The Best Hotels to Stay at in Barcelona
From luxury villas to wallet-friendly stays, here are the best hotels to stay at in Barcelona at any budget!
Read More >Popular travel and lifestyle blog featuring travel tips, fashion, food and photography from around the world. Follow Kiersten on her adventures!
As you guys might have guessed, I adore Spain. Spain was the first destination on my first international trip. I did a study abroad program there in 2008, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I spent a month studying Spanish between Salamanca and El Puerto de Santa Maria, exploring different cities along the way.
With endless cultural festivals, world-class beaches, and renowned nightlife, Spain is impressive 365 days a year. I could spend years exploring Spain. From Madrid to Barcelona to Girona to Bilbao, it’s such a vibrant country. Whether you hit the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, wander the vineyards of Rioja, or worship the sun in the Canary Islands, Spain is guaranteed to impress you any day of the week.
September to November is easily my favorite time to travel through Spain. There are fewer crowds, the weather is beautiful but starting to cool down, and it’s wine harvest time! Head up to Rioja and Ribera for some of the best wine tastings in Spain.
The summer months, June to August, are the most popular time to visit Spain. The weather is warm and sunny, and you can enjoy long travel days on the country’s 5,000 miles of coastline. However, the cheapest accommodation prices can usually be found around January through April.
Check out The Best Time to Travel to Spain for complete details!
Language: The official language of Spain is Spanish.
Currency: The currency in Spain is the Euro.
Credit Cards and ATMs: You won’t have any problems finding ATMs around Spain unless you go really off the beaten track. If you’re spending time in an isolated area, it’s best to keep enough cash on you for the basics. Mastercard and Visa are accepted at most machines as well as restaurants and shops.
Plugs: The plugs in Spain are type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hairdryers and hot tools.
Safety: Spain is one of the safest European countries. While there is a low crime rate, you’ll need to be aware of pickpockets in the metros and in crowded areas that are popular with tourists.
*European Travel Alert*
Starting sometime around November 2023, US travelers between 18-70 years old will need to fill out an ETIAS visa-waiver form prior to their trip, and pay a €7 ($7.25) entry fee, to travel to European countries within the Schengen Area. It’s a quick form, and you will most likely receive instant approval—but it’s important to plan and submit ahead. Your ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
We’ve loved our time spent traveling in Spain and found it to be very safe as an open same-sex couple. LGBTQ+ laws in the country are very progressive and there are thriving gay scenes in many Spanish cities, the most prominent being in Madrid. We highly recommend Spain as a safe destination for LGBTQ+ women and female same-sex couples, especially Madrid and Barcelona!
From luxury villas to wallet-friendly stays, here are the best hotels to stay at in Barcelona at any budget!
Read More >From luxury to budget-friendly stays, here are some of the best hotels in Mallorca!
Read More >Whether it’s a girls’ trip, romantic honeymoon, or a chill getaway, you’ll absolutely want to explore Mallorca.
Read More >From romantic coves to surfing hotspots, here’s my region by region guide to the best beaches in Mallorca!
Read More >Looking for a quiet little spot for yourself in Mallorca? Here’s what it’s like staying at Finca Hotel Rural Es Turo.
Read More >From the parties of Palma to the Roman and Moorish remains, here’s your ultimate itinerary for the Spanish paradise of Mallorca!
Read More >From where to stay to what to do, here’s your ultimate guide to exploring the charming town of Valldemossa in Mallorca!
Read More >Looking for a truly one-of-a-kind experience? Here’s what you should know about visiting the Cuevas del Drach in Mallorca.
Read More >From where to stay to what to do, here’s your ultimate guide to exploring the charming town of Deia in Mallorca!
Read More >Barcelona is one of those essential European cities that you’ve just got to visit. Here are the top 10 things you must do in Barcelona!
Read More >Barcelona is a must when traveling Spain, but being such a hotspot in Europe can make it a pricey destination. Here are my tips for traveling Barcelona on a budget!
Read More >Did you know that the third Thursday of June is World Tapas Day? I’m all for getting festive, so naturally, the only way to celebrate is by tasting all the tapas!
Read More >Cádiz is a well-known beach town in Southern Spain. It’s a small city, but it is a big hub for cruise ships and other travelers. If you’re looking for a little getaway, here are some ideas for a day trip to Cádiz from Seville!
Read More >I spent a month in Spain that summer, living in Salamanca and El Puerto de Santa Maria, and exploring more of Spain’s lesser-known destinations.
Read More >As you guys might have noticed, I absolutely adore Spain. Here are my tips for the best time to go to Spain and experience the beautiful country!
Read More >I went to Madrid for the third time recently, and was really excited to do so. Here are my top picks of places for the best food in Madrid!
Read More >Whether you are staying in the city for a short weekend or a couple of weeks, here are the top seven things to see and do in Madrid!
Read More >Spain is made up of multiple regions, and they all offer female travelers something different. Food, culture and beaches are all available in Spain!
Read More >Join over 1 million people and get exclusive travel tips, giveaways and more!