1 Week in Spain - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Spain: Barcelona, Madrid & Seville

This seven-day itinerary allows you to experience the best of Spain while traveling to cities in three distinct regions: Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. 

It starts with your arrival in Barcelona, the capital of Spain's Catalonia region and one of the finest cities on the Mediterranean coast. Over the first two days, you'll visit some of Barcelona's most famous sights, including modernist architectural gems by Antoni Gaudí like Park Güel and the Sagrada Familia basilica. On Day 3, it's off to Madrid, where you'll tour the cobbled streets of the Old City, visit the Royal Palace, and sample delectable cuisine one bite at a time in the city's tapas bars.

On Day 4, you'll visit the "art triangle," which is comprised of three different museums. These include the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza (featuring one of the world's largest private art collections), the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Spain's national museum of 20th-century art), and the famous Museo Nacional del Prado, which displays works by heavyweights such as Goya, Bosch, El Greco, Titian, and Diego Velázquez, among others. 

Day 5 will take you from Madrid south to Seville, the capital of the Andalusia region, for a visit to the Royal Alcázar, a palace used by the royal court for centuries. Day 6 will see you enjoying some city highlights from the back of a horse-drawn carriage, and these include the expansive Plaza de España and the 16th-century Seville Cathedral, which is the largest gothic church in the world. On your last day, you can enjoy one final stroll around Seville before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Explore Barcelona & Rural Catalonia

This weeklong adventure combines the metropolis we all know and love with some of Catalonia’s more rural and less-visited gems. Expect to mix the fun of Barcelona with the bucolic beauty of mountain towns, old monasteries, and Roman ruins.

Days 1 and 2 see your arrival in Barcelona followed by a self-guided tour of the highlights. This includes strolling La Rambla, visiting the gothic-modernist Sagrada Familia cathedral, and a tour of La Boquería Market, which dates back to 1217 and is a great spot to acquaint yourself with Catalan cuisine. Day 3 is a real treat as you board a private sailboat and cruise along Barcelona’s coast.

On Day 4, you’ll embark on a trip outside of Barcelona to the Montserrat Monastery, which dates to the 11th century and sits on a mountaintop affording incredible views of the valley below. On Day 5, you’ll venture into the Pyrenees Mountains for a canyon hike and then overnight in one of the area’s well-preserved medieval villages. Days 6 and 7 allow more time to explore the Pyrenees before returning to Barcelona for some final sightseeing before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3 Barcelona & Costa Brava Road Trip

Over seven days, you’ll experience the landmark city of Barcelona while also heading south to discover even more of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Pack your sunscreen and sunglasses because this trip is all about coastal fun.

Upon arrival in Barcelona on Day 1, you’ll get straight to the heart of local gastronomy with a stroll down La Rambla, followed by an evening bar-hopping as you sample traditional tapas and local wine. On Days 2 and 3, you’ll visit major city highlights on foot, plus take a bicycle tour around famous landmarks and neighborhoods like Park de la Ciutadella, the Gothic Quarter, and the city's main stretch of sand Barceloneta Beach.

On Day 4, you’ll leave Barcelona for a drive north along the Costa Brava and a number of stops along the way, including at Girona, a historic river city with Roman ruins. On Day 5, you’ll take to the water on a kayak tour around the hidden caves and coves of the Costa Brava, and Day 6 involves a wine tour around the Empordà region, near the border with France. On Day 7, you’ll transfer back to Barcelona for your journey home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Best of Andalusia: Seville, Ronda & Málaga

In an unforgettable week, you’ll discover one of the most evocative regions in Spain: Andalusia. This sultry southern province is home to rich Islamic and Roman-Catholic heritage, which you'll find on a tour of the major cities, including Seville, Ronda, and Málaga.

The trip begins with your arrival in Seville. You’ll get right into the mix with a delicious tapas tour of Seville’s various bars. Days 2 and 3 involve a walking tour of city highlights like the Seville Cathedral (the largest gothic cathedral in the world) and visiting a local art restorers workshop and the studio of a flamenco guitar maker.

On Day 4, you’ll leave Seville for Ronda, which enjoys a dramatic setting atop a mountain. Here you’ll visit Ronda’s famous bullring and also indulge in a wine tour. Day 6 sees you traversing the harrowing cliffside suspension bridges of the Caminito del Rey before returning to Seville on Day 7 for your journey home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Northern Road Trip: Madrid to the Basque Country

This seven-day itinerary allows you to experience Spain's capital as well as the highlights of the Basque Country at your own pace.

This itinerary starts in Spain's vibrant capital city of Madrid. You'll start acclimating to Spanish culture right away as you discover the bodegas of Barrio Las Letras and cultural landmarks like the Fountain of Cibeles. On Day 3, it's time to head North. You'll start by picking up your rental car and heading out of the city, enjoying the scenery as you wind your way to La Rioja en route to the Basque Country. An overnight stop in this famous wine region allows you to sample the local varietals to your heart's content.

The next morning, you'll continue to San Sebastián to sample Basque-style tapas (called "pintxos") and take a guided walking tour of the city center, including the picturesque Old Quarter. Your final stop is Bilbao, where you'll experience the stunning modern architecture of the Guggenheim Museum and get your final fill of pintxos before heading home. Learn more

More Great 7-Day Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other 7-day Spain itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.