As of November 12, 2026, Spain is cheaper than Italy for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $138 in Spain against $157 in Italy, a gap of 13.7%. Over the past year Italy has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+4.9% after inflation, against +4.4%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2.
| Measure | Italy | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $157 | $138 |
| Lean day | $76 | $67 |
| Comfortable day | $345 | $307 |
| Real change, 12 months | +4.9% | +4.4% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +4.5% | +4.5% |
| Versus 5-year average | +1.2% | −0.1% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.8 · Effortless | 4.9 · Effortless |
| Index score | 55 | 57 |
| Best months | May, Jun, Sep | May, Jun, Sep, Oct |
| Shoulder months | Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov | Mar, Apr, Nov |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
The country everyone wants to visit, priced accordingly in four cities and reasonably everywhere else.
The catchVenice, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast are expensive and overwhelmed from May to September. City tourist taxes add up.
Western Europe's best value at scale: a big, easy country where lunch still costs what it should.
The catchBarcelona, Mallorca and San Sebastián price well above the rest, and July and August are both crowded and dangerously hot inland.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.