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 Finland and Andorra.

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 Puerto del Carmen, Playa del Ingles, and Playa de las Americas. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna, and San Sebastian.


Average daily price of selected cities in Spain, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Playa de las Americas $249
Playa del Ingles $236
Puerto del Carmen $230
Adeje $228
Lanzarote $209
Playa Blanca $205
Cadiz $202
Madrid $175
Almeria $140
Santillana $138
Vigo $136
Lugo $134
San Sebastian $124
A Coruna $119
Santiago de Compostela $115


Girona, Catalonia, Spain

How expensive is Spain?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Spain tends to be around $203 (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 $1,421 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 $2,842.

How expensive is a two week trip to Spain?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Spain costs around $2,842 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $5,683.

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 $6,089 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $12,179.



Cordoba, Spain

Is it expensive to backpack in Spain?

Spain is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 390 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $24 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, Alicante, Granada, and Cadiz has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $20, $19, and $17 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in San Sebastian, Malaga, and Santander with an average cost of $44, $31, and $26 per night.

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

  • $17 for a dorm bed at St Christopher's Barcelona in Barcelona
  • $20 for a dorm bed at Cats Hostel Madrid Sol in Madrid
  • $22 for a dorm bed at Los Amigos Nest Hostel in Tenerife

Where to find affordable hostels in Spain
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Barcelona 82 $22
Madrid 46 $23
Tenerife 36 $25
Seville 24 $20
Malaga 21 $31
Granada 19 $19
Valencia 16 $21
San Sebastian 12 $44
Santiago de Compostela 9 $20
Gran Canaria 9 $24
Alicante 8 $20
Bilbao 8 $23
Tarifa 6 $21
Santander 5 $26
Cadiz 5 $17

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


Luanco, 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.

  • Tour 'Best of Prado Museum' (Skip the line ticket. 7 people max.): $54
  • Private Tour With A Different Perspective of Alhambra : $140
  • Canyoning Adventure Rio Verde in Granada: $102
  • Montserrat Private Tour from Barcelona with Pick-up: $167
  • The Ultimate Old Town Tour in Barcelona: $90
  • PRIVATE San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour from Bilbao: $284
  • Guided mountain bike route - "Pata Negra" Tour: $70
  • Priorat: Jeep tour & Foodies Lunch from Barcelona: $267

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 $74 per day on food, per person.

  • Paella Cooking Class overviewing Las Ramblas: $102
  • Local Tapas Tour with Private Dinner and Bottomless Wine: $102
  • Private Paella and Tapas Cooking Class in a Local Chef's Home: $99
  • Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $209
  • Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $170
  • Familly friendly traditions & food tour: tailored tapas & games!: $129


Hondarribia, 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 $31 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 $144 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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