A balloon flight gives you a view nothing else does, and a sense of freedom you will struggle to find in any other form of transport.
A good many Spanish companies organise them, at a range of prices, across different parts of the country. Here is everything you need to know.
Why do it
Hot-air balloon ride gives you something the ground cannot. Here is what:
Being up there
You are suspended in the air with no fixed direction. It is not like a plane or a paraglider; it is something else entirely — and a remarkable plan for Valentine’s Day.
The view
The view from up there has no equal. The perspective is entirely different and you see detail you would never otherwise notice — along with a quiet that only the sky offers.
Freedom, and calm
Up there everything is silent and there is nothing to worry about. You come down renewed.
The photographs
Landscapes, cities, rivers, mountains — all of it from an angle you will not get again.
Balloon flights in Spain
Where to fly
Several parts of Spain offer remarkable country for it. Among them:
- the Costa Brava, in Catalonia;
- The the Tablas de Daimiel national park, in Castilla-La Mancha;
- the Sierra de Guadarrama, in Madrid;
- The the Alpujarra, in Andalusia;
- the Timanfaya national park, in Lanzarote.
These are popular for their landscape, their weather and the conditions for flying. Each of them gives you something different, so it is worth reading up before choosing.
The companies, region by region
Some of the better-known operators:
- Vuelos en Globo Guadix, over the country around Guadix, in Andalusia.
- Globo Madrid, across the Madrid region.
- Vol de Coloms, over the Costa Brava, in Catalonia.
- Paseosenglobo.com, over the Sierra de Guadarrama, the Montes de Toledo and Granada.
- Volandovoy, in Valencia, Raxó, Segovia and Barcelona.
Prices and offers
The price depends on the area, the length of the flight and the operator. It generally runs from €80 to €465 per person.
A good many operators run offers: group discounts, packages combined with other activities, even free draws.
Check the operators’ own sites for prices and offers, and book in advance to be sure of the date you want.
Flights around Spain
Over Guadix
The province of Granada is remarkable from the air, and the Guadix natural monument in particular.
You get the rock and the geological formations of the area from above. It works at any time of year — it is a question of picking the right conditions.
Over Segovia
Segovia is known for its monuments, and they are better still from above: the old town, the Roman aqueduct and the Alcázar.
You also get the Segovian countryside, the river Eresma and the sierra around the city. It runs all year, at a range of prices.
Over Barcelona
Few European cities offer the range of landscape Catalonia does from the air: Montserrat, the Ebro delta and the rock formations of the volcanic Garrotxa.
And Barcelona itself, the beaches and the Sagrada Familia included. It runs all year, though early morning gives you the best views and avoids the midday air traffic.
Over Madrid
The capital is a very good place to fly from. From the air you get the buildings of the Gran Vía, the Royal Palace and the Retiro, and beyond the city the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Valmayor reservoir.
Flights run all year, though winter is best, when the air is clearer.
Practical advice
Before the flight
Check the forecast and make sure the conditions are right for flying.
Wear comfortable, hard-wearing clothes and either trainers or walking boots, and follow the pilot’s instructions.
What to take
It depends on the season and the weather, but in general: water, sun cream, sunglasses and a hat. Leave behind anything bulky or anything that could be dangerous in flight.
What the flight is like
The freedom and the calm build as you rise, much as they do on a light aircraft flight. The pilot explains what the balloon is doing and points out what you are looking at. Expect it to be cold, particularly on a morning flight, so dress for it.
The usual questions
The most common is how long it lasts: usually an hour. The next is how high it goes, which varies with the moment and the balloon but generally runs between 300 and 2,000 metres.
People also ask about safety and about the pilot’s experience. As a rule the pilot is very experienced and the operator has met every legal requirement.
Follow that advice and the flight will be safe, comfortable and everything it should be.
