Hiking and Adventure Travel in Spain

Where is Spain: Spain is located in southwestern Europe. It is bordered by the Mediterranean sea, Gibraltar, France, Andorra, Bay of Biscay, Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. There are several Spanish territories in Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. There are also 2 archipelagos that belong to Spain, The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Spain also has several enclaves in Africa which include Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera. It is also the only European country to have a border with Morocco, i.e. Morocco. It’s territory also includes a few small islands in the Alboran Sea. 

Size: 505 990 km²

Population: approximately 46.66 million people

Capital: Madrid

What is Spain Known For: Spain is well-known for its beautiful countryside, beaches, food, culture and famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Flamenco dancing is a major part of the vibrant Spanish culture as well as fiestas (festivals) such as the Tomatina (Tomato Festival). Spain is also famous for its bullfighting, Tapas, football, and the Camino de Santiago. The country is also famous for its architecture, wine, the Pyrenees Mountains and its Arab history fortified in the Alhambra. 

Places of Interest: Some of the places that are popular to visit are Basque Country, Barcelona, Madrid, Girona, Cantabria, La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, Ibiza, The Camino Santiago, Alicante, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, The Pyrenees, La Rioja, Asturias, and Montseny National Park.  

Accommodation: Accommodation is easy to find and the standards are quite good. 

What Is There To Do In Spain: Spain offers a diverse range of activities, including cycling, hiking, skiing, hot air ballooning, white water rafting, diving, canyoneering and via Ferrata to climb. Spain is also perfect to visit for one of the infamous fiestas as well as its award-winning beaches. The MONA sanctuary is a perfect reason to visit Girona. Visitors can enjoy island hopping, excellent nightlife opportunities, historical tours and food tours where they can enjoy the excellent Spanish cuisine. Other great things to do include visiting Dali House, enjoying a flamenco show, doing the Camino Santiago, visiting Las Ramblas and enjoying some of the best football in the world. 

Getting Around: Public Transport is widely available and reliable. The train and bus systems in Spain are safe and easy to use. 

Safety: Spain is a safe country to travel to. You can easily travel from place to place on your own or in the company. Of course, in any place in the world, you should always be vigilant of petty crime and ensure that you keep personal items safe.

Best Time to Visit: The cheapest times to visit Spain are between March and May and September and November. The weather is still mild and temperate and the popular sites are not as busy. Depending on the area, the weather in Spain is usually not very cold during the winter months besides the French border where skiing is a popular activity. Between June and August, the weather can get quite hot in some areas of Spain. During the fiesta periods, Spain is also very popular. 

Time Zone: GMT +1 

Official Language: Spanish, Catalan, Galician & Basque. English is widely spoken in the main cities.

Drinking Water: Tap water in Spain is safe to drink.

Entry: A Schengen visa is required for most countries. EU residents have free access to Spain.

Eat & Drink: The food in Spain is infamous, especially dishes such as Paella and Tapas. Tapas are served free with drinks in places such as Granada. The Tortilla Espaniola is a rich, chunky potato omelet that is widely found in Spain. Other foods include Croquetas which are breadcrumbed fritters with a creamy potato filling. And gazpacho,  a chilled soup that is usually tomato or vegetable-based. Drinks such as Sherry and Rioja wine is very popular in Spain as well as Cava which is a sparkling wine made the same way as champagne. 

Currency, Cash & Card: The currency in Spain is the Euro. It is easy to exchange money if you need to at several establishments. You will also find ATMs wherever you go. 

Tipping: It is usually acceptable to round up the bill as a tip. In upscale restaurants, it is usually acceptable to give 10% of the bill as a tip. 

Wifi: Most major attractions in Spain offer wifi as well as airports, hotels, and restaurants.