7 days in Spain is completely doable if you have the right plan in place. Discover 5 Spain itinerary ideas that make logistical sense and combine some of the most popular and beautiful cities.
Sometimes the hardest part in planning your trip is deciding which cities to combine in your itinerary. Combining destinations that not only make logistical sense but are also stellar places to visit...it's not easy!
Researching trains and planes between destinations, the cost of travel, which places earn a spot on your itinerary, and how many days to spend in each spot can quickly become overwhelming. Not to mention the time investment.
I get it and am here to help! Spain is one of my most visited (and favorite) countries in the world.
With over 10 trips to Spain under my belt, I've been lucky enough to explore all the top places and play around with combining different cities.
Whether you're looking to visit bucket-list destinations like Barcelona and Seville, eat your way through foodie cities like San Sebastian and Valencia, hit the beach in Mallorca and Ibiza, or wander the stunning Alhambra Palace in Granada...I've got the Spain itinerary for you!
Each option includes logistics, how many days to spend in each place, and a snippet of what to do.
Before we begin...
These Spain itineraries will typically be 7 days in length (9 days including travel time). If you have more than 7 days in Spain, I would add extra days to the cities already listed instead of trying to squeeze in another destination.
There's only one itinerary where I give the option to add another city since it's easily connected via train.
At the end of each itinerary, you'll find recommendations on where to add extra days.
7 days in Spain - 5 Spain itinerary ideas
Alhambra views in Granada
Alcazar - Seville
Plaza de Espana - Seville
1. Madrid, Seville, Granada
One of my favorite itineraries for 7 days in Spain! This plan is perfect for a first visit to Spain and those looking to see the TOP sights.
Logistics
Madrid to Seville is a quick 2.5-hour journey by high-speed train.
Seville to Granada is 3 hours via the ALSA bus or 2.5 to 3 hours by high-speed train.
2 days in Madrid
2 days in Madrid gives just enough time to see the top sights without being rushed:
- Puerta del Sol
- Royal Palace
- Plaza Mayor
- Retiro Park
- Prado Museum
Dine on tapas and sangria with a tapas crawl down Calle Cava Baja and visit a few Madrid food markets.
Combining Madrid with Andalusia (southern Spain) provides a well-rounded look at Spain as these regions are very different. Being the business hub and one of the financial centers of Europe, Madrid has a distinct metropolitan vibe. It feels like a real, working city as opposed to a tourist destination.
Stopover in Cordoba
Perfectly situated between Madrid and Seville, Cordoba is a convenient stop on the way to Seville.
Plan on 2 hours if you just want to see the famous Mezquita, aka the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Bake in additional time if you'd like to explore the Old Town and Jewish Quarter.
If you're itching to get to Seville, don't feel bad about skipping Cordoba.
Seville has more to offer, and I would personally rather spend more time there.
3 days in Seville
3 days in Seville will allow you to slow down and enjoy the sights, wander the charming barrio of Santa Cruz, and taste the best tapas in Seville.
Many websites and guides recommend just 1 or 2 nights in Seville. I couldn't disagree more. Once you arrive, you won't want to leave and will wish you had more time.
What sets Seville apart is that it thrums with character and soul. This city has personality!
Top sights include Seville Cathedral, Alcazar Palace (book in advance), Maria Louisa Park, and Plaza de Espana. Attending a Flamenco performance is also a must.
The tapas scene in Seville is stellar and very cheap...think €5 Sangria and tapas large enough to make a meal for €15 to €25.
2 days in Granada
Use your 2 days in Granada to tour the Alhambra Palace (one of my favorite palace complexes in the world) and wander the twists and turns of the Moorish Albaicin neighborhood.
The mix of Spanish and Moorish culture makes for some captivating sights, architecture, and history.
If you're looking for an easy Spain itinerary, this is it! Granada and Seville are small enough to not be overwhelming. And while Madrid is a large metropolitan city, the compact tourist core makes seeing the top sights in 2 days a breeze.
With minimal travel time between cities, 7 days in Spain is absolutely doable with this itinerary.
Extension options for 10 days in Spain
Add 2 nights in Madrid so you can slow down and add a day trip or two.
Toledo is my favorite day trip from Madrid. Its medieval streets and hilltop location are beyond picturesque.
Add a 4th night to Seville. Use that extra day to do a day trip to Cordoba (if you didn't stop on your way from Madrid) or join a day tour:
SEE ALSO:
A WEEK IN SPAIN - ITINERARY FOR MADRID, SEVILLE & GRANADA
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN GRANADA SPAIN
Parc Guell - Barcelona
Mallorca
Mallorca
2. Barcelona, Mallorca, Ibiza or Valencia, Mallorca, Ibiza
- Barcelona: 3 nights Barcelona
- Mallorca: 3 nights
- Ibiza: 1 night
OR
- Valencia: 2 nights
- Mallorca: 3 nights
- Ibiza: 2 nights
This Spain itinerary is perfect for beaches, nightlife, and scenic landscapes
Logistics
Both Barcelona and Valencia are an hour flight from Palma de Mallorca. Valencia is smaller than Barcelona and can easily be seen in 2 days whereas Barcelona requires at least 3 days.
If you want a major city that is more of a tourist hotspot with major sights and attractions, choose Barcelona.
If you want a city that has a smaller and walkable city center, fewer crowds, and more of a relaxed vibe where you aren't running from sight to sight, choose Valencia.
Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca is a 1-hour flight. Fares are €20 to €50 on budget airlines like Ryan Air. Flight duration and price are the same from Valencia.
Mallorca to Ibiza is a 2 to 4-hour ferry depending on what day you leave and how much you want to spend. Balearia is the faster ferry. Tickets range between €50 to €200 depending on the season, day, time, class of ticket, and how fast the boat is.
3 days in Barcelona
Visit the unique and stunning Sagrada Familia, enjoy rooftop cocktails, stroll down Las Ramblas (the infamous tree-lined pedestrian street), see Antoni Gaudi's colorful and whimsical Parc Guell and Casa Mila, hit the Barceloneta beach, eat your way through La Boqueria food market, join a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, and snap some pictures at the Montjuic Magic Fountain.
To see even more of the city, join a bike tour!
**You MUST book Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell in advance.
or 2 days in Valencia
2 nights in Valencia is a perfect introduction to what is known as the City of Arts and Sciences. Spain's third largest city is becoming more popular with tourists as of late with its blossoming restaurant scene, mix of Art Nouveau, Renaissance, and Gothic style architecture, museums, nightlife, and miles of sandy beaches.
3 days in Mallorca
Where else can you travel to a gorgeous island for as little as €20? Seriously. If that's not a steal I don't know what is!
Mallorca is the largest of the islands located on the east coast of Spain. It offers the perfect mix of stunning beaches, fresh seafood, cathedrals, and a growing art scene.
For an urban beach escape, base yourself in Palma. Often referred to as a "mini Barcelona", Palma has a medieval city center with Gothic architecture, tapas restaurants, cobblestone streets, and tree-lined squares.
Deia, Valldemossa, and Sóller are beautiful hill towns on the Western side of Mallorca. This area is perfect for romance, charm, and beautiful views.
You could easily spend a week or two discovering all Mallorca has to offer, but 3 nights will give you just enough time to get a feel for this diverse island.
1 day in Ibiza
1 night in Ibiza will give you a taste of the notorious party scene or a chance to enjoy the lesser-known and calmer side of Ibiza. This island has more than just nightclubs and heart-pounding music.
Ibiza is filled with beautiful scenery and landscapes, small fishing towns, quiet beaches, and a well-known holistic spa and yoga scene. The perfect way to end your 7 days in Spain itinerary.
Extension option for 10 days in Spain
To extend this 7 days in Spain itinerary, I would add one night to each destination.
A fourth night in Barcelona means you can fit a day trip to Girona or Montserrat into your itinerary.
Explore more beaches and villages with a fourth night in Mallorca and enjoy more pool/beach time with 2 nights in Ibiza (3 nights for the Valencia, Mallorca, Ibiza option).
For those looking for something with fewer tourists...visit Menorca instead of Ibiza. This small island (the name literally translates to "smaller island") is less developed and is perfect for a nature escape. It's a quick 1.5-hour ferry from Mallorca.
San Sebastian
Madrid
Montjuic Barcelona
3. Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian
- Barcelona: 3 nights
- Madrid: 2 night
- San Sebastian: 2 nights
This 7 day Spain Itinerary is perfect for foodies!
Logistics
Barcelona to Madrid is now just 2.5 hours by the new high-speed AVE train.
Madrid to San Sebastian is 1 hour by plane with tickets around €90. Train time is around 5.5 hours.
3 days in Barcelona
Visit the unique and stunning Sagrada Familia, enjoy rooftop cocktails, stroll down Las Ramblas (the infamous tree-lined pedestrian street), see Antoni Gaudi's colorful and whimsical Parc Guell and Casa Mila, hit the Barceloneta beach, eat your way through La Boqueria food market, join a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, and snap some pictures at the Montjuic Magic Fountain.
To see even more of the city, join a bike tour!
**You MUST book Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell in advance.
2 days in Madrid
2 days in Madrid gives just enough time to see the top sights without being rushed:
- Puerta del Sol
- Royal Palace
- Plaza Mayor
- Retiro Park
- Prado Museum
Dine on tapas and sangria with a tapas crawl down Calle Cava Baja and visit a few Madrid food markets.
Combining Madrid with Andalusia (southern Spain) provides a well-rounded look at Spain as these regions are very different. Being the business hub and one of the financial centers of Europe, Madrid has a distinct metropolitan vibe. It feels like a real, working city as opposed to a tourist destination.
2 days in San Sebastian
Taste a sampling of San Sebastian's world-renowned restaurants and pintxos bars, visit the picturesque beaches looking out onto the Bay of Biscay, and shop around Old Town.
Located in the Basque region, San Sebastian is said to have the highest ratio of Michelin-star restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the world!
A visit to Concha beach is a must as it's considered the best city beach in all of Spain.
San Sebastian is the perfect place to relax after your busy sightseeing in Madrid and Barcelona.
What better way to end your 7 days in Spain itinerary than at a world-renowned restaurant and enjoying some of the best cuisine in the world?
Option to extend to 10 days in Spain
Add another foodie city...Valencia...the birthplace of Paella! Two nights in Valencia is enough time to see all the top sights and sample plenty of Paella.
Barcelona to Valencia is just under 3 hours by train. You can then take the 2-hour train from Valencia to Madrid.
Add a fourth night to Barcelona to do a day trip to Girona or Montserrat.
Malaga
Seville
Granada
4. Seville, Granada, Malaga
- Seville: 3 nights
- Granada: 2 nights
- Malaga: 2 nights
This 7 days in Spain itinerary is perfect for focusing on the Andalusia region and smaller/walkable cities
Logistics
Seville to Granada is 3 hours via the ALSA bus or 2.5 to 3 hours via high-speed train.
Granada to Malaga is 1 hour 45 minutes by bus and cheap; around €5 to €15. There is a train, but it takes twice as long because there isn't a direct route.
3 days in Seville
3 days in Seville will allow you to slow down and enjoy the sights, wander the charming barrio of Santa Cruz, and taste the best tapas in Seville.
Many websites and guides recommend just 1 or 2 nights in Seville. I couldn't disagree more. Once you arrive, you won't want to leave and will wish you had more time.
What sets Seville apart is that it thrums with character and soul. This city has personality!
Top sights include Seville Cathedral, Alcazar Palace (book in advance), Maria Louisa Park, and Plaza de Espana. Attending a Flamenco performance is also a must.
The tapas scene in Seville is stellar and very cheap...think €5 Sangria and tapas large enough to make a meal for €15 to €25.
2 days in Granada
Use your 2 days in Granada to tour the Alhambra Palace (one of my favorite palace complexes in the world) and wander the twists and turns of the Moorish Albaicin neighborhood.
The mix of Spanish and Moorish culture makes for some captivating sights, architecture, and history.
2 days in Malaga
2 nights will be the perfect length of time to wind down after your busy time touring Seville and Granada. Located in the Costa del Sol, Malaga is well-known among Europeans as a summer and beach getaway.
Like other European destinations, the city center has much to appreciate including cathedrals, the 11th century Alcazaba fortress ruins, a Roman style theater, and the Pablo Picasso Museum. Did you know Picasso was born in Malaga?
I recommend renting a car for easy access to the beaches (try to go to La Cala del Moral beach) and to reach hiking spots like Montes de Malaga National Park.
Malaga makes for a great destination because it's easy to get to with high-speed trains from other popular cities and the 4th busiest international airport in Spain.
It offers a mix of natural beauty and old-world charm. The food is outstanding as this area supplies much of Spain with its top-quality ingredients and wine.
Option to extend to 10 days in Spain
Add one night in each city.
Use your additional day in Seville to do a day trip to Cordoba.
Extra time in Granada and Malaga means you can slow down and visit a few more sights.
Las Ramblas - Barcelona
Valencia
Parc Guell - Barcelona
5. Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid
- Barcelona: 3 nights
- Valencia: 2 nights
- Madrid: 2 nights
This Spain itinerary is perfect for those who love big cities...these are the 3 largest cities in Spain
LOgistics
Barcelona to Valencia is just over 3 hours by train.
Valencia to Madrid is 1.5 to 2 hours by train.
3 days in Barcelona
Visit the unique and stunning Sagrada Familia, enjoy rooftop cocktails, stroll down Las Ramblas (the infamous tree-lined pedestrian street), see Antoni Gaudi's colorful and whimsical Parc Guell and Casa Mila, hit the Barceloneta beach, eat your way through La Boqueria food market, join a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, and snap some pictures at the Montjuic Magic Fountain.
To see even more of the city, join a bike tour!
**You MUST book Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell in advance.
2 days in Valencia
2 nights in Valencia is a perfect introduction to what is known as the City of Arts and Sciences. Spain's third largest city is becoming more popular with tourists as of late with its blossoming restaurant scene, mix of Art Nouveau, Renaissance, and Gothic style architecture, museums, nightlife, and miles of sandy beaches.
2 days in Madrid
2 days in Madrid gives just enough time to see the top sights without being rushed:
- Puerta del Sol
- Royal Palace
- Plaza Mayor
- Retiro Park
- Prado Museum
Dine on tapas and sangria with a tapas crawl down Calle Cava Baja and visit a few Madrid food markets.
Combining Madrid with Andalusia (southern Spain) provides a well-rounded look at Spain as these regions are very different. Being the business hub and one of the financial centers of Europe, Madrid has a distinct metropolitan vibe. It feels like a real, working city as opposed to a tourist destination.
Option to extend to 10 days in Spain
Add 2 nights in Madrid so you can slow down and add a day trip or two.
Toledo is my favorite day trip from Madrid. Its medieval streets and hilltop location are beyond picturesque.
Add a day to Barcelona to do a day trip to Girona or Montserrat.
An extra Spain Itinerary idea for the adventurer
Canary Islands: for the adventurer, an extra Spain itinerary idea is to go to the Canary Islands. You can ride camels at Timanfaya National Park on the island of Lanzarote or hike the world's third largest volcano at Tenerife.
Flights are dirt cheap to these remote islands if you're flying from Spain. The Canary islands are located just off the coast of Morocco and the Western Sahara. Depending on the month and day you can get tickets for less than $20.
Depart from a number of popular Spanish cities for these cheap fares and non-stop flights. I recommend starting in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, or Granada. Flight time from these cities will be between 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Seville
In summary
I hope this post gave you some ideas for how to spend 7 days in Spain.
The first itinerary combining Madrid, Seville, and Granada is my personal favorite. If you have more than 7 days in Spain, you could easily add Barcelona to that itinerary...which would make it the PERFECT itinerary for a first visit to Spain.
If you're looking for beach time, pick #2 which includes the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza (or Menorca instead of Ibiza).
Foodies will enjoy the third itinerary, combining Barcelona, Madrid, and San Sebastian.
Go with option #4 to focus on southern Spain or #5 to visit the three biggest cities in Spain.
Whatever your travel style is, one of these itineraries is sure to fit the bill!
SHARE THE LOVE AND SAVE THIS POST ON PINTEREST!
7 Days in Spain | 5 Incredible Itinerary Ideas
question
we have a trip planned
Land Madrid early Morning
spend two nights
train to Seville spend 2 nights
Train to Granada spend 2 nights
Fly to Mallorca spend 2 nights
Fly to Barcelona spend 1 night
Fly to Home
Sounds like a whirlwind of a trip…what’s your question?
love your Spain trip suggestions. What are the best/safest options to travel as a solo woman from Faro Portugal to Malaga Spain, to meet up with a friend for travel thru Spain?
Oh gosh, I’ve never made that specific trek before. I’ve always felt perfectly safe traveling by train or by bus (Flixbus, Alsa, etc.). It looks like this is a journey you would have to piece together multiple buses and/or trains. I looked on Alsa and there was an option with 2 stops and 1 transfer in Seville. Hope that helps!
Hi there,
I am planning to go to Madrid and finish with Barcelona in May. I am going solo so I was wondering is you have any suggestion for hotels in safe areas to stay.
Thank you!
Hi Lili,
I just stayed at Room Mate Alba in Madrid and loved it. Location was PERFECT. Let me look up past hotels I’ve stayed at in Barcelona…stay tuned…
For Barcelona, I stayed at Praktik Vinoteca, great price and great location. I’ve also stayed at Hotel Jazz which is an excellent budget option. Cotton House Hotel is high on my list to stay next time (Marriott family) as well as Room Mate Gerard Hotel. Barcelona Edition is a nice luxury option.
Hi
We are landing on a Saturday and departing on next Saturday.
Plan was to land in Barcelona, spend 2 nights and fly to Ibiza for 2 nights.. which means we will be at Ibiza till Tuesday evening or wed morning..From there.. idea was to take a 4 day road trip to Madrid..could you recommend if this is possible and if so how… Exploring flying to Valencia and then doing Seville Malaga and then Madrid…
Those are all great cities to explore! I have always traveled via train (sometimes bus when the train was under construction). My first thought is that it’s a lot of driving in 4 days. Have you Google mapped the actual drive times? That’s also fitting a lot into a short time. If it was me, I would focus on Valencia (I just left yesteray..great city), and then Madrid with a day trip to Toledo. I would save southern Spain for another trip when you have more time and can focus on just that region.
Hi, I was planning to travel with friends to Spain in January.
I have 10-12 days including 2 days travel time. I wanted to see Barcelona, Seville and Mallorca.
What’s the best way to split time between these cities.
Looking forward to your response.
For 10 days total I would recommend 4 nights Barcelona, 3 nights Seville, 3 nights Mallorca (usually I would recommend more time for beach/sun time…but it will be January…so…).
Thank you so much for this info — really well done! We’re spending Thanksgiving week in Spain, so 8 days in country. Our priority is the South (Seville, Granada, perhaps Cordoba) but we’d also really like to visit Barcelona, unless that’ll hopelessly frazzle us. Given your wisdom re not dashing from sight to sight, should we focus only on the South, or could we reasonably fly in &/or out of Barcelona, securing some sort of efficient travel connection to the South? So, part of the question is: What’s the best way to travel between Barcelona and the South? And part of the question is: with 8 days in country, should we just stay in the South? Hope that makes sense, and thanks for your thoughts!
You can definitely add Barcelona and not feel rushed. I would do 3 days in Seville and 2 days in Granada. You take it slow in these cities since they aren’t very big. Cordoba is cool, but Seville is better. Don’t rush Seville just to try and fit in Cordoba. Then 3 days in Barcelona will be your very busy days. I always fly between Barcelona and Seville via a cheap European airline (usually Volotea, Vueling, or Ryanair). Enjoy Spain and have a sangria for me!
Will do. Thank you so much!
Hi Ash—I love your blog. We are planning a trip to Madrid in the end of September. We would like to do a day trip to either Toledo or Segovia/Avila. We were thinking Segovia because of the aqueducts. I’m a history buff. My question is, would you chose one of the packaged bus day trips there or would you try to do it on your own? Also, for a history buff, do you still think Toledo should be the top choice?
Hi Cindy! So glad you are enjoying the blog! I would pick Toledo. When looking at both cities as a whole, Toledo has a better atmosphere and is a joy to wander. Segovia, not as much. Also, Toledo is known as the “city of 3 cultures” where Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together peacefully. So yes, as a history buff I still think Toledo should be your first choice…with those 3 religions and cultures there is so much history in Toledo. The cathedral is also amazing, one of my favorites.
Because Toledo is an easy 30 minute train from Madrid (15 minute walk from the train station to city center), I would go to Toledo on your own and book a tour while there:
Toledo Private Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Essence of Toledo: Private Tour with a Local Archaeologist
Toledo Jewish Heritage Private Tour with expert local guide
Hello!
I love your recommendations and itineraries. Question – Traveling to Spain late May 2024 with 3 16-year-olds. Was thinking Barcelona (3-4 nights) – Valencia (2-3)– Seville (2) – Granada (2). Is this too aggressive? We like the culture and sightseeing, but we also want the local beachy vibe (not Ibiza). Would you suggest replacing something with Mallorca? Adding it? Thought we could kayak the Costa Brava on a Barcelona day? Valencia to Seville is the longest train ride. I know it is easier to reach via Madrid, however, I think my crew would appreciate Barcelona over Madrid as they are not as into art galleries. Appreciate any insights!
Hi Heather! I would do 4 nights in Barcelona since there’s so much to do here + ample day trips + the beach. 2 nights in Valencia is plenty. It’s a small city. While I can’t believe I’m saying this because Seville is my absolute FAVORITE place ever, you may want to consider taking out Seville and Granada. Spending your time in Mallorca would make more sense than landlocked Seville/Granada. If you really wanted more nature/beaches, you could also skip Valencia and add 2 nights in Menorca (more remote/less touristy/more about nature). I 100% agree that Barcelona is a better fit vs. Madrid.
I’ll be doing a Mallorca itinerary soon (so keep an eye out for that). The caves are AMAZING.
My daughter will be attending a college Summer program in Barcelona in July. I would like to put together a few days of travel in Spain prior to the start of school. We will have 10 days to travel. We love to eat and shop and cities and beaches and tour. After reading some of your itineraries we would love to see Mallorca, San Sebastian and open to another stop before settling in Barcelona for 3 nights. Any suggestions to make this feasible or other recommendations? This will be our first but not last trip to Spain. Thanks a bunch for your input.
I would add Madrid. It’s easily connected to both San Sebastian/Bilboa and Barcelona. Madrid also has several wonderful day trips (Toledo is a must). I would carve out 2 days for exploring Madrid and then whatever time you have left for day trips. Have fun!
My husband is traveling to Tarragona for work in September. I will be leaving two days later to join him: flying into Barcelona. I’m not sure if it’s better to start our trip in Barcelona or end it…since we fly out of Barcelona. Additionally, I want to make sure we visit the Royal Palace in Toledo. Other items of interest include historical sites, beautiful architecture, food/drinks, nightlife, nature and beaches…..not so much art. Is it even possible to check all of this off our list if we are only in Spain 7 days? This is by far the hardest vacation I’ve planned and truly appreciate any help you can provide.
Hmmm…Mallorca is worth considering if beaches are a high priority (and September would be lovely). You could do 2 nights Barcelona, 3 Mallorca, 2 Madrid (in order to visit Toledo as a day trip). Mallorca requires a flight and this would be a VERY fast/busy itinerary.
Could you save Toledo for another trip? Then you could stay in the Barcelona region and not have to backtrack. If it was me, I would opt for 3 nights Barcelona with a day trip to Girona + 4 nights in Mallorca and save Toledo for a trip when you can combine, Madrid/Toledo/Seville.
Thank you so much! We can absolutely not do Toledo. I really like this!