Few countries capture the imagination like Spain—home to Roman roads, Moorish palaces, and avant‑garde art that shaped the 20th century. In this one-week itinerary, you’ll savor Madrid’s regal grandeur and markets, then decamp to Barcelona’s Mediterranean rhythm and Gaudí’s whimsical masterpieces.

Madrid anchors Spain politically and culturally with the “Golden Triangle” of museums—the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen—while its taverns keep traditions alive with vermouth on tap and paper-thin croquetas. Barcelona offers a different dialect, Catalan cuisine, and a skyline punctuated by Sagrada Familia’s spires.

Expect late lunches, leisurely dinners, and lively plazas well past sunset. Book major sights (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell) ahead, stay mindful of pickpockets in busy areas, and pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones. Trains are fast, food is a joy, and every neighborhood rewards a wander.

Madrid

Spain’s capital is elegant yet down-to-earth, where royal boulevards meet timeworn tabernas. Start at the Habsburg heart—Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol—and fan out to the leafy Retiro Park and the stately Gran Vía. Art lovers can lose days between Velázquez at the Prado and Picasso’s Guernica at the Reina Sofía.

Eat like a local: order a caña (small beer) with a tapa in La Latina, share tortilla at a standing bar, and end with churros con chocolate. Don’t miss the sunset from the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian gift to Madrid with golden-hour city views.

• Stay (Hotels.com & VRBO):
  • Classic: The Westin Palace, Madrid (Belle Époque icon by the museums).
  • Design: Novotel Madrid Center (Salamanca; great transport).
  • Boutique luxury: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (rooftop, royal quarter).
  • Good-value central: Hostal Persal (Plaza Santa Ana).
  • Social budget: Room007 Ventura Hostel (vibrant and walkable).
  • More options: Search hotels in Madrid or find apartments on VRBO.
• Getting to Madrid: For flights within Europe, compare on Omio (flights in Europe). For long-haul, check Trip.com (flights). Trains in Europe bookable on Omio (trains).

Barcelona

Barcelona is where Roman ruins sit beneath a Gothic Quarter and modernisme blossoms into Gaudí’s dreamscapes. From the mosaic serpents of Park Güell to the forest of stone inside Sagrada Familia, the city turns architecture into poetry.

Food is playful and seasonal: silky bombas in Barceloneta, seafood at La Boqueria’s counters, and sparkling cava with tapas in El Born. The beach is a tram ride away; hilltop Montjuïc rewards with gardens, museums, and sunsets over the port.

• Stay (Hotels.com & VRBO):
  • Icon by the sea: Hotel Arts Barcelona (views, marina).
  • Stylish mid-range: Novotel Barcelona City (rooftop pool, Glòries).
  • Well-priced boutique: Hostal Grau Barcelona (eco-chic near La Rambla).
  • Trendy budget: Generator Barcelona (Gràcia/Eixample edge).
  • Harbor comfort: H10 Marina Barcelona (spa, near beach).
  • More options: Search hotels in Barcelona or find apartments on VRBO.
• Getting to Barcelona from Madrid: Take the high-speed AVE/Avlo/OUIGO (≈2.5–3 hours, typical €40–€120 depending on advance) via Omio (trains). Low-cost flights take ≈1h20, but door-to-door time is similar.

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Golden Hour Stroll

Morning: Fly into Madrid-Barajas (MAD). For regional flights, compare on Omio; for long-haul, check Trip.com. Drop bags at your hotel and freshen up.

Afternoon: Start with a sweet bite at La Mallorquina (since 1894) on Puerta del Sol—order a creamy napolitana. Walk to Plaza Mayor to see the arcades, then thread to Mercado de San Miguel for a progressive lunch: Galician octopus, croquetas de jamón, and a glass of Rioja at one of the stalls.

Evening: Tapas crawl in La Latina along Cava Baja—try La Perejila for Andalusian bites and Taberna Tempranillo for wine. Cap the night with authentic flamenco in an intimate cave setting: Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid.

Day 2: Madrid’s Art Triangle, Retiro, and Old Taverns

Morning: Orientation with a fun overview ride: Welcome Tour to Madrid in Private Eco Tuk Tuk (2 hours). You’ll pass the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Gran Vía, and Salamanca’s shop-lined boulevards—great for bearings.

Grab specialty coffee at Toma Café (Malasaña) or HanSo (Asian-influenced pastries).

Afternoon: Dive into the Prado (Velázquez, Goya, Bosch), then stroll El Retiro—seek the Crystal Palace and the rose garden. If time allows, hop to Reina Sofía to see Picasso’s Guernica. Lunch nearby at La Sanabresa (value, traditional) or Ultramarinos Quintín (market-to-table with a lively bar).

Evening: Sunset at the Temple of Debod for glowing city vistas. Dinner in the Literary Quarter: Casa Toni (old-school grill, skewers) or La Venencia (sherry-only bar; no photos; try manzanilla with salted almonds). Nightcap at Salmon Guru (inventive cocktails).

Day 3: UNESCO Trio Day Trip from Madrid

Make the most of your time with a guided day out to three storied cities, each with a different flavor of Castilian history: Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila and Toledo from Madrid. You’ll see a Roman aqueduct in Segovia, the walled city of Ávila, and Toledo’s hilltop labyrinth, home to El Greco’s legacy. It’s an 11-hour, efficient way to tick off highlights without logistics stress.

Before departure, fuel up with churros at Chocolatería San Ginés; on return, late tapas at Casa Revuelta (cod bites) near Plaza Mayor.

Day 4: AVE to Barcelona, Gothic Quarter and El Born

Morning: Board a high-speed train from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Barcelona Sants (≈2.5–3 hours). Book advance fares and times on Omio (trains)—aim for a 9–10 a.m. departure (~€40–€120).

Afternoon: Drop bags, then get acquainted with the historic core. Wander the Gothic Quarter’s Roman walls, Plaça del Rei, and Barcelona Cathedral’s cloister geese. Lunch at El Quim de la Boqueria (fried eggs with baby squid) or Bar Pinotxo (chickpea stew) inside La Boqueria market.

Evening: Explore El Born’s boutiques and the majestic Santa Maria del Mar. Pintxos and cava at El Xampanyet (arrive early), or sit-down seafood and Catalan rice at Can Solé in Barceloneta. For craft cocktails, Paradiso hides behind a deli door and serves playful, award-winning drinks.

Day 5: Gaudí Day—Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, Passeig de Gràcia

Morning: Coffee at Nomad Roaster’s Home or Satan’s Coffee Corner, then head to Park Güell’s Monumental Zone; timed tickets are required. Marvel at the trencadís mosaics and city views from the dragon staircase and serpentine bench.

Afternoon: Join a guided, skip-the-line experience at Barcelona’s crown jewel: Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets for context-rich storytelling on Gaudí’s symbolism and the basilica’s ongoing construction.

Afterward, stroll Passeig de Gràcia to admire Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (exteriors or tours if time permits).

Evening: Dinner in Eixample: Bar Mut (market-driven plates, excellent wines) or Cerveseria Catalana (beloved tapas—expect a wait). End with a gelato at DeLaCrem or a vermouth at Bodega La Palma.

Day 6: Montserrat Mountain, Wine & Tapas; Seaside Sunset

Trade the city for serrated peaks and a Black Madonna at Catalonia’s beloved monastery. Join the small-group Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines—it includes transport, time at the abbey, and a relaxed tasting at a countryside winery.

Back in Barcelona, stroll the beachfront promenade from Barceloneta to Poblenou for a golden-hour walk, then grab seafood paella at Xiringuito Escribà.

Day 7: Markets, Montjuïc, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Brunch & Cake (creative, photogenic plates) or Granja Viader (historic dairy café—try suizo hot chocolate). Ride up to Montjuïc for castle views, the Olympic Ring, and the Joan Miró Foundation if you want one last art fix.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping on Passeig de Gràcia or independent designers in El Born. If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares and times on Omio; if returning long-haul, check Trip.com. Depart in the afternoon with a bag of panellets or turrón for the road.

Where to eat and drink—quick picks to bookmark:

• Madrid breakfasts: La Mallorquina (pastries), Cafelito (cozy espresso), Plenti (Avocado toast, Spanish-style eggs).
• Madrid lunches: Mercado de San Miguel (tapas stalls), Lhardy (classic cocido), Casa Dani in Platea (famed tortilla).
• Madrid dinners: Sobrino de Botín (roast suckling pig, historic), La Casa del Abuelo (garlic shrimp), Taberna El Sur (casual, great value).
• Barcelona breakfasts: Nomad Coffee, Granja Viader, Federal Café (light, airy).
• Barcelona lunches: Can Culleretes (oldest restaurant in town), Cal Pep (counter tapas; arrive early), Bar del Pla (seasonal plates).
• Barcelona dinners: Disfrutar (inventive tasting menu—reserve far ahead), Can Solé (seafood), El Xampanyet (pintxos & cava).

Logistics at a glance:

• Intercity travel: Madrid–Barcelona AVE ≈2.5–3h; book on Omio. Expect €40–€120 depending on demand and advance purchase.
• In-city tips: Dinner starts late (8:30–10:30 p.m. is normal). Keep valuables secure in crowds (Las Ramblas, metro). Major museums close some evenings; check hours before you go.
• Must-book sights: Sagrada Familia and Park Güell timed tickets; popular restaurants often require reservations.

In a week, you’ll have tasted Spain’s twin capitals: Madrid’s stately museums and tavern life, Barcelona’s seaside creativity and Gaudí glow. With fast trains, smart bookings, and a few unforgettable tours, this itinerary folds Spain’s art, food, and history into a trip you’ll talk about for years.