Accommodation in
Spain - Hostels in Spain
A Backpacker’s Guide to the Wonders of Spain
The first point of call for many backpackers setting off on their travels in Spain is the glorious city of Barcelona. The sense of excitement, and expectation at what lies ahead, that courses through the hostels in Barcelona is palpable and infectious.
The city itself is a sophisticated hotbed of design, fashion and all manner of culture. The broad boulevards of Eixample (home to some of Gaudi’s masterworks) run grandly away from the narrow, atmospheric streets of the Barri Gotic; elsewhere, the laidback seaside community of the Barceloneta completes a city that can pretty much claim to be all things to all people. |
Valencia and Madrid
A little down the coast, the situation’s more or less the same in the many excellent Valencia hostels. Like many Spanish cities, Valencia is made up of an engaging mix of ancient quarters – full of pleasingly dilapidated buildings – and the very latest, cutting edge architecture. As the mercury rises during the summer months, backpackers are almost invariably drawn to the outstanding beaches that line the coast.
Inland, at the very heart of the country, lies Madrid. Elegant and refined, but at the same time, rippling with life, the country’s capital is an astounding mix of high art and bouncing nightlife. This is the capital, so if you are looking to stay in hostels Madrid offers plenty in the city centre. Trying to fit in art galleries like the Prado, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofia after a long night out in the city can ultimately be something of an endurance test!
Down in the sultry south, things, if possible, get still more interesting for the backpacker: Andalucía is, after all, what most people have in mind when they think of Spain. And rarely does it disappoint.
Many travellers see little more of Malaga than its airport and bus station before whizzing off to the better known attractions inland. But with its fantastic Museo Picasso, its striking Moorish fortress – the Alcazaba – and a rash of excellent shops to add to its low-slung, easygoing charm, it’s a small city that definitely rewards closer inspection. |
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Moving on to Granada
Hostels in Granada, meanwhile, see ever-increasing numbers of backpackers and independent travellers crossing their thresholds. They may come for the awe-inspiring Alhambra Palace, but they find themselves staying for the tapas, the stunning old quarters of the Albayzin and the Realejo.
Then, of course, there’s Seville and Cordoba. Seville is a tangled network of ancient streets, quiet squares and lavishly beautiful monuments. Of these, the Alcazar, the Torre del Oro and the huge bullring, the Plaza de la Maestranza, stand out as amongst Spain’s most visited sights.
Much like Seville’s Alcazar and Granada’s Alhambra, nothing can adequately prepare you for your first impressions of the Mezquita in Cordoba. It is, without a doubt, one of the genuine wonders of the world: a startling mass of striped pillars and soaring ceilings, its effect on the onlooker can be mesmerizing.
Leaving the Cities Behind
Away from the cities, the region is dotted with historic towns and picturesque white villages. Towns like Ronda, Carmona, Arcos de la Frontera and Alhama de Granada are studded with churches and dramatic fortresses – often spectacularly situated.
For the best of both worlds – cultural trip and beach break all rolled in to one – try San Sebastian. The picturesque old town is a short walk from the beach where there are plenty of surfing opportunities. Offering a good selection of hostels San Sebastian is popular with a young and lively backpacker crowd.
In between, a remarkable landscape stretches away in every direction. From the Alpujarras to Doñana Natural Park, the high Sierras of Grazalema and Tejeda to the sparkling white beaches of Cadiz Province, Andalucía is uniformly beautiful. Much like Spain as a whole, in fact! |
