10 Days in Spain - 5 Unique Road Trip Itineraries

We selected these five unique routes to help you explore Spain's varied regional highlights. You could head north or south from Madrid to see both the highlights and the lesser-known treasures of each. Or set out on a wild adventure in the Canary Islands, spending your days hiking, sailing, and whale watching. Read on for some unique approaches for your self-drive adventure.

Itinerary #1: Northern Spain Road Trip - Madrid to the Basque Country

This northern road trip is perfect for foodies and culture lovers eager to discover the cities and landscapes of Spain’s incredible Basque region. Taste your way through Madrid, explore pintxos in San Sebastian, and lose yourself in the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. 

This itinerary is ideal for those looking to find a balance between an independent self-drive vacation and curated experiences with local guides. Travel at your own pace with optional stops and day trips along the route, then dive deep into the history and local flavors with knowledge of expert guides and wine tours.

Start in Madrid with an evening culinary tour to welcome you to Spain. Then head north through the Rioja region for wine tastings and vineyard tours. Enjoy the beach and local cuisine in San Sebastian, home to world-class eateries. Sample the best restaurants with a tapas crawl, then learn more about the history of the city with a guided tour. Discover the natural beauty and slower pace of the Basque region with a day trip into the idyllic countryside, including a farm tour and a sampling of local cheeses.

Finish in Bilbao and visit the iconic Guggenheim Museum, with its impressive modern and contemporary collection, housed in the impressive building designed by Frank Gehry. Learn more.

Itinerary #2: Southern Spain Road Trip - Madrid to Andalusia

Drive south from cosmopolitan Madrid to the heart of Andalusia, with stops in Seville, Granada, and Málaga. You’ll enjoy tapas excursions, guided tours, and hands-on classes, with local experts to show you the history, culture, and gems of the south.

This itinerary includes more locally guided experiences than some of the others, helping you soak up everything you can about southern Spain. Your first two days in Madrid feature a tapas tour and a guided exploration of the capital. 

In addition to stops to iconic cities like Toledo, Córdoba, and Seville, you’ll also veer away from the crowds to spend time in smaller towns in the region. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Arcos de la Frontera, a white city with a storied Moorish heritage, and the jaw-dropping Ronda, a majestic enclave perched atop a gorge in Málaga. You can also hike the area’s towering cliffs and gorges on a thrilling trail at the Caminito del Rey.

You’ll spend your last full day immersed in the heritage and traditions of Granada. Enjoy a private tour of the UNESCO-protected Alhambra, the Moorish fortress that later served as Ferdinand and Isabella’s Royal Court. Take a private ceramic tile-painting class with a local artist before you end in Malaga, home to Picasso and the Picasso Museum. Learn more. 

Itinerary #3: Wild Canary Islands Road Trip - Madrid, Tenerife & La Gomera

This road trip in the Canary Islands is perfect for active travelers looking to discover incredible hikes, primordial landscapes, and remote adventures. Explore black sand beaches, panoramic vistas from volcanoes, and plenty of subtropical wilderness.

After a couple of days in Madrid, fly to Tenerife with its UNESCO-designed National Parks, incredible coastlines, and thrilling hiking trails. This itinerary is great for active travelers eager to explore all manner of terrain and wildlife, particularly the island’s laurel forests, holdovers from prehistoric times. 

Ferry over to La Gomera, the smallest of the Canaries, and often overlooked by other travelers. Hike through the islands dense island’s biodiversity or sail around the coast on a guided yacht trip. Learn more. 

Itinerary #4: Off-the-Beaten-Path Road Trip - Madrid, La Mancha, & Extremadura

This unique itinerary will show you lesser-visited towns and wine regions that you may recognize, such as the home of Manchego cheese, and wines like Grenache and Tempranillo. This itinerary is all about getting to know Spain’s many layers and stories. 

Start in Madrid with a few days to experience its many flavors with help from local guides. 

Continue to La Mancha, and spend a few days in the region best known for its famed fictional resident, Don Quixote. La Mancha is also home to Manchego cheese and incredible wines like Grenache and Tempranillo. You’ll also explore cities that might be lesser-known in modern times but were well-regarded during the ancient Roman empire; discover Mérida, Cáceres, and Trujillo with an expert guide, then head into the verdant Monfragüe National Park for a photo safari. Learn more. 

Itinerary #5: Spanish Road Trip - Madrid, Leon, & Santiago de Compostela  

This road trip takes you northwest from Madrid through León to Galicia with fantastic stops in wine country, a spectacular river valley, and some beach time on the warm white sands of the Cíes Islands. 

Taste your way through the capital’s famous tapas scene and explore the world-class masterpieces at the Prado Museum before hitting the road nearing northwest. Drive through medieval towns and gothic castles to Peñafiel, a romantic wine-making region you can explore at your own pace. 

With the help of a local guide, discover the gems of León, from relics of ancient Roman and medieval empires the gothic Catedral de León to Casa Botines, an architectural masterpiece designed by beloved Spanish modernist Antoni Gaudí. 

Changing gears, enjoy a relaxing boat tour in the verdant river valley of the Ribeira Sacra region, best paired with a flight or two of the area's fine wines. Day trip through Galicia’s unique landscapes like Rias Bajas (Spanish fjords) and the Cíes Islands. 

Your final destination is Santiago de Compostela, the final stop for pilgrims walking the sacred Camino de Santiago route; here you’ll enjoy the Galician cuisine, which you’ll learn to recreate with a cooking class. Learn more.