Spain sits on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula and you’ll find amazing historic sights, fantastic food, and so much more. With limited time, you’ll need to be picky about how exactly you design your Spain itinerary. But, through my own trip, I found that this 10 day Spain itinerary gives you just enough time for a perfect introduction to the country. You’ll have a chance to visit Barcelona, Madrid, and two different cities in southern Spain.
For me, this fast pace itinerary worked well, but for other travelers, this Spain travel itinerary may feel too rushed. If that’s the case, you’ll either have to add more time or figure out where you are willing to make sacrifices.
If you prefer a fast paced itinerary, ten days is a great amount of time for your first trip. It’s impossible to see all of Spain in 10 days, but you’ll be able to see many of the highlights and figure out which parts of Spain are the most interesting for you. In future trips, you can dive deeper into these regions.
10 Day Spain Itinerary
This itinerary focuses on four cities: Barcelona, Granda, Seville, and Madrid. You’ll see Modernista architecture in Barcelona, the amazing Alhambra in Granada, slow down in Seville, and finish in Madrid, the capital of Spain.
This itinerary starts in Barcelona and finishes in Madrid, because this was the way I did my trip. However, this itinerary will work just as well if you do it in reverse. I don’t think one direction is better than the other, so I’d suggest looking at flights and pick whichever option is cheaper/has a better itinerary.
As I’ve mentioned, ten days in Spain is ideal, but if you have less time, I’ll give some suggestions at the end of this post about where you can trim some days to make it fit into your vacation.
Day 1 – Arrival in Barcelona
Bienvenido a España! Start your tour of Spain in Barcelona.
It’s your first day in Spain and there’s not a lot planned. Travel delays can happen and I hate adding potential stress by scheduling a lot on the first day of the trip.
Today is about getting over jet lag (if you’re coming from another continent) and getting introduced to this new part of the world. We’ll really get this Spain itinerary started tomorrow, but you still have a few options for today.
Take a walking tour, either with a group or self guided. There’s a lot to see here, so it’s best to get started early. Pick a neighborhood and explore. And don’t forget to get to stop for your first tapas of the trip.
Sleep: Barcelona
Day 2 – Exploring Gaudí’s Architecture in Barcelona
Today is all about the architect Antoni Gaudí, one of the most prominent modernista architects. You’ll see his buildings throughout Barcelona, but there’s two areas were are going to focus on today.
Set your alarm early so you can be one of the first people in Park Güell. Gaudí designed this to be a residential area, complete with apartments, a market, parks, and everything else a small community may need. However, due to its location, it never became the residential area Gaudí envisioned. Instead, it’s become a park showcasing some of Gaudí’s iconic architectural style.
If you want to explore some of the most iconic areas of this park, you’ll need to reserve a ticket in advance.
Regardless of whether or not you’re exploring the ticketed areas, get up early to beat the crowds. I had one of the first tickets of the day and my walk into the park from the bus stop was peaceful. When I left, it was full of people trying to sell touristy trinkets and all that peacefulness was gone.
There is more to Park Güell than just the ticketed areas, so don’t forget to have a wander. The architecture was beautiful, but what stood out for me was realizing I could walk down a path, still be in Park Güell, but be completely away from the other tourists. Locals were out walking their dogs, almost oblivious to the hoards of tourists not too far away.
Head back to the city center to enjoy some tapas for lunch and have a stroll through the Gothic quarter.
In the evening we’re heading to the top tourist site in Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia. This is Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, a cathedral designed in the modernista architecture style. You’ll need to reserve a ticket in advance so I recommend picking a spot in the evening. The sun hits the stained glass windows perfectly to make the nave a warm, glowing orange.
Sleep: Barcelona
Day 3 – Free Day to Explore Barcelona
Today is a free day (the only true free day on this 10 day Spain itinerary) and it’s up to you for how to spend it. If you’re looking for some ideas, here’s my top picks.
If you haven’t gotten enough of the modernista architecture, there’s even more you can visit. Check out Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, or one of the many other buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí.
If you need a break before a very bus next few days, you can go to the beach and have a relaxing day.
For something a little different, take the funicular up to the castle for amazing views over the city.
Foodie travelers should consider taking a tapas food tour.
If none of these interest you, there’s so many other museums to explore in Barcelona.
And lastly, if you’re looking for something outside of the city, consider a day trip to Montserrat.
The possibilities of how to spend your one free day in Barcelona are endless.
Sleep: Barcelona
Day 4 – Barcelona to Granada
Adios, Barcelona! Hola, Granada! We’re off to Andalusia and the second stop on our ten days in Spain. The train between Barcelona and Granada takes over 6 hours and buses are even longer. To save time, you can take a direct flight between these two cities. Even with all of the hassle of airports and the length of the flight itself, it will still be faster to fly than to take the train.
Ninety minute flights depart regularly from Barcelona’s main airport. From the Granada Airport, you’ll have another one hour bus ride to the city center. It’s a lot of travel, but Granada is worth it. In fact, Granada ended up being my favorite city in Spain.
Once in Granada, enjoy lunch before exploring the Granada Cathedral, the Alcaiceria, and the Old Town. Finish the day by climbing up to the white washed Albaicin district. Wander through the back lanes and catch the sunset at the St. Nicholas lookout point.
Sleep: Granada
Day 5 – Exploring The Alhambra
We’re up early again today, this time to explore the Alhambra. Back when this part of Spain was ruled by the Moors, the Alhambra was one of the palaces. The building is stunning and the gardens are not to be missed.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about coming to Granada (since the only real reason I was coming to this city was to see the Alhambra), but it really is that amazing.
Like with most famous sites, you will need to book your ticket in advance. Tickets for the Alhambra typically sell out well in advance. Make sure you get a “Complete” ticket that includes the inside of the Alhambra (Palacio de Nazarios). The gardens and Alcazaba are nice, but it’s the Palacio de Nazarios is what you really came here to see.
The afternoon is up to you. There are a few other sights you can visit, but for me, I loved just wandering through the streets or finding a bench to sit and watch the world go by. It’s what made me decide that Granada was my favorite city in Spain.
Sleep: Granada
Day 6 – Granada to Seville
We’re halfway through your 10 day Spain itinerary and it’s time to move again. This time we’re catching a three hour bus to Seville, the capital of Andalusia.
This is a city that consistently ranks high on many traveler’s lists. It’s a city with few sights, but so much culture. The top sights here are the cathedral and the Alcazar, the former palace of Andalusia. Plus, don’t forget to take a trip to Plaza de España, home of the 1929 World’s Fair.
For our first day in Seville, visit the Seville Cathedral and climb to the top of the bell tower for views of the city. Once you’re finished there, visit the Church of El Salvador. The Church of El Salvador was not in my initial itinerary, but it was included with my ticket for the Cathedral.
Since Seville has few sights, all of these sights end up with very long lines. So, buy your ticket to the Cathedral in advance so you can skip the line. If you don’t buy your ticket in advance, you might be stuck waiting in a very hot line. I booked my tickets the night before, but it’s best to book your tickets as soon as you are able so you can make sure you get the time slot you want.
If you didn’t purchase your ticket in advance, you still have one option. Since the ticket can be purchased as a combo ticket, go to the Church of El Salvador first. This church will have a significantly smaller line, so you can purchase your ticket here, explore this church, and then skip the line at the Cathedral.
Sleep: Seville
Day 7 – Exploring Seville
Seville is a great city to wander and take it slow. Visit some of the sights you didn’t make it to yesterday and enjoy a slower day on an otherwise packed 10 day itinerary.
I toured the Alcazar (where I also suggest buying tickets in advance), the Plaza de España, and just had a nice wander around the city (but took it easy in the afternoon to avoid the miserable heat and humidity).
Want to see immerse yourself in even more Andalusian culture? Consider catching a flamenco performance.
Pro tip: Seville can get very hot. When I was here in early October, it was still very hot and afternoons were uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to return to the air conditioning of your hotel in the heat of the day and return out for more sightseeing during the cooler parts of the day.
Sleep: Seville
Day 8 – Seville to Madrid
It’s time for our final move of this 10 day Spain itinerary. Today we take a high speed train from Seville to Madrid for the finale of our trip. Just like in any big city, I recommend taking a walking tour or a self guided tour to get to get your bearings in a new city.
Madrid was never a religious capital of Spain, so the history is not as deep here as it is in many of the other cities on this itinerary. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t sites worth visiting.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the third largest palace in Europe (behind Versailles near Paris and the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna). Plus, if you like art museums, Madrid is the city for you. La Reina Sofia, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and the Prado Museum all have fantastic collections of art.
When you plan your visit, make sure you pay attention to the dates you visit. I didn’t pay attention by the time I had already booked my hotels and airfare, I learned that the Royal Palace would be closed for all three days I was here. Bummer!
Sleep: Madrid
Day 9 – Explore Madrid or a Day Trip
My first afternoon in Madrid was enough for me. I was just not very impressed with Madrid, at least not in the same way I was impressed by the other cities I had visited over my ten days in Spain.
If you feel the same way, there’s two easy day trips from Spain: Toledo and Segovia. Buses are cheap and depart frequently from Madrid. I did both of these day trips, on separate days, since I had the time.
On the first day, I visited Toledo, and still had a little time in the evening to wander Madrid. The next day, I traveled to Segovia for a day trip. My initial plan was only to visit Toledo, but since I didn’t fall in love with Madrid, I made a decision the night before to check out Segovia.
For travelers who are following this 10 day Spain itinerary, you’ll only get the chance to do one of these day trips. For you, I recommend Toledo over Segovia because I feel like there is just more to see.
But you may be different and may fall in love with Madrid. You also have the option to continue exploring museums and other sights in this city and skip day trips altogether. It’s the last full day of your ten days in Spain, so you get to choose how to spend it.
Sleep: Madrid
Day 10 – Fly Home or Continue Your Travels
Your 10 day Spain itinerary is over. Either fly home or continue your travels. Adios!
Modifications to This Spain Travel Itinerary
Let’s say you don’t have exactly ten days in Spain. How can you modify this Spain itinerary?
With Less Time
With 9 Days: Cut out a day in Barcelona. This leaves you with only one full day in Barcelona (you’ll also have a partial day from the day you arrive in Spain). It will be busy, but you can still see a lot.
With 8 Days: You’ll have to cut one city. It’s just too rushed to shove all four cities into eight days. Personally, I’d cut either Seville or Madrid.
With 7 Days: You’ll need to cut two cities. I recommend either focusing on Madrid and Barcelona and adding in several day trips or traveling in the Andalusia region in Spain with a focus on Seville and Granada.
With More Time
With 11 Days: Add an extra day in Madrid. This will allow you to do both Toledo and Segovia. This is exactly what I did on my trip and it worked out very nice.
With 12 Days: Add an extra day in Barcelona to day trip to Montserrat.
With 13 Days: Add an extra day in Seville. Either add time to relax or add to day trip to Cordoba.
With 14 Days: Add an extra day in Madrid. You can use this as a break, to explore more of Madrid, or to take another day trip to Avila.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned, this is almost the exact itinerary I did when I took my trip to Spain. The big difference is that instead of a 10 day Spain itinerary, I did an 11 day itinerary. I took an overnight flights from Chicago on late on a Wednesday night, spent the next week and a half in Spain, and flew back to Chicago on Sunday.
It seems like there is a lot jammed in here, and there is. But if you want a a great itinerary that will give you an awesome introduction to Spain in 10 days, this is it.
Continue Your Adventure
Spain: In Barcelona, tour the modernista architecture of Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia. In Sevilla, tour the Alcazar or catch a flamenco show. In Granada, you have to visit The Alhambra. Madrid has some great sights, but don’t skip miss the day trips to Toledo and Segovia. Plus, get everything you need to start planning your trip with my Spain Travel Guide.
More European Itineraries: While ten days in Spain is great, you can also try 10 days in Paris, Belgium, and Amsterdam or try my 10 days in Scandinavia itinerary. If you only have seven days, try my one week in London and Paris itinerary.
