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If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing Spain’s greatest hits—all the history, food, art, and architecture you could possibly squeeze into one week—then this itinerary is for you.

In just 7 whirlwind days, we journeyed from the bustling streets of Madrid to the colorful charm of Barcelona, passing through six incredible cities, each one with its own vibe, flavors, and unforgettable moments. It was a little bit hectic, a lot magical, and absolutely worth every second.

Here’s how we did it—and how you can, too.

We kicked things off in the country’s vibrant capital, Madrid. Our first full day included a panoramic city tour that zipped us past major landmarks (and, yes, the occasional missed landmark… it’s complicated), a quick stop at the Five Towers (Madrid’s modern skyline), and a surprise visit to the peaceful Temple of Debod.

Highlight: Realizing that Madrid’s Royal Palace might just outshine Versailles—and watching my mom heroically hobble around in broken sandals.

TIP: Royal Palace Tours gets sold out really quickly and the lines are really long! Book your tickets early if you know when you are going

We hit the road early, driving through the legendary plains of La Mancha (cue Don Quixote dreams) and stopping in the magical city of Córdoba. The Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral) blew me away with its endless forest of arches—honestly one of the most beautiful spaces I’ve ever seen.

After a slow wander through the charming Jewish Quarter, we continued on to Seville, where orange trees and flamenco vibes immediately welcomed us.

Highlight: That first view inside the Mezquita. Pictures don’t even come close.

We started the morning at the stunning Plaza de España, one of the most jaw-dropping plazas I’ve ever seen. Built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, this grand, semi-circular complex is a love letter to Spain itself, between the colorful tiles and the morning light bouncing off the fountains, it was impossible not to take a hundred photos. (Spoiler: I did.)

After soaking in the plaza’s beauty, we wandered into the charming Santa Cruz Quarter. This historic Jewish neighborhood is a dreamy maze of narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, colorful patios, and hidden plazas. It’s the kind of place where getting lost is the point—and every turn smells faintly of oranges.

Next up was the awe-inspiring Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Walking through its vast interior felt like stepping into a different era. The towering ceilings, intricate altarpieces, and even the tomb of Christopher Columbus left us all a little speechless.

After some downtime (read: stuffing our faces with tapas), the evening kicked off with a flamenco show. And let me tell you—no matter how many videos you’ve seen, nothing compares to experiencing flamenco live. The passion, the music, the stomping—Seville’s soul laid bare right in front of us.

We ended the night with a visit to the futuristic Setas de Sevilla (“the Mushrooms”), an enormous wooden structure offering sweeping views of the city. Watching Seville light up under the night sky from the top of the Mushrooms was the perfect way to end such a full, incredible day.

Highlight: Feeling the energy of a live flamenco performance… and catching those dreamy city views from the Mushrooms after dark. Book your Flamenco tickets, to make sure you get to see a show

The drive from Seville to Granada was a scenic one—rolling hills, endless olive groves, and the kind of sleepy little villages that make you want to pull over and stay a while. But we had a mission: to see the legendary Alhambra.

And let me tell you—it did not disappoint.This sprawling Moorish palace complex, with its intricate carvings, secret courtyards, and perfectly manicured gardens, felt like stepping straight into a storybook. Every corner was more beautiful than the last: delicate arches, ornate tiles, whispering fountains, and the kind of calm that only comes with a place that’s stood the test of centuries.

We spent most of the afternoon wandering through the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress, and the lush Generalife Gardens, soaking in the history, the beauty, and the surreal feeling of being somewhere so timeless.

We said goodbye to Granada and made our way toward Valencia, cruising along Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Once we reached Valencia, we had a bit of time to stretch our legs and explore the incredible  City of Arts and Sciences.

After a bit of sightseeing, it was time for a very special dinner. Following a recommendation from our tour guide, we headed to La Pepica, a famous seaside restaurant known for its authentic paella. It wasn’t just any dinner—it was Mom’s birthday, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with fresh seafood, crispy rice, and a Mediterranean sunset in the background. 🥳

Pro Tip: If you want to eat at La Pepica, definitely make a reservation—this place is super popular with both locals and visitors, especially on weekends and special occasions. Ask for a terrace table if you want that dreamy oceanfront. Our tour guide Alex was nice enough to call the restaurant and make reservation for us. It was probably easier as we do not speak Spanish

We started our last morning in Valencia by revisiting the stunning City of Arts and Sciences. This time, we got the full story behind the futuristic architecture—learning how each swooping building houses science museums, concert halls, and even the largest aquarium in Europe.

We were treated for a good break at the Central Market of Valencia—the city’s famous covered market filled with stalls of jamón, cheeses, olives, and fresh seafood. (Honestly, I could’ve spent hours there.)

After soaking in the space-age vibes and the market, we wandered through Valencia’s Old City, where historic streets and colorful plazas made us fall even harder for this lively town. Then it was time for a quick beach break at Playa de Cabanyal, where the breeze off the Mediterranean was the perfect refresher before our big drive.

Full and happy, we finally hit the road toward Barcelona, cruising along the coast and passing through Tarragona on the way.

After arriving in Barcelona and dropping off our bags, we kept things pretty chill. Instead of diving into a full city tour right away, we headed to the Arenas de Barcelona, a historic bullring that’s been transformed into a modern shopping and dining complex.

The highlight? Taking the panoramic elevator to the rooftop, where we got a gorgeous 360° view of Barcelona’s skyline—the perfect, relaxed first glimpse of the city we’d spend our final day exploring.

Optional Pro Tip:If you want an easy, budget-friendly panoramic view in Barcelona, head to the rooftop of Arenas de Barcelona. It’s way less crowded than other famous lookout points—and the elevator ride is a fun bonus! It does cost about a $1 to come up but to save money enter though the mall

Our last full day in Spain started with a panoramic city driving tour of Barcelona—cruising past wide boulevards, leafy parks, and historic monuments. We had a brief stop at the Mirador del Palau Nacional, where you get a sweeping view over the city, the port, and the rooftops of Barcelona sprawling toward the horizon. Even feeling under the weather, I had to admit—the view was worth the quick stop.

But after that? My body officially tapped out.I wasn’t just tired—I was done.So Kevin and I made the call to leave the tour early, hopping off the bus and heading straight back to the hotel to rest.

After some much-needed downtime (and rallying all the energy I had left), I managed to drag myself back out for one thing I absolutely couldn’t miss:the afternoon tour of Sagrada Familia.

And honestly? It was magical.Even through a fog of exhaustion, walking into Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece was jaw-dropping. The soaring columns, the rainbows of colored light from the stained glass, the way the space feels alive—nothing, not even being sick, could dull the wonder of standing inside Sagrada Familia. I mean just look at the stained glass!

After the tour, I had grand plans of maybe squeezing in a last dinner or a final walk through the city… but nope. Reality check: I went straight back to the hotel and crashed into bed, grateful I had even made it that far.

Pro Tip: I hope I am not sounding like a broken record at this point but if you plan to go to Sagrada Familia book your tickets early. There was someone in our bus tour group that waited last minute to buy them and they could not find an available slot and they were leaving the next day!

If you want to recreate this dream itinerary, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the sweet spots. We traveled in late March, and it was perfect: mild temperatures, blooming flowers, fewer crowds, and that sweet, crisp air that makes sightseeing so much more enjoyable.Summer can be beautiful too, but expect hot temps (especially in Seville and Granada!) and bigger tourist crowds. If you want comfortable walking weather, lighter jackets, and cheaper flights and hotels, spring and fall are your best bets.

Pro tip: Book flights and accommodations 2–3 months in advance for the best deals. I always use [flight booking affiliate link] and [hotel booking affiliate link] to snag the best prices.

If you are wondering if I stiched this itinerary all together.. some it I did some I used TourRadar! I had used this service 2 times now and I must say it removes the stress in planning a multi-city trip!

Want a packing list of essential travel accessories? This list has all the items I pack trip after trip Best Travel Accessories

Our 7-day adventure across Spain was everything I had hoped for—vibrant, delicious, inspiring, and just a little bit chaotic (because let’s be real, it wouldn’t be a true travel story without a few surprises).

Sure, the last few days didn’t go exactly as planned. Getting sick wasn’t part of the itinerary. Neither was hobbling behind a sandal-snapping fashionista (looking at you, Mom). But honestly? That’s travel.It’s the good, the messy, the beautiful, and the unforgettable—all rolled into one.

And if you ask me, those little misadventures make the best memories anyway.

Even with the sniffles, sore feet, and naps I didn’t know I’d need, Spain absolutely stole my heart—and I already can’t wait to go back.

Adiós for now, España. Hasta luego. I’m sure we’ll meet again.