How much will a holiday in Spain cost this summer?
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.
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.
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.
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
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Local Spain
21-05-2025
- Local Spain
How much will a holiday in Spain cost this summer?
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. 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. 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. 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
Local Spain
02-01-2025
- Local Spain
How life in Barcelona will get more expensive in 2025
New Year, new prices. The cost of living in Spain is increasingly expensive these days, and in the Catalan capital this is often even more pronounced. This is especially true when it comes to renting and purchasing property. But many prices are rising this year. Whether it be bills, transport costs or whatever else, here's what you need to know about all the price rises in Spain's second city in 2025. Water bills to increase In November the Barcelona metropolitan area approved new water rates, increasing bills by an average of 5.95 percent. This will mean that bi-monthly water bills in Barcelona and 22 other surrounding municipalities are now almost €2 higher. However, residents who consume less water will see an increase of just 2.9 percent, which is equivalent to a rise in line with the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and will translate into an increase of around €1 per month. On the other hand, those who use the most water will see an increase of up to 6.72 percent. Culture and leisure tickets The cost of culture and leisure attractions in the Catalan capital is also going up. The city's amusement park, Tibidabo, will go from charging €35 per adult to €39, and entrance to the Panoramic Area from €19 to €21.5. At Park Güell, the second most visited attraction in Barcelona, the entrance fee will increase to €18 per person. However, other cultural sites, such as the Barcelona Zoo, have kept their prices unchanged. Adults still have to pay €21.40, while children between the ages of three and 12 have to pay €12.95. Children under the age of three are still free in 2025. More expensive taxis Taxis prices are also set to rise, with fares becoming 4.7 percent more expensive in 2025. The new fares include the flat 'flag-down' cost, which rises to €2.75, and the kilometric rate is also going up by 3.9 percent during the day and 3.8 percent at night. However, the T4 airport fare will remain unchanged at €45. Public transport fares go up but Bicing remains the same Staying on transfer news, Barcelona's metropolitan transport authority has approved new fares for 2025, with prices rising by 3 percent as of 15 January. However, the T-Jove and T-Usual fare cards will continue to receive 50 percent discounts. Discounts will also be maintained for single-parent and large families, and the unemployed. Tickets can be purchased with the 2024 fares until 14 January and will be valid until 28 February 2025, which, in the case of 90-day passes, will be extended to 30 April. The prices for Barcelona's bike sharing system, Bicing, remain the same this year: a flat rate of €50 per year. Other price hikes for 2025 Various other costs are going up in 2025. As for cremation prices, Cementiris de Barcelona will apply the CPI increase. At Mercabarna, in line with the CPI, the monthly fees for the use of stalls at the central fruit, vegetable and fish markets are going up by 2.9 percent. Prices for municipal sports facilities managed by the Institut Barcelona Esports (IBE) have also increased. Season ticket and occasional admission fees have risen by 4 percent, while activities such as courses or court and field rentals have risen by 2.4 percent.
Local Spain
13-11-2024
- Local Spain
Spain eyes making tourist rentals less lucrative by charging owners VAT
Spain is currently experiencing a huge housing crisis, with soaring rental prices, not enough availability of properties on the market and young people unable to afford to move out of home. Both residents and authorities have said argued that tourism apartments are partly to blame, driving up prices and taking properties off the market for locals. Holiday lets are widely considered to be more profitable for owners than renting out their properties to long-term tenants in Spain. The benchmark is a 60 percent occupancy rate, but in some parts of the country owners can earn four times as much from 'Airbnb-ing' than renting to tenants. Many regulations have been introduced to try and reduce the number of short-term lets from stricter rules on the types of properties that can get a licence to vowing to getting rid of them all together in Barcelona and even pleading with landlords. The latest move put forward by Spain's leftist government PSOE and junior coalition partner Sumar is to charge a 21 percent VAT to landlords who want to rent their properties out to tourists. The idea is to try and make tourist rentals a less attractive option for landlords, who can currently make a lot more money than renting out to locals long term. They stated that "cutting their profitability and transforming them into housing for permanent rental, will help alleviate the lack of habitual housing in stressed areas". So called 'stressed areas' are defined as those that meet one of two pieces of criteria. Areas that exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of their respective province by five points and where families dedicate more than 30 percent of their salary to paying the rent. The measure is being considered for inclusion as part of a broad fiscal package for 2025 which aims to alleviate the lack of rental housing supply in certain areas of Spain. Up until now, the stance of the Treasury has been that 'whoever rents tourist accommodation is, for VAT purposes, considered a businessman'. But, crucially, those landlords who rent out properties that do not provide typical services similar to a hotel are VAT exempt. This means that if they added services such as daily cleaning, meals and a laundry for example, then VAT would have to be charged. The Spanish Treasury confirms: "If services are provided like in the hotel industry, the rental of the tourist apartment will not be exempt from VAT but must be taxed at the reduced rate of 10 percent, as a hotel establishment'. The idea is to now make it so that anyone renting out a property to tourists is charged 21 percent VAT regardless of whether they provide hotel-like services or not. The government seeks to "cut their profitability" and "transform properties into housing for permanent rental'. But, experts are not all in agreement as to whether this will help the situation or not. Many just argue that the extra cost will be passed on to the consumers, so that tourist accommodation will become even more expensive and landlords will still end up making a bigger profit. The application of the 21 percent VAT to tourist apartments is accompanied by other proposals, such as a tax on luxury goods, a two-point increase in personal income tax on capital income above €300,000 and eliminating the special tax regime. Just last month, the government also announced that landlords will have to register all temporary and tourist accommodation as well as rooms on a portal it will create if they want to have the right to advertise their properties on platforms like Idealista.
