The Ultimate 14-Day Spain Itinerary: Best Route + All Highlights

Spain is a fascinating country with a rich culture, rich history, amazing people, and incredible food. As one of Europe's biggest countries, seeing everything in just 2 weeks would be a stretch. It's better to choose some of the major cities and really get a feel for them, rather than cramming your 14-day Spain itinerary with as many stops as possible.

But which cities to choose? Should you stick to a certain region? What about the amazing Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza?

I've spent a lot of time in Spain and have visited most of the regions. While not often talked about, I can highly recommend visiting northern Spain, such as The Basque Country and Galicia, but you're going to have to keep those for a separate trip and I will not talk about them in this 14-day itinerary.

The itinerary I've chosen for you is going to take you through 5 of Spain's biggest and more popular cities, from the center of the country down the east coast and into Andalusia, in southern Spain. It's the perfect route to see some of the major sites and each city is great for day trips to other towns or the beach. You'll get an overview of this amazing country, try some of the wonderful food, and leave wanting to plan that trip to the north!

🏁 Where to Start and End Your Trip to Spain

This 2-week Spain itinerary starts in Spain's capital, Madrid, and ends in Seville. Most international flights from outside Europe will arrive in Madrid or Barcelona so that seems like a good place to start. You might find it's cheaper to arrive and leave from the same airport and, if that's the case, you can always get a train from Seville to Madrid for your return flight.

If you're arriving from within Europe, you'll find fairly cheap flights to cities all over Spain. This itinerary is pretty flexible and you can mix up your starting point to make it more convenient for you. If, for example, you end up in Valencia or Barcelona and you have a couple of extra days, you could always take a ferry to Ibiza or Mallorca to enjoy some island beach time!

🚄 Getting Around Spain

For most of this trip, I'm going to recommend taking the high-speed train. They're quick and efficient and a great way of getting to and from Spain's major cities. Once you get into Andalucia, connections become a little more difficult and you may want to rent a car to keep things simple, but you don't need to.

Public transport within Spanish cities is great and most have trains, buses, and trams. Many of them are also very walkable, which, in my opinion, is the best way to see a city!

📅 Best Time to Visit Spain

Spain is very hot in summer, so I'd avoid booking your holiday in July or August.

May or September are perfect months to visit the country. The weather is warm but shouldn't be too hot and there are fewer crowds. Because it's the slightly lower season, you can also find better-priced accommodation for your trip.

2 Week Itinerary in Spain

Planning 2 weeks in Spain isn't easy. There are just so many amazing places to visit and things to see. You'll notice that this 14-day Spain itinerary doesn't even touch most of the regions including Extremadura, Asturias, Aragon, or Castilla-La Mancha. But it does take you through some amazing cities that are well-connected, so you spend more time exploring and less time traveling.

Here's a day-by-day breakdown of the trip:

• Day 1: Arriving in Madrid
• Day 2: Madrid
• Day 3: Madrid
• Day 4: Traveling to Barcelona
• Day 5: Barcelona
• Day 6: Day Trip to Girona
• Day 7: Traveling to Valencia
• Day 8: Valencia
• Day 9: Valencia
• Day 10: Traveling to Granada
• Day 11: Granada
• Day 12: Traveling to Seville
• Day 13: Seville
• Day 14: Seville/Departure

2 Weeks in Spain: Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving in Madrid

Madrid is one of those cities that really surprised me. I'd been to many other Spanish cities before I first went and I wasn't sure what to expect from the capital. Let me tell you – it quickly became one of my favorites (yes, in the big debate, I do prefer it to Barcelona!).

It's full of rough charm, interesting neighborhoods, incredible cultural sites, and amazing parks too. It's also home to some of the world's most famous pieces of art which are totally worth seeing.

If you arrive in Madrid in the afternoon and, presuming you don't have jet lag, I'd recommend going for a look around the city center. You could go to the Plaza Mayor and explore the surrounding streets, before heading over to Mercado de San Miguel. It's a vibrant market full of stalls selling delicious tapas and food. Madrid is known for its calamari and mayonnaise sandwiches and you can get an amazing one here!

Day 2: Explore Madrid – El Retiro Park and El Prado

When visiting Spain, you'll notice that there's a bar on every corner. These are more than just places to have a drink, they're also great for breakfast. You can usually get a cheap tostada with jamón (toast with ham) or cheese and a coffee or juice. If, however, you want something a little more substantial, I'd head to Scarlett. They serve healthy bowls, yummy loaded toast, and brilliant coffee.

From there, go to El Retiro Park which is close by. This is the park that dominates Madrid and it was a highlight on my first visit there. It's a stunning place to wander around – make sure you visit the Rose Garden and the Palacio de Cristal.

From here, walk around Las Letras, a cool neighborhood with lots of great places to grab a quick lunch before heading to the Prado Museum.

🎟️ Quick Tip: Museo Nacional del Prado gets very busy as it's one of Madrid's main tourist attractions. You'll need to book tickets way in advance and it's worth going with a guide to get the most out of it.

If you're looking for one of the best places in Madrid to have a sunset drink, go to Círculo de Bella Artes. The building is a cultural center for fine art and it has a beautiful bar on the roof which is perfect for watching the sun go down over the iconic buildings of Madrid.

Day 3: Explore Madrid – Reina Sofia Gallery and Royal Palace

We're starting today off on the other side of central Madrid. The Royal Palace is possibly one of the best in Europe and certainly something you should see if you've got a few days in the city. The rooms are intricately detailed and it gives you a good idea of Madrid's more recent history. If you're not a fan of royal buildings, you can visit the royal gardens or the Jardines de Sabatini too.

🎟️ Pro Tip: Again, it's really important to book your tickets in advance to avoid long lines and crowds.

From the Royal Palace, walk over to Plaza de España and have a wander around the Malasaña neighborhood – it's one of my favorites. It's typical for Spanish restaurants to offer cheaper lunch menus and there are a couple in this area. Check out Ochentagrados for an amazing one!

🌟 You can then walk 25 minutes toward Plaza de Sol to San Ginés, one of the oldest and best chocolaterías in Marid. It's the perfect place to try churros. If you're too full after lunch, save it for after the gallery.

The Reina Sofia Gallery is a wonderful building housing many pieces of art. The most impressive is Guernica by Picasso, an enormous painting often regarded as the most powerful anti-war painting in history. It's a must for anyone visiting the city.

Where to Stay in Madrid

($$$) Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá

($$) Gran Versalles

($) Modular Rooms

Day 4: Travel to Barcelona – Gothic Quarter

It's time to leave Madrid and take the 2.5-hour train ride to Barcelona. You'll arrive at Barcelona Sants train station, which is pretty central. From there, drop your bags and head towards the Barri Gotic, my favorite neighborhood in Barcelona. It's full of secrecy and charm and any of the beautiful, winding roads take you past stunning and ornate buildings.

There are loads of cute, independent shops in this area as well as some amazing restaurants to choose from for dinner. La Alcoba Azul is a unique little hole-in-the-wall tapas bar which I absolutely love!

Day 5: Barcelona Highlights – Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell

Let's start off your first full day in Barcelona with a great breakfast. Barcelona is an amazing city for breakfasts and brunch because of its international influence. A great place is Torradors Bon Mercat Llibreteria, they do wonderful pastries and bigger brunches as well as excellent coffee.

From here it's on to Barcelona's most well-known building – La Sagrada Familia. This stunning church was originally started in 1882 and it's still going! The intricate detailing is amazing and it's certainly one of the most impressive churches I've ever seen. You'll need to book tickets in advance to go in or you could even buy a day pass to Parc Güell too, as that's the next stop on this itinerary.

Parc Güell is within walking distance from Sagrada Familia and takes just over half an hour. You'll pass through some beautiful streets on the way and can grab some tapas for your walk up the hill in the park. It's one of Gaudi's most famous creations and you get a wonderful view of the city from the top.

When you've had your fill of walking around the park, head back towards the Gothic Quarter for dinner. Or if the weather is nice, head to La Barceloneta Beach for a pre-dinner drink.

Day 6: Day Trip to Girona

Girona is one of the best day trips from Barcelona as it's just 35 minutes away by train. It's a beautiful Medieval town and the perfect way to see a little more of Catalonia without going too far away.

The best thing to do in Girona is eat Xuixuo, a kind of deep-fried pastry filled with cream and coated in sugar. Trust me, it's so good! My favorite place to eat them in Girona is Can Castelló. I'd start with the original which is filled with patisserie cream but the lemon pie one is amazing too!

Apart from filling up on pastries, you should also walk the Old Town walls of Girona. Make sure you climb at least one of the towers for incredible panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Game of Thrones fans will be happy to know that many of the scenes from season 6 were filmed in Girona, and you can do a brilliant tour of all the sites. The thing I love about Girona is that it's perfect for wandering around, you can get lost in the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter and stumble across some amazing places.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

($$$) Nobu Hotel Barcelona

($$) Feelathome Center Apartments

($) Alani Montjuic

Day 7: Travel to Valencia – Explore the Old Town

Valencia is around 3 hours away from Barcelona by train and the route takes you along the coast, so the views are pretty incredible. You'll arrive at Joaquín Sorolla Station, which is in central Valencia and well connected to other parts of the city.

Spend your first afternoon in Valencia wandering around the beautiful Old Town. Go to Plaza de la Reina and the Miguelete – a beautiful tower to the side of Valencia's Cathedral. If you're feeling fit and not too claustrophobic, you can climb the many steps to the top for a stunning view of the city.

Walk towards Plaza de la Virgen and on towards the Torres de Serranos. These are 2 of the famous towers that used to guard the city and, again, you can walk up them for beautiful views of the city and the old river.

There are so many things to do in Valencia and one of my favorites is wandering around the Carmen neighborhood, which is close to the Torres de Serranos. The buildings and streets are stunning and there are loads of amazing restaurants to have dinner in. Just don't have paella, not at night, a Valencian would never do that!

Day 8: Valencia – Markets and Paella

Valencia is famous for its almuerzos, a kind of bigger breakfast around 10.30 am. One of my favorite places to have almuerzo is at Central Bar, in the beautiful Mercat Central. This is really one of the most beautiful buildings in Valencia and it's a great place to wander around, marvel at all the fresh produce, and work up an appetite. You can order all sorts of daily specials at the bar and most of the ingredients are bought in the market!

From here you can either go to La Lonja, a beautiful silk warehouse opposite the market that has a wonderful courtyard, or to Placio Marqués de Dos Aguas. It's an amazingly restored palace in the heart of Valencia.

And of course, it wouldn't be right to be in Valencia without trying a proper paella (for lunch!).

🥘 Yarza is a wonderful restaurant that we go to often. They serve a wide range of paellas and rice dishes, including Paella Valencian which is made with meat, beans, and rosemary, and ones with seafood. It's common in Valencia to order your paella in advance, so make sure you reserve.

After lunch, go to the Turia Gardens which are close by. Walk south, past the rose gardens, towards the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. This is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Valencia and a beautiful place to wander around. You can go to the science museum, the cinema, or the aquarium or see one of the many cultural exhibits in the buildings.

Day 9: Valencia – Beach and Marina

Doing a 14-day Spain itinerary without going to the beach wouldn't be right. I'm not going to tell you that the beach in Valencia is as pretty as those in Mallorca, but it's still a beautiful place to relax.

Start by heading to the marina. You can walk all the way past the port along to the beach which is mainly pedestrianized. The old storage buildings are beautiful and who doesn't love looking at luxury yachts and fishing boats going by? You'll find lots of great bars and cafes for grabbing some breakfast in the streets around the port or you can eat in one of the restaurants on the beach, although it will be much more expensive.

The beach at Valencia is really wide and long, so you'll always find space and it's ideal for taking kids. You can rent paddle boards and there are loads of yoga classes taking place too.

If you're looking for more amazing paella for lunch again, then definitely go to Casa Carmela which is on the beachfront. It's one of the most famous places in Valencia for all kinds of rice dishes.

🌟 But hold out for dessert and go to La Jijonenca for ice cream. They're one of the most well-known throughout the Valencian region and we go there multiple times in a trip!

For dinner, you need to go to my favorite neighborhood in Valencia – Russafa. There are so many amazing restaurants to choose from and the brightly colored buildings are a highlight. It's one of the most bustling parts of Valencia, so make sure you go to soak up the atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Valencia

($$$) Only YOU Hotel

($$) Casual Vintage Valencia

($) Pensión Moratin

Day 10: Travel to Granada – Flamenco Show 💃🏾

Traveling from Valencia to Granada is the longest bit of travel you'll have to do in your two weeks in Spain. If you can, get the direct train to Cordoba and then from there to Granada, otherwise you'll need to travel via Madrid.

You'll likely arrive in the late afternoon, in time to see one of Andalusia's famous flamenco shows. There are lots of tourist traps when it comes to flamenco in Granada, and I asked one of my best friends' mum (who lives there) for a recommendation. And she didn't disappoint. We went to Flamenco Casa Ana and it was amazing. There are 3 shows per evening, so you can book your dinner reservations around those.

Restaurante La Blanca Paloma is a great place for lunch or dinner – just be careful as there's also a bakery with the same name.

🌟 When in Andalusia, but Granada especially, it's very common for restaurants to serve you a tapa with every drink for free. We quite often ordered a drink and ate our fill and then only actually ‘ordered' one dish!

Day 11: Granada – Visit the Alhambra

The Alhambra is the most famous tourist attraction in Granada and it's really one of the most beautiful buildings in the world – it's even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a stunning fortress and palace that looms over the city from the top of the hill. While the palace itself is incredible, I found the gardens even more beautiful. You'll need to book in advance and it's best with an audio guide or local guide.

The neighborhood of Albaicín is definitely worth checking out too. Not only are the white buildings beautiful, but you also get a fabulous view of the Alhambra from the viewpoints. Just watch out for women offering you herbs and to read your palm, they're doing it for money and become very persistent!

For dinner, head to La Tinajas, a wonderful restaurant serving typically Andalusian dishes.

Where to Stay in Granada

($$$) Alhambra Palace Hotel

($$) Áurea Washington Irving

($) Broz Hostel

Day 12: Travel to Seville – Explore the Center

Seville is roughly 2.5 hours away from Granada by train and you'll arrive at Santa Justa Train Station, which is pretty central. On your first afternoon in the city, head to the Santa Cruz neighborhood. It's one of the most famous and liveliest in the heart of the historic Old Town. It's a web of winding streets and beautiful buildings that really show the rich past and mix of cultures present in Seville.

🌟 One of the top things to do in Santa Cruz is visit the Real Alcázar, an incredible Moorish fortress as well as the Gothic Cathedral.

El Librero Tapas y Quesos is an amazing restaurant in Santa Cruz and I'd recommend getting the cheese sharing plate.

Day 13: Seville – Plaza de España

Plaza de España is one of the most famous squares in Spain. It's a beautiful curved square with a lake that you can rent rowing boats! The square is great, but the real star is Maria Luise Park nearby. It's full of large walkways, Mediterranean plants and trees, ponds, and fountains. It's a great place to get shade on a hot day and have a rest from the busy city.

From here, cross over the river and walk along to Triana, a cute neighborhood with loads going on. The Mercado de Triana is a great spot for lunch or dinner and you should definitely try the salmorejo, a kind of cold tomato soup.

There are also lots of restaurants and bars on Calle Betis, many of which have live flamenco shows. The neighborhood is also famous for ceramics and there are loads of boutique shops selling tiles and other decorations.

Day 14: Seville – Lunch and Bye Bye Spain

If you have time, I suggest finishing your 14-day Spain itinerary with breakfast or lunch in one of my favorite places.

We stumbled across Mercado de Feria by accident and had an amazing lunch! There's a restaurant in the middle which obviously used to be the fish counter and it does amazing tapas. There's a lovely vibe too!

Where to Stay in Seville

($$$) Hotel Colón Gran Meliá

($$) Alcázar de María

($) New Samay Hostel

14-Day Spain Itinerary: Frequently Asked Questions

✈️ What's the Best City to Fly to for 2 Weeks in Spain?

Not all Spanish cities have big airports with flights outside of Europe. You'll likely fly into Barcelona or Madrid if you're coming from outside Europe – and they're both great places to start!

🏙️ Which Other Cities Make Sense for This Itinerary?

If you want to make your trip longer, there are plenty of other cities that you could add to this itinerary route. You could stop in Zaragoza between Madrid and Barcelona or Alicante after Valencia. Cordoba is close to Granada too as is especially beautiful during the patio festival. Málaga and Marbella are options too.

🌊 Which Beaches Could You Add to This Spain Itinerary?

This itinerary includes one day on the beach in Valencia, but if you'd like to explore beautiful coves and a different landscape, I'd suggest going to the Costa Brava after Barcelona or to the Costa Blanca which is south of Valencia and – kind of – on the way to Andalusia.

14-Day Spain Itinerary: Final Thoughts

2 weeks is the perfect amount of time to visit some of Spain's most incredible cities and regions. Of course, because of Spain's size, it's impossible to do it all, but this itinerary will give you a great overview of the culture and the differences between the regions in Spain.

I have no doubt that 2 weeks in Spain will leave you wanting to book your next trip there. After all, you've still got the Costa Brava, Bilbao, Cadiz, Menorca, Santander, Alicante… and many more to explore!