Independent travel to Spain

It is not difficult to organize an independent trip to Spain! Find out what kind of visa is needed for vacation, how much tickets, accommodation and food cost in 2021. We share tips on safety, rules of conduct and selection of excursions.

Why are Spanish resorts attractive? Great beaches, clean sea and good service. An independent trip to Spain allows you to get acquainted with the cities that have played a unique role in the history of mankind and the creations of great architects.

During a visit to this country, tourists get an unforgettable experience of beautiful landscapes, vibrant national holidays, festivals and delicious Spanish cuisine. With proper planning of expenses, an independent trip to Spain turns out to be quite budgetary.

Visa

To enter the country, a tourist Schengen visa (type C) is issued. It is not difficult to get it on your own, since Spain is loyal to both package and amateur tourists.

Documents are collected by the standard: application form, hotel and ticket reservations, insurance, financial and economic guarantees, etc.

Don't forget about insurance! Submit it on Sravn.Ru or Cherehapa services. Cost - from 300 rubles per week.

The visa is prepared in 4-6 days. At the peak of the tourist season, the time increases to 10 days. The maximum term is 3 months. You must pay a consular fee of 35 euros, and when applying to the visa center - another 15-20 euros.

Airfare

Several airlines fly from Russian cities to Spanish resorts. Many of them offer direct flights to the airports of Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Costa del Sol and Malaga. The flight from Moscow takes an average of 4.5 hours. The road from St. Petersburg is a little shorter.

The highest prices for air tickets are during the peak of the summer tourist season and on New Years. The cost of tickets for the summer of 2021 for a direct flight to Spain from Moscow in both directions starts from 12 thousand rubles, and from St. Petersburg - 8 thousand rubles. On New Year's holidays, you can fly from Moscow to Barcelona for 11,500 rubles, and from St. Petersburg - for 13,800 rubles. In low season, the cost of air tickets to Spain is reduced.

When planning an independent trip to Spain in 2021, it is worth considering that, in addition to direct flights, there are flights to Spanish resorts with transfers in major European cities. As a rule, they cost a little less. You can save money by booking tickets in advance - no later than 2-3 months before the trip. In addition, low prices for air tickets occur during sales and promotions.

When is the best time to go

The choice of season for an independent trip to Spain depends on your goals. From the middle December to end april fans of alpine skiing and other winter sports come to the country. Winter in Spain is very mild, but there is plenty of snow in the ski resorts.

Lovers of colorful festivals and flowering almonds love early spring. FROM May the influx of tourists to the resorts of the Costa Brava and other coastal regions of the country begins. The peak beach season is during the summer months, with the largest influx of tourists coming from July and August.

In the first half of autumn, in addition to beach holidays, tours to historical sights are popular in Spain. IN october the beach season ends, and the number of tourists on the coast becomes noticeably fewer. In late autumn, independent travel to Spain, as a rule, is of an excursion nature.

Where to book a hotel in Spain

When traveling on your own to Spain, it is not difficult to book suitable hotels, as well as rent a room or a separate apartment in the private sector. At seaside resorts, accommodation prices depend on the distance from the sea. Hotels and guesthouses on the first line are more expensive. In addition, prices vary depending on the season. In the cold season, they are 30-70% lower than in summer.

Here is the cost of hotels and apartments in popular resorts in Spain in the summer of 2021. Prices for daily accommodation are indicated in rubles:

We advise you to book hotels in advance, as in the high season there are few good options or only expensive ones. For example, in August in Almeria, a popular beach resort in Andalusia, 90% of hotels were booked on Booking, and prices start at 3,000 rubles per room.

Where can I find a hotel in Spain? We recommend that you book yourself at SkyHotels. It is convenient to search for apartments and apartments on Airbnb. Here are the main rules for finding hotels.

Transport prices

For sightseeing, many tourists prefer rent a car... Depending on the class of the car, rent for a day will cost from 20 to 120 euros. You need to pay about 300 euros per week. Renting a motorcycle is cheaper. They rent a bike inexpensively: for 2 hours - 6 euros, and for a day - 15 euros. How to rent a car in Spain →

In the budget for an independent trip to Spain, you should take into account the price of gasoline - 1.17 euros per liter, as well as the cost of travel on toll roads. For example, travel on the road from Barcelona to Girona costs 6-7 euros. Paid parking will cost 6 euros for 2 hours.

Rent a car online at Rentalcars.com. You just have to choose the place where you want to pick up the car!

When traveling on your own in Spain, it is convenient to travel by public transport... In Barcelona, ​​one metro or bus ride costs 2.15 euros, and a single ticket for 10 trips costs 10 euros. Those who buy a single daily pass for 8.4 euros save money.

There are two-tiered vehicles in Barcelona tourist buses... A ticket for one day costs 23 euros, and for two days - 30 euros. The routes of such buses are laid through the main attractions. Tourists can get off at the desired stop, inspect the memorable place and after a while get on any passing bus to continue their trip around the city.

Taxi in Spain it is quite expensive. For travel from Barcelona airport to the city center, you will have to pay 25-30 euros, and the car covers this distance in less than half an hour.

Airport transfers can be booked online in advance using the KiwiTaxi service. Upon arrival, a car will be waiting for you.

Between Spanish cities and resorts, there is a good bus service... Those who travel on their own in Spain often use intercity buses. Travel from Madrid to Barcelona, ​​depending on the class of the bus, costs from 32 to 40 euros, and from Madrid to Malaga - 25 euros.

Another option for moving around the country is domestic airlines... A ticket from Barcelona to Ibiza costs 35 euros, to Tenerife - 55 euros, and to Malaga - 70 euros.

Food prices

One of the main expenses in independent travel in Spain is food. Breakfast for two in a cafe will cost 16 euros, lunch - 20-30 euros, and dinner - 40-100 euros. Prices in restaurants, excluding alcoholic beverages, are 3-10% higher. Tipping is 5-10% of the check value. Some cafes add 15-20% for the opportunity to have breakfast "outdoors". Inexpensive cafes in Barcelona →

Here are the prices for dishes and products that are popular in Spain:

• paella with shrimps - 10-15 euros;
• a portion of mussels - 8 euros;
• coffee with a croissant - 2 euros;
• pears, 1 kg - 2 euros;
• oranges, 1 kg - 1 euro;
• jamon, 1 kg - 15-49 euros;
• Catalan sausages for frying, 1 kg - 11-14 euros;
• cheese, 200 g - 1 euro;
• freshly squeezed juice - 3.5 euros;
• sangria, 1 l - 11 euros;
• local wine, 1 bottle - 4-15 euros.

It is worth considering that in Spanish cafes and restaurants, the day off is Monday or Sunday, and they also close for a lunch siesta every day. In restaurants, pay attention to the Menu del dia or "menu of the day". Dishes are offered at a discount.

Prices for entertainment and souvenirs

For those who want to bring nice souvenirs: magnets, mugs, key rings and other small crafts cost from 0.5 to 10 euros, a Spanish fan - 5-35 euros, and ceramics - from 6 to 50 euros.

For entertainment in Spain, you need to plan a separate expense item. Entrance to the nightclub costs 5-10 euros. For an adult ticket to PortAventura park - 55 euros, and to the karting center of Salou - 30 euros.

When planning a trip to Spain, do not forget about spending on a beach vacation:

• riding on a "banana", 30 minutes - 40 euros;
• riding a hydro-scooter, 30 minutes - 40 euros;
• snorkeling - 20-25 euros;
• diving for beginners - 50 euros;
• motorboat ride, 1 hour - 60 euros.

Interesting facts about Spain

Excursion prices

During a trip to Spain, you can organize self-guided excursions, because they are inexpensive:

• Guell Palace in Barcelona - 8 euros;
• aquarium in Barcelona - 7 euros;
• ticket for travel to Montserrat - 19.5 euros;
• Castle Pubol - 8 euros;
• castle in Girona - 7 euros;
• Dali Museum-Theater - 12 euros.

We advise you to buy only those excursions that you cannot organize yourself. Many interesting author's individual and group tours are offered on the sites Sputnik8 and Tripster, for example:

• "Ghosts of Barcelona" - 50 euros;
• ecotour in the Catalan Mountains - 50 euros;
• bike ride in the suburbs of Alicante - 39 euros;
• Roman aqueduct and a walk among the rocks in the suburbs of Valencia - 132 euros;
• "Shalom from Toledo" - 180 euros.

Prices are per person.

What to see

Spain has a very rich history. This land was ruled by Romans, Catholics, adherents of Islam, Almoravids, Nasrid and Sephardi. Almost every corner of Spain has preserved monuments of bygone eras - ancient castles, aqueducts, majestic palaces and medieval monasteries. In addition, the country has many beautiful parks and reserves.

When traveling on your own in Spain, it is convenient to combine a beach holiday with an excursion program. Many tourists like to visit major Spanish cities - Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, where interesting museums and monuments are concentrated. Popular among vacationers are trips to Girona, Zaragoza, Burgos, Seville, Segovia, Cuenca, Toledo, Granada, Cordoba and Barcelona. Fans of religious sites visit the monasteries of Montserrat, San Juan de la Peña, El Escorial, Sacromonte, San Esteban and other Christian shrines in Spain.

The most popular natural attractions in Spain among independent travelers:

• the dunes of Maspalomas;
• the Loro Parque zoo on the island of Tenerife;
• the valley of the vineyards of La Rioja;
• Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park;
• Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park;
• Fuente De observation deck;
• Teide volcano;
• Botanical Garden of Marimurtra;
• Palmitos Park;
• Cape San Juan de Gastelugache.

Spain sightseeing map

The cost of an independent trip to Spain for two

The budget of any independent trip to Spain is made up of compulsory expenses, which cannot be dispensed with. Added to these are costs that everyone plans at their own discretion. Take, for example, a weeklong trip for two. The compulsory expenses for him will include:

• visa processing - 110 euros;
• plane tickets - 360 euros;
• accommodation in a 3 * hotel - 400 euros;
• meals - 400 euros;
• insurance - 10 euros. Buy insurance →

Total: € 1,280.

Additional expenses for independent travel in Spain include spending on transport, excursions, visiting entertainment centers, buying gifts and souvenirs. For a budget trip, you should set aside at least 300-500 euros for additional expenses.

You can also go to Spain on a tour - often a tour is cheaper than an independent trip. Look at the prices and decide what is more profitable and more convenient for you. Last Minute Tours search on the services Level.Travel and Travelata - they will find the best deals among different tour operators. Want to save money? Check out our 7 rules for buying tours online.

Travel tips

For an independent trip to Spain, it is useful to find out in advance about the mentality of local residents, national traditions and features of the tourist infrastructure. To make your trip a success, check out the recommendations of experienced tourists:

• It is better to take euros to Spain right away, not dollars. This will save money on currency exchange.
• In order not to pay a fee for withdrawing money, try to use ATMs less often. We advise you to have a Tinkoff bank card - withdrawal from any ATM around the world without a commission, if the amount exceeds 3000 rubles.
• When choosing a hotel or guesthouse, pay attention to where it is. Are there public transport and shops nearby, what is the level of crime.
• To spend less, choose catering establishments located off the tourist routes. It is more profitable to buy fresh vegetables and fruits in the markets than in the shopping centers.
• Spaniards do not like to rush, so you should not expect fast service from them in cafes and restaurants.
• The country has excellent public transport and an understandable navigation system, so it is not difficult to build independent routes in Spain.
• If you are planning to visit several museums and attractions in the same city, purchase a discount tourist card. These cards are sold in Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Tarragona, Malaga, Cordoba, Granada, Salamanca and some other Spanish cities. Thanks to discount cards, you can save on public transport, the cost of tickets to museums and attractions, get a discount in shops and when visiting restaurants.
• The inhabitants of Catalonia are very patriotic and do not consider themselves to be Spaniards. While vacationing in the resorts of this part of the country, beware of the expressions: "Spain is beautiful!" or "I really like it in Spain!"
• When shopping in Spain, always draw up a VAT refund check. With the help of them, it will be possible to return part of the money spent.