When it comes to the best places to go backpacking in Europe, destinations don’t get much better than those in Spain. On the same holiday, you can explore snowy mountains in one region, travel down to the beach, explore cities filled with ancient architecture, and then hop on a train to a modern metropolis.
This diversity has made Spanish backpacking a popular travel experience for decades. You can enjoy various experiences and tastes of Spain’s culture, discovering art, food, history, and entertainment in places like Barcelona, Madrid, and Andalusia.
You’ve also got a good selection of affordable places to stay as a backpacker in Spain and a brilliant public transport network that helps keep costs low whilst sending you far. Hostels welcome solo travellers alongside groups of friends and even adventurous families, with plenty of guidance about the best things to see and do in many cities and towns.
Ready to discover why Spain is such a firm favourite for backpackers? Here are six of the best places to stay on your travels.
Best Spanish Backpacking Destinations
Here are some of the best Spanish backpacking destinations that promise unforgettable adventures:
Malaga
You might already have heard of Malaga as one of the best places to party in the country. But it’s also an incredibly popular place for Spain villa holidays and a prime backpacking destination that offers visitors the chance to enjoy the beaches of the south coast while discovering more about authentic Spanish culture.
Plenty of backpackers base themselves in the city’s compact old town, as here you can walk to most of the major attractions. Amidst narrow streets, you can discover hidden tapas bars, local art galleries, and traditional buildings converted to house hostelers.
Malaga also offers affordable accommodation right by the sea, so if your priorities are soaking up sun on Malagueta Beach and joining in with the nightlife, you’ll want to backpack here too. The efficient public transport system makes day trips to nearby destinations like Granada or Ronda easy, or you can stay put and meander to the Alcazaba fortress for some history.
Ronda
If you want to feel like you’ve entered a romantic novel, all roads lead to Ronda. Perched dramatically on a cliff edge above a deep gorge, it’s a hilltop town in Andalucia where traditional Spanish culture and crafts still reign supreme.
Ronda is an excellent place for backpackers because it’s easy to explore on foot. Discover everything from Spain’s oldest bullring to hidden viewpoints that reveal the surrounding countryside scenery. Learn about leatherworking and pottery from traditional family workshops and taste the region’s wine at bodegas to fully immerse yourself in a unique culture.
Affordable guesthouses and small hotels provide comfortable places to retire after days spent hiking the nearby Sierra de Grazalema. It’s not a busy place like the well-known cities in Spain, but you’ll find it here if you seek an altogether more meaningful experience.
Madrid
If you’re new to holidays in Spain, the country’s capital city is a classic choice. Madrid is where it’s easy to spend weeks, taking the time to discover each corner of the sprawling metropolis that pulses with energy at all times.
For those travelling on a budget, Madrid is home to all kinds of affordable backpacking accommodation options, and it’s also easy to get around on the Metro and live off generous tapas portions. You can make the most of the city’s legendary nightlife scene too, which adds a unique flair to typical nights in bars with flamenco performances and combinations of jamón and beer in plenty of establishments.
Backpackers seeking culture will enjoy the music and shopping opportunities in the trendy Malasaña district, the modern art in the Prado Museum, and the incredible local flavours at the bustling Mercado de San Miguel. Stroll around El Retiro Park in the morning for a peaceful start to the day, and then explore the city’s abundance of activities.
Seville
Andalucia is one of the most beautiful parts of Spain, and there’s no better place to appreciate the area than Seville. Everything romantic and passionate about Andalusian culture is distilled into the perfect travel destination, from the orange trees lining cobblestone streets to the scent of jasmine drifting from hidden courtyards.
Backpacking in Seville is easy thanks to the city’s manageable size and flat terrain. Even if you’re between destinations, you won’t get too tired walking around with your luggage. The best place to stay for a cost-effective trip is the atmospheric Santa Cruz quarter, which keeps you at the heart of the action without blowing the budget.
You can learn about Spain’s complex history through the architecture in Seville, particularly while investigating the intricate tilework of the Alcázar palace. We also recommend visiting the massive Gothic cathedral, the workshops in the Triana neighbourhood, and the outdoor terraces along the Guadalquivir River for an atmospheric evening.
Barcelona
As one of the most popular cities to visit in Spain, Barcelona appears on plenty of backpacking lists. It’s another place that offers brilliant diversity in its attractions, so it’s perfect for backpackers touching down in Spain for the first time.
The city’s excellent public transport system and abundance of accommodation options make it easy to explore everything from the medieval Gothic Quarter to the trendy beaches of Barceloneta. It’s also a haven for art, with the mosaic wonderland of Park Güell, the unfinished masterpiece of Sagrada Família, and the various crafts found at La Boquería market.
Cadiz
Have you been to Spain already and are looking for somewhere different and interesting for a backpacking trip? Cadiz rewards backpackers with authentic Spanish coastal culture and some of the most beautiful beaches in Andalusia, yet other tourists often overlook it.
An ancient port city, Cadiz claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, so it’s understandably brimming with history. The compact peninsula around the city can be explored in a few relaxed days, so it’s ideal for a short backpacking break.
Walking the narrow streets of Cadiz feels like travelling through layers of history, whilst beaches like Playa de la Caleta offer perfect spots for swimming and sunset watching without the crowds found at more touristy coastal destinations. The city’s laid-back atmosphere and affordable accommodation make it ideal for travellers seeking a more authentic Spanish experience, especially if you’d rather avoid the crowded nature of bigger destinations.
Explore Spain with your Backpack
Think that backpacking in Spain is all about cheap beer and basic hostels? Think again.
Nowadays, sophisticated travellers can experience authentic Spanish culture while maintaining their freedom and spontaneity. Each of these destinations provides its flavour of Spanish life, so whether you’re looking for art, culture, food, nightlife, or beaches, Spain delivers all manner of experiences that remind you why you started backpacking in the first place.
