Northern Spain folds Roman roads, medieval lanes, and avant‑garde architecture into a coastline of crescents and cliffs. From Catalonia’s Modernisme icons to the Basque Country’s culinary temples, it’s a region made for slow mornings, long lunches, and golden-hour walks.

Barcelona dazzles with Gaudí’s surreal geometry, sweeping boulevards, and a shoreline stitched with boardwalks. San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) trades skyline for shoreline—Belle Époque elegance, deep culinary traditions, and pintxos bars that redefine “bar snacks.”

Practical notes: lunch often starts at 1:30–2:00 p.m. and dinner from 8:30 p.m. Pickpocketing can be an issue in crowded spots—carry only essentials. Sundays bring closures in smaller shops. For trains, buses, and flights within Europe, compare options on Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and Omio Flights.

Barcelona

Barcelona rewards curiosity: look up to see Gaudí’s organic forms, look down for mosaics, and look around for bustling markets. Beyond icons, neighborhoods like Gràcia and Poblenou feel delightfully local, with plazas and studios tucked into narrow streets.

• Top sights: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia (Casa Batlló, La Pedrera), Montjuïc hill, Barceloneta Beach.
• Food & drink: Tapas and traditional Catalan cooking (try Can Culleretes), seafood by the sea (La Mar Salada), modern Catalan tasting menus (Disfrutar if you can snag a reservation), vermouth hours at El Xampanyet.
• Fun fact: Construction on Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and continues—watch the skyline change as towers rise.

Where to stay: For easy sightseeing, base in the Gothic/Born; for architecture and dining, Eixample; for beachy vibes, Barceloneta or Poblenou. Browse stays on VRBO Barcelona or compare hotels on Hotels.com Barcelona.

Getting in: Fly into BCN and take the Aerobús (about 35 minutes) or Metro L9 + L1/L3 into the center. Compare flights on Omio Flights and regional trains on Omio Trains.

Day 1: Arrive and Taste the City

Morning: Fly into Barcelona (BCN). If you’re already in Europe, check Omio Flights and Omio Trains for the best combo of time and price.

Afternoon: Drop bags and stretch your legs through the Gothic Quarter—peek into Barcelona Cathedral’s cloister and detour to La Boqueria market. For a light lunch, grab a seat at El Quim de la Boqueria for baby squid with fried eggs or try Bar Central for plancha-grilled seafood.

Evening: Tapas in El Born: Bar del Pla (cod fritters, tuna tartare with wasabi), El Xampanyet (anchovies, tortilla, and a glass of house cava). For a sweet finish, DelaCrem’s pistachio gelato is worth the line.

Day 2: Gaudí’s Masterpiece + Eixample + Flamenco Night

Morning: Visit the basilica with this skip-the-line guided experience—besides faster entry, guides decode the symbolism in façades and stained glass:

Sagrada Familia: Priority Access & Guided Tour

Pre- or post-visit coffee at Nomad Coffee Lab (nutty single origins) or Cafés El Magnífico (classic roastery).

Afternoon: Stroll Passeig de Gràcia to admire Casa Batlló and La Pedrera from the street, then lunch at La Pepita (creative Catalan sandwiches and small plates). Window-shop Spanish brands like Loewe and Natura.

Evening: See an intimate, high-caliber flamenco performance right on La Rambla—book the dinner show for a full evening:

Tablao Flamenco Cordobes on Rambla Barcelona with Dinner Option

Day 3: Park Güell, Montjuïc Views, and the Sea

Morning: Start in the fresh air with Gaudí’s hillside park and its tiled benches overlooking the city:

Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Afternoon: Head up Montjuïc for city panoramas; visit the MNAC terraces and the Olympic Ring. Note: the Magic Fountain shows have been paused during drought restrictions—enjoy the viewpoints instead. Lunch at La Tasqueta de Blai on nearby Carrer de Blai (pintxos by the toothpick).

Evening: Go seaside—sunset walk along Barceloneta or north to Poblenou’s calmer sands. Dinner at La Mar Salada (suquet fish stew, paella marinera) or Can Fisher in Poblenou for grilled whole fish and rice dishes.

Day 4: Montserrat Peaks and Catalan Wines (Full-Day)

Trade the city for serrated mountains and a monastery that’s drawn pilgrims for centuries. This small‑group tour folds in the cogwheel railway, time at the basilica, and a proper tasting of local wines with tapas or lunch:

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

Dress modestly for the basilica and bring a light jacket—the mountain can be breezy even in summer. Return to Barcelona by early evening; for a relaxed dinner, try La Mundana in Sants (inventive tapas) or pasta at Xemei if you’re craving Italian with Venetian flair.

San Sebastián

San Sebastián is a postcard you can walk: scalloped beaches, Belle Époque balustrades, and a green hill at either end. The city’s soul is culinary—pintxos bars, cider houses in the hills, and several Michelin‑starred kitchens that helped launch the New Basque Cuisine movement.

• Top sights: La Concha and Ondarreta beaches, Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo, Old Town (Parte Vieja), Miramar Palace, Mercado de la Bretxa, nearby fishing towns like Getaria and Orio.
• Food & drink: Pintxos crawl essentials: Ganbara (wild mushrooms), Txepetxa (anchovies in a dozen styles), La Viña (the original Basque cheesecake), Atari (grilled foie, txuleta by the gram). Splash of txakoli (crisp, lightly effervescent white wine).
• Fun fact: San Sebastián hosts one of Europe’s top film festivals each September—spot the Kursaal’s glowing “cubes” on Zurriola Beach.

Where to stay: Parte Vieja for nightlife, Centro for classic architecture and convenience, Gros for surfers and cafés, Antiguo for a quieter residential feel. See options on VRBO San Sebastián or compare hotels on Hotels.com San Sebastián.

Getting there from Barcelona (Day 5 morning): The Renfe Alvia train takes about 5h45–6h20, often €35–€90—check times on Omio Trains. Buses are ~6.5–7 hours, ~€25–€45 via Omio Buses. Flying BCN–BIO is ~1h15 plus 75–90 minutes by bus to San Sebastián (~€17) via PESA; compare airfares on Omio Flights.

Day 5: Barcelona to San Sebastián, Seaside Stroll, Pintxos 101

Morning: Depart Barcelona on an early Alvia train (aim for around 7–8 a.m.) via Omio Trains. Pack a simple train breakfast—ensaimada or croissant and a café con leche.

Afternoon: Check in, then take the promenade from the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) along La Concha to the Peine del Viento sculptures by Chillida. Coffee at Sakona Coffee Roasters (Gros) or a creamy hot chocolate at Otaegui pastelería.

Evening: Pintxos crawl in the Parte Vieja: start at Ganbara (butter-sautéed boletus mushrooms, crab tartlet), then Txepetxa for anchovies with sea urchin or blueberry sauce, Atari for veal cheeks and a glass of Rioja, finish with Basque cheesecake at La Viña. If you want a sit-down meal, book Casa Urola (grilled hake kokotxas, seasonal vegetables).

Day 6: Day Trip to Bilbao: Guggenheim and Casco Viejo

Morning: Bus or Euskotren train to Bilbao (about 1–1.25 hours, ~€7–€12; check Omio Buses or Omio Trains). Visit the Guggenheim—Gehry’s titanium curves are as compelling as the exhibitions. Stroll the riverfront past Puppy and the spider sculpture, Maman.

Afternoon: Lunch in the Casco Viejo: Gure Toki (award-winning pintxos like grilled foie with apple), Sorginzulo (prawn brochette), or La Viña del Ensanche (jamón and gildas). Explore Plaza Nueva arcades and the Mercado de la Ribera (Europe’s largest covered market) for local cheeses and idiazabal.

Evening: Return to San Sebastián for sunset from Monte Urgull (short hike from the Old Town) or a cider house experience in season (January–April)—share a txuleta (bone-in steak) and pour cider straight from the barrel.

Day 7: San Sebastián Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Funicular up Monte Igueldo for classic bay views, then a thalassotherapy soak at La Perla (bring swim caps). Brunch at Kafe Botanika (shakshuka, good veggie options) or Narru for refined local flavors.

Afternoon: Last-minute treats—takeaway cheesecake from La Viña or a box of pantxineta pastries. Depart via EAS (rare direct flights) or bus to BIO for wider options; compare routes on Omio Flights and Omio Buses.

Optional: Add More Barcelona Gaudí (If Extra Time on Days 2–3)

If you’re hungry for more Modernisme, consider this combined experience for Park Güell and Sagrada Familia or a complete Gaudí immersion:

Park Guell and Sagrada Familia Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

Local dining shortlist (save these):

• Barcelona: Can Culleretes (since 1786; roasted suckling pig, crema catalana), Cal Pep (standing-room tapas—clam stew), Quimet & Quimet (tinned seafood montaditos), Bar Cañete (old-school brasserie energy), Besta (Galician–Catalan seafood).
• San Sebastián: Bar Nestor (limited tomato salad and tortilla; arrive before opening), Gandarias (sirloin skewers), Zeruko’s reinvented pintxos, Kaia-Kaipe in Getaria (whole turbot over coals), Elkano (Michelin-starred charcoal-grilled fish; book far ahead).

Between-city logistics at a glance:

• Train Barcelona → San Sebastián: ~5h45–6h20; typically €35–€90. Book on Omio Trains.
• Bus Barcelona → San Sebastián: ~6h45–7h30; €25–€45. See Omio Buses.
• Flight Barcelona → Bilbao + bus: 1h15 flight + ~1h15 bus; often €35–€120 + ~€17 bus. Compare on Omio Flights.

Hotel booking tips: In summer, both cities book up—lock lodging 2–4 months out. If you plan a pintxos crawl, stay within walking distance of the Parte Vieja to skip late-night taxis. For Barcelona beach time, Poblenou balances sand access and quieter nights.

With Gaudí’s curves, Montserrat’s cliffs, Atlantic breezes, and the clink of txakoli glasses, this Northern Spain route gives you architecture and appetite, coastline and culture. You’ll leave with sand on your shoes, saffron in your memory, and a list of places you already want to revisit.