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Unmapped.

COUNTRY GUIDE

Spain

Late dinners, very different regions, and people to share the long evenings with.

Moving for work, studying for a semester or spending a winter in the sun: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.

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The Giralda tower and Seville Cathedral rising above the rooftops of Sevilla, Spain
The Giralda and Seville Cathedral, Sevilla. Photo: Henrique Ferreira / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

BASICS

Before you go.

Language
Spanish, plus regional languages
Catalan, Galician and Basque are co-official in their regions. English is common in big cities and tourist areas, less so elsewhere.
Currency
Euro (€, EUR)
Cards and phone payments are widely accepted. Some small bars and markets prefer cash.
Time zones
Mainland and Balearics UTC+1 · Canary Islands UTC+0
Both move one hour forward in summer, on the same dates as the rest of the EU.
Power
Type C and F plugs, 230 V
The standard European round-pin plug.
Getting online
eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
Easy to set up, and Wi-Fi is common in cafés and coworking spaces.
Emergency
112
The European emergency number, for police, fire and ambulance.

GETTING AROUND

Easy to move, once you know how.

  • High-speed trains

    High-speed lines link Madrid with Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Málaga and more. Booking ahead often helps.

  • Regional trains and buses

    Regional trains and long-distance buses reach smaller towns, including many that the fast lines skip.

  • City transit

    Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Sevilla have metro or tram networks, and walking covers most old centres.

  • To the islands

    Flights reach both the Balearic and the Canary Islands, and ferries connect the Balearics with the mainland.

CITIES TO EXPLORE

Where to start.

A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in Spain through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.

MadridBilbaoBarcelonaValenciaSevillaPalma
Featured cities in this guide. You can explore any city in Spain in Unmapped.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small things that help.

  • A later rhythm

    Lunch often starts around two, and dinner often after nine, especially in the south.

  • Regions with their own identity

    Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and other regions have their own languages and traditions. People notice when you do too.

  • Summer heat

    Inland and southern cities can get very hot in summer, and many people slow down in the afternoon.

  • Sunday hours

    Many shops close on Sundays, while cafés, bars and some city-centre stores stay open.

  • Cards and cash

    Cards work almost everywhere in cities. A little cash helps at markets and in small villages.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is generally modest. Rounding up or leaving a little for good service is common, but not expected.

UNMAPPED IN SPAIN

Arrive knowing someone.

Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.

  • Meet people before you move

    Open Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.

  • Ask the City Chat

    Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, coworking spaces or where to find a good lunch menu.

  • Join or host something

    Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a tapas evening in Sevilla, a hike above Bilbao or a beach morning in Valencia.

  • Travel together

    Share your route from Madrid to the coast, or post a Buddy Plan for a weekend trip, a class or a night out.

FAQ

Questions about Unmapped in Spain.

Can I use Unmapped outside Madrid and Barcelona?

Yes. You can explore any city in Spain through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.

Does it cover the islands?

Yes. Cities on the Balearic and Canary Islands, such as Palma or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, have their own places in Unmapped's location directory.

Can locals use Unmapped too?

Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.

Can I explore a city before I arrive?

Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

No. Unmapped is in English, and City Chats are a good place to ask for help or to find a language exchange.

Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.

Sources & information

Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Henrique Ferreira (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

SPAIN WITH UNMAPPED

Explore Spain with Unmapped.

Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.

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