I was lucky enough to live in Spain for a few months, as I was an au pair there. Living in Madrid meant I was literally in the middle of the country, able to explore the rest of the country during my weekends and at the end of my time living with my host family. One thing many people who haven’t visited Spain fail to realize is that Spain is really affordable. There’s so much to do and see in Spain that you can never be bored and there are even places in Spain that offer you free food, tapas, with your wine or beer – perfect.
Planning a cheap holiday to Spain doesn’t have to be a nightmare! Check out my favorite must-see, affordable places to visit in Spain.
1) Granada
Southern Spain is just different. It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s relaxed. Granada is also where one of the most beautiful buildings in the world is kept: the Alhambra. After living in Europe my standard for beautiful buildings rose and I became quite jaded. The Alhambra exceeded all of my expectations and still holds its position as one of the most awe inducing sites I’ve seen. The old quarter in Granada is wonderful to wander around. Even the grounds the Alhambra are housed in are beautiful and definitely worth a look. The best part about Granada? Free delicious tapas when you order a drink. Some establishments are famous for their tapas and can be a real treat.
2) San Sebastian
The truth is, San Sebastian is one of the more expensive parts of Spain, so you might wonder why I suggest it as a good option of somewhere to go when you’re looking for a cheap holiday? San Sebastian has one of the most incredible city beaches in the world; it’s literally on San Sebastian’s doorstep. While you’ll spend a little more on accommodation and food here, you can easily spend a few days exploring this wonderful beach or walking up to the top of the hill. Yes, San Sebastian is kind of expensive, but it’s one of those places you can enjoy without spending money because it is so beautiful.
3) Madrid
For a capital city, by European standards, Madrid is cheap. It’s also jam packed with some of the best museums, art galleries and parks in the world. If you want to save your money, keep in mind that many of the museums have free days or free time periods if you check on their websites. If you’re interested in seeing a hipper, trendier site of Madrid head to Tribunal station and walk around; you’ll see beautiful street art, cute cafes, gorgeous second hand stores and life buzzing around you.
These are my top three Spanish destinations for a cheap holiday to Spain. Each of these cities is very diverse to the others, providing you with a great opportunity to see a variety of Spanish cities. Have you been to Spain? What’s your favourite, best value, Spanish city?
