Spain's Water

Bonnie, As the others have said, the water is perfectly safe in Spain. I was there in June (including all the places you'll be visiting), and didn't have any problems whatsoever. As with most trips, I just refill my water bottle with tap water. Of all the places, I think Granada was my favourite. If you have time, you might consider a Segway tour (they're a lot of fun), a Gypsy Flamenco show at Venta el Gallo (ask your hotel as most of them sell tickets for it) and of course the Alhambra (buy tickets WELL in advance). Happy travels!

Perfectly safe.

It's as safe as any other developed country in the world. I lived to write this reply anyway.

Spain's water and that anywhere else in Western Europe has been safe for decades. Asking the question locally would be seen as downright insulting.

I am sorry if I have insulted anyone, that was not my intent. I have health issues and I was just double checking. Thank you

I was in all three cities last year, and Madrid again this year. Yes, the water is absolutely safe. Many places have public fountains where people refill water bottles, too.

Yes, definitely safe and delicious as well...straight from the tap....am in Barcelona now after time in other areas - I come here often...and drink the water, the wine, and the beer....all are delicious, and bottled water often the most expensive choice!

Thank you! I am very excited about our trip to Spain. We leave on Friday.

If you're interested, check out the trip review I posted here. It's something like, "Spain: clean toilets, affordable lodging" We spent a month in Spain. I tried to cover a wide variety of things people might want to know when they visit.

Thanks Brad, I will check it out.

A good general rule is to Google "CDC <country of interest>" and you will find the CDC page for that country. If the CDC says it's o.k, then it certainly is because they are very conservative. Even in some places they say are questionable, your local travel health office may differ, being more lenient. We traveled successfully in Czech Republic and Hungary and drank tap water in both, on the basis of our local travel health office. I think the latter was on the CDC "drink bottled water" list. Of course, we have both been immunized for Hep-A. I am a crazy worrier about such things, have traveled a lot in Asia on business and gotten stomach ailments even when brushing my teeth with bottled water. Trust me, western Europe is fine.

You know ,, we went to Spain last year for first time ( but not last, loved it) and it never even occurred to me to wonder if water was safe,, perhaps naive, but I just assumed it was.. lol Bonnie, sometimes people react to different mineral content of water etc.. so even "safe " water may take some sensitive people off kilter a bit.. so i would advise , if you have some sort of super sensitive tummy, to just start slowly.. you know, don't down a quart the first day. lol

Thanks for all the helpful information!

Bonnie, When my first child was born in France, we came to the States to visit family. Staying in a hotel during a stopover for a few days in New York City, I called the New York City Water Department to see if the water was safe to use for my son's formula. You can guess what kind of a cheer I got from the New Yoirk guy on the other end of the phone line! So I understand your question.

If you come to Los Angeles the water is "safe" but sure tastes bad to me. I look forward to drinking tap water in Spain next year.

Hi Bonnie, the water is safe but maybe doesnt taste great. I lived in Spain for years from Alicante to Marbella and I didnt drink out of the tap and ALWAYS bought bottled water. At times, especially in the south of Spain, there are periods of droughts and to provide tap water they do a DESALINATION process to the seawater which effects the quality of taste. In alicante there were problems of high levels of sulphur in the tap water and i am pretty sure the majority of people bought bottled water. So i dont think your question is offensive or silly. Yes the water is safe to drink but depending on what region you are in it might have a poor quality of taste. Stick to the bottled water it taste far better then anything that will come out of the tap!!!!