Spain is a fairly expensive country, especially in popular tourist cities. There are several ways to save money on small items while traveling.

El Corte Ingles Card
Every major Spanish city has an El Corte Ingles department store, but not everyone knows that tourists have special privileges there. To use them, go to the Atencion al Cliente counter, show your passport, and receive a tourist card. This card gives you a 10% discount in most stores, and you’ll get free tapas and a drink at cafes. The card is valid for 5 days.

Discounts on the Madrid Metro
You can buy a travel card for the Madrid metro. You can use your passport or residence card for just 60 EUR per month. However, there’s one catch: you need to provide a Spanish address, as the travel card is intended for local residents, not tourists.

Free Water
In Spain, you don’t have to buy drinking water—there are plenty of fountains with clean water on the streets. Locals are also understanding when it comes to thirst, so you can get a free glass of water at any bar.

Student Canteens
Anyone who looks like a student can try to get into a student canteen. Spanish universities are generally open to everyone, and you can stop in for a snack. A full lunch at a local buffet costs 4-5 EUR.

Discounts and Happy Hours at Museums
Almost every museum has free admission hours or days, but you just need to know when exactly.