Spain is a favourite holiday spot throughout Europe, but where do Spanish travellers go? Many stay close to home with coastal getaways in the Balearic or Canary Islands, while others choose nearby European hotspots like France, Italy, or Portugal. Some even choose far flung adventures with the Americas and Asia on the rise as Spanish travellers start to look further afield.
Whether you want to keep it local or go overseas, here’s some inspiration for your next trip.
Madrid connects major economic and tourist hubs across the country, placing it at the centre of domestic travel within Spain. Top domestic destinations include:
Did you know that 13% of Spanish travellers value the sun and beach when travelling domestically? It’s no surprise that the Balearic Islands are among Spain’s favourite getaways.
Average domestic flight times ranging from 50 minutes - 1 hour 35 minutes ✈️
Famous worldwide for its nightlife and beach clubs, Ibiza is a hotspot for those chasing the party scene. But there’s more to the island than late nights. From Mediterranean boat trips and wellness spas to quiet coves and family-friendly resorts, Ibiza offers something for everyone, whether you’re travelling with friends, family, or a partner.
Average domestic flight times ranging from 1 hour - 1 hour 40 mins ✈️
Mallorca mixes beach resorts with charming old towns, mountain trails, and hidden bays. It’s an island that works just as well for an active escape as it does for a laid-back holiday by the sea.
Average domestic flight times ranging from 1 hour - 1 hour 40 mins ✈️
The quietest island of the three, Menorca is all about calm beaches, turquoise waters, and a slower pace of life. Perfect if you’re looking to unwind away from the crowds.
Getting to the Balearic Islands is simple, with plenty of flights available from across mainland Spain. For the most convenient connections, many travellers choose to fly from major hubs along the east coast or key inland cities. Popular departure airports include:
These airports offer frequent services, making it easy to reach Ibiza, Mallorca, or Menorca for your island escape.
After domestic flights, quick trips around Europe are the most popular with Spanish travellers. Neighbouring countries like France, Portugal, and Italy top the list, offering competitive fares, short travel times, and plenty of choice. Most flights depart from Madrid or Barcelona, making it easy to jet off for a weekend city break or a longer getaway.
Latin America has become a favourite among Spanish travellers, accounting for 30% of independent Spanish travel outside Europe in 2018.
Shared culture, fewer language barriers, and thriving expat communities make destinations like Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia especially appealing. Interest in the region has continued to grow, offering plenty of options for both adventure and relaxation.
Although not as popular as domestic or European destinations, the USA is the top North American choice for Spanish travellers. Big cities, world-famous landmarks, and large Spanish-speaking communities make it an attractive long-haul option. Higher fares mean it’s less common, but for those who go, there’s plenty to see and do.
Trips to Asia from Spain are growing in popularity but is still fairly limited. Countries like Thailand, Japan, and South Korea are getting high on the list for Spanish travellers looking for culture, food, and adventure. Top routes include:
Destinations like Turkey and Morocco remain the most popular in these regions. They offer short flight times and vibrant cultural experiences. Top routes are:
Domestic flights are the fastest and easiest way to get around Spain, especailly if you are looking to get from one side of the country to the other. The top domestic airlines are:
Looking for the right Spanish airline for your next trip? Whether you’re flying within Spain, across Europe, or further afield, here’s a quick guide to the top Spanish airlines, what they offer, where they operate from, and what makes each one a great choice for your journey.
Airline |
Type |
Fleet |
Best For |
Main Airports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Iberia |
Full-service | Modern fleet including the A350 | International and domestic travel | MAD, BCN |
Air Europa |
Full-service | 200+ daily flights | Cheaper international flights | MAD, PMI, TFN |
Vueling |
Ultra-low-cost | 100+ Airbus planes, including A319, A320, and A321 | Inter-Europe flights | BCN |
Volotea |
Low-cost | Mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft | Connecting Spain to the rest of Europe and North Africa | BCN + multiple hubs across Europe |
When it comes to heading abroad, most Spanish travellers look for great prices and convenient journey times. That’s why flights within the EU remain so popular. Here’s a look at some of the best airlines for both short and long-haul travel from Spain:
Madrid–Barajas is Spain’s largest airport and ranks 5th among Europe’s busiest. In 2024 alone, it welcomed over 66 million passengers. As the main hub for Iberia and Air Europa, it’s perfect for both local connections and long-haul journeys.
Just 8 miles from Barcelona city centre, El Prat is Spain’s second-largest airport and the main gateway to Catalonia and the Mediterranean coast. It’s a hub for Vueling and LEVEL, with plenty of affordable short and long-haul flights.
Not flying from Madrid or Barcelona? Spain has plenty of other major airports that make getting around the country (and beyond) quick and convenient.
Spain’s busiest airport for domestic travel, Palma de Mallorca handled over 9 million passengers in 2024. It’s the main gateway to the Balearic Islands and a leisure-travel hotspot, with more than 70% of flights bringing in holidaymakers from across the world.
One of Spain’s oldest and busiest airports, Málaga-Costa del Sol welcomes over 24 million passengers a year. It’s the go-to hub for travellers heading to Málaga, Marbella, and the rest of the Costa del Sol.
Perfect for both domestic and international trips, Alicante-Elche offers more than 220 routes worldwide. It’s a favourite for holidaymakers and Spanish travellers looking for plenty of choice at great prices.
Just 18km from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Airport is the busiest in the Canary Islands and the main way to reach the island. It’s a vital link for both locals and tourists heading to this sun-soaked destination.
Airlines tend to offer more affordable airfares if you book in advance, meaning the more organised you are the cheaper your flight.
When it comes to booking flights from Spain, flexibility goes a long way at making flights more affordable.
Avoiding the peak travel seasons is the easiest way to make your flights more affordable.
Making travel more accessible through our pay later options is a great way to make flights more affordable. With options, such as Klarna, Oney and Scalapay you can spread the costs of your flights over time, helping you avoid large upfront costs and split your costs into manageable instalments.
At Alternative Airlines, you choose from 600+ airlines from around the world, including Iberia, and pay over weekly and monthly instalments. Paying later for your flight helps you manage the ever increasing costs of flights, turning them from large upfront costs into bite sized chunks that fit your budget.
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Whether you are flying for a domestic getaway or a far-flung adventure, you can get started by hitting the button below to begin your flight search. Simply enter your flight details, number of passengers, cabin class, and flight dates to find flights from 600+ global airlines. Pay later options are available at checkout!
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The best time to book flights depends on your flexibility and how far in advance you are looking:
Yes, at Alternative Airlines, you can buy your flight from Spain now and split the costs over weekly and monthly instalments. All you've got to do is find your perfect flight and choose your preferred payment plan from the list available to you at checkout.
For Spanish residents you can choose from:
Don't live in Spain? We have 20+ buy now pay later providers including:
See our complete list of buy now pay later partners.
The main national airlines:
Some of the main international airlines operating out of Spain include:
Airline availability depends on your location, with several other airlines across the world operating from airports across Spain.
Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona-El Prat Airport are the largest airports in Spain and both serve the most international flights when compared to other airports in the country.
Yes, there are direct flights from Spain to the United States. The best airlines offering direct flights between Spain and the U.S include:
Yes, you can! The main direct flights between Spain and Asia are served out of Madrid-Barajas, which offers over 10 routes to countries like Japan, Thailand, China, and Hong Kong. Some of the best airlines that fly non-stop to Asia from Spain are:
The busiest travel season for flights from Spain is during the summer months, between mid-June and the end of August. There are more people travelling, meaning busier airports, and flight tickets are at peak prices.
It is also quite busy in the first week of December, and around Christmas too.
Yes, there are several budget airlines flying internationally from Spain, however, these flights are often within Europe. Long-haul flights from Spain are generally offered by full-service airlines. The top budget airlines flying internationally from Spain include:
Córdoba airport is a smaller airport that offers a small network of domestic flights. These include:
Flights from León airport are primarily domestic. Destinations from León airport include:
Yes, there are direct flights from Spain to Prague that depart from airports across the country. The top airports for flights to Prague are Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport.
Ranked 3rd globally for travel freedom in 2025, the Spanish passport allows Spanish citizens to visit 192 countries without a visa or with visa-on-arrival access. Some of the most popular countries you can travel to from Spain include:
Of course this is not an exhaustive list but you can travel to countries across the world from Spain, giving Spanish travellers plenty of options when it comes to booking flights.
The main airlines that fly from Spain to the Untied Kingdom are:
