6 Days in Spain - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Spain Beach Getaway: Barcelona & Menorca

This island beach vacation delivers the most bang for your buck. It begins under the Catalan sun in Barcelona for two days of sightseeing before you head off to one of the most beautiful islands in the Balearic: Menorca.

The trip starts with your arrival in Barcelona, at which point you'll transfer by private car from the airport to the city center. You can then stretch your legs on a self-guided city tour. We recommend taking the cable car up Mt. Montjuïc for 360-degree views of the city. You could also visit Poble Espanyol, an open-air museum in the style of a traditional Spanish village. At sundown, be sure to head to the Magic Fountain of Montjuic for the most epic light and water show in the city. 

On Day 2, you'll visit some historic buildings and locales that define the city of Barcelona. First, you'll travel to Park Güell, a masterpiece of a park designed by famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Then you'll tour what might be Gaudí's most iconic building in the city, the Sagrada Família cathedral. On Day 3, you'll take a short hour-long flight from Barcelona to Menorca. You'll arrive in the capital of Mao and will immediately pick up your rental car so you can explore the island more freely. You can visit many coves and beaches here, fronting teal and turquoise waters. Options include Es Calo Blanc, Sa Mesquida Playa, and Cala d'en Tortuga.

On Day 4, you'll travel to the western side of the island and travel the stunning coast a different way: by horseback. On Day 5, you can take an optional kayak tour around the unspoiled Menorcan coast, and on Day 6, you'll head home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Off the Beaten Path in Madrid & Barcelona

Over six insightful days, you'll get to see sides of Madrid and Barcelona that many tourists never get to experience. This includes visiting noteworthy city sights and neighborhoods and discovering the culture through its world-class cuisine. 

In Madrid, you'll tour must-see sights like the Puerta del Sol and Fountain of Cibeles, as well as visit bohemian neighborhoods. This includes Barrio las Letras, made famous by authors like Cervantes. In the evening, you'll head to Calle Huertas for a meal. On Day 2, you'll see one of the finest collections of European art in the world at the El Prado Museum before visiting the workshops of some of Madrid's most accomplished artisans. This includes designers of bullfighting costumes, makers of handcrafted guitars, manufacturers of goat-skin wine bags, and more. Afterward, you'll cap the day at a nearby restaurant or bar.

On Day 3, you'll take a train to Barcelona for the last half of your Spanish sojourn. You'll stay in Old Town, and after checking into your hotel, you can visit famous locales like Olympic Park and Barceloneta Beach. This will be followed by an evening tapas tour. The next day, you'll enjoy a private guided tour of Sagrada Familia, and then you'll get to see Barcelona from the water on a sailboat cruise along the coast. On Day 5 is a tour of other famous buildings, like Gaudí's Casa Milá, followed by browsing Barcelona's most popular food markets, flying home the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Barcelona & the Costa Brava

This trip along Spain's Mediterranean coast makes the perfect quick holiday. Not only do you get to visit one of the most culturally rich cities in the world in Barcelona, but you'll venture north and discover the equally stunning Costa Brava. 

You'll arrive in Barcelona, and there's no better place to stretch your legs after a long flight than Las Ramblas, the main pedestrian thoroughfare running through historic neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and down to Barceloneta Beach. On Day 2, you'll take a guided walking tour of the city and stop at famous Gaudí buildings like Sagrada Familia. The next day, you'll get to zip through the city on a bicycle tour that will take you from the Gothic Quarter to Park de la Ciutadella and down to the beach. 

On Day 4, you'll leave the city and head north to the medieval seaside village of Begur, located on the Costa Brava. This 156-mile (251-km) section of the coast runs up to the border with France and is dotted with beautiful beaches, rocky bays, and charming towns. After visiting the beaches around Begur, on Day 5, you'll head to the nearby Empordà wine region to sample some of Spain's world-class varietals, like Grenache and tempranillo. On Day 6, you'll transfer back to Barcelona and head home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Andalusia

What better way to enjoy Spain than on a tour of the Andalusia region? This trip to the country's southernmost region includes stops in its capital of Seville, plus tours of historic cities like Málaga and Córdoba. 

The journey begins with your arrival in Seville. This regional capital is known for its Moorish history and architecture, its flamenco culture, and its incredible food. Right off the bat, you'll get to enjoy the food on a guided tour of Seville's best tapas bars. On Day 2, you'll get to know the city on a walking tour, and you'll visit the major sights like the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a palace that dates to the 11th century. 

The next day, you'll transfer to Córdoba, another grand Andalusian city with both Muslim and Roman Catholic heritage. A tour of the city reveals this in the grand Mezquita (mosque/cathedral) and the Alcázar of Córdoba, where Christopher Columbus arranged his voyage to the West Indies. On Day 4, you'll transfer south to the coastal city of Málaga, but not before stopping to hike the Caminito del Rey, a network of bridges suspended over 2,000 feet high along a rocky gorge.

On Day 5, you'll enjoy a private tour of Málaga, and there's a lot to see. There's the ancient Roman Amphitheater, the renaissance Cathedral of Málaga, and of course, the Picasso Museum, which is dedicated to the city's most famous son. In the evening, you can head to the historic Old Town for a traditional tapas dinner. Learn more

Itinerary #5 Ultimate Tour of the Basque Country

This six-day tour of Basque Country allows you to explore the two largest cities in the region: Bilbao & San Sebastián. Many travelers are familiar with the lovely beaches and Belle Epoch architecture of the latter, but the riverside metropolis of Bilbao also has much to offer, particularly the famous Guggenheim Museum. 

You'll arrive in the largest city in Basque Country, Bilbao. No rest for the wicked as you partake in a city tour where you'll visit, among other locales, the Casco Viejo ("old quarter"), which is right on the waterfront of the River Nervión. On Day 2, you'll take a cooking class and learn to prepare traditional Basque cuisine, followed by a tour of the Guggenheim. This masterpiece of contemporary design is the brainchild of Frank Gehry, and inside are works by artists like Warhol, Koons, and Chillida.   

On Day 3, you'll take a trip to the Basque countryside, where you'll learn about the tradition of this region by witnessing  Basque rural sports live. These include stone-lifting and wood-chopping competitions. The next day you'll transfer about an hour up the coast to San Sebastián, stopping along the way at the small island of Gaztelugatxe, which features a long stone bridge connecting it to the mainland. Afterward, you'll stop at a local winery for a tasting and then have lunch.

Your last full day sees you taking a guided city tour of San Sebastián, visiting its Old Town as well as landmarks like the early 20th-century Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the Puente María Cristina, which crosses the River Urumea. In the evening, you'll get to enjoy the city's famous tapas culture. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Spain Road Trip: Madrid to La Mancha

Get behind the wheel on a six-day road trip from Madrid south to the famous La Mancha region, home to one of the greatest fictional characters in literature: Don Quixote. Not only will you visit this arid plateau region, but you'll also stop in Toledo, one of the most historic cities in Spain.

First, you'll arrive in Madrid and can head out on a self-guided tour of the city. Visit sights like the Puerto del Sol and Fountain of Cibeles before heading to the "literary quarter," Barrio las Letras, in the evening for a tapas tour. On Day 2, you'll hop in a rental car and travel south to Toledo. Once the capital of Old Spain, Toledo is a historic gem sitting on the Río Tajo. On a tour, you'll visit the most famous sights like the 13th-century Toledo Cathedral and the 16th-century Alcázar fortress.

On Day 3, you'll drive farther south into the arid plains of La Mancha. You'll pass by the famous white windmills referenced in "Don Quixote" as well as drive through the Campo de Calatrava, an area known for volcanic hills and glassy lakes. The next day you'll take a wine tour of the Valdepeñas area (La Mancha is the biggest wine-producing region in Spain), and on Day 5, you'll return to Madrid for a guided tour. On Day 6, you'll depart. Learn more

More Great 6-Day Spain Itineraries

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