16 Days in Spain - 3 Unique Road Trip Itineraries

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid, La Mancha & Andalusia

This comprehensive 16-day road trip of Southern Spain includes all the highlights of Spain's Andalusia region, from the capital of Seville to the Moorish palaces of Granada and even the coastal retreat of Málaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. As a bonus, you'll also visit La Mancha, an arid plateau region home to great wine and historic villages.

After city explorations and tapas nights in Madrid, you'll start your road trip with a few stops before reaching Andalusia. Visit Toledo with its old Arab, Muslim, and Christian monuments, then head into La Mancha for windmills, castles, stories of "Don Quixote," and a cheese-making workshop. Then, your first stop in Andalusia is Córdoba, where you can visit the first-century BCE bridge, Puente Romano, and the unique Mezquita, a mosque and cathedral in one.

On Day 7, make your way to Seville and enjoy tapas and city walks while stopping at iconic sites like the Seville Cathedral, Royal Alcázar, and Plaza España. Enjoy a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera and visit Ronda before reaching Granada via the infamous Caminito del Rey hike hugging the Guadalhorce River Gorge. Explore the countryside, visit the centuries-old Alhambra, and take a cooking class before ending your trip in the coastal city of Málaga, home to the Picasso Museum. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Spain Off-the-Beaten-Path Road Trip: Madrid, La Mancha & Extremadura

Get ready to travel the route of Don Quixote on this 16-day road trip adventure to lesser-visited parts of Spain. It begins with exploring the city of Madrid before you hit the road, driving amid the arid plateaus and windmills of La Mancha and into the Extremadura region of western Spain. Here you'll tour historic towns like Cáceres and Trujillo while sampling delicious local cuisine and visiting unspoiled national parks.

You'll get off the beaten path soon enough, but this trip begins in Spain's capital, Madrid, where you'll learn about the country's history, visit the Royal Palace, and enjoy some traditional tapas. Start your drive on Day 3 with a stop in Toledo, the "City of Three Cultures," and a hike in the wetlands of Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park. Then it's time to explore La Mancha, home to Spain's iconic windmills, the story of "Don Quixote," and manchego cheese.

Next, dip into Andalusia with a visit to Córdoba, a unique city home to the Mosque-Cathedral and a fascinating Jewish Quarter. Head into Extremadura, a region not often visited by travelers to Spain. You'll stop in picturesque and historic towns like Mérida, Cáceres, and Trujillo, exploring castles, old towns, and another national park, like the Monfragüe in the Tagus River valley. End back in Madrid for more tasty cuisine and a flamenco show. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ultimate Northern Spain Road Trip: Madrid, Galicia & The Basque Country

Focusing on Northern Spain, this fast-paced road trip covers beautiful regions of Spain, many of which are off the tourist trail. The adventure begins in Madrid, from where you'll hop in a rental car and proceed to the Ribera del Duero wine country and into the river canyons of the Ribeira Sacra. You'll continue to Galicia, a region famous for delicious food and natural beauty, before ending up on the stunning coast of the Spanish Basque Country.

Start your trip in buzzy Madrid for a tapas night and private city excursion, then hit the road and drive to the scenic Ribera del Duero, the wine region known for Tempranillo. This is also the country's old Castle District, with Peñafiel Castle being one of the most popular. Enjoy an overnight in León, an ancient city founded by the Romans, then drive north into Galicia. Admire its natural beauty in Ribeira Sacra, a hilly river canyon, and the Cíes Islands, with white-sand beaches.

Swap the countryside for some urban experiences by exploring the cities of Lugo, where you can walk the ancient Roman walls surrounding the Old Town, and Oviedo, home to sidra (cider). Head into the Basque Country for a mix of city walks in Bilbao and San Sebastián (including a visit to the famous Guggenheim Museum) and rural explorations, visiting a traditional farm, learning how to make Basque cheese, and driving along the scenic coastline. Learn more

More Great Spain Itineraries

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