How to Plan a 10-Day Spain Itinerary

Step by step

1. Book flights into Madrid, out of Barcelona

   Multi-city flights save backtracking time. Madrid-Barajas (MAD) to Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is the most efficient routing. Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices.

2. Reserve high-speed train tickets

   Book AVE trains on Renfe.com 60 days before travel. Madrid-Seville takes 2.5 hours, Seville-Granada is 3.5 hours by bus (ALSA), Granada-Barcelona is 6 hours by train. Reserve seats for specific departure times.

3. Pre-book major attractions

   Buy timed tickets online for Alhambra (Granada), Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), and Prado Museum (Madrid). Alhambra sells out weeks ahead. Sagrada Familia offers best slots 2-3 weeks prior.

4. Plan around Spanish meal times

   Lunch happens 2-4pm, dinner after 9pm. Many restaurants close 4-8pm. Plan museum visits during restaurant closure hours. Book dinner reservations for 9:30pm or later.

5. Download offline maps and translation apps

   Download Google Translate with camera function for menus. Save offline maps for each city. Download Citymapper for Madrid and Barcelona public transport.

Packing

• Comfortable walking shoes with good arch support
• Light jacket for evening temperatures year-round
• Power adapter with Type C and Type F plugs
• Reusable water bottle for long museum visits
• Crossbody bag or money belt for crowded tourist areas

Itinerary

• 1 — Dinner in La Latina neighborhood, try jamón ibérico — Land in Madrid, check into accommodation near Sol or Gran Via — Walk through Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Mercado San Miguel — Airport to city center: Metro Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, transfer to Line 10. 45 minutes total.
• 2 — Explore Malasaña neighborhood bars — Prado Museum with pre-booked 10am entry — Retiro Park and lunch at Estado Puro — Prado is free 6-8pm Monday-Saturday, 5-7pm Sunday, but very crowded.
• 3 — Return to Madrid, farewell dinner in Chueca — Day trip to Toledo via ALSA bus (1 hour each way) — Toledo Cathedral and Alcázar fortress — Toledo buses depart Plaza Elíptica every 30 minutes. Buy round-trip tickets.
• 4 — Tapas crawl on Calle Betis across the river — AVE train to Seville (2.5 hours), check into Santa Cruz area — Walk through Barrio Santa Cruz historic quarter — Book AVE tickets for 9:30am departure, arrives 12:00pm in Seville.
• 5 — Flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria — Seville Cathedral and Giralda tower climb — Real Alcázar palace and gardens — Cathedral and Alcázar combo ticket saves €3. Book flamenco shows online.
• 6 — Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás overlooking Alhambra — ALSA bus to Granada (3 hours), check into Albaicín area — Explore Albaicín neighborhood streets — Bus departs Seville 8:30am, arrives Granada 11:30am. Book specific seats.
• 7 — Dinner in cave restaurants of Sacromonte — Alhambra palace complex with pre-booked morning entry — Generalife gardens and palace — Alhambra visits are 4 hours minimum. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes.
• 8 — Check into Gothic Quarter accommodation, light dinner — Train to Barcelona (6 hours), arrive evening — Travel day - lunch stop in Valencia — Renfe train departs Granada 8:15am, arrives Barcelona 3:30pm with Valencia connection.
• 9 — Las Ramblas and Gothic Quarter exploration — Sagrada Familia with pre-booked tower access — Park Güell and lunch in Gràcia neighborhood — Metro Line 2 or 5 to Sagrada Familia. Line 3 to Park Güell (Lesseps stop).
• 10 — Departure from Barcelona-El Prat airport — Picasso Museum and Born district — Barceloneta beach and farewell lunch — Airport train (R2 Nord) takes 30 minutes from Passeig de Gràcia station.