9 Outstanding Spain Itineraries for the Most Amazing Trip

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Spain Trip Ideas: 9 outstanding Spain itineraries to plan an amazing trip! Choose from 9 sample Spain itinerary options, including Spain in one week, 10-day Spain itinerary, 2 week Spain itinerary, and ideas for city breaks in Barcelona and Madrid.

9 outstanding Spain itineraries to plan an amazing trip


Finding the Perfect Spain Travel Itinerary: Choose from the Options Below

Andalusia in One Week: An Itinerary That Covers Southern Spain in 7 Days, Visiting Seville, Granada, Cordoba and Malaga
10-Day Big Cities & Andalusian Highlights: A Best of Spain Itinerary Covering Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada and Barcelona
Big Cities & Basque Highlights: A 10-Day Northern Spain Travel Itinerary Covering Madrid, Toledo, Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Barcelona
Barcelona & Costa Brava: A Spain 7 Days Itinerary Covering Barcelona, Girona and Highlights of the Costa Brava
Barcelona Food, Wine & Culture: A Short and Sweet Itinerary for a 5 Day Trip to Spain, Focused on Barcelona and the Penedès Wine Region
Historic Castile: A 10 Day Tour of Spain Focused on the Historical Region of Castile and Area, and Covering Madrid, Toledo, El Escorial, Segovia, Salamanca, León and Burgos
Madrid Wine & Culture: A Spain travel itinerary focused on Madrid and Region, Including Day Trips and Food and Wine Activities
Northern Explorer: An Itinerary for Those Who Want to Visit Northern Spain in 10 Days, Including Barcelona, Logroño, Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela and Madrid
Mediterranean Spain: A 2-Week Spain Holiday Itinerary for those Who Want to Stick to the Coast, Including Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca


 

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9 Perfect Spain Itineraries to Plan Your Trip
9 Perfect Spain Itineraries to Plan Your Trip
9 Perfect Spain Itineraries to Plan Your Trip

Spain is one of our favorite countries to travel in…ever. Outstanding weather and loads of sunshine, beautiful food and wine (and gin), and locals enjoying what feels like relaxed-yet-lively lifestyle wherever you look, there’s a lot to love about Spain.

The problem with Spain, however, is there are just so many places to go, it’s hard to nail down the perfect Spain vacation itinerary. We’ve pulled together this list of 9 Spain vacation ideas in the hope it helps you plan your own trip, or at least serves as a starting point.

No matter how much time you have, it will never be enough for Spain, so pick a chunk of the country that feels manageable to you, and know that you’ll probably start plotting your return as soon as your holiday is over!

Spain vacation ideas exploring Barcelona
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Andalusia in One Week: Seville + Granada + Cordoba + Malaga

A Southern Spain Travel Itinerary by Train and Bus in One Week

Book In Advance

Madrid to Seville Train Ticket ✓ Alhambra Tickets Hotels Tours

One of our favorite parts of Spain, one week is the perfect amount of time to explore Andalusia’s most famous cities. Start your trip with 2 nights in Seville, which can easily be reached by bus from Portugal or train from Madrid. The old town is gorgeous, bursting with color, and happily walkable, making it easy to see the highlights in one-day or spread out over two. From Seville, head to Cordoba for one night, the main attraction being the peaceful and beautiful Mezquita, before moving on to Malaga for 1 night to soak up the city’s awesome museum scene and seemingly endless sunshine. End your trip in enchanting Granada, where two nights is perfect to explore the impressive Alhambra and winding alleyways of this Moorish-influenced city.

If you have a few more nights, add Cádiz, Ronda, or Jerez del Frontera to your itinerary. Read more in our Andalusia 101 Guide.

Plaza de España

A 3-star with an ‘affordable boutique’ vibe, Hotel Amadeus is right in the heart of the gorgeous and central Santa Cruz district. With a lovely rooftop terrace and a rooftop pool, past guests rate this property highly, making it the perfect mid-range choice in Seville. Read: Where to Stay in Seville

Another mid-range ‘affordable boutique’ property, Hotel Viento10 is in Cordoba’s Old Town, about a 12-minute walk from the Mezquita. The interior has a clean, minimalist and modern design aesthetic, and there’s a rooftop terrace with lovely views over Santiago Church. Check availability on Booking.com

A mid-range boutique in the city centre, with easy access to the Roman Amphitheatre, the Picasso Museum, and the many tapas spots that line the city streets! Less than a 15-minute walk to the beach, this fresh and airy hotel has a design aesthetic and great reviews. Check availability on Booking.com

The #1 seller in our Where to Stay in Granada Guide, our readers seem to love this hotel! Room Mate is a chain of mid-range design boutiques. Featuring a rooftop terrace with Alhambra views, and location in a traditional building on a pedestrian street. Read: Where to Stay in Granada



Big Cities & Andalusian Highlights: Madrid + Toledo + Seville + Granada + Barcelona

10 Days in Spain Itinerary by Train

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

Madrid to Seville Train Ticket / Return Train to Barcelona ✓ Alhambra Tickets or Alhambra Tour ✓ Barcelona Gaudi Sites (Sagrada Familia I Park Güell I Casa Mila I Casa Batlló) ✓ Barcelona Transport Card ✓ Madrid Museums (Prado Museum Tickets I Paseo del Arte Card) ✓ Hotels Tours

Start your trip with 3 nights in hip and energetic Madrid, exploring the capital’s excellent food and wine, sophisticated museums, and picturesque plazas. Spend one of your days outside the capital by taking a day trip to the ancient city (and former capital), Toledo, and then pack your bags and head south to Andalusia’s enchanting capital: Seville. Spend two nights in Seville, catching the city’s highlights on the first day, and taking an organized day trip to the Alhambra on the second. Once you’ve had a taste of Andalusia, head north to Barcelona, exploring the city’s many highlights over 4 nights, and squeezing in a day trip from Barcelona to either the lovely Catalonian city of Girona or the Montserrat Monastery.

If you have a few more nights, stop in Valencia on your way between Seville and Barcelona, or add Segovia as an additional day trip from Madrid.

Stay near Retiro Park in Madrid Spain

Hip, modern, and stylish and rooms steps from the Royal Palace, while still being quiet. Room rates include a buffet breakfast, with past guests mentioning the great location, cleanliness, and stylish decor. Affordable boutique vibe in the super central Sol area of Madrid. Read: Where to Stay in Madrid

A 3-star with an ‘affordable boutique’ vibe, Hotel Amadeus is right in the heart of the gorgeous and central Santa Cruz district. With a lovely rooftop terrace and a rooftop pool, past guests rate this property highly, making it the perfect mid-range choice in Seville. Read: Where to Stay in Seville

The #1 seller in our Where to Stay in Granada Guide, our readers seem to love this hotel! Room Mate is a chain of mid-range design boutiques. Featuring a rooftop terrace with Alhambra views, and location in a traditional building on a pedestrian street. Read: Where to Stay in Granada

Situated in Barcelona’s hip El Born neighborhood, K+K offers a rooftop pool and lounge area and a nice, quiet location on the edge of Ciutadella Park. Sleek and modern decor with a boutique feel to it, you can easily walk or hop the metro from here. Read: Where to Stay in Barcelona


Big Cities & Basque Highlights: Madrid + Toledo + Bilbao + San Sebastián + Barcelona

A Northern Spain Itinerary in 10 Days by Train

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

Eurail Spain Pass & Reservations ✓ Barcelona Gaudi Sites (Sagrada Familia I Park Güell I Casa Mila I Casa Batlló) ✓ Barcelona Transport Card ✓ Madrid Museums (Prado Museum Tickets I Paseo del Arte Card) ✓ Hotels Tours

Begin your trip in the same way as the Big Cities & Andalusian Highlights itinerary, starting your trip with 3 nights in Madrid, with a day trip to Toledo. After finishing in the capital, skip Andalusia and head north to San Sebastián on Day 4, spending three nights exploring Basque Country. San Sebastián town is well worth your time and your appetite: be sure to do a pintxos hop while in town, trying out the uniquely Basque spin on tapas at different spots! It’s also worth fitting in a day trip from San Sebastián: choose from a day trip to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim, a wine-themed trip to La Rioja, a trip into French Basque Country, or a visit to the Basque villages in the area, such as Getaria, Lekeitio, or Hondarribia. From San Sebastián, head south to Barcelona for 3 nights, finishing up your trip exploring Spain’s vibrant second city.

If you have more time, add Cantabria or Santillana del Mar to your agenda.

San Sebastian Where to Go in Spain

Hip, modern, and stylish and rooms steps from the Royal Palace, while still being quiet. Room rates include a buffet breakfast, with past guests mentioning the great location, cleanliness, and stylish decor. Affordable boutique vibe in the super central Sol area of Madrid. Read: Where to Stay in Madrid

Located within the Old Town, close to the water and 5 minutes on foot to the beach, Casa Nicolasa has a cozy but modern look to it, with bright and airy rooms that sport rustic touches. Past guests mention the friendly staff, great location, and good value here. Check availability on Booking.com

Situated in Barcelona’s hip El Born neighborhood, K+K offers a rooftop pool and lounge area and a nice, quiet location on the edge of Ciutadella Park. Sleek and modern decor with a boutique feel to it, you can easily walk or hop the metro from here. Read: Where to Stay in Barcelona


Barcelona & Costa Brava: Barcelona + Girona + Costa Brava Highlights

A Spain in 7 Days Itinerary by Train and Car Rental

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

Car Rental ✓ Barcelona Gaudi Sites (Sagrada Familia I Park Güell I Casa Mila I Casa Batlló) ✓ Barcelona Transport Card ✓ Dalí House-Museum (Portlligat) ✓ Hotels Tours

A great option for those looking to spend one week in Spain on a low-key and relaxed coastal trip! Start your trip in Barcelona, spending 3 nights soaking in the food, architecture, and relaxed vibe of Spain’s second city, before heading to the coast. The Costa Brava runs along the northeast coast of Spain, north of Barcelona, from Blanes in the south all the way up to Portbou on the French border. We recommend basing yourself in Girona, the capital of Girona province, or Tossa de Mar, an upscale beach town, and using a rental car to explore. From Barcelona, take the train to Girona on Day 4 of your trip, and spend the day exploring this lovely, walkable city. Girona has a small city wall you can walk along to get great views, beautiful old city streets, and the best ice cream ever at Rocambolesc Gelateria. It has also played Braavos, Oldtown, and Kings Landing in the Game of Thrones TV series. On Day 5, pick up a rental car and start exploring. Where you go depends on your interests, but a few highlights of the Costa Brava include:

  • Cadaqués and Portlligat, where you can visit the Dalí House-Museum (advance tickets required). Cadaqués is also a pretty spot to spend a few hours walking the coastal trail.
  • Tossa de Mar, a gorgeous little beach town with a pretty fortress, pretty winding streets, and a nice seaside and beach.
  • Pals and Peratallada, two pretty medieval towns and some of our personal favorites. They are just a 10-minute drive from one another, so it’s easy to visit both.
Girnoa is an amazing Spain road trip from Barcelona

Situated in Barcelona’s hip El Born neighborhood, K+K offers a rooftop pool and lounge area and a nice, quiet location on the edge of Ciutadella Park. Sleek and modern decor with a boutique feel to it, you can easily walk or hop the metro from here. Read: Where to Stay in Barcelona

A 5-minute walk from Girona Cathedral, this hotel offers a small outdoor swimming pool, clean and stylish rooms, and optional apartment suites to stay in. Great location one block from the river, making it easy to walk wherever you need to go! Check availability on Booking.com

A small hotel in a 19th-century mansion, this property offers a gorgeous rooftop pool and terrace, lovely hotel grounds, and great food on-site. Close to the beach and within the town, you’ll have easy access to shops, cafés and restaurants. Past guest mention the friendly staff! Check availability on Booking.com


Barcelona Food, Wine & Culture: Barcelona + Penedès Wine Region

A Spain Holiday Itinerary for a 3- to 5-Day Barcelona City Break with Day Trips

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

✓ Barcelona Gaudi Sites (Sagrada Familia I Park Güell I Casa Mila I Casa Batlló) ✓ Barcelona Transport Card ✓ Spanish Cooking Class & Market Tour ✓ Cava and Wine Tour to the Penedès wine region ✓ Hotels Tours

If you’re interested in a short city break centered around Barcelona, you won’t lack for things to do. Basing yourself in Barcelona, be sure to check out the city’s impressive architecture,  gorgeous Old Town, Barceloneta beach, and food scene, through tapas hops, a cooking class, and a market tour. For day trips, there are a number of food and wine-themed trips from Barcelona that will take you straight to the producers for a taste, many of which also include a trip to Montserrat monastery. Our pick is to the Penedès region, where you can visit different family-run wineries to taste both wine and cava, which is produced in this region.

See Park Guell Barcelona when you visit Barcelona

Situated in Barcelona’s hip El Born neighborhood, K+K offers a rooftop pool and lounge area and a nice, quiet location on the edge of Ciutadella Park. Sleek and modern decor with a boutique feel to it, you can easily walk or hop the metro from here. Read: Where to Stay in Barcelona


Historic Castile: Madrid + Toledo + El Escorial + Segovia + Salamanca + León + Burgos

A Spain Itinerary in 10 Days by Car Rental

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

Car Rental ✓ Madrid Museums (Prado Museum Tickets I Paseo del Arte Card) ✓ Hotels Tours

Start your trip in Madrid, spending 4 nights exploring the bustling capital, including day trips to the ancient capital of Toledo and to the impressive El Escorial palace. On your fifth day, rent a car to explore historic central Spain, visiting Segovia, Salamanca, León and Burgos. Starting in Segovia, check out the UNESCO World Heritage Alcázar of Segovia, said to be one of the inspirations behind Disney’s Cinderella castle and the ancient aqueduct. The next day, drive to Salamanca, which is said to have the most beautiful plaza mayor in all of Spain. Salamanca is nicknamed the “Golden City” because of the local sandstone that is used in many of the city’s buildings, and this university city is full of beautiful architecture featuring the sandstone. From Salamanca, drive next to León, a stop on the Camino de Santiago, home to a gorgeous cathedral, and happy stop along the way for food lovers. Finally, head to Burgos, the capital of the Castile region for 500 years running, and a place that has played a key role in Spain’s history (and with a stunning cathedral). End your trip with another night in Madrid to return your rental and see anything you missed at the beginning of your trip.

Salamanca Spain City Centre

Hip, modern, and stylish and rooms steps from the Royal Palace, while still being quiet. Room rates include a buffet breakfast, with past guests mentioning the great location, cleanliness, and stylish decor. Affordable boutique vibe in the super central Sol area of Madrid. Read: Where to Stay in Madrid

Located between the Cathedral and the Roman Aqueduct in the centre of town, rooms look fresh and new, with airy, modern decor. Some rooms offer great views, so don’t be afraid to ask in your booking. Friendly staff and parking round-out the offering. Check availability on Booking.com

A modern and bright hotels just 2-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor, there are lots of bars and restaurants nearby, and it’s an easy walk to the university and cathedrals. Underground parking at the hotel, but fair warning: it’s very tight if you have a large car! Check availability on Booking.com

Old Town hotel in a renovated 19th-century building and pedestrianized location on Plaza Mayor, with plenty of tapas bars and other restaurants nearby. Rooms are fresh and modern, with rustic touches that reference the building. Parking is available through the hotel. Check availability on Booking.com

Located just on the edge of Old Town, and well within an easy walk to the main attractions, plenty of restaurants, and just a few steps from the cathedral. Modern and fresh aesthetic, with service you’d expect from a Marriott property. Parking under the hotel. Check availability on Booking.com


Madrid Food, Wine & Culture: Madrid + Ribera del Duero Wine Region + Segovia/Toledo

A Best Itinerary for Spain for Those with Limited Time, this 3- to 5-Day Madrid City Break Includes Day Trips and Tours

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

✓ Madrid Museums (Prado Museum Tickets I Paseo del Arte Card) ✓ Madrid Region Wineries TourRibera del Duero Wine Tour ✓ Hotels Tours

For a short food and wine-themed city break, it’s hard to beat Madrid and area. Base yourself in the capital, hitting up the main highlights and joining one or several food tours throughout your stay. When you’re ready to get out of the city, the Madrid wine region can be easily visited on an organized day trip from the city, as can the Ribera del Duero region, which is the home of Tempranillo. For sightseeing trips, hit up Toledo, Segovia (included in one of the wine trips), and/or the El Escorial palace.

Best Itinerary for Spain , Sergovia

Hip, modern, and stylish and rooms steps from the Royal Palace, while still being quiet. Room rates include a buffet breakfast, with past guests mentioning the great location, cleanliness, and stylish decor. Affordable boutique vibe in the super central Sol area of Madrid. Read: Where to Stay in Madrid


Northern Explorer: Barcelona + Logroño + Pamplona + San Sebastián + Bilbao + Santillana del Mar + Cantabria + Oviedo + Santiago de Compostela + Madrid

A 10 Day Tour of Spain by Taking the Train or Renting a Car to Explore Northern Spain

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

Eurail Spain Pass or Car Rental ✓ Madrid Museums (Prado Museum Tickets I Paseo del Arte Card) ✓ Hotels Tours

Start your trip in Barcelona, spending 1 night in the capital to see the highlights. On the morning of Day 2, pick up a rental car and head to Logroño, a city with beautiful old town, and a stop along the Camino de Santiago. As a trade center for La Rioja wine region, you can expect great food and wine in this part of Spain, making it worth an overnight. Head to Pamplona for a day,  exploring the city centre, before continuing on to San Sebastián that evening. Spend 3 nights in San Sebastian, both exploring the town itself and taking a day trip to one or several of the coastal Basque villages in the area, such as Getaria, Lekeitio, or Hondarribia. One the morning of Day 6, head to Bilbao to check out the Guggenheim before continuing on to the beautiful Santillana del Mar or Cantabria. Spend the morning of Day 7 exploring the town, before moving on to Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias region of Spain. Spent night 7 in Oviedo, and then drive to Santiago de Compostela on the morning of Day 8. Drop off your rental car, and take the train to Madrid for a final night. Alternatively, continue into Portugal.

Note, this is a fast-paced itinerary covering a lot of ground, but you can slow it down by spreading it out over two weeks, or cut a stop or two. This itinerary also relies on a one-way car rental, which can be more expensive. If you’d prefer to take the train and bus, it’s certainly possible, although you’ll likely need to give yourself a bit more time. Alternatively, you could return to Barcelona at the end of your trip.

Visit barcelona on your trip to spain holiday

Situated in Barcelona’s hip El Born neighborhood, K+K offers a rooftop pool and lounge area and a nice, quiet location on the edge of Ciutadella Park. Sleek and modern decor with a boutique feel to it, you can easily walk or hop the metro from here. Read: Where to Stay in Barcelona

Located in a renovated 16th-century mansion, this boutique property offers bright and funky decors and a great location, around 5 minutes walk from plenty of bars, restaurants and tapas spots. Underground parking is available down the street. Rave reviews from past guests! Check availability on Booking.com

Located within the Old Town, close to the water and 5 minutes on foot to the beach, Casa Nicolasa has a cozy but modern look to it, with bright and airy rooms that sport rustic touches. Past guests mention the friendly staff, great location, and good value here. Check availability on Booking.com

A charming hotel in an equally charming town, the building date back to the 15th-century, when it was home to the Marquis of Santillana. Rooms are contemporary, while the common spaces are richly decorated and traditional. Parking available on-site. Check availlability on Booking.com

A small boutique hotel with excellent reviews, this property is in the city centre, about 5 minutes on foot from the Cathedral and Holy Chamber. On-site spa is extra, but reasonably priced, and there is parking available, including valet service. Bright and modern rooms. Check availability on Booking.com

An affordable boutique hotel located in the historic Old Town, rooms are bright and contemporary with pops of color. Past guests mention the great location and 24-hour self-serve buffet as stand-out features. Laundry facilities are available for a fee, and there is off-site parking.  Check availability on Booking.com


Mediterranean Spain: Barcelona + Girona + Tarragona + Valencia + Alicante + Palma de Mallorca

2-week Spain itinerary taking the train, bus and ferry

Book In Advance / Skip-the-Line

Eurail Spain Pass or Individual Train TicketsFerry Tickets ✓ Barcelona Gaudi Sites (Sagrada Familia I Park Güell I Casa Mila I Casa Batlló) ✓ Barcelona Transport Card ✓ Hotels Tours

Start your trip in Barcelona, allowing 3 nights in the city to see the highlights and get a good feel for it. Head to the Catalonian city of Girona for one night, taking time to explore the beautiful old town, walk the city walls, and try the best ice cream ever (at Rocambolesc Gelateria). Head south to Tarragona for a night, where you should visit the Roman ruins and explore the walled Medieval town. Next up, dedicate 2 nights to Valencia, and don’t miss the City of Arts and Sciences! Head to Alicante for a night, before backtracking slightly to the Port of Denia to catch a ferry to Palma de Mallorca. Relax and get used to island life with 3 nights based in Palma. When you’re finished, catch the ferry directly back to Barcelona; it’s a 7- to 8-hour sailing, and ferries tend to leave midday. Cap off your trip with a final night in Barcelona.

Tarragona is one of the best day trips from barcelona
Image by neufal54 via Pixabay

Situated in Barcelona’s hip El Born neighborhood, K+K offers a rooftop pool and lounge area and a nice, quiet location on the edge of Ciutadella Park. Sleek and modern decor with a boutique feel to it, you can easily walk or hop the metro from here. Read: Where to Stay in Barcelona

A 5-minute walk from Girona Cathedral, this hotel offers a small outdoor swimming pool, clean and stylish rooms, and optional apartment suites to stay in. Great location one block from the river, making it easy to walk wherever you need to go! Check availability on Booking.com

A 3-star hotel with an outdoor pool, this property is a 4-minute walk from the beach, and within walking distance from the old town and Roman ruins. While the hotel is a bit old, it has been refurbished and is well maintained. Parking on-site for a fee. Check availability on Booking.com

A beautiful boutique hotel in Valencia’s historic centre, this property offers an outdoor pool and terrace, and gorgeous rooms with design touches. Past guests consistently mention the helpful and friendly staff, as well as high overall satisfaction with this hotel. Check availability on Booking.com

An adults-only boutique hotel in a restored traditional building, this property is well-located in the city centre, with plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance, and an easy walk to the beach. Beautifully-decorated rooms make this a perfect base in the city. ICheck availability on Booking.com

Striking the perfect balance of location, affordability, and amenities, this harbour-front hotel has a pool and jacuzzi, on-site gym, and is within walking distance to Palma Old Town. In a town where hotel prices are quite high, this property offers good value for money. Check availability on  Booking.com


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