Spain is the world’s second-most visited country.
The Spanish Empire alone is credited with having discovered the New World of the Americas, and throughout history, it has had an important influence on art, music, literature, and cuisine throughout the world, especially within the European continent.
With its world-known nightlife, bustling cities, amazing beaches and Canary Islands, vineyards, and mountains, Spain offers something for everybody.
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Spain Info & Stats
48 million
505,990 km2
96/km2
$2.5 trillion
Reino de España
At a Glance
- Language: Spanish is the official language.
- Population: 46+ million (estimated 2019)
- Timezone: UTC +1
- Ethnic Make-up: The ethnic groups in Spain are: Castilian (approx. 75%), Catalan (approx. 16%), Galician (approx. 6.5%) and Basque (approx. 2%)
- Religion: predominantly Roman Catholic (94%)
- Political System: The government in Spain is a constitutional monarchy. The King is the head of state and commander-in-chief but does not have extensive powers in government.
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Credit Cards: Cards are widely accepted almost everywhere.
- Electricity: Socket types C and F, 230 volt / 50 hertz
- Tipping Customs: 10-15% in restaurants
- Haggling Culture: Not common
Climate & Seasons
Spain is blessed with mostly favorable weather all year. The summer months are when the most tourist crowds come to the country, especially the coasts and Canary Islands.
That being said, winters can be cold, especially in the central regions and in the north.
In summer, the sun hits like a brick so sunburn and heat strokes are relatively common and it’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water.
Entry Requirements
Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
Click the map to see details on the visa requirements of the Schengen Zone for each country.
Input your passport citizenship and quickly see the requirements that apply to you:
Safety
Safety: As with all popular destinations, especially in big cities, pickpockets may be a problem. That being said, the country is very safe.
Natural risks: There are no natural risks in Spain except occasional avalanches in the mountains.
Emergencies number: 112, +34-061 (emergency medical services), +34-091 (police)
Safety Indices
Learn more on the data source and the methodologies of ranking in the Global Safety Indices page.
