Must-Know Businesses for Traveling in Spain

Planning a trip to Spain? Knowing the right businesses can make your journey smoother and help you navigate like a local. These aren’t the usual names you might be familiar with from the US or other English-speaking countries, but they’re incredibly popular in Spain. From transportation to dining and shopping, these businesses will be your best friends on your Spanish adventure!

Transportation and Getting Around

• Renfe: Spain’s national railway company, Renfe, operates high-speed AVE trains between major cities and regional routes. It’s the most reliable way to travel by train.
• Alsa: Alsa is Spain's largest bus network, offering affordable and convenient travel between cities, towns, and rural areas.
• BlaBlaCar: A carpooling service where you can share rides with locals traveling between cities, BlaBlaCar is popular for longer journeys.

Food Delivery and Eating Out

• Glovo: Glovo delivers not just food but also groceries and other essentials. Perfect for when you want to stay in and have something delivered to your door.
• Just Eat: Another popular food delivery service in Spain, Just Eat offers a wide range of restaurant options.
• Deliveroo: Well-known in major cities, Deliveroo has partnerships with a variety of restaurants, making it easy to enjoy meals without leaving your accommodation.
• ElTenedor (TheFork): ElTenedor is the go-to business for making restaurant reservations, often with special discounts on meals.

Accommodation

• Idealista: Idealista is a top choice for finding apartments, whether you’re planning a longer stay or just need a place for a few nights.
• Only-Apartments: Great for finding short-term rentals across Spain, from city apartments to beachside villas.
• HomeAway (Vrbo): Known for offering vacation rentals, HomeAway is perfect for finding unique accommodations in all regions of Spain.
• Spotahome: Specializing in mid to long-term stays, Spotahome offers verified listings with video tours, making it easier to find your ideal temporary home.

Shopping and Essentials

• El Corte Inglés: As Spain's largest department store chain, El Corte Inglés is a one-stop-shop for everything from clothing to electronics.
• Mercadona: A leading supermarket chain, Mercadona is where you’ll find groceries and other essentials, with locations all over Spain.
• Carrefour: Another popular supermarket with a wide variety of products, Carrefour also offers online shopping and delivery.
• Primor: A beloved cosmetics and beauty store, Primor offers a range of affordable skincare, makeup, and hair products.

Events and Entertainment

• Atrápalo: Atrápalo offers discounted tickets to theater shows, concerts, tours, and more, making it a favorite for entertainment.
• Ticketea: Another major player in Spain’s event scene, Ticketea lets you book tickets for a wide range of events, from festivals to sports matches.
• Fever: Fever is known for its curated list of unique experiences, pop-up events, and activities happening around Spain’s biggest cities.
• Eventbrite: A global platform with a strong presence in Spain, Eventbrite is a great place to discover concerts, workshops, and local happenings.

In-Person Spanish Classes

• don Quijote: While language test preparation isn’t our focus, we recognize that for some learners that is an important need. Don Quijote is a reputable language school that provide classes for preparing for DELE and SIELE exams.
• Enforex: Similar to the above, Enforex is another reputable choice for in-person Spanish test preparation courses.

Navigating Cities and Local Experiences

• Moovit: Moovit is widely used for navigating public transportation in Spanish cities, providing real-time schedules and route planning.
• GuruWalk: This company connects you with local guides for free walking tours across Spanish cities, giving you a personalized experience.
• Civitatis: Civitatis offers a variety of guided tours, activities, and excursions, making it easy to explore Spain’s top tourist destinations.
• Cabify: A ride-hailing service similar to Uber, Cabify is trusted for getting around Spanish cities quickly and efficiently.

Safety and Travel Information

• Spain Travel Health: Managed by the Spanish government, Spain Travel Health is your go-to source for health control measures and requirements when traveling to Spain.
• Spain.Info: The official tourism board of Spain, Spain.Info provides information on travel destinations, cultural experiences, and travel tips.
• Repsol Guide (Guía Repsol): The Repsol Guide is highly regarded in Spain for its travel tips, road trip routes, and restaurant recommendations.
• Emergency Numbers Spain: A crucial service that offers access to all emergency contact information, from hospitals to police, when needed.

These businesses are invaluable for navigating life in Spain like a local. Familiarize yourself with them now, and you’ll be ready to enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer!