Overview
Spain is one of the UK's most popular short-haul destinations, and it is easy to see why: dependable sunshine, a huge choice of airports and flights from almost every UK region. Whether you are heading to a city, a Costa or one of the islands, you will usually find a direct flight and plenty of competition on fares. Use the price charts on this page to see how current fares are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Spain
For the mainland cities and northern Spain, spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October) bring warm, comfortable weather and thinner crowds. July and August are hot, especially inland in Madrid and Seville, and the Costas and Balearics are at their busiest. The Canary Islands stay mild all year, making them a reliable winter-sun choice. Fares tend to peak over school holidays and ease in the shoulder months — the When to book chart above shows the pattern for your dates.
Main gateway cities & airports
The busiest arrival points for UK travellers are Madrid–Barajas and Barcelona–El Prat, followed by Málaga (for the Costa del Sol), Alicante (Costa Blanca) and Palma de Mallorca. In the Canaries you will fly into Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura. Other useful airports include Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Girona, Ibiza and Menorca.
Airlines and routes
Spain is served from the UK by easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2.com, British Airways, Vueling, TUI and Wizz Air, with Iberia and its low-cost arm Iberia Express focused on Madrid. Direct flights run year-round from the London airports and from regional bases such as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Belfast. Typical flying time from London is about 2 hours 20 minutes to Barcelona and around 2 hours 30 minutes to Madrid or Alicante, rising to roughly 4 to 4.5 hours for the Canary Islands. From Manchester, allow about 3 hours to Málaga.
Popular places to visit in Spain
- Barcelona: Gaudí architecture, tapas bars and a city beach all in one.
- Madrid: world-class art museums, grand squares and lively neighbourhoods.
- Andalusia: Seville, Córdoba and Granada's Alhambra for Moorish history and flamenco.
- Costa del Sol: Málaga, Marbella and Nerja for reliable beach days and golf.
- Balearic & Canary Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife and Lanzarote for summer and winter sun.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Spain
- Travel in the shoulder seasons and fly midweek, when demand and fares are lower.
- Compare nearby airports — for example Girona instead of Barcelona, or Málaga instead of Granada.
- Book school-holiday and Canary Islands trips early, as the cheapest seats sell first.
- Check the price charts on this page and build your dates around the cheaper periods they highlight.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism in Spain: you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. The currency is the euro, and cards are widely accepted. For the best value, book a month or two ahead for off-peak trips and earlier for summer and half-term — the When to book chart above is the quickest guide.
