A Memorable 10 Day Itinerary for Spain
- Skyler
- Jun 26, 2023
- 4 min read
We were absolutely thrilled when we finally booked our flight to Spain, but with so many incredible destinations to choose from, we found ourselves facing a dilemma of where to begin our adventure. As first-time visitors, we were overwhelmed by the possibilities that this beautiful country had to offer.
In this blog post, I'll outline our itinerary, providing you with an overview of our trip to Spain that I thought was a great taste of Spain. For more in-depth information about each location we visited, be sure to check out subsequent posts to come dedicated to each magical city.
Days 1 - 3: Madrid
Flying in from Houston, we arrived in Madrid bright and early, eager to explore everything this city had to offer. From fascinating historical sites to mouthwatering cuisine, Madrid quickly became one of our favorite destinations in Spain.
Hotel: Only You Boutique Hotel
Day 3 - 6: Seville
We caught a taxi in the morning and boarded a morning train from Puerta de Atocha station to set off to Seville arriving at Santa Justa station which was about a 2.5 hour trip. Once we arrived in Seville we were surprised at the limited availability of Uber so had to wait in the taxi line for about 20-30 minutes to catch a ride to our hotel. We instantly fell in love with its captivating charm and storybook setting. We didn't have the chance to visit the Alhambra on a day trip as planned, but definitely one of our favorite cities.
- Hotel: Hotel Alfonso by Marriott
Day 6 - 8: Valencia
Taking another morning train from Santa Justa station, we made our way to Valencia on a 4.5 hour trip arriving at Joaquin Sorolla. Getting a taxi here was no problem! Even though our time in Valencia may have been short we got a glimpse of Spain's Mediterranean coast and the interesting City of Arts and Sciences.
Hotel: Hotel Helen Berger
Day 8 - 10: Barcelona
The final stop on our Spanish adventure was the vibrant city of Barcelona. We took a taxi to the Joaquin Sorolla train station and arrived in Barcelona in 2.5 hours at the Sants station and can walk outside to find many taxis waiting to take you to your hotel. I advise taking a taxi vs. trying to find your Uber unsuccessfully like we did!
Day 11: Fly Home from Barcelona
With our hearts filled with beautiful memories, it was time to bid Spain adieu and head back home. We chose to fly out of Barcelona because we were able to maximize our points by flying out of Barcelona instead of heading back to Madrid. It is worth looking at your options to fly out of a different city when you have limited time to see a country and if it makes economical sense. We had to leave quite early to catch our flight and made sure to arrange a taxi with our hotel the night before to make sure we had an easy time finding one as we were told that super early in the morning might be more challenging to get one on time.
Important Considerations for Spain Trip Planning
Embrace the Siesta: Be prepared for the traditional siesta, as many shops and restaurants close during the day for a few hours. Take advantage of this time to visit museums or simply relax and recharge.
Late Dinners: Spaniards typically have dinner later in the evening compared to other countries. Embrace the local lifestyle and enjoy the leisurely dining experience that often starts around 9 p.m. or be the first and maybe only ones in there at 8 p.m. like we were!
Train Travel: Trains are an excellent mode of transportation in Spain, offering convenience and efficiency. We have friends who have visited Spain before and rented a car, but something we didn't want to worry about. If you go the train route, you will need to purchase your train tickets in advance through Renfe, the national railway company. We purchased ours about 60 days in advance and chose the premium or elige seating option to provide us the most flexibility and comfort.
Transportation Options: Taxis and Ubers are available in most areas of Spain, but the availability may vary depending on the location - like Seville.
Language Skills: While traveling around Spain, we found that knowing some basic Spanish proved helpful in certain situations. However, don't worry if your language skills are limited, as many people speak English in popular tourist areas.
Budget-Friendly Cuisine: One of the delights of traveling in Spain is the affordability of food. You can indulge in delicious meals without breaking the bank. Don't miss the opportunity to savor traditional tapas, regional specialties, and local wines. (Sangria is for the tourists and not actually a thing in Spain!)
Exploring the North: While we didn't have the chance to visit the northern region ourselves, we have heard incredible things about places like Bilbao and San Sebastian. Consider adding these destinations to your Spain travel bucket list for their stunning landscapes, unique culture, and renowned culinary scenes.
Whew that's a lot of Spain to cover in one post so check out other posts for a comprehensive guide to the cities we visited!
