15 Days in Spain - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary 1: Best of Spain Highlights Tour

On this 15-day highlights tour of Spain, you’ll enjoy its major highlights like Madrid’s El Prado Museum, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, and flamenco shows and tapas bars in Seville. But you’ll also delve deep into the culture, visiting olive-oil estates and Iberian pig farms, enjoying sherry wine tours, and hiking the mountains of Andalusia. 

Begin in Madrid, and after shaking off a bit of jet lag you can head out and explore the city on your own. Perhaps go shopping on the famous Gran Vía boulevard or dine at Botín, the world’s oldest restaurant. Days two and three involve private tours of sights like the Royal Palace, the famous El Prado Museum, and stop-ins at the workshops of local artisans

On day four you’ll visit the medieval city of Toledo, where on a guided tour you’ll see its historic monasteries, synagogues, and alcázars. You’ll also sample the deliciously sweet marzipan produced here and visit a foundry that produced the renowned  “Toledo steel” used in some of the finest swords ever made.

Day five you’ll arrive in the Andalusia region of southern Spain and its capital of Seville. You’ll get a sense of the culture right off as you enjoy an evening flamenco performance and dinner at an authentic tapas restaurant. The next day you’ll see its history of Muslim occupation and Christian conquest in the Moorish and Gothic architecture you’ll visit on a private tour. The 15th-century Seville Cathedral is one such fine example.

After touring a working olive-oil estate on day seven, on day eight you’ll press on to Córdoba and see famous city sights, like the Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba), on a private tour. Day nine is a combined visit to a farm that raises pigs to produce Spain’s prized Iberico hams, plus a visit to Jerez de la Frontera, which is Andalusia’s sherry wine country.

Day 10 you’ll visit the mountaintop town of Ronda, which Ernest Hemingway described as the perfect spot for honeymooners. You’ll tour a winery here and on day 11 you’ll hike around the gorgeous countryside. After arriving in Granada, you’ll visit the iconic hilltop fortress called the Alhambra. Then it’s off to Barcelona on day 13 for cycling tours of its most historic neighborhoods and visits to iconic Gaudí-designed buildings like the Sagrada Família Church. On day 15 you’ll depart. Learn more.

Itinerary #2: Ultimate Food, Culture, & Wine Tour of Spain

To get the most out of a trip to Spain, you’ll want to make sure the trip includes a bit of everything. This excursion strikes the perfect balance between cultural activities and food tours as you’ll take cooking classes in Barcelona, visit the historic sights of Madrid, witness the Moorish architecture of Seville, and enjoy wine tours in Andalusia.

You’ll arrive in Barcelona with time to enjoy a self-guided walking tour. Your second day you’ll get a birds-eye-view of the city on a helicopter flight and then taking to the streets as you visit iconic buildings like the Gothic cathedral La Sagrada Familia. After seeing the sights, on day three you’ll experience its tastes with a private Catalan cooking class taught by a master chef.

Day four you’ll transfer by high-speed train to Madrid where you can go shopping or take in a show on Gran Vía, one of the main thoroughfares in the city. Day five is a private walking tour of the grand plazas and Royal Palace of Madrid, and day six you’ll have free but when the sun sets it will be time for an authentic flamenco show.

Day seven you’ll hop another train, this time south to Seville, the capital of the country’s Andalusia region. Over a couple days you’ll tour the most famous Moorish/Roman-Catholic sites, such as the Alcázar of Seville and the 15th-century Cathedral, while also enjoying the city’s convivial and delicious tapas culture. Day nine caps your Seville adventure with a trip to a nearby olive-oil estate, where you’ll tour the facilities and enjoy a tasting of various oils.

Your 10th day in Spain you’ll transfer to Málaga but not before stopping in Ronda for a wine tour. One of the most romantic medieval cities in Spain, Ronda sits atop a mountainous gorge and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Day 11 might just be your biggest cultural immersion yet as you take part in romeria, which is a traditional pilgrimage from Málaga to a religious site outside the city. it’s more of an occasion for costumes and parades than pious solemnity.

Day 12 you’ll move on to Granada. Not only is this city in an ideal location at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but Granada is home to the famous Alhambra. You’ll get to know this 9th-century Muslim fortress quite well on a tour of its grounds and gardens. Days 13 and 14 involve some other incredible Moorish sights in the city of Córdoba, such as its Mezquita, 14th century Alcázar (palace), and its well-preserved Jewish Quarter.

Day 15 you’ll return to Madrid for one last evening in Spain’s capital before departing the next day. Learn more.

Itinerary #3: Spain Highlights

This is another irresistible highlights tour of Spain. Not only will you get to visit unforgettable cities like Madrid and Seville, but you'll travel deeper into Andalusia and the coastal city of Granada before closing out the adventure in the Balearic Islands. 

Upon arrival in Madrid, you can opt for a half-day guided art walk that includes a visit to the El Prado Museum, which houses one of the most impressive collections of European art in the world. Day two you'll take a guided tour of the city highlights, and on day three you'll make the trip to Toledo. Here you can tour impressive buildings like the Alcázar de Toledo, and the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, which dates to the 12th century.

Day four you're off to Seville by train. Head to its historic Old Town for a night enjoying tapas and live flamenco performances. The next day you'll tour the city with an expert guide, and on day six you'll make a quick trip to Córdoba to see its highlights and stroll its Jewish Quarter.

On day seven you'll leave Seville and stop in the mountaintop city of Ronda and enjoy its sweeping views of the Andalusian countryside. Here you'll enjoy a wine tour before continuing on Granada. This was once the seat of Moorish rule in Spain, and on day eight you'll get a vivid sense of this on a tour of its Alhambra, the 9th-century fortress that watches over the city.

Day nine you'll fly from Granada to Menorca, a small and tranquil island in the Balearic archipelago. Famous for its rocky coves and turquoise waters, you'll be able to explore this island over a couple of days in your rental car and even on horseback. Be sure to visit beautiful beaches and coves like Sa Mesquida Playa and Cala d'en Tortuga.

Day 11 you'll fly from Mallorca to its larger sibling of Mallorca, one of the most popular island vacation spots in Europe. Right off you'll explore the capital of Palma, which abounds with Moorish and medieval architecture, like the 13th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. Day 13 you'll enjoy a private sailing tour around the island, and on day 14 you'll hike the craggy Tramuntana Mountains, which feature some of the best views of the west side of Mallorca. Day 15 you'll fly home. Learn more. 

Itinerary #4: Ultimate Northern Spain Road Trip

Over 15 days on the road, you'll visit some of the most beautiful locales in northern Spain. This, of course, includes the Atlantic coast and Basque Country, but to get there you'll drive through unforgettable cities like Léon and Santiago de Compostela. 

You'll arrive in Madrid and dive headfirst into the culture with an evening tour of the city's best tapas bars. After a guided city tour on day two, day three you'll leave the capital for the Ribera del Duero wine region. You can spend the remainder of the day strolling the vineyards and sipping world-class vino.

On day four you'll drive to Léon, a city that got its start way back in the 1st century BCE as a Roman camp. You'll see its famous Roman Walls and medieval Old Town on a guided excursion. On day five you'll drive to the mountainous river canyon region of Ribeira Sacra, but first, you'll stop in the Roman/medieval village of Astorga for a quick tour. Day six you'll see more of the Ribeira Sacra's natural splendor on a boat tour of the River Sil. 

Day seven you'll drive to Vigo, on the Galician coast, and take an excursion by boat to the nearby Cíes Islands. While not as famous as the Balearics, they have one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the world. Day eight you'll drive to the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela. This well-preserved medieval city has an impressive cathedral, which is the endpoint for the famous Camino de Santiago religious pilgrimage route. In Santiago, you'll take a gourmet cooking class plus a city tour.

Day nine you'll continue north to the city of Lugo, which has such impressive Roman walls that they've earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Day 10 you'll make the drive east to Oviedo, a colorful and well-preserved historic town in the Cantabrian Mountains. Here you'll take a tour of the various parks and Gothic churches.  

Day 11 you'll push farther east along the coast to Bilbao, the largest city in Basque Country. On a tour, you'll visit its historic Old Town plus its most famous building, the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum. Day 12 you'll take another drive along stunning Basque coast to San Sebastián, one of the loveliest seaside resort cities in Europe. On day 13 you'll tour the city and enjoy the dining scene, and on day 14 you'll tour the countryside. Day 15 you'll head home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Highlights of Spain & Portugal

By visiting both Spain and Portugal, you get to experience the best of the Iberian Peninsula. Over 15 days you'll see the greatest hits, including historic cities like Lisbon and Porto, plus you'll get to travel north of Barcelona and hike around the stunning Costa Brava.

Start in beautiful Lisbon and spend the first couple of days touring Portugal's capital. You'll visit the historic medieval castles and plazas, ride up the city's hills in rickety cable cars, and indulge in authentic Portuguese cuisine. On day three you'll embark on one of the most popular excursions from Lisbon, to the Palacio Nacional da Pena, a 19th-century romanticist castle located in the Sintra Mountains. You'll also visit the charming fishing village of Cascais.

Day four you'll leave Lisbon and head north to Porto but with a stop in Coimbra, a historic city overlooking the Mondego River. On day five you'll take a walking tour of Porto, visiting its historic center and the impressive Praça da Liberdade, Gomes Teixeira Square and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. The next day you'll take a trip to the Douro River Valley, a fertile region that produces some of the best wine in Portugal. You'll visit a winery here and enjoy a tasting.

On day seven get ready for a flight to Madrid and a couple days of city tours. Day nine you'll sojourn to Toledo before catching a train to Barcelona on day 10. Upon arrival, you can explore on your own, possibly ascending Mt. Montjuic for epic views of the city. During a guided tour on day 11, you'll visit iconic sights like the Gothic La Sagrada Familia cathedral, Ciutadella Park, and Park Güell.

Then it's time for something different. On day12 you'll travel north of Barcelona to the Costa Brava, a section of incredible coastline that runs all the way up to the border with France. You'll stop in medieval coastal villages like Begur and enjoy hiking around the rugged coast and beaches. Day 14 you'll go wine tasting in the nearby Empordà region before transferring back to Barcelona. Day 15 you'll depart. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip

This 15-day self-drive road trip offers the best of Spain from Madrid to Andalusia. Even better, along the way, you'll stop in one of the lesser-visited yet equally historic regions of the country, La Mancha.

Split your first two days in Madrid between afternoon walking tours and evening excursions to the best tapas bars. On the third day, you'll pick up your rental car and drive to Toledo. You'll visit Arab, Muslim, and Christian monuments like the Alcázar de Toledo, and the Moorish Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca.

On day four you'll continue south from Toledo to Valdepeñas, which is a major wine-producing area in the heart of La Mancha. Before arriving in Valdepeñas, you'll get an introduction into La Mancha culture when you visit the historic town of Consuegra as well as tour a saffron museum in Madridejos. You'll even participate in a Manchego cheese workshop.

Day five you'll take a wine tour of Valdepeñas before moving on to the Andalusia region and Córdoba. Day six you'll see Córdoba's Moorish sights on a guided tour, and the next day you'll drive to Seville. Upon arrival, you'll head straight to Old Town for a hop around the city's best tapas bars. Day seven you'll tour Seville's most historic sights, like the 14th century Alcázar of Seville, a royal palace that is an example of the Christian reconquest. 

Before leaving Seville you'll make a day trip to the countryside for a display of horsemanship by a national equestrian club followed by a sherry wine tasting. On day 10 you'll drive to Ronda with a stop in the "white village" of Arcos de la Frontera for a walking tour and a traditional Andalusian lunch. Then you'll hike the Caminito del Rey, which is a network of bridges clinging to the sides of a gorge thousands of feet off the ground. Afterward, you'll drive to Granada and tour the Alhambra.

On day 13 the trip begins to wind down as you spend a leisurely afternoon in the country at a traditional farmhouse with local hosts enjoying a lunch of homemade tapas. Day 14 you'll drive to the coastal city of Málaga and enjoy authentic tapas bars along the Calle Marques de Larios. You can even visit the Picasso Museum—after all, the man himself was born in Málaga in 1881. Day 15 you'll depart. Learn more.

More Great 15-Day Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other 15-day Spain itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.