Spain is a tapestry of Roman roads, Moorish palaces, Gothic cathedrals, and avant‑garde art, all stitched together by a fierce love of food and the good life. Over 30 days, you’ll trace the Mediterranean light in Barcelona, the stately boulevards of Madrid, and the orange-blossom courtyards of Seville.

Expect late dinners, long sobremesas (post‑meal chats), and a calendar that runs on plazas rather than clocks. Book headline attractions—Sagrada Família, the Royal Palace, and the Real Alcázar—well in advance, especially in spring and fall. Pickpocketing can be an issue in crowded areas; keep valuables zipped and in front of you on metros and along Las Ramblas.

Eating well is easy: from market bars to Michelin temples, Spain rewards curiosity. Tip modestly (round up or add 5–10% for standout service), carry a card but keep some coins for cafés, and remember many restaurants break in the afternoon and reopen around 8:00–8:30 pm. Trains are fast, frequent, and usually the smartest way to move between cities.

Barcelona

Barcelona marries Roman foundations with Modernisme flourishes and a beachy, creative energy. Gaudí’s curving facades and stained-glass light feel almost maritime, while the medieval alleys of the Gothic Quarter whisper of guilds and galleys. Neighborhoods matter here: Eixample for architecture, El Born for boutiques and pintxos, Gràcia for village vibes, and Barceloneta for sand between your toes.

Days 1–3: Gothic Quarter, El Born, and the Waterfront

• Gothic Quarter ramble: Start at Plaça del Rei and Barcelona Cathedral, then thread the tiny lanes—look for Roman walls on Carrer del Paradís. Dip into El Call (the medieval Jewish quarter) for history and quiet corners.
• La Rambla & La Boqueria: Stroll early before crowds; at the market, try El Quim de la Boqueria for baby squid with eggs or Bar Pinotxo for garbanzos with morcilla. Keep bags secured.
• Barceloneta & the Promenade: Sunset walk from the W Hotel toward Port Olímpic. Casual seafood at La Cova Fumada (home of the bomba) or beachside rice at Can Fisher.

• Coffee & breakfast: Nomad Coffee Lab (single-origin pours), Three Marks Coffee (light roasts), and historic Granja Viader (suizo hot chocolate and ensaïmadas).
• Tapas & dinner: Bar Cañete (old-school counter, order the Iberian pork and croquettes), El Xampanyet (anchovies, canned seafood, house cava), and Quimet & Quimet (standing-room montaditos with mussels and foie).
• Nightcap: Paradiso (playful cocktails, arrive early) or a sparkling pit stop at Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria).

Days 4–6: Gaudí Highlights and Montjuïc

• Sagrada Família (book timed entry): Let a guide decode Gaudí’s symbolism and light.

Reserve the Sagrada Familia Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket to understand how the Nativity façade differs from the Passion, and why the forest-like nave feels alive at noon.

• Casa Batlló & La Pedrera (Casa Milà): Explore rooftop chimneys and marine motifs; combine with a modernist stroll along Passeig de Gràcia.
• Montjuïc day: Take the cable car up to the castle; pair with the Olympic Ring, Fundació Joan Miró, and gardens. Picnic with a view.

Days 7–8: Gràcia, Markets, and a Seaside Interlude

• Gràcia squares: Hop between Plaça del Sol, Plaça de la Vila, and Verdi street for boutiques and vermouth at noon. Lunch at La Pubilla (Catalan daily specials).
• Day trip to Sitges: A 40-minute train from Barcelona Sants (~$6 each way; search on Omio Trains). Stroll the whitewashed waterfront, visit Museu Cau Ferrat, and swim if weather permits.

Days 9–10: Montserrat or Penedès Wines

Trade the city for serrated cliffs and monastery chants at Montserrat. The cogwheel train ride alone is worth the day.

Book the Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch for a stress-free combo of monastery, mountain, and local wineries.

Where to stay (Barcelona):

• Browse stays: VRBO Barcelona | Hotels.com Barcelona
• Splurge: Hotel Arts Barcelona (sea views, pool, Frank Gehry’s fish sculpture next door).
• Upper-mid: H10 Marina Barcelona or Novotel Barcelona City (Eixample location, great for families).
• Design/budget: Generator Barcelona (social vibe) or Hostal Grau Barcelona (eco-boutique near La Rambla).

Getting in & around: Fly into BCN—compare fares on Omio Flights (to/from Europe) or, if arriving from outside Europe, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Around town, the TMB metro is fast; consider a multi-day pass. The Aerobús takes ~35–45 minutes from airport to center.

Morning of Day 11: Train to Madrid

AVE high-speed trains from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes take ~2.5–3 hours. Book on Omio Trains; advance fares often run ~$25–$70. Morning departure lets you enjoy a Madrid afternoon.

Madrid

Madrid is palatial yet playful—royal tapestries by day, tapas crawls by night. The Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofía form a world-class “art triangle,” while Retiro Park, once a royal garden, now invites rowboats beneath the glassy Palacio de Cristal.

Days 11–12: Art & Green Spaces

• Prado Museum: Velázquez, Goya, Bosch—set aside 2–3 hours and focus on a curated route. Coffee at Motteau or Acid Café before you go.
• Retiro Park: Row a boat at the Estanque, then wander to the Crystal Palace. Lunch at Casa Dani in Mercado de la Paz (iconic tortilla) or La Ancha (escalope “Armando”).
• Gran Vía & Chueca: Architecture walk and a spritz at a rooftop like Circulo de Bellas Artes (for views) before dinner in Chueca at La Tasquería (nose-to-tail artistry) or Bodega de la Ardosa.

Days 13–14: Royal Madrid & Old Town

Explore regal rooms and the Armory on a Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket.

• Plaza Mayor & San Miguel Market: Snack your way through: oysters at El Señor Martín, croquetas at Arzábal, and olives at the encurtidos stands. For tradition, book Botín (since 1725) for roast suckling pig.
• La Latina tapeo: Hop along Cava Baja—Casa Lucio (huevos rotos), Casa Revuelta (bacalao), and sherries at La Venencia (cash-only, no photos).

Days 15–16: Toledo, Segovia, or Both

If you want maximum variety in one shot, join the Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila & Toledo tour. Prefer DIY? Trains via Omio Trains: Madrid–Toledo ~33 minutes (~$15–$22 each way), Madrid–Segovia Guiomar ~27 minutes (~$12–$20) plus a 15-minute bus/taxi to the old town.

Days 17–19: Markets, Football, and Neighborhoods

• Lavapiés & Reina Sofía: See Picasso’s “Guernica,” then eat pan-Indian at Tandoori Station or Ethiopian injera at Näif. Craft coffee at HanSo.
• Bernabéu or Metropolitano: Stadium tours (Real Madrid/Atlético) thrill even casual fans—bookable same-week in most seasons.
• Sweet finish: Churros at Chocolatería San Ginés or pastries at La Mallorquina by Puerta del Sol.

Where to stay (Madrid):

• Browse stays: VRBO Madrid | Hotels.com Madrid
• Iconic: The Westin Palace, Madrid or Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques.
• Midrange: Novotel Madrid Center or Hostal Persal (value near Plaza Santa Ana).
• Budget/hostel: Room007 Ventura Hostel or Meliá Madrid Princesa for frequent deals.

Barcelona → Madrid travel: AVE/Avlo/Ouigo high-speed trains in ~2.5–3 hours, typically $25–$70 if booked early via Omio Trains. Flights can be comparable in time door-to-door but less convenient.

Morning of Day 20: Train to Seville (Sevilla)

Madrid to Seville Santa Justa by AVE takes ~2h30–2h45. Book via Omio Trains; advance fares ~$30–$80. Settle in and aim for a sunset stroll by the Guadalquivir.

Seville (Sevilla)

Seville is all golden light and jasmine—Moorish tiles, rooftop vistas, guitar chords spilling into alleys. It’s the heart of flamenco and the soul of tapas culture, where ceramic shops in Triana and patios in Santa Cruz reveal the city’s layered history.

Days 20–22: Cathedral, Giralda, and the Alcázar

• Seville Cathedral & Giralda: Climb the gentle ramps of the Giralda bell tower for a panorama. Inside, look for Columbus’s tomb.
• Real Alcázar: A jewel of Mudéjar art—intricate stucco, cedar ceilings, and cool gardens. Book timed entry; mornings are quieter.
• Santa Cruz: Wander perfumed lanes, then sip orange wine at Casa Morales among ceramic amphorae.

• Coffee & breakfast: Torch Coffee Roasters (riverside), Virgen Coffee (tiny kiosk excellence), and Bar El Comercio (churros con chocolate since 1904).
• Tapas & dinner: Eslava (award-winning honey pork ribs), El Rinconcillo (since 1670—espinacas con garbanzos), La Azotea (modern plates), and La Brunilda (book or go early).
• Flamenco: Intimate shows at Tablao El Arenal or across the river in Triana; choose a late slot for more atmosphere.

Days 23–24: Triana, Plaza de España, and Parks

• Triana: Cross the Isabel II bridge, browse azulejo workshops on Calle San Jorge, and lunch on montaditos at Blanca Paloma or seafood at Freiduría Reina Victoria.
• Plaza de España & María Luisa Park: Rent a rowboat along the tiled alcoves that represent Spain’s provinces; cool off in the shaded avenues.
• Sunset: Rooftop views from the Metropol Parasol (Las Setas); dine nearby at La Cantina in the Feria market.

Days 25–26: Day Trip to Córdoba

• Travel: Seville → Córdoba by AVE ~45 minutes (~$15–$25 each way via Omio Trains), trains run throughout the day.
• Mezquita-Catedral: Forests of candy-cane arches and a Renaissance nave—one of Europe’s most stunning sacred spaces.
• Jewish Quarter & Patios: Peek into flower-laced courtyards; if visiting in May, Córdoba’s Patio Festival is unforgettable.
• Eat: Salmorejo and flamenquín at Taberna Salinas or Bodegas Campos; return to Seville after dinner.

Days 27–28: Jerez or Cádiz (Choose Your Flavor)

• Jerez de la Frontera: ~1h10 by train (from ~$12 each way via Omio Trains). Tour a sherry bodega (fino to PX) and, if timing works, catch the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.
• Cádiz: ~1h45 by train. Walk the sea-breezy ramparts, explore La Viña, and eat fried fish cones from a freiduría.

Days 29–30: Slow Seville

• Artisan morning: Take a ceramics workshop in Triana or browse craft shops off Calle Regina.
• Final tastes: Casa Moreno for midday montaditos behind a grocery counter; evening seafood splurge at Cañabota or classic stews at Taberna Manolo Cateca.
• Nightcap: Rooftop at Hotel Doña María with cathedral views, or vermouth at Bar Alfalfa.

Where to stay (Seville):

• Browse stays: VRBO Seville | Hotels.com Seville
• Iconic: Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel.
• Midrange: Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento or Hotel América Sevilla.
• Budget/hostel: La Banda Rooftop Hostel, Black Swan Hostel, or Hotel Abril.

Leaving Spain: Seville has flights across Europe—compare on Omio Flights. For long-haul trips outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for best connections.

Quick Practical Notes

• Transit: High-speed trains are the backbone of this itinerary—book early on Omio Trains for the best prices.
• Dining hours: Lunch 1:30–3:30 pm; dinner 8:30–11:00 pm. For popular tapas bars, arrive at opening or reserve if possible.
• Tickets: Reserve Sagrada Família, the Alcázar, and the Royal Palace ahead—weekends and holidays sell out.

Trip Summary: In 30 days, you’ll experience Catalan modernism, Spain’s royal heart, and Andalusian spirit—with day trips that reveal medieval hill towns and mountain monasteries. It’s a month of art, plazas, trains, and unforgettable meals—exactly how Spain is meant to be savored.