Spain is both a beautiful destination and a popular area for tourists from all over the world – so it tends to also be rather pricey. Those who have been to Malaga a few times know just how easy it is to fall into the trap of sangrias, tapas, and massages on the beach all day long and they’ve found ways to save a bit more money on their next trips.
One of the best ways to save money in Malaga is to hire a car with Enjoy Travel. This way, you can explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace, without relying on expensive taxis or public transport. You can also find cheaper accommodation options outside the city center, where you can enjoy the authentic Spanish lifestyle and culture. Plus, you can visit some of the hidden gems of Malaga that are not easily accessible by other means, such as the stunning Caminito del Rey or the charming white villages of the Axarquia region.
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If you’re considering a trip to Malaga this year and would like to return home without having to live on bread and water alone, you should have a look at the tips below. It will make it a bit easier for you to visit all the must-see destinations, eat the most delicious food without going broke, and enjoy the city in style nonetheless.
Here is a handful of tips on how to do exactly this so that you’re able to get the most out of your travels either this year or next year.
First: Save on accommodation
Any hotspots for tourists means that the accommodation is going to be excessively pricey. The hotel owners know very well that tourists that visit their country tend to have money to spend – and they’re not afraid to increase their prices when the masses take over Spain.
It’s safe to say that Spain isn’t a fan of Airbnb’s, though, and there might even be a ban on these short-term rental options. It kind of makes sense, when you think about it, as wealthy foreigners are likely to invest in real estate in Spain which they, of course, rent out to holiday-goers during the high season.
They make a lot of money on this and the hotel owners are, understandably, not happy about it as they’re losing out on valuable customers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be downright impossible to get a rental flat through Airbnb in Malaga, though, but it definitely means that it’s going to be a lot stricter.
Have a look at this article to read more about just how fed-up with Airbnb they are in Spain and whether or not there is a ban in the region you’re going to.
A way to secure yourself accommodation that’s slightly cheaper than average is to travel during the low season. This is right now, by the way, and the prices will be more than acceptable – at least compared to what they’re like during the summer.
Travelling to Malaga during the winter doesn’t have to be too cold either, by the way, but you won’t have that burning summer sun that most of Spain enjoy during the summer. Consider when you’d like to go, check out the prices and availabilities on accommodation online, and cut your losses one way or another.
Getting an apartment to stay in might turn out to be a bit cheaper than just staying at a regular fancy hotel, by the way, and you will have opportunities for cooking in as well which we’ll look at in the next step.
Next: Save money on food
Spain is full of delicious food and you shouldn’t deprive yourself of anything while travelling in the country. The trick to not spending too much money and eating up your entire budget is to eat as the Spanish do; treat yourself to a smaller breakfast and eat a large lunch instead.
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The reason for this is quite simple. Lunch is way cheaper in Spain than the evening meals so if you’d like to eat out at least once a day when you’re on holiday, you should definitely choose your lunch meal as the biggest one.
Most of the restaurants tend to fill up at around 7 pm, by the way, so you should try to have your meals over with by then if you’d like to avoid the masses. If not, that’s also alright – just have a look at this article for some great tips on where to eat your dinners while you’re in Malaga.
Visit museums
While both accommodation and food are important enough, you still need some form of entertainment besides from wandering around on the beach. One of the many great things about Spain is, of course, its offers of arts and culture.
You can visit a lot of their museums and perhaps even art places for free, by the way, or you’ll at least get a decent discount if you’re a student. If the museums aren’t free on the day you’d like to visit them, don’t despair – many of them tend to be free on certain days on the week rather than on a permanent basis.
They will be quite a lot busier on these days, though, as everyone would like a free treat but you can always visit the museum again when the next free day is up and see if it’s a bit less crowded. If you’re not quite sure where to start but you’re in the mood for free entertainment, you can have a look at this site for a great overview of all the free things to do in Spain.
Just see if you’re able to work your way through to the things they offer in Malaga, though, so that you don’t have your heart set on something happening on the other side of the country.
Hit the gym on the beach
If you’re tempted to book your stay at one of those fancy hotels so that you have access to a gym, put this thought away right away. Malaga is, in fact, known for their outdoor gyms which are scattered all around its beaches – and you should definitely take advantage of it.
The gyms are usually filled with a range of equipment as well to give your entire body a proper workout. After this, you can always go for a quick jog on the beach or a longer swim to finish it off. As long as you’re not paying up for an indoor gym and swimming pool when the beach as everything you’ll ever need, you can consider yourself money savvy enough on this trip.
Travel with less
When you book your flight, you should naturally try to find the cheapest possible price. Another point to keep in mind is that the price may be squeezed down a bit further if you’re able to travel with nothing but hand luggage.
This is particularly true if you’re travelling with a budget airliner such as Ryanair. These tend to charge way too much for check-in luggage and you can easily save a bit extra by not letting them convince you to travel with more stuff.
Don’t let the thought of not having a ton of outfits to change into scare you away from saving even more money, by the way – hand luggage is, in fact, quite doable if you’re able to pack smart.
Summer clothes take up very little space, first of all, and you won’t really need much more than a couple of outfits to change into as well as something to hang around on the beach in. Have a look at this handy guide to learn how you can maximise the little space you have and become amazed at how much you’re actually able to fit into that hand luggage bag.
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The stress will be so much less when you’re on your way to the airport as well, by the way, and you can simply sweep out of the airport when you finally land without having to wait around for your suitcase to show up.
Use public transport
Finally, it’s a good idea to avoid travelling too much around the city in a taxi. While you’d want to enjoy yourself and relax without having to think too much about how you’re going to get from A to B, there are still some great options out there. Plus, with public transport, you’ll be able to see so much more of the city and travel just like to locals do.
If you absolutely need someone to drive you from time to time, perhaps because you overpacked, you can still find some affordable car hire options.
Have a look at Malaga airport car hire, for example, so that you’re able to get safely from the airport to your accommodation without having to pull that oversized luggage around. Sure, you should have just brought hand luggage – but you’ll learn with time.
When you do take public transport, it’s a good idea to stick with the bus rather than the train. The trains tend to be rather expensive, in fact, and the busses are quite manageable as long as you get used to it. If you get confused, just ask a local for help – and don’t be afraid to charm them with your tourist Spanish while you’re there; they’re easily charmed by those who try.
Saving money while you travel might be important, but the most important part is that you enjoy yourself and soak up some sun. Remember to check what the weather is going to be like when you’re there, by the way, and bring a lot of sun lotion no matter what time of the year it is.
