2 Weeks in Spain - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Culture, Food, and Wine Tour of Spain

This two-week holiday combines the best aspects of Spain in one vacation itinerary. The food comes in the form of gourmet cooking classes and meals at the best tapas restaurants; the culture exists in the nation’s Moorish fortresses, royal palaces, and art museums. And at every point on the journey, the wine will flow freely.

You’ll arrive in Barcelona and can immediately get a lay of the land on a self-guided walking tour. Day two is more organized as you visit iconic sites like the Gothic La Sagrada Familia cathedral on a guided tour followed by an aerial excursion over the city in a helicopter. Day three is an immersion into Catalan cuisine with a cooking class in a private kitchen led by a master chef.

Day four you'll travel by train from Barcelona to the nation’s capital of Madrid. On day five you'll enjoy a private tour of the city’s famous sights like the Royal Palace and El Retiro Park, the “green lung” of the city. The afternoon of day six is yours to enjoy however you’d llke, but that evening get ready for a sultry flamenco show. Bonus in that beforehand you’ll visit a flamenco dance academy and the workshop of a master craftsman of Spanish guitars.

On day seven you’ll transfer south to Seville, the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region. Over the next couple days, you’ll get to the heart of Seville on a guided tour, visiting its iconic 15th-century Cathedral and the Alcázar, a former Muslim fortress turned royal palace after the reconquest of Spain by the Christians. After a tour of a historic olive-olive-oil estate on day 10, you’ll transfer to Málaga by car, but not before stopping in Ronda for a tour at a winery located in a former convent.

Day 11 you’ll get to learn all about Málaga’s most famous son when you visit the Picasso Museum followed by a meal at an authentic tapas bar. The next day you’ll do like the locals and embark on a time-honored pilgrimage/parade known as romeria. Day 13 you’ll head to Granada, where you’ll tour its most famous sight, the Alhambra, a Muslim fortress built in the 9th century. And on day 14 you’ll leave Málaga for home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights of Spain & Portugal

On a 14-day tour of the Iberian Peninsula, you’ll visit the highlights of both Portugal and Spain. This includes not only visits to historic cities like Lisbon, Madrid, Porto, and Barcelona, but also day trips like river cruises, wine tours, and hiking Spain's beautiful Costa Brava.

The starting-point on this two-nation adventure is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The first couple days are all about discovery as you tour its cobbled streets, ride its rickety cable cars, and visit highlights like the 12th century Lisbon Cathedral and the upscale shopping district around Chiado Square. Day three you’ll take a trip to the Sintra Mountains and the famous Palacio Nacional da Pena, a 19th-century Moorish/Gothic palace.

Day four you’ll head north for the city of Porto, but not before stopping for a tour at Coimbra, a medieval hilltop city overlooking the Mondego River. The next day you’ll enjoy a private tour of Porto, visiting its historic Liberty Square and walking across Dom Luís I Bridge, a sturdy piece of iron that runs over the Douro River.

Day six you’ll head deep into the Douro Valley on a river cruise and wine tour. The next day you’ll fly to Madrid and will explore the city on your own and then enjoy a private tour on day eight. The highlight of this excursion is a visit to the Prado Museum, which houses artworks by masters like Velazquez, El Greco, and Goya. You’ll finish the day like a local with a meal in one of Madrid’s great tapas bars.

The following morning you’ll take a day trip to Toledo, a well-preserved medieval city that at one time was home to a mix of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities. Day 10 you’ll hop a high-speed train for Barcelona, and upon arrival you can visit highlight locales like Barceloneta Beach and the Magic Fountain of Montjuic. Day 11 is a guided tour of all those legendary buildings designed by Gaudí, like the church La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.

Day 12 you’ll transfer north of Barcelona to the postcard beach town of Begur, located on Catalonia’s stunning Costa Brava. You’ll get to spend the next couple of days exploring not only the beaches but the hiking trails that run along some of the most gorgeous sections of the Mediterranean coast. Finally, on day 14, you’ll return to Barcelona where you’ll catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Barcelona & the Costa Brava

A two-week trip to Barcelona is a great idea, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t visit some of Catalonia’s beautiful countryside as well. This itinerary eliminates that scenario by combining city tours of Barcelona’s most famous sights with countryside wine tours and road trips along the northern Costa brava.

Arrive in Barcelona for three days of exploration and cultural immersion. On your own you can stroll the famous pedestrian street of Las Ramblas; on a tour, you’ll visit famous landmarks like the Sagrada Familia Gothic cathedral and Park Güell, one of the largest green spaces in the city.

On day four you’ll head outside Barcelona to Santa Maria de Montserrate. This 11th-century monastery is perched on a mountain of the same name and overlooks Catalonia’s gorgeous countryside from thousands of feet above the ground.

Day five kicks off your coastal road trip as you’ll pick up a rental car and drive to the medieval beach town of Begur, located on the Costa Brava. This region runs all the way from Barcelona north to the border with France and is known for beaches, coastal cliffs, and historic cities and villages. The next couple days you’ll see these sights, including walking the cobbled streets of Girona and riding a bicycle through the Baix Empordà, one of the most stunning coastal areas of Catalonia.

On day eight you’ll take to the water on a kayak tour of the Costa Brava, followed by a wine tasting in the vineyards near the city of Figueres on day nine. After spending a free day on the Costa Brava, you’ll venture beyond Girona on day 11 to postcard medieval villages like Rupit. Then it’s off to the river gorges of the Pre-Pyrenees Mountains in national parks like Guara and River Vero. On day 13 you’ll finish the road trip back in Barcelona before catching your flight home on day 14. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Best of Andalusia

A 14-day jaunt is perfect to see as much of Spain’s largest region—Andalusia—as possible. On this itinerary you’ll criss-cross the area, witnessing living history in the form of Moorish palaces and castles as well as experiencing the tastes of Andalusia on wine tours and nights out at authentic tapas bars.

Seville kicks off your two-weeks in southern Spain. You won’t waste any time, as that evening a private guide will take you on a hop around some local tapas bars. Day two involves a private walking tour of Seville where you’ll see highlights like the 16th-century Seville Cathedral (the largest Gothic cathedral in the world), and the Alcázar, a Christian royal palace built over the site of a former Muslim fortress.

Day three your guide will lead you on a tour of Triana, a colorful little neighborhood on the Guadalquivir River that historically was the headquarters of the Inquisition and today is a trendy bohemian quarter. Day four you’ll travel east to the ancient Roman city of Córdoba and tour its neighborhoods, and on day five you’ll transfer southeast to Granada. Upon arrival you’ll walk the harrowing Caminito del Rey, a network of metal walkways suspended along a gorge over 2,000 feet above the ground.

On day six you’ll take a private tour of the Alhambra, the 9th-century Muslim palace/fortress that watches over the city. The next day is another private tour, this time of the Albaicín, Granada’s well-preserved Moorish district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After Granada, on day eight, you’ll transfer to the coastal city of Málaga for another evening visit to the hottest tapas bars. Day nine includes a private tour of Málaga that stops at the Roman Theater and the Picasso Museum.

On day 10 you’ll pick up a rental car and hit the road west to the city of Ronda. Situated atop a mountain gorge, this is one of the most romantic locales in Spain. Over the next few days, you’ll discover its highlights on tours of local wineries and a visit to the Plaza de Toros (bullring).

Day 12 you’ll drive to the countryside and the postcard “white village” of Grazalema. The following day, you’ll cap your Andalusian adventure with a wild cultural offering that involves a show by the Royal Equestrian Academy and their dancing horses. Day 14 you’ll return your rental car and depart Spain. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Madrid, Seville, Granada & the Balearic Islands

This is another two-week highlights tour of Spain. However, beyond Madrid and Andalusia, this itinerary features the added destination of the Balearic Archipelago, home to some of the most beautiful islands in Europe.

Fly into Madrid, and if you aren't too jet-lagged you can opt for an art walk in the city that includes a stop at the El Prado Museum. On day two you'll take a guided tour of Madrid de los Austrias. This is the historic center of Madrid that's home to the Royal Palace as well as the Plaza Mayor, one of the grandest plazas in Spain.

On day three you'll hop a train south to Seville and upon arrival will make a beeline for the historic Old Town, where you'll enjoy a trip to various tapas bars and even see a live flamenco show. Day four is a private city tour of Seville's highlights, and you'll spend the next afternoon in Córdoba, touring the Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral), Alcázar, and the historic Jewish Quarter. 

Day six you'll transfer to Ronda and tour the city as well indulge in a wine tour. Then it's off to Granada for a visit to the Alhambra as well as the adjacent gardens of Generalife, a former summer palace for Muslim royalty. The gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Day eight you'll leave mainland Spain and fly east to the island of Menorca. This is one of the smaller islands in the Balearics but there's no shortage of natural beauty here. Upon arrival in the capital of Maó you'll pick up a rental car and can head out and visit postcard beaches like Punta Prima and Sa Mesquida Playa. Day nine you'll go on a horseback riding tour along the rugged western coast of the island, where some of the most remote beaches are.

Day 10 you'll fly from Menorca to the larger island of Mallorca, one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Upon arrival in the capital of Palma, you'll pick up another rental vehicle and can drive off to see the Moorish fortresses and medieval landmarks in the area. Day 11 you'll visit many of these sights on an organized tour, with stops at the 13th-century Palma Cathedral, the 10th-century Royal Palace of La Almudaina, and the 14th century Castell de Bellver, which is perched on a hill overlooking the city.

Day 12 you'll see Mallorca from the water on a sailing tour around the coast. There are many secluded coves and bays with crystal clear water perfect for snorkeling. On day 13 you'll lace up your hiking boots for a walk along the Tramuntana Mountains, which run along the northwestern side of the island. There are beautiful throwback villages that you'll stop at here, including Deià and Sóller, the latter of which has a nice waterfront promenade. Day 14 you'll leave Mallorca for home. Learn more

Itinerary 6: Northern Spain Road Trip

There are few more exciting prospects than a two-week road-trip through Spain. This itinerary is particularly special because it starts in Madrid and continues north into Basque Country, where you'll find some of the most ruggedly beautiful landscapes, richest culture, and most delicious food in Spain.

Upon arrival in Madrid, you'll head out for an evening food tour on Calle Huertas, which is home to many tapas bars. Day two you'll take a half-day guided tour of the city that includes highlights like the Plaza Mayor. Afterward, you can visit the gardens of El Retiro Park, such as the Jardín de Vivaces, Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez, and the rose garden. On day three you'll pick up your rental car and head north to the historic town of Peñafiel, located in the Ribera del Duero wine region. 

After overnighting amid the vineyards, you'll next travel to Léon, a well-preserved ancient city that began as a Roman camp in the 1st century BCE. You'll take a guided city tour and visit landmarks like the Roman Walls, Plaza Mayor, historic Old Town, and the 13th-century Catedral de Léon cathedral. On day five you'll drive to the Ribeira Sacra river valley, stopping to take a tour of the historic village of Astorga. On day six, after a riverboat cruise, you'll leave Ribeira Sacra for the coastal city of Vigo.

Day seven you'll get some sun on a day-long boat tour around the Cíes Islands, which are known for their white-sand beaches. That evening you'll drive to Santiago, the capital of Spain's Galicia region. Day eight you'll dive into the city's culture with a cooking class and tour that visits many historic sites, including the 11th-century Cathedral of Santiago, which is supposedly the burial place of Saint James the Great. It's for this reason the church is the final destination on the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Day nine you'll drive north to the Roman-era city of Lugo, where you'll take a tour and enjoy a traditional lunch. After a visit to another historic town, Oviedo, on day nine, you'll continue the drive north into the Basque region and the city of Bilbao, which sits on the estuary of the Nervión River. A city tour here stops at famous neighborhoods like Old Town, and of course, includes a visit to the most famous landmark in the city: the Guggenheim Museum. 

On day 12 you'll drive along the stunning Basque coast from Bilbao to the seaside resort city of San Sebastian. On a tour, you'll visit the Parte Vieja (Old Quarter) of the city, plus stop at historic buildings like the City Hall and the Puente María Cristina bridge. You'll also partake of San Sebastian's food scene, which is renowned for a type of tapa called pintxos (pronounced "peenchos"). You can hop from bar to bar sampling these delicacies until your heart's content. On day 14 you'll depart Spain. Learn more

More Great 14-Day Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Spain trip? Check out these other 14-day Spain itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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