There are many amazing villages and cities in Spain that are well worth a visit. Madrid and Barcelona are the most popular destinations, but if you are looking for affordable weekend getaways in Spain, the two cities are not the best option. Instead, you will want places that are easy to reach while offering a whole range of things to do without breaking the bank. This list will help you discover which other destinations in Spain are ideal for a weekend trip – be it a solo adventure or an adventure with family and friends.
The Best Weekend Getaways in Spain
Be it a weekend trip to Spain or an inner-country trip – Spain is full of amazing, budget-friendly cities that will take your breath away. Over the course of the past decade, I did several short trips and weekend getaways in Spain and loved every single one.
Among the destinations I visited, Seville stood out the most and will likely always be my favorite. Maybe it is just the foodie in me, but I still dream of eating those amazing tapas in Seville again. Getting to eat them again is on my Spain bucket list, so matter of time before I return to Seville, but in the meanwhile I am always happy to explore new to me areas and cities in Spain.
Ultimately, I can only recommend visiting all of these cities in addition to Barcelona and Madrid, so you get to see the full diversity of the country. Should you have more time and want to explore several destinations at the same time, I can only recommend getting a rental car and hitting the road. After all, a road trip is one of the best ways to get to know a country and is a fabulous way to see the areas in between these weekend getaway destinations in Spain.
1. Toledo
Toledo was known as the “Imperial City”, being the site of the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in Spain, and as the “City of the Three Cultures” – Christian, Islamic and Jewish – which is ingrained in its history. Today, Toledo retains its old-world charm and relics of its past, stretching back to Roman times.
It is a popular weekend getaway in Spain and is about an hour’s travel from Madrid by car, train or bus. You can cover most of it on foot and while English is not widely spoken, people are friendly and you can get by with very little Spanish.
The city walk starts at the Puerta de Bisagra, the city gate of the original old city and its main entrance. It was built in the 10th century, in the time of the Moorish rule in Islamic Al-Andalus.
Meanwhile, the imposing Toledo Cathedral is one of the three 13th-century High Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The Chapels, statues, vaulted ceilings, and wall carvings combine to convey a glimpse of its grandeur in medieval days.
Additionally you can see the Puente de Alcántara which is a Roman arch bridge spanning the Tagus River. The Romans built this bridge at the foot of the Castillo de San Servando. In the Middle Ages it was used by pilgrims to enter the city. It currently has two arches.
The Puente de San Martín is a medieval stone bridge across the other end of the river Tagus. It has five arches, the largest having a span of 40 meters, a wonder in its time.
For sustenance after your walk try traditional Toledo dishes like stewed partridge, carcamusa (stew of lean pork with vegetables), cuchifritos (pork meat), and top off your meal with a traditional dessert like Mazapán.
2. Seville
Packed with an abundance of orange trees, tapas bars, beautiful, bright buildings decorated with the prettiest azulejos (Spanish ceramic tiles) and culture on every corner, Seville is surely one of Spain’s most perfect sunny city breaks. And while one could easily spend a whole week strolling the streets and sipping cocktails in the sunshine, the top highlights of Seville can definitely be enjoyed over a weekend.
If you are looking to see one of the most cultural and historic sights of the city, the Real Alcazar of Seville is a must see. After all, the fortress-turned-royal palace has been around for an amazing 11 centuries. Catch a glimpse of some of the extraordinary history as you wander through the various rooms and pristine gardens. I recommend pre-booking (€11.50 pp) and arriving early as queues are a very regular occurrence!
Also well worth visiting is the Cathedral of Seville in Barrio Santa Cruz, the city’s beating heart – beautiful inside and out. Be sure to climb to the top of the Giralda for rooftop views.
In the evening, take a walk through the Parque de Maria Luisa to stop by the Plaza de Espana, an iconic landmark, decorated in yet more azulejos and centred around a waterfall and a small canal, which even has cute boats to hire.
Another place to check out, particularly in time for sunset is the Metropol Parasol, also known as ‘Las Setas’ or ‘the mushrooms’, named for the curved shapes of this enormous wooden structure, which doubles as a walkway. It is one of Seville’s more modern pieces of architecture and was completed in 2011. You can stroll the length of it while gazing across the city skyline for the small price of €3.
Seville is full of affordable rentals all across the city. Find somewhere quite central and you’ll discover that most sights are easy to visit by foot. Plus, walking is the perfect way to witness all the intricate details of this stunning city!
3. Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de La Frontera is a great place to travel for budget-conscious travelers as it’s off the main tourist grid in Spain so the area of Cadiz is in general prized for locals and not for tourists. But this is not the only benefit of traveling to Jerez de la Frontera. If you want to experience the real Andalusia, then you’ve come to the right place. The city is a true gem, Andalusia’s sherry capital and is mainly frequented by local tourists.
There are lots of things to do in Jerez de la Frontera, though my favorite is to just get lost in the streets, check out the sherry bodegas, and chat with the locals. The cathedral is just astounding, a 17th century Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical structure built on top of a mosque.
Close to the cathedral is the individual bell tower, built on top of the mosque’s minaret. Continue to El Alcazar and stroll around Alameda Vieja. Every Sunday there is a huge flea market there where you can find anything from clothes to antique bargains.
There are more than 20 churches and convents in Jerez de la Frontera and most of them are free to enter. Among the most noteworthy are Monasterio de la Cartuja de Santa Maria, Iglesia de Santiago, and San Juan de los Caballeros.
4. Malaga
Sitting pretty in the sunny south of Spain, and hosting its own international airport, Malaga is a frequently overlooked destination for a short getaway. Maybe it is the reputation of the Costa del Sol for all-inclusive, overpriced package holidays focused primarily around drinking and getting burnt which Malaga may get caught in. But in fact, Malaga is nothing like that!
Instead, Malaga is remarkably diverse. It maintains a modern, clean vibe while still conserving its long historic associations with Arab, Roman, Greek influences.
With plenty of culture and history coupled with amazing food and close proximity to the beach, there is something for everyone in this compact city. Malaga provides the opportunity to experience a variety of things in a short space of time so you’ll return home thinking you’ve seen so much.
Some of the top attractions to be visited during your two days in Malaga are Gibralfaro castle, Alcazaba fortress, the Picasso Museum, Atarazanas Market, La Malagueta bullring, and Malaga beach. But the city is also well located for other attractions such as the Caminito del Rey for the outdoorsy type and Marbella for nightlife lovers.
Having visited the city twice now, I really recommend it as an enjoyable and cost-effective alternative to some of the sometimes more overcrowded European destinations and consider a trip there an ideal weekend getaway in Spain.
5. Almería
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly weekend getaway in Spain, then stopping by Almeria seems the right pick! The warmest and brightest city, Almeria, is admired for its lovely buildings, including churches and ancient dwellings, and beautiful sunshiny weather throughout the year.
Alongside this, tourists can visit there to learn about its deep history, which involves top attractions reflecting architectures, like the Cathedral de Almeria, where visitors can stroll around and feel the relaxing vibes in its cool interior.
Travelers who also want a dash of nature will love Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata. The park is famous for its plenty of beaches, rock formations, and fantastic landscapes. There is even a colossal lighthouse with a birds-eye view of the city.
For a deep dive into history and culture visit Refugios de la Guerra Civil Española de Almería. The Military Museum symbolizes the Spanish Civil War and represents the cultural and historical custom of the city.
Besides that, there are various things to do in Almeria including swimming, beach-bumming, and visiting nearby villages for fishing lagoons. Moreover, it’s a perfect place for adventure seekers as caves give the opportunity to do activities, like-hiking, crawling, and trekking as well.
Almeria likewise offers fancy foods and drinks at cheap rates and is even the best supplier of fresh grains and vegetables. It would be best if you try-out dishes like Seafood paella and Spanish tapas. Additionally, the city offers affordable luxury hotels and villas, numerous tapas bars, and designer shops. However, the best time to visit there is from June to September.
6. Valencia
There is no better weekend getaway destination than Valencia, Spain. Not only does this Spanish gem welcome sun and warm weather year-round, but there are also a ton of exciting things to do in Valencia. The city is full of rich history, stunning architecture, delicious local dishes, and even a beach, so it offers everything you could ever want from a weekend getaway in Spain. This means that your weekend trip will be full of fun and unique things to do that will keep you busy and enticed.
You will want to spend a significant amount of time exploring the stunning old town of Valencia. There is so much to see and do there like walking to the top of Torres de Serranos, visiting the Central Market, and visiting the Valencia Cathedral.
Further away from the center, you will want to explore the City of Arts and Sciences. The cultural and architectural complex is a real marvel and features a science museum, a planetarium, and Oceanogràfic which is the largest aquarium in Europe. And of course, you can also simply relax on the beach.
As a Spanish city, Valencia is full of delicious, authentic dishes like Paella and Sangria which will further enhance your weekend trip to Spain.
7. Tarragona
Tarragona is an unexplored hidden gem that can be your perfect budget-friendly getaway in Spain. Located in the picturesque Catalonia region in the northeastern part of Spain, Tarragona is a Roman version of Barcelona that will mesmerize you with its ancient Roman charm and lively modern city vibe. It’s 100 km away from Barcelona and can be easily reached by train in an hour.
The easiest and most convenient way to explore the city is through a self-guided Tarragona walking tour. During it, you can explore the best things to do and see like the Tarragona Amphitheatre, the Tarragona Cathedral, the Mediterranean Balcony, the Human Tower Statue, Miracle Beach, Rambla Nova, and Circ Roma.
You can easily cover the places over the weekend and still have time to explore the streets of the old town and enjoy the delightful food scene in the city.
If you want to experiment with the local Spanish cuisine, then the tastiest bets are El Terrat restaurant, Tarakon, Alvocat Vegan and Vegetarian restaurant, and Filosofia restaurant.
Overall, Tarragona gives you that perfect European experience at a very economic price and that’s the reason why it’s one of the perfect budget-friendly weekend getaways in Spain.
8. Sitges
The charming coastal town of Sitges is the ultimate, budget-friendly weekend getaway from Barcelona with beautiful beaches and a lovely, walkable Old Town. Located a quick 45-55 minute bus ride away from Barcelona, it is easy to get there and along the way you can enjoy fabulous views. A one-way bus ticket will set you back a mere €4.50.
Not only are there many free activities in Sitges, but there are tons of casual restaurants and cafes where you can eat really well on a budget. One of my favorite free things to do in Sitges is beach-hopping. There are several to choose from, but Platja de Sant Sebastiá and Platja de Ribera are the best of the best.
I also love visiting the Cemetari San Sebastián. This cemetery is a gorgeous final resting place for the beloved townspeople. Walking around here is so peaceful and a nice contrast to the bustling beaches.
If you’re lucky enough to visit Sitges during the castelles (human castles) season from April to October, you may be able to catch a practice or competition. I got really fortunate when I was in Sitges, and I was able to see several castellers practicing their human-tower-stacking in the town plaza.
After you’ve worked up an appetite strolling the seafront promenade or exploring Sitges’ beautiful Old Town, I recommend heading to Restaurante Pecadito for an inexpensive, delicious seafood meal. The pimientos and calamari are so good. Make sure you don’t leave Sitges without trying O Sorbet d’Amour. Their fig-mascarpone ice cream was a revelation!
9. Bilbao
Bilbao in the Basque country is best known for its architecture and cultural scene, and is the ideal destination for travelers interested in art and culture. Upon arrival, you will first want to do a walking tour of the city to learn all about its history, before exploring the best things to do in Bilbao.
Guggenheim Museum is the top must-do thing in Bilbao even if you don’t go inside. Considered one of the most important pieces of architecture in modern history, you will be mesmerized by its exterior. You will also find some really intersting sculptures on the Guggenheim grounds, such as a 40-foot puppy covered in flowers. Once inside the museum, you will be treated to 20 galleries on three levels of awe-inspiring architecture
For a scenic view of the city, take the Funicular de Artxanda to get to the top of Artxanda. The ride only takes three minutes and you will be amazed by the panoramic view of the city.
If you want do escape the city during your weekend getaway in Spain, you should head to the nearby islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe on the Basque Country coast.
It is the filming location of Game of Thrones’ Dragonstone, but of course you do not have to be a fan of GoT to appreciate the breathtaking views overlooking the rugged coast on the Bay of Biscay. Tickets are free to hike to the chapel at the top of the hill (241 steps). However, reservations are required to help manage capacity.
10. Santander
Santander has a strong local culture, and as few locals speak English, a weekend trip here is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish. Within the city and the surrounding area you will find so many wonderful things to do in Santander that it is not possible to list them all, but the beaches are a sure highlight.
With its Golden sand, crystal clear water, and very few crowds El Sardinero beach is the perfect place to relax. There are several wonderful restaurants close to the beach, and if you are looking for a more active experience, you can book surfing lessons for around 55€.
Of course, you will also want to explore the city itself. Take a tour of the city on foot, rent a bicycle or go on the hop on hop off bus to see all of Santander’s sights. There are many museums to explore and a fantastic art center. Take a walk from the arts center back to the city along the edge of the cliff. It’s a beautiful sight to see.
For me, the most beautiful thing that Santander has to offer is the views from Magdalena Peninsula. High upon the Magdalena Peninsula is the Palacio de la Magdalena, a former royal castle that you can take a tour of. The Peninsula also offers several wonderful beaches, and stunning cliff views, so it is well worth it to spend a while here.
Further affordable City Trips in Europe
Amazing Weekend Trips in Europe
Short Trips in Italy
City Trips in Portugal
Short Trips in the Balkans
Which of these Weekend getaways in Spain is the first on your list?
Let me know in the comments!
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I’ve only been to Spain once but definitely want to return so I can check out all these other fabulous places! Pinning for future reference!
Thanks for sharing this (and letting me contribute), there were only 3 on the list that I have been to. I have added the rest to my “to travel to” list!