9 Nights / 10 Days
Spain, a country on Europe鈥檚 Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval castle (the Alc谩zar) and an intact Roman aqueduct.
You鈥檝e arrived in Spain鈥檚 vibrant and elegant capital city, likely after a long flight. Once you check into your hotel, you鈥檒l stay here for three nights, so drop off the luggage and hit the pavement. Madrid is at the heart of all that makes modern Spain tick, offering world-class museums, charming cafes, amazing tapas, cosmopolitan nightlife, and not to mention, an excellent metro system to get around. Take a walking tour through the city鈥檚 well-known sites like Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace of Madrid, and Puerta del Sol, and meander through Buen Retiro Park if the weather is nice. If that鈥檚 not enough to keep you busy for the first day, take the time to explore Barrio de las Letras, the neighborhood directly in the center where some of Spain鈥檚 most famous writers lived. Look for famous literary quotes and colorful bohemian art that line the cobblestone streets.
Start your day off and have breakfast Now that you have experienced a slice of the city, it鈥檚 time to take a day trip to either Toledo or Segovia 鈥 both medieval walled cities within a 30-minute high-speed train ride from Madrid. Toledo, for its part, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, and is where Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived together for centuries. It is also the place where El Greco lived and painted in Spain. Segovia, though, is often considered the prettier, less expensive sister of the two. You can walk from the Roman aqueduct on one end of town, pass the city鈥檚 wonderful cathedral, and arrive at the castle all the way at the other end of town in about 15 minutes.
This is your last day in Madrid, so spend the day getting to know the city on a more intimate level. Simply wander the streets, or as Madrile帽os put it, 鈥渄ar un paseo鈥 (go for a walk). This is one of the best ways to experience local neighborhoods like Las Salesas for boutiques and bakeries, and Malasana, which has a hipster vibe. Take time to pass through some of Madrid鈥檚 many colorful markets sampling jamon and cheese. There are traditional markets all over the city, with stalls of authentic Spanish delicacies like patatas bravas, jamon serrano, Spanish tortilla, and a variety of pinchos and tapas, as well as specialized international stands.
Do as the locals do and have a long leisurely lunch, usually served anywhere between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is the largest meal of the day and usually precedes a relaxing siesta. End the day with a rooftop drink overlooking the city, and a traditional tapas crawl. The most famous street for trying these tasty little plates is just outside of the center on Calle Cava Baja in the La Latina neighborhood. Finish the night off with churros and chocolate.
Today, you鈥檒l be traveling south by train to the flamboyant, charismatic, and ever-evolving Andalucian metropolis of Seville. Spain boasts one of the fastest and most efficient national rail systems, so you鈥檙e in good hands here; you can get to Seville from Madrid in less than three hours. According to myth, the city was founded 3000 years ago by the Greek god Hercules and combines gorgeous buildings with a vibrant flamenco and gypsy culture. Also, Sevilla鈥檚 Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballeria is arguably the most prestigious in Spain and you might see a 鈥渇irst fight鈥 for bullfighting.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast near the hotel as you鈥檒l need the energy. Today is a day trip to the outskirts of the Andalucian coast to hike the Caminito del Rey, located in the region of Malaga. The trail was closed for many years due to safety issues, however extensive renovations took place and it reopened again at the start of 2015. Today, the dramatically beautiful hike has been repaired, and handrails as well as bridges and stairs have been added to create a spectacular (and safe) experience. The Caminito del Rey is nearly five miles long and takes around four hours to complete.
If you鈥檙e looking for something less active and more cultural, make a trip to Cordoba (45 minutes on AVE high-speed train) to see the Moorish sites. Alternatively, head to Granada to see the Alhambra, a stunning Arabic palace and fortress complex, or hire a car to explore the coastal towns and communities along the Costa del Sol.
Wake up in Seville and treat yourself to a leisurely breakfast. Today is your one full day in Seville, so take advantage of all the sights. Major landmarks include the ornate Alcazar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty, and the 18th-century Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza bullring. The Gothic Seville Cathedral is the site of Christopher Columbus鈥 tomb and the Giralda, a minaret-turned-bell tower, offers some of the best views in town when climbed.
Today you鈥檒l travel from Seville to Barcelona 鈥 it鈥檚 less than two hours by air, and fares can be found on budget carriers like Ryanair for as low as $59. The cool Catalan capital has plenty to offer with its walkable streets, Art Nouveau architecture, designer shops, and stylish bars and clubs. Start your Barcelona experience by taking a mandatory walk through the heart of Las Ramblas and Passeig de Gracia before exploring less-touristy neighborhoods. Dinner and drinks can be found in the labyrinthine alleys of the Gothic Quarter (a former Roman village), with hidden restaurants, stylish cocktail bars, backpacker pubs, and music clubs.
It鈥檚 time for a day trip to the Catalan countryside, outside of the city center. There are several options depending on preference and time of year. During the summer months, choose a number of towns along the Costa Brava, which holds a record number of European Blue Flag beaches. If you prefer culture over the beach, stroll the streets of Pals, a hilltop town with stoned balconies, quaint arches, and a maze of cobbled streets.
Meanwhile, the Jewish quarter in Girona is one of the oldest and best preserved in Europe. Walking around these streets allows you to discover small passageways, charming gardens, and viewpoints overlooking the city. (Fun fact: Scenes from 鈥淕ame of Thrones鈥 were filmed here.)
Today is your last full day in Barcelona (and Spain!), so make the most of it. You don鈥檛 need a tour guide to see Gaudi鈥檚 major works in Barcelona 鈥 create your own DIY walking tour. Alternatively, the metro is easy to use, so pop around the city stopping at the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Mila, Casa Calvet, and Casa Batllo (buy tickets in advance for some of these sites in order to avoid the long lines.) Head to La Boqueria, Barcelona鈥檚 famous indoor public market, and pick up some quality souvenirs for your loved ones.
Take a flight from Barcelona to Madrid and connect to your flight home. Start planning the next trip 鈥 Spain has a way of winning you over and there鈥檚 much more to see and do!
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