Spain

Written By Alex Hall

Spain is the country I know best in Europe. I have been back several times since 2022, with Barcelona as the city I keep returning to. I have also spent time in Madrid, Valencia, Málaga, Marbella, Mallorca, the Costa Brava and Tenerife.

What I did

  • Based in Barcelona on several trips, in Eixample, near Sagrada Família and in Poble-sec.

  • Took the fast train from Barcelona to Madrid in November 2022 and ate tapas at Inclán Brutal Bar.

  • Spent a week on Tenerife's west coast in Puerto de Santiago, near Playa La Arena and the Los Gigantes cliffs.

  • Flew to Palma de Mallorca for a weekend in August 2023.

  • Spent two nights at Hotel Cap Sa Sal in Begur on the Costa Brava in September 2023, with a saltwater pool and quiet coves.

  • Took the train to Valencia in July 2024 and stayed near the beach in El Cabanyal.

  • Spent four nights in Málaga's historic center in August 2025 and went to the Feria de Málaga. Great fun for adults and kids.

  • Then took the bus down the coast to Marbella for three nights: a seafront flat with sunset views over the sea, then a night on the Golden Mile between Marbella and Puerto Banús. Beach days, sunsets and lunch up in the hills around Benahavís.

Where to stay

  • Eixample, Barcelona: wide streets, modernista buildings and great restaurants. The Dreta side is closest to Passeig de Gràcia.

  • Poble-sec, Barcelona: a local feel at the foot of Montjuïc, with the pintxos street Carrer Blai.

  • Sol and Las Letras, Madrid: central, with tapas bars and a short walk to the Prado.

  • El Cabanyal, Valencia: a fishermen's quarter with tiled houses, a few blocks from the beach.

  • Málaga centro: the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba and Calle Larios are all on foot.

  • Begur: Hotel Cap Sa Sal is a good escape from Barcelona.

  • Central Marbella seafront: I stayed in an Airbnb on the promenade with sunset sea views, walkable to the old town and Plaza de los Naranjos.

  • Golden Mile, Marbella: the strip toward Puerto Banús, with villas, big resorts and beach clubs. I spent a night here too.

Where I stayed

Getting there and around

  • Barcelona airport: the Aerobús to Plaça Catalunya is the easy option. The R2 Nord train and L9 Sud metro also run, and a ride app takes 25 to 30 minutes.

  • Madrid airport: Metro Line 8, the Cercanías C1 train or the 24-hour Exprés Aeropuerto bus.

  • Málaga airport: the C1 train reaches the center in about 15 minutes. Marbella has no train, so take the Avanza bus or a ride app.

  • Tenerife: there are two airports, North near La Laguna and South near the resorts. The west coast is closer to South.

  • Between cities: AVE, Ouigo and Iryo high-speed trains link Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Málaga. Book early for cheaper fares. Valencia's metro goes straight to the center.

What to eat

  • Jamón ibérico and tapas, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.

  • Real paella valenciana in Valencia, made with chicken and rabbit.

  • Pan con tomate and crema catalana in Barcelona.

  • Churros con chocolate in Madrid.

  • Espetos de sardinas at a beach chiringuito in Málaga or Marbella.

  • Papas arrugadas with mojo in Tenerife.

What to drink

  • Wine: Spain is one of the great wine countries. Rioja and Ribera del Duero for reds, Albariño from Rías Baixas for whites, and Priorat for something big. Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, the cava capital, is a short train ride from Barcelona and makes an easy day trip. Tenerife's guachinches serve local wine with home cooking.

  • Sherry: fino and manzanilla from Jerez, best with tapas.

  • Cocktails: gin tonic culture is huge, served in big goblets with botanicals. Valencia has agua de Valencia, a cava and orange juice cocktail, and tinto de verano is the easy summer drink. Eixample has excellent cocktail bars.

  • Vermut: a Sunday ritual in Barcelona and Madrid, poured over ice with an olive and orange.

  • Beer: Estrella Damm in Barcelona, Mahou in Madrid and Cruzcampo in the south. Ask for a caña for a small draft.

  • Coffee: a cortado or café con leche at the bar. Horchata is a sweet tiger nut drink in Valencia.

Don't miss

  • Sagrada Família with a timed ticket, booked ahead.

  • Park Güell early in the morning, then sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel.

  • The Prado and the Reina Sofía in Madrid.

  • The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro lookout in Málaga.

  • The Camí de Ronda coastal walk on the Costa Brava.

  • A paella lunch near the beach in Valencia.

Day trips and side trips

  • Montserrat from Barcelona by train and rack railway.

  • Girona and Figueres, home of the Dalí museum.

  • Toledo or Segovia from Madrid by fast train.

  • Caminito del Rey, Ronda or Nerja from Málaga.

  • Albufera lagoon at sunset from Valencia.

  • Cadaqués and the Costa Brava coves.

Festivals and events

  • Las Fallas: Valencia, usually in March. Giant sculptures, fireworks and a nightly firecracker show.

  • Semana Santa: Seville and across Spain, usually in March or April. Solemn processions with robed brotherhoods.

  • Feria de Málaga: Málaga, usually in mid August. A week of music, dancing, horses and sherry in the streets by day and at the fairground by night. I went in 2025 and it is great fun for adults and kids.

  • Feria de Abril: Seville, usually in April or May. Flamenco dresses, horses and casetas.

  • San Fermín: Pamplona, usually in July. Famous for the running of the bulls.

  • La Tomatina: Buñol near Valencia, usually in late August. A giant tomato fight.

  • La Mercè: Barcelona, usually in September. Human towers, parades and street concerts.

  • Primavera Sound: Barcelona, usually in late May or June. One of Europe's biggest indie and electronic festivals.

  • Sónar: Barcelona, usually in June. A leading electronic and digital arts festival.

  • Mad Cool: Madrid, usually in July. A big international rock and pop festival.

  • Benicàssim (FIB): near Valencia, usually in July. A long-running pop and indie festival.

  • Ibiza opening and closing parties: Ibiza, usually in May and October. The big club season starters and finales.

  • Medusa Festival: Cullera near Valencia, usually in August. The big beach electronic event.

  • Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Tenerife, usually in February. One of the largest carnivals in the world after Rio.

Music and dance

  • Flamenco: best seen live in a tablao. Andalusia is the heartland, and Madrid and Barcelona have good venues.

  • Pop and rock: Madrid has a big live music scene, and Barcelona does indie and electronic.

  • Electronic: Barcelona and Ibiza are among the best clubbing cities in the world.

  • Classical guitar and Catalan music: the Palau de la Música Catalana is a beautiful concert hall.

  • Flamenco dance: see it in a tablao, especially in Seville, Granada and Madrid, and look for a class if you want to learn the basics. Sevillanas is the folk dance you will see at the Feria de Abril.

  • Salsa and bachata: Madrid and Barcelona have social nights and schools for Latin dance.

Photography spots

  • Bunkers del Carmel in Barcelona at sunset for the full city view.

  • Sagrada Família reflected in the pond at Plaça de Gaudí at blue hour.

  • The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia at blue hour.

  • Begur's coves from the cliff path in the early morning.

  • Los Gigantes cliffs at sunset from Playa La Arena.

  • Drones: EU rules plus Spanish restrictions. Big parts of Madrid and Barcelona are no-fly, and you need AESA registration.

My experience

The Feria de Málaga was a highlight, a whole city celebrating together, with something for adults and kids alike. Spain is a place I keep coming back to. Barcelona is my favorite base, and I like how easily it opens up Mallorca, the Costa Brava and Valencia. I would recommend it to anyone, from first-timers to long-stay nomads.

Cost of living

  • Overall: Barcelona, Valencia and Malaga: $$$, about 30% cheaper than New York. Madrid, Ibiza and Mallorca run higher.

  • Coffee: about $3

  • Local lunch: about $15 for a menu del dia

  • Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $110

  • Beer or cocktail: about $4 / $12

  • Ride across town: about $9

  • Mid-range hotel: about $150 a night

  • Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $1,800 a month in Barcelona's Eixample or Gracia, $1,300 in Valencia's Ruzafa, $1,400 in Malaga's Centro

  • Daily budget: about $85 budget, $190 comfortable, $400+ luxury in Barcelona; Valencia is about 15% less

Spain is good value for Western Europe, especially outside Barcelona and Ibiza. Barcelona rent has climbed, but a menu del dia lunch and wine remain cheap. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

  • Wi-Fi: Fiber is common, often 300 Mbps or better in Barcelona apartments. Cafes vary, so ask about Wi-Fi before settling in. Power cuts are rare, though a large blackout hit in 2025.

  • Coworking and cafes: Barcelona is the biggest hub, with Poblenou, Gracia and El Born cafes and coworking at Betahaus, Aticco and OneCoWork. Valencia is cheaper, sunnier and has a growing scene around Ruzafa. Malaga has a strong nomad community and fast internet.

  • Time zone: UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), 6 hours ahead of US Eastern (5 hours during the brief weeks when daylight saving dates differ).

  • Visa for longer stays: US citizens get 90 days visa-free in any 180 days within Schengen. Spain has a real Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers. Check current rules.

  • Nomad rating: 5 out of 5, great weather, big community, good internet and easy living, with rents as the main downside.

Good to know

  • Language: Spanish, plus Catalan in Barcelona and the Costa Brava and Valencian in Valencia. Everyone switches to Spanish easily, and English is common in tourist areas, less so elsewhere.

  • Currency: euro. Cards and Apple Pay work almost everywhere.

  • Plugs: Type C and F, 230V. US plugs need an adapter.

  • Entry for US citizens: visa-free for short stays under Schengen rules. Check current rules before you fly.

  • Best time to visit: May to June and September to October. July and August are hot and packed on the coast, and the Canary Islands are good year-round.

  • Getting around: high-speed trains between cities, and Uber, Cabify and Bolt in the big cities.

  • Tipping: not expected. Round up or leave 5 to 10 percent for good service.

  • SIM/eSIM: an Airalo or Holafly eSIM is easy, or buy a prepaid SIM from Orange, Vodafone or Movistar.

  • Apps: Uber, Cabify and Bolt for rides, and Glovo, Uber Eats and Just Eat for delivery.

  • Water: tap water is generally safe to drink, though in some coastal areas locals prefer bottled.

Useful phrases

  • Hello: Hola

  • Thank you: Gracias, or Gràcies in Catalan

  • Please: Por favor

  • How much?: ¿Cuánto cuesta?

  • The check please: La cuenta, por favor

Nightlife

Spain goes out late and stays out late. Evenings revolve around tapas and long dinners, then bars, then clubs, and it runs much later than an American night out.

  • When people go out: Dinner is at 9 or 10, bars fill around midnight and clubs peak after 2, often running until 6. Thursday to Saturday are the big nights, and summer nights stretch even later.

  • Where the action is: In Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter, El Born and Poble-sec have the bars, and the beachfront at Port Olímpic has the big clubs. In Madrid, Malasaña and Chueca are the main areas. In Marbella, the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús are beach clubs and glamorous late nights.

  • The music: Reggaeton, Latin pop, house and techno in the clubs, with flamenco in the tablaos.

  • Must-visit: See a flamenco show in a tablao, ideally a small one, for a night that feels distinctly Spanish.

  • Good to know: Bars rarely charge a cover, while clubs do, often with a drink included. Bottle service is common and expensive in Marbella. Dress smart casual and skip beachwear and sports clothes. Pickpocketing is the main risk in crowded bar streets and on the metro, so keep your phone out of back pockets.

Meeting people

  • Social scene: Barcelona is the best city for it. Language exchanges, beach volleyball at Bogatell, run clubs, coworking spaces in Poblenou and Eixample and tapas bars in Poble-sec make it easy. Valencia and Málaga have similar scenes.

  • Apps: Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are the most used. Meetup, Bumble BFF, Couchsurfing hangouts and Facebook or WhatsApp nomad groups fill the social calendar.

  • Etiquette: Two cheek kisses are common between friends, a handshake for a first meeting. Dinner starts late, often after 9. Plans are loose and 10 to 15 minutes late is normal. Splitting the bill is the norm.

  • Stay smart: Meet in public, watch your drink and be careful with your phone and bag in crowded areas, especially around bars and the beach.

Staying safe

  • Very safe overall. Pickpocketing is the real risk on La Rambla, in the Barcelona metro and beaches, and around Sol in Madrid. Keep your phone in a front pocket and your bag zipped.

  • Plan around the rhythm: lunch is 2 to 4pm and dinner is 9pm or later.

  • On Tenerife's gorges and cliffs, check access rules and weather before you hike.

Alex Hall
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