Spain is a country that moves slow and runs late. The land of the siesta, it’s a place for foodies and night owls, history buffs, religious pilgrims, and anyone not in a rush to do just about anything!
It’s a huge country with a lot of variety.
Madrid and Barcelona are hip and energetic cities, Granada has a Moorish touch, Valencia has its own vibe, Catalonia has its own language and culture, and the Basque region (an autonomous community in northern Spain) feels like you’re in an entirely different country.
Spain is a foodie paradise featuring diverse and delicious cuisine. There’s music and dancing galore, heaps of art (classical and modern to suit all tastes) as well as beautiful architecture, landscapes, and weather. There’s a ton of history here too, dating all the way back to the Celts and the Roman Empire.
And, as an added bonus, Spain is an incredibly affordable place to visit. I’ve been visiting the country for over a decade now and I never break the bank while I’m here. It’s really easy to get by on a budget — and you won’t feel like you’re missing out either.
This budget travel guide to Spain can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this vibrant country!
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Spain
1. Enjoy Barcelona
Like Madrid, Barcelona is famous for its partying, late-night eating, and historic streets. Embrace the midnight meals and all-night partying and you’ll fit right in with the locals. Don’t miss the history museum — it’s one of the best in Europe! Other highlights include the Picasso Museum, the towering and iconic La Sagrada Familia (and Gaudi’s other works), and wandering the Barri Gotic (the Gothic Quarter).
2. Explore the history of Granada
Granada is one of my favorite cities in Spain. It’s a place where culture and ideas from North Africa and Europe collide in a unique way and no trip to the south of Spain is complete without a visit. Don’t miss the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage palace and a fortress dating to the 13th century, and be sure to watch a Flamenco show while you’re here (they’re usually around 20 EUR).
3. Wander Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is famous for its museums, tapas, and nightlife. Like Barcelona, this is a city that doesn’t start until midnight. Make sure you see the Prado, one of the largest museums in the world (get skip-the-line tickets from Get Your Guide), are and the Royal Palace. Other highlights include the Temple of Debod (an Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BCE), El Retiro Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the 15th-century Plaza Mayor.
4. Revel in La Tomatina
La Tomatina is an epic hour-long tomato fight that draws upwards of 20,000 people to the small town of Buñol (only 10,000 people live in the town itself). Started in 1945, this festival is held on the last Wednesday of August, and over 360,000 pounds of tomatoes are used during the event. It’s the most amazing festival I’ve ever been to!
5. Wander Seville
Seville is an amazing city with gorgeous churches and historic palaces. I really liked the Jewish Quarter here and the monument dedicated to the different regions of Spain. It has tasty cuisine too and is also known for its Flamenco dancing. Be sure to check out the Royal Alcázar (also known as al-Qasr al-Muriq), the oldest residential palace in Europe still in use today (it dates to the 14th century). You can’t visit southern Spain without spending a couple of days here!
ABOUT ME I'm Govinda Reddy Pakala I am a full-time traveller now (yes, I quit my job to follow my dreams). I love solo travelling & meeting people. After travelling extensively in Incredible India for year.