Spain Grand Journey – 12-Day Itinerary from Barcelona to Valencia

Grand Spanish Journey

Grand Spanish Journey

Embark on a remarkable journey through Spain’s most iconic cities and regions, blending art, architecture, history, and coastal beauty. Begin in Barcelona, where the genius of Gaudí and the buzz of Las Ramblas set the tone for your trip. Travel north to the Basque Country, exploring San Sebastián’s beaches, La Rioja’s vineyards, and Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, where modern design meets regional flavor.

Continue to Madrid, Spain’s elegant capital, home to grand plazas, royal palaces, and world-class museums like the Prado and Reina Sofía. A short trip south takes you to Toledo, a perfectly preserved medieval city where Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures once coexisted.

Next, venture into Andalusia, the soul of Spain. Discover Seville’s royal Alcázar, the Mezquita of Córdoba, and Ronda’s dramatic cliffs before reaching Málaga, the gateway to the Costa del Sol. Enjoy a scenic coastal drive through Nerja and Granada, where the Alhambra crowns centuries of Moorish art and architecture.

Finally, journey east to Alicante, a relaxed seaside city of palm-lined promenades and hilltop castles, before ending your adventure in Valencia, where innovation meets history at the City of Arts and Sciences. 

This itinerary is the perfect balance of culture, history, and Mediterranean allure - and can be managed by public transport for those opting not to drive. 

Highlights by Region:
  • Barcelona: Montjuïc Hill, Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Boqueria
  • Basque Country: San Sebastián’s La Concha Beach, Rioja wine tasting, Guggenheim Bilbao
  • Madrid & Toledo: Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Toledo’s medieval charm
  • Andalusia: Seville’s Alcázar, Córdoba’s Mezquita, Ronda’s Puente Nuevo, Granada’s Alhambra
  • Costa del Sol & Beyond: Málaga, Nerja, Marbella
  • Valencia Region: Alicante’s Explanada de España, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences

Trip Itinerary

Arrive in Barcelona & Get Familiar (1 Day )

Welcome to Barcelona! Depending on your arrival time, begin your journey with a visit to Montjuïc Hill for panoramic views of the city and sea. Wander through its gardens, see the Magic Fountain, or visit the Olympic Stadium. Later, explore the...

The Gaudí Day – Barcelona’s Iconic Architecture (1 Day )

Experience the genius of Antoni Gaudí, whose designs shape the city’s skyline. Visit Park Güell for its whimsical mosaics, explore Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) on Passeig de Gràcia, and marvel at the...

Sporting Heritage - FC Barcelona, Olympic stadium (1 Day )

Experience how soccer conquered Spain and how Spanish soccer conquered the world with a visit to FC Barcelona. For sport enthusiast, a visit to Olympic stadium and neighboring areas is a must. Leave for Madrid in late afternoon and spend the evening...
Highlights from your plan (3)

San Sebastián – Basque Elegance by the Sea (1 Day )

Welcome to San Sebastián, a city where the glamour of Belle Époque architecture meets laid-back beach life. Stroll along La Concha Beach, climb Monte Igueldo for sweeping views, and explore the lively Old Town with its atmospheric...

La Rioja – Wine, Villages, and Relaxation (1 Day )

Spend a leisurely day in La Rioja, exploring vineyards and charming hill towns. Visit a traditional bodega, learn about Rioja’s winemaking, and enjoy a relaxed meal paired with the region’s finest wines.
Highlights from your plan (1)

Bilbao – Art, Architecture, and Urban Energy (1 Day )

Drive to Bilbao, a city where industrial grit meets world-class art and design. Marvel at the Guggenheim Museum, wander through the Casco Viejo, and visit the Santiago Cathedral (Bilbao), a key stop on the Camino de Santiago. End the day with local...

Madrid – The Royal Capital (1 Day )

Arrive in Madrid, where imperial architecture meets vibrant street life. Start at the Royal Palace, stroll through Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, then explore Gran Vía, the city’s bustling artery lined with cafés and shops....

Journey through time to Toledo (1 Day )

Take a short train ride from Madrid to Toledo, one of Spain’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the City of Three Cultures, Toledo blends Christian, Jewish, and Muslim influences in its...

Seville’s Royal Grandeur (1 Day )

Dive into Seville’s regal heart, a city that—according to legend—was founded by Hercules 3,000 years ago. Begin at the Real Alcázar, a dazzling blend of Moorish and Christian artistry, then admire the soaring Seville...

The Moorish Legacy of Córdoba (1 Day )

Just under an hour by train from Seville, Córdoba offers a journey through Spain’s Islamic golden age. Explore the breathtaking Mezquita–Cathedral, a stunning mosque-turned-cathedral that symbolizes centuries of coexistence...

Ronda – Cliffs, Culture & Courage (1 Day )

Seville shares the glory of bullfighting with Ronda, a stunning mountaintop town perched above the deep El Tajo Gorge. Visit the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, and admire the dramatic Puente Nuevo bridge that...

Málaga – Gateway to the Costa del Sol (1 Day )

Continue south to Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso and one of Andalusia’s most vibrant coastal cities. Visit the Málaga Cathedral, affectionately called La Manquita (“the one-armed lady”), and explore the Botanical...
Highlights from your plan (2)

Day trip to Granada and Nerja (1 Day )

Begin your day with a scenic drive along the Costa del Sol, stopping in Nerja, a charming whitewashed town known for its dramatic cliffs and beautiful Balcon de Europa overlooking the Mediterranean. Continue onward to Granada, the crowning jewel of...

Marbella & the Coastal Charms (1 Day )

Begin with panoramic views from the Castillo de Gibralfaro, then wander through Málaga Old Town before heading to nearby Marbella. Lose yourself in the whitewashed alleys and orange-scented Plaza de los Naranjos, and, if time permits, visit...

Mediterranean Getaway in Alicante (1 Day )

Take a direct high-speed train (AVE or Euromed) from Malaga to Alicante, a scenic journey of about 4.5 to 5 hours. Sit back and enjoy views of Andalusia’s olive groves and the Mediterranean coastline as you travel east into Spain’s...
Highlights from your plan (2)

Discover Alicante’s Seaside Heritage and Hilltop Views (1 Day )

Spend your first full day exploring Alicante’s history, local life, and beaches. Start at the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, perched high above the city with sweeping views over the coastline. Walk down through the Parque de la Ereta, which...

History and Innovation in Valencia (1 Day )

Take a day trip north to Valencia on a direct Euromed train (1 hr 45 min each way). Spain’s third-largest city blends historic architecture with striking modern design. Begin at the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex of museums,...

Whats included in this tour

No inclusions available.
  • La Concha Beach
  • Monte Igueldo viewpoint
  • Pintxos crawl through San Sebastián’s Old Town
  • Wine tasting in Haro
  • Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
  • Casco Viejo (Old Town Bilbao)
  • Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
  • Plaza Nueva
  • Plaza Mayor
  • Gran Vía
  • Royal Palace
  • Puerta del Sol
  • Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
  • The Prado
  • Toledo Cathedral
  • Alcázar of Toledo
  • Church of Santo Tomé
  • Jewish Quarter of Toledo
  • Mirador del Valle viewpoint
  • Roman Bridge of Córdoba
  • Grand Mosque
  • Puerta del puente
  • Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
  • Málaga Cathedral
  • Malaga Botanical Garden
  • Alhambra
  • Granada Cathedral
  • Plaza Balcón de Europa
  • Burriana Beach
  • Castillo de Gibralfaro
  • Puerto Jose Banús
  • Plaza de los Naranjos
  • Explanada de España
  • Alicante Marina
  • Castillo de Santa Bárbara
  • Parque de la Ereta
  • Barrio de Santa Cruz
  • Museo Arqueológico de Alicante (MARQ)
  • Mercado Central
  • City of Arts and Sciences
  • Valencia Cathedral
  • Central Market Valencia

Accommodation

  1. Stylish Hotel in the Heart of Barcelona Or Similar

    Address: Carrer de la Diputació, 250, 08007 Barcelona, Spain

  2. Hotel Riu Plaza España Or Similar

    Address: Calle Gran Vía, 84, 28013 Madrid, Spain

  3. Apartment in Seville Or Similar

    Address: Feria, 6, 1 Planta, 41002 Sevilla, Spain

FAQ & Expert Tips

No FAQs available.
  • 0
  • 0

Cart

  • {{ item.documentId.name }}