How to travel independently in Spain. Spain - “our first independent trip

Don't be afraid of traveling on your own - it's not very difficult. True, you have to prepare long and carefully!! But it's worth it. You need to start planning an independent trip to Spain by making a decision and having the necessary amount for the trip. And then - booking air tickets and a hotel, because to obtain a visa you will need both. The documents required to obtain a visa to Spain can be found on the Internet. You can send to Embassy of Spain in Moscow, consulate-General Spain in St. Petersburg.Spain visa centers in Russia. The online visa center is fast and inexpensive.

We did everything ourselves. Since we live in the region, we sent documents by courier service: list necessary documents you will find on the Internet. We sent documents to the Spain Visa Center in Moscow. We did everything ourselves. You can find out the list of required documents by simply typing on the Internet the list of required documents in such and such a year to obtain a Spanish visa. Everything is written there in great detail. I won't copy.

Spain is part of the European Union, so you must have a passport to enter here. What a Schengen visa is, everything is also available and can be easily found on the Internet. So let's not dwell on this. Most the best option- open a multiple-entry Schengen visa, with which you can visit European countries for a period of 90 or 180 days. It’s not difficult to get a visa, although Spain often gives a visa for 90 days. So you won’t use it a second time. Only if you go 2 times a year.

So!! To travel to Spain, you need to collect the required documents and submit them to the Spanish Consulate at the earliest three months before the trip. The best option is one and a half months. A response is usually provided within 15-25 days. Before applying for a visa, you should already have: the basics. A full list need to look on the Internet!

1. a valid passport (and it must be valid for at least four more months after returning from Spain);

2. insurance valid for the entire duration of the trip for 30 thousand euros;

3.confirmed hotel reservation and purchased air tickets in both directions. Yes!! To apply for a visa, your accommodation reservation must be documented! To confirm, you can attach an original or fax with a stamp and signature, or a printout from the website indicating the reservation number and the tourist’s last name. Please note. You don't have to pay for a hotel room. The booking date can then be changed or canceled altogether.

4. a bank account in which there must be a minimum amount of money (at the rate of 50 euros per day per person). We also submitted a certificate from our place of work.

So what do you need for independent travel? Money, visa and... a head on your shoulders. Yes!! Another important detail is knowledge of English or Spanish at least at a low level. Especially if you don't have beach holiday.

So, the first thing is to decide for an independent trip.

Second, start preparing.. If you have all the documents and money too, you can book plane tickets and hotels. This is necessary to obtain a visa.

The most expensive part of traveling to Spain on your own is purchasing air tickets. The main rule here is to start searching for them as early as possible. The sooner you start addressing this issue, the more opportunities you will have to save. We started in 6 months. And we found promotional tickets to Madrid for 550 euros for two. True, at the end of May. But that's what we wanted. So that without crowds and traffic jams, poppies will bloom.

From Moscow there are no problems with how to travel to Spain on your own, since airlines offer direct flights to Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo: Domodedovo: to Alicante (five and a half hours), Barcelona (four hours and forty minutes), Madrid (five half an hour), Tenerife (seven and a half hours);

Sheremetyevo: Tenerife, Madrid, Barcelona; Vnukovo: Alicante. Arrival airports in Madrid are Torrejon Afb (TOJ) or Barajas (MAD) (we arrived in Barajas). Madrid Barajas Airport is huge. Labyrinths of transitions!! The plane from Moscow arrived at Terminal 4. Andrey got his bearings quite well... Train, Terminal 4, bus to the first terminal. AND We need to get ready for the airport!! Madrid is located in the very center of the country, so from here it will be easier to get to the north (Bilbao, San Seastian, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña), the center (Toledo, Salamanca, Cuenca) and the south of the country (Malaga, Seville, Granada ).. And we wanted to see Aragon, the province of Huesca (poppies in bloom) and Ordesa Park (national park), then go to Montserrat, Figueres, and go down the coast to Valencia through Barcelona.

If you want to go to the Costa Brava, fly to Barcelona. My last visit was a holiday in Playa D'Aro. Wonderful stay at the Galeta Hotel. The sea is amazing - the pine trees are also the whole sea!! Silence. But most of all I liked S'Agaro!! With its charming path along the sea, Its sweetest coves with pure water!! Oh!! How great it is there. So in this case, I repeat, you need to fly to Barcelona.

Third, we book hotels. Don't be afraid of 2-3 star hotels. In Spain they are rated by European standards and, sometimes, a 3-star hotel can give a head start to a 4-star hotel in Turkey. We always took double rooms in hostels - separate double rooms with amenities in the room.. We booked on Booking.com Yes, cheap accommodation is easy to find in hostels or one-star hotels, although it is not easy to find profitable options. You can, after all, find free housing, but this is for those who know how to use couchsurfing.. (couchsurfing). If you are traveling with a large group, consider renting a guesthouse or villa on Airbnb. Or apartments. Apartments are much cheaper than regular hotels. Here you will have your own kitchen, where you can prepare your own food or at least breakfast. Renting apartments from private owners will be even cheaper. It’s worth taking the time to understand the simple principles of paying and booking online so you don’t regret missing money on your trip. The cost of a room in the same hotel when booking online is at least 30% cheaper. Choose a suitable hotel based on the description, photos, ratings and reviews.

Fourth - Collected documents and sent them to the Visa Center or Consulate..

Decide for yourself whether it’s a beach vacation or an excursion. Or like us, traveling in a rented car. You can also drive your own car from Russia, but why??

Fifth, think about how you will move around the country.

When planning a trip to Spain on your own, make a list of places you want to visit and a schedule for staying there. We did all this clearly. And this is very important!! Serious, almost hourly study of the route - of course, if your goal is not just to stay on the beach. We rented a car!! And that's great!! Yes, it’s more difficult, but you’re your own boss!! Rental office - "Europcar". To register a rental car, we received an international driver’s license in Russia (it seems possible without it?? But if there is an accident, then it’s better with it!!), We bought a navigator so as not to rent it! And in Russia we use it, we filled it with road maps of Spain, and worked out the route. See route map. I liked everything very much. For 10 days, a car with gasoline cost us 550 euros. They were waiting for us at the Europcar (although it was already almost one in the morning). Everything was done quickly. Andrey speaks English. Dali Opel turbo. The class of the car, as expected, is higher than stated (the price is the same). We have full insurance, but it’s still a little scary.

And our whole trip consisted of: Madrid-Guadalajara-55km (well + wandering around Madrid). Guadalajara - Broto 420 km + internal transfers to the National Park and other 20 km. Broto-Montserrat-Vila-300km. Montserrat-Figueres-150km. Figueres-Empuriabrava-18km. Empuria-Barcelona-220km. Barcelona-Burriana-320km. Burriana-Valencia - 70 km (and with a stop in Val de Ujo and wandering around it, all 86). Valencia-Madrid (with a stop in Cuenca) -360 km. Total according to the speedometer is 1949 km. Gasoline 50 was a tank + 42 liters + 15 liters + 10 liters + 5 liters (it was not necessary - 6 liters were returned with the car) = 122 liters-6 = 116 liters. Per 100 km it turned out to be 6 liters.. The route on the Google map gives big roads, and we drove a lot on provincial tiny two-lane roads...

If you want to travel by public transport, look at websites about it. And in cities it is beneficial to use tourist maps. Detailed description everyone tourist maps and the places to which they apply can be read in any guide to Spain. Most often, discount cards entitle you to free travel on public transport, which significantly saves money when actively exploring the city

Sixth, think about how you will eat.. Budget or luxury. Budget is more difficult. Great - no problem!! Of course, we saved on food. We are budget tourists. We ate either from the supermarket or chose the menu of the day - Menu del dia. This menu is not worthy everywhere. We really liked one cafe in Barcelona, ​​but not so much in other places. Menu del dia is about 10-12 euros, on weekends, if I’m not mistaken, 14. Soup or salad, main course (meat, fish, poultry with side dishes), drink and dessert. You can choose from 4-5 items. It's better to eat where there are a lot of locals. This was tested by that cafe in Barcelona.
In Spain it is very rare to find a hotel with all-inclusive meals. Moreover, even “breakfast + dinner” is also rare. (And the last time we lived in Playa d'Aro. At the Galeta Hotel there was half board!! This is such an abundance of delicious food that it’s hard to forget.) Most often, hotels offer either breakfast or nothing at all. And don't be afraid of it! People don’t go to Spain to be tied to four walls for lunch and dinner. We were not going for bread, but for spectacle. All our impressions and routes of our trip can be found in the articles.

Seventh - study the coast and the map of Spain in general and decide how and where to decide on the route.
All this is now so accessible on the Internet.

Beach holiday season in Spain is June-September. In May it is sunny and warm, but the sea does not have time to warm up enough, so it is still too early to swim. We did not have a beach holiday - late May, early June. September-October - “ the Velvet season": the sea is still warm, but the summer heat is subsiding. In October, however, there is a risk of rain. On the other hand, May and October are the time low prices and quite good weather. This is the ideal time for sightseeing trips.

Here short description coast. Costa Brava belongs to the category of economical resort areas; prices here are much lower than on the popular central and southern coasts of the country. That is why it is so popular among Russians. Costa Brava (“wild, rocky coast”) is the coast of Catalonia from the border with France to the resort town of Blanes, towns that have a well-developed resort infrastructure and have retained their special national flavor. Wild and inaccessible cliffs, covered with pine and fir trees, hide mysterious deep grottoes, and, unexpectedly parting, reveal small secluded coves and quiet bays. The Costa Brava is famous for its amazing sandy beaches, which, along with picturesque rocky areas, occupy a significant part of the coast. In the area of ​​the most extensive beaches there are such famous tourist centers, like Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar. And I really liked the quiet and wonderful towns of Playa d'Aro and Palamos.
And I’m generally silent about C agaro!! This is such a beautiful place!!

The center of the resort is the town Salou- favorite place recreation for young people and families with children: there is nightlife and a train station, allowing you to get to Barcelona, and very close - Port Aventura. The towns neighboring Salou are no less popular. Cambrils And La Pineda- bus service to Salou and Tarragona. No railway on the beach of the towns of the Costa Brava - Tossa del Mar and already mentioned Lloret, Playa d.Aro and S'Agaro with- exclusively beach hotels.In general, does anyone in Russia know about S'Agaro??
Here are just two photos from there - I’ll write about it separately!!

The place is simply charming and no photo can convey all its beauty.

Salou and Blanes - it’s only around them that everything revolves. And this is an elite (!!) resort in Spain.

A small fragment of the coast from the borders of the Costa Brava to Barcelona is a resort area Costa del Maresme. Here are the best places on the Spanish coast in terms of price.

The coast of Spain, stretching 50 km from Barcelona to the city of Cubellas, - Costa de Garraf. Residential and resort areas (sandy beaches) are located in bays formed at the foot of the mountains.

Gold Coast or Costa Dorada. The beaches of this area stretch south of Barcelona from the town of Villanova i la Geltru to Alcanar. The capital of the region is ancient city Tarragona. The beaches are sandy.

The coast of Valencia begins with Costa Azahar– The banks of orange flowers. Photos with oranges from there.
We drove this entire coastline by car. Beauty. I really liked it. Only our people don’t know him much either. There is sand and small pebbles here. This is a wonderful place somewhere between Oropessa and Benicassim. I don’t remember exactly where. There the Avtovia goes almost to the sea.

Below Valencia- Costa Blanca- Valencian coast of Spain. Now this is the most “western” resort in the country, but not in terms of location, but because of the huge number of Western tourists who have chosen “ white coast» for the cleanliness of the beaches, excellent service and stormy nightlife, the center of which is Benidorm. In the past - a fishing village, now Benidorm is a real tourist phenomenon in Europe. We were not on the map below. Read reviews on the Internet. And look at the map of the country.

Friends, if you dream of organizing and implementing a trip to Spain on your own, but have not yet decided on such a trip, I am publishing for you practically step by step instructions. All my calculations are based on personal experience from a recent trip. In October 2017 we realized a wonderful trip including excursion holiday in Valencia, a beach holiday in Gandia and travel by public transport to the surrounding coastal towns.

I was convinced that this is an excellent route for a comfortable holiday, combining an educational program with a stay at great beaches still warm sea. Ten exceptionally sunny days provided us with the opportunity to see the sights of Valencia and the region at its best.

Now I will consistently describe how to organize such a vacation, and what you need to provide for the trip. Following my tips, you can fly to Spain and stop either in Valencia, or repeat and choose the main location in Gandia. I didn’t find any disadvantages on our trip; I will focus on the advantages in the process of presenting the material.

If you have previously used the services of travel agencies, and your eyes are still widening with fear at the thought of how to decide on independent trip to Spain, I will list what standard stages the planning and implementation of a trip consists of:

1. Choose a holiday destination in Spain (in the vicinity of Valencia)
2. Book all necessary assets - hotel, tickets
3. Get a Schengen visa
4. Fly from Moscow to Valencia
5. Get from the airport to the selected hotel
6. Arrange for check-in at the hotel at the reception
7. Spend the number of days you have measured as you prefer))
8. At the end of your vacation, arrive at the airport on time and return home))

Beginner travelers, as you can see, everything is quite simple. The most difficult thing about any trip is its budget. I always want to get quality rest at a reasonable price. I will provide a breakdown of mandatory expenses at the end of the article.

Choosing a holiday destination in Valencia or nearby

Why did we choose Valencia? Firstly, we dreamed of visiting this famous city in Spain filled with attractions. We were interested in fantastic modern architecture And historical Center.

Secondly, the Valencian coast is located south of Barcelona, ​​so the sea is still suitable for swimming in mid-October. In addition, there is a lot of variability in where it is better to choose a vacation on the coast. And October is already a low season with a corresponding drop in prices and a significant decrease in the number of vacationers.

For those new to travel, such convenience as the availability of a metro directly at Valencia airport will also be important - I can’t remember anywhere easier to get to the city center.

Of course, for your trip you choose the city that attracts you most. But you won’t be able to go to Valencia except on your own. The Valencian community still does not need the cooperation of our tour operators, and there are enough Spaniards and holidaymakers from other European countries on the luxurious sandy beaches.

Hotel selection and booking

So, we have decided on the region. We will look, explore Valencia and enjoy our holiday in this city and its surroundings. You can also look for a hotel within the city. The choice is large.

But personally, I prefer to stay in resort towns located close to famous centers so that it is convenient to go on excursions. Our choice was the city of Gandia, famous for its long sandy beaches. We booked a decent one 4 star hotel, taking care of half board:

If you are also interested in Gandia, it will not be amiss to know that the resort part offers more apartments than hotels. These are rooms and apartments of the same high-rise buildings on the coast. They are also conveniently located, but vacationers in the apartments will have to take care of maintenance themselves.

I direct you to the hotels page in Gandia. See, choose and book. If you have any questions about your booking, please check for detailed explanations.

Buying plane tickets

You should also be careful when purchasing plane tickets and monitor the specific time to purchase favorable price. Don’t be lazy to visit the ticket search site more often to catch great deals.

There is a convenient direct flight from Aeroflot with arrival in Valencia at approximately 13:00. The plane also departs at the appropriate time – at 13.50. If you see a price within 20 thousand rubles for a round trip ticket, consider yourself very lucky and buy without hesitation.

A flight with a transfer will be cheaper, but the additional hassles of a transfer often outweigh the amount saved on a direct flight. Therefore, it is worth weighing your strengths and readiness for a difficult air route.

Obtaining a visa to Spain

I have published a detailed guide on how to take this important step. Click on , you will find out everything: what documents are needed, where to submit the package of documents, how much it costs to obtain a visa.

If you have a valid Schengen visa that was previously opened, do not forget to take out an insurance policy for your trip. So that you don’t have to look for where to do this, I’m placing a widget:

Enter information about your trip and receive your policy in just a couple of minutes by email. And remember, never skimp on your travel insurance policy! He must be!

Flight to Valencia and further travel

I assume that you choose a direct flight, your flight will go smoothly, and in four and a half hours you will step onto Spanish soil. To get to your hotel, you have to overcome two important sections.

We also took bus trips along the coast. We visited the charming castle in Cullera. How to get to these towns and why they are interesting is described in blog articles.

I will pay more attention to the organization food on a trip. Since we booked half board at the hotel, this issue was resolved for us. We only bought cheeses, fruits and wine. This was enough for an afternoon snack. Breakfast and dinner in the hotel restaurant are hearty, varied and tasty.

If you only booked breakfast, then supermarkets will help out. There are several of them. There is more choice in those markets that are a little further from the coast. Cheese prices are approximately as follows:

Where the price is indicated in a two-digit number, this is the cost per 1 kg, and where you see 3-5 €, this is how much vacuum packaging of cheese costs.

You will find wine for every taste in the price range from 1 to 5 €. Fruits are also reasonably priced. Tangerines start at about 80 cents, grapes - from 99 cents to 2 €, you can buy any, and many other goodies.

Those of you staying at the apartments will probably be interested in seafood, wanting to cook it yourself. In this photo from a supermarket, the price range for different sets is from 4 to 8 €:

And, of course, in almost every restaurant you can order a paella pan of such a size that it’s enough to feed the whole family)))

Tea is a separate item... Spaniards practically don’t drink this drink, they don’t sell tea in stores or offer it in restaurants. Therefore, take tea and a small boiler from home with you, and enjoy as much as you wish.

And now the burning question:

How much does a trip to Spain cost?

I will give a list of mandatory expenses for a 10-day trip to Valencia based on three people. We assume that the flight departs from Moscow, and the prices for tickets and hotel accommodation correspond to the low season. Let me remind you that our trip took place in mid-October 2017.

Name	Details	Expense, in €
Hotel ****	Room for 3 adults, half board
Flights Moscow-Valencia	Direct flight roundtrip, 3 tickets
Travel by metro	From the airport to the center and back
Directions to Gandia	First and last day
Transport in Gandia	During the entire vacation
Products	Fruits, cheese, etc.
TOTAL	MANDATORY expenses

Without these expenses the trip will not take place; they are mandatory. But to these should be added expenses for excursions and trips to coastal cities. Our trips to Valencia, Denia and Cullera cost about 300 € (again, calculations for 3 adults). But everyone’s educational interests are different, and perhaps not everyone spends so much on a guided tour.

Of course, I rounded all the numbers entered in the table to whole numbers, and indicated the approximate cost of food. Based on my calculations, you can easily estimate how much money you will need for two. And be sure to keep in mind that the cost of travel in high season will be more expensive. Here I will definitely note that I vacationed in Spain three times in the fall, and each time was very successful, since the climate of this country is ideal during the velvet season. my reviews.

Well, friends, will you decide to go to Spain on your own after studying my guide? Moreover, with such an organization of local transport, such an independent trip around Spain can be easily accomplished without a car, and this removes additional worries.

And as you already understand, if you are interested in a “sea holiday somewhere near Valencia,” then I recommend Gandia without a doubt. I hope my experience will help you and your friends organize your trip if you share this article with them.

Your euro guide Tatyana

A complete guide on how to organize an independent holiday in Spain: which resort to choose, where to find and book airline tickets and hotels, how to get around the country, various routes around Spain, what to see, where to go, where to eat; general information to help you plan your trip.

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Briefly about Spain

Spain is the southernmost country in Europe; in addition to the mainland, it also includes the Balearic and Canary archipelagos. Tourists and travelers love Spain for its originality, long traditions, and a huge variety of attractions and entertainment. In addition, Spain, with its excellent climate, has more than 2,000 km of coastline, most of which is suitable for beach holidays. The beaches in Spain are long, sandy and one of best services. Many beaches on mainland Spain, as well as Mallorca and the Canary Islands, have the Blue Flag distinction as the most clean beaches peace.

The traditional centers of attraction for tourists in Spain are the regions of Catalonia and Andalusia, as well as the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza among the Balearic Islands and Tenerife among the Canary Islands. These places ideally combine the possibilities of a beach and excursion holiday. The central part of Spain is famous for its ancient cities, in which the architecture of different eras is perfectly preserved, and the north of Spain boasts the best places for surfing, colorful cuisine and unusual architecture.

The country is suitable for holidays all year round. In mainland Spain, the beach season lasts from May to September inclusive; the rest of the time the place is ideal for excursions, walks and trips of varying lengths. In Mallorca and Ibiza, the beach season also lasts from May to September. But in Tenerife and other islands of the Canary archipelago you can swim even in winter. In general, a holiday in Spain is a combination of beach and excursion opportunities, varied cuisine, amazing traditions and a lot of entertainment that leaves few people indifferent.

Tom Maisey/Beaches of Costa Brava

Holiday Destinations in Spain

Almost all of Spain is suitable for independent rest and active travel. There are a total of 17 regions in the country, although the largest share of tourists in mainland Spain comes from Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia, and on the islands - Mallorca, Ibiza and Tenerife.

The following regions are suitable for a beach holiday:

Andalusia- the southernmost region of Spain, which is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The best beach resorts concentrated on the coasts of Costa Almeria, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz. The beaches are spacious, sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea, equipped with everything necessary. The most famous resorts in Andalusia include Almeria, Nerja, Marbella, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Tarifa, Cadiz. In addition, the region is also ideal for excursion holidays. It is here that such ancient cities as Seville, Granada, Ronda, Malaga, Cordoba and others are located. Read more about ;

Catalonia- a region located in the east of Spain and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the fact that the most visited city in Spain, Barcelona, ​​is located in Catalonia, the region specializes in beach holidays. Local resorts are traditionally in great demand, incl. and among tourists from Russia. The most famous beach resorts include Lloret de Mar, Salou, Blanes, Calella, Tossa de Mar and others. The Catalan coast is conventionally divided into 3 parts: Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme and Costa Dorada. Along the entire coastline, there are extensive sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea and equipped with everything you need. Read more about ;

Valencia- a southeastern region of Spain with the administrative center of the same name in the city of Valencia. The region is also famous for its beach resorts, sandy coastline and lots of entertainment. The main resorts are located in Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm, Torrevieja and other towns. It is also worth visiting Valencia for excursion purposes; here you can find a wide variety of attractions to suit every taste; Read more about ;

Northern Spain (Basque country, Cantabria, Galicia)– regions that have gorgeous sandy beaches, but are unsuitable for traditional beach holidays due to the climate. Precipitation in the form of rain falls quite often here, and the waters of the Bay of Biscay can hardly be called calm due to the constantly blowing winds. In general, the northern regions of Spain are more suitable for windsurfing than for swimming and sunbathing.

Balearic Islands(Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza)– popular tourist destination for a beach holiday. The islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 250 km from east coast Spain. Mallorca and Menorca have beautiful sandy beaches located in coves. The main resorts of Mallorca include places such as Alcudia, Magaluf, Palma Nova, Santa Ponsa and others. In terms of excursion holidays, the city of Palma de Mallorca is attractive, as well as some natural attractions. Read more about . Ibiza is mostly famous for its unlimited possibilities in terms of entertainment than beaches;

Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria)- a year-round beach resort, located on islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa. The beaches here are spacious, sandy, in some places mixed with volcanic ash. The resort infrastructure is developed at high level. There are direct flights to Tenerife from Russia. Read more about . There are no direct flights to Gran Canaria; a transfer will be required in Madrid. Read more about . The islands of the Canary archipelago are often called the “islands of eternal spring” due to their mild climate and unique natural conditions.

Jorge Franganillo/Beaches of the Costa Dorada

For excursion holidays you can go to:

Spain, like no other country, is rich in historical sights, architectural monuments of different eras, natural landscapes and all kinds of traditional entertainment, such as bullfighting or flamenco. In addition, Spain is famous for its authentic Mediterranean cuisine and the production of various types of wine, so it is not surprising that tourists often go to gastronomic tours in Spain.

Often, beach and sightseeing holidays in Spain can be skillfully combined, because... many resorts are located near large historical cities. It is convenient to travel between settlements in Spain by train or car.

In Andalusia:

Seville– this is the “heart” of Andalusia. It was here that flamenco was born and bullfighting became widespread. The city is also famous for its Alcazar Palace, the Cathedral, Plaza de España, the huge Metropol Parasol umbrella, the Maestranza bullring and other architectural attractions in which flaming Gothic and Mudejar style are intertwined. Read more about ;

Granada– this is a perfectly preserved historical city in Andalusia, where the concentration of monuments from the era of Moorish rule is literally off scale. Here is also the “city within a city” - the Alhambra. In addition to the Alhambra, the Cathedral, the ancient Albasiín quarter, the Generalife Palace and Gardens, the Sacromonte Abbey and much more deserve attention. Read more about ;

Rhonda- an ancient town in Andalusia, which is located on a steep cliff, on the edge of an abyss. It is the unusual location of the city that attracts tourists to this area. Here it is definitely worth visiting the Punta Nuevo Bridge and the El Tajo Gorge with the Guadalevin River. Read more about ;

Cordoba (Cordova)- an ancient Spanish city where the Muslim Alcazar and Mezquita adjoin the ancient Roman bridge and the Jewish quarter. The historical heritage of the city is extremely rich. Read more about ;

Cadiz– is considered the most ancient city in Europe. Cadiz is located in the bay of the same name, on the shore Atlantic Ocean. Cadiz is famous for its cathedral, Roman ruins, Candelaria Bastion, Baroque churches and a magnificent landscaped park. In addition, here are located best beaches in the area, long, clean, with a golden sandy coating. Read more about ;

Malaga– a port city, from where the “gate” to the resorts of the Costa del Sol (“Coast of Light”) opens. In Malaga it is worth looking at the Roman Theater, the Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, the La Malagueta bullfighting rental, a look at the Pablo Picasso Museum and wander around the ancient fortresses of Gibralfaro and Alcazaba, from where best views bay. And then be sure to go to local beaches or nearby resorts. Read more about ;

In Castile:

Madrid is the capital of Spain and one of the most elegant cities in Europe. The main places of attraction in Madrid are Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Royal Palace, Almudeina Cathedral, Gate of Europe, Temple of Debod and numerous museums, including the world-famous Prado Museum. Read more about ;

- the “golden” city of the Spanish Baroque. Elegant, lush, seasoned, the city attracts attention and is a great idea where to go from Madrid for a day or two. The main attractions here are the Cathedral, the stone Roman bridge, the Monterrey Palace, the Monastery of San Esteban and much more. Read more about ;

Toledo – the ancient capital of Spain with its Cathedral, Alcazar Palace, San Martin Bridge and other architectural attractions. Like Salamanca, Toledo is a great alternative for a day trip from Madrid. Read more about ;

Segovia– an ancient Castilian city, the entire historical center of which is listed world heritage UNESCO. The “pearl” of the city is considered ancient roman aqueduct gigantic sizes. The main tourist trail is considered to be the triad of attractions: aqueduct - cathedral - Alcazar fortress. Read more about ;

William Warby/Beaches of Puerto de Mogán

In Catalonia:

Barcelona- the largest Catalan city and a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world. Barcelona is a self-sufficient city with many attractions and entertainment. In addition, Barcelona is also the “gateway” to the beach resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, and Costa Dorada. In Barcelona itself, the TOP 5 main attractions include La Rambla, the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, the Gothic Quarter and the hills of Montjuic and Tibidabo. Read more about ;

Girona is an ancient Catalan town located near the French border. His top places often called the embankment of the Onyar River, the Cathedral, fortress walls, churches, the Eiffel Bridge, Arab baths, etc. Often a trip to Girona is combined with a visit to Figueres. Read more about ;

Figueres– the place where the famous Salvador Dali Museum-Theater is located, and it is this attraction that attracts a large number of tourists who relax in Catalan resorts. In addition to the museum, other architectural attractions in Figueres are also interesting. The local toy museum is also of interest. Read more about ;

In Valencia:

Valencia– on the one hand, the city is ancient, on the other hand, it is extremely modern. Here you can find a lot of entertainment and ideas for excursions. You should definitely visit the Cathedral and Queen's Square, the Silk Exchange, stroll along the Paseo Maritimo embankment, and visit the city of arts and sciences. In the vicinity of Valencia there is a curious Bioparc and natural Park Albufeira. Read more about ;

Alicante- a city that combines historical sights, developed infrastructure, all kinds of entertainment and, of course, gorgeous beaches. Alicante is considered one of the most sought-after resorts on the Costa Blanca. Read more about ;

In Tenerife:

In Gran Canaria:

In Mallorca:

TimOve/Night Costa Adeje

Visa to Spain and entry rules

To travel to Spain you need a visa. Since Spain has signed the Schengen Agreement, tourists are most often granted a Schengen tourist visa type C. Such visas differ in duration and in the number of entries allowed (single or multiple entries). You can open a visa at the Spanish embassy or consulates in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), as well as at Spanish visa centers, which are located in many large cities of Russia. In addition to the standard set of documents and fingerprinting, to open a visa you will also need to present return tickets, a hotel reservation and a cover amount of at least 30 thousand euros. Read more about how to choose insurance for a trip to Spain—>. On the territory of Spain, the entry rules prescribed in the Schengen Agreement apply, i.e. essentially no different from the rules of entry into any other European country, a signatory to the Schengen Agreement.

TimOve/Resort Costa Adeje

Weather in Spain

The climate of Spain is, for the most part, hot Mediterranean on the coasts and continental in the central part of the country, where the terrain is quite mountainous. Spain is characterized by a warm spring-summer-autumn period; winters in the country are relatively short. Beach season in Spain it lasts from May to September inclusive on the mainland and Mallorca, but in the Canary Islands you can swim all year round.

When planning your trips, it is worth considering that the summer months, especially July and August, are quite hot and are only a stretch for excursion purposes. At this time of year it is better to focus on a beach holiday. Air temperatures in some regions (especially Castile and Andalusia) in the summer months can reach +40 degrees and above. It is not surprising that in Spain there is a so-called unspoken law of “siesta”, when many public institutions close during the daytime for a long lunch break.

Winters in Spain are mild, sometimes rainy, snow falls extremely rarely and only in the mountains. For the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza) and the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.) snow is not typical at all. The ideal time of year for excursions in Spain is spring and autumn; winter is also suitable if you are going to the central or southern regions of the country. If you are planning a trip to the north of Spain (Basque country, Galicia, Cantabria), then it is worth considering that it is almost always rainy here due to the cyclones that the Bay of Biscay brings.

More details about the weather:

Andrew Nash/Costa de la Luz

Currency, language, time

In Spain, it is customary to pay with the euro currency. You can change money not only before your trip, but also upon arrival at the airport. Despite the fact that in Spain bank cards are widely used to pay for goods and services, cash may still be needed, for example, to pay for public transport or for a taxi. Other currencies (dollars, for example) are not accepted for payment in Spain. You can use debit and credit cards for payment, but not below the Standard level. Electron and Maestro cards are not accepted for payment.

In Spain they speak Spanish. Other languages ​​are also accepted in some regions. For example, in Catalonia and Mallorca both Spanish and Catalan are spoken. As for English, then in tourist places There shouldn't be any problems. Many signs and inscriptions are also duplicated in English. But far from the tourist trails, you can also encounter a complete lack of knowledge of foreign languages. For Russian tourists the plus is that some hotels in Catalonia and Mallorca have Russian-speaking staff.

The time difference between Moscow and Spain is 1 hour. The same time applies throughout Spain, including the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza). Please note that the time difference between Moscow and the Canary Islands is 2 hours (including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.).

Carquinyol/Panorama of the Costa del Maresme from above

How to get to Spain

The best option to get from Russia to Spain, both the mainland and the islands, is by air. Several large cities in Spain have their own international arrival airports, and some smaller cities have local airports where you can fly with a transfer. List of cities in Spain that can be reached by plane from Russia:

Barcelona: El Prat airport receives direct flights from Aeroflot, S7, Russia, and Spanish Vueling. Direct flights are possible from Moscow (4.5 hours) and from St. Petersburg (4 hours 20 minutes). Also from some other cities of Russia in summer time Direct flights are launched. In addition, you can fly to Barcelona with a transfer in one of the European cities; such flights, as a rule, are somewhat cheaper, but longer in time. It is from El Prat Airport in Barcelona that most tourists travel to the resorts of Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, and Costa Dorada;

Girona: relatively recently, the Russian low-cost carrier Pobeda launched direct flights from Moscow to Girona, a city located in the north of Catalonia, 90 km from Barcelona. From Girona it is also convenient to get to the resorts of the Catalan coast. Flights operate several times a week from Vnukovo Airport. If you buy tickets in advance, you can find really cheap options to get to Spain;

Valencia and Alicante: To get to the resorts of the Valencian coast, you need to fly to the Valencia airport of the same name, direct flights to which are operated by Aeroflot. Travel time is 4 hours 50 minutes. You can also fly non-stop to neighboring Alicante; flights are operated by S7. Travel time is 5 hours 10 minutes;

Madrid: people often fly to the capital of Spain for excursion purposes and for business tourism, because the city is located at a considerable distance from the sea. It is also convenient to travel from Madrid to the cities of the neighboring region - Andalusia. Madrid accepts flights from Russia international Airport Barajas. Direct flights from Moscow are operated by Aeroflot, the flight time is 5 hours 10 minutes;

Malaga: One of the most convenient ways to get to Andalusia and the resorts of the Costa del Sol is to fly to Malaga airport. Direct flights from Moscow are operated by Aeroflot; travel time is 5.5 hours. From Malaga you can easily reach such Andalusian cities as Granada, Ronda, Seville, Cordoba, as well as famous resorts Marbella, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and others;

To cities like Bilbao, Seville, Almeria, Jerez de la Frontera , you can get there with a transfer in Barcelona or Madrid, because These cities have local airports.

Majorca: to get to the island, you can fly directly from Moscow by S7 (in summer). Flights operate several times a week. In addition, you can get to Mallorca with a transfer in Barcelona. As a rule, the second method is cheaper. The duration of the flight in this case will depend on the duration of the flight connection. The arrival airport in Mallorca is in its administrative center– the city of Palma de Mallorca;

Tenerife: You can fly to Tenerife by direct flight from Moscow, which operate Russian air carriers, also in the summer several charter flights are launched, which, in particular, are operated by the Spanish airline Iberia. More cheap way to fly to Tenerife is a flight with a transfer in Madrid. In Tenerife, the international arrival airport is called Tenerife South. In addition, the island also has the Tenerife North airport, from which flights are available to other islands of the Canary archipelago;

Gran Canaria: on that canary island You can fly from Russia only with a transfer, there are no direct flights. Flight connections usually take place in Barcelona, ​​Madrid or Tenerife. Flight time depends on the duration of the transfer (from Moscow to Madrid or Barcelona - 4.5-5 hours + from Madrid or Barcelona to Gran Canaria - 2 hours 50 minutes). From Tenerife you can get to Gran Canaria not only by air, but also by water; ferries run between the islands, although this is more time-consuming than flying.

Searching and purchasing air tickets to Spain:

The general recommendation for searching and purchasing tickets to Spain is to purchase tickets as far in advance as possible before your travel date, at least several months in advance. This way you have a better chance of finding budget flight options. It is more expedient to search for air tickets through special search engines that compare all available flight options for specific dates. different airlines:

Carquinyol/Costa del Maresme beach

How to get from the airport to the city

The main ways to get from arrival airports are to use public transport or taxi/transfer services. Transfers in Spain can be both group and individual.

Taxis at arrival airports can be found at the exit of the arrivals terminal. You can order a transfer in advance of your arrival time using specialized international services:

From airport Alicante You can travel independently to the city or to resorts in the surrounding area using city and commuter buses. Travel time to the city center will be about half an hour, travel time to Torrevieja or Benidorm will be about an hour. Also from Alicante airport you can get to the city’s central railway station, from where you can go to the resorts by commuter train;

Getting from Barajas Airport to Madrid can be done in several ways: by metro (city line No. 8), express bus (runs to the railway station or the Cibeles Square stop), train (line C1);

Get to the city center, as well as to other resorts on the Costa del Sol from the airport Malaga possible at commuter train or by regular bus. Railroad station located right at Malaga airport in the arrivals section of terminal No. 3, from where trains run to various destinations. Bus station It is also located in close proximity to the airport - at the exit from the terminal. Buses also have an extensive route network. Public transport does not operate at night;

Between the airport and resorts Mallorca There is a bus service. Transportation to different parts of the island along 4 main routes is carried out by the company Tib. The schedule can be checked on the carrier's website. There are no buses at night;

From Yuzhny airport on the island Tenerife You can get to the main beach resorts by the company's shuttle bus Titsa. It runs to all main destinations on the island, but only during daylight hours. At night you will have to take a taxi or an individual transfer;

On Gran Canaria get from the airport to the right resort Can regular buses companies Global, or by taxi.

VivirElTren/Metro in Madrid

Public transport in Spain

Main types public transport The ways you can get around in mainland Spain are trains and buses. Compared to other European countries, travel in Spain is quite cheap, and there are buses between settlements. high speed trains and comfortable buses. The train schedule for the route you need can be checked at the railway service , bus schedule - from the main carrier - company Alsa. Local bus companies also operate in some regions of Spain, but usually their routes are limited to travel within that particular region.

You can travel around the islands of Spain only by buses, because... There are no railway connections between the cities (with the exception of 2 train lines in Mallorca). In Mallorca, the main bus carriers are companies Aerotib, Emtpalma and Aena; in Tenerife - company Titsa; in Gran Canaria - Global. It is worth noting that it is often much more convenient to move around the islands with a rented car, because... Public transport routes are limited and it is not possible, for example, to get to some of the natural attractions on the islands.

rafa_luque/Buses in Madrid

Car rental in Spain

In Spain, in addition to public transport, it is quite convenient to travel by car, while car rental is relevant for both mainland Spain and the islands. This option It is very popular among tourists and travelers due to its ease of movement and the ability to not depend on public transport schedules.

It must be said that the rental itself is often so cheap that in some cases it turns out to be a cheaper way to travel than traveling by train, for example. To monitor prices for all rental offices in a particular city, you can use specialized search engines:

Carles Tomás Martí/Almudena

Routes in Spain

Spain, by European standards, is a fairly large country, so most often tourists prefer to travel not throughout the entire country, but in its individual regions. Getting around Spain is equally convenient both by public transport (by trains in mainland Spain and by buses around the islands) and by rented car.

There are quite a lot interesting routes in Spain, most often they are not tied to certain iconic cities. There are interesting routes along National parks, but here you definitely can’t do without a car. Below are some of the most popular routes for traveling around the regions of Spain:

• Barcelona and radial trips to Girona, Figueres, Reus, Mount Montserrat, resorts on the Catalan coast and the Port Aventura amusement park (the same radial trips can be made from any resort in Catalonia);

• The route in Northern Spain most often runs through places such as San Sebastian-Bilbao-Santander-Peaks of Europe National Park-Gijon-Oviedo-Santiago de Compostela-Pontevedra-Vigo-Ponferrada-Lyon-Bilbao;

• Madrid and radial trips to Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Avila, El Escorial Palace;

• Valencia-Alicante and intermediate resorts on the coast;

• Madrid-Cordoba-Seville-Cadiz;

• Seville-Huelva-Doñana National Park-Jerez de la Frontera-Cadiz-Tarifa;

• Malaga-Granada-Ronda;

• Malaga resorts on the Costa del Sol;

• If desired, you can make longer journeys, for example, from Madrid to Barcelona or from Madrid to Valencia. Combined routes in Spain and Portugal are also somewhat popular;

• In Mallorca and Tenerife, circular routes around the island are in demand, as are trips to the center of the islands, where the mountain ranges are located. Concerning interesting architecture, then in Mallorca it is concentrated in Palma de Mallorca, and in Tenerife - in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna.

Tommie Hansen/Swimming season in Mallorca

How to book accommodation in Spain

Spain is a country with a developed tourism infrastructure, so you can find holiday accommodation here to suit every taste. These can be classic hotels, apartments, guest houses, holiday homes, hostels, bed and breakfasts, villas, campsites, resort hotels. Some regions of Spain, for example, Catalonia, Mallorca and Tenerife, are characterized by a predominance of resort hotels. They differ from ordinary ones in that almost all the necessary infrastructure is located on the hotel premises (including entertainment, evening programs, children's animation, food, etc.).

If you are traveling around Spain for excursion purposes, then you need to know that in large cities you can find almost any accommodation options, while in small towns the choice is small and they know about five-star hotels only by hearsay. However, the overall level of service in Spain is European quality of service.

In Spain, this type of housing such as apartments or apart-hotels is also gaining popularity. The first option is a detached house or apartment in residential complex. The second option (apart-hotels) is a whole complex of apartments, often they are also equipped with a common recreation area and a swimming pool. Mainly, living in apartments differs from staying in hotels - food, i.e. Apartments have built-in kitchen options, while hotels offer cooked breakfasts (half board or full board).

You can find and book suitable accommodation in Spain using specialized services, just enter locality and desired travel dates:

Costa del Maresme: here are the most affordable resorts in terms of holiday prices. Families with children often choose this coastline because... The Costa del Maresme is famous for its gently sloping sandy beaches. The main resorts in the region include , , . The Costa Blanca is located in the south-eastern part of the country, so the water here warms up faster than on other coasts of Eastern Spain. And the Costa Blanca got its name thanks to the snow-white sand that is common on the local beaches;

Costa de Almeria: on this coast there is a resort of the same name , the hottest in southern Spain. The climate here is almost semi-desert, due to the fact that nearby is the Almeria Desert, the only one in Europe. The Almeria resort is more reminiscent of some Egyptian or Moroccan resort than a European one (in terms of climate and landscape), but the service here meets all European standards. The beaches here are spacious, sandy, more reminiscent of sand dunes; , , and others;

Tenerife: on the island, most of the beaches are sandy, but their peculiarity is that the sand here is mixed with volcanic ash, so its shade is grayish. This is due to the fact that the island is of volcanic origin. However, the beaches of Tenerife are clean, well-groomed, equipped with everything necessary, with a gentle entrance to the water. The main resorts include , , ; on the opposite bank there is beautiful beach with golden sand - ;

Gran Canaria: The main beach resorts of Gran Canaria are concentrated in the southern part of the island. This is due to a more favorable climate. The beaches here are vast open spaces because... The island has a fairly flat topography. The coating is fine sand. Most in demand resort areas on the island are considered , Playa del Inglés, Campo International, Meloneras, Bahia Feliz, San Augustin, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogán and others.

kevin pacheco/Almeria Beaches

Prices for holidays in Spain

It is believed that the resorts of Spain are more affordable in terms of the cost of holidays than other southern European countries, and this is another plus in the treasury of advantages of Spain. Some resorts in Spain offer for relaxation package tours, which include a basic set of options, but we will tell you what the approximate cost of a holiday in Spain will be if you travel there on your own.

Cost of placement in hotels in Spain starts from 25-50 euros per night (usually these are bed and breakfast hotels and apartments). Hotels in the 4* category cost from 50 to 80 euros per night for accommodation. If your trip occurs during the “high season” (from June to September), then housing prices during this period may rise by 15-20%. To avoid overpayments, it is recommended to book hotels, apartments in advance;

Travel by public transport will cost between 1.5-2 euros per trip. If you are staying in any city in Spain for a day or more, then, as a rule, it is more profitable to purchase a pass for the whole day (from 4.5 euros);

Eating in a restaurant will cost 15-25 euros (without alcohol), in cafe– up to 15 euros, in establishments fast food- about 10-12 euros, ice cream in a gelateria - from 4.5-5 euros (in tourist places prices can be 10-30% higher). Please note that so-called tapas bars are common in Spain, where when you buy a drink you also get small snacks for free.

Cheapest to buy groceries in stores. Approximate prices for some popular food products: pork fillet - 8 euros; jamon – from 12 euros; smoked sausage – from 9 euros (prices are per kg); local wines – from 3 euros per bottle; pasta – from 1 euro per package; yoghurts – from 2 euros per pack of 4 pcs.; processed and curd cheeses – from 1.30 euros per jar; mineral water– 0.5 euros per bottle; carbonated drinks - from 1.50 euros per bottle; semi-finished products (lasagna, pizza) – from 2.5 euros.

Entrance to some Spanish attractions also paid. If it's historical or architectural monuments, or a museum, the cost usually varies from 5 to 10-12 euros per adult. If these are water parks and amusement parks, then the cost of entry starts from 17-20 euros. And, for example, the move in famous park Port Aventura attractions will cost a record 47 euros for adults and 40 euros for children.

Price excursions varies depending on its type. Group bus excursions for short distances they usually cost 25-30 euros, individual ones - from 50 euros.

rey perezoso/Caleta Beach

Food in Spain

You can eat in Spain in restaurants, cafesortapas bars, you can also buy ready-made products at stores or at markets and cook your own food. The basis of Spanish cuisine is seafood, beef (including smoked meat - jamon), rice, cheeses, local wines (including sangria and sherry). People here like to cook roasts, stews, marinated meats, omelettes, cold soups - gazpacho, paella, risotto, and for desserts they serve various pastries that look like donuts.

The cost of food in restaurants or cafes, as a rule, costs 15-20 euros, excluding alcohol. Tapas bars have the following system: when you order a drink, you get a small plate with various canapes to accompany it. If you are staying in apartments or apart-hotels equipped with a kitchen area, you can save significantly on food, because... products in stores or markets are cheaper. Famous fresh food markets in Spain include Boqueria (Barcelona), San Miguel (Madrid), Central Market (Valencia), Mercado de San Martin (San Sebastian), Mercado Central (Alicante), Triana and Encarnacion ( Seville), Atarasanas (Malaga).

Jorge Franganillo/Night Barcelona

We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments!

Photo at the beginning of the article: Edmund Gall

Spain is one of the oldest and most magnificent countries in Europe, famous throughout the world for its natural and man-made attractions. This is a state of amazing social contrasts, where wealth and aristocratic arrogance closely coexist with poverty and spiritual simplicity... This is a country with magnificent, luxurious nature, whose landscapes and landscapes still amaze some untouched beauty, serene and at the same time violent, like the poetry of Frederico García Lorca... This is a land where they still believe in miracles with childish naivety... This is Spain, which everyone should see in order to fall in love with it with the ardor of a tourist who has gone abroad for the first time and the sophistication of an experienced traveler .

But let’s return to earth and remember that ready-made tours to Spain, for example, to Madrid or Barcelona, ​​are quite expensive, and not everyone can afford such a pleasure. But this does not mean that you need to give up your dream - remember that there are at least two ways out of any situation. And in our case, independent travel will be a backup option! And you can be sure that a trip organized independently will not only be more meaningful and informative (you will include in it those excursions that interest you), but also as economical as possible.

The only “minus” is the need to prepare in advance for such a trip to Spain - to draw up a detailed plan for the future trip “linked” to the flight schedule, and if you want to walk around Barcelona or Toledo, stopping in Madrid, you will need to familiarize yourself with the flight schedule within the country , schedule bus routes or fast trains. You will also have to choose a hotel or hostel on your own, focusing on your financial capabilities, think about the issue of food, and, of course, draw up a plan for the excursion program. This, of course, is a rather labor-intensive process, but the reward for the work will be savings that can be put aside for the next weekend in Spain.

A little advice from experienced travelers: if you want to experience the real, not the tourist atmosphere of Spain, try to get to a particular city when a national or religious holiday is taking place (for example, in honor of the Holy Virgin, whom devout Spaniards worship).

Development of a tourist route

The first step is to develop a plan for your route. To do this, you need to make a list of the sights of the country that you would like to see and the cities that you plan to visit. If we are talking about something like this big city In Spain, like Barcelona or Toledo, Granada or Cordoba, we advise you to visit them separately - the cities are so interesting that even a month will not be enough to explore their beauties.

Booking tickets and hotels

When the plan has been developed and the dates of your stay abroad have been approximately determined, you need to start booking tickets and hotels. And here you can save a lot of money, and, as they say, out of the blue!

So, when purchasing a tour to Spain from a travel agency, you automatically pay for the flight, since the cost of the air ticket is always included in the total price of the tour to Spain. If you buy tickets yourself, you have the opportunity to purchase “last minute tickets”, the price of which is 20-30% lower (especially often such discounts are set for tickets to Ibiza and Tenerife, where holiday season relatively short) or buy economy class tickets, which will save you up to 10% of the amount you would pay to a travel agency.

The second point concerns people who actively fly. During various flights, they probably accumulated bonus miles. Use them to pay for your trip, which will bring you another 10% savings.

Do not use direct flights, but routes with transfers. For what? Then, to spend a time slot of 8-10 hours walking around Munich or Geneva! Just think about it: you get a free opportunity to visit one of the largest European cities absolutely free of charge!

The next step is to book a hotel, where you can also save money. Firstly, if you spend most time on excursions, then it is not at all necessary to live in a 5 or 4 star hotel; you can get by with a room in a 2* hotel, the living conditions in which will be better than in a 5* hotel in Crimea or Sochi.

Be sure to use online booking platforms hotel rooms, choosing those resources that monitor proposals for your application (say, Single Room in Barcelona costing from $30 per day), giving in the end all the options that match the request. All you have to do is choose the hotel you like best (the address and route to it from the airport or train station will be indicated automatically) and book this room.

A little advice from seasoned travelers: book your hotel and flights in advance and be sure to ask for written confirmation of your order.

Another “budget” option is to use a hostel. Of course, the living conditions will resemble those in a student dormitory, but a night will cost only $30 (Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Toledo), and in smaller cities it will be even cheaper (from $15-20 per night).

A little advice from experienced travelers: please note: by booking a room in Barcelona through the website, you create a small “safety net” for yourself in case of force majeure. The fact is that the risk of falling for unscrupulous hotel owners always exists, and it is not a fact that when looking for a room in Spain, you will not fall for scammers. And the site where rooms are booked is bound by contractual obligations with the hotel, so you can always find an “extreme” person to make financial claims. By the way, by booking a room, you can save up to 30% of the amount that you would have to pay if you booked the room on the spot.

You definitely need to look at the reviews of other tourists - they will tell you which hotel is worth staying in and which one to bypass, we also advise you to choose excursions - because sometimes the most “hyped” and expensive excursion can turn out to be absolutely uninteresting.

Applying for a visa to Spain and a bank card

If you do not have an open Schengen visa in your international passport, you will need to include in your plan a clause on obtaining one, and this must be done as early as possible, otherwise the whole trip may be disrupted. But in order for the staff of the Spanish Embassy to give you the coveted stamp, you must present air tickets to Spain and back to Russia, confirmation of a hotel reservation and a bank statement indicating the presence of a certain amount in euros in your account (at least 500 €). A visa costs 35 €, but there are categories of citizens for whom it is issued free of charge (which, however, the travel agencies are silent about).

In order for you to be absolutely mobile and not “tied” to a currency exchange office, arrange in advance a card that can be used to pay in Spain and “link” it to the account, an extract from which you will present at the embassy. In addition to the euro, dollars are also popular in Spain, so it would be more advisable to open a multi-currency account.

A little advice from experienced travelers: bank card abroad it is accepted almost everywhere, so you can use it to pay for excursions, car reservations, and food. But you will need to have a small amount of cash on hand (about $100) - you will need it on excursions in remote corners of Spain, to pay for public transport and tips.

Nutrition issue

Spain is a country of magnificent gastronomic traditions, so here you can taste seafood, wine, jamon, and sun-filled vegetables and fruits. To prevent the cost of food from being too high, do not visit expensive “name” restaurants, give preference to small “home” cafes. Thus, food will cost much less (up to $10-15 per dinner), and you will be able to taste real Spanish dishes, without the touch of French and Italian culinary “civilization.”

Be sure to try Spanish coffee, which is brewed according to ancient Arabic recipes, young local wines and, of course, bull meat in all variations.

Sights of the country

Let us repeat once again - Spain is a museum country, where every corner literally “breathes” history, so everyone can independently create their own trip, including those objects that will be of interest to them.

But in Spain there are also places that are considered world heritage, being objects included in the international UNESCO register, so visiting them is considered “good form” all over the world. These “pearls” of international importance include:

• residence of the Spanish monarchs - Palacio Real, located in Madrid. Almost all excursions include this object, and the trips of many travelers are planned precisely so that, while in transit in Spain, they can visit this place, in the corridors of which ghosts of bygone eras roam;

• The Prado Museum is the Spanish Louvre and the Hermitage, the Dresden Gallery and the Chicago Museum rolled into one. The best creations of world painting and sculpture are collected here, but the highlight of the collection are the works of Spanish masters - Velazquez, Salvador Dali, Picasso, Antonio Gaudi, Goya;

• bullfighting in Pamplona is a cruel but exciting action national symbol countries. This is why going to Spain and not seeing bullfighting is the same as being in the UK and not seeing Big Ben. The festival in Pamplona takes place in July, so if you want to take a closer look at this “game” on the verge of a foul, where two lives converge at the same distance, plan your vacation in July. True, you will need to book tickets and a hotel room 3-4 months earlier - during this period thousands of tourists come here;

• The Cathedral of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia) is an unfinished museum in Barcelona, ​​which was designed by one of the world's most famous architects, Antonio Gaudi. The huge structure, built in the original style of Gaudi, who so loved playing with non-standard projections and shapes, resembles a building made of lace, rushing straight into the sky. Barcelona is doing everything possible to ensure that La Sagrada Familia Cathedral is completed, so work on the construction of the temple is slowly but surely being carried out to this day;

• Segovia Aqueduct - this monument, which has simply miraculously survived to this day, dates back to the era of the Roman Empire. Be sure to include a visit to this place in your plan for your stay in the country, believe me, you will remember this trip for a long time;

• The city of Cuenca is a wonderful example of medieval urban planning, located between Valencia and Madrid. Excursions to Cuenca are especially popular among tourists, because they take guests to a time when Spain ruled the world, and Spain itself was ruled by the Great Inquisition;

• El Escorial is another attraction of the country, excursions to which are extremely popular. This city was at one time the center of the Holy Roman Empire of King Philip II and a symbol of Christianity in Spain. But today the city has lost its significance, so you should go here simply to see how an ordinary Catholic monastery lives today.

• Alhambra - excursions to this palace can be organized from any city in the country - Barcelona and Madrid, Cordoba and Malaga, Granada and Valencia. This is a unique example of the culture and architecture of the period when Spain was under Arab rule, so it is easy to “read” traditional Arabic “notes”. But after the expulsion of the Arabs, the Alhambra was slightly modified, complemented by unique objects of landscape design. Today, the Alhambra is no less famous and interesting than the French Versailles, so be sure to try to go here to get to know this “wonder of the world.”

And now about the journey in numbers

If you plan your trip yourself, your travel budget will be significantly less than the cost of a tour to Spain. Plan it so that it consists of two parts - mandatory and optional.

The obligatory part will be about $1,500, and will include:

• visa;
• flight;
• medical insurance(you can’t save on it, especially if you travel on your own);
• 10 days and 11 nights accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Barcelona or Madrid;
• a bank account in which money for transportation costs within the country will be stored, inexpensive excursions, food and car rental).

You should leave at least $800 for additional expenses - expensive excursions, restaurants, souvenirs, domestic flights. If you want to save money, then put no more than $300 in this column - it will be enough for you if you listen to the above tips.

Routes from experienced tourists

And to finish the topic, we offer you two routes that include excursions, beach holidays, and visits to local attractions. They have already been tested and are popular when organizing independent travel in Spain.

First trip:

• airfare to Madrid, where you spend 2-3 days visiting the most famous monuments cities;
• then rent a car and drive to Barcelona (2-3 days stop);
• from Barcelona you can travel along the coast Mediterranean Sea will descend to the south of the country, where a wonderful beach holiday awaits you (by the way, you can visit Barcelona on the way back).

Second route

On the Mediterranean coast there are many large and small, famous and not so famous, luxurious and modest resort towns. Among all this diversity, Barcelona stands out. Bright, controversial, proud and, of course, unusually atmospheric. This is a city of geniuses, unrecognized and recognized talents, and, of course, art fans. A city that can rightfully be called the resort capital of the Mediterranean. However, even with all this diversity and splendor, sometimes you want to travel around Spain by car, starting the route from Barcelona and discovering more and more new corners of Catalonia and beyond every day.

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Barcelona - Lloret de Mar - Girona - Vila Sacra

Having decided to go on an independent auto tour from Barcelona, ​​many tourists first of all go towards Lloret de Mar. Moreover, in one day you can visit several places at once. interesting cities. Having covered literally 70 kilometers, travelers find themselves in a completely different reality. Despite the popularity of the resort, a calm, peaceful atmosphere reigns here. In addition, there are quite a lot of attractions in Lloret de Mar - the San Juan Castle, located on the coast and which has become the hallmark of the entire Costa Brava, the romantic chapel of St. Cristina, the patroness of the city, the gardens of St. Clotilde and others. For those who decide to spend the night in Lloret de Mar, the town opens up from a completely different side. When the sun sets, it seems to come to life and the streets, which seemed quiet and calm during the day, turn into one big party. You can roam between bars until dawn. The main thing is not to overdo it with cocktails, especially if you plan to travel further in the morning.

The next destination for many travelers is Girona, the distance to which is only 35 kilometers. It is often called the immortal city (the city fortress over the years of its existence managed to withstand 25 sieges, and this is really a lot!), Spanish Florence and even the city of Salvador Dali (although the museum dedicated to him is not here, but in Firegas). Girona is not as famous and popular as its neighbor Barcelona, ​​but no less beautiful. The best way to start exploring Girona is with a walk through the Old Town. Small colorful houses of the 17th century with multi-colored facades, located on the embankment of the Onyar River, invariably fascinate and remind of the affairs of bygone days (someone compares them with Florence - and indeed there is some similarity), and Plaza Catalunya, which looks like a wide bridge and connecting the two banks, looks very unusual and even mysterious. And, of course, you can’t ignore the medieval Cathedral, the construction of which began back in the 14th century.

Vila Sacra is located literally 20 kilometers from Girona. Why is it worth visiting this small cozy village? At least to breathe the air of the Spanish province, to find out what it’s like National cuisine(not tourist-oriented, but truly local!) and spend the night in cozy hotel, so that in the morning with new strength we can go on to discover beautiful Spain.

Vila Sacra - Empuriabrava - Besalu - Castelfiolite de la Roca

Stay in Vila Sacra for a long time for curious tourists You’re unlikely to want to - a couple of hours’ evening walk is enough to get around the entire village. Therefore, in the morning, after having a snack at the hotel, you can get ready to hit the road to the shores of bohemian Empuriabrava. This resort town often called the Spanish Venice. It is all “cut up” with canals, their total length exceeds 35 kilometers - this is a world record. As in Venice, luxury villas have access to the water - local residents often travel on yachts and boats. However, you can also travel by land to any point in Empuriabrava. In general, this is a very atmospheric town, a walk through which will certainly give you a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions.

Among the attractions of the resort, the beaches are the first to be noted. Wide, sandy, almost endless... Essentially there are two of them - one well-maintained and the other wild. Despite the popularity of Empuriabrava, places in the sun even at the height of tourist season enough for everyone. But lovers of architectural masterpieces will most likely be disappointed by this town. It is not old, and there are no attractions as such here. But in medieval Besalu, the first mention of which dates back to the 10th century, there are plenty of them. It would be more correct to say that the whole city is one continuous attraction. It is small in area, only 5 square kilometers, and you can get around all the nooks and crannies in 2-3 hours. City landmarks are the El Castel castle and the bridge over the El Fluvia river. However, not only they, but also every house, every alley remind of its former greatness.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the color of bygone days, you can move on. Just 15 kilometers from Besalu is the village of Castellfollit de la Roca, very famous far beyond the borders of Spain. It is surprising primarily because it is located right in the rock. And it was built no less than in the distant Middle Ages. Hence the very unusual architecture and many buildings, worthy of attention. Among them, the Church of San Salvador and the museum located next to it stand out. From the observation deck you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. Overall, Castellfollit de la Roca is not just colorful – it seems lost in time. Walking along its narrow streets, you begin to believe that a brave knight in armor or a lady in a chic fluffy dress will appear around the corner. Fortunately, there are very few tourists here and the stories of the guides do not disturb this mysterious atmosphere. But, no matter how beautiful the village in the mountains is, it is unlikely to interest inquisitive travelers for more than 2-3 hours. Therefore, in the evening you can return to Vila Sacra in order to continue your journey in the morning and see a completely different Spain - in the Pyrenees Mountains.

Vila Sacra - Seira, Pyrenees

From Vila Sacra to Seira is not that close - about 350 kilometers. However, the roads in Spain are good and the journey can easily be covered in 4-4.5 hours. Why, if you decide to visit the Pyrenees, should you stay here? First of all, because Seira is a very cozy, colorful village where you can get acquainted with national traditions and feel the special spirit of the Spanish province. Secondly, housing here is not expensive - for the price of a room in a three-star hotel in Barcelona you can rent a two-story apartment with mountain views. From the point of view of attractions, Seira is of no interest. They simply aren't here. But the immediate surroundings deserve attention. The first place to go is the Estany De Cavallers lake dam. It is considered the most equipped and convenient for inspection. The building is truly amazing in its scale. In addition, the dam itself offers breathtaking views.

You can admire nature almost alone - getting to Estany De Cavallers is not so easy; this can only be done with your own transport. That is why there are not too many tourists here. In the area of ​​the dam there are simple places for relaxation (wooden tables and benches), but if you want to relax and have a picnic, you should stock up on food in advance - there are no shops or other retail outlets here. Not far from the lake there is national park Aiguestortes. It is notable primarily for the fact that there are several routes for short trekking throughout the territory - the simplest one, designed for unprepared tourists, can be covered in 2-3 hours. Along the road there are fast mountain rivers, slopes rushing towards the clouds, and almost abandoned bridges. Occasionally, somewhere in the distance you can see lonely houses. The landscapes are complemented by lonely walking cows with bells - almost alpine romance. Although the Pyrenees landscapes are not at all similar to the Alps. They are beautiful, mesmerizing and breathtaking in their own way.

While enjoying the beauty, do not forget about returning home - from Aiguestortes to Seira is not so far, only 80 kilometers, but the road is quite difficult - a narrow serpentine. Therefore, it is better to overcome it before sunset.

Seira - Benasque

Just 22 kilometers from Seira there is a place that is known to every lover of active winter holiday – ski resort Benasque. In winter, at the height of the season, there is literally “nowhere for the apple to fall.” But in the summer, in a small town with a population of 2000 people, as if lost among the Pyrenees peaks, it is calm and quiet. In the surrounding area there are several trekking routes of varying difficulty - designed for both amateurs and professionals who know a lot about hiking. The beauty of the surrounding landscapes amazes even seasoned travelers - glaciers, lakes, waterfalls... not a single photograph conveys all this grandeur and splendor. Benasque is not only a modern ski resort. The city has quite interesting story, so it is not surprising that there are many architectural attractions on its streets. Among them are the palace of the counts of Ribagorza, the houses of Casa Juste, Casa Faure and Casa Martial del Rio. As you can see, this place has always attracted representatives of the Spanish nobility. In addition, the 13th century Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore deserves attention.

The Seira-Benasque road is not very long, only 22 kilometers, but if you deviate just a few meters from the main route, you can find yourself in truly fabulous places. One of them is the dam near the Presa de Benasque lake. It itself is closed to the public, but there is a nearby Observation deck, from which a beautiful panoramic view to the dam itself, a tunnel through the rock (they are quite common in the Pyrenees) and the lake. Another place that would be a crime to drive past is Lake Escarpinosa and the Posets-Maladeta Park located in its vicinity. Many call it the most beautiful thing in the Pyrenees. In any case, nature lovers and beautiful scenery will not remain indifferent.

You can end this day by staying at one of the hotels in Benasque (in summer, prices for accommodation in the city are very attractive, since the resort is empty) or by returning to Seira - it will be more convenient to continue your journey from there.

Seira - Montserrat - Castelldefels

Of course, that's not all interesting places Pyrenees Mountains, but if you are limited in time, this “must see” route can be considered completed. On the way to Barcelona there is an object that you simply cannot pass by. This is the spiritual center of Catalonia, the holy of holies for local residents and Catholics all over the world - monastery Montserrat. It is famous primarily for the fact that it is here that the statue of the Black Virgin of Montserrat is located. The history of the monastery began more than 1000 years ago. Since then and to this day it has been considered active, although now there are not too many monks, no more than 20 people. There is a small museum at the monastery where you can learn about the affairs of bygone days. In terms of architecture, the Montserrat monastery is interesting primarily because it was almost completely rebuilt in the 19th century with the participation of the famous and controversial architect Antonio Gaudi. He embodied his ideas related to human unity and endless harmony here really very successfully.

Montserrat Monastery is located in a very picturesque location. There are several trekking routes in its vicinity; for the convenience of tourists, there are signs everywhere, so you won’t be able to get lost at all. In addition, they take place in the most picturesque places and are designed for tourists with different levels of physical fitness - even those who are experienced in sports can cope with conquering the simplest ones.
How much time should you plan to visit Montserrat Monastery? For some, a few hours are enough, while others are ready to stay here forever. For those who decide to stay and spend the night, there is a hotel next to the monastery. True, the prices here are not low, tourist prices.

Having completed your acquaintance with the monastery and having breathed enough of the air of the monastery, you can return to the coast. Back to Barcelona? Of course, this is possible, but there are still many wonderful places in Catalonia where you can end up for the last time. For example, the miniature and very cozy town of Castelldefels. It is known, first of all, for its endlessly long beach - perfect place in order to put a final point and say goodbye to beautiful Spain. In addition, there are a huge number of restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines - from national Catalan to Japanese. Seafood dishes are considered a local highlight. If you are lucky enough to get to Kastfeldefels in July or October, then you can become a participant in a pirate feast or a chestnut festival; the fame of these events “spreads” throughout Catalonia.

Of course, this is not the only “Spanish” route that you can take by car from Barcelona. Catalonia and neighboring regions are rich in attractions, natural parks and all kinds interesting places. Spain is diverse, colorful and always hospitable. It opens up differently for every traveler, but every tourist certainly leaves a piece of his soul here.