Spain: The Gateway to Exploring Europe

Spain is a popular vacation destination, not least for its glorious weather and Mediterranean beaches. Sun, sea, and sangría is a winning combination, but for many people from other parts of the world, Spain provides the perfect springboard to explore other parts of Europe.

Being part of the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area, Spain shares a tourist visa policy with 25 other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Switzerland.

Starting in 2022, the new ETIAS Visa waiver will allow holders to visit all of these nations and travel freely between them.

This makes it easy to plan a trip through Europe, experiencing a variety of cultures and ticking off the most iconic landmarks on the continent, from the Eiffel Tower to the Colosseum.

Spain and Schengen

The Schengen Area is an open borders region in Europe. Made up of 26 different countries, the group is named for a town in Luxembourg where the plan for the region was first laid out.

22 of the 27 EU member states are part of the Schengen Area, including Spain. The remaining 4 countries make up a different European trading block known as the EFTA (European Free Trade Association). These are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

The idea of Schengen is that border checks are only carried out on travelers entering the region from outside it. For example, a traveler flying into Spain from the US would have to present their passport and visa or visa waiver at Spanish border control, since this marks their entrance to the Schengen Area.

However, once inside Spain, the visitor would be free to cross into France, Italy, and Austria without having to stop at any of the borders.

The requirements for entering the Schengen Area vary according to the traveler’s nationality. Many countries are currently exempt from visa requirements, but will have to register with the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is expected to be fully operational in 2024.

Which Countries Can Be Visited from Spain?

A European holiday is a dream vacation for many people and it is not hard to see why. A continent of culture, stretching back to antiquity, there is an incredible amount to see and experience. Spain is the perfect place to begin the adventure before moving on to other locations.

Spain shares borders with 3 other European countries: France, Portugal, and the tiny mountain state of Andorra. France and Portugal are both part of the Schengen Area and have open borders with Spain.

Andorra, while not technically part of Schengen, can only be reached by traveling overland through the Pyrenees from Spain or France and has an open border with both. This means that ETIAS will allow entry to this country too.

A European road trip starting in Spain could easily include these 3 countries, but it could go much further too. A popular route involves taking the Mediterranean coast from Valencia or Barcelona along the French Riviera, through Monaco, and into Italy. There are many other options, such as exploring the Alps or heading further north.

It is also relatively easy and affordable to fly from Spain to other parts of Europe. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet have made European travel cheaper than ever, including to non-Schengen countries like Ireland and the UK (although a separate visa or visa waiver may be required to enter).

For a completely different holiday, Spain is also remarkably close to North Africa — in fact, the 2 Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla can be found on the African coast, bordering Morocco. It is, therefore, possible to use Spain as a springboard to visit another continent besides Europe.

Getting the Most Out of a Spanish Vacation

Spain is an incredible country in its own right. With a rich history, stunning architecture, beautiful weather, exotic cuisine, and arguably the best beaches in Europe, it is a destination with something for everyone.

Like much of Europe, Spain was part of the Roman Empire in ancient times and this left its mark on the country. The remains of Roman structures, including great amphitheaters, can be found in cities like Tarragona and Zaragoza.

Most Spanish cities have an old quarter dating back to the Middle Ages or even earlier and it is easy to fall in love with the labyrinthine streets and quaint boutiques of Bilbao’s Casco Viejo or the medieval center of Girona.

From the ancient grandeur of the Alhambra in Granada to Antoni Gaudi’s modernist masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain has an abundance of impressive buildings, many of which are churches or cathedrals.

The beaches of the Costa Brava are popular for catching the sun, but the north coast of the country is an undiscovered gem on the Atlantic. A greener landscape of rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful lakes, this is a different sort of Spain to the one people usually picture.

Plus, there is the food. It is not hard to find great tapas anywhere in Spain, with delicious cheeses and chorizo. Valencia is the home of paella and is well worth a visit to taste the original and best version of this famous dish. Wine drinkers will quickly fall in love with the region of La Rioja, a plateau of vineyards and the best beverages in the country.

Author Bio:

Susan Noel is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes