Spain is a large country with remarkable regional diversity — from the Catalan architecture of Barcelona to the Moorish palaces of Andalusia and the wild Atlantic coast of Galicia. The challenge of planning a Spain itinerary is not finding things to do (Spain has an embarrassment of riches) but deciding how much to see in the time available. Here are flexible, well-paced itineraries for 7, 10, and 14 days in Spain.
7 Days in Spain: Barcelona + Madrid
Seven days is enough to experience Spain's two greatest cities in depth, with a day trip or two included.
Days 1–3: Barcelona
Day 1: Arrive Barcelona. Afternoon: Gothic Quarter, walk Las Ramblas, dinner in El Born.
Day 2: Sagrada Família in the morning (pre-booked ticket essential). Afternoon: Park Güell (pre-booked). Evening: Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló exterior, dinner in Eixample.
Day 3: Morning: Picasso Museum and El Born neighborhood. Afternoon: Barceloneta beach, walk the seafront. Evening: Barceloneta seafood restaurants.
Days 4–7: Madrid
Day 4: AVE high-speed train Barcelona–Madrid (2h30). Afternoon: walk the Gran Vía, evening tapas in La Latina.
Day 5: Prado Museum morning (free entry last 2 hours). Afternoon: Reina Sofía (Guernica). Evening: rooftop bar on Círculo de Bellas Artes.
Day 6: Day trip to Toledo (30 min by AVE). Cathedral, Alcázar, medieval streets, suckling pig lunch. Return evening.
Day 7: Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Rastro flea market (Sunday only), Retiro Park. Fly home.
10 Days in Spain: Barcelona + Andalusia
Ten days allows you to add the highlights of Andalusia to a Barcelona visit — one of the most rewarding combinations in European travel.
Days 1–3: Barcelona
Follow the 7-day Barcelona itinerary above.
Day 4: Fly Barcelona → Seville
Morning flight to Seville (1h). Afternoon: Barrio Santa Cruz, Plaza de España. Evening: flamenco show in Santa Cruz.
Days 5–6: Seville
Day 5: Real Alcázar (booked in advance), Seville Cathedral and Giralda tower.
Day 6: Triana neighborhood, Mercado de Triana, walk the Guadalquivir riverbank. Day trip to White Villages if time allows.
Day 7: Córdoba
Day trip by train from Seville (45 min). Morning: Mezquita-Catedral. Afternoon: Jewish Quarter, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. Return evening.
Days 8–10: Granada
Day 8: Train Seville–Granada (3h). Check in, explore the Albaicín neighborhood, free tapas evening.
Day 9: The Alhambra — full day (Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Generalife gardens). Book well in advance.
Day 10: Capilla Real, Granada Cathedral, Sacromonte caves. Fly home from Granada or return to Seville/Madrid.
14 Days in Spain: The Grand Tour
With two weeks, you can add Madrid, the Costa del Sol, and possibly Valencia or San Sebastián to a full Andalusia circuit.
Days 1–3: Barcelona
Follow the 7-day Barcelona itinerary above.
Days 4–5: Madrid
Day 4: AVE to Madrid. Prado Museum, evening in Malasaña.
Day 5: Reina Sofía, Royal Palace, day trip to Toledo or Segovia.
Day 6: Fly Madrid → Seville
Flight or AVE train (2.5h). Afternoon: settle in, tapas in Barrio Santa Cruz.
Days 7–8: Seville
Follow the 10-day Seville itinerary above.
Days 9–10: Granada
Follow the 10-day Granada itinerary above.
Days 11–12: Costa del Sol & Málaga
Day 11: Málaga — birthplace of Picasso, excellent Picasso Museum, beautiful old city and Alcazaba.
Day 12: Beach day on the Costa del Sol — Nerja (Balcón de Europa and sea caves), or Marbella's old town and Puerto Banús.
Days 13–14: Back to Barcelona or Madrid
Take the AVE train or fly from Málaga to Madrid or Barcelona for final museum visits, shopping, and farewell tapas. Fly home.
Spain Travel Tips
- Spain's AVE high-speed trains are excellent — book early for the best prices. Barcelona–Madrid: 2h30, Madrid–Seville: 2h30, Madrid–Granada: 3h
- Book the Alhambra, Sagrada Família, and Park Güell tickets weeks in advance — all three sell out
- Spanish meal times are late: lunch 2–4pm, dinner 9–11pm. Restaurants that open at 6pm cater to tourists only
- Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory — 5–10% is generous; rounding up is common
- August is the hottest month in Andalusia (35–42°C) — spring or autumn is strongly recommended for southern Spain