As promised I will be making a trip report for every country I visit on my six month, six country solo trip. Last month I made one for my 18 days in Portugal which I’ll link at the end of this post as well.

During my 35 days in Spanish I visited; Salamanca 2 nights, Madrid 6 nights, Segovia 3 nights, Toledo 2 nights, Córdoba 3 nights, Seville 5 nights, Malaga 3 nights, Granada 3 nights, Valencia 3 nights and finally Barcelona 5 nights. Those are the cities I slept in, I also did day trips to Avila from Madrid and Ronda from Malaga.

ACCOMMODATION FOR 6 NIGHTS IN MADRID WAS FREE! I stayed with a family I met while hitchhiking Iceland. Staying with them saved me money on accommodation and some money on food, however my transportation costs were slightly higher, however it was an overall benefit to my budget, so take that into consideration.

Over the 35 days I spent in Spain I spent overall on accommodation, transportation, attractions, food and random costs likes laundry, SIM card and giving money to street performers.

Overall expenses ~2200 CAD (1600$/1450€). Simply divided by 35 days means I spent 63$ CAD (47$/42€) per day.

Price breakdown: Accommodation: 720$ CAD (535$/480€) Transportation: 420$ CAD (312$/280€) Attractions: 350$ CAD (260$/230€) Food: 620$ CAD (460$/410€) Random: 70$ CAD (52$/50€)

How I spent what I did: I stayed in hostels and Airbnb’s. Usually the cheapest ones possible that were in a good enough location. I basically only ever walked, except for in Madrid I had to use the metro because the family I stayed with lived on the outskirts of the city, I walked a lot because I enjoy it, not simply to save money, the fact I saved money because I enjoy to walk is just a benefit. I didn’t cook my own meal once yet over the last two months. I eat out everyday whether that’s at a local restaurant outside of the tourist spot or just some snacks throughout the day like apples, bananas, yogurt, granola bars, or really whatever I’m feeling like eating.

If it’s not obvious enough already, I’m on a budget, not because I have to be, because I can definitely afford to stay in average hotels throughout this entire trip (except for maybe my month in France, coming up next..) but I personally choose to stick to a budget because it’s simply what I want to do. I’d rather be on a budget and save my money than stay in ‘proper’ accommodation and eat at fancy restaurants. So definitely be aware of this.

If you’re looking to visit Spain I’d highly suggest looking at Airbnb’s whenever hostels are too expensive, I’ve found some pretty good places on Airbnb that were a really good deal for what you get in my opinion.

Some hostel suggestions: The loft hostel in Barcelona. 10 bed dorms but my room hadn’t been full since the first day. Every bed has a massive drawer to lock your stuff, power outlet in the bed, a lamp and best of all... curtains! Sadly towels are not included but they’re cheap to rent I believe. I’m paying about 20€/night but I’m also here, well now, which is off season.

Granada old town hostel, single beds not bunk beds. 6 person dorms. Massive bathroom, always very clean. Not towels provided again unfortunately, but they were very cheap to rent (2€ for entire stay), includes free breakfast, just far enough away from the bar scene to be quiet but only a few minute walk away so good location, overall just a good/average and clean hostel.

Recommended Airbnb’s I’ve stayed in: all of them!

“Habitacion acogedora” in Malaga, well furnished room very comfortable bed, farther out of the city (40 minute walk, but 3 minute walk from a metro station) 17€/night by Ramiro

“2 habitacions y 1 bano” by Jaci in Salamanca. 20 minute walk from historic center roughly, the most comfortable bed I’ve slept in since I left home. 18€ a night and includes breakfast, massive bed and good size room.

I’ll stop with the recommendations there but if you want to know of any other good places to stay in the cities I listed I can tell you where I stayed and if I think it’s worthwhile or not.

If you have any questions at all please ask, I’m more than happy to help out other travellers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/comments/b9ga2c/18_day_portugal_trip_report_first_leg_of_my_6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

^ Portugal trip report from last month as well, if I can figure out how to hyperlink it on mobile I will!