Flights from Bologna to Spain from 120GBP*

Flights to Spain from Bologna

Vueling flies direct from Bologna to 21 destinations in Spain. Barcelona is about 2 hours away, and beyond it lie the Mediterranean coast, Andalusia, the islands and the Atlantic north.

Spain is really several countries in one, and what shapes the trip is not when you go but which Spain you head for. Distances are short enough to see one city over a long weekend, or to string 2 or 3 together in a week.

What documents you need to travel to Spain

Spain and Italy are both in the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Italian and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport. No visa, no extra paperwork.

There are no border checks, but you still have to carry your documents with you for the whole trip, and check they have not expired before you book. If you are travelling with children or on a passport from outside the EU, check your case on the travel documents page before you confirm.

What to know when you land in Spain

Mealtimes. Lunch in Spain runs from 14:00 to 16:00 and dinner starts at 21:00, later than in Italy, with many kitchens closed until then. It takes a couple of days to adjust. In summer, dinner slips later still.

High-speed rail. Madrid and Barcelona are around 2 and a half hours apart by train, and Madrid is also the hub for lines to Seville, Malaga and Valencia. Stations sit in the city centre, so you can link destinations without going back to the airport.

Climate by region. The north, from Galicia to the Basque Country, is cool and rainy at any time of year. The Mediterranean coast and the south stay warm for most of the year, and the interior tops 40°C in high summer. Pack for the region you are visiting.

Money, plugs and mobile. Spain uses the euro, sockets are types C and F at 230V, and EU roaming applies at no extra cost, so a phone on an EU plan works from the moment you land.

Castilian Spanish is the official language, with co-official languages in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia. Italian will get you further than you might think, though not quite as far as many Italians assume.

What to do in Spain

Barcelona and the Catalan coast

Modernista architecture, a beach inside the city and a food scene that stretches from La Boqueria market to fine dining. It is the quickest way in from Bologna and the best mix of city and sea. Further north, the Costa Brava adds coves and fishing villages an hour away by car.

Madrid and central Spain

The Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen are less than 1 km from each other, surrounded by historic markets and neighbourhoods made for wandering. Toledo, Segovia and Ávila are all under an hour away by train, which makes the capital a good base for the centre of the country.

The south: Seville, Malaga and Granada

Seville is the place for flamenco, courtyards lined with orange trees and neighbourhood tapas bars, and it is at its best in spring. Granada has the Alhambra, and Malaga the Picasso Museum and the Costa del Sol. July and August are brutal in inland Andalusia, so spring and autumn are far more rewarding.

The islands and the green north

The Balearic and Canary Islands both have direct flights from Bologna, with no stop on the mainland, and the Canaries work well as a winter escape. At the other end of the country, Bilbao and Galicia show off green, rainy Spain, with cooking that holds its own against anything.

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 city weekend is easy with cabin luggage. A week on the coast or a family trip usually means checking a bag. Sorting it out while you book saves you surprises at the airport. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.