How many days do you need in Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao & San Sebastián?
- Most travelers spend 12-14 days in Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, and San Sebastián combined
- Visiting Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, and San Sebastián in 8 to 11 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Granada, Laguardia, and Burgos
How Many Days to Spend in Barcelona
How Many Days to Spend in Madrid
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Recommended Itineraries for Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao & San Sebastián
Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Madrid, Explore | Madrid |
| Day 2 | Gourmet Walking Tour | Madrid |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Segovia & Pedraza | Madrid |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Bilbao, City & Museum Tour | Bilbao |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to the Basque Countryside | Bilbao |
| Day 6 | Transfer to San Sebastián, Coastal Tour & Wine Tasting | San Sebastián |
| Day 7 | Explore San Sebastián | San Sebastián |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Hondarribia & Pasai Donibane | San Sebastián |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Barcelona, Optional Sailing Excursion | Barcelona |
| Day 10 | La Sagrada Família & Barcelona Market Tour | Barcelona |
| Day 11 | Free Day in Barcelona or Optional Day Trip | Barcelona |
| Day 12 | Depart Barcelona |
Travelers who want to experience Spain's legendary culinary scene won't want to miss this 12-day food-forward tour filled with tapas, wineries, olive-oil tastings, and more. Start with a gourmet tour of Madrid, enjoy a homecooked meal in the Cantabrian Mountains, dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Cantabrian Coast, taste txakoli wine in San Sebastián, and end with an architecture and market tour in vibrant Barcelona. Read more
How to travel between Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao & San Sebastián
How to get from Bilbao to San Sebastián
The port city of Bilbao and the foodie metropolis of San Sebastián are two essential stops in Spain's Basque Region. A trip between the two is typically a short, one-hour drive across 62 miles (100 km), so the recommended way to travel is by private transfer or with a rental car. These methods allow you to make stops in a few villages along the beautiful Basque coastline, such as Gaztelugatxe or Zumaia. Other options include the train and bus. Read more
How to get from Madrid to Barcelona
Madrid and Barcelona are 386 miles (620 km) apart, and the quickest way to make the trip is by plane, which will take just over an hour. There are other options to consider, including by train, car, and bus, depending on your preference. Read more
How to get from Barcelona to Bilbao
Bilbao and Barcelona are 290 miles (470 km) apart, on opposite coasts of northern Spain. To travel between them, you can opt for an hour-long direct flight or a road trip that can take up to a whole day if you stop at the towns and vineyards along the way. Read more
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