Spain pulls in travellers from just about everywhere, and it's easy to see why. The food, the history, the light on the old buildings in the late afternoon. Maybe you come for the streets of Madrid, maybe the beaches down on the Costa del Sol, maybe the art and architecture of Barcelona. Whatever it is, the country tends to deliver. The thing that trips people up is money, and specifically where to sleep. Accommodation eats into a budget fast. The good news is that a bit of research goes a long way here, and you really can find somewhere cheap to stay without ending up in a shoebox. Here's where I'd point you.

  1. Hostels: If you're watching every euro, hostels are hard to beat. You've got choices too, from dorm beds if you don't mind sharing to private rooms if you do. Most have a common area where you actually end up talking to people, and a kitchen, which is where the real saving is since you're not eating out three times a day. A few worth knowing: the Generator Hostel in Barcelona, the Hostal de la Gavina in Girona, and the Sant Jordi Albergs, also in Barcelona.
  2. Vacation Rentals: An apartment or a villa can work out cheaper than a hotel, especially if there's a few of you splitting it. You get more room, more privacy, and a kitchen again, so you're cooking your own breakfast instead of paying hotel prices for it. Airbnb and Booking.com both have loads of affordable listings in the cities and the tourist spots across Spain. Have a browse and compare.
  3. Budget Hotels: Spain has plenty of budget hotels going, and you'd be surprised how comfortable they are for what you pay next to the fancier places. Wi-Fi, air conditioning, your own bathroom, the basics are usually all there. Some I'd flag are the Exe Moncloa in Madrid, the Hotel Ibis Styles in Barcelona, and the Room007 Chueca, also in Madrid.
  4. Campsites: And if you're the outdoorsy type, camping is about the cheapest way to see the country. There are over 1,500 campsites dotted around Spain, so you can pick your setting, coast or mountains, whatever you're after. Plenty of them come with showers, kitchens and communal areas too. Worth a look: Camping Playa Joyel in Cantabria, Camping Playa Barakaldo in Biscay, and Camping Aranjuez in Madrid.

That's the shortlist. Spain is a brilliant place to travel, and none of the culture or history or scenery is behind a paywall once you've sorted out where you're sleeping. Hostels, rentals, budget hotels, campsites, take your pick depending on how rough or comfortable you want it. You really don't need a big budget to do this properly. Start looking and go.