Spain blends centuries of history with a modern, late-night rhythm. In one week you can trace masterpieces from Velázquez to Picasso in Madrid, then stand beneath Gaudí’s otherworldly vaults in Barcelona. You’ll graze markets, sip vermouth in tiny bodegas, and zip between cities on a swift AVE train.

Madrid is royal and resolutely local, with grand plazas, elegant boulevards, and a tapas culture that sparkles until the small hours. Barcelona is Mediterranean and avant‑garde—its Eixample grid hides design-forward cafés, while the Gothic Quarter folds you into medieval lanes that suddenly spill toward the sea.

Practical notes: prebook headline sights (Prado, Sagrada Família, Park Güell) and timed entries. Watch for pickpockets in busy areas (Las Ramblas, metro hubs). For intra‑European travel and tickets, compare trains, buses, and flights on Omio (Europe trains), Omio (Europe buses), and Omio (flights). Both cities have excellent metros; cashless cards work almost everywhere, and late dinners are the norm.

Madrid

Madrid wears its art on its sleeve. The “Golden Triangle” museums—Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen—sit steps from leafy El Retiro Park. In the oldest quarters, centuries-old taverns pour sherry and fry cod, while the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor anchor the city’s royal core.

Food is a sport here. Start sweet with a napolitana at La Mallorquina, then hunt down wild mushrooms at El Cisne Azul or a crispy bocadillo de calamares around Plaza Mayor. Evenings stretch late with vermouth in La Latina and inspired cocktails at Salmon Guru.

• Where to stay: Browse apartments and homes on VRBO Madrid or compare hotels on Hotels.com Madrid. Best bases: Centro (walkable to sights), Salamanca (upscale), Malasaña/Chueca (boutiques and nightlife).
• Getting in: Fly into MAD and use the Airport Express bus (~€5–7), Metro Line 8, or a taxi (~€30 flat to city center). For international flights, search Omio (flights).

Day 1: Arrival, Historic Heart, and Market Tapas

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs from Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor, noting arcades once used for royal ceremonies. Duck into La Mallorquina for a classic napolitana pastry and quick espresso before wandering to the iron-and-glass Mercado de San Miguel.

Evening: Graze at Mercado de San Miguel: try oysters at El Señor Martín, croquetas at Arzábal, and a slice of tortilla at La Casa del Bacalao. Stroll to Chocolatería San Ginés for churros con chocolate. Nightcap at Salmon Guru (inventive, award-winning cocktails in a playful space). Early night—or Madrid late—your call.

Day 2: The Art Triangle and Retiro

Morning: Coffee at Toma Café (Malasaña; specialty roasts), then the Prado Museum (allow 2–3 hours; €15–20). Don’t miss Velázquez’s “Las Meninas,” Goya’s “The Third of May,” and Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights.”

Afternoon: Walk El Retiro Park to the Crystal Palace and the lake. Grab lunch at Mercado de Antón Martín—Yokaloka (Tokyo-style sushi bar), or Lamian by Soy Kitchen (hand-pulled noodles). Continue to Reina Sofía to see Picasso’s “Guernica” and Dalí’s dreamscapes (combo with Prado saves time).

Evening: Tapas crawl in La Latina around Cava Baja. Pop into Casa Lucio (order huevos rotos), Taberna Tempranillo (Rioja-heavy wine list), and La Perejila (Andalusian bites). For a refined nightcap, 1862 Dry Bar shakes classic cocktails in a 19th-century townhouse.

Day 3: Royal Madrid, Neighborhoods, and Flamenco

Morning: Royal Palace of Madrid (lavish halls; ~€13) and Almudena Cathedral next door. Brunch at Café de Oriente on the palace plaza or grab a crispy, just-fried bacalao at Casa Revuelta near Plaza Mayor.

Afternoon: Shop and café-hop through Malasaña and Chueca. Sit-down lunch at El Cisne Azul (famous for seasonal wild mushrooms and game). Catch sunset at the Temple of Debod, an authentic Egyptian temple with city views.

Evening: Flamenco at Corral de la Morería (intimate stage; top-tier dancers; dinner show optional) or Cardamomo. If you skipped dinner, head to Sala de Despiece (theatrical, product-driven plates) or Sobrino de Botín—documented as one of the world’s oldest restaurants—for roast suckling pig.

Barcelona

Barcelona is where the Mediterranean meets Modernisme. The Eixample’s chessboard avenues cradle Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, while the Gothic Quarter’s shadowy lanes unravel into sunny plazas. It’s a city for walkers, designers, and anyone drawn to the sea.

Food here is exuberant: cava with anchovies in El Born, market-fresh seafood at La Boqueria, and montaditos piled high at tiny counters. Evenings slide easily from tapas to vermouth to a craft cocktail in a hidden speakeasy.

• Where to stay: Browse character apartments on VRBO Barcelona or compare hotels on Hotels.com Barcelona. Best bases: Eixample (central, elegant), El Born/Gothic (atmospheric lanes), Gràcia (local, village vibe).
• Getting there from Madrid: Morning AVE/Iryo/OUIGO high-speed trains take ~2 hr 30–2 hr 50 min. Typical fares range €20–€70 if booked ahead. Compare timetables and prices on Omio (Europe trains); budget buses are slower (7–8+ hrs) but cheaper via Omio (Europe buses).

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

Morning: Depart Madrid by AVE around 8–9 a.m. and arrive at Barcelona Sants late morning. Check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Lunch at La Boqueria: El Quim de la Boqueria (fried eggs with baby squid) or Bar Pinotxo (classic Catalan tapas at the counter). Stroll Las Ramblas into the Gothic Quarter—Plaça Reial, Barcelona Cathedral—and on to El Born’s Santa Maria del Mar.

Evening: Tapas in El Born: El Xampanyet (cava with anchovies and artichokes) or Cal Pep (bar-seat seafood; arrive early). Sip a playful, world-class cocktail at Paradiso, a speakeasy behind a “pastrami shop” facade.

Day 5: Sagrada Família and Modernisme on Passeig de Gràcia

Morning: Prebook Sagrada Família (allow 90–120 minutes; standard €26–€36 with optional towers). Coffee before or after at Nomad Coffee Lab & Shop (precision brews). Pause at Avinguda Gaudí for a neighborhood feel.

Afternoon: Walk Passeig de Gràcia: tour Casa Batlló (immersive multimedia adds context) and La Pedrera (roofline chimneys are iconic). Lunch nearby at El Nacional (multi-venue food hall) or Tapas 24 (chef Carles Abellán’s casual classics).

Evening: Dinner at Bar Cañete (old-school service, market-driven tapas; book ahead). Splurge option: Disfrutar (avant-garde tasting menu from elBulli alumni; reservations essential). Nightcap at Dr. Stravinsky (house-distilled botanicals).

Day 6: Park Güell, Sea Breezes, and Montjuïc Sunset

Morning: Timed entry to Park Güell (about €10; mosaic-serpent benches and citywide views). Breakfast after at Granja Viader (since 1870; thick hot chocolate and mató with honey) or a healthy spread at Flax & Kale.

Afternoon: Head to Barceloneta for a beachside walk. Lunch on seafood: La Cova Fumada (home of the “bomba”) or pick-and-choose at La Paradeta (market counter where they cook your selection). If you prefer museums, the Picasso Museum is nearby in El Born—book ahead.

Evening: Ride up to Montjuïc (bus or taxi; the cable car is scenic) for gardens, castle views, and a pastel sunset over the harbor. Dine in Poble Sec with a pintxos crawl on Carrer de Blai (La Tasqueta de Blai, Blai 9) or savor montaditos and conservas at the tiny Quimet & Quimet.

Day 7: Markets, Gràcia Lanes, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Syra Coffee or SlowMov, then wander Gràcia’s village-like squares (Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia). Pick up edible souvenirs: tinned seafood, local olive oil, or turrón.

Afternoon: If time permits, duck into the airy Palau de la Música Catalana lobby or do a last spin through El Born boutiques. Depart for BCN; the Aerobús (~€6–7) or metro L9 Sud connects efficiently. For flights and trains, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (Europe trains).

Evening: Travel day—toast your week with a final cortado or a glass of cava at the airport.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Local transport: Madrid’s Tourist Travel Pass covers metro/bus zones; Barcelona’s Hola Barcelona card covers metro/bus/tram. Both metros run late on weekends.
• Costs (typical): Prado €15–20; Reina Sofía ~€12; Royal Palace ~€13; Sagrada Família €26–€36; Park Güell ~€10; Casa Batlló/La Pedrera €28–€35+; AVE Madrid–Barcelona €20–€70 (2.5–3 hrs).
• Dining customs: Lunch 1–3 p.m.; dinner after 8:30 p.m. Tipping is modest (round up or leave ~5–10% for table service).
• Safety: Petty theft targets crowded areas. Wear your bag cross-body, and keep phones zipped away on the metro.

Optional Add‑Ons (if you extend): From Madrid, day-trip to Toledo or Segovia (fast trains via Omio). From Barcelona, Montserrat’s monastery and serrated peaks make a stellar half‑day escape (R5 train + rack railway).

In one week you’ve sampled Spain’s soul: Madrid’s royal grandeur and gallery halls, Barcelona’s Gaudí dreamscapes and seaside ease, with tapas, vermouth, and café culture stitching it together. Keep this itinerary handy; it’s a template you can replay, remix, and refine with every return.