Spain rewards curiosity. Roman roads gave way to Moorish palaces and Gothic spires; today, bullet trains stitch together cities where modern art hangs a stroll away from centuries-old taverns. In one week, you can taste Catalan seafood, sip Andalusian sherry in a Madrid bar that forbids photography, and climb a Gaudí staircase that seems carved from a seashell.

Barcelona dazzles with Gaudí’s architecture—Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell—plus a Mediterranean coastline and neighborhood bodegas where the vermut flows. Madrid counters with the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen—three world-class museums in one walk—royal grandeur, and tapas crawls through La Latina and Malasaña.

Expect late dinners, long coffees, and friendly service. Pickpockets operate in crowded areas like La Rambla and the metro—keep valuables secure. Book major sights (Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Royal Palace) in advance, and remember many restaurants close mid-afternoon for a true siesta. Trains between cities are fast, frequent, and easy to book.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a canvas painted by Gaudí and the Mediterranean. The Eixample’s geometric grid hides swirling facades and stained glass; the Gothic Quarter folds Roman walls into lively plazas. Food runs from market-fresh tapas to avant‑garde Catalan fine dining.

• Top sights: Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc, Barceloneta Beach, Picasso Museum, Santa Maria del Mar.
• Why visit: World-defining architecture, coastal walks, and a tapas scene that hops from classic bodegas to modern wine bars.
• Travel to Barcelona: Fly into BCN and take the Aerobús to Plaça Catalunya (~35 minutes). For flights to Barcelona, search on Omio.

Where to stay: Browse apartments and homes on VRBO Barcelona or compare hotels on Hotels.com Barcelona. Eixample is central for Gaudí; El Born is atmospheric near the cathedral and Picasso Museum; Gràcia feels village-like with indie cafes.

Day 1: Arrival, Gothic Quarter, and El Born

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, drop bags and walk Las Ramblas only as a landmark—save your lingering for nearby neighborhoods.

Afternoon: Settle into the Gothic Quarter. Step inside the Barcelona Cathedral cloister to see its resident geese, then trace Roman walls along Carrer del Bisbe. Coffee at Nomad Coffee Lab (specialty roasts) or Satan’s Coffee Corner (Japanese-leaning brew bar). Snack on a bikini (ham and cheese toastie) at La Bikinería or a slice of coca at Baluard.

Evening: Tapas in El Born: Bar del Pla (anchovies with romesco, Iberian pork cheeks), Tapeo (artichokes with foie, classic bombas), or El Xampanyet (lively, house cava, tinned seafood). Nightcap at Paradiso (speakeasy cocktails behind a deli door; arrive early for the line) or wine at La Vinya del Senyor under Santa Maria del Mar.

Day 2: Gaudí Day—Sagrada Família, Passeig de Gràcia, and Casa Batlló

Morning: Pre-book timed entry to Sagrada Família. Opt for a tower visit if you’re comfortable with heights—views over Eixample gridlines are spectacular. Breakfast nearby at Granja Viader (creamy suís: hot chocolate topped with cream) or at La Desayunería (American-style pancakes if you want a big start).

Afternoon: Walk Passeig de Gràcia. Tour Casa Batlló’s immersive experience (the “Blue Room” shimmers like an underwater chapel) and La Pedrera’s rooftop warriors. Lunch at Ciudad Condal (fast-paced tapas; order the gambas al ajillo and the montaditos) or Bodega Joan (Catalan stews and grilled meats).

Evening: Modern Catalan dinner: Besta (Atlantic seafood with Catalan technique) or Mont Bar (small plates with Michelin-level precision). If you’re chasing icons, Disfrutar books out far in advance. Post-dinner vermut at Bodega La Palma (old-school marble tables) or a cone of turrón gelato at Rocambolesc.

Day 3: Park Güell, Montjuïc, and the Seafront

Morning: Timed entry to Park Güell—arrive early for soft light on the mosaic benches. Coffee in Gràcia at Onna Coffee or Syra Coffee, then browse Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia’s boutiques.

Afternoon: Head to Montjuïc: take the cable car for harbor views, visit the Joan Miró Foundation or the MNAC’s Romanesque frescoes. Late lunch at La Tasqueta de Blai (pinchos street on Carrer de Blai—cheap, fun, varied) or a seafood rice at Can Ros in Barceloneta.

Evening: Stroll the promenade at Barceloneta or the newer Port Vell boardwalk. Book a flamenco show at Tablao de Carmen in Poble Espanyol (intimate setting honoring Carmen Amaya). Dinner nearby at Casa Xica (Asian-Catalan fusion) or classic tapas at Cal Pep (sit at the bar; tell them what you like and let the staff choose).

Madrid

Madrid is Spain’s high-spirited capital, a city of grand boulevards, royal palaces, and some of Europe’s finest art museums. By day, park yourself at a terrazza with a caña; by night, hop bodega to bodega through La Latina, Malasaña, and Chueca.

• Top sights: Prado Museum, Reina Sofía (Picasso’s Guernica), Thyssen-Bornemisza, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, Gran Vía, Debod Temple, Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid).
• Why visit: Masterpieces within walking distance, legendary tapas culture, and nightlife that runs late but feels welcoming.
• Getting there from Barcelona: Take high‑speed AVE/Avlo/OUIGO trains (2.5–3 hours, often €9–€65 if booked early). Compare times and fares on Omio Trains. Budget buses (7–8 hours) are on Omio Buses.

Where to stay: Find central apartments on VRBO Madrid or browse hotels on Hotels.com Madrid. Stay near Barrio de las Letras (walkable to museums), Salamanca (upscale), or Malasaña (bohemian, nightlife).

Day 4: AVE to Madrid, Prado, and Retiro

Morning: Early AVE/Avlo/OUIGO from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes (about 2.5–3 hours). Book on Omio Trains. Drop bags and grab coffee at Toma Café (Malasaña) or Hola Coffee (Lavapiés).

Afternoon: Prado Museum highlights: Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s Black Paintings, Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Picnic or rowboat in Retiro Park afterward; see the Crystal Palace pavilion if exhibitions are on. Late lunch at La Sanabresa (value, old-school menus del día) or La Castela (excellent seafood tapas; try the gildas and shrimp).

Evening: Dinner at Sobrino de Botín (since 1725; roast suckling pig and Castilian soups) or Casa Mortero (classic recipes with a refined touch). Drinks at La Venencia (sherry-only bar with Civil War history—no photos) or Angelita (stellar wine list and seasonal cocktails downstairs).

Day 5: Royal Madrid, Plaza Mayor, and La Latina Tapas Crawl

Morning: Tour the Royal Palace (book ahead; don’t miss the Royal Armoury) and Almudena Cathedral. Churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés nearby—open since 1894.

Afternoon: Explore Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel (grab a croqueta stand-by at Arzábal, or oysters and cava). Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza for a panoramic sweep from Renaissance to Pop Art. Coffee at HanSo Café or cafés in Barrio de las Letras.

Evening: La Latina tapas crawl along Cava Baja: start at Taberna La Concha (vermouth cocktail and tostas), slide into Juana La Loca (famed tortilla with caramelized onions), then Casa Lucio’s sidestreet siblings for huevos rotos. End with craft cocktails at Salmon Guru (inventive, playful glassware; arrive early or book).

Day 6: Day Trip to Toledo (Medieval Marvel on a Hill)

Morning: Take the high-speed Renfe train from Madrid Atocha to Toledo (≈33 minutes; €14–€30 each way; book on Omio Trains). Walk up or bus/taxi to the historic center. Start at the Catedral Primada—its sacristy hides masterworks by El Greco, Titian, and Caravaggio.

Afternoon: Visit the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito (Sephardic Museum) to feel Toledo’s “city of three cultures” legacy. Cross the San Martín Bridge for views, then lunch at Adolfo (Castilian cuisine with seasonal menus) or La Abadía (local game and stews; beer cellar vibe).

Evening: Before your return train, sample marzipan at Obrador Santo Tomé (Toledo specialty). Back in Madrid, light dinner at Bodega de la Ardosa (superb tortilla and vermut) or Casa Revuelta (salt cod fritters) if you want standing-bar tradition.

Day 7: Reina Sofía, Lavapiés, and Departure

Morning: Reina Sofía Museum for Picasso’s Guernica and Dalí’s Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee. Coffee and toast at Plántate Café or Pum Pum Café in Lavapiés. Stroll street art around Calle de Embajadores and the multicultural San Fernando Market.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping along Gran Vía or in Salamanca’s boutiques. Pick up tinned seafood at La Conservera Gallega or olive oil at a gourmet shop. Head to the airport by Cercanías train or Metro Line 8 (allow extra time for security). For flights, compare options on Omio Flights.

Evening: If your flight is late, celebrate with a final menu del día at El Sur (comforting stews and friendly prices) or modern tapas at Triciclo in Las Letras.

Logistics, Money-Savers, and Local Tips

• Trains: Barcelona–Madrid high-speed trains run from early morning to late evening; aim for a morning departure to maximize city time. Book on Omio Trains and look for Avlo or OUIGO for the lowest fares.
• Transit passes: In Barcelona, the T‑casual 10‑ride ticket is handy for metro/bus; in Madrid, consider the Tourist Travel Pass for unlimited rides by zone.
• Tickets: Reserve Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Royal Palace, and flamenco shows in advance, especially weekends and holidays.
• Dining rhythm: Lunch 1:30–3:30 pm; dinner often 9–11 pm. A “menu del día” at lunch gives great value (starter, main, dessert, drink).
• Safety: Keep phones and wallets zipped; avoid setting bags on chair backs in busy areas like La Rambla or Mercado de La Boqueria.

In a week, you’ll trace Spain’s story from Gothic cloisters to modernist mosaics, from royal tapestries to rebellious canvases. The AVE makes the leap between Barcelona and Madrid easy—your taste buds and camera roll will do the rest. Buen viaje.