entry and first drink) from €25, nightclub from €10, amusement/theme park (per day) around €25–35 adult or €17–25 child, bullfight €20–90, but prices may vary between regions.
Sightseeing. Admission prices for most museums cost, on average, €8–15. Some places have no admission charge, and there are often student discounts and other concessions, including free entry for EU citizens on certain days.
Taxis. Taxis are generally inexpensive, with a typical short city-centre ride costing around €10 on the meter. Be sure to agree the rate for long-distance journeys beforehand.
C
Camping
Spanish campsites are divided into categories, and rates and facilities vary accordingly. All sites, however, have drinking water, toilets and showers, electricity and basic first-aid facilities, and all are under surveillance night and day. Rates depend to a large extent on the facilities available. For a complete list of campsites, consult the Guía de Campings, available from the Spanish National Tourist Office (for more information, click here) and some local bookshops.
Camping outside of official sites is fine, provided you obtain permission from the landowner. Many campsites have good beach locations but you are not allowed to pitch your tent on tourist beaches, in urban areas, or within 1km (0.5 mile) of an official site.
Car Hire (see also Driving)
Hiring a car before you go avoids any uncertainties and can be cheaper too. Auto Europe (www.autoeurope.com) is one of the largest organisations offering discount rates – especially if you require a car with automatic transmission or specialist vehicles such as 4-wheel drives. Fly-drive deals with airline companies can be good value: all the big car-hire companies have discount deals with airlines. The website www.easycar.com offers inexpensive deals.
Otherwise, you’ll find a choice of car-hire firms in any major town, with the market leaders – Avis, Hertz, Europcar – at the airports and principal railway stations. Rates and conditions vary enormously. CDW insurance cover should be considered a necessity. Extra insurance cover against theft of radio and other car parts, and damage caused by thieves, is worth considering.
Normally you must be over 21 to hire a car, and you will need a valid driver’s licence that you have held for at least 12 months, your passport and a credit card – to use to leave a deposit. Visitors from countries other than the US, Canada and those in the EU will be expected to present an International Driver’s Licence.
Local rate numbers: Avis 902 248 824, www.avis.es; Hertz 917 497 778, www.hertz.es; Europcar 902 503 010, www.europcar.es.
I’d like to hire a car (tomorrow). Quisiera alquilar un coche (para mañana).
for one day/a week por un día/una semana
Please include full insurance. Haga el favor de incluir el seguro a todo riesgo.
Climate
As a general rule, late spring to early summer and late summer to early autumn are the best times for visiting most parts of Spain. This avoids the most oppressive heat, not to mention the crowds and high-season hotel rates. In winter, temperatures plummet in the high central plains.
Summer temperatures in the north are ideal for swimming and sunbathing, but expect rain any time in the northwest. At the height of summer (July–August) even the locals try to escape the dry, merciless heat of Madrid and the central plains; the southern and east coast areas can be uncomfortably humid.
For winter sun, head for the Canary Islands where temperatures rarely fall below a monthly average of 17˚C (62˚F). On the mainland, the south coast and parts of the central and southeastern coast are pleasantly mild all year, but swimming is not really an option in winter. Of course, winter is the season for skiing in the Pyrenees and Andalucía’s Sierra Nevada.
Clothing
If you’re heading for the south coast in the height of summer, pack loose cotton clothes and take sun hats and sunscreen. In April, May and October, you may need a light sweater for the evenings. From November to March, you should enjoy shirt-sleeve sunshine during the day, but this can be interrupted by chill winds from the mountains, so take a warm jacket or sweater.
Winter visitors to Madrid and the central plains region will need to pack warm clothing. If you’re heading for the northwest at any time, take waterproof gear.
Dress codes are very casual in most resorts, but tourists sporting resort wear in a big, sophisticated city such as Madrid or Barcelona may attract stares. The Spanish enjoy dressing up for an occasion, and it is as well to look smart if you are visiting a good restaurant or reputable nightclub. Short skirts, shorts and beachwear are considered inappropriate attire for visits to churches, so carry a wrap to cover bare arms and legs.
Crime and Safety
Spain’s crime rate is on a par with the rest of Europe. Be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. Always carry a minimum of cash and keep your passport, travellers’ cheques, credit cards and cash in a money belt or, better still, in your hotel safe. Never leave bags unattended, especially when swimming.
The most common crime against the tourist in Spain is theft from hire cars. If you park overnight in the street in one of the big towns or resorts, it’s possible that your car will be broken into. Always look for secure parking areas and stow all possessions, especially video cameras and valuables, out of sight in the boot (trunk); never leave anything in your car overnight.
All thefts must be reported to the police within 24 hours. Go to the nearest police station (comisaría) and make a denuncia. You will need a copy of the police report in order to make a claim on your holiday insurance. As a precaution, photocopy the relevant pages of your passport(s) and airline ticket(s) and keep them in a separate place from the originals. This will save much time in the event of them being stolen. If this happens your consulate should also be informed.
I want to report a theft. Quiero denunciar un robo.
My handbag/ticket/wallet/passport has been stolen Me han robado el bolso/el billete/la cartera/el pasaporte.
D
Disabled Travellers
Facilities for travellers with disabilities are improving all the time, but as yet public transport is not fully wheelchair accessible. The Spanish National Tourist Office provides a fact sheet and a list of accessible accommodation. Most museums and other sights are wheelchair accessible.
Visually impaired travellers can contact once, the Organización Nacional de Ciegos de España (Spanish National Organization for the Blind), Calle Sebastián Herrera 15, 28012 Madrid, tel: 915 068 888, www.once.es.
Driving
In Spain you drive on the right and overtake on the left. By law, drivers must have a valid driving licence, vehicle registration document and valid insurance documents, and must be able to show a passport or ID card.
Rules and regulations. Speed limits are 50kmh (30mph) in built-up areas, 90–100kmh (55–60mph) on main roads, and 120kmh (75mph) on motorways. The use of front and rear seat belts is obligatory. A red warning-triangle must be carried and you should display a nationality sticker. You must have a yellow reflective jacket in the front of the car to be used in case of roadside emergency. Motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear crash helmets. Don’t drink and drive: the permitted blood-alcohol level is low, penalties are stiff and random breath tests are often carried out.
Roads are patrolled by the motorcycle police of the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil). They can impose on-the-spot fines for minor offences, including speeding and travelling too close to the car in front.
Full tank, please, top grade. Llénelo, por favor, con super.
Please check the oil/ tyres/battery. Por favor, controle el aceite/los neumáticos/la batería.
Petrol stations. Service stations are plentiful, but keep an eye on the gauge in more remote areas. Unleaded petrol (gasolina sin plomo) comes in two grades, super and super-plus, and diesel (gasóleo) is widely available.
Parking (aparcamiento). Parking regulations are strictly enforced – offending vehicles will be towed away, and a hefty fine charged for their return. Some no parking signs have a large ‘E’ (estacionamiento) with a diagonal line through it. A yellow-painted kerb means parking is prohibited. Blue means parking is restricted to certain times and that you have to pay for and display a sticker, usually obtained from a nearby machine. These spaces are for a maximum of two hours. Parking is usually free on Sundays and public holidays. Underground car parks with a security attendant are the safest bet.
Road signs. Most of the road signs used in Spain are international pictograms. Here are some written signs you will come across:
Autopista (de peaje) (Toll) motorway (expressway)
Ceda el paso Give way (Yield)
Circunvalación Bypass/ring-road
Curva peligrosa Dangerous bend
Despacio Slow
Desviación Diversion (Detour)
Obras Road works
Peligro Danger
Prohibido aparcar No parking
Breakdowns and assistance. For emergencies dial 112. On motorways there are SOS boxes located at 2km (1 mile) intervals.
My car has broken down. Mi coche se ha estropeado.
Where is the nearest garage? ¿Donde está el garage más cercano?
E
Electricity
220V/50Hz AC is now standard. Sockets take round, two-pin plugs, so you may need an adapter.
Embassies and Consulates
All embassies (a selection of which are listed below) are in Madrid. Many countries have consular facilities in large cities, such as Barcelona and Seville, as well as in resort areas and islands popular with foreign tourists, such as the Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands and Palma, Mallorca. If you run into trouble with the authorities or the police, the embassy can advise you where to find the nearest consulate.
Australia Torre Espacio Paseo de la Castellana 259D, tel: 913 536 600; www.spain.embassy.gov.au.
Canada Torre Espacio Paseo de la Castellana 259D, tel: 913 828 400; www.canadainternational.gc.ca.
Ireland Paseo de la Castellana 46, tel: 914 364 093; www.irlanda.es.
South Africa Claudio Coello 91, tel: 914 363 780; www.dirco.gov.za/madrid/en.
UK Torre Espacio Paseo de la Castellana 259D, tel: 917 146 300; www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-madrid.
US Serrano 75, tel: 915 872 200; http://madrid.usembassy.gov.
Emergencies
Unless you are fluent in Spanish you should seek help through your hotel receptionist or the local tourist office. If you can speak Spanish, the following telephone numbers may be useful.
Fire Brigade 080 Red Cross (Cruz Roja) 902 222 292
Police 091 Sea Rescue 900 202 202
112 will connect you to Fire, Police or Ambulance.
G
Getting There
By air from North America. Iberia (tel: 1 807 772 4642; www.iberia.com) has flights from New York City, Boston, Chicago and Miami to Madrid, and connections from there to Málaga, Seville and other smaller airports; Air Europa (tel: 1 800 238 7672, www.air-europa.com) has flights from New York City and from Miami (seasonal) to Madrid, and connections from there to Málaga, Seville and other smaller airports. It also has a weekly scheduled flight between New York City and Málaga, in each direction.
By air from Europe. Scheduled flights link major European cities directly to the most important cities, and charter flights arrive in their hundreds from numerous destinations in northern Europe.
By car. From the UK, the main route from the French ferry ports runs south through western France to Bordeaux and into Spain at Irún, west of the Pyrenees. Alternatively, take the more central route through France to Perpignan in the southeast, then you can follow the A7 motorway to Barcelona and other points south.
Driving time can be cut by using the long-distance car-ferry service from Plymouth to Santander and Portsmouth to Bilbao in northern Spain.
By rail. From the UK, take the high-speed Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) from London’s St Pancras Station, through the Channel Tunnel to Paris Gare du Nord. French National Railways SNCF (www.voyages-sncf.com) and their Spanish compatriots RENFE now operate double-decker high-speed trains (TGV) from Paris Gare de Lyon to Figueres, Girona and Barcelona. You can now go from Paris to Barcelona centre to centre in around 6h15. There are usually two trains per day, four a day in summer. From either of those places take a Spanish train (www.renfe.es) to your destination.
By sea. From the UK, one company offers car ferry services to mainland Spain, with schedules varying by the season. Brittany Ferries (tel: 0871 244 0744, www.brittanyferries.com) has sailings with an average crossing time of 24 hours between Plymouth and Santander. There are also cruises to Spain (Bilbao, Santander) departing from Portsmouth.
H
Health and Medical Care
Anything other than basic emergency treatment can be very expensive, and you should not leave home without adequate insurance, preferably including cover for an emergency flight home in the event of serious injury or illness.
EU citizens are entitled to free emergency hospital treatment – you must obtain a European Health Insurance Card (ehic) before you leave. For information, tel: 0845 605 0707; apply online at www.ehic.org.uk or obtain an application form from the post office. You may have to pay part of the price of treatment or medicines; keep receipts so that you can claim a refund when you return home.
For minor ailments, visit the local first-aid post (ambulatorio). Farmacias (chemist/drugstore) are usually open during normal shopping hours – a green cross on a white background signifies a chemist.
After hours, at least one chemist per town remains open all night; called a farmacia de guardia, its location is posted in the window of all other chemists and in the local newspapers.
One of the main health hazards is also Spain’s biggest attraction – the sun. Take along a sun hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
Where’s the nearest (all-night) chemist? ¿Dónde está la farmacia (de guardia) más cercana?
I need a doctor/dentist. Necesito un médico/dentista.
sunburn/sunstroke quemadura del sol/una insolación
an upset stomach dolor de estómago
L
Language
The national language of Spain, Castilian Spanish (castellano), is spoken throughout the country, but it is estimated that two out of every five Spaniards speak another language primarily. The inhabitants of the Basque Country, Galicia, Catalunya and the Valencia region and the Balearics speak Euskara, Gallego, Catalan and variants of Catalan, respectively.
English is widely spoken in the resort towns, though it is polite to learn at least a few basic phrases. The Berlitz Spanish Phrasebook and Dictionary covers most situations you are likely to encounter.
Lost Property
For items left behind on public transport, ask your hotel receptionist to telephone the bus or railway station or taxi company. If you still cannot find the missing item, report the loss to the Municipal Police or the Guardia Civil within 24 hours (for more information, click here). They will issue a form you will need if you wish to make an insurance claim once you are home.
M
Media
Radio and television (radio; televisión). Depending upon where you are it is possible, especially on the Costas and in the Canary Islands and parts of the Balearics, to find radio stations that broadcast in English on the FM band. Network television programmes are all in Spanish, but better hotels and many English bars also have satellite TV with CNN, MTV, Superchannel, Sky TV, etc.
Newspapers and magazines (periódico, revista). In the major tourist areas you can buy most European newspapers on the day of publication, with some English ones even having Spanish editions, but at about three times the price. The International Herald Tribune is widely available, as are British and American magazines. In the Costas and the islands there are numerous weekly/monthly English-language newspapers and magazines, some of which are free.
Money
The monetary unit of Spain is the euro (e), with 100 cents making 1 euro. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins in circulation are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. The euro is roughly equivalent to US$1.
Banks and currency exchange. Outside normal banking hours, many travel agencies and other businesses displaying a cambio sign will change foreign currency into euros. All larger hotels will also change guests’ money, but the exchange rate is less favourable than at the bank. Travellers’ cheques always get a better rate than cash. Always take your passport with you when you go to change money or travellers’ cheques.
Cashpoints. ATMs outside banks are widely available in Spain, and are by far the easiest way of obtaining cash advances in euros, drawn on either your debit or credit card; they also provide a better exchange rate than cash or travellers’ cheques. Check that your account and pin number are authorised for international withdrawals.
Credit cards and travellers’ cheques (tarjetas de crédito; cheques de viaje). These are accepted in the majority of hotels, restaurants and big shops.
VAT (IVA). IVA (impuesto sobre el valor añadido), value added tax, will be added to your hotel and restaurant bills; it currently stands at 21 percent (general rate for most services and products), 10 percent (reduced rate) and 4 percent for basic products such as milk and bread. Generally these prices are included in the advertised total, but do peruse the menu carefully beforehand to check. In the Canary Islands value added tax is known as IGIC and levied at a rate of 7 percent (general rate) on hotel rooms. If shops display a ‘Tax Free Shopping’ sign, EU residents can get a tax refund if they make a big purchase.
Where’s the nearest bank? ¿Dónde está el banco más cercano?
I want to change some pounds/dollars. Quiero cambiar libras/dólares.
Do you take travellers’ cheques? ¿Acceptan cheques de viaje?
Can I pay with a credit card? ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?
O
Opening Times
Shops, offices and other businesses generally open Mon–Fri 9am to 5/5.30pm, but in tourist areas many places stay open all day. Most museums have also given up the habit to close for the siesta and usually remain open from 9am until 7pm. Some are closed on Monday. Banks generally open Monday to Friday 9.30am–2pm, and on Saturday 9.30am–1pm, but beware of the numerous public holidays.
P
Police
There are three separate police forces in Spain. The Policía Municipal or Local are attached to the local town hall and usually wear a blue uniform; they are the ones to whom you report theft and other crimes. The Policía Nacional is a national anti-crime unit whose officers wear a dark blue uniform, and the Guardia Civil, with green uniforms, is a national force whose most conspicuous role is to act as a highway patrol and customs officials. The emergency number is 112.
Post Offices
Post offices (www.correos.es) handle mail only. You cannot normally make telephone calls from them. Opening hours vary slightly between towns, but are generally Monday to Friday 8.30am–2.30pm, and on Saturday 9.30am–1pm. The post office at Barajas airport in Madrid also opens Sundays. Stamps (sellos) are also on sale at tobacconists (estancos) and hotel desks, and at tourist shops selling postcards. Mail for destinations outside Spain should be posted in the box marked extranjero (overseas). Allow about a week for delivery to the US and 4–5 days to the UK. To speed things up, send a letter urgente (express) or certificado (registered).
Public Holidays
Banks, post offices, government offices and many other businesses will be closed on the following national holidays. They may also shut on local and regional holidays; check with the local tourist office.
1 January Año Nuevo New Year’s Day
6 January Epifanía Epiphany
March/April Jueves Santo Maundy Thursday; Viernes Santo Good Friday
1 May Día del Trabajo Labour Day/May Day
May/June Corpus Christi Corpus Christi
15 August Asunción Feast of the Assumption
12 October Día de la Hispanidad Columbus Day
1 November Todos los Santos All Saints’ Day
6 December Día de la Constitución Constitution Day
8 December Immaculada Concepción Immaculate Conception
25 December Día de Navidad Christmas Day
Public Transport
Buses (autobús). There are extensive bus services within and between major cities, but in the countryside services generally only run to and from provincial centres – so links to smaller towns and resorts may not be possible, even if they are quite close by. Buses often go to destinations that are not served by trains, and are usually cheaper, faster and more frequent.
Where is the (nearest) bus stop? ¿Dónde está la parada de autobuses (más cercana)?
When’s the next bus/train for…? ¿A qué hora sale el próximo autobús/tren para…?
I want a ticket to… Quiero un billete para…
single (one-way) ida
return (round-trip) ida y vuelta
Will you tell me when to get off? ¿Podría indicarme cuándo tengo que bajar?
Trains (tren). Madrid is the hub of the RENFE (Spanish National Railways) network, which reaches out like a spider’s web to most corners of the country. There is a bewildering number of different types of train service, from all-stops local services (cercanías) to the high-speed AVE that makes the trip from Madrid to Seville in just 2.5 hours.
Timetables and information are available from railway stations and tourist offices, and from the RENFE website (www.renfe.es).
American visitors can take advantage of the Spain Eurail Pass, which allows 3–10 days of unlimited rail travel starting at US$252 (2nd class) or $314 (first class). The Spain Rail ’n’ Drive Pass gives three days of unlimited rail travel plus two days of car hire. Prices depend on class of rail travel and car category and start at US$392 per person for two travelling together.
For information on further deals available, such as Eurail passes for UK visitors, and services including the high-speed Euromed (Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante) or AVE (Madrid, Córdoba, Seville, Cádiz, Málaga) trains, contact Rail Europe at www.raileurope.com or www.eurorailways.com. Both websites contain useful rail trip planning information, especially the section on ‘Fares and Schedules’.
Taxis (taxi). In the major cities, taxis have meters, but in smaller towns and villages they usually don’t, so it’s a good idea to check the fare before you get in. If you take a long trip, you will be charged a two-way fare whether you make the return journey or not. By law a taxi may carry only four passengers. A green light and/or a libre (free) sign indicates a taxi that is available.
Ferries (barcos). These are a useful form of transport between the Canary and Balearic islands themselves and, to a lesser extent, to and from the islands. Trasmediterránea (www.trasmediterranea.es) is the largest company operating ferry services in Spain.
T
Telephone
The country code for Spain is 34. All Spanish telephone numbers are 9-digit, and the number, which incorporates the area code, must be dialled in full – even for local calls.
There are phone booths in all major towns and cities from which you can make local and international calls. Instructions in English and dialling codes for different countries are displayed in the booths. Some telephones accept credit cards, and many require a phone card (tarjeta telefónica), available from estancos. To call abroad from Spain dial 00, then dial the country code, the area code (minus the initial 0) and the number. The country code for the US and Canada is 1; the UK 44; Australia 61; New Zealand 64; the Republic of Ireland 353; and South Africa 27.
Calling directly from your hotel room is almost always very expensive unless you use a calling card, or some other similar system, from your local long-distance supplier – in which case find out from the supplier the free connection number applicable to the country. They are different for each country and are not always easily available once you are there.
Another option is to use a private booth that advertises its prices for particular countries in the window or on boards outside. Their rates are highly competitive, and you pay on completion of the call.
Can you get me this number? ¿Puede comunicarme con este número?
Time Zones
Spanish time is the same as that of most of Western Europe – Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour. In summer, another hour is added for Daylight Saving Time, keeping it an hour ahead of British Summer Time. The time in the Canary Islands is one hour earlier than on mainland Spain.
New York London Spain Sydney Auckland
6am 11am noon 8pm 10pm
Tipping
Since a service charge is normally included on hotel and restaurant bills, tipping is not obligatory but it’s usual to leave a small coin on a bar counter, and 15 percent on restaurant bills. If you tip taxi drivers, 10 percent is enough unless they are especially helpful. Additional guidelines:
Hotel porter, per bag €1
Lavatory attendant €1
Tour guide €2
Hairdresser 10-15 percent
Maid €1 per day
Is service (tip) included? ¿Está incluído el servicio?
Toilets
The most commonly used expressions for toilets are servicios or aseos. Toilet doors are distinguished by señoras (ladies) or damas (women) and caballeros (men), and by pictograms.
Public conveniences are rare, but all hotels, bars and restaurants have toilets, usually of a reasonable standard, for the use of customers.
Where are the toilets? ¿Dónde están los servicios?
There are Spanish National Tourist Offices in many countries. These include:
Canada 2 Bloor Street West, 34th Floor, Toronto 3402, Ontario M4W 3E2, tel: 416 961 4079, email: toronto@tourspain.es.
UK 6th floor, 64 North Row, W1K 7DE, London, W1W 6XB, tel: 0207 317 2011.
US Water Tower Place, Suite 915 East, 845 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, tel: 312-642 1992, email: chicago@tour spain.es; 8383 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 960, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA 90211, tel: 323 658 7195, email: losangeles@tour spain.es; 60 East 42nd Street - Suite 5300 (53rd Floor), New York, NY NY 10165-0039, tel: 212-265 8822, email: nuevayork@tourspain.es; 2655 Le Jeune Rd (Gables International Plaza), Suite 605. Coral Gables, Miami, FL 33134, tel: 305-774 9643, email: miami@tourspain.es.
For further information check the website www.spain.info.
Where is the tourist office? ¿Dónde está la oficina de turismo?
V
Visas and Entry Requirements
Most visitors, including citizens of EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, require only a valid passport to enter Spain. Nationals of countries that do not have a reciprocal agreement with Spain need a visa. Visa requirements do change, so check the situation with the Spanish Embassy in your country before leaving.
Currency restrictions. Tourists may bring an unlimited amount of currency in any form into the country, although amounts over €10,000 must be declared.
W
Websites
Spain’s official tourism website is www.spain.info.
Some regional websites are as follows:
Andalucía including Costa del Sol: www.andalucia.org
Balearic Islands: www.illesbalears.travel/wwwib/index.html
Barcelona: www.barcelonaturisme.com
Basque Country: http://tourism.euskadi.eus/en
Canary Islands: www.holaislascanarias.com
Catalonia: www.catalunya.com
Madrid: www.turismomadrid.es, www.esmadrid.com
Valencia: www.comunitatvalenciana.com, www.turisvalencia.es