3 Weeks in Spain - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Spain North to South: Basque Country to Andalusia

From Barcelona in the north to Cadiz in the south, this three-week itinerary spans Spain's major cities and regions. Along the way, you'll sample Basque cuisine, visit the Museo Guggenheim in Bilbao, hike La Alpujarra, and explore the Moorish culture of Andalusia.

Launch your adventure in Barcelona with a foodie excursion of the Gothic Quarter, followed by a tour of hit-list sites, such as Antoni Gaudí's iconic Sagrada Família and the Picasso Museum. You'll also have a free day to roam further afield before taking the train to San Sebastián, a gastronomy haven on the Bay of Biscay. Here, your sightseeing includes the cobbled coastal village of Getaria plus an excursion to Bilbao, with its masterpiece Museo Guggenheim Bilbao. On day seven, hop a train for three nights in Madrid, with dinner this evening at Botín, considered the world's oldest extant restaurant.

A local guide will show you Madrid before you have free time to explore El Prado and El Retiro Park, plus an optional excursion to Toledo, with its Alcázar de Toledo Roman palace, or to Segovia, with its enormous Roman aqueduct. Next, take a train to Granada for a guided city tour of the top sites, and the iconic Alhambra fortified Moorish palace the next day. You'll then hike the Las Alpujarras de Granada, where "white villages" dot the mountain slopes; plus, on the following day, you'll walk the Caminito del Rey en route to Málaga, on the Costa del Sol. Here, be sure to visit the Pompidou Centre and Picasso Museum.

On day 15, your Andalusian road trip leads to cobbled Ronda, with its famous cliff-spanning bridge; Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park; and Cádiz. You'll have a full day to roam this historic port city before taking the train to Seville for a guided tour that includes Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar royal palace. You'll also enjoy a day at leisure before taking a train for a day excursion to Córdoba to marvel at its Mudéjar architecture on a self-guided tour. Finally, catch a train to Madrid for a full day to relax or discover some landmarks and locales you may have missed on your first visit. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Culture & History in Spain: Madrid to Andalusia

This three-week tour takes you from Madrid in Central Spain to Cádiz in the south, stopping along the way to enjoy hiking, wine tasting, and personalized walking tours in Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Granada, Córdoba, and Seville.

Start in Barcelona, where you'll spend a day exploring examples of Antoni Gaudí's Catalan Modernist masterpieces, including Park Güell and the iconic Sagrada Famìlia basilica. The next day you'll visit a 14th-century wine estate, with a relaxing sunset picnic among the grape vines, before boarding a high-speed train for Madrid on day four. Here, a private guided walking tour customized to your wishes includes lunch at the Mercado de San Miguel. You'll then hop on a train for a day excursion to Toledo, where a guided tour hits all the historic landmarks, such as the Alcázar and 13th-century Toledo Cathedral.

After a free day to explore Madrid's neighborhoods, catch a high-speed train to Valencia for a half-day guided walking tour and a free day to explore to your whims. On day 10, pick up your rental car and head to Alicante, on Spain's Costa Blanca, for a guided city tour that includes the Explanada promenade and Santa Bárbara Castle atop Mount Benacantil. Then drive the Costa Blanca via the mountaintop village of Guadalest to overnight in the coastal town of Altea. From here, head to Granada, with time to explore this historical city before a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra palace the next day.

On day 14, set out for Málaga, where you'll want to visit the Picasso Museum; you'll enjoy a private tour of the rest of the city the next day, including the ruined Roman Theater. Then, you'll explore Málaga's hinterlands, such as the fishing village of Nerja and the karst formations of El Torcal de Antequera nature reserve. Then head west for Seville via Ronda, plus Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the picturesque "white village" of Grazalema. Take a guided cultural city tour the next day before heading to Cádiz and, the following day, to Córdoba, which you'll explore with a guide before departing Seville on day 21. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ultimate Food, Culture, and Wine Tour of Spain

This 21-day gastronomic vacation takes you from Barcelona and Basque Country (in the north) to Madrid (at Spain's heart) and Andalusia (in the south). Throughout, you'll sample gourmet specialties, such as regional tapas and wines, as you indulge in visits to olive groves, wineries, and select restaurants and bars.

Begin in Barcelona with a self-guided tour before a chauffeured tour the next day to include Park Güell, Sagrada Família, and other exemplars of Gaudí's modernist style; then hop into a helicopter for a birds-eye perspective! On day three, Barcelona's food takes center stage in a cooking class with a master chef, followed by a journey to Zaragoza (including a guided walking tour) the next day, then to Álava to overnight at a winery hotel designed by Frank Gehry. Next, visit a winery in La Rioja wine district en route to the port city of Bilbao, which you'll explore on day six, including its sleek Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum.

Now explore the Basque coast for a day, beginning in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (setting for Dragonstone Castle in the Game of Thrones), then on to San Sebastián—a culinary capital on Concha Bay. The next day, explore the Cantabria coast, lunching in Santander or one of the many charming villages along the coast, to arrive in León with time to explore its Gothic cathedral. Continue to Salamanca for a private city tour, then drive to Madrid, where your next two days include a private city tour and a day to explore at leisure. Then head to Toledo to enjoy lunch beside the Tagus River plus a marzipan-making workshop.

Next, take a high-speed train to Seville, where a tour includes the Alcázar of Seville's former royal palace boasting magnificent Mudéjar architecture. You'll also visit an olive oil estate before continuing south to Málaga via ancient Ronda (where you'll see a historic winery) and the mountaintop "white village" of Zahara de la Sierra. Explore Málaga at leisure, perhaps including the Picasso Museum, before taking a chauffeured drive to Granada the next day to explore the Alhambra. Finally, head north via El Torcal de Antequera nature reserve to Córdoba, where a walking tour ends your vacation. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Best of Spain and Portugal

This three-week itinerary combines the best of Spain and Portugal, from lesser-visited gems to the "must-sees," such as Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, and Porto. Along the way, you'll enjoy a river cruise of the Douro River wine country, learn about cork farming in Alentejo, and savor an evening of tapas and flamenco in Seville.

Begin in Barcelona, where you'll enjoy a guided walking tour that includes Antoni Gaudí's spectacular Basílica de la Sagrada Família and other examples of Catalan Modernism. Then take an excursion to Catalunya to experience where surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was born and raised. On day four, journey by train to Madrid. Here you'll explore the UNESCO-listed "Golden Triangle of Art"—El Prado, plus the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and Museo Reina Sofía art museums—on a guided walking tour the next day before a day trip to roam the remarkable UNESCO-listed history town of Toledo.

Next, fly to Porto for two days to discover this UNESCO-listed city overlooking the Douro River, including a visit to one of the famous port wineries. Then head to the Douro Valley wine-growing region, including a relaxing river cruise before the next day taking the train to Lisbon, with its hilly neighborhoods adorned by cobbled plazas and pastel buildings. Your three days here include a guided walking tour, plus an excursion to Sintra and Cascais (on the Portuguese Riviera). Finally, spend three days in Évora, with its many Roman antiquities, including visiting a cork farm in the Alentejo countryside.

On day 16, head to Seville, with time to explore the former Moorish capital at leisure before enjoying a flamenco show. Then hit Seville's most emblematic landmarks with a private guide, including the Alcázar complex of Mudéjar palaces and oasis-like gardens, plus the modern Metropol Parasol atop Roman ruins. Next, journey to Granada via the historic mountainside city of Ronda, with its Puente Nuevo and spectacular Plaza de Toros (bullring). End your adventure with a private tour of the monumental UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra fortified Moorish palace before departing the following day. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Spain & the Balearic Islands

This culture-rich three-week active itinerary combines all the ingredients for a perfect Spanish holiday. From Madrid's magnificent El Prado museum plus olive oil and wine tours in Andalusia, with its Moorish architecture and flamenco, to hiking in Ronda, bicycling in Barcelona, and horseback riding and sailing in the Balearic Islands.

Start in Madrid with three days of touring, including visits to artisans' workshops and the El Prado Museum, with its world-class art collection. Then spend a day exploring Toledo, located atop a gorge overlooking the Río Tajo, before continuing to Córdoba for a day at leisure to explore its famous Roman Bridge and historic Jewish Quarter. Three nights in Seville provides plenty of time to explore the 14th-century Alcázar de los Reyes palace, Seville Cathedral, and fashionable Santa Cruz neighborhood; plus, you'll visit a historic olive oil estate and enjoy an evening of delicious tapas and authentic flamenco.

On day nine, head south to Ronda (dramatically spanning the Río Tajo gorge) for a guided walking tour, plus a visit to a boutique winery, including a tasting of select wines. Next, hike the gorgeous countryside with its olive groves; then continue through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Granada for a private tour, including the Alhambra fortified palace. You'll then fly to Barcelona, where you'll explore its Gothic Quarter, trendy El Born neighborhood, and Barceloneta Beach by bicycle and enjoy an architecture tour focused on Park Güell, La Sagrada Famìlia cathedral, and other masterpieces of Antonio Gaudí. 

On your last day in Barcelona, explore the Boqueria Market before a cooking class with an expert chef who'll teach you how to make traditional Spanish specialties. Then fly to Menorca and pick up a rental car to explore this enchanting island; saddle up to ride the famed "Path of the Horses" coastal route; and explore the medieval city of Ciutadella at leisure. Next, fly to Mallorca for four days, where you'll take a guided historical tour of Palma; enjoy a half-day sailing the Mallorcan coast, with times for swimming and snorkeling; and hike the Tramuntana Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the coast. Learn more

More Great Spain Itineraries

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