Ready to spend a week in stunning Spain to enjoy it’s rich history, cultural diversity, architectural masterpieces, and beautiful scenery? Here’s a plan for one marvelous week exploring the great country of Spain.
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One Week Itinerary
If you have one week to spend in Spain, here’s the itinerary I recommend:
Sunday
Plan to depart from the U.S. to Madrid on Saturday for a Sunday arrival. Most flights originating in the U.S. will arrive in Spain in the morning. I know it may be tempting to request an early check in to your hotel and take a nap. But don’t do it! You need to stay up ALL day so that you can beat the inevitable jet lag you will feel. Get outside and start touring!
Plaza Mayor
Our week in Spain begins at the Plaza Mayor. After you have dropped your luggage off at your hotel, walk to the Plaza Mayor. Here you will start your tour with a delicious churro dipped in chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés. Make sure to get extra to tuck into your bag for later! If you want more substantial food offerings, here’s a list of restaurants in the area.
El Rastro Market
After you enjoy your snack or meal, walk to the El Rastro Market. This flea market is held on Sundays and public holidays. It is jam-packed with everything you can think of – arts, crafts, clothes, antiques, etc. This is a great place to find unique souvenirs for your trip. It will be crowded and crazy, so beware of pickpockets. But it is the perfect place for seeing and interacting with locals.
Late Afternoon Trip to Segovia
It’s not time to go to bed yet! Take advantage of this 3 p.m. group tour to Segovia. Dating back to ancient times, Segovia is a lovely Spanish town steeped in history. The most striking attraction is the remarkably-preserved Roman Aqueduct. Another must-see place is the Alcázar of Segovia, a medieval fortress overlooking the city. Inside you will find amazing displays of artifacts as well as a brilliantly decorated interior. Other historic places to visit include the Gothic style Segovia Cathedral towering in the historic center and several Romanesque churches dating from the Middle Ages.
Once back in Madrid, find a sidewalk café and enjoy some tapas and sangria. Now you can head to your hotel and collapse – you’ve earned it!
Monday
City Tour
Today we will start with a walking tour of Madrid. If you want a guided tour, this group tour with skip-the-line tickets to the Madrid Royal Palace is a nice option. If you prefer to guide yourself, this free GPSMyCity Madrid Highlights tour is a great choice.
Royal Palace
Grab some lunch at one of the many cafés you will see on your tour, then spend a few hours gawking at the Madrid Palacio Real (Royal Palace). This is the official residence for the King of Spain, which makes it that much more delightful to visit.
Prado Museum
After touring the palace, head to the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum). This incredible museum has more than 8,000 paintings and thousands of other types of art from sculptures to decorative arts. It is renowned for its Spanish masterpieces and other European art dating from the 12th-early 20th century. You could spend months looking at the art in this museum. But as time is limited, I suggest using this guide to touring the collection in about two hours. But if you want to linger longer, you can. The museum is open until 8 p.m. Monday- Saturday (7 p.m. on Sundays).
Flamenco Show
If you still have energy, this is a great night to experience the Spanish culture. If you love dancing, seeing a Flamenco show is a must-do. Flamenco is a highly expressive form of dance characterized by intricate footwork, graceful movements, and handclapping. It is usually accompanied by live music consisting of guitar, vocals, and percussion instruments.
Bullfight
If dancing isn’t for you, you may prefer to attend a Spanish Bullfight. Be forewarned, either bulls or toreros (bullfighters) die or are injured during a traditional bullfight in Spain. If you go, you will see three toreros fight two bulls each for a total of six fights. The toreros fight either on foot or on horseback, and there is a great deal of pomp and circumstance involved in the fight. In order to know what is happening during your visit, it’s best to spend some time studying the sport. This guide is a good place to start.
No matter which show you choose, plan to have dinner afterwards. People dine late in Spain, so you will be in good company! You may want to make a reservation at Casa Botín, which is the oldest restaurant in the world dating from 1725.
Tuesday
Day Trip
Tuesday of our week in Spain is dedicated to a day trip. There are a variety of options to choose from. The most popular option is Toledo. Known as the “City of Three Cultures,” Toledo is a place where Christians, Muslims, and Jewish communities have coexisted peaceably for centuries. The result is boundless architectural and artistic treasures.
Visitors can wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, gawk at ancient city walls, admire religious landmarks, and enjoy glorious panoramic views of the countryside and Tagus River. While you are in the city, take some time to visit its many museums and galleries. You can also see live demonstrations of traditional crafts such as metalwork and sword-making.
Toledo is located just an hour away and is easily reached via train or group tour. If you want maximum flexibility, go on your own – it isn’t difficult to get there or get around while you are there. If you want worry-free transportation and a guided tour, opt for a group tour.
Evening
Tomorrow we head to Barcelona, so allow some time to pack. Then head out to experience one of the things you might have missed the evening before. Experience Flamenco, bullfighting, eating in the world’s oldest restaurant, or simply enjoying tapas and sangria from a sidewalk café. You are saying goodbye to Madrid for now. I promise you will miss it!
Wednesday
Our week in Spain is almost halfway over! Today we take the high speed train from Madrid Puerta de Atocha station to Barcelona Sants station. The journey will take close to three hours, so opt for an early departure. You want to arrive in Barcelona by noon. From there, you can take a taxi, Uber, or use public transportation to get to your hotel. Drop your luggage and head out to explore the beautiful city of Barcelona!
Gothic Quarter
After dropping luggage at your hotel, head to the Gothic Quarter and have lunch. There are many restaurants and cafés to choose from. Then take a free walking tour (remember to bring along some cash to tip your guide). Afterwards, go inside the Barcelona Cathedral and wander around the Gothic Quarter on your own to see a bit more of the historical sites.
La Rambla
Stroll to La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront to experience the hustle and bustle of locals and tourists. Street performers abound, as do opportunities for food and drink. Best advice is to walk a few blocks away for meals, however, as this is a touristy area with overpriced menus. And watch for pickpockets!
La Boqueria Market
While you are in La Rambla, take some time to explore La Boqueria Market. This food market is known for its colorful displays of fruits, veggies, seafood, cheese, and other gourmet ingredients. It’s a great place to grab a snack or the fixings for a full meal. One great way to experience the market is taking a cooking class where you buy your ingredients at the market and learn to make paella.
Thursday
Today is dedicated to exploring the whimsical and wonderful architecture of Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi is a Catalan architect known for his imaginative and intricate designs – you have never seen anything quite like it.
La Sagrada Familia
Our first stop is La Sagrada Familia. Take a guided tour to see the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. It’s been under construction since 1882. Gaudi dedicated his career to designing and constructing the church until he died in 1926. Since then, other architects have interpreted his original designs but it’s impossible to know what it would have looked like had Gaudi lived longer. It’s being built using only donated funds. Today it’s predicted that it will be finished in 2026.
Park Guell
After visiting the cathedral, take a taxi or rideshare to Park Guell. Located on Carmel Hill, the park has incredible mosaic tile benches and sculptures and offers an amazing view of the city. Take a guided tour or just wander on your own. It’s large, so take a tour or get a map and allow plenty of time to see all the sites.
Gaudi’s Houses
You will be overdue for lunch by now, so take a quick break to eat at a convenient restaurant. Then you should visit at least one of the houses Gaudi designed. Casa Mila was completed in 1912. There are no straight lines in the home, and the rooms are charming. The best part is the rooftop – it’s amazing!
Casa Batllo is another Gaudi designed home, this one completed in 1904. The tilework in this house is amazing. It also has beautiful woodwork and stained glass throughout. The rooftop is was a lot smaller but no less remarkable than Casa Mila! A unique way to visit Casa Batllo in the evening is by attending the seasonal Magical Nights. Here you can tour the house then enjoy a welcome drink and a concert by various artists.
You can fit all four of these recommended Gaudi sites into one day, and I definitely recommend it. It will be tiring, but you really have never seen anything like these remarkable structures!
Friday
Today you have to choose from several activities, depending on your personal interests.
Ready to Relax?
Take advantage of the warm climate and crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea by spending the day at Barceloneta Beach. This iconic beach features golden sands stretching more than 7 miles along the coast. The shoreline is calm and shallow, making it ideal for swimming and water sports. There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants along the boardwalk running parallel to the beach. It’s a great place to relax after a few days of busy touring. You can spend an entire day enjoying the Spanish coast.
If You Love Art
If you appreciate fine art, visit the Picasso Museum. This museum takes you through the early life and artistic development of Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Even better, the museum is housed in five medieval palaces in the El Born district. Allow at least two hours for your visit.
Calling All Sports Fans
If you love fútbol (soccer), Barca Camp Nou Stadium & Museum is a must-visit. This is the home stadium of FC Barcelona. The stadium tour takes you through the entire complex, including the player’s tunnel, pitch, press room, locker rooms, and much more. The museum includes information on the soccer club’s history and famous players and includes memorabilia and trophies. And the attached store’s selection of merchandise cannot be equaled! If you time it right, you can also see the team in action.
For History Buffs
Want a better understanding of the architecture, traditions and cultures of Spain? Look no further than Poble Espanyol. This open-air museum showcases replicas of buildings, streets, and squares from various regions of Spain. It also features artisans creating traditional Spanish crafts. Cultural events are held throughout the year.
Then take the Teleférico de Montjuïc funicular to Montjuïc Castle. This cable car system provides panoramic views of the city as it ascends Montjuïc Hill. At the top of the hill, the 17th century Montjuïc Castle has exhibits on how it served as a military fortress and prison.
End the Day
No matter how you spend your day, end it with a gorgeous light show. Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1929, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc has a light show that is offered year ’round on weekends. Located in front of the National Palace, the show is every half hour between 9:30-11:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday in the summer and between 7-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday in the winter.
Saturday
Let’s end our week in Spain by seeing some of the countryside! There are a variety of options to choose from. If you have things you still want to do in Barcelona, I recommend spending just a half day in either Sitges or Montserrat. Sitges is only about 25 miles from Barcelona. It features several beautiful beaches, a blend of architectural styles, numerous art galleries and museums, and is home to the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia. Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range about 40 minutes outside of Barcelona is the home to the Benedictine Abbey of Sana Maria de Montserrat. It is a main pilgrimage site and symbol of Catalan identity and spirituality.
If you have the full day to spend, take a group tour to some combination of Girona, Costa Brava, Figueres. Girona is a charming city featuring an old town with narrow medieval streets, a Gothic cathedral, colorful houses, and old city walls. The Costa Brava coastal region features picturesque beaches, fishing villages, dramatic cliffs, and pine-covered hillsides. Figueres is a is the birthplace and final resting place of surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Refer to my post on the best day trips from Barcelona for more details on these day trip options.
Sunday
It’s time to depart Spain. If you are like me, you will be searching for opportunities to return to see even more of the country. Some other must-see cities in Spain include Seville, Valencia, Granada, Cordoba, Mallorca, and just about every other town or city on the map!
Accommodations
You won’t spend much time in your hotel during your week in Spain. But you will want a comfortable place to stay.
Madrid
On my first trip to Madrid, we stayed in the Hotel Preciados. hotel. It was perfect in all ways and affordable. On my second trip, work was footing the bill and I stayed in the NH Collection Madrid Suecia hotel. This hotel is more expensive and fancier than the Hotel Preciados. If you are looking for something less expensive, try SLEEP’N Atocha. This quirky hotel has everything you need for a great stay.
Barcelona
I have only been to Barcelona once, and I stayed at the Renaissance Barcelona hotel. It’s pricey but in a great location near the Gothic Quarter and the Gaudi houses mentioned above. For a less expensive option in the same area, try Hotel Ciutat de Barcelona.
When will you spend your week in Spain?
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