Explore some of the best highlights in Spain’s internationally acclaimed cities of Madrid and Barcelona. Streets buzz with energy as taxis and mopeds whiz down central boulevards while pedestrians chat in quaint shops and at outdoor cafes. Children play lively games of impromptu soccer in central plazas while parents sip a glass of sweet red wine one a nearby restaurant terrace. Around every cobbled alleyway is a peek into these cities’ fascinating narratives. Stroll along...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona - La Rambla and Dinner along La Barceloneta
You will begin your trip by coasting along the sunny shores of Cataluna where ocean water sparkles and the smell of fresh, citrusy paella lingers in the air. Your private transportation will meet you at the terminal and escort you to your five-star hotel in the heart of eccentric Barcelona. You will whiz down busy streets as you pass by the dreamlike facades of architect Antoni Gaudi and the ornate steeples of the city's cathedrals. Soon, you will arrive in the Gothic Quarter, which is the epicenter of the Old City that is marked by narrowed cobbled streets, ironclad balconies, and intricate brick designs. You will settle into your Baroque-style hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding neighborhoods.
You can stroll down Barcelona's most prominent pedestrian boulevard of La Rambla. Families and couples meander down this central pathway that separates El Raval district from the Gothic Quarter and extends out towards the sea. Beautiful green trees line the sides of the charming boulevard, and street vendors set out jewelry and other souvenirs to attract passersby. Nearby, locals and travelers alike sit out on sun-kissed cafe terraces with a cup of cafe con leche.
You will continue to the beaches of Barceloneta port where the ocean breeze overwhelms the senses. As the sun begins to set, surfers will catch their last waves of the day, and seagulls will swoop down as careless munchers drop a few crumbs. When your appetite finally strikes, you will delight in an exquisite dinner along the seashore and treat yourself to the city's beloved fruity sangria as the buzz of downtown dulls to a hum.
What's Included:
Day 2
Barcelona - Guided Tour of City Highlights of the Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Familia
Day 3
Girona - Self-Paced Visit to Jewish Quarter and History and Arab Baths
Day 4
Barcelona - Antoni Gaudi Architecture Tour and Park Guell
Day 5
Valencia - Guided Tour of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and Mercat Central
Day 6
Valencia - Leisure Morning in Gothic Quarter and Dinner at Cuenca's San Pablo Bridge
Day 7
Toledo - Guided City Tour, Visit Alcazar, and Zipline
Day 8
Madrid - Visits to Royal Palace, Gran Via, Malasana, Lavapies
Day 9
Madrid - Picnic in Parque El Retiro and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Day 10
Madrid - International Flights Home
Trip Highlights
- Stroll down the bustling boulevard of La Rambla and indulge in a sunset dinner along the coastline at La Barceloneta port
- Explore the Jewish Quarter and ornate Arab baths of Girona
- Traverse the cobbled streets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and marvel at the fantastical Sagrada Familia cathedral
- Sample authentic paella in Valencia and visit the City of Arts and Sciences
- Snap picturesque photos at the Hanging Houses of Cuenca and uncover Valencia's Gothic Quarter
- Behold the beauty of Toledo's Alcazar palace and zipline across the Tagus River
- Marvel at Madrid's Royal Palace and keep stride amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Gran Via
- Indulge in a picnic at Parque El Retiro and admire world-renowned artwork at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
Detailed Description
Get lost in the culture and history of a nation that is beloved for its delectable cuisine, friendly people, and laid-back attitudes. Close your history books and hop on a plane as you uncover the exquisite gems of Spain's major cities: Barcelona and Madrid. Each urban area teems with vivacious activity as locals go about their daily business and rendezvous with friends to shop or indulge in sit-down dinners on the weekends. Moreover, stoic facades around every corner nod to a rich history that spans thousands of years. In between these two major metropolises, you will make stops at treasured cities, towns, and villages along the way, each with their own rich pasts that are ready for you to uncover.
You will begin in Barcelona, where you will tour the Gothic Quarter and marvel at the whimsical halls of the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Then, you will delve deeper into the awe-inspiring architecture of Antoni Gaudi at the expansive Parque Guell. Afterward, you will take a short detour as you venture to the town of Girona and wander through the enchanting Jewish Quarter. Later, you will have the opportunity to snap picturesque photos at the Hanging Houses in Cuenca and indulge in the savory explosion of authentic paella in Valencia.
You will round off the last two days of your trip in the center of Spain amongst the dazzling highlights of Madrid, where you will mingle with royalty at the city's Royal Palace and then relax in the tranquil Parque El Retiro. You will also venture inside authentic bars and cafes in the trendy neighborhoods of Malasana and Lavapies before admiring the lovely artwork by Picasso and other world-renowned artists at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia on your final day in the city. Consider learning more about our travelers’ favorite travel activities by reading their Spain travel reviews.
Starting Price
$3,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 2633 reviews.
The trip was fantastic. Everything that was scheduled was well planned, with excellent tour guides, communication with the guides, as well as travel agents live during the trip. The experience was five-star and we could tell that the way it was booked through Zicasso was better for the guides themselves versus how others in our group had booked (ie, through other agencies). There were fewer obstacles, complications, and issues with the booking. We could tell this through our tour guides, as they were more comfortable and knowledgeable about our requests and needs.
Tickets were all organized and either sent to us through PDF or to our tour guides. The off days were were well placed during the week and our requests were more than satisfied.
Reviewed By Shaheed H.
Zicasso's travel specialist did an amazing job! She planned our itinerary well, based on our interests, the cities we wanted to visit, and the experiences we requested. All of the accommodations and transportation worked out well, and we enjoyed the trip a lot!
The only downside was one night with a late-night tour scheduled, followed by an early-morning hot-air balloon ride, which was hard to get up for in time, but we managed. Despite this, we would definitely recommend our travel company to anyone traveling to Spain!
Reviewed By Evan C.
Our Zicasso travel specialist was phenomenal. She understood exactly how we travel and what we wanted to do, and planned a 12-day trip to Mallorca and San Sebastián that was better than we even imagined. She was always responsive before and throughout the trip. All of the tour guides and drivers were kind, knowledgeable, and timely. Our travel company delivers exceptional first-rate service and we would highly recommend them.
Reviewed By Lisa S.
Zicasso is an excellent platform. It curates the perfect trip based on your individual needs. We have used them before and will in the future. We have recommended the company to many friends and family members.
Reviewed By Amy J.
The logistics were managed excellently by Zicasso's travel company. The guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating.
Reviewed By Mark J.
Zicasso's travel expert was exceptional in his attentiveness and responsiveness. He helped me to design a trip for my family, a group of 10 ranging in age from 13 to 80-plus. The result fit comfortably within my budget and included activities to suit everyone. I very much appreciated his responsiveness while assisting me with questions and issues that arose during the trip. I never felt alone.
Reviewed By Leslie W.