Options To Spend Some Days Or Weeks Without Breaking The Bank

Before you decide a long-term rental, it is possible to find some accommodation options beyond traditional hotels for those looking to spend a few days or weeks. Here are some alternatives to Airbnb.

Adult-Style Travelling

Hostales & Pensiones

Hostales and Pensiones in Spain are typically budget-friendly accommodations that offer private rooms. They are essentially lodging establishments that do not meet the necessary requirements to be considered hotels. Hostales must have at least 10 bedrooms and 20 beds. Pensiones are a lower category than hostales.

• Booking.com: Besides hotels, Booking.com offers a wide selection of hostales in Spain.

Holiday Apartments

• HomeAway/VRBO: Similar to Airbnb, these platforms offer vacation rentals suitable for families or groups.
• Provide serviced apartments with amenities similar to hotels, including housekeeping and concierge services.
  • Sonder
  • Staycity Aparthotels

Rural Houses (Casas Rurales)

Rural Houses are located in rural areas. They provide a full experience of nature, contryside, farming and other amenities.

• Toprural
• RuralGIA

Young People-Style Travelling (also posible for retirees)

Albergues (Hostels)

Hostels are oriented to young people, but you can find many adults travelling in hostels. The provide shared rooms (dorms) and private rooms. You can also find activities, living room, kitchen, and a great environment. Global platforms listing hostels in Spain, ideal for budget travelers.

• Hostelworld
• Hostelbookers

Student Residences

Mostly available to be rented short-term while university holidays. Some rooms have a kitchenette.

• Uniplaces
• Student.com

Campsites and Glamping

Campsites may range from basic sites to those with extensive amenities. They also may have bungalows for rent.

• Pitchup
• CampingSpain

Free Accommodation (no in the streets)

Home Exchange

Platforms where you can swap homes with someone else, providing a cost-effective way to stay in Spain.

• HomeExchange
• Love Home Swap

Volunteering Websites That Provide Accommodation

Volunteering is a great way to travel affordably while contributing to local communities. Here are some websites where you can find volunteer opportunities in Spain that include accommodation. You can be a guest… or a host. Here you have the information in the home help page.

Housesitting in Spain

Housesitting is an excellent option for those looking to stay in Spain for free in exchange for taking care of someone’s home and often their pets. This arrangement allows you to live like a local and experience Spanish culture more intimately.

TrustedHousesitters. One of the most popular and well-known house-sitting websites. TrustedHousesitters connects homeowners with trusted sitters who provide free accommodation in exchange for house and pet care.

• Website: TrustedHousesitters

HouseCarers; A long-established platform that offers a wide range of house-sitting opportunities worldwide, including Spain. HouseCarers allows homeowners to list their needs, and house sitters can apply for positions that match their preferences.

• Website: HouseCarers

Nomador: Nomador connects homeowners with house sitters and offers a variety of listings in Spain. The platform is known for its strong community and trust-building features, such as verification and references.

• Website: Nomador

MindMyHouse: MindMyHouse is a user-friendly platform that provides a variety of house-sitting opportunities in Spain. It charges a low annual fee for house sitters to access listings.

• Website: MindMyHouse

HouseSitMatch: HouseSitMatch offers house-sitting opportunities around the world, including many in Spain. They focus on building a community of reliable house sitters and homeowners.

• Website: HouseSitMatch

This Is For You If You’d Like Unique Experiences

Spanish Paradores