2 Weeks in Spain: How to Plan an Amazing Spain Itinerary

We have recently spent over a month in southern Spain and have created a detailed guide to help you strategically plan an exciting trip to Spain ranging from seven days to two weeks or longer. Spain offers so many wonderful places to explore in that timeframe. Our guide details how make the most of your time in this stunning country no matter how long your visit may be.

We loved Spain, and canโ€™t wait for a return trip to explore some of the parts of northern Spain that we missed.

Since this guide is based on our personal experience, it essentially outlines a itinerary through southern Spain. Youโ€™ll visit Spainโ€™s major cities โ€“ Madrid and Barcelona โ€“ along with some of the highlights in Andalucรญa, which is our favorite region of Spain.

It requires mentioning at the start of this guide โ€“ Spain is an enormous, diverse country with numerous fascinating regions possessing their own distinct identities. You wonโ€™t be able to view even close to everything within a two-week period.

Even with over a month in Spain we still had to put some places on the list for our next visit.

This guide to strategizing your itinerary for Spain is intended to assist you in narrowing where to visit and help organize your trip to Spain based on personal experience and enjoyment.

Don`t be concerned if you have less than two weeks – below the main itinerary, we have ideas on how to condense the schedule into shorter time periods. We DONโ€™T believe you should try to visit the same number of locations in a reduced period, and instead would advise selecting fewer places and spending an equivalent amount of time exploring each.

a woman standing next to a man holding a plate of food

a woman sitting at a table with a plate of food

a large body of water with palm trees and palm trees

a man standing in front of a tall building

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we donโ€™t stand behind 100%.

How Much Time Do You Need in Spain?

Well, essentially the answer to this question is as many days as you are able to dedicate!

With 14 days in Spain, you`ll have enough time to experience both the highlights and some destinations seldom reached by most travelers. However, a fortnight is still not truly abundant, so there will be instances when one thinks `I suppose we`ll have to return another time.` We indeed thought that, despite enjoying over a month there!

With that perspective, we strongly advise focusing on choosing four to five cities or areas in Spain rather than spending a night in each place and trying to fit it all in. That trip will be tiring, and youโ€™ll be missing so much richness and history by shortchanging each individual location.

Our recommendation for you is to focus your time on: the core city of Barcelona (and the surrounding Catalonia region), the capital city of Madrid (and the adjacent area), the southern city of Granada, and the port city of Seville.

That means your itinerary is going to be heavily focused on southern Spain, which we think is the best introduction to Spain, and youโ€™ll have to come back to explore northern Spain like the Basque country and Asturias another time.

If youโ€™re visiting Spain with less time available, weโ€™d reduce the number of places youโ€™re visiting rather than spending a day or two in each location and still trying to fit them all in. I understand the feeling of not wanting to go all that way and only see a couple of cities and their surrounding areas.

However, we would strongly suggest opting for fewer destinations and spending more time in each place, which will give you a deeper understanding of the city, culture, and individuals and allow you to get to a higher level than just seeing the major attractions.

If your time in Spain is 7 or 10 days, below are suggestions for how to dedicate that period.

Where to Start and End Your Trip to Spain

Weโ€™ve organized this trip moving east to west from Barcelona to Seville, but you could easily do it the opposite direction.

Following the provided route as written, travelers would want to fly into and depart from different airports on what is referred to as an โ€œopen jawโ€ flight. This arrangement can save around 5 to 6 hours that would otherwise be spent on a return train trip between Barcelona or Seville at the conclusion of the visit, though the plane journey may occasionally cost a slightly higher price (not consistently so, however).

If undertaking this as a single-direction journey working from east to west, that implies youโ€™ll want to fly into Barcelona and depart from Seville.

Barcelona possesses an extremely convenient international airport with many domestic and transnational flights accessible, and Sevilleโ€™s, though smaller, will still provide you with plenty of options (though youโ€™ll require to connect if youโ€™re flying back to the US or Canada โ€“ not too many direct flights go from Seville to North America).

If coming across an affordable flight option (we use the notification service Scottโ€™s Cheap Flights, which provides email alerts about discounted airfare from your home airport, and have been highly satisfied with this resource), you are certainly able to fly into and depart from the same city.

However, you`ll need to strategically plot your time so you can make your way back to the airport of departure, which will inevitably mean additional train travel and costs overall for your trip.

The overall cost may work out favorably depending on the affordability of airfare.

Getting Around Spain

Once in Spain, you should plan to utilize the efficient and affordable rail network between destinations.

Occasionally, such as for travel between Madrid and Segovia, the bus proved more efficient, but we took trains between cities and on day trips and always had a wonderful experience. Train travel constitutes a fantastic way to journey, and we wish the US had a better high-speed rail network at home.

Traveling within Spain by train is commonly a more practical and affordable option than flying domestically. Once factors like getting to the airport well ahead of time and the actual duration of the trip are considered, the rail system frequently enables arrival just as quickly or sooner with less hassle (in many instances allowing check-in simply 20 minutes in advance while still having opportunity to drink coffee before the scheduled departure time).

Additionally, transit between the airport and city center (or vice versa) often requires more time and money.

Our point is that trains are simpler in almost every way.

On our rail journeys through Spain, we encountered frequent issues utilizing the website for Renfe, the national railway network, where payment attempts with various credit cards repeatedly failed to process.

After facing multiple setbacks, we ultimately relied on Omio, a private company that presents all bus and train choices in a notably more user-accommodating format (an app with tickets available offline, no payment issues, and content in English). You`ll pay a small service fee, but we feel it`s worthwhile for the notably improved experience.

Should You Rent a Car in Spain?

Club Rooms and Suites offer complimentary mini-bars with soft/alcoholic drinks and access to a special lounge with free breakfast.

However, there is one location where renting a car and having somewhat more flexibility to explore at your own pace may be preferable, and that place is Andalusia. If that sounds appealing, our recommendation is to pick up the vehicle as you leave Madrid, and return it in Seville upon your arrival there.

You wonโ€™t need a car in Barcelona or Madrid, and the day trips to Toledo and Girona are very easily accessible using the train.

Check pricing and make reservations on AutoEurope, which is our go-to vehicle rental company in Europe. We used them twice during our three month European adventure โ€“ including in Sicily โ€“ and it served us well on both occasions.

The Route for a 2 Week Spain Itinerary

This hike is of significant length and has little protection from the elements. Be sure to bring ample food and water, and reapply sunscreen multiple times to prevent heat-related illness.

This map depicts the route.

Youโ€™ll notice that this itinerary is missing huge portions of the country, but two weeks really isnโ€™t enough time to see everything. Instead, weโ€™d recommend taking the time in the places you do visit to really get a sense of each location and go deeper on the unique histories and cultural peculiarities, which is what makes each place unique.

Hereโ€™s a day-by-day breakdown of what that journey appears like.

  • Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona (and sleep)
  • Day 2: Barcelona
  • Day 3: Girona Day Trip
  • Day 4: Barcelona
  • Day 5: Barcelona & Late Train to Madrid
  • Day 6: Madrid
  • Day 7: Madrid
  • Day 8: Toledo Day Trip
  • Day 9: Granada
  • Day 10: Granada
  • Day 11: Seville
  • Day 12: Seville
  • Day 13: Cรณrdoba Day Trip
  • Day 14: Seville & Fly home

Obviously, you have some flexibility in terms of which days you choose for day trips, how many days to spend in each place, and more. But this is how weโ€™d do it if it was our first trip to Spain.

Two Weeks in Spain: A Complete Guide to Planning a 14 Day Spain Itinerary

Alright, now that we`ve covered logistics and given you an overview of the below itinerary, it`s time to delve into the specifics.

Days 1-5: Barcelona

a man walking down a street next to a tall building

Barcelona is one of the most renowned cities in Europe, and itโ€™s not really that difficult to understand why when youโ€™re immersed in its charm. It has a great food and beverage scene, plenty of fun neighborhoods to explore, and is a hub for some great day excursions.

And, of course, there are the influences of Antoni Gaudรญ, the Modernist architect who has had such an impact on the appearance and feel of various parts of the city, from Modernist buildings along Passeig de Grร cia, to the Sagrada Familia, one of the most impressive religious sites we`ve seen.

You truly canโ€™t visit Spain without including Barcelona. We think Barcelona deserves a full three days, and we think a day trip to Girona to deeper explore Catalonia and see one of our favorite cities in Spain also warrants a place on your visit to Spain. So thatโ€™s four complete days in and around Barcelona.

Please note that weโ€™re assuming you arrive on the first day of this itinerary, probably sometime in the afternoon depending on your origin location.

If youโ€™re coming from outside of the EU, meaning youโ€™re from another continent, that could result in jetlag which would make the first day mostly unproductive. However, if jetlag isn`t an issue for you, it would allow one less day to be spent in Barcelona, freeing up that time to utilize elsewhere later in the itinerary.

What to Do in Barcelona

Here are some activities in Barcelona that we think should be essential parts of your trip. Obviously, there are lots of other things to see, do, eat, and drink, but these were our highlights.

For more comprehensive details, check out our guide to planning a Barcelona agenda.

One important notice: Passes for the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell โ€“ specifically in high season โ€“ sell out. Occasionally months beforehand. After booking your location to reside in Barcelona, those should be the next things you book if wanting to view them.

The Sagrada Familia

Of all the churches we saw during our three month European adventure that took us to Italy (including Sicily), Spain, and Portugal, this was our favorite.

The cause? An astonishing degree of thought and care evident in every single component โ€“ the two facades, the interior, all of it.

It is a masterwork, and it is certainly worthwhile to have the audio guide or a guided tour to enrich your experience and learn more about Gaudi`s magnum opus, which is still being completed (though it is planned to be finished in 2026, 100 years after his death). Y

ou can get tickets on the formal site.

If reservations for your preferred dates are unavailable, check Get Your Guide for express entry tickets, or join a guided tour (we`d advise this one with Take Walks, our preferred tour company across Europe).

a large cathedral with a large clock on it

a large building with a large clock on it
Parc Guell

Another masterwork by Gaudรญ, this is a hilltop park behind the Grร cia neighborhood with splendid views back towards the city and water.

It will be crowded at any hour, but braving the crowds is worth it for the Modernist architecture.

Tickets here.

Explore Barcelonaโ€™s Markets

There are three markets in Barcelona that we enjoyed (though we also went to a couple local markets found in each neighborhood and enjoyed those too).

First, and most renowned, is the La Boqueria marketplace, which is directly on Las Ramblas. Itโ€™s the largest marketplace, and because of its location, itโ€™s consistently crowded with tourists. Arrive early in the morning for the best experience, and obtain some fresh fruit or fruit juice for breakfast (Satan`s Coffee Corner a few blocks away is where you should go to get coffee).

The other two โ€“ Santa Caterina and Barceloneta โ€“ are within a fifteen minute walk, and are smaller in size. However, both locations offer a more enjoyable experience and a better balance between tourists and locals going about their daily shopping.

Learn About Catalonian History

We found the Museu dโ€™Historia Catalunya an informative small museum close to the waterfront in Barceloneta worthwhile.

It provides insights into the histories of both Spain and the Catalonia region specifically, an area we did not research extensively in our academic studies.

Visitors will leave with enhanced insights into the region`s complex history and the distinctive character of its culture.

Discover the Secret to Perfect Paella

a woman standing next to a man holding a plate of food

We love to cook (and eat, of course), and when we discussed the best things we did in Spain, our cooking class with Clara where we learned the secrets to a good paella was at the top of the list for both of us.

You will meet Clara at her family`s home in Grร cia neighborhood and learn to prepare two distinct styles of paella in their lovely outdoor garden setting.

Additionally, Spanish wine and a variety of small plates to enjoy while dinner cooks, and the opportunity to connect with Clara and other like-minded travelers.

Click here to view prices, reviews, and availability.

A Day Trip to Girona

We enjoyed Girona, which is 100km northeast of Barcelona and provides a deeper immersion into Catalonia and its unique culture. Moreover, itโ€™s a lovely small town set on a river (actually multiple rivers), and Game of Thrones filmed numerous major scenes from Season 6 in Girona.

We have an entire guide devoted to planning a day trip from Barcelona to Girona, which you should read for more details. Otherwise, here are the highlights.

a city street filled with lots of tall buildings

Take the high-speed AVE train from Barcelona-Sants to Girona, which takes just 40 minutes in each direction. You can purchase tickets straight through Renfe, or via Omio for a much more user-friendly experience (that comes with a small service fee).

  • Arrive early and walk the entirety of the city walls before they become crowded. You can access the walls from the Jardins de la Francesa behind the massive cathedral ( here on Google Maps), and they extend all around returning near Plaรงa de Catalunya (though you can depart the walls at several points between those two spots). Be sure to scale at minimum one of the towers along the way for fantastic perspectives of the city and cathedral!
  • Travel down to the highly rated Espresso Mafia cafe in Girona for a superb cup of coffee and pastry or two, or head over to their associated cafe La Fabrica if wanting a more hearty brunch.
  • Join our favorite walking tour in Spain at 10:30 am. This option provides two enjoyable choices! We greatly enjoyed the history-focused walking tour we did with Raquel, whose understanding about Girona and Catalonia as a whole was impressive, and itโ€™s the one weโ€™d recommend for most individuals. However, they also conduct a Game of Thrones Tour, which fans of the television program (minus the final season of course, which was subpar) will appreciate because it takes you to places in the city where they filmed pieces of Season 6.
  • Following the tour, grab lunch somewhere in the historic district (ask your guide for a suggestion!).
  • During the midday lull, when much of the city essentially winds down for a few hours in the afternoon, visit the informative Museum of Jewish Heritage, covering the history of Girona`s Jewish population who shaped the city prior to their 1492 expulsion, then the Girona Cathedral, home to an impressive cloister, vast nave (unique with no middle arches), and 11th century Tapestry of Creation.
  • After, spend your remaining time exploring the old town and stopping wherever catches your interest before catching your train home!

a large building with a clock tower on top

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Essentially, there are two chief alternatives in our view here.

We have a guide to deciding where to reside in Barcelona that examines five neighborhoods, in detail, with advantages and disadvantages for each to help you find the right place to stay for your group, style, and budget. If you want more specifics, be sure to read that.

Now, back to those two areas. They are Grร cia, a more residential and peaceful area north of the city center (our personal favorite), and lโ€™Eixample.

Staying in Grร cia: Endlessly Charming with Great Food and Drinks

Like we mentioned above, Grร cia is our personal favorite area in Barcelona. Itโ€™s a little further out, definitely, but we stayed there for most of our time on our latest trip, and found that the metro made it simple to get everywhere we needed to go, and fast.

You`ll want to invest in the fabulous Hola Card if you stay here, which provides access to unlimited transportation from between 24 hours and a week (in 24 hour intervals).

Once away from the bustling wide boulevard of Passeig de Grร cia and into the narrower roads at the core of the neighborhood, the characteristics making it so enjoyable will start to emerge. It used to be an independent town separate from the city of Barcelona, and has largely maintained its unique personality despite being enveloped by the Catalonian capital.

Itโ€™s charming, full of locals with their children and dogs (or both), and has a great selection of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops and cafes. In other words, all of our favorite things.

Staying in lโ€™Eixample: Central, Walkable, and Well Connected

Lโ€™Eixample distinguishes itself as the region located between two defining parts of Barcelona – the centuries-old core known as Ciutat Vella and outlying communities such as Grร cia that formerly stood independently. Established to connect the city center and outskirts while modernizing infrastructure, it contains broad multi-lane avenues and a grid network diverging from the original narrow, winding roads.

Itโ€™s a good middle ground between location (and therefore convenience) and peacefulness. Itโ€™s still very busy, do not misunderstand, but much less chaotic than staying somewhere like the Gothic Quarter, which is overflowing with tourists at all hours of the day.

We sincerely appreciate the variety of lodging options in lโ€™Eixample too. There are great selections ranging from affordable hostels all the way to luxury hotels, and just about everything in between.

  • If private accommodation is preferred:Yeah Hostel Barcelona (which provides both private rooms and dormitories)
  • If you want an amusing, mid-range hotel: Consider the Praktik Hotels ( Garden,Vinoteca, and Bakery specifically), which are made with the modern traveler in mind and give you everything you require at a fairly inexpensive cost. Each property is centered and styled around a theme (like wine or gardens), which intrigues us!
  • For boutique accommodations: Stay at Casa Bonay. This location is highly recommended.

Days 6 & 7: Madrid

a large building with a clock on top of it

As a second stop in Spain after Barcelona, Madrid will likely offer quite a contrast. You`ll get to witness the evident divergences between the Spanish funds and its most iconic city (namely Barcelona). Madrid seems distinctly more liveable, with dense housing and sweeping greenery, and the largest discrepancy we noticed is hearing significantly fewer tongues besides Spanish.

The other thing we noticed is that Mardillenos say โ€œvaleโ€ (which means โ€œokay,โ€ roughly) about every three words. We love those funny language quirks.

We enjoyed Madrid, and think spending two days in the city itself is a perfect amount of time to see the highlights and get a sense of the bustling capital.

However, there are some excellent day excursions possible from Madrid โ€“ Toledo, Segovia, and Avila among others.

Weโ€™d strongly recommend expending an extra day to do a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, where youโ€™ll see a city shaped by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures over the span of centuries. You could also spend the night in Toledo, but it is going to mean extra time on your trip to Granada.

Getting to Madrid

The best way to get to Madrid is by train.ย 

There are multiple high-speed trains with a high velocity operating daily between Barcelona-Sants and Madrid Puerta de Atocha, which are the stations youโ€™ll want to target.

It normally takes around three hours and costs roughly 40 Euros per person one way, but prices may increase if booking closer to travel dates. Therefore, aim to reserve long-distance train tickets as far in advance as possible to benefit financially.

Another thing worthy of note โ€“ the best way to get from Atocha Station to the city center is using the regional train system (called โ€œCercanรญasโ€), and your ticket for this transportation includes a transfer to that system.

You need to scan your long-distance train ticket at a designated scanner โ€“ ask an attendant for assistance if you are unsure how. More details here.

Click here to see prices and timetables for the journey from Barcelona to Madrid on Omio.

What to Do in Madrid

Madrid has fewer major tourist attractions than, say, Barcelona, but it`s an equally enchanting city, with lively, fun neighborhoods full of people who actually make their home there (unlike Barcelona, which seems like it may genuinely be 100% tourists in places like the Gothic Quarter).

The most renowned attraction in Madrid is the Museo del Prado, a gallery primarily featuring paintings that was formed by the Spanish royal family at the height of their influence between the 16th and 19th Centuries. We have an entire section below dedicated to the Prado, because we believe it merits such importance.

Here are some experiences you shouldnโ€™t miss during your time in Madrid.

Visiting the Prado Museum

a large brick building with a clock on it

I want to introduce this section by noting that we are not typically art museum enthusiasts. But thanks to an expert guide who aided in making sense of the huge collection at the Prado, it was still a highlight of our trip to Spain.

The Museo del Prado proved to be the premier attraction in Madrid and made our list of favorite art museums across Europe.

For that reason, tickets are in high demand similar to tickets for the Sagrada Familia, so be sure to purchase in advance to ensure you can experience it, as tickets are known to sell out during peak season.

Primary focuses at the Prado involve Spanish art like Goya and Velasquez, Italian works, and a beloved Flemish assortment.

Flemish art displays imagination, vibrancy, and darkness in a distinctive style. Very dark indeed. It`s a uniquely somber approach, and the Prado Museum houses one of the finest collections worldwide. Entire rooms focus on the Flemish masters, guaranteeing coverage during your visit.

The Prado is immense. One could easily spend an entire day there and not view everything.

Similar to most major art museums across Europe, we think experiencing the Prado with a guide who has knowledge about art history is best. This is how we saw the museum.

After considering various options, we selected this tour led by Jaime, whose insightful knowledge of Spanish history and art transformed our experience from simply observing “some nice paintings” to a much deeper understanding of the pieces, including relevant contextual details about Spanish history and the artist`s life.

people standing in front of a building

Perhaps the most important contribution a guide provides is curating. There are thousands of art pieces in the Prado, and we certainly wouldโ€™ve had no idea where to start. Jaime selected a few pivotal pieces in each section for us to explore in depth rather than trying to see everything.

If youโ€™re interested in an led tour, weโ€™d suggest this one with Jaime (the one we participated in), or if Jaime isnโ€™t available, this tour that was on our preliminary list.

Visiting the Prado without guidance: If you want to go on your own, you can find tickets on their formal website. Youโ€™ll need to pick a time period for your stay โ€“ we heard that the later afternoon slots often tend to be the least occupied, but itโ€™s generally always full in peak season.

Pro-tip: Leave the carry-on at home โ€“ youโ€™ll need to check it in the coatroom, and the lines are notoriously lengthy.

Unable to Reserve Dates? If tickets for the desired dates have been fully booked, consider stopping by the ticket office when it opens on the wanted visit day to check for available daily admissions. You may also look into pre-purchasing skip-the-line entries through a third-party site. Or pick a guided visit that incorporates admission.

The Royal Palace

Among the largest in Europe, the Madrid Royal Palace was built on the site of the original Muslim city. Madrid became Spain`s capital in the 16th century, and the Royal Palace as known today was constructed around that timeframe.

Somewhat, it has faced destruction from flames on a couple occasions and has been reconstructed. Purchase your tickets beforehand to avoid the substantial ticket lines.

Entry passes are available on their formal website.

Tapas in La Latina

a city street filled with cars and motorcycles

Tapas are a must-try in Madrid, and there`s a particular street in La Latina, a very fun neighborhood just south of the main center, famous for tapas bars.

Called Calle Cava Baja, this street houses varied quality and style tapas eateries, seeing particular activity around lunch and pre-dinner.

A Walking Tour through Medieval Madrid

To grasp the context surrounding Madrid and its role in Spanish history, weโ€™d recommend connecting with a local specialist.

Youโ€™ll learn about how Madrid wasnโ€™t much of a big city until the 16th Century when it became the capital, and all the shenanigans that have happened since.

We have two individual recommendations here. First, the walking tour we participated in with Bradley, an American with a PhD in Spanish history, which covered the origins of Madrid and the evolution of the city over the centuries.

Second, this guided walking tour. The guide for the Prado, who was born and raised in Madrid and has an extensive knowledge of Madridโ€™s history, culture, and art, led us on the tour.

Parque El Retiro

a fountain that is in the middle of a garden

Madridโ€™s finest green area, situated on the eastern side of the city near the Prado Museum. Thereโ€™s a rose garden, a lake, and all sorts of lovely greenery that provide a nice break from the busy city streets.

Begin from the northwestern corner at Puerta de Alcala, and make your way south to the rose garden, passing the lake and Palacio Cristal along the route.

Where to Stay in Madrid

The initial there-and-back hike to Landscape Arch is the most impressive of the group, and it`s only 1.8 miles round trip from the trailhead. More information here.

Staying in Malasaรฑa: Our Favorite Neighborhood in Madrid

While we really enjoyed our time in Portland, we found ourselves enamored with the rest of Oregon after spending six weeks on a road trip around the state that took us to Mt. Hood, along the Oregon Coast, and through the Cascades. Weโ€™ve organized these cabin getaways into three groupings focused on mountains, coastlines, and riverside areas.

Here are some specific places to consider:

Staying in Sol-Gran Vรญa: As Central as it Gets

Sol-Gran Vรญa is much more focused on the prime locale than how charming it is. That`s where we stayed, and we essentially walked anywhere we went in Madrid. It`s 15-20 minutes to both the Royal Palace and Prado Museum, and 10 minutes to the heart of Malasaรฑa and La Latina, two of our favorite places to spend time in Madrid.

Additionally, Plaza Mayor will be just minutes away (itโ€™s within the neighborhood boundaries).

Here are some specific places to consider:

Day 8: A Toledo Day Trip

a large stone building with a clock on it

Before Madrid rose to prominence in the 16th Century, Toledo was actually the most influential city in the region at that time. Today, itโ€™s one of the best models (outside of Andalucรญa, I suppose) of the coming together of the three notable religions and cultures in Spanish history โ€“ Muslim, Jewish, and Christian.

Itโ€™s one of the few places in Spain where visitors can see a cathedral, two synagogues, and a mosque in close proximity.

Additionally, Toledo is a beautiful city, with the alcazar perched high atop a hill overlooking the Tagus river below. Even the walk to the center from the train station is gorgeous โ€“ you cross a bridge with the center of Toledo across the river from you, towering above.

To Day Trip, or Not to Day Trip?

Given that itโ€™s just a 30 minute train ride from Madrid, Toledo is absolutely feasible as a day trip from Madrid. Indeed, thatโ€™s exactly how we did it.

However, we also believe that itโ€™s worth investing some extra effort to be in Toledo early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the bothersome day visitors arenโ€™t around and the city is at its most beautiful.

Exploring Toledo in the morning offered the best experience, away from peak tourist hours, granting more opportunity to appreciate the cultural blending of Spain through a deeper lens.

We see merits with each approach, and this decision relies on personal tastes. It bears mentioning that the train ride to Granada from Toledo would require travelling back through Madrid first despite Toledo`s proximity, as that connection facilitates the onward trip.

That alone might make it worth doing as a day trip, but it is your decision.

How to Spend a Day in Toledo

Here are the best things to do with a day in Toledo.

We would skip touring the interior of the Toledo Cathedral, which charges over 12 Euros despite its grand scale and works by famous Spanish artists like Goya. We feel that`s still a high price for a church.

The Alcazar & Military Museum

The Alcazar of Toledo โ€“ which has roots from the 3rd Century โ€“ is positioned on a hill overlooking the Tagus River (which runs all the way to Lisbon in Portugal) and is now home to a military museum. But itโ€™s not actually about the military, really.

The best part of this museum is the thorough chronicle of Spainโ€™s history in six chapters. Which does incorporate a lot of things centered on the military, but uses a much broader view to investigate the history of the country.

They also display some collections of firearms and blades which isnโ€™t particularly unique or impressive, in my opinion.

Spending a couple of hours exploring the history museum of Spain is worthwhile, as it provides useful context about the country. An added bonus is that the museum offers free admission on Sundays.

The Two Synagogues

The two synagogues in Toledo worth exploring represent two of the few old synagogues still standing in Spain.

The first, Sinagoga de Santa Marรญa La Blanca, is the more renowned one, and I was a bit surprised by the lack of info inside. Still, the archways and dim interior are quite striking.

Itโ€™s technically no longer a place of worship for Jews after it was confiscated when the Jewish community was expelled in 1492. Today, ownership of the structure belongs to the Catholic Church, who has yet to return it to the Jewish community despite requests from them to do so.

  • Chinatown Complex Food Centre โ€ข $ โ€ข Casual food court-style eating, canteen seating, a Michelin-starred chicken vendor, popular with groups and solo diners.

We enjoyed the Mudejar style, which draws inspiration from Islamic architecture and was frequently created by Muslim artisans for non-Muslim buildings and patrons. More on that style when exploring Andalucรญa.

The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes

Just down the street from the two synagogues is a good monastery whose main attraction and highlight is undoubtedly the multi-floor cloister in the middle.

At first, it was intended to serve as the burial site for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand – the royal couple responsible for uniting the two Spanish kingdoms – but later in life after they conquered the final Muslim kingdom in Granada in 1492, they ended up deciding on Granada instead.

Be sure to see the ground floor and upper floor of the cloister, and check out the gargoyles on the upper floor.

The Mosque

Having seen Christianity and Judaism, the final of the three chief monotheistic faiths is now on display. In Toledo`s center near Puerta del Sol sits a modest former mosque constructed in 999 AD.

Throughout our time in Spain, particularly in Andalusia, we were struck by the contrast between the grandeur of cathedrals and churches, which were clearly intended to project strength above all else, and mosques, which are more humble places of worship.

This previous place of worship, called the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, is small compared to any church in the city, and it was transformed into a church when the Christians overtook the city (UNEXPECTED).

Days 9 & 10: Granada

a scenic view of a city with palm trees

Granada was one of our favorite stops in Spain for a couple reasons. First, the Alhambra is an impressive feat of architecture and well worth half a day exploring the former fort turned palace at the top of the hill. The gardens of Generalife, the former summer palace of the Nasrid family, and the Nasrid Palaces in particular are stunning.

However, Granada has more to offer than just the Alhambra, which is why we recommend spending a couple days there rather than just visiting the Alhambra and then departing.

Granada was the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula, falling in 1492 to the Christian monarchs after numerous centuries as part of a Muslim caliphate. The effect of those centuries of a solid Muslim local area are quickly evident as you stroll the roadways of Granada, particularly in the Albaicรญn, the Muslim Quarter.

From places of worship that were once mosques but now churches while still maintaining some unique architectural features, to countless teahouses (Alyshaโ€™s favorite!), Granada is a city worth touring beyond just the Alhambra to understand how the different cultures have blended over the centuries.

For more data on Granada, be sure to check out our guide to 2 days in Granada, which has everything required to spend a couple of days in the city, like how to see the Alhambra.

Getting to Granada

From Madrid, Granada is a bit of a journey. Itโ€™s basically due south, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains make the journey a little longer and more circuitous than it should be. Along the train ride, youโ€™ll pass olive trees as far as the eye can see.

No, sincerely. Almost the entire train excursion was merely perspectives of row after row of olive trees.

Making the train journey from Madrid to Granada would take around three and a half hours, however we feel the scenic route is worthwhile despite the time spent traveling. Rail tickets can often prove quite expensive though, so be sure to book as far in advance as your schedule allows.

Situated on a 28.5-acre land only steps from a private sandy shore is this charming green cottage.

We like Omio because itโ€™s a more user-friendly experience, giving you all the train and bus options in one place, and itโ€™s all in English. Youโ€™ll pay a small service fee, but we think itโ€™s worth it.

Things to Do in Granada

a city with lots of buildings and trees

As mentioned, Granada has more to offer than just the Alhambra, though we highly recommend experiencing the Alhambra during your time there.

The Alhambra

a large stone building with a clock on it

As one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra was constructed by the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim territory on the Iberian Peninsula. It features aspects of both a defensive fortress and a royal residence, and the complex contains three sections.

The Generalife (summer palace and gardens), the Alcazaba (the fortress area), and the Nasrid Palaces (the most unique and beautiful section).

You can opt for a ticket covering all three destinations. However, reservations are required ahead of time for the Nasrid Palaces whereas the others allow visits anytime on the day matching one`s ticket.

a view through a window of a building

a train crossing a bridge over a river

All three are mandatory attractions, and you should obtain the ticket providing access to the entire complex.

Purchase tickets on the official website as far ahead as possible to independently visit, but weโ€™d propose a guided tour to obtain the context you need to genuinely comprehend what youโ€™re observing.

We undertook this guided sightseeing tour, and truly enjoyed the experience.

Expert tip: Bring water, sunscreen, relaxed shoes, and a hat if youโ€™re touring in the summertime.

Alhambra admission for your dates sold out? You have a couple options. You could go to the ticket office when it opens on the day you wish to attend in hopes of obtaining entry for that day. You might check Get Your Guide to see if they offer any priority admission tickets. Or you could join a guided excursion.

Albaicรญn at Sunset

The Albaicรญn is among the most romantic and charming areas of Granada, at minimum based on our perspective.

The Muslim quarter of Granada stretches up the hillside, which used to be the home of the ruling family`s palace before it was moved to the Alhambra under a new ruling family.

Itโ€™s full of narrow paths and open plazas, some of which have spectacular sights of the Alhambra across the valley.

Itโ€™s particularly stunning at sunset.

Go to The Scenic Overlook of San Nicolรกs ( here on Google Maps), which is more well-known and complete of people, or the nearby Scenic Overlook of la Vereda de Enmedio ( here on Google Maps) which is where we ended up, and there were only a small handful of people around as the golden light washed over the Alhambra.

We enjoyed this walking tour of the Albaicรญn neighborhood, where we got to learn more regarding the history of the area.

Experience a โ€œTeterรญaโ€

Alysha doesn`t enjoy coffee drinks, but she ABSOLUTELY ADORES tea. And the place to get tea in Spain is at one of the teterรญas โ€“ tea houses โ€“ in Granada.

One of the unique things youโ€™ll find in Granada (and other parts of Andalusia, though not nearly as prominently as in Granada), are establishments serving tea, which are a clear demonstration of the influence of the seven centuries of Muslim rule in Granada.

In an unassuming mall space in Bellevue near State Route 520 and 148th Avenue lies Wildflour Baking Co. Before 2020, I had seen them at local coffee shops and occasionally in grocery stores, but when I stayed in Seattle for around two months during the winter of 2020, I managed to visit their actual location for the first time.

The Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel

We had heard from the guide on our walking tour that the Royal Chapel was the best part of the Cathedral complex to visit, and weโ€™d have to say we concur with that assessment.

Inside the Royal Chapel, the first Catholic rulers of Spain (Isabella and Ferdinand) are buried, along with their children (Joana and Phillip). Visitors can walk down into the crypt to see where theyโ€™re interred beneath the decorative mausoleums in the center of the Chapel.

It costs 5 Euros, and thereโ€™s a handy audio guide in English.

Where to Stay in Granada

Granada is reasonably compact, though weโ€™d suggest staying somewhere near Plaza Nueva, which will give you access to everything youโ€™ll want to see within about 15 minutes on foot.

We stayed at Limehome in Granada, which was among our favorite places throughout our month traveling Spain. Spacious, light-filled apartments with kitchens, and our particular apartment had a little terrace where you can catch a glimpse of the Alhambra.

If we returned, weโ€™d likely stay in the consistently charming Albaicรญn,but itโ€™s a small amount less practical because itโ€™s hard to access by vehicle, and itโ€™s uphill if youโ€™re walking (which can be an issue if youโ€™re transporting bags).

Days 11 โ€“ 14: Seville

a clock tower in the middle of a park

Seville has played a very significant role in world history, and the city serves as a fascinating demonstration of multiple cultures intermingling, blending together over time.

Before we can really discuss Seville โ€“ the capital of Andalucรญa โ€“ as a Spanish city, we must talk about its origins. Because before coming to Seville, we had a very different image in our heads of a city that is distinctly โ€œSpanish,โ€ more so than any other city in Spain.

After our visit, we realized this quintessentially โ€œSpanishโ€ city is the product of a rich history involving a diverse group of players, culminating in a fascinating locale.

Seville`s history precedes Roman rule, though we`ll start there. Seville remained significant under Roman administration, as emperors like Hadrian and Trajan hailed from nearby Italica.

Julius Caesar himself oversaw the original construction of Seville`s city walls, which have long since disappeared as the city expanded far beyond the original Roman settlement`s boundaries.

Following the Visigoths and Vandals, who inhabited Seville for roughly a few hundred years, the most significant period in Seville`s history began in the 8th Century.

That event marked the beginning of Muslim rule over the Iberian Peninsula by the Umayyad Caliphate, which lasted approximately eight centuries total, though Seville was captured by Spanish Christians in 1248.

a large building with a clock on the front of it

Thereโ€™s a reason why I think understanding Sevilleโ€™s history is important going into your trip.

Throughout your whole time in Seville, you will see the impact of various cultures mixing together on the modern city. The most prominent sights – the Alcรกzar (whose very name demonstrates cultural blending) and Seville Cathedral – contain aspects from both the Islamic era and subsequent Christian periods.

In fact, the bulk of both buildings are expansions that were built around structures that were erected during the period of the Caliphate.

Setting aside the history, Seville is a pleasant place to expend a few days. Lively, orange tree lined plazas with people eating and drinking their hearts out, gorgeous design (distinctively Plaza de Espaรฑa, which you shouldnโ€™t miss), and a lot of green areas in the city make for a perfect end to your Spanish adventure.

Psst! We have an entire thorough guide dedicated to assisting you in planning the ideal 2 day Seville itinerary.

Getting to Seville

High-speed trains connecting Granada to Seville take around two and a half hours, some via a brief stopover at the easy to navigate station in Antequera-Santa Ana, which we transferred through twice.

Donโ€™t be put off by potential changes there, but know it will likely take a bit longer with the alterations (but also cost a bit less).

What to Do in Seville

There are a few components we think you shouldnโ€™t miss while visiting Seville.

This list does not cover everything, and more depth on the city and things to do and see there can be found in our guide to 2 days in Seville. The Cathedral, Alcรกzar, and Archivo de Indias (the last not really worth visiting) make up a three-part complex recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We believe that dedicating one day to Cรณrdoba, which is a 40 minute train ride away and is home to one of the most pivotal Muslim sites in Spain โ€“ the Mosque Cathedral, would be worthwhile.

Alongside the Alhambra in Granada and the Royal Alcรกzar of Seville, it forms an important trio documenting the Muslim history of Andalusia. While in Spain, we recommend putting in the effort to experience all three of these significant historical sites.

Royal Alcรกzar of Seville

This was our first stop in Seville, and itโ€™s a great introduction to the history of the city because itโ€™s a palace (with an Arabic-inspired name) built for a Christian king predominantly by Muslims, in a style that blends Muslim and Christian characteristics.

All of this occurred directly after the mentioned Christian king conquered the city from the Muslim rulers who had inhabited it for five centuries prior to his arrival.

The whole structure was put together over centuries from different architectural designs merged as one, blending Gothic, Renaissance, Mudejar, and other styles. It includes three sections and a pleasant garden area that has a water-powered pipe instrument – one of just a few worldwide – playing a tune every hour on the hour.

a large building with a fountain in front of it

a statue of a man sitting on top of a walkway

The most interesting of the structures, by far, is the Palace of Peter, where parts of season five of Game of Thrones were filmed (mainly the parts that take place in Dorne).

Your afternoon destination is Papago Park, a beautiful park in the core of Phoenix. Its distinctive rock structures are a beautiful site to explore. Papago is a go-to destination for mountain bicyclists, rock climbers, or hikers looking to admire the desert landscape in town.

The Seville Cathedral

The Seville Cathedral was built on the site of a mosque, and provides a contrast between the part of the building that used to be a mosque โ€“ a humble place of worship made of affordable materials โ€“ and the addition of a massive cathedral that represents equal parts worship and power projection.

Christopher Columbus (or at minimum part of him), renowned for essentially making one huge mistake, is also interred here. The highlight is climbing the bell tower, known as the โ€œGiralda,โ€ for a nice vista over the city. The way you get to the top is unique too.

Rather than stairs, which is what you find at most cathedrals, youโ€™ll climb 35 ramps.

Website Address: https://lomi.cafe/

Plaza de Espaรฑa

All of Spain`s major cities seem to feature one, but Seville`s is arguably the grandest. Scenes from the unfortunately weakest Star Wars film of the original six, Attack of the Clones, were shot there, indicating its majestic quality.

Constructed in the early 1900s prior to an Ibero-American expo meant to strengthen Transatlantic bonds but hampered by concurrent financial turmoil, the museum was commissioned.

Still, the architecture is truly spectacular, with two high structures, waterways, and four bridges – each bridge representing a former part of Spain.

A Day Trip to Cรณrdoba

Cรณrdoba is a perfect place to spend a day, and the Mosque-Cathedral is sure to be one of the most fascinating places youโ€™ll visit on your trip to Spain.

With high-speed train service connecting Seville and Cรณrdoba, you can easily spend a day in Cรณrdoba from Seville and see the primary attractions within a single day.

For a more relaxed tempo, spend the night and see the city once all the day visitors have departed.

We enjoyed Cรณrdoba, and have a guide to a day trip to Cรณrdoba that you should read if youโ€™re interested.

Be sure to visit the remarkable Mosque-Cathedral, and also tour the beautiful gardens of the Alcรกzar.

a large building with a bunch of umbrellas in it

Where to Stay in Seville

Seville is a relatively small city that is also very flat, which means youโ€™ll essentially be able to travel everywhere on foot if you stay central. Weโ€™d suggest lodging in one of the neighborhoods at the center that makes up the Casco Antiguo, Sevilleโ€™s charming historic downtown area. We particularly enjoy the charming Jewish Quarter called Santa Cruz.

We lodged at Come to Sevilla โ€“ Casa de las Especias, which is a set of independently managed residences (comparable to a fusion between a hotel and an apartment complex) in the heart of the old town.

If you desire an apartment, weโ€™d recommend it. They also have two other properties in the city, one in Arenal (near the river) and one on the border of Santa Cruz.

If youโ€™re searching for a boutique hostel โ€“ a cross between a hotel and a hostel providing private, hotel-style rooms and the social aspects expected from a hostel โ€“ check out TOC Hostel. We stayed at TOC in Barcelona and enjoyed the experience, and they`re known for offering an excellent stay.

Allow us to assist you in planning your incredible trip to Spain!

Weโ€™ve composed further detailed guides highlighting our favorite places across Spain โ€“ from Barcelona, to Madrid and Andalusia โ€“ that we crafted to aid in planning an extraordinary trip.

P.S.: If the connection isnโ€™t there, it means weโ€™re still working on it and the guide will be up shortly. It takes a significant amount of time and effort to put together these detailed guides! Bear with us.

What to Do with More Time in Spain

The way we see it, there are two potential paths one could take to answer this question.

The initial path is including additional locations alongside this general route, which is what we would recommend (and is basically what we accomplished on our trip).

The second path would be to pick another region โ€“ like Asturias in the northwest or Basque Country in the northeast (or even Mallorca, an island off the south coast of Spain), and spend your extra time there. We would only recommend this path if you have another week in Spain โ€“ so three weeks total. Otherwise, the travel time to get there probably isnโ€™t worth it.

If youโ€™re up for the first route, here are some other places that could make a great addition to your itinerary, along with approximated time allocations to each location.

  • Ronda (1-2 days): One of the more charming towns in Spain, Ronda is among the famous Andalusian hilltop towns painted white. Itโ€™s probably worthwhile for no more than two days, and there are no major attractions, allowing one to relax, explore, and immerse in the atmosphere. Hiking down to view the famous bridge is certainly worth it, though.
  • Montserrat (1 day): A day excursion from Barcelona for hikers and people who love religious sites.
  • Avila or Segovia (1 day): Two more excellent day trips from Madrid, Avila is renowned for its intact medieval city walls (and defensive towers), while Segovia is known for its Roman aqueduct.
  • Cadiz or Malaga (1-2 days): If youโ€™re seeking to spend a couple days at the end of your trip at the shore, these are two good options in southern Spain. Both are readily accessible from Seville or Granada and would make a relaxing way to conclude your travels.

What to Do with Less Time in Spain

If you have somewhere between 7-10 days available in Spain, you can do a compressed version of this itinerary, so youโ€™ll be able to use the detailed information in the relevant sections to plan your trip. Two potential 10 day Spain itinerary ideas and two potential 7 day Spain itinerary ideas will be provided.

For a 7 day trip, we recommend focusing on two cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, or Madrid and Granada. A 10 day itinerary could expand to three cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Granada. Use one location as your base to minimize packing up and changing accommodations between places, a strategy we adopted on our 3 month European tour. Avoid repacking whenever possible since it`s such a hassle!

7 Days in Spain: Two 7ย  Day Spain Itinerary Ideas

Two potential options exist for structuring a week in Spain, with one centered around Madrid and Barcelona to benefit from their contrasting qualities, and another focused on Madrid alongside Andalusia, epitomizing more authentically โ€˜Spanishโ€™ regions.

Madrid and Barcelona in 7 Days

Focus on Spainโ€™s two major metropolitan areas โ€“ Barcelona and Madrid โ€“ and use them as a home base to do a couple of day trips from there.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona
  • Day 2: Barcelona
  • Day 3: Girona Day Trip
  • Day 4: Early train to Madrid
  • Day 5: Madrid
  • Day 6: Day Trip to Toledo
  • Day 7: Madrid & Fly Home
Madrid and Seville in 7 Days

Begin your trip in Madrid, Spain`s capital, and make your way south to Seville, the capital of Andalusia, over seven days.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Madrid
  • Day 2: Madrid
  • Day 3: Toledo Day Trip
  • Day 4: Train to Seville
  • Day 5: Seville
  • Day 6: Seville
  • Day 7: Seville & Fly Home

10 Days in Spain: Two 10 Day Spain Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days, you have a bit more time available, but still not quite enough to fit Barcelona, Madrid, and Andalusia all into your trip.

Barcelona, Madrid, and Granada in 10 Days

In this version, youโ€™re choosing Barcelona, Madrid, and Granada over Seville (one of our favorite places in Spain). Granada and the Alhambra gives you a taste of Andalusia, a region you can explore more on a future dedicated trip.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona
  • Day 2: Barcelona
  • Day 3: Girona Day Trip
  • Day 4: Barcelona
  • Day 5: Early train to Madrid
  • Day 6: Madrid
  • Day 7: Day Trip to Toledo
  • Day 8: Granada
  • Day 9: Granada
  • Day 10: Fly Home from Granada
Madrid and Andalusia in 10 Days

In this version, spend most of your time in Andalusia, with a couple of days in Madrid at the beginning and a full week split between Seville and Granada, where youโ€™ll have the ability to delve a little deeper into the intricate, interwoven history of the Muslim and Christian periods in southern Spain.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Madrid
  • Day 2: Madrid
  • Day 3: Toledo Day Trip
  • Day 4: Madrid
  • Day 5: Granada
  • Day 6: Granada
  • Day 7: Seville
  • Day 8: Seville
  • Day 9: Seville
  • Day 10: Seville & Fly Home

a city street filled with lots of tall buildings


Allow us to assist you in planning your incredible trip to Spain!

Weโ€™ve composed further detailed guides highlighting our favorite places across Spain โ€“ from Barcelona, to Madrid and Andalusia โ€“ that we crafted to aid in planning an extraordinary trip.

P.S.: If the connection isnโ€™t there, it means weโ€™re still working on it and the guide will be up shortly. It takes a significant amount of time and effort to put together these detailed guides! Bear with us.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!

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