1 week in Spain

Spain is a vast and diverse country. Though 1 week in Spain will only give you an overview of everything the country has to offer, rapid trains and a comprehensive network make it easy to get around. This seven day itinerary focuses on the country’s two major cities, Barcelona and Madrid, and three other fascinasting destinations.

Itinerary highlights

Architecture, nightlife and beaches in Barcelona; museums and history in Madrid; cathedrals and towers of Seville; the Alhambra of Granada; Islamic masterpieces of Córdoba.

Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner

Days 1 - 2: Barcelona

Park Güell on a sunny day

Explore Gaudí’s unique architecture at the Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell.
Get lost in the alleyways of the Gothic Quarter.
Watch a Barcelona football game at Camp Nou, or at a local bar.
Spend a night on the town at one of Barcelona’s famous clubs.
Soak up some sun on the beach in Barceloneta and walk the beach’s bustling sidewalk.

Arriving by plane? You can catch the train from Barcelona airport to the centre of Barcelona in approximately 15 minutes.

Days 3 - 4: Madrid

Toledo cityscape at dusk

Take a tour of the Museo del Prado, and enjoy famous works by Francisco de Goya, Diego Velázquez and Hieronymous Bosch.
Walk the streets of Madrid, taking in the sights and sounds of Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Santa Ana.
Visit Museo Reina Sofía to view Picasso's masterpiece Guernica.
Soak up the bohemian atmosphere of the Malasaña district.
Take a day trip to the historic town of Toledo. The journey time is only 30 minutes by train from Madrid's Atocha station.

You can travel by high-speed train between Barcelona and Madrid in only 3 hours. An advance reservation is required.

Day 5 : Seville

View of the Alcázar gardens

Explore the labyrinthine streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz.
Visit the Catedral de Sevilla, the largest cathedral in the world and the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
Enter the royal residence of Alcázar with its magnificent gardens.
Soak up the surreal atmosphere at the Plaza de España.

The high-speed train between Madrid and Seville takes only 2.5 hours. This train requires an advance reservation and departs approximately every 30 minutes.

Day 6: Granada

Scenic view of Granada at sunset

Spend the day exploring the architectural marvel of the Alhambra and its surrounding Generalife Gardens - be sure to purchase tickets online well in advance.
Enjoy tapas, wine, or a flamenco show in the evening.

There are at least five easy daily connections between Seville and Granada. The earliest direct train is at 06:38 AM and takes just 3.5 hours. An advance reservation is required.

Day 7: Córdoba

Inside the mosque of Córdoba

Explore the complex of Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, which served as the primary residence of Isabella and Ferdinand.
Spend a few hours exploring Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba, the Mosque of Córdoba, a spectacular Islamic masterpiece.
Visit the Calahorra Tower, a medieval gate tower and museum.

There are several high-speed trains that take you from Granada to Córdoba in just over 2 hours. If you're doing a round trip, a direct train takes you back to Barcelona in 4 to 5 hours. These trains require an advance reservation.

IS 1 WEEK IN SPAIN ENOUGH FOR ME?

If you only have 1 week in Spain, and you’re interested in the history, architecture and nightlife of the big cities, as well as getting a taste of the Islamic influence in the south, then this itinerary is for you.

Though 1 week in Spain is not enough time to take in all the aspects of this diverse country, the high-speed trains you’ll have access to with your Eurail Pass will make it an achievable and enjoyable journey.

See Eurail Spain Pass prices