Spain

Spain is one of those countries that has basically everything. Barcelona has Gaudi and beaches. Madrid has world-class museums and nightlife that doesn’t start until midnight. Seville has flamenco and Moorish architecture. San Sebastian has the best food per capita in Europe. The Balearic Islands have everything from Ibiza’s club scene to Mallorca’s quiet coves. And the whole country runs on a schedule where lunch happens at 2pm, dinner at 10pm, and nobody rushes anything.

The lifestyle is the real attraction. Spaniards treat eating, drinking, and socialising as serious activities that deserve proper time. Tapas bars at 8pm. Wine that costs less than water. Entire afternoons spent at outdoor terraces doing absolutely nothing productive. It’s infectious.

Spain is also well-positioned for budget travellers in Western Europe. Cheaper than France, Italy, or the UK for most things. A glass of wine at a local bar costs $2-3. Tapas are $3-6 per plate. And many attractions are free or very cheap outside of the big-ticket museums.

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When to go

April to June and September to October are the sweet spots. Weather is warm, crowds are manageable, and prices are reasonable. May is perfect almost everywhere.

July and August are hot (40C+ in southern cities like Seville and Cordoba) and packed with European summer tourists on the coasts. The beaches are crowded and accommodation prices spike. Inland cities are uncomfortably hot. If you visit in summer, stick to the north coast (San Sebastian, Bilbao, Galicia) where it’s cooler.

November through March is mild in the south (15-20C in Andalusia) and cold in the north. Prices drop significantly. Madrid and Barcelona are great year-round but pack layers for winter.

What it actually costs

Spain is good value for Western Europe. Cheaper than France, comparable to Portugal, more expensive than Eastern Europe. All prices in USD.

Budget ($50-80 USD/day per person) Hostels ($15-30/night), menu del dia lunches ($10-13 for 3 courses with wine), tapas for dinner ($10-15), metro and bus ($1.50-2 per ride), free cathedral and park visits.

Mid-range ($80-180 USD/day per person) Hotel ($60-130/night for a double), restaurant meals with wine ($15-25), train travel between cities ($20-50), paid attractions (Sagrada Familia $30, Alhambra $16).

Comfortable ($180-300+ USD/day per person) Boutique hotels, Michelin-starred pintxos bars in San Sebastian, private flamenco shows, domestic flights, wine tours.

The menu del dia (menu of the day) is the biggest budget hack in Spain. Available at most local restaurants for lunch (1-4pm). Three courses with bread, a drink (often wine), and sometimes coffee for $10-13. It’s a full meal at a fraction of dinner prices.

Renfe trains connect all major cities. Madrid to Barcelona high-speed AVE takes 2.5 hours ($25-60 if booked early on renfe.com). Budget airlines (Vueling, Ryanair) also fly between Spanish cities for $15-40.

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Where to go

Barcelona (3-4 days). The Sagrada Familia (book months ahead), Park Guell, the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market, the beach, and the nightlife in El Born and Gracia. Barcelona has the perfect mix of culture, food, and beach. Pickpockets are aggressive on La Rambla and in the metro, so watch your stuff.

Madrid (2-3 days). The Prado Museum, Retiro Park, the Reina Sofia (Picasso’s Guernica), and the best nightlife in Spain. Dinner at 10pm is normal. Going out at midnight is early. The Malasana and La Latina neighbourhoods are where locals eat and drink.

Seville (2-3 days). The Real Alcazar (Game of Thrones filming location), the cathedral (the largest Gothic cathedral in the world), flamenco in the Triana neighbourhood, and tapas culture at its best. Visit in spring for the orange blossoms and comfortable temperatures. Skip July and August when it hits 45C.

San Sebastian (2-3 days). The food capital of Spain and arguably of Europe. More Michelin stars per capita than anywhere. Pintxos (the Basque version of tapas) bars line the old town. La Concha beach is one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe. Not cheap but worth every cent for food lovers.

Granada (1-2 days). The Alhambra (book tickets 2-3 months in advance, they sell out), the Albaicin neighbourhood with views of the Alhambra, and free tapas. Granada is one of the few cities in Spain where you still get a free tapa with every drink.

Mallorca (3-5 days). The biggest Balearic island. Palma has a beautiful old town and cathedral. The Serra de Tramuntana mountains have dramatic hiking and cycling. The hidden coves on the east coast are postcard-perfect. Not just a party island, despite the reputation.

Ibiza (2-4 days). If you want the clubs, they’re here (June-September). But Ibiza also has a quiet side. The old town (Dalt Vila) is a UNESCO site, the north coast beaches are peaceful, and the sunset bars on the west coast are legendary.

What to skip

La Rambla in Barcelona. Walk it once for the experience. Don’t eat there, don’t shop there, and keep your phone in your front pocket. The pickpocketing is world-class.

Sangria at tourist restaurants. It’s made with the cheapest wine available and marked up 300%. Drink it at a local bar or make your own at your accommodation. Order tinto de verano (red wine with lemon soda) instead, which is what Spaniards actually drink in summer.

The running of the bulls in Pamplona. Ethically questionable and genuinely dangerous. Multiple injuries and occasional deaths happen every year.

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Must-do experiences

Eat pintxos in San Sebastian. Bar hop through the old town (Parte Vieja) eating one or two pintxos at each place. Budget $20-30 for a full evening of eating and drinking across 4-5 bars. Better than any sit-down restaurant.

Watch flamenco in Seville. Not a tourist tablao, a real penya (flamenco club) or a bar in Triana with spontaneous performances. Ask at your hotel for recommendations. The emotion in real flamenco is unlike anything you’ve seen on stage.

Visit the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece has been under construction since 1882 and it’s still extraordinary. Book tickets with tower access online months in advance. Morning light through the stained glass windows is the best time.

Walk the Alhambra at sunrise. The Nasrid Palaces have timed entry. Book the earliest slot available. The combination of Moorish architecture, gardens, and views of Granada below is one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Euro. Cards accepted everywhere except some small tapas bars and markets.

Most Western passport holders can visit for 90 days in the Schengen zone without a visa.

Spain runs late. Lunch is 2-4pm. Dinner is 9-11pm. Restaurants that open at 6pm for dinner are tourist restaurants. Eat when locals eat and you’ll find the best food.

Tipping is not expected. Leave a euro or two at sit-down restaurants if the service was good. No tip needed at tapas bars.

Pickpockets operate heavily in Barcelona (La Rambla, metro, beach) and to a lesser degree in Madrid. Use a front pocket or cross-body bag. Don’t leave phones on restaurant tables.

Siesta is real. Many shops and smaller businesses close 2-5pm. Don’t fight it. Use siesta for a rest, a long lunch, or a beach session.

Planning your trip

1 week Barcelona and Andalusia: Barcelona (3), train to Seville (2), Granada (2).

2 weeks full Spain: Barcelona (3), train to Madrid (2), train to Seville (2), Granada (2), fly to San Sebastian (3), Bilbao (1).

1 week islands: Barcelona (2), fly to Mallorca (3), fly to Ibiza (2).

Book your trip

Use the search tools above to compare prices on flights, hotels, tours, and rental cars across Spain.

More destinations from travlperks: For similar Mediterranean vibes, see Italy, Greece, or Portugal. For cheaper alternatives, try Vietnam or Thailand.