10 Days in Spain: An Itinerary You’ll Love

A trip to Spain can be one of the most exciting vacations of your whole life, and if you want to really get to know the country, here’s a 10-day itinerary to Spain.

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Spain is one of the most diverse and vibrant countries in Europe, having quite a unique mix of culture, history, excellent cuisine, and stunning landscapes. And don’t think that staying in Barcelona for a few days means that you now know everything there. Every city in Spain has its own unique flavor, and Seville is nothing like Madrid, just as Madrid is nothing like Marbella.

 

Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Trip to Spain

How many days should I spend in Spain?

We’ve already agreed that a short trip gives you barely enough time to know Spain, and it is really worth knowing. If you want to travel all around the country and give each city the time it deserves, you can settle on a 10-day itinerary. It is the perfect amount so the trip doesn’t completely disrupt your schedule, and you won’t be tumbling from one place to another without time to catch your breath.

What is the best time to visit Spain?

As with any trip, there are several personal preferences to keep in mind when choosing a season. First of all, do you prefer to travel when the weather is milder and the crowds more manageable? Then go in spring or autumn. If you don’t mind the crowds but prefer the cultural activities and festivals, then summer is the time for you, and to save some money and get the cities all for yourself, go during the winter.

You Might Also Like: What to Pack for Spain All Year-Round

How to stay connected in Spain?

Having a stable and reliable internet connection can be a game-changer during your 10-day itinerary to Spain! You’ll need it to check maps, transport schedules, and translation apps after all. With Yoho Mobile’s eSIMs, you’ll have all your internet-related needs covered, and without the high price of roaming costs! Make your purchase right now and get a free eSIM to try!

 

10-Day Itinerary to Spain

Day 1-2: Barcelona

Let’s start our 10-day itinerary in one of the most beautiful cities in all of Spain, and one of the most famous at it. Barcelona is full to the brim with architectural wonders, vibrant neighborhoods, and beautiful beaches to rest after a long flight. Two days might seem like a lot if you’re traveling so much around Spain, but you also need to rest so you can enjoy the rest of the trip.

Things to do in Barcelona in two days:

• Visit La Sagrada Familia: If you’ve read anything about Barcelona’s architecture, you’ll be familiar with Antonio Gaudí’s work, and this basilica is his masterpiece. It’s simply incredible, so unique and visual, unlike any other basilica you have seen in your travels, and so huge! You’ll want to plan your visit for at least a couple of hours, as the interior is even more mesmerizing than the exterior.

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• Stroll through Passeig de Gracia: It might be a bit early to buy stuff, but who can resist this lovely boulevard filled with luxury shops and beautiful buildings? Even if you only do window shopping for a while, it is the perfect activity to stretch your legs after a long flight.

• Visit Park Güell: Another of Gaudí’s work, and also an excellent way to start your second day in Barcelona. Go as early as you can to see the whole city and the vibrant mosaics in the morning light. Don’t forget that areas like the Monumental Zone require a ticket to enter; just buy one in advance.

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• Swim at Barceloneta: You can’t visit Barcelona without enjoying one of its most iconic beaches. It’s close to the city, so it won’t be a long trip, and you can lounge under the Mediterranean sun and try cocktails and seafood at nearby restaurants.

 

Day 3: Madrid

Let’s head now to the capital, and the heart of Spanish culture, and a place that you can’t miss in the itinerary. In contrast with the Mediterranean ease that you surely felt in Barcelona, Madrid is a bustling city. People travel there for all kinds of motives, and while it is a fun city, it’s also a high-paced one.

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No time to lose in Madrid

• Visit the Prado Museum: A must-stop for everyone, but especially for art lovers. It’s one of the most important museums in the whole world, and inside it you’ll find art pieces by masters like Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. Even if you’ve already seen the pieces in photos, seeing masterpieces like Las Meninas in real life and being able to appreciate every single stroke of Velázquez’s brush is a unique opportunity.

• Stroll through Retiro Park: While the old paintings and sculptures are incredibly beautiful, you’re probably quite tired of staying indoors on such a vacation day. So let’s head to Retiro Park, a vast and lovely green space in the heart of Madrid. Ideal for just walking around, getting lost in the pure air and greenery.

• Visit the Royal Palace: If you’re interested in the royal history of Spain, you can visit the residence of the Spanish Royal Family. They don’t live there nowadays, but did so for centuries, and even without the connection, the palace is simply a beautifully opulent building worth visiting.

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Day 4: Granada

Let’s learn a bit more about Spanish history. Did you know that the Spanish peninsula was controlled by the Moorish people for over 800 years? It’s easier to believe once you’ve seen the architecture in a city like Granada. It has a very noticeable mix of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish influences, which makes it uniquely interesting to visit and explore in our itinerary to Spain.

Explore the Jewel of Andalucia

• Visit the Alhambra: Probably the most famous landmark in the whole city. This palace complex has inspired stories and legends, with its exquisite gardens and intricate tilework. To Western eyes, it was and still is an exotic place, so get your tickets in advance, or you won’t be able to enter.

• Explore the Albaicin District: It’s only suited that after visiting the Moorish palace, you visit the Moorish quarters, where most people lived. This area, like many medieval quarters, is a maze of narrow and winding streets, where you can easily get lost. If you get to the Mirador de San Nicolas, you’ll see the Alhambra, with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.

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Day 5: A Day at Cordoba

Moving from the Moorish influences to the true Moorish splendor. Cordoba is another incredibly historic city, and you can’t miss it in your itinerary. Its medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and if you enjoy visiting museums, you’ll love it.

• Visit the Mezquita: This beautiful building is a great example of what historians call a palimpsest, a building that has been altered, but whose original form is still visible. It was built as a mosque in the 8th century, but when Christians regained control of Spain, they repurposed it as a cathedral. As a result, you have a unique religious place, which blends Islamic and Christian architecture.

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• Explore the Jewish Quarters: Moorish people weren’t the only ones living in Cordoba during the conquest; Jews also lived there, and you can still see the area in the city where they lived. There you’ll find the Cordoba Synagogue, one of the few medieval synagogues in Spain, and Casa de Sefarad, a museum dedicated to the Jewish heritage.

• Visit the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos: Like many of the Spanish cities you’ve visited, there’s an Alcazar in Cordoba, a fortress-palace complex where the kings and royal court used to live. This one in particular is known for its beautiful gardens and the incredible views over the city.

 

Day 6: A cultural and relaxed day in Sevilla

The heart of Andalucia, and one of the most vibrant cities in Spain. Seville is beautiful and rich, with a strong flamenco culture, romantic buildings, and grand palaces. It’s the perfect place to see a bit more of Spanish culture, as no itinerary on Spain would be complete without music, dance, and good food.

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• Watch a Flamenco performance: Some people call it the sexiest dance in the whole world, and who knows, maybe you’ll agree with them. The truth is that the dancers at the tablao, clapping and stepping with the music, are a spectacle very worth seeing in person. Try a venue like Casa de la Memoria or El Arenal to catch a performance.

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• Trying tapas at local bars: You’ll find tapas in any bar in Spain, but none like Sevilla’s. The city is famous for its variety and quality, and paired with a good beer, they’re the perfect way to unwind for a bit. After all, you’ve spent the last 6 days going all around the country.

 

Day 7-8 Costa del Sol

You’ve probably gotten tired of walking from one place to another, so let’s get somewhere you can truly relax for more than a couple of hours. And in Spain, if you want to enjoy the nice weather and lounge, there’s no better place than the Costa del Sol.

Malaga is a city where historic charm meets modern art and street life. And there’s a lot of things to do and places to see in Malaga, but we’re focusing more on the relaxation for now. Just let go of all the stress, and join the Mediterranean lifestyle, with its pauses and peace.

• Explore the Picasso Museum: If you love art and want to see more of Spanish modern artists, there’s hardly one more famous than Pablo Picasso. In this museum, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see the evolution of his works in person.

• Relax at Malagueta Beach: And now, let’s just lounge in the warm sun and enjoy the nice sea breeze. In Malagueta Beach, you can really embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle and just do what you want for the whole afternoon. Finish that novel you’ve been carrying with you, swim in the ocean, or socialize with the locals.

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Enjoy the beaches at Marbella

It would be sad to pass by the Costa del Sol and not spend at least a day in the beautiful Marbella, so we have to include it in our itinerary. Very well known internationally for its luxury resorts, the glamorous marina, the luxury resorts, and of course, the stunning beaches.

• Stroll through Marbella’s Old Town: It’s a nice way to start your day. Seeing the old part of the city, what the Spanish call the Casco Antiguo. It’s a charming maze, with narrow, cobblestone streets and the whitewash buildings we associate with the Mediterranean sea, but with the Andalusian charm.

• Visit Puerto Banus: You don’t need a yacht to admire the marina, but it’s nice to imagine, isn’t it? In Puerto Banus, you’ll find plenty of high-end shops, and both people watching and window shopping are pretty fun to do.

• Relax at Marbella’s Beaches: You have plenty to choose from, like Playa de la Fontanilla or Playa de Cabopino. If you feel hungry, there are great beachside restaurants, and if you’re traveling with your special person, there’s nothing more romantic than a sunset dinner right at the beach.

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Day 9: Northern Spain, Discovering Oviedo

As our 10-day itinerary is reaching its last days, let’s go to a completely different side of Spain. Oviedo is the capital of Asturias, one of the most famous autonomous communities. There you’ll taste incredible dishes while admiring old buildings in the medieval streets.

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• Visit Santa Maria del Naranco: Close to the center of the city, there’s a Pre-Romanesque palace from the 9th century that was later turned into a church. The building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it showcases the uniqueness of the early Asturian architecture extraordinarily well.

• Unique dishes to taste: You’re probably a lover of Spanish food already, but if you want to taste something slightly different, try the Fabada Asturiana. It’s a rich dish made with fabes (white beans), chorizo (Spanish sausage), morcilla (blood sausage), and lacon (pork shoulder). Try it in any sidreria, paired with Asturian cider for a more complete experience.

 

Day 10: Santiago de Compostela

We’re finally at the end of the trip, and like many pilgrims before you, let’s end it in Santiago de Compostela. This city has been the end of the road for millions of travelers since the Middle Ages. Although today not every traveler makes the Camino de Santiago for its religious significance, it’s still incredibly popular and you’ll see people from all over Europe there.

• Visit the Santiago Cathedral: Here is where the remains of the Apostle Santiago are believed to be. Christian tradition tells that his remains were discovered in the year 820, and a temple was built on top of them. This temple, later on, became the Cathedral you can see today.

• Explore the Mercado de Abastos: You can’t leave Spain without buying some souvenirs for your friends and family. It’s right behind the cathedral, so you have no excuse to miss it. There you can try the best of the Galician cuisine. Try the pulpo a la Gallega, or the empanadas.

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Final Thoughts

And just like that, those 10 wonderful days are over, and the itinerary in Spain has reached its end. But weren’t they great? Spain is such an incredible place to visit, with so many unique cities to see and activities to do. You probably have made so many memories in the last 10 days, and feel like a new person by now. Ready to take on more adventures and plan future trips to other countries.