Features of hotels in Spain. Should I go to Spain

It is better to have a photocopy of your passport with you, and keep your passport, money and air ticket in hotel safe. Tourists should be careful in stores and watch their handbags and wallets - they steal here often and very professionally.

Do not leave any valuables in the car - neither in the "glove compartment" nor in the trunk. The advice is banal, but it is too often neglected with subsequent damage to oneself.

It is absolutely not customary to stop on the road to help your neighbor in Spain, since there are police and technical assistance for this, and “mobile phones” and landlines along the roads to call them. Therefore, both “voluntary helpers” and citizens actively “voting” near the car should arouse legitimate suspicions.

Working hours, shopping

Store hours are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (large department stores often operate non-stop).

On Saturdays, shops are usually open until 13:00, Sunday is a day off.

During tourist season outlets in coastal cities may close much later than usual. In many stores, when buying imported goods for an amount exceeding 91 euros “with kopecks”, you can issue a “ tax free” (refund of a part of taxes), which will be from 6 to 12% of the purchase price.

At the same time, a receipt is issued, which will need to be presented at a special point at the airport before departure.

The most visited museums work in a similar mode, however, here the morning starts half an hour earlier - at 9:30, and the museum closes at 14:00. Work resumes at 16:00 and lasts until 19:00.

But the largest museums, for the sake of the convenience of numerous tourists, do not take a day break in work. For example, the world-famous Madrid Prado or the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.

On national holidays in Spain, museums and banks stop working.

When applying for "tax free", it is best to ask for white and blue "global refund" forms, since they can be used to get cash at the airport.

Other systems do not always allow this, and you have to be content either with a transfer to a “credit card” or by receiving a check by mail, which can be cashed in a bank in any of the countries of the “eurozone” within two years.

In transport...

In Barcelona

The travel card (tarjeta - tarheta) T-1 for 10 trips is also valid for trips on city buses and the metro.

The T-2 card entitles you to travel only by metro and railway. From Monday to Thursday, the metro operates from 5.00 to 23.00, on Fridays, Saturdays and pre-holiday days one hour less, on Sundays from 06.00 to 24.00.

Buses operate from 5.30 to 23.00. The fare for the metro and the bus is the same.

Boarding the bus

In Spain it happens through the front door. To pay for the fare, you can buy a ticket from the driver or validate the ticket. On intercity lines, when boarding, as a rule, they show the driver a pre-purchased ticket.

At some stops buses stop only "on demand". Raise your hand to show the driver that you want him to sit you down.

Taxi in Spain

They differ in type and cost. A green light means the car is free. Payment by meter.

IN small towns taxis are unmetered. There is a service like big tourism” when a higher comfort car is provided. The price in this case is negotiated in advance.

For car rental

Passport and international law. Some companies require the driver to be at least 23 or 21 years old, and the license issued at least one or two years ago.

The average rental price ranges from 20 to 120 euros per day. The company may require a deposit, often equal to the cost of the entire rental, or a credit card.

Going to road trip in Spain, try to plan your trip so that during the day - from 14 to 16 hours - be on the road.

It's Spanish Fiesta time. Therefore, most autotourists and, most importantly, truck drivers will dine at roadside restaurants. And you can rush with a breeze in a rented car along almost deserted highways.

Beach

Beaches in Spain are free.

Renting umbrellas or sun loungers costs 1.5 - 2 euros per day, a pedal boat - from 5 euros, riding a "banana" - 10 euros, parasailing behind a boat - from 30 euros. (When putting on ammunition, you need to make sure that the lower strap falls below the buttocks, then it will be comfortable to sit. Otherwise, the whole flight will have to be pulled up on your hands.)

In hotels in Spain, beach towels are often not issued, and taking hotel towels out of the room is not recommended. Therefore, it is better to go there with your beach towel.

...and other little things

On the streets, men often escort women with appraisal compliments (pyropos). There is nothing offensive in this. So accepted.

In elevators, shops and other public places, it is customary to say hello and goodbye.

Spain has few public paid toilets. But almost all department stores have a free toilet. You can go to a bar or restaurant. In principle, it is also free there, but there is often a plate for change at the entrance to the toilet, and a neat old cashier can sit next to it. Tax - 50 cents.

Spaniards are friendly, they treat Russians well. IN major cities there is petty theft (more so in Barcelona and less so in the Sierra Nevada).

The Spaniards have a strong independence. The Catalans do not consider themselves Spaniards and are offended in negotiations if there is only a Spanish flag on the table and no Catalan one. The inhabitants of Tenerife also do not want to be called Spaniards, and call themselves "Guanches".

Having received banknotes of 500 or 200 euros in a Russian bank when exchanging them, try to immediately exchange them for smaller ones, since far from all restaurants or shops abroad accept ... In some bars in the evening they do not accept bills more than 20 euros.

We eat right and tasty

Decided to have a bite or a drink in an unfamiliar place? Don't go to the first restaurant or bar you see. See if it has visitors first.

If they are not there, this is a clear sign that not everything is in order with the institution. After all, it is not without reason that it is not popular with the Spaniards. Possible reasons are hygiene problems, product fraud or dishonesty in customer accounts.

In a small cafe, a guest can be offered something to try for free. In many Spanish bars, tapas are served free of charge with a glass of beer or cocktail.

A significant place in Spanish cuisine is occupied by thick cream soups (cremas): for example, from egg yolks (sopa-crema de yemas) or seafood (sopa-crema de mariscos).

The famous Valencian paella (paella Valencia) - a kind of pilaf - is prepared with the addition of 5-6 types of fish and seafood. In total, there are about three hundred varieties of paella in Spain.

In Catalan cuisine, among the most original dishes are escudella soup, fried pork sausages with white beans monjete am botifarra, monkfish soup souque de peix, rabbit with snails, dessert chalk and mato (cottage cheese with honey ).

The local sauces "sofrito", "samfaina", "picada" and "alioli" are widely known. The latter, made from garlic and olive oil, is said to have been invented by Emperor Nero. Be sure to try the assorted clams "zarzuela".

Spain is a warm and comfortable country where any tourist can find interesting activity. In the north, its shores caress the waters Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Spain is bordered on all sides by mountains, it includes numerous islands. She will take into her arms those who love a quiet beach holiday, and those who prefer fun and noisy companies. It is not for nothing that Spain has gained fame as one of the most prestigious tourist destinations in the world.

Are you wondering why tourists choose this amazing beautiful country? Of course, because her heart and soul are as charming and open to guests as appearance. Part of Spain is:

– free and incendiary flamenco dance;
- a bit tough and passionate bullfighting that captivates brave spectators;
- Ibiza disco, where the best DJs from all over the world come together;
– luxury vacation on the islands of Mallorca and the Canaries;
- historical and architectural sights - Moorish palaces, Roman ruins, ancient fortresses.

Of course, a beach holiday in a country like Spain is a feature for tourists. By the way, they have an impressive choice: you can choose any of the 16 Spanish coasts. Let's talk about the most famous and sought after.

So, the most accessible and visited resort in Spain is the Costa Brava. If you want to relax economically, then go here. You will be gladly received by numerous economy class hotels, but visitors are always satisfied with their services. Here a large number of entertainment venues for young people - clubs, bars, discos.

Costa Dorada - perfect place for holidays with children. On the coast there is a famous entertainment children's complex. The entire infrastructure is specially tuned for family vacation, and the beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea are perfect for the safe bathing of small vacationers.

A beach holiday in Spain is unthinkable without a visit to the Costa del Sol. This coast is for those who want to have a luxurious vacation and not save money. Travel lovers - this is the place for you! Very picturesque region: decorate it luxury hotels, botanical gardens, picturesque waterfalls and villas of wealthy Spaniards. The peculiarity of the sea is that the water temperature in it, even at the height of the season, can only occasionally rise above 22 degrees.

Ecotourists, of course, choose the Costa Blanca resort - the white coast of Spain, the cleanest, warmest and most comfortable. Valencia's beach strip leads in number blue flags. 305 days a year, this coast is warm and sunny, it is famous for the longest in Spain bathing season and also a vibrant nightlife.

Holidays on the beaches of Spain from May to October

The beach season in the resorts of Spain begins from the last month of spring - from May, and lasts until mid-autumn - until October. To rest in this fairyland June is perfect. At this time, there is almost no precipitation, and strong southerly winds do not disturb vacationers. Many tourists come to Spain in July-August, although the scorching sun makes you choose vacationers at this time north coast- Costa Brava, for example. Already in September and October, there is a decrease in the number of tourists on the coasts of Spain. In November-February - a lull in most resorts.

Note to the tourist

Take into account that many hotels in Spain are located in the city and do not have private beaches. But there are advantages - next to them there are many shops, bars, entertainment centers, discos.

Don't be surprised if you see many marvelous divas on the streets of cities: bullfights, carnivals and shows, dances, tomato battles, pyramids of people. Spaniards love to have fun.

Spain, a country where professional thieves can leave you without documents, money and valuables. Therefore, be careful and do not yawn. If you have a problem, contact the police, technical assistance, etc. Do not accept the help of "voluntary benefactors". This may end badly for you.

To enter Spain, you must have a passport and a visa. To receive it, you need an invitation from a private person or a travel agency, round-trip air tickets, a passport, medical insurance, 4 completed questionnaires and the same number of photographs. Visa is issued within 3-10 days.

Beach holidays in Spain, rich excursions to the cities of the country, acquaintance with its amazing story and culture - this is what will fascinate you, make you dream and enjoy sunny, passionate, beautiful Spain again!

Features of holidays in Spain

Customs

Import of foreign currency is unlimited (declaration is required if the amount exceeds 500 EUR). The export of previously imported foreign currency is allowed - in an amount not exceeding that declared at the entrance.

Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of wine, a liter of spirits, food, household items and items is allowed - within the limits of personal needs. Radio, video and photographic equipment must be declared. Permission to import film equipment must be issued at the consular section of the Spanish Embassy. The import of drugs, certain medicines, weapons, ammunition and explosives is prohibited. It is forbidden to export historical valuables, antiques, jewelry, weapons and ammunition without special permission.

Safety

During walks and excursions, it is better to have a photocopy of your passport with you, and keep your passport, money and air ticket in a hotel safe. Tourists should be careful in stores and watch their handbags and wallets - they steal here often and very professionally. Do not leave any valuables in the car - neither in the "glove compartment" nor in the trunk. The advice is banal, but it is too often neglected with subsequent damage to oneself.

shopping

Store hours are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (large department stores often operate non-stop). On Saturdays, shops are usually open until 13:00, Sunday is a day off. During the tourist season, retail outlets in coastal towns may close much later than usual. In many stores, when buying imported goods for an amount exceeding 91 EUR “with a penny”, you can issue a “tax free” (refund of part of the taxes), which will range from 6 to 12% of the purchase price. At the same time, a receipt is issued, which will need to be presented at a special point at the airport before departure.

Siesta in Spain lasts from 13:00 to 16:00. At this time, most banks, shops and restaurants close for lunch. public institutions. But in the Sierra Nevada there is no siesta.

When applying for "tax free", it is best to ask for white and blue "global refund" forms, since they can be used to get cash at the airport. Other systems do not always allow this, and you have to be content either with a transfer to a “credit card” or by receiving a check by mail, which can be cashed in a bank in any of the countries of the “eurozone” within two years.

The national cuisine of Spain is a completely abstract concept, in reality there are a huge number of noticeably different from each other in the country. regional cuisines. We can only highlight common points - stewing in wine, baking with sheep cheese and grilling, as well as the widespread use of sage greens and grated walnuts. The most famous Spanish dish is paella (pilaf with seafood). It is also worth trying "hamon" - dry-cured pork.

Spanish wines are well known all over the world. The Catalan white wines Penedès and Ampurdan are famous, and any sparkling wine in the country is called cava. There are almost hundreds of varieties of the latter. Sherry from the city of Jerez de la Frontera in the southwest of Andalusia is considered the pride of the country, and in the Canary Islands, excellent semi-sweet Malvasia wine is made from Lanzarote grapes. Another "alcohol symbol" of Spain, sangria, is made on the basis of ordinary semi-sweet red wine or red carbonated "cava", adding ice and diced fruit to the wine. Drinking sangria is very easy, and a fair degree of intoxication creeps up unnoticed.

Another hot country in every sense, with its Venetian carnivals, gladiator fights and dangerous Vesuvius...

Tours to Spain are sold all year round: summers are hot here and great for beach holiday, the winter is warm, there are no sharp temperature drops between the seasons. The Velvet season- August-September, but there are practically no places in hotels at this time, and vouchers are very expensive. But if you go to Spain in the spring (March-April) or autumn (October-November), you can enjoy warm, mild weather and a wonderful cultural holiday.

What are the most popular resorts in Spain?

Oddly enough, one of the first can be called Barcelona, the Catalan capital. Tourists are sure that Barcelona is “about art”, but not “about beaches”, and they are deeply mistaken. In fact, in Barcelona there are marvelous sandy beaches located on mediterranean coast. The velvet season here is in July and August, the seasons of excursions are May and September.

The most luxurious, elite Spanish resorts are Mallorca and Ibiza. Here on the beach you can meet Leonardo DiCaprio or David Beckham with his family walking freely. Another popular place – volcanic island Tenerife. It is located in canary archipelago. Its main feature is the black sand on the beaches.

The rest of the Canary Islands, by the way, are not so popular in Russia. Have you heard, for example, of the islands of Gomera, Hierro, Palma or Gran Canaria? Probably no. Russian tourists while rare guests canary islands, but there are many vacationers from Northern Europe.

Sights of Spain

Than, except for the beaches with the purest sand Is Spain famous? Undoubtedly, this is one of the richest in high art European countries. First of all, in the capital of Spain, Madrid, every self-respecting tourist should visit the following places:

The Golden Triangle of Art consists of three key Spanish museums: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum. At the expositions you can see the masterpieces of Bosch, Velasquez, Goya, Picasso, Dali, Titian, Kandinsky and many other recognized masters;
Royal Palace - its scale and luxury of decoration are impressive, and the history goes back more than 5 centuries;
Retiro Park, famous for its "mystical" fountains and figured trees and shrubs, in addition, it is very pleasant to walk here on hot days: the shadows of the trees cover the sun and make the air cooler and fresher;
Plaza Mayor Square is like Palace Square in St. Petersburg or Red Square in Moscow;
Bullfighting at the Las Ventas arena: no matter how outraged animal advocates and just kind-hearted people are, bullfighting is a centuries-old tradition and an integral part of Spanish culture.

Although the capital of Spain is Madrid, the most tourist city rightfully considered Barcelona. There is also something to see here:

Sagrada Familia - monumental architectural project, not completed to this day;
Hill of Montjuic with marvelous fountains;
Park Guell;
The oceanarium is the largest in Europe.