Flights from Birmingham to Spain from 21GBP*

Flights to Spain from Birmingham

From Birmingham, Vueling flies direct to 21 destinations in Spain. Barcelona is around 2 and a half hours away, and from there the Mediterranean, Andalusia, the islands and the Atlantic north are all within easy reach.

Spain is really several countries in one, and what shapes the trip is not when you go but which part of it you choose. With distances like these, one city fits into a weekend and you can link two or three in a week.

What documents you need to travel to Spain

The United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union and has never been part of the Schengen Area, so a passport is compulsory for British citizens and no other identity document is accepted for entry into Spain.

British citizens can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for the whole of your stay. Entry requirements for the European Union are changing, so check the current conditions on the travel documents page before you book.

As the flight comes from outside the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control on arrival. Allow for the extra time.

What to know when you land in Spain

Plug sockets. Spain uses round two-pin plugs, types C and F, at 230V. Adapters are easy to find locally.

Meal times. This is the biggest change from the UK. Lunch in Spain runs from 14:00 to 16:00 and dinner starts at 21:00, with many kitchens closed until then. An 18:00 dinner is simply not on the cards, so plan your first day around it.

High-speed rail. Madrid and Barcelona are linked in around 2 and a half hours, and lines run from Madrid to Seville, Malaga and Valencia. Stations sit in the city centres, so you can combine destinations without going back to the airport.

Weather by region. The south and the Mediterranean coast have dry summers, with temperatures above 35°C in July and August. The north is damp and cool all year round, not far off British weather. Spring and autumn are the most balanced seasons for almost any destination.

Spain uses the euro, and cards are accepted practically everywhere.

What to do in Spain

Barcelona and the Catalan coast

Modernista architecture, a beach inside the city and a food scene that goes well beyond paella. It suits a short break and also works as a base for the Costa Brava, to the north. Pack good shoes: there is a lot to see and the walking adds up.

Madrid and central Spain

Three world-class museums within 15 minutes’ walk of each other: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen. Around them, historic markets and neighbourhoods made for wandering with no plan. Toledo, Segovia and Ávila are under an hour away by train, which makes Madrid a good base for the centre of the peninsula.

The south: Malaga, Seville and Granada

Malaga is no longer just the gateway to the Costa del Sol. It has major museums, a historic centre and sardine espetos grilled on the beach, with Nerja, Marbella and Ronda less than an hour away. Seville and Granada add the Alhambra, flamenco and the patios, and are at their best outside the summer months.

The islands and the green north

The Balearic and Canary Islands have direct flights from Birmingham, and the Canaries stay mild right through the British winter. At the other end of the country, Bilbao and Galicia show off green Spain, with the Guggenheim and a cuisine that holds its own against anywhere else in the country.

Luggage for your flight to Spain

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that goes under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

A break of a few days works with cabin luggage if you travel light. For longer stays or sports equipment, which comes with its own conditions, check the details before you confirm. You can see the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.