The Cheapest Cities to Visit in Spain: 47 Cities Ranked by Real Data (2026)

Córdoba is the cheapest city to visit in Spain, with weekend accommodation averaging just €125.

Seville (€141), Las Palmas (€143), Granada (€153), and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (€154) round out the top five.

Andalusia dominates the affordable end, while the Balearic Islands and northern coast command premium prices.

These aren't guesses.

I manually collected Airbnb data across 47 Spanish cities to build a ranking based on real prices, not assumptions.

The results challenged some common beliefs, including one major surprise: Barcelona is cheaper than many smaller northern cities.

Recently, I stumbled across Jaén, a small city about two hours from Málaga.

Even in peak summer, weekend rentals were going for a third of what I'd pay in my home city.

That discovery sparked this research: if Jaén is this affordable, what other budget-friendly places in Spain are hiding in plain sight?

The Top 10 Cheapest Cities in Spain

Based on the average of each city's cheapest Airbnb listings for a weekend stay:

Notice the pattern?

Six of the top ten are in Andalusia. But the real surprise is Barcelona sneaking into the top 10, cheaper than many smaller northern cities when you filter for the most affordable options.

Which Region of Spain Is Cheapest?

Head south for value. Cities like Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Ronda, Jaén, and Jerez all sit in Andalusia and consistently undercut the rest of Spain. You get Moorish palaces, world-class tapas, flamenco culture, and stunning architecture at prices far below the northern coast.

The inland Castilian cities (Toledo, Salamanca, Cáceres, Mérida) also deliver excellent value for history lovers.

By contrast, the northern coast (San Sebastián, Santander, Bilbao) and Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca) are the priciest corners of the country.

The Canary Islands: Spain's Best-Kept Budget Secret

This was one of the biggest surprises in the data:

• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: €143
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: €154

Compare that with the Balearics:

• Ibiza: €628
• Palma de Mallorca: €447
• Mahón (Menorca): €365

The Canary Islands are more than four times cheaper than Ibiza.

If you want an island escape without the premium, the Canaries are the clear choice. Add year-round sunshine and you have genuine value.

Big Cities Don't Always Mean Big Prices

Another assumption the data challenged:

• Barcelona: €218 (9th cheapest overall)
• Madrid: €225 (12th cheapest)

Spain's two biggest cities are surprisingly affordable compared to their reputation. Both sit mid-range, cheaper than Bilbao (€298), San Sebastián (€458), or Palma (€447).

The key is filtering for budget options. Airbnb's "recommended" listings push Barcelona to €441 (much higher), but if you're willing to hunt for value, the cheapest options are genuinely affordable.

The Most Expensive Places in Spain

The northern coast consistently ranks expensive: San Sebastián (€458), Santander (€335), Gijón (€354), Oviedo (€317), Bilbao (€298). Strong domestic demand and fewer listings drive prices up.

At €628 per weekend, Ibiza is in a league of its own, more than five times Córdoba's average. If the Balearics are calling, be prepared to pay significantly more.

Best Affordable Small Towns

Beyond the big names, these smaller towns stand out as exceptional value:

These towns offer some of Spain's richest experiences at a fraction of big-city costs. Ronda in particular delivers spectacular scenery for under €180 per weekend.

Cheapest Beach Destinations in Spain

If sun and sand are your priority:

Southern Spain and the Canaries lead for beach value. The Balearics and northern Atlantic coast are considerably more expensive for coastal stays.

Complete City Rankings

All 47 Cities by Cheapest Available Accommodation

All 47 Cities by Airbnb "Recommended" Listings

When looking at what Airbnb shows most travellers first (not filtered by price):

Notice how Barcelona jumps from €218 (cheapest options) to €441 (recommended). The lesson: always filter by price if you're budget-conscious.

How I Collected This Data

To keep comparisons fair, I used identical search criteria for every city:

Search parameters:

• Friday to Sunday stay (weekend break)
• Dates three weeks in advance
• Properties within city limits
• Entire place (not shared)
• At least one bedroom
• Suitable for four people

Data collected:

• Recommended listings: First 12 results Airbnb shows by default
• Cheapest listings: Lowest-priced 12 results when sorted by price

I then averaged each set, giving a "Normal" (recommended) and "Cheap" (budget) price per city. The research was conducted in August (peak season), so these reflect real high-demand prices.

Important Caveats

Data limitations:

• Segovia and Badajoz had fewer than 16 listings, making their data less reliable
• Island cities (Palma, Ibiza, Mahón, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz) include whole-island data
• Some budget listings were single rooms with two beds, not ideal for all travellers
• This dataset is Airbnb only (correlating with Booking.com would strengthen conclusions)

What doesn't change the picture:

• No major events skewed any city's data during the research period
• The relative order should hold year-round (cheap cities stay cheap, expensive ones stay expensive)
• Main exceptions: public holidays, local festivals, and off-season discounts

Disclosure: This is a small, specific sample. Think of it as a practical guide, not an absolute rulebook, for identifying where your money goes furthest.

How This Compares to Other "Cheap Spain" Articles

Many top-ranking articles on this topic list cities like Cádiz, Málaga, Benalmádena, and even Ibiza (our most expensive destination) as "cheap."

The data doesn't support this. Either those articles are using different criteria, outdated information, or prioritising affiliate revenue over accuracy.

I've gone back to verify these findings against both Airbnb and Booking.com, and the rankings hold up. This isn't perfect, but it's more reliable than most guides currently ranking for this search.

Final Verdict: Where to Go on a Budget

Spain doesn't have to drain your wallet. By choosing the right destination, you can enjoy plazas, tapas, unique festivals, and late-night wine without overspending.

Key takeaways:

1. Andalusia reigns supreme for affordability (Córdoba, Seville, Granada, Ronda)
2. Inland Castile delivers history on a budget (Salamanca, Toledo, Cáceres)
3. The Canary Islands are the best island bargain by far

For more budget tips, check out our guide to cheap accommodation in Spain and free things to do in Malaga. 4. Save the Balearics and northern coast for when you're ready to splurge 5. Big cities (Madrid, Barcelona) are surprisingly mid-range if you hunt for value

Wherever you land, the magic of Spain is the same. But your bank balance will thank you for choosing smart.

I plan to repeat this analysis using official statistical data for an even more comprehensive picture. If there are cities you'd like to see included in future research, let me know.