Spain: Madrid, Andalusia & Barcelona in 12 Days
Spain
Overview
Spain's AVE high-speed trains make a south-then-east loop easy: Madrid's grand museums, the Moorish palaces and flamenco culture of Seville, a slower beach-and-tapas stop in Málaga, then a flight up to Barcelona for Gaudí's architecture and the Gothic Quarter. Four very different sides of the country in one trip.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Public transport
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €1,400–€1,850
Route
1. Madrid2. Seville3. Málaga4. Barcelona
Highlights
- The Prado Museum and Retiro Park in Madrid
- Seville's Real Alcázar and Cathedral
- Beach time and pintxos in Málaga, Picasso's birthplace
- Sagrada Família and Park Güell in Barcelona
Worth knowing
- Málaga to Barcelona requires a flight — there's no direct fast train
- Seville is brutally hot from June to August
- Barcelona's major sights need tickets booked well in advance
Day by day
Day 1
MadridMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor
Optional additions
- Mercado de San Miguel for dinner
Overnight: Madrid
Day 2
MadridMain activities
- Prado Museum
- Retiro Park
Optional additions
- Reina Sofía for Guernica
Overnight: Madrid
Day 3
MadridMain activities
- Royal Palace
- Gran Vía evening walk
Optional additions
- Day trip to Toledo
Overnight: Madrid
Day 4
Madrid → SevilleMain activities
- High-speed AVE train (~2.5h)
- Santa Cruz quarter
- Flamenco show
~2.5 hours · AVE from Madrid AtochaOvernight: Seville
Day 5
SevilleMain activities
- Real Alcázar
- Seville Cathedral and the Giralda
Optional additions
- Plaza de España
Overnight: Seville
Day 6
Seville → MálagaMain activities
- Train (~2h)
- Alcazaba fortress
- Beach evening
~2 hoursOvernight: Málaga
Day 7
MálagaMain activities
- Picasso Museum
- Beach day
Optional additions
- Day trip to Ronda's clifftop bridge
Overnight: Málaga
Day 8
Málaga → BarcelonaMain activities
- Flight (~1.5h)
- Gothic Quarter evening walk
~1.5 hours flight · No direct fast train between the two — fly or connect via MadridOvernight: Barcelona
Day 9
BarcelonaMain activities
- Sagrada Família
- Eixample district
Optional additions
- Casa Batlló
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 10
BarcelonaMain activities
- Park Güell
- Gràcia neighbourhood
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 11
BarcelonaMain activities
- Barceloneta beach
- Final tapas crawl
Optional additions
- Day trip to Montserrat
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 12
BarcelonaMain activities
- Departure
Overnight: Barcelona
Alternatives
Shorter version · 8 days
Drop Málaga and fly directly Seville → Barcelona.
Longer extension · 15 days
Add Granada for the Alhambra between Seville and Málaga.