Spain flag

Spain

History

The crowns of Castile and Aragon were joined under Ferdinand and Isabella.
Sole sovereign marked a step in Spain's sovereign statehood.
The Nueva Planta decrees replaced regional charters with centralised rule.
The Cortes of Cadiz adopted Spain's first constitution.
The current constitution came into force, setting the basic framework for today's Spain.
Europe thumbnailPart ofEuropeMore countries, cities and routes.
CapitalMadrid
Population49.3M
Area505,990 km2
Currencyeuro

Short facts

RegionSouthern Europe / Iberian Peninsula
LanguageSpanish, Catalan
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
Drives onRight

Worth seeing

  • Barcelona Gaudi: Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Batllo define Gaudi's visionary Barcelona.
  • Madrid Prado: One of the world's great art museums, with Velazquez, Goya and El Greco.
  • Bilbao Guggenheim: Frank Gehry's titanium museum sits on the Nervion river and anchors Bilbao's modern city image.
  • Alhambra Granada: A Moorish palace complex of intricate tilework and water gardens.

Find a city in Spain

Showing all cities

Barcelona thumbnailBarcelonaCityBilbao thumbnailBilbaoCityMadrid thumbnailMadridCity

Planning questions

What is Spain known for?Barcelona Gaudi, Bilbao Guggenheim, Madrid Prado, Alhambra Granada.
What is the capital?Madrid.
Which language is useful?Spanish, Catalan.
When is the national day?12 October.

Upcoming events

Showing all 13 events

Spain National Day thumbnailSpain National Day12 October 2026 — Across Spain — SpainDavis Cup Finals thumbnailDavis Cup Finals24 November 2026 – 29 November 2026 — Bologna — ItalyValencia Marathon thumbnailValencia Marathon7 December 2026 — Valencia — SpainBenidorm Fest thumbnailBenidorm Fest1 January 2027 – 28 February 2027 — Benidorm — SpainCarnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife thumbnailCarnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife19 February 2027 – 28 February 2027 — Santa Cruz de Tenerife — SpainMobile World Congress thumbnailMobile World Congress1 March 2027 – 4 March 2027 — Barcelona — SpainSemana Santa Seville thumbnailSemana Santa Seville21 March 2027 – 28 March 2027 — Seville — SpainSpanish MotoGP thumbnailSpanish MotoGP25 April 2027 — Jerez de la Frontera — SpainPrimavera Sound thumbnailPrimavera Sound3 June 2027 – 5 June 2027 — Barcelona — SpainPrimavera Sound Barcelona thumbnailPrimavera Sound Barcelona3 June 2027 – 5 June 2027 — Barcelona — SpainLIV Golf Andalucía thumbnailLIV Golf Andalucía4–7 Jun 2027 — Sotogrande, Andalucia — SpainUEFA Champions League Final thumbnailUEFA Champions League Final5 June 2027 — Madrid — SpainJazzaldia thumbnailJazzaldia21 July 2027 – 25 July 2027 — San Sebastián — Spain

Use Madrid as the first planning anchor for Spain, then compare the city, food and worth-seeing notes on this page.

Food & drink

Paella thumbnailPaellaSignature dishSangria thumbnailSangriaLocal drink

Known for

Barcelona GaudiSagrada FamiliaPark GuellBilbao GuggenheimMadrid PradoVelazquezGoyaEl Greco.Alhambra Granada
Eurovision Song Contest thumbnailMusic & CultureFestivals, concerts and cultural calendars.