Highlights
- Tour Barcelona's many highlights, like La Sagrada Familia and Mt. Montjuic
- Enjoy horseback riding along the coast of Menorca
- Explore the coasts of Menorca on a kayak excursion
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Spain - Self-Guided Barcelona Tour | Barcelona |
| Day 2 | Visit Park Güell & Sagrada Família | Barcelona |
| Day 3 | Flight from Barcelona to Menorca - Explore | Menorca |
| Day 4 | Horseback Riding in Menorca | Menorca |
| Day 5 | Menorca Free Day - Optional Kayak Tour | Menorca |
| Day 6 | Depart Spain from Menorca |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Spain - Self-Guided Barcelona Tour
Welcome to Spain!
Upon arrival at Barcelona's El Prat Airport, a private driver will take you into the city where you can check into your hotel and unwind. You'll then have the afternoon free to explore on a self-guided tour.
We recommend first visiting Mt. Montjuic and the surrounding area. Montjuic is a famous hill that stands 1,988 feet (606 meters) high and overlooks the Port of Barcelona. Take the Montjuic Cable Car from the metro station near Olympic Park, which takes you up to the 17th century Castle Montjuic and offers panoramic views of the city. You can also access Montjuic via cable car from Barcelona Beach and by funicular elevator adjacent to the cable car.
The Poble Espanyol is also fun to visit. Constructed in 1929, this open-air museum features over 100 recreated buildings in the style of traditional Spanish villages. When the sun goes down over the city, make sure you're near the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, named for the dazzling display of water and colored lights that occur after dark. It's the best free show in the city, one whose effect is heightened by the hundreds of spectators and a communal atmosphere.
Day 2: Visit Park Güell & Sagrada Família
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet a local guide who will whisk you away in a chauffeured vehicle for a half-day tour. The destinations are two of the most impressive works by the legendary Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí: Park Güell and the Sagrada Família.
First, you'll visit Park Güell. Located atop Carmel Hill in north Barcelona, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fine example of Gaudí's boundary-pushing modernist style. The park takes up 42 acres and you'll be able to marvel at every building as you stroll the walkways and gardens. There are also incredible views at many points in Park Güell that look out over the city.
Next up is the Sagrada Família, the iconic Roman Catholic basilica with an impressive mix of Gothic, Catalan-modernism, and Art Nouveau architectural styles. Despite construction on the church beginning in 1882, it's still technically under construction and was only consecrated in 2010. Upon arrival, the guide will reveal insight into the Sagrada Familia's fascinating history, and you'll glean even more info as you explore the interior.
Around lunchtime, you will part ways with your guide. On your own, you can visit Ciutadella Park. Open since 1881, this green lung of Barcelona takes up 70 acres and features sculptures, lakes, gardens, playgrounds, and the Barcelona Zoo. You could easily spend the remainder of the afternoon here and not run out of things to do and see.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Flight from Barcelona to Menorca - Explore
In the morning a driver will transfer you to the airport where you'll catch a one-hour flight to Menorca. One of four islands in Spain's Balearic Archipelago, Menorca is ideal for travelers who prefer a tranquil beach holiday to the constant partying of its western neighbor Ibiza.
You'll arrive in Menorca's capital city, Maó, where you'll pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel. After checking in and unpacking you can relax for a bit before heading out to explore the island.
If you just can't wait to hit the beach, there are many options around the capital. Es Calo Blanc is located about five miles south of the city and just south of the airport. There may not be much in the way of sand here, but the rocks hugging the cove are good spots to lay your towel and make great platforms for diving into crystalline lagoons. Cala d'en Tortuga, a few miles northeast of Maó, is another great option located in S'Albufera National Park, a nature reserve.
Punta Prima is about the same distance outside the capital and located near the southern tip of the island. There's a large beach here and ample parking, but know that it tends to get crowded. Sa Mesquida Playa is just a couple miles from Maó on the east coast, and it's a gem. It features a long and crescent-shaped sandy beach hugged at either end by promontory hills that protect the cove from wind.
If you're a bit of a foodie, be sure to try the island's famous Mahón cheese. Named after Menorca's capital, this is a smooth hard cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk. It's unique in that it has a somewhat salty, spicy flavor mixed with fruity and sweet aromas. Whatever your opinion of it, Mahón cheese has passed the test of time—Menorcans have been producing it on the island for over 700 years.
Day 4: Horseback Riding in Menorca
Today you'll enjoy a leisure activity perfectly suited for an island with a stunning coastline like Menorca: horseback riding.
In the morning you'll drive 25 minutes to the western edge of the island near the medieval city of Ciutadella. It's a historic and beautiful city, but now's not the time for strolling its old cobbled streets.
Instead, you'll visit the rocky coast south of Ciutadella, home to some of the most gorgeous coves on the island. Here you'll saddle up and begin the 2.5-hour horseback ride along the famed Camí de Cavalls (Path of the Horses). This is a coastal route that various occupiers of Menorca, from the Moors to the British, used to patrol the island for centuries. You'll pass beautiful coves like Cala Fustam, an isolated spot hiding a white-sand virgin beach and turquoise waters.
After the ride, you'll transfer back to your hotel in the capital. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to continue exploring the city on your own. If you're a history buff with an interest in archeology, there are some fascinating sites in and around Maó.
Right outside the city are the megalithic monuments of Trepucó and Talatí de Dalt. These are the remains of settlements from the Talaiotic culture, a society that existed during the Iron Age. Another archeological gem near to the capital is the 19th-century Mola Fortress. This impressive stone stronghold was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II of Spain to protect Maó's port.
For more history, visit the Museo de Menorca. It offers fascinating exhibits detailing Menorca's cultural timeline over the centuries and includes ancient sculptures, ceramics, tools, and jewelry. Plus there's also 19th-century art, antique furniture, and photographs.
Day 5: Menorca Free Day - Optional Kayak Tour
Today is a free day to enjoy however you see fit. If you choose to hit the beach and spend your time sunbathing, no one will fault you.
However, if you're traveling during the summer months, you can opt for a kayak tour along Menorca's coast. There are a number of routes around the island, including a tour of coastal caves. This four-hour trip leaves from the beach of Es Canutells, on the southeast side of the island. After three hours of paddling, you'll reach the Cala Coves, an area famous for pebbly beaches, clear waters, and limestone cliffs containing dozens of caves you can explore on foot.
You can also choose the Mongofre route, which leaves from Na Macaret. This beach is located on the northeast of the island just above Albufera des Grau National Park. Over a couple of hours, you'll stop at a number of protected areas along the coast plus Arenalet de s’Enclusa and Mongofre. These uncrowded beaches are ideal due to their remote location and lack of road access.
Day 6: Depart Spain from Menorca
In the morning, a driver will meet you and transfer you to the airport. You'll then catch a flight back to mainland Spain, where you'll meet your connecting flight home. Adios!
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