Flights from Olbia to Spain

Travel to Spain from Olbia

Around 2 hours in the air takes you from Olbia to Barcelona, one of 17 Spanish destinations on Vueling’s direct network. From there the Mediterranean, Andalusia, the islands and the Atlantic north all open up.

Sardinia and the Spanish Mediterranean share a sea and hot, dry summers, so the mainland coast will feel familiar. The contrast lies in the cities, in Mallorca and Ibiza seen from one island to another, and in the green north, the part of Spain least like Sardinia.

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, with no visa.

Even though there are no border checks between the 2 countries, you must carry your documents with you throughout the trip and make sure they have not expired before you book. Children need one each as well. Public healthcare in Spain is covered by the European Health Insurance Card. If your passport is from outside the EU, check your situation on the travel documents page.

What to know when you land in Spain

Into the centre. There is no need to book a transfer, because the main airports are well connected. Metro line 9 Sud and the Aerobús link Barcelona airport, the closest way in from Olbia, with the centre in under half an hour. Madrid’s terminals are linked to Nuevos Ministerios by the metro and to Atocha by Cercanías commuter trains. In Palma the shuttle bus covers the 8 km to the old town, and in Málaga the commuter train serves the city centre and the Costa del Sol.

Mealtimes. Lunch in Spain is served between 14:00 and 16:00 and dinner from 21:00, even later than in Sardinia. Many kitchens stay closed until then, so on your first day it pays to plan around local hours.

High-speed rail. The AVE links Madrid and Barcelona in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, roughly what the flight from Olbia to Madrid takes, and the lines to Valencia, Seville and Málaga all start in Madrid. The stations sit in the city centres, which lets you link 2 or 3 cities without returning to the airport in between.

Climate by region. The Mediterranean mainland is quite close to Sardinia’s climate, with hot, dry summers. The north, from Bilbao to Galicia, is damp and green all year round, and the interior tops 40°C in August. The Canary Islands keep a steady temperature through the winter.

The euro is the currency, and plugs are type C and F, at 230V.

What to do in Spain

Cities: Barcelona and Madrid

Barcelona, around 2 hours from Olbia, has Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter and the Sagrada Familia, plus a city beach and the Boqueria market on the Ramblas. Madrid, a big-city contrast to Sardinia, packs the Reina Sofía, the Thyssen and the Prado into less than a kilometre, with historic markets and Toledo half an hour away by train.

Andalusia

Seville, closer to 2 hours and 30 minutes away by air, has the Giralda, courtyards shaded by orange trees, flamenco in Triana and the Real Alcázar, and it is at its best in spring. Granada is home to the Alhambra and the Generalife, while Málaga adds the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba and the Costa del Sol.

The islands

Leaving one Mediterranean island for another makes sense when the sea changes character. Palma de Mallorca pairs the Serra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site, with a Gothic cathedral facing the sea, and Ibiza adds its coves and its nightlife. Tenerife, with Mount Teide, and Gran Canaria belong to another ocean altogether.

The green north

This is the part of Spain least like Sardinia: Atlantic, rainy and green all year round, with acclaimed restaurants in a concentration few regions can match. Bilbao offers the pintxos of the Casco Viejo and the Guggenheim, and Santiago de Compostela marks the end of the Camino.

Luggage for your flight to Spain

Your fare decides what luggage comes with you from Olbia. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

For a city weekend, cabin luggage is enough. A week on the coast, a family trip or coming home with shopping all call for a checked bag. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.