Spain

Spain's high-speed AVE rail network is one of the most extensive in Europe, connecting Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia in a few hours.

A car is genuinely useful for rural regions like Extremadura, but a liability in historic city centers, many of which restrict non-resident vehicles. Domestic flights make sense mainly for reaching the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Within cities, metro and bus networks are excellent in Madrid and Barcelona specifically.

Spain is a safe country to visit by most measures -- violent crime against travelers is rare. The practical risks visitors actually encounter are almost entirely petty and preventable.

• Pickpocketing is the most common issue by far, concentrated in crowded tourist areas and on public transport -- Barcelona's Las Ramblas and metro, Madrid's Sol and metro, and crowded beaches nationwide see the most reports. Keep bags zipped and worn in front on crowded transit and in busy plazas.
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• Common scams worth recognizing: fake petition signers and "friendship bracelet" distraction techniques near major landmarks, unlicensed taxi drivers quoting inflated flat fares from airports, and the classic "someone spills something on you" distraction just before a pickpocketing attempt.
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• Sun and heat are a genuine everyday consideration in summer, especially inland -- Madrid and Andalusia's interior see extreme heat that catches visitors unprepared, so pacing outdoor sightseeing around the early morning and evening in July/August matters.
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• Wildfires are a growing summer risk in parts of the country, particularly Galicia and inland forested areas during hot, dry stretches -- check regional alerts if traveling to rural areas in peak summer.
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• Emergency number: 112 works free of charge from any phone anywhere in Spain and connects to police, fire, or medical services.