Feel the vibrant energy of Barcelona and the rich culture of Valencia with this six-day tour of eastern Spain. Enjoy a private encounter with the iconic Sagrada Família and indulge in Catalan tapas. Treat yourself to a spa day and sail toward family-run wineries where the famous sparkling cava is produced. Eat your way across Valencia, the home of paella, then float along an underground river system. This short but immersive trip blends gastronomy, relaxation, adventure, and architectural wonders.

Highlights

  • Enjoy an extended private visit to the Sagrada Família
  • Sail along the coast of Barcelona and visit two family-run organic wineries
  • Taste local tapas in both Barcelona and Valencia
  • Float along Europe's longest navigable underground river

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Barcelona, Private Extended Sagrada Família Visit Barcelona
Day 2 Self-Guided Beach Day, Sailing Excursion & Winery Tour Barcelona
Day 3 Ancient Bath Experience, Evening Tapas Walk Barcelona
Day 4 Self-Guided Gothic Quarter Walk, Train to Valencia Valencia
Day 5 Old Town Walk & Tapas Experience, Caves of San José Day Trip Valencia
Day 6 Train to Barcelona, Depart  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Private Extended Sagrada Família Visit

Aerial view of Sagrada Família at sunrise
The world-famous La Sagrada Família will be completed in 2026

Hola, and welcome to Spain! You'll first land in Barcelona, the vibrant and charming capital of Catalonia. Expect a stunning Mediterranean feel with city beaches and a thriving culinary scene. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. Rest, refresh, and get ready for an afternoon on foot.

A private guide will lead you on an extended visit through the world-famous Sagrada Família, the stunning Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Gain fast access to the popular monument and discover the church's fascinating history while admiring the detailed facades, unique interiors with arched ceilings and stained glass, and the views from atop the tower, Torre de la Pasión. From its 19-story height, you'll have one of the best panoramic views of Barcelona.

Day 2: Self-Guided Beach Day, Sailing Excursion & Winery Tour

Self-Guided Beach Day in Barcelona
Hop from beach to beach on your self-paced beach day in Barcelona

You don't have to go far if you're just looking for a morning swim in Barcelona. After breakfast, pack a bag with a towel, sunscreen, and a swimsuit and head for the Mediterranean Sea. Choose to visit one of the city beaches close to the center or venture out to more remote destinations down the coast. Laze on the sand, enjoy a swim, or try watersports, like kayaking, snorkeling, or paddleboarding. If you have the time, consider a day trip north to the southern Costa Brava, about an hour away.

Make sure you're back in time for your gastronomic luxury sailing expedition. As you sail along the Mediterranean coastline, you'll learn how the sea, sunshine, and climate work to support Catalan viticulture. Enjoy views of Port Vell, several beaches, and landmarks like La Sagrada Família and Montjuïc as you sail by with a wine in hand. After 90 minutes, dock at El Masnou Port to explore the Penedés wine region, one of the oldest in Spain and known for its naturally sparkling cava. Visit two family-owned organic vineyards and enjoy tastings before returning to the city by car.

Day 3: Ancient Bath Experience, Evening Tapas Walk

Totally relax by floating weightlessly in the pools (Photo courtesy of Aire Ancient Baths)
You'll find complete relaxation while floating weightlessly in the pools 

Today is yours to simply relax. Enjoy a sleep-in followed by a leisurely breakfast, then set out to explore the streets of Barcelona at your own pace. At some point, you'll enter the Aire Ancient Baths, a relaxing spa experience inspired by Roman, Greek, and Ottoman bathing traditions. Here, you'll truly embrace holiday mode and emerge a new person after a special experience that includes soaking in various hot baths, a floral exfoliation using Himalayan pink salt and kukui oil, a white clay body mask, a head massage, and a glass of cava or fresh orange juice.

An evening tapear (tapas walk) is a quintessential night out in Spain, and as night falls, a local foodie will lead you through three suburbs in one of the country's top culinary cities. Duck into alleys to find beloved tapas spots as you learn about Spanish gastronomy and discover how eclectic Catalan cuisine can be. Start with cheese and Iberian ham in the Gothic Quarter, transition to seafood by the beach in the old fisherman's quarter of Barceloneta, and then end with traditional Catalan plates in El Born. At each stop, pair your bites with local wine and beer.

Plan your trip to Spain
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 4: Self-Guided Gothic Quarter Walk, Train to Valencia

Walk through the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona
Walk through the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona on a self-guided walk today

After breakfast, lace up your sneakers and take yourself on a self-guided walk through Barcelona's oldest district—the Gothic Quarter. This hip neighborhood is filled with trendy bars, restaurants, and small boutique shops, offering a taste of where the historic and modern Catalan capital collide. Stroll narrow cobblestone streets, passing stunning medieval architecture, hidden plazas, and the breathtaking Barcelona Cathedral.

Enjoy a quick lunch, then return to the hotel to collect your luggage. A private car will take you to the train station for your three-hour train to Valencia, a dynamic and culturally rich Spanish destination. Upon arrival, a private car will take you to your new accommodation. Settle in, then venture out for paella—the famous Spanish rice dish was invented here, so there's no better place to try it.

Day 5: Old Town Walk & Tapas Experience, Caves of San José Day Trip

Plaza de la Virgen
This morning you'll pass through Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia's Old Town

Combine the charms of Valencia's Old Town with a 10-course tapas feast on today's walking tour. Follow a local expert through the ancient streets set within the city's 11th-century walls and learn about the rich history and patchwork of architectural styles. Over 90 minutes, you'll pass some of the city's most iconic sites, including La Lonja, Plaza de la Virgen, and Mercado Central. Finally, you'll enter an 11th-century Moorish cave for your 10-course tapas feast. Enjoy a parade of plates that highlight local ingredients, unique techniques, and award-winning wines.

This afternoon, you'll float along Europe's longest navigable underground river, the Coves de Sant Josep, which stretches for nearly 2 miles (3 km). Meet your guide for a 40-minute transfer to Sierra de Espadan Nature Park, where you'll board a boat. Enjoy an hour floating through large open spaces with ceilings dripping with dramatic stalactites, and learn the history and geology of this remarkable river system and cave network. After, you might be able to swap to a kayak and paddle out of the caves. After, you'll return to Valencia with your guide.

Day 6: Train to Barcelona, Depart

Mercado Central, the principal Food Market in Valencia, Spain.
You could drop by Mercado Central, the main food market in Valencia, for snacks for the train

It's your final morning in Spain. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a private driver collects you from the lobby for a transfer to the train station. Here you'll take a return high-speed train to Barcelona, where another driver will meet you for a transfer to the airport.

More Great Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other Spain itineraries, explore different ways to spend six days in Spain, or discover the best time to visit Spain.

Map

Map of Barcelona & Valencia Experience - 6 Days
Map of Barcelona & Valencia Experience - 6 Days