Short-Term Stays: Spend Some Time Without Breaking The Bank

Before you decide a long-term rental, it is possible to find some short-term rental in Spain for 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

Bedrooms for Rent

• Idealista
• Piso compartido
• Spot a Home

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

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Carmona sunset aerial view in Andalusia Spain not far from Sevilla

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Spanish Paradores

How Long-Term Rent Market Works in Spain

The latest Urban Leases Law (LAU in Spanish) came into force on May 25, 2023, following the approval of Law 12/2023, of 2023, June 24th.

Duration of the Lease Agreement
According to the LAU, the duration of a lease agreement is freely agreed upon by the parties. If it is less than five years, upon the contract’s expiration date, it will be automatically extended on an annual basis until the lease reaches a minimum duration of five years.
However, the tenant may terminate the contract by giving 30 days’ notice before the end of the contract or any of its extensions.

Usually landlords will request at least six months rent. For shorter stays, there are other options (Airbnb among others).

Payment of Rent and Deposit
The rent will be freely determined by the parties. Rent is to be paid monthly and must be made within the first seven days of the month.
When the lease agreement is signed, the tenant must pay the landlord a one-month deposit in cash.
The rent price can be updated annually if explicitly agreed upon. In any case, it cannot be increased beyond the Consumer Price Index (CPI, similar to inflation).