Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe, occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal, and known for its rich history, diverse cultures, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant traditions. The nation, geographically, features a variety of terrains from the beaches of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, to the mountain ranges like the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada. It also has a Mediterranean climate in most areas, allowing for hot summers and mild winters. Spain possesses a deep cultural heritage influenced by various civilizations through-out the ages, such as the Romans, Moors, and Visigoths, and has famous cuisines like paella, tapas, and jamón, festivals such as La Tomatina and San Fermín, and flamenco music and dance, art.
Its capital, Madrid, is located near the geographic centre of the country on the Meseta Central plateau, known for its historical landmarks like the Royal Palace (the official residence of the Spanish royal family), Museo del Prado and Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, alongside its cultural institutions and dynamic nightlife.
CET: UTC+1 and WET: UTC+0, daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Wildfires, droughts, floods, and storms.
Police may issue on-the-spot fines, especially for traffic and minor offences. Fines are often required to be paid immediately, or within a short time frame to be paid at a discounted price (e.g., 50% off if paid within 20 days). Taking photos in restricted areas (like military and private buildings) is illegal (resulting in a fine of €100–€600), alongside: walking shirtless in cities, or wearing bikinis or swimwear outside beaches (€100–€300), and climbing on monuments and statues (€100–€600)
The official language of Spain is Spanish (Castilian), but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken.
Vehicles drive on the right in Spain. The minimum age to drive is 18 years old, but drivers have to be 21 to rent. Some rental companies may require you to be 23 – 25, and drivers under 25 may be applied with surcharges. Manual cars are standard, so request an automatic if needed (limited availability). UK drivers generally do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Spain, provided they hold a valid UK photocard driving licence. However, some car hire companies in Spain may still ask for one, and if your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP, regardless of whether it's a photocard or paper licence.
Some highways (called “Autopistas de peaje”) are toll roads, but do accept both card and cash. Some rental vehicles include electronic toll devices. For parking; blue zones are for pay parking (look for meters), you must not park under yellow lines, and white lines (if marked for public use) are free to park. Finally, cities like Madrid and Barcelona restrict access to older or high-emission vehicles. So, look out for Low-Emission Zone signs like 'Zona de Bajas Emisiones'. Rental cars usually comply, but check with the rental company.
Gasoline (petrol), Diesel (gasoil). Self-service stations are the most common.
General speed limits are as follow:
The limit is 0.05%, but for drivers with less than two years of experience and professional drivers, there is a zero-tolerance limit.
When driving, all passengers including driver must be wearing seatbelts.