HK$2,455+ Cheap flights to Spain

Spain climate

For most of the year, Spain is warm in the south and temperate in the north, but gets very hot in July in August – peak tourist season. Spring and autumn are the nicest times to visit, although the Atlantic coast gets heavy rains in October and November. Winters can get very cold in Madrid and the country’s central highlands.

Getting around Spain

The national rail network is called RENFE. There are high-speed and long-distance services. The AVE, for example, runs on the Madrid-Cordoba-Seville route. Madrid to Seville takes two-and-a-half hours.

Flying around Spain is a good option too, and the tourist website states that Air Europa, Iberia and Spanair offer air passes or coupon programmes for some travellers.

Other Spanish airlines include:

Air Nostrum, Binter Canarias and Vueling, a cheery low-cost with regular promotions.

Renting a car gives you the freedom to see as much of Spain as you like. All the major car rental companies have desks at the major airports. Check your airline website to see if it offers preferential rental rates. Booking in advance can offer great savings.

What is good to know if travelling to Spain?

• On the Costa Blanca, stop at Torrevieja. The town, popular with ex-pat Europeans, is about 30 kilometres south of Alicante. Torrevieja takes its name from the Old Tower and is famous for the area’s salt lakes. The town has a salt museum, lively fish market and working harbour.
• Barcelona – in late winter and early spring the Catalans enjoy calcotades – a different kind of BBQ. Calcots are a kind of spring onion that ripens at this time of year. After grilling, peel off the burnt skin, dip in romesco sauce and eat. Rumour has it that part of the fun is rubbing the black ash into your neighbor’s face.
• Fuerteventura – for a day away from the beach chair, the Islote de Lobos Nature Reserve offers the chance to see birds and plants not found anywhere else in the world. The reserve is a short boat trip from Corralejo.
• Majorca – Palma. The Coves del Drac (the Dragon Caves) on the edge of Porto Cristo is one of Majorca’s largest tourist attractions. The caves were discovered in 1896 and have bizarre stalactite formations. After the tour, visitors can return by boat across the lake to the exit.
• A 1950s art colony and 1960s hippie haven, Ibiza is known for its hedonistic resorts, fine beaches, and electric nightlife. The crowd is cosmopolitan — chic, gay, and middle class visitors, mostly from Europe, the US, and Australia. The town and inner island are interesting and have some quiet corners, but most visitors are here for the anything-goes nightlife.
• Valencia may appear modern and industrial, but look again. The heart of the city has renowned museums, art collections, and beaches. Valencia is where paella was created, El Cid fought the Moors, and the wild spring festival Las Fallas is held. The nightlife in summer is a beach party at open-air discos and in winter bar crawling in the historic district.