Cheap flights to Spain

Spain needs no introduction. It’s the country of the green North and the sunny costas, the flamenco and tapas, the solemn church processions and the joyous fiestas, the bucket-and-spade holiday and the cultural city break, the siesta and late-night partying.

Britain’s love affair with the country is going strong; almost every week an airline introduces more cheap flights to Spain and its holiday islands (Canary Islands – Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura – and Balearic Islands – Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza).

The Costa del Sol is the family-holiday favourite taking in the resort towns of Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Mijas and Marbella. The Costa Brava in northeastern Spain is fantastic for family hols too while the big, sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz, running from the Straits of Gibraltar to Portugal, are becoming more popular.

Madrid is the capital, an elegant city with three world-class treasure-packed galleries within a few minutes’ walk of each other. Barcelona is cool with wonderfully preserved medieval streets and those world-famous Gaudi buildings.

Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol, and Seville, further west, is a vibrant city that comes to life in springtime with the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril.

Spain insider information

• On the Costa Blanca, stop at Torrevieja. The town, popular with ex-pat Europeans, is about 30 kilometres 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 harbour.
• 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 US, 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.
• Trivago is a useful website for user recommendations of accommodation in Spain. The site includes information on all the main cities and resorts, including hotels in Barcelona, the Costa Blanca and Palma de Majorca.
• Thinking of buying a holiday home in Spain? Read our Buying Homes Abroad guide before making your big decision.