Spain has introduced temporary border checks on travellers arriving from Italy, escalating a dispute between Madrid and Rome over controls imposed during the recent Ceuta migrant crisis.

The measures came into effect from Saturday, August 8, after Italy refused to comply with a Spanish demand to remove its own border checks on travellers arriving from Spain. Madrid said its controls would remain in place until September 7, while Rome confirmed on Friday that its suspension of normal Schengen arrangements would continue at least until August 15.

The dispute comes during the peak summer travel season, when thousands of people are expected to travel between the two countries. Spanish officials have criticised the Italian measures, saying Spanish citizens have already faced additional checks when entering Italy.

Under Spain’s new arrangements, travellers arriving from Italy by air, sea or land may be required to present identification documents. EU citizens must show a valid identity document, while travellers from outside the bloc may also need to provide a visa or residence permit.

Italian nationals can use either a passport or a national identity card valid for international travel. However, Spain’s requirements come shortly after Italy stopped recognising paper identity cards as travel documents from August 3. Travellers using Italian identity cards must therefore have the electronic CIE version.

The additional checks could cause delays at major airports, ports and land crossings, particularly during one of the busiest periods of the European holiday season.

At airports, Spanish authorities may conduct checks at arrival gates or during boarding. Travellers arriving by ferry or other maritime services could be checked either before departure or after reaching Spain.

People travelling by road from Italy will generally pass through France before reaching Spain. They may therefore be stopped at the French-Spanish border and asked to present their identification documents.

Families travelling with children have also been advised to ensure that every minor carries the necessary travel documents. Italian regulations provide identity documents with different validity periods depending on a child’s age. Documents are valid for three years for children under three and five years for those aged between three and 18.

Children under 14 are not permitted to travel alone, adding another consideration for families planning journeys between the two countries.

Travellers bringing pets into Spain must also meet EU requirements. Animals need an EU pet passport issued by a veterinarian, along with a microchip and valid vaccination against rabies.

The dispute has created additional uncertainty for travellers who arranged their summer journeys before the measures were announced. Madrid and Rome now face pressure to resolve the disagreement while avoiding further disruption to movement between two EU member states normally connected by the Schengen free-travel area.

Travellers are increasingly choosing to visit several European cities in a single holiday, with a new trend known as “trip-maxxing” gaining popularity among those looking to pack more culture, nightlife and sightseeing into one journey.

Rather than spending a week in one destination, trip-maxxing involves creating multi-city routes that connect several places through relatively short and affordable journeys. New research has ranked the best routes across Europe based on nightlife, cultural attractions, travel time, accommodation costs and the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites nearby.

Ten routes made the list, with the top five offering a mix of major capitals and less-visited cities.

The highest-ranked route runs from Berlin to Prague, Vienna and Budapest, scoring 28.8 out of 40. Berlin received the strongest score for nightlife, while its history, cultural attractions and relatively affordable accommodation added to its appeal.

Prague can be reached from Berlin in less than five hours by bus. Visitors can explore its Gothic Old Town, Prague Castle and the historic Charles Bridge before continuing to Vienna.

The Austrian capital offers a different experience, with elegant imperial architecture, coffee houses, museums and cultural landmarks such as the Kunsthistorisches Museum and Vienna State Opera.

The journey ends in Budapest, less than four hours from Vienna. The Hungarian capital is known for its thermal baths, ruin bars, Danube views and landmarks including Chain Bridge and Fisherman’s Bastion.

The second-ranked route follows the same path but replaces Vienna with Bratislava. Berlin, Prague, Bratislava and Budapest scored 28.1 overall and received the highest budget score in the ranking.

Bratislava offers a quieter stop, with a historic Old Town, Bratislava Castle and a growing selection of independent restaurants and wine bars.

The third route connects Berlin, Prague, Wroclaw and Kraków. With total travel time of about 11.7 hours, it was among the fastest routes in the ranking. Wroclaw offers historic squares, Cathedral Island and its famous bronze gnome statues, while Kraków combines medieval architecture, food and nightlife.

Another route, from Amsterdam to Dortmund, Berlin and Prague, scored 27 and topped the culture category. Amsterdam’s museums and canals are followed by Dortmund’s industrial heritage and cultural revival before the journey continues east.

The fifth route begins in Frankfurt and continues through Berlin, Prague and Vienna. Although it takes around 13 hours in total, the journeys are spread across several days, allowing travellers to experience four very different European cities in one trip.