Espagne
Dernière vérification :
Ce guide est en anglais pour le moment. Les titres sont traduits.
- Capitale
- Madrid
- Devise
- EUR · Euro
- Langues
- Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
- Prises
- Type C, F · 230 V
Numéros d’urgence
Top 5 des lieux
- Sagrada Familia · Barcelona
Gaudi's unfinished basilica; book timed tickets well ahead.
- Alhambra · Granada
Moorish palace complex; tickets for the Nasrid Palaces sell out weeks ahead.
- Prado Museum · Madrid
Spain's top art museum: Velazquez, Goya, El Greco. Free entry in the last two hours most days.
- Real Alcazar and Cathedral · Seville
Royal palace with Mudejar courtyards next to one of the largest Gothic cathedrals.
- Park Guell · Barcelona
Gaudi's mosaic park with city views; the monumental zone needs a timed ticket.
Se déplacer
Appli de VTC
Cabify
Spanish ride app, widely used in Madrid and about a dozen other cities. Fixed price shown before booking.
Appli de VTC
Uber / Bolt
Both work in Madrid, Malaga, Seville and other cities. In Barcelona regional rules limit private-hire cars, so Uber there mostly books licensed taxis (sources disagree; varies).
Taxi
FREENOW
Books licensed taxis; the most used taxi app in Barcelona. Official city taxis (white with yellow doors in Barcelona, white with red stripe in Madrid) use meters; airport runs in Madrid have a flat fare.
Transports en commun
T-casual (Barcelona) / Multi card (Madrid)
Barcelona T-casual: 10 rides on metro, bus, tram and local trains for about 13 EUR in zone 1 (2026). Madrid: load 10-ride tickets on a reusable Tarjeta Multi; airport metro trips have a supplement.
Trains
Renfe / Iryo / Ouigo
High-speed trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Malaga. Competition from Iryo and Ouigo makes advance fares cheap. Book in the operator apps.
Vélos en libre-service
Bicing / BiciMAD
Bicing in Barcelona is for residents only; tourists use private rentals. BiciMAD in Madrid offers occasional-user access via app. E-scooters are banned on Barcelona public transport.
Argent et espèces
Devise: EUR · Euro
Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including bars and taxis in big cities. Small village bars and markets may prefer cash. Choose to be charged in EUR at ATMs and terminals; many standalone ATMs charge high fees, so use bank ATMs.
Pourboires
Tipping in Spain is optional and modest. Staff are paid wages, and there is no legal obligation to tip. Locals leave small change or round up; around 5-10% in nicer restaurants is generous.
| Restaurants | Round up or leave a few euros in casual places; 5-10% in upscale restaurants for good service. More than 10% is unusual. |
|---|---|
| Cafés et bars | Leave small coins or round up. Many locals tip nothing at the bar. |
| Taxis et VTC | Round up to the nearest euro; not expected. |
| Hôtels | 1-2 EUR per bag for porters; housekeeping tips are optional. |
| Visites et guides | Tip free walking tour guides; 5-10% or a few euros per person for good paid tours. |
| Livraison de repas | Not expected; a euro or two is a nice extra. |
Frais de service : le vrai du faux
A separate service charge is uncommon in Spain. Consumer rules require advertised prices to be final, including VAT, so any extra charge (service, terrace supplement, bread or appetizers) must be clearly shown before you order. If you see 'servicio incluido', no tip is needed.
Techniques de pression à repérer
Some tourist-area restaurants bring bread, olives or appetizers you did not order and charge for them, or add a 'cubierto' or terrace supplement. Consumer agencies say you can decline unordered items, and undisclosed charges can be disputed. Ask 'Esto se cobra?' when something arrives, and ask for the complaint form ('hoja de reclamaciones'), which every business must have, if a charge seems wrong.
Phrases utiles
- La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
- ¿Está incluido el servicio? Is service included?
- ¿Esto se cobra? Is there a charge for this?
Savoir-vivre
- Greet with 'Hola' or 'Buenos días' when entering shops and bars; friends greet with two cheek kisses.
- Meal times are late: lunch about 14:00-16:00, dinner from about 21:00. Many restaurants close in the afternoon.
- Ask for the bill ('la cuenta'); waiters will not bring it unprompted.
- Cover shoulders and knees in cathedrals and churches.
- Wearing swimwear or going shirtless away from the beach can be fined in some cities (Barcelona, Palma, parts of the coast).
- Respect quiet hours in residential areas and holiday flats; noise complaints and fines are increasing.
Arnaques et comment y faire face
Fake police officers
Où: Madrid, Barcelona, Costa del Sol
Comment ça marche: Men in plain clothes show a badge and ask to check your wallet or cards for counterfeit money, then steal cash.
Comment l’éviter: Real police will ask for ID but never for your wallet. Offer to go to the nearest police station.
Flat tyre or 'you hit my car'
Où: Motorways and car parks, especially near airports
Comment ça marche: Someone signals that your car has a problem or that you damaged theirs; while you check, an accomplice takes bags.
Comment l’éviter: Do not stop on the hard shoulder; drive on to a busy, lit service station and lock the car.
Bird poo or spill distraction
Où: Barcelona and Madrid streets and metro
Comment ça marche: Someone squirts liquid on you, then 'helps' clean it while an accomplice steals your bag or phone.
Comment l’éviter: Refuse help, hold your belongings and move to a shop or busy area.
Rosemary or carnation gift
Où: Seville cathedral and Alcazar area, Granada Alhambra and Albaicin
Comment ça marche: Women hand you a sprig of rosemary or a carnation, offer to read your palm and demand money.
Comment l’éviter: Do not take anything; say 'No, gracias' and walk on.
Shell game (trile)
Où: Barcelona La Rambla, Madrid Gran Via and Plaza Mayor
Comment ça marche: Street betting game with fake winners; you always lose, and pickpockets work the crowd.
Comment l’éviter: Do not stop to watch or play.
Petition and survey distraction
Où: Barcelona and Madrid tourist streets
Comment ça marche: People ask you to sign for a charity while hiding a hand under the clipboard to take your phone or wallet.
Comment l’éviter: Decline and keep your phone off tables and out of sight.
Phone or bag lifted from cafe tables
Où: Barcelona and Madrid terraces
Comment ça marche: A seller places a map or leaflet over your phone on the table and takes it with the paper.
Comment l’éviter: Never leave phones on tables; keep bags on your lap or strap them to the chair.
Sécurité
- Pickpocketing is the main risk, especially in Barcelona (La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Familia, metro lines L3 and L1) and Madrid (Sol, Gran Via, metro, El Rastro market).
- Thieves work in groups and use distraction; watch luggage at airports and on trains.
- Drink spiking (GHB) is reported in nightlife areas; buy your own drinks and keep them in sight. Spanish measures are larger than in many countries.
- Do not leave anything visible in rental cars.
- Save your accommodation address in your maps app and stay with your group at night.
Pratique de l’anglais
Good in tourist areas, hotels and big-city restaurants; limited in small towns and among older people. Catalan is co-official in Catalonia and the Balearics, Basque and Galician in their regions.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Spain, safety and security
- N26: How tipping works in Spain
- Euro Weekly News: Tipping in Spain 2025
- TMB: T-casual
- Expat Focus: Spain taxis and ride-hailing services
- Catalan News: e-scooters permanently banned from public transport in Barcelona
Nous vérifions ces guides auprès de sources officielles et reconnues, mais les règles et les prix changent. Une info dépassée ? Écrivez à support@tourits.app.