where to stay in spain
Book Accommodation
We live in Spain and have booked hundreds of nights across the country. These are the platforms we actually use, and which ones work best depending on what you're looking for.
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Booking.com →
This is what we use for 90% of our stays. The free cancellation policy has saved us more than once when plans changed last minute. Coverage across Spain is excellent, even in smaller towns where Airbnb falls short.
Airbnb →
Best for longer stays in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville where you want a full apartment with a kitchen. For short trips or rural Spain, Booking.com usually has better options. We use Airbnb when we're staying somewhere for a week or more.
Unique ExperienceParadores →
Spain's state-run hotels in converted castles, monasteries, and palaces. The Parador de Granada is inside the Alhambra grounds, and there are stunning ones in León, Santiago, and along the coast. Not cheap, but genuinely unforgettable.
Rural & CountrysideRuralidays →
If you want a cortijo, a finca, or a country house in the hills, this is the platform. They specialise in rural Spanish accommodation and have properties you won't find anywhere else, especially in Andalusia, the Alpujarras, and the Spanish countryside.
Budget PickHostelworld →
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Granada all have great social hostels. If you're travelling solo or on a budget, this is where to look. Not many options outside the cities though.
Price ComparisonAgoda →
Often has cheaper rates than Booking.com for the same hotels, especially if you pay upfront. Worth checking for city stays in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville before you commit elsewhere.
Vrbo →
Good for villas and larger properties if you're travelling as a group or family. The selection along the coast and in the Balearic Islands is solid, especially for beachfront apartments.
Hotels.com →
Their rewards programme is genuinely useful. Stay 10 nights and get 1 free. If you're doing a multi-city trip across Spain, those nights add up fast.
Flight + HotelExpedia →
Useful if you want to bundle flights and hotel together for a discount. Their package deals to Spain can sometimes undercut booking separately, especially for popular routes.
Compare PricesTripadvisor →
We don't book directly through Tripadvisor, but it's the best place to compare prices across all platforms in one search. Useful for checking if you're getting a fair deal before committing.