Spain

Understand

Spain shares the Iberian Peninsula with Andorra, Gibraltar, and Portugal. A country of large geographic and cultural diversity, Spain may come as a surprise to those who only know of its reputation for great beach holidays and almost endless sunshine. There is everything from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and deserts in the south east. While summer is the peak season, those who wish to avoid the crowds should consider visiting in the winter as not only is it normally mild and sunny, but attractions such as the Alhambra Palace in Granada and La Gran Mezquita in Cordoba will not be overcrowded. However the ski resorts of Sierra Nevada do get very crowded. The Mediterranean climate that predominates in Southern and Central Spain is noted for its dry summers and (somewhat) wet(ter) winters, so visiting in the winter or spring brings the added benefit of the vegetation looking much more healthy. Northern Spain (e.g. Asturias) on the other hand gets quite a bit of rain year round and is ripe with lush green vegetation even in August.

History

Some of the earliest known remains of Homo of any kind in Europe have been found in Spain (see Prehistoric Europe). Spain is also thought to have been the last refuge of the Neanderthals, and one of the few places that were inhabitable and inhabited throughout the ice ages.

Early Spain and Roman Era

The earliest inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula we have any profound knowledge of were Iberians, Celts (related to the Gaulish, Britannic and Central European Celts in language and culture) and Basques. As most of these groups had little to no written records we only know of them due to the descriptions of the Greek, Punic and later Roman settlers and conquerors, who colonised Spain from the South starting in the 3

Getting there

Entry requirements

Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement. See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, what countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty; there may be such controls temporarily, such as in connection with important events and various crises. The operators may carry out identity checks before passengers board international flights, ferries or trains, even between Schengen countries. Citizens of the EEA countries and Switzerland do not need visas to travel in the Schengen area, and may stay up to 90 days with no requirements other than having a valid ID card or passport. See European Union#EEA citizens. Normal visas granted by any Schengen member are valid in all countries that have signed and implemented the treaty (with exceptions for some overseas territories). The granting country may offer additional rights (such as longer stays or right to work) that apply only locally. In addition, citizens of Andorra may enter and reside in Spain indefinitely without a visa. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who enter Spain on a national identity card, who are under 18 years old and travelling without their parents are required to have written parental consent. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Mauritius, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Seychelles are permitted to work in Spain without the need to obtain a visa or any further authorisation for the period of their 90-day visa-free stay. However, this ability to work visa-free does not necessarily extend to other Schengen countries. A stay of longer than 90 days for non-EEA or Swiss citizens almost invariably requ

Getting around

By train

Adif is the operator of most rail stations in Spain. Their website has information about stations, departure times & platforms. They have a useful smartphone app with real-time arrivals and departures. They do not run any trains. Renfe is the Spanish national rail carrier, which operates most commuter trains (Cercanías) and regional (Media Distancia) as well as most long-distance ones (AVE and Avlo). They are the most punctual of the three in long-distance, but trail behind other companies that offer commuter trains in some regions. Their website usually accepts foreign credit cards, but if not, try PayPal. Long-distance train tickets need to be purchased in advance, and their prices might change over time like airlines' (dynamic pricing). Spain has the second longest high-speed network in the world, so always consider trains. They are a great way to get around the east coast, around Andalusia, from Madrid to anywhere, and some trips in the interior. Trips from the East to Andalusia or around the North might be easier by bus. Alvia and Intercity are trains that run on conventional lines. They can get you to all cities, and will have similar travel times to driving. The tickets might not be on sale more than a month beforehand. AVE and Iryo are high-speed quality services, which include routes from Madrid to Barcelona, Andalusia and Valencia. AVE trains also go to Navarre, Galicia, Asturias and more regions. Avlo and Ouigo are low-cost high-speed services. Ouigo and Avlo routes include Madrid to Barcelona, Andalusia, Valencia and Murcia, and Avlo also goes to Galicia and Asturias. For daytrips or short trips, consider Media Distancia trains. They can get to most are