Spain is a beautiful country – no wonder I packed my bags after my first trip through Spain and even moved to this beautiful country in the South of Europe. 10 days in Spain are far from enough to discover all the amazing places that Spain has to offer. Despite everything, you can get a trim and exciting impression of this sunny country on a 10-day trip to Spain. For this reason, we have put together three amazing Spain Itineraries that help you see the best of Spain in 10 days.
You can personalize this tour even further so that it fits perfectly with your ideas and becomes your ultimate Spain itinerary 10 days. You’ll also find some helpful tips to help you plan a wonderful and memorable Spain vacation.
How to plan your 10 days in Spain
If you want to travel to Spain, starting planning early (at least before arriving) may be worthwhile. Various factors should be decided before the trip. In this section, we introduce you to the most critical aspects that you need for planning your Spain travel itinerary for 10 days.
SPAIN INFOBOX
Where to stay in Spain: Great quality accommodations for diverse budgets throughout the country. Find an accommodation overview for each destination with reviews from real travelers on Booking.com.
The most popular tours & activities in Spain
Visit the famous Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Guided Tour in Palacio Real in Madrid
Getting there: Make sure to check for the best flight deals on Flight comparison-Sites like Skyscanner.
Transport on-site: By train (regional trains or AVE high-speed train), long-distance bus, or car
Want to rent a car? You can find great deals on RentalCars.
Spain Must-Have: Practical Spanish Travel Dictionary and Spain Travel Guide
Best time to visit Spain
Spain is definitely a great destination to visit in any season. Depending on which place you see and what you want to experience, the season you choose for your trip can make a big difference. It is usually sunny all year long. The Canary Islands also offer year-round beach vacation opportunities (but this article is only about trips through the mainland of Spain). In some parts of the country, you can even go skiing in the winter.
In general, the summers in Spain can get hot, while the winters are rather mild in most areas compared to Central Europe. For us, therefore, the best travel time is late spring to early fall. But remember that it can be very crowded in summer and very hot, especially in the South.
Transport
If you are planning a round trip, you should also consider how to get from A to B before you arrive in the country. In Spain, there are different possibilities.
Bus and train
Public transport in Spain is usually very well equipped and will take you (almost) everywhere. There are traditional and high-speed trains (AVE). But there is also a cheaper way to get to your destination – with a long-distance bus. In addition to the bus company Flixbus, the local bus company ALSA is probably the most popular and largest provider.
You can purchase your tickets either directly at the train stations/bus stations or online at Omio.
Car
Another option is to rent a car on-site or travel in your own vehicle. This way of traveling gives you great flexibility. The highways of Spain are usually of very good quality. Note, however, that you have to pay a toll on most highways.
Travel with your own car or hire a car on-site. I personally use the RentalCars comparison to find the best offer from reputable providers.
Airplane
If you want to travel between the North and South, it sometimes is even cheaper (and definitely faster) to take a flight. Several low-cost airlines are operating throughout the country, e.g. Vueling. However, don’t forget that going by public transport instead is better for the environment.
The most beautiful places to visit in Spain
Of course, the most important thing about your trip to Spain is knowing where to go. If you have a lot of time, you can explore beautiful places throughout the country. The following locations are designed for a 10-day itinerary in Spain. If you have more time, there are so many other extraordinary places to discover in the country.
Travel cost for ten days in Spain
Especially those who are traveling on a budget should think about their Spain travel cost before traveling.
If you plan well and cleverly and use a few simple tricks, you can save a lot on your trip through Spain. The average traveler spends about € 110 per day in Spain. However, as a budget traveler, you can already get by with 40 € a day (during my first trip to Spain we only paid about 20 € a day, but we were traveling with a very small student budget).
For 10 days as an average traveler, you might pay about 1,100 € depending on the accommodation and the means of transport you choose. Note also that the South is usually cheaper than the North.
Spain Travel Tips & Information
If this is your first trip to Spain, it can be good to spend a little time exploring the cultural peculiarities of the country before you arrive. Although Spain is located in Europe, some things are quite different here than there are, for example in Germany. Our Spain travel tips might, therefore, be a helpful read before your trip.
Your Ultimate Spain Itinerary 10 Days
10 days are simply not enough to discover everything in Spain. That’s why you will find below three different routes through the sunny Iberian peninsula, where you can get a wonderful insight into different parts of the country.
Spain trip Itinerary I – North of Spain
Following this itinerary will lead us to the South of Spain. Andalusia is full of Spanish passion, flamenco, and delicious tapas and therefore offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in deep Spain. However, as it can be very hot in the Spanish South, you might prefer not to do this round trip in midsummer.
Day 1 + 2 Madrid
Also, on our second itinerary, we start again in Madrid. The Spanish capital offers a well-developed airport that is easily accessible from all parts of the world. Madrid is also a great starting point to dive into the South of Spain and get used to the Mediterranean climate, as Madrid, located in the middle, is generally not as hot as the Andalucian gems we will visit later on.
As the cultural center of Spain, Madrid is full of fascinating sights, historical features, and many hidden local gems.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Madrid
- Plaza Mayor
- Almudena Cathedral
- Puerta del Sol
Option: Day 3 Toledo
On the journey from Madrid to the South, it’s worth making a stopover in the small town of Toledo, which is just 65 km outside of Madrid. Here you can perfectly discover antique Spain by strolling through the beautiful center, which is full of historic buildings.
The city’s buildings display influences from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish culture, making this UNESCO World Heritage Site very special. No surprise this little town is such a popular day trip from Madrid.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Toledo
- The Cathedral of Toledo
- Alcázar
- San Juan de Los Reyes
Day 3 +4 Córdoba
The third-largest city in Andalusia, Córdoba, has a lot to offer. Formerly known as one of the largest cities in the world, today, it is almost an insider tip. From the times of Murian rule, many Arab influences are still recognizable. But maybe this is precisely what makes this Andalusian city so unique.
Particularly striking is this peculiarity of the city through the Mezquita-Catedral, a former mosque that has been rebuilt into a cathedral.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Córdoba
- Mezquita-Catedral
- Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos
- Puente Romano
Day 5 + 6 Seville
The capital of Andalusia, Seville, awaits you with almost 300 sunny days a year. Legend has it that the city that has a lot to offer, which by the way, is considered one of the hottest cities in Europe, was founded by Hercules.
Seville is the perfect place to discover beautiful Andalusian architecture combined with the exuberant Spanish atmosphere. Also, don’t miss a typical Andalusian flamenco performance, especially in the Triana area.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Seville
- Plaza de España
- Alcázar
- The Cathedral of Seville
Option: Day 7 Cádiz
Also, this Andalusian port city is worth a visit. Cádiz impresses with a cool breeze that blows from the Atlantic Ocean, making this city in the deep South of the country more pleasant in summer than other cities in the area. Cádiz is not yet part of the typical Andalusia itinerary and therefore isn’t as overcrowded with tourists, such as Seville or Córdoba. Nevertheless, Cádiz does convince because it offers everything its more popular siblings offer.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Cádiz
- The cathedral of Cádiz
- Playa de la Victoria
- Church of the Holy Cross
Day 7 + 8 Málaga
Located on the famous Costa del Sol, the Andalusian town is very popular among travelers worldwide. If you want to spend a fantastic beach vacation in the South of Spain, this is the place to be. But even if you aren’t really keen on only relaxing on the beach, there is a lot to do. Not far from the city center, you can find the Montes de Málaga Natural Park. The mountains are filled with beautiful hiking trails and breathtaking nature.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Málaga
- Costa del Sol
- Montes de Málaga
- Day Trip to Ronda
Day 9 + 10 Granada
Granada is definitely one of Andalusia’s most beautiful cities and the Alhambra is world-famous. The city is considered one of the best to discover the Moorish influences of Andalusia, which are still clearly visible today. The best example is, of course, the Alhambra, a Moorish fortress, which is very well preserved and can still be visited today.
But also in the Arab quarter of Albacín, the Moorish influences in this city are more than apparent.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Granada
- Alhambra
- Generalife
- Albaicín Quarter
Option Day 10 Way back to Madrid
If you have to catch an international flight, it might be necessary to return to Madrid. But make sure to also check other, nearer airports like the one in Seville or Málaga.
Spain Itinerary III – Best of Spain in 10 Days
Day 1 + 2 Madrid
And also the last of our 3 itineraries through Spain starts in the capital of the country, Madrid. With its Spanish metropolitan flair, Madrid is just the perfect place to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture. Enjoy the delicious tapas that Spanish cuisine offers and discover many historically and culturally significant buildings in this meaningful city of Spain.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Madrid
- Plaza Mayor
- Almudena Cathedral
- Puerta del Sol
Day 3 +4 Seville
Of course, Andalusia, in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, shouldn’t be missed in order to get an overall impression of Spain. As the capital of Andalusia, Seville is one of the most important cities in the country. Be sure to join a flamenco performance or maybe even learn one or two steps yourself.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Seville
- Plaza de España
- Alcázar
- Cathedral Sevilla
Day 5 Granada
Granada – Definitely one of our favorite cities in Spain. Despite its vast size, this Andalusian pearl offers more of a small-town feeling. With its grandiose tapas and the Arabic-style Alhambra, which can be seen almost from all over the Old Town, this city in southern Spain will captivate simply everyone.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Granada
- Alhambra
- Generalife
- Albaicín Quarter
Day 6 +7 Valencia
Valencia – This city on the Spanish east coast is becoming increasingly popular. Valencia is best known for its outstanding cuisine throughout the country. I’m sure also you have heard of the Valencian Paella before, haven’t you? Valencia is the perfect mix of exciting museums, culture, traditional Spanish architecture, and beautiful beaches. Who could say no to that?
Things you shouldn’t miss in Valencia
- Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of art and science)
- Lonja de la Seda
- authentic Paella
Day 8 – 10 Barcelona
The last point on our list is, of course, my wonderful hometown Barcelona. Even if you can only spend a day in Barcelona, you shouldn’t miss this fantastic city. Located on the east coast, Barcelona offers an excellent climate and sun all year round, as well as a huge variety of cultures, stunning architecture, and excellent Catalan cuisine. Barcelona also has a large international airport serving many destinations worldwide, making it a perfect last destination on your trip through Spain.
Things you shouldn’t miss in Barcelona
- Sagrada Família
- Park Güell
- Las Ramblas & Barrio Gótico
FAQ about Spain travel
It is definitely possible to make a Spain round trip on your own. You can simply follow one of our Spain itineraries or combine them according to your preferences. This way, you are more flexible than with a booked package tour.
It is also possible to travel to Spain by train. Especially between the popular destinations in Spain, there are usually regular train connections. Mostly you have the choice between an AVE (fast train) and the regional trains, but there are also a couple of smaller companies.
Spain and Portugal are popular tourist destinations and offer various great places to visit. It is best to find out about the different places in the country beforehand and use the information to decide which destinations interest you the most. If you have enough time, you can perfectly combine a round trip through Portugal with your trip to Spain.
Spain is a great destination at any time of the year. Temperatures can vary (significantly) across the country, as there are different climate zones. Therefore, the best time for a trip is probably spring and autumn, as it is neither too hot nor too cold.
In Spain, they use the European currency Euro. One US dollar almost equals one Euro, which makes it easy to compare prices for foreigners traveling in Spain.
