Country guide · ES

Spain

3 destinations & festivals · 4 etiquette rules

Photo: José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro · CC BY-SA 3.0

Before you go

Read before you go

Red lineEveryday manners

Spain: show photo ID when police ask

Carry photo ID

Ignoring a direct instruction from the police

Police can take you to a station until your identity is confirmed; ignoring a direct instruction from the police can count as 'disobedience'. Real police check documents only and will not ask to see your wallet.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice

Red lineSafety

Spain: no dangerous stunts on hotel balconies

Keep a safe distance on balconies

Climbing over, crossing or jumping between balconies

The hotel will throw you out and you may be fined; travel insurance may not cover accidents on balconies.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice

Red lineEveryday manners

Spain: drinking in the street is banned in some areas

Drink in bars and restaurants

Walking around drinking in the street

Illegal in some areas; you can be fined on the spot.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice

Red lineDress

Spain: don't walk around town in swimwear

Put clothes on before leaving the beach

Wearing only a bikini or swimming trunks, or going shirtless, on the seafront promenade and nearby streets

Illegal in some areas; you can be fined.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice

Places & local life

Landmarks, hidden gems & local life

Classic landmarkBarcelona, Spain

Sagrada Família

Gaudí's lifelong 'Bible in stone', a church that is still growing

FoodValencia, Spain

Paella valenciana

Named after its pan; Valencians say only the version with rabbit and chicken is the real thing.

Classic landmarkBarcelona, Spain (Gràcia)

Park Güell

Gaudí's naturalist work: a mosaic lizard, a serpentine bench and a hillside view over the whole city.