Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visas
Spain is one of 25 member countries of the Schengen Convention, under which 22 EU coun-
tries (all but Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the UK) plus Iceland, Norway and
Switzerland have abolished checks at common borders.
EU nationals require only their ID cards to visit Spain. Nationals of many other countries,
including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA, do not require visas
for tourist visits to Spain of up to 90 days. Non-EU nationals who are legal residents of one
Schengen country do not require a visa to visit another Schengen country.
All non-EU nationals entering Spain for any reason other than tourism (such as study or
work) should contact a Spanish consulate, as they may need a specific visa and will have to
obtain work and/or residence permits. Citizens of countries not mentioned above should
check with their Spanish consulate whether they need a visa.
Women Travellers
Think twice about going by yourself to isolated stretches of beach or down empty city streets
at night. It's inadvisable for women to hitchhike - either alone or in pairs.
Topless bathing is OK on beaches in Catalonia and also at swimming pools. While skimpy
clothing tends not to attract much attention in Barcelona and the coastal resorts, tastes in in-
land Catalonia tend to be somewhat conservative.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Ca la Dona
The nerve centre of the region's feminist movement, Ca la Dona (Women's Home) includes
many diverse women's groups.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Centre Francesca Bonnemaison
93 268 42 18;
www.labonne.org
; Carrer de Sant Pere més Baix 7;
Urquinaona)
A women's cultural centre where groups put on expositions, stage theatre productions and
carry out other cultural activities.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Institut Català de les Dones
93 495 16 00;
www.gencat.net/icdona
;
Plaça de Pere Coromines 1;
Liceu)
It can point you in the right direction for information on marriage, divorce, rape/assault coun-
selling and related issues. The 24-hour hotline for victims of assault is 900 900120.
