car hire rentals spain city blue sky

Car Hire Spain

Getting a rental car Spain will allow you to see all the country and its islands has to offer. This is a big county with some well great roads so you can move around the big cities, tourist spots and islands really quickly and easily. Spain rent a car is very popular, especially in the summer months, so you can get your car at the airport and then see the wonders that this nation has to offer the traveller, whether it is for leisure, business or visiting friends and family. Spain is a relaxed country in just about all aspects so you will love the way people live their life there. Car hire Spain is the ideal way to get from place to place at your own pace. There are ferries that get you from the mainland to the Spanish islands and you can take your Spain rental car with you on many of them, particularly the shorter trips to the Balearic Islands.

Car hire Spain is very popular so make sure that you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. There are some pretty big choices if you book early enough and you can secure the car you want at a very good price. The best deals are always there for those that act early with their Spain rental car needs. It is a wonderful part of the world to visit, so here is our guide to getting the most you’re your rental car in Spain and the Spanish islands –

car hire rentals Spain city streets

The Country

Spain is in the Southern part of Europe and lies on what is known as the Iberian Peninsula. It is known for its major cities, stunning coastline, mountains and islands. It is a huge tourist destination for people from Europe and the rest of the world. It has a really relaxed atmosphere and the food is fantastic. The food that the world associates with Spain is paella, although there are great cheeses, meats and fruit. The seafood in the country is also very good and the nation is surrounded by seas on three sides. You can spend time in the big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Sevilla where there is a lot of residents and some hustle and bustle. In the summer, the beaches of the Costa Blanca and Costa Dorada are similarly busy with people looking to top up their tan, play on the beach or swim in the sea. You can see why rent a car Spain is so popular with people who want to visit the country – there is so much to see and do. Spain is a big country with it covering over half a million square kilometres, including the islands. There are around 46 million inhabitants of Spain, including over 3 million in the capital Madrid. It has borders with Portugal, France and Andorra with a border with the British colony of Gibraltar also at the South of the country.

Madrid, the capital city is a major world city that is renowned for the museums and art galleries as well as some of the best restaurants in the world. The city has the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum and the main square, the Plaza Mayor, among the top tourist destinations. Other major cities include Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla and Zaragoza, although none rival Madrid for size or population.

The South of Spain is hot for most of the year, being close to Africa. The North of the country is hot in the summer but has long cold winters, particularly in the mountainous regions. Summer here is from June to August with the winter months in December, January and February. The Spanish islands experience a different set of conditions, The Balearics are warmer than mainland Spain all year and the Canaries are much closer to the Equator and are hot all year round.

The official language of Spain is Spanish, otherwise known as Castilian, but there are many other dialects spoken in the different parts of the country. English is taught in schools and most people speak at least two languages, even more in the tourist areas. Soccer is a major sport in the nation and they won the World Cup in 2010. Some traditional sports such as pelota compete with basketball, handball and tennis to be the number two sport.

car hire rentals Spain city beach
car hire rentals driving tips

Driving Tips

Driving is Spain is a safe option and with your Spain rental car you can get out and see the country and its islands. But with any new environment, you will need to understand the rules of the road and what is expected of you. Here are our tips –

  • They drive on the right in Spain and overtake on the left
  • The motorways are known as autopistas and are all toll roads
  • Many are cash only so make sure you have some Euros handy
  • You must be 18 or over to drive in Spain
  • Make sure you carry your driver’s licence
  • The blue and white curb on the side of the road indicates do not park
  • Spanish police give out on the spot fines, so you will need to pay them before they leave
  • You cannot drive while operating a cellphone on Spanish roads
  • The speed limit in normal roads is 90kmh
  • The speed limit on roads with more than one lane is 100kmh
  • The speed limit on motorways is 120kmh
  • The alcohol limit is 50mg per 100ml of blood but we advise you not to drink and drive at all
car hire rentals airport luggage

Airports in Spain

As a major international country for trade and leisure, Spain has many international airports. Here are the main ones –

  • Madrid Airport
  • Barcelona Airport
  • Palma de Majorca Airport
  • Malaga Airport
  • Alicante Airport
  • Gran Canaria Airport
  • Tenerife South Airport
  • Ibiza airport
  • Lanzarote Airport
  • Valencia Airport

As you can see, many of these are on the Spanish islands, so you can collect your Spain rental car there and start your adventure!

Be safe when driving in Spain. You should ensure that you know all the rules before you set out on the roads. You have to stay safe on any road, especially those in a new county. If you come across any problems then call the emergency number of 112, which is the same across Europe., Programme it into your phone before you go so you can call quickly in an emergency should you need to.

Compare car rental prices worldwide