Best of Spain Travel Itinerary for First-Timers
Spain is an incredible country with much to offer. The possibilities for routes are endless and no matter what you choose you will have an amazing vacation. This Spain travel itinerary is designed for first-time visitors. It includes a little of everything to make your trip to Spain memorable, including, must-see cities, monuments, incredible day trips, bucket list experiences, and ends relaxing next to the Mediterranean before returning to the crazy busyness of life.
READ Complete Travel Guide to Spain, What You Need To Know
READ Must-See Cities In and Around Spain’s Costa Del Sol
What cities should I visit in Spain?
Spain is a large country with amazing regions and cities to explore. It would be impossible to include it all with limited time off. Many Spain travel itineraries focus on the main cities of Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, but there is so much more to Spain. The Mediterranean coastline of Costa del Sol and the famous Pueblos Blanco is a relaxing end to a whirlwind trip through the country. A day trip to the Rock of Gibraltar is a unique opportunity and Morocco is a quick ferry ride across the Strait of Gibraltar. To see the best of Spain while maximizing travel time focus on Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Costa del Sol, the Pueblos Blanco, Malaga, and Ronda.
How many days in Spain is enough?
It would be a dream to travel through Spain slowly, spending time in villages and experiencing the life of locals. Unfortunately, most of us work and that is not a possibility for a few years. I am not an advocate of using all your PTO in one trip, however, it is the best use of time and money when traveling overseas. Begin planning your Spain travel itinerary by sitting down with a calendar and mapping out the number of days that are available. Be sure to use weekends, holidays, and any comp time you can possibly accumulate before the trip. Don’t waste any time, Spain is an amazing country with incredible things to do, see, and eat. Below are the best Spain itineraries based on the number of available days.
Spain Travel Itinerary 7 days
Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo
Spain Travel Itinerary 10 days
Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba
Spain Travel Itinerary 16 days
Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Pueblos Blanco, Malaga, Ronda
Spain Travel Itinerary 20 days
Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, Tarifa, Rock of Gibraltar, Tangier or Chefchaouen, Granada, Pueblos Blanco, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Ronda
Spain and Portugal Travel Itinerary 25 days
Have you thought about visiting Portugal? Portugal borders Spain and is an easy add-on to this itinerary if time allows. To create a travel itinerary for Spain and Portugal simply purchase a discount flight on Ryanair from Madrid to Porto. Spend two days in Porto exploring the city and the Port wine caves. Take the early high-speed train to Lisbon and spend two days exploring Lisbon. Add a day trip to Sintra by train. Sintra Portugal is listed as a UNESCO Cultural Landscape and is not to be missed. Return to Seville Spain on a discount airline such as TAP and continue travel through Spain. Visiting Portugal adds 5 days to your Spain itinerary.
What is the best way to travel around Spain?
Spain is a large country. This itinerary uses planes, trains, and automobiles (I couldn’t resist the reference). Check Iberia Airline for discount tickets and RENFE for high-speed train tickets. The goal is to always maximize time. When deciding between a plane and a train be sure to take into account airport security. Renting a car to explore Costa Del Sol allows for flexibility and driving in Spain is straightforward. If the thought of International Driving makes you anxious it is possible to use Malaga as your hub and schedule organized day tours to explore the area. You can even visit the Rock of Gibraltar and Tangier on a day trip from Malaga.
Where Should I Stay in Spain?
This is a fast-paced trip with several day trips by train. I suggest choosing a hotel at your price point close to the central train station. If you fly into a city the airport shuttle will transport you to this station. Day trips will depart from this station and you will be close for early departure when moving on. This eliminates dragging a suitcase through town and looking for an early morning taxi. Plus, you may get up to an extra hour of sleep in the morning.
Sample Spain Travel Itinerary, Three Week Day by Day Guide
Duration: 20 days minimum
Cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, Tarifa, Rock of Gibraltar, Chefchaouen, Granada, Mijas, Frigiliana, Nerja, Marbella, Ronda, Malaga
Highlights: See Gaudi’s Architecture, Browse the Works of Picasso, Watch Flamenco in Seville, Tour the Alhambra, Visit the Patios of Cordoba, Wander the Pueblos Blanco
Arrival
Overseas flight. I know you are busy and tired. Trust me and book the flight out on the evening of your last day at work. Preparation is the key to surviving long-haul flights. Layout your airplane outfit and have your packed bag by the door ready to go. Zip home after work, change your clothes, wash your face, brush your teeth, and head to the airport. Enjoy a glass of wine and take an original strength of Dramamine to sleep on the plane. You will arrive in Spain in time to check into your hotel, see a site, and enjoy a great dinner with a glass of Sangria before going to bed.
Three Days in Barcelona Spain
This itinerary begins in Barcelona Spain. Arrive as early as possible on day 2. Ride the train from the airport to the city center and check into your hotel. Grab an espresso and head to Plaza de España. Take in the view from Arenas de Barcelona. Have dinner and a glass of Sangria before making your way to watch the Magic Fountain show.
Spend the next 2 days exploring the highlights of Barcelona. Walk down La Rambla, eat tapas at Mercado de la Boqueria Market, get some sun at Barceloneta Beach, wander the Gothic Quarter, browse Picasso’s works at the Picasso Museum, see the Arco de Triunfo, and explore Gaudi’s Park Guell, La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila or Casa Vicens. If the schedule allows, take a day trip to Monserrat.
READ Things to Do in Barcelona Spain
Two Days in Madrid Spain
On day 5 take an early morning flight to Madrid. Take the train from the airport into town and find a hotel near the Atocha Station. Spend the next 2 days exploring Parque del Retiro, Plaza de Cibeles, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, and Plaza Mayor. Admission to the Prada or Sophia Museum is free 7-9 pm. Do not leave the city before enjoying churros and hot chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés.
READ Madrid Spain Travel Itinerary, 48 Hours
One Day in Toledo Spain
Take a day trip from Madrid to Toledo on day 7. Prepurchase your train ticket to Toledo and arrive at the Atocha station early. Once in Toledo, take a taxi from the train station to the city center. There are over 30 museums and monuments to explore while wandering this ancient city. If you have more time consider a day trip to Segovia.
READ A Day Trip to Toledo Spain
Two Days in Seville Spain
On day 8 take the earliest RENFE high-speed train (2.5 hours) to the Sevilla-Santa Justa Station and continue to the city center by bus or subway. Alternatively, take an Iberia discount flight (1 hour + security) to Seville and use the airport bus to the city center. The top 3 attractions in Seville are the Royal Alcázar, flamenco, and Plaza de España. During your 2 days in Seville also explore the Jewish Quarter, wander Barrio Santa Cruz, visit the Cathedral, eat tapas, and tour as many palaces as time allows.
READ Seville Spain Travel Itinerary, 48 Hours
One Day in Cordoba Spain
On day 10 catch the early train to Cordoba and arrive by 7:30 am. Take a taxi to the Torre De Calahorra and walk across the bridge to the Cathedral of Córdoba. Explore the candy cane-colored mosque. Visit the Alcazar before continuing on to the Royal Stable to watch the prancing horse’s practice. Tour the Patios of Cordoba, see the little street of flowers, and shop for souvenirs in the Jewish Quarter.
Pro Tip: most businesses only take cash and close for siesta.
READ Day Trip to Cordoba
One Day in the Rock of Gibraltar
Get up early on day 11 and pick up a rental car from the Santa Justa Train Station. Drive 2 hours to the Rock of Gibraltar. Park in Spain and walk across the border, don’t forget your passport. Purchase a bus hopper ticket and take the #5 bus into the city. Walk across the famous airport runway, take a cable car up the rock for amazing views into Morocco, tour St Michael’s Cave, and hang out with the Barbary Macaques. You have been eating a lot of tapas so switch it up and stop in a pub for fish n chips or bangers n mash. Return to Spain and spend the next 3 nights in Tarifa.
Pro Tip: businesses accept payment in British Pounds or Euros. Change is given in Gibraltar Pounds, they cannot be spent in the UK. Consider using a travel rewards card with no foreign transaction fees.
READ Day Trip to Rock of Gibraltar
One Day in Tarifa Spain
Spend day 12 exploring Tarifa’s old town before heading to the beach to watch the kite surfers. If you are adventurous, take a kite surfing lesson. If not, drive up the coast to Cadiz and spend the day exploring the city. Be sure to stop to see the sand dunes and bulls hanging out on the beach along the drive.
READ Things to Do in Tarifa Spain
One Day in Chefchaouen Morocco
Spend day 13 in Morocco. Tangier is an hour’s ferry ride across the Straight of Gibraltar. Tangier gets mixed reviews. If you decide to take a day trip, hire a guide. Do you need one? Probably not, but, if you do not have one you will be harassed the entire time you are visiting to hire one. Preplan your day as if you are your own guide, translate it, and give it to the guide you hire. Be clear you will not be purchasing any souvenirs. Do your best to not walk into a building you have not requested to visit.
Have you seen photos of the Blue City? It is possible to take a DIY day trip to Chefchaouen from Tarifa. You will spend a lot of time on an uncomfortable bus. When you stop and think about it, this trip has not been expensive. This is a time to splurge and hire a private guide. Read about my experience below, I had an amazing day!
READ Day Trip to Chefchaouen Morocco
Two Days in Granada Spain
Get up early on day 14 and drive 1.5 hours to Mijas. Spend a few hours walking the streets of this Pueblos Blanco and have an early lunch on a terrace. Continue another 1.5 to Granada. Check into your hotel and start exploring the city. Be sure to pre-purchase your entrance to the Alhambra as far in advance as possible. Tickets are limited, timed, and sell out fast. While in Granada visit the Monastery of San Jerónimo, photograph the facades of the Granada Cathedral, wander the Albayzín, take the tourist train to the city viewpoints, and attend a flamenco show in a gypsy cave.
READ Granada Spain Travel Itinerary, 48 Hours
READ Visiting the Alhambra Palace and Gardens
One Day in the Pueblos Blanco, Frigiliana and Nerja
Get up early on day 16 and drive to Frigiliana. Spend the morning wandering this whitewashed village of narrow mosaic passages, stepped alleys, red-tiled roofs, window boxes full of flowers, and little azure doors. Drive down the hill and spend the afternoon in Nerja. Take a walk on the beach, stop in a chiringuito for a beer and enjoy the view from the Balcón de Europa. Drop off the car at the Malaga airport by 8 pm. Take the airport bus to the city center and check into your Malaga hotel for the next 4 nights.
Pro Tip: allow extra time to drop off the rental car, the entrance is complicated and congested. Keep the gas receipt, it will be checked and calculations will be made.
READ Andalucia Spain Road Trip
One Day in Ronda Spain
Spend day 17 in Ronda Spain. When looking at a map it is tempting to DIY a day trip to Rhonda Spain. If you choose to do so be aware that roads are narrow and dangerous in the rain. Save the aggravation and splurge on a day trip to Rhonda with a short stop in Marabella. Your day trip will include a walking tour of Ronda, viewpoints of the Puente Nuevo Bridge and El Tajo Gorge, and a stop at Centro de Interpretacion del Vino to drink wine from a tap. Marabella Spain is Costa Del Sol’s French Riviera. Spend your free time here viewing the sculptures of Salvador Dali on Avenida del Mar, taking a walk on the beach checking out the amazing sand sculptures, or relaxing in Plaza de Los Naranjos.
READ Things to Do in Ronda Spain
READ Things to Do in Marbella Spain
Two Days in Malaga Spain
Spend days 18 and 19 exploring Malaga Spain. Malaga is an incredible Costa del Sol city. Spend time relaxing on La Malagueta Beach, see the Alcazaba, climb to the rooftop of the Málaga Cathedral, visit Picasso’s birthplace and museum, or browse the Pompidou Center’s modern art. Book the return flight for day 20.
READ Things to Do in Malaga Spain
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