Spain Backpacking

Madrid backpacking

Madrid is a backpacker’s heaven. With great culture, solid year-round weather, and a central location, Madrid is a stop on nearly every backpacker’s Spain adventure, and for good reason. With no shortage of sights, this capital city will keep you occupied for days.

Barcelona steals a lot of the spotlight from Madrid, but those backpackers looking for an authentic Spanish experience might try the latter. This is a working city; the inhabitants don’t stop to talk, and can almost seem unfriendly in some cases. But for every rude person from you’ll meet, five kindred spirits will stop to give you directions.

A must see for every backpacker visiting Madrid is Real Madrid. Named the best football team of the 20 th century by Fifa, “Real” is a powerhouse of La Liga. Tickets are often out of the average backpacking budget, but you may get a steal if you hang outside of the stadium right after the game starts. That’s when you’ll find the best deals, as ticket sellers try to unload their wares.

There’s no shortage of hostels in Madrid, and it’s important to choose carefully. You should consult a source on the Internet to provide recent feedback, as ownership (and quality) changes often.

Give Madrid a chance. Though it’s a bit rough around the edges, Madrid is one of the most likeable cities in Europe

Barcelona backpacking

Barcelona is one of the most fantastic cities to backpack through in Spain. Just don’t tell that to anyone that lives there. This part of the Iberian Peninsula is technically part of Catalunya, and Barcelonians won’t hesitate to let you know that. They even speak a different form of Spanish called Catalan.

Don’t let that scare you away. From great beaches to phenomenal football, “Barce” has it all. That’s not stopping to mention the nightlife, and rightly so, because in Barcelona, the party itself never stops. Backpackers can dance until the sun comes up, and sleep the hangover off on the beach.

During the day, the Old City beckons. There’s so much history here you won’t know where to start. Crooked streets run into more crooked alleys where the sweet smell of paella oozes from beautiful little boutique restaurants.

One of the most impressive sights in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia, created by the architect Antoni Gaudi. A true master, Gaudi started this work of art in 1882. Don’t expect a finished product, though. Construction continues to this day.

Many backpackers move straight from Barcelona to Nice (or, alternatively, back to Madrid), but consider spending a few days in the Pyrenees. These mountains are much lower in altitude than the Alps, but provide a much more relaxed experience