Flights from Reykjavik to Spain

Travel to Spain from Reykjavík

Between 4 and 5 hours in the air, depending on where you land, is the quickest change of temperature you can get from Iceland. Vueling flies direct from Reykjavík to 22 destinations in Spain.

In July and August, Madrid, Seville and the interior go above 40°C, while the Atlantic north, green and rainy, is the part closest to the Icelandic climate. The big cities, the Mediterranean, Moorish Andalusia and the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife are 4 quite different ways to spend the trip.

What documents you need to travel to Spain

Spain is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, and Iceland belongs to Schengen without being an EU member. Icelandic and EU citizens only need a valid ID card or passport, with no visa.

Check that it has not expired before you book, because you cannot board with an out-of-date document. Every child in the group needs their own as well. If you hold a passport from any other country, check the current requirements on the travel documents page before confirming your booking.

What to know when you land in Spain

From the airport to the centre. Transport links from the main airports are good, so you do not need to book a transfer. In Barcelona, after 4 hours or more in the air from Reykjavík, the Aerobús and metro line 9 Sud take less than half an hour to reach the centre. In Madrid, the metro runs from the terminals to Nuevos Ministerios, and Cercanías commuter trains run to Atocha. In Málaga, the commuter train links the airport with the city centre and the Costa del Sol. In Palma, a shuttle bus runs the 8 km to the old town.

No krónur here. Spain uses the euro, not the Icelandic króna, and cards are accepted almost everywhere, even in small shops.

Meal times. This is the biggest change from Iceland. In Spain, lunch is between 14:00 and 16:00 and dinner starts at 21:00, with many kitchens closed until then. In smaller towns, shops also shut in the middle of the day.

Inland heat. In July and August, Madrid, Seville and the interior go above 40°C, and nights do not drop below 25. That is a huge jump from the Icelandic climate, and it decides when people go out: life moves to the early morning and the evening.

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

What to do in Spain

Cities: Barcelona and Madrid

Barcelona, one of 22 Spanish destinations with direct flights from Reykjavík, brings together the Gothic Quarter, the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, with the beach 10 minutes from the old town and La Boqueria market on the Ramblas. Madrid, which goes above 40°C in July and August, packs the Thyssen, the Prado and the Reina Sofía into less than 1 km, with historic markets and Retiro Park right next door.

Andalusia

Seville, which also passes 40°C in high summer, has tapas eaten standing at the bar, the Giralda, the Real Alcázar and the flamenco of Triana. Granada has the Alhambra and the Generalife, and Málaga the Picasso Museum, the Costa del Sol and the Alcazaba, with the white villages of the sierra half an hour away.

The islands

Palma de Mallorca, for a Mediterranean version of the trip, pairs the Serra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site, with a Gothic cathedral facing the sea, while Ibiza brings the coves and the nightlife. Tenerife, with Mount Teide, and Gran Canaria have volcanic landscapes that an Icelander will find both familiar and completely different.

The Atlantic north

This is the part of Spain closest to the Icelandic climate: green, damp and rainy all year round, though a good deal milder. Bilbao pairs the Guggenheim with the pintxos of the Casco Viejo, and Santiago de Compostela, where the Camino ends, has a cathedral listed as a World Heritage Site.

Luggage for your flight to Spain

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

Special equipment, such as skis, musical instruments or a baby seat, comes with its own conditions, so check them before you confirm your booking. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.