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Spain
What to see, when to go and how to travel on a budget – a practical guide from places we’ve explored ourselves.
Spain can be approached in several ways – as a beach holiday, as a city-hopping trip, or as a combination of both. We’ve grown fond of the third option: a few days in a big city, a day by the sea to catch your breath, then a second city with a completely different feel. In this guide you’ll find when to go, what it costs and how to do the whole route by train.
Spaniards are in no hurry and have a style all of their own – in that they remind us a lot of Italians. You won’t have a slow morning in a restaurant here, but at the mercado among the locals; in Barcelona that’s La Boqueria, in Valencia the Mercado Central. And in the bigger cities centuries of history sit alongside modern art, whether that’s the Gothic Quarter a few stops from Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, or the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. It definitely deserves more than one visit.
When to go to Spain
For the cities, May, June and September are best – warm but not punishing, and the queues are shorter than in summer. July and August on the east coast work mainly for the sea; for a full day of walking around Barcelona or Valencia they are hot. April and October are pleasant for sightseeing, only the sea is still, or already, on the cool side.
What to see in Spain
What to See in Barcelona: 44 Tips for 2026
I was standing on the corner of Passeig de Gràcia, staring at Casa Batlló, and I say to Daniel: „This looks like the house is alive." The façade rippled, the balconies looked like skulls, and the whole building seemed to be moving. Barcelona got me on the very first day. Two days later we were sitting on a bench in Park Güell, I unwrapped my baguette with jamón and watched the sunset over the city. Barcelona glowed orange below us, and I knew I would come back. Maybe even this year.
ReadBest regions & cities
Where to spend your time, depending on what you are after.
Barcelona & the Costa Brava
Gaudí architecture, tapas and harbour towns an hour by train from the city.
GuideValencia & the Costa Blanca
Futuristic architecture, a park in a former riverbed and the home of paella.
Coming soonAndalusia
Seville, Granada and Córdoba – Moorish monuments and Spain's most southern feel.
Coming soonA week of sightseeing: Barcelona, Blanes and Valencia
We’ve grown fond of this route because it combines big-city bustle, the quiet Costa Brava coast and the southern feel of Valencia – and it’s comfortably doable by train, with no need to rent a car. This is how we planned it.
Barcelona
We split Barcelona across two days, because otherwise you really only manage a fraction of it. Day one belongs to the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla – narrow lanes, cafés, and in the evening a great tapas bar in El Born. Day two is time for the Sagrada Família (buy tickets online well in advance; the queue on site is often over an hour) and Park Güell in the afternoon. We always saved the early evening for Barceloneta beach – after a whole day of walking it’s a welcome slowdown. Getting around the city is easy on the metro; the T-Casual card is the one worth buying.
Blanes
The commuter train (line R1) runs from Barcelona to Blanes directly from Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia; the journey takes about an hour and it’s one of the cheapest parts of the whole trip. Blanes moves at a completely different pace from Barcelona – a small port town at the start of the Costa Brava, where you can simply sit by the sea. We’d recommend climbing up to the Marimurtra botanical garden, which has one of the loveliest views of the coast, and then having lunch in the harbour with fresh seafood. It’s the ideal one-day stop to catch your breath between two big cities.
Valencia
From Blanes you take the train back to Barcelona and then a direct high-speed service (Euromed/Talgo) to Valencia – the ride is just under three hours, so even with the change you’ll arrive in time for lunch. We fell for Valencia mainly because of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a futuristic complex of museums and an aquarium that looks almost unreal in the early evening light. The second day belongs to the old town – the Mercado Central, the cathedral and a walk along the former bed of the Turia river, which today serves as one long city park. And of course this is where the original paella comes from; tasting it in Valencia itself is a different experience from anywhere else in Spain.
Before you go
Getting around
You don’t need a car for the Barcelona – Costa Brava – Valencia route. The train handles all of it comfortably.
- Rodalies commuter trains (line R1) run along the coast and are the cheapest part of the trip
- A direct Euromed/Talgo high-speed train links Barcelona and Valencia in just under three hours
- In Barcelona the 10-journey T-Casual ticket beats buying singles
- A car only makes sense for the countryside and Andalusia, not for this route
Where to stay
In Barcelona, book well ahead in peak season – central prices rise fastest.
- Staying near a metro stop outside the centre is much cheaper and still gets you everywhere
- In Blanes and the smaller coastal towns prices are a fraction of Barcelona’s
- Check ratings and reviews
Money-saving tips
- Buy Sagrada Família tickets online in advance – it saves you an hour in the queue
- The menú del día at lunchtime is far cheaper than dinner à la carte
- Travel in May, June or September instead of peak season
- A day by the sea outside the big city halves your daily spend
How much a trip to Spain costs
Rough prices per person per day (2026). Actual costs depend on the city and season – treat the numbers below as a guide.
Spain articles
Blanes and Lloret de Mar: two Costa Brava neighbours that belong together (2026)
It was late afternoon when Daniel and I pulled our suitcases out of the car and…
ReadWhat to See in Barcelona: 44 Tips for 2026
I was standing on the corner of Passeig de Gràcia, staring at Casa Batlló, and I say to Daniel: „This looks like the house is alive." The façade rippled, the balconies looked like skulls, and the whole building seemed to be moving. Barcelona got me on the very first day. Two days later we were sitting on a bench in Park Güell, I unwrapped my baguette with jamón and watched the sunset over the city. Barcelona glowed orange below us, and I knew I would come back. Maybe even this year.
ReadQuestions about Spain
Do I need a car in Spain?
Not for the Barcelona – Blanes – Valencia route. You can do all of it by train: Rodalies commuter trains run along the coast, and a direct Euromed/Talgo high-speed service links Barcelona and Valencia. A car only pays off once you head into the countryside, the mountains or across Andalusia, where public transport is thinner.
Do I need to buy Sagrada Família tickets in advance?
It’s worth it. Tickets are timed, the queue on site is often over an hour, and in peak season the popular slots sell out several days ahead. Buy online in advance and arrive at the time on your ticket.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
For the cities, May, June and September – warm without the punishing heat, and shorter queues. July and August are mainly for the sea; a full day of walking around Barcelona or Valencia can be draining. April and October are pleasant for sightseeing, only the sea is cooler.
Do they use the euro in Spain?
Yes, the currency is the euro. Cards are accepted practically everywhere, including public transport and small businesses; a little cash is handy at markets and in smaller towns.
How long should I go to Spain for?
2-3 days is enough for Barcelona alone. For the route above – Barcelona, a day by the sea and Valencia – allow 5-6 days. A week gives you room not to rush.
Plan your trip to Spain
Browse our guides and itineraries – so you know exactly where to go and what not to miss.