Spain is one of the most rewarding European destinations for Canadian travellers because the country offers a genuine range of experiences within a single trip. The food, architecture, history and climate vary significantly from city to city, which makes Spain well-suited to independent travellers who want more than a beach holiday. Our Spain packages include flights + hotels + transfers, and many multi-city options also include intercity transportation by high-speed train, allowing you to move efficiently between Barcelona, Madrid and other destinations.

Departure airports: most package flight options are built around departures from Toronto and Montreal, where seasonal nonstop service to Barcelona is available. Travellers from Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Halifax and other Canadian cities are priced on connecting itineraries. If you do not see your departure city listed, please call us as we can often price options not shown on the website.

Popular itineraries

Barcelona works well as a standalone city trip and is a common starting point for multi-centre itineraries. The most popular two-centre combination is Barcelona + Madrid, which can be done comfortably by high-speed train (approximately 2.5 hours). Travellers with more time often add Seville and Granada for an Andalusian circuit, covering the Alhambra, flamenco culture and the historic old town of Seville. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) are popular for beach-focused extensions, particularly in summer.

Where to stay (examples)

You will see packages grouped by city and neighbourhood:

• Barcelona: Gothic Quarter/El Born (historic centre, walking distance to most sites), Eixample (upscale, near Gaudi architecture), Barceloneta (beachfront), Gracia (residential, local atmosphere)
• Madrid: Sol/Centro (central, near the Prado and Retiro Park), Salamanca (upscale shopping neighbourhood), La Latina (historic, good tapas bars), Malasana/Chueca (lively, independent feel)
• Seville: Santa Cruz (historic Jewish quarter, near the Alcazar), Triana (local neighbourhood across the river), Centro (main square and cathedral area)
• Balearic Islands: Palma de Mallorca (capital, good base for exploring the island), Magaluf/Playa de Palma (resort strip), the interior towns for quieter stays

Weather and the "Spain beach" reality check

Spain has distinct climates by region. In Barcelona, average highs run 13 to 15C in winter and 28 to 30C in summer, with the sea reaching around 25C in August. Madrid is more extreme, with summer highs regularly above 35C and winters that can drop below freezing. The Balearic Islands have a longer warm season, with sea temperatures of around 23 to 24C in September.

The best all-round travel windows for Spain are April to early June and September to October. These months offer comfortable temperatures for sightseeing in the cities, good beach conditions late in the season, and lower prices than July and August. Midsummer is fine for beach trips but can be uncomfortably hot for city walking.

Not sure which Spanish cities or regions fit your travel style? Call us at 1-800-665-4981 and speak with one of our agents who has been to Spain and can help you put together the right itinerary.