Spain rewards unhurried travelers. This 15-day itinerary stitches together the courtyards of Córdoba, the royal splendor of Sevilla, the Moorish poetry of Granada, the cliffs of Ronda, the Modernisme dreams of Barcelona, the serrated peaks of Montserrat, the Pyrenean pocket of Andorra la Vella, and the museums and markets of Madrid.

Andalusia’s layered history—Roman, Islamic, Jewish, Christian—unfolds in stone and tile. Catalonia adds Gaudí’s curves, Mediterranean light, and lively markets. Andorra brings mountain air and spa time, while Madrid caps it with world-class art and old-school tabernas. Expect excellent trains, later dining hours, and café culture that invites lingering.

Practical notes: book marquee sites (Alhambra, Sagrada Família) well ahead. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy Barcelona zones. In Andalusian heat, plan an easy afternoon break. This plan aims for a relaxing vibe, budget around the mid-range, and plenty of photography-friendly golden hours.

Córdoba (Base for Day Trips to Sevilla, Granada & Ronda)

Once the glittering capital of Al‑Andalus, Córdoba is compact, walkable, and ideal for slow mornings and blue-hour strolls. Its UNESCO-listed historic center wraps around the Mezquita-Catedral, where an 8th‑century forest of columns meets a Renaissance nave—history, layered in stone.

Use Córdoba as a calm base: explore patios scented with jasmine, graze through tapa bars, then hop fast trains for easy day trips. Photographers: aim for sunrise at the Roman Bridge and sunset in the Judería’s narrow lanes.

Days 1–6: Settle in Córdoba + Three Day Trips

Essentials in Córdoba: Mezquita-Catedral (go at opening), stroll Calleja de las Flores, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos gardens, Puente Romano at dusk, and the 19th‑century Mercado Victoria for a relaxed, budget-friendly food hall lunch.

• Coffee & Breakfast: La Bicicleta Café (specialty espresso, banana bread), La Tarterie (French pastries), and La Cazuela de la Espartería for a hearty Andalusian start.
• Lunch: Mercado Victoria (try flamenquín or salmorejo), Taberna Salinas (historic tavern, order oxtail stew), Bodegas Campos (Andalusian classics in atmospheric rooms).
• Dinner: Casa Pepe de la Judería (rooftop vibes), Noor by Paco Morales (splurge tasting menu reimagining Andalusi flavors—book early), El Churrasco (grilled meats, intimate patios).

Where to stay (Córdoba):

• Hospes Palacio del Bailío (heritage stay with Roman ruins beneath the glass floor): Check availability
• Eurostars Conquistador (steps from the Mezquita, great value): Check availability
• Hotel Maestre (budget-friendly near the old town): Check availability
• Browse apartments and homes: VRBO Córdoba | More hotels: Hotels.com Córdoba

Getting to Córdoba (first city): If you’re already in Europe, search flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From Madrid, the AVE takes ~1h45 (often $35–$75) to Córdoba. From Málaga, ~50–60 min on high-speed trains.

Day Trip: Sevilla – Take an early AVE from Córdoba to Sevilla Santa Justa (~45–55 min; often $20–$45 via Omio trains). Walk the lush Plaza de España, tour the Royal Alcázar (Mudejar wonder), and climb the Giralda tower at the Cathedral. Lunch on the go in Santa Cruz; cross to Triana for ceramics shops and sunset by the river.

• Sevilla eats: Eslava (modern tapas; honeyed ribs), Bodeguita Romero (the famed pringá sandwich), Casa Morales (sherry casks, classic small plates), Mercado de Triana (browse stalls, grab fried fish).
• Coffee: Virgen Coffee or Parcería Café (specialty pours).

Optional Sevilla stays (if you decide to linger): Hotel América Sevilla (value, central): Check availability | Meliá Sevilla (pool, near Plaza de España): Check availability | Hotel Alfonso XIII for a splurge: Check availability | More options: Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento or social vibes at La Banda Rooftop Hostel.

Day Trip: Granada – AVE from Córdoba to Granada is ~1h30–1h45 (often $25–$55 via Omio trains). Reserve Alhambra tickets well in advance. Explore the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife gardens, then wander the Albaicín up to Mirador de San Nicolás for dreamy Sierra Nevada views.

• Granada eats: Bodegas Castañeda (old-school tapas), Los Diamantes (fried seafood), and teterías on Calderería Nueva for mint tea and sweets. Coffee at La Finca Coffee.

Granada hotel ideas (if you overnight): Alhambra Palace Hotel: Check availability | Hotel Granada Center (great value, modern): Check availability | Barceló Carmen Granada (central): Check availability | Hotel Monjas del Carmen (by Plaza Nueva): Check availability | Hotel Alixares (near Alhambra): Check availability.

Optional Viator add-on for Alhambra (if available last minute):

• Tickets : Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Granada Last-Minute

  

• Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces: Skip-the-line Ticket and Local Guide

  

Day Trip: Ronda – Best done by rental car for flexibility (~2h15 each way), or bus via Omio buses (~2h45–3h+). The Puente Nuevo over El Tajo gorge is a must; walk to the lower viewpoints for dramatic photos. Visit Plaza de Toros (one of Spain’s oldest) and the terraced Alameda del Tajo.

• Ronda eats: De Locos Tapas (inventive small plates—book), Restaurante Casa María (daily market menu), and El Lechuguita (beloved budget tapas). Coffee at Pan y Mermelada.

Barcelona

Barcelona blends Gothic stone and Gaudí’s improbable curves, beach breezes and market bustle. Set your pace with golden-hour rambles through the Gothic Quarter and slow lunches that stretch into the afternoon.

For photographers, sunrise at the Cathedral cloister, late afternoon at Park Güell’s mosaics, and blue hour along Passeig de Gràcia’s modernist facades are magic.

Days 7–10: Barcelona, with a Montserrat Day Trip

Highlights: Sagrada Família (book ahead), Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera façades, the Gothic Quarter, El Born’s boutiques, and Barceloneta for a seafront stroll.

• Foodie stops: La Boqueria Market (seek out El Quim de la Boqueria), El Xampanyet (anchovies, cava), Bar del Pla (seasonal tapas), Can Culleretes (historic Catalan cuisine). For paella with views: Can Fisher in Poblenou.
• Coffee: Nomad Coffee Lab, Three Marks Coffee, and Satan’s Coffee Corner for excellent espresso.

Where to stay (Barcelona): Hotel Arts Barcelona (seafront icon): Check availability | Hostal Grau (eco-boutique near the Ramblas): Check availability | Novotel Barcelona City (value + rooftop views): Check availability | Generator Barcelona (budget-friendly design hostel): Check availability | Browse apartments: VRBO Barcelona.

Getting Córdoba → Barcelona: AVE high-speed train ~4h45–5h30 (often $50–$120) via Omio trains. Depart mid-morning for an easy, relaxing travel day.

Top-rated Viator options in Barcelona:

• Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets

  

• Park Guell and Sagrada Familia Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

  

• Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour

  

• Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch

  

Montserrat (Day Trip from Barcelona)

Montserrat’s serrated limestone peaks host a Benedictine monastery and the beloved Black Madonna. The cogwheel train ride and mountaintop trails deliver sweeping views—prime for photographers and a calming reset from the city.

Included in Days 7–10

How to go: Train from Barcelona Sants to Monistrol de Montserrat, then cogwheel up; or book an organized small-group tour for a low-stress day with tastings. Expect ~1h30 travel each way. Check Omio trains for schedules, or choose one of these tours:

• Montserrat Monastery Half Day Experience from Barcelona

  

• Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines

  

Andorra la Vella

Nestled in the Pyrenees, Andorra la Vella is a tidy capital where mountain trails start near town and shopping is duty-free. Come for clear air, easy walks (Rec del Solà), and a spa session to keep the trip’s relaxing rhythm.

Days 11–12: Mountains, Spas, and Strolls

To get there: From Barcelona, buses run ~3–4 hours (often $22–$45) via Omio buses. Morning departures mean you can check in and head straight for a gentle trail or a spa session.

• Soft adventures: Stroll the Rec del Solà path for valley views; visit historic Casa de la Vall; browse Avinguda Meritxell’s boutiques. Consider an evening soak at the city’s large thermal complex (check onsite ticketing).
• Cafés & dining: The Bakery & Coffee by Grau (good espresso and pastries), Borda Estevet (hearty mountain fare), and Restaurant 120 (grilled meats, local wines). For a traditional setting, try Celler d’en Toni.

Where to stay (Andorra la Vella): Andorra Park Hotel (mountain views): Check availability | Hotel Pyrénées (value, central): Check availability | Hotel Plaza Andorra (classic comfort): Check availability | Holiday Inn Andorra: Check availability | Browse apartments: VRBO Andorra la Vella.

Nice to add (Viator):

• Andorra Private Walking Tour with official tour guide

  

• PRIVATE Tour Andorra la Vella: old town and commercial hub

  

Andorra → Madrid: Easiest is bus back to Barcelona (~3–4h) then AVE to Madrid ~2h45 (total ~6–7h). Compare times/costs on Omio buses and Omio trains. Typical combined cost $60–$120.

Madrid

Madrid is for long walks, longer lunches, and late evenings. The Prado and Reina Sofía deliver a crash course in European art; Retiro Park soothes; tabernas around La Latina and Barrio de las Letras feed the soul.

Days 13–15: Art Triangle, Royal Madrid, Tapas Evenings

Essentials: Prado + Reina Sofía (Picasso’s Guernica), Thyssen-Bornemisza, Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, Retiro Park’s Crystal Palace, and a sunset ramble past Plaza Mayor to the rooftop terraces around Gran Vía.

• Foodie stops: Mercado de San Miguel (grazing), Casa Lucio (huevos rotos), La Casa del Abuelo (garlic shrimp), and a churrería stop at San Ginés. Contemporary twist: StreetXO or Sala de Despiece. Coffee at Toma Café, Hola Coffee, or HanSo.

Where to stay (Madrid): The Westin Palace (classic, art triangle): Check availability | Novotel Madrid Center (value, roomy): Check availability | Melia Madrid Princesa (central comfort): Check availability | Room007 Ventura Hostel (social, budget): Check availability | Browse more: Hotels.com Madrid or VRBO Madrid.

Optional Viator experiences in Madrid:

• Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket

  

• Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Walking Tour – Small Group

  

• Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid

  

Departing Madrid: For intra‑Europe flights, compare on Omio (flights). If continuing by train in Spain or Europe, use Omio (trains).

At‑a‑Glance Travel Timeline

• Days 1–6: Base in Córdoba (Sevilla, Granada, Ronda day trips).
• Days 7–10: Barcelona (one day to Montserrat).
• Days 11–12: Andorra la Vella.
• Days 13–15: Madrid.

Getting Between Cities (estimates)

• Madrid → Córdoba: AVE ~1h45; $35–$75 via Omio trains.
• Córdoba → Sevilla (day trip): AVE ~45–55 min; $20–$45 via Omio trains.
• Córdoba → Granada (day trip): ~1h30–1h45; $25–$55 via Omio trains.
• Córdoba → Ronda (day trip): bus ~2h45–3h+ via Omio buses; car ~2h15.
• Córdoba → Barcelona: AVE ~4h45–5h30; $50–$120 via Omio trains.
• Barcelona → Andorra la Vella: bus ~3–4h; $22–$45 via Omio buses.
• Andorra la Vella → Madrid: bus to Barcelona ~3–4h + AVE ~2h45 (total ~6–7h) via buses and trains.

Slow and rich: this route keeps travel efficient, the vibe relaxed, and the plates full—Córdoba’s patios, Gaudí’s light, Andorra’s mountains, and Madrid’s art and tapas, all strung together by fast trains and good coffee.