Spain features varied landscapes, vibrant cities and incredible cuisine. With so much to see and do, planning a vacation to Spain can be perplexing.
To help fellow travelers, we created our 1 Week Spain Itinerary that highlights the absolute best of the country!
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7 Day Spain Itinerary Trip Plan
We designed our ‘Best of Spain Itinerary’ when a friend joined us on our European Travels. With limited time, we planned a Spain One-Week Itinerary to show her the top sights.
On our 1 Week in Spain Vacation, we traveled to the three most popular cities: Barcelona, Seville and Madrid. We believe these are the prime places to visit over 7 days.
Best Places To Visit in Spain
Some of the best places to go in Spain are the famous cities and picturesque towns. For our Spain Travel Itinerary, we include three top destinations. We feel these offer the perfect introduction for a first time visitor to Spain.
Barcelona
With an array of sights, Barcelona dazzles visitors. The popular Catalan city features an old town rife with Gothic buildings and Gaudi’s Modernism architecture, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, Barcelona is so much more than historic buildings. Other highlights include nature (like Park Guell, stunning shoreline beaches and picturesque mountains) as well as phenomenal tapas!
Read more in our detailed 3-Day Barcelona Itinerary!
Seville
The city of Seville is comprised of quaint neighborhoods and delectable Sevilla Tapas Bars – and it’s a highlight of many Spain Travel Itineraries.
Top activities include exploring popular attractions – like the Cathedral and Alcazar – and sampling an array of scrumptious Spanish cuisine.
Learn more about all the Top Seville Sights!
Madrid
Madrid is a sprawling metropolis with a buzzing center and is one of the best destinations to include on a Spain One Week Trip.
Top features include spacious plazas, lush parks, the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Art Center.
The Spanish capital is the second largest city in the European Union (only Berlin is bigger), yet the sights are fairly easy to navigate with our Self-Guided Madrid Walking Tour!
Use our 3-Day Madrid Itinerary for additional information!
Spain Trip Planner Route and Transport
For a quick 7 Days in Spain Itinerary, we recommend choosing spots that are easy to reach by high speed train or short flights. This way, you will spend less time in transit and more time discovering Spain!
The cities we include in our One Week Spain Itinerary are well-connected by rail. It’s our version of a Spain Road Trip!
Where To Start Your Spain 1 Week Trip
We organized our week in Spain starting in Barcelona and ending in Madrid. Beginning in Madrid and ending in Barcelona can be easily done, too.
It would even be possible to start off in Seville. However, if you are traveling from abroad, your international flight will likely take you to Barcelona or Madrid.
For those coming from North America, we recommend booking flights into one gateway city and out of the other. This is one of our top Cheap Flight Tips and a good way to save precious vacation time!
Our 1 Week Spain Itinerary
You can use our guide exactly as it is written or as a base and tailor it to best fit your travel style. With that, let’s start your 7 Days in Spain Vacation!
Day 1: Travel to Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona and waste no time getting acquainted with the city! Start on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s wide pedestrian lane lined with shops and street entertainers.
After soaking in the atmosphere, walk to La Rambla del Mar on the waterfront. Follow the coastline north past the harbor full of sailboats to Barceloneta, the city’s best beach town.
Next, venture into Parc de la Ciutadella and wander the paths to waterfalls, ponds and monuments. Then explore the streets of La Ribera and Barri Gothic neighborhoods.
Top Tip: Day 1 of our itinerary for Spain covers 5+ miles. Follow our self-guided Barcelona Walking Tour – or join a guided walk, like this one!
Day 2: Explore Barcelona Sights
Get an early start and hike up Montjuic (Jewish Mountain). The Montjuic Castle dates to 1640 and was built as a military fortress and the interior can be visited for a fee.
Bring a picnic lunch (perhaps with items gathered from the Mercado de La Boqueria) and dine al fresco.
Retrace your steps back down and spend the afternoon visiting the MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalyuna) art museum. In the evening, discover the Best Barcelona Tapas in the Poble Sec neighborhood!
Day 3: Discover Barcelona Modernism
A trip to Barcelona would not be complete without contemplating the works of the city’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi.
His unique works are scattered throughout the city, but he is best known for his (forever) unfinished Sagrada Familia.
More must-see Gaudi sights are Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. Join a Gaudi Segway Tour to learn more about his life and work!
In the afternoon, wander through more of Barcelona’s picturesque neighborhoods. We love wandering around L’Eixample.
Day 4: Arrive in Seville
Begin today on board the highspeed AVE Train from Barcelona to Seville in the Andalusia region. After checking into your accommodation, head straight for the city center.
Visit the landmark Seville Cathedral, which was built between 1401 and 1519 and is one of the largest Medieval churches in the world.
Climb the 12th century La Giralda Tower, then enter the Alcazar palace that stands opposite the cathedral (where scenes for Game of Thrones were been filmed). Spend the evening tapas-tasting and Flamenco dancing!
Day 5: Wander Seville Neighborhoods
Today you’ll spend time soaking up the charm of Seville by discovering the quaint neighborhoods of the city. Explore on your own or hire a guide for a private tour.
See more of the city center, then step into Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter. Cross the Canal de Alfonso XIII and get lost in the colorful lanes of Triana.
Continue south to the ornate Plaza de Espana and Parque de Maria Luisa. If you have time, the Macarena neighborhood (and the Basilica de la Macarena) are worth checking out too!
Spend the evening sipping Spanish wine on a rooftop terrace and enjoy the elevated Sevilla views!
Day 6: Arrive in Madrid
Take the morning AVE Train to Madrid (3 hours) for the final two days of your 1 week tour of Spain.
Set off on your own with our self guided walk or join fellow travelers and a local guide for a tour of Madrid.
Either way, be sure to see Puerta del Sol, marvel at Playa Mayor, feast at Mercado de San Miguel, visit the Madrid Cathedral and tour the the expansive Royal Palace.
Continue down Gran Via (Madrid’s shopping street), pop into Palacio de Cibeles for an elevated view and stroll through lush El Reitro Park. If time allows, visit Mueso del Prado during the free evening hours.
Day 7: More Madrid Top Attractions
Begin your last day in Spain with a calamari sandwich breakfast (it’s a Madrid culinary treat) and then see contemporary artwork at the fabulous Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Wander through the La Latina district; it’s a haven of boutique shops and street art murals. If it happens to be a Sunday, join the crowds at the El Rastro Flea Market.
Enjoy a leisurely tapas lunch on Cava Baja Street – then set your sights on the Malasana neighborhood.
Start at Plaza de Espana, then walk up to the ancient Egyptian Debod Temple. Next, take in the views from Montana Park and wind your way through the Parque del Oeste Rose Garden.
If time allows, visit a museum in Malasana. There are many to choose from – but the History Museum of Madrid is our top pick.
End the day discovering the streets of Malasana. Join locals in Plaza del Dos de Mayo, stop by one of the craft beer taprooms or pop into Petisqueira for tapas!
Top Travel Tips for Your Spain Trip
We have detailed what to do in Spain for a week, but still have some honest advice to help make your trip amazing!
Best Way To Plan Trip to Spain
Get (and stay) organized for your 7 day vacation to Spain with our Printable Travel Planner!
When To Travel to Spain
Summers will be crowded and hot, but the days are long (optimal for sightseeing) and it’s a great time for visiting Spain’s beaches.
Winters are cool, but typically sunny, and the cities are beautiful when decorated for the Holidays in Europe.
We have spent Christmas in Barcelona and visited Madrid in Winter – and both we simply wonderful! Plus, one of the best year-end celebrations is New Year’s Eve in Madrid!
Autumn and Spring can be an ideal time to go to Spain. We recommend packing layered clothing if you’re visiting Spain in the shoulder seasons, as there can be a mix of weather.
1 Week in Spain Cost
The cost of a Seville, Madrid and Barcelona Itinerary depends on many different elements. The largest expenses to factor into a Week in Spain Itinerary budget are flights and accommodations.
Other costs to consider are travel between (and in) cities, ticketed activities as well as food and drinks. Excluding flights, our visits to Spain have averaged about $100 a day for both of us.
Where To Stay in Spain
Because of limited time in each city, you will want to make sure you book accommodations that are close to the center and major attractions.
Therefore, we suggest staying in hotels. You will find that there are many to choose from in the city center of Barcelona, Seville and Madrid.
Before you start your search, we recommend reading our Tips for Booking Hotels. We are also highlighting a few top-rated properties for your upcoming trip!
Barcelona: Hotel Concordia | Catalonia Magdalenes
Seville: Hotel Casa Del Poeta | Hotel Amadeus & La Musica
Madrid: Catalonia Puerta del Sol | Petit Palace
What To Pack for Your Spain Itinerary
Our final advice covers our best packing hacks for your backpack or suitcase. So grab our FREE Checklist and let’s get you to Spain!
Durable Shoes
We cover a lot of ground in our Spain vacation planner. Be sure to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes for Europe.
I like to explore in these trainers by New Balance and Kris prefers wearing Merrell trail shoes. Find more styles and read reviews in our Best Travel Shoes article.
Travel Camera
Spain is an absolutely gorgeous country! Capture that beauty with a real travel camera. We carry a DSLR Canon Rebel (which is a great value camera) with a 18-135mm lens.
Anti-Theft Travel Bag
Tourists are prime targets for pickpockets – and unfortunately that is very true in Spain. We always keep our valuables tucked away in a money belt or zippered bag.
Travelon makes a full line of anti-theft bags, and you can read more reviews in our article, The Best Day Packs for Travel.
Spain Travel Insurance
Proper coverage may reimburse for cancelled trips and lost luggage, and it can come in handy if you get ill or injured abroad. If you haven’t already, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Spain! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More Fun Destinations in Spain
- 3 Day Basque Country Itinerary
- Top Things To Do in Santander (and Where to Eat)
- Best San Sebastian Pintxos
- Eating Our Way Through Hondarribia
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