Flights from Porto to Spain from 16EUR*

Travel to Spain from Porto

The shortest flights from Porto to Spain take around an hour and a quarter, and Vueling flies direct from the city to 19 Spanish destinations. That puts the whole country within easy reach of northern Portugal.

Mainland Spain is 1 hour ahead of Portugal, and with dinner from 21:00 the shift on your first day is bigger than it looks. The Atlantic north has far more in common with northern Portugal than most people expect, while the cities, the Mediterranean and the islands are a different trip altogether.

What documents you need to travel to Spain

Spain and Portugal are both in the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Portuguese and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport, with no visa.

There are no border checks between Portugal and Spain, but you still have to carry your documents with you for the whole trip and make sure they have not expired before you book. If you are travelling with children, each of them needs their own documents. The European Health Insurance Card gives you access to public healthcare in Spain. If you hold a passport from a non-EU country, check what applies to you on the travel documents page.

What to know when you land in Spain

From the terminal to town. Transport links from the main airports are good, so you do not need to book a transfer. In Barcelona, about 2 hours from Porto by air, you are in the centre in under half an hour on the Aerobús or metro line 9 Sud. In Madrid, the metro runs from the terminals to Nuevos Ministerios and the Cercanías commuter trains run to Atocha. In Málaga, the commuter train links the airport with the city centre and the Costa del Sol, while in Seville the dedicated airport bus runs to Santa Justa.

Time difference. Mainland Spain is 1 hour ahead of Portugal all year round. Both countries put their clocks forward and back on the same dates, but they sit in different time zones. Reset your watch when you land and allow for the change when working out what time you will reach your accommodation.

Mealtimes. Lunch in Spain is served between 14:00 and 16:00 and dinner starts from 21:00, a good hour later than in Portugal. Add the time difference and the shift on your first day is bigger than it looks.

High-speed rail. The AVE links Madrid, one of the quickest flights from Porto, with Barcelona in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and lines run from Madrid to Málaga, Valencia and Seville. The stations are right in the city centres, so you can link 2 or 3 cities without returning to the airport in between.

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

What to do in Spain

Cities: Madrid and Barcelona

Madrid, around an hour and a quarter from Porto, packs the Thyssen, the Prado and the Reina Sofía into less than 1 km, with the markets of La Latina and the buzz of Malasaña close by. Barcelona, closer to 2 hours away, brings together the Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter and Park Güell, with a beach inside the city and El Born just round the corner.

The Atlantic north

This is the part of Spain closest in character to northern Portugal: green, damp and with a food culture that is every bit its equal. Bilbao offers the pintxos of the Casco Viejo and the Guggenheim, San Sebastián has La Concha, and Santiago de Compostela marks the end of the Camino with a cathedral that is a World Heritage Site.

Andalusia

Seville, around 2 hours from Porto, has the Giralda, the Real Alcázar, courtyards lined with azulejo tiles and flamenco in Triana. Go in spring or autumn, because the summer heat is punishing. Granada has the Alhambra and the Generalife, and Málaga the Picasso Museum and the Costa del Sol.

The islands

Palma de Mallorca, a different trip altogether from northern Portugal, pairs a Gothic cathedral facing the sea with the Serra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site, while Ibiza brings the coves and the nightlife. Tenerife, with Mount Teide, and Gran Canaria are a good bet all year round, with their volcanic landscapes.

Luggage for your flight to Spain

On flights from Porto, your fare sets what luggage you can take. 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 short break, cabin luggage is usually enough. If the trip is longer or you are bringing specialist equipment, check the conditions beforehand in Vueling’s luggage policy.