8 Days in Spain - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Seville, Madrid & Barcelona

On this tour of Spain's highlights, you'll start in the southern Andalusia region and work your way up through the historic capital of Madrid and finally to the sunkissed Mediterranean coast and Barcelona.

The adventure begins with your arrival in Seville, the capital of Spain's southern Andalusia region. A private guide will take you on a rooftop tour of the city where you can admire the Mudéjar architecture leftover from Moorish rule in the Middle Ages. A dinner of traditional tapas will follow this. Days 2 and 3 involve both cycling and walking tours of Seville's most famous sites, like the Plaza de España, the 15th-century Seville Cathedral, Setas Marketplace, and various gardens and parks.

On Day 4, you'll leave Seville for Madrid, but not before stopping off at the city of Córdoba for a day trip. Here you'll visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, which dates to the eighth century, and tour the ancient Jewish Quarter. Upon arrival in Madrid, you'll kick things off with some culture by visiting the Prado Museum, home to artworks by masters like El Greco, Bosch, Titian, Goya, and Diego Velázquez.

On Day 6, you'll take a train to Barcelona, where you'll enjoy a night out at a local restaurant to sample some fine Catalan cuisine. The next day you'll visit some highlight landmarks like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Sagrada Família, a Gothic/modernist basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí. You'll cap the day with more delicious tapas and fine wine, and on Day 8, it will be time to bid farewell to Spain for your journey home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Discover Barcelona & Ibiza

Get ready for the perfect summer holiday that takes place over eight days. It involves the beaches and culture of Barcelona followed by the nightlife and endless stretches of sand for which Ibiza is deservedly famous. 

Day 1 sees your arrival in Barcelona, and after settling into your hotel, you can head out on a self-guided city tour. On Day 2, you'll enjoy a private guided walking tour where you can visit the sights you might have missed on the first day, like La Sagrada Família, the popular Pedestrian walkway of Las Ramblas, Park Güell, and others. The day concludes with a delicious Catalan dinner in a local tapas bar. 

On Day 3, you'll jet off to the island of Ibiza, known for its wild parties and beautiful beaches. Over the next five days, you'll discover its ins and outs as you enjoy the restaurants and nightclubs of Ibiza Town, laze on myriad beaches while sipping rosé wine, partake in sailing/scuba diving/kayaking excursions, take a nature hike or two, and embark on plenty of other activities. On Day 8, you'll return to the Spanish mainland, where you'll catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Barcelona & Costa Brava Adventure

This Catalan adventure travels to the less-heralded Costa Brava, a gorgeous section of the coast that runs 125 miles (200 km) from Barcelona north to the French border.

Arrive in Barcelona and stroll Las Ramblas, mingling with the crowd as you visit the most iconic sights and historic neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter. For dinner, a local guide will lead you on a culinary journey to the best tapas bars in Barcelona. On Day 2, you'll visit major landmarks like la Sagrada Família as well as other Catalan-Modernismo buildings designed by Gaudí. On Day 3 involves a bike tour of all major areas in Old Town, including bohemian El Raval and trendy El Born.

It's on Day 4 that a driver will pick you up for a 90-minute trip north along the scenic Costa Brava, a section of the coast filled with charming towns, rocky cliffs, hidden coves, and secluded beaches. Here you'll enjoy a coastal hike amid olive groves and oak forests before returning to one such town where you'll overnight. The next day you'll embark on a Salvador Dalí-themed excursion where you'll stop at Figueres, the city where the surrealist master was born; plus, you'll visit a museum dedicated to his works.

On Day 6, you'll discover some of those hidden coves on a kayak tour along the coast; and on Day 7, you'll tour the city of Girona, which is located on the River Onyar and is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture. On Day 8, you'll transfer back to Barcelona just in time to catch your return flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Ultimate Canary Islands Tour 

This island-hopping adventure allows you to experience three of the easternmost of the Canary Islands: Gran Canaria. Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. There's much more than beaches on offer here, and during your stay, you'll visit volcanoes, vineyards, coffee farms, and more. 

Begin your trip in the city of Agaete, located on the northwest coast of Gran Canaria. After settling into your hotel, you'll participate in a welcome meeting where you'll receive all relevant info for your upcoming adventure. Then you'll have the rest of the day to tour the vineyards, avocado orchards, and fruit trees of the Agaete Valley. On Day 2, you'll visit a working coffee farm and organic orange plantation, plus stop at Santa Maria de Guia, a charming village known for producing delicious cheeses.

On Day 3, you'll travel to the mountainous interior of the island, where you'll visit two ancient villages—Tejada and Artenara—hike through forest trails and eventually reach the rock monument of Roque Nublo, which stands at 5,948 feet (1,813 meters) above sea level and offers panoramic views around the island. On Day 4, you'll hop a ferry for the two-hour trip to Fuerteventura Island, where you'll spend the remainder of the day lazing on the golden beaches of Jandia and Cofete.

Day 5 is an active itinerary as you hike through the small gorge of Barranco de La Peña. This is followed by a visit to the Dunes of Corralejo, a park of expansive dunes and long stretches of beaches. At the end of the day, you'll take a ferry 30 minutes to Lanzarote Island and its capital of Arrecife, where you'll overnight. Days 6 and 7 involve exploring national parks, the extinct El Cuervo Volcano, and some viewpoints on Lanzarote's north coast. On Day 8, you'll depart Arrecife. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Road Trip Through Andalusia

Prepare yourself for eight days on the road through Spain's southern region of Andalusia. This is an area rich in Moorish history and abounding with some of the most incredible landscapes and coastal cities in the country, like Málaga, Marbella, and Cádiz.

Start in Málaga, a metropolis at the northern end of the Costa del Sol—the prized section of coastline that stretches for almost 100 miles south along the Mediterranean. It's a historic city, and you can get a vivid sense of its Moorish influences by visiting ancient buildings like the 11th-century fortress of Arab Alcazaba. Day 2 is the start of your great road trip as you pick up your rental car and hit the road south to Marbella, a coastal resort city popular with wealthy holidaymakers. 

After strolling Marbella's luxury marina and shopping in its designer boutiques, you'll head to the inland mountains and the city of Ronda. Carved into a mountain, Ronda offers panoramic views of the gorge and countryside below, and it's also home to a rich bullfighting tradition. After overnighting here, on Day 3, you'll enjoy a tour of a nearby winery and enjoy some local gastronomy for dinner. On Day 4, you'll leave Ronda and visit other "white villages" like Setenil de las Bodegas and Montejaque.

On Days 5 and 6, you'll drive to other famous villages like Grazalema and then overnight in an opulent manor estate near the city of Jerez de la Frontera. On Day 7, you'll reach the western coast of Andalusia and the city of Cadíz. It's a colorful coastal metropolis known for its abundance of ancient watchtowers as well as neoclassical and Baroque cathedrals. You'll discover these and other highlights on a guided tour of the city. On Day 8, you'll return to Málaga for the journey home. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Northern Road Trip: Madrid to the Basque Country

This eight-day road trip allows you to experience Spain's capital as well as the unique culture and coastal roads of the Basque Country.

This itinerary starts in Spain's historic capital, Madrid. On your first night, you'll jump right into Spain's food culture as you discover the bodegas of Barrio Las Letras, followed by a city tour of the city's palaces and cultural landmarks the next day. On Day 3, it's time to pick up your rental car and head to the North. As you leave the city behind, the roads will open up as you make your way to your first stop, the La Rioja wine region. An overnight stay ensures that you have ample opportunity to enjoy the local varietals.

The next morning, you'll continue to San Sebastián. Here, you'll get an introduction to Basque-style tapas (called "pintxos") and take a guided walking tour of the city center and its French-influenced architecture. Your final stop on this route is Bilbao. However, we recommend that you slow down and take your time savoring the coastal views and charming fishing villages along the way, perhaps stopping to see Picasso's famous anti-war piece in Guernica. On your last full day in Spain, you'll experience the revolutionary architecture of the Guggenheim Museum and get your final fill of pintxos before heading home. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Spain Itineraries

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