If you’re planning on visiting Spain this summer, it’s crucial to be able to budget properly for your trip. Discover how much costs have increased and what prices you can expect.
Although Spain is historically seen as a cheap country, the reality is that prices have skyrocketed in the last few years, just like many other places and it may not seem like quite the bargain you may be expecting anymore.
According to recent local news reports, prices doubled year-on-year in several parts of the country. Inflation and price hikes threaten to make this summer the most expensive in Spain in history.
The average cost for a week-long holiday in Spain in August 2024 was €1,323. The most expensive provinces were Cádiz, Barcelona and A Coruña, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Murcia and Granada were the cheapest.
It doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find cheaper deals, but as summer is high season and Spaniards also take long holidays in their country during this period, demand and prices are generally high.
In fact, in 2024 CPI index data showed that it was cheaper to take a summer holiday overseas for people in Spain than in their own country.
To avoid being shocked by the current prices, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect.
Accommodation
So far this year, hotels and guesthouses have increased by 23.1 percent in Spain and by 13.5 percent just between April and May.
For example, a night in one of Granada’s most touristy area costs an average of around €300 a night, while a week on the coast around Motril costs between €1,800 – €2,000.
Major hotel chains such as Meliá, Barceló, Riu, and Iberostar anticipate another historic summer due to rising bookings and prices. They have boosted their sales by over 10 percent for the upcoming high season from June to September.
READ ALSO: The new taxes and charges for tourists visiting Spain in 2025
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Flights and package holidays
Package holidays within Spain have increased by 2.7 percent year-on-year, while domestic flights have also shot up by 21.3 percent within the last year and by 16.5 percent between April and May.
Eating out
Dining out has become more in expensive in Spain too, so you might notice that order tapas or going for a paella on the beach will cost you more than in previous years.
According to Spain’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), costs of eating out in restaurants rose by 4.2 percent since March last year. And the cost of the fixed three-course lunch (menú del día) increased by an average of 6.1 percent in the last year.
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Tourist taxes
The Balearic Islands have introduced a new Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS). Prices are to rise from €4 per night to a maximum of €6 a night per person. For a two-week break this could mean an extra €70 per couple.
Cruise passengers visiting the Balearics between June and August, will see their tourist tax tripled from €2 to €6 for each night they stay.
Tenerife is now charging extra tourist taxes for those visiting natural areas such as Teide National Park, Anaga Rual Park and Teno Rural Park.
Galicia and Asturias have both authorised tourist taxes for those that stay in the region, but it is up to each municipality to decide whether they will charge it or not. So if you’re looking to holiday here, you should do your research to find out whether the place you’re staying is going to charge it or not.
Alicante has also increased the entrance fee to its castle and municipal museums.
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Car hire
Car hire may be set to get more expensive too as the Balearic Islands have introduced a new levy based on emissions. This could range from an extra €30 to €80 extra.
There is some good news, however, as gasoline prices have gone down by 11.7 percent in the last year and diesel fuel by 9.9 percent
