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Spain is a very diverse country. It’s culturally & historically rich, has beautiful nature, and delicious food in every corner. I lived in Spain for 2 years and traveled extensively through the whole country. Thanks to my experiences, I’ve compiled this ultimate itinerary showing you the highlights.

I’ll take you to the cities reflecting many cultures and rich histories. You’ll have a chance to relax on beautiful beaches, see stunning nature, taste the delicious Spanish cuisine, and experience an authentic tapas crawl.

Ready for the exciting Spanish journey? Come and explore Spanish culture with me on this Spain itinerary for 8, 10, and 14 days.

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Overview Of The Spain Itinerary 14 Days & Map

Here is an overview of what you can expect from this Spanish itinerary each day:

DAY:DESTINATION:
1.Barcelona
2.Barcelona
3.Barcelona ⇒ Valencia
4.Valencia
5.Valencia ⇒ Madrid
6.Madrid
7.Day Trip To Toledo
8.Madrid ⇒ Granada
9.Granada
10.Granada ⇒ Málaga
11.Day Trip To Nerja/Gibraltar
12.Day Trip To Caminito Del Rey
13.Málaga ⇒ Sevilla
14.Sevilla

How Many Days Are Enough To Explore Spain?

Spain is a huge country; you need at least 10 days to explore it. However, it all depends on what you want to see and what you want to do in Spain.

If you only want to explore major cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Bilbao, and Sevilla, 10 days would be enough to visit Spain.

In case you want to do more activities such as hiking, wine-tasting, cooking class, olive oil farm, surfing, or immersing into Spanish culture, I suggest spending at least 14 days in Spain.

This itinerary is ideal for those who want to explore the highlights of Spain. With this itinerary, you can be sure to see it all and get the perfect overview of Spanish history and culture, do a cooking class, and enjoy its beaches and natural wonders.

spain map and regions

How To Get To Spain

You can get to Spain by plane, train, or bus.

Flying to Spain is the most convenient, fastest, and often the cheapest. Just be aware of the luggage charges, especially if you book your flight with budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizzair.

Taking a train is also great, and it takes less time to get to Spain than by bus. But you’ll have to change trains at least once.

Taking a bus is great as there are direct bus connections from other major cities. If you’re a budget traveler, you can also save up on accommodation for a night as you’ll travel overnight.

Flying To Spain

If you’re traveling from overseas, the best way is to fly to major Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, or Bilbao. For this itinerary, you’ll fly to El-Prat Airport in Barcelona.

Also, if you’re in Europe, take advantage of cheap flights from other major cities such as Milan, Paris, Vienna, or Budapest.

You can fly with Ryanair or Wizzair, which always have great flight deals. However, be aware of the luggage allowance (with cheap flights, there are huge charges for extra baggage).

Check out Skyscanner for the best flight deals to Barcelona here.

Getting To Spain By Train

You can take a train if you’re visiting Spain from nearby countries such as France and Switzerland. For any longer distances, it’ll be cheaper and faster to fly.

RENFE (Spanish railways) and SNCF (French railways) are the companies that run these routes.

You can get to Barcelona by train from the following cities:

  • Marseille – 5 hours & 10 minutes to Barcelona (1 change)
  • Nice – 8 hours to Barcelona (1 change)
  • Paris – 7 hours to Barcelona (1 change)
  • Geneva – 9 hours & 20 minutes to Barcelona (2 changes)

Get the best train tickets via Trainline by clicking this link.

Getting To Spain By Bus

Alternatively, you can also get to Spain by bus. I recommend booking a bus with Flixbus or OUI companies. They have the best and fastest connections.

The advantage of taking a train and a bus is that there are no restrictions on how much luggage you can take.

You can take a bus to Barcelona, Spain, from the following cities:

  • Paris – 15 hours to Barcelona (direct)
  • Marseille – 7 hours & 30 minutes to Barcelona (direct)
  • Geneva – 12 hours & 40 minutes to Barcelona (direct)

Search the best bus connections via Busbud here.

How To Get Around Spain & Make This Itinerary

As for transportation, for each day, I provide how many hours it takes to get from one city or place to another. For this itinerary, half of it you’ll travel by train and you’ll rent a car for the rest in Andalusia.

Traveling By Train In Spain

I recommend you stick to train travel for longer journeys between cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid. So, travel by train on this itinerary from day 2. until day 5. when you get to Madrid. You’ll take the following 2 train connections on this itinerary:

🚇 Barcelona – Valencia (day 3.)
🚇 Valencia – Madrid (day 5.)

Look for train connections on Trainline. It’ll show you the fastest and best train deals for these three trains you’ll take.

PRO TIP: Make sure to buy the tickets in advance as Spain gets crowded and trains, especially during the summer (July and August).

Trains In Spain

The national railway company in Spain is called RENFE. For this itinerary, you’ll mainly travel on the high-speed trains called AVE. Trains in Spain are awesome. They’re reliable, you can get almost everywhere by train, and the journey is comfortable.

So I’m sure you’ll love traveling by Spanish train on this itinerary.

Check out Trainline website and buy your tickets for AVE trains here.

Traveling By Bus In Spain

Bus connections are perfect in Spain. You’ll get by bus pretty much anywhere. The only disadvantage is that getting to a destination takes a lot of time.

You’ll only take a bus on this itinerary on day 7. for a day trip to Toledo and on day 8. when traveling from Madrid to Granada. There is no train connection from Madrid to Granada, so you must take a bus. Or you can rent a car already in Toledo if you want to.

Buses In Spain

The national bus company is called Alsa. You’ll take the Alsa bus for all your travels in Spain. Alternatively, you can also take Flixbus if it covers the route.

Check out Busbud website and buy your tickets for Alsa bus here.

Renting A Car

It’ll be best to rent a car for the rest of this itinerary as it’ll give you much flexibility. Plus, train and bus connections in Andalusia (southern Spain) are not the best. I recommend renting a car in Granada on day 10 and returning it to Sevilla on day 13 of this itinerary.

So book a rental car for 4 days via Discover Cars. They have great deals:

RENT A CAR FOR YOUR ITINERARY

Rent A Car Via Discover Carsbest prices and big selection of car rentals.
PRO TIP: Check ratings of the company you choose before booking (ratings can be off). Go on Google, see ratings of the car rental company, then book on Discover Cars.

Where To Start & Finish Your 14-Day Spain Itinerary

We’ll start this trip in Barcelona. So first, fly to Barcelona, which has 2 airports: El Prat or the Girona Costa Brava airport.

All international flights will get you to El Prat Airport in Barcelona.

How To Get From El Prat Airport To Barcelona City Center

Once you land at EL Prat Airport in Barcelona, you have 4 options to get to the city center of Barcelona:

  • Aerobus
  • Metro L9
  • RENFE train
  • Taxi

You can take the Aerobus, a blue bus shuttle from El Prat, directly to the city center (Plaza Catalunya). The bus will take you to the city center in 35 minutes.

You can also take a metro L9 every 7 minutes between El Prat airport and Zona Universitaria. Get off at Torassa (with a connection to the L1 metro line). It takes about 30 minutes to get to the center.

Or take a RENFE train that stops at Barcelona Sans, Passeig de Gràcia, and Clot. The train ride takes about 25 minutes.

taxi ride from El Prat to Barcelona center can cost anywhere between 30 EUR and 35 EUR. It’ll take you to the city center between 25 and 40 minutes.

Barcelona itinerary 3 days Plaza Catalunya
Plaza Catalunya

End Of Your Itinerary

We’ll finish our route in Sevilla. The city also has excellent international connections. So you can fly away from Spain from Sevilla easily.

Alternatively, you can take a train to Portugal and explore another country.

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1. DAY: BARCELONA

Our itinerary starts in the second-biggest Spanish city, Barcelona. Let yourself sort things out once you arrive. Go to your accommodation and get some snacks or a late breakfast because we’ll be exploring this lively city today.

We’ll start the sightseeing right in the center, Plaza de Catalunya. These are the sights I suggest you see today.

Sightseeing In Barcelona

🔅 La Rambla
🔅 La Boqueria Market
🔅 Plaza España
🔅 National Palace
🔅 Poble Español
🔅 Olympic Stadium
🔅 Montjuïc Castle
🔅 Magical Fountain Performance (Plaza España)

🔅 Plaza De Catalunya

Plaza de Catalunya is the main square in central Barcelona. It divides Gracia and the old town of Barcelona. The square is the perfect start for our walking tour today.

You can easily reach it by metro or walk from your hotel.

If you need a coffee boost at the beginning of your walk tour, there are several coffee-stop options: Cafe Zurich, Hard Rock Cafe, or Starbucks at the corner.

🔅 La Rambla

La Rambla is the main shopping and touristy street in the city. Walking through the street, you’ll experience various artists, souvenir shops, and historical buildings.

Some of the most important historical buildings are Gran Theatre de Liceu, Casa Bruno Cuadros, and Principal Theatre.

🔅 La Boqueria Market

La Boqueria Market is one of my favorite places in the city. It’s a bustling food market in the middle of La Rambla. You can buy fruit juices and pieces and taste delicious Spanish products such as tapas, fresh fish, seafood, bread with delicacies, and sweets.

Go in and get lost in the market. Then, buy some treats for the rest of your walking tour of Barcelona. Entrance is free of charge.

Barcelona itinerary 3 days La Boqueria market
La Boqueria market

🔅 Plaza España

Plaza España is hands-down the most beautiful square in Barcelona. It prides itself on a stunning fountain and a street leading up to the National Palace with a magical fountain in the middle.

It also has an arena that used to serve bullfighting until the activity was banned in Catalonia in 2012. Nowadays, it’s a shopping center.

🔅 National Palace

When you walk from Plaza España towards the magical fountain, the beautiful National Palace will spread in front of you. Nowadays, it hosts the Catalan Museum of Archaeology. You can go inside if that’s something you’re interested in. The walk is stunning, with beautiful views and fountains, so enjoy it.

Click here to get the skip-the-line tickets for National Palace (discounted).

Barcelona itinerary 3 days National Palace
National Palace

🔅 Poble Español

What I highly recommend is visiting Poble Español nearby. It’s a small Spanish village featuring regions of Spain with their points of interestarchitecturetypical food, and sights.

This village has a unique atmosphere and will give you the perfect introduction to the Spanish culture and cities we’ll visit on our 14-day Spanish trip. It’s my one of my favorite sights in Barcelona.

Get skip-the-line tickets for Poble Español by clicking here and don’t waste time in the crowd.

🔅 Olympic Stadium

After, walk further up and check out the impressive Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. It was built in 1927 for the International Exhibition in the city, and authorities wanted it to be the stadium for the Summer Olympic Games in 1936. But, unfortunately, the award got Berlin. So after, they renovated the stadium in Barcelona, and it eventually hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1992.

🔅 Montjuïc Castle

Montjuïc Castle is a unique fortress that is used to protect the city from invaders. During the Spanish Civil War, it served as a prison.

The translation of this name is literally ‘Jewish mountain,’ and you’ll see a Jewish cemetery inside the fortress.

Book this guided tour of Montjuïc and visit it on an E-Bike with local guide here.

🔅 Magical Fountain Performance

In the evening, I highly recommend seeing the performance of the magical fountain near Plaza España. It starts at 7 pm or 8 pm, depending on the time of the year. It’s a free 20-minute show with waterfalls, colors, and dramatic music.

Check their official website for updated information about the magical fountain and its performance, as it changes yearly.

Barcelona Magical Fountain performance
Barcelona: Magical Fountain performance

How To Get To Montjuïc Castle

If you don’t want to walk all the way up from Plaza España to Montjuïc Castle, you have other 2 options:

Montjuïc Funicular

When you take the metro at Drassens station, you’ll get off at Parar-lel station. There is a connecting funicular, which takes you to the Montjuïc hill (close to the Olympic stadium).

So you’ll still have to walk 20 minutes from the Olympic stadium to Montjuïc Castle or take the bus n. 150. You don’t have to pay anything extra for the funicular, you can use your regular metro ticket for it.

Teleferic De Montjuïc

It’s a cable car that will take you straight up to the Montjuïc Castle. You’ll also get off at Parar-lel metro station, where the cable car station is located. However, this option is quite pricy and touristy. If you walk, you’ll get to enjoy it more and see more things.

Get skip-the-line tickets for Montjuïc cable car here (round-trip).

Spain itinerary 14 days Barcelona Plaza Espana
Barcelona – Plaza Espana

👉 READ ALSO: Best Of Barcelona Itinerary 3 Days

Where To Stay In Barcelona: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

If you want to stay in the Old City (Ciutat Vella):

PARK HOTEL
MERCER HOTEL BARCELONA

If you want to stay in Barcelonetta (next to the beach and port):

BARCELONA PORT RAMBLAS
W BARCELONA

If you want to stay on Las Ramblas (main tourist street leading to the main square):

HOSTAL OPERARAMBLAS
HOTEL BAGUES (SMALL LUXURY HOTEL)

If you want to stay at the Plaza Catalunya (main square):

H10 METROPOLITAN 4* SUP
OLIVIA PLAZA HOTEL

If you want to stay at the Passeo de Gracia (main shopping street), in the heart of Barcelona close to all attractions:

UMA SUITES PASSEIG DE GRACIA
ME Barcelona

If you want to stay close to Sagrada Família:

ABSOLUTE SAGRADA FAMILIA
RADISSON BLUE 1882 HOTEL

2. DAY: BARCELONA

Good morning to Barcelona. I hope you slept well because we’ll see as much of Barcelona as possible before departing to another wonderful part of Spain.

Get a good breakfast at your hotel if you don’t have it included even better. Head to a local bakery (they are everywhere) and grab some fresh bread or pastry with coffee.

Our sightseeing starts again at Plaza Catalunya and goes through the old city of Barcelona.

Sightseeing In Barcelona

🔅 Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi
🔅 Plaza de Sant Felip Neri
🔅 Plaza de Sant Jaume
🔅 Barcelona Cathedral
🔅 Sagrada Familia
🔅 Arc de Triomphe
🔅 Parc de la Ciutadella
🔅 Port Olimpic
🔅 Barceloneta

Barcelona Guided Tour On Segway

Book this guided tour of Barcelona on a segway and see all the sights within 3 hours with a local guide.

🔅 Basilica De Santa Maria Del Pi

Today, we’ll explore the old town of Barcelona and its Gothic Quarter. First, admire the basilica and its beautiful Gothic Catalan architecture. It was built in 1391 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.

🔅 Plaza De Sant Felip Neri

This square reflects Barcelona in the Spanish Civil War when it was bombed by a fascist plane. 42 people lost their lives here. Nowadays, you can see the buildings damaged by the bombing in this square.

🔅 Plaza De Sant Jaume

Plaza de Jaume is one of my favorite little squares in Barcelona. It hosts a tourism office, tiny shops with local goods, cute souvenirs, and cafes. So spend time here, shop for souvenirs, or make a coffee stop.

🔅 Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona Cathedral is the most impressive building in the city’s old town that you can’t miss. You can see the crypt of St. Eulalia. She was a significant saint as she didn’t want to renounce Christianity and was persecuted, tortured, and murdered by the Roman soldiers.

Besides, you must check out its gardens and the 13 geese walking around, which is pretty special for it being a cathedral.

Book skip-the-line entrance tickets for Barcelona Cathedral here.

🔅 Sagrada Familia

After visiting the Barcelona Cathedral, walk to the Plaza Catalunya. From there, take a metro to Sagrada Familia (purple line).

Welcome to Sagrada Familia, one of the most impressive architectural buildings ever. Antonio Gaudi, the famous Spanish architect, designed it. The construction started back in 1882, and imagine, it is still not finished. So, unfortunately, its maestro didn’t get to see his masterpiece in its full beauty.

Get this skip-the-line ticket with audioguide for Sagrada Familia and secure your spot.

Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia

🔅 Arc De Triomphe

Once you finish visiting the Sagrada Familia, take a metro to Placa de Tetuan. Then, walk to the next monument, Arc de Triomphe. Alternatively, take a taxi or an Uber.

This stunning monument was built in 1888 for the World Exhibition and was an entrance to the World’s Fair. It has the typical architecture in southern Spain (Andalusia). Walk through until you reach Parc de la Ciutadella.

🔅 Parc de la Ciutadella

I absolutely love this park. You can have a picnic or just walk through and enjoy its special atmosphere.

🔅 Port Olimpic

Now, we’re coming to the party sight of Barcelona with many clubs, restaurants, cafes, and a beautiful promenade.

Take your time to walk alongside the beaches on the promenade and enjoy the breeze in Barcelona. You can stop by some restaurants and grab some food. Walk until you reach Barcelona.

Barcelona itinerary 3 days Barceloneta promenade beach
Barceloneta promenade beach

🔅 Barceloneta

Barcelona is one of the most popular parts of Barcelona, where people come to socialize, enjoy food and drinks, and swim in the sea. So in the evening, come here and enjoy a delicious dinner, have some drinks, and reflect on your Barcelona walking tour.

Spain itinerary 14 days Barceloneta beach
Barceloneta beach

Top Experiences In Barcelona

Between the old town walking tour, I also highly recommend visiting the top sights such as Park Guell and Gaudi’s Casa Batllo.

You can visit Casa Batllo after Barcelona Cathedral. Then visit Sagrada Familia and make your way up to Park Guell. After, continue the walking tour from Arc de Triomphe.

For these 2 sights, getting skip-the-line tickets is essential; otherwise, you won’t get in. Click on the names below and book your tickets asap.

PARK GUELL – get tickets here
GAUDI’S CASA BATTLO – get tickets here

Barcelona itinerary 3 days Parc Guell
Me visiting Parc Guell

👉 READ ALSO: Top 8 Road Trips From Barcelona

3. DAY: BARCELONA ⇒ VALENCIA

Today, we’re going to take a train from Barcelona to Valencia, the birthplace of Paella.

Distance Barcelona Valencia: Train ride takes about 3 hours (operated by RENFE)
Book your train tickets here.

Once you arrive in Valencia, take some time to get to your accommodation. We can start the tour once you are ready.

Sighseeing In Valencia

🔅 Central Market
🔅
Valencia Old Town
🔅
Plaza de la Reine
🔅
Valencia Cathedral
🔅
Miguelete Bell Tower

🔅 Central Market

At the beginning of our exploration of Valencia, let’s try some Spanish specialties. At the Central Market, you’ll feel the laid-back style of the Spaniards, enjoying their tapas and talking. One drink you can try is called horchata. It’s a typical drink of Valencia.

🔅 Valencia Old Town

From the Central Market, we’ll head to explore the rest of the sights in Valencia’s old town. These are mainly the Cathedral of Valencia and its stunning Miguelete Bell Tower.

Valencia Spain itinerary 14 days
Valencia

🔅 Plaza De La Reina

Plaza de la Reina is my favorite square in Valencia. It has many cafes and restaurants, from which you can admire its impressive cathedral and the bell tower. So make a coffee stop here, admire its surroundings, and take some photos.

🔅 Valencia Cathedral

Interestingly, this cathedral was built on the mosque. Nowadays, it’s a Gothic cathedral featuring different architectural styles such as Renaissance, Baroque, and even some Neoclassical elements. It’s dedicated to Saint Mary.

🔅 Miguelete Bell Tower

Head up to the Cathedral’s Bell Tower and admire the stunning views of the city. It’s 50.58 meters high and offers the best views of Valencia.

Traditional Valencian Paella & Beach Walks

For the evening, we’ll let ourselves have a peaceful walk alongside the beach and try the local Paella. Believe it or not, you can get a good Paella on the beach. Head to the Platja de la Marva-rosa to get a traditional Paella Valenciana or much more.

Casa Carmela Restaurant

The restaurant I recommend you to go to is on Platja de la Marva-rosa, called Casa Carmela. They have many kinds of Paella, including the traditional one – Paella Valenciana. You can’t leave Valencia without eating Paella.

💡 DID YOU KNOW? 💡
Not all Paellas are good; many tourist places don’t get it right. So here is what a traditional Paella should contain (for your reference):
short-grain rice
meat: can be chicken, pork, beef, snails, chorizo sausage
seafood: can be prawns, clams, cockles, mussels, lobster
stock: which is called ‘Caldo’ here in Spain (fish or chicken stock)
tomato
saffron
olive oil & salt
Paella traditional Spanish food in Valencia
Paella – traditional Spanish food in Valencia

Where To Stay In Valencia: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

VENECIA PLAZA CENTRO – budget-friendly (city center)
HOTEL VALENCIA ALAMEDAmid-range hotel (close to the City of Arts & Science)
ANKA BEACH APARTMENT luxury apartment (at the beach)

4. DAY: VALENCIA

Today is all about Valencia and science, as we are heading to the famous City of Arts and Science.

City Of Arts & Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is a complex museum in Valencia. Depending on your interests, you can visit only a few parts and buy tickets separately (or visit it all). It consists of 6 parts:

  • L’Hemisferic – It was designed to remind you of a giant human eye and has a 3D cinema. You’ll get 3D glasses with a speaker, enabling you to watch whatever is on in your own language.
  • L’Oceanographic – Experience the largest glass water tunnel in Europe, see dolphins and the Sea Life.
  • Science Museum of Principe Philip – The musem hosts various exhibitions, which are also great for children, as it offers many activities.
  • L’Umbracle – This part of a complex is free to enter. It’s a walk packed with local plants.
  • Palace Of Reina Sofia Arts – The Palace of Reina Sofia Arts is an opera house and a theatre that you can visit inside the City of Arts & Sciences.
  • L’Agora – An exhibition space, hosting many sports events.
Valencia City of Arts and Science Spain itinerary 14 days
Valencia – City of Arts and Science

What To Visit In City Of Arts & Sciences

You can choose to visit whatever part of the complex interests you. It may just be the L’Oceanografic or the L’Hemisferic. Or maybe you don’t want to pay and will only go through the L’Umbracle.

Sometimes, there are also some food markets to get some food. If not, there are restaurants and a supermarket in the shopping center across the street, where you can get lunch.

Valencia City Of Arts & Science Tickets

Valencia City of Arts and Science Spain itinerary

Get 3 in 1 access to the City of Arts & Sciences in Valencia and visit the highlights of it with this skip-the-line ticket.

Afternoon & Shopping In Valencia

Have a lovely free afternoon if you’ve managed to see what you wanted in the City of
Arts and Science. Walk through Valencia, or maybe shop if it fulfills your soul. There are many shopping spots in the center.

Relax On Beaches In Valencia

Another option is to have a beach afternoon. Relax on one of the great Valencian beaches – Platja de la Marva-rosa or Platja de las Arenas.

Have some more Paella if you become slightly addicted as I did :D. Tomorrow, we’re leaving this great city to see more Spanish highlights.

Spanish Festivals Near Valencia

Valencia also hosts two famous Spanish festivals, and I highly recommend you to be part of it. It’s the Las Fallas festival, annually held in March.

Another Spanish festival, La Tomatina, takes place in the small town of Buñol, located just 30 minutes by car (1 hour by train) from Valencia. It takes place in August every year.

So, if you’re in Valencia in March or August, plan your visit and participate in these celebrations.

Read about these 2 festivals by clicking on the image below:

5. DAY: VALENCIA ⇒ MADRID

We’re now heading to the capital of Spain, Madrid. As the largest Spanish city, Madrid has also been declared the European cultural capital.

It has plenty of famous museums to explore, so don’t wait any longer. Let’s travel to the center of Spain by train.

Distance Valencia Madrid: Train ride takes about 2 hours (operated by AVE)
Book your train tickets here.

We can start our Madrid city tour after you check in to your accommodation.

Below, I suggest the top places you can see in Madrid. Many museums are included, so choose one or two based on your interest.

Tomorrow, you’ll have an entire day in Madrid, so you can also do some sightseeing for the next day.

First, I recommend visiting some museums. Choose from the 3 museums I listed below. If you aren’t so much into the museum, enjoy Madrid’s atmosphere. Admire the stunning old buildings and have some churros.

Sightseeing In Madrid

🔅 Prado Museum
🔅
Reina Sofia Museum
🔅
National Archaeological Museum
🔅
Royal Palace
🔅
El Retiro Park
🔅
Puerta del Sol
🔅
Churrería San Ginés
🔅
Plaza Mayor
🔅
Mercado San Miguel

🔅 The Prado Museum

If you’re unsure which museum to visit but want to see at least one, opt for the Prado Museum. It has a full collection of Spanish and European art from the 12th to the early 20th century.

You can explore the masterpieces of many artists from the Baroque and Renaissance epochs.

Get skip-the-line tickets for Prado Museum by clicking this link.
Book a guided tour of El Prado incl. tickets here.

🔅 Reina Sofia Museum

Inside the Reina Sofia Museum, you’ll find Spanish art masterpieces from authors such as Miro, Dali, and Juan Grid. It displays the most famous Spanish pieces in the world.

If you love art and want to see more Spanish art, visit this museum.

Get skip-the-line tickets for Reina Sofia Museum here.
Book a guided tour of Reina Sofia Museum by clicking this link.

🔅 National Archaeological Museum

The museum was founded by Isabel II of Spain back in 1867. You can learn a lot of history about Spain, the Spanish Reconquista, and how the Spanish Kings Ferdinand and Isabell II. fought against the Moors and saw many artifacts from the period.

So, if you’re a history lover, this museum is for you.

Book tickets for National Archaeological Museum incl. audio guide here.

🔅 Royal Palace

The Royal Palace in Madrid is the largest palace in Western Europe and one of the biggest in the world. It was home to all Spanish Kings.

This is the best place to learn about Spanish history, the life of Kings, and famous historical battles. For me, Spanish history is one of the most interesting after the French one, and I absolutely loved visiting the palace.

Get skip-the-line ticket for Royal Palace Madrid here.
Book a guided tour of Royal Palace and learn about the history with a local here.

🔅 El Retiro Park

El Retiro Park is my favorite place in Madrid. It’s a nice place to relax after your sightseeing. You can walk around, have a picnic, or even ride a boat on a lake. Take some time to chill inside the park before you continue to the main square.

🔅 Puerta del Sol

Puerta de Sol is one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid. It links many important streets and has some cafes and shops. In the middle, you can admire the statue of King Charles III.

Pay attention to the main post office building. It was built in 1786, and its huge clock plays a special role in the city. It always rings during special occasions and announces New Year during Spanish celebrations. Try to find the Kilometer Zero Plaque, which marks the center of Spain.

This square is also perfect for a coffee stop and eating traditional churros.

🔅 Churrería San Ginés

Something you can’t miss when you’re in Puerta del Sol is traditional Churrería San Ginés. It’s a churro and chocolate store where they serve traditional churros with chocolate.

This is the best place (perhaps in the country) to try churros. So take some time, order churros with chocolate, and enjoy the sun. 

🔅 Plaza Mayor

Plaza de Mayor is the main square in Madrid, built between the 16th and 17th centuries during the reign of King Philip II. Unfortunately, local buildings were destroyed several times by fire. And so what you see nowadays is a renovated version.

In the past, the square was used for many purposes, including royal celebrations, bullfighting competitions, soccer games, and crowning ceremonies. On Sundays, it hosted traditional markets.

Nowadays, you can enjoy cafes and restaurants, where you can also experience beautiful Christmas Markets in December.

Spain itinerary 14 days Madrid Plaza Mayor
Madrid – Plaza Mayor

🔅 Mercado San Miguel

If you want to eat tapas or enjoy Spanish cuisine, I highly recommend ending your walking tour at the San Miguel Market. It’s located near Plaza Mayor and is Madrid’s first gourmet market.

Many locals come here to eat and drink with their friends and socialize. The building is stunning, and the atmosphere inside the market is amazing. So even if you don’t want to eat, it’s worth visiting it and seeing local specialties.

👉 READ ALSO: Christmas In Spain: Complete Guide With Traditions & Best Places

Madrid Nightlife & Best Clubs

Madrid has excellent nightlife, so head to the streets in the evening and enjoy your time here.

Here are some of the best night clubs in Madrid:

  • Teatro Kapital
  • Goya Social Club
  • La Riviera
  • LAB theClub

If you want to learn more about the city and its history, check out some guided walking tours below:

Madrid Guided Tour

Spain itinerary 14 days Madrid

Book this guided tour and learn more about the history and culture of Spain’s capital with a local guide.

Where To Stay In Madrid: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

HOSTAL PALACIO LUNA budget-friendly hotel
HOTEL LIABENYmid-range hotel
ORIENTE PALACE APARTMENTSluxury apartments

6. DAY: MADRID

Take your time to enjoy another day in Madrid. You have the entire day to explore what you didn’t manage yesterday.

May it be your museum’s round day or just chilling in Retiro Park, get the most out of Spain’s capital.

I also highly recommend doing a cooking class in Madrid. Experience the cuisine hands-on with a local. Learn how to prepare Spanish dishes and eat them afterward. It’s a lot of fun:

Cooking Class In Madrid

Book this cooking class in Madrid and learn how to prepare paella or Spanish tapas. The Paella class is in the morning with a market visit. The Tapas class is in the evening.

7. DAY: TOLEDO DAY TRIP

Let’s explore another charming Spanish city. Today, we’ll make a day trip from Madrid to Toledo. It’s my second favorite city in Spain (right after Seville). I’m sure you’ll love it, too.

You can choose to visit Toledo by yourself from Madrid (by bus) or join an organized day trip from Madrid to Toledo, which I recommend at the end of this day.

Distance Madrid Toledo: Bus ride takes 1 hour (operated by Alsa Bus)
Book your return bus tickets here.

Sightseeing In Toledo

Toledo features a mixture of cultures, ChristianJewish, and Moorish sites, and their architecture will surely capture you. You can explore the following sites in this enchanting town.

🔅 Toledo Cathedral
🔅
Alcázar de Toledo
🔅
Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
🔅
Mirador del Vale

🔅 Toledo Cathedral

This Gothic-style cathedral is the main church in Toledo, dating back to the 13th century. For over 370 years, Toledo was mainly occupied by Muslims. So the cathedral used to be a mosque in the past. Only when Alfonso IV., King of Castile and Leon (a region in the north of Spain) peacefully reclaimed this city the church became the main cathedral in the city.

🔅 Alcázar De Toledo

As you already know, Spain was occupied by Muslims called Moors. These Moors came from Africa and settled in southern Spain (Granada). After, they wanted to claim more of the Spanish territory and started going north.

They also captured Toledo, and so that’s why you can explore the Jewish, Catholic, as well as Moorish cultures in many cities in Spain. Toledo hosts one of the most impressive Alcazar, a fortress that protected the city.

Nowadays, it’s a military museum displaying various weapons.

Spain Travel Voices of Travel

🔅 Monasterio De San Juan De Los Reyes

The monastery was built as a celebration of the victory in the Battle of Toro. The Catholic Monarchs, Isabel II. and Ferdinand commissioned the construction in the Jewish quarter in Toledo. It commemorates the victory of Spanish Kings against Portuguese King Alfonso V, who wanted to take over the Castille region in Spain.

🔅 Mirador Del Vale

If you want some beautiful photos of Toledo, head to the Mirador del Vale for the views and photo shooting.

Best Views In Toledo

Except for the Mirador del Vale viewing point, there is one more interesting spot for views of Toledo. Go up to the library and Cafeteria in Alcazar. You can get the best views of the entire city from this spot.

Walk around and get lost in the thousands of tiny streets and admire the architecture of the buildings. Toledo will take you back to medieval times.

PRO TIP: Try the Suckling pig at a restaurant, which is the local specialty of Toledo.

Organized Tour To Toledo (From Madrid)

Join this organized guided tour to Toledo from Madrid. You won’t have to plan anything and can visit it with a guide.

8. DAY: MADRID ⇒ GRANADA

Our itinerary continues to the south of Spain. Today, another travel adventure awaits us, traveling to a brand-new autonomous community. Indeed, the biggest one is where we stay and explore its hidden germs until the end of our trip.

In the morning, travel from Madrid to Granada, the birthplace of Spanish flamenco. There are only buses runing to Granada, no trains.

Alternatively, you can already rent a car in Toledo, if you don’t want to take a bus.

Distance Madrid Granada: Bus ride takes about 4 hours & 30 minutes (operated by Alsa)
Book your bus tickets here.

Welcome to Andalusia (southern Spain), the largest Spanish region (autonomous community). You have now arrived in Granada, an important city in Spanish history. Don’t wait any longer; check in to your accommodation, and prepare to explore.

Like Toledo and other Andalusian cities we’ll visit on this trip, Granada reflects the culture and co-living of three cultural and religious groups – ChristiansJews, and Moors.

Under the Moorish rule, many Andalusian cities, including Granada, achieved social, ethical, and spiritual integration of these three groups in one place.

👉 READ ALSO: Best Of Southern Spain Itinerary For 10 Days

Sightseeing In Granada

🔅 Alcaicería
🔅 Granada Cathedral
🔅 Royal Chapel
🔅 Corral del Carbón
🔅 Albaicín
🔅 San Nicolás Square
🔅 Sacromonte

🔅 Alcaicería

We’ll start our walking tour visiting this historical Moorish bazaar in the heart of the city (close to the cathedral). It used to be a silk market during the Moorish times.

Nowadays, it’s a typical Arabic market with traditional products, clothes, and souvenirs. I love the atmosphere of this market, so check it out even if you don’t want to buy anything.

🔅 Granada Cathedral

The cathedral was built on the small mosque constructed here during the Moorish times.

Once the Catholic Monarchs from Castile and Leon finally fought back the Moors and took back the territory of Granada and Andalusia, they undertook strict measures.

All Moors had to convert to Catholicism or were expelled from the city.

The cathedral symbolized Catholic reign in Andalusia and remains so until now.

Get this skip-the-line ticket for the Cathedral & Royal Chapel.
Join this guided tour of Cathedral and learn about the Spanish Monarchs & Inquisition

🔅 Royal Chapel

As a memory of the victory over the Moors, the Royal Chapel is the burial place of the Spanish Monarchs, Queen Isabell I. and King Ferdinand. You can see the crypt inside the chapel.

Get this skip-the-line ticket for the Cathedral & Royal Chapel.
Join this guided tour of Royal Chapel and learn about the Spanish Monarchs & Inquisition

🔅 Corral Del Carbón

Corral del Carbón is the oldest traditional Andalusi building, dating back to 1336. It served as a Coal yard, a warehouse of goods, and a shelter for merchants coming to Granada.

🔅 Albaicín

After exploring the Catholic parts of the city, it’s time to see Granada’s Arab Quarter, where you can explore beautiful Moorish architecture. It’s the one side of Granada that makes the city so special. It’s also the oldest neighborhood of Granada. Stop by Taberna 22 for the best tapas in the city.

After, head up to San Nicolas Square for the best views of Granada.

🔅 San Nicolás Square

San Nicolas is my favorite place in Granada. It offers the best views of Alhambra and the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain behind it. So take some time for great photos, sit in a local cafe, and enjoy the views.

Spain itinerary 14 days Alhambra Granada
Alhambra Granada

🔅 Sacromonte

Sacromonte is a traditional neighborhood of Granada, which became home for gypsies after the Moors were expelled.

This is the spot to go to if you want to see an authentic flamenco performance. Scroll down to see the flamenco performance I recommend seeing today in the evening.

Granada Walking Tour

Book this walking tour of Granada and explore Albaicin with Sacromonte with a local guide.

Tapas Culture In Granada

Granada is the perfect place for tapas hunting. Once you go to a bar, order a drink, and in most places in Granada, you’ll get small tapas for free.

Tapas can be anything from pimiento (peppers), Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas (baked potatoes with salsa), deep-fried eggplant (Granada’s specialty), or calamari, croquettes, or olives with Jamón (Spanish dry-cured ham).

Best Tapas Bars In Granada

  • La Botilleria
  • Bodegas Castañeda
  • Bar Casa Julio (seafood tapas)
  • La Riviera (surprise tapas)
Spain itinerary 14 days Granada tapas culture
Granada tapas culture

Flamenco Show In Granada In The Evening

Andalusia is the birthplace of Flamenco, a Spanish traditional dance. There is no better spot than experiencing the Flamenco show here in Granada. The best spot for it is the Sacromonte.

I recommend the following Flamenco show in a unique cave setting.

Where To Stay In Granada: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

FLORENTIA HOMESbudget-friendly
U-SENSE GRANADA CATHEDRALmid-range hotel
ALHAMBRA PALACE HOTELluxury hotel

9. DAY: GRANADA & ALHAMBRA

Good morning to Granada. Today, we’ll explore the impressive Alhambra; your afternoon will be free.

Alhambra is a town alone within Granada. Take at least half a day to see it. It has many statuses, from fortress to palace, castle, and summer retreat.

Alhambra complex was built back in the 1200s during the Muslim reign in Andalusia. The Nasrid dynasty lived in Alhambra for many years until the Spanish Monarchs conquered and expelled Moors from Andalusia and Spain.

Alhambra then became the royal residence of the Spanish Catholic Monarchs. Nowadays, it’s a top attraction to visit in Europe and serves mainly as a museum.

Spain itinerary 14 days Alhambra Granada
Alhambra Granada

Skip-the-line Tickets Necessary For Alhambra

Tickets for Alhambra tend to be booked way in advance (more than 3 months before the visit). I highly recommend you plan the visit ahead of time and reserve the tickets for Alhambra at least 3 months before. But you might be lucky even later on.

I also highly recommend booking a guided tour, it’ll give you a much better experience than just walking around by yourself.

Get the tickets below and book in advance:

Alhambra Tickets & Guided Tour

Alhambra Free Of Charge

If you’ve missed booking your ticket in advance and can’t go inside the Alhambra complex, or don’t want to pay for it, don’t worry. There are many areas to explore within the complex free of charge.

Just enter the main gate, walk through the beautiful Generalife gardens with fountains, and admire Alhambra’s surroundings.

Free Afternoon In Granada

Enjoy your free afternoon exploring the rest of the places, walk through Granada’s Great Bazaar, Alcaiceria, and don’t forget to go tapas hunting.

For best sunset views, go up to the Plaza San Nicolás and its viewing point.

👉 READ ALSO: Do You Need Spanish To Travel To Spain? My Experience

10. DAY: GRANADA ⇒ MÁLAGA

Today, we’re going further south to the famous Costa del Sol. We’ll rest from sightseeing and enjoy the small towns with great beaches for you to relax.

Now it’s also the time to rent a car for 4 days. So in the morning, rent a car in Granada and drive to Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso.

RENTAL CAR: You’ll rent a car for 4 days (and return it in Sevilla on day 13. of this itinerary).

Distance Granada Málaga by car: approx. 1 hour 40 minutes (132km/82 miles).

I’ve taken you to Málaga, a great central point on the Costa del Sol, from where you have connections to get to the lovely places around. You can unpack your suitcases for a while, as we’ll stay 3 days here. It’ll serve as the base for our daily excursions.

Check in to your accommodation and have an excellent free day in Málaga. You can go to the beach to relax or stroll through the city.

Sightseeing In Málaga

🔅 Picasso Museum
🔅
Picasso’s House
🔅
Alcazaba
🔅
Roman Theatre
🔅
Málaga Cathedral
🔅 Castilo De Gibralfaro
🔅 Ataranzas Market

Málaga is the birthplace of Picasso, so if you like his art, check out the Picasso Museum and see the collections of his paintings. You can also visit Picacco’s House at the Plaza de la Merced.

Don’t forget to check out the Ataranzas Market to see how locals hang out and try local specialties.

Spain itinerary 14 days Malaga
Malaga

Best Beaches In Málaga

You can spend your afternoon chilling on one of Málaga’s beaches. Playa la Malagueta is directly in front of the city (walking from the city center). Or you can go to a smaller Playa de la Misericordia. But it’s further from the city center (30 minutes by bus).

  • Playa la Malagueta
  • Playa de la Misericordia

Málaga Guided Walking Tour

Malaga Catehdral walking tour

Book this guided tour of Málaga to learn about the stories from Piccaso and the history of this part of Spain.

Where To Stay In Málaga: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

We are here on the southern coastline of Spain with great beaches, and it’s time to treat ourselves a bit.

Since we are also staying in Málaga for 3 nights, I recommend you stay in one of these beautiful boutique resorts and enjoy the atmosphere of la Costa del Sol:

BEACHFRONT VILLA TORROX COSTA
HOTEL BOUTIQUE VILLA LORENA BY CHARMING STAY

If you still want to stay in the centre of Málaga, here are my recommendations and top accommodation tips:

HOTEL PALACETE DE ALAMOS
ROOM MATE VALERIA

11. DAY: Day Trip To NERJA BEACH/GIBRALTAR

Today, you have two options for a day trip from Málaga.

You can go to Nerja and enjoy its beautiful beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa del Sol). Or you can go south and visit Gibraltar, the only spot to see monkeys in Europe.

Day Trip To Nerja

In the morning, drive from Málaga to Nerja. This seaside town has a few beaches where you can relax.

Playa Burriana is the most touristy, but there are also smaller, very nice beaches such as Playa de Carabeillo or Playa del Carabeo (these 2 are amazing).

Besides, it is famous for its Balcon de Europa viewing point with the sights of the Mediterranean Sea.

There are some nice restaurants along the beach, too. Rest and reflect on your trip and the sites you have seen so far. Enjoy the Spanish atmosphere.

Spain itinerary 14 days Nerja beach
Nerja beach

Day Trip To Gibraltar

If you aren’t a beach person, there is something for you as well. Visit Gibraltar, the last British territory in mainland Europe. It’s also the only place in the entire Europe where you can see monkeys.

Take a passport with you as there are controls on the border when you come to Gibraltar.

How To Get To Gibraltar

There is no train running to Gibraltar. You can only get there by bus or by car. However, I don’t recommend you go by car. It can be a struggle driving within Gibraltar as it’s quite tiny.

With the regular bus from Málaga, it takes relatively a lot of time to get to Gibraltar. So the best option for you is to go to Gibraltar with an organized guided tour.

PRO TIP: When you decide to drive from Málaga, you can get furthest to La Linea de la Concepcion, a small city before the Gibraltar border. Leave the car there, then cross the border on foot (which is not a problem).

Sightseeing In Gibraltar

Go to the famous Rock of Gibraltar for stunning views and monkey watching. Hopefully, you won’t get too annoyed by them…

In the past, Gibraltar belonged to Moors. You can also visit the Moorish Castle and Mosque at the end of the peninsula.

PRO TIP: As a British territory, in Gibraltar, you have to pay using British pounds. Some shops accept euros, too, but the exchange rates are not really good. But you can pay by card, it’s just that you know :).

Dolphin Watching In Gibraltar

Another great activity you can do in Gibraltar is dolphin watching. You’ll be watching them from a catamaran with comments from local guides. Check it out and book your dolphin-watching excursion to guarantee your spot.

Join this dolphin watching cruise in Gibraltar by clicking here.

Organized Tour To Gibraltar

Join this organized excursion to Gibraltar from Malaga if you don’t want to plan. A local guide will take you there on a transfer and care for everything. It includes dolphin watching, too.

👉 READ ALSO: Best Of Southern Spain Itinerary 10 Daysfor more day trip ideas from Málaga

12. DAY: Day Trip To CAMINITO DEL REY

Today, we’ll visit an incredible Gorge Desfiladero with its thrilling pathway, located 40 minutes from Málaga.

The Gorge is about 3km/1.8 miles long and only 10meters wide. The wooden path was constructed on the side of the Gorge to provide access to the hydroelectric plant. King Alfonso XIII walked through this pathway to officially open the reservoir.

As a result, it was named the Caminito del Rey – The little pathway of a king.

Let’s enjoy the walk alongside the Gorge with stunning views of the River Guadalhorce and its reservoir.

How To Get To Caminito Del Rey

In the morning, drive from Málaga to Caminito del Rey (North Access). There is a car park just 10 minutes from the official starting point of the Caminito.

Then you have to walk about 10 minutes through a forest path until you reach the start of El Caminito.

Enjoy your Caminito. It is 7.7km/4.7 miles long, and the whole walk will take 2 to 3 hours, depending on your stops. Stroll through slowly and admire the stunning nature around you.

In the afternoon, head back to Málaga. Enjoy the free afternoon in this city, or relax at the beach. Tomorrow, we have another travel day to the capital of Andalusia.

Caminito del Rey
Caminito del Rey

How To Book Tickets In Advance For Caminito Del Rey

You’ll have to book the tickets in advance as the Caminito del Rey has become very popular over the past years. You have to choose a specific time slot for walking through the pathway.

This way, they regulate the number of visitors entering the Caminito. So don’t go here without having a pre-booked ticket. You’ll most likely not be accepted for the walk as it’ll be fully booked for the day.

Book skip-the-line tickets for Caminito del Rey here.

Organized Tour To Caminito Del Rey

Join this organized tour to Caminito del Rey from Málaga if you don’t want to plan and want to have fun in a group with a local guide. It includes entrance tickets, too.

13. DAY: MÁLAGA ⇒ SEVILLA

Are you ready for our last destination of this trip? Pack your bags and head to your rental car. Drive from Málaga to Sevilla, the birthplace of tapas.

Distance Málaga Sevilla by car: approx 2 hours 20 minutes (210km/130miles)

Welcome to Sevilla, the center of trade and exploration of the Americas in the 1500s. At the time, it was also the wealthiest Spanish city. We’ll spend the rest of our Spanish trip in this fantastic city.

Check in to your accommodation and head to the center to explore it.

Interesting Fact About Tapas

Maybe you might want to go straight into a bar for some tapas for your lunch? Right at the beginning, I have an interesting fact for you:

💡 DID YOU KNOW? 💡
TAPAS – means to ‘cover or to top.‘ Sevilla’s legend says tapas were created when Sevillans took a slice of bread topped with ham and put it onto their glass of wine or any other drink to prevent flies from dipping into it. That is how tapas culture started, here in Sevilla, and was spread to other parts of Spain.

For this afternoon, check my suggestion on day 14 for what to see and do in Sevilla. Plan your stay accordingly. You might do some sightseeing today and cover the majority tomorrow.

Tapas Crawl In The Evening

Today is the day for a real TAPAS EXPERIENCE. Join a Tapas Crawl and enjoy the best bars and evening atmosphere of Sevilla. Where else should you do a tapas tour if not in the birthplace of this Spanish tradition?

Join this Tapas Crawl in Sevilla with a local guide and have fun!

Where To Stay In Sevilla: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

atLUMBRERAS 16
UMA SUITES PARADA DEL MARQUES
HOTEL ALFONZO XIII LUXURY COLLECTION

14. DAY: SEVILLA

This city will let you finish your itinerary in the best way possible. It hosts sights of diverse cultures such as Moorish, Christian, and Jewish.

Sevilla is also the burial place of Christoph Colombus. Besides, it’s the birthplace of tapas.

If you still haven’t bought some memories to take back home, you can do so here. Sevilla is also famous for its azulejos tiles – ceramics with colorful tiles.

Today, you’ll get the chance to explore this fantastic city. It’s one of my top 3 favorite cities in Europe.

Sightseeing In Sevilla

🔅 Sevilla Cathedral
🔅 La Giralda
🔅 Barrio Santa CruzJewish quarter
🔅 Real Alcazar
🔅 Plaza de España
🔅 Maria Luisa Park
🔅 Triana

NOTE: For some sights (Sevilla Cathedral, La Giralda, and Real Alcazar), it’s necessary to book skip-the-line tickets in advance. Otherwise, they’ll be fully booked.

🔅 Sevilla Cathedral

Welcome to the largest cathedral in the world. It has 80 chapels, which is like, wow, I can’t image how they fit into this building. One of the highlights is the tomb of Christoph Colombus. You can explore it inside the cathedral.

Afterward, you can also head up to the Giralda and get the city’s best views.

Book this skip-the-line ticket for Sevilla Cathedral + La Giralda

🔅 La Giralda

Get the best views of Sevilla from the top of the bell tower. Under the Moorish reign, it used to serve as a minaret, from where Muezzin was calling inhabitants for the prayer.

For the cathedral and Giralda, it’s necessary to get skip-the-line tickets, as it’s always super crowded.

Book this skip-the-line ticket for Sevilla Cathedral + La Giralda

Spain itinerary 14 days Sevilla
Me picking oranges in Sevilla

🔅 Barrio Santa CruzJewish Quarter

Seville used to have the largest community of Jews. However, in the 14th century, they were forced to convert to Christianity. If they resisted, they were forced to leave the city under the threat of death.

Nowadays, it is a charming neighborhood with tiny streets, cafes, and restaurants.

🔅 Real Alcazar

Real Alcazar is located in the Jewish quarter. It’s the original Moorish palace and was built to protect the Muslim authorities in the past. Admire its Mudejar architecture (Moorish architecture style) and its stunning green courtyard. Nowadays, it’s used by the Spanish Royal family.

Get this skip-the-line tickets for Real Alcazar.

🔅 Plaza De España

It’s one of the prettiest squares in the entire Spain. Plaza España was built for the World Exposition in 1929. Its tile illustrations (made by typical Sevilla’s azulejos) depict many Spanish places, food, and autonomous communities.

So hop on a little Spain tour around this Spanish square in Sevilla. It’s one of my favorite places in Sevilla.

southern Spain itinerary 10 days Sevilla
Sevilla – Plaza Espana

🔅 Maria Luisa Park

After, have a nice walk through this green park next to Plaza España and a little rest from the sightseeing.

🔅 Triana

Opposite the old city and across the River Guadalquivir is the neighborhood Triana. See Flamenco’s monument at the Plaza de Altozano and shop for ceramics with tiles azulejos, famous for Sevilla.

Sevilla Guided Tour

Book this guided tour of Sevilla and visit the Cathedral, La Giralda, and Real Alcazar with a local guide. Hear interesting stories and get further tips.

Practical Tips For Your Spain Itinerary

I’ve got some travel tips for you to help you plan your itinerary even more in detail. So check the best time to make this itinerary, what to pack, how to communicate with locals, and what you could do if you have less time for Spain.

Best Time To Visit Span & Make This Itinerary

The best time to visit Spain is May, early June, late September, and October. December is also a great time to visit Spain as you can enjoy fewer crowds, lower prices, and some of the beautiful Christmas Markets and traditions.

These months are less crowded so you’ll enjoy the places more. Prices also drop as it’s the shoulder season. In particular, accommodation will be cheaper than during the summertime.

You’ll still benefit from great weather as temperatures range between 20°C/70°F and 27°C/80°F. Southern Spain (Sevilla, Granada, Malaga) will be hotter than Barcelona in Madrid, but it’ll still be pleasant even for swimming.

What To Pack For Your Spain Itinerary

I recommend you pack the following necessary clothes for this itinerary in Spain. Pack everything else essential for you, but these are the basics you should have in your backpack/suitcase:

  • swimming suit
  • mat/blanket for beach
  • flipflops
  • T-Shirts
  • skirt and dresses
  • shorts
  • sportsclothes
  • light jumper/long-sleeve shirt
  • good walking shoes
  • sunscream
  • hat
  • sunglasses
  • waterproof jacket

Budget For Your 14-Day Spanish Itinerary

The budget for this itinerary for 14 days per person (mid-range traveler) is $2160. This is a very realistic budget for mid-range travelers who want to stay in nice hotels, rent a car to travel conveniently, and enjoy each location’s activities.

Here is a breakdown of this itinerary budget for each travel category:

Accommodation: $70 per night p.p. (on average) in a nice mid-range hotel = $980 per person
Transportation: Train Barcelona-Valencia (approx. $30), Train Valencia-Madrid (approx $25), Train Madrid-Granada (approx. $50) = $105 per person
Rental Car: $230 for 4 days (Day 10., 11., 12., 13.) = $230 (couple)
Food & Drinks: $28 per day p.p. = $400 per person
Activities & Attractions: approx $560 per person

So the total budget for a 14-day trip to Spain, without restricting yourself too much and enjoying everything the country offers, is $2160 per person.

Budget Breakdwon For Each Traveler Type

Here is a quick overview of a budget for every type of traveler:

➡ 14-day itinerary budget for backpackers and travelers on the budget: $800
➡ 14-day itinerary budget for mid-range travelers: $2160
➡ 14-day itinerary budget for luxury travelers: up to $4500

NOTE: This is an approximate budget based on my calculations and spending during my 14-day trip to Spain. The budget will vary based on every traveler’s preferences.

Is Spain Safe?

Spain is a pretty safe country. I lived in Barcelona for 2 years and went for a run at night alone, but I never felt danger. When you use your common sense, you’ll be safe.

One thing you need to be aware of is pickpockets. They are especially in the metro and trains in Barcelona and Madrid. Or in any other bigger city.

So watch out for pickpockets. But if you keep your bags closed when walking around, you’ll be fine. Also, don’t walk around with too many valuables and avoid attracting the pickpockets.

What To Do With More Or Less Time In Spain

I’ve got a few more itineraries for Spain for you in case you have less time. Check out these itineraries for 10 days or 8 days and plan your trip accordingly.

Spain Itinerary 10 Days

DAY:DESTINATION:
1.Barcelona
2.Barcelona
3.Barcelona ⇒ Madrid
4.Madrid (cooking class)
5.Madrid Córdoba
6.Córdoba ⇒ Málaga
7.Day Trip To Gibraltar
8.Day Trip To Caminito Del Rey
9.Málaga ⇒ Sevilla
10.Sevilla

Spain Itinerary 8 Days

DAY:DESTINATION:
1.Barcelona
2.Barcelona ⇒ Madrid
3.Madrid
4.Day Trip To Toledo
5.Madrid Málaga
6.Málaga Caminito Del Rey
7.Málaga Sevilla
8.Sevilla

How To Speak Spanish When Traveling Spain

I love foreign languages, and learning them is a lot of fun. It can be easy to get to fluency if you have the right strategies.

Knowing a few Spanish words will help you connect with locals and make your experiences on this itinerary much more memorable. So I’ve also prepared a guide for you where you can learn how to order food and drinks when traveling in Spain.

Get my Spanish Food Guide here or by clicking the link below and have fun learning Spanish words you can use while traveling to Spain.

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you plan even more. So check them out below.

Is 14 Days In Spain Too Long?

No, 14 days in Spain is the perfect time to explore the country; it’s a short time. Spain is a huge country, so you need at least 2 weeks to enjoy the best spots and activities. So follow my itinerary and see the highlights of Spain in 14 days. It’s the best time.

How To See Spain In 2 Weeks?

Spain in 2 weeks offers a lot you can explore. You can see Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid as the big and interesting cities. After, you can make a day trip to Toledo and travel south to Andalusia.

Then, spend a few days in southern Spain, visiting the most beautiful cities like Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, and Malaga. Make day trips to Caminito del Rey, Nerja Beach, or Gibraltar.

What Month Is Best To Visit Spain?

The best month to visit Spain is October. Prices drop significantly, and there are fewer crowds, too. Temperatures are still pleasant, and the weather is great, around 20°C/68°F. So you’ll enjoy the places with fewer tourists around for better prices, and mild weather, not too hot.

How Much Cash Do I Need For 2 Weeks In Spain?

As a budget traveler, you’ll need around $800 for 2 weeks in Spain.

As a mid-range traveler, you’ll need around $2000 for 2 weeks in Spain.

And as a luxury traveler, you can spend anywhere up to $4000 in 2 weeks in Spain, depending on what you want to do and where you’ll stay.

Should I Go To Madrid Or Barcelona?

If you want to enjoy more sightseeing, go to Barcelona and if you want to enjoy more Spanish culture and nightlife, go to Madrid.

Overall, I think Barcelona is better than Madrid because it has more to offer and the city is so much fun. But you’ll experience more authentic Spanish culture in Madrid than in Barcelona because Barcelona is in Catalonia, and the culture is slightly different.

WRAP-UP: Spain Itinerary 14 Days

This is my Spanish itinerary 14, 10 or 8 days for you. I hope you’ll get the most out of Spain, see its highlights, and enjoy your life. Spain is one of my favorite European countries (top 4), and I’m sure you’ll fall in love, too.

If you have any questions or need further travel tips, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you or design a customized travel itinerary for your needs and preferences.

Happy Travels!

voices of travel about me photo

About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

SPAIN: Interested in more articles about Spain?
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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Some of my favourite spots in Spain on your itinerary. We have been to Spain many times but know there are still many spots we need to visit. Valencia and Toledo definitely need to be on a return visit plan. The beaches are always a big draw. But the history and architecture draws us to the cities. We went by train on most trips. So maybe a car would let us get out in the country more.

    1. Nicoletta

      I am glad that the itinerary consists of some of your favourite places, Linda :). I think travelling Spain by train is still a great choice. Only in Andalusia, I would suggest everybody to rent a car to get around.

  2. Nina

    Wow this a very ambitious list! I think it took me twice as long to hit these spots because I spent so many days just eating churros ;p

    1. Nicoletta

      Hahaha, Nina, love your comment. You’re right; it is quite ambitious. I’ve tried to pack the most amazing places together, and you can see that the itinerary will be pretty intense. But I believe you’ll come from Spain with so many memories, feeling like you’ve seen pretty much the most important parts of the country :). And of course, churros have to be on program every day 😀 :D.

  3. Lorry

    This is a complete and detailed guide; I don’t think you missed a thing. Great travel tips. I’m saving this one for future travels!

    1. Nicoletta

      Hi Lorry, I am glad you like it. Hope it will be useful for you once you visit Spain :). Let me know how the travel is with this itinerary.

  4. Kat

    I have only visited Barcelona so far in Spain, and I loved it! You should add Parc Guell to your list, it’s amazing! Gaudi has a lot of incredible architecture throughout the city to see. I hope to go back again.

    1. Nicoletta

      Hi, Kat. Many thanks for the tip. Yes, you’re completely right. Parc Guell should be on the list. However, it is quite difficult to put all the beautiful sites in Barcelona together in 2 days. So that’s why I’ve created a 3-day itinerary with everything to see and do in Barcelona, which also contains Parc Guell. You can check it out. You guys can then decide how many days you want to spend in Barcelona and what you want to see based on this 3-day Barcelona itinerary.

  5. Renata

    This post comes just in time. I’m currently planning a trip to Spain – which I might postpone due to the current covid situation. Nevertheless, this gives me even more time for extensive planning so I don’t miss out on any important landmark. Your post is the perfect base to start my itinerary 🙂

    1. Nicoletta

      Hi Renata. Awesome, I am happy it comes in handy for you. Hope it will give you a lot of inspiration, and you’ll have a perfect time in Spain. Let me know which destinations you’ve visited.

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