Updated 2016
Why you should add Spain to your Indie/RTW trip
With its warm coastline, rich history and thriving nightlife, is it really any wonder that Spain is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Every year, millions come to Spain to sit in the sun, to drink a little sangria, to get chased by angry bulls, to see some famous paintings and to dance the night away.
- If you are not from Spain, you might picture it as one country, but really it is not. Spain is a nation of regions, each with their own cultures and customs.
- While Spain is very much a part of modern Europe, it still moves at a slower, more traditional pace.
- The two-hour long siestas are not universal anymore, but they do still exist, and as a traveler you will enjoy the quiet time, especially if you adapt to the Spanish time zone, which means most things don’t really kick off until around midnight.
- The food, my God, the food. Enjoy the long, drawn out meals, the tapas, the seafood, the jamon, the cava, and everything else that is glorious about Spanish food.
- Variety. There are bustling cities in Madrid and Barcelona, mountainous areas in the Sierra Nevadas and Pyrenees for hiking and trekking, and beaches along the coast for R&R.
- The transportation in Spain is fast, efficient, and easy to use – perfect for those adding it to their longer trips.
- If you’re into nightlife, Spain is going to be appealing to you. From the DJ’s and clubs in Ibiza to the late nights in Madrid and Barcelona, you’ll be partying til dawn during your time in Spain.
Read: Guide to Walking the Camino de Santiago.
Indie travel tips
- The Basque Country in the north holds strongly to its independence and features a language and a culture that you will find fascinating.
- Catalonia, home to Barcelona, is also a unique region and one where large numbers speak Catalan.
- Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a region unto itself. It is a fast moving city that seemingly stays awake all night.
- Regions such as Valencia and Navarra also have their own look and feel, helping to make Spain a country that holds new possibilities with each city and area you visit.
- The Pyrenees separate Spain from France and are littered with quaint little villages and outdoor opportunities galore.
Read: Seven Reasons to Visit Spain’s Costa de la Luz.
Transportation
Because of its popularity, you can usually find decent deals on airfare to Spain. Keep your eyes out in particular for cheap flights from the UK and Europe during the winter months. That is the time when many choose to hit Spain’s beaches and the airlines are looking to fill their seats.
For more on travel once in the country, check out the transportation section of Indie Travel in Spain for $55 Per Day.
Read: 5 Things the Camino de Santiago Taught Me.
Accommodation
You can find hostels in every major city and a variety of other businesses catering to the college students and other youth who travel across the continent each summer.
For more in depth information on accommodations, check out the accommodation section of Indie Travel in Spain on $55 Per Day.