Barcelona and Madrid are Spain’s great double act—one a Mediterranean mosaic of Modernisme and beach life, the other a regal capital where Goya, Velázquez, and cutting-edge gastronomy share the stage. In a week, you’ll see the icons (Sagrada Familia, Royal Palace, Prado), linger in neighborhoods locals love, and taste your way through tapas bars old and new.

Barcelona’s story loops from Roman Barcino to the 19th-century Eixample and the 1992 Olympics, with Antoni Gaudí’s organic architecture tying it together. Madrid, sitting high on the Castilian plateau, rose from Habsburg courts to a buzzing, late-night city centered on grand boulevards and leafy Retiro Park.

Expect late dining, espresso that actually wakes you up, and excellent public transit in both cities. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas, book major sights in advance, and bring comfortable shoes—Spain rewards the curious walker.

Barcelona

Barcelona dazzles with Gaudí’s masterpieces, a sunlit waterfront, and intimate barrios like El Born and Gràcia. Mornings are for market bars and Modernisme; afternoons, for seaside rambles; nights, for vermouth, cava, and shared plates.

• Top sights: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló/La Pedrera, Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc, Barceloneta.
• Neighborhood joys: El Born’s wine bars, Gràcia’s plazas, Sant Antoni’s cafés, Poblenou’s creative spaces.
• What to eat: Pa amb tomàquet, escalivada, fideuà, seafood a la planxa, crema catalana—plus natural cava.

Where to stay (Barcelona):

• Hotel Arts Barcelona (beachfront icon with panoramic views).
• Novotel Barcelona City (family-friendly near Torre Glòries and tram lines).
• Generator Barcelona (stylish budget in the Eixample/Gràcia cusp).
• H10 Marina Barcelona (for spa time and quick beach access).
• Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona (shopping, beaches, and family pool scene).
• Hostal Grau Barcelona or Hostal Grau (eco-chic boutique steps from La Rambla).
• Browse apartments and villas: VRBO Barcelona or compare hotels on Hotels.com Barcelona.

Getting to Barcelona: Fly into BCN (El Prat). Compare flights to Europe on Omio (Flights). If you’re already in Europe, trains and buses are easy to search on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). Aerobús and metro L9S connect the airport with the city in ~30–40 minutes.

Day 1 – Barcelona Arrival, Gothic Quarter, and Flamenco

Afternoon: Land at BCN and drop bags. Shake off jet lag with a gentle wander through the Gothic Quarter: Plaça del Rei’s medieval stones, Barcelona Cathedral’s cloister, and tiny passageways opening onto café-filled squares. Coffee stop ideas: Nomad Coffee Lab (light roasts) or Satan’s Coffee (third-wave favorite).

Evening: Tapas near El Born—try Bar del Pla (seasonal Catalan small plates), El Xampanyet (anchovies, tortilla, and house cava), or Bodega La Palma (old-school bodega charm). Cap the night with a flamenco performance right by Plaça Catalunya:

Flamenco Show Ticket at Theatre Barcelona City Hall

Day 2 – Gaudí Essentials, Paseo de Gràcia, and a Tapas Walk

Morning: Fuel up with xuixo or a Catalan crema bun at Pastisseria Escribà, then take a guided, skip-the-line visit to Sagrada Familia—under construction since 1882 and finally nearing completion. Go for stained-glass light in late morning:

Barcelona: Sagrada Familia: Priority Access & Guided Tour

Afternoon: Stroll Passeig de Gràcia to admire Casa Batlló and La Pedrera’s undulating façades. Lunch at Cervecería Catalana (classic tapas; expect a short wait) or La Pepita (inventive bocatas and vermouth). Shop local design on Rambla de Catalunya.

Evening: Join a small-group tapas and wine crawl in the Gothic Quarter and El Born to learn why Catalans pair anchovies with sparkling cava and why vermut hour matters:

Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour

Day 3 – Park Güell, Montjuïc Views, and a Paella Class

Morning: Beat the crowds at Park Güell’s mosaic benches and lizard fountain on a guided, skip-the-line visit that explains Gaudí’s urban garden vision:

Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Brunch options in Gràcia: Café Godot (Mediterranean plates) or La Nena (thick hot chocolate, board games vibe).

Afternoon: Ride the Montjuïc cable car for harbor views; visit the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya’s Romanesque frescoes. If you prefer the sea, walk the boardwalk from Barceloneta to Poblenou for beach bars and gelato.

Evening: Learn to make paella (and the vital sofrito) with a market visit, tapas, and sangria—great fun for groups and families:

Barcelona Paella Cooking Class with Market Visit, Tapas & Sangria

Day 4 – Montserrat Peaks, Monastery Choir, and Wine Country (Day Trip)

Spend the day in Catalonia’s serrated mountains, home to the Black Madonna and one of Europe’s oldest boys’ choirs. You’ll ride the cogwheel train, visit the monastery, and taste local wines with a tapas or lunch pairing—history, landscape, and terroir in one go.

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

Evening back in Barcelona: Seafood feast at La Paradeta (choose your catch at the counter) or traditional rice dishes at Can Solé in Barceloneta.

Madrid

Madrid is stately yet social, where grand plazas spill into tapas lanes and galleries. Days orbit the “Art Triangle”—Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen—while nights sizzle with vermouth bars, tabernas, and flamenco tablaos.

• Top sights: Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen, Retiro Park, Gran Vía.
• Food culture: Calamari sandwiches by Plaza Mayor, cocido madrileño, huevos rotos, and exceptional wines by the glass.
• Day trips: Medieval Toledo and Roman Segovia make history tangible in a single day.

Where to stay (Madrid):

• The Westin Palace, Madrid (Belle Époque icon near the Prado).
• Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (stylish refuge near the Royal Palace).
• Novotel Madrid Center (Salamanca convenience, good for families).
• Melia Madrid Princesa (views and easy metro access).
• Hostal Persal or Room007 Ventura Hostel (budget-friendly by Las Letras).
• Compare apartments and hotels: VRBO Madrid and Hotels.com Madrid.

Getting from Barcelona to Madrid: Take the high-speed train (Renfe AVE/Avlo or OUIGO) ~2.5–3 hours, frequent departures, typical fares €20–€85 if booked ahead. Search and book on Omio (Trains). Flights run ~1h15, but city-center to center the train wins; compare on Omio (Flights).

Day 5 – Train to Madrid, Habsburg Lanes, and Royal Palace

Morning: Depart Barcelona on an early high-speed train (aim for ~8–9 a.m.). Settle into your hotel and grab a pick-me-up at Toma Café (Malasaña; serious beans) or HanSo Café (Asian-influenced bakes).

Afternoon: Explore the historic core: Plaza Mayor’s arcades, Mercado de San Miguel’s gourmet stalls (try jamón ibérico cones and Basque pintxos), and a calamari sandwich at Bar La Campana by Plaza Mayor. Then tour the opulent Royal Palace with skip-the-line access—Throne Room, Royal Armory, and Tiepolo ceilings.

Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Evening: Tapas crawl in La Latina and Cava Baja. Consider a guided tasting for history and insider spots (over 10 tapas and paired wines):

Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Walking Tour – Small Group Local Bars

Day 6 – Full-Day Toledo & Segovia: Cathedrals, Alcázars, and Aqueducts

See two UNESCO gems in a single day. In Toledo, trace the “city of three cultures” through the Gothic Cathedral, El Greco’s masterpieces, and synagogues of the former Jewish quarter. In Segovia, marvel at the Roman aqueduct and the fairy-tale Alcázar that inspired castle myths. Many tours include skip-the-line tickets and a hearty Castilian lunch.

Toledo & Segovia Tour with Cathedral and Alcazar Tickets & Lunch

Dinner back in Madrid: Casa Lucio (famous huevos rotos), La Castela (seafood tapas at the bar), or Botín (since 1725; classic roast suckling pig in vaulted brick rooms).

Day 7 – The Prado, Retiro, and Departure

Morning: Dive into the Prado with an expert guide for highlights from Velázquez’s Las Meninas to Goya’s Black Paintings and Rubens’ drama. A focused visit makes the vast collection click into place.

Prado Museum Small Group Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Afternoon: Stroll Retiro Park—Crystal Palace, the lake, and shady promenades—then a quick bite at El Anciano Rey de los Vinos (rabo de toro pastry and vermouth) before heading to the airport or station. For flights, compare options on Omio (Flights); for trains to elsewhere in Spain or Portugal, see Omio (Trains).

Evening: Departure day—if you have extra time, pick up pralines from La Mallorquina or churros-to-go from San Ginés.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (save for any day):

• Barcelona breakfast/coffee: Granja Viader (since 1870s for suizo and crema), Departure Coffee (specialty), Hidden Café (flat whites, pastries).
• Barcelona lunch/dinner: Bar Cañete (lively counter), El Quim de la Boqueria (eggs with baby squid), La Cova Fumada (bombas), Can Ros (seafood rice in Poblenou).
• Madrid breakfast/merienda: Chocolatería San Ginés (churros con chocolate), La Mallorquina (napolitanas), Acid Café (filter and bakes).
• Madrid tapas/dinner: Casa Toni (offal classics), Taberna Tempranillo (Ribera and Rioja by the glass), La Dolores (vermouth and gildas), Salmon Guru (cocktails; book ahead).

Transit Tips: In Barcelona, T-casual (10 rides) or T-usual (unlimited monthly) work across metro, bus, and tram; Aerobús is fastest for the airport. In Madrid, the Tourist Travel Pass covers all zones; Metro Line 8 connects the airport in ~30 minutes. Taxis and ride-hailing are regulated and widely available.

For extra sightseeing flexibility in Barcelona, consider the hop-on hop-off bus for a broad overview early in your stay:

City Sightseeing Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: 24 or 48-Hour

Booking Windows (insider notes): Sagrada Familia and Park Güell: reserve 2–4 weeks out in high season. AVE trains: best fares 2–6 weeks before travel. Prado and Royal Palace skip-the-line tours: weekends sell out. Dinner in top tapas bars: arrive at opening or be ready to queue (it’s part of the fun).

One week in Spain flies by, but this plan balances icons with neighborhood life: Gaudí’s curves, mountain monasteries, royal halls, and gallery masterpieces—all stitched together with excellent food and late-evening energy. You’ll leave with sun on your skin, a new love for vermouth, and plenty of reasons to return for Seville, Valencia, and the north.