Note: currently there are no more mobility restrictions regarding COVID-19 in Spain. Wearing a face mask is still mandatory in public transportation, hospitals, and pharmacies in 2022

Spain Lockdown Update 2021: Coronavirus Third Wave is here! After the Christmas period and the arrival of the British Covid-19 variant, new local lockdowns, rules and restrictions are appearing day after day. Some regions and municipalities are leaving “New Normal” status and going back to one of the 4-phases reopening plan.

At Oh My Good Guide, we have been closely following the Coronavirus situation in Spain, updating this article with the latest news every single day. Now, we have filtered and summarized all that info for you to have a good overview of the current COVID-19 status, lockdown easing rules and other things to know about Coronavirus Third Wave in Spain

So, let’s see how Spain reached the New Normal Phase after the first and second COVID-19 outbreak, how we are dealing now with the Coronavirus Third Wave new restrictions and what we are allowed to do.

Table Of Contents
  1. ➤ Spain Lockdown update: New "State of Alarm" approved until May 2021 – Mandatory curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  2. ➤ Spain Lockdown update: Coronavirus confirmed cases in Spain right now + map!
  3. ➤ Spain Lockdown update: COVID-19 Third Wave restrictions map & rules
  4. ➤ Spain Lockdown update: Is travel between different parts of Spain allowed?
  5. ➤ Spain Lockdown update – Vaccination Plan: Phases, Groups & Vaccine Rollout
  6. ➤ Spain "New Normal": Activities, Rules, Questions & Answers
  7. ➤ Obligatory use of face masks in public spaces in Spain
  8. ➤ Complete 4-Phases Spain Reopening Plan and Activities allowed

➤ Spain Lockdown update: New “State of Alarm” approved until May 2021 – Mandatory curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Council of Ministers approved on November 3 an extension of the state of alarm for a period of 6 months from 00:00 hours on November 9, 2020, until 00:00 hours on May 9, 2021.

The new decree establishes the nightly confinement from eleven at night to six in the morning throughout the country, with a margin for the regions to advance or delay it one hour

The text marks a mandatory curfew for the entire country from eleven at night to six in the morning. The regional presidents will be able to advance or delay the curfew by one hour, but not eliminate it.

In addition to the night confinement, the restriction of social gatherings is established. Regions are also given the possibility to restrict the entry and exit of their territory, except for justified reasons.

Spain does not close borders. This nesw state of alarm will not be like that of March, but rather softer, in order to prevent a total lockdown like the one we lived then.

The Government has no intention of returning to the full lockdown of March 2020 but they believe, like the vast majority of the Spanish regions and other European countries, that a night confinement (which implies preventing mobility from a certain time at night except in justified cases and with police control of the streets) can reduce contagions, as currently, more than 30% of them are taking place in social gatherings in houses. 

➤ Spain Lockdown update: Coronavirus confirmed cases in Spain right now + map!

As of January 13th, already immersed in the Coronavirus Third Wave, the total number of Coronavirus confirmed cases in Spain is 2.176.089 of which 52.878 are deceased according to Spanish National Health Authorities.

You can always check the most updated number of Coronavirus confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and many interesting graphs in the official web of the Spanish Ministry of Health. Another good source is Worldometers where you can find the COVID-19 real-time situation in the World.

If you want to check out the real-time progress and distribution of COVID-19 in Spain region to region, have a look at this interactive map. This map has been created with the official data from the Spanish Ministry of Health and it’s updated daily so bookmark this post and keep an eye on it.

updated spain covid cases map
Screenshot of the Interactive Spain COVID19 Cases map by RTVE

➤ Spain Lockdown update: COVID-19 Third Wave restrictions map & rules

Protect yourself against COVID-19: don’t forget your face mask at home!

New Coronavirus outbreaks in Spain during this Third Wave are spreading differently across the Spanish territory, the new restrictions or possible lockdowns won’t be nationwide but local or regional.

A good resource if you are planning to travel across Spain, is this real-time, interactive map showing Coronavirus new restrictions in Spain due to the COVID-19 Third Wave. Just click on each region and you will get all the official lockdown rules and updates.

Interactive Spain COVID19 Third Wave - Lockdown update map
Screenshot of the Interactive Spain COVID19 Third Wave Restrictions map by RTVE

➤ Spain Lockdown update: Is travel between different parts of Spain allowed?

Travelling in Spain during Covid19 pandemic

Mostly no! Now, with the arrival of Covid19 third wave, perimeter confinements of some specific regions or towns can happen, so always check the updated, interactive COVID-19 restrictions map above to be sure.

Public transportation services started offering more connections, recovering some routes that weren’t operating during the first Coronavirus Lockdown in Spain. A good choice, if you want to travel around Spain, is to make a road trip within your region with your own car or a rental one.

But still, you don’t feel like travelling for real across the country or if you had to postpone your trip to Spain because of the Coronavirus outbreak, you can join our Spain Virtual Tour. How to do that? It’s easy and free! Check our new post to discover top Spanish sights FREE virtual tours and other useful apps to virtually travel the country from the comfort of your home!

➤ Spain Lockdown update – Vaccination Plan: Phases, Groups & Vaccine Rollout

spain covid19 vaccine rollout

Spain has secured over 140 million double-dose vaccines. This is enough to vaccinate 80 million people which is almost double the population of the country. The government has outlined three phases of immunisation and has categorised 15 groups of citizens who will receive the vaccination over the first three quarters of 2021.

– Spain Covid19 Vaccination phases & groups

Phase One – The initial phase which will be between January and March will target around 2.5 million people prioritising staff and patients in care homes, healthcare workers and those with severe disabilities.

Phase two (April – June) and phase three (July – September) will look to vaccinate the remainder of the population.

It is still unclear at this time who will be prioritised with the second and third vaccination phases but it will probably be as it follows:

  • Adults over 64 years of age (around nine million people)
  • People with underlying health conditions such as obesity or diabetes
  • People who live or work in closed settings or communities
  • People who live in vulnerable socio-economic conditions
  • Key workers
  • Teachers
  • Children
  • Residents of areas with coronavirus outbreaks or a high incidence rate
  • Pregnant women and those with nursing babies
  • Immunized people who have already had Covid-19
  • Teenagers, young adults and adults not included in other categories

Minister of Health Salvador Illa said that the groups cover the entire Spanish population and that a flexible decision will be made by health experts as to which group will be prioritised. More will be known as the vaccines become available at which time the strategy will be updated.

It is also possible that some of the categories could be broken down further into two separate groups including teenagers, young adults and those who are pregnant. This would extend the categories from 15 to 18.

COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary and as such, there are no current plans to make it a requirement for citizens to undertake any specific activity.

– Spain Covid19 Vaccine rollout

It was December 27 the day in which vaccinations began symbolically in Spain and in most of the European Union. By summer, 70% of the Spanish population will be immunized.

Although nowadays the initial problems with Covid19 vaccine rollout have been solved, the vaccination program had an unsuccessful start due to the Christmas Holiday period, the logistical challenge relating to the storage and transport of the Pfizer vaccine, which has to be kept at -70 C to be effective and the one-day delay in the shipment of the first batch of vaccines.

➤ Spain “New Normal”: Activities, Rules, Questions & Answers

On June 9th, the Spanish Government released the ‘New Normality’ Decree, with all the rules to follow once the State of Alarm or official Lockdown ends on the 21st of June.

In short: A social distancing of 1.5 metres needs to be kept in outdoor and indoor spaces and face masks will remain mandatory when it is not possible to maintain this distance. If you don’t comply with the “new normal” rules in Spain, you can get a 100 euro fine.

But remember: The Third Wave of Coronavirus in Spain has brought many local restrictions that can last only for 2 weeks, so always check the Spain Lockdown updated maps above!

Here we answer some of the most frequently asked questions but if you want to go more in-depth, you can check all rules, limitations and region to region specific regulations in our post about Spain New Normal phase

– Spain Lockdown update: How long will the Spain New Normal phase rules apply?

Until the Coronavirus crisis is over, so we need to be patient.

– Is there freedom of movement during Spain New Normal phase?

On June 21, 2020 the sixth and last extension of the Spanish “State of Alarm” or official Coronavirus lockdown ends, removing any restriction on movement between regions. But “new normal” can also bring some Spain lockdown updates so you should bookmark this post to check out what is happening in Spain right now, mainly in the maps above.

– How is public transport like in Spain’s “New Normality” after COVID-19?

Any public transport operator will have to adjust the supply levels to the evolution of the demand’s recovery. Interprovincial air and land transport operators must sell their tickets with a preassigned seat number.

If you are taking a train, bus or plane to another region during the “New Normality” phase, you will get a preassigned seat and the company will keep your contact info up to a minimum of 4 weeks after the trip.

This is to ensure that, in case it is necessary, they can contact you and perform a traceability of contacts study to control any possible Coronavirus outbreak.   

– Are there capacity restrictions in bars, shops or entertainment in the “New Normality” Phase in Spain?  

Every region has set different limits, so there might be different capacity limits in different regions of Spain during the New Normality period. For example, bars in Granada or Malaga will have the same capacity limitations, as both provinces belong to the same region (Andalusia), but their restrictions can be different from other regions’ ones, like Madrid or Catalonia.

As a general rule, most regions have set a 75% capacity limit in this kind of establishments.

➤ Obligatory use of face masks in public spaces in Spain

From May 21st, the use of face masks is compulsory in all public spaces – open and closed – where social distancing cannot be respected. The compulsory masks measure will be in force until the New Normality phase is over, this is until the Coronavirus pandemic has come to an end or a vaccine or efficient treatment is available.

Face masks must be worn in the “public street, in open-air spaces and any closed space that is for public use or that is open to the public, where it is not possible to maintain [an interpersonal] distance” of 2 meters.

The obligatory use of face masks applies to everyone over the age of six and will end once the Spain Reopening Plan is over. However, people that can’t wear masks for health reasons, respiratory problems or disability are exempt. Face masks are also not obligatory while doing heavy exercise.

Now, with more people on the streets, the risk of contagion grows so it’s essential to protect ourselves. Buy your mask now and avoid contagion or a 100 € fine!

➤ Complete 4-Phases Spain Reopening Plan and Activities allowed

Official Spain reopening plan timeline graph
Official Spain Reopening plan timeline.

These are the different 4 phases or steps in which the Spain reopening process has been divided in order to join the list of different countries reopening after flattening coronavirus curve.

The Coronavirus Reopening plan in Spain known as de-escalation, or “desescalada” in Spanish is asymmetric. The rules will be the same for everyone, but they will be implemented at different rates in each territory. The unit of measure is the province or sanitary district.

The criteria the Spanish government uses to decide with territories can change phase are the “capacity of the health system”, with special attention to the ICU pressure, the epidemiological situation in the area, the protection measures in public spaces and the mobility and socioeconomic data of said island or province.

Check the approximate dates for each Spain Reopening plan phase and what activities are allowed to reopen in each of them:

• Spain Reopening plan after Coronavirus – Phase 0: Preparation

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 0: Dates

All Spain is already in phase 0 of the reopening procedure. Some Canary Islands (La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa) and the Balearic Islands (Formentera) will have fewer restrictions as of May 4, when they will go to phase 1. The rest of the country will not reach that stage until May 10. Note that from May 4, face masks are compulsory when using public transport and strongly recommended in any other space.

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 0: Activites allowed

  • Opening of some business (only with previous appointment). Restaurants with food delivery service or hairdressers, among others.
  • Individual training of federated athletes and professional leagues is allowed.
  • Finally, common relief measures such as letting children go out to play for an hour, individual sports and family walks have been allowed:
Which are the schedules or fixed times, duration and distance allowed for individual sports and family walks from May 2?

Family walks (accompanied by only one person you live with) are allowed within 1 km from home, while individual sports (it could be running, cycling, swimming or even surfing, as long as it’s individual) have just one limitation: to not leave the municipality you are living in. No maximum duration has been set for these outdoor activities but we do have fixed times for them.

The schedule to follow if you are living in Spain and want to go out for exercise or walks is the following:

  • From 6 am to 10 am & from 8 pm to 11 pm: individual sports and walks for adults (14 to 70 years old).
  • From 10 am to 12 pm & from 7 pm to 8 pm: over 70 years and dependent people.
  • From 12 pm to 7 pm: children under 14 years of age, accompanied by just one adult.

In municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants there are no fixed times set.

• Spain Reopening plan after Coronavirus – Phase 1: Start

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 1: Dates

The initial phase or stage 1 of Spain reopening plan will start approximately on May 11 in the Spanish territories that have passed the 4-criteria exam, and it will last for a minimum of two weeks, until May 24.

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 1: Activites allowed

  • Mobility: possibility of moving within the same province.
  • Social gatherings of up to 10 people in private spaces are allowed, respecting the physical distance. We will finally be able to see our family and friends at home, if they live in the same province.
  • Stores: Activities will begin in the small shop “in conditions of strict security”, but not in large stores “where crowds are more likely”.
  • Open-air markets, with distance conditions between the stalls.
  • Bars and restaurants: The opening of bar and restaurant terraces at 50% of their capacity will be allowed.
  • Hotels and tourist accommodation: Opening of hotels and other tourist accommodation, excluding common areas and with a preferential schedule for people over 65 years of age.
  • Non-professional sport: any activities that do not involve physical contact or the use of changing rooms will be allowed.
  • Professional sport: Professional athletes will have fewer restrictions since training will be authorized in professional leagues and in high-performance centres. Also, professional leagues will restart their activity.
  • Cultural shows of less than 30 people indoors (with a third capacity) and less than 200 people outdoors. 
  • Visits to museums limited to one-third of the capacity.
  • Agri-food and fishing sector: The resumption of agri-food activity that had been stopped in the decree of the state of alarm will begin.
  • Places of worship: They can open with their capacity limited to one third.
  • Wake: for a limited number of attendees. 

• Spain Reopening plan after Coronavirus – Phase 2: Intermediate

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 2: Dates

The intermediate phase or stage 2 of Spain reopening plan will start approximately on May 25 in the Spanish territories that have passed the 4-criteria exam, and it will last for a minimum of two weeks, until June 7.

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 2: Activites allowed

  • Opening of bars and restaurants for table service, with limited capacity.  
  • Trips to second residences, only if they are in the same province. 
  • Reopening of shopping malls, prohibiting the stay in common areas or recreational areas.  
  • Cinemas and theaters with a third of the capacity. You can visit monuments and exhibition halls.  
  • Cultural activities with less than 50 people seated indoors. If they are outdoors activities, less than 400 people seated will be allowed.
  • Educational centers: The school year will start in September, but in this phase exceptions are established to reopen educational centers. They may open for reinforcement activities, to ensure that children under the age of six can go to the center if both parents have to work and to ensure the “Selectividad” exams take place, as that is a compulsory exam to access university.
  • Weddings for a limited number of attendees. 
  • Places of worship: The capacity is limited to 50%, instead of the third of the previous phase.
  • Hunting and fishing. 

• Spain COVID-19 Reopening Plan – Phase 3: Advanced

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 3: Dates

The advanced phase or stage 3 of Spain reopening plan will start approximately on June 8 in the Spanish territories that have passed the 4-criteria exam, and it will last for a minimum of two weeks, until June 21.

Spain Lockdown easing – Phase 3: Activites allowed

  • In this phase “general mobility will be made more flexible” and stressed that, although it is the least restrictive, the use of masks in public transport will continue to be recommended, as in all previous phases.
  • The occupation of different spaces will be generally expanded
  • Stores: Capacity will be limited to 50%, with the requirement that there be a minimum distance of two meters between people.
  • Bars and restaurants: capacity restrictions will decrease but always maintaining the separation conditions between clients.
  • Discos and night bars with a maximum capacity of one-third of the usual. 
  • Opening of beaches in safety and distance conditions. 
  • Bullrings: with a capacity limitation that guarantees one person for every 9 square meters. 

• Spain Reopening after Coronavirus – Final Phase: “New normal life”

The final phase or stage 4 of Spain reopening plan will start approximately on June 22 in those Spanish territories that have passed the 4-criteria exam. This means that at the end of June, if the Coronavirus epidemiological curve follows the same trend as until now, we will complete the reopening process and will finally be in the so-called “new normal life” or “nueva normalidad”.

What do you think of the Spanish plan to go back to “normal life”? We hope to have made the Spain Reopening Plan after flattening Coronavirus curve a bit easier to understand.

Don’t forget Oh My Good Guide team is here to help you solve any possible doubt you may have. Just leave a comment below and share your opinion and insights!

Stay safe 💚

On 31st December 2019, the novel Coronavirus came officially into our lives…and changed them! We did not know that COVID-19 was going to spread across the world, bringing an unprecedented crisis that has set entire countries on lockdown.

Self-isolation, quarantine, not being able to see our beloved ones or go to work. We had to find a new way to understand a whole new reality and stay alone, but together!

At Oh My Good Guide, a small tour company in the South of Spain, we had to stop our tours and experiences…but we started an amazing project: # Diary of a Quarantine!

The aim of this idea? Help people connect and empathise with others in these hard times by collecting and sharing your insights and stories about quarantine life.

We started creating a network to make you feel you are not alone; we are all together in this! Different people from all over the world have joined #DiaryofaQuarantine, sharing their lessons learned, their fears, their dreams and hopes…

So now, it’s time for us to share with everyone the lovely and touching outcome of this project. Enjoy and share our “Diary of a Quarantine” final video!

At Oh My Good Guide, we do not have words to THANK all of you enough for taking part in this special project, leaving a wonderful testimonial of a united world!

Remember every day that we are…

  • one day closer to hug our family,
  • one day closer to enjoy a beer with friends,
  • …to travel again,
  • …to get lost in nature,
  • …to run free,
  • …to feel the sea breeze,
  • one day closer…to be back!

Our collaborative # Diary of a Quarantine project has now come to an end, as we are slowly getting some restrictions easing and finally going towards the “new normal life”. We hope to have helped you find the connections you needed to not feel alone: we are all together in this!

💚 Stay safe! Stay strong! 💪 Stay tuned! Subscribe to our newsletter not to miss any updates on this project or any of our new blog posts helping people out of Quarantine!

After three weeks of #DiaryofaQuarantine project, we have many interesting testimonials that we have been sharing with you in Episodes I and II, that you can find below. Now, we leave you with our final “Diary of a Quarantine” chapter, Episode III and the recap video with all your best stories.

DIARY OF A QUARANTINE: EPISODE III

from the left to the right: Vana, Andrea & Valentina

Here we are to our final episode! Before we start telling our last testimonials’ stories we want to thank all the people who joined this project. It’s been inspiring seeing how all of you have been coping with this quarantine and understanding how many stories mirrored the others. Let’s check the last ones and then enjoy a recap video of our best moments!

● Andrea & Valentina’s Quarantine Story: New Couple Life

couple life

A lot of people during this quarantine decided to move in with their soulmates to escape from the loneliness of an empty house. Andrea and Valentina, a young couple from Italy, decided to give it a try.

Andrea is a 28 years old guy, he is from Sicily but has been working in Genoa for two years now; Valentina, also 28, grew up in the countryside around Genoa but she moved to the city only a few years ago, after 6 years spent in London.

“We are living together because of this strange situation and we will see how it goes. We haven’t “killed” each other yet: that’s already a good start!”

Valentina

Andrea’s job hasn’t been affected by the pandemic, he is still working, but from home. Unfortunately, Valentina lost her job, but she managed to turn this into an opportunity: she is now a full-time illustrator. She can now manage her time and work on what she always liked: drawing!

“I work from 9 am to 6 pm, so that part of my routine didn’t change. After that, we spend our time playing, lying in the garden or watching movies together. Now Valentina’s times are more flexible and that helps us to schedule our routine together”

Andrea

Their creative and entertaining personalities found their time to emerge, and so, “thanks to” this quarantine, they also opened a web radio called “Basilico Illegale” (illegal basil), where they talk about music, which is one of Andrea’s biggest passion, and interesting news from all over the world.

In their case, this isolation brought them to be more united and express themselves better. Their relationship has levelled up and, maybe in some years, they will remember this period as the real start of their life as a couple.

● Vana’s Quarantine Story: Pass the Torch

friendship

Vana, a 19 years old greek girl, is a track & field athlete with several Panhellenic distinctions, and a student of Physical Education and Sport Science in Athens.

She heard about the virus from his dad, that urged her to come back home in Aegina. Vana sadly abandoned her university life to come back home, where more than just her family was waiting for her.

“We are a very big family: It’s not just me, my sister and my parents, but at home, there are 2 dogs and 32 cats! We can say we are never alone”.

Although her house was full of love during Coronavirus quarantine, this was a hard period for Vana, as she is a very social person who likes going out with her friends every day. Of course, sport and some other hobbies helped her to get through bad moments and thoughts, but even when she was feeling low, she knew she could rely on her friends and beloved ones.

“It was my birthday on March 31st and my friends surprised with a video call where they were all singing together! This definitely cheered me up!”

Sometimes we might feel that all the stress weighs on our shoulders, but it’s important to remember that we can always ask for help and pass the torch.

These social distancing times have made us understand how fragile we are and how everything can change so quickly. That’s why is it’s essential to focus on what we have right now and appreciate all the connections that make our life special.

DIARY OF A QUARANTINE: EPISODE II

Testimonials diary of a quarantine II
from the left to the right: Varvara, Federico, Simone

● Simone’s Quarantine Story: Break Free!

Simone is a 23 years old professional dancer, born in a small town in Sicily. He moved to Rome in order to join one of the best dance academies in Italy. In the last three years, he has spent most of his time practising and teaching his passion to the next little generation of dancers.

“When the news about the virus got confirmed, the Academy closed and so did my classes. I found myself with no job in a very expensive city.”

The restrictions were too severe for him to return to Sicily and, of course, the risk of getting the virus during travelling was too high. The “easiest” choice was to stay in Rome and wait for things to get better.

Although he is living alone, there’s something giving him the strength to go through each day: his passion. He keeps working hard and challenging himself!

“All of us are always complaining about having no time to do what we like, well, we do have now! I dusted off my guitar and I also started doing graffiti, I am still not good at it but now I have time to learn.”

Simone’s story is the proof that, despite the difficulties, positive attitude always breaks you free from every kind of isolation.

● Varvara’s Quarantine Story: Most at Risk

Most at risk people during quarantine

Varvara is a greek woman who moved to Australia in the ’80s. She lives in Canberra, close to her 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren. She was used to seeing them every weekend but, due to her age, she put herself in self-isolation since 15th March.

“I used to go on many excursions. I stay home all the time now, but I have fun doing video calls with my family and friends!

Of course, she misses physical interaction and feels a bit lonely but she has hope for the future. In the meantime, she keeps herself busy. Apart from video calls, she loves trying new recipes or reading on her balcony.

“I have learned to appreciate and be pleased with the things I have. Now I know nothing can be taken for granted”

Varvara’s story allows us to see this pandemic from the point of view of someone who is at a bigger risk. Her adaptability and courage are a great reference for all of us and show how individual decisions can contribute to stopping the spread of Coronavirus.

● Federico’s Quarantine Story: When The World Asks You To Stop

The stop of travelling in this quarantine

Federico is a 28 years old anthropologist, he was born in Argentina, attended his studies in Italy and now he’s been doing a PhD in social anthropology in France. Thanks to his job, but mostly to his passion for travelling, he ‘s always away in a new country.

When he found out about the virus he was in Mexico, studying some indigenous tribes; luckily his job was done before the lockdown started so he managed to come back in Paris. As he used to live alone, he quickly moved to a friend’s house.

The first week in the new house a bit chaotic: new starts always need a celebration and that’s what Federico had with his friends, but not completely accident-free.

“One day, one of my friends got burnt and I took him to the hospital, afraid to find it as a war field. However, when we got inside the ER, it was empty! “.

After they realized that quarantine was going to be in their life for a long period, Federico and his friends created their own healthy routine and started learning new things.

“During this quarantine, I am learning a lot from my roomies… I have started playing the guitar and we all dance a lot, which is our fun way to workout'”

For a travel lover as Federico being home 24/7 might be a consistent change from his usual lifestyle, but it also gave him time to realize how sometimes you can just slow down and enjoy the brightness of little things in a familiar place.

DIARY OF A QUARANTINE: EPISODE I

Diary of a quarantine - first testimonials
Our first testimonials – from left to right: Alessio, Giancarlo, Eli

Let’s get started with the first stories of our testimonials, enjoy your reading!

● Eli’s Quarantine Story: The Reason Why It all Happened

Eli Anai is a 28 years old artist, songwriter, founder and co-founder of “El Despertar De La Paz“, a spiritual community which tries to spread its way of living in pacific coexistence with Nature.

Before the virus, his routine was to play music in constant contact with nature and people, and now that quarantine hit our lives, his mission has changed place but not aim.

“The only thing that changed is that now I do at home what I was doing outdoors. As an artist, I try to give people optimism, love and peace, so what I used to do on the street, now I do it from my balcony!

His art seems to be influenced but not affected by this isolation: his songs get their way of telling you what is going on day by day, disseminating awareness of yourself and your surroundings.

He lives with his family in Málaga, Spain, and contrary to any expectations, this quarantine allowed them to get even closer. Being together 24/7 can lead to argues, misunderstandings and general discontent, but “taking care of yourself means you take care of your relations too”, so if you are used to paying attention to others’ fragility, no situation can unsettle you.

“You can see fear but you can also look at it fearless. We are meant to look at the bright side!”

Everything happens for a reason, but you can actually decide what that reason will be. Eli decided to turn this self-isolation period into an opportunity to grow, listen to himself and find the right words to spread the same peace for you too!

● Giancarlo’s Quarantine Story: Education Behind a Screen

Lessons during Quarantine time

Giancarlo is a 28 years old language professor, he was born in Crotia but now he lives in Genoa, where he works for several private schools.

His first reactions about the quarantine were the typical ones: the anxiety of the unknown, doubts on how our life will change, fear for people’s health. After two months of Coronavirus quarantine, these negative feelings have been replaced by the optimism of new possibilities!

“I think that as human beings, we are able to adapt to any kind of situation”

As a professor, he managed to keep working doing online teaching. The bound with the students he had created for years helped them feel his lectures didn’t change, yet, this innovative approach to teaching might compromise interaction between, not only teachers and students but also new generations with society itself.

“I don’t mind working remotely but I do think that children need a teacher who is physically there… kids learn a lot through emotions and non-verbal communication”

Looking at the future of Education there might be consequences in the way lessons are given but, so far, what we can see is a society that has been learning day by day how to cope with the unexpected.

● Alessio’s Quarantine Story: A New Reality far from Home

The way I choose

Alessio is an Italian student, he is 22 and his hometown is Messina, a seaside city in Southern Italy. When he first heard about the virus he was home and, as a lot of people did, he didn’t take the news of this unknown danger too seriously. By the end of December, he got the offer of an internship in Milan and, some weeks later, he moved to this new city by himself.

On 31 January Italian news announced the first confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Rome, in some days Milan become the most affected city; Alessio, who had started working just a few weeks before, got in quarantine on 25 February.

“I remember how, the day before we got all quarantined, I was in the subway and we were all stuck together. The next day the lockdown started and I felt like all the people in that subway could have caught the virus, so why couldn’t I?”

Aside from worrying about his health condition, the first days were the most difficult ones because he had to get used to being the new person in the house, in his job and in that new town so far from home. Fortunately, this feeling of loneliness got filled with the affection and kindness showed by his parents, his friends, his girlfriend and even his new roommates!

“People I live with have been extremely supportive… whenever I feel down I know I can just open the door and talk with them to feel better”

So, even though this quarantine has postponed the great start of Alessio’s new life, he is grateful for everything he has learned and the incredible support received!

These have been the best stories of our #DiaryofaQuarantine project. Hope you have enjoyed them as much as we have. Stay tuned! Subscribe to our newsletter not to miss any updates on this project or any of our new blog posts helping people out of Quarantine!

# Diary of a Quarantine: How it all started

1. Make a short VIDEO (preferred), VOICE record or WRITE to us answering ONE OR MORE of the following questions:

  • When did you find out about the virus? Where were you? What was your first impression? Did you take it seriously at the beginning?
  • When did the quarantine get started in your country/city? How many days/weeks has passed since the quarantine started in your place?
  • How did your life change so far? How has your routine changed?
  • If you are a student, how did your school/university handle the problems? Are you having problems attending your class? What about your studies?
  • If you are an employee, was it your first time in smart working? How did your job change?
  • Do you live alone? How do you deal with being by yourself for all this time? What did you learn of yourself? What do you miss the most? 
  • If you don’t, how many people do you live with? How did your relationship with them change day by day?
  • What/who is helping you to go through this difficult time?
  • Tell us something you have done for the first time during the quarantine!
  • Tell us something you learned since the quarantine started
  • Tell us some strange episode or funny thing that happened to you since the quarantine started
  • What’s the first thing you want to do when the quarantine will be over? What are your fears? What are your hopes?
  • Share your positive message with the world: yes, we can!

Remember, if you like, you can answer ALL questions and do the whole interview! We are looking for good comprehensive stories to be featured in this article and make a quality video with the best of them.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We protect your privacy so we won’t share any details you don’t want to. Include your name, age and country to make your testimonial more personal 😉 

2. Send your material as a private message to any of our social media channels or a send us an email.

Click the buttons above to contact us! Or if you prefer, you can do your own story/post, tagging OH MY GOOD GUIDE and using BOTH of the project hashtags: #DiaryofaQuarantine #QuarantineWithOMGG

3. Watch the results!

We will share the best testimonials daily in our Instagram and Facebook Stories, but the masterpiece of the project will be this collaborative blog post, that will be growing with the new stories we get and where we will share our final video, best pics, comments and voice records, leaving a wonderful testimonial of a united world.

Stay tuned! Subscribe to our newsletter not to miss any updates on this project or any of our new blog posts helping people out of Quarantine!

💚 Stay safe 💚

This long Coronavirus quarantine can drive us crazy or make our body go rusty if we don’t handle it well, so let’s do something about it! Stay mentally and physically healthy during quarantine with Oh My Good Guide tips! From self-care and psychological well-being tips to easy exercises to do at home or healthy snacks: a complete Healthy Quarantine Survival Guide.

“Mens Sana In Corpore Sano”

Juvenal

A quote has never been so true! “Mens sana in corpore sano”, usually translated as “a healthy mind in a healthy body”, is a Latin quote that highlights physical exercise as an essential part of mental and psychological well-being and vice versa.

After trying many different quarantine activities like doing some productive and fun things at home, playing some board games with your family, or even trying to learn a new language, now it’s time to think a bit more about your physical and mental health.

Take advantage of all this free time to build “the best You”. Here are our tips on how to do it!

How to Stay Mentally Healthy during Quarantine

Staying mentally Healthy during covid19 quarantine

Not just your body! One of the most important things is to protect your mental health during this Coronavirus Quarantine. It’s tough, but we must do our part to stay mentally healthy and avoid getting depressed, bored or anxious.

So let’s go for it! Below you will find some very important tips to avoid having a psychological collapse and help your mind deal with the quarantine feelings:

– Manage your expectations and goals for the Quarantine period

The first advice on how to stay mentally healthy during quarantine is to manage your own expectations. As we settle into this new rhythm of remote work and isolation, we need to be realistic in the goals we set. Quarantine might bring unprecedented productivity, but they also might not.

  • Do not underestimate the cognitive and emotional load that this Coronavirus pandemic brings.
  • Difficulty concentrating, low motivation and a state of distraction are to be expected.
  • Adaptation will take time. Go easy on yourself.

– Protect your mental health going on with your routine

Routine is probably the most useful tool to keep you mentally healthy during quarantine. It helps to manage anxiety and will help you to adapt more quickly to this current reality.

  • Create clear distinctions between work and non-work time, ideally in both your physical workspace and your headspace.
  • Working in short bursts with clear breaks will help to maintain your clarity of thought.
  • Find something to do that is not work or virus-related that brings you joy and make it part of your routine.
  • Get dressed! Don’t spend your day in pyjamas.

– Take care of yourself and your community

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Also, helping others cope with their stress will create a stronger sense of community and will help all of you stay mentally healthy but also physically healthy during Quarantine.

  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

– Make a plan for the day to stay mentally healthy

Thinking about your plan for the day is one of the most important things to keep you physically and mentally healthy during Quarantine. Check the following health experts’ tips to make your day worth it, even on self-isolation!

  • Write a list of activities and times for carrying them out: cleaning your home, paying bills, making calls, yoga time or preparing a new recipe.
  • Keep eating your meals at your usual times.
  • Try to make days different one to the next: plan a slightly new activity for each day of the week or keep your weekends rituals! You can do fun and new activities during lockdown, like joining an online experience or activity with people from all over the world.

– Improve your mental health during quarantine by finding ways to help

Making yourself available to everyone is always a good opportunity to improve your mental health during quarantine. It will keep you physically active as well and it will for sure lift your spirit during this long Coronavirus quarantine.

  • Call someone who is alone or greet a neighbour from your window.
  • You could also provide a service online. For example, if you are a teacher, you could offer online homework help to friends who must now home-school their children.
  • Keep a check on your own feelings. If you experience psychological difficulties during quarantine, ask for help yourself. Contact a health care provider, a community organization or an emergency hotline number.

How to Keep Physically Healthy during Quarantine: Exercise!

Working out at home during Quarantine covid19

During the Quarantine, we need to have time for our mind and our body as well! That is the only way we can stay both Physically and Mentally Healthy during self-isolation.

But… how to take care of your body if you are only allowed to stay at home? Healthy diet and exercise! There are many different recipes and healthy snacks for quarantine and many ways to exercise and work out from the comfort of your home without any high-tech equipment.

– Best exercises at home to stay physically healthy during quarantine

So let’s start with exercise! Here are the best exercises to do at home that most personal trainers recommend, from burpees to broomstick squats, yoga, pilates or even jump rope. They will help you Stay Physically, but also Mentally Healthy during Quarantine!

• Online yoga classes: the best way to stay physically and Mentally Healthy during Quarantine!

If you have never done yoga before, now it’s the perfect time to try! It’s really the best way to stay physically and Mentally Healthy during Quarantine, that is why it’s on top of this list.

There are plenty of online yoga classes, both free and paid. Some Youtube channels even offer complete playlists for beginners so this is a great time to start something new. There are many yoga variations that differ in intensity, so find the one that better adapts to your needs and start practising today!

• Pilates online lessons: shape your body also during Quarantine

Pilates is another very popular home exercise with plenty of online resources available. This form of exercise focuses on creating flexibility, balance and a better posture by strengthening muscles.

Again, there are many variations to pilates and sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between pilates and general aerobics and fitness exercises, but they are all

• Jump rope: some cardio to keep your body active on self-isolation

There is a reason why boxers incorporate jump rope into their routine exercise. It is great cardio exercise, strengthens muscles in the legs and arms and is also good for developing focus. 

• Best bodyweight exercises to practice at home during Quarantine

  • Burpees are the king of at-home exercises, according to experts. Shape your body also during Quarantine! While a home workout can’t replace an intense bodybuilding session of pumping iron, there are plenty of ways to work up a sweat in your living room.
  • Push-ups and squats. In fact, if you hate burpees or just want some variety, other bodyweight movements can work other areas of the body, and offer varying degrees of difficulty.

Do you like our tips and proposals to stay physically and mentally healthy during quarantine? Bookmark this post or PIN IT! And keep on reading, we have more ideas to share with you!

How to Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy During Quarantine Tips: Healthy Diet!

Staying physically healthy during Quarantine

Of course, it’s not all about exercise! Following a healthy diet will help you stay Physically and Mentally Healthy During Quarantine. Here is a list of healthy foods and healthy eating tips to make you feel good even on self-isolation:

– Healthy Eating Tips for Coronavirus Quarantine days

These 3 practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating and can help you make healthier choices.

The key to a healthy diet is to eat the right amount of calories for how active you are so you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use.

Also, if you eat or drink more than your body needs, you’ll put on weight because the energy you do not use is stored as fat. If you eat and drink too little, you’ll lose weight.

In fact, you should also eat a wide range of foods to make sure you’re getting a balanced diet and your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.

It’s recommended that men have around 2,500 calories a day (10,500 kilojoules). Women should have around 2,000 calories a day (8,400 kilojoules).

Here the 3 important tips.

1. Base your meals on higher fibre starchy carbohydrates.

Starchy carbohydatres should make up just over a third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals.

Choose higher fibre or whole grain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes with their skins on. They contain more fibre than white or refined starchy carbohydrates and can help you feel full for longer. Try to include at least 1 starchy food with each main meal.

2. Eat more fish, including a portion of oily fish.

Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least 2 portions of fish a week, including at least 1 portion of oily fish.

Oily fish are high in omega-3 fats, which may help prevent heart disease. Oily fish include: salmon, trout, herring.

3. Eat lots of fruit and veg to stay healthy during quarantine.

It’s recommended that you eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced.

Getting your 5 a day is easier than it sounds. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit? A portion of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables is 80g. A portion of dried fruit (which should be kept to mealtimes) is 30g.

A 150ml glass of fruit juice, vegetable juice or smoothie also counts as 1 portion, but limit the amount you have to no more than 1 glass a day as these drinks are sugary.

– Healthy Snacks Ideas to stop eating chocolate during Quarantine

Healthy snacks and salads you can eat during Quarantine

We all know that on Coronavirus Quarantine boring days, we tend to eat more snacks between meals and visit our fridge more frequently. But that shouldn’t be a bad thing if you know how to handle it. Actually, eating five or six smaller meals a day has been shown to be great for stimulating your metabolism.

So, try to aim for smaller, more frequent meals. If you’re really bored, take the time to make tiny portions of a bunch of appetizing dishes. You’ll stay entertained and get some tasty snacks. The key is portion size.

Here some healthy snacks you can easily do at home that will help you keep your body and mind in shape during Quarantine:

1. Mixed nuts

Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack. They’re linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and may help prevent certain cancers, depression, and other illnesses. Nuts provide the perfect balance of healthy fat, protein, and fiber. They contain 180 calories in a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, on average.

2. Greek yogurt and mixed berries

Plain Greek yogurt and berries make a delicious, nutrient-dense snack. In addition to being a great source of calcium and potassium, Greek yogurt is also high in protein.

Berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants around. Eat a mixture of differently colored berries to get an array of these powerful compounds. Combining 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup (50 grams) of mixed berries provides about 10 grams of protein and under 150 calories.

3. Cherry tomatoes with mozzarella (caprese)

Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese are a flavor match made in heaven and they’re healthy, too.

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella is high in protein, calcium and vitamin B12. It may also decrease heart disease risk by raising your levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

One cup (149 grams) of cherry tomatoes paired with 2 ounces (60 grams) of mozzarella cheese has under 200 calories.

Hope you have enjoyed our Healthy Quarantine Survival guide with the best tips on how to stay physically and mentally healthy during quarantine! Now it’s your turn, start putting our tips into practice and tell us about the result 🙂

Thinking about how to learn a language on your own and from home? Looks a bit challenging, right? Don’t worry, Oh My Good Guide is here to help you! In this post, you will find the best language apps, blogs and resources to learn that second or foreign language you always wanted to know but never had time for.

Let me tell you about a super-short friend’s experience:

“Buenos días, quiero un café con leche y una tostada por favor“

Alex

This was one of the few sentences he knew in Spanish and the first thing he said as soon as he arrived in Spain. Those were just the necessary words to get his breakfast that morning. A few months later, he could speak Spanish perfectly!

I want you to understand how important it is to know a few useful small sentences of any new language you want to learn. This is especially appreciated when visiting another country to start your holiday on the right foot!

Let’s imagine next year you are coming to Spain (you can travel now, but only virtually!). I’m sure you would feel much more confident knowing some Survival Spanish phrases to fully enjoy Spanish cities like Malaga or Granada, and maybe go on a road trip around Andalusia!

Knowing a foreign language can help you understand locals, make international friends, open your mind, and even get a new or better job!

So now, there are no more excuses! You have time and we provide you with all the best resources, apps and tips to start learning a new language by yourself. Let’s start:

1. How to Learn a New Language on your own: APPs!!

learn-language-free-app-coronavirus

Your always-home lifestyle presents an unparalleled opportunity to expand your language skills. So, why not use an app on your phone or tablet to learn a new foreign language during the Coronavirus quarantine period? French radio! German podcasts! Spanish recipes for dinner to fight Quarantine boredom!

The whole world is stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown and the most famous language learning companies know it: They have made their best intensive language programs free for up to 3 months! Don’t miss this chance!

  • Rosetta Stone. The grandfather of language companies is offering free three months subscription to learn any of 22 languages. Check this language app, it’s my absolute favourite!
  • Babbel. Another language app that has become really popular. The course hub just opened up three months of free classes in a dozen languages.
  • Fable Cottage. These fun audio and video stories in French, German, Spanish, and Italian are usually locked under subscription, but are now freely accessible.
  • Conjuguemos. This teachers’ mecca of games, activities, and worksheets in seven languages (including Latin and Korean) is perfect for building an awesome curriculum of the nuts and bolts—verbs, grammar, and vocab. Free during the lockdown.
  • iCulture. Don’t miss Carnegie Learning’s immersion package of videos, articles, and songs in French, Spanish, or German, which are free through June.
  • Mango Languages. The company provides high-speed learning in 70 languages for companies and schools. Its online language portal is freely accessible.

2. How to Learn a New Language: BLOGS AND ONLINE COURSES

Read or write international blogs learn a new language during Coronavirus quarantine

Old traditional language books are nice, but don’t just stick to them! There are many free good blogs that will help you learn a new language during the Coronavirus quarantine. Some of them assure that you can become fluent in a new foreign language in just 3 months, so why not have a look?

  • Fluent in 3 months. An established and award-winning platform right at the top.
  • Fluent language. An amazing blog when You can find all articles with a quick search.
  • Italki. A huge site that offers something for any learner, check it out.

Regarding language schools, with all presential foreign language centers closed, some of the most prestigious organizations, such as the International Centre for Language Studies and the Global Language Network, have shifted their in-person classes to virtual “synchronous classrooms.” This way, students and teachers confer via Skype, Zoom or another similar video conference tool.

Another good option is BBC Languages, which is run by the British public broadcasting company. Their multimedia lessons cover about 40 different languages! These online language lessons may include sports videos, crossword puzzles, kids’ programming or street slang.

3. How to Learn a Foreign Language: FILMS AND TV SERIES

how-to-learn-new-language-on-your-own-quarantine

The Coronavirus quarantine has driven a lot of us into the arms of Netflix. So why not take this as an opportunity to learn a new language at home? The marathon watch fests are fun, but they can also be educational.

In fact, Language Learning with Netflix is a free extension available on the Google Chrome Web store. In addition to hearing dialogue in the native tongue, you can read subtitles in two languages. This helps with translation and you can even look up words in a pop-up dictionary, among other tools.

It features a catalog of international movies and TV series, offered in Spanish, Mandarin, German or Hindi, so this weekend…International Film Festival at home!

4. How to Learn a New Language: TIPS!

kid Learning new language

Obviously, learning a new language on your own and from home is not so simple but it can be done. You just need to find the right tools and the motivation for it! Even on lockdown, you can always find a fun way to practise that new language, for example, joining an online experience or virtual tour with people from all over the world.

As a Spanish teacher that I am, I want to encourage you with the best tips to learn any new language you want:

Tip 1: Know Your Motivation to Learn a Foreign Language

This might sound obvious, but if you don’t have a good reason to learn a language, you are less likely to stay motivated over the long-run. No matter your reason, once you’ve decided on a language, it’s crucial to commit: I WANT AND CAN DO IT!

Tip 2: How to learn a new language: Keep It Relevant

If you make conversation a goal from the beginning, you’re less likely to get lost in textbooks. Talking to people is one of the best ways to learn a language, because it keeps the learning process relevant to you.

Tip 3: Have Fun learning a new language, even in Quarantine!

Using your new language in any way is a creative act. The Super Polyglot Bros, practised their Greek by writing and recording songs. Think of some fun ways to practice your new language: make a radio play with a friend, draw a comic strip, write a poem or simply talk to whomever you can.

Tip 4: Watch Others Talk in that new Language

Different languages make different demands on your tongue, lips and throat. Pronunciation is just as much physical as it is mental. If you can’t watch and imitate a native speaker in person, watching foreign-language films and TV is a good learning substitute.

Tip 5: Pick the right language for you

Always start with a language that is relevant to you, that you know you will use, and, therefore, not lose. If you, for instance, do business in Shanghai, practise a bit of kung fu or are fascinated by calligraphy, then maybe think about Chinese.

But, it’s really important to “click” with the language you are learning. If you can’t make up your mind, try out some first, and see what fits you.

Tip 6: How to learn a new language by Keeping a Wee Wordbook

Set yourself a target of learning 10 words or phrases a day, jotting them down on a notepad and checking yourself every morning. Some people find it helpful to break new vocal into themes. But keep going over this book.

Tip 7: Try to Speak & Don’t Worry About Making Mistakes.

There is nothing wrong with getting something wrong. Just laugh it off. After all, saying accidentally funny things might just be what we all need in these dark times. Stop wondering how to learn a foreign language by yourself during Coronavirus Quarantine and start doing it!

So, this is it! Ready for a new language adventure? I hope so! Tell us the new language you have chosen to learn during our lockdown period and don’t forget to check our fun plans to fight this long Quarantine in the best mode.

Oh, one more thing…If you want to stay updated, SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter!

What best than a fun board game to enjoy at home with your kids, family or couple? Board games can help us spend some quality time with our beloved ones, inside jokes, that one friend who always tries to cheat…oh, wait! But friends can’t be in our home!… Well, don’t worry, Oh My Good Guide is here to make you, not only the best “offline” board games but also the whole new world of online board games.

The great, challenging thing about games is that you don’t merely consume the entertainment. Any game requires players to make active decisions, often involving other people. You then reap the consequences of those decisions, whether a millisecond or months later. Unlike a TV show or a movie (or much of real life, for that matter), a game allows you to control what happens next!

Traditional video games may seem to be the obvious choice for social gaming during a time of self-isolation, but traditional and online board games are a better choice for more personal play. So let’s discover some of the best “offline” and online board games for kids, couples, friends and big families.

Traditional and Original Board Games for everyone to have fun at home!

kid is playing jenga

Take advantage of this Coronavirus quarantine lockdown to play again some board games with your children, family or couple! Back to the non-Internet age! Here you go, some of the best board games for kids, teens and families to overcome a Quarantine or long period at home. Let’s start with some picks for games beyond the usual suspects:

– Best board games for 5 – 10 years old kids

  • Memoarr!: A twist on the classic memory game of matching pairs. It has animal pirates turning over cards to find their treasure and escape an island threatened by a lava explosion.
  • Rhino Hero: It’s like Jenga with cards, the younger ones will love moving a little rhinoceros up a card tower they’ve built… until it all falls down.
  • Outfoxed! Players gather clues around the board and then use deduction to crack the case of a pie that has gone missing!

– Best board games for teens

  • Pandemic this award-winning cooperative strategy game casts players as disease-fighting specialists with one big task: work together to save the world. Perfect for the Coronavirus Quarantine times!
  • Relative Insanity is a super simple card game that guarantees lots of laughs. The gameplay is quite similar to Cards Against Humanity and Apples to Apples, but the punchline is always about someone you’re related to. Simply hilarious, you’ll see!

– Best strategy board games for families in Quarantine!

  • Scythe: If you’ve mastered Risk, the classic battle to take over the world, we suggest Scythe as an entryway into more complex gaming.
  • Quacks of Quedlinburg: The quacks, in this case, aren’t ducks but unhinged doctors who try to brew potions with crazy ingredients without exploding the cauldron.
  • Azul: It’s sort of an abstract game of making patterns with your coloured tiles!
  • Escape Room Kit: You can transform your house into an escape room with these ready-to-play kits by EscapeRoomGeeks.

– Best board games for 2 players to fight Quarantine boredom

  • 7 wonders: Duel is a game for 2 players in the world of 7 Wonders. It uses some of the main mechanics of its older brother but offers a new challenge adapted for one-on-one games.
  • Exploding Kittens: It’s like UNO, except there are goats, magical enchiladas and kittens that can kill you!

– Best board games of all time! Don’t forget the classics:

  • Scrabble: It’s time for some brain-storming! Scrabble involves coming up with words in a crossword fashion on a board, using plastic tiles. Keep building high-scoring words and you’ll win!
  • Risk: A simple goal of acquiring and defending territory launches into a strategic military gem with Risk. Appealing to players of all ages, what seems to be a simple set of pieces and rules quickly becomes an intense test for critical reasoning, risk assessment, and strategic judgment.
  • Catan: It engages players to successfully develop, manage, and earn Victory Points for the rich Island of Catan. Vying for resources, navigating incidents, and maintaining resources in a unique hexagonal tile board, which can be rearranged for each game.
  • Clue: The mystery you love to solve again and again is even more intense! Clue is back with a modern twist, and you have to find out who is responsible for murdering the host at a millionaire’s mansion or a boardwalk. Perfect for ages 8 and up.
  • Trivial Pursuit: Trivia buffs are created around the Trivial Pursuit board. Allowing single-player or team play and with six challenging categories spanning Geography to Sports and Leisure, the pursuit of knowledge has never been more engaging.

Best Free Online Board Games Platforms you need to play with friends

games you can play with your friends in your laptop or desktop

There is, of course, the “easy” way to play board games with your friends: set up your video call of choice (like Zoom or Google Hangouts), then break out the box and set it up identically on your separate tables. But that requires both parties to have copies, so apart from Monopoly or Scrabble, there aren’t many options.

So why not jump directly into online board games and platforms? There are three main categories of long-distance board gaming that replicate your weekly game night even better, so let’s discover them!

Steam: not only video games but also board games!

  • What is it? The dominant computer gaming platform, available to download for free on Windows, Mac and Linux. For most people, it’s a place to play video games like DOOM Eternal or Half-Life, but it also works as a replacement for old-school board games.
  • What’s the best online board game? Tabletop Simulator, definitely. It replicates the board-game experience by letting you and your friends sit around a virtual table and play thousands of games – so realistic that you can even flip the table if things get heated. It comes preloaded with 15 classics like backgammon, chess and poker, but you can also download any board game you can think of, from Secret Hitler to Dungeons & Dragons. If you want a simpler option, Steam does have some standalone games like Catan. Also, you can download Jackbox, if you are into more party-style games.
  • What do you need? The Steam software and one of the aforementioned video call services, or Discord, a text, voice and video service that’s free and also allows you to screen share. 

Board Game Platforms: Board Game Arena and Tabletopia

  • What is it? Websites that host board games you can play directly from your browser, such as Board Game Arena or Tabletopia. 
  • What’s their best online board game? Some of the most popular choices on BGA are 7 Wonders, Sushi Go! and Coup. As for Tabletopia, Santorini is a simple option for starters, while Terra Mystica incorporates strategy once you’ve got the keys all dialled in and stop dropping people from your video calls.
  • What do you need? Your computer’s web browser and your text, voice or video chat service of choice. Both Board Game Arena and Tabletopia are available on other platforms as well, including Steam, and more traditional video game consoles like Playstation and Xbox.

Standalone Games: Colonist, Dominion or Playing Cards

  • What is it? Even easier than the web browser platforms, there are certain online board games that have their own dedicated sites. Invite your friends and start playing!
  • What are the best standalone online board games? Colonist is a spot-on rip-off of Catan. The popular medieval card game Dominion also has its own dedicated online portal. For the simplest of simple, there’s Playing Cards, which features checkers, Go Fish and Cards Against Humanity.
  • What do you need? Your computer’s web browser and your text, voice or video chat service of choice.

Like regular board and party games, when playing online board games you’ll have to spend some time learning the ropes but I am sure you won’t regret! Online board games are here to stay!

Even though you might have had to cancel many plans, you don’t have to cancel fun! Mix and match different games mentioned-above and come up with your own version as you stay indoors, spending some quality time with your family.

Apart from board games, there are many different activities to fight this Quarantine boredom! We have some great ideas you can find checking our Productive & Fun Things to Do at Home during Coronavirus Lockdown post out! You can even start learning a new language, join an online experience with people from all over the world or subscribe to a new interesting blog like ours!

Good and Safe Quarantine y’all!

Interested in Spanish Cuisine? Want to try to cook some Spanish dishes on your own? Great idea! Oh My Good Guide is here to share with you some traditional easy Spanish spring food and tapas recipes!

We are going to make a quick overview of the best Spanish Food & Tapas Recipes in Spring. Here you will find some starters, vegan and vegetarian dishes, fish, meat and desserts! Train to become the best Spanish cook in town with our easy and fun Spanish food recipes.

➤ Spanish Tapas recipes to welcome Spring: Quick and Easy Starters

The origins are disputed but the word “tapa” means “cover”, suggesting a cover for drinks’ glasses, perhaps to keep the flies off in the sun. So, you might be wondering how to make Tapas. Tapas is not a kind of food, actually, it can be any kind of Spanish food served in a small portion, meant to be shared with your group. Tapas are, in my opinion, a way of eating and an authentic Spanish way of socializing.

It is a good idea to learn some new Spanish tapas recipes to share with our family at home, or to impress our friends. Take note of the following Spanish Spring Food & Tapas Recipes and become an amazing Spanish chef!

If you really want to learn first-hand how to cook some delicious Spanish tapas, you definitely have to join this virtual Spanish cooking class!

• Iberian Ham with Melon recipe (Melón con jamón)

Salad with jamon

A very simple and yet, really delicious dish is melon with Iberian cured ham, mostly known as melon con jamon. From the beginning of Spring, most bars and restaurants offer it on their menus, but if you can’t come to Spain, you can easily prepare it at home.

The combination of the salty and full of flavor ham makes an excellent contrast with sweet, juicy honeydew melon and if you don’t feel like going out to taste it and you’d prefer a quick, tasty snack at home, it only takes about 5 to 10 minutes to prepare and requires no cooking.

• Spanish Spring Toasts: the easiest Tapas to impress everyone

tapas with different typs of tomatoes

Here you go, some really easy examples of how to prepare some Spanish Spring Tapas recipes. Discover new flavours with these original toasts:

– Quince jam with Manchego cheese toast recipe

  • Toasted bread
  • Quince jam
  • Manchego cheese

– Smoked cod with dried tomato and truffle oil toast recipe

  • Toasted bread
  • Smoked cod
  • Dried tomato, hydrated with truffle oil
  • oregano

– Iberian Spreads toasts

Traditional and artisanal spreadable savories, cremas are made from local produce like jamon Serrano, lomo and salchichón salami, fresh and local cured cheeses and pâtés. This has no cooking secrets, you just need to find the Iberian product spreads in a specialized market and enjoy it with good bread and a glass of wine.

Another Spanish pâté worth noting is the zurrapa, pork loin fried in lard with garlic, oregano, paprika and other spices, a very typical product from Malaga, in the Ronda mountain area. With a spreadable consistency similar to pâté, zurrapa is more fibrous than other creams, due to strands of delicious pulled pork included in the mixture.

Note: These Spanish Tapas recipes are just some of my favourite Spring Tapas but if you want to know more about the most traditional Spanish Tapas recipes, no matter the season, then check my post ⇨ 7+1 Must-try Spanish Tapas Recipes: Quick, Easy and Delicious ✔

➤ Typical Spanish Vegan and Vegetarian recipes in Spring

Adding spring fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, cherries, asparagus, carrots or lima beans, to our diet ensures a good dose, especially of vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. Definitely, the best option is to take care of our health, especially during Coronavirus Quarantine. Take note of the following Spanish Food Recipes for vegetarians and vegan people, perfect for the Spring!

• Vegan Paella recipe: a Spanish Veggie must!

alternative paella dish

Paella is one of the most popular and famous Spanish dishes, that was created in Valencia. Paella was originally farmers’ and farm labourers’ food, cooked by the workers over a wood fire for the lunchtime meal.  It was made with rice, plus whatever was to hand around the rice fields and countryside: tomatoes, onions and snails, with a few beans added for flavour and texture. Defining exactly what paella contains is almost impossible. That is why there are so many variations of paella.

But today we are going to concentrate on one of the purest versions, the Vegan Paella! Only rice and fresh spring vegetables. Take a look!

Ingredients for your tasty Vegan Paella (2 people)

  • round grain rice (150 gr.)
  • garlic (1 clove)
  • onion (a quarter)
  • green pepper (one quarter)
  • red pepper (one quarter)
  • tomatoes (2 pcs.)
  • artichokes (2 hearts)
  • peas (25 gr.)
  • green beans (25 gr.)
  • green or wild asparagus (2 pcs.)
  • zucchini (a piece)
  • mushroom (25 gr.)
  • vegetable broth (double volume than rice)
  • saffron (a few strands)
  • turmeric
  • virgin olive oil
  • black pepper

How to cook a delicious vegan paella:

  1. Peel and chop the garlic and onion. Grate the tomatoes. Wash the asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, and beans and cut them into medium dice. Wash and clean the peppers and chop them. Lastly, cut the artichoke hearts into quarters.
  2. Heat the broth and add the saffron threads, black pepper and turmeric. Correct the salt point. While the broth is heating, turn on the oven and regulate the temperature to 205 °
  3. Put a paella pan with a splash of oil over the fire and brown the minced garlic. When it begins to take color, add the onion and peppers and let them cook over low heat. When they are lightly poached, add the tomato and sauté for a few minutes. Then add the zucchini, beans, peas, artichokes, asparagus, and mushrooms. Sauté all the vegetables lightly and then add the rice. Lightly fry it.
  4. Then add all the broth, which will already be hot, at once. Stir everything well and let it boil over high heat. Boil for 5 minutes … after that time, put it in the oven for 15 minutes.
  5. Take your paella out of the garden from the oven and cover it with a cloth. Allow 5 minutes before start serving.

Finally, your Vegan Paella is done! Serve your paella in its container, the special paella pan, in the center of the table. Ah! And if the weather is good and you serve this paella in the garden or on the terrace… it will taste even better!

• Gazpacho recipe! A nutritious Spanish tomato cold soup

gazpacho soup

Gazpacho is an Andalusian cold soup made with completely raw ingredients like tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, and onion mixed in a blender, along with some crusty bread. You can either serve gazpacho soup in a bowl or mug, garnished with your desired toppings, like olive oil, fresh herbs, cream or Andalusian ham.

Do not miss this great combination that, apart from cooling you off, it leaves the best taste in your mouth and it’s one of the best Spanish Spring Food Recipes with a bunch of vitamins. I already wrote another post with the traditional Spanish Gazpacho recipe so you can check it here:【 Spanish Cuisine for Dummies 】7 Simple Traditional Andalusian Dishes (with Recipes!)

• Pipirrana recipe: the real taste of our vegetable gardens!

simple everyday salad

Pipirrana is a refreshing and nutritious salad, very tasty and easy and quick to prepare, a must-try dish from Jaén, in northern Andalusia. It is based on 4 ingredients: tomatoes, peppers, egg, and garlic. It is served cold and usually serves as a base to add seafood such as octopus or tuna. This is one of the most typical Spanish recipes, that can be also served as a tapa:

Ingredients for Pipirrana (2 people)

  • 4 tomatoes
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 Egg
  • Canned tuna
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Garlic
  • Salt

Preparation

  1. Peel and cut the tomatoes. Cut the green pepper and add it to the tomato.
  2. Boil an egg and then separate the yolk from the white. Cut and add the white to the tomato and green pepper.
  3. Add salt and crush the yolk with a little piece of green pepper and a garlic clove. Add extra virgin olive oil and make it emulsify.
  4. Mix everything very well and keep in the refrigerator until serving time, so that it cools down and the flavors mix. Add tuna or boiled octopus and mix again before serving.

This particular salad has multiple variations depending on the region it is made, so when you get to come to Spain, be ready to try many different versions of this healthy Spanish dish recipe.

• Scrambled eggs with wild asparagus, young garlic and prawns recipe

shrimps with asparagus

Probably nowadays, you can find green or wild asparagus all year round, but its local season is spring. They are delicious sauteed with different products, such as ham, foie gras, mushrooms … Or also in pizzas, creams or as a garnish to many dishes.

But without any doubt, scrambled eggs with wild asparagus and young garlic are a Spring seasonal classic that is impossible to miss. It can be prepared in record time and it is one of the easiest Spanish Spring Food & Tapas Recipes on this list to impress your family. To make it vegetarian-friendly, just remove the prawns.

Ingredients (per person)

  • 150 g wild asparagus
  • 100 g tender garlic
  • 1 egg
  • 5 prawns

Instructions for preparation:

  1. Cut the asparagus with your hands towards the end of the stem, and chop them into three or four parts, depending on how long they are.
  2. Cut the garlic into pieces of about 3 cm and brown everything but the tips of the asparagus in a pan with a little oil.
  3. Add the asparagus almost at the end of cooking, put the prawns and turn for 15 seconds.
  4. Put the whole egg and remove from the heat: with the residual heat the white will be cooked – stir it – and, if you can, serve with the hot yolk, but still whole. Salt, pepper and enjoy.

➤ Traditional Spanish Fish Recipes to Cook in Springtime

Spring and summer are the ideal seasons to consume blue fish in season. It is the time for tuna, anchovies, mackerel, sardines, horse mackerel… We can also enjoy fresh cod, hake, sole, monkfish, or conger eel. As for seafood, we will be able to enjoy the end of the season during the first weeks of spring. Enjoy our Spanish Fish Recipes:

• Anchovies Marinated in Vinegar recipe (Boquerones en vinagre)

Marinated small fishes in tapas

This delicious little fish is served cold after being cured in vinegar and chopped garlic with a dash of olive oil. Its flavor is unmistakable and represents one of the most popular dishes of Andalusia when the sun is beating down. The flavor is intense and it pairs perfectly with a chilled glass of Spanish white wine (like a Verdejo).

Ingredients:

  • 1 kg of anchovies
  • 200 ml of vinegar
  • Water (proportion 80% vinegar, 20% water)
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • Fresh parsley
  • Extra virgin olive oil

How to make homemade pickled anchovies:

  1. For the anchovies to be white, the important thing is cleanliness. For this, the head, the gut and the thorn must be removed. Pass them under a stream of cold water and clean them well. When they are clean, take them to a bowl with ice and water and leave them for two to three hours.
  2. Next, place the anchovies side by side with the skin down and cover them with salt, vinegar and water. They will cook with the acids of the vinegar. Let them marinate overnight so that they finish whitening.
  3. Then the loins are drained, placed in an airtight container and covered with oil. Cover the container and take to the freezer for 48 hours. This procedure is important to avoid the risk of homemade anisakis.
  4. After time, defrost the anchovies and remove the oil.
  5. Chop the garlic very small, mix it with the parsley, 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
  6. Place the anchovies neatly on a plate and cover them with the freshly prepared vinaigrette. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve. Stored in the hermetically sealed refrigerator, they can be reserved for a week.

Homemade anchovies in vinegar are an excellent option to serve a delicious homemade snack. Dare to follow these simple steps and the result will be better than those ordered in a bar. A really good recipe to tempt and surprise your guests!

• Cod and Orange Salad recipe

Fruits plate

This orange and cod salad is typical of Granada, where it is known as “remojón”. Now that the cod is in season and we can still find some oranges in the market, it is the best time to enjoy it. Let’s see what we need to prepare this quick and easy Spanish seasonal food recipe to prepare with the family.

Ingredients (per person)

  • 100 gr of dried or desalted cod in crumbs
  • Fresh chives
  • Half orange
  • Black olives
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Vinegar
  • Sweet paprika (optional)

How to make this extremely easy cod and orange salad:

  1. We soak the cod (if it is salted) a few hours until it is well desalted. If it is desalted cod, we use it directly.
  2. Peel the orange removing all the white, cut it into slices and put them on a platter.
  3. Add the crumbled cod and the chopped chives and season the salad. The point of salt should be given by the cod, but if it is very desalted, perhaps a little must be added.

Typical Spanish Meat recipes in Spring

spanish-food-recipes-meat

If we talk about meat, the truth is that availability is usually continuous throughout the year. And this is so because the majority of livestock farms are intensive.

However, we must bear in mind that there are hunting closures throughout the country that mark the season of hunting products, such as the hare, quail, wild rabbit, or wild boar, for example.

Also, in spring we can consume the last pieces of fresh suckling pig meat known as “cochinillo”, which is typical from Segovia, in the north of Madrid.

I am aware these Spanish seasonal meat products can be a bit difficult to find in our home country, so I wanted to leave you here some other traditional Spanish meat recipes you can try cooking. There you will find how to cook our famous albóndigas or meatballs, croquettes, pork cheek and broad beans with ham! Enjoy!

➤Typical Spanish Dessert recipes in Spring

• Macerated strawberries with lemon juice or vinegar recipe with lots of Vitamin C!

Strawberries small dish

We are in the middle of the strawberry season, so let’s take advantage of this now that they are tastier and cheaper! They have more vitamin C than oranges and kiwis and are low in calories and low in sugar (less than apples!), so diabetics can also enjoy them as long as they don’t add any. This is another quick and easy Spanish seasonal dessert recipe to prepare with the family and have a bit of fun.

Ingredients

  • Vinegar (2 tablespoons) or lime, lemon or orange juice.
  • Sugar (4 tablespoons), or a bit of honey

How to prepare macerated strawberries

  1. Wash the strawberries under running cold water.
  2. Cut them into slices or cubes.
  3. We put them in a deep bowl, sprinkle them with vinegar or natural lemon juice so that it is distributed well, and add the sugar.
  4. Mix everything well with the help of a spoon and let it rest for half an hour in the fridge. We can also leave them overnight if you prefer a more juicy result: the longer the strawberries are macerating, the biggest amount of juice they will release.

• Rice with milk pudding recipe (Arroz con Leche)

rice with milk pudding on a cup

Ingredients

  • 2 liters of fresh milk
  • 380 grams of bomba rice
  • The peel of a lemon
  • 2 large cinnamon sticks
  • 250 grams of white sugar
  • 50 grams of butter
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Waffles (optional)

How to make Spanish rice with milk dessert

  1. Remove the lemon peel, taking care not to put the white part because it is bitter. Use a sharp knife or a peeler.
  2. Wash the rice in cold water. With this step what we achieve is that the rice loses the starch.
  3. Put it in a saucepan the fresh milk together with the cinnamon sticks and the lemon skin, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Take care that the milk does not stick to the bottom of the saucepan. It is very common that sometimes the milk sticks and spoils the dessert
  4. Add the sugar and mix very well.
  5. Once it all boils, lower the heat and add the washed rice.
  6. We let cook over medium-low heat for about 40-50 minutes, move frequently!
  7. Once the cooking is finished, remove the cinnamon sticks and the lemon skins. Add the butter and mix. This will make a very creamy rice pudding. Let it cool down and serve in cups with ground cinnamon on top

These are my favourite Spanish Spring Food & Tapas Recipes that will fill you up with the necessary nutrients and vitamins to stay strong! Remember, I am waiting for you in Spain to join one of our Foodie Tours and try many of the recipes here. Check them out:

FOOD TOURS

If you are a real Spanish food lover, you should also check our other Spanish traditional food articles here:

BUT WAIT!! One more thing:

In order to make from this your one-stop post for trying new culinary experiences, and seeing that the popularity of making and baking bread at home increased during the Coronavirus lockdown and quarantine days, we have decided to include an EXTRA BONUS: The easiest recipe to make and bake bread at home for an excellent artisanal result! This way you will have a really full meal ready to be cooked and all the ideas to impress your beloved ones!

➤ How to make and bake bread at home: EASY BREAD RECIPE!

Fresh bread well cutted

There are many kinds of bread and different recipes you can make and bake at home during this Coronavirus quarantine. But if you are a bread-baking beginner, like me, let’s just focus on the easiest recipe to make bread at home we could find No-Knead Bread!

Why do we say it’s the easiest? Well, you basically throw everything into a bowl and mix it up, then sit around, let the yeast do its work, and bake it. But it’s not just bread for beginners — those of us who bake frequently also really love this bread. The slow rise gives this bread great flavor, and the baking method gives it an awesome crispy crust. It’s artisan quality with very little effort — that’s why this recipe is so popular!

Ingredients to bake your own bread at home

To make 1 loaf:

  • 1 pound all-purpose flour (about 3 cups) plus more for sprinkling
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

Equipment needed for baking bread at home

  • Plastic wrap or kitchen towel
  • Large Dutch oven with ovensafe lid

Instructions for your No-Knead Bread recipe!

  1. Make a wet, shaggy dough. Place the flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Make a well in the center, and add the water into the well. Stir until it forms a shaggy dough.
  2. Cover the dough bowl and let rise for 6 to 8 hours. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in size and bubbly, 6 to 8 hours.
  3. Shape the dough and rise for another hour. Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper. Turn the dough out onto it, folding it over on itself at least once while you do so. Quickly shape the dough into a round ball. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour more.
  4. Preheat the oven and the Dutch oven. About 30 minutes before the hour is up, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven. Place a large Dutch oven with its lid on the rack. Heat the oven to 450°F.
  5. Transfer the loaf to the preheated Dutch oven. The shaped dough will have risen and nearly doubled in size. Using the parchment paper as a sling, carefully transfer the loaf, still on the paper, to the Dutch oven. If desired, make a slash or shallow cut on the top of the dough with kitchen shears or a sharp knife so that the bread can expand while baking.
  6. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Place the lid on the pot and put it in the oven. (Be careful, the lid is hot!) Bake covered for 30 minutes.
  7. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more. Remove the lid and bake for 15 minutes more. You can be extra sure that the bread is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the top or side registers 210°F.
  8. Cool and slice the bread. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and use the parchment paper to transfer the bread to a wire rack. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing the bread.

Bread Recipe notes

Storage: Leftover bread can be stored cut-side down at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil and frozen for up to 3 months.

So, this is it! End of the story? NO! Go back to our blog home and look for more recipes. Now tell us…what is your favourite recipe? Have you already tried any of them? Share your experience and leave a comment!

Oh, one more thing…if you want to stay updated, SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter.

Enjoy your meal!

I know there is a question that you can’t get out of your head: Which Countries are Reopening to International Tourists this summer? How, When and Where would be safe to travel after Coronavirus is over? When will travel bans be lifted? Oh My Good Guide is here to help you!

Traveling is good for the soul but, especially in this case, it must be good for health too. We all need a holiday after this long Coronavirus lockdown, but we will need to be more careful than usual to travel safely after Coronavirus is over.

But how can we achieve this? I know you have so many questions in mind regarding Coronavirus and safe travel… when will the travel ban be lifted? when will it be safe to travel again? when will it be safe to fly again? will it be safe to travel this summer? when will international travel resume? when can we travel overseas again?

So, let’s go right to the heart of the matter and try to solve them!

Is it safe to travel? Should I travel right now?

If you are wondering if you should travel right now, experts advised that everyone should be cautious about nonessential travel right now, especially for those at higher risk of serious complications related to Coronavirus.

However, there are many countries reopening their borders and you might be tempted to buy a cheap plane ticket there or do that road trip you have been postponing for years. If that is the case, we have something for you!

Keep reading and discover which countries are lifting travel bans and some of the safest destinations you can travel to.

Table Of Contents
  1. Is it safe to travel? Should I travel right now?
  2. 1. Updated list of countries reopening borders to international tourists in 2020 (by date)
  3. 2. Will it be safe to travel this autumn/winter? Should I cancel or postpone my Holiday?
  4. 3. When and Where will be Safe to Travel after Coronavirus is over? When will Travel Bans be Lifted?
  5. 4. Travel after Coronavirus is over: What will it be like?
  6. 5. Post-Coronavirus Travel Tips: How to travel safely after Coronavirus is over
  7. 6. FAQS: Safe travel to Countries Reopening Borders to International tourists

1. Updated list of countries reopening borders to international tourists in 2020 (by date)

  • Oman (October 1) will restart international flights on October 1
  • Belize (October 1). Belize is reopening for International travel on October 1st
  • Peru (October 1) Peru has approved the resumption of international flights starting from October 1, but under strict safety measures
  • St Kitts and Nevis (October 1) is planning to reopen its borders for international tourism
  • Guatemala (September 18). Aurora international airport will reopen to commercial flights as the Central American country relaxes its coronavirus lockdown.
  • Vietnam (September 15) plans to resume international flights from Sept. 15 with all passengers quarantined for 14 days upon arrival in the country
  • Jordan (September 8) will resume regular international flights to help revive an economy badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Nigeria (September 5) Nigeria will resume international flights from Sept. 5
  • Ghana (September 1) Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has announced plans to re-open the country’s air borders.
  • Namibia (September 1) It will reopen to international travellers via Hosea Kutako International Airport
  • Cuba (August 15) Despite the rest of the Caribbean reopening in June and July for tourism, Cuba is taking its time, first allowing Cubans to travel domestically at the end of this month before welcoming international tourism in phase two.
  • Sri Lanka (August 1). Sri Lanka will join the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer on Aug. 1 by allowing only small groups of visitors, to begin with.
  • Turks And Caicos (July 22). In a statement, the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board said it “encourages travelers to consider the vacation destination as the play vacations for late July 2020 onwards.”
  • French Polynesia (July 20). The South Pacific island of French Polynesia said it will reopen to international travel next month to try to salvage its vital tourism industry.
  • Russia (July 15). Russia will join the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer by resuming international air travel on July 15, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
  • Morocco (July 11). Morocco’s land, air, and sea borders are expected to reopen in July, following the country’s nationwide state of emergency that is set to conclude on July 10.
  • Georgia (July 1): The Georgian government announced that domestic tourism can resume from 15 June while borders could open to foreign tourists as early as 1 July.
  • Malta (July 1). Malta will join the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer by reopening its airport to passenger flights on July 1, Prime Minister Robert Abela said.
  • Turkey (July 1). As of July, Turkey will resume all those tourism facilities planned to be reopened as part of the normalization process, said the country’s culture and tourism minister on June 10.
  • Bahamas (Tentative – July 1). The government is looking to open commercial travel on or before July 1, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced. Another exotic holiday destination that joins the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer
  • Aruba (July 1). Visitors from Canada, Europe and the Caribbean will be able to return to Aruba.
  • Egypt (July 1). Egypt will reopen all its airports for scheduled international traffic on July 1, the civil aviation minister said on Sunday, after suspending regular commercial flights in March because of the coronavirus outbreak.
  • European Union (Tentative – July 1). European Union To Open For Tourists From 14 Countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. The 15th, China, would be covered only if it agrees a reciprocal arrangement with EU countries.
  • Bermuda (July 1). Bermuda is also on the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer. They will resume international commercial air service for visitors starting July 1, the island territory’s government announced on Friday.
  • Lebanon (July 1). Lebanon will re-open Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport for commercial flights beginning July 1, but will keep air traffic at 10% of capacity from a year ago
  • Dominican Republic (July 1). The entire country of the Dominican Republic will open up for international tourism beginning July 1, according to Lucien Echavarria, director at the Ministry of Tourism.
  • The Maldives (July 1). “We are planning to reopen our borders for visitors in July 2020,” read an official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism on May 30.
  • Tunisia (June 27). Tunisia has announced it is ready to resume tourism safely. They have reopened their borders on June 27, joining the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer.
  • St Barth (June 22). The French Caribbean island of St Barth has reopened for travel and tourism on June 22, according to Bruno Magras, president of the island’s territorial council.
  • European Union for European tourists (June 15). Most European Union countries reopen their borders for EU’s Schengen area Tourists From. Travelling inside the European Union is now allowed in most territories, including Spain, France, Italy, etc are on the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer.
  • Jamaica (June 15). In a major move for the Caribbean tourism sector at large, the island of Jamaica is reopening its borders for travelers beginning June 15.
  • Hong Kong (June 1). Hong Kong said it will reopen its airport to transiting passengers on June 1, joining rival Singapore which made a similar announcement last week, as governments in the pair of regional hubs look to boost their local airlines as the global pandemic eases.
  • Ukrania (May 22). The Ukrainian government will reopen 66 border checkpoints with European Union countries and Moldova for the first time after it closed most of them to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in March.
  • Albania (May 22). Albania re-opened its borders this month and prepare to welcome back tourists, Prime Minister Edi Rama told parliament on Thursday, with the country reporting no new coronavirus deaths for more than three weeks.
  • Cambodia (May 20). Cambodia has lifted a ban on entry of visitors from Iran, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the United States that had been put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.
  • Slovenia (May 15). Slovenia was one of the first entries on the list of countries reopening borders to international tourists this summer. They reopened their road, air and sea borders to foreign nationals on May 15.

2. Will it be safe to travel this autumn/winter? Should I cancel or postpone my Holiday?

Couple walking on top of a bridge

The situation won’t go back to “normal” until June in many countries. So if you had a trip planned for spring, in May or June, Coronavirus travel bans and restrictions will probably affect your plans. It could be a good idea to postpone your travel if you want to be safe and make sure we will be able to travel again.

Will it be safe to travel this autumn/winter? If you are worried about your autumn or winter vacation after Coronavirus is over, we really hope you don’t have to cancel it, especially if it is domestic travel. However, it depends where you are travelling, as many of the countries that became first infected, controlled the pandemic during the summer months and now they are experiencing a second “wave”.

Anyway, don’t stress about it until that ‘go or not-to-go date’, the COVID-19 situation changes too fast so it is difficult to predict the future. You will probably discover if it will be safe to travel this summer to your destination only one month in advance. Many airlines, hotels and other travel companies have loosened their cancellation policies to give travelers more flexibility during the pandemic, so you might not have a penalty for cancelling or postponing your trip last-minute.

3. When and Where will be Safe to Travel after Coronavirus is over? When will Travel Bans be Lifted?

When will be safe to travel again, once Coronavirus is over? When will travel bans and travel restrictions be lifted? Well, those are one of the most difficult questions to answer. The best is always to track and monitor the situation in your desired holiday destination to be able to get to a conclusion. Check here the latest updates and the best sources for monitoring COVID-19:

– When will it be safe to travel again? Latest official travel advice for every country in the world!

If you are wondering when will you be able to travel again safely, you need to stay informed. Right now there is a wide list of Countries Reopening to International Tourists post-Covid19 that you can check above. Keep in mind that Coronavirus is affecting each country in a different way and new outbreaks could bring some changes to this reopening countries list.

In order to know when will it be safe to travel again, apart from monitoring the disease itself, check the safe travel website of WHO and the authorities of your home and destination country are offering practical guidance for people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of COVID-19.

So don’t forget to check the latest safe travel advice before your holiday starts. You can now track real-time travel restrictions with this tool developed by the Independent Travel Association. This tool will keep you up to date on travel restrictions in real-time so you know when and where you can visit again. Be the first to know when countries update their domestic or international travel restrictions by signing up for customized email alerts.

– When will most travel bans be lifted?

If you are wondering when will travel bans be lifted, when will international travel resume or when can we travel abroad or overseas again, or even, it is highly likely that for the rest of 2020 and part of 2021, the United States and Europe will continue to implement social distancing measures and might even remain locked down. We expect borders to remain shut, particularly to countries with latent infections.

– When will international travel resume? When can we travel abroad or overseas again?

When looking for safe international vacations and safe places to travel internationally, take into account that safe corridors will reopen (e.g. Germany, Switzerland, Austria), but with restrictions and health checks.

It is expected separation between wealthier countries (e.g. Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Japan) that will re-open with very strict travel restrictions and checks, and densely populated developing countries (e.g. India, Indonesia) where the virus may create a large and lasting health problem. Travel to and from these countries would be highly restricted.

To ensure having a safe trip or vacation, follow Coronavirus updates and travel advice from your local authorities and governments, as well as the guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO).

You can also find here the real-time interactive Coronavirus map created by the Johns Hopkins Institute, which is a good resource to regularly check the COVID-19 expansion status and have a visual image of the worldwide situation.

Are you planning to visit Spain after the Coronavirus outbreak? Then you should bookmark our article with the latest COVID-19 status city to city, monuments closings or possible travel restrictions.

4. Travel after Coronavirus is over: What will it be like?

Japan city

What will be travel like after Coronavirus? What are the travelling trends post-Coronavirus? It is still a mystery but we are sure that local travel will recover first.

In the next 12 to 18 months, leisure travel will be mostly domestic or regional. This is the pattern that we are seeing in countries with reduced infection rates such as South Korea. Such domestic travel might be sizable, given that people are looking forward to getting out of their houses. 

– What will travel look like after Coronavirus is over?

Here’s how we think you will travel after Coronavirus ends:

  1. You will probably stay in the country. International travel will fall out of favor as people stay closer to the safety of home. 
  2. You won’t travel far from home. “Staycations” and road trips will be favored over flying or cruising, because of their difficulty in implementing social-distancing measures. So for now, we can’t know when will it be safe to fly or cruise again.
  3. You will make it quick. A softer economy will mean the traditional two-week summer vacation could turn into a long weekend. 

– Is it safe to travel by plane? When will it be safe to fly again? How will flying be after COVID-19 is over?

When will it be safe to fly again and how will flying be after Coronavirus is over are two main keys to make international travel safe again. Air travel will be massively reduced and only happen between safe corridors. In order to make travel by plane safe, passengers will be required to wear masks and there would be temperature checks before boarding as well. Current estimates are that air travel will be at 10-30% of 2019 capacity in 2020, ramping up to 70% throughout 2021 and only get back to pre-crisis capacity in 2022 (assuming that a vaccine is available then).

5. Post-Coronavirus Travel Tips: How to travel safely after Coronavirus is over

Girls waving

No question about it, people will travel after coronavirus is over. But what will be the changes or differences in the travel industry? Will I be able to find the best deals of my life?

– Post-Coronavirus Travel Tips: Look for deals but focus on value. 

Assuming the coronavirus crisis is over, don’t hesitate to book if you find a bargain for late spring or summer. But don’t focus exclusively on price. Instead, look at the overall value of the deal. Are they throwing in attraction tickets or including meals?

In my opinion, value shouldn’t be only focused on the services we get but also on the security feel provided. For example, an added value can be that the country we are travelling to has dealed well with the COVID-19 crisis or has a good public health system.

– Post-Coronavirus Travel Tips: choose stable well-known brands

Stay away from too-good-to-be-true offers from unknown operators. Chances are, these are fire sales from desperate companies on the verge of bankruptcy. Focus on well-known brands that are financially stable.

– Post-COVID-19 Travel Tips: Get travel insurance when visiting some of the Countries Reopening to International Tourists

During the travel ban to high-risk areas, major airlines have been canceling flights and offering free rebooking or refunds. But what if you’re concerned about an area that doesn’t have a travel ban?

It’s important to read all the fine print and understand what trip insurance does and doesn’t cover to ensure that you’ll receive a reimbursement. Under a standard policy, fear of traveling is never a covered reason to cancel a trip. There is, however, a “cancel for any reason” policy, that allows travelers to cancel their plans for any reason at all.

This type of insurance it’s usually 40 percent pricier than standard policies, and it typically must be purchased within three weeks of the first day you begin booking your travel plans. Experts recommend purchasing not only emergency medical coverage but also emergency medical transportation coverage.

In any case, if you can’t find a good policy, use a credit card to make your purchase because it can also offer protections from financial insolvency.

– Post-Coronavirus Travel Tips: Be ready to make some last-minute changes

This is a fast-changing situation so be ready to rearrange your travel plans according to the last Coronavirus updates. Even if you travel to an area without an outbreak, you should be prepared for the possibility of being quarantined if an outbreak develops in the region where you’re traveling.

– Post-Coronavirus Travel Tips: If you feel very anxious about traveling after COVID-19, consider staying home.

News about the virus is changing by the day, and everyone has a different tolerance for risk. There are fewer and fewer places now where there aren’t reported cases. If you’re not going to enjoy your vacation because you’re nervous about this, then it’s probably not worth you going.

6. FAQS: Safe travel to Countries Reopening Borders to International tourists

Here you go, the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding post-Covid19 safe travellling to Countries Reopening for International Tourists this summer. Leave a comment and let us know if you have other doubts, so that we can help you find an answer and include them here!

FAQ for safe travel and reopening boarders
– How to stay safe when traveling and avoid COVID-19 contagion?

If you are looking for how to travel safely after Coronavirus ends, there are a lot of practical steps you can take. Wear a mask, regularly wash your hands (with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel), avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth and keep a social distance of 1 meter minimum. Read the WHO tips on how to stay safe when traveling here.

– Will my travel insurance cover cancellations due to Coronavirus related issues?

It all depends on your policy. Check their website or give them a call to find out more.

– What if my airline cancels my flight?

As time has gone on since the beginning of the outbreak, airlines have adapted to evolving restrictions and advisories to accommodate customers. If you want to know about specific airline route information, as well as relevant cancellation, rebooking or refund policies, you can find all the latest news and travel updates on their websites or check with the International Air Travel Association.

– My flight has been cancelled. How do I get a refund?

Call the airline or online travel agent in the first instance. If you booked with a credit card or have travel insurance, get in touch with the relevant companies as well.

– I want to cancel my travel plans. How do I do this and can I get a refund?

First of all, call the airline, hotel or online travel agent you booked with. Not sure which company you used? You’ll see their name on your bank or credit card statement as well as the email you received from them to confirm the booking.

These are the main concerns for most people when wondering how, when and where it will be safe to travel after Coronavirus is over: when will the travel ban be lifted, when will it be safe to travel again, when will it be safe to fly again, will it be safe to travel this autumn or winter, when will international travel resume or when can we travel overseas again.

We hope this was helpful and really hope to see you travelling around the world soon after checking the list of Countries Reopening to International Tourists this summer post-COVID19. Don’t doubt to share your opinion here and share any thoughts on Coronavirus safe travelling.

Are you planning to visit Spain after the Coronavirus outbreak? Then you should bookmark our article with the latest COVID-19 status city to city, monuments closings or possible travel restrictions.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more travel tips and stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 situation.

SUBSCRIBE

✈️ Have a safe trip and enjoy your vacation when you can! 💚

Coronavirus, Spain… If you had arranged your Spanish dream holiday you might be wondering: Is it safe to travel to Spain right now? How is Coronavirus developing in different cities? Are museums, monuments and beaches open in Spain? Which are the updated travel restrictions to Spain and measures taken to avoid COVID19 contagion?

Oh My Good Guide wants to help you find the updated status of COVID-19 in Spain city to city. Here you will find the most updated info about Coronavirus and Spain: new outbreaks map, cases, reopenings, travel advice, restrictions and much more.

Keep reading until the end, where we’ll make a deep analysis to conclude if it is safe to travel to the following cities or islands in Spain in summer 2021:

  1. Barcelona
  2. Madrid
  3. Mallorca and Balearic Islands
  4. Canary Islands
  5. Valencia
  6. Malaga
  7. Seville
  8. Granada

This post is constantly updated, with the city to city status regarding Coronavirus in Spain. You can also check the Spanish Lockdown easing phases we had and the rules to follow during Spain New Normal phase from 22nd June 2020 on.

Table Of Contents
  1. 0. BREAKING NEWS | COVID-19 in Spain right now
  2. 1. When can I travel to Spain? International travel to Spain allowed!
  3. 2. Things to know before travelling to Spain in 2021
  4. 3. Is it SAFE TO TRAVEL to Spain right now? CITY TO CITY updated status

0. BREAKING NEWS | COVID-19 in Spain right now

➤ Spain is in the Coronavirus ‘medium risk’ zone.

The latest update of the Covid pandemic has shown that Spain is very close to leaving the ‘high risk’ zone. The cumulative incidence on Monday, May 17, is 151.82 cases, just one point from reaching 150 when the risk would be considered to be medium.

➤ Covid-19 Vaccinations in Spain: Weekly Covid-19 deaths fall 90%

The effect of the immunization program as well as a fall in transmission thanks to coronavirus restrictions has seen the number of victims plummet to a daily average of 52.

As of May 18th, 14.2 % of the population of Spain has now got the full protection from Covid-19 offered by the vaccines the country is using. A total of 6,716,156 people have either had the two doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech medication, or the single shot of the Janssen vaccine.

According to the latest report from the central Health Ministry, 14,555,552 people have so far received at least one dose, which is 30.7% of the population.

1. When can I travel to Spain? International travel to Spain allowed!

Spain reopened its borders to overseas tourists in July 2020 and they are and will be open! Travellers from outside the Schengen zone will be permitted to enter from July 1, providing there is a reciprocal agreement on travel and taking into account the epidemiological situation in the country of origin.

Before we go more in-depth on Spain’s updated coronavirus status in each city and possible local lockdowns for controlling new Covid19 outbreaks, let’s just clarify who is allowed to visit Spain in 2021 and the documents you need to hand in on arrival.

➤ Where can I travel to Spain from this summer 2021? Spain to allow all vaccinated travellers from around the world to visit from June 7th

Until recently the only ones allowed to travel to Spain were countries in the European Union, in the Schengen Area, or from another country which has a reciprocal agreement with Spain for accepting travellers. These countries are Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand and Uruguay.

But things have changed! As the tourist season prepares to kick off, this agreement puts an end to the decision to close the EU’s external borders to “non-essential” travel taken in March 2020.

Spain will allow tourists from anywhere in the world, as long as they have received the necessary doses (one or two) of anti-Covid vaccines authorized at European level. That is, only the products offered by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Don’t forget that certain countries can still establish restrictions or quarantine periods on people arriving from Spain. In addition, the health crisis may temporarily modify the reciprocal agreements for accepting visitors. We recommend always checking the requirements and recommendations of your home country.

For this purpose the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps this map updated, allowing you to check the travel restrictions visually.

➤ Will Spain be open in June, July, August & September 2021? Will Spain let tourists in? From which countries?

Yes! Spain will be open in this summer for anyone who is vaccinated plus all tourist coming from European Union members, but also tourists coming from Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. The reciprocity principle is maintained for citizens of Algeria, China, and Morocco.

This summer, the Spanish Goverment will allow anyone who is fully vaccined in from 7th June! So Americans, British, Australians, Latin American and Asian people, Spain welcomes you again in 2021!

➤ COVID19 travel documents: Compulsory form or PCR required?

If you are wondering if you need to do any paperwork before travelling to Spain the answer is YES. There are three essential steps prior to your trip that you need to verify:

  • In all cases, you must show your health control form (HCF). The form must be completed and signed electronically before your arrival in Spain. You can access the form and sign it via the Spain Travel Health website or app. After you sign it you will receive a QR code which must be presented upon arrival in Spain (it is only valid in digital formats. However, for justifiable reasons it may be presented in paper format before embarking). Remember that you must fill in a separate form for each trip and each person.
  • If you are travelling from a high-risk country or area, you must provide a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours prior to your arrival in Spain. In the event of not having done the PCR test, you will be liable to a fine and a test being carried out at the airport upon arrival.
  • If you are travelling to the Canary Islands must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours earlier in order to stay in any accommodation establishment on the islands. If you are travelling from a high-risk country or area, a negative PCR test presented upon arrival in Spain will be valid. These procedures are mandatory for any passenger arriving in Spain by air or sea

➤ COVID19 Digital Green Certificate: Spain will not require tests or quarantines for those with ‘vaccine passports’

The European Commission is working to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Digital Green Certificate will be proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19. It will be available, free of charge, in digital or paper format. It will include a QR code to ensure the security and authenticity of the certificate. 

The European Union’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ is due to come into force in late June.

➤ Travelling from the UK to Spain without COVID-19 test or vaccine is now possible

Travelers from the United Kingdom will be able to freely enter Spain from Monday 24th May 2020, with no restrictions and no coronavirus test. This means:

  • Non-essential travel to Spain from UK is allowed
  • No PCR test
  • No quarantine
  • Health Control Form required

Spain is still negotiating with the European Commission to allow the entry of travelers in the EU without COVID-19 testing – even if they are not vaccinated – from countries with low incidence. United States, Latin American and Asian countries would also benefit from this change if they manage to be within the parameters of cumulative incidence that are considered as non-risk.

In addition, while they reduce the incidence, those immunized or with a negative test would already be allowed to travel for tourism, but the negotiation is still ongoing.

➤ Are there any healthcare checks on entry to Spain?

Yes. All travellers arriving in Spain by air or sea will go through a health check. This check may include having their temperature taken, checking their documents, and a visual examination of the passenger’s state of health.

2. Things to know before travelling to Spain in 2021

Coronavirus has changed our lives and the way we used to travel too. Nobody was wondering if it was safe to travel to Spain before COVID-19, it was a fact. However, after being one of the most affected countries in Europe, you might wonder if it is actually safe to travel to Spain this summer or even this year 2021.

We have been closely following the numbers of Coronavirus in Spain, city to city, updating this article with the latest news every single day. Now, we have filtered and summarized all that info for you to have a good overview of the current COVID-19 status, lockdown easing rules and other things to know before visiting Spain in Coronavirus times.

➤ Updated number & map of Coronavirus cases in Spain

As of May 17th, 2021, the total number of Coronavirus confirmed cases in Spain is 3.615.860 of which 79.339 are deceased according to Spanish National Health Authorities.

You can always check the most updated number of Coronavirus confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and many interesting graphs in the official web of the Spanish Ministry of Health. Another good source is Worldometers where you can find the COVID-19 real-time situation in the World.

Covid 19 regulations map
Screenshot of the Interactive Spain COVID19 Regulations Map by RTVE

➤ Can I safely travel between different parts of Spain?

YES! Finally, on May 9th, 2021 the “State of Alarm” or National Lockdown rules came to so we are FREE TO MOVE from region to region. However, some rare perimeter confinements of some specific regions or towns can happen, so always check the updated, interactive COVID-19 restrictions map above to be sure.

Public transportation services have recovered all their connections. Another good choice, if you want to travel around Spain at your own pace, is to make a road trip within your region with your own car or a rental one.

But still, if you are not ready to travel across Spain yet or you had to postpone your trip, have a look at our new post to discover top Spanish sights FREE virtual tours and other useful apps to virtually travel the country from the comfort of your home!

Also, if you want to gather more info about how, when and where to travel safely after the Coronavirus outbreak is over check this other post.

➤ Mandatory use of face masks in public spaces in Spain

From May 21st,2020, the use of face masks is compulsory in all public spaces – open and closed – where social distancing cannot be respected. Face masks must be worn in the “public street, in open-air spaces and any closed space that is for public use or that is open to the public, where it is not possible to maintain [an interpersonal] distance” of 2 meters.

The obligatory use of face masks applies to everyone over the age of six and will be over once the 70% of the Spanish population has received the COVID-19 Vaccine. People that can’t wear masks for health reasons, respiratory problems or disability are exempt. Face masks are also not obligatory while doing heavy exercise.

Now, with more people on the streets, the risk of contagion grows so it’s essential to protect ourselves. Buy your mask now and avoid contagion or a 100 € fine!

3. Is it SAFE TO TRAVEL to Spain right now? CITY TO CITY updated status

Since international tourism is allowed in Spain from July 1st, 2020 and travel bans are lifted, we could say that it is officially safe to travel to Spain in 2021. However, do we recommend it? It depends on the city, region or province you want to visit in Spain as COVID-19 expansion is not affecting all of them the same way. That is why we are going to analyse the current status city to city:

  1. Barcelona
  2. Madrid
  3. Mallorca and Balearic Islands
  4. Canary Islands
  5. Valencia
  6. Malaga
  7. Seville
  8. Granada

➤ Is it safe to travel to BARCELONA, Catalonia, right now?

Coronavirus in Barcelona: cases, restrictions and safe travel

If you have some doubts about safe travelling to Spain because of Coronavirus, let’s go on with the second most inhabited city in Spain. So, is Barcelona safe to travel after COVID-19 outbreak?

– Main general restrictions in Barcelona and Catalonia due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Barcelona City Council in their official website.

– Main monuments in Barcelona: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

You can now enjoy the most important sights in Barcelona which are open-air!

Regarding closed spaces, Barcelona is a cultural pole in Spain – apart from its museums, here we can visit the architectural jewels from Gaudí. Barcelona’s main monuments reopening situation after Coronavirus is the following:

  • Sagrada Familia: Sagrada Familia is finally open. Hurry up, and get your online ticket to enjoy this monument with no crowds!
  • Casa Mila (La Pedrera): You can now book your visit and ask for a refund later if you finally have to change your plans. Buy your tickets to La Pedrera, you can’t miss it!
  • Casa Batlló: Open as well! Don’t miss this chance and book your visit to Casa Batlló to enjoy this architectural marvel less crowded than ever!

– So… is it safe to travel to Barcelona, Catalonia, right now?

Since most travel bans are lifted and the COVID-19 situation in Catalonia has improved a lot with the vaccination progress, we could say that it is safe to travel to Barcelona at the moment. so we would recommend visiting Barcelona right now or later on this summer 2021.

If you are travelling there, bear in mind that Barcelona is a big city, so you need to use common sense and take more precautions, like avoiding public transport when possible, than if you choose to have your Spanish holidays in any Catalonian village or little coastal town.

Remember, you can start getting ready for safe travel to Barcelona, Spain, in 2021 with our free resources for a Barcelona Virtual Tour, where you can choose to tour the city on foot or by helicopter and enter Gaudi’s Casa Milá or even Sagrada Familia!

However, if you want a more interactive virtual trip, check out these amazing live virtual tours with an experienced guide to discover all about Gaudí, the best of Barcelona or the legends and essence of Catalonia region.

In conclusion, due to the current situation in Barcelona and Catalonia, we can advise travelling there

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Barcelona airport to the center, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!

➤ Is it safe to travel to MADRID right now?

Coronavirus in Madrid: cases, restrictions and safe travel

When talking about safe travelling to Spain due to the Coronavirus situation, we should start talking about the main focus. Madrid region is the one that concentrates most of the COVID-19 Spanish cases. So, is Madrid safe to travel to in 2021?

– Main general restrictions in Madrid due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Madrid City Council on their official website.

– Main monuments in Madrid: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

Madrid’s main monuments and museums are open. You can already book your visit to El Prado Museum, which has reopened after the Coronavirus outbreak with an amazing exhibition with their best masterpieces.

Other museums that are open and you cannot miss in your visit to Madrid is the Reina Sofia Modern Art Museum, where you can see the famous “Guernica” by Picasso, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, that offers a unique survey of the history of art from the 13th to the late 20th centuries.

– So… is it safe to travel to Madrid at the moment?

After being the city with the biggest number of COVID-19 cases in Spain (also because it is the most populated one), the worst days are fading away thanks to the vaccination progress so, although it is safer to avoid any non-essential travel, we could still advise travelling to Madrid right now or in 2021 summer.

If you decide or need to travel to Madrid during the Covid19 pandemic, bear in mind that it is the biggest city in Spain and you need to use common sense and take more precautions, like avoiding public transport and small closed spaces when possible.

Remember, you can start getting ready for your trip to Madrid, Spain, with our free Madrid Virtual Tour, where you can walk around the city and even enter some museums!

We advise travelling to Madrid right now or in 2021

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Madrid airport to the center or vice versa, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!

➤ Is it safe to travel to MAJORCA and BALEARIC ISLANDS right now?

Coronavirus in Majorca, Balearic Islands: cases, restrictions and safe travel

If you are wondering if it is still safe to travel to Spain in times of Coronavirus, and more specifically to Mallorca, you should know that the Balearic Islands were one of the first territories to reopen to tourism as Coronavirus hasn’t spread as much as in other Spanish regions, thanks to their insular nature.

– Main general restrictions in Majorca due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Majorca City Council on their official website.

– Main sights in Majorca: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

Most important sights in Mallorca are open-air: the Capital City of Palma of Mallorca, the Puerto Portals, the Soller’s Seaside, The Port Town of Pollenca… and best of all, its fabulous beaches! You can now enjoy them all and practise water sports, go on a catamaran ride for sunset and dinner or have a panoramic tour of Palma de Mallorca by boat!

Regarding main touristic closed spaces, like museums and monuments in Mallorca, the situation due to Coronavirus is the following:

  • Mallorca Cathedral: It is already open after Coronavirus for Holy celebrations. For cultural visits, it will be open from July probably. You can already get your ticket online.
  • Drach Caves: This amazing Caves are still closed because, as you can understand, the air circulation is more difficult. Keep an eye on their official web and make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time once they reopen.

– So… is it safe to travel to Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza or Formentera) right now?

Mallorca and Balearic Islands have been one of the first territories to reopen as the Coronavirus spread is limited by the island size that allows less mobility and it is now one of the safest places to go on holiday in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In conclusion, we definitely advise visiting Majorca and Balearic Islands

Remember, you can start getting ready for your summer in the Balearic Islands with our free Spain Virtual Tour. Have a look!

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Mallorca airport to the center, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!

➤ Is it safe to travel to the CANARY ISLANDS this winter / spring?

Coronavirus in Canary Islands: cases, restrictions and safe travel

Are the Canary Islands safe to travel to after Coronavirus outbreak? You should know that the Canary Islands are one of the first territories to reopen to tourism as they are an island complex where Coronavirus had a hard time spreading.

– Main general restrictions in the Canary Islands due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Canary islands City Council on their official website.

– Main sights in the Canary Islands: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

Most popular places in the Canary Islands are open-air like Teide Vulcano National Park in Tenerife, the Timanfaya National Park at Lanzarote, the beaches of the islands, the cities of Santa Cruz of Tenerife and Las Palmas…and they are all open!!

Apart from that, you will find many open-air super famous attractions in Tenerife, like the amazing Loro Park or the Siam Water Park, the best water park in the world according to Tripadvisor!

– So… is it safe to travel to the Canary Islands, Las Palmas or Tenerife right now?

Since there are still some travel restrictions due to the Coronavirus situation, you need to use common sense and evaluate how the COVID-19 develops. But still, the Canary Islands were one of the first territories to reopen because the Coronavirus spread has been limited thanks to being a complex of Islands. Definitely, one of the safest places to travel to in Spain for your summer holidays.

If you still can’t visit the Canary Islands in person, you can always try our free Spain Virtual Tour, where you will find different resources to tour around Spain on foot or even by helicopter. Also, you will find some official virtual tours of the most prestigious monuments and museums in Spain!

In conclusion, we advise visiting the Canary Islands in 2021

➤ Is it safe to travel to VALENCIA right now?

Coronavirus in Valencia: cases, restrictions and safe travel

If you are thinking about Valencia for a safe holiday in Spain during Coronavirus pandemic, you should know that Valencia itself is quite a big city (around 800.000 inhabitants), but along the Valencia region, you can find many little coastal towns which might be a good option for a quiet holiday by the Mediterranean sea.

– Main general restrictions in Valencia due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Valencia City Council on their official website.

– Main monuments in Valencia: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

Most important sights in Valencia are open-air and they have all reopened, like La Malvarrosa Beach and River Turia Gardens, so you can now them all.

Regarding touristic closed spaces, the most famous museum complex in Valencia is the City of Arts and Sciences, and it’s open too. It occupies a huge open space in which some of the museums appear as landmarks: L’Hemisfèric, Science Museum, L’Umbracle, L’Oceanogràfic…book your visit now with free cancellation up to 1 day in advance and enjoy and enjoy this amazing space with fewer people!

– So… is it safe to travel to Valencia right now?

As of May 17th, 2021, Valencia’s region is the one with a lower Coronavirus cumulative incidence in Spain so we could say it is safe to travel to Valencia at the moment.

In conclusion, we can advise visiting Valencia right now

Remember, you can start getting ready for safe travel to Valencia, Spain, once the time comes, with our free Valencia Virtual Tour.

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Valencia to the center, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!

➤ Is it safe to travel to MALAGA or Costa del Sol this summer 2021?

Coronavirus in Malaga: cases, restrictions and safe travel

The confirmed cases in the region of Andalusia are 12,668 in all the provinces of the region. There have been 1,404 deaths while 10,671 people have recovered. This represents the lowest rate of Coronavirus impact for every 100.000 inhabitants in Spain! Being the most populated region in Spain, Andalusia has been one of the less affected areas so it is an ideal place to consider if you want to have a safe trip to Spain.

– Main general restrictions in Malaga due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Malaga City Council on their official website.

– Main monuments in Malaga: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

A lot of important sights in Malaga are open-air and they are now open! You can visit La Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, Roman Theater, Malaga Bullring, The Botanical Gardens, and Paseo del Parque Tropical Park.

Regarding closed spaces, Malaga is a cultural hub for art in Spain with more than 35 museums. The situation due to Coronavirus is the following:

– So… is it safe to travel to Malaga or Costa del Sol right now?

Beach bars and hotels are open with strict safety measures. Most of the city museums have reopened and active tourism is allowed! Open-air activities like relaxing at the beach or discovering the amazing hikes in the Mountains of Malaga or Caminito del Rey are already allowed. And with no crowds!

If you want to have a safe holiday in Spain in 2021, I would highly recommend to travel to Malaga, as the impact of COVID-19 in that area is one of the lowest in Spain and everything is open. Besides, Malaga is not a big city and it’s a perfect point to visit other natural jewels or small villages in the province. You can check our TOP 10 places to visit near Málaga if you prefer to escape the city after Coronavirus lockdown.

You can start getting ready for your trip with our Ultimate Malaga Travel Guide: Everything you need to know before visiting. Take a look at our Malaga in 1 Day or Malaga in 2 Days posts to make the most of your time there! Or use our free Malaga Virtual Tour to get familiar with the city, enter Picasso Museum, have a virtual hike at El Caminito del Rey or discover the famous Nerja Caves!

In conclusion, we advise visiting Malaga

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Malaga airport to the Old Town, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!

➤ Is it safe to travel to SEVILLE, Andalusia, in 2021?

Coronavirus in Seville: cases, restrictions and safe travel

After reviewing the Coronavirus situation in Malaga, let’s continue with another major Andalusian city, Seville, which can also be a good option to enjoy a safe travel and spring or summer holidays in Spain this year.

– Main general restrictions in Seville due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Seville City Council on their official website.

– Main monuments in Seville: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

As in many other cities, there are a lot of important open-air sights in Sevilla that you could enjoy. Regarding main touristic closed spaces, like museums and monuments, the situation due to Coronavirus is the following:

  • Real Alcázar de Sevilla: reopened on 15th June 2020 after the COVID-19 Lockdown. You can already buy your ticket to make sure you get to visit this magical Arab palace.
  • Seville Cathedral and La Giralda: reopened for tourist on 1st July after Coronavirus crisis. The advice on their official site is to buy your ticket online and wear your face mask during your visit.

– So… is it safe to travel to Seville right now?

Considering the good epidemiological situation of Seville province and that international tourism has been allowed in Spain from July 1st, 2020 by the health authorities, we think it is safe to travel to Seville for your 2021 winter or spring holidays.

Besides, Sevilla is a great choice for walking or rent a bike instead of taking the bus/metro and it offers a perfect position for surrounding open-air sites, like the Roman Ruins of Italica, the beautiful Cadiz Coastline or the White Villages!

Remember, you can start getting ready for safe travel to Seville, Spain, in 2021 with our free Seville Virtual Tour. You can choose to tour the city on foot or by helicopter and enter Seville Cathedral, the Royal Alcazar or even go for a virtual walk around Plaza de España!

In conclusion, we advise visiting Seville

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Seville airport to the center, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!

➤ Coronavirus: Is it safe to travel to GRANADA, Andalucia, right now?

Coronavirus in Granada: cases, restrictions and safe travel

Let’s examine the situation in Granada due to Coronavirus.

– Main general restrictions in Granada due to Coronavirus

You can check the latest measures against Coronavirus and updates taken by the Granada City Council on their official website.

– Main monuments in Granada: open, closed or with restrictions due to COVID-19?

As in many other cities, there are a lot of important open-air sights in Granada that you can enjoy. Now you can wander around Granada Old Town, Albaicin and its viewpoints, Realejo Neighbourhood, Paseo de Los Tristes or the Alhambra surroundings.

Regarding main touristic closed spaces, like museums and monuments, the situation due to Coronavirus is the following:

  • Alhambra and Generalife: The most visited monument in Spain is open! Make sure to book your tickets in advance as there will be limited spots and many people looking forward to visiting these architectural jewels.
  • Granada Cathedral: is open for tourists and for Holy Mass too!

– So… is it safe to travel to Granada at the moment?

Considering the good epidemiological situation of Granada province and that international tourism has been allowed in Spain from July 1st by the health authorities, we think it is safe to travel to Granada for your summer holidays this year after the Coronavirus outbreak.

Granada could be a great option to consider for a safe summer holiday in Spain this year. So if you decide to visit this wonderful city after the lockdown is over, you could start getting ready for your trip with our Granada Travel Guide: 10 Things to know before visiting. Also, take a look at our Granada in One Day post to make the most of your time there!

Remember, you can start getting ready for safe travel to Granada, Spain with our free Granada Virtual Tour, where you can choose to tour the city on foot or by helicopter or even enter the Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens!

In conclusion, we advise visiting Granada

EXTRA TIP: If you are wondering which is the safest way to get from Granada airport to the center, we suggest you use Welcome Pickups airport transfer service, as their local drivers have a strict policy regarding coronavirus. Check the details below!


What do you think of the current Spanish COVID19 situation? Would you consider Spain as a safe destination to travel to? Which city or region in Spain would you choose for your post-COVID19 Lockdown holidays?

We hope to have made the Coronavirus outbreak in Spain a bit easier for you to understand with the most updated info about new cases, expansion and New Normal rules in each region.

Don’t forget Oh My Good Guide team is here to help you solve any possible doubt you may have. Just leave a comment below and share your opinion and insights! Subscribe to our newsletter to stay tuned!

Have a safe travel to Spain right now, this winter, spring or whenever 💚

Visiting a Spanish-speaking country soon? Whether you’re going to Spain or Latin America you will need to know some useful Spanish phrases for travelers to survive! But not only, the more Spanish you know, the better you will integrate with locals, and that will make you have a more authentic experience!

Don’t worry! Oh My Good Guide is here to help you! Although each Spanish-speaking country has its different accents and slang terms, in our Survival Spanish Guide you will find the most useful Spanish phrases for travelers to learn before traveling to Spain or Latin America. Also, I would like to share with you our new post with lots of useful tips and free apps you can use to learn Spanish from home 👉 How to learn a new Language on your own at home!

That being said, let’s start with our Survival Spanish for beginners adventure:

1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF IN SPANISH: Must-know Spanish phrases for travelers to meet locals

Handshaking and introducing yourself

First things first! If you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking country and want to mix up with locals, learn these useful Spanish phrases to introduce yourself and start making friends:

– How to Introduce Yourself and Get to Know others:

  • Hola – Hi/Hello
  • Buenos días – Good day/Good morning
  • Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
  • Buenas noches – Good evening/Good night
  • Adiós – Goodbye
  • Hasta luego – See you later
  • Hasta mañana – See you tomorrow
  • ¿Qué tal? – What`s up? (how are you?)
  • ¿Qué pasa? – What`s up? (what’s happening?)
  • ¿Cómo estás? – How are you? (familiar)
  • ¿Cómo está? – How are you? (formal)
  • Bien gracias – Fine, thank you
  • ¿Cómo te llamas? – What is your name (familiar)
  • ¿Cómo se llama? – What is your name (formal)
  • Me llamo… – I am called…
  • Mi nombre es… – My name is…
  • Soy… – I am …
  • ¿Cuántos años tienes? – How old are you? (familiar)
  • ¿Cuántos años tiene? – How old are you? (formal)
  • Tengo … años – I am …. years old
  • ¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from? (familiar)
  • ¿De dónde es? – Where are you from? (formal)
  • Soy de…. – I am from
  • ¿Adónde vives? – Where do you live? (familiar) 
  • ¿Adónde vive? – Where do you live? (formal)
  • Vivo en… – I live in
  • cerca de … – near
  • lejos de… – far from
  • Conozco …. – I know … (place or person)

– Occupations and interests useful phrases

  • ¿En qué trabajas? – What job do you do?
  • Soy… – I am…
  • ¿Cuales son tus intereses? – What are your interests?
  • ¿Qué te gusta hacer en el tiempo libre/el tiempo de ocio? – What do you like to do in your spare time?
  • Me gusta… – I like to…
  • Ir al cine – go to the cinema
  • Tomar una copa con mis amigos – go for a drink with my drinks
  • Ver la televisión – watch T.V.
  • Escuchar música – listen to music
  • Leer – read
  • Ir de compras – go shopping
  • Ir a la playa – go to the beach
  • ¿Te gusta el deporte? – Do you like sport?
  • ¿Juegas al fútbol o al baloncesto? – Do you play football or basket?
  • ¿Tocas algún instrumento? – Do you play some instrument?

2. GETTING AROUND IN SPANISH: Question words, places and directions

Exploring a map in the middle of city

Now it is time to get around and discover the area! One of the best ways to learn a language is to visit the country, in this case, Spain. Have a look at our tips to plan your language-learning holiday:

DISCOUNTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

✈️ Find the cheapest flights, train or bus tickets here.

🛏️ Get up to 15% discount on your hotel by booking here.

🏛️ Book the best tours and activities here.

🚗 Compare and rent a car at the best price here or hire your transfer here.

📖 Get your Spain travel guide here.

💚 Book your travel insurance here.

If you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking country and want to move around like locals do, use public transport, and find the main monuments without getting lost, you should learn these useful Spanish phrases for travelers to start your holiday the right way:

– Question words in Spanish

  • ¿Qué…? – what?
  • ¿Cómo…? – how?
  • ¿Cuándo…? – when?
  • ¿Dónde…? – where?
  • ¿Quién…? – who?
  • ¿Por qué…? – why?
  • ¿Cuál? – which?

– Asking for directions useful phrases

  • Me gustaría – I would like
  • Quiero – I want
  • Necesito – I need
  • ¿Dónde queda…? – Where is…?
  • Qué significa (subject)…? – What does…(subject).. mean?
  • ¿Como llego a..? – How do I get to…?
  • Quiero ir de compras. – I want to go shopping.
  • Busco un hotel – I’m looking for a hotel
  • ¿A qué distancia está ..? – How far is the…
  • ¿Por dónde se va a…? – Which is the way to go to…
  • A la derecha – To the right
  • A la izquierda – To the left
  • Todo recto – Straight ahead
  • En la esquina – At the corner
  • A una manzana – One block away
  • Al Norte/Sur/Este/Oeste – To the North/South/East/West

– Places in Spanish

  • El aeropuerto – Airport
  • El banco – Bank
  • La biblioteca  – Library
  • La cafetería – Café
  • El hotel – Hotel
  • La terminal – Terminal
  • La estación de ferrocarril – Railway station
  • La estación de autobús – Bus station
  • El estadio – stadium
  • La farmacia – Pharmacy
  • La gasolinera – Petrol station
  • El hospital – Hospital
  • La librería – Bookshop
  • El mercado – Market
  • El museo – Museum
  • La parada de autobús – Bus stop
  • La policía – Police station 
  • El restaurante – Restaurant
  • La tienda – Shop, store.
  • El Centro Comercial – shopping centre

3. AT THE AIRPORT: Spanish Useful Phrases for Travelers on Arrival

Useful phrases for travelers on arrival

Let’s hope you have a smooth flight to Spain or Latin America and a nice welcome! To help a bit with that, it’s always good to know some useful phrases in Spanish for travelers to get around in the airport:

  • Where is baggage claim? – ¿Dónde está el reclamo de equipaje?
  • Mis maletas están perdidas. – My suitcases are lost
  • ¿Dónde está la parada de taxis / autobús? – Where is the taxi / bus stop?
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete de ida y vuelta? – How much does a round trip ticket cost?
  • ¿A qué hora llegamos? – When do we arrive?
  • ¿Cuándo sale el vuelo? – When does the flight leave?

4. AT THE BUS / TRAIN STATION: Most useful Spanish phrases for travelers

Useful phrases for travelers on train

If you are changing cities or making some day trips using public transport, you will need to know some of the most useful phrases in Spanish to ensure having a nice train or bus ride:

  • la estación de trenes – the train station
  • la estación de autobuses – the bus station
  • un billete de ida y vuelta a … – a return ticket to …
  • un billete de ida a … – a single/one-way ticket to …
  • una litera – a couchette
  • primera / segunda clase – first / second class
  • ¿A qué hora …? – What time …?
  • ¿A qué hora llega? – What time does it arrive?
  • ¿A qué hora sale? – What time does it leave?
  • ¿De qué andén sale? – What platform does it leave from?

5. AT THE BAR / RESTAURANT: Common phrases to Order in Spanish like a local!

Comon and useful phrases to use on a bar and restaurant

This is definitely my favorite part! Restaurants are the best place to immerse in the local gastronomy and tapas bars are definitely the best choice to make some local friends and practice your Survival Spanish. Take a look at these must-know Spanish phrases for travelers trying to have a nice gastro experience.

Remember: if you are coming to Spain, especially to Andalusia, count on us for the best local gastro experience! Join our Tapas and Wine tours in Malaga or Granada!

– La reserva / The reservation

  • Quiero reservar una mesa para tres personas – I would like to order a table for three people
  • A qué nombre?- In what name?
  • He reservado un mesa nombre de Paul – I have reserved a table in the name of Paul
  • ¿Tiene usted una mesa para cuatro personas? – Do you have a table for four people?

– A la mesa / At the table

  • Quiero/quisiera/me gustaría- I would like
  • Quiero ver el menú, por favor- I would like to see the menu, please
  • ¿Qué nos recomienda?- What would you recommend?
  • El menu del día es – The set menu of the day is
  • ¿Han decidido?- Have you decided?
  • Me gustaría pedir… – I`d like to order…  
  • ¿Con qué esta servido/acompañado?- What does it come with?
  • ¿Qué sabores hay?- What flavours are there?
  • Lo siento, no tenemos- I`m sorry but we don`t have
  • Soy alérgico – I’m allergic
  • Soy vegetariano – I’m vegetarian
  • Soy vegano – I’m vegan
  • Buen provecho – Enjoy your meal
  • Salud – Cheers!

– Baños / Toilets

  • Dónde estan los baños? – Where is the toilet?
  • Los baños estan al fondo a la izquierda – The toilets are at the back on the left

– Pago / Payment

  • La cuenta, por favor – Can we have the bill please?   
  • ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito? – Do you accept credit cards?
  • ¿Dejamos propina? – Should we leave a tip?

– Quejas / Complaints: most recurrent phrases in Spanish

  • Necesitamos otro tenedor/cuchara/cuchillo- We need another fork/knife/spoon
  • Pedí hace treinta minutos – I ordered 30 minutes ago
  • No es lo que pedí – That’s not what I ordered
  • Quisiéramos azúcar/sal/pimienta – We would like sugar/salt/pepper
  • La carne esta demasiado hecha – The meat is overdone
  • Este vaso es sucio- This glass is dirty
  • Pienso que hay un error en la cuenta- I think there is an error in the bill

– Other useful Spanish vocabulary to talk about Food

  • Desayuno – Breakfast
  • Almuerzo / comida – Lunch
  • Cena – Dinner
  • Primer plato- Starter
  • Plato principal – Main course
  • Postre- Desert
  • Bebida- Drink
  • Vino (tinto/blanco) – Wine (red/wine)
  • Un vaso de agua – A glass of water 
  • Tortilla – Spanish omelette
  • Cerveza – Beer
  • Tomar-To take  –  Ex. Voy a tomar una copita – I`m going for a drink
  • Comer-To eat    –  Ex. Come jamón – He/she eats iberian ham
  • Beber-To drink  –  Ex. Bebemos vino-We drink wine
  • Está caliente / frío / delicioso / picante – It is hot / cold / delicious / spicy

6. AT THE HOTEL: Most useful Spanish phrases for travel

Really useful phrases to use on a hotel

I am sure that having a wonderful stay is a really important part of your travel to Spain or Latin America, so let’s work a bit on Spanish vocabulary and useful phrases for travelers regarding accommodation:

– Useful Spanish phrases for travelers: Hotel / Appartment stay

  • ¿Tiene alguna habitación disponible? – Are there any rooms available?
  • Lo siento, el hotel está completo. – No, I`m sorry. The hotel is full
  • ¿Qué tipo de habitación desea? – What type of room would you like?
  • Quisiera una habitación individual / doble con… – I would like a single / double room with…
    un balcón – a balcony
    vistas al mar – a sea-view
    una cama matrimonial – a double bed
    dos camas – two beds
  • He reservado una habitación a nombre de Paul – I reserved a room in the name of Paul  
  • ¿Para cuántas noches? – For how many nights?
  • Voy a quedarme una noche / semana – I will be staying for one night / week
  • ¿A qué hora se sirve el desayuno / cena? – When is breakfast / dinner served?
  • ¿A qué hora abre la piscina? – What time does the swimming pool open?

– Complaints and Problems

  • There are no towels in my room – No hay toallas en mi habitación.
  • I have lost the key to my room – He perdido la llave de mi habitación.
  • We would like to change rooms, please – Quisiéramos cambiar de habitación, por favor.
  • The air conditioning / heating is not working – No funciona el aire acondicionado / calefacción.
  • The lift is not working – No funciona el ascensor.
  • I`ve broken the lamp- He roto la lámpara.
  • There is no hot water – No hay agua caliente.
  • The room is dirty- La habitación está sucia

7. EMERGENCY SPANISH: Most common Spanish phrases for travelers in trouble!

Most Common SPanish phrases in case of emergency

Let’s hope you don’t need to use any of these but, better safe than sorry! Let’s learn some useful Spanish phrases for travellers in trouble in case you need to ask for some help during your travel to Spain or Latin America:

  • ¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?
  • Necesito ayuda – I need help
  • ¡Ayuda! – Help!
  • Estoy perdido – I’m lost
  • ¡Llame a la policia! – Call the police!
  • ¡Llame una ambulancia!  – Call an ambulance!

I hope you found our Survival Spanish Guide for Travelers useful and you have learned some more Spanish basic vocabulary with us. Share below the next destination where you are going to put all these Spanish useful phrases for travelers into practice!

And don’t forget, if you are coming to Andalucia, and more specifically to Malaga, get a private Spanish class with me! I will totally adapt to your level and needs and will show you everything you need to know for your holiday

For more Spanish knowledge, subscribe to our newsletter: I’m sure you will love it!

Hasta luego!

Planning to visit Spain? Maybe Andalusia? Sun, beach, good food, nice cities…there is so much to see and do here that you might need some help! To make your planning and stay easier, we have selected the best travel apps for your Spain holiday: from buying bus or train tickets to picking a beach, avoiding jellyfish or choosing the best restaurant for you.

So… let’s go for it! But first, let us give you some additional tips to plan your holiday in Spain:

DISCOUNTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

✈️ Find the cheapest flights, train or bus tickets here.

🛏️ Get up to 15% discount on your hotel by booking here.

🏛️ Book the best tours and activities here.

🚗 Compare and rent a car at the best price here or hire your transfer here.

📖 Get your Spain travel guide here.

💚 Book your travel insurance here.

Maps and GPS travel apps for your vacation in Spain

MAPS.ME: a good alternative to Google Maps when you have no data connection!

Maps.me is the absolute best offline map app! You won’t need Internet, all it needs is your phone’s GPS! Users without a data connection can still use the app for turn by turn directions, which is great for those that do not want to spend mobile data.

There is the option to download traffic information which is color-coded on the streets like on Google Maps. The discover nearby feature shows a well-organized list of interesting places to visit close to your current location. Truly amazing to discover Spain and never get lost!

WAZE: best app for drivers in Spain

One of the best travel apps for your Spain holiday if you are planning a road trip and need a good GPS. With this app you can always know what’s happening on the road: radars, speed limits, traffic, construction, police, crashes, and much more in real-time. If traffic is bad on your route, Waze will change it to save you time.

Communication: Messages and translation apps to immerse in Spanish society!

WHATSAPP: the most used messages app in Spain

One of the most popular communication Apps in Spain is WhatsApp. Everybody uses it here. You never hear anybody saying “send me a text” or an SMS. It’s always “send me a WhatsApp”. It’s great for texting, making phone calls, sending voicemails, and sending videos and photos and you can even use it on your desktop as long as your mobile phone is nearby.

GOOGLE TRANSLATE: quick and easy translation app!

It’s still the best free translation app out there, free and quick. It is great for short phrases and single words or for those moments when you are sitting in front of a menu in a language you don’t understand and haven’t a clue what is on offer. All you need to do is hold your phone or tablet over the text you want to translate and up pops the translation! Sometimes the translations are not perfect, but for holiday purposes it works!

Best travel apps for your Spain holiday: Transportation

Best apps for holiday in spain

OMIO: All in one – flights, train and bus tickets in Spain

Hassle-free booking so you can spend more time getting excited about your trip! Omio, formerly known as GoEuro, is an ingenious travel search engine and booking app that allows you to select flights, trains and buses with more than 80,000 destinations in various European countries. This includes not only popular cities and airports, but also small towns with trains and buses.

Best of all, Omio gives you information on what are the cheapest and fastest options. Not only do you save a lot of time searching the Internet, but also that of flights and trains, by selecting the optimal and cheapest trips. They work with more than 800 trusted transport partners all over Europe, like Alsa (the Spanish national bus company) or Renfe (the national train company).

BLABLACAR: car-shared travel in Spain!

Thanks to Blablacar I have been able to travel all across Spain on a budget. Drivers are people like you and me, not professional but really experienced. You can see their profile and reviews from previous rides. It is cheaper than a bus or train ticket and it gets to some hidden or remote places where buses or trains don’t. You can see part of the country and the views while you get to meet locals! Depending on which cities or towns you’re traveling between, you can even pick who you want to take the trip with. Totally safe and definitely recommended.

Best travel apps for your Spain holiday: Eating and getting around

TRIPOSO: the most complete travel app for your Spain holiday

Similar to TripAdvisor but more user friendly and less bloated with ads about accommodation. It’s also fully equipped with features to let you find and book hotels, restaurants, activities and more. While flight booking isn’t included, that’s more than made up for by the fact that Triposo has guides for every city.

In addition, it has decent offline maps, directions from your location to searched points of interest and a lot of content in each city and town, while also including a currency converter and other features to make your trip as easy as possible. Definitely one of the best travel apps for your Spain holiday!

TRIPADVISOR: restaurant reviews, activities and much more!

TripAdvisor enables travelers to post reviews and photographs. Users can book hotels, flights, vacation rentals, restaurants directly from the site or the app. It will make your trip to Spain easier since the site has its own recommendations, too. One of the best travel apps of all times, worth downloading it for your Spain vacation!

HAPPYCOW: stay vegetarian or vegan in Spain

Absolutely the best travel apps for your Spain holiday if you are vegetarian or vegan! Spain is no paradise for herbivores. Ask for a vegetarian dish and you may get a salad with ham. So let HappyCow come to the rescue.

As the most popular online resource for traveling veggies, it lists local vegetarian or vegan restaurants. You can also search for restaurants that include plenty of options for veggies in their menus, even if they aren’t strictly vegetarian or vegan.

Best travel apps for your Spain holiday: Accommodation

AIRBNB: not only home rentals, also local experiences!

The best app to book home rentals is Airbnb. After entering your destination and dates, you can filter results based on the home type, price, requisite amenities and more. But not only! They also offer very interesting local experiences to discover the city! If you don’t have an account yet, you can get 34 € on your first booking on Airbnb by clicking here

BOOKING: best option to find a hotel deal for your Spain holiday

Find over 27 million hotels, motels, vacation rentals, apartments & more! Tried and tested, they have over 135 million verified guest reviews. You can filter by price, review score, WiFi quality and other things important to you. You will be able to make changes in your reservation later and even cancel for free on most rooms if you change your mind. Get 15 € back after your stay with Booking using this link!

Best travel apps for your Spain holiday: “Taxi” apps

UBER: the easiest way to find a ride back to your hotel.

Simple and easy to use. Sometimes more affordable than a taxi, but not always. The quality of the drive is guaranteed: The drivers are professional and polite and you can rate them afterwards. Uber is cashless. After opening the account, you will add your card. When the drive ends, the sum will be taken from your account and the receipt will be sent to your email. No cash, no change.

CABIFY: like Uber, but even better (only available in major cities)

Cabify is the Spanish version of Uber. Simply enter the pick up place and the destination. Since there is no cash payment, you will need to enter your card details or PayPal information, confirm the details, and check the price and wait time. You will then receive an email confirming your trip with a link to rate your driver.

I personally prefer Cabify because, unlike Uber, Cabify charges by distance traveled and the quickest routes are always chosen, so the price doesn’t change depending on traffic. They also offer free wifi in all the taxis (password: cabifymola), air conditioning, music and service for disabled people.

‎Best travel apps for your Spain holiday: Weather

ELTIEMPO.ES: 14-day weather forecast

The best weather forecast application in Spain, especially regarding beach weather during summer. You can easily access the hourly and 14-day weather forecast of more than 200,000 cities, airports, football stadiums, schools, beaches. Furthermore, it supports multiple languages.

Best money apps for travelling Spain on a budget

XE CURRENCY: the best exchange app

There is no shortage of currency apps out there, but XE is easy to use and available offline. It’s perfect for when you’re comparing prices in Spain with those back home and for making sure you’re getting a good rate when exchanging currencies from or to the euro.

TRICOUNT: share costs with your Spain travel mates

Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don’t have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip. Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount and the app splits everything evenly. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up at the end.

Beach and relax apps to enjoy your summer in Spain

Girl on the Beach having sunbath

BEST BEACH: choose the perfect beach for you

One of the best travel apps for your Spain holiday is Best Beach. Beautiful beaches are so abundant in Spain, particularly along the south coast, that it can be difficult to choose amongst them. Best Beach has information about more than 3,400 of the country’s world-class playas, it’ll help you find just the one for you.

INFOMEDUSA: avoid jellyfish on Spanish beaches

This is a must-have app for visiting Spain during the summer. Infomedusa provides jellyfish forecasts for 107 beaches along the Costa del Sol. The app is currently only available in Spanish but is quite straightforward to use. 

KINDLE: enjoy reading on your free time

If you’re travelling for a few weeks and don’t have or want to bring your Kindle, we recommend adding the Kindle App to your phone or tablet and purchasing a few inspiring and practical publications. It’s the lightest way to read guide books and fiction while on the move. 

Delivery apps in Spain: Anything you want within one hour!

GLOVO: the top delivery app in Spain!

Forgotten your swimsuit? In need of some high-factor sun scream, or a replacement for that just-finished holiday read? Spanish app Glovo can help you with that. The app promises to fetch whatever you want within your city and deliver it to you within the hour and I can assure you it does!

Best travel apps for your Spain holiday: Emergency apps!

HELP ME – SOS INTERNATIONAL: a lifesaver travel app for your Spain holiday

A free app available in 35 languages that allows you to call the emergency numbers of the police, ambulance or fire department in more than 200 regions. It is automatically configured with the language and emergency numbers of the country you are in and that it provides, through geolocation, the physical address or the GPS coordinates of the place the person is located. You can also send your position by SMS or email to your beloved ones.

So, this was our personal selection of the best travel apps to download when visiting Spain. Now it’s your turn! Tell us which is your favourite travel app and share your experience by leaving a comment below.

Would you like to get some more useful local and travel tips to visit Spain and spend a wonderful vacation? Go back to our blog home and find out all the posts about Spain we have written and of course, if you want to stay updated, SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter! 😀

In Spain, Easter holidays or festivities begin on Palm Sunday and last until Easter Sunday. The Holy Week ( Semana Santa) in Granada is well-known for the simplicity and beauty of its “pasos” (floats of thrones with religious icons), but also for the unique surroundings of the processions. 

Easter week is one of the most heartfelt and deep-rooted fiestas celebrated in Spain. This commemoration has centuries of history and tradition, remembering the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The streets of Granada become the stage for religious devotion, combining grief and meditation in memory of Christ’s death which music, art, and color come together in magical processions.

When is Holy Week in Granada in 2023?

As you already know the dates of Holy Week change every year and usually coincide with the first full moon of the spring equinox.

In 2023, Holy Week in Granada is celebrated from April 2 to 9.

Why is Granada Holy or Easter Week so famous?

People from Granada take their Holy Week very seriously, and the processions are quite spectacular. Each brotherhood has its own procession and is extremely proud of its own figures of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Most of the processions include two images or figures, one of Christ and the other is the Virgin Mary. Each float is decorated with fresh flowers, silver, and golden metalwork, wooden sculptures, and religious imagery. Depending on the size and preparation of the float the weight varies.

If you’ve never seen a Holy Week procession before, it can be quite breathtaking, so get ready for a unique experience!

If you are interested in coming to Granada during this period, or in any other, don’t miss the chance to experience one of our tours; discover the historical center of this beautiful city, its food, its traditions, its culture and, of course, all about Holy Week in Granada.

For more info click here👇👇👇

TOURS & EXPERIENCES

Also, have a look at our tips for your travel to Spain on Easter:

DISCOUNTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

✈️ Find the cheapest flights, train or bus tickets here.

🛏️ Get up to 15% discount on your hotel by booking here.

🏛️ Book the best tours and activities here.

🚗 Compare and rent a car at the best price here or hire your transfer here.

📖 Get your Spain travel guide here.

💚 Book your travel insurance here.

Holy Week in Granada: Processions and Dates

If you are planning to come to Spain for your Easter Holidays and don’t want to miss a thing about the Granada Holy Week, bookmark this post and take note of the following events and processions:

Palm Sunday in Granada: The little donkey!

Palm Sunday is the commemoration of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. According to the Gospel, the entrance was triumphant on the back of a donkey. The donkey is an animal that represents the humble spirit of Jesus Christ.

Palm Sunday

The most traditional procession during Holly week in Granada is La Borriquilla (little donkey) this leaves from the church of Perpetuo Socorro and goes along Calle Elvira. There are lots of children participating in this procession, they hold palm branches which have been treated and sculpted to form decorative shapes.

The procession takes place around 4 pm till 10:30 pm in Calle San Jeronimo.

Holy Monday in Granada: Sorrows

The Bible passages celebrate the Unction of Lazarus’ sisters to Jesus.

At 18.00 starts Los Dolores procession from San Pedro y San Pablo Church, in the Carrera del Darro. The departure is the most interesting moment of Los Dolores’s (Sorrows) procession.

Holy Tuesday: Granada Via Crucis

Holy Tuesday is the day when Jesus revealed to his disciples that one of them would have betrayed him.

One of the most interesting processions to visit on Holy Tuesday is the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). This procession is the homage to Jesus’ path with the Cross. The most interesting moment of the procession is the closure, at 23.30 pm in San Juan de Los Reyes Church, in the Albaicín.

Holy Wednesday: Cristo de Los Gitanos

The day of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal. It is one of the most interesting processions of Granada. Cristo de Los Gitanos at 16:30 pm in the Church of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, in Gran Vía. 

Maundy Thursday: The Albaicin big night!

The night of Maundy Thursday also is a magical night in the Albaycin In what is almost the same space you can find the popular flavor of the neighborhood’s three Virgins: the Virgen de la Concha, Estrella and Aurora.

Holy or Good Friday in Granada: Soledad or “Loneliness”

At nightfall on Good Friday the oldest Confraternity or Brotherhood (cofradía) of all, the Soledad de San Jerónimo procession takes to the streets in a thrilling procession in which real people represent historical figures from the Bible.

Holy Saturday: Alhambra surroundings

It is the day after Jesus’ death and before the Resurrection.

On Saturday only the Santa Maria de la Alhambra leaves the church and it has one float that the inspiration comes from the Lions Courtyard of the Alhambra Palace. 

Easter Sunday: Facundillos or “Lanterns”

Finally, Easter week in Granada culminates on Easter Sunday with the procession of the Los Facundillos in which children carry ceramic lanterns (Facundillos) that jingle as they walk along.

Holy Week in Granada: practicalities

How can I get to and around Granada at Easter time?

Holy Week processions disrupt the traffic and many roads are cut off temporarily while the processions pass, so bringing your car to Granada city center can be a nightmare. Use public transport wherever possible.

Easter makes Granada Old Town a crowded place and making your way around the streets can be difficult, so be patient and enjoy the show!

What happens if it rains during Holy Week in Granada?

If heavy rain is forecast or it starts to rain hard during a procession then the procession is usually called off. Showers of rain will delay a procession, sometimes for a few hours.

To sum up, Holy week in Granada is a celebration you should watch and enjoy at least once in your life. Obviously, Granada has so much to offer every season! So, come and see yourself! Also, if you want to know much more about Andalusia, don’t forget to take a look at my blog!

ANDALUSIA TRAVEL BLOG

You can also check here some of our last posts. Have fun!

Spring (primavera in Spanish) is the best season of the year in Malaga; it is an opportunity to get to know the city with great weather as it is almost always sunny! Let’s discover what the capital of Costa del Sol is like during springtime. Forget about Coronavirus for a while and start planning your next spring break in Malaga!

If you are interested in coming to Malaga during this period, or in any other, don’t miss the chance to experience one of our tours; discover the historical center of this beautiful city, its food, its traditions, its culture, and of course, all about Holy Week in Malaga.

For more info click here👇👇👇

MALAGA TOURS & EXPERIENCES

☀️ Malaga Weather in Spring

The weather in Malaga in spring is just awesome! Warm days and temperatures around 25°C (77°F). Even though it’s mostly sunny you might get a bit of rain, especially in April. May and June are in Malaga one of the best months to enjoy this wonderful city in Spring.

Attractions and museums are open for longer during the day! It’s a good opportunity to explore the old town and spend some time at the beach since it’s not as hot as in the middle of the summer. And our favorite one: Spring is the best time of the year for drinking cocktails in one of Malaga’s many rooftop bars!

EXTRA TIP: Don’t forget to check out our Malaga Ultimate Travel Guide: Everything you should know before visiting to start planning your trip to Costa del Sol the right way!

🏝️ Best Malaga Urban Beaches
for your Spring Break

Malagueta Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Malaga

Playa del Peñón del Cuervo is an isolated dark sand beach located on the eastern coast of the city. My favorite one! Very local, little and most beautiful in my opinion!

Playa de La Misericordia is one of the most popular beaches for locals, frequented mostly by young people. It stands out for the old industrial chimney (today isolated and restored) that presides over it.

Playa de La Malagueta is an urban beach of dark sand located on the eastern coast of the city. It is situated between the port of Malaga and the beach of La Caleta. Ιn 2015 it was awarded a blue flag and it’s the favourite beach for tourists, as it’s just a 10 mins walk from Malaga Old Town.

Playa de La Caleta is an urban beach located on the eastern coast of the city, between the beach of La Malagueta and Baños del Carmen. It is a popular beach due to its central location, in the neighborhood of the same name. It has all kinds of services and it’s a bit more peaceful than la Malagueta.

Playa del Guadalhorce is a semi-urban beach of dark sand located on the west coast of the city. It is situated at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River, next to the homonymous natural site. Therefore, it is a little frequented beach and has hardly any services.

Playa de Guadalmar is a semi-urban beach of dark sand located on the west coast of the city. It is situated between the beach of San Julián and the mouth of the Guadalhorce river. Furthermore, it has many services including litter bins, showers, waste collection, rental of umbrellas and hammocks…

Playa de San Andrés is an urban beach of dark sand located on the west coast of the city, between the port and the beach of Huelin. It has services of litter bins, showers, waste collection, rental of umbrellas and hammocks…

If you want some more tips for your travel to Malaga in springtime, check this out!

DISCOUNTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

✈️ Find the cheapest flights, train or bus tickets here.

🛏️ Get up to 15% discount on your hotel by booking here.

🏛️ Book the best tours and activities here.

🚗 Compare and rent a car at the best price here or hire your transfer here.

📖 Get your Spain travel guide here.

💚 Book your travel insurance here.

🌸 Gardens and Parks
to enjoy your Malaga Spring Break

Paseo del Parque

The best places to experience the local fauna and flora in Malaga are:

La Concepción Botanical Gardens is situated in the nearby suburban quarter of La Concepcion and is about a 15-minute bus ride from the center. You need to wait till May or June for the flowers to be fully blooming, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Not to mention that the gardens, dating from the mid-19th century, have among the 3,000-plus species to be found here, trees from five continents. Throughout spring, the gardens with all of their exotic specimens will make you think that you are on some faraway, tropical island. That is also due to the palm collection at La Concepcion which consists of 100 species, some of which are over 100 years old!

Paseo del Parque de Malaga or Parque de la Alameda is a park located in the center of the Andalusian city of Malaga. Its design corresponds to a Mediterranean garden with numerous tropical and subtropical species, which makes it one of the most important public parks in Europe in terms of exotic flora. In fact, it has botanical species from the five continents.

The Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens are opposite the Paseo del Parque and to the east of the town hall. Architect Guerrero Strachan designed these Mediterranean gardens and they feature ponds. Consequently, they are home to a large number of birds.

🍒 Malaga Spring Gastronomy:
Try our Seasonal Local Cuisine

Tapas Spanish food
Andalusian food recipes and dishes

If you decide to spend your next spring break in Malaga, you have to try the seasonal local food. But where can you try the best of Malaga’s Spring Gastronomy? Here you go, some useful foodie advice for your Spring Holiday in Costa del Sol:

The Atarazanas Central Market was originally a naval workshop during Arabic Nasrid times, from which only a marble door is preserved and where its name comes from – atarazana. Here you will find the best fresh local produce in town, a whole world of colors and fragrances. Want to know some more? Then join our Atarazanas Food Market Tour + Appetizer!

What about bars and taverns? Spring in Malaga is also the best moment to start sitting on any bar terrace and sharing some tapas. If you like to mix up with locals and discover our favorite and most traditional tapas bars and wineries, book our Traditional Malaga Wine and Tapas tour! You won’t regret it!

MALAGA TAPAS & WINE TOUR

But if you prefer to do things on your own and love cooking, check our Spanish Spring Food and Tapas Recipes article out and let us know which is your favorite recipe!

🎉 Spring Events in Malaga

There are many Spring Festivals in Malaga! Some of the most relevant ones are the Malaga Gastronomy Festival, an annual gastronomy festival that promotes local gastronomy, and the Malaga Film Festival which is an annual film festival that promotes and awards cinema in Spanish.

Easter Week: find out more on ‘Holy Week in Malaga: The Ultimate Guide to Semana Santa or Easter in Southern Spain!‘

🎨 Arts & Culture in Malaga
also in Spring!

Photosession in streets of malaga
Reproduction of Pablo Picasso’s painting in Lagunillas Neighborhood

Picasso Museum is a center for cultural and social projection and promotion. Therefore people will visit not only to enjoy the works of Picasso, but also to participate in educational activities and benefit from cultural services.

Center of Contemporary Art is promoting 20th and 21st-century visual art on an international level.

Carmen Thyssen Museum emphasizes the value of Spanish painting, especially that of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Click here for opening times, prices and location.

Malaga Centre Pompidou houses 80 works from 1905 to the present day and has a section dedicated to the architecture of the first Pompidou Centre, in Paris. It is the only branch of the museum outside France.

The Russian Museum in Malaga is a subsidiary of the Russian State Museum in St. Petersburg. The container of the center is the building of the former Royal Tobacco Factory of 1929. Besides the 100 pieces exhibited, there are more than 50 pieces in the temporary exhibitions prepared by the Russian State Museum itself.

🔝 Top Malaga Monuments and Attractions

Momument in Malaga

Gibralfaro Castle was built in the 14th century to house troops and protect the Alcazaba. It is considered one of the most popular monuments in Malaga. You get spectacular views of the city from there.

The Alcazaba Fortress sits on a hill in the center of the city, overlooking the port. It comprises two walled enclosures and is one of the musts of Malaga. Besides, during springtime, the whole Alcazaba area smells of orange blossoms! Also the Roman Theatre, just below the Alcazaba!

The Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga, also known as La Manquita, is the second-highest cathedral in Andalusia, after the Giralda of Seville. Visit its unique interior but don’t miss the chance to sit in the quiet Gardens of the Cathedral and enjoy the peaceful sound of water running and the fragrance of nature in the middle of Malaga Old Town. This is, without any doubt, my favorite urban garden!

Off the beaten path tip: Visit the Museum and Basilica of Santa María la Victoria. It is one of the most important churches in Malaga for locals because it’s the house of La Victoria Virgin, the patron saint of the city. This church is unknown for tourists, even if it’s one of the summits of the Baroque style in Malaga.

But if you want to discover all the main attractions of Malaga’s secrets and watch the best sunset in town, you should definitely check out our Malaga Highlights and Sunset Tour here:

MALAGA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

💃 Malaga ‘Plazas’ or Squares:
Meet the locals!

Malaga town square
Plaza de la Constitución

The major town square is Plaza de la Constitución where Malaga’s city hall was located here until 1869. It’s a the heart of the city and most of Malaga Spring events take place here!

One of the largest public squares in Malaga’s city center is Plaza de la Merced which contains Pablo Picasso’s childhood home!

Plaza del Carbón is a square in the historic center of the city of Malaga. It is located at the confluence of Granada, Sánchez Pastor, and Calderería streets.

Some of the busiest streets in the historic center intersect in Plaza de la Marina, such as Molina Lario Street, and is the main access to the Port from Malaga.

Plaza del Obispo acquired its appearance with the completion of the main facade of the Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga and the Episcopal Palace of Malaga in the 1800s. In the last decade of the 20th century, there were renovations on the square and on some of its buildings.

👌 Malaga Port:
the best place to enjoy the spring weather

Málaga Port Imagen de Robert Karyś en Pixabay
View of the Port of Malaga

Malaga is the oldest port still in use in Spain. The urban port got renovated in 2011 and now it plays an important role in our city’s daily life. Its outstanding Palm Groove of Surprises, along the main port promenade, is a beautiful space to go for a walk, take the children out to play, and watch the cruise ships.

At the far end of the Palm Garden is the Paseo del Muelle Uno with a lot of bars and restaurants that lead to the Malagueta beach. Additionally, it’s home to the Pompidou Centre, which features a giant Colors cube on top of its structure that has become a landmark!

To sum up, spring in Malaga is a season you should definitely enjoy. But not only: Malaga has so much to offer every season! So, come and see yourself: you won’t regret it! Also, if you want to know much more about Andalusia, don’t forget to take a look at my Andalusian travel blog

ANDALUSIA – Travel Blog

Hope to see you around soon!!

If you need to quarantine or your country has imposed a lockdown due to Covid-19 and you need to stay home, you might be wondering what to do to fight boredom at home. Don’t worry, we have many ideas to help you! Follow Oh My Good Guide‘s unique list of Productive & Fun Things to Do at Home during Coronavirus Quarantine:

If you have time to be bored at home,
then you have time to change your life!

Boredom is a sign that things are comfortable and easy. It’s time to challenge yourself! See your boredom as an opportunity to realign your goals, learn something new, or change your life’s path. So…let’s go for it: take note of the following list of productive and fun ideas to practice at home during COVID19 Lockdown (with a bit of our personal Focus in Spain):

Table Of Contents
  1. ➤ Fight Coronavirus Quarantine boredom trying NEW and FUN things!
  2. ➤ Personal Development ideas: Making the most of your Coronavirus Lockdown
  3. ➤ Get healthy at home: a productive way to feel better during COVID-19 Quarantine
  4. ➤ Fight Coronavirus Lockdown isolation feelings: go social!
  5. ➤ Get organized during COVID-19 Lockdown
  6. ➤ Best things to do during quarantine: #StayHome and win the COVID-19 battle!

➤ Fight Coronavirus Quarantine boredom trying NEW and FUN things!

Family painting together during Quarantine

If you are lucking for fun things to do during coronavirus lockdown, try something new! Trying out new things is an excellent way to help you learn and grow. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try some of the following Productive & Fun Things to Do at Home during Coronavirus Quarantine or Lockdown:

• Switch up your morning routine: one of the best things to do in quarantine:

The first productive things to do during quarantine it’s do exercises. In fact, start with exercise and drink some lemon water first. No screen time until breakfast. Eat a real breakfast and set your goals for the day. All in all, try to start your day in a healthy way!

Do you want to know more interesting routines and tips to stay physically and mentally healthy during Coronavirus Quarantine? Check out the best tips to protect your mental health and keep your body active in our new post!

• Teach yourself something amazing

Go ahead to know things to do when bored in lockdown. So, it could be dance lessons, a pottery class, or some new management skills. How? Tap the Internet: Search on YouTube for whatever skill you find interesting. There’s a tutorial or online course for EVERYTHING these days! The best part? These resources are often FREE.

• Join an online experience!

Now, follow our lockdown to do list. So, online experiences and virtual tours are interactive sessions, conducted over Zoom video calls by guides around the world, for small groups of “tourists” stuck at home. Over the course of an hour, the hosts dive into a wide range of artistic, cultural, musical, culinary or even athletic topics!

With different interactive methods and games, you really get to meet new people in new places and lose yourself in another world. This is definitely one of my favourite ones in this list of fun things to do during coronavirus lockdown!

For just 10 to 15 € per person, online experiences are definitely worth a try! Check out the best online experiences we have selected for you!

• Cook new international dishes: Try our Easy Spanish recipes!

Also, know other interesting things to do at home in lockdown. In fact, try making varied dishes at home. Bring innovation in your techniques of cooking, you can improvise new star chefs thanks to our fantastic recipes of Spanish cuisine.

spanish-food-tapas-recipes
Spanish Spring Food & Tapas Recipes to face Coronavirus Quarantine
Delicious Tapas in Andalusia
7+1 Must-try Spanish Tapas Recipes: Quick, Easy and Delicious 
Eggs a la Flamenca delicious_dish
Spanish Cuisine for Dummies: 7 Simple Traditional Andalusian Dishes

But if you really want to learn first-hand how to cook some delicious Spanish tapas, you definitely have to join this virtual Spanish cooking class!

Not interested in Spanish cuisine? Don’t worry, we have something else for you!

• Play Board Games to survive Quarantine or design your own!

Continue to know what to do in quarantine. Indeed, why not take advantage of this Coronavirus quarantine lockdown and start playing again some table games with your children and family? Back to the non-Internet age! Here you go, some of the best board games for kids, teens and family:

Did you know that you can also find ONLINE the same traditional board games? Check all the free online gaming possibilities in our complete Best Board Game Guide!

– Best board games for 5 – 10 years old kids
  • Memoarr!: A twist on the classic memory game of matching pairs. It has animal pirates turning over cards to find their treasure and escape an island threatened by a lava explosion.
  • Rhino Hero: It’s like Jenga with cards, the younger ones will love moving a little rhinoceros up a card tower they’ve built… until it all falls down.
  • Outfoxed! Players gather clues around the board and then use deduction to crack the case of a pie that has gone missing!
– Best strategy board games for families
  • Scythe: If you’ve mastered Risk, the classic battle to take over the world, we suggest Scythe as an entry-way into more complex gaming.
  • Quacks of Quedlinburg: The quacks, in this case, aren’t ducks but unhinged doctors who try to brew potions with crazy ingredients without exploding the cauldron.
  • Azul: It’s sort of an abstract game of making patterns with your coloured tiles!
– Best board games for 2 players to fight Quarantine boredom
  • 7 wonders: Duel is a game for 2 players in the world of 7 Wonders. It uses some of the main mechanics of its older brother but offers a new challenge adapted for one-on-one games.
  • Exploding Kittens: It’s like UNO, except there are goats, magical enchiladas and kittens that can kill you!

We advise you to challenge yourself a bit more and create your own Spanish Board Game. It will be fun to create and to play, learn the language and many curiosities about Spain. Also, your children will be more inclined and curious to learn a new language. Remember: learning must be fun too!

• Learn a foreign language on your own from home!

Go ahead with other creative ideas during lockdown. So, I’m sure you have that foreign language you always wanted to know but never had time for. Without any doubt, this is one of the best things to do during Quarantine: now you have the time and we give you the right and FREE tools to make the most of this self-isolation time:

🥇 Learn a foreign language from home! Free apps, resources and useful tips on our new post 👉 How to learn a new Language on your own during the Coronavirus Quarantine!

If you choose Spanish, you can start with our Survival Spanish Guide and learn the basics to make a quick conversation in Spanish. You can learn the Spanish language by simply sitting on the sofa. How? Obviously, thanks to the hit Spanish TV series that are on Netflix like “La Casa De Papel” and “Elite”. Turn on subtitles and go for it!

• Travel the world on a free virtual tour!

So, what to do in lockdown situation? Many monuments, museums, exhibitions and landmarks all over the world have published their official virtual tours for free during Coronavirus Quarantine to fulfil our travel desire! Besides, there are very good resources to virtually travel around the world, like AirPano.

To give you an idea of what travelling on a virtual tour could look like, we have selected Spain top sights official virtual tours and other useful apps and webs to go for an online Spain travel with you!

However, if you want a more interactive virtual trip, there are also amazing live virtual tours with an experienced guide to discover all about Gaudí, the best of Barcelona or the legends and essence of Catalonia region.

• Have a Karaoke Night to fight Coronavirus Quarantine Boredom!

How to spend time at home during lockdown? Improvise home concerts with all the karaoke videos you can find in Youtube. Practice your Spanish skills with these easiest Karaoke Songs in Spanish for Beginners: Solo se vive una vez (Azúcar Moreno), Corazón partío (Alejandro Sanz), Suerte (Shakira), Amante Bandido (Miguel Bosé), Livin’ la vida Loca (Ricky Martin) or the worldwide famous Macarena song (Los del Río).

• Have a Themed Movie Night!

Choose a topic, a director, a country, an actor…there are millions of possibilities. It may be difficult to agree with all family members about the film topic, so we leave you here some of the best movies from the best Spanish cinema director:

Pedro almodovar

Pain and Glory, Broken Embraces, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, All about my Mother and Volver.

These films will make you virtually travel to Spain and will teach you a lot about Spanish habits and traditions.

• Read a good book

Why should reading a book be on this list? Well, reading a book is not something new, but reading a good book can be! If you don’t know what to do in lockdown, take advantage of all this free time in quarantine during the Coronavirus Lockdown and…

buy a good book

Why not take this chance to discover some Spanish authors? This a super effective method of getting to know Spanish culture better and learning Spanish quickly. There are many contemporary authors from Andalusia, especially from Malaga and Granada.

Here are the five most important contemporary Spanish writers in our opinion: Juan Goytisolo, Manuel Vazquez Montalban, Arturo Perez-Reverte, Javier Marias and Carlos Luis Zafon. But if you like classics, then go for Don Quijote, El Lazarillo de Tormes or Fuenteovejuna.

• Become a pro Flamenco singer, dancer or player!

Spain is a land of art, music and dance. Make use of this lockdown coronavirus quarantine at home to learn all about Flamenco here.

There are several digital music platforms such as Spotify or iTunes to listen to Spanish music and become aspiring Flamenco singers! For dancing, check Youtube videos. Our advice: start with Sevillanas lessons and one day, you’ll be able to shine in the Feria de Málaga City Festival. Improvise Spanish guitarists by following online lessons on how to play the guitar in typical flamenco style.

• Arts and Crafts: Get creative and look for new things to do in Quarantine

Drawing and painting online classes

Don’t waste your day cleaning. Buy a nice cleaning robot and get creative instead. If you are possessing a good hand at art, then why not try new things at it: from painting to macrame It may take years to become an artist, but there is nothing wrong in trying a little for the same.

Strive for making new things. Search on the internet for new ideas: try Pinterest website for inspiration. We would like you to challenge you to add the Spanish touch: Try to paint your own Picasso!

You can even try to make some small changes at home: why not get a laser meter and start remodelling your living room?

• Find and follow a new interesting blog

Blogs are nowadays a really good way of learning new things. Choose a topic you like, do a little bit of research and find the perfect one for you. There blogs about everything and you can always stay tunned by subscribing to its newsletter!

So, if you love travelling, you love Spain, and especially Andalusia, this is your blog! Subscribe to our newsletter to get a better understanding of the Spanish culture, Spain’s amazing holiday destinations and learn how to look like a local.

SUBSCRIBE

• Have a salt bath and embrace aromatherapy

Relax after a day full of new experiences at home and treat you well with a nice salt bath and aromatherapy that will transport you anywhere you wish.

➤ Personal Development ideas: Making the most of your Coronavirus Lockdown

Mirror image of a woman

Personal development is all about being the best you can be. It’s about making incremental improvements each and every day and continuously levelling yourself up.

Check out these productive ideas and things you can do for personal development during COVID-19 Quarantine Lockdown:

  1. Hone your talent. Figure out what you’re good at and work on getting even better. 
  2. Read a personal development book. There are a lot of amazing choices out there!
  3. Do some goal setting. Don’t let the quarantine get you down and make a list of things to do!
  4. Work on your weaknesses: Weakness can be non-effective communicating skills, bad handwriting, poor grammar or vocabulary and so on. Consult books for this or you may even go through the online applications that help to fight your weaknesses. Utilize the time and turn your weakness into your strength.
  5. Prioritize your things: Start prioritizing your things and make a to-do list. The things you won’t do should also be noted down so as to bring effectiveness out of what you do.
  6. Give a podcast a good listen. They’re perfect to listen to while commuting, making dinner, you name it.
  7. Watch a motivational TED Talk
  8. Write a letter to your future self
  9. There are things to do outside by yourself like exercising, taking care of your home garden, and exploring the green spaces of your city

➤ Get healthy at home: a productive way to feel better during COVID-19 Quarantine

Working out at home with your kid

Whether you strive for a healthier mind or body, being healthy will allow you to feel better, look better, and do better. Try some of the following Productive and Fun Things to Do at Home during Coronavirus Quarantine or Lockdown:

  1. Do yoga or try meditating. This will enhance your spiritual development as well as train your mind and body to become more mindful. A great idea to keep a mind and body healthy during the COVID-19 quarantine
  2. Get motivated and try something new physically. Don’t let Quarantine get you down!
  3. Of course, EXERCISE. It’s an awesome mood booster, stress reliever, and ideal body maker. Use different apps to help you make progress in the right direction. If you are a beginner, you can try this 6 weeks guided home workout 
  4. Go airplane mode: take a break from technology for a little while.
  5. Imagine what your ideal healthy-self looks like. Create a plan to achieve that body for optimal health.

➤ Fight Coronavirus Lockdown isolation feelings: go social!

Finding new ways to spend time during the isolation

Feeling strange or lonely? Now more than ever, we need our family and friends. Evidence shows that social connectedness is as important for our health as diet, movement and sleep. Try some of the following things to Do at Home to fight loneliness and stay coneected during Coronavirus Quarantine Lockdown:

  1. Try recreating your social interctions through video calls — you could organize a virtual dinner via apps like Zoom, Houseparty or good old Google Hangouts, or take a friend on a virtual walk or do a housebound activity together, like craft or drawing. 
  2. Interact with your neighbours from over a fence or across balconies
  3. Check in with your friends, family, and neighbours regularly. Wherever you can, assist people in your life who may be more vulnerable (for example, those with no access to the internet or who cannot easily use the internet to shop online)
  4. Spend the time connecting with the people you are living with. If you are in a lockdown situation, use this time to improve your existing relationships
  5. Call to a long-distance friend: It may be too long since you had called your true and long-distance friend. If it really is, then move ahead and make a call.

➤ Get organized during COVID-19 Lockdown

trying to get organized during quarantine

To conclude our list of Productive & Fun Things to Do at Home during Coronavirus Quarantine or Lockdown, you should try getting organized. You may think this is obvious, but we wanted to add some ideas to help you not to miss a thing:

  1. Plan out your day or week ahead of time
  2. Plan your meals for the upcoming week
  3. Make backups of everything
  4. Sort out your mailbox
  5. Sort out your photos
  6. Update your CV
  7. Update your bucket list
  8. Organize your bills and paperwork
  9. Clear space on your phone
  10. Create email templates for personal and professional email

➤ Best things to do during quarantine: #StayHome and win the COVID-19 battle!

There are so many Productive & Fun Things to Do at Home during Coronavirus Quarantine or Lockdown! Give a try to some of the fun ideas above and share your experience with us.

With each new experience, you’ll learn more about yourself and understand what inspires you. So say goodbye to boredom and say hello to creating a better life. 

In the end, when this quarantine lockdown caused by Coronavirus is over, we will be still waiting for you in Spain! Follow our travel advice to travel safely after COVID-19 outbreak and check the Coronavirus in Spain latest updates here!

Remember: Everything will be fine! ¡ÁNIMO!

Planning an Andalucia road trip? So good news for you! I have prepared an unforgettable Andalusia 10 days road trip (or Andalucia as it’s written in Spanish) as it is in Spain to help you explore this beautiful Spain region such as Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga and Ronda.

How to get to Andalusia

In most cases, the easiest way to reach Andalucia is to take a flight to Seville, the Andalucia capital, or to Malaga International airport. Both cities offer connections from the airport to the city center every 10-20 minutes. In this case, we will assume that your starting point is Seville, but if you are starting from Malaga, you can easily follow the proposed itinerary with just a little adjustment.

Use an airport transfer service for a delightful trip to your accommodation. I suggest Welcome Pickups! A local driver will pick you up at the gate and introduce you to the city. Don’t worry about getting a taxi at the airport, paying high prices, or the language barrier. All the drivers are fluent in English. Click the link below and learn more!

Other recommendations for your travel to Andalusia are:

DISCOUNTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

✈️ Find the cheapest flights, train or bus tickets here.

🛏️ Get up to 15% discount on your hotel by booking here.

🏛️ Book the best tours and activities here.

🚗 Compare and rent a car at the best price here or hire your transfer here.

📖 Get your Spain travel guide here.

💚 Book your travel insurance here.

Moving around Andalusia

You have plenty of transportation choices for your Andalusia road trip.

  • Car rental: If you can afford to get a car, of course, this is the best option for you. Get a rental car right in the airport, as the prices are normally lower than in the city and there is much more availability. Extra tips: Get the car only on the morning of the next part of your trip. Normally, I use Rentalcars and until now, I never had a problem with them 🙂

But if you can’t or don’t want to drive, don’t worry! You have plenty of other options:

  • Bus: get your tickets and check the schedules using the official Alsa Web or Omio
  • Train: buy your train tickets in the official Renfe Web or Omio to find the best deals.
  • Shared car: share a ride using Blablacar.com. It’s completely safe! I have personally used it so many times and never had a problem.

So now that you know how to get to Andalucia and the transportation options you have, let’s start!

“THE” itinerary for your 7 – 10 days Andalusia Road Trip

➤ 1st Stop: Seville for 2 days

Have you ever fallen in love with a place even before visiting it? That is going to happen to you with Seville, one of the most famous cities in Andalusia. Combining the traditional and modern lifestyle, it’s a must-see city, that can be also visited during a weekend getaway if you come from Europe.

Plaza Espana, Seville
Plaza de España – Sevilla

WHAT TO DO IN SEVILLE IN 2 DAYS

1️⃣ – First day in Sevilla: Visit the city’s most emblematic monuments – Cathedral, Giralda and Plaza de España

  • Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its size and intricate architectural details are so incredibly impressive that you need a moment to take it all in.
  • You can also visit the Giralda which is the cathedral’s bell tower and enjoy the views over the city. Fun fact about the Giralda: when it was first built in the middle ages, it was the tallest tower in the world! Skip the lines and get your tickets in advance here or book a guided tour.
  • After you exit the Cathedral, I recommend planning your day as follows:
  • Pass by the General Archive of the Indies which is located right next to the cathedral. The entrance is free and the inside of the building is worth a look.
  • Take a walk in the Santa Cruz neighborhood which was known as Seville’s Jewish quarter and home to a thriving Jewish community. Currently, it’s a colorful maze of narrow streets and alleys you have to get lost in.
  • Lunch break in the same area. I assure you that you are going to find plenty of food choices.
  • Discover the stunning Plaza de España I can promise you that this is the most stunning public square you’ll ever see in your life. t includes towers, bridges, a fountain, and even a canal.
  • Go for a stroll in Maria Luisa Park which is located next to Plaza de España.
  • At the end of the first day, you could go to enjoy some tapas and sangria!

2️⃣ – Second day in Sevilla: Alcazar, Torre del Oro and Triana

  • Visit the Alcazar of Seville which is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. There is usually a long waiting line there as well, so you should book your skip-the-line tickets in advance.
  • Lunch break
  • Take a stroll in Seville, around the Guadalquivir River, the Torre de Oro and Triana district for example.
  • At the end of the second day, you should go to visit the Metropol Parasol and enjoy the sunset view.

Wondering where to stay in Sevilla? Find the perfect hotel or apartment for you here:

➤ 2nd Stop of your Andalusia Road Trip? Cordoba, for 1 day

It’s another city with both Moorish and Christian history, but the highlight for me was exploring its Jewish history. Cordoba was home to a large, thriving Jewish community, and it was incredible to see its preserved heritage.

Mezquita Cordoba,
Mezquita de Cordoba – inside

WHAT TO DO IN CORDOBA IN 1 DAY?

  •  Visit Mosque-Cathedral showcasing spectacular Islamic architecture, the Mezquita is such a unique building to see. To avoid waiting in line, you can get your tickets directly at the automatic machines at the entrance or book a guided tour. If you want to go up the minaret, you will need to pay an extra 2€.
  • Time for lunch! I suggest going to one of the 2 biggest Plazas that the city has: la Plaza de las Tendillas and la Plaza Corredera.
  • Stroll along the Guadalquivir River. There are the Puerta del Puente and the Roman bridge, as well as the Calahorra tower. It is quite worthily to go to see the scenic view over the mosque and the Alcazar.
  • Last but not least, end your day by visiting Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos. Enjoy the stunning shaded gardens, flowered alleys, splendid flower beds, and fountains. If you ask me I found them way more beautiful than the ones in Seville.

➤ 3rd stop: Granada for 2-3 days

In Granada, You can feel in every corner the Moorish and Christian influence together, which is exactly what makes Granada so fascinating. I have lived there for 7 years and can tell you that you will never forget its magic.

Alhambra Granada Spain

WHAT TO DO IN GRANADA IN 2 DAYS

1️⃣ – First day in Granada: Cathedral, Albaicín and amazing sunset from San Miguel Alto viewpoint

  • Visit the Basilica of San Juan de Dios and its impressive golden interior.
  • Explore the cathedral and the royal chapel which is actually the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs that asked to be buried there specifically.
  • Take a break for lunch in Plaza Bib Rambla
  • Go to the Alcaiceria market This is the place to experience some of Granada’s Arabic history and do some shopping.
  • Stop by “El Bañuelo”, the ancient Arab baths. The ones in Granada are the best preserved of Andalucia. 
  • • Go up the Mirador de San Cristobal or the Mirador de San Miguel Alto to watch the sunset. 

2️⃣ – Second day in Granada? Visit the Alhambra Palace!

  • Let’s start with the obvious. Alhambra, of course, it’s best to go there as early as possible. Plan the whole morning for the visit, and make sure you get your tickets in advance! Don’t know how? Check out our “Things to know before visiting Granada” blogpost!
On your Alhambra visit, you can access three areas:
  • Alcazaba: A military fortress and one of Alhambra’s oldest parts.
  • Nasrid Palaces: A complex of three palaces that was the residence of the kings of Granada.
  • Generalife: A palace and gardens that served as a recreational area.

Extra tip: Book the general ticket as it gives you access to all 3 areas.

  • Time for lunch heading to the gypsy neighborhood which is called Sacromonte district. In this area, you will find several troglodyte homes also called “Cuevas“.
  • At the end of the day you should go watch the sunset from San Nicolas miradors it is the most well-known sunset spot.

This was only a quick guide to spending your 2-3 days in Granada, but if you want to get into more detail later, you can always take a look at my other Granada posts:

Granada: 10 things to know

Plan your perfect getaway with these 10 things to know before visiting Granada

alhambra-granada-courtyard-omgg
Granada in 1 day

The ultimate guide to make the most of your only day in Granada

malaga cathedral tours
40 things to do in Granada

Some inspiration? Check my 40 favourite things to do!

➤ 4th stop of your Andalusian road trip? Malaga for 2 days

things-to-know-before-visiting-malaga
Malaga view from Alcazaba Fortress

WHAT TO DO IN MALAGA IN 2 DAYS

1️⃣ – First day in Malaga: Moorish castles, Roman theatre and finally…some beach!

  • Start your day at the castle of Gibralfaro. 
  • Then, go down to the Alcazaba, the second main tourist attraction in Malaga.
  • After your exit from Alcazaba, you’ll come across the Roman theater located right next to it. The entrance is free so why not check it out?
  • Lunch Break people!
  • Discover Malaga’s museums as there are a lot.
  • At the end of the day, you should go to Malagueta beach, the closest to Malaga’s city center

And, why not? Now that you are in Malaga, you can join one of my tours and experiences to discover the local culture! I am sure there is one that suits you: City Highlights, Flamenco, Tapas and Wine tour, Spanish and Urban Drawing lessons or even a Professional Photo Session, to take home the best of memories of your one-week Andalusia Road Trip.

BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW

2️⃣ – Second day in Malaga already? Street Art, Market visit and local bites or…Excursion to Caminito del Rey!

  • Visit Malaga Cathedral in the morning to see its interior and enjoy the 360° scenic view.
  • Go to the Atarazanas market to taste local delicacies.
  • Lunchtime, of course, you should go for tapas!
  • Take a walk in the Soho neighborhood to discover the street art on the walls and facades.
  • At the end of the afternoon, head to the Botanical Garden, one of the largest tropical and subtropical gardens in Spain and even Europe.

Now, if you don’t want to stay for your second day in Malaga city, you could go to explore the spectacular Caminito del Rey path, just an hour away from Malaga. Make sure to book your ticket in advance. Here you go, the official Caminito del Rey web to get your tickets

Caminito del Rey Path
Caminito del Rey

Again, this was only a quick guide to spending your 2 days in Granada, but if you want to know much more about Malaga take a look at my other Malaga posts:

Best places to visit near Malaga
Best Places to Visit Near Malaga

There are many spectacular places near Malaga, check out my favourites

Things to Do for Free in Malaga

Top 10 ideas on what to do in Malaga without spending one Euro!

malaga cathedral tours
Malaga in 1 Day

If you have only 24 hours in Malaga, check this and find what you can’t miss

– Wondering where to stay in Granada? Find the perfect hotel or apartment for you here:

➤ 5th & LAST stop: Ronda / Arcos de la Frontera for 2 days

WHITE VILLAGES AND RONDA IN ONE DAY

Ronda offers numerous scenic views over the surroundings. The most famous is for sure the spectacular view on the very photogenic bridge above the river that connects the old and the new parts of the village.

  • Visit the romantic Ronda Old Town and its famous bridge at “El Tajo”
  • Take the car and drive among the White Villages of Andalucia road, which connects Ronda to Arcos de la Frontera.
  • Stop by in Zahara de la Sierra, one of the most beautiful villages.

From Zahara, allow another hour of driving to reach Arcos de la Frontera. You’ll sleep there for the next 2 nights

Ronda Spain, Malaga
“El Tajo” de Ronda

GRAZALEMA and ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA – Last stop 😢

For the last day of your Andalusia road trip, let’s go to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, only 30min away from Arcos. The park offers several hiking paths of different difficulty levels.

Head to “El Bosque” village and choose the “El Rio Majaceite” hike, especially enjoyable if coming with children. It is a very easy 4 hours round trip hike through the forest and along the river, where you can even freshen up! 

After this easy hike, turn back to Arcos and take a last view on the fantastic Andalusian panorama from the city. Wander around its beautiful white houses full of flowers and try not to think that the next day you will have to head to Sevilla or Malaga to fly back home.

Did you like my 7 – 10 days Andalusia road trip itinerary?

Hope you did! Keep in mind that this is just a sample itinerary that can be adapted from one week to around 10 days, by adding or removing some days in any city. In general, my advice if you don’t have that much time is to save the 5th stop, Ronda and Arcos de la Frontera, for your Andalusia Road Trip Number II.

If you have some questions or want to share your experience, leave a comment below. Stay tunned and keep reading my blog for more Andalusia Travel Tips

ANDALUSIA TRAVEL BLOG

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need some help with planning your Andalusian trip or need a tour guide for it!

Have a wonderful stay in my beloved Andalusia!

Are you going to visit the charming city of Granada? It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. I have been living in Granada for 7 years, so I can assure you that you will experience the best holidays there. But first, read the article and find what to know before coming to Granada.

If you are going to Malaga as well, check out the Ultimate Travel Guide to Malaga! Find the answers to the most popular questions about Malaga.

So here you go, the 10 things you should know before visiting Granada!

1. How to travel to Granada?

granada-travel-how-to-get-there

The first thing to know about Granada is how to get to the city. One of the options is to go by plane. There is a small Granada Airport (GRX) that has local connections to Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Melilla. To go to the city center, you can use a special airport bus, a train or a taxi.

I suggest using the airport transfer service Welcome Pickups. Pre-book your transfer from Granada airport for a reasonable price. All the drivers are locals fluent in English! Check the link below!

The airport of Malaga has international destinations, so its a better option for foreign travelers. Also, you can spend some time in Malaga! To go to Granada, take an ALSA bus from the airport. The buses to Granada leave every 1 to 2 hours. The duration of the trip is from 2 hours to 2.5 hours. The price is around 15 Euros.

You can also travel by train. Even though there is no high-speed train to Granada, traveling by train is fast and comfortable. Check the Renfe website for trains to Granada from other Spanish cities, such as Sevilla, Madrid or Barcelona.

For other tips to travel to Spain, check this out:

DISCOUNTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP

✈️ Find the cheapest flights, train or bus tickets here.

🛏️ Get up to 15% discount on your hotel by booking here.

🏛️ Book the best tours and activities here.

🚗 Compare and rent a car at the best price here or hire your transfer here.

📖 Get your Spain travel guide here.

💚 Book your travel insurance here.

2. Granada is one of the cheapest cities in Spain

Granada is a beautiful Andalusian destination and one of the cheapest cities to visit in Spain if you have a limited budget.

In Granada, you can go out for tapas, have a couple of beers and go out for dinner, for about 5 Euros. Also, in many bars, they offer you a big glass of beer for 1.50 Euros and mojitos for 3 Euros. Another thing to know about Granada is that many of the monuments and museums are of free entrance.

You can also save on accommodation; book one of the many lovely hostels in Granada and pay from 10 Euros for a night.

3. How to get tickets to the Alhambra?

alhambra-granada-courtyard-omgg

The Alhambra Nasrid Palace is, without a doubt, the most precious monument in Granada. The palace is one of the most visited places in the whole of Spain! Because of its popularity, getting tickets to the palace can be difficult. The best thing you can do is to check the availability of the tickets as soon as possible. If you are lucky, buy the tickets and don’t wait for another day.

For spontaneous travelers or the unlucky ones, there are a few alternative solutions:

  1. Buy the ticket directly at the ticket office. The Alhambra puts on sale every day a limited amount of tickets for that day only.  But, be aware that the tickets sell out very fast! For the best chance to get those tickets you should come to the ticket office early and wait in the queue. The ticket office opens at 8 o’clock. So, the early bird gets the worm!
  2. Get the Granada Card or the Gold Double. Both tourist vouchers include entrance to the Alhambra. It is possible that the general tickets have been sold out but remain on sale through one of these channels. The tickets are independent, so consider the possibility before giving up the visit.
  3. Get your Alhambra ticket through a private agency. In the worst-case scenario, you can try to get your ticket through a private travel agency. But, keep in mind that the price will be higher than the general admission. Also, in case of incidents, you will have to contact the reseller to solve the problem.

4. Granada is not only the Alhambra

Granada city view

After visiting the magnificent Alhambra, discover other highlights of the city. There are plenty of things to do in Granada, click here for inspiration.

For a full tour of the city, you need at least three days. Check my one-day in Granada itinerary, in case you have only a day for sightseeing.

You cannot miss the streets of Albaicín, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. For breathtaking views of the city, go to one of the viewpoints at sunset. In the Albaicín neighborhood you will find plenty of Cármenes or typical houses in Granada with beautiful courtyards and fountains.

Also, walk the streets of Barrio del Sacromonte and the old Jewish quarter – Realejo. After doing this, you will already be in love with Granada.

5. Get the Granada Card

Even if you are not used to buying tourist vouchers, see what the Granada card has to offer. If you are staying in Granada for several days, consider getting the card. Get the Granada card and don’t worry about tickets to museums and public transport.

  • You will have access to the most emblematic monuments of the city. Don’t worry about tickets to Alhambra, Cathedral and Royal Chapel, Monastery of San Jerónimo and Cartuja, Science Park, and Caja Granada Museum.
  • You will get 9 public transport trips in the city.
  • Save money. With the Granada Card, you will save 30% of the cost of buying each of the services included. It’s a great option if you love museums and want to save some money.
  • Avoid queues. Forget about wasting time in queues at ticket offices. Safe a lot of time and go to museums with the Granada Card.

6. Forget about the car in Granada

granada walking

Getting around Granada by car is not the best idea. The main downtown streets of Granada are for public transport only. Since the main tourist attractions are quite close to the center, the best way to move around the city is on foot. Besides, walking around the old town is the best way to discover its charms, traditional bars, and narrow streets.

Also, the public transport network connects all corners of Granada. For more information on public transport in Granada, check the next tip.

Leave the car parked in the outskirts, and go to the center by public transport.
Where to park in Granada? Here you go, the best areas to leave your car near the city center of Granada.

  • Park your car near Parque de las Ciencias and the Caja Granada Museum. Then, take the main bus line and travel to the center in a few minutes.
  • If you travel on the weekend, you can also try your luck and try to leave the car in the blue zone. From Saturday 2 pm these areas are free parking, so you won’t have to worry about your vehicle until Monday.
  • The Alhambra is accessible by car, but I do not recommend it since you will have to leave the car in the most expensive parking lot in the city.

7. Public transport in Granada: how it works

Another thing to know about Granada is how to use its public transport system. Check out the most useful tips for traveling to touristic places:

  • LAC. The main bus line runs through Granada from North to South. Its operation is similar to that of a metro. Tickets can be purchased at machines located at the stops and it is possible to access the bus through its four doors.
  • Downtown Lines (C31, C34 and C30): Minibuses that connect the city center with Albaicín, Sacromonte and Alhambra zones.  You can buy the ticket from the driver, the price of one trip is 1.40 euros.
  • To go to the city center from the bus station, take a bus that stops at the same stop as the LAC line. Then, use LAC buses to travel where you want. 

8. The tapas system in Granada

Flamenco tapas wine tour in Granada

An important thing to know about Granada is that tapas are mostly free! Usually, you pay for a drink and get some tapas for free. It can be a sandwich, some meat in a sauce, or any snack. If you are in a tourist area, expect to pay more for your drink and get a bit more sophisticated tapas.

For saving some money, go to small bars outside the city center. These places are popular among students, so they offer drinks and food for a very good price. As in any city, the farther away from the main tourist areas you are, the better prices you will get in return.

But if you want to have a real tapas experience and discover every secret about them, join our Traditional Granada Tapas & Wine tour! You won’t regret it!

9. San Nicolás is not the only viewpoint

sacromonte-viewpoint-granada-Sunset

San Nicolas viewpoint is perfect for taking breathtaking pictures of the Alhambra. But it can be difficult to enjoy the view when the viewpoint gets crowded with tourists. Fortunately, there are other viewpoints in Granada where you can appreciate the beautiful panorama of the city.

  • My favorite viewpoint of the city is San Miguel Alto. Climb to the highest viewpoint and enjoy the stunning panorama of the Alhambra, Sacromonte, Albaicín, and the whole city.
  • A good view of the Alhambra in Albaicín is from Carvajales’ viewpoint. You will find this viewpoint while wandering the narrow streets of the Albaicín neighborhood.
  • Another viewpoint in Albaicín is San Cristóbal. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy the view of the Alhambra, the Cathedral, Sierra Nevada mountains, and many monuments of the city.
  • Watch the sunset from the viewpoint of El Ojo de Granada (The Eye of Granada). From here you can see the Cathedral, the roofs of the city centre and the valley.

10. Granada – a youthful university city

granada university students ohmygoodguide

Granada is very popular among both Spanish and International students: affordable cost of living, beautiful architecture, and the Andalusian culture draw students to Granada. In fact, Granada has been the city with the most Erasmus students for several years.

There are lots of events at low prices in Granada. The competition of the leisure sector in Granada is high, so the prices are below the Spanish average. Watch an authentic flamenco show, party at clubs, or celebrate with the whole city at the festivals! You can’t get bored in Granada with so many activities.

Also, many faculties of the University of Granada are close to the old town, so the streets of Granada have a youthful atmosphere.

No one dares to deny that Granada has something that excites anyone. So, explore the city and bring home the best memories.

All cities have their charm. Granada has its own charm and the charm of all the others.


Don’t forget to check out the Andalusian travel blog. Find more places to visit, learn about the Andalusian culture, or try cooking some typical Spanish dishes!

Discover Andalusia’s Hidden Gems!