Which city destination offers the best value depends to a large extent on how much you spend when you get there. The City Break Cost Index 2019 published by the Spain-Holiday.com reveals how typical costs for travellers varies greatly from city to city in Spain this autumn/winter. It examines everything from the price of airport transfer by taxi, bus, train and Uber or Cabify, eating out, accommodation and things to do.
Top 5 Cheapest City Break Destinations in Spain
Malaga has topped the list of Spanish cities for city breaks amongst international tourists as well as Spanish tourists, according to the data from the City Breaks Cost Index 2019, annual Spain-Holiday.com study.
The City Breaks Cost Index report analyses data relating to accommodation, entrance fees to places of interest, transport and general living expenses such as eating out.
The key findings of the report are:
- The cities of Malaga, Valencia and Cordoba are the Top Three Best Value Cities.
- Palma, Barcelona and San Sebastian are the three most expensive cities to visit, according to the results of the study.
- The cost of a weekend break in Palma in Mallorca is more than double the price of a weekend away in Malaga, Cordoba or Valencia.
- Three of the cities in the top five best value cities are located in Andalusia – Malaga, Cordoba and Cadiz.
Visiting Attractions
Recently, the World Economic Forum “Report on Travel and Tourism Competitiveness 2019” conclude that Spain remains the most competitive country in the world in terms of tourism, for the third time.
It considers that Spain has a competitive advantage over other countries thanks to it is excellent cultural resources and sits of heritage interest. Indeed, many of the cities that rank in the City Break Cost Index produced by Spain-Holiday.com have particular cultural appeal thanks to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the cities such as: -
- the Alhambra and Generalife in Granada,
- the Cathedral and Alcazar in Seville,
- the Historic Centre of Cordoba,
- the Silk Exchange (la Lonja de la Seda) in Valencia,
- the Monastery and Site of the Escurial in Madrid,
- the Palau de la Música Catalan and Hospital de Sant Pau, and the works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona.
- The cost of visiting the most popular places of interest in each city varies great.
Cadiz, San Sebastian and Malaga offer the best value, costing less than €60 (£55) per person for entrance to the top ten attractions in each city. In comparison, Barcelona is the most expensive city in terms of entrance fees to the top ten attractions, costing €135 (£122) per person -more than double than the top three best value cites.
Accommodation
Staying in a city centre apartment not only offers flexibility but huge savings too.
For example, a quality luxury rental apartment for two people in Malaga costs from €33 (£36) per night for a 1-bedroom centrally located apartment.
Jannich Petersen, CEO of Spain-Holiday.com commented:
“City breaks are almost as popular as sun and beach holidays to Spain and now represent 26% of all holidays.
The top 10 Spanish cities differ greatly in their appeal and there is something for everyone, whether they are culture vultures, shopaholics, foodies or those looking for a vibrant nightlife.
The City Break Cost Index aims to provide clarity for travellers to plan and budget for a memorable weekend winter break in Spain that doesn’t break the bank”.
Money-saving tips
Visiting one of Spain’s second cities is a great money-saving strategy since prices are generally much lower than in the tourist hot spots.
Cadiz, San Sebastian and Malaga offer the best value, costing less than €60 (£55) per person for entrance to the top ten attractions in each city. In comparison, Barcelona is the most expensive city in terms of entrance fees to the top ten attractions, costing €135 (£122) per person -more than double than the top three best value cites.
Spain-Holiday.com also suggests other ways to keep the cost down such as avoiding booking an Uber from the airport which, in 3 out of 5 cities, is more expensive than a taxi.
Also, book tourist attractions entrance tickets directly, as opposed to through a ticket agency, to get the best price.
Another top tip they offer is to check out whether the museums and cultural attractions offer free entry on a particular day of the week, normally a Monday.
Read the report in full here.