What budget to travel Andalusia? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Andalusia?

In Andalusia, entry to the Alhambra is the most expensive, costing €18 for the whole complex. Admission to municipal museums is often free for residents of the European Union. Prices elsewhere range from €2 to €10 on average. Many cities offer passes that include several visits. Check that you intend to visit everything before taking one. Many monuments have free days or half-days, indicated on their websites. Remember to book in advance, if possible in the morning, as the number of admissions is generally limited.

There are many sporting activities on offer in Andalusia, depending on whether you prefer the sea or the mountains. Budgets vary according to the services on offer, but you can learn to dive for around €60. All the companies listed in the guide are accredited. On the other hand, avoid flyers, which are sometimes synonymous with danger, as the people involved are not authorized.

Shows often have special student rates. Discotheques do not. To get new ideas for going out in Seville, it is advisable to buy the free cultural periodicals, follow the posters and pick up the flyers in the trendy shops.

What budget to eat Andalusia?

Menu del día, daily specials (between €10 and €15), are offered weekday lunchtimes. It's very common, and even recommended, to take a dish "to share". Most good restaurants have a barra, where you can make the tapeo for less (between €10 and €15/person, drinks included). The provinces of Jaen and Granada still practice the art of the free tapa with any beverage (not water or coffee).

What is the budget for accommodation Andalusia?

Generally speaking, prices for a double room in Andalusia range from €80 to €300, excluding special dates. A single room costs a little more than half that. Some high-end hotels offer a reduced rate for a double room when there is only one occupant. Don't hesitate to compare prices, by visiting the websites of certain hotels and reservation centers offering very advantageous online promotions. Beware: prices soar during events such as Holy Week, ferias or major sporting events, with rates that can triple. In addition, more and more hotels are charging different rates during the week than at weekends (which are more expensive). Another development, particularly in the chains, is that prices vary according to demand rather than season, even if there is some overlap. You are also increasingly offered flexible (refundable) or non-flexible (non-refundable) prices, which are slightly cheaper for the same room. The latter often involves payment on booking.

Apartments. Also offered by tour operators, apartments for rent are increasingly appearing in seaside resorts, especially on the coast. Generally larger than a hotel room, an apartment consists of a bedroom, a living-dining room and a fully-equipped kitchen (an advantage over a hotel room). As far as tourist apartments are concerned, legislation is very strict in Andalusia. Although the number of apartments of this type in Seville has not reached Barcelona's figures, it is skyrocketing. For your peace of mind and to comply with the law, make sure they are properly registered.

Spa resorts - Balnearios. Compared with neighboring Portugal, Andalusia has only a handful of spas, of which there are 10: Alicún de las Torres (Granada), Sierra de Alhamilla (Almeria), Chiclana (Cadiz), Graena (Granada), Carratraca (Malaga), Lanjarón (Granada), San Andrés (Jaén), Alhama de Granada (Granada), San Nicolás (Almeria) and Marmolejo (Jaén). Most of them have their own accommodation units.

There arealso many youth hostels(albergues juveniles) during your stay in Andalusia. Some are independent, but most are part of the Inturjoven network, which has 20 of them, located in natural parks, towns and seaside resorts.

Wild camping is tolerated in some areas, but it's advisable to check beforehand to avoid unnecessary fines; a few free zones in natural parks are also available. As for official campsites (of which there are around 150 in Andalusia), they are less expensive than in France. For your budget, expect to pay an average of €20 to €30 for a plot, including space, tent and vehicle.

Travel budget Andalusia and cost of living

The cost of living can sometimes seem half as expensive, but this depends very much on whether you're in a big tourist town or a small village, and also on the time of year, especially for accommodation prices, which rise during major events. But on average, you won't pay more than €2/€ for a coffee, fruit juice costs around €2 to €3 and a person can fill up on a tapeo for around €10 to €15. However, the Spanish inflation rate is significantly higher than the French: around +10% over 1 year in June 2022 (source INE).

Average budget per day. Based on a stay for two in high season: accommodation, meals and drinks, transport, visits and outings. Low budget: from €100, camping, to €120, board and lodging. Medium budget: around €180 (staying in a top-quality guesthouse or simple or budget hotel). Large budget: from €250, staying in luxury or boutique hotels with meals in gourmet restaurants.

Tipping is included in the bill, but it may be appreciated to leave 5 to 10% of the bill.

Haggling is not practiced. Except in the mercadillos, small markets (jewelry, clothes, bags... etc.) that flourish especially in summer.

VAT (IVA) varies from 10 to 21%, depending on the product, and is generally included in the price, but should be specified in hotels.

To reduce your "sightseeing" budget, look out for free access days or half-days. But remember to reserve a place or come in advance, because even free entry is not unlimited.