Race Abroad in Spain: Run the Barcelona Marathon - 10 Days

Highlights

• Learn about Gaudí's whimsical modernism inside Casa Milà and La Sagrada Família
• Run the 47th Barcelona Marathon, following an urban route past city landmarks
• Experience a live flamenco show in a traditional Seville courtyard
• Join a Madrid local for a flavorful "tapeo" (tapas crawl) 
• See some of the greatest works of European art at the Prado Museum

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Explore the Gothic Quarter

Welcome to Spain and Catalonia! Everything you've heard about this region on the northern Mediterranean coast is true. It's a hotbed of culture, history, mind-bending architecture, sunkissed beaches, and, of course, fine food and wine. You'll arrive in Barcelona, the capital of the region and the epicenter of all things Catalan. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your city center hotel, and then the remainder of the day is free.

A great way to set your own pace is with a self-guided walking tour through the oldest part of Barcelona. Learn about the Gothic Quarter's 2,000-year history, visit important sites, stop to admire ancient palaces and the remains of city walls, and pop into locally-owned boutiques and popular tapas spots. The recommended route takes two to four hours to complete, depending on how much time you spend in each place. If you're ready for a run afterward, head down to the waterfront and link up with the coastal promenade that skirts Port Vell and continues along the beaches of Barceloneta.

Day 2: Gaudí Experience with La Sagrada Família & Park Güell

Grab your walking shoes for a half-day introduction to the works of Antoni Gaudí, whose masterpieces can be found everywhere in the city—from streetlights and fountains to parks, museums, and monuments. After meeting your expert private guide, stroll down Passeig de Gràcia to admire the use of color and shape at Casa Batlló, then step inside Casa Milà to explore the perfectly preserved interiors and dramatic rooftop sculptures. Continue to La Sagrada Família, where your guide will lead you through this impressive (and still unfinished) structure with the help of skip-the-line tickets. 

Afterward, you'll travel north to the Gràcia district for your final stop: the hilltop Park Güell. This whimsical 45-acre (18 ha) space is dotted with intricate mosaics, sculptural features, and hidden grottoes, including highlights like the wave-like Laundry Room Portico and the colorful "El Drac" salamander sculpture guarding the park's gates. Make sure to pause for a memorable photo at the Serpentine Bench, against the backdrop of vibrant mosaics and panoramic views over Barcelona. Afterward, you'll have the rest of the afternoon free; plan to get an early night so you can rest and prepare for tomorrow's race.

Day 3: Run the 2026 Barcelona Marathon

Today's the day: the Zurich Marató Barcelona (Barcelona Marathon) begins at 8:30 am, setting off from the iconic Plaça de Catalunya. The first incarnation of the race was originally held outside the city in Palafrugell; in 1980 it moved into the city center, and since 2024 it's followed a new flatter, urban course that takes in some of the city's most emblematic landmarks, passing Casa Batlló, La Sagrada Família, Mirador de Colom, and Parc de la Ciutadella. The Old Town setting also means it's an energetic, jubilant occasion, with plenty of crowds and spectators along the route. 

After you've passed through the finish line at the grand Arc de Triomf, make use of the post-race massage and recovery areas, then head into the nearby streets of El Born to celebrate and refuel with some tapas and sangria.

Day 4: Mercat de la Boquería Visit & Cooking Class

Today's activity is the perfect way to refuel post-marathon. After a well-earned lie-in, head to the famous Mercat de la Boquería for a delicious deep dive into authentic Spanish gastronomy led by a professional chef. Since 1835, this has been the most famous covered market in the city, with over 200 vendors selling everything from fresh produce and spices to seafood, cured meats, and artisanal cheeses. You'll follow your guide through the stalls to sample items, learn about culinary traditions, and meet with local artisan and vendors.

After gathering the ingredients you'll need to make your lunch, you'll stroll over to a local kitchen for a hands-on cooking class. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, you'll learn to make traditional Spanish specialties, including paella, a typical starter soup, an appetizer like a classic tortilla, and a regional dessert like crema Catalana. To end your culinary experience, sit down with your chef and group to savor the traditional dishes as you chat about Spanish gastronomy. You'll pair your courses with the kitchen's private-label premium Rioja and Galician wines.

Day 5: Fly to Seville, Evening Flamenco Show 

Trade Catalonia for Andalusia today as you transfer to the airport and catch a two-hour flight to Seville. Known as the "birthplace of flamenco," southern Spain's largest city is a melting pot of rich Moorish, Christian, Jewish, and Roma culture. You'll find plenty of history among its ancient streets, including Roman ruins, plus a lively tapas scene and plenty of inviting green spaces to beat the Andalusian heat. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel, where you can grab a nap or set off on a relaxed recovery run along the banks of the Río Guadalquivir. 

As evening falls, take a stroll into the Casco Antiguo (Old Town) for an introduction to Andalusia's beloved, UNESCO-recognized art form at the Museo del Baile Flamenco. Start at the museum first to browse three floors of art exhibits, performance spaces, and cultural artifacts, then sit down for a live flamenco performance in the building's atmospheric courtyard, where orange trees surround the central tablao (dancefloor). 

Day 5: Skip-the-Lines Seville Cathedral & Alcázar Visit

Join a private guide this morning for an illuminating visit to two of Seville's most important monuments, starting with the Real Alcázar. Originally built by the Moors in the 11th century, the palace is one of Spain's best examples of Mudéjar architecture, a style that blends Moorish and Christian influences. As you explore the complex, admire its ornate interiors and peaceful gardens, including the Patio of the Virgins with its elongated pond, serrated arches leading to adorned reception rooms, and the Salón de Embajadores (Ambassador's Hall) with its dome of carved cedar wood.

Next, your guide will lead you to the nearby Seville Cathedral, built on the site of a Moorish mosque. This is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, a massive structure at over 400 feet (127 m) long, 272 feet (83 m) wide, and 141 feet (43 m) high. Walk around to view its four directional facades and 10 doors, then skip the long lines and head inside to check out the impressive interiors and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Continue through the picturesque Patio de Los Naranjos, the church's orange tree-filled courtyard, and finish with a climb up the bell tower, La Giralda, for far-reaching views over Seville.

Day 6: Train to Madrid, Evening Tapas Walk with a Local

Say your goodbyes to Seville as your driver transfers you to the Santa Justa station to catch a 2.5-hour train north to Madrid. There's a lot of history in Spain's dynamic capital: it was founded around the ninth century by the Moors and became the nation's capital in the 16th century under the reign of King Phillip II, a member of the famous Habsburg dynasty of Europe. Much of this long and storied history remains visible in Madrid's parks, plazas, and palaces.

Settle in and grab a siesta at your hotel, then set off after dark for a taste of Madrid's cuisine and nightlife with a private tapas foodie crawl. Over four hours, you'll explore buzzy streets, stopping in around five venues, including old taverns, modern gastrobars, and family-run restaurants to sample local specialties—from tapas and pintxos to raciones—and learn the difference between them all. Your guide will share fascinating insights through the lens of food into the capital's history and culture, making this an ideal experience for foodies and anyone eager to dive into the local social scene like a "Madrileño."

Day 8: Madrid City Walk & Royal Palace Visit

Get an in-depth introduction to Madrid today as you meet your private guide for a walk toward the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Depending on your location, you'll have the chance to stop by some important landmarks and cultural sites along the way and get a primer on the city and its royal history from your storyteller guide. As you approach the palace, hear about its painstaking construction in the 18th century and how it was built atop the remains of a medieval Moorish alcázar (fortress).

Upon arrival, you'll have skip-the-line tickets, so you can jump right into exploring the opulent rooms filled with lavish furnishings, tapestries, and frescoes. Because this is a private experience, your guide will tailor the experience to your specific interests. You could learn about past eccentric kings or how the palace has influenced music and art throughout the continent. Highlights you won't want to miss include the Royal Armoury, the Royal Kitchen, and the Throne Room. You can also visit the Painting Gallery and enjoy works by some of Spain's most beloved artists, such as Velázquez and Goya.

Day 9: Prado Museum & Cultural Walk with Lunch at Botín

The penultimate day of your Spanish adventure combines fine art, literature, and gastronomy in one memorable experience. It starts at the Museo Nacional del Prado, home to over 7,000 pieces of European art dating from the 12th to the early 20th centuries. Skip the line and follow your expert guide on a curated, 90-minute tour of 15-20 masterpieces, including Velázquez's iconic "Las Meninas." With insightful narratives about the artists and the history behind their works, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Spain's artistic legacy. 

Next, you'll follow your guide through Madrid's Literary Quarter, once home to some of Spain's most renowned literary figures, to reach Sobrino de Botín. Founded in 1725, this is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world; Goya is rumored to have washed dishes here, and it was a favorite haunt of Hemingway's that features in "The Sun Also Rises." You'll arrive before the crowds and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour through the historic kitchen and hidden wine cellars. Then, it's time to sit down to a three-course meal that includes Botín's famous roasted suckling pig and Rioja wines. 

Day 10: Depart Madrid

Your 10 days in Spain draw to a close today. A private driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

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