Go to Spain in the winter instead of the summer to save on airfare. Summer is the peak tourist season and prices rise sharply. Spain's moderate weather makes it easy and comfortable to travel even in the winter.
Planning a layover elsewhere in Europe before heading to Spain can cost less than booking a flight straight into Spain. Also, booking earlier flights or redeye flights will cost less than afternoon flights. Devote some time to comparing flights to see what your best options are.
Eat tapas. Tapas are light dishes. Typically, people order several tapas dishes to create a meal. Always check on the prices of the tapas restaurant before sitting down. You can enjoy a good light lunch for under 10 euros, though some restaurants may cost more than others.
Shop at supermarkets or fresh markets for a cheap breakfast or lunch. Buying bread, cheese and a selection of seafood can make a great meal for half the price you'd pay in a restaurant.
Visit municipal museums scattered across Spain for free cultural sightseeing. Check out the many monuments such as the Mosque of Cordoba, which is free from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Attend mass at a Cathedral to see the inside for free and experience the Spanish religious culture up close. Several historical and cultural monuments and museums have free admission days. Keep an eye out for these deals in local newspapers and tourist information booths or call museums ahead of time to ask about free admission days.
Stay at a hostel in Spain to save money on lodging. Most Spanish hostels will require reservations, especially during the summer. Book them in advance. Dorm-style rooms are between 15 and 25 euros a night. Go to Hostels or Hostelsspain to search for hostels in the country.
Take the bus to save money on travel within Spain. The bus is the cheapest transportation option, but is also the slowest. The train is the quickest form of transportation Spain has to offer, but is more expensive. For example, a train trip from Madrid to Seville is around 70 euros while the same bus journey is around 20 euros. Decide what is more cost-effective for you, getting around quickly or getting around for as little money as possible.
Buy a city pass if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing. Major city passes usually include discounts on admissions into several major museums and attractions and include transportation around the city itself. City passes are available in all major cities, such as Seville, Madrid and Barcelona. If you don't want to buy a city pass until you get to Spain, ask your hotelier where you can get one or visit a tourist information booth to purchase one.
Don't overtip. All restaurant and hotel bills include service charges already, but it is generally expected that the patron leave an extra euro or two, more if you enjoyed the service. Hotels with bellboys that carry bags should get about 1 euro per bag. Maids should be given 1 euro per day, more if you particularly like their services. Doormen expect a little less than 1 euro for their assistance and for calling cabs. Cabdrivers expect around 10 percent of the fare shown on the meter.
