Is Spain Expensive?

Is Spain expensive to visit?

Spain is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Europe for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Ireland and Austria.

As this is a very popular country for tourists, you'll find a number of great places in Spain to visit, all at a variety of price ranges. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Adeje, Playa del Ingles, and Playa de las Americas. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like A Coruna, San Sebastian, and Santiago de Compostela.


Average daily price of selected cities in Spain, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Playa de las Americas $212
Playa del Ingles $195
Adeje $188
Puerto del Carmen $187
Lanzarote $175
Barcelona $169
Playa Blanca $168
Madrid $148
Santillana $113
Vigo $108
Almeria $107
Lugo $106
Santiago de Compostela $99
San Sebastian $98
A Coruna $96


The Cathendral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

How expensive is Spain?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Spain tends to be around $163 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Spain here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Spain?

A one week trip to Spain costs about $1,138 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,276.

How expensive is a two week trip to Spain?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Spain costs around $2,276 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $4,552.

How expensive is a month long trip to Spain?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Spain will cost around $4,877 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $9,754.



Madrid, Spain

Is it expensive to backpack in Spain?

Spain is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 360 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $26 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Spain here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Barcelona, Madrid, and Tenerife. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Granada, Alicante, and Santiago de Compostela has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $20, $18, and $17 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in San Sebastian, Barcelona, and Malaga with an average cost of $46, $31, and $30 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Spain.

  • $19 for a dorm bed at St Christopher's Barcelona in Barcelona
  • $20 for a dorm bed at Cats Hostel Madrid Sol in Madrid
  • $24 for a dorm bed at Los Amigos Hostel Tenerife in Tenerife

Where to find affordable hostels in Spain
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Barcelona 81 $31
Madrid 45 $23
Tenerife 31 $24
Seville 22 $22
Malaga 19 $30
Granada 18 $20
Valencia 14 $22
San Sebastian 11 $46
Santiago de Compostela 9 $17
Gran Canaria 8 $22
Bilbao 8 $23
Alicante 6 $18
Tarifa 5 $21
Santander 5 $27

Are hotels expensive in Spain?

Hotel prices in Spain are moderately priced and fairly even compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $109 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Spain are more expensive than others, like San Sebastian, where hotel prices average $207 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Lugo, averaging $59 per night for a hotel room.


Where to find affordable hotels in Spain
City Average Hotel Price
San Sebastian $207
Hondarribia $199
Marbella $178
Playa Blanca $138
Palma de Mallorca $126
Madrid $89
Oviedo $68
La Laguna $68
Santa Cruz de Tenerife $68
Puerto de la Cruz $60
Lugo $59

Carrer Elisabets 11, Barcelona
Overall Rating 9.6
34 Calle de Atocha, Madrid
Overall Rating 9.5


Cadiz, Spain

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Spain?

In Spain, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $29 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

    • De Mercados: A Neighborhood Market and Tapas Experience: $97
    • Private Tour With A Different Perspective of Alhambra : $129
    • Canyoning Adventure Rio Verde in Granada: $104
    • Montserrat Private Tour from Barcelona with Pick-up: $157
    • Private Half Day Walking Tour of Seville: $120
    • San Sebastian Top Pintxos Private Tour: $196
    • Hiking tours in Ibiza - Discover the other side of the white island : $135
    • Tapas Tour in Madrid: $107

    Is food expensive in Spain?

    In Spain, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $43 per day on food, per person.

    • Panoramic Highlights Rooftop Tour & Paella Cooking Class Sevilla: $158
    • Paella Cooking Class overviewing Las Ramblas: $104
    • Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
    • Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $190
    • Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $211
    • Midday Market Tour and Spanish Cooking Class: $108


    Lastres, Spain

    Is transportation expensive in Spain?

    Local transportation in Spain can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $30 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    Expenses for intercity transportation within Spain can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $124 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

    More for Spain

    If you're planning a trip to Spain, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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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