Twelve days in Spain is enough time to discover both the highlights and lesser-known treasures of Spain. A trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Andalucia is a classic way to discover Spain's vibrant cities and scenic villages. Another option is to combine Madrid, the Basque Country, and Catalonia for a truly indulgent food-centric tour. Barcelona is an ideal jumping-off point to explore the country's Mediterranean coast. Whether you opt for a road trip along the Costa Brava or quick a flight to the Balearic Islands, you're guaranteed great beaches and plenty of sunshine.
See more options below, or check out 12 Days in Spain: 6 Unique Itineraries.
Northeastern Spain is one of the most storied culinary destinations in Europe—there are 48 Michelin Stars in Basque Country alone. This food-forward tour starts with visits to an underwater winery and the Basque Culinary Center before moving on to La Rioja for wine tastings and vineyard tours. End with architecture, cooking classes, and cava in vibrant Barcelona.
This complete 12-day itinerary highlights some of Spain's most enchanting cities, featuring Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona. Begin in Madrid and explore historic Toledo, working your way into Andalucía and to Sevilla, Córdoba, Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, and Granada. Fly to Barcelona and discover Gaudí's whimsical architecture, the 1000-year-old abbey in the Montserrat mountains, and the wines of the Penedès region.
The northern region of Spain is just as rich in culture and beauty as anywhere in Catalonia or Andalusia. You'll see this for yourself on a 12-day road trip that will take you from Madrid into the Galicia region, which is known for its delicious seafood, beautiful coast, and historic and religious pilgrimage sites. It all culminates with a gorgeous drive through Basque Country and a couple days in the star cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian.
Spain's world-renowned culture and historic sights are such that they can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages. It's the perfect country for a family vacation, and over 12 fun-filled days you'll experience the best Spain has to offer, from the Mediterranean coast down into the Andalusia region. Along the way, there will be day trips and adventures in unforgettable cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.
With 12 days in Spain, you can visit three of its most famous regions. On walking tours of Madrid, you'll see historic sights like the Royal Palace. Then you'll travel down to the Andalusia region, making its capital of Seville your homebase before embarking on wine tours around Ronda and visits to historic palaces in Granada. The tour ends in Catalonia where you'll visit its best neighborhoods and beaches on a cycling tour.
Enjoy a road trip through Spain that takes you from Madrid to Málaga through Toledo and the three jewels of Andalusia: Córdoba, Seville, and Granada. Beyond the cities, you'll enjoy cultural excursions like sherry wine tours and horse competitions. And at each destination, you'll meet a private guide who will reveal the hidden treasures of these historic and beautiful locales.
This 12-day tour kicks off in Barcelona where you'll explore the city's fascinating culture and architecture, including Gaudí's UNESCO-listed landmarks. Next, head north to the Costa Brava—a 125-mile (200-km) stretch of pine trees, golden beaches, and crystal clear water—for a blissful week on the Mediterranean while staying in a medieval town with great restaurants.
The only way to make a Barcelona vacation better is to include a jaunt to the Balearic Islands. This 12-day adventure begins with tours of the city's Gothic Quarter and Gaudí-designed buildings, plus a cooking class celebrating Catalan cuisine. After wine tasting near the holy site of Montserrat, you'll jet off to Mallorca and Menorca, where you'll embark on horseback rides and hikes around the islands.
In 12 days you can not only see three of Spain's major regions, but you can do so in style and luxury. It starts with tours by land and air of Barcelona, followed by some cultural tours (including an art hop) in Madrid. Finally, you'll end up in Seville, the capital of Andalusia, which is famous for Moorish palaces and incredible tapas cuisine.
Part of the fun of traveling through Spain is seeing how the culture changes from one region to another. You'll experience this phenomenon over 12 days as you travel from the nation's capital of Madrid to Galicia. This is a unique part of the country that has it all, including historic religious sites, unspoiled coastline, exotic islands, and some of the best seafood anywhere in the world.
The Iberian Peninsula is a popular tourist destination, but many travelers only visit either Spain or Portugal. On this 12-day itinerary, you'll go to both, experiencing the major highlights of each country. This includes tours of historic capital cities like Madrid and Lisbon, wine tours of northern Portugal, plus culture and fun in the sun in the stunning Catalonian capital of Barcelona.
Blessed with fertile volcanic soils and delicate microclimates, the Canary Islands are a paradise for nature lovers. This exciting 12-day itinerary starts on Spain's mainland, where you’ll sample the culture and cuisine of Madrid before flying to the Canary’s largest island of Tenerife. Hike through ancient forests, horseback ride through almond groves, and scale the towering Mount Teide before catching a ferry to the magical island of La Gomera. Here you’ll explore lush mountainous landscapes, get lost in subtropical rainforests, and spot whales and dolphins along its rugged northern coast.
To really experience Spain you need to visit different regions, immerse yourself in local culture, and sample as much delectable cuisine as possible. That's exactly what you'll do on a 12-day adventure that will take you from Barcelona to Madrid and down to Andalusia. Throughout the journey, you'll take gourmet cooking classes, attend an authentic flamenco show, and enjoy some of the greatest food and wine in the world.
To get off the beaten path in Madrid and Barcelona requires venturing beyond the popular city sights and immersing yourself in the culture. This 12-day itinerary offers such an experience, as you meet local artisans in Madrid, venture into the countryside for wine tours, go on art walks, enjoy tours of local markets and tapas bars, cycle around Barcelona, hike the Mediterranean coast, and more.
Go beyond Spain's mainland by discovering the beauty of the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Explore charming island villages, white-sand beaches, locally-sourced cuisine, and scenic outlooks on all three islands, plus enjoy a guided tour of the four famous coasts of Gran Canaria. Be active with an array of water sports, hiking the islands' tallest peak, traversing the lunar-like terrain of Timanfaya Park, and riding a camel along sand dunes, all before polishing off your trip with a night in buzzy Madrid.
Spain is filled with historic regions abounding with well-preserved ancient cities, like La Mancha. This dry plateau region is located south of Madrid, and you'll discover its historic and literary legacy (it's Don Quixote's home region) on a self-drive road trip. Along the way, you'll imbibe in La Mancha's wine, visit its national parks, and travel further west, to Extremadura and medieval cities like Mérida and Cáceres.
