Top 5 Budget-friendly Cities to Visit in Spain After Getting Visa

After finally completing all the paperwork, surviving the appointment queues, submitting the documents, and waiting for approval, the moment you get your Spain tourist visa from UK or another country feels incredible. Right? But the excitement kicks in immediately, until reality hits.
‘How expensive is this trip actually going to be? Will I have to spend a fortune to enjoy this trip?’
This question stops many tourists from enjoying their trip to Spain to the fullest.
A lot of first-time visitors automatically assume that Spain is an expensive deal. They think Spain means spending money on luxury hotels, overpriced seafood, and draining the savings in San Sebastián, Madrid, and Bilbao. This is the time when first-time visitors make costly mistakes without even realising it.
This is a scenario where a traveller cannot take help from social media either, as everything there looks polished, super expensive, and especially designed for people who are travelling on no budget. So, how to travel to Spain on a budget, and how expensive is this trip can actually be? Let’s explore the answers to all the first-time Spain visitors in this blog.
Why Spain is Perfect for Budget Travellers?
Spain is the easiest-to-reach country in Europe for tourists trying to manage costs smartly. Unlike France, Italy, and Switzerland, there are many budget-friendly cities to visit in Spain. Moreover, there are many other tricks and tips through which you can save money while travelling.
- Explore cheap local cafes
- Travel in affordable public transport (low-cost intercity buses)
- Stay in budget-friendly hostels
- Roam in walkable city centres
- Experience authentic local culture
NOTE* A budget of €50 per day in Barcelona might feel less, but the same amount in other cities in Spain can easily cover the expenses of transportation, meals, and sightseeing.
5 Budget-friendly Cities to Visit in Spain
If you want to explore affordable holiday destinations in Spain, then do not follow the same route that you see on social media or on famous influencers’ pages. Avoid going to overhyped tourist cities and follow the list of cities mentioned below to travel on a budget.
1. Granada
Granada is the city from which you can start your affordable Spain trip. It is one of the budget friendly cities in Spain for Summer. It seems like this place is designed especially for budget travellers. The biggest surprise of Granada is that you will get free Tapas. Many Granada cafes and restaurants offer complimentary Tapas when you order drinks. You can end up eating a lot for free, like:
- Mini Sandwiches
- Olives
- Grilled potatoes
- Croquettes
- Chicken skewers
- Seafood
- Grilled meat
Let’s break down the average daily budget for staying in Granada, Spain.
- Hostel: €18–30
- Budget Hotels: €45–70
- Public Transportation: mostly walkable
- Meals: €10–20
- Attractions: €10-20
As a budget traveller from UK or any other country, you can enjoy Granada for around €45-60 per day. This is quite a difficult task in many countries in Europe.
NOTE* Tapas is not some small snack or light meal; it is an actual meal.
2. Seville
Seville holds an energy that every traveller might love to experience. This is one of the budget-friendly cities to visit in Spain. Locals and tourists enjoy and socialise outside, they rhythm everywhere with street musicians, and amazing conversations and laughter. Seville is Spain’s most beautiful, yet a budget-friendly cities in Spain for summer. First-timers can experience:
- Amazing nightlife
- History
- Architecuture
- Good weather
- Authentic Spanish culture
- Cheap local eateries
- Warm weather most of the year
Some free yet amazing experiences that you can experience in Seville are:
- Exploring the local market
- Enjoying the sunset near Plaza de España
- Exploring riverside walkways
- Listening to free street flamenco
Let’s break down the average daily budget for staying in Seville, Spain
- Hostel: €20-30
- Budget Hotel: €50-80
- Transport: €5-7
- Attractions: €10-25
- Meals: €15-30
3. Valencia
Valencia is a beach city in Spain without the pricing of Barcelona. This is one of the most affordable holiday destinations in Spain if you want to explore beaches, good food, nightlife, and world-class architecture.
This is a balanced city that does not affect your pocket, as you can enjoy:
- Seaside relaxation
- Urban culture
- Amazing nightlife
- Affordable dining experience
- Museums
Let’s break down the average daily budget for staying in Valencia, Spain
- Hostel: €18-30
- Budget Hotel: €55-85
- Transport: €5-7
- Attractions: €10-15
- Meals: €15-25
*If you are planning to visit Valencia this year, APPLY for a visa right away to enjoy a smooth trip. Our SPAIN VISA experts remain available for you 24/7.
4. Málaga
This is the best place to visit in Spain for first-timer because this city offers the most underrated coastal escape. This place feels like an actual Spanish city instead of feeling like a tourist location.
Why Málaga is Great After Spain Tourist Visa from UK Approval?
After the whole visa approval process, you can visit Málaga instead of running towards bigger names because this is one of the best places to visit in Spain for first timers, as this city offers:
- Free beaches
- Walkable historic centres
- Discounted museums
- Affordable seafood restaurants
The actual benefit of Málaga that no one talks about is its connectivity to other cities in Spain. You can stay in Málaga while taking affordable day trips to cities like:
- Granada
- Córdoba
- Nerja
- Ronda
Let’s break down the average daily budget for staying in Málaga, Spain
- Hostel: €20-32
- Budget Hotel: €50-75
- Transport: very low
- Attractions: €5-15
- Meals: €12-22
5. Córdoba
Córdoba is Spain’s most underrated city, as it doesn’t receive international attention. However, this is one of the budget-friendly cities to visit in Spain, as it holds extraordinary historical depth, such as:
- Beautiful Islamic architecture
- Jewish heritage
- Roman influence
- Christian monuments
- Flower-filled patios
- Roman bridges
This city offers a slower pace, and this pace becomes valuable after all the hectic visa stress, itinerary planning, overpacked schedules, and airport chaos.
Let’s break down the average daily budget for staying in Córdoba, Spain:
- Hostel: €18-28
- Budget Hotel: €45-65
- Transport: €5-10
- Attractions: €8-15
- Meals: €10-20
Things to Avoid to make your Spain Visit Budget Friendly
There are some common mistakes that most travellers make during their trip to Spain, such as:
- Booking everything last-minute: Spain is super expensive during festivals, football events, and holidays. So, book as early as possible.
- Eating near the tourist landmarks: This mistake can blow your budget. Restaurants and cafes near famous attractions usually charge more. You can walk 10-15 minutes away from tourist centres to enjoy affordable food and drinks.
- Ignoring local transportation: Although the trains in Spain have excellent connectivity, they are not cheap at times. Instead of taking trains, you can opt for buses and shared transport.
What is the Best Time to Visit Spain in Budget?

For a budget traveller, timing changes everything. You can visit Spain in the cheapest months of the year to save a lot, like:
- February
- March
- October
- November
During these months, the prices of flights drop, hotels become cheaper, the crowd thins out, and the weather remains pleasant for exploring, which also makes it one of the best places to visit in Spain for first-timers. Avoid travelling in the months of July and August as these are the most expensive months because of peak season.
Process to Apply for a Spain Visa from UK
Before planning for an international trip, the visa stress is real. But SPAIN VISA is here to solve your visa issues. If you are a UK resident, you need a visa to travel to Spain. You can follow the simple steps mentioned below to get your visa easily:
- Fill out the Spain Visa Application form and pay the nominal appointment booking fee.
- You will receive a call from our experts regarding travel date information, and according to that, they will book your appointment within a few days.
- Visit the visa centre with all the important documents and biometric registration.
- You will receive your passport and visa within 10-15 working days through courier.
How to Travel to Spain on a Budget from UK
To visit budget-friendly cities in Spain for summer from UK, you can take low-cost flights to Spanish cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, or Seville. For the best prices, always compare the flights on multiple platforms. Some pro tips to fly are:
- Fly Midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday)
- Pack fewer bags to avoid baggage fees
- Avoid flying in July and August
- Consider flying from smaller airports
NOTE* You can also travel by coach or train; however, it will be time-consuming.
Final Words
Getting your Spain tourist visa from UK is an extraordinary feeling, but to make the best out of the trip, you need to plan accordingly, especially if you want to explore affordable holiday destinations in Spain. Sometimes the best destinations are the ones that allow you to catch up freely, and therefore, choosing the right destination matters the most.
Feel the authenticity of Spain by visiting the budget-friendly cities instead of the big, crowded ones. Remember, you don’t need luxury hotels, expensive travel experiences, and unwanted financial burden to enjoy a trip in Spain. You can explore the most budget friendly cities in Spain for summer on a tiny budget.
Spain has everything for every kind of traveller. So pack your bags, book the tickets, and EXPLORE!

FAQs
Yes, Spain is totally safe for solo travellers. It has an excellent walkable environment and highly connected public transit, which makes it easy for solo travellers to commute. However, in some areas and tourist places, pickpocketing can take place. So, to avoid this, carry crossbody bags with zippers and keep your stuff closer to you in crowded locations.
Spain offers a wide range of affordable, clean, and social hostels. Many hostels even offer free wi-fi, a common kitchen, and shared spaces for travellers.
It is recommended to apply for Spain Visa at least 4-6 weeks before you plan to travel. This time duration is enough to prepare for the documentation process while you are doing your packing for your trip to Spain.
If you want to explore the nightlife of Spain, you can visit Seville or Valencia. These cities offer an amazing nightlife experience with delicious tapas spots, affordable bars, and live music. These cities offer nightlife at a lower price than Barcelona and Ibiza.




