Flights to Spain from CAD 815*

The different faces of Spain

Why not take a flight to Spain? Spain is a southern European country, bordering France and Portugal with an area of 506 000 km² and a population of nearly 47,000,000. Located on the Iberian peninsula, Spain is the 4th largest European country.

Although the official language is Castilian, each region is distinct, especially with language. Catalan or Basque, for example, are spoken by many people. Spain has two large economic capitals: Madrid, in the center of the country and the capital of Spain, and Barcelona, a dynamic city that has had a boom since the 1992 Olympic Games.

In fact, there is not only one Spain, but several Spains, with very great differences between landscapes. The touristic, cement beaches on the Costa de Sol in southern Spain, the lush countryside of Galicia in the northwest, Andalusia with its Arabic influence and Salamanca, the “little Spanish Rome”, making Spain a destination that is sure to please all types of tourists: those who love beaches as well as those who are passionate about heritage, and from nature-lovers to history buffs. That is why Air France offers flights departing from Canada to many airports in Spain : Alicante, Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Grand Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Tenerife, Valencia, Valladolid and Vigo as well as the Balearic Islands: Minorca, Ibiza and Palma de Majorca.

Spain, a tormented past

The history of Spain is fascinating. The unification of Spain dates back to 1512. The Spanish Empire became a colonial power, controlling almost all of South and Central America.

The immense power began to decline in the 17th century, due to successive, costly wars. Spain gradually lost its colonies.

In 1931, the Bourbon monarchy was exiled. However, after the victory of the Frente Popular (Spanish Popular Front) and following a civil war, General Franco took over.

The monarchy was restored in 1975, with King Juan Carlos, who rapidly set up a democracy. Then the Movida began, a period of creative freedom that revealed great talents in all of the arts, such as Pedro Almodovar in the cinema.

During this period, the country's economy grew strong, spearheaded by construction and the tourist industry.

Travel to Spain: practical information

Would you like to travel to Spain? In order to decide the best period for travel, you have to decide which region of Spain you are going to visit, because the country has three types of climate: the Mediterranean climate in the south and northwest of the country with hot, dry summers; the semi-arid climate in the southeast of the country with a long hot, dry season, and the ocean climate with mild winters and temperate summers that are cooler and wetter than in the rest of the country. This climate only concerns Galicia, north of Portugal.

Our flights departing from Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, etc.) to Spain include at least one stopover, often in Paris or Amsterdam. There is a six-hour time difference between Montreal and Barcelona, for example.

To travel to Spain, all Canadian citizens need a passport that is valid at least three months beyond the expected date of departure from that country. Visas are not required for tourists and business trips as long as your stay does not exceed three months. A visa is always required for students.

You may travel with your passport to the 25 other countries in the Schengen area that acts like a single country for travel purposes.