Spain Beach Holidays
Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands, and the Canaries year-round. Plan your Spain beach holiday with flights, hotels, weather, and travel tips.
€1 = €1.00
Today
—
Weather in Spain
Fri
Sat
Sun
SPF level in Spain
Autumn
SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Winter
SPF 15
Entry requirements for Spain
You can travel to Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for purposes like tourism or visiting family.
Your passport must be less than 10 years old on your arrival date and have at least 3 months validity remaining after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
At border control, you may need to show documents such as a return ticket, proof of travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds, and your accommodation details.
Visits to any Schengen countries in the 180 days before your trip count towards your 90-day visa-free limit, so ensure your total stay is within this period.
When the Entry/Exit System (EES) is implemented, you may need to register biometric details like fingerprints and a photo at the border, which could cause longer wait times.
Good to know:
You cannot take meat, milk, or products containing them into Spain, with exceptions for items like powdered baby milk or special medically required foods.
You must declare any cash or travellers cheques if the total value is 10,000 euros or more upon entry to avoid seizure.
Safety in Spain
Spain is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Be alert to the risk of street crime and theft, particularly at airports and when collecting hire cars, and keep your valuables in separate places.
Avoid splitting up from your friends, do not leave your drinks unattended, and be alert to the possible use of date rape drugs in bars and clubs.
It is illegal to drink alcohol in the street in some areas, and there are strict controls on drinking in public places, including beaches, with on-the-spot fines.
In some areas, it is illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts, and you could be fined on seafront promenades.
Take care when swimming in the sea, supervise children closely, and always obey the beach flag system, as a red flag means you must not enter the water.
Bonus tips:
If you are staying in a room with a balcony, follow the hotel's safety advice, as you could be fined or evicted for behaving dangerously.
Only use official registered or licensed taxis, as passengers caught using unlicensed services can be fined up to 600 euros.
Saily eSIM for Spain
Skip roaming fees with Saily, our partner eSIM provider. Use code ATOBEACH for 10% off. Plans start at €3.15 for 1GB, valid for 7 days.
Activates when you land
200+ destinations
Code ATOBEACH at checkout
Driving in Spain
A valid UK driving license is accepted in Spain. Ensure you have your physical license with you. If you are a resident, you may need to exchange your UK license for a Spanish one.
Side of the road
Right
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Spain drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Spain
As a UK resident, you can use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Spain. However, neither covers all medical costs, including repatriation. Comprehensive travel insurance is still recommended for peace of mind.
No vaccinations required
Generally, no specific vaccinations are required for Spain. Ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is readily available. Be aware of mosquito-borne diseases like Zika or Dengue fever, especially during warmer months, and take precautions against mosquito bites.
Cards & payments
Widely accepted in urban areas, tourist locations and large establishments. Acceptance may be limited in rural areas or smaller shops.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Spain
Tipping is appreciated in Spain for good service but is not obligatory. Locals may round up slightly or leave a small amount.
Restaurant
5-10% for exceptional service. Rounding up is common for good service
Bar/Café
Rounding up to the nearest Euro or leaving small change is common
Taxi
Rounding up to the nearest Euro is appreciated
Hotel Porter
1-2 EUR per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
1-2 EUR per night of stay left at the end of the stay in the room
Tour Guide
5-10 EUR per person for a good tour
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the guarantee of EU-wide free roaming for UK mobile users has ended. Check with your mobile provider for their roaming charges in Spain. Some providers may still offer inclusive roaming, but it is not guaranteed. Consider purchasing a local SIM card if you plan to use a lot of data.
Local SIM
20 GB for 20 EUR (~£17)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Spain
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
UK adapter needed
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public spaces in major cities and tourist areas.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Spain offers good internet connectivity, with widespread WiFi and decent mobile data speeds, especially in urban areas.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
091
Ambulance
061
Fire
080
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Spain
Country code
34
To call Spain from the UK, dial 00 34 followed by the local number.
UK Embassy
Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana, 259D, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Phone
+34 917 14 63 00
Website
Madrid-Barajas Airport
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport
Palma de Mallorca Airport
Malaga Airport
Ibiza Airport
Gran Canaria Airport
Recent updates
Safety
There is a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almeria.
If you are in the area, follow instructions from local authorities, avoid the affected area, and call 112 for emergencies.
A helpline (+34 677 904 624) staffed by English speakers is available for anyone concerned about someone in the affected area.
Advice on swimming pools is now separated from beaches with a new sub-heading 'Swimming pools'.
The pool safety warning now says to keep small children within arm's reach at all times.
The beach safety section now also includes the specific instruction to keep small children within arm's reach.
New advice to check guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Health and sign up for email alerts for your area.
The NHS resource for coping in hot weather is now titled 'how to stay safe in hot weather'.
The 'Extreme weather warnings' subsection is now titled 'Extreme temperatures'.
The warning about the high-speed train collision near Adamuz on 18 January has been removed.
The disruption update for services between Madrid and Andalusia has been removed, including the replacement transport plan.
The advice to check with train operators, allow extra time, and follow local advice is no longer included.
Natural Disasters
The wildfire in Los Gallardos, Almería, is no longer being reported.
The emergency helpline +34 677 904 624 and related advice for the affected area have been removed.
Beaches in Spain
No beaches listed for Spain yet.
Frequently asked Questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.