Travel

Plaza de EspaГ±a, Seville, Spain (Photo: plaza d'espana in seville, spain image by Albo from Fotolia )

Spain s reputation as one of Europe s more affordable destinations began to vanish in 1999 when the country adopted the euro as its official currency, according to Frommer s. The Spanish tourism industry has boomed since then, driving up prices on everything from airfare and hotels to sightseeing and dining. Throngs of visitors travel to Spain each year to take in the country s attractive beaches, ancient architecture and vibrant culture. Spain may no longer rank among the least expensive spots in Europe, but savvy individuals can still travel to Spain for cheap by using some budget-friendly tactics for their trip.

International flights to Spain can be very costly. The World 66 Travel Guide suggests visiting during the winter off-season to save money. Excluding the Christmas and New Year holiday period, airfare to Spain tends to cost significantly less in the winter months than it does in the summer. Alternatively, travelers can search for cheap flights to another country in Europe and then get a connecting flight to Spain through a budget no-frills European airline like Ryanair or Vueling. This approach may also work by substituting an international train or bus connection to Spain from a neighboring country.

Frommer s cautions travelers that big Spanish cities like Madrid, Seville and Barcelona feature lofty prices comparable to other European metropolises such as London and Paris. Similarly, prices are much higher in Spain s coastal resort towns including M laga, Marbella, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Sitges and San Sebasti n. Tourists will reduce their travel costs by visiting destinations slightly off the beaten path such as C diz, C rdoba, Zaragoza, Huelva, Gij n and Almer a.

Steer clear of touristy restaurants situated near main plazas or famous attractions such as cathedrals and museums. Eateries in areas with less tourist traffic tend to have more reasonable prices. Remember that lunch is the big meal in Spain, rather than dinner. Most restaurants offer a cheap lunch menu del d a, which includes several courses along with a drink for one set price. As for dinner, have some tapas as a snack at the local cantina instead of ordering a formal sit-down meal. Another alternative is to simply purchase food and drinks at a supermarket or grocery store.

Lodging can also consume a large portion of a travel budget. Search for bargain accommodations instead of booking at a standard hotel. Cheap backpacker hostels and apartment-style pensiones abound in Spain s town and cities, offering penny-pinching travelers a variety of modest and affordable quarters to spend the night.

Carefully consider when to go to Spain. The summer season between June and August ranks as Spain s peak tourist period, according to Lonely Planet. Prices on transportation and hotels go way up during this time and also during major holidays such as Christmas and Easter. In addition, expect to pay more when visiting during local holidays such as the July Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and Valencia s Las Fallas festival in March. The World 66 Travel Guide and Frommer s recommend traveling to Spain during the chilly winter season or the fringe months of May and October to find the best deals.