Spain rewards unhurried travel. From the Habsburg-era avenues of Madrid to the scalloped bay of San Sebastián and the Modernisme skyline of Barcelona, this 10-day itinerary invites you to savor art, architecture, and regional cuisine at an easy pace. Expect long lunches, market rambles, soft-sand beaches, and late sunsets that beg for one more tapa and one last glass of wine.

History is everywhere. You’ll meet Velázquez and Goya in Madrid, trace Roman stones and medieval lanes in the Basque Country, and contemplate how Gaudí fused nature and spirituality into Barcelona’s skyline. Between cities, comfortable trains glide through landscapes dotted with vineyards and old stone villages.

Practical notes: book key attractions like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell in advance; Spain dines late (many kitchens open 1:30–4 pm and 8:30–11 pm); keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas. This plan balances must-see sights with “live like a local” rituals—coffee culture, neighborhood markets, and unhurried evenings in plazas.

Madrid

Madrid’s heart beats in its art triangle—the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen—yet the soul is found in its tabernas and tree-lined Retiro Park. Royal palaces, grand boulevards, and neighborhood markets set the stage for a city that lingers over conversation and a good tortilla.

• Top sights: Prado Museum, Royal Palace & Almudena Cathedral, Retiro Park & Crystal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Reina Sofía (Guernica), Thyssen-Bornemisza.
• Local flavor: Vermut on tap in La Latina, crispy bacalao at Casa Revuelta, churros con chocolate at century-old San Ginés, and tapas crawls in Malasaña and Lavapiés.
• Coffee & bites: Toma Café (specialty roasts), HanSo Café (Asian-influenced brunch), Mercado de la Paz (classic stalls; try Casa Dani for tortilla).

Where to stay (midrange to boutique): The Westin Palace, Madrid, Novotel Madrid Center, Hostal Persal, Room007 Ventura Hostel. Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Madrid or apartments on VRBO – Madrid.

Getting there & around: Fly into Madrid-Barajas (MAD). Compare flights on Omio (Flights to/from Europe). In town, the Metro is fast and safe; taxis and rideshares are affordable for late nights.

Day 1: Arrival and an Evening in Old Madrid

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs from Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor, ducking into Chocolatería San Ginés for churros if jet lag tugs.

Evening: Ease into Spanish time with a tapas stroll in La Latina. Try Taberna La Concha for vermut and gildas, Casa Revuelta for golden fried cod, and finish with tortilla and wine at Juana La Loca. Nightcap along Cava Baja’s lantern-lit lanes.

Day 2: Masters, Palaces, and Flamenco

Morning: Coffee at Toma Café, then the Prado—Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s Black Paintings, and Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Wander Retiro Park to the Crystal Palace, often hosting contemporary installations.

Afternoon: Tour the Royal Palace’s Throne Room, Royal Armoury, and the airy Plaza de la Armería with a guide to bring Bourbon-era anecdotes to life:

Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Evening: Taste Madrid like a local on a small-group tapas and wine walk—bar-hopping through hidden taverns to sample jamón ibérico, croquetas, and regional wines:

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

Cap the night with an intimate flamenco show where the guitar’s rasgueo and heelwork are front-row vivid:

Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid

Day 3: Optional Day Trip—Toledo & Segovia

Trade the capital for medieval skylines on a well-paced full-day tour. See Toledo’s Gothic cathedral and Sephardic quarter, then Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and fairy-tale Alcázar. Lunch features regional specialties like cochinillo (roast suckling pig):

From Madrid: Toledo & Segovia with Cathedral, Alcazar & Lunch

If you prefer to stay in Madrid, browse the Thyssen-Bornemisza, graze in Mercado de Antón Martín (tuna tataki at Yokaloka), and hunt vintage in Malasaña.

Madrid → San Sebastián: Morning train (Renfe Alvia) ~4h 45m–5h; advance fares from ~€25–€75. Book seats on Omio (Trains in Europe) or compare buses on Omio (Buses).

San Sebastián (Donostia)

San Sebastián is Spain’s seaside dining room: an elegant Belle Époque resort curled around La Concha Bay where pintxos bars are laboratories of flavor. Between bites, ride a century-old funicular, dip your toes at shell-shaped beaches, and learn Basque history in a luminous museum.

• Don’t miss: Pintxos in Parte Vieja, sunset from Monte Igueldo, San Telmo Museoa, a stroll on La Concha promenade, surfing at Zurriola, Basque cheesecake at La Viña.
• For foodies: Ganbara (wild mushrooms), La Cuchara de San Telmo (slow-cooked veal cheek), Borda Berri (octopus), Bar Nestor (tomato salad and txuleta), and txakoli white wine from nearby Getaria.
• Relaxing moments: Morning swims, café con leche at Sakona Coffee Roasters, and sidrería feasts in Astigarraga with traditional cider poured from height.

Where to stay: Hotel Maria Cristina, Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, Pension Amaiur, Pension Aida. Browse more stays: Hotels.com – San Sebastián or VRBO – San Sebastián.

Getting there & around: The compact center is walkable; local buses connect beaches and the bus station. Trains and coaches link Bilbao, Pamplona, and Barcelona via Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Day 4: Arrival on the Bay

Morning: Train Madrid–San Sebastián. Pick a window seat for green hills and meadows. Grab a picnic—jamón bocadillos and fruit—for the ride.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll La Concha promenade to the whimsical Ondarreta Peine del Viento sculptures. Coffee at Sakona; try the Basque burnt cheesecake at La Viña for a sweet welcome.

Evening: Pintxos circuit in the Old Town: start at Ganbara (grilled mushrooms with egg yolk), then La Cuchara de San Telmo (veal cheek), Borda Berri (risotto-style orzo), and time your Bar Nestor stop for its two daily tortillas and charcoal-grilled txuleta. Toast with crisp txakoli.

Day 5: Views, Culture, and Sea Air

Morning: Breakfast at Pastelería Otaegui (pantxineta pastry), then ride the 1912 funicular up Monte Igueldo for cinematic bay views and a retro amusement park. Wander down via Miramar Gardens.

Afternoon: Visit the San Sebastián Aquarium’s ocean tunnel, then San Telmo Museoa to trace Basque culture from ancient to avant-garde. Lunch at Atari Gastroleku overlooking the baroque basilica—order the grilled octopus and local cider.

Evening: Choose your mood: a relaxed bistro at Narru (seasonal seafood, hake kokotxas) or a special-occasion splurge like Kokotxa’s tasting menu. End with a seaside paseo and gelato near Alderdi Eder.

Day 6: Basque Coast Day

Morning: Coastal walk to Pasaia: take the path from Mount Ulia to picturesque Pasai Donibane (2–3 hours, moderate), then hop the tiny boat across the inlet. Reward yourself with grilled fish and txakoli on the waterfront.

Afternoon: Beach time at Zurriola; surfers carve the break while cafés pour cortados. If you fancy, book a beginner surf session and feel the Atlantic under your board.

Evening: Sidrería dinner in Astigarraga (short bus/taxi): traditional cider houses serve cod omelet, bacalao with peppers, massive txuleta, and Idiazabal cheese with quince. You’ll “catch” cider from chest‑height barrels like a local.

San Sebastián → Barcelona: Morning train ~5h 45m–6h 10m; advance fares from ~€30–€90. Book on Omio (Trains). Buses can be good value overnight; compare on Omio (Buses).

Barcelona

Barcelona pairs Mediterranean ease with creative voltage. Gaudí’s organic architecture still looks futuristic; the Gothic Quarter murmurs with medieval stories. Add beaches, shaded plazas, and a vermut culture that makes every afternoon feel like Sunday.

• Icons: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (exteriors), Montjuïc viewpoints, Barceloneta beach.
• Eat & drink: La Boqueria market stalls, tinned seafood and montaditos at Quimet & Quimet, cava at El Xampanyet, seafood rice at Can Solé, and a paella class you’ll actually cook.
• Neighborhoods: El Born’s boutiques, Gràcia’s village squares, and Eixample’s Modernisme grid for café hopping and people-watching.

Where to stay: Hotel Arts Barcelona, H10 Marina Barcelona, Hostal Grau Barcelona, Generator Barcelona. Browse more: Hotels.com – Barcelona or VRBO – Barcelona.

Getting there & around: Trains arrive at Sants; the Metro is efficient and walkability is high in the center. For inbound flights or regional hops, compare on Omio (Flights to/from Europe).

Day 7: Arrival and the Gothic Quarter

Morning: Train to Barcelona; check in near Eixample, Born, or Gothic for easy sightseeing.

Afternoon: Orient yourself in the Gothic Quarter: Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça del Rei, and Roman walls tucked behind boutiques. Coffee at Nomad in El Born and a peek into Santa Maria del Mar’s soaring nave.

Evening: Tapas in El Born—El Xampanyet (house cava and anchovies), Bar del Pla (market-driven plates), or Cal Pep (counter theatrics). Finish with a slow paseo to the waterfront.

Day 8: Gaudí’s Masterworks

Morning: Dive into Gaudí’s living cathedral with a guide who unpacks its symbolism and engineering—and skip the long queues:

Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets

Afternoon: Continue the Gaudí thread with Park Güell—trencadís mosaics, gingerbread gatehouses, and skyline views over the Mediterranean:

Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Evening: Settle into Gràcia’s village vibe—plaças lined with locals. Try La Pepita (inventive Catalan plates) or Can Cisa/Bar Brutal (natural wines). A post-dinner vermut at Bodega La Palma keeps things classic.

Day 9: Montserrat and a Seaside Evening

Morning–Afternoon: Escape to serrated Montserrat for monastery chants, mountain air, and a Catalan wine-and-tapas experience—an easy, delicious counterpoint to the city:

Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines

Evening: Back in Barcelona, ride the Montjuïc cable car for sunset views, then dine by the sea in Barceloneta—La Mar Salada (seafood rice) or Can Solé (old-school, generous portions). Gelato on the boardwalk seals the night.

Day 10: Market Morning and Farewell

Morning: Shop La Boqueria’s kaleidoscope of fruit, spices, and seafood, then cook your own feast with a chef—an edible souvenir you’ll use at home:

Barcelona Paella Cooking Class with La Boqueria Market Visit

Afternoon: Last espresso at Satan’s Coffee Corner and a quick wander through El Born’s artisan shops before your departure. Head to Sants or the airport; compare routes and tickets on Omio (Trains) or Omio (Flights).

Extra Barcelona activity ideas (if you add time): Casa Batlló’s immersive tour, MNAC for Catalan Romanesque frescoes, or a traditional tablao show (flamenco has a devoted following here too).

Budget notes (64/100 midrange): Focus spend on a couple of guided highlights (Royal Palace, Sagrada Familia, Montserrat, tapas tour) and one special dinner. Opt for set lunch menus (menú del día €15–€25), mix pintxos with market picnics, and use trains booked in advance for value and comfort.

Getting Between Cities: Times & Tools

• International flights to Madrid and home from Barcelona: compare on Omio (Flights to/from Europe).
• Madrid → San Sebastián: ~4h 45m–5h by train (Renfe Alvia), advance fares often €25–€75. Book on Omio (Trains).
• San Sebastián → Barcelona: ~5h 45m–6h 10m by train, €30–€90; buses can be cheaper overnight via Omio (Buses).

Barcelona Viator options you might swap in (if schedules suit):

• Best of Barcelona: Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Montjuic & Gothic

In 10 days, you will have tasted Spain’s diversity: imperial Madrid, coastal Basque traditions, and Catalonia’s visionary art and mountain sanctuaries. With relaxed mornings and curated highlights, this itinerary leaves room to breathe—and to come back for seconds.