Experts have revealed the most affordable destinations to visit in 2026, and a couple of Spanish cities made the list. Spain is full of go-to tourist destinations, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Alicante. But there is one city that you might not have considered visiting before, even though it is the most affordable destination in Spain according to one set of experts. Flight comparison site Skyscanner recently conducted a study to reveal the world’s most affordable destinations.
In Spain, a small city popped up as one of the ten most affordable places in the world, and you probably haven’t heard of it. The Spanish city you should consider visiting for a budget-friendly getaway in 2026 is Santiago de Compostela in the northwestern region of the country. This city is relatively small by Spanish standards, home to fewer than 100,000 people according to recent census data. However, it has plenty of great experiences to offer visitors.
Santiago de Compostela has become more affordable because more flight routes are making travel to this vibrant city cheaper, Skyscanner says.
“In 2026, it’s a serene alternative – ideal for reflective travel or slow exploration,” the flight comparison experts said.
Santiago de Compostela has several notable attractions that can fill a few days there. One of the top-rated attractions is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, believed to be the burial place of Saint James the Great, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles.
This beautiful building is an amazing place to visit, but there is actually a lot more to the city than its most famous attractions. Other things to do and see here include Plaza del Obradoiro, the Museum of Galician People, Monasterio de San Martin Pinario and Museo das Peregrinacions e de Santiago, to name just a few.
Additionally, you find a number of walking tours run by locals that will give you a true feel for what this city is all about. Santiago de Compostela is connected via Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport.
It is connected to several UK airports, including London Stansted (STN), London Heathrow (LHR), and Edinburgh (EDI). Plus, it is located at the end of the famous Camino de Santiago, an iconic pilgrimage route that is beloved by many hikers from across the globe.
Santiago de Compostela isn’t the only European destination that was named by Skyscanner as one of the most affordable to visit in 2026. It was joined on the list by Cologne in Germany, Bergen in Norway and Madeira, an Atlantic island owned by Portugal.
While Santiago de Compostela took the number 6 spot on the global top ten list of most affordable destinations for 2026, another Spanish city made an appearance. Skyscanner also identified Murcia, located in the south of the country near Alicante, as the ninth best-value destination in the world.
Cities further away from the UK were also mentioned. Skyscanner’s top ten most affordable destinations for 2026 are:
- Cologne, Germany
- Goa, India
- Kaunas, Lithuania
- Bergen, Norway
- Madeira, Portugal
- Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Ottawa, Canada
- Murcia, Spain
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia