This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.
Hi there! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! I’m returning from a 2-week trip to Spain, and I wanted to share some highlights, drawbacks, and the amusing bits – just for fun. These are my travel tips and lessons from my 2-week trip to Barcelona, Malaga and Granada in September 2023.
1. Spanish budget airlines = A cramped + bumpy ride ✈️
Spanish budget airlines can be ROUGH. I don’t think I’ll be opting for them again. However, for short flights, especially those under 2 hours, they are manageable. Just be prepared for tiny TINY planes with no amenities whatsoever – not even water. Picture Spirit Airlines, but even smaller and more cramped. Additionally, one of my other shorter flights was delayed by 2 hours and nobody gave a damn. We were forced to wait outside in a transfer bus, forced to cramp as many people as possible standing, and then didn’t move for one hour. They didn’t even have the decency to let us know they were short a crew member and we were delayed. This was all at 5am mind you, it was still dark outside. You REALLY get what you pay for.
We flew back to NYC with Norse airlines and it was night and day of differences. Space to sit, well ventilated, screens for entertainment, charging ports. Options to buy drinks and food. Everything! Norse Atlantic UK airlines is also budget, but gosh at least they are decent human beings.
2. Dollars vs. Euros.
Spain’s currency is the Euro, much like in most countries of the European Union. €100 Euros is about $106 American Dollars, this is as of October 10, 2023.
So while using euros is a bit more expensive than dollars, Spain can be a VERY affordable destination. Drinks are often between €1 to €5 for beer and wine. Small bites are usually under €10, but often those “small bites” are quite generous.
3. Little heavenly sandwich, right off the airplane.
Spanish bocadillos at the Barcelona airport are delicious! AND very affordable. These small sandwiches cost about 3 to 5 euros, and most cafes also offer fresh-squeezed orange juice in the morning. A ‘bocadillo’ is essentially a small sandwich. Sometimes, they can be BIG, so it’s a good idea to start with one and go from there.
4. Magic food country.
“Bocadillos” are truly amazing all over Spain, not just at the airport. However, when compared to the overpriced airport food, they are a fantastic and more affordable option. The Spanish are all about having a little bite here and there.
5. How to plug 🔌
You’ll need a European plug adapter to charge your phone or any other devices. If you don’t have one (I didn’t), you can purchase it at the airport convenience shop for about 10 euros. Most of the European union uses this plug, Ireland and the UK use a different plug. You can get a European plug here adapter here.
6. Insert card before clicking.
When purchasing a bus ticket for the Airbus in Barcelona (to reach the city center), you need to insert your card before selecting ‘credit card payment’ on the machine. This process is somewhat different from what we’re accustomed to in the US, where you select ‘credit card payment’ and then insert your credit card. It took us about 15 minutes to figure this out, and a whole line of people in front of us faced the same challenge. It was a whole thing — a bunch of us, jet-lagged foreigners, trying to buy a bus ticket in Barcelona without success for a good 20 minutes.
7. Nice bus 🔌 🚎
When arriving at Barcelona Airport “El Prat” the Aerobús will take you to the city center in 30 minutes. There’s WiFi available in the Aerobús and you can charge your phone while heading to the city center, which is amazing! I took this chance to charge up, look for my hotel and where to have a fabulous lunch. Pro tip: Apple Maps works offline as well! Look for your destination while on wifi, press “navigate” and then it will take you to your destination on GPS. We used this all the time since we weren’t roaming or using a Spanish SIM card.
8. Please do not sit at the bar.
Sitting at the bar is not the usual practice. Typically, my husband and I are used to sitting at the bar at restaurants to enjoy food and drinks. However, in Spain, it’s more common to sit at tables, even if you’re only having drinks. Bar culture isn’t as prevalent here. This was observed in Barcelona, Malaga, and Granada during my visit.
9. Cash is king, but it will cost you.
Getting cash from the ATM in Barcelona can be EXPENSIVE! Fees range from 4 to 8 euros for a withdrawal, and this is in addition to any fees your bank might charge you. It’s advisable to withdraw a larger sum all at once (the maximum is usually around 400 euros), then separate it in your wallet(s), with your partner or family, and in your luggage. Use cash only when necessary, and opt for card payments otherwise. I must note ATM fees were more reasonable in Granada.
10. Dos Cañas Porfavor 🍻
Ordering a beer in Spain 101: You can ask for a ‘caña,’ which is essentially a house lager. It’s available in various sizes depending on the establishment, ranging from small to large. Caña is usually the smallest size for house beer. The house larger brand varies from city to city. Prices can range from 1.5 to 4 euros, depending on your location within the city and the proximity to tourist spots.
11. Sneaky conversion rates.
Always opt to be charged in EUROS, even if your home currency is dollars! It’s advisable to let your own bank handle the conversion; it’s usually more advantageous for you. If you select dollars, everything ends up being 5% to 10% more expensive due to a ‘conversion convenience charge.’ Watch out for certain point-of-sale machines that subtly suggest ‘convert to USD.’ Be cautious not to click it in a hurry. This mistake cost us about $50 in conversion fees during our 2-week trip (it happened a few times without us realizing… Those sneaky bastards).
12. Catalan language is nothing like Spanish.
In Barcelona, most signs and street names are in Catalán, the official language of Catalunya. Personally, I don’t understand or speak Catalan. And my first language is Spanish. So I typically inquire if they speak Spanish or English when talking to anyone in Barcelona.
13. Gracias for tipping ✨
Tipping is appreciated in both touristy and non-touristy areas of the cities, but it’s customary not to exceed 10%. Typically, Spaniards leave some change on the bill. Additionally, given that Spain is more budget-friendly compared to other European destinations, bills for a few beers and a snack at local spots usually total under 20 Euros 💶, making it common to leave the change, resulting in a couple of Euros as a tip (around 10%). On a few occasions when I was extremely pleased with the service, I tipped generously. The server/bartender looked at me a bit awkwardly, but they were appreciative.
14. Siesta time is sacred.
During the midday hours in Spain (2pm to 6pm), many places close for ‘siesta’—a designated time for a nap or leisurely lunch, allowing business owners to prepare for the evening shift. This practice is comparable to many restaurants in Savannah that close from 3pm to 5pm after lunch.
15. Late nights, bright lights.
Spanish people are incredibly friendly. They also dine late ⏰, usually around 10pm, and then venture out for late-night festivities. Some clubs open at midnight and stay open until 7am. I believe this late-night culture is facilitated by the siesta tradition. We were the only weirdos having dinner at 7 or 8pm.
16. Want a drink? Here’s a free bite.
Granada is well-known for offering a complimentary tapa with your drink order at many places. The tapa could be a small bread with ham, a mini tuna sandwich, or a Spanish tortilla. While not every establishment follows this tradition, it’s quite common in authentic places. So, you can enjoy 5 drinks throughout the day and receive 5 little bites, which are often quite substantial. Granada is genuinely magical and amazing!!! Can’t wait to go back.
17. Bus ride from hell.
Buses in many smaller parts of Spain tend to pack in as many people as possible, and they don’t seem to prioritize comfort. Personally, buses in Granada give me a headache. I prefer using the metro, taxis, Ubers, or simply walking uphill for 20 minutes (which is often the case in Granada). What can I say? I’m a bit spoiled, and I like my personal space.
Let me finish this post by saying I LOVE SPAIN so so much!! The food, the music, the people—everything is simply amazing. The beauty of this country is beyond words.
I’ve gained invaluable insights during this trip and I’m excited to use this new knowledge the next time I visit Spain. I guess the main thing is that Spanish people don’t seem to mind getting as many people as they can in small busses. But I mind, I’m a bit claustrophobic. So I will simply avoid those. Everything else is good 👍
Everyone should visit at least once in their life. Spain is magic in every turn, AND very affordable to fly from big airports like NYC or Atlanta.
Have you had the chance to visit? What do you love about Spain? What’s your favorite spot? What makes you dream about your visit? Sharing is just for the cool kids.
Thanks for reading me. All the love ❤️
Leave a Reply