We can all agree that planning your first trip can be challenging, so you should plan everything. Regarding Spain, everything depends on where you wish to go, but generally, the most popular times for visits are between June and August, due to beautiful weather without rainy days.
Of course, if your goal is to avoid large crowds, we recommend you visit in May or September. This will allow you to enjoy and sightsee the areas you wish to visit. We recommend you consider renting a car or Leiebil Spania, which will provide you with peace of mind.
Opting for off-season travel to Spain can be smart, offering you more affordable accommodation and flights. This is particularly beneficial for those who are mindful of their travel budget, and it also means you can avoid the large crowds that often flock to popular destinations during peak season.
Places You Should Visit in Spain
The main idea is to decide where you wish to visit because there are numerous fantastic places. The best-case scenario is to spend a few weeks or months, which will help you explore the country at your own pace. Still, it may be challenging to spare such time, meaning you should think about certain places that stand out.
- Barcelona – A city that offers a unique blend of cultural landmarks, historical aspects, and vibrant nightlife. Do not miss the opportunity to indulge in the local cuisine and experience a night of flamenco, a true adventure for the senses.
- Islands – Beyond the idyllic summer days spent swimming in the clear blue waters, Spanish islands offer many other exciting activities. From the tranquility of Minorca and Formentera to the vibrant party scenes of Ibiza, these islands cater to diverse interests, promising thrilling nights and sun-soaked days.
- Valencia – We are talking about a city that beautifully combines its rich history with modern architecture and is a must-visit. One of its unique features is a winding park in the middle, designed to divert a river and prevent potential flooding. This innovative solution is a testament to the city’s forward-thinking approach.
- San Sabastian – You probably did not know that this city was nearly destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars. Nowadays, it is an area that features one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain.
- Madrid – Finally, you must explore the capital city, which will show you everything about the culture, including a combination of specific food scenes and historical landmarks. We are talking about the largest city in Spain, meaning you should write down areas you wish to visit beforehand.
You should click here to learn more about tourism in Spain, which will help you determine the best places to visit.
Things to Know About Renting a Car in Spain
If you wish to rent a vehicle when you arrive in any area in Spain, we recommend you learn about the requirements. We will also provide helpful and interesting tips to help you throughout the process.
Requirements
Regarding the minimum driving age, you should know that it is eighteen years, and you must have an IDP or International Driving Permit. Your driver’s license should be valid, and you should always bring it.
Apart from documentation, you must ensure that a car features specific items, including headlight beam deflectors, spare bulbs for indicators and headlights, a high-visibility jacket, and a warning triangle. Still, things you should consider when renting may differ depending on the rental company you choose.
Although you need to be at least eighteen to be eligible to obtain a driver’s license, car rental companies will have minimal requirements, including being at least twenty-one before they consider you. Apart from these requirements, you will need a legal license and passport.
We recommend you bring a credit card to pay for a deposit, which will allow you to get free insurance, especially if you have a particular MasterCard. On the other hand, you may also use a debit card, but you should talk with a rental agency beforehand. Third-party liability insurance is indispensable coverage; you can upgrade it to the maximum.
Tips for Renting a Car in Spain
When you pick up a rental car, we recommend you conduct a thorough inspection. This means writing down everything wrong with it, including scratches and marks. Besides, it is vital to photograph these areas and other problematic aspects with a time mark on the picture, which will act as proof that you are not liable for these issues.
Relevant images will help you prove its condition is the same upon returning it to a rental agency. If you do not have third-party insurance, including it in a contract is mandatory. Still, you should check with your insurance company to avoid paying for additional coverage you do not need.
If you want to visit other surrounding countries, you should talk with the agency and obtain the relevant insurance for all places you wish to visit. We recommend you take the unlimited mileage option to offer you peace of mind.
They may ask you to return a vehicle with a full tank. Therefore, you must check out to see whether it was packed the moment you entered inside. As a result, you should visit a gas station before returning it.
Road Regulations
As mentioned above, the legal driving age in Spain is eighteen for all cars. However, you can drive 125cc motorcycles from the age of sixteen and mopeds from the age of fifteen. You can still rent a car because they require experience and have specific requirements.
Regarding speed limits, you should know that it is fifty km/h for cars in city areas and ordinary roads. At the same time, when you go on a motorway, the speed limit reaches 80 km/h.
When you go outside the populated area, the limit on ordinary roads is 90km/h for roads with a single lane and 100km/h for roads with more than one lane for a single direction. If you wish to drive motorways outside the populated area, the limit is 120 km/h.
Regarding highways, only a tiny percentage feature tolls where you must stop and pay for entrance or exit. However, they depend on the region where you wish to go, while most are in Catalonia.
You can rest assured because tolls accept both cards and cash. The moment you enter a highway, you will get a ticket, and you will pay when exiting automatically by inserting a ticket into the machine, which will calculate the fee based on your specific area.
Spain is different from other countries across the globe because it features a wide array of roundabouts. You probably know the idea because each roundabout is the same, but the main idea is that vehicles already on it have a priority, meaning you must wait for them to enter. You can exit it from the outside lane created explicitly for it.
When you decide to enter a roundabout with multiple lanes, you should choose the one based on the exit you wish to make. Generally, the right lane means you will take the nearest exit, while the one inside means you will choose the last exit.
If you drive a private vehicle, the limit for alcohol in your blood is 0.05%, which is shared across Europe. However, you can find areas with a lower limit, especially if you are driving eight or more passengers or transporting children or goods. Law enforcement will not tolerate professional drivers with a single drop of alcohol in their blood.
We recommend that you avoid driving after having a few drinks. It is better to prevent potential personal issues, while alcohol may impair your judgment and cause severe problems to others. Check out this guide: https://www.wikihow.life/Travel-in-Spain-Cheaply to learn how to travel across Spain on a budget.
Regarding children’s seats, you should know that younglings that are less than 135cm or 4.5 feet must travel in a specific car seat created for their age and size. On the other hand, if they are over this size, they can sit on a regular seat.
Tickets differ based on context and various factors. They can range between a hundred and six hundred euros for severe offenses. Other reasons for fines are lack of relevant documentation, using mobile devices while driving, parking offenses, and many more.
For instance, if your driver’s license states that you must wear contact lenses or glasses and avoid them, you will lose two hundred euros when law enforcement stops you. A police officer can find you on the spot, while you can pay it by mail or immediately. You will get a fifty percent discount if you pay in the next twenty days after receiving it.
Similarly, as in any other country, it is more challenging to find a parking spot in populated areas compared with other places. You will notice a paid parking spot by a blue zone, while you can find a parking meter. The main idea is to buy a ticket and place it on the dashboard.
We recommend you read everything included on a ticket, especially the part with a time limit, usually between one and two hours, depending on your area. Parking can be accessible at some periods, such as between 8 pm and 8 am or during siesta time.
You may notice other curb colors that indicate residential parks, meaning you must use them with a relevant permit. Disabled parking is specifically created for people who can obtain municipal proof. If you have a disabled permit, you can park in various areas, including loading zones and pedestrian areas.
If you wish to refuel your car, we recommend you check out for words such as “gasolina.” LPG is Autogas, while diesel is known as “gasoleo A.” You can pay by card or cash, depending on your preferences.