10 Days In Spain Itinerary [First-Timers Guide]

When I first arrived in Spain, I thought I could quickly tick off all the main sights, but I soon realised just how vast and varied this country really is!

There’s so much to explore—from buzzing cities to quiet coastal towns—that planning your first visit can be a bit overwhelming.

After years of living here and exploring Spain’s highlights, I’ve learned what’s truly worth seeing, especially if you’ve got limited time. That’s why I’ve put together this 10 Days In Spain Itinerary, packed with the must-visit spots from Madrid to Seville, Cordoba, Valencia, and Barcelona.

In this Spain in 10 days itinerary, I’ll share the key places to visit and some insider tips to help you make the most of your adventure. Whether you’re into history, culture, or food, this guide will get you started on an unforgettable Spanish journey!

The Best 10 Day Spain Itinerary

This article covers some of the best places to visit in Spain in 10 days. This packed itinerary starts in Madrid and finishes in Barcelona.

If you’re starting from a different location then tweak my guide to suit you.

10 Days in Spain Itinerary: Day-By-Day Breakdown

• Day 1 & 2: Madrid
• Day 3 & 4: Seville 
• Day 5: Cordoba
• Day 6: Granada
• Day 7 & 8: Valencia
• Day 9 & 10: Barcelona

👉 Note: If you’re looking for something more relaxed, then you might be interested in this 7 day trip around Andalucia instead.

Spain Travel Itinerary Map

The map below shows the main locations included in this 10-day Spain itinerary.

One of the top reasons to travel to Spain is that you’ll experience so many different landscapes, cultures, and regional traditions in such a short distance. This route includes a mix of cities that are easy to reach by train or bus, and each one has its own unique feel.

Click on the map for the interactive version.

Highlights of This 10 Days in Spain Itinerary

• Parc Guell to Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
• Moorish influence in Real Alcazar, Seville
• The Nasrid Palaces and Alhambra, in Granada
• Mezquita Mosque and Cathedral, Cordoba
• City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
• The culture and bustling streets of Madrid
• Beaches of Barcelona
• Indulge in the local cuisine
• Watch a live flamenco show

Planning Your Trip To Spain: Know Before You Go

Best Way to Get to Spain

This itinerary starts in Barcelona and ends in Madrid – but there’s no reason why you can’t do it in reverse.

• The most convenient way to do this itinerary is by flying.
• Opt for Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN), both are major airports.
• European travellers benefit from low-cost airlines allowing budget-friendly air travel
• Compare flight prices using Skyscanner.

Getting Around Spain

All the destinations in this guide are well connected by public transport, or you could opt to self-drive.

• Buses and trains are affordable – especially if you book in advance. Check routes and prices on Omio and get tickets sent straight to your phone.
• You could also opt to rent a car and drive which gives you more flexibility. Roads in Spain are well maintained, however driving in cities can be frustrating.

Best Season To Visit Spain

• The best season to visit Spain is spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October).
• Summer (July and August) can be instantly hot – especially in the south of Spain. It’s also very busy.
• Winters (November – February) can be chilly, although there is plenty of sun. There are also higher chances of rain at this time of year.

Best Spain in 10 Days Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: Madrid 

Starting this 10 days Spain itinerary in Madrid, the vibrant Spanish capital. You’ll have plenty of time here to explore the culture, art, and history on offer.

I suggest spending two days in Madrid.

Things To See In Madrid

• Museo Nacional del Prado and Arte Reina Sofía
• Parque El Retiro
• Palacio Real de Madrid

The city is fairly spread out, so make use of the Metro network to get around.

Start in the centre of Spain at Point 0 – look out for the plaque on the ground – if you’re visiting during the Madrid winter season, this square is where the largest New Year’s Eve celebration happens in Spain.

Walk along Gran Via, and head towards Callao Metro Station and look up and this is where you’ll find the iconic Schweppes Building.

Madrid is home to some of the most iconic museums in Europe, including the world-renowned Museo Nacional del Prado and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, allow at least an afternoon to visit these.

Other places worth exploring in Madrid are the Palacio Real de Madrid (the Royal Palace) as well as the historical Plaza Mayor which dates back to the late 1500s. Escape the bustle of the city and hire a bike or segway to go around Retiro Park.

To find out more, it’s worth joining a walking tour of Madrid.

Getting to Madrid from Madrid Airport

• Taxi: Available outside arrivals, takes 30-40 minutes to Madrid City.
• Private Transfer: Book a meet and greet transfer service.
• Airport Shuttle Bus: Takes around 45 minutes, and stops at O’Donell, Plaza de Cibeles, and Atocha.
• Metro: Line 8 from T2 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios Metro station (12 minutes), then walk or catch another Metro to your hotel.

Where to stay in Madrid

Day 3 & 4: Seville

The next leg of your Spain itinerary 10 days trip takes you to the stunning capital of Andalusia, Seville.

The city is bursting with some of Spain’s most beautiful architecture, landmarks like UNESCO Heritage sites, and home to flamenco.

Top 3 Things To Do In Seville

• Visit the UNESCO-listed Alcazar, Seville Cathedral & Giralda
• Wander the historical Barrio Santa Cruz and Plaza de Espana
• Watch a flamenco show

In 2 days, you’ll be able to see the best of Seville.

Start your day at Seville’s most popular attraction. Up to 5,000 people visit this landmark a day, so the best time to avoid queues at the Alcazar is early morning.

This gorgeous UNESCO Heritage palace is filled with intricate carvings and plasterwork in Mudejar style – a mix of Arabic and Christian styles. Two of my favourite spaces inside the Alcazar are the Salón de Embajadores and Patio de las Doncellas.

After, head to the Cathedral de Seville and Giralda – this is the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral, another UNESCO Heritage landmark. At Seville Cathedral, don’t miss the tomb of Christopher Columbus!

From here, spend some time exploring the photogenic Barrio Santa Cruz – the old Jewish District.

Spend the evening eating tapas and watching a flamenco show.

On the second day, visit the iconic Plaza de Espana and neighbouring Parque Maria Luisa before heading to some of the city’s other gorgeous buildings – Casa de Pilatos and Palacio de las Dueñas are two of my favourites, I highly recommend both.

Alternative Option: If you want a little rest and relaxation on this itinerary, then you could trade one of your days in Seville for some beach time instead at one of the nearest beaches to Seville or you could explore more of the region around Seville.

Getting to Seville from Madrid

• Train: The fastest journey takes just over 2.5 hours on the AVE train. Depart from either Atocha or Chamartin station in Madrid, it arrives at Seville’s Santa Justa station. Book train tickets here.
• Bus: Several buses leave a day from Madrid’s Estacion Sur. Takes around 4 hours.
• Driving: Driving from Madrid to Seville takes about 4.5 hours.

Where to stay in Seville

Day 5: Cordoba

The next destination brings you to the stunning city of Cordoba.

The city is packed with historical sites, including the incredible Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. You could easily spend more than a day in Cordoba, getting lost in the ancient streets.

Top 3 Things To Do In Cordoba

• Visit the UNESCO Heritage-listed Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral
• Lose yourself in the Historical Centre and Jewish Quarter.
• Discover the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos

Start with Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral or Mezquita as it’s also known. Book skip-the-line tickets for the Mosque-Cathedral so that you can avoid long lines.

You’ll enter through the Patio de Los Naranjos, one of the oldest parts of the Mosque-Cathedral.

The Mezquita used to be a mosque and then became a church but the building combines elements of both Arabic and Christian design. I spend a couple of hours here simply taking it all in – there are so many intricate details.

One thing I did notice is that signage is a bit limited, so if you want to know more about the history it’s worth booking a guided tour.

After visiting the Mezquita, spend some time exploring the streets of the historic centre and Jewish Quarter. You’ll find plenty of gorgeous cobblestone alleyways and courtyards.

If you have time, the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos is also worth seeing. This beautiful building once served as both a fortress and then a palace.

In the evening, for a picturesque sunset view of the city, cross over the Roman Bridge of Cordoba – take a photo of the city as it starts to light up at night. Then head up to Plaza del Potro and indulge in some tapas or a glass of wine to round off your day.

Getting to Cordoba from Seville

• Train: Regularly throughout the day from Santa Justa Station, the journey takes just 45 minutes. Book tickets in advance.
• Car: Driving to Cordoba from Seville takes around 1.5 hours.

Where to stay in Cordoba

For this itinerary, I would suggest heading straight to Granada after spending the day in Cordoba.

However, if you do want to stay the night in Cordoba, then here are two options.

Day 6: Granada 

From Cordoba, you’ll be carrying on with a trip to Granada.

I love this city, and you could easily spend more than a day in Granada, but on this intense itinerary, you’ll at least get to see one of Spain’s most spectacular attractions; the Alhambra.

The Alhambra is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of visitors per year and worthy spot on most people’s Spain bucket list.

Top 3 Things To Do In Granada

• Explore the Alhambra complex including the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife
• Watch the sunset from one of the Miradors (Mirador San Nicolas, San Miguel, San Cristobal)
• Wander the pretty cobbled streets of the autonomous district of Albaicín

It will take you most of the day to see the Alhambra complex. It’s divided into different areas including the Generalife, the Alcazaba and the Nasrid Palaces. Your ticket will give you one entry to each area – although there is a timed entry for the Nasrid Palace.

The city of Granada is packed with plenty of great things to see. If you’re looking for authentic Spanish souvenirs or delicious street food, then head to the Alcaiceria Bazar and Albaicín district.

The autonomous district of Albaicín is packed with ancient winding cobbled streets where you’ll find the best miradors – my favourite one was Mirador San Nicolas,

Also, as a vegetarian, I loved the abundance of Middle Eastern-influenced foods on offer in Albaicin. Falafels, stuffed vine leaves, hummus…you’ll find it all in copious amounts here.

For some relaxation, enjoy some pampering at the Arab Baths.

Getting to Granada from Cordoba

• Train: The journey from Cordoba to Granada takes about 2.5 hours. Book train tickets in advance.
• Bus: Takes around 3 hours
• Car: Takes just over 2 hours

Where to stay in Granada

Day 7 & 8 – Valencia

For days 7 and 8 of your Spain itinerary, you’ll be leaving the region of Andalucia and heading to the vibrant city of Valencia.

Valencia is a stunning coastal city located in the eastern part of Spain. It’s packed with loads of iconic landmarks and delicious cuisine – it’s the home of paella!

Top 3 Things To Do In Valencia

• Explore the city’s historic old town
• Visit the City of Arts and Sciences
• Enjoy time on the beaches or mountains

The most famous attraction in Valencia is the grandiose City of Arts and Sciences. On your first day in Valencia, dedicate a big chunk of time to explore this.

Valencia is also a great place for shopping, it’s filled with a mix of colourful markets where you can find fresh produce and handmade goods.

On the second day, take time to explore the old town and Valencia’s iconic monuments such as the Plaza de la Virgen or the Cathedral of Valencia.

Then in the second afternoon head out along one of its many beaches or if you’re after something more active, then into one of its nearby mountains for hiking.

Getting to Valencia from Granada

• Train: Takes about 6.5 hours. Book in advance for best prices
• Bus: Slowest option, takes about 8 hours – I don’t recommend this, you’ll lose the whole day.
• Car: Quickest option, takes about 5 hours. Stop at Murcia or Alicante along the way.

Where to stay in Valencia

Day 9 & 10 – Barcelona 

The final destination on your 10 day itinerary Spain trip is the incredible city of Barcelona.

Top 3 Things To Do In Barcelona

• See the beautiful Gaudi architecture; La Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and Park Güell
• Wander along La Ramblas and visit Mercado de La Boqueria
• Explore the Gothic Quarter and historical centre

There’s a ton of stuff to do in Barcelona, topping the list is Antoni Gaudi’s iconic La Sagrada Familia – Spain’s most visited attraction!

Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in 1882. Its intricate blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles is laced with hidden messages within its decorations.

Only a quarter of construction was completed when Gaudi died in 1926.

Also visit some of Gaudi’s other famous buildings such as Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and Park Güell.

For all of these, I recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid long queues; this is especially important for Park Güell – I arrived before the gates opened and there was already a queue of people!

Another place I adored in Barcelona was the Gothic Quarter. While you’re in that part of town call in at La Ramblas – a bustling and vibrant tree-lined pedestrian street – as well as Mercado de La Boqueria.

If you’re looking for something more relaxed, then visit one of Barcelona’s many beaches or if you’ve got more energy to burn then hike (or catch the cable car) up Montjuïc Hill for some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Getting to Barcelona from Valencia

• By Train: Take a train from Valencia Nord Station to Barcelona Sants station. Journey time is around 2 hr 40. Book train ticket in advance.
• By Bus: Multiple bus companies connect Valencia and Barcelona. The bus journey usually takes between 3.5 to 4 hours.
• By Car: Driving from Valencia to Barcelona takes roughly 3 hours and 40 minutes. I recommend taking a break in Tarragona to break up the drive.

Where to stay in Barcelona

have longer than 10 days in Spain?

Here are some options if you want to extend this itinerary and explore more of Spain.

• Barcelona, head north into Basque Country going via Zaragoza
• Spend more days in Madrid and explore the gorgeous UNESCO-listed cities of Toledo, Segovia and Avilla.
• Alternatively, you could travel to Portugal (Seville is just an hour from the border) and make this into a full Spain and Portugal itinerary.

10 Days In Spain: FAQs

I hope this 10 days in Spain itinerary gives you a decent introduction to the country. As you’ve just read, this packed itinerary scratches the surface of what the country has to offer. Whether you’re seeking vibrant cities, beautiful architecture and diverse landscapes all topped off with delicious food and welcoming people, this best places to visit in Spain for first timers guide will leave you wanting to come back for more.