When looking for accommodation in Spain it may seem like there is no end to the amount and type available but where do we look first? Traditionally tourists have gone for hotels and large guest houses ´Casas de Huéspededes´, these places will guarantee comfort and staff that usually speak your language along with some home comforts. These residences are extremely popular for the reasons highlighted above but it could be said that they don’t allow the visitor to really sample the local culture.

If you want to move away from the traditional image of a tourist on holiday having an artificial view of culture then some kind of other budget accommodation may be in order to really get involved in the Spanish way of life. It is argued that modern holidays offer a distorted view of this country as the hospitality will offer non spanish food and a overall distinctly non-spanish feel to the vacation with the visitor coming back none the wiser to the delights and enigma of spanish living. One of the best ways to really immerse yourself into this culture is through renting a city apartment or a Spanish countryside house or villa. Each type of accomodation is typically Spanish and an extremely popular way of living. The city apartment offers the chance to be in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a dynamic urban environment close to many attractions and locals whilst countryside residences allow the privacy and luxury of a large house and beauty of your surroundings.

It is said if you want to get truly involved in the culture of Spain then choosing a small city apartment may be the best option for you, starting at the bottom and working your way up so to speak. These apartments offer affordable living within the heart of many cities and towns.

Living in self catered rented accomodation will be a romantic almost valiant idea for the adventurous traveller but like any venture into foreign soils there are many pitfalls to watch out for. It is important to try and use a respected agency to help you find accomodation rather than looking privately, only if you have previous experience of Spanish accomodation then you may have the confidence to go on your own. There are many small, well run, independent agencies ready to help you find your accomodation according to your wants, needs and most importantly your budget. Finding the right agency will involve browsing the internet to view the geographic range, portfolio, style and type of lodgings on offer. Nearly all agencies will offer friendly English speaking staff with many years experience in finding many different types of homes.

Prices and rates will vary between location and season with high season (April- September) witnessing rates up to double or triple that of low season. In the Southern Spanish region of Andalucia for example rent can be up to €600 a month for a standard apartment with this going down to around €400 in low season.

So with all these factors in mind there are many benefits to taking an unorthodox route towards planning your holiday residence. With Spain being such a popular tourist destination alot of help will available so why not make some use of it and have a cultural experience to remember.

Accomodation Andalucía