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Spain can be a fantastic travel location for visitors to Europe, with beaches, mountains, and everything in between. But for travelers trying to stick to a budget, planning early and traveling wisely can mean a great difference in price on the road. So check out these tips for budget travel through Spain, and explore the wonderful Iberian destination without spending a ton of cash.
Planning early is key for finding deals on travel and cheap lodgings in larger Spanish cities. Many bargain airlines fly in and out of Madrid and Barcelona, but the best deals must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Other internal flight services can be found on the internet for cheap transportation between Spanish cities, or to the Canary Islands, Ibiza, or Mallorca and Menorca. The key, as always, is planning ahead. Last minute travel or travel during holidays or celebrations can be much more expensive than otherwise.
Second, choose the dates of your vacation wisely, and try to avoid the major tourist season if possible. During the summer months, many cities in Spain fill with tourists. Accommodations become more scarce and much more expensive, and restaurants and shops often raise prices. Even basic travel tickets and local transportation may see a hike in rates during the months of May, June, and July. By August, things start settling down again, and many Spaniards use this time to take their own vacations to smaller cities in the country. This may be a good time to visit the more popular cities, when fewer crowds and less traffic not only make the city more inviting, but may provide various on hotels or hostels.
For travelers looking for a specific form of recreation there are a number of locations that can cater to almost any past time. Skiers visiting the country should take note that a good location for snow activities is right across the border, in Andorra. Andorra, a tiny mountainous country with only 60,000 inhabitants, borders Spain to the north. Wedged between France and Spain, the country has a thriving ski scene, with cheap lodges and lift tickets, as well as tax-free gift shops and stores. For budget travelers, Andorra can provide one of the cheapest ski opportunities, and buses run from most major northern Spanish cities.
On the opposite side of things, beach goers also have a wide range of options for secluded or more active beaches. With almost 5,000 kilometers of coast, Spain boasts a number of fantastic waterfront stretches. Try the Costa Brava for the Mediterranean feel, or go down south towards Alicante and check out the sunny coast and sandy beaches. Visitors can catch the sun in Gibraltar and feel the Moorish influence in the south as well. To avoid the expensive locations or resorts, try checking out smaller and lesser-known towns along the coast. Often, they are just as pleasant as the larger cities, and their beaches may be less polluted and crowded as well.
Spanish nightlife is a wonderful thing, starting around 11 but going until dawn in many locations. But many clubs and discos come with a hefty entrance fee and very expensive drinks. To keep costs down when traveling through Spain, but while still enjoying the best of the nightlife scene, try and find clubs that do not charge for entrance. Often, local bars and hostels will have free entrance passes to some of the hottest clubs, so cruise around and see what you can find. Stopping off at a local bar or pub and having drinks there is a great way to avoid the high prices inside the clubs.
Finally, try and get to know people as you travel, and if you speak some Spanish, don't be afraid to use it. Spaniards are usually very helpful if they see you making and effort with the language, and locals are usually more than willing to suggest a cheap hostel or hotel, or a local restaurant or bar to have a meal and a drink at. Don't just follow the tourist crowd, get off the beaten path and talk to the locals and you will find a whole number of new ideas and options open up for you.
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