Key facts
Scotland at a glance
Highlights
The essentials of Scotland
Areas and places
Scotland area by area
Each area has its own page, with its own character, plans and map.
Plan the trip
Scotland, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Scotland
From April to June and in September: long days, less rain than in autumn and normal prices. In August Edinburgh holds its festivals and hotel prices soar; in winter it gets dark around four, but the city works well.
How you travel
Scotland your way
The ways of travelling that suit Scotland. We are writing a guide to each one: where to stay, how to get around and which services you will need.
By planeCar-free
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Apply for the ETA before buying the flight
It usually arrives quickly, but without it you can't board. Use only the British government's official website or app.
- 2Book the castle with a time slot
Online tickets are cheaper and, if they sell out, they don't sell them at the door.
- 3Choose your Highlands day carefully
The Loch Ness trip lasts about twelve hours. Put it in the middle of the trip, not on the day of your flight.
Where do you start with Scotland?
With Edinburgh. The capital is the natural gateway from Spain: it has direct flights from many Spanish airports, a tram that drops you in the centre in half an hour and everything you come to see within walking distance. The castle on its rock, the Royal Mile, the streets buried beneath it and a volcano, Arthur's Seat, that you can climb in a morning without leaving the city. Three days is enough for a first visit; four if you want a day in the mountains.
You don't need to drive to see the Highlands, the mountainous north. Every morning, organised day trips leave Edinburgh for Glencoe and Loch Ness, by minibus or coach, returning in the evening. It is a long day, of about twelve hours, but it saves you driving on the left on mountain roads.
What documents do you need?
Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and the entry rules are the same as in England. You need a passport: the Spanish ID card is not accepted, except for residents with EU Settlement Scheme status. You also need the ETA, the electronic travel authorisation, which you apply for beforehand on the British government's official website or app. It costs £20 and is valid for visits of up to six months; since 25 February 2026 you aren't allowed to board without it. The European Health Insurance Card is still valid, but it is no substitute for travel insurance.
Getting there and around
Direct flights reach Edinburgh airport (EDI) all year round from Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, Seville, Santander and the Canary Islands, and in season from other cities such as Valencia, Palma or Bilbao: the detail is in the how-to-get-there-by-plane panel of the Edinburgh guide. From Madrid the flight takes about three hours.
In the city you don't need a car. Bus and tram are paid for with a contactless card or phone, with a daily cap of £5.70. Outside, the train connects the cities, and for the Highlands the practical option is the organised day trip or, if you want several days, a hire car.
The currency is the pound sterling. Scottish banks print their own notes, which are equally valid; in any case, almost everything is paid for by card.
When to go?
May, June and September are the most rewarding months: in June it doesn't get dark until after ten. In August the Edinburgh festivals coincide, with the city full of theatre and street music, and hotels cost double or are sold out; if you go then, book months ahead. In winter the days are short and cold, but the castle, museums and pubs stay open, and in December there is a Christmas market. It rains at any time of year: always bring a waterproof.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can you travel to Scotland with an ID card?
No. You need a valid passport and the ETA approved before boarding, as in the rest of the United Kingdom.
How many days do I need for Edinburgh?
Three for the castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood and Arthur's Seat; one more if you want the Highlands trip.
Can you see Loch Ness in a day from Edinburgh?
Yes, with an organised trip of about twelve hours that passes through Glencoe. It leaves first thing and returns around eight in the evening.
Are there direct flights from Spain to Scotland?
Yes, to Edinburgh, all year round from Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, Seville, Santander and the Canary Islands, and more cities in season.
Do I need a car?
In Edinburgh, no. To tour the Highlands on your own for several days, it does help.