¡Hola, España! Get ready to fall hard for a country that knows how to live: loudly, deliciously, and with a little bit of ‘salero’ in every day. Today, we invite you on a 10-day Spain itinerary: from the elegant energy of Madrid to the golden Mediterranean ease of Valencia, finishing in the bold, creative swirl of Barcelona. Along the way, you will taste, stroll, and “wow” your way through locations that show different sides of Spain.
This tour is paced to feel exciting! Some moments are guided through tapas culture, storybook history, or into a cooking experience. Then there’s plenty of time for your own discoveries: a shaded plaza that begs for a café stop, a market that you want to explore, a sunset that turns into “just one more perfect photo”.
In short: expect sunshine, flavor, and daily little surprises in this Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona Tour!
¡Bienvenidos a Madrid! After landing in Spain’s buzzing capital, today is all about easing in and catching your first glimpses of the city. Once you have checked in, head out for a relaxed wander through the historic center where the warm, lively energy of Madrid seems to wear year-round.
Start around Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, then drift toward the Royal Palace area for a dose of skyline drama and classic Spanish grandeur. Keep the pace slow: this is a “let the city introduce itself” kind of afternoon. Keep your Spain travel planning light and flexible, and enjoy that first evening feeling: you are on Spanish time now! Let the adventure start!
This morning, dive into the city’s artistic soul with a visit to the Prado Museum, home to some of Spain’s greatest masterpieces. The Prado is the kind of place that makes you pause and admire the scale, the stories, and the sheer beauty of it all. Afterward, trade art for nature in Retiro Park. Madrid’s favorite green escape is made for slow wandering: shady paths, elegant fountains, people rowing on the lake, and that relaxed vibe that feels like summer (even in winter).
In the afternoon, meet your guide and go on a tapas food tour in a neighborhood market where locals actually shop. Wander the stalls, meet the flavors of Spain up close, and enjoy little tastings along the way, hopping from bite to bite with stories, laughter, and the kind of easy joy Madrid does best.
This day is all about the storybook streets of Toledo, one of the best places to visit in Spain. Arrive by train and step straight into one of Spain’s most historic gems. Perched above a river and surrounded by ancient walls, Toledo feels like a place where time has stood still. It’s compact, atmospheric, and instantly different from Madrid, and that is why it is part of any Spain cultural itinerary.
With a guided walking tour, explore the city’s highlights and layered past. Toledo is famous for its centuries of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim heritage, so expect grand viewpoints, beautiful old stone lanes, and landmarks! This is the kind of day that leaves your camera full and your imagination even fuller.
¡Adiós Madrid, hola road trip! Today, you pick up your rental car and head east toward the Mediterranean, but with one memorable detour. Your stop is Cuenca, a small city with a big personality. Famous for its dramatic setting and those jaw-dropping Casas Colgadas, or the hanging houses, that cling to the cliff like they are defying gravity. Wander the old town’s stone streets, pop into a viewpoint or two, and soak up that “how is this place even real?” feeling that Cuenca does so well.
After stretching your legs and savoring a leisurely lunch, it’s back on the road for the final push to Valencia. The scenery shifts as you go! Inland hills giving way to brighter skies and coastal light. By the time you arrive, Valencia’s breezy, seaside energy is ready to welcome you!
Today is all about diving fork-first into the city that gave Spain one of its most beloved treasures: paella. The day starts where all great Spanish meals begin: at the market. Wander through colorful stalls stacked with produce, seafood, spices, and all the ingredients that make Valencian cooking so vibrant. It’s local, lively… and yes, you may suddenly want to taste every olive in sight!
Then it’s aprons on and let’s cook! In your paella class, you will learn the secrets behind getting it just right: the slow simmer, the perfect rice, the sunshine-in-a-pan flavor. And the reward? Sitting down together to eat the paella you have prepared, fresh and proud, with that delicious feeling of “we made this!” By the end of the class, you will have tasted Valencia, a highlight of any Spanish food and culture trip! Olé to that!
Today you hit the road again, trading Valencia’s coastal feel for the creative spark of Barcelona. But first, you have a very Spanish kind of pit stop: Vilafranca del Penedès, right in the heart of wine country. Think rolling vineyards and peaceful countryside.
Here, you will enjoy a wine experience that’s equal parts tasty and charming: a cellar visit, a little behind-the-scenes intro to the region’s wines, and of course a flavorful wine and cheese tasting. After a leisurely sip-and-snack moment, you continue on to Barcelona, arriving with happy hearts, well-fed smiles, and good mood for the days ahead.
Barcelona wastes no time introducing itself. One step outside and you’re in a city that feels alive on every corner! Wander along Las Ramblas, the famous promenade where the atmosphere is part street show, and part local routine. Then duck into the Gothic Quarter, and watch the vibe change completely. The streets tighten into a beautiful maze of stone alleys, quiet little squares, and buildings that seem to lean in with a thousand years of stories.
Later, explore Barcelona the tastiest way possible: with a food tour. Discover the flavors through market stalls, small bites, and local specialties. Expect lots of “you have to try this,” and leave with a happy, full belly!
Today is a full-on dive into the wonderfully wild imagination of Antoni Gaudí, the architect who gave Barcelona its most unforgettable look. Start with Casa Batlló, a building that feels more like a living creature, with wavy lines, sea-colored tiles, and playful details. It’s pure Modernista magic: quirky, elegant, and totally Barcelona.
Next, make your way to the city’s ultimate icon: La Sagrada Família. The facades are jaw-dropping, with so many symbolic details that you will want to circle them slowly just to take it all in. Then it’s up to Park Güell, where Gaudí turned a hillside into a joyful dreamscape of mosaics, curved pathways, and whimsical shapes, with postcard-perfect views over the city. By the end of the day, you will feel like you have wandered through a colorful universe.
On your third day in Barcelona, the city is yours to explore! Start in La Ribera, a medieval neighborhood with a creative pulse. Its narrow streets are lined with boutiques and cozy cafés that invite you to linger. Here you can find cultural gems, like the stunning Palau de la Música Catalana and the Picasso Museum.
Later, head up to Montjuïc, a hill dotted with gardens and scenic paths. You can explore the peaceful Parc de Montjuïc, visit standout museums like the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, and soak up history at landmarks such as the hilltop castle. If you’re in the mood for something more modern, the Fundació Joan Miró adds a colorful finish.
As this 10 days in Spain travel comes to an end, it is time to say hasta luego to Barcelona. Head to the airport for your journey home, taking with you Spanish color, flavor, and memories that will definitely call you back someday.
Ten days, three unforgettable cities, and a journey that shows Spain in all its best moods! In this Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona trip, you have a mix of art with daily life, history with easy wandering, and plenty of delicious food moments! Looking for more food stops, deeper culture, or a few hidden gems only locals swear by? We can shape your itinerary around your pace and passions! Spain is waiting… and it’s always a good time to say ¡vamos!