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.
Spain Itinerary: 7 Days in Barcelona + Madrid
A Spain itinerary for 7, 10, or 14 days can work beautifully depending on how much ground you want to cover, and this guide maps out the best routes for travelers who want a structured, day-by-day plan through Spain’s top cities and cultural highlights. Seven days is enough to experience Spain's two greatest cities in depth, with a day trip or two included, while 10 days lets you add Andalusia favorites like Seville, Córdoba, and Granada, and 14 days gives you a broader grand tour. You’ll also find practical planning details on getting between cities, when to book key tickets, meal-time rhythms, and the best seasons to go, so you can make the most of your time and avoid wasting days on a poorly sequenced route.
Days 1–3: Barcelona
Day 1: For travelers with just one week, this Spain trip starts in Barcelona. Afternoon: explore the historic Gothic Quarter, walk Las Ramblas, dinner in El Born.
Day 2: Sagrada Família in the morning (skip-the-line tickets are 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 (typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours). Afternoon: walk the Gran Vía and get oriented in Madrid's city center; evening tapas on the famous street Calle Cava Baja, lined with many tapas bars, with central Madrid easy to explore on foot.
Day 5: Prado Museum morning (free entry last 2 hours). Afternoon: Reina Sofía (Guernica), two of the city's world-class museums. Evening: rooftop bar on Círculo de Bellas Artes, when Madrid nightlife is liveliest from 8 PM to 2 AM.
Day 6: Day trip to Toledo, Madrid’s most popular day trip destination (36 minutes by train). Cathedral, Alcázar, medieval streets, suckling pig lunch. Return evening.
Day 7: Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, Rastro flea market (Sunday only), and Retiro Park, which is absolutely stunning. 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. This trip to Spain links several iconic cities in a smooth route, and this day Spain itinerary balances big highlights with manageable travel days.
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) for its standout Mudéjar architecture, plus Seville Cathedral—one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world—and Giralda tower.
Day 6: Triana neighborhood, Mercado de Triana, walk the Guadalquivir riverbank. Day trip to White Villages if time allows. In the evening, many Seville tapas bars serve dinner as late as 11 PM.
Day 7: Córdoba
Day trip by train from Seville (45 min), a wonderful city to explore on foot for its vibrant culture. Morning: Mezquita-Catedral. In a few hours, you can comfortably see Córdoba’s highlights. Afternoon: Jewish Quarter, with its narrow streets, and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. Return evening.
Days 8–10: Granada
Day 8: Train Seville–Granada (3h), after a Córdoba stop where the main sights can be covered in a few hours. Two nights in Granada are enough to see its major highlights. Check in to one of Granada’s luxury hotels or a boutique hotel, then explore the Albaicín and its narrow streets in a city that blends Moorish heritage with striking surrounding landscapes before an evening at Bar Los Diamantes, a popular spot for delicious tapas and great food, in this vibrant city.
Day 9: The Alhambra — full day at this UNESCO World Heritage Site (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, covering Spain's major cities and other major highlights for an amazing trip across the country's major cities.
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
AVE train (2.5h) is the better choice as you leave Madrid, Spain’s capital city and largest city, since trains are often more efficient than flying between Spanish cities, and head south from this big city. Afternoon: settle in, tapas in Barrio Santa Cruz, with arrival in this charming city also setting up highlights like the Royal Alcázar and its Mudéjar architecture, while Madrid also works well as a base for additional historic sights.
Days 7–8: Seville
Follow the 10-day Seville itinerary above.
Days 9–10: Granada
Follow the 10-day Granada itinerary above, as Granada is famous for the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Days 11–12: Costa del Sol & Málaga
Day 11: Málaga — birthplace of Picasso, excellent Picasso Museum, beautiful old city and Alcazaba in southern Spain.
Day 12: Beach day on the Costa del Sol on Spain’s southern coast — 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; if you choose the rail option, the train journey is comfortable, the train station is centrally located, and it’s smart to buy train tickets in advance. Fly home.
Spain Travel Tips
Spain's AVE high-speed trains are excellent — a comfortable journey for first time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, so buy tickets early for the best prices and note that returns to Madrid or Barcelona usually arrive into the central train station. Barcelona–Madrid: 2h30, Madrid–Seville: 2h30, Madrid–Granada: 3h
Book the Alhambra, Sagrada Família, and Park Güell tickets weeks in advance — all the details matter because all three sell out
Spanish meal times are late: lunch 2–4pm, dinner 9–11pm. Restaurants that open at 6pm cater to tourists only
Tapas originated in Spain and are small plates of food, so they are ideal if you want to sample several dishes in one meal
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory — 5–10% is generous; rounding up is common
For easier transfers, choose hotels within walking distance of major train or bus stations
From Barcelona, Montserrat is a popular half day trip, and Girona is another easy day-trip option
Barcelona is especially known for lively beach bars and clubs if you want nightlife after sightseeing
The best time to visit Spain is April to June
September to October is also ideal, while Spain's winter can be cold, especially in the north