10 Days in Spain & Italy - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Italy & Spain

Discover the classic highlights of Italy and Spain on this trip crafted for first-time visitors. Starting in Rome, you'll visit iconic sites like the Pantheon and Colosseum with a guide and detour into the Alban Hills. Continue to Florence for a winery tour through the Chianti Hills before hopping over to Spain to admire Barcelona's famed architecture and Madrid's impressive art collection. With a mix of history, art, cuisine, and rural charm, this itinerary promises a well-rounded introduction to two of Europe's most vibrant countries.

Welcome to Italy! Your adventure begins in the renowned capital city of Rome. While here, you'll delve into the city's culinary scene during a food tour and visit iconic sites such as the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and the Colosseum alongside a guide. An optional tour of Vatican City is also on the agenda, followed by a day trip to the wine-producing Castelli Romani region. Next, board a train bound for Florence and soon find yourself walking in the footsteps of da Vinci and Michelangelo during a city tour and being whisked into the countryside for a winery experience in the Chianti Hills.

Midway through your trip, a short flight brings you to Barcelona, Spain, where you'll waste no time refreshing at your hotel and joining a tapas experience through the Gothic Quarter. Spend the following day admiring Antoni Guadí architecture while on a walking tour, then settle in for a relaxing train ride to Madrid. Upon arrival, start your stay by browsing markets dating back to medieval times, including the Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado Ildefonso. Lastly, dedicate a day to the Habsburg district's history, culture, and architecture on a private tour before bidding adiós to Spain. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Culinary Journey Through Italy & Spain

From a Neapolitan pizza masterclass in Naples to pintxos bar hopping in Bilbao, this 10-day trip through Italy and Spain is all about the food. Whether you're an aspiring foodie or love sampling new flavors, this itinerary is the perfect introduction to each country's markets, street food scenes, fine-dining restaurants, and picturesque wineries. You'll also embark on guided tours and independent walks around Naples, Rome, Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Madrid.

Hopefully, you've arrived hungry, as after arriving in Naples, you'll head out on a street food tour through Mercato della Pignasecca and San Gregorio Armeno. Walk up an appetite the next morning while exploring the city independently and delve into the secrets of Neapolitan pizza during a cooking class. The following day features a visit to Pompeii, a once-thriving city buried by volcanic debris, and a delightful dinner of local specialties. Then, whizz to Rome by train and spend two days here admiring prolific Roman ruins, learning to make traditional pasta, and sipping wine in the idyllic town of Frascati. 

The second leg of your journey begins with a flight to Bilbao, a port city in Spain renowned for its food culture. A one-night stay gives you ample time to join a pintxos (Basque tapas) tour and discover city highlights before transferring to San Sebastián. Spend the evening dining at one of the many pintxos bars, then dedicate the following day to sipping wine in the picturesque La Rioja region. Of course, Madrid is a must-visit on any food-focused trip, so you'll round off your adventure by roaming the lively San Miguel Food Market and winery hopping in the nearby Las Ventas region. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Coastal Spain & Southern Italy Trip: Barcelona, Costa Brava, Amalfi Coast & Naples

Perfect for ocean lovers, this 10-day itinerary features idyllic coastal hikes, kayaking excursions, peninsula tours, and long afternoons hopping between charming cliffside villages. There's no shortage of cultural excursions, either, as you admire Barcelona's famed Antoni Gaudí architecture, meander Capri's Gardens of Augustus, and roam Naples' history-laden streets. 

Kick off your sun-kissed adventure in the coastal city of Barcelona, where you'll shrug off jet lag while stumbling upon lesser-known tapas spots in the Gothic Quarter and admiring Antoni Gaudí's architecture on a guided walking tour. Then, repack your bags and transfer south to the Costa Brava, a superb stretch of Mediterranean coastline renowned for its charming small towns, rugged cliffs, and inviting beaches. A three-day stay ensures you have plenty of time to sip an aperitif in the quaint fishing village of Llafranc, hike to Sant Pol de S'Agaró for a kayaking excursion, and explore the region's medieval towns.

On Day 6, catch a flight to Naples, Italy, transfer to the vibrant Amalfi Coast, and set out on a memorable sunset cruise on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The following day features a Sorrentine Peninsula tour from the back of a Vespa, complete with time to meander through cobbled backstreets in Positano and Amalfi. Then, dedicate a day to exploring the island of Capri, with its manicured Gardens of Augustus, before returning to Naples. On the way, stop at Pompeii to witness the ancient city perfectly preserved by volcanic ash and wrap up your trip by sampling Neapolitan street food. Learn more

Itinerary #4: City Culture & Outdoor Adventure in Spain & Italy

Active travelers eager to discover the mountainous landscapes of Spain and Italy will find this outdoor adventure itinerary the perfect fit. The main highlight is a three-day hike in the Italian Dolomites, where you'll sleep in tucked-away mountain huts and trek through lush valleys and past thundering rivers. Other notable excursions include a hike in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, time to explore around the Monastery of Montserrat, and city tours in Barcelona and Venice.

Before delving into the many active excursions featured on the itinerary, your adventure begins with a compelling food tour through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Then, hop on two wheels and pedal between the Barcelona Cathedral and Barceloneta Beach, and set aside time to tour La Sagrada Família. Next, warm up your hiking muscles with a scenic trek in the foothills of the Pyrenees, followed by a day walking around the iconic Monastery of Montserrat and learning the craft of cava-making in the Penedès wine region. On the morning of Day 5, it's time to pack your bags and board a flight bound for Venice, Italy. 

In Venice, enlist the help of an expert local guide to better discover the charm of the Grand Canal and the bustling Rialto Market. Then, wake early the following morning, transfer out of the city, and don your hiking boots for a bucket-list three-day trek in the Italian Dolomites. Starting from the foot of the Ortler Alps, you'll hike under Stelvio National Park's towering peaks, trek through the grassy slopes of Saent Valley, and take in the cascading Saent Falls. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing end to your travels while basking in one of Lake Garda's many thermal springs and sipping wine in the Valpolicella region. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Off the Beaten Path Road Trip in Spain & Italy

Immerse yourself in the lesser-known treasures of Spain and Italy on this road trip through Madrid, León, Bilbao, Rome, and more. Ideal for seasoned travelers seeking new experiences, this itinerary includes a rooftop tour of Madrid, visits to out-of-the-way historic towns, and a gourmet pintxos tour in Bilbao. Other fascinating highlights include a boat tour on Lake Bolsena and wine tasting in Orvieto, ensuring a delightful blend of culture, history, and gastronomy.

Your adventure begins in Madrid, where you'll shrug off any travel fatigue during an exclusive rooftop tour and collect your rental car. Hit the road to León next and get to know the stories behind the city's well-preserved Roman Walls and the grand Catedral de León, thanks to the help of a local guide. Continue your drive east to Burgos the following day, stopping in the UNESCO-listed city of Atapuerca to ponder archaeological finds dating back 1.2 million years. Then, dedicate an evening to sampling Bilbao's mouthwatering pintxos before dropping off your rental car and catching a flight to Italy.

Arriving in Rome, you'll dive straight into exploring, with a guided highlights tour on the agenda. Next, pick up another rental car and begin your Italian road trip, starting with a drive to Viterbo for an afternoon dedicated to roaming the city's well-preserved medieval quarter. Then, it's back in the car for a drive to Bolsena, Europe's largest volcanic lake, where you'll spend a leisurely day boating past charming villages dotted along the lakeshore. However, before you know it, you'll be sipping wine in Orvieto and returning your rental car to Rome, ready for your onward journey. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other 10-day Spain itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.