Flights from Istanbul to Spain from 65EUR*

Flights to Spain from Istanbul

From Istanbul, Vueling flies direct to 22 destinations in Spain. The flight to the Mediterranean coast of the mainland takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes, and it gets longer if you are heading for the Canary Islands.

Spain is not one single destination. The decision that shapes the whole trip is which of the four Spains you land in: the urban one, the Mediterranean one, the Spain of al-Andalus, or the Atlantic Spain of the islands and the north.

What documents you need to travel to Spain

Spain is in the Schengen Area, and for Turkish citizens that means an application to make before you travel, ideally several weeks in advance.

What usually applies to Turkish nationals:

• A Schengen visa, applied for before the trip at the Spanish consulate or embassy in Turkey. Processing times vary with the season, and they are what decides when you need to start planning the trip.
• A passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and issued within the previous 10 years.
• Proof of accommodation: a booking, a letter of invitation or a tenancy agreement.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
• Travel insurance with medical cover, required in order to apply for the visa.

Requirements change and depend on individual circumstances. Check the current information on the travel documents page and with the relevant consulate before you book.

Because this flight comes from outside the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control before boarding. Allow for that extra time at the airport.

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 Malaga, the commuter train serves both the city centre and the Costa del Sol, and in Seville the airport bus runs to Santa Justa station.

Time difference. Turkey does not change its clocks, so mainland Spain is 2 hours behind in winter and 1 hour behind in summer. It is the adjustment that catches people out most on day one, particularly if your flight lands in the afternoon.

Mealtimes. Lunch in Spain is between 14:00 and 16:00 and dinner starts from 21:00, with many kitchens closed before then. Add the time difference and, on your first day, it pays to adapt your plans rather than fight them.

High-speed rail. Madrid and Barcelona are around 2 and a half hours apart by train, and lines run from Madrid to Seville, Malaga and Valencia. The stations are right in the city centres, so arriving in one city and leaving from another works better than a round trip.

Spain uses the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Plug sockets are types C and F, for round two-pin plugs, at 230V.

What to do in Spain

City: Barcelona

Barcelona brings together the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter, with a beach inside the city and La Boqueria market on the Ramblas. It is the most direct way in from Istanbul and the one that best combines culture and the sea without extra travel.

Andalusia: the legacy of al-Andalus

Granada has the Alhambra and the Generalife, and Seville has the Real Alcázar and the Giralda, which was a minaret before it became a bell tower. The tiled courtyards and muqarnas vaults have plenty in common with what you see in Istanbul.

The Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands

Malaga offers the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba and the Costa del Sol, with Ronda and the white villages about 1 hour away. Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza have direct flights, with no stop on the mainland, and offer coves and the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

The Atlantic north and the Canary Islands

Bilbao shows the green, rainy side of Spain, with the Guggenheim and the pintxos of the Casco Viejo, while Santiago de Compostela marks the end of the Camino. At the other extreme, Tenerife and Gran Canaria keep steady temperatures all year, with Mount Teide as the landmark.

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.

For a long trip, or if you are visiting family, working out your luggage when you book avoids surprises at the check-in desk. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.