3 Weeks in Spain & Italy - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Italy & Spain

Perfect for first-time visitors eager to check out the highlights of Italy and Spain, this three-week adventure packs in stays in seven renowned cities. From a private Colosseum visit in Rome and a gondola ride through Venice to a Gaudí architecture tour in Barcelona and a flamenco show in Granada, this adventure is filled with bucket list-worthy experiences. Plus, you'll also leave the cities behind to visit Lake Albano, explore the Tuscan countryside, and hop between Spain's Pueblos Blancos (White Villages).

Welcome to Italy! Your trip begins in the timeless city of Rome, where you'll spend three days checking out the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more. You'll also join a guide for a tour of Vatican City before detouring to Castelli Romani to hop between the region's many charming hilltop villages. On Day 5, board a train bound for Florence, and upon arrival, head out on foot to explore Pitti Palace and the Piazza della Signoria. Then, with two more days in Florence, you'll have time to embark on a local-led highlights tour, visit a winery in Chianti Hills, and roam the medieval town of San Gimignano.

The second week of your adventure kicks off with a train ride to Venice. Here, you'll indulge in a food tour and learn about the city's highlights alongside a guide and boat to Burano and Murano. More excitement is on the horizon the next day as you catch a flight to Barcelona and settle into the Spanish portion of your adventure over a delectable tapas experience. Then, join a guide for visits to La Sagrada Família and Park Güell and dedicate a day to admiring the impossible Monastery of Montserrat and sipping wines in the lush Penedès region before leaving Barcelona.

Your next destination, reachable by train, is Madrid, your home for three nights. Spend your first evening here sampling food at Mercado de San Miguel, then experience the city's historical side during a tour of the Habsburg district and the "Golden Triangle of Art." While based in Madrid, you'll also take a day to visit Toledo before continuing to Granada. A two-night stay here ensures time to attend a flamenco show and tour the Alhambra, but soon, you'll be wrapping up your adventure in Seville, relaxing in ancient baths and cruising down the Guadalquivir River. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Culinary Journey through Italy & Spain

Taste your way through Italy and Spain on this culinary journey featuring street food tours, market visits, long afternoons in vineyards, and numerous cooking classes. In Italy, you'll learn the secrets of making Neapolitan pizza in Naples, enjoy an aperitivo at a piazza-lined bar in Rome, and soak up Tuscany views while sipping wine in the Chianti Hills. Then, spend your final week in Spain sampling pintxos in Bilbao and hopping between bustling markets in Madrid.

Straight off the plane in Naples, your culinary adventure starts with a tantalizing street food tour and a hands-on Neapolitan pizza-making masterclass. Then, detour to the ancient city of Pompeii to ponder its 2,000-year-old ruins before wrapping up your time in Naples sipping the local Lacryma Christi Bianco. Your next foodie destination is Rome, which you'll travel to via a high-speed train. A four-night stay here ensures time to tour the city highlights, take a pasta and tiramisu cooking class, and spend a day sipping wine in Castelli Romani. 

Leaving Rome, catch a train to Bologna and head straight out on a guided walking and food tour. Get to know the neighboring city of Parma the following day during a prosciutto and Parmigiana Reggiano tasting session before continuing to Venice. Here, you'll quickly learn why this city is a foodie favorite as you sample cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and indulge in fresh seafood on the nearby island of Burano. Then, wrap up the Italian portion of your adventure with three days in Florence, checking out city highlights and sipping wine in the Chianti Hills. 

The third and final week of your adventure brings you to Spain, with your first stop in the northern city of Bilbao. Savor the inventive Basque Country cuisine on an evening pintxos gastronomy tour, then spend the following day admiring the Guggenheim Museum and relaxing at a serene countryside vineyard. Continue to San Sebastián next to explore the celebrated wine cellars of La Rioja. Lastly, catch a train to Madrid and squeeze in a wine tour through the Las Vegas region and a paella cooking class before departure. Learn more

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

Lose track of time as you laze on the Costa Brava's sandy beaches, road trip across Sicily, and sail the dreamy Amalfi Coast on this coastal Spain and southern Italy trip. Tailored for travelers who prefer a slower pace yet still wish to experience the highlights, this itinerary blends city and food tours, coastal hikes, and opportunities for independent exploration into a well-rounded adventure. Plus, with stays in Barcelona, Cefalù, Taormina, and Naples, the allure of the beach is always within reach.

Begin your sun-kissed adventure in Barcelona, where a guided walking tour offers a warm introduction to the Gothic Quarter and Antoni Gaudí's architectural masterpieces. Next, explore the renowned Monastery of Montserrat and indulge in wine tasting in the lush Penedès wine region before setting your sights on the Costa Brava. Three days on this idyllic stretch of the Mediterranean promises the perfect amount of time to kayak along the coast of Sant Pol de S'Agaró, laze on S'Agaro Beach, and hop between picturesque medieval towns. Afterward, bid adiós to Spain and board a flight bound for Sicily. 

Your first stop is Palermo, a perfect gateway to immerse yourself in Sicilian flavors during a backstreet food tour. Next, dedicate a day to visit Monreale to marvel at the Cattedrale di Monreale and another to hike to the secluded beaches of the Zingaro Nature Reserve before picking up your rental car. Over the following six days, you'll journey from Cefalù to Catania, stopping at the hilltop town of Taormina on the way. Highlights of your road trip include a guided hike up Mount Etna, a tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, and a Sicilian cooking class.

With just under a week left on your adventure, you'll fly to Naples, transfer to the Amalfi Coast, and settle into your three-day stay during a sunset cruise. Get to know the region's dramatic yet charming cliffside villages the following day during a Vespa tour around the Sorrentine Peninsula, then head to Capri for an afternoon taking in coastal views and indulging in gelato. Lastly, spend your final two days pondering the ancient city of Pompeii and tasting your way through Naples' Mercato del Pignasecca until the time arrives to catch your onward flight. Learn more

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

Crafted especially for hiking enthusiasts, this active adventure through Spain and Italy features numerous hikes in the Pyrenees and a three-day trek in the Dolomites. In between, refuel while sampling Venice's famed street food and sipping Prosecco in Verona. Other notable highlights include a tapas tour in Barcelona, wine tasting in the Catalonia countryside, and a Lake Garda spa day.

Upon arrival in Barcelona, kick start your adventure with a delightful three-hour culinary experience through the lively Gothic Quarter. Then, discover more of the city's culture over the following days, first during a Gaudí architecture walk followed by a Catalonia wine and olive oil tour in the surrounding countryside. Eager to hit the trails, you'll next travel into the Pyrenees for five incredible days of hiking. While basing yourself in mountain villages, you'll trek to the summit of Tossal de l'Àliga, up Montsent de Pallars mountain, through the dramatic Val d'Aran (Arun Valley), and into Monte Perdido National Park. 

Afterward, return to Barcelona and spend an evening relaxing before catching a flight to Venice. With three days in this charismatic city, you'll find plenty of time to embark on a backstreets food tour, cruise along canals on a gondola, and make a side trip to Verona to roam through its Old Town. Next, transfer to Trento and enjoy a leisurely evening sampling local cuisine, as the following morning, you'll set your sights on the Dolomites.

Your journey within the Dolomites begins at Stelvio National Park, where a half-day hike takes you through pine forests to a welcoming mountain hut. Over the next two days, traverse the Saent Valley, spend a night at the base of the Ortler Cevedale mountains, and follow the trail past Saent Falls to its conclusion. Then, as your trip approaches its end, transfer to Lake Garda to discover the area's charm during a walking and boat tour, unwind in natural hot springs, and taste wines in the rolling Valpolicella region. Finally, make your way to Milan to board your onward flight. Learn more

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

Ideal for travelers looking to escape the usual tourist path, this three-week road trip across Spain and Italy showcases timeless historic towns and scenic drives through undulating landscapes. Begin by exploring Basque Country, pausing to savor innovative cuisine in classic eateries and meandering among grand cathedrals. Afterward, take a flight to Rome and journey through Viterbo, Bolsena, Perugia, and Spoleto, incorporating a blend of wine tastings, tunnel tours, and nature outings into your itinerary.

Your off-the-beaten-path adventure begins in Madrid, where you'll experience the city from a unique perspective during an evening rooftop tour. Next, take a train to Santiago de Compostela to delve into the city's history, expressed in its food and pilgrim traditions. Discover the charm of the lesser-known towns of Pontevedra and Cambados with their cobblestone streets before picking up a rental car for a five-day road trip. Start in León, admiring the impressive Catedral de León, then stop for two days to soak up Burgos' well-preserved historic center on your way to Bilbao.

Once in Bilbao, celebrate the end of your drive across Basque Country with a private pintxos tour followed by a full day to discover this picturesque city's highlights and museums independently. Nearing the midway point of your trip, it's time to bid farewell to Spain and fly to Rome. Capitalize on a full day in Rome with guided tours of the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Colosseum, then collect a new rental car and venture north to Viterbo. Here, a two-day stay allows for a leisurely exploration of its striking medieval architecture and historic landmarks.

Your final week features a spectacular road trip from Bolsena, venturing north through Orvieto to Perugia, then circling back to Rome after a captivating three-night stay in Spoleto. Along the way, there's endless history to soak up and idyllic landscapes to appreciate. Highlights include visiting the pedestrian-only Civita di Bagnoregio, a boat tour around Lake Bolsena, and an adventure through Perugia's ancient tunnels. You'll also detour to Spello to explore its narrow cobbled streets and to Piediluco to witness the power of Marmore Waterfall before wrapping up your adventure in Rome. Learn more

More Great 3-Week Spain Itineraries

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