Flights from Dublin to Spain from 44GBP*

Flights to Spain from Dublin

Vueling flies direct from Dublin to 20 destinations in Spain. Barcelona is around 2 hours and 15 minutes away, and from there the Mediterranean, Andalusia, the islands and the Atlantic north are all within reach.

Spain can feel like several countries in one, so picking where to go matters more than picking when. At these distances, a weekend is enough for one city and a week lets you string together two or three.

What documents you need to travel to Spain

Ireland is in the European Union but not in the Schengen Area, so flying to Spain means crossing a Schengen border and there is a document check. Even so, Irish and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport, with no visa.

Make sure it has not expired before you book. If you are travelling with children, each of them needs their own valid document. The European Health Insurance Card covers public healthcare during your stay, so it is worth bringing. If you hold another nationality, check your situation on the travel documents page before confirming.

What to know when you land in Spain

From the airport into town. The main gateways are well connected, so there is no need to book a transfer. In Barcelona, metro line 9 Sud and the Aerobús reach the centre in under half an hour. In Madrid, the metro and commuter trains link the terminals with Atocha. In Malaga, the local train serves the city centre and the Costa del Sol, and Alicante airport has a direct bus into town.

Plug sockets. Spain uses round two-pin plugs, types C and F, at 230V.

Mealtimes. This is the biggest change from Ireland. Lunch in Spain runs from 14:00 to 16:00 and dinner starts at 21:00 or later, with many kitchens closed until then. Sitting down to dinner at 18:00 is rarely an option, so plan your first day around it.

Climate by region. The north, from Galicia to the Basque Country, is Atlantic and rainy, very much like Ireland. The south and the Mediterranean coast have dry summers above 35°C and mild winters. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons across most of the country.

The currency is the euro. Spanish is the official language, and Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia each have a co-official language of their own.

What to do in Spain

City breaks: Barcelona and Madrid

Barcelona has the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter, plus a beach right in the city. Madrid packs the Prado, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofía within a few minutes’ walk of each other, and makes a good base for day trips by train to Toledo, Segovia or Salamanca.

Andalusia

Seville brings together the Real Alcázar, the Giralda, flamenco and the tapas bars of Triana. Granada has the Alhambra and the Generalife, while Malaga offers the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba and the Costa del Sol, with Ronda and its gorge an hour and a half away.

The Costa Blanca from Alicante

In Alicante, Santa Bárbara Castle looks down on the city from Mount Benacantil. Further north, Altea, Calpe with its Peñón de Ifach, and Jávea mix small coves with whitewashed villages. Elche, whose palm grove is a World Heritage Site, is 15 minutes from the airport.

The islands and green Spain

Palma de Mallorca pairs a medieval old town with the Serra de Tramuntana, and Ibiza adds its coves and its nightlife. At the other end of the country, Bilbao and Galicia show off green Spain, the part that looks most like Ireland, with the Guggenheim and the pintxos of the Casco Viejo.

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 fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

Sports equipment, musical instruments and bulky items have their own conditions, so check them before you confirm. You will find the current rules in Vueling’s luggage policy.