Tours to Spain from Astana from Astana: prices

Tours to Spain from Astana are a flight with a transfer in Europe, 5–7 hours in the air plus a layover, and the best time is from May to October. Holidays in Spain are cheaper in May, June and September than in August. The resorts are different: Costa Brava and Costa Dorada for beaches, Barcelona and Madrid for cities, Tenerife and Mallorca for year-round warmth, Malaga for mild winters.

Visa, documents and money: what to consider before the trip?

The trip begins with paperwork, and discipline matters here. This destination from Astana requires preparation in advance, not in the last week.

Applying for a Schengen visa for citizens of Kazakhstan

Appointments at the consulate may be booked weeks ahead, so documents are prepared in advance. Holidays in Spain begin with a Schengen visa, and submission takes time. Medical insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros is mandatory, and it is arranged for the entire duration of the trip. Such a policy is requested upon submission, and without it the package is not accepted. The Spanish side reviews the application slowly, especially in summer. Plan your submission so that several weeks remain between submission and departure.

Insurance, cash and bank cards

Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Kazakhstan are not accepted everywhere in Spain. It is worth having euro cash for everyday expenses: cafes, taxis, small shops. Madrid and Barcelona accept cards more readily than small towns on the coast. ATMs are common, but the withdrawal fee depends on the bank. Keep part of the amount in small banknotes. The Spanish habit of cash in family-run establishments still persists.

When to go and how to choose the time?

The holiday calendar in Spain is determined by heat, vacations and island climate. The choice of month changes both prices and impressions.

High season and August holidays

August is the peak of vacations for the Spaniards themselves, and this is felt everywhere. Many shops and restaurants in cities are closed, and the beaches are overcrowded. Costa Brava and Costa Dorada receive the maximum number of guests in August. Hotels raise prices, and bookings have to be made months in advance. Malaga and the southern coast are especially hot this month. The Spanish family goes to the sea entirely, so the resorts operate in an intensified mode. If you go in August, choose accommodation with air conditioning and a pool. It is better to plan a trip to the beach before ten in the morning.

Shoulder season and weather on the islands

Tenerife and Mallorca maintain mild weather almost all year round. For a trip to the Canary Islands, the climate is warm in any month, but the ocean may be cool even in summer due to currents. Mallorca is comfortable from May to October, and in winter life there is quieter. In spring and autumn on the mainland there are fewer tourists and the heat is milder. Barcelona in May and September is more pleasant than in July. The Spanish spring is good for sightseeing in cities. In the off-season, accommodation and tickets are cheaper, but part of the beach infrastructure is closed.

How to get there and move around the country

Logistics within the country determine how many cities you will manage to see. There are three options: plane, train and car.

Flights, AVE trains and domestic flights to the islands

AVE trains between major cities are fast and convenient, but tickets become much more expensive closer to the date. It is better to buy them in advance online, then the price remains reasonable. Madrid and Barcelona are connected by a high-speed line, and the journey takes just a few hours. Domestic flights between the mainland and the islands are cheaper to book two to three months in advance with low-cost carriers. Tenerife and Mallorca receive flights from mainland cities daily. The Spanish railway requires baggage screening, as at an airport. On the islands, buses run between cities, but the schedule should be checked in advance. Tickets for popular dates sell out quickly.

Car rental, toll roads and driver's licenses

Car rental in Spain requires an international driver's license and a credit card in the driver's name for the deposit. Without a credit card, the car is not issued, even if you have cash. In Spain, toll expressways are common, and the fare is paid in cash or by card at payment points. Some routes are free, and the route should be planned taking this into account. Parking in Barcelona and Madrid is paid almost everywhere and not cheap. The Spanish driving style is calm, but in cities there are many one-way streets. Gas stations on highways are less common than in Kazakhstan, so it is better not to delay refueling.

What to see and how to plan leisure

The cultural program requires bookings and respect for the local rhythm. Otherwise, the day is spent in queues.

Tickets to museums and architectural monuments

Entrance tickets to the Sagrada Familia, the Alhambra and the Prado Museum must be bought online in advance, otherwise you may not get in on the chosen day. This is the main rule of a Spanish holiday. Barcelona maintains a time-based visitor limit, and slots sell out weeks in advance. The Prado Museum in Madrid sometimes admits visitors free of charge in the evening, but the queue is long. Spanish architecture by Gaudi draws crowds all year round. Train tickets to the Alhambra should also be taken in advance. Plan no more than two sites per day, otherwise the impressions will blur.

Daily routine, siesta and evening outings

In Spain, dinner is late, many restaurants open only after 20:00–21:00, and kitchens may close for a siesta during the day. This changes the entire schedule. Lunch in the middle of the day is the main meal, while in the evening portions are more modest. The Spanish siesta also affects shops: from two to five many are closed. Government offices work in the mornings, and this is worth taking into account when visiting. Evening outings start late, and this is normal for locals. Holidays in Spain adapt to this rhythm, not the other way around. Plan sightseeing tours for the morning, and leave dinner for late evening.

Trip budget and ways to save

Expenses depend on the season, city, and habits. A few techniques noticeably reduce spending.

Food, tips, and tourist tax

The menu del día lunch in restaurants for locals costs noticeably less than dinner, and the portions are usually larger. This is a way to save on food without losing quality. Tips in Spain are not mandatory, but in tourist areas they often include a surcharge for terrace service in the bill. Check the bill before paying. Spanish cuisine is built on simple products: ham, cheese, seafood, rice. Markets with ready-to-eat food are cheaper than restaurants and work during the day. For renting accommodation through Airbnb or Booking in Spain, a foreign passport is required, and in some regions a tourist tax per night is charged. The tax is paid separately from the booking, most often at check-in.

Shopping and tax free refunds

Spain has a tax free system: for purchases above a certain amount in shops with the corresponding sign, you can get part of the VAT refunded on departure. The threshold and percentage depend on the shop. Keep receipts and packaging until departure. Spanish leather, shoes, and wine are frequent purchases by tourists. Processing the refund takes time at the airport, so arrive with a margin. Large shopping centers process documents right at the checkout. The refund arrives on a card or in cash, depending on the operator.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/astana/es/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/index.aspx. The information on this page was verified on 16.09.2026.

Briefly

• May, June, and September are cheaper than August and more comfortable in terms of weather.
• Costa Brava and Costa Dorada — beaches, Barcelona and Madrid — cities.
• Tenerife and Mallorca are warm all year round, but the ocean is cool.
• Tickets to the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra are booked online weeks in advance.