Sporting an iridescent scaled facade and curving, bony balconies, the building always manages to give off an otherworldly feel. Unfortunately, a visit to this Gaudí masterpiece can mean slapping down €29-€35 and getting jostled by passers-by while you inch toward the entrance. Meanwhile, you might wish you’d spared yourself the fuss, snapped a shot from across the street, and taken your euros elsewhere for tapas and beer.

Instead, you can make the most of your time and money when visiting this architectural jewel by following these easy tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló:

Related Articles
• Tips for saving time and money at the Sagrada Familia
• 8 Ways to save money at Park Güell
• Best hotels for sleeping near Gaudí architecture

1. Book your tickets online ahead of time

This can’t be stressed enough. If you don’t book your tickets online ahead of time, you’ll have to wait in not one, but two lines when you arrive, and during the busy summer months, there’s always a chance that you won’t be able to get a ticket for the same day. Plus, booking in advance can save up to €15 per ticket.

If you really hate to wait in line, you can pay about €5 extra to skip the line with a “FastPass” ticket. When you book your ticket online, book a time of the day that’s still marked green for high availability — that means fewer people have already bought tickets.

2. Be sure to buy the right ticket

Don’t pay more than you have to! There are discounts for kids between 12-17 years of age, students with an I.D., Barcelona city and province residents, adults over 65, and visitors with disabilities and their companions. Children under 12 years old are free. Teachers and tour guides accompanying a group also get in free.

3. Take advantage of any discounts available

Have you purchased other tickets or tourist cards? If so, you might be eligible for a discounted ticket. You’re in luck if you’ve purchased tickets for the Tourist Bus, Barcelona City Tours, the Modernism Route, the Barcelona Walking Tours, or bought the Barcelona Card or Pass.

4. Go first thing in the morning on a weekday

Trust us, you want to avoid the crowds. Arrive 10-15 minutes before Casa Batlló opens at 8:30 a.m. on a weekday, preferably between Monday and Thursday, when there are fewer Spanish and European tourists in the city. Weekdays in January and February are even better, as Barcelona has fewer visitors during these colder months.

Or, if you’re willing to pay extra, you can buy a “Morning Visit” pass for €45 to ensure that you beat the crowds.

5. Once inside, go straight to the roof

Most visitors gradually work their way up through the house, following the numbers on the audio guide. Get away from the crowds by taking the stairs straight to the top and spending some time alone on the building’s rooftop terrace, posing with its iconic chimneys.

6. Skip the gift shop

The museum’s store has lots of beautiful souvenirs, but they come at too steep a price in cash, not to mention the wait in line. Time is too precious waiting in line for postcards and magnets, even when they’re printed with designs from Barcelona’s most famous modernista master.

7. Go late for a “magical night”

While it may not save you cash on admission, you might end up ahead by going for an evening concert and tour of the museum. Called “Magical Nights”, you can roam the house without the crowds, then stick around for live music and a glass of cava on the rooftop terrace. You can reserve a tour plus the rooftop concert, or only the concert for a slightly lower entry price. (And if you’re willing to risk it, some concert attendees without the tour add-on have been permitted to roam the house some when they first arrived.)

8. Use the free Wi-Fi

Finally, and perhaps of least important, you can also take advantage of the museum’s free Wi-Fi. This will at least save you the hassle of searching for bar or café with free wireless after your tour…

Your tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló?

Have some tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló? Add them in our comments section below!

The post Barcelona: 8 Tips for visiting Gaudi’s Casa Batlló appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But in Lisbon, just like in any other large metropolis in Europe, it matters when, where, and what you eat. These factors can have a dramatic effect on how much you end up spending.

Related:

• Exploring the top free attractions in Lisbon
• The top budget hotels in Lisbon
• 10 Ways to save on a trip to Portugal

Lisbon Cheap Eats Guide

Are you ready to dine out in Lisbon? Here’s how to eat on the cheap in this beautiful Portuguese city.

1. Feast on fixed-price fare at lunch

If you want to try a variety of local dishes at a fraction of the cost, go out at lunch and order a local restaurant’s fixed price menu, called the prato de dia. Ordering the same dishes a la carte will cost you approximately more than twice as much in the evening.

A typical Lisbon lunch paired with a glass of local beer. Photo: Tim C.

2. Research before you go

Knowing what’s out there, what prices to expect, and what times things are actually open will save you money hand over fist, as you won’t end up stuck in a chain restaurant or a tourist trap because you wandered around aimlessly until well after everywhere shut down for a break between lunch and dinner. That’s right, some of the city’s best budget restaurants close for a couple of hours before dinner after serving up daily menus to the lunch crowd.

3. Get away from the busy main streets

This is especially true in the Old Town of Lisbon. If a restaurant is really prominently located next to a tourist attraction, or even just somewhere very convenient, the fare is likely to be more expensive—after all, they’re paying rent, and the saying goes, “location, location, location.”

If you want to find cheaper eats in Lisbon’s Old Town, head to the seaside of things near the Fado Museum where you’ll find a good selection of reasonably priced places serving up authentic local fare.

Related: How to spend two days in Lisbon on the cheap

4. Go where the locals go

When you see a place full of people speaking Portuguese and free of anyone with a camera around their neck, chances are, it’s a good place to try authentic and inexpensive local fare. Another good clue? Older folks running the kitchen or serving drinks behind the bar.

You’ll find plenty of fresh seafood, like these grilled sardines, around Lisbon. Photo: Theo K

5. Eat on Portuguese time

If you can manage to adapt to the local schedule, you’ll have a much easier time finding good deals on local meals. Look for breakfast offers from early morning until around 10 a.m. At lunchtime, fixed price feasts on special peak around 1 p.m., while dinner starts at around 8 p.m. on weeknights. However, many locals sit down to dinner much later with some folks having their evening meal at 11 p.m.

6. Snack at neighborhood bars

Neighborhood bars around town may not be much to look at, but they’re the perfect choice for a tipple and some stripped down bar food. Think olives, chicken pot pie (torta de frango), and the like paired with lots of local wine and beer.

Find a classic neighborhood bar for cheap (and tasty!) eats in Lisbon. Photo: We Love Lisbon

7. Drink house wine

House wine is good enough in Portugal for pretty much anyone except for serious wine connoisseurs. Plus, it’s much cheaper than ordering a specific vintage in a bottle.

Related: 5 Lookout points offering a drink with a view in Lisbon

8. Skip mixed drinks

Mixed drinks may be cheaper in Lisbon than they are in say London or Paris, but they can still dig into your daily dining budget. If you don’t want your bar tab to soar, stick to wine and beer.

9. Don’t leave a big tip

Service workers are paid living wages in Portugal, and they’re not depending on your tip to make it. A tip of a few coins is usually plenty, but if you get exceptional service and want to make a splash, leave something foldable.

10. Skip hotel breakfasts

Hotel breakfasts are usually a bit pricey for what you get. Unless breakfast is included with your room, skip it and head out for a coffee with milk called a galão and fresh-baked pasteis de nata, a custard filling in a flakey pastry shell topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

The cost? €2 or less!

And book a cheap hotel in Lisbon and start dreaming about Portuguese pastries.

11. Leave that plate of olives alone

In Lisbon, when restaurants bring out bread and olives before a meal, it’s generally not a freebie. So unless you’re down on your gluten and olive quota for the trip, skip them. It’s much cheaper to snack on fresh bread from the bakery and olives from the market on a picnic in the park.

12. Order a half-ration

If you’re not very hungry and aren’t keen on begging for a doggy bag (taking your leftovers home is still taboo here), you can always order a half-ration, sometimes called mini pratos. Half-rations aren’t available in a lot of European cities, but they are available in Lisbon.

The best part? Mini pratos are dirt cheap, starting at just €3-4 for a generous helping.

Your tips for cheap eats in Lisbon?

Have a tip for ways to save on dining in Lisbon? Share with us in the comments section below!

If you’re ready to visit, check out our full list of budget hotels in Lisbon.

The post Lisbon Cheap Eats: How to save on eating out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While rooms in the Catalan capital may be substantially cheaper in comparison to other large European cities, there are a few tricks to getting the best possible price on your accommodations.

And all things considered, wouldn’t you rather spend a little less on a place to lay your head to have even more euros for tapas and wine?

More tips for Barcelona
• The 7 best cheap hotels in Barcelona 
• A Budget travel guide to Barcelona
• How to survive Barcelona’s top 4 attractions

How to save on your hotel in Barcelona

No matter when you’re planning your trip, for maximum savings, it’s important to pay close attention to the details. Location, type of accommodations, and when to book are all key. Read on for our advice on how to save on your hotel in Barcelona.

Are you ready to spend a few days in Barcelona? Check rates for Barcelona hotels now.

Stay near the center of Barcelona to be close to the action.

1. Stay somewhere central but not too central

Resist the temptation of staying too close to La Rambla or Plaça Catalunya. Beyond budget considerations, these areas of town are less desirable because of the noise factor, too. And it’s not just your room that will cost substantially more in these neighborhoods — food and drink are priced higher, too.

Related: Is La Rambla a tourist trap? 5 Tips for strolling like a local

Other neighborhoods that can get a little noisy include Raval, Plaça Reial, and Gaixample, Barcelona’s boisterous gay neighborhood. So what’s our recommendation for a centrally located but quiet and budget-friendly neighborhood? Stay in Eixample, especially from around Comté d’Urgell Street until Plaça Espanya.

2. Always stay near transit

Depending on the time of year and what’s on in the city, you may want to stay a little bit outside the center or even in one of Barcelona’s sleeper communities like Sant Adría or Badalona. Barcelona is easy to navigate and the inexpensive transit system makes sleeping a little bit further afield worth the savings — sometimes — as long as you’re near a metro or bus stop, less than one zone away. At approximately €1 per ride (if you buy a 10-ride pass) or €8.42 per day (for an unlimited 5-day pass), hopping the metro into the center to see the sights is easy, even on a tight budget.

3. Select your dates carefully

Before you book plane tickets, check out this calendar of Barcelona events. If there’s a major conference or big sporting event going on, room rates are guaranteed to go way up. Summer, Christmas, late spring, and early fall are also high-occupancy times of the year for hotels. For the best possible rates on a room, plan a visit from mid-January through March. For more information, check out our guide to beating the crowds and saving money on your Barcelona hotel.

Hostal Benidorm is a renovated two-star stay right on Las Ramblas. Photo: Booking.com

4. Avoid staying weekends when possible

Unless you want to stay in Barcelona’s business-y upper districts (Sarria and Diagonal), room rates almost always go up weekends. Why? Barcelona’s a popular weekender destination for Spaniards living elsewhere in Spain, as well as folks from all over Europe.

Related: 7 Rookie mistakes to avoid on your first trip to Barcelona

5. Book a refundable room in advance

This is especially true if you plan to stay in the Catalan capital during peak season or dates coinciding with major events like the Mobile World Congress. If you find a reasonable rate on a centrally located room, book it at a refundable rate, even if you have to pay a little more. That way you can always cancel your reservation if you find a better deal or change your plans.

6. Shop last-minute deals

If you’re more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants traveler, this is the option for you. Wait until the last possible minute — same-day deals are often exceptional if you book online. We’ve found that in-person, last-minute room rates are atrociously expensive, as many desk clerks assume you’re not willing to walk away and find another spot.

Check rates on CheapoSearch for last-minute deals.

You can choose from cheap dorms or private rooms at Hostal Fernando.

7. Consider staying at a hostel or pension

While you won’t always have an elevator or a private bathroom in a hostel or pension, sometimes it’s worth schlepping up the stairs with your luggage and sharing the shower with the room next door for the savings. Just don’t forget to bring your flip-flops!

Related: Hostal? Hostel? Hotel? Understanding Barcelona’s accommodation options

Have you been to Barcelona? What are your best tips for saving on accommodations in the city? Share in the comments below.

The post 7 Tips for saving on your hotel in Barcelona appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, Porto is a budget traveler’s paradise. Eating and drinking, even in more upscale, sit-down restaurants is still substantially cheaper here than elsewhere in Europe, and centrally-located, comfortable accommodations can be had for less than a nice meal out in London or Paris.

While Porto proper reaches further than you might imagine, its historic old town, Ribeira, is easily explored on foot. If you want to wander beyond the center, city transit options (trams, buses, and metro) are reasonably priced and relatively easy to use if you buy an Andante ticket — which is valid for all three.

Getting There

From Lisbon, Porto is an hour and twenty minutes via plane, 2 hours and 50 minutes on the train, or between four and five hours on the bus.

Flights: Budget airlines fly direct to Porto from all over Europe and Lisbon, and start at around €70 round-trip.

Train: From Vigo, Spain, or Lisbon, you can also catch the train to the lovely São Bento Railway Station in Porto from about €25-30. You can search for tickets on the official train site, Comboios de Portugal.

Car: If you’d rather rent a car, expect to spend €70 or less (not including gas) for a two-day rental. For groups traveling together and planning on exploring the countryside, renting a vehicle is probably worthwhile for flexibility and cash savings. Just remember, Portuguese drivers are notoriously aggressive on the road, and centrally-located budget accommodations don’t usually include free parking, so it might be best to rent a car just for trips out of town.

Hop on one of Porto’s historic trams. Photo: jocelyn777

Getting Around

The city is great for walking (and even biking), and Porto is well-connected with a modern metro system, a few tram lines, a light rail, and buses.

Andante Ticket

If you plan on using transit to get around the city, go for an Andante Tour ticket. At €7 for a one-day pass or €15 for a three-day pass with unlimited trips on buses, metro, and train, it is well worth the investment. You also won’t have to worry about figuring out the zone system.

However, if you’re only planning to grab the metro to and from the airport, grab an Andante card for €0.60 and charge it up with one Zone 4 (Z4) trip. Wait to add a return trip until you’re ready to leave Porto, as each Andante card can hold only one type of zone ticket at a time. For example, if you wanted to use the bus to get around the city center on a rainy day, you’d either have to waste a Z4 ticket, or buy another Andante card to keep track of it.

Whatever Andante ticket you choose, make sure to validate it — the fines can be steep, to say the least.

Historic trams

The city’s historic tram lines are popular with visitors, but they are not included in the Andante ticket. You can buy tickets on board for €6 or combine with a visit to the Museu do Carro Eléctrico for a slight discount.

Stroll the shops and stands at the Mercado do Bolhão. Photo: celine181

Free and Cheap Entertainment and Attractions

Your number one free option in Porto is touring its charming old town, Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy great people-watching in the city’s sun-soaked plazas and venture into free attractions as you go. Don’t miss the city’s massive Sé Cathedral and the stunning golden interior of São Francisco Church or tile murals at São Benton Train Station.

Shopping

The recently renovated 19th-century Mercado do Bolhão is a great place to buy olives, local sweets, sample local cheeses and charcuterie, and eat freshly caught fish on the cheap. The market features a mix of traditional stalls and modern eateries, offering an interesting blend of old and new Porto. Browse a wide range of local wares (everything from soap to sneakers) on display at A Vida Portuguesa.

Later on, continue to Avenida Miguel Bombarda to get a glimpse of some of the city’s coolest graffiti and galleries full of work by local artists and artisans. Peruse the ancient shelves at the stunning Lello & Irmão Bookstore, considered by many to be the world’s most beautiful bookstore. Note that there’s now an entrance fee of €8, but it’s redeemable against book purchases.

Douro River Walk

Another great option is a walk along the Douro River, snapping shots of the colorful houses along the banks and the city’s iconic bridges.

The most famous is the Ponte D. Maria railway bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), often confused with the strikingly similar Ponte Dom Luís, designed by one of Eiffel’s former partners. There’s a trick to distinguishing the two: The Ponte D. Maria is a one-level bridge whereas the Ponte Dom Luís is a double-decker. Head to the pedestrian walkway on top for views of the city’s old town from above.

Porto’s Green Spaces

Get away from the traffic and noise in the center. Pack yourself a picnic and spend an afternoon exploring the city’s green spaces. Head to Portugal’s biggest urban park, City Park, designed by landscape architect Sidónio Pardal or the Pasteleira Urban Park to see a few of Portugal’s famous Cork trees.

You can also follow one of the themed learning trails from the Romantic gardens at Palácio de Cristal to the riverside to find interesting factoids about the city plus sweeping views of the river Douro and Porto. If you’re after avoiding the crowds, midweek is best.

Related: The perfect Cheapo day in Porto

Cheap eats in Porto

Local restaurants serve up hearty traditional fare, like the ubiquitous Francesinha, a Portuguese take on a Croque monsieur, as well as Italian, Chinese and Turkish options. The Francesinha is made with local sausage, steak, and ham with a thick tomato and beer sauce, and usually served with fries or tripe and bean stews (if you’re not a fan, avoid dishes listing tripas among the ingredients),

As in the rest of Portugal, creamy pasteis de nata pastries and bacalhau (salt cod) are ever-present, and portions are generous, to say the least. Order up a “Prato do Dia” (dish of the day) at small local cafes from €6, or a multi-course menu at upscale establishments for as little as €12.

Wine in restaurants and bars is very cheap, particularly if you stick to Vinho Verde whites and Douro reds. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying a glass of the heady local drink famous the world over, Port. You can sample this fine fortified wine at one of the city’s oldest makers, The House of Taylor’s.

For the freshest fish and seafood at the best price, take the metro to Mercado station in Matosinhos and choose from dozens of restaurants that grill fresh fish in the area around Rua Herois de França. For the best Francesinhas in town, head to Capa Negra (Rua Barros Lima 487), but expect to set down between €12-18 for your Francesinha and fries with a beer or two. (That said, it’s totally worth it, as chances are you’ll be so stuffed you’ll want to skip your next meal.) Or you could always learn to share and split the plate with a friend.

The Moov Hotel Porto Centro

Sleeping cheap in Porto

Comfortable mid-range budget hotels can be had from around €55 a night. Like neighboring Spain, Portugal has plenty of clean, basic accommodations at rock-bottom rates. Want to go even cheaper? Dorm rooms in hostels start at around €12 per night.

A few hotel suggestions:

• We like the clean, and stylish Moov Hotel Porto Centro –within walking distance to historic sights in Porto’s city center. Make sure to request a room on an upper floor facing away from the Praça de Batalha for a quieter night.
• Traveling with a big group of friends? For a slightly more expensive but infinitely cooler hostel experience, we recommend CATS Porto Hostel. It’s centrally located and bright and airy with a boutique feel.

Want more suggestions? Search over 700 hotels in Porto on EuroCheapo.

The Porto Card

Starting at €7.50 per day, the Porto Card can be a good deal if you’re really interested in seeing many of Porto’s museums. The basic card covers free entrance to five museums, and depending on the card, may also cover transportation.

Have fun!

The post Budget travel guide to Porto, Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And there’s something to be said for a culture where everyone’s favorite fermented grape beverage is such a part of the daily fabric of people’s lives that there is local wine available for any price point — even Cheapos!

But even in a culture where wine is for everyone, there are some easy tricks to incorporate into your repertoire to save on Spanish wines during your time in Barcelona, Madrid and beyond. Here are a few of our favorites tips to help you make the most of your wine budget while you’re in Iberia.

Related:
• Spain Budget Travel Guide: 50 Ways to save in Spain
• Madrid Cheap Eats: 8 Tips to save on dining and drinking in Madrid
• The Best Food in Spain: Here are 7 dishes to try in Spain

1. Order house wine

Unless you’re picky when it comes to wine or you’re looking for a certain vintage or varietal, chances are you’ll be pleased with the house wine served in Spanish restaurants and bars.

Most importantly for Cheapos, it will give you significant savings when dining out — think €2-3 per glass or €6-7 for a whole carafe!

2. Share a bottle

If you’re drinking in a party of two or more, try to agree on a vintage and order by the bottle or carafe instead of by the glass. With lovely bottles of Spanish reds, whites and even sparkling Cavas starting at just €8, it’s a better bargain than ordering a glass or two each.

If you want to drink wine for less like a local, order a really cheap tipple called vino turbio. It’s a very cheap wine, served cold and shaken up to make it a little bubbly. However, it’s not available just anywhere — think hole-in-the-wall style neighborhood taverns.

3. Shop for bottles at wine stores

Looking for a bottle of wine for a picnic or to take one home as a souvenir? You’re far better off buying wine at neighborhood shops. While supermarket wines in Spain are plenty cheap, there’s a wider selection for similar prices in specialized wine shops.

At shops, you’ll have access to an expert who can help you find the perfect bottle and may even invite you to taste it beforehand. For the best prices, steer clear of shops in central, touristy spots (think La Rambla in Barcelona or Plaza de Sol in Madrid).  There is an exception to this rule: the wine shops in local food markets. They’re usually competitively priced, have English-speaking staff on hand and tend to be set up for customer tastings.

4. Organize your own winery visit

You don’t always have to stick to organized tours of wineries. Instead, after you’ve had a bottle of wine that you really enjoy or on a recommendation from a local or expert at a wine shop, rent a car or hop public transit to the winery of your choice.

Just be sure to call ahead to make sure there’s someone to receive you and that the winery in question allows tours. Many wineries in Spain allow visits, and the cost is in the single digits or even free of charge for a tour and a taste of one of the vintages made on site.

Ready to hit the road to search for the best wine? Here are our best tips for renting a car in Spain.

Grapes growing in a vineyard in Ribera de Duero. Photo: David A

5. Try wines from lesser-known regions and wineries

Rioja may be Spain’s best-known wine region, and Cordoniu and Freixenet may be Catalonia’s most famous producers of Cava (Spain’s famous sparkling wine) but that also means these products are widely exported, resulting in higher price tags. And as all Cheapos know, bigger prices don’t always equal better quality.

For inexpensive, hearty reds, try a bottle from Ribera de Duero, a wine region within an easy drive of Madrid that reminds us a little of Tuscany. In Basque Country, skip the Cava and seek out the refreshing slightly sparkling regional wine, Txacoli.

Bonus Tip: Buy Spanish wines in other destinations

Now that we’ve established that buying Spanish wine in Spain is very cheap, did you know Spanish wines are among the cheapest and best available in other parts of the world?  In places we’ve visited around the U.K., Spanish wines are always among the cheapest on offer. And on a recent trip to San Francisco, we noticed that Spanish Riojas were cheaper than many of the Sonoma California wines up for sale — even with the added expense of importation and long-haul shipping. Salud!

Want to read more about buying wine around Europe? Check out these articles:

• 6 Tips for buying wine in France on a budget
• Buying wine like a local in Florence
• Visiting Slovakia’s affordable wine region

The post Spain Wine Tips: How to save on Spanish wine appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Beyond its amazing architecture, most of the things to do in Barcelona cost much lower than elsewhere in Western Europe. Tasty Mediterranean cuisine, clean and comfortable budget accommodations, discounted and free entry to shows, museums, and attractions — Barca has something for every visitor and every pocketbook, even Cheapos!

Budget tips for visiting Barcelona
• Barcelona: The best cheap hotels near top attractions
• 25 Do’s & don’ts to improve your trip to Barcelona
• 7 Phrases to learn before your trip to Barcelona

Budget travel guide to Barcelona

Read on for our best advice on making the most of your euros (and your time) in Barcelona.

Flying into Barcelona–El Prat Airport on a budget airline. Photo: James A

When to visit Barcelona

When it comes to finances, the best time of year to visit Barcelona is mid-January through February. It’s not particularly warm or sunny but it’s not freezing outside either. Besides, once the local Christmas holidays end on Three Kings Day (January 6th), airfare prices plummet and accommodations are especially reasonable, given the low occupancy levels during the lull between the holiday rush and when things warm up again for spring.

That said, deals can be had in Barcelona pretty much year-round, especially from late October through early December and then from mid-January up until Easter week. After Easter week, prices are on the rise but get exponentially higher after locals welcome the summer months in with fireworks and bonfires for Sant Joan’s Eve on June 23rd.

If you must visit for a major city event like the festival of La Merce (September 20-24 in 2024) or the Mobile World Congress (March 3-5 in 2025) our best advice is to book in advance — and not just flights and accommodations but any must-sees on your monument list, too. Gaudi sites like Sagrada Familia are known to sell-out regularly, particularly when your visit coincides with local holidays or an important conference.

Related: How to find the best dates in Barcelona and beat the crowds

Getting to Barcelona

Transatlantic fares to Barcelona start as low as $300 round-trip, if you’re flexible and shop around. For example, we recently found deals from Newark Airport on Tap Air Portugal from $401 and deals in the fall and winter from Boston with Iberia Airlines starting at $399.

If prices for flights to Barcelona seem a bit high for the dates you need, you can always fly into London or Paris, then hop a budget airline to Barcelona from about $33. Look for low-cost airfare to Europe with CheapoSearch.

Getting around

From the airport

To get to the city center from the airport, the best value for your money is to take the train from Barcelona’s old terminal, T2. If you arrive into T1, follow the arrows to the shuttle to T2 and the train. At about €4.50, or even less per ride if you buy and use a T-casual ticket (€12.15 for 10 rides) for your time in Barcelona, it’s cheaper than the Aerobus (€9.75) or the Metro (€5.15) and much cheaper than a taxi (about €30-€45). If you time it right and don’t have to wait for the next train, it’s also slightly faster than taking a regular city bus (46/N16/N17), a €2.40 option.

Walking

Once you get to the center from the airport, Barcelona is a very walkable city. Most of the major attractions you’ll want to see can be reached on foot, and for the most part, the center is fairly flat. That said, a few attractions, such as Gaudi’s Parc Güell, are far enough away that it’s probably worth your while to hop public transit to get there.

Public transit

Fortunately for residents and visitors alike, public transit in Barcelona is very cheap. A one-zone, multi-person 10-trip ticket, called the T-casual, can be had for €12.15. That’s only around one euro per swipe! See our tips on how to use the Barcelona bus system for more information.

Looking out over the city from Park Güell designed by Gaudi. Photo: Lauren F.

Cheap and free things to do in Barcelona

Gaudi for less

While you’re well-advised to go ahead and spend some cash on seeing the inside of some of Gaudi’s buildings, for travelers on a limited budget, there’s another good option: gawking at the outside of said buildings for free. One more pointer? If you’re going to go inside, go ahead and book your tickets online for Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Parc Güell. It’s slightly cheaper, saves you a little time waiting in line, and guarantees you won’t be turned away at the door because they’re sold out for the day.

Related: Best hotels for sleeping near Gaudí architecture

Another free thing to do? Head to Ciutadella, Cervantes, or Palau Reial Parks for a picnic and a walk around the grounds. Ciutadella is the most centrally located, Cervantes has a gorgeous rose garden, and Palau Reial has a Palace. Or, if you can scrounge up €2.23 and a metro pass, head to Barcelona’s Garden Labyrinth Park. Scenes from the movie Perfume were filmed in its neoclassical maze.

We also highly recommend visiting Barcelona’s historic cemeteries in Montjuïc and Poble Sec. Full of fascinating funerary art, they offer unique insights into life in the community.

Most of the city’s museums have a free afternoon weekly, a free day monthly and also waive admission on certain holidays.  For example, MNAC, the National Museum of Catalan Art in the palace on Montjuïc is free Saturday afternoons from 3 p.m. until close, as well as the first Sunday of the month, and on four city holidays. Even the Picasso Museum has a free evening weekly, Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. (November through April) or 7 to 9 p.m. (May through October), in addition to a free day every first Sunday of every month.

Tapas is a tasty and cheap staple of Barcelona life. Photo: Craig Nelson

Wallet-friendly eats and drinks

You can’t leave Barcelona without trying staples like Cava and tapas. And before you walk into a restaurant, cafe or bar in Barcelona, there are only a few rules you need to follow to get more bang for your buck:

Don’t eat right next to a popular attraction

Prices will always be higher and the quality has the potential to be lower. This is particularly true on the Rambla.

Eat when the locals eat

Barcelona eats on a very specific schedule, learn it, and you’ll not only save but you’ll be blending in with the locals (or at least trying to). Here are 18 tips to dine like a local in Barcelona.

Boqueria market is busy but worth exploring for local food. Photo: G0Dex

Explore La Boqueria market

Although La Boqueria can be a mob scene, it also a world-class food market with incredible tastes around every corner.  If you push through the crowds, you’ll be rewarded with a more local experience at La Boqueria.

Avoid places with their menu translated into more than three languages

In a popular city like Barcelona, Catalan, Spanish and English are pretty much a given in the city center. If your menu is in more languages than that, scram, because you’re likely in a tourist trap.

Always read the menu and the prices before you go in

Typically places post the prices outside the restaurant, but if not, ask to take a quick glance at the menu just to know what you’re getting into. For a super cheapo meal, head for these five cheap eats under €6.

Go out for lunch

Looking for the best price on freshly prepared food in massive quantities? Go for lunch around 2 to 4 p.m. and grab a menu del día. Multicourse meals including bread, dessert, coffee, and wine start at around €8. For the lowest prices, get away from Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla and head to the side streets. Here are the 8 best lunch deals in Barcelona.

Turn tapas into a meal

Tapas is a beloved tradition in Barcelona. It’s a chance for a quick drink and snack before dinner, but you can also go for a tapas crawl or settle into one spot and fill up on small plates of cheese, ham, and seafood. Read more: Barcelona Tapas Guide: What, where, and when to eat tapas.

The amazing view from Eddy Rooms Barcelona.

Inexpensive accommodations in Barcelona

Compared to Paris, London or even Madrid, Barcelona’s a very reasonable city to sleep in. Basic budget hotels offer private rooms from about €100 per night, and hostels have beds in shared dorms from €35. Apartment vacation rentals start at €80 per night.

Where to stay

It’s important to note that while accommodations out in Barcelona’s outlying neighborhoods like Horta-Guinardó and Clot and sleepier communities like Hospitalet and Santa Coloma may be cheaper, you’re probably better off staying closer to the center. You’ll save time, money and stress! Check out our list of Barcelona neighborhoods to see where to stay. And if you want to stay at our favorite cheapo picks, here are the top budget hotels in Barcelona.

Looking for even more Barcelona hotels? You can browse and book listings in our Barcelona hotel guide.

Safety tips

Generally speaking, Barcelona is a very safe destination and violent crime is very rare. Even political demonstrations tend to be very peaceful. That said, petty theft is very common, so keep valuables close and pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas. Here are 10 tips to help you stay safe during your trip to Barcelona.

Your tips for Barcelona

Have you been to Barcelona? We’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite tips for exploring the Catalan Capital on a budget in the comments below.

The post Barcelona Budget Travel Guide: How to save in the Catalan capital appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It’s no surprise that Florence’s popularity also keeps prices a lot higher than we would like.

But Cheapos know you can keep coming back to this wonderful Italian city as long as you keep a few budget tips in mind.

More Florence & Italy Tips:
• Our 10 favorite budget hotels in Florence
• A Cheapo-friendly 10-day itinerary across Italy
• 11 Tips for saving in Italy
• Our favorite affordable hotels in Tuscany

10 Tips to help you save in Florence

Before you start planning your vacation to Florence, check out these 10 easy ways to save time and money.

1. Time your visit carefully

Scheduling your trip between the end of October and the beginning of March will net you substantial savings. Not only will flights and accommodations be cheaper (and crowds more subdued), you’ll pay less to tour what many consider this Tuscan city’s main event: the museums.

Take, for example, the cost of entry to the Uffizi — it increase from €19 to €25 for Florence’s busy peak and mid-season from March through the end of October.

Related: 10 Tips for saving at the Uffizi Gallery 

2. Book ahead for accommodations

While the low season is certainly cheaper and less crowded, Florence is actually a busy destination any month of the year. To score the best deals on the most centrally located accommodations, reserve a place to stay as far in advance as you can manage. And if you’re worried about changes in plans, pay a little extra for free cancellation. This is extra important if you’re visiting in the busy summer months.

Search for hotels and vacation apartments in Florence

3. Make a list of free things

While many of the must-sees in Florence will cost admission, there is a lot to be enjoyed here without forking over an entry fee. Browsing at San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale, walking across the city’s only remaining medieval bridge, Ponte Vecchio, and climbing up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views of the city are highly recommended and free. Also, watching leather artisans at work in the Santa Croce neighborhood will cost nothing more than your time and energy.

Related: 8 Free things to do in Florence

4. Choose your hotel wisely

Picking your location can be a winning ticket to saving during your trip to Florence. Want a view of the Ponte Vecchio from your room? Be prepared to spend. Luckily, Florence isn’t a sprawling city like Rome, so you don’t need to stay in the exact center to be within walking distance of most top attractions. Read through our Florence neighborhood guide for tips and decide which area might work best for you.

5. Get local advice

Whether it’s where to get takeaway pizza or find the best shopping, ask a local (or for best results, a few locals) about where and what they recommend. Online evaluations are great, but they can’t beat the real, in-person thing. Plus, sometimes the neatest places don’t have much of an online presence.

6. Dine out at lunchtime

One of the biggest appeals for most folks visiting Italy is enjoying the food. Savor local eats without upending your budget by limiting your meals to mostly set menus at lunchtime — not only will you save money, you’re more likely to be offered seasonal specialties, so you can try different dishes when you’re not ordering a la carte. Check out all of our Florence dining tips.

Just remember to walk a ways away from any tourist attractions before sitting down to eat or drink anything. For nights when you’re too beat to cook or slap together a sandwich, you can always pick up a pizza or check out one of our favorite panini shops.

7. Don’t fly into Florence

There aren’t any direct flights into Florence from US airports, and you’re likely to pay substantially more for an itinerary to and from Florence (to the tune of several hundred dollars).

Instead, fly into Rome or Milan (Emirates has some great deals on occasion) and spend a couple of hours — and €40 or less — on the train into town. Flying into Florence tends to be more expensive than flying into Milan or Rome, even from major hubs in Europe like Barcelona and London.

Find low-cost flights to Italy with CheapoSearch

8. Watch what you drink

Keep a close tab on what you drink, and we don’t just mean alcohol. Beverages in general, especially in the center of Florence, can rack up a substantial tab. Spring for the occasional espresso, cappuccino (just never in the afternoon!) or glass of Italian red, but the rest of the time, carry around your own refillable water bottle — there are fountains around town and tap water is safe to drink.

And if you love wine, do what the locals do and buy it on tap or buy it in the supermarket.

9. Shop strategically

Don’t buy anything in shops near the Duomo or the Uffizi, not even the supermarket, if you can avoid it. Unless, of course, you enjoy inflated prices.

Instead, wander down side streets in search of small neighborhood shops to find the best artisan edibles and unique souvenirs to take home. Note that if you’re pressed for time at a museum, the official gift shop may be your best bet for a positive quality-to-price ratio.

10. Think tickets through

Whatever your priorities for time and money in Florence, think them through before buying tickets on the fly. Churches and museums are around every corner, and the majority of them charge a fee. Most folks want to see at a minimum both the Uffizi and the Accademia Art galleries, as well as the Duomo. Buying in advance online saves you waiting in line but costs extra. Combo tickets offer a 10% discount in many cases.

And for anyone who thinks they want to see absolutely everything, there’s the Firenze Card, a 72-hour skip-the-line pass to see 72 of the city’s monuments and museums for €85. It just might be worth it, especially in high season, when ticket prices go up and lines are long. After the card expires, you can also extend it online for 48 hours to visit the sites you didn’t get to with the Firenze Card Restart, currently available for free.

Budget hotels in Florence

Check out our Florence hotel guide to find the right room for you.

Have you been to Florence? Let us know how you save on your trip in the comments!

The post Florence: 10 Travel tips to help you save appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That said, the savviest Cheapos are always looking for new ways to save a few extra euros. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place!

Related articles:
• 10 Days in Portugal: A budget-friendly itinerary through Lisbon, Porto Braga
• Saving in Sintra, a perfect day trip from Lisbon
• How to save on dining out in Lisbon

Portugal budget travel guide

Here are 10 of our best tips to stretch your budget even further in Lisbon, Porto and beyond.

1. Embrace the off-season

For the best prices on flights, accommodations and pretty much everything else, try to plan your trip to Portugal any time other than peak travel dates. If you can, avoid June through September along with the Easter and Christmas holidays. Generally speaking, late January through mid-March (depending on when Holy Week and Easter fall) bring lower prices and fewer crowds.

2. Book last-minute hotels

For the best prices on many aspects of travel, plan way ahead (months, not weeks) or wait until the last possible moment to book. In our experience, this works better with accommodations and package deals than with airfare. For the most extreme savings on hotels and hostels, the best prices are quite often found at the last minute, when rates tumble as push comes to shove. Search EuroCheapo to find a deal on Portugal hotels.

TAP flies non-stop to Portugal from the US. Photo: Miguel C.

3. Keep flight costs down

Because Portugal is already a very budget-friendly destination when it comes to food and lodging, the best way to cut your expenses way back is to spend less on your airfare to Europe. While flying to Porto will usually save you some cash, TAP Portugal flies direct to Lisbon from the US, while Iberia makes one stop in Madrid.

Serious Cheapos should consider flying into another major European hub (think Paris, Dublin or London) and then hopping on a low-cost flight to Lisbon, Porto or Faro. Since low-cost flights on carriers like Vueling and Ryanair are priced each way, to save time and money on ground transportation, consider flying into Porto in the north and back from Lisbon in the South or vice versa.

4. Sleep cheap in pensions

For a charming (and budget-friendly) local experience, stick to pensão, small, family-run inns. Some also offer inexpensive but authentic home-style meals, too. Hostels and apartments are also very reasonable, and if you plan to stay in one place for two or more nights, you may even be able to negotiate a discount.

In bigger urban areas like Porto (Search over 4,000 hotels in Porto) and Lisbon (search for budget hotels in Lisbon), pick something central to save time and money on transportation.

Related: Search for affordable hotel rooms across Portugal

5. Walk

Pack comfortable shoes and walk as much as you can. It’s free, and Portuguese towns and cities are wonderful for pedestrians. If you must, take the odd joy ride on one of the old-fashioned cable cars, but after that, stick to your own two feet whenever possible to keep your transportation costs down.

6. Skip the taxis

Good public transit options, rideshares and reasonably priced rental cars make splurging for a taxi seem silly. Take the trip from Lisbon Airport to the city center, for example. Whereas a taxi fare will cost you around €10 to €15, public transit costs only €2, while a shuttle or rideshare option starts at about €5.

Related: How to save on your rental car in Portugal

7. Spend less on dining out

For the best way to save on dining, go for the fixed price menus at lunchtime. Many restaurants offer a menu of the day, “prato do dia,” “menu do dia” or sometimes “menu fixo” in Portuguese. When dinner rolls around, opt for snacks on-the-go from bakeries or supermarkets.

In restaurants, just say no to the bread and olives the waiters bring out unless you really want them. They’re an added charge on the bill at most establishments.

And don’t overtip. In Portugal, as in many European destinations, tips are a bonus, not part of your server’s salary, so most of the time a few euros are more than enough. Generally, you shouldn’t even think about leaving more than 10% on top of the bill. Also, check to make sure a service charge hasn’t already been tacked on to your bill.

8. Pick up a fresh meal at a local market

While eating and drinking out is cheaper in Portugal than in other parts of Europe, it’ll still save you money to pick up fresh produce, bread, and snacks at outdoor markets and supermarkets. Grab a nice Vinho Verde, some local cheese and charcuterie, and a few pasteis de nata (traditional egg custard tartlets) for dessert, and you’re all set — no complicated cooking skills or formal kitchen required.

9. Some of the best sights are free

You’ll find that many popular activities that normally charge admission are free some of the time. Wherever you are in Portugal, it’s pretty likely that local museums have a free morning, afternoon or day, so asking around is well worth the effort. For example, the first Sunday of the month, you can take in major museums in Lisbon (like the Tile Museum and Jeronimos Monastery) without paying admission.

Related: Free attractions and things to do in Lisbon

Porto’s sweetened the pot for tourists even further — every Sunday morning from 10 am to 1 pm, museums and cathedrals are free. We recommend the Port Wine Museum (although it is currently under renovation) or the Serralves Foundation’s modern art collection.

Want someone to show you the sights on the cheap? In both of Portugal’s major cities, there are free walking tours (tips are encouraged). Check out these walking tour options in Porto and Lisbon.

10. Slow down

Spending more time in one place is a sure-fire way to keep your budget in check and stay sane. Instead of rushing around on an organized bus tour, or driving from one city to the next, consider making a temporary home base in a small town, renting a nice room or apartment and exploring an area in a leisurely fashion.

Don’t overbook your time with activities. Instead, take your time and wander — it’s free. You’ll save money on transportation and have a much more relaxing trip.

The post 10 ways to save on a trip to Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But even though Spain easily figures among Western Europe’s cheapest destinations, with a good dose of common sense, you can stretch those euros even farther on your amazing Spanish adventure.

Check out 50 of our best tips for saving money on your trip to Spain below.

Related:
• Spain: 10 First-time mistakes to avoid when visiting
• 10-Day Itinerary in Spain: A Budget trip through Madrid, Barcelona & Seville
• 10 Spanish phrases every traveler should learn before their trip

Spain Budget Travel Guide: 50 Ways to save

This is a “Cheapo Checklist” to Spain. We’ve included links through to more in-depth articles wherever possible. Also, check out comments for additional tips and to add your own.

When to go

1. Spanish cities can be cheaper in August

Spain’s biggest cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville) will be quite hot, sure, but come August, most locals are on vacation. Spaniards flee urban areas en masse and head to the beach or abroad, making for a much less expensive time to visit. That said, some restaurants and shops will be closed or operating reduced hours.

2. Avoid major events in Madrid and Barcelona

Whenever possible, try to plan your trip on dates that don’t coincide with major local events — avoid visiting while the Mobile World Congress is in Barcelona (usually in late February) when room rates double and triple, and skip Madrid’s Fashion Week (usually in the Summer) unless you’re actually in town to see the latest from Spanish designers.

3. Plan your trip during Spain’s off-season

If the dates work for you, save tons of cash on your trip by choosing the time of year you visit carefully. Try for winter (not Christmas or New Year’s) for the best rates on rooms. Or if you’d like warmer temperatures, aim for the late fall or early spring shoulder seasons for competitive rates on rooms and better weather.

How to get cheaper flights to Spain

With low-cost airlines offering more and more flights to Spain, now is a great time to find cheap airfare.

4. You don’t have to fly round trip

Consider buying two one-way tickets or booking your flights into one city and home from another. For example, fly into Madrid and explore the central part of Spain before you head north and fly home from Barcelona. “Open jaw” trips, as these sorts of itineraries are called, can save you time and money as you don’t have to travel all the way back to where you started. Sometimes these tickets can be even cheaper than regular round-trip tickets.

CheapoSearch: Find low-cost flights to Spain

5. You don’t have to fly into Madrid 

Flying in from the US or Canada? Madrid isn’t your only option. You can also fly into Barcelona, or if fares directly into Spain are pricey, fly into a major hub like London, Munich, Dublin or Paris, and hop a budget airline to your Spanish city of choice.

6. Try flying a low-cost airline

Be sure to take into account budget air carrier options from the US to Europe. There’s also a new kid on the block, Level, a budget airline by Spanish carrier Iberia, with fares starting at $400 RT from Los Angeles, San Francisco, NYC, Boston, or Miami to Barcelona or Madrid. It’s important to note that the cheapest fares don’t include a checked bag or a meal.

7. Add a stopover for extra savings

Not finding a cheap fare directly to Barcelona or Madrid isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it could mean something even better. Stopping over in a major hub city for a day could bring your flight expenses way down and give you the perfect excuse to see a new place.

8. Skip the taxi into the city center

Don’t pick up your bags and head straight to the taxi ranks. In Barcelona and Madrid, there are inexpensive public transit options that will take you directly to the city center from the airport. In Madrid, the subway may be your best bet, but in Barcelona, we recommend the train (if you’re flying into T1 you’ll have to take the free shuttle to T2 to get it.)

Organizing your itinerary

Check out our 10-day itinerary through Spain for a classic trip to the highlights of Madrid, Barcelona and Seville.

9. Take things slowly

Signing up to do too many things in too little time is a sure way to overspend and not have a spare moment to relax. Take your time. Choose a few highlights you don’t want to miss (i.e., see one or two Modernista architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, not all of them) and spend some of your time wandering — sometimes getting lost is the first step to finding your new favorite place

10. Focus on a smaller area 

Instead of trying to see sights from across the entire country, decide on a specific region to explore — you’ll get a much more in-depth understanding of a place and spend less money traveling. More off-the-beaten-path parts of Spain, like Galicia (don’t miss Santiago de Compostela), Asturias, or Teruel and Valderrobres in Aragon, are good choices for extra savings on food and accommodation.

11. Go where the locals go 

If you’ve already seen major highlights from around Spain like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Prado in Madrid, head to lesser-known attractions that locals frequent and small villages and towns near big cities where urbanites go to get away from it all. One of our favorites? The beautiful coastal town of Tossa de Mar near Barcelona.

Want some more itinerary tips? Check out the following articles:

• Spain: 8 Overlooked destinations worth adding to your itinerary
• Best affordable seaside escapes in Spain
• How to save on your trip to Madrid

A Renfe train rolling through a mountain landscape in Spain. Photo: Nelso S

Saving on transportation in Spain

12. Tourist passes aren’t always worth it

Public transportation in Spain is very reasonably priced and easy to use, particularly when it’s aimed at locals. That’s why, for the most part, deals aimed at travelers (Eurorail passes, visitor passes in Barcelona and Madrid) aren’t the best value for your money unless you plan to use transit constantly.

13. Book Renfe train tickets ahead of time

Especially during peak travel times like Easter Week, Christmas, and summer, book your train tickets on the Renfe website ahead of time to get the cheapest tickets. Later in the game, you might not be able to get a tourist class ticket — it’s not worthwhile to pay for first class on Spanish trains.

14. Buy your tickets directly from Renfe

Whatever you do, don’t buy your tickets from third-party vendors. For the lowest prices and a legit ticket, always buy your tickets either from the ticket office in the train station or from Renfe’s official website, renfe.com.

15. Book tickets online for extra savings

There are special offers marked “promo only” available online that will save you a few euros, or quite a few if you want to book a high-speed AVE train.

16. Take the slow train for extra savings

Spain’s high-speed rail, AVE, is understandably more expensive than the plodding regional trains that stop in every village. But unless you’re rushing to make a flight, we think taking the slow train is a great way to see the countryside — and keep your budget in check.

17. Reserve AVE tickets as far in advance as possible

The high-speed AVE tickets are generally more expensive than any other way of arriving at a destination, with one caveat — if you book an AVE ticket far enough in advance, you could get a very good price — we found fares for around €50 each way online.

18. Consider taking the bus

Regional transportation companies like Sagalés buses go places the rails don’t and are usually cheaper than the train.

19. Fly budget for larger distances 

Flying a budget airline between Spanish cities is almost always cheaper than taking the high-speed train, and a good portion of the time, it’s cheaper than taking a slow train.

20. Use a rideshare service for greater flexibility 

If the trains, buses, and flights don’t go where you want to go when you want to go, arrange a rideshare with Bla Bla Car instead. It’s cheaper than a taxi and less hassle than renting a car. For more tips, read our guide to using Bla Bla Car.

Rental cars are a great way to see Spain. Just book in advance! Photo: Travis

Save on rental cars and driving

To really get out and see the Spanish countryside, renting a car is the way to go. However, before you hit book on your reservation or get behind the wheel, there are several tips you should know about. To find the latest prices, check out CheapoSearch to find good rates on car rentals across Europe.

21. Book a car with free cancellation 

Particularly during peak travel times, it’s best to book a car with free cancellation as early as you can. You wouldn’t want to do without a vehicle on your Spanish road trip, would you?

22. Cancel if you find a better deal 

If you’ve booked a car with free cancellation (or cheap cancellation if you didn’t follow through with our first piece of advice), keep looking for better deals as your travel dates approach, and if you find something better, book it and cancel your original reservation. Don’t feel too guilty, the car you’re not taking might end up being some other traveler’s windfall.

23. Pick up your car at the airport

It’s always more money to pick up a car in the city center, and it’s almost never worth the hassle. Even if it means you have to hop a bus to the airport, and a shuttle to the rental parking lot, it’s well worth the money saved, not to mention saving yourself the struggle of driving in traffic in Barcelona or Madrid.

24. Give yourself plenty of time for car pick-up

Give yourself a generous window of time after your flight lands to pick up the car, because if you’re late, the company might give your vehicle away or mark you a no-show, which is no fun.

25. Park carefully in Spain

Parking in the wrong spot in Spain can cost you dearly. Beyond the fines, parking in the wrong space might also get your vehicle hauled off to the local tow lot.

26. Don’t speed 

This is a no-brainer. Take your foot off the gas. An encounter with a police officer in a foreign language is no fun, especially not in a country where fines for speeding range up to €300!

27. Have a paper map

Everywhere I’ve been in Spain, the GPS occasionally fails. Sometimes the signal doesn’t come through or the digital maps haven’t been updated to reflect improvements. Either way, having a current paper map (preferably from your rental company or a tourist office) can really help out in a pinch… not to mention that maps don’t have batteries that run out.

28. Use GPS

That having been said, whether you prefer to use a GPS program on your phone or rent a GPS terminal from the rental office, having the technology will make navigating the confusing bird’s nest of Spanish roads far easier, especially if you’re traveling alone and have to be your own navigator.

29. Don’t drive in big cities (if you can avoid it) 

Big cities in Spain have cheap and reliable public transportation, which begs the question: why drive at all? Especially when driving means you can’t enjoy wine with lunch. If you’re stopping at a big city on your way somewhere else, park the car in a lot on the outskirts. If you’re thinking about keeping the car a few extra days to explore Barcelona or Madrid, return it and hop the Metro instead.

More tips: 10 Tips for renting a car in Spain | How to calculate the “real cost” of a rental car in Europe

Save on budget hotels in Spain

Check out EuroCheapo’s recommended budget hotels in Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville — and book at hundreds more Spanish destinations through our homepage.

30. Book early for the best deals 

Book your accommodations as far in advance as you can. Spain’s excellent selection of basic but comfortable accommodations in 2-star hotels, pensiones and B&Bs fill up fast with locals.

31. Rent something with a kitchen

If staying for a while at the same hotel, we recommend renting something with access to a kitchen to save money on eating out. Especially if you’re going to stay multiple nights, having the option of cooking for yourself will make you feel more at home. Access to a kitchen is particularly advantageous for family travelers and folks who have dietary restrictions.

32. Sleep in a pension

In Spain, pensiones are basic family-run accommodations. Usually, they only have a few rooms but they make for a truly local experience at a very low cost.

33. Save big when you book last minute 

If you’re willing to gamble a little, you could win big by booking your hotel at the last minute. Sometimes waiting to book until the day-of will win you a 4-stary room at a 1-star price. One of my favorite methods is booking a hotel with free cancellation ahead, and then canceling it if I get a better deal on a cheaper room. It’s important to note that as a general rule, walking in the day-of doesn’t usually get you any extra savings.

34. Stay somewhere without a view

Year-round, lodging with a view (beach, mountain or cityscape) will cost you substantially more than a comfortable room facing the inside of a city block or a garden. Since chances are your room is just a place to sleep, the view might not be worth the extra cash.

More hotels tips: How to save on your hotel in Madrid | Saving on your Barcelona accommodations | Our favorite cheap hotels in Seville

Save on sightseeing

35. Pre-book your “can’t-miss” activities

If there’s something you’re sure you absolutely must see that’s in high-demand, book it. Booking ahead will usually cost about the same, but it can save you the fuss of waiting in line. That said, don’t organize your days down to the minute. At most, book one activity per day and be sure to allow yourself lots of free time.

Also, don’t waste your money booking anything right after landing. You might be so exhausted that you sleep through that wine tasting you’ve spent months dreaming about, and who wants that?

Related:
• How to save time and money at the Prado Museum
• How to buy tickets to Alhambra, even at the last minute
• Tips for visiting La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

36. Hit up tourist information booths for tips

Even the most experienced travelers go to tourist information for tips (and free maps!). It’s a good place to get your first dose of local advice on where to eat, sights to see, and how to get places. The free maps will save you, so you don’t have to get a cab back to your hotel, and the advice on where to eat will usually save you from tourist traps like the restaurants on La Rambla.

37. Seek out free things to do 

Barcelona’s Parc Güell may not be free anymore but all of Spain’s major cities have plenty of art and culture available for free — try to plan your museum visits on free days or afternoons. Besides, one of the best activities anywhere in Spain, wandering around, is 100% free everywhere.

38. Be careful buying museum and city passes

Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, and other Spanish cities will try to sell you museum and city passes, and for most travelers, they’re just not worth the investment. Unless you’re a serious museum buff, or you plan to zigzag around the city all day like a crazed mosquito, you should probably just skip it.

Eating and drinking for less in Spain

Spain is a paradise for foodies on a budget. From cheap eats in Barcelona to tapas in Bilbao, you’ll find something tasty (and affordable!) around every corner. Just be careful of overpriced restaurants in more touristy areas like Las Ramblas.

39. Shop for food at grocery stores and local markets

Food out in Spain is cheap, but it’s still cheaper to eat food from the grocery store or the local markets like the famous La Boqueria, even if you stick to prepared stuff. Here are the top grocery stores in Barcelona.

40. Dine out during lunchtime

There’s just no better deal than the menu del día in Spain — in every-day sorts of restaurants you can get a feast of an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert, with bread, coffee and wine for around €8-12. Keep an eye out for these must-try local dishes in Spain. Here are our favorite lunch spots in Barcelona.

41. Don’t overtip

Tips aren’t expected in Spain but rounding up small change is appreciated, as is a euro or two for exceptionally good service.

42. Stick to wine and beer 

Keep your alcohol bills to a minimum by drinking like locals do. Spanish wine and local beers (mostly Estrella and Mahou) are very cheap and available almost everywhere.

Still hungry? Check out these 18 tips for eating like a local in Barcelona.

Save on shopping

43.  Rebajas, ofertas and liquidacion are your new best friends

Want to save on your shopping trips in Spain? Make a beeline for establishments advertising discounted merchandise, sales, and clearance. In Spain major sales happen twice yearly, in early January (after 3 Kings) and in August.

44. Don’t forget to get your taxes back

If you’re doing triple to quadruple digit shopping in Spain, make sure to sign up for tax-free refunds. In 2018, Spain removed the minimum spend requirement, but note that for small purchases, the amount of cash involved is probably not worth the hassle. Also, you technically can’t use goods before you leave if you want the VAT refunded.

Stop! Check your phone plan before sharing that selfie in Barcelona. Photo: mingusmutter

Staying in touch for less

45. Buy a Spanish SIM card 

If you want or need to have your phone in full working order during your trip, spring for a pay-as-you-go Spanish SIM card. They’re cheap, and they’ll keep you from racking up insane international roaming charges. Find out more details on buying a SIM card in Europe.

46. Negotiate with your carrier

If you only want to use your phone in case of emergencies or very, very occasionally, it might be of interest to negotiate international roaming terms with your carrier. Whatever you do, don’t travel with a cell phone and use it without having talked to your carrier. Your phone may not work, but if it does, it may cost you a small fortune.

Check out these tips for using your cell phone in Europe without going broke.

47. Use free Wi-Fi

McDonald’s locations, many cafes and bars and even Barcelona’s El Prat airport all offer some form of free Wi-Fi (sometimes it’s limited or with purchase). Make the most of it to stay in touch without jacking up your cell phone bill.

Banks and money

48. Use a no-fee credit card

Before you travel, look at your credit card terms and grab the cards that offer no extra charges on international transactions. You can also rack up your points or miles on chargeable purchases during your trip. Although in the past, it was hard to use credit cards around Spain, more and more businesses are fully equipped to accept your Visa and MasterCard (sorry, no Discover and rarely Amex).

Also, be sure to call the provider ahead of time so that charges aren’t blocked.

49. Don’t change money

If you must take some cash, stash it away in the safe, and don’t change it to euros unless you absolutely have to — the fees and poor rates for converting from dollars just aren’t worth the hassle. Instead, use your bank card for the best exchange rates and lowest commissions. Just be sure to get the all clear with your bank before you leave.

Related: Should you buy euros before your trip to Europe?

50. Leave the traveler’s checks at home

Traveler’s checks are another thing that just aren’t worth the hassle for most folks. Lots of Spanish banks won’t even cash them unless you’re a client at their bank and the places that accept them charge a hefty processing commission. If you’re worried about getting into a pinch if lose your cards, or they stop working, remember that there are Western Union offices all around major cities and Spain, and in a pinch, you could have a friend or family member wire you money.

More tips to save in Spain

Want more of our best advice on spending less in Spain? Check out our favorite budget hotels in Barcelona and Madrid, or search over 60,000 accommodations across Spain including hotels, pensiones, B&Bs and vacation apartments.

For more tips, visit our Spain budget guide for more blog posts.

Are there other ways you’ve used to save cash on your trips to Spain? Share them with us in the comments below.

The post Spain Budget Travel Guide: 50 Ways to save in Spain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You’ve booked your flights, reserved your accommodations, and built yourself an itinerary for your adventure in Iberia. But what about staying in touch? Spain’s a budget traveler’s best friend — but not if you rack up insane roaming charges on your phone. Calling home, finding your way around town with Google Maps, and updating your Instagram can take a big toll on your phone bill.

One option is to turn your phone into a console and only use it in places with free Wi-Fi, but that can get frustrating fast. Want to look up the Prado’s opening times? You better hope the password that comes with your café con leche is on a network that isn’t overloaded and slow.

So, what can Cheapos do to use their phones like they do at home? Buy Sim Cards and use them in unlocked phones! Not sure how to unlock your phone? Check out our articles on buying an unlocked phone and buying a SIM Card in Europe for more details.

So what exactly are you buying with a Spanish SIM card? Essentially, you’re purchasing a small chip with a Spanish phone number on it. When you put it in an unlocked phone and load it up with credits, you’ll be able to make telephone calls, send texts, and use data on your phone just like at home. Most SIM Cards in Spain will also work all over Europe due to European Union regulations about roaming charges across borders. Just remember to ask for a “tarjeta prepago” (prepaid card), unless you happen to want a long-term contract with a Spanish provider.

Finding the best deal for your particular circumstances can be a bit confusing, but don’t worry, we’re here for you. To make this process easier, we’ve spent some time researching the best options for travelers and have come up with three cost-conscious SIM Cards to help you save while you explore Spain.

This article was updated in November 2021 with new information and prices.

 EuroCheapo is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you!

The best SIM Cards in Spain for your trip

Using SIM Cards in Spain can save you a lot of euros. Photo: zhrefch

1. Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card

Cost: €49.90
Pros: The number one option for Cheapos. Great coverage across Europe. Can be purchased in advance.
Cons: Limited to 14 days.

The best bargain for everything a traveler could want is with Orange. The price of €49.90 includes 20GB at 4G+ speed, unlimited calls and SMS within Europe, and 120 minutes of talk time and 1,000 SMS to your home country.

Once you sign up for the €49.90 plan, you have 14 days to use up your balance. If you’ll be traveling for longer, you can renew the prepaid plan for €11 to €40 when your time is up. Orange will send you a reminder. Otherwise, you’re all done.

There are lots of Orange stores in major Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid, and for the most part, employees speak enough English to give newbies a hand.

Taking a phone (and smoke) break in Barcelona. Photo: Enric

2. Movistar Prepaid SIM Card

Cost: €19
Pros: Wide coverage in Spain. Stores are located all over the country.
Cons: Only limited data included. Per-minute charges for calls.

Movistar has some of the widest coverage in Spain. If you plan to travel to tiny villages and hike in the middle of nowhere, you may want to go ahead and pay a little extra for a Movistar prepay plan.

The most popular SIM card costs €20. The plan includes 75GB of data and 150 minutes of calls in Spain. International calls are an additional €1.21 per month plus 22 cents per minute (plus EU roaming). SMS is €0.31 each. Since it used to be a part of the Spanish national phone company, Telefónica, Movistar stores are easy to find almost everywhere in Spain.

Finding the next tapas place in Granada on an iPhone. Photo: Manuel

3. Lycamobile SIM Card

Cost: Bundles start at €5
Pros: Affordable for international calls and data.
Cons: Not many stores. Auto-renewal policy can be confusing.

Lycamobile is one of the cheapest options for unlimited international calls and using lots of data. The downside? There are fewer storefronts to sign up, although you can order the SIM card online.

One possibility, if you don’t want to hunt down the nearest shop, is to talk to your accommodation about having it shipped directly there just before your trip. This way, your SIM is waiting for you upon arrival. Just don’t arrange things too far in advance because your SIM comes with a pin that expires in 15 days.

Bundles start as low as €5. If data is your big priority, Lyca Globe 20 is a good option with 35GB for up to 28 days and EU roaming all for €20. If you’re more interested in phoning home, grab the Lyca Globe 15 or Lyca Globe 20, both of which offer unlimited national calls and 1,000 minutes of international calls, plus 20GB to 35GB of data for €15 or €20 for the first 28 days. Just remember to uncheck the auto-renewal box at purchase time unless you’re staying for more than 28 days.

If you’re not sure if you signed up for auto-renewal or just want to double check that you did indeed cancel, dial *190# and follow the instructions to end your service.

More SIM Card tips in Europe

Don’t wait until the last minute before you start researching Sim Cards in Spain (and beyond!). It can be a bit complicated, but we’ve compiled a few articles that will come in handy:

• How to use a SIM card in Europe
• How to set up your American iPhone for a European vacation
• How to keep your iPhone safe in Paris

Have you used SIM cards in Spain or another country in Europe? Let us know your tips for saving on your phone bill.

The post The best SIM Cards in Spain for your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.