From fiestas to the flamenco, plates of tapas and jugs of sangria, there’s something for everyone in Spain. Whether you’re touring modern cities like Barcelona and Madrid, or traveling to the resort regions of the Costa de Sol, you’ll be thankful you booked a flight to Spain. Travel is easy in Spain, and so is the lifestyle. After a long day exploring the churches of Seville or the Alhambra in Granada, settle in for a siesta before sitting down to a plate of paella and a glass of rioja.
Spain is very protective of its past. Thousands of museums, churches and art galleries are scattered around the country, each with its own history. From Moorish homes to Picasso’s galleries, there’s something for everyone. Spain welcomes more than 50 million foreigners a year, but in some parts of the country not a word of English is spoken. The country’s blend of old and new is what keeps travelers booking flights to Spain every year.
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Spain is extremely hot during mid-summer, in July and August. The rest of the year the climate is generally temperate in the north, but warm in the south. The best time to visit is during spring or autumn, except for the Atlantic coast, which has heavy rains in October and November. August is the busiest month, while May and October are the best times for both ideal weather and fewer crowds. Madrid and the high central area can get very cold during winter.
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May, June and September are the best months to visit Spain although the country is blessed with sunny weather almost all year round. In the south, add April and October to the list of months to fly to Spain. At these times you can expect sunshine, but not overbearing heat. An added bonus is that, by avoiding July and August, you will miss the hordes of tourists.
Peak season:
July and August are the height of the tourist season and holidays are expensive, too. Early summer and into autumn are also popular and many travelers book flights to Spain for the ideal weather. Spain is very popular with families so Spain flights and hotel prices will be higher during school holidays and half-term breaks.
Off season:
There really isn't a bad time to visit Spain, but the winter months (November to February) can be cold and rainy and the country gets its share of snow, too. Cheap flights to Spain's big tourism cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, etc.) are easy to find in the winter months.
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The official Spain tourist site calls bus travel "comfortable and efficient", and has a handy list of related bus company web sites.
The national rail network is called RENFE. There are high-speed and long-distance services. The AVE, for example, runs on the Madrid-Cordoba-Seville route. Madrid to Seville takes two-and-a-half hours.
Flying around Spain is a good option too, and the tourist web site states that AirEurope, Iberia and Spanair offer air passes or coupon programmes for some travellers.
Other Spanish airlines include: AeBal (Aerolineas De Baleares)
Air Nostrum
Air Plus Comet
Binter Canarias
Futura International Airways
Iberworld Airlines
and Vueling, a cheery low-cost with regular promotions.
Renting a car gives you the freedom to see as much of Spain as you like. All the major car rental companies have desks at the major airports. Check your airline Web site to see if it offers preferential rental rates. Booking in advance can offer great savings.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Madrid (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Spain.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Barcelona | 1.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 |
|---|
| Canary Is. | 2.30 | - | - |
|---|
| Mallorca | 1.00 | - | - |
|---|
| Palma | 1.10 | 6.00* | 5.00* |
|---|
Note: *Plus nine hours by boat (three hours by catamaran).
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- On the Costa Blanca, stop at Torrevieja. The town, popular with ex-pat Europeans, is about 18 miles (30 kilometers) south of Alicante. Torrevieja takes its name from the Old Tower and is famous for the area's salt lakes. The town has a salt museum, lively fish market and working harbor.
- Barcelona - in late winter and early spring the Catalans enjoy calcotades - a different kind of BBQ. Calcots are a kind of spring onion that ripens at this time of year. After grilling, peel off the burnt skin, dip in romesco sauce and eat. Rumour has it that part of the fun is rubbing the black ash into your neighbor's face.
- Fuerteventura – for a day away from the beach chair, the Islote de Lobos Nature Reserve offers the chance to see birds and plants not found anywhere else in the world. The reserve is a short boat trip from Corralejo.
- Majorca – Palma. The Coves del Drac (the Dragon Caves) on the edge of Porto Cristo is one of Majorca’s largest tourist attractions. The caves were discovered in 1896 and have bizarre stalactite formations. After the tour, visitors can return by boat across the lake to the exit.
- A 1950s art colony and 1960s hippie haven, Ibiza is known for its hedonistic resorts, fine beaches, and electric nightlife. The crowd is cosmopolitan—chic, gay, and middle class visitors, mostly from Europe, the U.S., and Australia. The town and inner island are interesting and have some quiet corners, but most visitors are here for the anything-goes nightlife.
- Valencia may appear modern and industrial, but look again. The heart of the city has renowned museums, art collections, and beaches. Valencia is where paella was created, El Cid fought the Moors, and the wild spring festival Las Fallas is held. The nightlife in summer is a beach party at open-air discos and in winter bar crawling in the historic district.
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United States citizens require a passport valid for period of intended stay and a return ticket or proof of onward travel. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
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