travelling around spain on a budget

The Cost of Travel in Spain: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

I’ve spent so much time travelling across Spain — almost six months in total!

I’ve been lucky enough to spend six weeks exploring Madrid and three months living in Granada. I’ve taken short trips to Valencia, Girona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Ronda, visited Barcelona three times, island-hopped in the Canaries and flown to Mallorca five times. I’ve even hiked the Camino de Santiago! I just can’t stop returning to one of my favourite countries in Europe.

Over the time I’ve spent in Spain, I’ve learned an awful lot about how much it costs to travel there — and I’ve kept meticulous track of every single cent I’ve spent, too. While prices have risen since the pandemic, especially in the most popular tourist destinations, I still find it a very affordable place to travel.

Today, I’m excited to share just how much you can expect to spend on travel in Spain, based on my own personal experiences, and how you can get the most bang for your buck euro while you’re there! 

Let’s get started. 

The Cost of Accommodation in Spain

I know I have a ton of readers who are all about that backpacking life, so I want to kick off this section by running through some of the accommodation options out there for budget travellers.

Couchsurfing  is a great way to save money while taking a deep-dive into life in Spain. You’ll stay with a local for free, sleeping on their couch, and learning about their day-to-day life in the country. It’s not the most comfortable of travel experiences, of course, but you’ll learn more about what it’s like to be Spanish than you would by staying in a hostel or hotel. You can browse a list of Spanish Couchsurfing hosts  on the Couchsurfing site — with over a million hosts, you’ll find welcoming locals in almost every town and city across the country, many with outstanding reviews.

Housesitting  is another good option for saving money in Spain. Housesitting is exactly what it sounds like — you’ll take care of somebody’s house for free while they’re away, usually while looking after their pets. This approach is going to be best for long-term travellers or retirees: you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so need to have flexibility over where you go and when. If you do have that freedom, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, look after some adorable animals, and live like a local for a while.  Trusted Housesitters  is one of the best sites for getting started with housesitting.

And finally, if you’re travelling long-term and don’t mind getting your fingers dirty, you could look at  WWOOFing or  WorkAway as a way to cut down your costs while working on a farm in exchange for accommodation and food. It’s not the most glamorous travel you’ll ever do, but getting to live for free in a foreign country is an incredible experience, so if you’re backpacking around Europe, this may be the way forward for you.

I’m suspecting, though, that for many of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

The first of these is  hostels . In Spain, you’ll come across hostels all over the country, from the big cities to the small villages to beachside hideaways. They’re one of your best options for saving money, and aren’t just for the backpackers.

Hostels in Spain are generally cheaper than equivalents elsewhere in Western Europe, with the big exception being Barcelona over the summer, but even then, it’s still not outrageous. You can expect to spend around  €25 for a dorm bed  in most spots in Spain, with the price increasing to around  €30-40 a night  on the beaches and more tourist-filled areas.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, prices vary a lot. You can expect to spend as little as €45 a night  for a clean, basic room in a good location in less-touristy towns, and double that in popular beachside cities in the middle of summer. If you’re travelling with friends or a partner, you may find it cheaper to grab some privacy over settling for two beds in a dorm room.

If you’re an older traveller and put off by the thought of nights spent in hostels, you shouldn’t be! Private rooms are usually very quiet and clean, and most hostels are modern, safe, and centrally located. They tend to have a little more personality than generic hotels, and the staff are fantastic at offering kickass travel advice. As long as you check the reviews of any hostel before booking it to make sure nobody refers to it as a party hostel, you’re all good to make a booking there. I use  HostelWorld  to find the cheapest hostels.

And, of course, there are always hotels, which give extra comfort and luxury and start at around  €100 a night for a simple guesthouse, rising to €150-200 for a three or four-star hotel in a central area, and €250+ for luxury accommodation. I always use Booking to find guesthouses and hotels when I travel, as they have the greatest selection for the best prices. After staying in so many hotels and guesthouses across Spain, these are the places I’d most recommend!

I’ve stayed in several different hotels in Madrid , but my favourite has to be Casa du Soleil (€150) . Easily accessible by metro, it’s only a short walk from all the attractions of the city centre in one direction and the vibrant Lavapies neighbourhood in the other, while having thick walls and being on a quiet side street to ensure a good night’s sleep! The rooms are super-modern and stylish, with comfortable beds and large bathrooms (the shower is fantastic!), and there’s a communal kitchen downstairs with free milk and cereal in the morning and tea and coffee all day.

Barcelona is a very popular place to visit, which can make it hard to find good, reasonably-priced accommodation in a central area. One of the few exceptions is Hotel Jazz (€194) , which is in a perfect location just a couple of minute’s walk from Plaza Catalunya and the start of La Rambla, the city’s famous walking street. The rooms are clean, modern, and unusually large for Spain, and I love the incredible views over the city from the rooftop pool and terrace area. A tasty buffet breakfast is available each morning, but if you’d rather go out to eat, there are hundreds of good eating options within just a few blocks!

Heading to Seville ? This beautiful city is one of the cheaper parts of Spain, and that’s as true for accommodation as anything else. For just €126 a night, Hotel Giralda Center is in an ideal spot, away from the busiest part of the central city but still just a short walk from the city’s biggest attractions. The hotel is basically brand new, and it feels like it: the rooms are huge, with modern touches like a smart speaker so I can play my own music. The staff are super-friendly staff, the breakfast is one of the better ones I’ve come across in a Spanish hotel, and the rooftop pool is very welcome in the summer heat!

I’ve spent more time in Granada than anywhere else in Spain, and can’t get enough of this wonderful southern city! Like Seville and other parts of Andalucía, it’s less expensive than much of the rest of Spain, which makes for some great deals on accommodation. At €109 per night, Hotel Granada Center is a bargain for what you get. It’s close to the train station, a short walk to the old town, and a slightly longer walk to the Alhambra: central Granada is small, so it isn’t far to anywhere you’ll want to go. I really liked the comfortable bed and modern bathroom, and was very surprised by the size of the balcony: it’s huge! There’s a restaurant in the hotel that does good food throughout the day, but like I mentioned earlier, in Granada you get free tapas with a drink: somehow that seems to deal with many of my meals when I’m in town!

The Cost of Transportation in Spain

If you’re going to be hitting up the major cities in Spain, you’re in luck: public transportation is extensive, affordable, and of a high quality. Getting around is easy: if you’re happy to hop on a bus or train, you’ll be able to access pretty much anywhere in the country. 

Within the cities themselves, you’ll use buses and metros to get around, as well as taxis. Uber, unfortunately, isn’t in Spain, although you can use the similar Cabify app in several cities across Spain, from Madrid and Barcelona to Seville, Valencia, and more. Madrid also has a fantastic metro, and Barcelona’s is pretty decent. For the rest of the cities, you’ll probably get around by bus, tram, or light rail.  

When it comes to train travel between cities, it’s time to get yourself acquainted with RENFE, which runs the train system. You’ll find both high-speed and regular trains across the country, with the former obviously being more expensive. Trains run reasonably on-time, are in good condition, and easy to book online . I’ve travelled by train between several cites, including Barcelona and Valencia, Madrid and Granada, and Granada and Ronda, and enjoyed my rides. 

Buses are safe, clean, and comfortable in Spain, and often very cheap. It’s not surprise I find myself regularly using them! ALSA is the main bus company in Spain, and has an English-language version of its website that you can use to search and book tickets. 

Whether you’re taking a bus or train, you’ll save money on all but the shortest trips by booking at least a few days in advance versus just showing up at the station.

Spain is quite a large country, so if you’re short on time, it might be worth looking at flights as well. Several airlines, both budget and full-service, operate between many of the cities: I use Skyscanner to search them all at once. I’d only suggest this for extra-long journeys, though: most of the time when I’m going from centre city to centre city, I find it cheaper and just as quick to take the train.

Here’s what I paid for my trips across Spain:

• Bus from Barcelona to Madrid: €9
• Bus from Barcelona to Valencia: €12
• Bus from Bilbao to San Sebastian: €7.50
• Train from Madrid to Granada: €42
• Train from Seville to Madrid: €40
• Train from Barcelona to Valencia: €33
• Train from A Coruña to San Sebastian: €41
• Train from Barcelona to Girona: €13
• Flight from Seville to Barcelona: €50

The Cost of Food in Spain

Spanish food is such a great cuisine! I always forget about it when I think of the great cuisines of the world, but as soon as I touch down in the country, I’m so enamoured by all there is to eat. And let’s not even talk about the jamon iberico — swoon!

If you’re going to be backpacking in Spain, cooking a bunch of meals in your hostel kitchen is a good way to keep your food costs down. Head to a local market or supermarket near to where you’re staying and stock up on ingredients. Here are some typical prices of food and groceries in Spain to help you budget better:

• 0.5l of draught beer: €3
• A bottle of house wine in a small restaurant:  €8
• Coffee in an hipster area of town:  €2
• Litre of milk:  €0.80
• A loaf of bread:  €1
• A dozen eggs:  €1.50
• 1 kilogram of tomatoes:  €1.50
• 1 kilogram of potatoes: €1
• A 1.5l bottle of water:  €0.50

The good news is that eating out in Spain doesn’t have to be expensive, so even if you’re on a budget, you’ll still be able to regularly enjoy the local cuisine!

One of my favourite cultural experiences in Spain is eating tapas in Granada. Why? Because they’re completely free. Yep, Granada has this fantastic thing where whenever you order a drink, you get a free plate of food. Order a couple of glasses of wine or a few beers and you won’t need to pay for dinner. If you already plan on drinking with your meals, this is a great way to cut costs and try some local meals. 

Some of my favourite alcoholic drinks come from Spain, and I urge you to try them. Clara is beer with lemonade, tinto de verano is red wine with lemonade, and my favourite is kalimotxo , which is red wine and Coca-Cola. I know the last one sounds disgusting, but trust me, trust me, trust me, it’s incredible! If you see it on the menu, you have to order it. 

So let’s take a look at some of the best local eats you should try in Spain, along with the typical cost of these meals.

When it comes to breakfasts, continental Europe nearly always frustrates me. I’m not a huge fan of pastries and they do tend to rule in this part of the world. A popular option is chocolate con churros — yes, that’s right. Churros and chocolate for breakfast!

That said, there are other options! One of the more common breakfast dishes is tostada con tomate, aceite, y jamón  — bread topped with tomatoes, olive oil, and ham. It’s not the most flavourful of meals, but that doesn’t matter because the food is fresh and it always tastes delicious. You’ll be able to score a potato omelette (tortilla de patatas ) in the northern regions of Spain, and you’ll often see a  jamón sandwich or roll on the menu as well. As for cost, you’ll be looking at around €5 for breakfast, which usually includes an orange juice or coffee to wash it down. 

Let’s talk about lunches next. Bocadillos are everywhere and when the  jamón is as good as it is in Spain, you’re probably going to eat a hell of a lot of them. I’ve been offered all kinds of fillings in them, including cheese, tomato, tuna, potato omelette, and of course, cured meats like chorizo and several types of ham. If you’re after something reasonably light for lunch, this is the way to go: you’ll pay around €4-5 .

Lunch is typically the largest meal for the locals, though, so if you want to do as they do, prepare yourself for a several courses in the middle of the day. Think cold meats and cheeses to start, followed by a small bowl of soup. Next, you’ll tuck into paella or a fish in lemon sauce, force yourself to eat some roasted pork, then finish it all off with a flan for dessert. Yeah, it’s a lot. Overall, full lunches in Spain range between €20 and €40 , depending on how large you want your meal to be and how many glasses of wine you order with it!

Now, if you’re not already aware, the Spanish eat their dinners late. I remember turning up in Granada, forcing myself to wait until 8:30 p.m. before heading out for dinner, and then sitting alone in a restaurant for an hour before the first locals started showing up. Yes, part of the reason why you’ll want to have a huge lunch is because you’ll probably go out for dinner at 9 p.m. at the earliest! When it comes to the type of meals you can expect to eat, some of the more popular dishes are tapas, of course, as well as paella, croquettes, oxtail stew, gambas (shrimp, usually cooked in garlic), salted cod, and Iberian pork. You can expect to spend around €25 – €45 for dinners in Spain.

One way of saving money at dinner and (especially) lunchtime is to look out for smaller, often family-run restaurants offering a menu del dia . These “dishes of the day” typically involve three courses: a starter such as a soup or salad, a main course with chicken, pork, or seafood and rice or potatoes, and a dessert like a flan or ice cream. Water and/or wine is often included, and you’ll usually pay around €15-20 total for a very filling meal.

The Cost of Activities in Spain

We’ve covered accommodation, transportation, and food, but let’s face it: you’re not going to have the trip of a lifetime if you skip out on entrance fees and activities! Here’s a detailed breakdown of some of the entrance fees you’re likely to encounter while travelling around Spain:

• Entrance to Sagrada Familia, Barcelona:  €26 
• Entrance to Park Guell, Barcelona: €10
• Entrance to the Guggenheim, Bilbao: €15
• Entrance to the Great Mosque, Cordoba: €13
• Entrance to Seville Cathedral: €12
• Entrance to the Alhambra, Granada: €19.09
• Participating in La Tomatina festival: €12

Don’t panic, though! There are plenty of ways to keep your activity costs down while you’re in Spain, and I’ve always had a wonderful time in the country simply walking through the cobblestone streets, lying on the beautiful beaches, and walking in the countryside. There are tons of free museums to enter, whether you’re travelling in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, or elsewhere. Confession: I’ve never paid to enter the Sagrada Familia, but I still was awed by the exterior of this iconic building. 

One way to save money but still gain a taste of the local culture is to spend a couple of hours wandering around a local market. Spain has some great vintage flea markets to take a look around, and I always find myself drawn to them, even if I’m travelling on a tight budget. I’m a huge fan of El Rastro in Madrid, Alcaiceria flea market in Granada, Mercadillo del Jueves in Seville, and Plaza Redonda Market in Valencia.

I love taking tours to really delve into a country, and these days, I book pretty much every activity I do through Get Your Guide , so I recommend checking them out for inspiration. They have hundreds of activities and tours available across Spain. One of the best tours I’ve taken with them was the three-countries-in-one-day tour ( €109 ), where I got to check out parts of Spain, France, and Andorra, leaving from Barcelona. 

These are the highest-reviewed tours you can jump on through Get Your Guide:

• Timed entry ticket for Sagrada Familia in Barcelona : €33.80
• San Sebastian Evening Pintxos Tour with Wine : €116.10
• Flamenco performance in Seville : €25
• Monserrat tour from Barcelona : €85
• Fast-pass ticket for the Alhambra in Granada : €24.59
• Tapas and wine walking tour of Madrid : €80
• Game of Thrones-themed tour of Girona : €35

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

Regular readers are already sick of hearing me ramble on about the importance of travel insurance. 

Yes, if you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Spain. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

How Much I Spent While Traveling in Spain

As I mentioned at the start of this post, I’ve been tracking every Euro and cent I’ve spent since I started travelling in 2011 and Spain is no different. I’ve taken a look at how much I’ve spent on accommodation, transportation, food, and activities over the six months I’ve spent in Spain and calculated the overall average, which I’ve shared below: 

• Accommodation: €145 per day for two people, so €72.50 each
• Transportation: €13.22
• Food: €23.80
• Activities and entrance fees: €12.94

My total daily expenditure in Spain is therefore: €122.50 ! Not bad at all! 

And that’s it for my budget breakdown for Spain! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below :-) 

Related Articles on Travel in Spain 🧳 How to Pack for Spain: My Complete Packing List 🇪🇸 Top Things to Do in Madrid 🥘 28 Incredible Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain ⛰ Exploring Ronda, Spain’s Spectacular Cliffside City 🏰 The Cost of Living in Granada, Spain

Articles on Walking the Camino de Santiago Across Spain 🚶🏼‍♀️ What’s it Like to Walk the Camino Primitivo? 💶 How Much Does it Cost to Walk the Camino de Santiago? 🎒 What to Take on the Camino Primitivo: My Detailed Packing List 🤔 Reflections on Walking My First Camino

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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I’ve been living in Barcelona for a few years now and I can definitely say it is a great stop for nomads. The city is fun, there are tons of events for startups and tech people and there is a great coworking ecosystem with some amazing places to work from.

That’s great to hear! I’m thinking of moving to Barcelona later this year.

I’m planning a jaunt to Spain for later this year, hopefully when lockdown ends. I have two weeks and can’t decide whether to go north or south. Budget is a big concern of mine too — which would you suggest?

Thanks Lauren, one of the most complete articles I have seen on the subject. Im sure it will help a lot of people who plan to visit Spain. I will reference the post on my site as well.

Hi! I’m working online now and was thinking of hopping around Spain for a few months. Is there decent public wifi in most places? Do you have ideas about the cost of unlimited data plans as a traveller to use as a hotspot?

(Love your page here – lots of awesome information and I’m feeling more confident about making a trip happen!)

Some really great tips here. I did a 2 week trip around Spain at the end of 2021 and I have to agree, free tapas are the best! I made the most out of my food budget by eating a menu del dia for lunch and free tapas at dinner. Oh, and talking to lots of locals who then fed me :-) Wish I’d done some Coachsurfing though.

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Meet Lauren Juliff

• Travel to Spain Budget

How to Travel Spain on a Budget: Cost Guide & Tips

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Are you dreaming of an unforgettable Spanish vacation but worried about breaking the bank? Traveling to Europe can be affordable if you really plan it.

We’ve compiled a list of essential tips and tricks to help you explore Spain while keeping your budget intact.

From avoiding the high season rush to enjoying the great outdoors and finding the best flight deals, this guide will help you create an incredible journey without draining your wallet.

Save this article or send it to your travel partner, and keep it safe for your next trip!

Check out our cost guide at the end of this article!

Table of Contents ▼ ▶

1. AVOID GOING IN THE HIGH SEASON 

If I were you, I would avoid going in the high season of Spain as this is when accommodation prices in tourist cities are at their highest peak. You will also find tourist attractions super crowded.

But when does the high season start in Spain? The peak tourist season in Spain starts around mid-July and lasts throughout August.

As well as prices going to their highest peak, it coincides with the most elevated temperatures of the year, making traveling in most parts of the country somewhat uncomfortable. If you want to visit cities like Seville, Granada, and other inland Andalusian towns, you’ll realize there are better times to go than summer. 

The best times of year to travel to Spain are spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, November); as tourism drops considerably, prices drop, and the weather is ideal, avoiding the sweltering heat of summer.

2. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

Make the most of Spain’s stunning outdoors, which includes picturesque beaches, parks, and breathtaking natural landscapes. It will allow you to engage in cost-effective or accessible outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, or walking around the cities and towns. 

3. STRATEGIES TO FLY CHEAPER

One of the tools I always use to find the cheapest flights is Skyscanner which allows you to find the cheapest flights as it has an option that filters the results by price. 

According to several people, buying the outward flight from one company and the return flight from another will make the flight much cheaper. Moreover, choosing this option for flights can even fit you better in terms of schedules, so it’s a perfect option to find cheap flights and also save on flights.

There is no better technique for finding cheap flights than being flexible with your days and schedules. Traveling when everyone else is doing it, on the eve of a holiday or holidays, will inevitably increase the price if you travel before or after those dates.

If, in addition to being flexible with dates, times, and destinations, you can also be flexible with the route, you have the whole combo to get the best flight deals on the market. The price difference for some routes with stopovers to flying direct could be better.

4. INVEST IN 1-DAY TRIPS

If you’ve already explored prominent attractions such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Prado in Madrid, consider venturing to 1-day trips destinations. Usually these places around big cities like Madrid or Barcelona are tranquil villages and towns that offer an escape from the urban hustle, and affordable prices.

Among our recommendations is the enchanting coastal town of Tossa de Mar, close to Barcelona, and El Escorial, close to Madrid.

If Madrid is your base city, a great option would be to do one trips to places like Segovia, Toledo, or Salamanca. You can takes snacks with you to save on food and discover whole new places without breaking the bank.

5. VISIT THE MOST POPULAR MUSEUMS FOR FREE 

Organizing your trip and your activities when you come to Spain is essential because cultural activities are cheaper than you might think. What’s more, with some information and planning your visit, you can access most of the significant museums in our country for free. 

Most of the museums in the country have an entrance ticket of between 10€ and 15€, which is too expensive if you want to visit several of them.

But I have a solution for you; in the prestigious Prado Museum in Madrid, entrance is free from Monday to Saturday from 6 pm to 8 pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 5 pm to 7 pm.

While if you want to visit the Picasso Museum in Barcelona without paying the 12€ entrance fee, you can do so on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9.30 pm and on the first Sunday of every month from 9 am to 7 pm.

Read our featured article on museums in Spain:

• The Best 11 Museums in Barcelona: Its not all about Gaudí!
• The Best 13 + 1 Museums in Madrid: It’s Not All About Art!
• Seville Museums: 9 Must-Visit Palaces & Art Galleries

6. STAY CONNECTED ECONOMICALLY

To stay connected without spending a fortune on data, I would consider these cost-effective options: acquire a local SIM card or take advantage of the free Wi-Fi available in cafes, restaurants, and public areas. Using a local SIM card or accessible Wi-Fi hotspots, you can avoid excessive roaming charges while remaining connected during your stay in Spain.

7. BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE FOR EXTRA SAVING 

If you are considering moving around Spain, train is one of the best options. But you have to book Renfe train tickets in advance.

Especially during peak travel times like Easter Week, Christmas, and summer, book your train tickets on the Renfe website ahead of time to get the cheapest tickets.

There are special offers marked “promo only” available online that will save you a few euros or quite a few if you want to book a high-speed AVE train.

In the last few years, low-cost trains have become very popular to travel around Spain quickly and cheaply. You can find trains to Barcelona and back for €15 with trains such as Ouigo, Pavlo, Iryo.

8. GO ON FREE TOURS TO GET TO KNOW A CITY

In most of the cities of Spain, there are free guided tours. These tours are offered by local guides or tour companies and financed through voluntary tips that participants can give at the end of the tour if they wish.

Free tours are an excellent option for travelers who want to explore a city inexpensively, learn about its history and culture, and have the opportunity to interact with local guides who know the area well in a very economical way.

They usually vary from one hour to several hours, depending on the route and the points of interest included. The local guides are generally passionate and knowledgeable about the city, sharing anecdotes, historical facts, and recommendations during the tour.

9. GRAB FOOD AT A SUPERMARKET AND DO A PICNIC IN A PARK 

A perfect and very economical plan is to go to the supermarket to buy food, you can purchase ready-made sandwiches, salad, nachos, chips, drinks… and have a picnic in one of the beautiful parks of the cities of Spain.

Open an Excel and create a budget! To fully enjoy your trip, have at least one meal in a restaurant, bar or cafe. So, separate part of your budget for these special moments. Make sure you get big meals, and for the rest save money by getting good at supermarkets.

10. EXPLORE ON FOOT

Discover Spain on foot to uncover the treasures of Spanish cities and towns. Walking not only enables you to economize on transportation costs, but it also allows you to immerse yourself in the authentic local culture. By strolling through the streets, you’ll experience the essence of Spain while keeping your budget in check, allowing for delightful surprises along the way.

The chart above shows an approximate cost guide for a low-budget trip to Spain. Remember that to keep your journey as affordable as possible, you must plan and book all essentials (such as hotels and flights) ahead of time. In addition, use tools such as Skyscanner to get better deals, and follow our tips to enjoy Spain without emptying your bank account.

Don’t let budget constraints hold you back. Spain offers a treasure trove of experiences that won’t break the bank.

Avoid the high-season rush and explore during spring or autumn for affordable prices and ideal weather. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors—beaches, parks, and stunning landscapes await. Save on flights by being flexible and using tools like Skyscanner. Discover hidden gems and local favorites, and visit renowned museums during free entry hours. Stay connected economically with local SIM cards and free Wi-Fi hotspots. Book train tickets in advance for extra savings, and indulge in free guided tours to uncover the secrets of each city. Finally, embrace the joy of walking and uncover the authentic charm of Spain on foot.

Unleash your budget-friendly Spanish adventure today!

READ NEXT: Experience Madrid on a Budget: 7 Money Tips on 2023

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Spain Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

Spain is a country that moves slow. This is the land of the siesta. It’s a place for foodies, night owls, history buffs, religious pilgrims, and anyone not in a rush to do just about anything!

It’s a huge country with a lot of variety: Madrid and Barcelona are hip and energetic cities, Granada has a Moorish touch, Valencia has its own vibe, Catalonia has its own language and culture, and the Basque region (an autonomous community in northern Spain) feels like you’re in an entirely different country.

And, as an added bonus, Spain is an incredibly affordable place to visit. I’ve been traveling to the country for over a decade and I never break the bank while I’m there. It’s really easy to get by on a budget.

This budget travel guide to Spain can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this vibrant country.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Spain

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in spain.

1. Enjoy Barcelona

Barcelona is famous for its all-hours partying, late-night meals, and historic streets. Embrace the nocturnal lifestyle and you’ll fit right in. Don’t miss the Museu d’Història de la Ciutat — it’s one of the best in Europe and contains the largest Roman excavation outside of Rome itself. Other highlights include the Picasso Museum (Museo Picasso), where you’ll need some time to peruse 5,000 or so of the artist’s works; the towering and iconic Basilica De La Sagrada Família , one of a number of striking buildings across the city by famous architect Antoni Gaudí; Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter), where winding streets create a welcome maze built for wandering; and finding your way through the actual labyrinth that is the city’s oldest green space, Parc del Laberint d’Horta.

2. Explore the history of Granada

Granada is one of my favorite cities in Spain. It’s a place where culture, architecture, and ideas from North Africa and Europe collide in a unique way, and no trip to the south of Spain is complete without a visit. Don’t miss the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Moorish palace and fortress built in the 13th century, and the Fajalauza ceramic factory, which dates back to 1517 and still remains in the same family. There are also a number of cathedrals and monasteries, including the peaceful Monastery of San Jeronimo, with leafy cloisters and a lavish chapel (5 EUR). Be sure to watch a flamenco show while you’re here (they’re usually around 20 EUR) and visit a Moorish tearoom for mint tea (locals recommend it with plenty of sugar).

3. Wander Madrid

Madrid , the capital of Spain, is famous for its museums, tapas, and nightlife. Like Barcelona, this is a city that doesn’t get going until midnight, which makes for quiet mornings with empty streets if you want the city all to yourself. Make sure you visit Museo Del Prado, one of the largest art museums in the world (get skip-the-line tickets from Get Your Guide ), and the Royal Palace — with nearly 3,500 rooms, it’s the largest palace in all of Western Europe. Other highlights include the Temple of Debod (an Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BCE), El Retiro Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the 15th-century Plaza Mayor, the city’s central square, and El Rastro market every Sunday — a mix of flea market finds, clothing, and jewelry.

4. Revel in La Tomatina

La Tomatina is an epic hour-long tomato fight that draws upwards of 20,000 people to the small town of Buñol (only 9,000 people live in the town itself). Started in 1945, this festival is held on the last Wednesday of August, and over 360,000 pounds of tomatoes are thrown during the event. It starts when water cannons fire, and it ends after exactly one hour. It’s the most amazing and messy festival I’ve ever been to! (Tip: Stay in Valencia for more overnight options.)

5. Discover Seville

Other things to see and do in spain, 1. lounge on the costa del sol.

Hang out on the beach and enjoy the laid-back lifestyle for which Spain is famous. This slice of southern Spain is renowned for its beaches, nightlife…and tons of tourists. That said, it’s still a fun place to eat great food in seaside restaurants (the region is famous for pescaito frito , or deep-fried fish), enjoy watersports in the clear Alboran Sea, drink sunset cocktails, and relax on beautiful beaches. Malaga is one of the go-to destinations on the coast, but I think there are better places further down, like El Bajondillo’s white sand beach and the incredible seafood surrounding La Carihuela beach. To beat the crowds, visit during the shoulder season. The weather will still be warm, but it won’t be as crowded.

2. See Valencia

Valencia is a pretty amazing town. Initially, I wasn’t attracted to Valencia — I simply went for the tomato fight in nearby Buñol (most participants use Valencia as their base during the festival). However, Valencia grew on me as I explored the city, as it makes for a quiet stop between Spain’s more lively cities. Originally a Roman colony and once the capital of Spain, it has delicious seafood, a unique local paella (rather than seafood, the recipe uses chicken, rabbit, and beans), a popular soccer club (Valencia CF), and a giant food market (Mercado Central) housed in an extravagant domed building that looks like a cathedral. It’s a cool city that straddles the past and future with historic streets, futuristic museums — there’s literally a museum focused on “enlightenment and modernity,” and an awesome seaside boardwalk that passes plenty of great tapas spots and the historic fishing district of Cabanyal.

3. Walk the Camino de Santiago

El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James, is one of the most popular pilgrimage routes in the world. The path most people take, the French Way, runs from the border of France all the way to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Stretching 800 kilometers (500 miles), you need around a month to complete the entire route. The mostly flat Camino is best done in May¬–June or September–October (July and August are both very busy and very warm). If you have the time, it’s a really great way to see the country and some of the less-visited areas of Spain. Of course, you can also walk sections of it if you just want to see what it’s like on a day hike.

4. Tour the islands

Spain has some of the most beautiful islands in all of Europe. Unsurprisingly, during July and August, they’re crowded and expensive, so try to avoid peak season. If you love beaches, surfing, hiking, or cycling, then be sure to hit up Gran Canaria, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve filled with beautiful landscapes and wildlife, including dolphins. If you’re coming to Spain to party, a stop in Ibiza for its all-night clubs is a must. Other islands worth checking out are Tenerife (home to Teide National Park and the highest peak in Spain), Majorca (for turquoise water and medieval architecture), and La Palma (a certified Starlight Reserve). Ferries from Barcelona and Valencia run frequently from late spring to early summer. In the winter, ferries only run a few times a week.

5. Visit Gibraltar

Bordering Spain on the Iberian peninsula, Gibraltar has actually been an overseas territory of the United Kingdom since 1713. It’s known as “The Rock,” owing to the 426-meter-high (1,397-foot) limestone ridge that dominates the island — you can ride a cable car to the top, or get great views by climbing the 18th-century Mediterranean Steps. There’s an interesting mix of cultures here too, with influences from Britain, Spain, and North Africa. With sunny days year-round, views of two continents (Europe and Africa), wildlife galore (including Gibraltar monkeys, which are actually Barbary Macaques and the only population of wild monkeys in Europe). There are also plenty of sandy of beaches and caves to explore (St Michaels Cave is probably the most popular), it’s a small swatch of land with enough to see and do to make a short visit worthwhile.

6. Play in the Sierra Nevadas

This mountain range, located within Spain’s largest nathional park, is in southeastern Spain near the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the perfect place for summer hiking, winter skiing, and exploring small towns year-round. The area is one of the prettiest and most rugged regions in Spain and one of the better areas for outdoor activities in the country. There are plenty of trails ranging in length and difficulty, as well as the possibility for guided tours. Popular hikes include Mulhacen (6 hours), El Chullo (4-5 hours), and Pico de Veleta (4-5 hours). Lift passes for skiing at Sierra Nevada resort in the winter start at around 50 EUR per day.

7. Visit San Sebastián

Known as Donostia in Basque, San Sebastián is at the center of the Basque area of Spain. This place has killer nightlife and beaches (La Concha beach is the most popular), as well as loads of history throughout the city. It was founded in 1180 in the area that’s now become the Old Quarter. = The architecture — a cool mix of 16th-century Gothic churches, 19th-century mansions, and ultra-modern buildings — makes it one of the most beautiful and unique cities in all of Spain. For stunning views of the coast, hike up one of the 4 trails of Monte Urgull, located at the tip of La Concha. The city sees a fraction of the visitors compared to c Madrid or Barcelona so it’s much less crowded (and less expensive ). The regional Basque cuisine here is delicious, so be sure to take a food tour while you’re here.

8. Admire the Great Cathedral and Mosque

The Mezquita de Córdoba (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption) is by far the most exquisite example of Muslim influence in Spain. Located in Córdoba just east of Seville, its giant arches, jasper columns, marble floors, richly gilded prayer niches, and the awe-inspiring domed shrine of Byzantine mosaics take you back to when Córdoba was under Muslim influence in the 12th century. Admission is 13 EUR and skip-the-line guided tours are 24 EUR.

9. Unwind in Salamanca

Salamanca seems to be in the middle of nowhere (it’s 2.5 hours northeast of Madrid by car), but it’s worth the detour for the history (it dates back to the Celtic era), and its historical Old Quarter which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university town has a mix of small-town atmosphere, great nightlife, and plenty of backpackers. In the old quarter, join the other tourists trying to spot the frog carved into the 16th-century university facade — said to bring professional success. The main square, Plaza Mayor, is one of the largest in Spain and is great for soaking up the city, and the nearby cathedral is gorgeous. It’s actually two cathedrals —an Old, from the 12th and 13th centuries, and New, from the 16th — joined together.

10. Hike the Pyrenees

The majestic mountain chain that walls off France is laced with medieval villages, high mountain walking trails, and great skiing. It’s also the traditional start of the Camino (see #3 above). You can hike through the Pyrenees on one of three established routes, but it takes most people almost two months to complete the entire trek (choose spring or fall, summer will be extremely hot). Of course, you can also just hop on the Camino for a single-day hike or weekend hiking trip along one of the moderate routes. If you don’t want to go solo, you can take a full-day hiking tour of the Pyrenees from Barcelona with Get Your Guide .

11. Visit the Guggenheim Museum

One of the most famous museums in the world, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (a port city in northern Spain) always has some interesting exhibitions on modern art (including a permanent sculpture, “Snake,” that’s made of hot-rolled steel and spans more than 100 feet long!). There is also the iconic (and giant) spider sculpture outside the museum, and pieces by Rothko hang inside. Even if you’re not a modern art fan (I personally don’t love it), it’s still worth stopping by because the building is art itself. Frank Gehry, arguably one of the most famous living architects, designed it to have an eye-catching, undulating style, and the grand atrium alone is worth a visit. Admission starts at 16 EUR.

12. Explore Basque Country

Basque Country is an autonomous region in Spain, a place with its own unique culture and heritage. (The Basque people inhabited the area before Spain became a nation.) Located in the northeast corner of the country, you’ll notice the cultural and linguistic differences as soon as you step foot in the region. If you’re into off-the-beaten-path locations, be sure to tour Basque Country, which offers coastal areas, small towns, and mountains. Don’t miss the 153-year-old La Bretxa market in San Sebastian (open every day except Sunday), the Gothic-style St. Mary’s Cathedral in Bayonne, and Le Grand Stroll in Biarritz while you’re here. (The start of the Camino passes through the area as well.) La Rioja wine region can also be found in Basque Country — try its famous drink, a white wine called txakoli . Expect lots of seafood, lamb dishes, and pintxos (Basque tapas).

  For more information on specific cities in Spain, check out these guides:

• Barcelona Travel Guide
• Granada Travel Guide
• Madrid Travel Guide
• Seville Travel Guide
• Valencia Travel Guide

Spain Travel Costs

Budget hotels begin around 125 EUR for a twin or double and go up from there. Prices are slightly lower outside of the major cities and tourist areas but are about 20-30% higher during peak season. For larger cities during the summer high season, expect to spend closer to 200 EUR or more a night.

Airbnb is common in most major cities, with a private room starting around 60 EUR per night. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 120 EUR per night (often double that in the big cities or during peak season).

For those traveling with a tent, there are hundreds of campsites across Spain. Campground costs around 20 – 40 EUR per night. They can be as low as 5-10 EUR for a basic tent plot without electricity, while other costlier sites (around 50 EUR per site) often include extra luxuries like a pool, electricity, and Wi-Fi.

Food – Spain has a strong food culture. Meals can last for hours, and dinner often isn’t served until after 8 p.m. Each region in the country has its own local dishes and food culture, but there are some common favorites, like paella (originally from Valencia), gazpacho, churros, jámon ibérico (cured pork), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with sauce), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and tortilla (Spanish omelet).

You can usually find tapas and sandwiches for 5–10 EUR. Assembling a meal of tapas at a casual bar usually costs around 15-20 EUR, including a glass of wine. Cheap fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 9 EUR for a combo meal. Chinese food is around 10 EUR for a main dish, while pizza costs 10-14 EUR.

Beer is 3–4 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-4 EUR, and a latte/cappuccino is around 2 EUR. Bottled water is about 1.50 EUR. (In general, tap water is safe to drink in Spain.)

A decent casual restaurant meal costs around 25-30 EUR with a drink. If you go out for paella, drinks, or appetizers, plan to spend around 35-45 EUR for a meal.

Spain has a lot of expensive restaurants if you want to splash out. Meals at finer establishments begin around 55 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own food, groceries cost around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat or seafood. You can find the cheapest (and freshest) produce and meat at local markets.

Backpacking Spain Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 90 EUR per day, you can afford to stay in a hostel dorm or private Airbnb room, cook most of your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do mostly free activities like free walking tours and relaxing in the parks. Add at least 20 EUR per day to your budget if you plan on drinking or partying a lot.

On a mid-range budget of around 215 EUR per day, you can stay in a private room in a hostel, or a 2-star budget hotel, eat out at inexpensive restaurants for most meals, have a few drinks, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like cooking classes and museum visits.

On a “luxury” budget of 350 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a nicer hotel or entire Airbnb apartment, eat out regularly, drink more, take more taxis, and enjoy more guided tours. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget work. Prices are in EUR.

Spain Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Overall, Spain is pretty affordable. While accommodation costs in most touristy as well as larger cities have risen greatly in the last few years, everything else is still affordable. Individual city guides have more specific information on how to save in each city, but here are some general ways to save money while traveling around Spain:

• Get the menu of the day – Most restaurants offer a cheap and filling “menu of the day” ( menu del dia during lunch for around 10–15 EUR per person. They are a good way to save money while enjoying some delicious Spanish food. Wine or water are generally included, too. Look for more crowded spots — that’s how you know the food is good. Skip eating out for dinner — it’s too expensive!
• Eat free tapas – In some cities (like Granada), you can find bars where free tapas are given out when you order drinks. Bounce around the bars to eat cheap while enjoying a few drinks.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a great way to save money on accommodations while also getting some insights from locals. You might have better luck in the larger cities, but be sure to book early as the major cities also see the most requests.
• Take the bus – While the train system is fast, it’s expensive, with high speed trains double (or more) the cost of buses. If you have the time and want to save money, take buses to get around the country. It will take longer but, if you’re on a budget, it will be worth it. And look at booking your tickets online and in advance — it can save you money.
• Get a city pass – Most of the major cities have multiple museums, attractions, and activities worth checking out. Buying a city pass — like the Madrid City Card (from 8.40 EUR) or Malaga–Costa Del Sol Sightseeing Pass (starting at 14 EUR) — can save you money on these activities and also get you free transportation. These passes will save you a lot of money if you’re planning on visiting the major sights.
• Ride a bike – Tourists can use public bikes in cities such as Madrid and Seville for a daily or weekly fee. Take note, Barcelona’s red city bikes (Bicing) are for residents only, but you can find shops that offer daily or weekly bike rentals.
• Use BlaBlaCar – This app connects you with drivers who have room in their cars for additional passengers. Drivers are vetted and verified, so it’s a cool way to get out of stuffy trains and buses, meet interesting characters, and take a mini road trip. It’s one of my preferred methods of travel for medium- and long-distance trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. Spain now offers more water fountains and bottle-filling stations than in the past. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Spain

Spain has plenty of budget-friendly hostels and hotels all around the country. Here are some of my recommended places to stay:

• HelloBCN Hostel (Barcelona)
• Hotel BestPrice Gràcia (Barcelona)
• OK Hostel (Madrid)
• Petit Palace Puerta del Sol (Madrid)
• The River Hostel (Valencia)
• Red Nest Hostel (Valencia)
• Oasis Backpacker’s Hostel (Seville)
• Onefam Centro (Seville)
• ECO Hostel (Granada)
• Hostal Antares (Granada)

For more places to stay, check out the city specific destination guides.

How to Get Around Spain

Bus – The bus is the cheapest option for getting between cities in Spain. FlixBus has tickets starting as low as 6 EUR. Most buses come with outlets and free Wi-Fi. A 9–hour trip from Madrid to Barcelona starts from about 35 EUR, while the 4–hour trip between Seville and Granada costs around 25 EUR. Alsa is another popular bus company for travel throughout the country.

Trains – RENFE is the national rail line in Spain. High-speed trains are more expensive, but you can travel between Madrid and Barcelona in just 2.5 hours. Even on the more expensive high-speed train, however, you can find tickets from Madrid to Barcelona for as low as 55 EUR during off peak times in the offseason. The trip from Madrid to Seville is around 2.5 hours and costs 35 EUR, while Madrid to Valencia is just under 2 hours and costs 30 EUR.

To find routes and prices for trains around Spain (and Europe), use Trainline .

A Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period, might also be a good option depending on your plans. For more information, here’s a detailed breakdown of how Eurail passes work and can save you money .

Flying – If you’re pressed for time and are looking to hop from one city to the next, a budget airline. You can find really cheap fares on most routes.

However, be aware that you have to pay for all the extras on these cheap flights (such as checked baggage, picking your own seat, etc.) So, while flights are cheap (Madrid to Barcelona can be found for as little as 65 EUR round trip), the little expenses add up. And when you factor in getting to/from the airport, most flights really aren’t much faster than the train.

Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 25 EUR per day for compact vehicles when booked in advance. Make sure to check if the car is standard or automatic when reserving. Renters will need an International Driving Permit prior to book. The minimum age for renting a car is 21. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars .

Ridesharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the biggest company.

When to Go to Spain

Spain is lovely year-round, but the peak season — meaning, busiest and most expensive— is in the summer, from June to August. Popular destinations like Barcelona and Ibiza experience a massive influx of tourism — so much so that Barcelona’s residents have started clamping down on overtourism. Accommodations in the larger cities require serval months of advance booking is summer, and small shops may be closed in August for family holidays. The weather is fabulous this time of year, with high temperatures well into the 30s°C (90s°F)

The temperature in Spain doesn’t often drop too low, with winter temps between 4-10°C (40-50°F) country-wide. However, Northern Spain does sometimes experience snowfall — especially in the mountainous areas. While I wouldn’t aim to visit in the winter, if you’re already in Europe, this is going to be one of the warmer destinations on the continent, especially in the south. Madrid and Barcelona have plenty of holiday festivals in December and early January for Christmas and Three Kings Day. If you are in Spain during the holidays, visit a bakery to try traditional, seasonal desserts.

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are great times to visit. Tourist sites are less congested (think Gaudi attractions in Barcelona)and prices are a bit cheaper, especially accommodations in Barcelona or Madrid. Temperatures are pleasant, although it’s not exactly beach season. Beach destinations like Ibiza and Mallorca tend to get very quiet during this time, but there is still plenty to see and do around the rest of the country. If you plan on outdoor activities or hiking the Camino de Santiago, this is the time of year to do it.

How to Stay Safe in Spain

Spain is pretty safe to visit. Violent attacks are uncommon, and the country is safe for solo travelers However, petty crime is really widespread and pickpocketing is very common in the larger cities, especially near major tourist sites (such as La Rambla in Barcelona) and on public transportation. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight when on public transportation and when out and about. The thieves here are incredibly quick here. Report thefts to the local police, or ask your hotel or hostel how to file a report.

Be extra careful in Barcelona, especially in high season, where people may try to snatch your phone on the street or grab your stuff in crowded subways (pickpocketing is not as bad elsewhere in Spain). Also, never leave your backpack, phone, or laptop out and unsecured when at a cafe or restaurant. They can disappear in the blink of an eye.

Scams are also very common, especially in the larger cities (not that common though in smaller cities). Keep an eye out for kids in groups who might try to distract you before lifting your wallet, as well as people who might offer to “help” carry your luggage or take your photo, only to expect a hefty tip as thanks. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard safety precautions apply (always keep an eye on your drink at the bar, never walk home alone at night while intoxicated, etc.). Many hostels also have female-only dorm rooms. For specific tips on staying safe, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on Spain. They’ll be able to provide specific advice that I, a man, can’t.

If you experience an emergency, dial 122 for assistance.

Always trust your gut. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, and keep them separate from your originals. When you’re walking around, take minimal cash and one form of ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Spain Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!
• Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Spain.

Spain Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Spain travel and continue planning your trip:

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 7 Best Hotels in Barcelona

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

The Best Walking Tours in Seville

The Perfect 3 Day Granada Itinerary

The 7 Best Hostels in Seville

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

• How To Travel Around Spain...

How to Travel Around Spain on a Budget

Spain has so much to offer travellers, and there is no need to let a tight budget stop you from exploring its amazing sights and experiences. There are several ways in which travellers can stretch their euros. Discover how to do Spain on a shoestring with our guide to travelling on a budget.

Transport can be expensive, and it is often hard to snap up deals on Spain’s Renfe rail network. Opt instead for the bus: the country’s long-distance buses are clean and comfortable, and some even come with individual televisions in the back of the seats, aeroplane-style. Book in advance with companies such as ALSA to get the best bargains.

If you are staying in a city for a while, buy a travel card. Weekly travel passes can save you quite a bit of money and also mean you won’t be scrabbling for change every time you take the metro or bus.

Car sharing is another popular way to get around Spain, and Spaniards are some of the biggest fans of the French car-sharing company BlaBlaCar . Current prices include Madrid–Barcelona for €35.

Accommodation

Youth hostels are a popular option for people travelling on a shoestring around Spain. Big cities have ample choice, but beds are best booked in advance for the cheapest deals. Many hostels include a free breakfast and other perks, such as city tours and bar crawls.

In Spain, many places that call themselves ‘hostals’ are actually pensiones , or small hotels that have few stars but provide excellent value for money. Check out some on hotel sites to see reviews; there are some excellent places for very little money that provide more privacy than a traditional hostel dorm.

Wild camping is banned across Spain, so if you want to pitch a tent, make sure you find a proper campsite. There are sites of all kinds, from huge family-orientated resorts to smaller, simpler campsites in the mountains and other rural areas. You can find smaller and cheaper pitches at Pitch Up .

If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty in exchange for room and board, Wwoofing could be for you. They place people on organic farms, where users can learn farming techniques and get free accommodation and food in exchange for volunteering their time to work the land. This is a good option if you have plenty of time and are willing to really get involved and spend an extended amount of time in one place.

Make lunch your main meal of the day with a menu del día , a fixed-price menu that is excellent value and available in most restaurants and cafés across the country. A typical menu consists of a starter, main course, dessert or coffee and a soft drink, wine or beer for around €10.

Do a bit of research and scout out the tapas bars that offer free tapas when you buy a drink. While this is more common in the south and in smaller towns, even in Madrid there are bars – some local, some chain – that offer good-sized free tapas, even giving patrons a choice of what they would like, free with the price of a beer.

Avoid eating near big tourist sights. It may seem obvious, but restaurants located right near the major tourist sights are geared towards tourists and will probably be a rip-off. Steer clear of menus that feature pictures of the food, and try to learn a bit of Spanish before you set off so you can at least order in the local language – you’ll end up in much more authentic places and could save a lot of money on food.

Look out for free activities wherever you are visiting. There are lots of free things to do in big cities, including Madrid , Barcelona and Granada .

Many of Spain’s most famous museums have free hours, during which you don’t have to pay the admission fee. For example, the Museo del Prado in Madrid is free from Monday to Saturday 6pm–8pm, and Sundays 5pm–7pm.

Many cities also offer free walking tours, which just require a tip for the guide at the end. This is a good way to get your bearings in a new place for a reasonable price.

Visit Spain’s coastal resorts off-season for some great deals, and you’ll probably avoid the tourist masses in the process, allowing you to enjoy pristine sandy beaches almost all to yourself. So consider travelling outside the summer high season to get the best deals.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

See & Do

Getting a taste of picasso in malaga.

Guides & Tips

The best private trips to book for your spanish class.

The Best Private Trips to Book for a Foodie Adventure

Reasons Why You Should Visit Andalucia, Spain

Places to Stay

The best hotels to book in catalonia.

Top Tips for Travelling in Spain

The Best Places to Travel in June

Reasons Why You Should Visit La Rioja, Spain

The Best Hotels to Book in Salou, Catalonia

Bars & Cafes

The best wine bars in la rioja, spain.

The Most Unique Temples and Churches in the World

The Most Beautiful Train Stations in the World

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Spain Travel Budget - Visit Spain on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Spain Costs

• Is Spain Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Spain cost?
• Spain On-Your-Own Itineraries
• Palma de Mallorca
• Canary Islands
• Northwest Spain
• North Spain
• Northeast Spain
• Central Spain
• Eastern Spain
• Spain Hotel Prices
• Spain Cities: Hotel Prices by City
• Best Business Hotels in Spain
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Spain
• Best Hotels for One Night in Spain
• Best Adults Only Hotels in Spain
• Best Luxury Hotels in Spain
• Best Cheap Hotels in Spain
• Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Spain
• Best Hotels for One Week in Spain
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Spain
• Best Party Hotels in Spain
• Best Beach Hotels in Spain
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Spain
• Best Hotels for Skiing in Spain
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Spain
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Spain
• Hostel Prices & Reviews
• Spain Activities
• Spain Tour Prices
• The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain
• The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Spain
• The Best Historical Tours in Spain
• The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain
• The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain
• The Best 3-Day Tours in Spain
• The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain
• The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain
• The Best River Cruises in Spain
• The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain
• Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Spain
• The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Spain
• The Best Coach Bus Tours in Spain
• The Best Adventure Tours to Spain
• The Best Eco Tours in Spain
• The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain
• The Best Cultural Tours in Spain
• The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Spain
• The Best Music Tours in Spain
• The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain
• The Best Self Drive Tours in Spain
• The Best Walking Tours in Spain
• The Best Tours Under $1000 in Spain
• The Best Luxury Tours to Spain
• The Best Budget Tours to Spain
• The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain
• The Best Contiki Tours to Spain
• The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain
• Santiago de Compostela
• How much does it cost to travel to Spain? (Average Daily Cost)
• Spain trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

How much do package tours cost in Spain?

Is spain expensive to visit.

• How much do I need for a trip to Spain?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Spain?

You should plan to spend around $161 (€150) per day on your vacation in Spain. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $42 (€40) on meals
• $29 (€27) on local transportation
• $144 (€134) on hotels

A one week trip to Spain for two people costs, on average, $2,251 (€2,101) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 161 € 150
• One Week Per person $ 1,126 € 1,050
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 2,251 € 2,101
• One Month Per person $ 4,824 € 4,502
• One Week For a couple $ 2,251 € 2,101
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 4,502 € 4,202
• One Month For a couple $ 9,648 € 9,004

Are You an Experienced Traveler?

Help other travelers! Answer a quick question about your past travels. Click here: let's do it!

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Spain cost?

A one week trip to Spain usually costs around $1,126 (€1,050) for one person and $2,251 (€2,101) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Spain on average costs around $2,251 (€2,101) for one person and $4,502 (€4,202) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Spain will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Spain on average costs around $4,824 (€4,502) for one person and $9,648 (€9,004) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Spain is $222 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• Sensational Spain 14 Days - 14 Destinations $ 2,444
• Best of the Spanish Camino 13 Days - 24 Destinations $ 3,790

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Spain is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Spain is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Ireland or Austria.

For more details, see Is Spain Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Spain?

The average Spain trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Spain travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Spain

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Spain is $72 (€67). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Spain is $144 (€134). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 72 € 67
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 144 € 134

Hotel Prices in Spain

Looking for a hotel in Spain? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Spain based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $109. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Boutique Hotel El Tio Kiko Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 186
• Casa Maria Molinaseca Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 254

Local Transportation Budget in Spain

The cost of a taxi ride in Spain is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $29 (€27) per person, per day, on local transportation in Spain.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 29 € 27

Recommended Services

• Departure Barcelona Airport Private Transfer Viator $ 33
• Barcelona Transfers Premium Viator $ 104

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Spain are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Spain, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Metro € 2.10
• Bus Ride € 1.25
• Bus Ride € 3.50
• Airport Bus € 5.00
• 7 Trip Bus Pass € 5.00
• Taxi Ride € 6.80
• 10 Trip Metro Ticket € 7.80
• Taxi Ride € 26

Food Budget in Spain

While meal prices in Spain can vary, the average cost of food in Spain is $42 (€40) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Spain should cost around $17 (€16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Spain is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 42 € 40

Recommended

• Panoramic Highlights Rooftop Tour & Paella Cooking Class Sevilla Viator $ 158
• Paella Cooking Class overviewing Las Ramblas Viator $ 104

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Spain are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Spain, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Breakfast for 2 € 8.00
• Dinner for 2 € 44
• Dinner for 2 € 30
• Gelatto € 2.50
• Tapas on the beach € 8.28
• Lunch € 11
• Lunch for 2 € 11
• Lunch for 2 € 31

Entertainment Budget in Spain

Entertainment and activities in Spain typically cost an average of $29 (€27) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 29 € 27

Recommended Activities

• De Mercados: A Neighborhood Market and Tapas Experience Viator $ 97
• Private Tour With A Different Perspective of Alhambra Viator $ 129

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Spain are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Spain, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Food and Tapas Tour (for 2) € 54
• Walking Tour (for 2) € 60
• Catamaran Cruise (for 2) € 67
• Wine Tasting Tour (for 2) € 120
• Valle de los Caídos Monument € 6.00
• Tower of Hercules € 3.00
• Cadiz Sightseeing Tour € 15
• Concert € 31

Tips and Handouts Budget in Spain

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Spain is $5.77 (€5.38) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Spain is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 5.77 € 5.38

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Spain

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Spain is $4.16 (€3.89), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 4.16 € 3.89

Alcohol Budget in Spain

The average person spends about $20 (€19) on alcoholic beverages in Spain per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 20 € 19
• Singular Valencia Wine Tour Utiel Requena Wineries Viator $ 213
• Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour Viator $ 298

What did other people spend on Alcohol?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Spain are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Spain, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Coffee € 3.10
• Drinks and Tapas (for 2) € 13
• 1 Pint Beer € 2.00
• Beer € 2.80
• Celebratory Shots € 5.00
• Beer € 1.20
• Bottle of Wine € 1.65
• Beer € 3.00

Water Budget in Spain

On average, people spend $3.62 (€3.38) on bottled water in Spain per day. The public water in Spain is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 3.62 € 3.38

Related Articles

Spain on a budget.

At A Glance

• There's a surprising amount of things to do in the area during the winter months. If you're hoping to avoid the summer beach crowds, consider heading to some of the great cities during the cooler months. Many of the cultural sights are best visited during the winter when the crowds are at a minimum.
• While the trains throughout the country are efficient and of high quality, they do not always go by the high population areas. Many times you will also have to pass through Madrid, even if it isn't on the way. Consider all of your options as sometimes taking a bus can save you both time and money.
• If you're driving your own car, watch out for parking fines, particularly in the larger cities. The fees can be quite high and they are rarely lenient when passing out tickets.
• English is taught in most schools so if you are having a communication challenge it is best to reach out to a younger person. Even so, you'll do best if you stick to simple words.
• If you're looking for a social place to hang out, head to a bar. These are often packed full of people and they're a great way to meet some locals and brush up on your Spanish.

Top Tourist Attractions

Popular foods, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Spain Budget Travel Guide: 50 Ways to save in Spain

Apr 23, 2019

Chris Ciolli

Making plans for a trip to Spain ? We’re not surprised. The country is a favorite with travelers, and it makes good sense — what’s not to like about a place packed with adventures for every kind of visitor: tasty cuisine, iconic sights, famous museums and traditional markets and shops, not to mention the serious savings to be had when it comes to eating, drinking, and sleeping, especially as compared to elsewhere in Europe.

But even though Spain easily figures among Western Europe’s cheapest destinations, with a good dose of common sense, you can stretch those euros even farther on your amazing Spanish adventure.

Check out 50 of our best tips for saving money on your trip to Spain below.

Related: • Spain: 10 First-time mistakes to avoid when visiting • 10-Day Itinerary in Spain: A Budget trip through Madrid, Barcelona & Seville • 10 Spanish phrases every traveler should learn before their trip

Spain Budget Travel Guide: 50 Ways to save

This is a “Cheapo Checklist” to Spain. We’ve included links through to more in-depth articles wherever possible. Also, check out comments for additional tips and to add your own.

1. Spanish cities can be cheaper in August

Spain’s biggest cities ( Madrid , Barcelona , Seville ) will be quite hot, sure, but come August, most locals are on vacation. Spaniards flee urban areas en masse and head to the beach or abroad, making for a much less expensive time to visit. That said, some restaurants and shops will be closed or operating reduced hours.

2. Avoid major events in Madrid and Barcelona

Whenever possible, try to plan your trip on dates that don’t coincide with major local events — avoid visiting while the Mobile World Congress is in Barcelona (usually in late February) when room rates double and triple, and skip Madrid’s Fashion Week (usually in the Summer) unless you’re actually in town to see the latest from Spanish designers.

3. Plan your trip during Spain’s off-season

If the dates work for you, save tons of cash on your trip by choosing the time of year you visit carefully. Try for winter (not Christmas or New Year’s) for the best rates on rooms. Or if you’d like warmer temperatures, aim for the late fall or early spring shoulder seasons for competitive rates on rooms and better weather.

How to get cheaper flights to Spain

With low-cost airlines like  Norwegian offering more and more flights to Spain, now is a great time to find cheap airfare.

4. You don’t have to fly round trip

Consider buying two one-way tickets or booking your flights into one city and home from another. For example, fly into Madrid and explore the central part of Spain before you head north and fly home from Barcelona. “Open jaw” trips, as these sorts of itineraries are called, can save you time and money as you don’t have to travel all the way back to where you started. Sometimes these tickets can be even cheaper than regular round-trip tickets.

CheapoSearch: Find low-cost flights to Spain

5. You don’t have to fly into Madrid 

Flying in from the US or Canada? Madrid isn’t your only option. You can also fly into Barcelona, or if fares directly into Spain are pricey, fly into a major hub like London, Munich, Dublin or Paris, and hop a budget airline to your Spanish city of choice.

6. Try flying a low-cost airline

Be sure to take into account budget air carrier options from the US to Europe including Norwegian Airlines  (which has non-stop flights to Barcelona and Madrid from NYC).

There’s also a new kid on the block, Level , a budget airline by Spanish carrier Iberia, with fares starting at $400 RT from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Barcelona. It’s important to note that the cheapest fares don’t include a checked bag or a meal.

7. Add a stopover for extra savings

Not finding a cheap fare directly to Barcelona or Madrid isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it could mean something even better. Stopping over in a major hub city for a day could bring your flight expenses way down and give you the perfect excuse to see a new place.

8. Skip the taxi into the city center

Don’t pick up your bags and head straight to the taxi ranks. In Barcelona and Madrid, there are inexpensive public transit options that will take you directly to the city center from the airport. In Madrid, the subway may be your best bet, but in Barcelona, we recommend the train (if you’re flying into T1 you’ll have to take the free shuttle to T2 to get it.)

Organizing your itinerary

Check out our 10-day itinerary through Spain for a classic trip to the highlights of Madrid, Barcelona and Seville.

9. Take things slowly

Signing up to do too many things in too little time is a sure way to overspend and not have a spare moment to relax. Take your time. Choose a few highlights you don’t want to miss (i.e., see one or two Modernista architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, not all of them) and spend some of your time wandering — sometimes getting lost is the first step to finding your new favorite place

10. Focus on a smaller area 

Instead of trying to see sights from across the entire country, decide on a specific region to explore — you’ll get a much more in-depth understanding of a place and spend less money traveling. More off-the-beaten-path parts of Spain, like Galicia (don’t miss  Santiago de Compostela ), Asturias, or Teruel and Valderrobres in Aragon, are good choices for extra savings on food and accommodation.

11. Go where the locals go 

If you’ve already seen major highlights from around Spain like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Prado in Madrid , head to lesser-known attractions that locals frequent and small villages and towns near big cities where urbanites go to get away from it all. One of our favorites? The beautiful coastal town of Tossa de Mar near Barcelona.

Want some more itinerary tips? Check out the following articles:

• Spain: 8 Overlooked destinations worth adding to your itinerary • Best affordable seaside escapes in Spain • How to save on your trip to Madrid

A Renfe train rolling through a mountain landscape in Spain. Photo: Nelso S

Saving on transportation in Spain

12. Tourist passes aren’t always worth it

Public transportation in Spain is very reasonably priced and easy to use, particularly when it’s aimed at locals. That’s why, for the most part, deals aimed at travelers (Eurorail passes, visitor passes in Barcelona and Madrid) aren’t the best value for your money unless you plan to use transit constantly.

13. Book Renfe train tickets ahead of time

Especially during peak travel times like Easter Week, Christmas, and summer, book your train tickets on the Renfe website ahead of time to get the cheapest tickets. Later in the game, you might not be able to get a tourist class ticket — it’s not worthwhile to pay for first class on Spanish trains.

14. Buy your tickets directly from Renfe

Whatever you do, don’t buy your tickets from third-party vendors. For the lowest prices and a legit ticket, always buy your tickets either from the ticket office in the train station or from Renfe’s official website, renfe.com .

15.Book tickets online for extra savings

There are special offers marked “promo only” available online that will save you a few euros, or quite a few if you want to book a high-speed AVE train.

16. Take the slow train for extra savings

Spain’s high-speed rail, AVE , is understandably more expensive than the plodding regional trains that stop in every village. But unless you’re rushing to make a flight, we think taking the slow train is a great way to see the countryside — and keep your budget in check.

17. Reserve AVE tickets as far in advance as possible

The high-speed AVE tickets are generally more expensive than any other way of arriving at a destination, with one caveat — if you book an AVE ticket far enough in advance, you could get a very good price — we found fares for around €50 each way online.

18. Consider taking the bus

Regional transportation companies like Sagalés buses go places the rails don’t and are usually cheaper than the train.

19. Fly budget for larger distances 

Flying a budget airline between Spanish cities is almost always cheaper than taking the high-speed train, and a good portion of the time, it’s cheaper than taking a slow train.

20. Use a rideshare service for greater flexibility 

If the trains, buses, and flights don’t go where you want to go when you want to go, arrange a rideshare with Bla Bla Car instead. It’s cheaper than a taxi and less hassle than renting a car. For more tips,  read our guide to using Bla Bla Car .

Rental cars are a great way to see Spain. Just book in advance! Photo: Travis

Save on rental cars and driving

To really get out and see the Spanish countryside, renting a car is the way to go. However, before you hit book on your reservation or get behind the wheel, there are several tips you should know about. To find the latest prices, check out CheapoSearch to find good rates on car rentals across Europe. 21. Book a car with free cancellation 

Particularly during peak travel times, it’s best to book a car with free cancellation as early as you can. You wouldn’t want to do without a vehicle on your Spanish road trip, would you?

22. Cancel if you find a better deal 

If you’ve booked a car with free cancellation (or cheap cancellation if you didn’t follow through with our first piece of advice), keep looking for better deals as your travel dates approach, and if you find something better, book it and cancel your original reservation. Don’t feel too guilty, the car you’re not taking might end up being some other traveler’s windfall.

23. Pick up your car at the airport

It’s always more money to pick up a car in the city center, and it’s almost never worth the hassle. Even if it means you have to hop a bus to the airport, and a shuttle to the rental parking lot, it’s well worth the money saved, not to mention saving yourself the struggle of driving in traffic in Barcelona or Madrid.

24. Give yourself plenty of time for car pick-up

Give yourself a generous window of time after your flight lands to pick up the car, because if you’re late, the company might give your vehicle away or mark you a no-show, which is no fun.

25. Park carefully in Spain

Parking in the wrong spot in Spain can cost you dearly. Beyond the fines, parking in the wrong space might also get your vehicle hauled off to the local tow lot.

26. Don’t speed 

This is a no-brainer. Take your foot off the gas. An encounter with a police officer in a foreign language is no fun, especially not in a country where fines for speeding range up to €300!

27. Have a paper map

Everywhere I’ve been in Spain, the GPS occasionally fails. Sometimes the signal doesn’t come through or the digital maps haven’t been updated to reflect improvements. Either way, having a current paper map (preferably from your rental company or a tourist office) can really help out in a pinch… not to mention that maps don’t have batteries that run out.

28. Use GPS

That having been said, whether you prefer to use a GPS program on your phone or rent a GPS terminal from the rental office, having the technology will make navigating the confusing bird’s nest of Spanish roads far easier, especially if you’re traveling alone and have to be your own navigator.

29. Don’t drive in big cities (if you can avoid it) 

Big cities in Spain have cheap and reliable public transportation, which begs the question: why drive at all? Especially when driving means you can’t enjoy wine with lunch. If you’re stopping at a big city on your way somewhere else, park the car in a lot on the outskirts. If you’re thinking about keeping the car a few extra days to explore Barcelona or Madrid, return it and hop the Metro instead.

More tips: 10 Tips for renting a car in Spain  |  How to calculate the “real cost” of a rental car in Europe

Save on budget hotels in Spain

Check out EuroCheapo’s recommended budget hotels in Barcelona , Madrid , and Seville  — and book at hundreds more Spanish destinations through our homepage .

30. Book early for the best deals 

Book your accommodations as far in advance as you can. Spain’s excellent selection of basic but comfortable accommodations in 2-star hotels, pensiones and B&Bs fill up fast with locals.

31. Rent something with a kitchen

If staying for a while at the same hotel, we recommend renting something with access to a kitchen to save money on eating out. Especially if you’re going to stay multiple nights, having the option of cooking for yourself will make you feel more at home. Access to a kitchen is particularly advantageous for family travelers and folks who have dietary restrictions.

32. Sleep in a pension

In Spain, pensiones are basic family-run accommodations. Usually, they only have a few rooms but they make for a truly local experience at a very low cost.

33. Save big when you book last minute 

If you’re willing to gamble a little, you could win big by booking your hotel at the last minute. Sometimes waiting to book until the day-of will win you a 4-stary room at a 1-star price. One of my favorite methods is booking a hotel with free cancellation ahead, and then canceling it if I get a better deal on a cheaper room. It’s important to note that as a general rule, walking in the day-of doesn’t usually get you any extra savings.

34. Stay somewhere without a view

Year-round, lodging with a view (beach, mountain or cityscape) will cost you substantially more than a comfortable room facing the inside of a city block or a garden. Since chances are your room is just a place to sleep, the view might not be worth the extra cash.

More hotels tips: How to save on your hotel in Madrid | Saving on your Barcelona accommodations | Our favorite cheap hotels in Seville

Save on sightseeing

35. Pre-book your “can’t-miss” activities

If there’s something you’re sure you absolutely must see that’s in high-demand, book it. Booking ahead will usually cost about the same, but it can save you the fuss of waiting in line. That said, don’t organize your days down to the minute. At most, book one activity per day and be sure to allow yourself lots of free time.

Also, don’t waste your money booking anything right after landing. You might be so exhausted that you sleep through that wine tasting you’ve spent months dreaming about, and who wants that?

Related: • How to save time and money at the Prado Museum • How to buy tickets to Alhambra, even at the last minute • Tips for visiting La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

36. Hit up tourist information booths for tips

Even the most experienced travelers go to tourist information for tips (and free maps!). It’s a good place to get your first dose of local advice on where to eat, sights to see, and how to get places. The free maps will save you, so you don’t have to get a cab back to your hotel, and the advice on where to eat will usually save you from tourist traps like the restaurants on La Rambla.

37. Seek out free things to do 

Barcelona’s Parc Güell may not be free anymore but all of Spain’s major cities have plenty of art and culture available for free — try to plan your museum visits on free days or afternoons. Besides, one of the best activities anywhere in Spain, wandering around, is 100% free everywhere.

38. Be careful buying museum and city passes

Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, and other Spanish cities will try to sell you museum and city passes, and for most travelers, they’re just not worth the investment. Unless you’re a serious museum buff, or you plan to zigzag around the city all day like a crazed mosquito, you should probably just skip it.

Eating and drinking for less in Spain

Spain is a paradise for foodies on a budget. From cheap eats in Barcelona to tapas in Bilbao , you’ll find something tasty (and affordable!) around every corner. Just be careful of overprices restaurants in more touristy areas like Las Ramblas .

39. Shop for food at grocery stores and local markets

Food out in Spain is cheap, but it’s still cheaper to eat food from the grocery store or the local markets like the famous La Boqueria , even if you stick to prepared stuff. Here are the top grocery stores in Barcelona .

40. Eat our during lunchtime

There’s just no better deal than the menu del día in Spain — in every-day sorts of restaurants you can get a feast of an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert, with bread, coffee and wine for around €8-12. Keep an eye out for these must-try local dishes in Spain . Here are our favorite lunch spots in Barcelona .

41. Don’t overtip

Tips aren’t expected in Spain but rounding up small change is appreciated, as is a euro or two for exceptionally good service.

42. Stick to wine and beer 

Keep your alcohol bills to a minimum by drinking like locals do. Spanish wine and local beers (mostly Estrella and Mahou) are very cheap and available almost everywhere.

Still hungry? Check out these 18 tips for eating like a local in Barcelona .

Save on shopping

43.   Rebajas , ofertas and liquidacion are your new best friends

Want to save on your shopping trips in Spain? Make a beeline for establishments advertising discounted merchandise, sales, and clearance. In Spain major sales happen twice yearly, in early January (after 3 Kings) and in August.

44. Don’t forget to get your taxes back

If you’re doing triple to quadruple digit shopping in Spain, make sure sign up for tax-free refunds. Note that for small purchases, the amount of cash involved is probably not worth the hassle, and to qualify, you have to spend at least €90.16. Also, you technically can’t use goods before you leave if you want the VAT refunded.

Stop! Check your phone plan before sharing that selfie in Barcelona. Photo: mingusmutter

Staying in touch for less

45. Buy a Spanish SIM card 

If you want or need to have your phone in full working order during your trip, spring for a pay-as-you-go Spanish SIM card . They’re cheap, and they’ll keep you from racking up insane international roaming charges. Find out more details on buying a SIM card in Europe .

46. Negotiate with your carrier

If you only want to use your phone in case of emergencies or very, very occasionally, it might be of interest to negotiate international roaming terms with your carrier. Whatever you do, don’t travel with a cell phone and use it without having talked to your carrier. Your phone may not work, but if it does, it may cost you a small fortune.

Check out these tips for using your cell phone in Europe without going broke .

47. Use free Wi-Fi

McDonald’s locations, many cafes and bars and even Barcelona’s El Prat airport all offer some form of free Wi-Fi (sometimes it’s limited or with purchase). Make the most of it to stay in touch without jacking up your cell phone bill.

Banks and money

48. Use a no-fee credit card

Before you travel, look at your credit card terms and grab the cards that offer no extra charges on international transactions. You can also rack up your points or miles on chargeable purchases during your trip. Although in the past, it was hard to use credit cards around Spain, more and more businesses are fully equipped to accept your Visa and MasterCard (sorry, no Discover and rarely Amex).

Also, be sure to call the provider ahead of time so that charges aren’t blocked.

49. Don’t change money

If you must take some cash, stash it away in the safe, and don’t change it to euros unless you absolutely have to — the fees and poor rates for converting from dollars just aren’t worth the hassle. Instead, use your bank card for the best exchange rates and lowest commissions. Just be sure to get the all clear with your bank before you leave.

Related: Should you buy euros before your trip to Europe?

50. Leave the traveler’s checks at home

Traveler’s checks are another thing that just aren’t worth the hassle for most folks. Lots of Spanish banks won’t even cash them unless you’re a client at their bank and the places that accept them charge a hefty processing commission. If you’re worried about getting into a pinch if lose your cards, or they stop working, remember that there are Western Union offices all around major cities and Spain, and in a pinch, you could have a friend or family member wire you money.

More tips to save in Spain

Want more of our best advice on spending less in Spain? Check out our favorite budget hotels in Barcelona and Madrid , or search over 60,000 accommodations across Spain  including hotels, pensiones, B&Bs and vacation apartments.

For more tips, visit our Spain budget guide for more blog posts .

Are there other ways you’ve used to save cash on your trips to Spain? Share them with us in the comments below.

About the author

Chris Ciolli is a writer, translator and editor from the American midwest who’s been living in the Mediterranean for more than a decade. From her home base in Barcelona she writes about food, culture and travel in Catalonia, Spain and the rest of the world. Her work has been featured on AFAR.com, LaVanguardia.com, and Fathomaway.com. Between projects, Chris paints, makes jewelry, writes about her book addiction at Read.Learn.Write and muses about the traveling life at her blog, Midwesterner Abroad .

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3 thoughts on “Spain Budget Travel Guide: 50 Ways to save in Spain”

Great tips!! Also, even though this might sound counterintuitive, sometimes booking an all-inclusive closed trip itinerary might help save costs, because travel agencies here tend to get exclusive prices for good accommodations and other kinds of visits. Better quality, same (or even cheaper) price.

Some really great tips. Bla Bla Car is such a cheap way get to get around and meet lovely people at the same time. I’ve found the best way to save on food is to make the most of menu del dia, and enjoy the free tapas!

These are some good points for Spain budget travel

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Top tips for budget friendly travel around Spain

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If I had my way I’d spend all my time travelling and exploring new places, but sadly time and money get in the way of my dream life! So do the school holidays, so unfortunately the times we do get to travel are usually peak holiday seasons in Spain and always a lot more expensive than the rest of the year.

We’re very lucky that the Costa Blanca is an ideal base to visit the rest of Spain, with great motorway links across the country as well as 2 large airports (Alicante and Murcia) to find good deals on internal flights.

For budget-friendly travel around Spain we’ve found a few ways to save money when travelling the country, and make our Spanish adventures a bit more affordable.

If you’re planning a trip to Spain, here are some top tips for budget-friendly travel in Spain as well as some of the cheapest Spanish cities to visit…

Some of the links below are affiliate links meaning we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase via one of these links.

Travel during off-peak season

If you’re not tied to school holidays then it is possible to save a lot of money on a holiday to Spain. The best time to visit Spain on a budget is during the winter months when you can find some great deals on flights and hotels.

Expedia is a great resource to search for the most affordable flights to Spain, and much quicker than checking each airline website individually. You can book flights on their website and collect Expedia Rewards to put towards future trips.

Off-season travel in Spain will also save you money on trains, buses, and tickets for the top tourist attractions in Spain. You’ll also be able to avoid the summer crowds!

Other affordable travel dates in Spain are early Spring (March-April) and early Autumn (September-October).

Find good value accommodation

One of the biggest costs when travelling is of course your accommodation. Now we have a teenager we prefer to stay in apartments as this usually works out cheaper than paying for 2 separate hotel rooms. It also means you can buy your own breakfast, drinks and snacks at a fraction of the cost of eating at the hotel.

If you’re not bothered about 5 star accommodation, you can find plenty of budget hotels and affordable hostels in Spain. Even if you like a bit more luxury on your holidays, you can find some good value low-cost accommodation options in Spain if you know where to look.

We use the following places to find hotels and apartments in Spain:

My first port of call is usually booking.com. They usually have some great mobile deals if you book via the app and the more often you book, the bigger discounts you’ll get on future bookings. I also like the fact you can find plenty of ‘pay later’ or ‘free cancellation’ options as this helps if you think your plans may change.

It’s important to shop around if you want to find the best deal, so I usually also check for hotels on Tripadvisor . As well as looking at the hotel reviews, you can also see prices across various websites to make sure you get the best deal.

For apartments or villas, Agoda is a great site to search for the perfect accommodation in Spain and has some very affordable deals. If you use regularly you can also accumulate ‘AgodaCash’ for discounts on your next bookings.

If you’re looking for a good value package deal to Spain with flights and accommodation included, loveholidays is a brilliant site to check for the latest offers. You can book with a low deposit, making booking an affordable holiday to Spain much easier.

Utilise public transportation

Traveling from one part of Spain to another can also rack up a lot of costs and eat into your travel budget quite quickly. However, there are a lot of cheap transportation options in Spain, including trains, trams, and buses if you want to travel around Spain on a budget.

If you want to travel around Spain cheaply you have various options available to you. For the cheapest way to travel in Spain, check out the public trains, buses and trams in the cities you’re visiting to see which is the best value option.

RENFE, Spain’s railway network, is supposed to be one of the cheapest in Europe and you can often find some amazing mid-week train fares, making it one of the most affordable ways to get around Spain quickly.

Check Rail Europe and Trainline for the best deals on train fares in Spain, and book in advance to get the best prices on train tickets.

Public transportation in Spain is cheap and reliable, and there are many very cheap bus tickets to be found between some of the bigger cities. We always check Busbud for affordable bus tickets, even for a family of 3 it’s often cheaper than driving and parking. Another great resource is Omio which allows you to search for bus and train fares across Spain.

In most cities it’s possible to easily get a tram or train from the airport into the city centre, but in some places such as Alicante, there are no tram or train options available at the airport. Buses can be difficult if you have suitcases and children in tow, and if you can find a taxi outside the airport they can often be quite expensive. To save both money and hassle, we usually book via HolidayTaxis to get us from the airport to our accommodation. It’s often cheaper and easier than grabbing a taxi on the day, and you can book a private car, minibus or coach in advance for peace of mind. Essential if you’ve had a long journey!

Book car hire early

Sometimes traveling by car is easier than using public transport, especially for families visiting Spain with children. However, hiring a car in Spain can often be expensive, the prices have gone up dramatically since the pandemic.

There are still some good deals to be found though and it is possible to save money on car hire in Spain if you shop around and book early.

We’ve booked through RentalCars.com for years (Spain, UK, USA). It’s a great website that searches all the car hire companies in your chosen area and gives you the best value deals on hiring a car in Spain.

If you’re going to be traveling a long way don’t forget to book a hire car with unlimited kms to avoid any extra charges when you return the car!

Take advantage of free attractions

Even in the bigger cities there are always lots of great free things to do in Spain. Many museums offer free entry on Sundays, and there are so many beautiful parks and gardens that don’t charge visitors to enter.

You don’t always need to spend lots of money to see a city, having a wander around the town centre streets or along the beach costs nothing and promises great views of the city.

Some of the top free sights in Spain include:

• Park Güell, Barcelona
• City of Arts & Sciences, Valencia
• Parque del Retiro, Madrid
• Mirador de San Nicolas, Granada
• Castillo de Santa Barbara, Alicante
• Picasso Museum, Malaga

Look for discounts and city passes

Often you’ll want to see as many of the top tourist sights as possible on your Spanish vacation, but the costs can soon add up. Look for discounts for groups/families, free entry on Sundays or after a certain time of day, and any attraction ticket bundles. Seniors and children are usually charged a much lower fee so make sure you specify ages when making bookings.

If you plan to do a lot of sight seeing, there are a few places to find tourist discounts in Spain:

GoCity offers city passes in Spain for up to 55% discount on the top tourist attractions in Barcelona and Madrid, so it’s a good idea to check this one out if you want to see everything!

The hop on hop off tourist bus in Barcelona offers a discount booklet of vouchers for the best tourist attractions which can save you quite a few Euros, while the Malaga hop on hop off tourist bus also includes entry into 7 different museums as well as a flamenco show and boat tour.

Stay hydrated with tap water

Drinking tap water in Spain is perfectly safe and of course free, so don’t feel you need to buy bottled water every day.

Many cities and airports offer free water fountains so you can fill up your own bottles, saving you quite a bit of money – for example there are 1645 public water fountains in Barcelona alone! These are usually found in parks and next to the most popular tourist attractions.

If you forget to fill your bottle with tap water or run out during the day, a tip for saving money on bottled water in Spain is to buy a local brand rather than a well known one.

Ready to book your Spanish holiday?

If you’re ready to book your holiday to Spain, these links may help… – Find great value flights and accommodation at Expedia – Search for transport options at Omio – Check hotel and restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor – Book your tours and excursions at GetYourGuide

The cheapest Spanish cities to visit

Now you know how to save money traveling around Spain, let’s have a look at some of the more affordable destinations to visit in Spain. There are several cities offering budget-friendly travel experiences in Spain.

Some of the best places to visit in Spain on a budget are:

If you want to explore the beautiful city of Valencia , there’s lots to do for free. Valencia is known for its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine on a budget.

Free things to do in Valencia:

• Walk around the City of Arts and Sciences
• Explore the Jardin del Turia
• Visit the indoor Central Market
• Visit the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia

One of the most beautiful and historic cities in Spain, Granada is the place to experience the stunning Alhambra, wander through the historic city center, and enjoy tapas at affordable prices.

Free things to do in Granada:

• Wander the streets of the historic Albaicín neighbourhood
• Walk through the beautiful Botanic Gardens
• Explore El Carmen de los Mártires palace and gardens
• Visit Calle Alcaicería Arab market

Immerse yourself in the vibrant Andalusian culture in Seville, exploring the beautiful streets and historical sites, all while staying within a reasonable budget.

Free things to do in Seville:

• Marvel at the Plaza de España
• Visit the Inquisition Museum
• Visit the Iglesia San Luis de Los Franceses
• Climb the Torre del Oro

Discover this hidden gem in Spain with its beautiful basilicas, lively local markets, and delicious food, all at reasonable prices.

Free things to do in Zaragoza:

• Visit the Museo de Zaragoza
• Explore the Parque Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta
• Go to the top of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
• Climb the Torreón de la Zuda

In Malaga you can enjoy beach vibes, visit the birthplace of Picasso, and indulge in tasty seafood without breaking the bank.

Free things to do in Malaga:

• Visit the Picasso Museum
• Visit the Centre Pompidou
• Explore the Malaga Botanical Garden
• Take in the best views if Malaga at the two viewpoints at the top of Gibralfaro hill

Experience the unique blend of modern and traditional in Bilbao, a city renowned for its iconic Guggenheim Museum and wonderful pintxos.

Free things to do in Bilbao:

• Visit the La Ribera Market
• Explore the Doña Casilda Park
• Climb to the top of the Basilica de Begoña
• Visit the Sunday Flower Market

By visiting these good value cities in Spain, and by taking on board some of the tips for budget-friendly travel around Spain, you can make the most of your visit without straining your finances. Do you have any more tips for travelling in Spain on a budget?

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This is an incredibly helpful post for planning a visit to Spain. Getting the menu del dia has been a staple for our visits. In addition to saving money, I’ve found it’s a great way to try new foods.

So many great tips in this post! I think we often forget how many free things there are to do places and how much fun those can be. I loved Spain and think these are awesome tips for saving on a trip!

I really need to visit Spain again. It has been years since I toured Barcelona. I’d love to see eastern Spain near France.

Great practical information to help organise and enjoy a holiday in Spain – thank you.

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The Complete Guide to Traveling Spain on a Budget

Spain is a country that moves slowly and runs late. The land of the siesta, it’s a place for foodies and night owls, history buffs, religious pilgrims, and anyone not in a rush to do just about anything!

If you want to travel to Spain on a budget, this is the complete guide for you. We will cover everything from transportation to accommodations and food. We’ll also give you some tips on how to save money while enjoying all that this beautiful country has to offer!

Table of Contents

What to do in Spain

The Spanish trinity consists of Ciudad (city), campo (country), and costa (coast). Combine these elements and you will uncover a huge land of cultural diversity. Start with the cities of Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona as your gateway around which to build your journey. You’ll be rewarded for your time exploring the beautiful cities, magnificent countryside, and delicious regional cuisine!

In terms of history and culture, Seville is a fantastic destination in Spain. It has some magnificent buildings, several restaurants, and some of the finest views you’re likely to see in a city.

You can begin your tour in Madrid, the home of the Prado and Reina Sofia art museums, and then travel eastwards through the world heritage cities of Avila and Salamanca, through the Winelands of the Tierra de Leon, and finally to Barcelona.

In Barcelona, you’ll find world-famous architecture from Antoni Gaudi, a huge range of bars and restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.

Spain is a country with so much to offer, and we hope this guide will give you some ideas of how to travel around it on a budget!

Find cheap hotels in Spain

Spain is a beautiful country with a lot to offer tourists. However, accommodation can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling. Here are a few tips on how to find cheap hotels in Spain:

• Start by searching online for hotel discounts. There are often websites that offer great deals on hotels in Spain. Good sites to find cheap accommodations in Spain are Booking.com and Hotels.com
• Another option is to look for hotel loyalty programs . If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, you may be able to get a discount on your stay.
• You should also try booking your hotel room in advance . This is often cheaper than booking last minute.
• If you are flexible with your travel dates , you may also be able to find cheaper rates. Hotels often have special rates for certain days of the week or month.

By following these tips, you should be able to find a cheap, budget hotel in Spain that meets your needs. Happy travels!

Spanish food

The food in Spain is some of the best in the world. From paella and tapas to churros and Jamon, there is something for everyone to enjoy. And, of course, no trip to Spain would be complete without trying a glass (or two) of sangria!

If you’re looking for a country with great food, amazing history, and a relaxed way of life, Spain is the place for you!

Paella is a classic Spanish dish that is made with rice, seafood, and vegetables. It is often served as part of a larger meal, or as tapas.

Gazpacho is a cold soup that is popular in the summertime. It is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, and bread.

Churros are a type of doughnut that is popular in Spain. They are made with flour, sugar, milk, eggs, and cinnamon.

Jamon ibérico is a type of cured ham that comes from pigs that have been raised on a diet of acorns. It is considered to be some of the best ham in the world!

Patatas bravas are fried potatoes that are served with a spicy tomato sauce.

Tortilla is a Spanish omelet that is made with eggs, potatoes, and onions. It is often served as a tapa or main dish.

The Spanish people are enamored with food and wine, and for very good reasons. The foundations of Spanish cuisine are deceptively simple: an infinite number of options, tried-and-true recipes passed down through the ages, and a natural desire to stray from the norm and see what happens in the kitchen laboratory.

You may enjoy the finest meal of your life in an earthy pub full of yelling people, or a luxurious restaurant with a Michelin star. The variety of gastronomic experiences that awaits you is breathtaking and will undoubtedly be a highlight of your journey, whether you have the best meal ever or have dinner prepared by a celebrity chef in the refined atmosphere.

One of the great things about Spanish food is that there are so many options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike. And, if you’re looking to save some money while you’re in Spain, eating like a local is the way to go!

A drink costs between 2-3 €; a beer, 3-4 €. An espresso/cappuccino is around 2 €. Bottled water is less than 1 € in most places. The price of a nice casual meal in a restaurant ranges from 20 to 30 €, usually with a drink included in that price.

If you want to spend some money, Spain has a lot of expensive restaurants too. With a drink, meals at higher-end restaurants start at about 40 € per person.

Eating out can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling, but it doesn’t have to be! With a little planning, you can save money and still enjoy all the amazing food Spain has to offer.

Here are some tips for eating on a budget in Spain:

• Stick to local restaurants and avoid tourist traps.
• Look for restaurants that offer a fixed-price menu.
• Order tapas instead of a full meal.
• Avoid ordering drinks with your food.
• Split an entrée with a friend.

Groceries, on the other hand, cost roughly 40-50 EUR per week if you prepare your own food. This gets you essential items like pasta, rice, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and some meat or fish. The neighborhood markets are the best (and most fresh) sources of food and meat.

Spanish Culture

Spain is a country with a rich culture and history. From the ancient ruins of Toledo and Granada to the vibrant cities of Madrid and Barcelona, there is something for everyone to see and do.

Toledo is an ancient city that is located in central Spain. It is famous for its medieval architecture and for being the home of El Greco , a famous painter.

Granada is another ancient city in Spain that is known for its Moorish architecture. It is home to the Alhambra , a palace and fortress that was built in the 14th century.

Madrid is the capital of Spain and one of the largest cities in Europe. It is home to many museums, including the Prado Museum , which is one of the largest art museums in the world.

Barcelona is a city on the coast of Spain that is famous for its Gaudi architecture. It is also home to La Sagrada Familia , a cathedral that was designed by Antoni Gaudi and is still under construction.

There are plenty of other Spanish cities to discover. Each city has its own distinct culture and history, so you’re sure to find something that piques your interest. Spain offers everything, whether you want ancient ruins, energetic nightlife, or brilliant cuisine!

Spain is a country with a rich history and culture that is sure to fascinate and amaze you. There are ancient ruins to explore, vibrant cities to visit, and amazing art museums to discover. Soak up the culture of Spain while you’re there and you won’t regret it!

How to travel around Spain

Spain is a large country with many big cities well worth exploring. You can travel around Spain by bus, train, plane or car.

If you are on a budget, traveling by bus is the cheapest option. Many buses go between different cities in Spain and the timetables are usually posted at the bus station. There are many companies, such as Omio where you can find cheap bus tickets for traveling across the Spanish mainland.

Traveling by train is also a good option as many high-speed trains connect different parts of Spain. The AVE is the fastest and most expensive option but other regional trains are cheaper. You can buy your train tickets online in advance or at the station on the day of travel.

If you want to travel around Spain quickly, then flying is the best option. There are many budget airlines, such as Ryanair and EasyJet, that fly to different airports across Spain. You can usually find cheap flights if you book in advance and are flexible with your dates.

If you have your own car or are renting one, then you have the freedom to explore Spain at your own pace. There are many scenic routes to take, such as the Costa del Sol or the Camino de Santiago.

Whichever way you choose to travel, I’m sure you will have a great time when you visit Spain!

Shopping in Spain

The major cities in Spain are a unique attraction, and they are colorful, vibrant, and hugely photogenic, but despite that, they do not simply attract visitors. People of locality do their daily shopping from places like The Boqueria at Barcelona, or the Valencia Central, or Madrid’s newly renovated Mercadas de San Miguel. Visiting any local market can be a guaranteed way to get some good deals too.

Spain is home to many high-end designer stores as well. For example, Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia is a street that is lined with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Armani, Dior, and Chanel. If you are looking for some designer clothes shopping whilst in Spain, then this is definitely the place to go. However, be prepared to pay a premium for the brands on offer.

If you are looking for some more affordable shopping options, then Spain’s many street markets are the place to head to. Street markets can be found in almost every town and city across the country, and they offer everything from clothes and shoes, to food and drink, to souvenirs and local handicrafts. You can usually haggle prices down at street markets, so it’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a bargain.

Some of the best street markets in Spain include La Boqueria in Barcelona, El Rastro in Madrid, and Mercat de la Llotja in Valencia. So, if you’re looking for some retail therapy whilst on vacation in Spain, then be sure to check out one of these fabulous markets. Happy shopping!

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Budget Travel Tips for Spain

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With the strong Euro and rising food and fuel costs, traveling has never been so expensive. But there are some easy ways to cut costs when you're planning your travel budget for Spain .

Book Your Flights at the Right Time

Though last-minute deals can be good value, you can get the cheapest flights by booking months in advance, especially if using a budget airline.

Though budget airlines only cater for European countries, that doesn't mean Americans shouldn't think about them. Often the cheapest way to get to Spain is to find the cheapest flight to Europe and then to take a budget airline from there. But beware - budget airlines' extra costs can take you by surprise, especially Ryanair .

If flying transatlantic, the best prices are normally found around three months before flying.

Share Accommodations: Youth Hostels, Couchsurfing, and Airbnb

A problem shared is a problem halved and that goes for accommodation, too, which can be one of the biggest costs you have to face when trying to arrange a cheap vacation in Spain.

Do you really need a private room? If not, try a youth hostel . They're no longer the characterless places they used to be. Free wifi and breakfast are standard in Spanish backpackers hostels and all ages stay in them these days. The best place to book them is on Hostelworld.

An even cheaper option is couchsurfing . There are websites that allow you to contact people with free couches. These people let you sleep on their couch for free and are always more than happy to show you around.

Admittedly, these services are not for everyone. If you need the privacy of your own room, why not try Airbnb? The much-publicized Airbnb allows people with spare rooms or apartments to rent them out to visitors. It is far cheaper than a hotel or self-catering apartment and the site is very safe and secure.

Avoid the Train (Usually)

Lots of people go straight to the train station when traveling in Spain , fearing that taking a bus will be more difficult. It will be, but that doesn't make it impossible. It is usually much cheaper to travel by bus and you'll often save time too.

But there are even cheaper ways to travel in Spain. One reliable way to share fuel costs (and carbon emissions) is to try car sharing .

Go Underground

Spain's bigger cities have cheap metro systems (subways or underground systems to most Anglophones). In Madrid and Barcelona , they're indispensable.

Don't be afraid of delving into Spain's transport underworld. Spanish metro systems have a simple pricing system and easy-to-read maps.

When in Spain, Eat as the Spanish Do

The Spanish have a small breakfast and a large lunch and you should, too. That's because lunch in Spain is far cheaper than eating in the evening. It is a legal requirement in Spain to offer a 'menu del dia.'

If you aren't used to a big meal at lunchtimes, eating a small breakfast should set you up perfectly for lunch. Spanish cafes are full from 7 am or 8 am until 10 am as the locals have a pastry or a piece of toast with a coffee. It is cheap (under 2€) and will give you just enough energy to last till lunch. Eat anything bigger than this and you'll pay more and will find you have no appetite at lunchtime (and will end up paying too much for dinner in the evening).

Consider a Discount Card

Discount cards get you cheap or free entry to just about every museum in town. They can save you a fortune if you're a particularly ambitious tourist and get a lot done in a day. But often the card will cost you more than you manage to save. This is why I say 'consider' a discount card. Work out how many attractions you're likely to get through in a day and see if the card is worth it for you.

Rail Passes - Do Your Research!

Many travelers who have ​bought a rail pass thinking it'll be the cheapest way to travel and then found that it isn't always great value in Spain. Rail passes are best used when traveling in several countries (especially France, where trains are not so cheap). In Spain, you'll often find buying individual train tickets is cheaper and you may want the freedom to take the bus (see above). That isn't to say a rail pass won't be worth the money, just do your research first.

Visit Museums on Free Days

What's better than cheap? Free! Lots of museums in Spain are free on certain days or at certain times in the day. You'll find them to be a lot busier at this time, but don't let that put you off; you can always go again!

When in Granada, Eat Tapas

Everyone's amazed to discover that in Granada, you can eat for free! That's right, with every small (usually alcoholic) drink you buy in a bar in Granada, you'll get something to eat. And we're not talking just a few olives here (though that is occasionally all you get). We're talking generous portions of paella or even a burger and fries! You can easily get your fill after just three or four small beers.

Granada isn't the only place in Spain where you can get tapas for free, but it is probably the best.

However, if you're in the Basque Country on a tight budget, don't eat tapas. While tapas in many parts of Spain can be a great way to eat cheaply, this isn't the case in the Basque Country. Here they call them pintxos , which allows them to charge much more for them.​​

They're very nice, but not a good way to eat cheaply. Go for a Menu del Dia ​instead.

Travel With Carry-On Luggage Only

Though if you're on a transatlantic vacation this will be impossible, going on a short trip within Europe should be doable just with hand luggage. Most budget airlines charge to check bags in, so traveling with hand luggage only will save you quite a lot of money.

Note that Ryanair has very specific  hand baggage dimensions . If your bag is too big, you'll be charged.

The Very Best of Spain's Cities, Regions, Food, and Drinks

How to Make a Travel Budget for Spain

Plan the Perfect Trip to Spain

What You Should Eat in Spain: City by City

How to Get the Best Hotel Deals in Europe

How to Travel from Lisbon to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

When and What to Eat and Drink in Spain

Guide to Bus and Train Travel in Spain

How to Travel From Barcelona to Granada by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Your Trip to Spain: The Complete Guide

19 Regions and Islands of Spain: From Worst to Best

How to Travel from Madrid to Malaga by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Get to France From Barcelona and Other Spanish Cities

How to Travel From Madrid to Seville by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel from Barcelona to San Sebastian by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel from London to Barcelona by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Travel Spain On A Budget – Top Money Saving Tips

Dreaming of a sunny holiday in Spain without breaking the bank? Look no further!

From low-cost-friendly accommodations, and free tapas to lots of money-saving tips and tricks, we'll help you save money every step of the way.

Here are our top tips for travelling to Spain on a budget that will hopefully help you save money when planning your next holiday to Spain.

» You can also check out our Ultimate Spain Bucket List which has 300+  Epic Spanish Experiences.

Finding Cheap Accommodation

When it comes to finding cheap accommodation in Spain , there are several options that can help you save money while ensuring a comfortable stay.

Here are some of the best types of budget-friendly accommodations and the best places to find them:

Hostels are a popular choice for budget travellers. They offer dormitory-style rooms with shared facilities such as bathrooms and common areas.

Hostels provide an opportunity to meet fellow travellers and often offer amenities like communal kitchens, laundry facilities, and social activities.

Websites like Hostelworld , Hostelgooks, and Hotels.com are all very good resources for finding and comparing hostels in Spain.

Guesthouses and Pensiones:

Guesthouses and pensions are smaller establishments that offer affordable accommodation with private or shared facilities.

These properties are usually family-run and provide a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

They can be found in both urban and rural areas, and websites like VRBO ,   Airbnb and Hotels.Com offer options for guesthouses and pensions.

Budget Hotels:

Look for budget hotels that offer basic amenities at affordable prices. These hotels may have smaller rooms but still provide comfort and convenience. Travel comparison websites like hotels.com , and Last Minute allow you to search and filter hotels based on price and location the sites then choose for you the best deals offered from all the top hotel booking sites.

Apartment Rentals:

Renting an apartment can be a cost-effective option, especially if you're travelling with a group or planning a longer stay.

Websites like Vrbo, Airbnb, and HomeAway,  offer a wide range of apartments, studios, and holiday homes in different cities across Spain.

Renting an apartment allows you to save money on dining out by having the option to cook your own meals.

If you enjoy outdoor adventures, consider camping as a budget-friendly accommodation option.

Spain has plenty of quality campsites with facilities for tents, caravans, campervans, and lodges.

Camping in Spain allows you to experience nature while saving money on accommodation costs.

Websites like Eurocampings and Campings.com provide information on campsites and their amenities.

House Sitting:

House sitting is a unique way to secure free accommodation in Spain.

Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and MindMyHouse connect homeowners who need their properties looked after with responsible travellers willing to house sit in exchange for free accommodation.

House sitting not only saves you money but also gives you the opportunity to experience local life.

Last-Minute Deals:

Keep an eye out for last-minute deals and discounts offered by hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. Websites like Lastminute.com , Hotels.Com often have special offers for spontaneous travellers, allowing you to snag affordable accommodation options.

When searching for budget accommodations, consider the location's proximity to public transportation, attractions, and amenities.

Additionally, reading reviews and checking the property's ratings can help ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Find Cheap Flight Deals

Finding cheap flights requires some research and planning.

Here are some top tricks and tips to help you find affordable airfare:

Be Flexible with Travel Dates:

Being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact the price of your flight. Consider flying on weekdays or during off-peak seasons when prices tend to be lower.

Use flexible date search options on flight booking websites to compare prices across a range of dates.

Use Flight Comparison Websites:

Utilise flight comparison websites like Skyscanner , Expedia , and Google Flights to compare prices across multiple airlines.

These platforms aggregate flight options from various airlines and display the best deals available.

You can also set up price alerts to receive notifications when prices drop.

Be Open to Different Airports:

Consider flying in or out of alternate airports near your destination.

Sometimes, smaller airports or those located slightly further away offer cheaper flights.

Compare prices for different airports to find the best deal.

Book in Advance:

Generally, booking your flight well in advance can help you secure lower fares.

Airlines often offer promotional prices for early bookings.

However, keep in mind that last-minute deals can occasionally be available, so it's worth checking prices closer to your desired travel date as well.

Fly with Budget Airlines:

Budget airlines often offer cheaper fares compared to full-service carriers.

While budget airlines may have certain limitations, such as additional fees for baggage or in-flight services, they can be a great option for travellers looking to save money.

Some popular budget airlines in Europe include Ryanair, EasyJet , and Vueling .

Be Flexible with Layovers:

Opting for flights with layovers can sometimes be cheaper than direct flights.

If you don't mind a longer journey and have some flexibility with your schedule, consider flights with layovers.

However, be mindful of the layover duration and ensure you have enough time to make your connecting flight.

Clear Browser Cookies or Use Incognito Mode:

When searching for flights, clearing your browser cookies or using incognito mode can help prevent airlines from tracking your search history and potentially increasing prices based on demand. This way, you can start each search with a clean slate.

Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Alerts:

Subscribe to newsletters and fare alerts from airlines to stay updated on special promotions, flash sales, and discounted fares.

Airlines often send out exclusive deals to their subscribers, giving you an opportunity to grab cheap flights.

Remember to compare prices across different platforms, airlines, and travel dates to ensure you're getting the best possible deal.

It's also advisable to check the airline's baggage policies and any additional fees to factor them into your overall cost.

Airport Travel

Travelling to and from airports is a big part of any holiday to Spain, here are some top tips to not let it unnecessarily eat away at your spending money.

Airport Departure:

Public Transport: Use public transportation like buses or trains instead of taxis or ride-sharing services.

Off-site Parking : If driving, consider parking at off-site locations which often offer cheaper rates than on-site airport parking. And if so make sure you book well in advance for the best parking rates.

Pack Snacks: Airports charge a premium for food. Pack your own snacks to avoid expensive airport food.

Luggage Fees: Check airline baggage fees ahead of time and pack accordingly to avoid extra charges.

Carry a Refillable Water Bottle: Instead of buying bottled water, bring an empty bottle and fill it up after security.

Duty-Free Limits: Be aware of the duty-free limits to avoid unnecessary purchases or potential penalties.

Money Exchanges: Don’t be tempted to use the airport currency exchange bureau as the exchange rates are notoriously lower than off-site locations.

Arriving at the Destination Airport:

Airport Shuttles: Many hotels offer free airport shuttles. Check with your accommodation beforehand.

Local SIM Cards: Instead of activating international roaming, buy a local SIM card for mobile usage.

Research Local Transport: Understand the local public transport options and fares from the airport to your destination.

Shared Rides: Consider shared airport shuttle services or ride-sharing pools to split the cost.

Avoid Airport ATMs: They often have higher fees. Withdraw money in the city or use a credit card.

Tourist Cards: Some cities offer tourist cards that provide unlimited public transport and might be economical if you're planning to use public transport frequently during your stay.

Eat Outside the Airport: If you're hungry upon arrival, consider eating in the city rather than at the airport where prices can be inflated.

Exchange Currency in the City: While it's convenient, airport currency exchanges usually have less favourable rates. It's generally a lot better to exchange money in the city or use local ATMs.

Avoid Taxi Rides: Whenever possible it's always a good idea to avoid costly taxi rides, instead look at using the connected metro and local airport-to-destination services. For example, a taxi ride from Barcelona’s El Prat airport to the city centre costs around €25 to €30 as opposed to using the metro which costs just over €5 and is often quicker.

Eating on a Budget:

When it comes to eating out on a budget in Spain, here are some tips and tricks to help you save money:

Menu del Dia:

Look for restaurants offering a "Menu del Dia" (Menu of the Day). These fixed-price menus typically include a starter, main course, dessert, and sometimes even a drink.

These value-for-money menus are usually available during lunchtime and offer excellent value for money.

Opt for tapas, which are small plates of food that are meant to be shared.

Tapas are a great way to sample a variety of dishes without breaking the bank.

Many bars and restaurants offer special tapas deals, where you can choose from a selection of tapas at a discounted price.

2-for-1 Meal Deals:

In Spain there are a number of big food chains such as La Surena, 100 Montaditos , and Pomodoro sometimes set aside one afternoon a week to offer buy 1 plate and get one free deals which are excellent value for money.

Menu del Noche:

Some restaurants also offer a "Menu del Noche" ( Evening Menu) for dinner. These menus often include several courses at a fixed price and can be more affordable than ordering a la carte.

Stay Away From Tourist Traps:

Venture away from touristy areas and seek out local eateries frequented by locals. These places often offer authentic and reasonably priced traditional dishes.

Restaurants located near popular tourist attractions often charge higher prices. Venture a bit further away to find more reasonably priced options that offer better value for money.

Share Meals:

Consider sharing meals with travel companions. Many portions in Spanish restaurants are generous, and sharing can help save money while still enjoying a variety of dishes.

Daily Market Visits:

Explore local markets where you can find fresh produce, meats, and other ingredients. Pick up some items for a picnic or prepare your meals if you have access to a kitchenette or self-catering accommodation.

Lunchtime is Key:

In Spain, the main meal of the day is traditionally eaten during lunchtime. Many restaurants offer affordable lunch menus, making it a great time to dine out and enjoy a more substantial meal at a lower price.

Drink Local:

Opt for local wines, beers, or other traditional drinks instead of imported or branded beverages. Local brands are generally cheaper and mostly are very good quality.

Street Food and Food Markets:

Check out street food stalls, food trucks, and local food markets for affordable and tasty options. You can find fresh fruit and veg, delicious snacks, sandwiches, and traditional bites at lower prices.

Enjoy Delicious FREE Tapas!

The tapas culture in Spain has made it a haven for travellers looking to eat out on a budget.

However, did you know that there are many places in Spain where bars will offer you free tapas on the house every time you order a drink, that amounts to free food, how amazing right!

This practice is widely in effect across Spain although it is mostly prevalent in Granada , Salamanca , Segovia, Avila, Leon , Almeria, Santiago de Compostela , Vigo and Jaen.

Simply order a drink, often just a beer or wine ( at normal prices ), and you'll be presented with a plate of delicious Spanish bites, ranging from patatas bravas, cheese and ham to local specialities.

For visitors, it's a delightful way to savour Spanish tapas without breaking the bank.

Top Up On Free Water

As of April 2022, all bars and restaurants are required to offer free tap water as an alternative to bottled water. And let's face it, in most cases what’s the difference, a nice bottle and label perhaps!

When you are out dining with a larger group and especially with kids, the drinks bill will often be a lot more than the actual food. Quenching your thirst with free tap water makes sense all around, it's not only a lot healthier but can save you a small fortune by the end of your holiday.

Remember, dining out is not just about saving money but also experiencing the local cuisine and culture.

Don't be afraid to try new dishes and explore different neighbourhoods to find hidden gems that offer great food at reasonable prices.

Getting Around on a Budget

Public Transportation: Utilise Spain's efficient public transportation systems, such as buses and trains, which are often more affordable than taxis or private transfers.

Walk and Explore:  Many cities in Spain are pedestrian-friendly, allowing you to explore on foot. Walking not only saves money but also lets you discover hidden gems off the beaten path.

Bike Rentals:  Rent bicycles to explore coastal areas, parks, and scenic routes. This eco-friendly mode of transport is budget-friendly and provides a unique perspective of your surroundings.

Enjoy Free Walking Tours

What better way to learn about many of Spain´s top landmarks than joining a free guided tour run by locals?

Well, you'll be delighted to know that many tour companies in Spain offer completely free or tip-based tours , giving you the opportunity to enjoy amazing guided tours completely free or at worst, the price of a small tip.

What better way to immerse yourself in the top destinations and cultural sites across Spain, including vibrant cities like Barcelona , San Sebastian, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Granada, and Palma de Majorca.

While these tours are free to book, it is customary to show appreciation for the guide's efforts by leaving a tip at the end of the tour. Although it is not obligatory to do so.

However, tipping is entirely optional, and you should only do so if you genuinely enjoyed the tour and feel it added value to your experience.

Budget-Friendly Local Transportation:

Public Transportation:

Spain has an extensive network of buses, trains, and metros that offer affordable transportation options within cities and between regions. Consider purchasing travel cards or passes for unlimited travel within a specified period.

Carpooling and Ride-Sharing:

If you're exploring smaller towns or rural areas, consider carpooling or ride-sharing services to share transportation costs with other travellers.

Walking and Cycling:

Spain's cities and towns are often compact and pedestrian-friendly. Take advantage of this by walking or cycling to explore local attractions, historical sites, and picturesque neighbourhoods.

Remember, planning ahead, researching discounts, and being flexible with your itinerary can go a long way in making your trip to Spain more affordable.

With the right mindset and a bit of creativity, you can create incredible memories while staying within your budget. So, start exploring Spain's vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage without breaking the bank!

Bus & Train Passes

Spain offers excellent public transportation options, including bus and train passes, that provide convenient and cost-effective ways to explore the country.

Renfe Trains

Renfe, short for "Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espaonles," is the national railway company of Spain.

Renfe operates various train types, from local commuter "Cercanias" services to the high-speed "AVE" trains, which connect major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville at speeds of up to 320 km/h.

The AVE system, introduced in 1992, has revolutionised travel within Spain, offering a competitive alternative to air travel.

Getting around Spain by Train

Travelling by train in Spain offers one of the most efficient and comfortable ways to explore this diverse country.

The Spanish railway system, operated mainly by Renfe, is comprehensive, covering most regions and connecting even remote areas.

There are various types of trains catering to different travel needs. High-speed AVE trains connect major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, offering quick and luxurious travel options.

For more budget options, regional and local trains (Cercanias and Media Distancia) are available and tend to be less expensive.

Cost-wise, Spain's train system can vary. AVE tickets can be pricey, but they are often cheaper when booked well in advance.

The average price for the high-speed AVE line from Barcelona to Madrid is around €180 return and takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.

Look out for the high-speed low-cost carriers such as AVLO , OUIGO and IRYO which offer return fairs for the same journey for as little as €45. They may not offer the amount of services as Renfe but if you are willing to book in advance and travel at off-peak times you can save yourself hundreds of Euros, especially if you plan to travel with a larger family or group.

The Renfe website or app is user-friendly for ticket purchases, and train stations also have ticket counters and machines.

Convenience is another major advantage of rail travel in Spain.

Most large cities and towns have well-located train stations, many of which are architectural marvels in their own right.

Madrid's Atocha and Barcelona's Sants are among the largest and busiest train stations, offering various amenities and connecting to local transport options.

In total, there are over 2,000 train stations in Spain, making it a highly accessible mode of travel.

Whether you're headed to a bustling city, coastal area, or mountainous region, there's likely a train that can take you there comfortably,  efficiently and at a price that doesn’t put too much of a dent in your holiday budget.

How to get the best out of train travel with Renfe

Book Early:

For popular travel periods like Easter Week, Christmas, and summer, secure your Renfe train tickets in advance to access the best prices.

Waiting too long may mean missing out on tourist class tickets, and upgrading to first class on Spanish trains isn't always worth the extra cost.

Purchase Directly from the Renfe website:

Using the Renfe website is highly recommended as it is easy to navigate, garner information and book train tickets. Try to avoid using third-party vendors when buying train tickets. To ensure the best prices buy your tickets either at the train station's ticket office or directly through Renfe's official site, renfe.com.

Search for Online Booking Offers:

Special "promo only" deals available online can help you save, especially if you're considering a journey on the high-speed AVE train.

Slower Trains Can Help You Save More:

While Spain's AVE high-speed rail is the fastest form of rail travel, it comes at a premium.

The slower regional trains that journey through various villages offer a scenic view of the landscape and are lighter on the wallet.

If you're not in any major hurry, it's a budget-friendly and picturesque option.

Train Passes

Here are some examples of popular train passes and their prices in major cities:

Abono Transportes: This pass offers unlimited travel on buses, metro, and local trains within Madrid's transportation network. Prices vary depending on the zones covered, starting from around €20 per month.

Tourist Travel Pass: Valid for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 consecutive days, this pass provides unlimited travel on all public transportation modes in Madrid, including metro, buses, and local trains. Prices range from €8.40 for a 1-day pass to €35.40 for a 7-day pass.

» Madrid Tourist Pass.

T-10 Casual Card: This card allows 10 trips on metro, buses, and trams within Barcelona. It is shareable among multiple users and offers a discounted fare compared to single tickets. The T-10 Card costs around €10.50.

T-10 Casual Card .

Hola Barcelona Travel Card: Available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, this pass offers unlimited travel on metro, buses, trams, and trains within Barcelona's transportation network. Prices range from €16.30 to €42.50, depending on the duration.

» Hola Barcelona Travel Card .

Bonometro: This card provides 10 trips on the metro, buses, and trams within Valencia. It offers a discounted fare compared to individual tickets and costs around €9.70.

Bonobus Card: Designed for regular bus travellers, this card allows unlimited travel on buses within Valencia's metropolitan area. Prices vary depending on the number of zones covered, starting from around €12.20 for 30 days.

» Bonobus Card

Bonobus Card: This card offers 10 trips on buses within the Seville metropolitan area. It provides savings compared to individual tickets and costs approximately €8.40.

Sevilla Travel Card: Available for 1, 3, or 7 days, this pass provides unlimited travel on buses, trams, and metro within Seville. Prices range from €5.50 to €18.00, depending on the duration.

» Seville Travel Pass

Tarjeta Multiviaje: This card allows 10 trips on buses and metro within the Malaga metropolitan area. It offers a discounted fare compared to individual tickets and costs around €9.30.

Malaga Pass: Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, this pass provides unlimited travel on buses and metro within Malaga. Prices range from €5.15 to €10.50, depending on the duration.

Bus, train and metro passes offer convenience, flexibility, and cost savings, making them ideal for exploring Spain's towns, villages, cities and beyond.

» Malaga Travel Pass

Bilbao Bizkaia Card:

This card provides free access to public transport, including buses, metro, and trams in Bilbao and the wider Bizkaia region. It also offers discounted entry to museums, attractions, and guided tours

» Bilbao Transport Card .

Multiuse Tourist Travel Cards

Tourist travel passes in Spain offer visitors an efficient and often more economical way to explore the country and its historic and cultural sites.

The most popular among these is the Spain Rail Pass, allowing unlimited travel on national trains.

There are also city-specific passes, like the Barcelona Card or Madrid Tourist Travel Pass, which grant unlimited public transportation use and often include free or discounted entrance to major attractions.

Cost-Efficient: Especially for those planning extensive travel, these passes can be more economical than buying individual tickets.

Convenience: Avoid the hassle of purchasing tickets for each journey.

Additional Perks: Many passes offer discounts to attractions, museums, and cultural sites.

Flexibility: Unlimited travel options give tourists the freedom to change plans on the go.

Initial Cost: The upfront cost of a pass can be high, potentially not worth it for travellers planning minimal movement.

Overplanning: There's a temptation to overextend oneself to "get the most" out of the pass.

Limitations: Some passes may not cover all types of transport or attractions, necessitating additional expenditures.

In summary, while tourist travel passes in Spain provide convenience and potential savings, it's essential that you to evaluate your travel plans to ensure your making a cost-effective choice.

Some of the most popular travel passes include:

Barcelona City Pass:

This pass provides access to top attractions in Barcelona, including skip-the-line entry to Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, as well as unlimited use of public transport in the city.

» Barcelona City Pass .

» Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Madrid Tourist Travel Pass:

This card grants unlimited travel on the metro, buses, and suburban trains within Madrid's city centre. It also includes discounts on major attractions and museums.

» Madrid City Pass .

Valencia Tourist Card:

With this card, visitors can enjoy unlimited travel on public transport in Valencia, including buses, trams, and the metro. It also offers free entry or discounted rates for many attractions and museums.

» Valencia Tourist Card

Seville City Sightseeing Card:

This card allows unlimited use of buses and trams in Seville, along with free entry to major attractions like the Cathedral, Alcazar, and Flamenco Shows.

» Seville City Sightseeing Card

Bilbao Bizkaia & Barik Tourist Cards:

These provide free access to public transport, including buses, metro, and trams in Bilbao and the wider Bizkaia region. It also offers discounted entry to museums, attractions, and guided tours.

» Bilbao Tourist Card

Granada Card:

This card provides entry to major attractions in Granada, including the Alhambra.. It also includes access to public transport within the city.

» Granada Tourist Card

The following destinations in Spain also offer tourist cards although they are not always available so it is advisable to check the official tourism website in each area to confirm availability.

Tenerife Travel Pass:

This pass allows unlimited travel on public transport in Tenerife, including buses and trams. It also offers discounts on selected attractions and activities.

» Hello Canaries Travel Card

Zaragoza Card:

The Zaragoza Card offers free entry to museums, monuments, and attractions in Zaragoza. It also provides unlimited travel on local buses.

» Zaragoza Travel Pass

Majorca Pass:

This card grants free entry to numerous attractions in Mallorca, such as Palma Cathedral and Bellver Castle. It includes hop-on hop-off bus tours and discounts on various activities.

» Majoraca Travel Pass

Costa Blanca Tourist Card:

This card is available in the Costa Blanca region and offers discounts on attractions, restaurants, and shops. It also includes access to public transport in the area.

» Costa Blanca Tourist Card

Car hire in Spain is a great choice for exploring the Spanish countryside at your leisure.

Choosing the right vehicle and booking conditions wisely can help save you a small fortune.

Here are our top tips for you to get the most out of car rentals in Spain.

• When you book your car choose the FREE cancellation option so you don’t lose money in case your holiday changes or is cancelled for any reason.
• Don’t be afraid to change your booking if you find a better deal. The free cancellation option will allow for this.
• Choose the “airport collection” to collect your car. Collecting a vehicle in other locations such as city centres, or hotels may cost you more.
• Make sure you choose the right vehicle for your needs. The smaller the better where possible.
• Ensure theft and collision damage waiver is included.
• It is generally better to choose unlimited mileage options.
• Ensure any extra drivers are included in the car hire agreement.
• Whenever possible choose the Full-to-Full fuel policy.
• Most car hire companies will offer cheaper rates if you choose a high excess when it comes to fully comprehensive insurance.

When it comes to collision damage waiver, most car rental companies will have an excess ranging between €600 and €1,500.

BEWARE: When you collect your car most companies will try to pressure you into buying additional insurance to cover this excess. This can be anywhere between 100€ and 500€ depending on the excess amount to be covered.

Instead , consider using specialised car hire excess insurance providers like Travel Supermarket . They generally offer rates of around 45€ for an annual policy, which will cover car rentals for up to 30 days at a time and up to £6,000 which is more than enough to cover most rentals.

When you collect your car rental in Spain the company will note any existing marks and damages on the contract.

However, it is wise to thoroughly check the vehicle before driving it away,  take photos of all sides of the car and inform the rental company of any damages that they have not mentioned correctly on your contract.

This will avoid any misunderstanding when handing back the vehicle at the end of the hire.

» Car Hire Spain » Expedia » Travel Supermarket

Enjoy FREE Guided Tours

Did you know that there are numerous tour operators in Spain that offer free guided tours that are perfect for visiting Spain on a budget and free to book.

Many of the top tour companies set aside certain times during the week to offer free-to-book (tip-based) tours.

Discover Spain's top destinations and heritage landmarks, such as Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Andalucia, Seville, Malaga, Granada, and Mallorca.

Yes, most of the free tours will sometimes offer a more limited experience than the normal paid tours, but they are still an ideal way to discover places on a budget with experienced local guides.

There are a number of reputable tour companies in Spain offering this amazing service such as FreeTours , Guru Walks, and Runner Bean Tours .

While these tours don't require any booking fee, if you enjoy the experience, you're encouraged to leave a tip at the end of the tour. However,  you will never be pressured into leaving a tip.

Amazing FREE Things To Do In Spain

There are many things you can do in Spain absolutely for Free !

Across cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, many renowned museums have specific days or hours when they offer free admission.

The pick of museums you can visit for free include:

• El Prado in Madrid: Free Entry: Sundays 17:00-19:00.
• Reina Sofia Museum Madrid: Free Entry: Mon & Wed-Sat 19:00-21:00, Sun 13:30-14:30.
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid: Free Entry: Mondays 12:00-16:00.
• Picasso Museum Barcelona: Free Entry: First Sunday of the month.
• National Museum of Romanic Art, Merida: Free Entry: Saturdays from 14:00, Sundays
• Picasso Museum Malaga: Free Entry: Sundays after 16:00
• Castell de Bellver, Palma de Mallorca: Free Entry: Sundays
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Seville: Free Entry: Tuesdays
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Valencia: Free Entry: Saturdays & Sundays
• The Famed Alcazar Palace in Seville: Free entry on Mondays from 4 pm to 5 pm.

Plus there are also plenty of activities that won't cost you a penny of your hard-earned holiday budget.

Some of the most popular free activities include:

• Walking around the outside of Gaudi´s marvels in Barcelona, including the Sagrada Familia:
• Watch a night light show from the outside of the Alhambra Palace.
• Wander around the renowned Retiro Park in Madrid.
• Enjoy one or more of the many colourful festivals and fiestas held in Spain throughout the year in every city, town and village across Spain.
• Stroll along the La Rambla boulevard in Barcelona.
• Visit the Temple of Debod in Madrid.
• Admire the stunning architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia.
• Admire the main naïve of the incredible Santiago de Compostella Cathedral which is open to the public daily for free.

In essence, Spain provides countless opportunities to experience its wonders, proving that some of the best things in life, indeed, are free.

In order to not get hit with huge roaming charges that could ruin your Spanish holiday, make sure you check the roaming conditions of your current phone and wifi contract before arriving in Spain.

If your provider doesn’t offer free roaming whilst in Spain then switch off the roaming option on your mobile phone ensuring it remains deactivated until you return home.

There are other ways to stay connected in Spain.

Spain boasts a wide network of Wi-Fi hotspots, available in numerous locations like cafes, shops, and hotels.

Moreover, if you are planning a longer stay or need to have full-time internet access, buying a local pre-paid SIM card is a savvy option.

Not only do local pre-paid SIM card providers offer low-cost data packages, but they also allow for local and international calls.

By balancing the use of free Wi-Fi hotspots and a local prepaid SIM card, you can stay online 24/7 without paying hefty bills.

Best Pre-Paid SIM Cards For Tourists:

There are a number of online platforms that offer e-SIM cards tailored for Spain, these include Traveltomtom , Airalo and Simoptions .

If you order your card well in advance you can have your card delivered to your home prior to your holiday's journey, ensuring you’re all set up before stepping foot in Spain.

The big Spanish SIM card providers that are well worth checking out include, Vodafone , Orange , Simyo , Movistar , and Yoigo .

Cards can also be purchased at all the major airports in Spain on arrival. However, for the best deals, it's best to order one in advance as you may be paying over the odds in many airports.

A VPN For Privacy & Security

It is important to stay safe online and ensure your personal details and finances are kept safe.

One of the ways you can do this is by installing a Virtual Private Network ( VPN ) on your mobile device.

What is a VPN?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a digital tool that creates a secure connection between your device and the internet.

It encrypts your online data, making it unreadable to potential hackers or prying eyes.

By rerouting your internet traffic through servers in different locations, a VPN can also mask your actual IP address, giving you online anonymity.

This is especially useful for accessing geo-restricted content or maintaining privacy on public Wi-Fi networks.

Protect yourself from public Wi-Fi:

Public Wi-Fi networks are often insecure, and they can be used by hackers to steal your personal information. A VPN can help to protect your data when you are using public Wi-Fi in your hotel, rental property and other free Wi-Fi spots.

Access to geo-restricted content:

A VPN can help you to access websites and services that may be blocked while you are in Spain. For example, a VPN will allow you to watch Netflix UK or US or to access BBC iPlayer to watch your favourite programmes.

Check out our guide to The Best VPNs For Spain & Why You Need One .

Medical & Travel Insurance

Don’t Forget Your GHIC & EHIC:

The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) and EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) are both issued by the UK to provide citizens with access to healthcare services when travelling abroad.

The EHIC, valid within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, covers or reduces the cost of necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness.

With Brexit, while the EHIC still remains valid until its expiry, it's being replaced by the GHIC. The new GHIC offers similar benefits, covering necessary healthcare in the EU.

However, it's crucial to note that neither card is a substitute for travel insurance, as they don't cover things like repatriation or non-urgent treatments.

It is always advisable not to travel without comprehensive insurance alongside these cards.

If you have an existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you can continue to use it in Spain after 1st January 2021. The benefits will continue as normal until the expiry date on the card.

If you don't have an EHIC, or it's expiring soon you will need to replace it with the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) .

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is an essential component of any trip abroad , offering a safety net against unexpected circumstances that can arise during travel.

Firstly, it covers medical emergencies, ensuring that you don't face exorbitant medical bills should you fall ill or get injured abroad.

Travel insurance also covers trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays. Whether it's due to personal reasons, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events, you may be able to reclaim a portion, if not all you’re your holiday costs.

Furthermore, travel insurance offers protection against lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.

Additionally, some policies provide coverage for personal liabilities, offering protection in case you accidentally cause damage to property or another person.

Recommended Travel Insurance Providers: » Global Link Travel Insurance » Heymondo Travel Insurance » Travel Supermarket » Go-Compare » Post Office UK

How Much Does It Cost To Go To Spain for 1 Week?

Family Budget Travel Costs

The cost of budget travel to Spain from the UK and other EU countries for a family can vary depending on several factors such as location, time of year, and personal preferences.

However, on average, you can expect to spend around €100-€150 (£85 to £138) per day for a family of four if you're on a budget.

Accommodation: Budget hotels or hostels can range from €40-€60 (£34 to £53) per night for a family room. Alternatively, Airbnb offers various low-cost options that can be even cheaper if you book for a week or more.

Flights: Budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet offer round-trip flights to Spain from various European cities for as low as €50-€100 (£43 to £65) per person.

Prices will vary depending on your departure city and how far in advance you book.

Food: Eating out in Spain can be relatively inexpensive if you avoid touristy areas. A meal at a modest restaurant could cost around €10-€15 (£8 to £13) per person. Many places also offer free tapas with a drink purchase.

Sightseeing: Many Spanish cities have free or low-cost attractions. Museums often have free days or discounted rates for children. Walking tours operate on a tip-based system, allowing you to pay what you feel is appropriate.

While these are rough estimates, they offer a fair guide to help you plan a budget-friendly family trip to Spain.

Solo Traveller Holiday Costs To Spain

The approximate cost per day for a budget-conscious solo traveller in Spain can vary widely depending on location, activities, and personal preferences.

However, a reasonable estimate could be around €50-€100 (£43 to £86) per day.

For solo travellers, the daily costs can be substantially lower depending on choices and preferences.

Accommodation for one can range from €20-€40 (£18 to £35) per night in a hostel dorm room.

Some solo travellers opt for single rooms in budget hotels, which could cost around €40-€60 (£35 to £52) per night.

Public transportation like buses or metro is usually around €1-€2 (£0.86 to £1.72) per ride, making it cost-effective for getting around the city. If you prefer to walk, you'll save even more.

Food can be as low as €5 for a light meal or sandwich, and if you take advantage of the free tapas in places like Granada, you can save more.

Inter-city travel can be economical if you book train or bus tickets in advance, with prices varying from €15-€50 (£13 to £43) depending on the distance and type of service.

Discount cards or tourist passes for trains, museums, and local transportation can further lower costs.

All in all, a budget-conscious solo traveller can enjoy a fun holiday, even on a tight budget, especially when making smart choices like supermarket meals, walking instead of public transit, going on free tours and taking advantage of free or low-cost attractions.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How can i go to spain on a low budget.

Travelling to Spain on a low budget is doable with some planning. Consider flying on budget airlines, staying in hostels or budget hotels, and using public transport.

10 Tips to Travel Spain on a Budget:

• Off-Peak Travel
• Budget Airlines
• Use Public Transport
• Hostel Accommodation
• Eat Like a Local
• Free Attractions
• Use Local Food Markets
• Buy City Travel Passes
• Pre-Book Online
• Use a Local SIM or Portable Wi-Fi

Is Spain budget friendly?

Yes, Spain can be quite budget-friendly depending on your travel style. Accommodations range from affordable hostels to luxury hotels, and dining options include economical tapas and bars alongside fine dining. Public transport is generally reasonable, and many cities offer free or low-cost attractions. Spain is still regarded as one of the cheapest countries within the EU.

How much money do you need in Spain?

On a budget, you could manage with around €50-€70 per day for accommodation, meals, and public transport. Mid-range travellers might spend €100-€150, while luxury holidays can cost upwards of €250 per day.

What is the cheapest city to stay in Spain?

The following places are regarded as the most budget-friendly.

What month is cheapest for Spain?

The cheapest months to visit Spain are typically during the off-season, which runs from November to March, excluding the Christmas and New Year period. During these months, you'll find lower prices on flights, accommodations, and some tourist attractions, especially in coastal and tourist-heavy areas.

What is the €100 rule in Spain?

You may be required to prove at the border on entry, that you have at least €100 per day to live on whilst staying in Spain. And a minimum of €900.

• About Author
• Latest Posts

Hey there! I'm Matt, your friendly neighbourhood explorer extraordinaire! For the past 15 years, I've been gallivanting around Spain, soaking up all its wonders and uncovering hidden gems like a modern-day Indiana Jones (minus the hat and whip, unfortunately). So, buckle up, amigos! It's time to dive straight into the heart and soul of Spain. Welcome to my world of Spanish wonders!

Latest posts from Matt

• 4 Days in Valencia – The Ultimate Bucket List Itinerary - March 17, 2024
• Luxury Spain Holidays – The Ultimate Bucket List Travel Guide - March 9, 2024
• Easter in Spain – Semana Santa Holy Week Traditions - March 7, 2024

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Travelling Without a Passport

Two Weeks in Spain for Every Budget (Updated 2024)

For more inspiration, discover our Spain vacation packages .

Inviting beaches? Check.

Cities of unrivalled beauty and architecture? Check.

Delicious food you’ll be craving for months afterwards? Check.

Whether you’re a foodie, culture-lover, adventurer, beach baller, or a little bit of everything, you can’t go wrong with Spain . Full of unique experiences and known for hosting a vibrant lifestyle, you might come to the conclusion that Spain won’t suit your budget – but you’d be wrong. After you’re done reading this article you’ll no longer be asking questions like “How much money do I need to go to Spain?” or “How much much does it cost to go to Spain for 2 weeks?” You’ll have all the answers!

Without further do, here’s how you can spend two weeks in Spain for every budget (updated 2024).

Travel to: Spain

Top budget tips

Spain, has been a tourist magnet since the 60s and is no longer the cheap destinations of days past. Not to worry, it’s also very doable on a budget as long as you prioritize your spending. Just make sure to know what you want to get out of your visit (spoiler: this is definitely a place you can get lots out of).

Peak season is the Northern Hemisphere’s summer holidays, from June to August, as well as during Christmas and New Year.  These times are extremely busy and prices take a big hike so it’s best to avoid the most-visited cities and destinations. Climate is another factor to consider! If you’re aiming for beach hair and tan-lines you’re all set but, if you want to do some sightseeing without melting, the shoulder season will fit both your travel style and your wallet.

In Spain, the official language is Spanish, as expected. However, different dialects of Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Isles, and Valencia. If you hit Bilbao you’re likely to hear Basque and in Galicia, Galician (surprise!) is spoken, closely resembling neighboring Portuguese.

See Also: If You Had to Choose: Southern France or Southern Spain?

How to travel in Spain on a shoestring budget

How much you’ll need for two weeks: €750-1000.

Cost per day: €60-70 or USD $70-80.

Sure, of course you want to see the big ones, Barcelona, Madrid, the Alhambra in Granada… That’s totally doable just skip the peak season, avoid major events like Pride or Easter and seek out the alternative, less-visited events for a unique and memorable time. Spain is, after all, enjoyable all year around and small things like beach chills, cheap but flavorful eats and architecture walks (free instagram stories included) are a big part of what it’s about!  Make use of the affordable public transport, it’s amazingly well develop across the country and especially American visitors will be amazed by the speed and connectivity. Also, use car-pooling services like ‘Bla Bla Car’ that run well in Spain. It can save you a ton of money!

Accommodation

In major cities and main tourist destinations, a dorm bed in a hostel will set you back around €25-45 a night, depending on your preferences.

The good thing about Spain is its love of small plates, or pinchos (or pintxo if you’re in Basque country). Ordering a few of these to share (if you have a travel companion) in a non-touristy area will be about €3-6 a plate. For a day’s worth of food, you’ll be paying around €12-18.

Beer and wine can range from €2 to €3.50, and maybe more in popular areas. When on a budget, after you’ve gone sightseeing, head out of the main tourist areas to the neighborhoods where locals live for cheaper drinks. It’s not only cheaper but also more authentic!

Bus and metro rides will vary depending on which city and region of Spain you’re in. As a guide, single bus and metro rides can be from 70 cents (usually more so the case in Northern Spain) to €1.50 or €2. Many cities offer multiple rides for a set amount, such as Barcelona, which offers 10 trips on all the local transport for €9.45. You can also bike of course, with rental bikes going for around €10 per day and e-bikes twice that amount, Barcelona is a great example.

Experiences

Museum entry can be free or up to €15 or may be slightly more for a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, for example. In wine regions, a vineyard tour may cost €15. Look out for specific days of the week or month when some paid attractions offer free entry or tours may be discounted. Avoiding the weekend, you’ll probably have a more private experience as well.

Food is definitely one of the highlights of my visits to Spain. Each region has its own speciality, from paella in Valencia, to pintxos in the Basque Country, and the simple (yet delicious) bread with tomato in Catalonia. The Spanish also eat a lot of tapas, so you can share several small dishes between friends, to try even more tasty food! For travelers on a budget, bars in Andalusia and other regions in southern Spain often include free tapas when you order drinks. Small dishes of tortilla, seafood, patatas bravas (fried potatoes in spicy sauce) will soon add up to a whole meal, so this can be a great way to save money! – Claire, Tales of a Backpacker

How to travel in Spain on a mid-range budget

How much you’ll need for two weeks: €1,150-2,100.

Cost per day: €80-150 or USD $95-180.

See Also: 13 Places in Europe To Propose To Your Partner (That Aren’t the Eiffel Tower)

A double room in a comfortable, mid-range hotel will be €70-150 per night. Avoiding big hotel chains and going boutique can give your room more character and the local flair Spain is known for.

Dining out for lunch and dinner at local restaurants will cost €20-40. The Spanish love to lunch light with a tortilla, ask for a Spanish one if you want potatoes in it and for a French if you prefer it without.

Beer and wine will be up to €3 (or more in tourist areas) while cocktails can be from €12 in a nice bar.

For a mid-range budget, we recommend public transport – ranging from 70 cents to €2 a trip. Train can also be an affordable and comfortable way to go from one city to another. Hiring a car for a portion of your vacation, which will set you back around €25 a day. 

On a mid-range budget, you can be more lenient with how many of these paid attractions or experiences you can enjoy. Consider a hop-on-hop-off tour or join a bicycle day tour with a local guide.

How to travel in Spain on a luxury budget

How much you’ll need for two weeks: €2,800+

Cost per day: €250+ or USD $270+

A double room in a top-end hotel will cost from €200 per night in most tourist cities like Barcelona and Madrid, and slightly less elsewhere.

Fine dining for lunch and dinner costs €150-200.

In trendy, quaint or more upscale bars, wine and beer can cost around €5 a glass or bottle, while cocktails will set you back from €12, usually, more the more touristy or renowned the bar is. Rooftops is always the go but often get full so place a reservation if you wan to be sure.

Hiring a car will cost from €30 a day. Taxis range in price depending on where you are in Spain, but based on Barcelona (which will be one of the more expensive areas), a ride will cost a minimum of €7, with additional supplements for things like luggage, more than four people, or going to the airport or cruise terminal. Uber and Bolt are available.

On a luxury budget, you can take guided tours through all exhibitions and churches that offer it and splurge on multiple wine tastings. You may even consider adding a few short two or three-day tours to enrich your travels in Spain.

​I lived in Spain for 4 years and I had to ​live in several cities due to my job. That’s how I ended up living in Malaga, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and finally Tenerife. During my stay in each city, I traveled as much as possible, thus I got to see many not so know, rather remote gems of Spain. But​, even after 4 years of intense Spain travels.​ Andalusia has my heart. ​The Southern region of Spain has so much variety when it comes to natural landscapes, beaches, impressive histor​ical buildings​ and vibrant traditions. Cities differ a lot: whereas Seville has a more serious and proud character, Malaga is more international and has that​ laid-back​ beach vibe.​ Cordoba and Granada have probably the most impressive Moorish heritage in the world. In Andalusia, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to quality food, hiking trails, gorgeous beaches and vibrant fiestas. – Paulina, Paulina on the Road

Kirsten Powley

Kirsten is a travel-obsessed Brit who, ever since studying in Australia, is always plotting her next adventure, from surfing in Bali and swimming with sharks (and pigs!) in The Bahamas to searching for the Northern Lights in Iceland (she didn't find them) and cruising around Norway. You can follow her adventures at Kirst Over the World

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Red White Adventures

20 top things to do in spain on a budget.

Spain is a charming destination, well-known for its artistic landmarks, marvelous historical sights, amazing festivals, and hip vibrant cities. And the best thing about this European country is that it’s not a pricey destination. So whether you are a backpacker or someone who lives in Spain on a tight budget, it’s easy to save your money in Spain.

For more ideas, check out this guide on top budget things to do in Spain or precisely in its five major cities.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means that if you decide to use them we get a small commission from the platform at no additional cost to you. Thank you <3

Table of Contents

Here are 20 things to do in Spain on a budget

By Neha from DubaiWikia

Barcelona budget activities

#1 Admire Gaudí’s Park Güell for Free 

It is one of Barcelona’s most visited attractions. Designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudi, this early 20th century residential complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It comprises two sections: Monumental Zone and Public Park. Al though a nominal charge is applicable to visit Monumental Zone (which houses majority of the architect’s classic works), its park area offers free entry.

#2 Make the Most of Free Museum Days 

From National Art Museum of Catalunya and Museum Frederic Marès to Picasso Museum, Barcelona has to its credit some of the region’s most enlightening museums. While they are unmissable in their own right, they are quite pricey too. However, you can cut down on your museum visit in Barcelona as majority of them offer free entry on every month’s first Sunday. 

#3 Check out the Intriguing Street Art

Awe-inspiring art is everywhere in Barcelona and Spain! Just take a leisurely stroll through its vibrant neighborhoods to glance into the colorful street art or graffiti. Don’t miss the neighborhood of Poble Nou in particular, where its walls are graced with massive murals that are certain to take your breath away. 

#4 Take a Free Walking Tour

There is no better way to see Barcelona and its prime attractions than on a hassle-free walking tour with a friendly local guide. And the best thing is that there are some tour companies which make it available absolutely for free. Simply make sure that you arrive early or secure your spot in advance. 

#5 Admire the Magic Fountain Show 

Launched in 1929 as part of the Great Universal Exhibition, this fountain show – in perfect harmony light, color, music and aquatic acrobatics – continues to be one of the region’s magical sights. You will be delighted to know that you can watch it completely for free. 

Madrid budget activities

#6 Browse the El Rastro Flea Market  

A trip to Madrid or Spain itself is incomplete without a visit to this celebrated flea market. After all, this is one of the Europe’s most historical markets that have been here since 1740. Open on every Sunday, it lets you shop almost everything including vintage items, unique souvenirs, home décor, clothing and age-old antiques for bargain rates. Thanks to its over 700 stalls. 

#7 See the Temple de Debod

This prized historical monument is another free attraction that you shouldn’t miss during your Spain holiday. This ancient shrine with a history dating back to the 2 nd century BC was gifted to Spain by Egypt. 

#8 Join an Exciting Bike Tour

Madrid is full of stunning sights and one of the best ways to see them all is on two wheels. Yes, rent a flexible, environmental-friendly bike from one of the stands anywhere in the city and pedal your way along the region’s both must-sees and hidden gems. You can also go on a guided biking tour for around 25 Euro.

#9 Enjoy Free Tapas

Madrid has some really generous bars where you can enjoy free tapas when you order beer or a drink of your choice. El Tigre, La Pequeña Graná, El Respiro, and Bar La Rosa are among the top destinations to head for amazing drinks with unlimited free tapas. 

#10 Relax at El Retiro Park 

Opened in the 1700s, its entry was once reserved to the royal family only. But its stunningly landscaped gardens, along with its cool pathways, and amazing lakes and fountains, are now open to all. What is even more endearing is that it is open on all days and you can access it for free. 

Valencia budget activities

#11 Check out the Old Town

Valencia is the country’s third largest city where you can explore its more than 2000 year old history. And the perfect place to start is its Old Town which is right in the centre of the city. Admire the 13 th century Valencia Cathedral, savor the finest tapas from the restaurants here, and mostly visit the Central Market (or Mercado Central) which is one of the European world’s oldest indoor markets. 

#12 Enjoy a Relaxed Stroll in its Lush Parks and Gardens 

Visiting its parks and gardens, especially the well-known Turia River Gardens, Monforte Gardens and Royal Gardens, is one of the best things to do in Valencia. And you can do it without spending a dime. 

#13 Unwind in its Beaches 

One reason that contributes to the fame of Valencia is undoubtedly its magnificent beaches. From Playa del Cabanyal and Playa del Malvarrosa Beach to Playa Saplaya Beach, each of them is worth visiting for its pristine settings and fantastic facilities including kids’ playground, soccer goals etc. 

#14 Get Your Fill of History and Culture for Free 

Valencia is the place to be if you want to discover the region’s artistic heritage and past for less. It’s courtesy to its most significant museums such as Fine Arts Museum, the Museum of Prehistory and the Bullfighting Museum which allow for free entry. 

#15 Discover the City of Arts and Science 

With its intricate yet mindblowing structures, the famous City of Arts and Science is hard to miss for the enthusiasts of avant-garde architecture. It may set you back quite a good amount to enter some of its main attractions like Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, Hemisferic, Oceanografic etc, but you don’t have to pay nothing to walk around and marvel at these stunning architecture styles. 

Seville budget activities

#16 Visit the Plaza de España

Designed by Aníbal González – a Sevillian architect, for the Ibero-American Expo in 1929, this is one of the most majestic plazas in the whole of Spain, with its semi-circular brick structure. Located right next to the incredible María Luisa Park, this 50,000-square-meter space is noteworthy for its Renaissance and neo-Moorish styles. It also boasts of a Venice-style that extends for about 515 meters long. 

#17 Amble along the Parque María Luisa

Parque María Luisa is a park of historical significance as it is the oldest park in the country. Stroll through its tranquil pathways lined by palms, discover its pavilions, and enjoy a look at its fountains and lakes inhabited by fish as well as ducks. 

#18 Access the Inquisition Museum with Free Entry 

Being once the center of the Spanish Inquisition, the medieval fortress of Castillo de San Jorge had a notorious reputation. As it is now converted into a museum, you can now discover the remnants of its dark past with its intriguing exhibits.

Granada budget activities

#19 Watch Granda’s Flamenco Street Performance 

You can watch Flamenco performance all over the country. That said, watching this show in Granada is extra special as it is regarded as Flamenco’s birth place. You can watch it in its more traditional form here, with the exclusive Zambra (mostly performed by the Romani folks) in the neighborhood of Sacromonte. 

#20 Immerse in the Quietude Ambience of Carmen De Los Martires

This 19 th century palace along with its supremely lush landscape is truly a sanctuary of peace and tranquility in Granada. Get lost in its exquisite French and English gardens, appreciate its neo-Nasrid courtyard, and discover the ancient aqueduct, among others, all for free. 

Travel Essentials To Visit Spain 

Being Spain a member state of European Union, the main thing you will need for your entry into the country is a Schengen Visa . There are different types of Schengen Visa and you can pick one depending on the purpose and duration of your Spain visit.

However, the nationals of certain countries or regions are exempted from obtaining a visa before their travel to Spain or Schengen area; check with the embassy or your visa service provider to know more about this.

You may also like…

• 7 Epic Locations to Live in Spain as a Digital Nomad
• The Ultimate Packing List for Spain in 2021
• Fuengirola Markets, Beaches, and Exploring in 3 days
• 5 of the Best Fuengirola Boat Trips
• 7 Ways to Save Money on Accommodation While Traveling

Recap of the best things to do in Spain on a budget

Traveling to Spain on a budget is easier than you think. Just make sure that you have a proper plan and a clear know-how on the top things to do in Spain on a budget. So come take a cue from our above list; you can be rest assured of a treasured holiday in Spain with minimal spending. 

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Top Tips to Travel Around Spain on a Budget

By Dinah E., Auxiliar de Conversación in Madrid 19/20.

When I got accepted into ConversaSpain program, I had no qualms about how to budget things with the stipend that I would be receiving. I was confident of my frugal nature. And I also learned that food in Spain isn’t that expensive . That piece of information got me going! If I can save on food, then I have the opportunity to spend a little on my leisure trips. I haven’t gone that far yet, but here are my top tips to travel around Spain on a budget.

Living in a different country requires you to be cost-efficient . It is not really difficult to save up if you put your heart and mind into it. Staying focused on your goals is the key here, and I’m that kind of person. I want a healthy and stable life where I can buy the basic necessities without having to worry about the future. I am someone who can give you the top tips to travel around Spain on a budget.

1. Be on a Lookout for Deals

Similar to traveling to another country where we search for promotions, check the travel and tour agencies for trips to several tourist destinations in Spain at a discounted price. I have seen a few offers on the internet and even on the streets of the city center. You can also book the tickets in advance online. The Ave trains, for example, can be purchased 60 days in advance, giving you ample time to save up for your pocket money. A high-speed train is a little pricey though, but it gets you to the destination faster than the bus with the benefit of enjoying the scenery along the way.

However, it is best to take the bus if you are on a tight budget. It may take longer but well, it won’t hurt to sit on the bus for more than an hour or two. After all, it’s not every day that you go on a trip, and the buses here are quite comfortable. Also, purchase a round trip ticket and you will get a discount.

2. Don’t Join Group Tours

Sure, it will save you the time of figuring out where to go. You have the tourist guide, but remember you are paying the guide’s services as well. They have a list of restaurants and accommodations lined up for you but you can stretch your budget more if you do these things independently.

You can always buy a map when you reach the place or just ask around or do some research before traveling. Don’t worry about getting lost. Most likely, you will find tourists on the bus with you, so just follow them around inconspicuously. It’s more fun to be adventurous!

3. For Day Trips, Bring Your Own Water and Sandwiches

Tap water is safe to drink in Spain but, to save you the time of looking for water to drink, bring your own water. To save money from spending on your snacks or meals, bring sandwiches with you. You can eat these sandwiches while walking around the place. That will save you a lot of time from ordering food in a restaurant. Time is gold when you are on a day trip and there are many historical spots and breathtaking views to visit.

4. Go with Your Friends and Eat Pizza

It helps to go on a trip with your friends, especially if it’s not a day trip. Aside from having fun with the group, you will have the option of sharing the expenses with them in terms of accommodation and food. Pizza is usually a very good alternative to a complete meal and there are many variations that you can choose from. It is also shareable and budget-friendly .

5. Stay in a Hostel

It is a fact that hostels are the cheapest accommodation that you can find in Spain. If you are open to sharing a room with other people for a few nights, then this is for you. There are a number of hostels to choose from that can accommodate four to eight people per room for as low as €10 per night.

Hostels have complete amenities similar to a hotel. The only difference is it has a homey feel and shared with everyone. There are multiple toilets and bathrooms, a kitchen where you can cook your own food, dining and living rooms, and laundry area. You can also have wi-fi access.

If you are a light sleeper, then some hostels have soundproof rooms. Otherwise, bring earplugs or simply listen to music while trying to get some sleep. Bear in mind that you are staying with complete strangers, so always check the hostel reviews before booking, and be vigilant.

6. Check out Auxiliares Living in that Area

Interact with some Auxiliares in Facebook groups . Perhaps they are living in the area where you plan to go, or they can suggest a place for you to stay. You can agree on a decent rate or in exchange for something like taking care of their pet while they’re out. You just need a place to freshen up and rest. It won’t hurt to sleep on their couch for a few nights.

7. Exploring by Foot

One way to explore the town or city is by walking. Once, I was on my way to Sol from Moncloa and I wanted to discover the place. I wanted to find out whether the distance was walkable or not. It was! I enjoyed the walk because I discovered a few shops that I hadn’t been to, and I was able to have a good cardio exercise. So, get out there and walk! It will save you a few euros.

8. Watch Out for Free Museum Visits

Aside from the awesome views, Spain has many museums and historical buildings that are worth visiting, but not all are free. Before you head off, check on the sites for the free visits on specific days and which ones are always free.  If you happen to go to a place where the visits are not free, then you’ll just have to be satisfied with taking pictures from the outside of the buildings and move on.

9. Off Peak Season Travel

Try to travel when it’s not peak season. When it is, prices for the tickets usually soar high. It will also be too crowded . You won’t be able to have that lazy kind of pleasure walk because people are either behind you or in front of you, and are just too close for comfort. You will end up stressed instead of enjoying the trip.

10. Avoid Buying too Many Souvenir Items

I know this is hard but you have to try not to spend much on these items. If you must, then buy those magnet souvenirs that you put on the fridge’s door. Make a collection of it by buying one per city/town that you visit. Trust me in saying that some of the souvenirs that we buy end up in a corner of the house with no use at all. BUT if you have extra cash, go on and buy! It’s your choice.

These are my top tips to travel around Spain on a budget. They have truly worked for me, and saved me a few euros that were very welcome later on! Be mindful when buying useless stuff, avoid following the masses and, above all, enjoy the trip! In the end, going back home with an outstanding memory is worthier than the most expensive souvenir!

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Travel Spain: Budget Breakdown for 30+ Cities

Dreaming of coming to Spain? Come on, you know you want to!

Either for one week or ten years you probably need to start somewhere with how much money you can expect to spend while you are in beautiful España . Luckily, Spain is one of the cheapest countries in Europe , so it is easy to travel on a budget while you’re here, especially if you can anticipate what things usually cost in advance. The best place to start is with the budget!

Having lived in Spain for three years I have been lucky enough to build a network of an amazing group of people who are more than willing to help out when I get a crazy project stuck in my head. I have been working for weeks on building a comprehensive budget guide to traveling around Spain , especially to places a little off the beaten track.

Introducing my Spain budget breakdown for 30 cities!

I polled in to many friends who live around Spain about what the average cost of 12 different things. I only asked people who have spent long extended periods of time living in each of these cities, most are expats and some are from Spanish friends. Their prices reflect the most common costs of these items in each city, but we can all safely say that prices fluctuate during festivals and peak beach season, and especially around big tourist monuments. Ultimately, Spain can be very cheap and very travel friendly , even in the big cities, especially if you are willing to walk a little further to find a better price. 

How does the Spain budget breakdown work?

• 1 beer – Una caña is the standard measurement when ordering a beer, a half pint on tap
• 1 glass of wine -Just your standard glass of wine, nothing fancy
• 1 tapa or pincho- Tapas and  pinchos are small snack-sized portion of food ordered at bars, usually for dinner
• Café con leche -A shot of espresso with milk. This is the standard coffee you order out in Spain
• Average meal -For a menú del día , usually at lunch at it’s two courses with desert and wine, varies
• Night on the town -How much copas (mixed drinks) and cover charges are
• Dorm hostel -shared dorm room in a hostel
• Private hotel/hostel room -Private room in a hostel, pensión (B&B) or a hotel
• Transport:  Bus, metro or local trains around town
• Attractions -Self-explanatory
• Rent : how much one room costs in a studio or a shared plus utilities (gas, electricity, water and wifi)
• Groceries for 1 wk -How much one person spends on groceries per week average

I want to keep this Spain budget guide growing and as up to date as possible. Want to contribute a budget to a Spanish city not listed here? See a price discrepancy? Shoot me an email at [email protected]   or leave a comment below!

• 1 glass of wine -€3-5
• 1 tapa or pincho- €2.50-5
• Café con leche -€2-5
• Average meal -€12-25
• A night on the town -€5-15 for mixed drinks, disco cover €10-20
• Dorm hostel -€15
• Private hotel/hostel room -€30
• Transport:  Bus €1.50 and metro: €2 per ride but now depends on zone though many ride passes available, local cercanías trains around €3.50 depending where you go
• Attractions -movies and small venue concerts €8-12, museums, palace, ect. free to €15, extra costs for a guide
• Rent : €350 + €50-75 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€25-35

• 1 glass of wine –  €2-3
• 1 tapa or pincho-  €1.50-€5, depending on how close to highly touristy areas you are
• Café con leche –  €1.40, max
• Average meal-  around €10
• A night on the town-  €10-€15, but it can go as high as €25 in the major clubs
• Dorm hostel- from around €10
• Private hotel/hostel room-  from around €15
• Transport- €9.45 for the T-10, which gives you 10 trips on all the local public transport
• Attractions-  Ranges from free museum exhibitions to €17 to see the Sagrada Familia with a guided tour. If you time your visits right, you can get into most stuff for free – try going on the first weekend of a month, or during festivals like La Mercè, as they often have an open-house weekend for big attractions. The only things I’ve  never  been able to get into for free are Gaudí’s Casa Batllò and La Pedrera.
• Rent-  Around €300 + €50 in utilities, light, gas, and wifi would get you a nice-sized exterior room in a shared flat in the city center.
• Groceries for 1 wk – €20-30

Many thanks to Jessica from Hola Yessica for contributing! Follow her adventures in Barcelona on Twitter

Northern Spain

• 1 glass of wine -€1.20
• 1 tapa or pincho -€1.50
• Café con leche -€1.50
• Average meal -€15
• A night on the town -Between €5-12 for cover, usually mixed drink-€7, caña ( a small beer on tap )  €4
• Dorm hostel -€17-20/night
• Private hotel/hostel room -€60
• Transport: Bus and metro: €1.20 or €.70 cents with creditrans pass
• Attractions -Guggenheim-€8 Bellas Artes Museum-€5
• Rent : €350 + €30-50 utilities in a shared flat and € 15 wifi
• Groceries for 1 wk -€30 (obviously depends what you’re buying!)

Many thanks to Liz P from  A Midwestern Life lived for two years in Bilbao teaching English and and adventuring around Europe. Follow her adventures back home in the midwest on Twitter !

San Sebastián

• 1 glass of wine -€3.50
• 1 tapa or pincho- €2.50
• Café con leche -€1.80
• Average meal -€14
• Night on the town -€20 for drinks/disco cover €10
• Dorm hostel -€15-25/night
• Private hotel/hostel room -€40-100
• Transport:  Bus and metro: €1.50 per ride
• Attractions -€10-20
• Rent : €350-450 + €50 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€40-50

• 1 glass of wine -€2.50
• Average meal -€12
• A night on the town -€6 for drinks
• Dorm hostel -€20
• Private hotel/hostel room -€40+
• Transport:  Bus €1.20 per ride
• Attractions -Free
• Rent : €225 in a shared apartment + €40 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€30

*This is not indicative of prices during San Fermín and the running of the bulls in July

• 1 tapa or pincho- €1.20
• Café con leche -€1.40
• A night on the town -€5-6 mixed drinks disco cover €5-10
• Dorm hostel -€25/night
• Private hotel/hostel room -€25-40
• Transport:  Bus €.72
• Attractions -around €10 max to tour a winery in La Rioja, most everything else is free
• Rent : €150 in a 3 bedroom shared flat in the old quarter + €25 utilities, average total around €200-225
• Groceries for 1 wk -€25

  Santander

• 1 glass of wine -€1.50-2
• 1 tapa or pincho- €1.50-2.50
• Average meal -€12-15
• A night on the town -€15-20
• Dorm hostel -€19 (there is only one)
• Transport:  Bus-€1.10 or .64 with a transport card and local train-€1.50-3
• Rent : € 220-270 + €50 utilities in a 4 bedroom flat
• Groceries for 1 wk -€20-30

Gijón, Asturias

• 1 glass of wine -€2-2.20 for a crianza , step up from the cheapest
• 1 tapa or pincho- normally free with a drink, otherwise €2-3 and a ración (a plate) for €6
• Café con leche -€1.20
• Average meal -€8, €10-12 on the beach
• A night on the town -€15 for drinks,  discos in Gijon aren’t popular because the bars don’t close til around 5/6
• Dorm hostel -No dorm hostels
• Private hotel/hostel room -€40
• Transport:  €1,20 for a bus ride, but with a city card it’s .75. Also there are bicycles that you can use for free with the city card
• Attractions -€14 for the aquarium but only €10 with the city card
• Rent : €200 sharing a 2 bedroom + €50 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€50 for 2 people for a little over a week

• 1 glass of wine -€2
• 1 tapa or pincho- €1.50-3
• Average meal -€10-14
• A night on the town -€15 cover but that’s rare, around €20+
• Dorm hostel -€19
• Transport:  €0.68 with bus card on the TUZSA (€7 which buys card and includes €5 of fares) and you don’t get charged twice if you use it within an hour of your first fare or €1.25 without the card each trip.
• Attractions -Caesaraugusta Tour €7/person, La Basilica del Pilar – Free, La Seo €3.50, Zaragoza B Hop On / Hop Off Tour 24 hour pass €15.
• Rent : €400-500 for a studio/1 bedroom + €80 utilities in the center/old quarter, €200 for a shared flat
• Groceries for 1 wk -€30-50 depends if you add in something like a bottle of whiskey

• 1 beer – €1,50
• 1 glass of wine -€1,20 (house wine)
• 1 tapa or pincho – free with your drink
• Average meal -€6-10
• A night on the town -€15-20. Usually no cover.
• Dorm hostel -€15-30
• Private hotel/hostel room -€40-60
• Transport: Bus €1 or €6.00 for 10 rides with a bus pass (+€3 refundable card)
• Attractions -Cathedral (end of Santiago’s Way), main museums and galleries, free.
• Rent : €100-250 euros in a shared flat+ €30-50 utilities

Many thanks to Inma from A World to Travel for contributing! 

• 1 glass of wine -€1.30
• 1 tapa or pincho- free with a drink
• Café con leche -€1.1o
• Average meal -€8
• A night on the town -Normally you don’t pay to get into most bars where there is dancing, but there are a few clubs where you have to pay to get in (3 euros)
• Transport:  Bus-€1.24 without a bus card
• Attractions -Samil (the beach, free), el Castro (a park with an ancient castle, also free), Islas Cíes (natural park on some islands nearby, about 10 euros to get the boat there but free once you’re there)
• Rent : € 180 in a 3 bedroom + €30 utilities

Many thanks to Alisa from Alisabroad for contributing!

• 1 tapa or pincho-  free with a drink
• Café con leche -€1
• Average meal -€7-8
• A night on the town -Normally no covers
• Private hotel/hostel room -€30-40
• Transport:  No in town buses to vigo 2.5 one way and Santiago around 6 euros
• Attractions -Old town very beautiful, Loro during Carnival, Pontevedra Museum: free and quite big
• Rent : € 200 or less including utilities

Southern Spain and Islands

• 1 glass of wine -€2.50-3.50
• 1 tapa or pincho- free only encompasses olives, altramuces and potato chips these days. Tapas are €1.80 – €3.00 everywhere else
• Café con leche -around €1.20
• Average meal -€8-12
• A night on the town -typically about €15-20
• Dorm hostel -€16-18
• Private hotel/hostel room -€25 and up, price goes up with proximity to the cathedral.
• Transport:  local buses and metro are €1.30 per ride, cercanías commuter trains are €1.70 per ride. The Sevici bikes cost €10 a week, plus a €250 deposit. Horse carriage rides can be up to €60 per ride, depending on the season.
• Attractions -the big name sites (the Cathedral, Alcazares) cost €8 each. Most churches are free, as are the open air museums. Others, like Itálica, Fine Arts and the Metropol, are between €1.50-3. Flamenco peñas are often free, sometimes €5, whereas the touristy tablaos can reach €25 without a drink or €35 with one!
• Rent : One bedroom in a shared apartment with one-two bathrooms will be between €200 and €300, with utilities around €45 a month.

Many thanks to Cat of Sunshine and Siestas for contributing and sharing her experiences after 5 good years in Sevilla! Follow her adventures on Twitter today!

• 1 glass of wine -€1.50-2.60 comes with a free tapa
• 1 tapa or pincho- Normally free but sometimes an extra   €1 or so
• Average meal -€9
• A night on the town -€20-30, disco cover usually €5-10 and includes a 1st drink though sometimes drinks can cost up to €9
• Dorm hostel -€18-20
• Private hotel/hostel room -€35
• Transport:  Bus and metro: €1.20 per ride but only €.70 on a bus pass that you top up in multiples of €5
• Attractions -€14 Alhambra, museums free to €8
• Rent : €150-200 in a shared + €30-60 in utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€25-30

Many thanks to Molly in Granada for contributing! Follow her adventures on Twitter today!

• 1 glass of wine -€1.80
• 1 tapa or pincho- €1.80
• Average meal -€8-10
• A night on the town -€20
• Dorm hostel -€12-15
• Private hotel/hostel room -€15
• Transport:  Bus €1.20 or €6.60 for 10 rides with a bus pass
• Attractions -€8 Mezquita though free in the morning before the service, €5-8 Palacio de Viana, €5 Alacazar
• Rent : €170-200 euros in a shared flat+ €30-50 utilities

• 1 tapa or pincho- €2-2.50
• Café con leche -€1.20-1.50
• A night on the town -€4-6 for drinks, disco cover €6-10
• Dorm hostel -€13
• Private hotel/hostel room -€15-30+
• Transport:  Bus €1.30 per ride, €26 per month for students, €38 per month pass
• Attractions -€2 each-Gibralfaro castle and Alcazar, free on Sunday afternoons
• Rent : €200-250 shared flat+ €50 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€30-40

Nerja (Málaga)

• 1 glass of wine -€1.70
• Café con leche -€1.15
• Average meal -€7-14
• A night on the town -€15
• Dorm hostel -€18
• Private hotel/hostel room -€27-40 single, €13+ sharing a private room
• Transport:  €4 one-way to Málaga ( timetable )
• Attractions – Balcón de Europa -Free, Nerja Museum-€4, Nerja Caves-€8
• Rent : €350 for a studio + €30-45 utilities, €150+ for a shared flat

• 1 tapa or pincho- €.80-2
• Average meal -€8-11
• A night on the town -€4-6 for drinks, no cover
• Dorm hostel -€20-25
• Private hotel/hostel room -€30-70
• Transport:  No public transport
• Attractions -Plaza de Toros €6, Musueo del Vino €10 w/tasting and glass, smaller Museums such as Museo Lara y Museo del Bandolero €3-8, and a lot of incredible natural beauty for free!
• Rent : €165 in a two bedroom + €45 utilities in the center

• 1 glass of wine -€1.60
• Café con leche -€1.30
• A night on the town -€12-15
• Dorm hostel -€23
• Private hotel/hostel room -€32
• Transport:  Buy the transport card for 1,50€ to get the discounted rate. A bit complicated from there as it depends on how many stops it makes
• Attractions -Free, or under €5
• Rent : €400+ for 1 bedroom/studio + €80 utilities, €250+ for a shared with utilities around €40 or under per person
• Groceries for 1 wk -€50 for two people

Many thanks to Lauren from Spanish Sabores and Teach and Travel Spain  for contributing! Follow her on Twitter today!

Arcos de la Frontera

• 1 tapa or pincho- €2-3.50
• A night on the town -€3 mixed drinks, €1 shots
• Dorm hostel -No hostels
• Transport:  Bus: €.80 per ride, bus to Jerez €1.60, €6.50 to Cádiz
• Attractions -€2 for the church otherwise free
• Rent : €185 in a 3 bedroom and €250 studio + €60 utilities

Many thanks to Chelsea of Andalucía Bound for contributing!

Sanlucar de Barrameda (Cádiz)

• 1 glass of wine -€1-2
• 1 tapa or pincho- €2-4
• Average meal -€6-10, meals are mostly tapas
• Private hotel/hostel room -€25
• Transport:  Bus €1
• Rent : €125 + €50 utilities

Úbeda and Baeza (Jaén)

• 1 tapa or pincho- Free with a drink
• Average meal -€10
• A night on the town -Around €20
• Private hotel/hostel room -€20-40
• Transport:  Bus: €1 per ride
• Attractions -€4 for church/museum entry ect.
• Rent : €120 in a 3 bedroom + €50 utilities

Many thanks to Trevor of   A Texan in Spain   for contributing!  

• 1 tapa or pincho- free with every drink, but bigger ones   €3.50 – 4, sometimes 2-3.50
• Private hotel/hostel room -€30+, hotel €80 +
• Transport:  Bus: €1.05 per ride
• Rent : €180 in a shared + €40 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€15-25

Many thanks to Shawn of  Casual Notebook  for contributing!

• Average meal -€7
• A night on the town -€15, disco cover €3
• Transport:  Bus: €.90 per ride
• Attractions -€4 museum
• Rent : €150 in a 4 bedroom + €50-60 utilities

Ubrique, Andalucia

• 1 glass of wine -€1.50
• A night on the town -€4 for mixed drink
• Dorm hostel -No dorms
• Transport:  Bus €7.79 to Jerez and €10 to Cádiz
• Attractions -Free, lots of hiking
• Rent : €150 everything included

• 1 tapa or pincho- €1.50+
• Average meal -€12-15 dinner
• A night on the town -€15-20, clubs have a cover with at least 1 included drink, but it’ll be a 10€ cover
• Dorm hostel -€22+
• Transport:  Bus: €1.50 per ride
• Attractions -max. €20
• Rent : €160 – 200 in a shared flat+ €40 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€40

Palma de Mallorca (The Balaeric Islands)

• 1 glass of wine -€3-3.50
• 1 tapa or pincho- €2.50-3
• Café con leche -€2
• Average meal -€10-20, 30 in the more touristy areas
• A night on the town -€20, 40+ for a cover at some of the big clubs
• Dorm hostel -€25 – 35
• Private hotel/hostel room -€35 hostel, €100+ hotel
• Transport:  €1,5 ticket, metro €1,75, metro (intercity) €10 – €15
• Rent : (3 bedroom) €250 – 350 in a shared place, €50 + gastos
• Groceries for 1 wk -€25 – 30

Many thanks to Shawn of Casual Notebook   for contributing!

Central Spain

• 1 glass of wine -€2-3
• 1 tapa or pincho- €2-3
• Café con leche -€1.70
• Average meal -€10 cheapest
• A night on the town -€ for drinks, disco cover €
• Dorm hostel -€16
• Private hotel/hostel room -€50+
• Transport:  Bus €1.50 and metro €1.50 per ride (increases the farther you travel ), passes available
• Attractions -The Hemisferic, the City of Arts and Sciences €7.50,the Oceanografic in the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias is €27 for an adult ticket. L’Albufera, boat ride and bus to the beach €5.50
• Rent : €200-300 + €50 utilities

• 1 tapa or pincho- €2-2.50, more in the more touristy areas
• Café con leche -€1.50-3
• Average meal -€6-9
• A night on the town -€15+ Salamanca’s night life is incredibly cheap owing to it’s large student population
• Dorm hostel -€12
• Transport:  Bus: €.75
• Attractions -€4 entrance to the old university, €4.50 old cathedral including climbing to the parapets, new cathedral free, €4 San Esteban convent
• Rent : €140-200 for a shared place + €40 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€15+

• 1 tapa or pincho- €1-2.50
• Café con leche -€1-2
• Average meal -€10-15
• A night on the town -€20, no covers
• Transport:  Bus: €1.30 or .48 with a bono-bus card
• Attractions -€3 sculpture museum, similar prices for churches and other attractions or free
• Rent : €200 + €50 utilities

Mérida, Extremadura

• 1 tapa or pincho- €1.50
• A night on the town -€15, disco cover €5 with a free drink
• Private hotel/hostel room -€30+
• Transport:  Bus €1.10
• Attractions -generally free, Roman amphitheater €12
• Rent : €120-180 shared flat + €50 utilities

Badajoz, Extremadura

• Café con leche -€1-1.50
• A night on the town -€15 for drinks, no covers
• Private hotel/hostel room -€30-50
• Transport:  Bus €1.05
• Attractions -€
• Rent : €140-240 in a 4 bedroom shared flat + €30 utilities
• Groceries for 1 wk -€40 max

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Spain On A Budget: 10 Money-Saving Travel Tips

Spain might come with a hefty price tag, but these tips will help travelers cut some corners to see their dream destination.

Want to travel to beautiful and popular Spain on a budget ? Here are some money-saving tips so tourists can make the most of their trip . Spain is the third most visited country in the world, and we are not surprised with it being one of the least expensive countries in Western Europe and full of lots of incredible beaches, in the scorching sun. Spain loves fiestas and fun and tourists can easily spend a whole day walking around and looking at stuff for free - and nights out at parties.

9 When To Go And Where To Eat

The best money-saving tip for traveling to Spain is to avoid traveling in July and August as these are the busiest and most booked time of the year for travelers. If travelers do decide to go in these peak times, they should avoid hotels on the coast as they will cost more. A top tip for when eating out is to eat out in the middle of the day rather than in the evenings and night times, as it is cheaper.

RELATED:  Too Cold For Iceland? Visit Spain's Black Beaches Instead

8 Free Tapas

Visiting Granada or Leon will give the opportunity for visitors to try free tapas. Granada is well known for this. With every drink they buy, usually alcoholic drinks, they will receive free food and not just any food, usually full meals such as a portion of paella or even a burger and some fries. Tourists can eat a full meal just for the price of a beer! So, take advantage and don’t forget this big money-saving tip.

7 Share Courses

When visiting Spain, they also offer share courses, this will save money as customers can share a plate between them and at the same time they can half the price they would usually pay! In Spain, there are lots of restaurants offering travelers to share a morsel, in many places, one only finds food meant for sharing.

6 Check Or Book Online

Another good tip is to check online. Online is full of discounts and offers. Travelers should make sure to research restaurants local to where they will be staying and look at booking the flights and hotel online so that they don’t miss out on any offers. Booking online also gives the opportunity to compare prices and offers with another company’s so the travelers can choose holiday deals and packages more suitable for them.

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Tourists should always make sure to check for food that might be included in the hotel reservation, some hotels offer free or cheap breakfast options, so there is one less meal to worry about paying for. Some hotels offer evening or afternoon snacks. Some hotels and hostels even offer a shared kitchen or fridges in the room, so it’s best for tourists to stock up on basics at a local store and even make meals.

4 Local Markets

Local markets are great to get food on a budget and they also offer free samples so visitors are not only getting free food, but they can also try new foods and get a taste of the different foods before buying a whole meal just to find they are not keen and need to pay for more. Avoid tourist areas, these are usually located in the city center, and they often have higher prices. Bakeries and cafes, just before closing, usually have sales to try and sell everything they have instead of having to discard them and letting them go to waste.

If more than one visitor is traveling to Spain and would like to hire a car when there, they should consider deciding on just one person that is going to be driving the car. They will need to pay insurance for each person driving so sticking to one driver will lower this cost.

Car hire firms make money by charging for extras such as sat navs and childcare seats so tourists need to make sure to bring their own. Always make sure to photograph the vehicle before using it to confirm there are no dents, marks, or problems with the car, if they don’t, and the firm discovers any problems after returning the car there will be extra charges.

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3 Transport

If traveling by train, make sure to get a rail pass even though the train seems easier, traveling by bus will be cheaper. When flying over to Spain, travelers should try to travel with only hand luggage as most airlines charge to check bags in so hand luggage will save a lot of money but if the bag is too big, the passenger will be charged so they should always check this before traveling.

2 EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

Visitors can also save money by avoiding unexpected medical bills by using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This will give a visitor standard health care for free or at a reduced cost. The visitors will need to make sure to apply for this before traveling. This covers state healthcare, not private treatment, and is not a replacement for travel insurance. Prescription medicines are not free but with an EHIC visitors can get 50% of the prescription price. Just by showing the EHIC card to the doctor and stating that they want to be treated as a state patient to avoid being treated privately and then sent unexpected bills.

1 Free WiFi

Instead of using all of the data on their phone, tourists can turn off their roaming and make sure it stays off. Most places have WiFi and tourists will be moving around a lot so everywhere they go such as a café, shopping, hotel, etc, they need to just make sure to check for WiFi and connect, this way they can save their data and get WiFi for free!

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How to get around in Spain by train, plane, bus or boat

Jun 26, 2023 • 5 min read

The train is a quick and efficient way to travel around in Spain © F.J. Jimenez / Getty Images

Criss-crossing destinations around Spain , whether by land, air or sea, is easy and convenient due to Spain’s efficient multi-modal public transport infrastructure, which has also been upgraded significantly over recent years.

Spain also gets high marks for universally accessible travel . Visitors with reduced mobility can move around fairly easily compared to other European countries. The country’s public transport infrastructure, such as trains, buses and terminals, has been designed for accessibility, offering specially designated spaces and adapted features for people with disabilities and anyone with mobility challenges, young and old alike. 

Get around with ease on Spain's train network

RENFE is Spain’s national railway company that runs about 5000 trains each day across the country. The best and fastest way to travel long distances in Spain is by taking the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) , which uses Madrid as its principal terminal and travels to many of the country’s principal cities. 

AVE trains are comfortable, efficient and incredibly fast. Traveling up to 310km (192.6 miles) per hour, it connects Madrid to Barcelona — over 600 kilometers away — in a mere 2.5 hours. 

The RENFE Alvia trains, which connect the northern cities and regions to Madrid, are also high-speed trains with stops along the way. The RENFE Avant mid-distance high-speed trains or the Media Distancia (mid-distance) trains are the most time-savvy option for nearer day-trip destinations.

The most recent addition to RENFE’s fleet are the high-speed, low-cost Avlo trains with tickets. This is the best option for passengers with reduced mobility — all entrances to their carriages are at platform level and feature H seats for travelers in wheelchairs, as well as adapted toilets for people with disabilities. 

The bus is the best if you're on a budget

For budget-conscious travelers, the bus is the best way to move around Spain if you don’t mind the longer travel times. It’s also the preferred way for locals to get around, given its convenience, economical ticket prices and connections to smaller towns where trains do not pass. 

There are several bus service providers in every Spanish city, and many of these fleets offer quite a comfortable ride with reclining seats and wifi on board to make traveling over long distances a smooth and pleasant experience.

While tickets can be directly purchased from the bus driver, it is best to reserve and buy them in advance. Keep in mind that the most popular routes and times tend to get full pretty quickly.

Tip for finding a bus service To find out which bus services are in operation at your departure point, Movelia.es provides the most comprehensive information on available national bus routes (and even international ones), schedules and purchasing, and has multiple language options. 

Planes are best for Spain's outlying islands

Flying is the quickest way to travel around Spain, and the best option to get to its outlying archipelagos — and hotspot tourist destinations, the Balearic Islands east of the peninsula or the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Spain has regular domestic flights operating across its nearly 60 airports; the principal ones are Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona’s El Prat Airport. 

Iberia Airlines is Spain’s national carrier that regularly offers reasonably priced tickets if you book in advance. Its low-cost brand Vueling , which regularly codeshares with Iberia, also offers several domestic daily flight options with affordable fares.

Take the slow route – travel around Spain by boat

Many of Spain’s top cities and islands are also important cruise ports, including Barcelona, Cádiz, Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Las Palmas (Canary Islands). If time is not an issue, traveling by boat or ferry across from the Peninsula across the Mediterranean or Atlantic waters is a pleasant, albeit drawn-out, travel experience. This is also the best option if you wish to take your car, motorbike or bicycle on board.

Spain’s main shipping lines, Baleària and Trasmediterránea , offer regular trips from main cities in the peninsula as well as hourly connections in the Balearic Islands (between Ibiza, Mallorca, Formentera and Menorca) and the eight main islands of the Canaries. Passengers have the option to book seats or cabins with beds.

Go green with Spain's carpooling services

Car-sharing services are a popular and environmentally-friendly mode of transport for getting around Spain’s cities or regional towns. BlaBla Car is the most popular service that allows you to book car-share rides to several points around Spain. If you’re in the driver’s seat and seeking some company (or wish to share the gas bill), you can also publish your own rides, pick-up points and prices on the BlaBla Car website.

Not only is this a cost-effective way to travel long distances , but it’s also a great way to meet locals (and practice your Spanish!).

Accessible transport options in Spain

People with reduced mobility will find Spain a highly accessible and inclusive travel destination. All Spanish airports provide passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility free assistance services, from the moment you land to security and border controls and luggage collection. These services can be requested in the AENA (Spain’s state-owned airport operator). 

If you are traveling by train, RENFE’s Atendo is a free service that passengers can request assistance in transiting between stations, boarding and disembarking train carriages. 

In Spain’s main cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona , terminals and stations are largely designed to give passengers full autonomy. Madrid’s Metro , for example, has installed universal accessibility features in all its stations, with over half of all stations fully accessible with lifts and ramps for wheelchair access. In addition, step edges are reinforced, and elevator signs and handrails have Braille markings.

Barcelona’s entire metro (except for two out of a total of 165 stations) is accessible and has advanced features such as directional devices for blind people and luminous door devices on trains. Local city buses have also been adapted for accessible travel, with tilts, ramps, and reserved spaces for wheelchair users and baby carriages, as well as Braille-embossed stop buttons. 

This article was first published Aug 26, 2021 and updated Jun 26, 2023.

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Spain on a Budget

Spain is one of the most popular European countries to visit so it is no surprise that traveling around can cost a lot of money. That is why it is good to plan ahead!

In this post, we give you travel insider pro tips on how to save money when you are planning on visiting Spain on a budget.

Whether you are a backpacker, a budget traveler or you simply want to get the most out of your visit, you will need these tips:

Book accommodation well in advance – This helps you avoid paying high prices. There are not many special offers when it comes to accommodation so don’t wait up.

It’s better to have options rather than not because the closer to the date of your arrival the harder to find a good deal, especially during high season, around fiestas (and there are always some – i.e. Fallas in Valencia , Carnivals , Holy Week Processions ).

Choose hostels – If you are a budget traveler and don’t mind sharing your accommodation with strangers, then look for hostels. There are plenty of choices in large cities like Barcelona, Madrid or Valencia.

But if you are thinking to explore Spain off the beaten track, you might have a problem finding some. Again, as I have already mentioned: Search well in advance to be able to find what you need!

Travel light – European flight companies have different baggage sizes and weight restrictions. This means it is good to do thorough research on what you can take on board for free and what you need to check-in. Prices for checked-in baggage vary depending on who you are flying with.

This can get complicated when using various companies so this is something to watch out for when thinking of combining a vacation in Spain with other European destinations or perhaps if thinking of flying to the Balearic Islands (like Mallorca or Ibiza).

Travel during low season – Prices are lower, there are fewer tourists, and you will have more options to choose from. The best time to travel is fall. The weather is still warm enough to swim in the sea and also pleasant for sightseeing.

Winter is usually pleasant for sightseeing, but colder. In the past few years, the spring in Spain has been quite wet so make sure to pack a waterproof jacket if you decide for this time of year.

The worst time for travel is August and I highly recommend avoiding this month!

Look for Menu del Dia – If you decide to eat in a restaurant, choose the Menu of the Day. It’s a set course of starter, main, and dessert.

Some restaurants might even include 1 drink in the price. It can cost from 10 to 15 euros, depending on the area. It is not 5-star dining, but it will fill your stomach pretty well.

Book accommodation with a kitchen/kitchenette – When on a very tight budget, this is your best option. Prepare breakfast and dinner during your stay and eat out for lunches only. You don’t have to do it every day but it is good to have the option!

Find supermarket equivalents to famous foods – Perhaps you want to try the famous Spanish omelet (Tortilla Espanola), jamon iberico, sangria, olives, or gazpacho but your budget does not allow you to try all of them in restaurants or pubs. Don’t worry! Spanish supermarkets have a good selection of good-quality products. Plus, some of them you can take home as souvenirs as well!

Look for free things/entrances/food – Visit the local tourist office and ask specifically what things are free to visit. Take a free map if they have one and ask them to circle those places on the map for you.

Some monuments and museums might be free to enter on specific days or during specific hours (i.e. Royal Palace of Riofrio ), while others can have free entry to gardens. Many cities do free walking tours which is a great option when traveling to Spain on a budget.

Also, in some establishments when ordering a beer, you get free tapas to go with it. It is usually something simple like marinated olives or a small piece of Spanish omelet but it is a nice gesture. Note: This is not a rule though!

Travel by public transport or opt for a car share (Blablacar). Pro tip: Buses are the cheapest option, but it can take a long time to get from point A to point B, especially when taking the long-distance ones.

A train might be a better choice, but the prices are usually way higher. For that reason, it is good to think about this ahead and decide what is more important for you – it is the time or money saved.

We hope that this post helps you with making decisions about what you want to see and do and most importantly you will be able to save some money.

Please do let us know how your budget trip to Spain turned out!

Julia & Siim

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Backpacking Spain Travel Guide

This backpacking Spain travel guide is for travelers who want to get the most out of their trip.

In this ultimate guide you will find local advice, itinerary for traveling and backpacking through Spain, and next-level travel tips so you can travel the Iberian Peninsula like a Spaniard.

Because you’re going to need it – Spain is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe! It also features an extensive coastline and is home to some of the most amazing beaches, stunning landscapes, and heritage places. The land of sun, siesta, and sangría is, in fact, a melting pot where different cultures have left their mark thought out the centuries.

But no matter what you want to do, whether it’s taking a road trip through the Ribera del Duero wine region of the north, enjoying the awe-inspiring blend of Moorish and Christian architecture, or simply relaxing by the sea in Barcelona – this backpacking Spain travel guide is here to help you.

With the help of this insider guide, you’ll be able to easily navigate your way around Spain, and know exactly where it is that you want to visit. I will cover the majority of the top things to do in Spain in this budget guide.

Where to Go Backpacking in Spain

If you’re wondering where to go in Spain, you’ll be spoiled for choice. As one of the biggest countries in Europe, there are beautiful islands and golden beaches, vibrant nightlife, and fascinating history behind the complex problems the country facing today.

In fact, there are so many that it would be some feat to cram everything into one trip! Don’t forget that as well as mainland Spain there is also the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean! Both of these island chains are attractive destinations for tourists. The thing you should know is that the Balearics could be added as an extension to your southern Spain itinerary!

All of that being said, I think the best part about backpacking Spain is experiencing Spain’s uniquely different regions step by step: prosperous Catalonia, laid-back Andalucía, luscious Galicia, etc.

Travel Itinerary for Backpacking Spain in 12 Days

Start your trip in Barcelona, which has an international airport. You can arrive via bus, train, or flight from France (if you are doing a multi-destination trip in Europe ). Don’t miss out on visiting Passeig de Gracia, Montjuic and Parc Guell!

After spending at least 3 days in Barcelona, I recommend heading to Valencia for a day, and then Seville for a few more. There is so much to do and see in Seville, which is a cultural and historic city of Southern Spain’s Andalusia region. You’re lucky to be visiting Seville around Semana Santa, when there are week-long festivities. Get ready for a fascinating array of architectural styles and delicious serranito sandwiches!

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Next head to Málaga, known for its glistening white-washed villages. The city boasts the biggest airport in the South of Spain, so this will most likely be the easiest city to fly out of. If you can allocate more time for Ronda with its breathtaking Puente Nuevo, or “New Bridge”, the trip well worth the effort!

From Málaga, Granada or Seville you can easily travel onwards to Morocco via flight or ferry. It takes just about an hour to get to Tangier, Morocco from Algeciras by ferry.

Another great city to visit in Southern Spain is the marvelous city of Cádiz. I spontaneously visited this city by the sea and had a great time. Like the rest of the cities in Andalusia, there are plenty of cafés and tapas bars, some beautiful plazas to enjoy a cup of coffee, and cathedrals to marvel at. Tarifa (the jump-off point to Morocco) is famous for its kite surfing.

If you are already visiting Málaga, I think you can choose to just visit Málaga or Cádiz. Both cities have a similar feel being on the beach.

Spend your last couple of days in Madrid, a bustling city that requires at least 3 days to appreciate. You can go on a free walking tour around the most famous tourist attractions or explore an incredible art scene, nightlife, and some of Spain’s top restaurants. Some of the world’s leading art museums can be found in Madrid, including Museo del Prado and El Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.

Best Time to Visit Spain

Backpacking Spain instantly conjures images of enchanting sun-drenched beaches , super laid-back atmosphere, and quaint medieval villages. For a good reason. While the weather can vary markedly depending on where you go in Spain, the temperatures in most parts of Spain can get blisteringly hot during the summer, particularly in Andalucia. It is not unusual for the temperature to rise into the high 30s Celsius from June to August.

Let me tell you that is way too hot! If you’re planning on visiting southern Spain in the height of the summer season I would strongly discourage you from doing it. Shoulder season marks the best time to go to Spain for savings! That said, the best times to visit Spain are from March to May and between September and November, when the air is more breathable and the crowds are less oppressive. It’s absolutely vital to take the best time to travel to Spain into consideration when travelling there. It’s a vast country and the weather depends on when and where you go!

Spain Travel Guide to Getting Around

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and El Prat Airport in Barcelona are the busiest international airports in Spain by passenger traffic. They serve flights from all over Europe, North America, and Asia. There are many airlines that fly from the United States directly to Spain such as American, Delta, Iberia or Air Europa. If you’re coming from Asia, Emirates, Qatar or KLM are great options too.

That said, Spain is a very well connected country. Local carriers, Iberia and Vueling, as well as Easyjet, WizzAir, and Ryanair, have a big presence in Spain, and prices are very competitive. Flying can be your best bet if you’re pressed for time. However, if time is on your side slow it down and go overland unless you’re going to the Canary or Balearic islands, in which case you might need to travel by air.

Luckily for travelers, Spain’s rail network has improved immensely over the past few years and its high-speed AVE trains now connect virtually every notable tourist destination at speeds over 300km/h. The train service can be more expensive than buses, but more comfortable and quicker, particularly when traveling between Madrid and Barcelona. If you’re travelling to multiple European countries, you may want to purchase a Eurail pass. Alternatively, if you don’t want to take the highways, compare flight and train prices. Keep in mind, RENFE trains will drop you off in the centre of town. Just relax in your seat while watching the scenery rapidly pass by.

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Spanish buses can get you pretty much everywhere, offer great routes, allowing you to travel around the country comfortably and on a budget. The main bus operator in Spain is ALSA and they have a premium service with snacks, movies, and wifi that could be worth splashing the extra cash on. Some routes are a far bit longer on the bus, like Barcelona to Madrid, which will take more than six hours on wheels, and three on the train. Make sure you book your bus seats in advance! Take my advice, book your mode of transportation in advance if you want to save money. You can get around Spain using Omio. This website helps you compare and book the best trains, buses or flights to get around Spain (or Europe).

In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona , the metro system is really well-connected, although be aware that pickpockets are still there and can cause some troubles! Be sure to watch your belonging, especially when boarding a train with a rush of passengers or traveling to Spain alone for the first time. Metro tickets cost around 2 – 3 EUR per trip. The same goes for Granada, but if you want to go hiking, you can also rely on the local bus system which is easily accessible. Ask the hostel/hotel staff for information on which bus number to take to go somewhere.

Spain Visa Requirements

Spain is part of the European Union, so if you’re a EU citizen, you won’t need a visa to travel and work in Spain. Similarly, citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan , New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States don’t need to pre-apply for a visa; their valid passport will be stamped on arrival. However, if you’re not from an EU country or the countries above, then you will need to get a Schengen visa beforehand. It will set you back €60 and allows to travel to Schengen countries in Europe for 90 days out of every 180 days. It’s always best to check what your country’s immigration department says about getting a visa before you go. While these things can vary from country to country, here’s a website where you can find the most up-to-date information.

Backpacker Accommodation In Spain

There are a lot of accommodation options in Spain and it can be a little daunting at times to find the best one. There’s a wide array of hotels, hostels and other options in the country, primarily as tourism in Spain is one of the biggest contributors to the economy! When I went backpacking in Spain, I mostly stayed in hostels, as I’m a frugal traveller.

Hostels in Spain

Virtually every big city in Spain has a lot of hostels in it, so you’re normally spoilt for choice. While the country is still growing as a backpackers’ destination, there is a plethora of hostels in almost every city and you’d be smart to investigate the reviews before making your choice. Outside the tourist hotspots hostels can be as cheap as €10 a night, for a dorm bed, going up to €30 and more for the upscale hostels in cosmopolitan cities. Expect to pay more for private dorm rooms, and dorm rooms for female travelers. Sometimes it’s wise to bring your own towel, though normally all hostels provide sheets and linen. Again, just check before you book and an email to the hostel before you arrive won’t hurt either. HostelWorld is one of my favourite resources to compare prices and ratings.

Hotels in Spain

This option varies greatly from place to place, but for the hotspots, like Madrid, Barcelona and Granada, hotels are not only expensive, but often booked out. Especially when the festivals are in full swing. Sometimes, however, you feel like treating yourself and enjoying a little extra privacy. I like to check Agoda for special deals, particularly in less popular places. Some hotels offer seasonal promotional rates and other off-peak reductions.

Camping in Spain

For many travellers, Spain is popular with camping fans, and its seaside campsites delight campers of all ages. Whether you’re going on a solo backpacking trip, a surfing trip, to explore cities, or to enjoy nature, there are campsites in all corners of the country to suit all budgets. That said, you generally won’t have to book in advance. If you’re planning to rent a car and feeling real adventurous, consider picking up a backpacking hammock and a portable backpacking stove. Keep in mind, though, that wild camping is totally illegal in Spain.

Couchsurfing Spain

Couchsurfing can even effectively bring down the costs of your trip and it has certainly allowed me to travel for far longer than I would otherwise have been able to. It was a crucial crux when I travelled around Spain for 1 month on a budget of about €45 a day. This is a great way to save money but this isn’t really what it’s all about. It is more about landing on your feet with a social life and embracing the same common sense, of course.

You are staying with locals who know all of the best places and most fun things to do, you are shown hidden gems of a city that you could spend weeks, or even months failing to discover. When I got to Seville, for example, my host took me on a motorbike tour of the city, took me to an acting class in a leafy suburb and also showed me where I could get delicious tapas for less than €2. I’d say it’s an exchange of ideas and cultures.

Where to Stay in Spain

Below are a few of my favourite hostels and budget accommodation options when backpacking Spain:

Rodamon Hostel, Barcelona Way Hostel, Madrid Black Swan Hostel, Sevilla We Hostel Palma, Majorca Home Youth Hostel, Valencia ECO Hostel, Granada Hola Hostel, Alicante Loop Inn Hostel, Cartagena Surfing Etxea, San Sebastian The Urban Jungle Hostel, Malaga Casa Caracol, Cadiz

Top Tips For Backpacking Spain on a Budget

Like everywhere else in Europe, you can drastically cut your expenses while backpacking Spain by following these simple travel tips:

Find Self-Catering Accommodation

It doesn’t take long to understand that staying in hostels that have kitchens can save you money. Specify whether self-catering kitchens available in your hostel before booking. In fact, this is one of the best ways to save money while backpacking Spain, as small expenses can add up when it comes to eating out. Cooking a meal that will last you a few days is another great way to stay longer on the road!

Book Your Transportation Early

While booking your transport as far in advance as possible gives you less freedom to travel around Spain, both plane and train tickets are much cheaper if you purchase them in advance. I found this out to my cost, especially with RENFE trains. The prices do steadily increase the closer to your date of departure. The bus is almost always cheaper than the trains as well, but they do take longer.

Visit Off-Season

Aside from holidays like Las Fallas and Semana Santa, backpacking Spain during spring and fall are the best times to save money on accommodation and transportation.

Eat For Free

If you’re visiting Granada, Santiago or Leon then you’re in luck, as these cities are famous for their free tapas. Simply order a drink and you’ll get a plate of tapas with it for free! You might find this in other places such as A Coruña, Seville, and Madrid, but it’s much rarer. Alternatively, if you eat out get the meal of the day for the best deal. Lunch is always cheaper than dinner, while many bars offer a happy hour in the late afternoon!

Take a Walking Tour

Almost every city in Spain offers a free walking tour and they are generally excellent. Although they tend to work on a tip basis and therefore aren’t entirely free, they do usually offer exceptional value for money and are a great introduction to a city. A lot of the hostels offer free walking tours which you can join.

Backpacking Spain budget – How Much Will it cost?

It’s pretty tough to backpack Spain on €40 a day unless you’re participating in work exchange or home exchange. You can, however, backpack Spain for under €50 by doing the following:

If you want to score the best deal possible, shoulder season from April to May and October can be your best bet. This will be the cheapest time to fly to Spain. June and September are also affordable but stay away during July and August if you are backpacking Spain on a budget.

I recommend splitting costs with other travelers. You’ll end up paying more if you rent separate dorm beds. Rent an apartment with a few people instead. The best way to save money on accommodation is to stay away from the touristy areas, although this means you may have to spend additional money on transportation. Keep in mind, last-minute trains and plane tickets are potential budget killers. Pick 1-3 places to visit instead.

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Couch Surfing is the best way to meet locals and stay for free, but snagging a spot can be tough. If all else fails, Galicia and Andalucia have cheap camping! Keep in mind that wild camping is illegal, but you may be able to get away with it away from the tourist hotspots.

I spent an average €45 a day by splitting rental cars, apartments, and groceries with 3 other people. We were able to do everything we wanted to do, splurge on daily paella, and even eat out once and a while. We could have travelled for less, but it was more of a vacation. Renting apartments in smaller cities was affordable but if you camp or couch surf, you can get by on much less.

More Comfortable Spain Backpacker Budget

If you want to splurge a bit while backpacking Spain, then I recommend budgeting at least €60 a day. This will cover eating out more frequently, renting a car during high season, and splurging on the occasional party, or food tour.

Food in Spain

Fresh and local produce is an important component of Spanish cuisine. However, the thing that unites the entire nation is that meals here are for sharing. You will see a lot of people eating out and socializing, communal eating is key here and a great way to try a larger array of Spanish treats. In addition, eating in Spain is cheap! You can try a lot of stuff without spending a fortune.

You’ve probably heard a lot about the country’s tapas culture. There are restaurants across Spain dedicated to tapas that are perfect for sharing. Bread with aioli, patatas bravas, ham croquetas and pimientos de padron are paramount on any tapas menu. These small bite-size pieces are also perfect to fill the gap between a small breakfast and a big lunch. Seville, Granada and San Sebastian are the best places to try these delicious dishes.

Many backpackers visit Spain solely to try sangria. To ensure you have an exceptional wine drinking experience, ask for sangría casera rather than tinto de verano. The latter is a low-quality red wine mixed with gaseosa, which is sparkling, light lemonade. The authentic sangría is finished with rum, sugar, orange juice and fruit. With so many amazing vineyards throughout the country, you can tour some of the best ones in the La Rioja wine region before sampling the wine.

What you eat in Spain is equally as important as when you eat. Breakfast is generally eaten late and can be as simple as a coffee and a croissant, toast with cheese or marmalade, and fried churros. You will need to sit down for lunch between 2 pm and 3 pm, and dinner from 10 pm onward. Take my advice: dinnertime is when you can get together and try more plates while doing a decent pre-drink for the night ahead.

Spanish Festivals

Attending a festival in Spain is an experience like no other. The country boasts numerous festivals that range from religious holidays, cultural events, all-night parties to internationally acclaimed music festivals. Here’s a little list of the best Spanish festivals:

Las Fallas de San José

This incredible cultural celebration takes place in Valencia. Although officially taking place from the 15th to 19th of March, for Valencians Las Fallas is a month-long event all about saying goodbye chilly weather and welcoming spring. Each neighborhood in Valencia builds fallas – huge sculptures of paper maché on wood – which are later burned in the streets to honour Saint José, the patron saint of carpentry.

The Haro Wine Festival

This festival takes place in the town of Haro in the La Rioja region of northern Spain. Batalla del Vino (in the local language) is one of the first summer fiestas in Spain when participants squirt, splash, dump and pour leftover wine on absolutely everybody. This leads to a celebration that takes place each year between the 27th and 30th of June. However, on June 29th, the day of the patron saint San Pedro, the celebration reaches its peak.

La Tomatina

Thousands of people flock to the village of Buñol near the city of Valencia to join the world’s biggest tomato fight that takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August. The town provides about 150,000 kilograms of overripe tomatoes for participants, and within seconds, tomato goo covers everyone and everything. The tomato throw takes exactly one hour, from 11 a.m. to noon, but the party goes on all day! La Tomatina is the best way to waste otherwise edible salad vegetables and fill your every orifice with tomato seeds for days to come.

Semana Santa

Holy Week is arguably the most important festival in Spain. Throughout many parts of Spain, extravagant parades and religious processions take to the streets every day throughout the week leading up to Easter as members of local parishes and people in pointed hooks carrying crosses, banners and statues of their church’s patron saint, surrounded by burning candles.

These processions have been taking place throughout Spain for centuries, and look much the same as they did hundreds of years ago. The intricate floats, traditional costumes, and somber and haunting music played by live bands make for an Easter celebration unlike any other.

You can catch Semana Santa processions in many cities throughout Spain, but Andalusian cities, as well as Salamanca, Valladolid, and Zamora are home to some of the most famous. Don’t underestimate the celebrations in Castilla y León, either—the cities of Valladolid and León also host incredible processions.

The Running Of The Bulls (San Fermin)

Pamplona’s San Fermin fiesta is so much more than the infamous, brave and crazy run. The Running of the Bulls is, in fact, the massive street party packed with live music performances and other entertainment. Folks from all over the world enjoy hundreds of years of tradition. The whole thing (called the encierro) takes less than five minutes during the Festival of San Fermín. At the same time, the party lasts for 24 hours, over eight days. San Fermin is by no means a party for madcaps only, it’s for partygoers, culture lovers, and sangria enthusiasts alike.

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Sippy Cup Mom

The 8 Best Budget-Friendly Places to Visit in Spain for First-Timers

November 24, 2023 By Sippy Cup Mom Leave a Comment

Spain is one of the best tourist destinations across the globe. In 2022, for example, over  15 million British travelers and around 10 million French visitors preferred Spain as their travel destination . Exploring Spain on a budget can be a delightful experience, as the country offers a rich library of culture, history, and diverse landscapes without breaking the bank. From vibrant cities to charming towns and stunning coastlines, here are six incredible destinations that offer both affordability and an authentic Spanish experience for first-timers. 

Spain’s capital, Madrid, offers a mix of art, history, and vibrant nightlife. While Madrid might seem expensive at first glance, the city has its share of budget-friendly attractions. Many of the city’s iconic landmarks, such as the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, can be enjoyed without spending money. 

Visit museums like the Reina Sofía that offer free entry during certain hours to allow you to see famous works by artists like Picasso and Dalí. Explore Retiro Park, a vast green space ideal for picnics and people-watching, or experience the lively atmosphere of neighborhoods like Malasaña and Lavapiés. With these collections of eye-catching destinations, you can easily appreciate art and culture without spending money. 

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, boasts a delightful mix of history, modernity, and coastal charm. Valencia City is known for its futuristic architecture, beautiful parks, and delicious cuisine that leaves tourists burning to visit again. If you are a traveler on a budget, there is plenty to explore without paying a coin. 

You can enjoy the city’s free attractions, such as strolling through the Turia Gardens, a converted riverbed turned into a green space, and sunbathing at Malvarrosa Beach. Additionally, visit the City of Arts and Sciences complex, where you can appreciate the stunning architecture from the outside without purchasing tickets to the exhibits. 

Moreover, you can indulge in the local dish paella, which originated in Valencia, for a reasonably priced culinary experience. Before wrapping your stay, try Valencia’s beaches like Playa de la Malvarrosa that offer a relaxing escape without spending much.

Barcelona, in Catalonia, is one of the most vibrant cities worth visiting in Spain. This city is renowned for its unique architecture, bustling street life, and beautiful beaches with artistic treasures and architectural marvels that offer plenty of affordable attractions.  While some attractions like Sagrada Familia and Park Güell may have entrance fees, you can explore much of the city for free or at a low cost.

Wander through the Gothic Quarter’s narrow streets, visit the lively La Boqueria Market, and relax at the city beaches like Barceloneta. Enjoy the panoramic views from the bunkers of Carmel or take a stroll along La Rambla, a famous pedestrian street filled with shops and street performers. Additionally, exploring local markets and enjoying inexpensive tapas at neighborhood bars allows you to relish the city’s gastronomic delights without overspending.

Your visit won’t be complete if you don’t immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the famous Flamenco show Barcelona ! Get the ultimate experience of lively energy music, mesmerizing foot walk and dance, complimentary drinks, powerful strumming of guitars, rhythmic clapping, delicious dishes, and vibrant colors that paint an adorable world. No wonder Barcelona doesn’t stop attracting many tourists across the globe. 

Seville, in southern Spain, boasts stunning Moorish architecture, historic neighborhoods, and a rich cultural heritage. The beauty of Seville is that most of these stunning architectural designs and lively culture offer numerous affordable sightseeing opportunities. Visit the grand Cathedral of Seville, the Alcázar Palace Gardens, and the Plaza de España, which are reasonably priced or offer discounts for students and seniors. 

Furthermore, you can enjoy most of the city’s churches and squares for free, allowing you to soak in Seville’s charm without spending much. Wander through the charming streets of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, known for its picturesque alleys and vibrant atmosphere. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to watch traditional shows, which can be found at various price points.

Córdoba, with its rich history and a blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences, captivates travelers seeking budget-friendly experiences. The mesmerizing Mezquita-Catedral, a former mosque turned cathedral, offers free entry during specific hours. 

Cordoba in Spain is a fantastic budget-friendly destination that offers rich history and cultural experiences without breaking the bank. Its main attraction, the mesmerizing Mezquita-Catedral, allows free entry during certain hours. Wander through the charming streets of the old Jewish Quarter (Judería) and explore the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos gardens for an affordable glimpse into Córdoba’s past.

The city boasts inexpensive tapas bars and local eateries, perfect for savoring authentic Spanish cuisine without overspending. Additionally, exploring the city’s gardens, such as the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos often comes with affordable entrance fees. All these make Cordoba a perfect economical gem for travelers seeking a delightful Spanish experience without a hefty price tag.

Granada, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a treasure trove of history and culture.  Its list of affordable yet breathtaking destinations makes it a must-visit for budget travelers. Granada is home to the iconic Alhambra Palace that seamlessly steals the glances of every tourist in the city. Take advantage of the free entry sessions to allow you to witness its amazing beauty without breaking the bank.  

While Alhambra tickets can be a bit pricey, other free areas within the complex and nearby viewpoints like Mirador de San Nicolás give breathtaking views of the palace and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Explore the Albaicín district, known for its narrow streets and Moorish architecture. 

Immerse yourself in its Moorish influence and stare at the winding streets of the Albaicín which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Furthermore, many bars offer complimentary tapas with a drink purchase. Therefore, purchasing a drink from a local bar in Granada can give you an affordable culinary experience. 

San Sebastian

San Sebastian, located in Spain’s Basque Country, offers a remarkable experience for budget-conscious travelers. This city boasts stunning beaches, a lively culinary scene, and breathtaking scenery. Despite its reputation for luxury, this charming city has numerous ways to explore on a budget. 

Start by savoring the renowned “pintxos” (Basque tapas) in local bars, an affordable way to sample exquisite cuisine. Visit the city’s picturesque beaches, such as La Concha and Zurriola, which are free to visit and perfect for a relaxing day. Consider walking tours to give you insights into its rich history and architecture without breaking the bank.

Additionally, opt for budget accommodations like hostels or guesthouses and utilize public transport or walking. This will not only provide you with an economical solution but also an enriching exploration of the picturesque coastal gem.

Malaga, located along the stunning Costa del Sol in Spain, is an excellent choice for travelers seeking a rich cultural experience without spending a lot. This vibrant city offers an array of affordable accommodations, from hostels to budget-friendly hotels, especially in the off-peak seasons. 

Delve into its history by exploring free attractions like the Alcazaba fortress, and Roman Theater, and wandering through the charming old town streets. Relish delicious yet inexpensive local cuisine at traditional tapas bars and local markets. 

With its pleasant Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, and numerous free or low-cost activities, Malaga stands as an ideal destination for those seeking affordability without compromising on a memorable experience.

Conclusion 

Spain’s diverse and budget-friendly destinations offer unforgettable experiences for first-time visitors. Explore these affordable gems and immerse yourself in music and culture to paint a colorful and memorable visit.  Remember you don’t have to visit every destination to get the best experience and value for your money. Carefully pick a suitable destination with a mix of culture, architecture, performances, historical sites, and marvelous landscapes to gather memories that last for long.

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How to Visit Barcelona on a Budget

Written By: Marco Santos

Updated On: December 27, 2022

Looking to visit Barcelona on a budget ? In this guide, we’ll help you out with some of our favourite money-saving tips to make the most of your trip to the Catalan capital!

It was a last-minute flight special from Lisbon, Portugal to Barcelona, Spain that spurred us on to book an extended weekend getaway to vibrant and beautiful Barcelona! Having never travelled to the Catalan capital before, we were excited to get to grips with the city that so many of our friends have raved about and all its brilliant sights, even though we were heading there on a cold, yet sunny February weekend.

Table of Contents

14 Top Tips for Planning a Budget Trip to Barcelona!

Perhaps it was due to our last-minute planning, but we decided to make it our mission to explore Barcelona on a budget. Whilst the city is still cheaper than many other European counterparts, you can still easily lose touch with how much you’re spending on dining out, travel, and general sightseeing costs.

Whilst there are so many wonderful things to see and explore throughout this sprawling city, you can still enjoy a memorable visit without breaking the bank. In this post, we’ve decided to round out some of our favourite money-saving tips and hopefully inspire you to discover Barcelona on a budget!

1. Book a flight with budget airlines

Europe is big on low-cost airlines, and there are many options to choose from. For example, suppose you are travelling to Barcelona from another European country. In that case, you can easily find flight tickets for as low as 50 euros or less. 

The downside is that you can only bring your hand luggage, so if you have oversized luggage, you’d have to pay extra for these additional items of luggage. Many airlines fly directly to Barcelona El Prat (the main airport) from across the UK and Europe, including airlines such as Easyjet, Vueling, and Ryanair to name a few. 

2. Visit Barcelona during the shoulder season

Summer is a busy time for travellers in Europe. Barcelona is exceptionally crowded and expensive in July and August. Many tourists come in the summer to Barcelona to enjoy the glorious weather and golden beaches found in the Catalan capital. Still, you can find a temperate climate primarily throughout the year.

If you decide to travel during the winter, you should pack a warm jacket, especially if you want to enjoy the nightlife. Temperatures drop to 7 degrees C (44 F) at night. If you’re travelling on a budget, your best bet is to visit Barcelona in April through May, or mid-September through October, when you can still enjoy warm days.

Take advantage of the slower off-season or shoulder-season periods when tourists’ numbers are at a minimum and you can still bag a good deal on airfare and accommodation (usually the most expensive items on any travel budget) too. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find airfares for as low as €20 – €30 from nearby European cities.

When we visited in February it was definitely cold, but sunny throughout the day. We loved exploring all the sights with smaller crowds and absolutely loved seeing the city in this light.

3. Plan your itinerary around free things

When visiting Barcelona, you’ll no doubt want to explore the city’s stunning Spanish landmarks , including all the exquisite works by Gaudi that the city is so known for. Unfortunately, when travelling on a budget, entrance fees to these top sights can add up quickly! Thankfully, you can still take advantage of many free attractions and experiences throughout the city. 

4. Free and Discounted Museums

Some museums offer free entrance one day a week. If you don’t want to spend a lot on museum tickets, which can be pretty costly, find out when they offer free entrance and plan your itinerary accordingly.

In Barcelona, many city-run museums are free on Sundays, from 3 to 8 p.m. For example, you can check out Picasso’s masterpieces for free at the Museu Picasso. 

A few other museums that offer free days include the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the History Museum of Barcelona, and many more. 

5. Free Barcelona Attractions

Apart from free Museum entry, you may also be interested in visiting these free attractions throughout your stay:

• Barcelona’s Magic Fountain: The best time to check the Font Màgica de Montjuïc is at night when there’s a colourful light show.
• Walk the Olympic Park: Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympics. There is plenty to see, including the Olympic Stadium and sculptures.
• Watch out for the El Peix metal fish sculpture: It stands 52 metres tall near the Port Olympic shopping centre. Its appearance changes with the weather.
• Santa Maria del Mar: You are welcome to visit the nave of this beautiful Gothic church in the mornings and evenings for free.
• Look for street art wherever you go. Apart from its well-known masterpieces, Barcelona is also home to some pretty impressive street art and graffiti. 

You can also check Barcelona’s official touristic website to find more free activities.

6. Barcelona is walkable

Barcelona has many stunning buildings, thanks to its architectural geniuses that you won’t see any of if you are stuck inside a train. Whilst the city is huge, depending on where you choose to base yourself, you can still visit many of Barcelona’s top sights on foot instead. Saving you money on train day passes by walking from one destination to the other. 

Of course, from time to time you will need to catch the metro or make use of the city’s other public transport options. Barcelona offers a 10-one-way ticket deal for 9.95 euros. If you don’t mind walking for the most part, then this option could last you a week.

7. Watch for pickpockets

You can’t lose anything when you’re travelling on a budget — especially not money. But, unfortunately, because Barcelona is always full of tourists, pickpockets are everywhere. So find ways to keep your money safe with you and pay attention to those around you, especially when you see a big crowd. Read: Travel Safety Tips – How to Have a Safe Vacation for more tips.

8. Steer clear of “Tourist Hotspots” such as La Rambla

La Rambla is one of the most famous pedestrian streets in Barcelona. Everybody wants to go there, so of course, businesses and restaurants will take advantage of that. You can definitely go there, take some pictures (that’s free!), and take a stroll, but don’t book any hotels, hostels, or AirBnBs there and don’t eat there either. Many places found here are overpriced and dare I say not 100% authentic Catalan.

Instead, we found some wonderful and reasonably priced restaurants by meandering through the various side streets, often stumbling upon hidden gems that only locals would otherwise know of. 

9. Take advantage of complimentary breakfast

A complimentary breakfast is invaluable if you’re on a budget and staying at a hotel that offers one. You should take advantage of that by planning a substantial meal that will fill you up for a few hours, especially when planning a full day of sightseeing! Read more: Where to Stay in Barcelona

10. Sightseeing is (almost) always free

Whilst on the subject of sightseeing, the architectural splendour of Barcelona is unparalleled. Antoni Gaudi’s work is spread throughout the city. His whimsical buildings are all definitely Instagram-worthy. 

Probably the most famous landmark is the Sagrada Familia, with its intricate exterior. Because of the magnitude of this piece, it’s taken more than a century to complete the church. However, Gaudi’s masterpiece is finally set to be completed by 2026.

Though you’ll need to pay to go inside, the breathtaking view is just as impressive from the outside. And guess what? It’s free!

Here is a list of Gaudi’s works you might also find interesting: Or read our – Tour of The Works of Gaudi in Barcelona

• La Pedrera, or Casa Milà
• Parc Güell
• Casa Batlló
• Col·legi de Les Teresianes – closed to the public
• Casa Vicens
• Torre Bellesguard
• Casa Calvet
• Colonia Güell

Many of these sights do end up costing an arm and a leg to get into, which is why we decided to focus only on one or two of these and opted to admire a few of the others for their gorgeous exterior architecture instead. 

11. The menú del día is going to be your favourite meal

Although you’ll be distracted having so much fun in Barcelona, you’ll need to fuel up from time to time. If you start feeling hungry around lunchtime, you’re going to love menú del día; that’s one of those locals-only secrets. 

Menu del día has been a tradition since 1965, and even though restaurants are not required by law to serve them, they are commonly offered. 

It is generally available as a weekday lunch menu. Still, many restaurants serve a similar menu at the weekends as well. Check with your server if there is a special menu for the day. 

You can also find other cheap eats in the Mercat de Santa Caterina or Mercat de Sant Antoni. Spain has some of the most sumptuous cuisines in the world, so don’t miss out on this experience.

12. Spanish cuisine

The city is filled with tapas at every turn. Typical tapas include mixed olives, fried baby squid, meatballs, and chorizo. Spaniards view them as a snack between meals, but you can order two or three to eat as a meal. 

They are usually very affordable, but that depends on the location. For example, save money by eating tapas at a cafe that tourists do not heavily frequent.

Another must-try is pinchos (also known as pintxos) — a skewer type of snack. You can experiment with different pinchos at a bar to discover exciting food choices and new recipes. This is also a great way to understand the culture and local lifestyle in northern Spain.

Visit Carrer de Blai in Poble Sec for the ultimate pincho experience. Try a new pincho or two at every different bar you go.

Whilst on the topic of dining out, you will definitely want to down the money-saving app, The Fork, that’s not only free of charge but also offers you the chance to pre-book a restaurant with discounts of up to 40 – 50% off the main dish! It’s a great money saver, in fact, it’s how we discovered an incredible Asian restaurant in Gracia in Barcelona called Mantura Tapes asiatiques i Vins which we can highly recommend for your next visit! 

13. Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Although Barcelona is very walkable, there will be days where you will need to take the train to get around.  Hola Barcelona Travel Cards are the best option for getting around town. This unlimited travel card provides access to the city’s metro, bus, and suburban rail networks. 

There are cards available for 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours, and you’ll be set to explore the city. The card is also good for getting to the airport. You can save a good deal of money by using it rather than getting airport taxis or buying individual cards.

14. Get a Barcelona Card

The Barcelona Card gives tourists free entrance to many museums and attractions, free public transportation tickets, tour discounts, and other entertainment activities such as the Opera y Flamenco and the Zoo de Barcelona.

The card costs approximately €50 per person and gives you discounts on dozens of attractions. This card is worth every cent if you want to make the best out of your trip. Just with museum entrances alone, you can save up to €170. 

If you have an extra €50, you can also get the Gaudí Bundle with your Barcelona Card. That will give you fast-track tickets to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guëll. Gaudí Bundle allows you to skip the long ticket lines and visit both attractions. Additionally, you’ll receive two free audio guides.

15. Go to La Boqueria and then hit a park for a picnic

The Mercado de La Boqueria is an excellent place to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, and ready-made snacks for your picnic. You can also take some fabulous Instagram pictures there! 

Then, head over to a picturesque local park. Must-see parks include Ciutadella, Cervantes, and Palau Reial. Finally, take a stroll down the beach before making your way through the cobbled streets of the historic Gothic Quarter. 

16. Budget Tips for wine lovers

Spain is one of the biggest wine-producing countries globally, which means their wine is not only spectacular, it’s also cheap. There are bodegas all over the city where you can fill up a bottle for very little. Read more from Marco at Guide to the Douro Valley from Porto – Portugal’s Most Famous Wine Region

You’re welcome to bring an empty refillable bottle or buy one at a local bodega; make sure they are at least one-litre bottles, as they will charge you by the litre. Also, you can usually sample wines directly from the barrel. 

Why not round out your visit to Barcelona by grabbing one of these lovely wines, perfect for that picnic in the park, and cheers to a successful visit to Barcelona on a budget! 

And there you have it, the best ways to visit Barcelona when you are on a budget. Do you have other tips for budget travel? If you need more inspiration check out our post: How to Travel on a Budget – Top Tips for Traveling Cheap .

Why wait? Start planning your Barcelona travels today.

• 28 of the Best Places to Visit in Barcelona
• 10 Fun Things to do in Barcelona at Night
• 24 of the Best Things to do in Girona Spain
• Discover These Fun Facts about Spain
• 15 Free Things to do in Seville, Spain
• 16 Best Cities in Spain – Beautiful Places to Visit

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

Your Essential Guide: How to Rent a Car in Spain with Confidence

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Where to Stay in Barcelona This Year: Our Favorite Places And Neighbourhoods

About Marco Santos

Born and raised in South Africa, Marco Santos from Travel-Boo and The Avid Campers , moved to sunny Lisbon over 4 years ago. With an absolute love for Europe, he is on a mission to rediscover his own Portuguese heritage along the way. Marco has set out to blog and share his passion for travelling through and exploring both Portugal, Spain and throughout Europe, through his blog Travel-Boo as well as indulge in his love for camping and nature through his blog he Avid Campers.  Follow Marco on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram Follow Marco on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

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How I Travel on a Budget

Vault’s viewpoint.

• Travel costs are on the rise but there are ways to lower your travel budget.
• You can book cheap flights by looking for deals and using points or miles.
• Being flexible can open up even more cheap places to travel.

Be Flexible on Location and Time

One of the keys to budget travel is to be flexible on where you go and when. Going to tourist hot spots during peak season will cost you a premium. But entertaining other locales during the off-peak season can score you serious savings. Airline tickets are all about supply and demand, so when demand is lower, so are the prices.

I base much of my travel on deals. Instead of choosing a location and planning a trip, I find a deal and plan my trip based on that. To get cheap flights, I typically avoid traveling during the summer and around any major holidays, with one exception. I’ve found affordable international flights during Thanksgiving as most travel during that time is domestic.

Examples of Cheap Flights

For example, I was able to get a roundtrip ticket from Los Angeles to Lima, Peru for less than $300 and fly back on Thanksgiving day in 2022.

This past Thanksgiving in 2023, I found cheap flights to Tokyo from Los Angeles. Remember, cheap is relative. Typically, roundtrip tickets to Tokyo can easily be four figures and I got a ticket for $706.45. According to travel website Kayak , the cheapest month to fly to Tokyo from Los Angeles is February with flights costing an average of $689. In June or July, the most expensive flights are over a thousand dollars.

Find an Affordable Flight

Using specific websites can help the affordable flights come to you. I’m signed up for Travelzoo’s newsletter which publishes deals and I also use Google Flights alerts for many different locations that I’m interested in visiting.

To start, input your departure and arrival locations and input some dates. From there, you can turn on alerts below next to “Track prices” for those exact dates or “Any dates.” I toggle on “Any dates” and whenever prices drop, I’ll get an email alert. That’s how I found the cheap flight to Lima, Peru.

I have alerts set up for 10+ locations that I have my eye on so I can find cheap places to travel at the right time. This strategy works great because I don’t have to put in much leg work to get started and the deals go straight to my inbox.

Additionally, I book flight departures and arrivals on weekdays when fewer people are traveling and airfare tends to be cheaper.

Carry-On Only

For the past 15 years, I’ve been a carry-on-only traveler. While I am a minimalist, the decision wasn’t about that. Instead, I had a frustrating experience on my return to the States after a magical trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had returned but my checked bag did not. For months, I continued to follow up with the airline. Eventually, the airline offered me a paltry amount to reimburse me for my lost luggage.

I let them know that the amount would not replace my wardrobe and other items and that I wanted to escalate the issue. Somehow, after six months of luggage limbo, they found and returned my bag.

Since then, I’ve traveled light with one carry-on so I could avoid another potential luggage mishap. The eBag backpack has been my trusty companion for years. I roll my clothes in packing cubes and have become a master at playing Tetris with my items. I make sure that my luggage meets the size requirements for the airline and avoid airline baggage fees altogether.

Use Rewards To Pay for Flights

Aside from using Google Flights to book cheap flights I also use travel rewards when possible. Using various travel rewards credit cards, I’ve been able to get cheap flights to Rome, Italy with my mom to celebrate paying off my student loans and to Madrid, Spain to see a friend living there. Thanks to miles and points , I was paying only a nominal amount in taxes and fees.

The cards I’ve used include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Using travel rewards credit cards strategically has helped me lower my costs and reduce my travel budget. I pay off all my credit cards in full every week, which I find helps with my spending and cash flow. Additionally, I change up the credit cards I use based on the purchase to maximize my rewards.

Find Affordable Accommodations

Getting to your travel destination is one thing. But you need a place to stay once you get there and that can increase your costs significantly. In some cases, I’ve been able to lower my accommodation travel budget by staying with a friend for a night or two or house-sitting while a friend is gone.

When I travel somewhere new, I typically book hostels or Airbnbs which can be more affordable than some hotels (but not always). I tend to steer clear of trendy areas and choose places slightly off the beaten path. I go a bit further out and ensure I can either walk or have public transportation options. Nine times out of 10, this has worked in my favor. I get a bit more local flavor at a fraction of the cost.

The other 10% of the time I’ve found myself in a situation that I call a ‘frugal fail’. For example, booking a basement Airbnb in Prague in a not-so-great neighborhood. As a solo female traveler, I stayed there one night and ended up moving and paying more for a hotel. Safety is paramount and that is priceless.

Use Rewards To Book Hotel Stays

When I book hotel stays , I typically use my Chase Ultimate Rewards points from my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. When I unexpectedly changed plans and decided to book a hotel in Prague, I used my rewards points to offset the costs.

After looking at accommodations in Tokyo, I found a great hotel I had my eye on at a discount in the Chase Travel portal. I was able to book a stay with fewer points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is my go-to card for hotel stays as one of its many benefits is a $50 annual hotel credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.

One Big Meal Out per Day

Dining out while on vacation is a treat. But doing so two to three times a day will skyrocket your travel budget. I typically commit to having one big meal out per day. If I’m staying at an Airbnb, I’ll get groceries and cook —one of the benefits of having access to a kitchen.

If I choose to stay at a hotel, I prioritize options with a continental breakfast. I’ll also go to the grocery store and pick up affordable items like:

• Granola bars
• Fruit like an apple or banana
• Protein shakes

These help out during the day. Once I’m at my location, I’ll also identify a low-cost food option. For example, while in Tokyo I ate a couple of onigiri (rice balls), yogurt, and cheese from 7-Eleven nearly every day for breakfast or lunch, which cost around $8. Dinner is where I splurged on unique or indulgent experiences. This strategy is one of the top ways I’ve learned how to travel on a budget.

Use Public Transportation

When I travel, I typically get around using public transportation and walking. One of my favorite things to do is explore a city by foot or the local transit. You get a different experience that way and can enjoy budget travel and serious savings.

I rarely use taxis and ride-sharing . If I do, it’s typically to and from the airport if no viable public transit options exist. But some cities make it easy to take public transportation from the airport to the center of the city. For example, there are great public transit options to and from the airport in Chicago, Illinois; Portland, Oregon; and Tokyo, Japan.

Instead of paying for a ride that can easily exceed $50 you can pay a few bucks on public transportation.

Additional Ways To Travel on a Budget

If you want to learn how to travel on a budget or find cheap vacation ideas, here are additional ways to lower costs:

• Sign up for rewards programs. Always sign up for hotel or airline rewards programs . Leave no rewards on the table.
• Use cash back. If you have a cash back credit card , use those extra funds to lower your travel budget.
• Book flights and hotels early. To find cheap places to travel, book flights and hotels in advance. Ideally at least several months ahead of time.
• Compare options. Budget travel requires some research. When planning an upcoming trip, compare all your transportation options, such as various airlines, buses, trains, and road trip costs.
• Research free or cheap activities. Check out local parks, free museum days, discounts on Groupon or Goldstar, and local festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheap vacation ideas.

Some cheap vacation ideas include camping, having a staycation, or going somewhere you can get free accommodations by house sitting or pet sitting. You can also look for cheap flights on Google Flights, see if there are budget buses, and plan your vacation around the deals you find.

What Are Cheap Places To Travel To?

If you’re looking for cheap places to travel to, that will depend on your departure city, currency, and time of year. For travelers in the United States, traveling domestically will be the most affordable. If you’re looking for cheap vacation ideas for international travel, you can look into countries in Latin America or Southeast Asia.

What Credit Card Is Best for Travel?

The best credit card for travel is one with no foreign transaction fees . Look for cards that can earn you more points for travel-related purchases and that may have travel credits included. Compare annual fees and make sure it’s worth the cost.

The post How I Travel on a Budget first appeared on Newsweek Vault .

Money latest: McDonald's to start selling bigger burgers - as it makes very rare changes to classic items

The fast food giant has revealed its chefs have created a "larger, satiating burger" in a bid to boost sales. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment in the box.

Wednesday 1 May 2024 20:00, UK

• Bitcoin suffers nightmare month - and it's just got worse
• Key dates for Spotify customers, energy bills, free childcare and interest rates in May
• Wait for interest rate cut leads to surprise dip in house price growth
• McDonald's to start selling a bigger burger

Essential reads

• You're probably washing and storing your clothes wrong. Here's what you should do instead
• Turns out supermarket boss was right about self-checkouts
• State pensions 'could be in doubt for future generations'
• One of UK's top chefs reveals best Cheap Eats in Norfolk - and cling film tip for amazing veg
• Money Problem : 'Builders won't repair dodgy work - what are my rights?'
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches

Ask a question or make a comment

Are you struggling because of high interest rates? Sky News is keen to hear from people who are due to refix their mortgages this year or are on a variable rate or tracker mortgage or trying to get on the housing ladder. 

Email us your stories at  [email protected]  - or WhatsApp us  here .

The Fed has issued its latest policy statement, announcing it will keep interest rates at the same level. 

It did note inflation has eased over the past year, and it is still leaning towards eventual reductions in borrowing costs. 

However it pointed out recent disappointing inflation readings, suggesting moves towards more balance in the economy had stalled. 

If you're wondering why we're telling you this, it's because there is a link between the Fed's interest rate and the Bank of England's base rate. 

The interplay between the two can affect the value of the pound and currency alternatives such a gold.

Market expectations for the UK base rate are often heavily influenced by what's going on in the US. 

Untreated sewage was released into designated shellfish waters for 192,000 hours last year, new research has found.

The hours of sewage dumping were spread across 23,000 separate incidents.

Some fishing waters in Cornwall were forced to close last year after high levels of e.coli were found in oysters and mussels, and norovirus can also be transported via human waste.

Read the full story here ...

Shares in luxury carmaker Aston Martin have plummeted as much as 14% today after it announced bigger than expected losses. 

Aston Martin revealed adjusted pre-tax losses of £111m for the first three months of the year, compared with £57m a year earlier. 

Analysts had expected a loss of £93m. 

The losses were due to higher finance costs and the timings of its car launches.

B&Q is introducing plastic plant pot recycling stations at more than 100 of its stores across the UK. 

Customers will be able to drop off their unwanted pots in store so they can be recycled and turned into new planters. 

B&Q's 100% recycled plastic Blacksmith Planters will be available in stores for £4. 

UK supermarkets could soon see a "healthier" version of white bread, according to scientists.

A team of researchers at Aberystwyth University will be studying the milling and blending process for white flour.

Peas, beans and oats could be added to wheat flour to boost its nutritional value.

The research project has been funded by Innovate UK, the UK's national innovation agency.

Parents taking their kids to Taylor Swift concerts this summer might be worried their lack of knowledge will leave them feeling a bit left out.

But what if we told you you could be a mastermind?

That's the promise of a new college course ahead of the biggest pop star in the world hitting the UK in June.

The 7 May course, which is run by the  Glasgow Cylde College and is free, will give members of the public a jam-packed session that will leave them ready for the singer's upcoming  Eras Tour.

Those who enrol in a one-off college masterclass will learn about the pop star's music, set lists, crowd chants and even her "evolving wardrobe and hairstyles".

A statement on the college website reads: "Ahead of her hugely anticipated arrival, Glasgow Clyde College is offering a one time-only masterclass aimed at preparing parents and plus ones of Taylor superfans, providing the full Love Story on all things Eras Tour to help them have the best night of their lives.

"From set lists and crowd chants to need-to-know information on each Era, the masterclass, which is being delivered by a Taylor Swift expert, will give people a whistle-stop lesson that'll leave them ready for the gig."

You can book your Swiftie masterclass here .

The cocoa market is in a particularly turbulent period, with the price of the ingredient falling to its lowest level in a month. 

It comes after prices reached their highest peaks in more than four decades earlier in the year, making it reportedly more expensive than copper. 

Traders had been betting on an acute supply shortage driven by poor harvests in West Africa. 

However, the rally made it more expensive to maintain positions and prompted traders to pull out of the market - leaving the product vulnerable to big price swings. 

The price has now fallen by 16% since the end of last week, offering some relief to chocolate makers/eaters.

The fast food giant has revealed its chefs have created a "larger, satiating burger" in a bid to boost sales, according to Bloomberg. 

The mega-sized burger is reportedly designed to attract customers who want more filling patties. 

It will be introduced in certain markets first to test its appeal. 

McDonald's unveiled plans in December that bosses hope will boost growth by focusing on core menu items. 

The chain has seen sluggish sales, partly due to its perceived support of Israel in Middle East and Muslim-majority markets. 

McDonald's has denied taking any position in the ongoing conflict and said it is not responsible for the actions of its franchisees.

So far, it has launched an ad campaign highlighting what it says are improvements to its Big Mac, quarter pounder with cheese and double cheeseburger.

This is apparently the first time in the company's 84-year history that it has made changes to its classic burgers.

By Emily Mee , Money team

Discovering a hole in your favourite pair of jeans or a rip in your well-worn cosy jumper is certainly irritating - but it doesn't mean those items are destined for the bin. 

In fact, ethical fashion campaigners say that's the last place your items should be going. There is usually plenty you can do to repair them - or even to avoid damage in the first place. That way, you can keep your best-loved pieces in your wardrobe for years to come. 

Katrina Caspelich, from fair fashion campaign Remake, takes the Money blog through what you can do...

Store your clothes better

Clean them before storing them: Always ensure that clothes are clean before storing them. Launder or dry clean them according to the care instructions on the label. Stains and dirt can attract insects and cause fabric deterioration over time.

Use breathable storage containers: Opt for breathable storage containers such as cotton canvas bags or boxes instead of plastic bins. This allows air circulation and prevents moisture build up, which can lead to mould and mildew.

Avoid direct sunlight: Store clothes in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause colours to fade and weaken fabric fibres over time.

Hang clothes properly: Invest in quality hangers that provide adequate support to garments. Use padded or wooden hangers for delicate items like suits, dresses and knits. Avoid using wire hangers, as they can cause garments to lose their shape. Don't hang wet clothes on hangers - they can stretch.

Use garment bags: For long-term storage of formal wear or seasonal clothing, consider using garment bags to protect items from dust, insects, and moisture.

Rotate clothing: Rotate your wardrobe seasonally to prevent garments from being stored for too long without use. This helps to prevent fabric deterioration and ensures that all pieces are worn regularly.

Avoid overcrowding: Avoid cramming clothes into storage containers or closets. Overcrowding can cause wrinkles, stretching and distortion of fabric fibres. Leave some space between garments to allow for air circulation.

Store leather items properly: Leather garments should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use padded hangers to maintain their shape and avoid folding, as creases can become permanent.

Does how you wash clothes make a difference?

What exactly makes a gentle wash gentle? For delicate fabrics, you should always use cool to lukewarm water. (Hot water isn't needed unless you are concerned about bacteria and diseases like COVID-19). 

Pro tip: Be wary of wringing out your wet clothes. It can seriously alter the shape of your garments.

Other options

Wash your stuff less. The only clothes that should always be washed after one wear are underwear and sweaty clothes. Most garments worn regularly should be okay to wear two to three times before washing. Unless your denim has a bad habit of stretching out, experts say you should wash them after three or four wears so they age better. You can also throw them in the freezer to kill bacteria.

Spot clean your clothes. To clean a spot, start by removing any excess spillage and blot away as much moisture as possible with a paper towel or hand towel. NO RUBBING. Use some stain remover or gentle detergent on just the stained spot. Let it air dry or use cool air to speed up the process.

Air dry. Hang your clothes outside, Italian style. For heavier items that could stretch when hanging, lay them out flat on a surface to dry.

When should you dry clean?

Read the care tags! Don't be so quick to adhere to every garment's dry clean only tag - there's lots of chemicals involved that lurk on dry-cleaned wool, cotton and polyester. Plus, lots of brands put those tags on when they lack confidence in our ability to properly and gently wash our clothes.

If it is made of wool, linen, silk, cotton or cashmere - which is likely a majority of your closet - these fabrications can handle gentle hand washes so long as you pre-treat and single wash anything with stains, as well as wash items in groups determined by fabrication and colour.

If you aren't 100% sure what exactly a garment is made of, you can always test a little spot under the sink water to see if you get a ton of colour bleeding, warping or shrinkage before going all in.

If your garment has any fancy embellishments, flocking or beads attached by glue then you should probably take it to the cleaners if it's not just in need of a little spot clean.

Pro tip: When you find yourself at the dry cleaners, you can try asking for alternatives like a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning, which uses pressurized CO2 mixed with other gentle cleaning liquids as opposed to perc.  Another option is requesting a wet cleaning method , a wash that resembles a normal washing machine but utilises special soaps and conditioners for an extra gentle wash.

How do you know when a broken item is repairable, or when it's no longer usable?

It's important to always assess the extent of the damage. Small tears, missing buttons, loose hems or minor stains are usually repairable with basic sewing skills or by taking them to a tailor. 

Considering the condition of the fabric is also important. For example, if the fabric is in good shape apart from the damaged area, it may be worth repairing. 

However, if the fabric is severely worn out or faded in multiple places, it may not be worth repairing. Also, some types of damage such as large holes, extensive fraying or irreparable stains may render the garment unusable or not cost-effective to repair. 

Finally, it's important to consider the sentimental value of the item. If the piece holds sentimental value or is a high-quality piece, you may just want to hold on to it and invest in repairs.

If the item is no longer usable, you could upcycle or repurpose it. Get creative and turn the item into something new. Some ideas include turning old jeans into shorts, using fabric scraps for quilting or crafts, or transforming a worn-out tee into a cleaning rag. 

Donation is another option. If the clothing item is still in decent condition despite the damage, consider donating it to a local charity or thrift store as some organisations accept damaged clothing for recycling or repurposing.

Finally, look for textile recycling programmes in your area. Many communities have textile recycling centres or programmes that accept old clothing, even if it's damaged, to be recycled into new textiles or other products.

How about shoes?

Like clothing, extending the wear of your shoes requires proper care and maintenance. Some ideas include rotating your shoes between different pairs of shoes every day to allow each pair to air out and recover their shape between wears. 

Clean your shoes regularly to remove dust, dirt and stains. 

It's also a good idea to apply waterproofing spray to protect your shoes from water, stains, snow and other environmental damage. Like clothing, it's important to attend to any signs of damage or wear as soon as possible, replacing worn-out soles, repairing loose stitching, and fixing damaged heels to prevent further deterioration. Definitely consider taking your shoes to a professional cobbler for these regular repairs! 

By Connor Sephton , news reporter

Bitcoin has suffered its biggest monthly loss since June 2022 - amid signs that market euphoria is starting to cool.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency saw its price plunge by almost 15% in April.

Even though we're just 12 hours into a brand-new month, Bitcoin is continuing to fall further.

This digital asset is often valued in dollars rather than pounds - and certain price points tend to have psychological significance for traders.

Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin had successfully managed to avoid a big fall under $60,000 (about £48,000).

But all of that changed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

After the $60,000 threshold crumbled, a sharp drop to $57,000 soon followed.

So... with Bitcoin down 7% over the past 24 hours, what happens next?

Well - traders are now engaged in what can best be described as an arm wrestle.

If Bitcoin manages to hold stable around $57,000, its value may start to recover.

But if selling pressure grows as American investors start to wake up and see what's happened, further declines are to be expected.

Bitcoin has now fallen by 22% since hitting an all-time high of $73,750 in March - which technically puts this cryptocurrency in a bear market.

However, avid enthusiasts will insist this is nothing more than a healthy correction, and Bitcoin's longer-term prospects are good.

One thing is clear: this is a volatile asset, and investors should only put in whatever they can afford to lose.

In what seems to be becoming a daily occurrence, four more lenders have announced mortgage rate rises.

Halifax, BM Solutions and Virgin are all doing so for the second time in around a week. They're joined by Nottingham Building Society.

Halifax are increasing rates on purchase products by up to 0.2%; BM Solutions by up to 0.24%. These begin tomorrow.

Virgin increased rates on products between 0.08% and 0.2% yesterday evening, while Nottingham has lifted rates this morning by up to 0.25%.

Mortgage rates have spiked in the last two weeks as financial markets have moved from pricing in a base rate cut in June to thinking it will come in August. Expectations of three cuts this year are now two.

The backdrop is sticky inflation in the US - and concern the global and domestic battle against rising prices isn't over yet.

Skipton had actually announced some decreases - but any optimism from this proved momentary.

Dariusz Karpowicz, director at Albion Financial Advice, told Newspage: "The atmosphere in the mortgage market is rather grim, with major players like Halifax, BM Solutions, Virgin and Nottingham Building Society repeatedly raising their fixed rates.

"This pattern of frequent rate hikes, sometimes occurring multiple times within a week, is casting a shadow over market sentiment. 

"The anticipated 'spring bounce' is nowhere in sight; instead, we're witnessing a continuation of mortgage woes. 

"Higher rates are expected to dampen buyer enthusiasm and potentially delay any positive momentum. 

"As for when borrowers can expect relief, it hinges on broader economic stabilisation. For now, the outlook remains cautious and subdued."

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