Dreaming of tapas-stuffed evenings, sun-soaked plazas and centuries of history unfolding around every corner? This 10-day Spain travel itineraryis your ticket to experience some of Spain’s vibrant sub-cultures, food, and architecture — from Gaudí’s masterpieces in Barcelona to the Moorish palaces of Andalusia and the elegant boulevards of Madrid. This is a great itinerary for first-time visitors to Spain, blending iconic sights with local treasures.
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Is 10-days in Spain enough? A word to the wise
Firstly, Spain is not a monolith. It’s extremely regional and depending where you travel, you will get different climates, landscapes, history and culture. There is a lot to see and you’ll likely need more time than you think.
This itinerary is a revised version of the one we travelled, which was a little too intense. It’s equally experience-soaked, but with a little more breathing (read: siesta) room. So, no. 10-days is not enough to see all of Spain. But follow this 3-region itinerary and you’ll bite off a fair-size, but still chewable chunk.
Buying tickets for Spain’s attractions
First, many of the major attractions in Spain, sell out in advance. It could be a few months ahead, like Sagrada Familia, or the morning of, like Seville’s Royal Alcazar. If there’s something you are dead-set on seeing, then it is best to secure your spot before your arrive, or at least keep an eye on how ticket sales are tracking.
Second, there are lots of agents masquerading as official ticket sellers online. If you purchase from them, you may get the tickets, you may not, or you may just pay more than was necessary. They do a good job of looking like the official websites, right down to their URL. They also pay for ads to appear at the top of your Google search. Double check before you buy any tickets online. All the websites I have linked in this blog post are the official sites.
10-Day Spain Itinerary
Day 1 – Eat your way through Barcelona
Kick off your Spain travel itinerary in Barcelona, the buzzing capital of Catalonia. Take a leisurely stroll along La Rambla, the tree-lined boulevard at the heart of the city. Get an epicurean education with a fun food tour. We like to participate in this kind of guided experience early in our trip. Firstly, because it provides historical and cultural context that enriches the rest of our visit. Secondly, because we learn local food customs, etiquette and restaurant recommendations to put to use throughout our stay. End your first evening with sunset views from Barceloneta Beach and a glass of cava — the perfect welcome to your Spain travel adventure.
Day 2 – Explore more of Barcelona: Gaudí and the Gothic Quarter
Devote your second day to discovering what makes Barcelona so irresistibly unique. Start with a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, where Roman ruins evolve into Modernismo. Refuel with a paella and then, head to La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s still-unfinished basilica — its surreal spires and stained glass will leave you awestruck. Continue your architectural pilgrimage at the Gaudi-designed Park Güell (pronounced: Park Gw-ay).
For dinner, dive into a tapas crawl in the El Born neighbourhood or sample modern Catalan cuisine at one of the city’s trendsetting restaurants. Barcelona’s blend of creativity, history and Mediterranean coastal cool makes it a highlight of any Spain travel itinerary. For more on Barcelona, check out this city guide.
Day 3 – Fly to Seville for tapas and flamenco
This morning, catch a short flight south to Seville, the capital of Andalusia and one of Spain’s most captivating cities. Once settled in, get ready for an immersive evening of food and flamenco. Let a guide walk you through the nuances of Andalucian food and decode the artistry of flamenco, for a deeper cultural experience.
Day 4 – Seville sightseeing and flamenco class
Spend the morning on a walking tour of Seville, to familiarise yourself with the city’s incredible and globally influential history. You’ll see some key sights, but allow time to wander further on your own and experience more of the city. Don’t miss the unbelievable Plaza Espana and riverside, Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold).
Have a leisurely lunch and a well-earned siesta, before clapping and stomping your way through an afternoon flamenco class. Learn the basic moves of Andalucia’s unique and expressive dance form in a 1-hour lesson.
Afterwards, take a tour of the majestic Seville Cathedral — the largest Gothic church in the world (depending on how you measure it) and home to Christopher Columbus’ tomb. Climb the Giralda Tower for sweeping city views.
Jump over here for a detailed Seville travel guide and sample itinerary.
Day 5 – Seville’s Royal Alácazar
Start with the incredible Royal Alácazar (get your tickets in advance – we missed out by leaving it to the last minute). The tilework and gardens are a kaleidoscope of Islamic artistry and Renaissance elegance worthy of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And yes, the gardens are the ones from Game of Thrones. You’ll need a good 2-3-hours to see the complete complex.
After lunch, catch a high-speed train to Granada, just a 2.5-hour zoom through the olive orchards. You’ll be torn between napping and taking in the scenery.
Day 6 – Granada and the Alhambra
Your Spain travel itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Alhambra, one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks. Start your morning with a Granada city tour, wandering through the Albaicín — the city’s ancient Moorish quarter — with its whitewashed houses and stunning views of the Alhambra.
In the afternoon, step inside the Alhambra Palace complex. Allow plenty of time to explore the intricately carved stucco and mosaic-lined palace, tranquil fountain-centred courtyards and panoramic terraces that reveal centuries of Moorish artistry.
Top tip: I’m going to say it again for the people in the back. GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY VIA THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE. If you miss out on tickets sold on the official website, try purchasing a Granada Card. It will be more expensive, because it is a multi-attraction card giving you access to other sights around town whether you want to visit them or not. But it will get you that coveted spot at Alhambra.
Day 7 – Olive oil tasting in Andalusia
Today, trade the city for the countryside with a visit to a local olive farm just outside Granada. Learn about the region’s ancient olive-growing traditions and sample award-winning extra virgin olive oils during a guided tasting. It’s a delicious insight into Andalusian life that few travellers experience. There are several options for visiting olive farms outside of Granada, and I whole-heartedly recommend Quaryat Dillar, especially if you’re a couple or group of adults.
Return to Granada in the afternoon to relax at an Arab-style hammam or watch sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás, in the Albaicín neighbourhood. It’s crowded for a reason.
Day 8 – Tour Madrid
First thing, hop on a fast train to Spain’s stylish capital, Madrid! Join an afternoon walking tour for an introduction to the city and its history. For dinner, dive into a tapas crawl–Madrid has around 15,000 tapas bars to choose from!
Day 9 – Madrid walking tour and art museum
Madrid is the third distinct region you’ll visit across this 10-day Spain itinerary. You’ll notice variances in climate and culture, including the food. For a hands-on foodie experience, join a market visit and cooking class (don’t worry, there’s plenty of eating involved). Revel in local flavours, gather restaurant recommendations and learn some recipes to take home.
Spend your post-siesta afternoon hours at the Prado Museum, admiring works by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco.
Day 10 – Adiós, España
As your 10-days in Spain come to an end, linger over one last Jamón Ibérico sandwich at a local charcutería. Wander the opulent architecture of Gran Via or the botanical garden. Explore 20th-century Spanish art at the Reina Sofia Museum, with works by the likes of Gris, Dali and Picasso. See our detailed Madrid travel guide here.
You’ve journeyed from the Modernismo magic of Barcelona to the Moorish heart of Andalusia and the stately charm of Madrid — a crash course in what makes travel to Spain so intoxicating. I hope these 10-days will leave you with a camera roll of memories and a heart-full of Spanish charm.
Peace, love and duende,
Madam ZoZo
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