Spain is a beautiful place to visit. The people are relaxed; the culture, lively; the lifestyle and traditions, magnificent; the cuisine, exquisite; and there are tons of heritage sites to see.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Spain. The views are best at these times; the landscape is picturesque. If you want your itinerary to be by train, you need that scenic landscape to make the most of your train rides.
Planning to spend a 7-days vacation in the country? Know that you do not have the room to see it all.
However, you can follow the guide below to plan a visit to three of the biggest cities across the span of Spain while ensuring that you do not miss the most important things to see.
Malaga
After checking out from the airport, it will be best to go to your hotel to relax.
Have a warm bath, eat, snuggle under the blanket and sleep the jet lag or tiredness off. A well-rested body and mind on the first day of your itinerary is sure to help you enjoy yourself thoroughly.
Malaga is quite touristy, so factor that in. The weather in the city is fine and perfect for sightseeing and relaxation or breaks.
Your first stop should be the Alcazaba. Alcazaba is a beautifully-designed fortress built in the 11th century during the period the Muslims ruled Al-Andalus. Atop its towers sprawls a striking view of Malaga.
You should also visit the Roman theater located just towards the west of the Alcazaba tower. Relax at the theater, people-watch, and just rest your feet.
After relaxing, head to the Picasso Museum. Pablo Picasso’s works are displayed here, although some of his most famous paintings are in Madrid.
A rich experience of these sites is enough for your first day in Malaga.
On your second day, you should focus on the cuisine, wine, and art in Malaga. Head to the local market, walk around, eat out, and pick up some snacks.
Museo del Vino is dedicated to documenting the processes and history of wine-making in Malaga. Educate yourself here and do some wine tasting.
Walk around Soho to see murals and paintings decorating its walls.
End your Malaga itinerary at the city beach, Playa de Malagueta. You can do whatever you want; picnic, sunbathe or swim. Restaurants and bars are around the beach for you.
Madrid
On your third day, board a Malaga to Madrid train. Enjoy the scenic route for all of the two and half hours of the journey and get ready for the country’s capital.
After you have settled in, start your get-to-know at the Puerta del Sol. This bubbly square has the “Bear and Strawberry Tree” statue, delicious pastries, and the Kilometer 0 – the central point of Spain.
Take the Calle Arenal street to the Opera House. Walking through the square in front of the Opera House, Plaza de Oriente, leads you to the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Take a guided tour of the largest royal palace in Europe and leave for the next-door building which is the Almudena Cathedral (Madrid’s Catholic Cathedral).
To wrap up the day, go back to the palace and walk down the stairs to the Sabatini Gardens. The gardens lead you to an exit from the palace.
Walk down Calle de Bailén until the Plaza de España. This square houses the impressive monument of Miguel de Cervantes. Equally importantly, there are restaurants around the square for you to eat your dinner.
On day 4, walk down Paseo del Prado.
Along a distance of two kilometers stands the Reina Sofia National Art Museum, Prado Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Of all three, we recommend that you visit the Prado Museum. Around the museum is the Royal Botanic Gardens (the largest herbarium in Spain) and the Buen Retiro Park (the green heart of the city).
At the end of Paseo del Prado is Plaza de Cibeles square with the iconic fountain. Take a selfie and climb up the terrace of Cibeles Palace for a magnificent view.
Find your way to the only Egyptian temple in Spain, Templo de Debod, to watch the sunset.
Barcelona
Depart for your last destination on this itinerary, Barcelona, on your fifth day.
Barcelona is known as the second capital of Spain and the capital city of Catalunya. Catalunya is a territory of northern Spain that has distinctive traditions, language, and cuisine from the other part of Spain.
It takes about 3 hours from Madrid to Barcelona, and this presents an opportunity to rest your feet and just lounge.
Just make sure you board the most luxurious train you can afford. Check into a hotel upon your arrival and set out.
When in Barcelona, you must visit the Sagrada Familia. Called “the most extraordinary interpretation of Gothic Architecture”, this church designed by Antoni Gaudi feels as pristine as it catches your breath.
On Passeig de Gracia is another painstaking creation of Antoni Gaudi called Casa Batllo. With a facade crafted from broken ceramics from local factories, Gaudi designed everything in this house. Everything.
You can have your lunch in restaurants around Casa Batllo and then take a five-minute walk to La Pedrera (Gaudi’s best work).
While away time after this by just walking around to soak in the Spanish ambiance. Wrap up your day with some dinner.
On your second day in Barcelona, make sure you walk through Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Barcelona.
A tour around this street will educate and entertain you about all there is to Barcelona. Its origins, past, present, and future. Eat lunch and then take a bus to Park Guell. This is the most beautiful park in Barcelona. It was turned into one by Gaudi from a failed luxury housing estate plan.
The park contains the house Gaudi lived in his later years. From Park Guell, you can get an all-encompassing view of Barcelona.
On your final day in Barcelona, you should relax a lot more. Spend some more time in bed and grab a late breakfast. And then go out to see the Camp Nou Stadium, which is the home of FC Barcelona.
Go and sunbathe at the beach after you have had your fill of the stadium.
Leave around sunset to see the Magic Fountain. Located at Placa Espanya, the Magic Mountain is a colorful water fountain that shoots water to the rhythm of popular music. Grab dinner and go back to your hotel room to retire.
Here, distinguished ladies and gentlemen is a wrap to your one-week itinerary in Spain.
Remember! This is only a dent of all there is for you to see in Spain.
The cities of Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Toledo are also popular tourist destinations in the beautiful country of Spain. You can plan another itinerary featuring these cities on your next visit to Spain.
Before you do that, start packing your bag for this current one-week vacation, will you?