Spanish Airport Guide - List of Airports in Spain

Country: Spain
Capital: Madrid
Capital City Airport: Madrid Airport (Barajas)

Spanish airports form a crucial part of the country’s infrastructure, facilitating both domestic and international travel. With a diverse range of airports, each boasting unique characteristics, Spain has become a hub for travellers exploring the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe and its airports are getting busier year on year with more tourist flying in and out of the country in ever increasing numbers. In fact there are so many more passengers coming through the airports in Spain these days that many of them are expanding to accommodate even more passengers with brand new terminal buildings and additional runways.

Many of the airports in Spain process both domestic and international flights with a number of the low cost airlines now operating in and out of the majority. Some of the long haul flights are only possible from main international airports like Madrid and Barcelona as the runways in other airports are not large enough for the bigger aircraft.

This Spanish Airport Guide is here to help you find lots of information about the majority of main Spanish airports. You will be able to access airport parking information, arrivals and departure times and even local maps and on-site facilities. Spain is home to a multitude of airports, serving various regions and catering to the country’s tourism and business needs.

Passenger Numbers

The year 2023 witnessed Spain’s airports bustling with activity as they welcomed a significant number of passengers. The diverse attractions of the country, from historic landmarks to beautiful beaches, contributed to the robust tourism industry. While exact figures may vary among airports, collectively, Spain saw a notable surge in passenger numbers, reflecting its popularity as a travel destination.

Spanish airports processed 203,793,594 passengers last year with a large number going through Malaga (12,813,764), Alicante processing 9,578,308 passengers and Madrid nearly a quarter of the annual total alone at 50,846,104.

When compared to other international airports, those in Spain are some of the busiest in the world.

1. Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport: Serving as Spain’s busiest airport, Madrid-Barajas connects travellers to various global destinations, including major European cities, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Africa.

2. Barcelona–El Prat Airport: Positioned as Catalonia’s primary gateway, Barcelona-El Prat connects passengers to diverse destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia, serving as a vital hub for international travel.

3. Palma de Mallorca Airport: As a key entry point to the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca Airport offers connections to numerous European cities, particularly during the peak tourist season, linking travellers to popular holiday destinations.

4. Málaga Airport: Renowned for its accessibility to the Costa del Sol region, Málaga Airport connects passengers to various European cities, facilitating tourism and business travel to and from the southern coast of Spain.

5. Alicante–Elche Airport: Serving the Costa Blanca region, Alicante-Elche Airport provides connections to numerous European destinations, accommodating a significant influx of tourists seeking sun-soaked beaches and cultural experiences.

There are 50 airports in Spain, although some of them are small regional airports that do not cater for International flights. In total there are 30 main Spanish airports on the mainland and the islands.

Below we have tried to put together a brief guide of the main airports in Spain for each of the main resorts.

The Costa de la Luz is the most western coast of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, which is home to popular cities like Seville and Huelva.

The main Spanish airports serving this coast are Seville, Jerez or on the British enclave of Gibraltar Airport (although Gibraltar Airport is not Spanish it is located on the very tip of southern Spain and is still a viable option for flights between Spain and the UK).

If you are staying in Huelva, nearer to Portugal on the Costa de la Luz you could also consider the Portuguese airport Faro as it is only 20 minute across from the border with Spain.

This is probably the most famous and busiest stretches of coast in Spain. It is mainly served by one of Spain’s busiest airports, Malaga International Airport.

Others that could be considered for access to and from the Costa del Sol are Gibraltar Airport (about 45 minutes from Marbella, so about the same journey time as Malaga) or Granada Airport (about 2 hours from Marbella).

If you are staying east of Malaga towards Nerja then your choices are either Malaga or Granada.

There is a misconception that there is actually a Marbella Airport so please remember that the aforementioned airports would be your best choices to get to Marbella.

This is a lesser known stretch of coast that starts just after the Costa del Sol and finishes before Costa Almeria. It is where you will find coastal holiday resorts like Almunecar and La Herradura. Located inland from these coastal resorts is the popular city of Granada, where during the winter months thousands of people arrive for the skiing at Sierra Nevada.

The main airport for this section of Spain would be Granada Airport or possibly Almeria and at a push Malaga (around 1.5 hours to Granada and about the same to the coastal resorts).

As you head along the coast from the Costa Tropical in an easterly direction you will come to the Costa Almeria. Although not such a popular tourist destination it does have a local airport, but you might find that international flights are quite limited.

Almeria Airport is the areas main airport but there would be more flights to and from airports like Granada, Malaga or even the new airport at Murcia.

This coast has become quite popular over the last few years with a lot of people buying property in many of the coastal and inland areas such as Mazarron, Aguilas and Cartagena. The Costa Calida (the warm coast) can be accessed via a few different airports.

These include Murcia, Alicante or even Almeria airports.

This is quite a large section of the Spanish coast and again is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Spain, especially with the British, French and Scandinavians. Like the Costa del Sol there is also a large expat community who travel in and out of Spain frequently.

The best Spanish airports for the southern Costa Blanca would be Alicante Airport or even the new Murcia Airport, especially if you are staying in the Torrevieja area.

For the northern Costa Blanca, Valencia Airport might be a better option although many people still use Alicante due to the larger choice of flights.

Home to some famous Spanish resorts like Lloret de Mar the main choice for this area would generally be Girona Airport or maybe even Barcelona Airport and at a push possibly Valencia.

Alicante Airport
(ALC) – This is located on the southern Costa Blanca and is also know as Alicante-Elche Airport. It is the 6th busiest in Spain and is operated by ENAIRE. Situated on the Costa Blanca, Alicante Airport is a major player in connecting the region to European cities. Its efficient facilities and diverse airline offerings make it a key departure and arrival point for travelers exploring the eastern coast of Spain.

Alicante Airport Information

Almeria Airport
(LEI) – This is a much smaller airport than many of it’s neighbours and is a short distance from the city centre.

Almeria Airport Information

Asturias Airport
(OVD) – This is located in Castrillón and is actually the only international airport operating for the Asturias region of Spain.

Barcelona Airport
(BLA) – This is one of Spain’s principal airports and is also known as Barcelona–El Prat Airport. It is located a short distance from the city centre and is operated by AENA. Serving Catalonia and the vibrant city of Barcelona, El Prat Airport is a vital link between Spain and various European destinations. Its modern terminals and efficient services contribute to Barcelona’s status as a popular travel destination.

Barcelona Airport Information

Bilbao Airport
(BIO) – This is the main airoprt serving the Basque region and is located just 9kms from the city centre. It is currently operated by ENAIRE

Castellon Airport
(CDT) – It is officially known as Castellón–Costa Azahar Airport and is operated by SNC-Lavalin

Fuerteventura Airport
(FUE) – This is the only airport serving the island and is very close to it’s capital city. It is also officially known as El Matorral Airport

Girona Airport
(GRO) – This is located a short distance from the city of Girona and is often used as an alternative to Barcelona. It is also known as Girona–Costa Brava Airport.

Girona Airport Information

Granada Airport
(GRX) – This is located fairly close to the city with access from the road between Granada and Malaga. It is not as busy as other airports and has less flights per day. It’s official name is Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport.

Granada Airport Information

Gran Canaria Airport
(LPA) – This serves both commercial and domestic flights and is located in Las Palmas

Ibiza Airport
(IBZ)- This serves both Ibiza and Formentera. During the summer months it serves thousands of passengers who descend on the island for their holidays.

Jerez Airport
(XRY) – This is located just outside of the city of Jerez and is in the province of Cadiz, about 1.5 hour drive from the Costa del Sol. It is also officially known as La Parra Airport.

La Coruna Airport
(LCG) – This is located in Galicia and was formerly known by a different name, Alvedro Airport.

Lanzarote Airport
(ACE) – This is the main airport serving the island of Lanzarote and is also know by the name Arrecife Airport.

La Palma Airport
(SPC) – Sevres the island of La Palma part of the Canaries

Madrid Airport
(MAD) – The busiest airport in Spain which serves the capital and also a connection for many long-haul flights from the rest of Spain. It is known by a few different names such as Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport and Madrid–Barajas Airport. As the main international gateway to Spain, Madrid-Barajas Airport is a bustling hub connecting the capital to cities worldwide. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strategic location, MAD is a major player in Europe’s aviation network.

Madrid Airport Information

Malaga Airport
(AGP) – This is the 4th busiest airport in Spain and serves the entire Costa del Sol with hundreds of flights in and out every week from all over Europe. Back in 2011 it had an official name change and is now known as Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport. Nestled on the Costa del Sol, Málaga Airport is a gateway to the southern Spanish coast. It not only caters to sun-seekers but also serves as a convenient entry point for exploring Andalusia’s rich history and charming towns.

Malaga Airport Information

Murcia San Javier Airport
(MJV) – This is an alternative to Alicante for the southern Costa Blanca and of course the Murcia region.

Murcia Airport Information

Palma de Mallorca
(PMI) – This serves if busy island of Mallorca and is located just 8kms from the main capital city of the island, Palma. Located in the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca Airport is a key hub for tourists flocking to the Mediterranean. Its terminals buzz with activity during the summer months as vacationers seek the sun-soaked beaches and vibrant culture of the islands.

Palma de Mallorca Airport Information

Valencia Airport
(VLC) – For the north of the Costa Blanca and the Valencia region this is the main airport. It is also officially known as Manises Airport, which is the town it is actually situated.

Other Spanish Airports include:

Menorca (MAH), Reus (REU), Santander (SDR), Santiago (SCQ), Seville (SVQ), Tenerife Reina Sofia (TFS), Tenerife North (TFN), Tenerife South TCI), Valladolid (VLL), Vigo (VGO), Vitoria (VIT), Zaragoza (ZAZ)

Map of Airports in Spain

Below is a basic map of all the main airports in Spain so that you know which one to search for when planning your trip.

Spain’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Africa makes its airports gateways to an extensive list of destinations. Passengers departing from Spanish airports can explore a variety of cities and cultures, creating an intricate web of connections. Some common destinations from Spain include:

European Capitals
Major European capitals such as London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome are easily accessible from Spanish airports. These connections foster cultural exchanges and business collaborations across the continent.

Mediterranean Resorts
Spain’s airports link travelers to idyllic Mediterranean resorts in countries like Greece, Italy, and Turkey. The warm climate and picturesque landscapes make these destinations popular choices for leisure travelers.

Long-Haul Flights
Spain’s main airports also serve as departure points for long-haul flights to destinations in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Madrid-Barajas Airport, in particular, acts as a bridge between Europe and the rest of the world.

Island Getaways
Spanish Airports in regions like the Balearic and Canary Islands connect tourists to island getaways, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Spanish airports stand as dynamic gateways, facilitating the movement of millions of passengers each year. From historic cities to beach resorts, the extensive network of flights from Spain ensures that the Iberian Peninsula remains a well-connected and sought-after destination for global travelers.