At a glance

  • Gaudí attraction reservations are central to planning a Barcelona visit.
  • Madrid pairs well with the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, and nearby Segovia.
  • In Andalusia, connect Seville, Granada, and Córdoba by train and bus.

Day by day

Suggested itinerary

See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.

5 nights, 6 days · Two-city plan

Spend 3 nights in Barcelona, then 2 in Madrid. Take the train on Day 4, visit either the Prado or the Royal Palace on Day 5, and depart from Madrid on Day 6. Add Segovia if you extend your trip by a day.

8 nights, 9 days · Extended southern Spain

Spend 2 nights in Madrid, 2 in Seville, 2 in Granada, and 2 in Barcelona. Travel to Seville on Day 3, Granada on Day 5, and Barcelona on Day 7. Depart from Barcelona on Day 9. Córdoba and Ronda aren’t included as overnight stops in the basic plan; add nights if you want to see more.

History and context

Catalonia and Modernisme

Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture reflects the city’s growth and regional identity in the late 19th century.

Kingdoms and art

Madrid was the center of the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties and Spanish painting.

Al-Andalus

Granada and Córdoba show traces of both Islamic dynasties and the Reconquista.

Places and meals

Sagrada Família

The centerpiece of a Barcelona itinerary. Confirm a timed entry first.

Google Maps
Prado Museum

Madrid’s leading museum for a close look at Spanish painting.

Google Maps
Alhambra

A highlight of any Granada trip. Check first because tickets are at high risk of selling out.

Google Maps
Puente Nuevo

A popular viewpoint for Ronda’s gorge and bridge.

Google Maps

Food and restaurants

  • Tapas are a good fit for an evening spent sampling food at several places.
  • Barcelona is known for seafood and markets, Madrid for churros and traditional restaurants, and San Sebastián for pintxos.
  • Dinner is served late in Spain, so plan for a different rhythm than you may be used to in Korea.
Cervecería Catalana

A tapas option in Barcelona. Check for wait times and opening hours.

Barcelona Google Maps
Sobrino de Botín

An option for traditional dining in Madrid. Check whether you need a reservation.

Madrid Google Maps
Bodega Santa Cruz

A tapas option in Seville’s old town.

Seville Google Maps

How to fit it in

Plan Spain trips as either a short Barcelona–Madrid itinerary or an extended Andalusia itinerary.

Reality check

Transport

Search Renfe for Barcelona Sants↔Madrid Puerta De Atocha Almudena Grandes, Madrid→Sevilla Santa Justa, Sevilla→Granada, and Granada→Barcelona Sants. Allow 2 hours 30 minutes–3 hours 30 minutes, 3 hours, 3–4 hours, and 7–8 hours for these rail journeys, respectively, plus time to get to your accommodation. Schedules for Granada–Barcelona may change, affecting departure and arrival times, so secure your actual train first and don’t book a Gaudí attraction for that day.

Time

On this 8-night, 9-day itinerary, you get one full sightseeing day in each city: Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona. Leave only check-in and meals for the three travel days. Plan 3–4 hours for the Alhambra and match your chosen Nasrid Palaces entry slot to Day 6. Book Barcelona’s Gaudí attractions for Day 8. If transport or tickets don’t line up, drop a city or extend the trip.

Cost

For an 8-night, 9-day budget, add up 8 nights of accommodation, 9 days of meals, 3 intercity train journeys, local and airport transport, and the tickets you actually book for the Sagrada Família, the Prado, and the Alhambra. On Renfe, compare total fares for the same date and class, including baggage, seat, and change conditions; compare low-cost and flexible fares. As of 2026-10-03, standard Sagrada Família tickets were listed from €26, but ticket inclusions vary by monument, such as tower or palace access, so don’t assume all admission costs are the same.

Safety

Watch out for pickpockets on La Rambla, on the metro, and in Seville’s old town lanes. Dinner starts late, so plan your route back at night in advance.

If plans change

If high-speed trains are sold out

Don’t make a last-minute switch to a bus between Madrid and Barcelona. Add a night in one city instead.

If southern Spain is extremely hot

Plan outdoor visits in Seville and Córdoba for the morning, reduce afternoon sightseeing, and leave time to rest at your accommodation.

Small tip

Put the Alhambra and the Sagrada Família at the top of your trip-wide reservation list.

Final check before departure

  • Check the Alhambra’s official site for visit options and timed entry tickets.
  • Set entry times for the Sagrada Família and the Prado, then plan your accommodation and transport around them.
  • Check the actual departure station and seat conditions on Renfe. Don’t schedule another paid attraction on an intercity travel day.

Check the Alhambra’s official visit page for date-specific tickets and conditions before confirming your travel day to Granada. For long-distance trains, check departure station, arrival station, and times on Renfe. If trains are sold out, first consider adjusting your time in each city instead of making a last-minute switch to a bus.

Information checked: 2026-10-03