Travellers looking to swap Europe’s winter greys for sun, sand and adventure will soon have a compelling new option, as Iberia expands its long-haul network into north-east Brazil.
The Spanish flag carrier has begun operating direct flights from Madrid to Recife four times a week, strengthening access to one of Brazil’s most culturally rich coastal cities. From 19 January 2026, Iberia will add a second route from Madrid to Fortaleza, further opening up the region and making it easier than ever to plan an early-year escape to South America.
Return fares start from £964 in economy and £2,447 in business class, with taxes and luggage included, positioning the routes as an attractive proposition for both leisure and premium travellers seeking winter sun with a difference.
Fortaleza: beaches, nightlife and wild landscapes
Fortaleza is an unapologetically holiday-focused city, known for its high-energy nightlife and long, skyscraper-fringed beaches that draw frequent comparisons with Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana. Yet beyond the urban buzz lies a coastline and interior of striking natural beauty.
The city serves as a gateway to some of north-east Brazil’s most evocative landscapes. Barefoot beaches such as Canoa Quebrada offer a more relaxed pace, while further afield lie the extraordinary dune systems of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Here, vast sweeps of white sand are punctuated by seasonal lagoons in vivid shades of jade and aquamarine, creating one of South America’s most surreal natural spectacles.
Nearby, the Parnaíba Delta — the only open-sea delta in the Americas — is a haven for birdlife and traditional fishing communities, while the Atlantic coast hides laid-back favourites such as Jericoacoara, a former fishing village turned kitesurfing and sunset-watching hotspot.
Recife: culture, history and island escapes
Recife offers a contrasting but equally compelling introduction to the region. A city of modern high-rises, historic bridges and palm-lined beaches, it reflects centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and Afro-Brazilian influence shaped by the sugar plantation era.
Just a short drive away is Olinda, a UNESCO-listed colonial town famed for its cobbled streets, colourful houses and ornate baroque churches. The pairing of Recife and Olinda makes for an engaging cultural break, blending urban energy with well-preserved history.
From Recife, travellers can also connect onwards to Fernando de Noronha, a remote volcanic archipelago and protected marine park. With sapphire-clear waters inhabited by dolphins, turtles and stingrays, the islands are widely regarded as one of Brazil’s finest destinations for diving and snorkelling.
Featured holiday: off the beaten track Brazil
To coincide with the improved air access, specialist tour operator Journey Latin America is highlighting a 10-day itinerary designed to showcase the diversity of north-east Brazil.
Off the Beaten Track Brazil: Dunes and Lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses combines cultural highlights with immersive nature experiences. The journey takes in historic Olinda, the remote dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, and the atmospheric port city of São Luís.
The itinerary includes guided walking tours, 4WD excursions across the dunes, and time to unwind on the beaches of Jericoacoara. Prices start from £2,775 per person (based on two sharing) and include domestic flights, transfers, excursions and good-quality hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Places visited: Recife, Olinda, São Luís, Lençóis Maranhenses, Parnaíba Delta and Jericoacoara.
Brazil’s north-east remains one of the country’s most distinctive regions, defined by strong cultural identity, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, colonial heritage and a seemingly endless supply of beaches. Until now, reaching it from Europe often required multiple connections, adding time and complexity to itineraries.
With Iberia’s new direct services from Madrid to Recife and Fortaleza, the region is more accessible than ever for UK and European travellers, particularly those looking to escape winter and explore somewhere less familiar than Brazil’s better-known southern cities.
For adventurous holidaymakers, nature lovers and those keen to experience a different side of Brazil, these new routes open the door to one of South America’s most captivating — and visually arresting — corners.
For further information, contact Journey Latin America at journeylatinamerica.com.