Do they speak English?

English in Spain: easy on the coast, harder inland

English speakersFine in tourist areasChecked 22 October 2026

In the Costas, Canaries and Balearics, English is everywhere. In cities younger people speak it well. Inland towns and older Spaniards often speak little, so some basic Spanish goes a long way.

English is the main language
Widely spoken
Fine in tourist areas
Limited

RatingFine in tourist areas

Say helloHola

Areas covered3 on this page

In Catalonia and the Basque Country you'll see Catalan and Basque on signs and menus, but everyone speaks Spanish too. Trying a word of Catalan in Barcelona ('gràcies') earns a smile.

Where it differs

Coastal resorts and islandsWidely spoken
English everywhere, often with British-run bars.
Madrid, Barcelona, SevilleFine in tourist areas
Fine in central areas. Less so in neighbourhoods.
Inland SpainLimited
Little English. Learn the basics.

Phrases worth learning

HolaOH-lahHello
GraciasGRAH-thyasThank you
Por favorpor fah-VORPlease
¿Habla inglés?AH-blah een-GLESDo you speak English?
La cuenta, por favorlah KWEN-tahThe bill, please

Regional languages

Spain has several official regional languages. In Catalonia and the Balearics you'll see Catalan, in the Basque Country Basque (Euskara), and in Galicia Galician. Everyone also speaks Spanish, and nobody minds you using it, but a 'gràcies' in Barcelona or 'eskerrik asko' in Bilbao is a nice touch.

Useful words for eating out

Una caña: a small draught beer.
Menú del día: the set lunch menu, great value on weekdays.
Para picar: snacks or tapas to share.

Before you go

In Catalonia, 'bon dia' (good morning) and 'gràcies' (thank you) are appreciated.

Stay and do

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Questions people ask

Do people speak English in Benidorm?

Everywhere. It's one of the most English-speaking resorts in Spain.

Do people speak English in Barcelona?

In central areas, yes. In Catalonia you'll also see Catalan, but everyone speaks Spanish too.

How do you say 'do you speak English' in Spanish?

¿Habla inglés? (AH-blah een-GLES).

← All English spoken guides

Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.