Must-See Destinations in Spain
Alongside our Spain travel specialists, we have compiled recommendations for any length of trip. With a custom Zicasso tour, we can organize your days however you would like, but the below gives you a framework from which to launch your perfect trip.We have provided the following recommendations on where you should go, depending on how much time you have:
7 to 9 Day Trips
If you have a week or so to travel in Spain, we recommend that you visit Madrid, Seville, and Malaga. Organizing your days as recommended below will allow you time to see the essential highlights.
7 Days
Days 1-3: Madrid
Days 4-5: Seville
Days 6-7: Malaga
8 Days
Days 1-3: Madrid
Days 4-6: Seville
Days 7-8: Malaga
9 Days
Days 1-3: Madrid
Days 4-6: Seville
Days 7-9: Malaga
10 to 16 Day Trips
If you have 10-16 days to spend in Spain, we recommend dividing your time between Madrid, Barcelona, and Andalucia (Seville and Malaga). All Zicasso tours are customized to your preferences, but here is how we recommend spending your time:
10 Days
Days 1-3: Madrid
Days 4-5: Barcelona
Days 6-7: Seville
Days 8-10: Malaga
12 Days
Days 1-3: Madrid
Days 4-5: Barcelona
Days 6-7: Seville
Days 8-10: Granada
Days 11-12: Malaga
14 Days
Days 1-3: Madrid
Days 4-5: Barcelona
Days 6-9: Seville
Days 10-11: Granada
Days 12-14: Malaga
How many days is enough to see Spain?
Two weeks or 14 days is an ideal length for a Spain trip. This will allow you enough time to spend at least seven days exploring sites like Madrid and Barcelona while also offering another seven days to explore the famous southern region of Andalucia, which includes the cities of Seville, Granada, and Malaga. A 14-day trip provides options for both guided exploration and time on your own to discover the culture, food, and wine at a casual, enjoyable pace.
Essential Experiences for the Best Spain Vacation
During your Spain tour, you can visit ancient civilizations and be immersed in the preserved culture of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also discover gems of Islamic architecture, classic Mediterranean cuisine, stunning scenery, and masters of European art. The following list offers our recommendations on the range of quintessential experiences you must see on your Spain trip:
Best Way to Experience Madrid
Madrid is a fast-paced metropolis that acts as Spain’s cultural, artistic, and culinary capital. Architecture reads as a historical timeline, and museums represent masterful details from Spain’s Golden Age. During your Spain tour, the following are essential experiences you should indulge in when first visiting Madrid:
What to See & Do
The Main Must-Do Tours in Madrid (2-3 days depending on pace):
1. Historical Tour: Explore sites such as the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, and the Plaza Mayor.
2. Food Tour: Sample authentic and gourmet, tapas, charcuterie, cheese, and street food.
3. Art Tour: Enjoy a private tour of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of art at the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums.
Best Way to Experience Barcelona
Barcelona is a captivating city decorated with fabled architecture and luxurious beaches. The Mediterranean climate only enhances the medieval quarter and lively street of La Rambla. We label the following experiences as essential when in Barcelona during your Spain vacation:
What to See & Do
The Main Must-Do Tours in Barcelona (2-3 days depending on pace):
- Historical Tour: Discover the charm and history of the Gothic Quarter.
- Food Tour: Indulge in a cooking class and market tour that reflects the flavors of Catalonia.
- Architecture Tour: Witness Antoni Gaudi’s surreal designs at Park Guell, Casa Mila, and La Sagrada Familia.
Best Way to Experience Seville
Seville is a romantic city famous for its cobblestone lanes, Moorish castle, and grand Gothic cathedral. The city also provides insight into the culture of the Mediterranean, the preservation of cuisine, and the passion of flamenco.
What to See & Do
The Main Must-Do Tours in Seville (2-3 days depending on pace):
- Food Tour: Delight in the authentic flavors of Andalucia with a traditional Tapas tasting tour.
- Cultural Excursions: Discover the tremendous passion and preserved spirit of Spain during a traditional flamenco show. Embrace the spirit of Spain during a private flamenco lesson.
- Historical Tour: Traverse celebrated medieval history at the Cathedral, Barrio Santa Cruz, and Real Alcazar.
Special Interests and Activities in Spain
Traveling with Zicasso provides you with exclusive access to many activities, excursions, and tours for a distinctive experience. The following information offers insight into our recommended experiences and can be tailored to focus on your unique interests:
Food & Wine
A food and wine excursion is one of the most essential experiences you can have in a country that has long enjoyed a reputation of being a haven for traditional and contemporary cuisine and wine. The time of year can be critical for a food and wine excursion in Spain because the weather and temperature affect the ingredients, harvest, and experience. When you travel with Zicasso, you’ll get personalized recommendations on where to eat. The following recommendations highlight some of Spain’s best regions for world-class food and wine:
Best Destinations for Food & Wine in Spain
Malaga
The city of Malaga in the southern region of Andalucia has a long tradition of using local, seasonal, and Mediterranean ingredients to create traditional dishes that embody soups and seafood with origins in Roman, Moorish, and Christian recipes. Typical ingredients include olives, almonds, grapes, and cheese. The nearby hills and valleys influence the greater cuisine of Spain and also produce the famous sweet wine of Malaga from Moscatel grapes.
San Sebastian
San Sebastian has a unique culinary history and one of the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants per square foot of any city in the world. The city reflects the greater regional tapas, known as pintxos, and uses food as a way to socialise around fresh, seasonal ingredients. The wines from the nearby Rioja region and local varietals highlight San Sebastian’s position as a superior destination for wine.
Zicasso’s Exclusive Access to Spain’s Best Wine
Zicasso travel partners can arrange private visits to vineyards not open to the public for exclusive tastings and meetings with the vintners. You can also learn more about Spain’s more-than-400 native grape varietals from a sommelier.
Olive Oil
Tours in Andalucia and the Castilla-La Mancha regions allow you to pick olives, visit a factory, witness the production, and sample the delicious flavors. On average, Spain produces 44 percent of the world’s olive oil supply.
Art & History
Spain is one of the world’s most unique destinations for paintings, architecture, and mosaics, demonstrating how art plays a pivotal role in the history and culture of the nation. Spain’s art represents Roman settlements and medieval designs in addition to Renaissance masters and iconic European artisans, such as Goya, Picasso, El Greco, and Dali.
Must-See Art Museums & Attractions
- Prado Museum – The Madrid museum has 8,600 paintings and over 700 sculptures.
- Reina Sofia – The contemporary gallery displays works of 20th-century Spanish artists, such as Picasso and Dali.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – The collection of European masters spans eight centuries and features works by Caravaggio, Monet, Degas, and Jackson Pollock.
- Guggenheim Museum – The modern gallery in Bilbao acts as the center for contemporary artists and displays works by Jeff Koons and Richard Serra.
Depending on when you visit, your budget, and a number of other factors, Zicasso’s Spain partners can arrange specialized guides so that you can appreciate these treasures.
Lesser-Known, Less-Crowded Art Museums & Attraction
- Valencian Institute of Modern Art – The collection of over 11,000 pieces spans continents and the 20th century with works from Man Ray to Cindy Sherman.
- Dali Theater-Museum – The surrealist painter takes center stage at his Figueres museum that features a comprehensive collection of paintings and sculptures.
History
Spain has a rich heritage, from Roman legions to a powerful caliphate. Witnessing the history throughout Spain is essential and indelible due to its castles, museums, and architecture that represent the Catholic dynasty with Moorish architectural details. Cities like Seville, Granada, and Toledo are living museums that symbolize medieval life with iconic images of Islamic design. On a customized Zicasso trip, we can arrange private tours with specialized history guides, such as a former archaeologist with a PhD or a history professor. We can also organize history-focused small-group tours with a certified guide.The following information focuses on our recommendations for historical destinations in Spain:
- The Alhambra – The summit in Granada hosts the Moorish palace and gardens.
- The Great Mosque – The principal mosque in Cordoba embodies the elegance and sophistication of medieval Islamic design.
- Tarragona – The ruins outside of Barcelona represent the former Roman capital of Spain.
Active Tours
An active tour offers the splendor of the countryside or charms of villages and distinctive neighborhoods around the country at your preferred pace and from a unique perspective. Recommendations for some of the best active tours in Spain include the following:
Cycling
Andalucia – Southern Spain offers a robust landscape and rustic towns to explore. Basque Country – The rolling hills and vast shoreline offer great cycling routes in northern Spain. A bike tour is not recommended in Madrid due to the heavy traffic and busy streets.
Private Excursions and Special Access
Zicasso’s travel specialist partners have insider access to unique experiences that you cannot get any other way. These experiences, customized to your specific interests, can often be your most memorable, turning your trip into the experience of a lifetime. Here are some examples, but the possibilities are endless:
- Semana Santa – Experience the Holy Week in Seville or Malaga.
- Witness a private flamenco show in an ancient cave.
- Enjoy a hot air balloon flight over a historic city, such as Madrid, Toledo, or Segovia.
How much is a tour of Spain?
The starting price of a custom-tailored Spain trip is approximately $240 per person, per day. For an escorted group tour, the starting price can be nearly half of that or $150 per person, per day.
The cost of a Spain vacation is dependent on several factors, such as the:
- Length of your trip
- Season (month) of travel
- Class of hotel
- Number of locations/cities you visit
- Number of guided day tours and activities (e.g., cooking class, wine tasting, etc.)
- How much you splurge on meals, shopping, etc.
A vacation such as this is often your biggest purchase of the year. It will also likely be one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime. To get the most out of your trip, we highly recommend using an expert Spain travel specialist to plan a customized Spain tour that is tailored to your specific interests and budget. You can also join an escorted group tour so that most travel arrangements are pre-planned for you. This way, you can travel hassle-free and relax while a professional tour director and guide takes care of all logistics (including skip-the-line tickets) and any issues that might arise.
The cost of a tailor-made Spain tour typically starts at $2,400 per person for a 10-day trip, i.e., at $240 per person, per day during the low or mid-season.
This includes:
- 3-star hotels (shared twin room)
- Some guided day tours and activities
- Transportation in Spain, such as airport transfers and trains from city to city
A 5-star, tailor-made Spain tour, where most services are upgraded and extra unique experiences are included, typically starts at $5,500 per person for a 10-day trip, or $550 per person, per day.
An escorted Spain group tour with scheduled departure dates delivers excellent value. With comparable inclusions, such as the class of hotel, guided activities, and transportation, a group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent tailor-made tour. Everyone’s priorities, interests, and preferences are different. Submit a trip request on Zicasso, and we will personally match you with an expert Spain trip planner who will help you customize your dream trip or help you select the right Spain group tour while also taking your budget into consideration.
Best Time to Visit Spain
The best time to visit Spain is from May to June and again in September. July is Spain’s hottest month of the year, especially in the southern region of Andalucia.
Each season offers something unique to experience depending on your goals during your Spain trip. In winter, hotel rates and restaurant prices drop. The best months to visit the region of Andalucia, such as cities like Seville and Granada, are May and September due to the warm summer temperatures and vibrant lifestyles that take place during these months.
The best months to visit Spain for cultural experiences include the high season of May to June and again in September due to the cultural holidays and nice weather.
Certain places in Spain have become year-round destinations for travelers, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and the region of Andalucia. Demand remains high outside of peak travel season, but the crowds typically diminish, and the prices may decrease; however, the shoulder-season and low-season are not great months for enjoying the beaches and sea but in spring and autumn, the museums are as popular as the hiking trails. Fall in October has pleasant weather while November sees fewer crowds and quiet escapes from Madrid to Andalusia.
How far in advance should I plan a trip to Spain?
You should plan your trip to Spain up to four months in advance if you wish to visit destinations like Seville or Madrid. Due to the high demand of domestic and international visitors that travel to this beautiful destination during Semana Santa and the limited number of hotels, you must reserve ahead of time if you plan on visiting during Easter week. We recommend planning your Spain tour up to six months in advance for the most optimal travel experience.
Modes of Transportation in Spain
When traveling between big cities, the best way to see Spain in 10 days is by high-speed train. The trains that service Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville are comfortable, fast, reliable, and accessible. Driving in Spain is easy when exploring more of the countryside and small villages of northern Spain, southern Spain, and if traveling between San Sebastian and Barcelona. Domestic flights are possible and convenient when needing to travel long distances or off the mainland peninsula to islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca. Ferries are also available, but flights often have similar fares and take less time.
Car Rental
Renting a car in Spain is unnecessary due to the efficient and quick trains. Driving between big cities brings with it more complications, such as traffic, parking, unfamiliar or narrow roads, or the crowds and closed streets of a possible holiday. Driving is easy and enjoyable when along the coast or between small, remote towns of southern and northern Spain. Public transportation, such as trains, does not offer great access to the countryside and villages across the country, making a car-hire one of the best methods for traveling to secluded areas independently. Zicasso travel specialists will always include private transfers to and from the airport or between destinations for your best stress-free Spain tour, which circumvents possible taxi service charges, toll roads, or miscommunications.
What to Consider When Traveling Through Spain
Travel considerations during your Spain tour include safety, ease of logistics, and accessibility. The following information offers our recommendations on what to consider:
Is Spain Safe for Travel?
Spain is very safe. During your Spain tour, you will find the people and country safe, welcoming, and eager to share their culture. As anywhere, pickpocketing can be a concern, especially in larger tourist destinations like Barcelona. Healthwise, there are no concerns regarding the general safety of eating and drinking throughout Spain.
Travel Insurance
You’ve booked your dream vacation, now protect it with travel insurance. A wide range of factors can leave your vacation in limbo. Medical emergencies, inclement weather, and unexpected cancellations can cause turmoil for your trip, so in the unlikely event of a disaster, get the travel insurance coverage that provides peace of mind. To get a quote, visit our travel insurance page.
For Families
Having a family-friendly guide can help maximize your time and enhance your experience for every member of the family. Tour guides can focus their attention on engaging young kids to keep them interested and can also create separate tours for teenagers and adults.
For Seniors
Having a guide knowledgeable in touring with Seniors will offer more accessible tours, activities, and transfers to maximize how much you can see and experience. Arrangements can be made for drivers to carry your luggage to and from check-in if traveling by ferry or domestic flight.
For Couples
Having a guide knowledgeable in romance around Spain will provide unique perspectives, advice, and opportunities to experience true majesty.
For Travelers with Disabilities
Guests with mobility challenges can be well assisted by our Spain travel specialists. Access and alternative arrangements can be made with ease to ensure enjoyment of certain monuments, historical sites, accommodations, and restaurants.
Best Airports to Fly In & Out of Spain
The best airport to fly in and out of Spain when visiting Madrid, Seville, and Malaga is Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport (MAD). Madrid has the largest and busiest airport in Spain that accommodates non-stop flights from the United States. Madrid also has the most opportunities for arriving and departing in Spain by plane based on your schedule and preferred travel timeframe; however, other airports can provide equal opportunities and possibilities for flights inside of Spain, depending on your route and schedule. For most travelers, the most convenient airport is Madrid. The second most accessible airport to fly in or out of in Spain is Barcelona’s El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN). The top active airports in mainland Spain are:
- Madrid (MAD)
- Barcelona (BCN)
- Malaga (AGP)
Find the Best Flight
Madrid is the largest and most accessible airport in Spain, resulting in flights from around the U.S., Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Spanish islands that often stop in Madrid before continuing to another destination.It is advantageous to fly into Madrid and to travel south by train to Andalucia before flying home from an airport like Malaga or Seville. Prices for a round-trip flight out of Madrid are similar to flying out of a different airport in Spain and allow you to avoid any hassle of returning to Madrid for the flight home.
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights are accessible, frequent, and quick, making it very easy to travel distances across Spain; however, the high-speed train between southern Spain and Madrid or Barcelona makes many domestic flights unnecessary, unless traveling far distances, such as Seville to Bilbao, Oviedo to Alicante, or Madrid to Santiago de Compostela.
Flights Via Zicasso
Zicasso Air Desk is an international air ticketing service that eliminates the stress of finding and booking the right flights for your upcoming vacation by employing the same personalized service you can expect from planning a trip with Zicasso. Our competitive flight pricing, 24X7 Service & Support, and Complimentary Consultation of Routing vs. Pricing with an Expert Flight Specialist make finding the perfect flight for your trip effortless.
Recommendations for the Return Traveler
When returning for another Spain tour, you can venture beyond the essential destinations of Madrid, Seville, Malaga, and Barcelona to discover destinations considered more off-the-beaten-path but equally worthy of your consideration. The following list offers our recommendations for where you can visit during your return trip to Spain.
Pyrenees
The mountainous Catalonian Pyrenees are celebrated as an all-season adventure destination, bringing snowhounds in the winter and trekkers in the summer and autumn. The glistening lakes and emerald valleys embody the natural beauty of the landscape, and thousand-year-old monasteries reflect the regional heritage. Small towns have preserved their proud Catalonian culture.
Costa del Sol
The 300 days of sunshine along the southern shores give credence to the name Costa del Sol of Andalucia. Beyond the weather, the stretch of coast has fabulous beaches and a rich cultural heritage that is represented in the delicious cuisine. Lively villages feature their own intriguing culture, from the whitewashed homes of Mojacar to the ancient mosaic floors of the Roman city of Italica.
Related Spain Tours by Zicasso
Here is our list of other Spain Tours we offer:
Themed:
Duration:
Specific Spain Destinations:
Specific Months of the Year:
Multi-Country Spain Vacations:
How to Book a Spain Tour
Any vacation to Spain should include both the mainland and the islands. The mainland, with Athens as the highlight, provides rich history and culture. The islands offer spectacular coastal scenery, beaches, and relaxation. Planning the right mix and choice of destinations can be a time-consuming and complex task, but Zicasso is here to help.
There are three ways to plan and book a trip:
- Get a customized tour planned and booked by a travel professional. Travel independently on your own schedule.
- Book a group tour. Join an escorted group tour with a fixed departure date.
- Plan and book a trip yourself.
Zicasso offers the best solution for a customized tour by matching you with top travel specialists who plan and book the trip for you. Our travel agency division, Marageti, specializes in helping you book an escorted group tour. There is no extra cost to you for either service.
Custom Tours
A customized tour is one that is planned by a travel specialist according to your specific interests, preferences, and schedule. Whether you desire a family-friendly adventure to Madrid, Seville, or Granada or a romantic getaway from San Sebastian to the Rioja region, each of the accommodations, activities, and destinations is tailored to your preferences.The knowledge and experience of your travel specialist make a big difference. Zicasso has spent thousands of hours vetting the best travel partners. We act as a referral service, matching you with specialists that best meet your goals and priorities.
Escorted Group Tours
A Spain group tour offers the advantage of convenience at a great value. The schedule is fixed, the itinerary is pre-planned, and a dedicated tour director travels with the group throughout the trip. A group tour can be 30 - 50% less expensive than an equivalent customized tour. Out of the many hundreds of Spain group tours, how do you select the right one for you? Our travel agency division, Marageti, has sales agents who specialize in helping travelers weigh the pros and cons of different group tours. We give you personalized recommendations on the best tour for you.
Goals and Priorities
What are your goals and priorities for the trip? These should drive your decision for either a customized tour or a fixed departure group tour. We are here to help you make the right decisions to make your dream trip a reality.
