Landing in Spain
Spain isn't one landing — it's a capital that eats at midnight, a Mediterranean coast built for long lunches, Andalusian cities layered with Moorish history, and islands a short flight from the mainland. This hub covers what holds true across the country: entry, money, staying connected, and getting around. Then pick a city guide below for the first-hour detail.
In this guide
Entry & Borders
Spain is in the Schengen area. Visa-exempt visitors — US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and other passport holders — can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole zone. Days in each country add together, and Spain has no separate allowance: a week in Paris plus a week in Barcelona uses 14 days, not seven. Both the entry day and the exit day count.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational since 10 April 2026. It replaces passport stamps: on your first crossing you give fingerprints and a facial photo, and your entries and exits are logged digitally. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip.
ETIAS is not in operation. There is no announced launch date and no applications are being taken — pay no site selling one.
Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and stay valid at least 3 months past your planned departure from the Schengen zone. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can enter with a valid national identity card or passport under free-movement rules. Have your return ticket and accommodation booking handy — border officers can ask to see them. Entry rules vary by nationality — check the rules for yours before you go.
Money
Spain uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted — major cities are almost entirely contactless, and even small tapas bars usually take cards. Still carry some cash, roughly €20–€50: markets, small towns, rural areas, tapas bars with a card minimum, older parking meters, and tips are where cash still matters.
Get euros from a bank-owned ATM on arrival rather than a currency-exchange booth — the rate is usually better. Always choose to be charged in euros, not your home currency: the conversion the terminal offers is never in your favor.
Tipping is optional and modest. Round up the bill at a bar, leave €1 or €2 after a good meal, and consider 5–10% for exceptional restaurant service. Staff are paid a living wage, so a tip is a thank-you, not an obligation. Check whether service is already included on the bill ("servicio incluido") — if it is, no further tip is expected. Tips are best left in cash, since card machines don't always have a tipping prompt.
Staying Connected
The simplest setup for most visitors: buy a travel eSIM before you fly — Airalo's Spain eSIMs install in minutes on home Wi-Fi, and Saily is a strong alternative with country and regional plans. Switch it on when you land. Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts.
A local prepaid SIM means a store visit with your passport: by law, every Spanish SIM must be registered to a valid ID — for tourists, that is your original passport, and a photocopy is often rejected. Buy from an official Movistar, Orange, or Vodafone store; setup takes about five minutes. A travel eSIM skips the counter entirely.
Roam Like at Home — using your home data allowance across the EU at no extra charge — applies to EU/EEA SIM holders only. It does not cover visitors on US, UK, Canadian, or other non-EU plans; check your home carrier's international rates before you rely on roaming.
Check the coverage list before buying any eSIM — regional plans differ on which countries they include.
Getting Around
High-speed trains are the default for city-to-city travel. AVE, Alvia, and Euromed services (Renfe) plus competitors Iryo and Ouigo link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Málaga, and more. Assigned seats are compulsory on all high-speed and long-distance trains — a regular ticket includes your seat; if you travel on a rail pass, you must reserve separately for a small fee. High-speed stations have airport-style security: bags through a scanner, ID checked against the ticket. Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure.
Book early. Tickets go on sale roughly 60–90 days ahead on dynamic pricing, and advance fares are often far cheaper than buying on the day — especially on popular routes between major cities. Cercanías (commuter) and most Media Distancia (regional) trains have no assigned seats; take any free spot. Buses cover the gaps where trains don't reach.
In cities, most big systems let you tap a contactless card or phone. If you buy a paper ticket, validate (stamp) it before or as you board: an unvalidated ticket counts as fare evasion and draws a fine.
Taxis are regulated and metered, with fares set by each city. In Madrid, the airport-to-centre fare is a flat €33 for destinations inside the M-30 ring road, whatever the traffic. In Barcelona, airport taxis run on the meter — roughly €30–40 to the centre — with no flat rate. Uber, Cabify, and FreeNow (which hails official taxis by app) operate in the major cities.
Where to Land First
- Madrid — The capital: world-class museums, a metro that reaches everywhere, and a flat €33 taxi from the airport.
- Barcelona — Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter, and the beach in one landing, with the centre a short ride from the airport.
- Seville — Plaza de España, the Alcázar, and tapas culture at its most intense — walkable from the first hour.
- Valencia — Paella's home city, the City of Arts and Sciences, and a beach ten minutes from the old town.
- Málaga — The Costa del Sol's most walkable arrival: Alcazaba, old town, and sea in one compact centre.
- Bilbao — The Guggenheim, a riverside old town, and pintxos — the Basque Country's easiest first landing.
- Granada — The Alhambra above a whitewashed Albaicín: book the palace weeks ahead, then walk the hills.
- Córdoba — The Mezquita, flower-filled patios, and a compact old town made for the first evening.
- San Sebastián — Pintxos bars in the Parte Vieja and La Concha beach — Spain's best food city in miniature.
- Mallorca — Island landing: Palma's old town, the Serra de Tramuntana, and coves a short drive away.
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Affiliate disclosure: hotel names, transfers, and experiences linked in this guide may earn After You Land a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and times were checked in Oct 2026 and change often — confirm before you book.