Relaxing 9-Day Spain Itinerary: Barcelona and Valencia for Beaches, Food, and Culture
Sun-drenched plazas, Mediterranean breezes, and plates of market-fresh seafood—Spain is built for the unhurried traveler. This 9-day itinerary settles into two coastal cities, Barcelona and Valencia, pairing famous sights with beach time and foodie favorites at a relaxed pace. With comfortable train connections and walkable historic centers, you’ll spend more moments savoring and fewer seconds sprinting.
Barcelona’s modernisme masterpieces, from the otherworldly Sagrada Familia to colorful Park Güell, meet a vibrant tapas culture and an easy beachfront. Valencia, the birthplace of paella, offers futuristic architecture at the City of Arts and Sciences, long sandy shores at Malvarrosa and Patacona, and the lush Turia Gardens that ribbon through the city.
Expect a mid-range budget (50/100) with smart splurges where they count—skip-the-line entries, a guided tapas walk, and a day trip to Montserrat for wine and mountain views. Practical notes: watch for pickpockets in crowded Barcelona areas, many museums in Spain close on Mondays (check hours), and book Gaudí sites well in advance. Trains between cities are fast, comfortable, and easy to book.
Barcelona
Barcelona blends Roman roots, medieval lanes, and Gaudí’s wild imagination with a salty sea breeze. Wander the Gothic Quarter’s stone alleys, then pop up to a bright, beachy promenade for a cortado with a view. Catalan cuisine shines here—think seafood from La Barceloneta, market-fresh tapas, and cava to toast the evening.
- Top sights: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc, Barceloneta Beach.
- Why visit: World-class museums and architecture, lively tapas bars, and an easy balance of city sightseeing and beach downtime.
- Local flavor: Try bombas (spicy potato croquettes) in Barceloneta and sip vermouth before lunch like a local.
Where to stay (mid-range focus, with options):
- H10 Marina Barcelona — Modern rooms, rooftop pool, great for beach and Born access.
- Hostal Grau Barcelona — Eco-boutique near Las Ramblas; quiet, stylish, good value.
- Generator Barcelona — Social, design-forward budget base in Gràcia/Eixample.
- Splurge option: Hotel Arts Barcelona — Seafront icon with a spa and views.
- Browse more: Hotels.com Barcelona | VRBO Barcelona
Getting to Barcelona: Search flights to/from Europe on Omio (Flights). From elsewhere in Spain or nearby countries, compare Omio (Trains), Omio (Buses), or Omio (Ferries). Airport-city is easy via the Aerobús or metro L9S.
Day 1: Arrive and Ease into the Gothic Quarter
Morning: Fly into BCN; if early, drop bags and stretch your legs in leafy Plaça de Catalunya and along Passeig de Gràcia to preview Gaudí façades.
Afternoon: Check in, then wander the Gothic Quarter—Plaça del Rei, the Cathedral cloister with its geese, and tiny artisan shops. Coffee stop: Satan’s Coffee Corner or Nomad Roasters for a precise flat white.
Evening: Kick off with a guided tapas walk to learn what (and how) locals order. Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour (approx. 3–4 hours; ~$80–110) weaves El Born and the Gothic Quarter with multiple stops and regional wines.
Day 2: Sagrada Familia, Eixample Icons, and a Slow Dinner
Morning: See Gaudí’s magnum opus with context and no queues. Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets (about 1.5–2 hours; ~$55–80) covers symbolism and construction updates.
Afternoon: Stroll Eixample’s modernisme mile: Casa Batlló’s dragon-back roof and La Pedrera’s sculptural chimneys (book timed entries ahead). Break for a vermouth and boquerones at Morro Fi or lunch at La Paradeta (choose-your-catch seafood cooked to order).
Evening: Dinner in Eixample: Cerveseria Catalana (classic tapas, lively) or Can Solé in Barceloneta (paella and suquet de peix). Nightcap at El Nacional’s multi-venue food hall—beautifully restored with late-night energy.
Day 3: Park Güell, Beach Time, and a Low-Key Night
Morning: Wander mosaics and gingerbread gatehouses at Park Güell. Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket (about 1.5 hours; ~$30–45) gets you into the Monumental Zone with a guide.
Afternoon: Beach break at Barceloneta or the quieter Bogatell. Rent loungers, dip in the Med, and grab a late lunch at Xiringuito Escribà (famed for socarrat-kissed paellas) or La Cova Fumada (home of the original bomba).
Evening: Keep it mellow: sunset from Montjuïc’s Mirador de l’Alcalde, then tapas in Poble-sec along Carrer de Blai (pinchos from the bar, budget-friendly). For a culture hit, consider an intimate tablao flamenco (Tablao de Carmen is especially atmospheric; book ahead).
Day 4: Day Trip—Montserrat Peaks, Tapas, and Wine
Trade the city for serrated mountains and a monastery steeped in legend. Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch is a full-day small-group experience (~7–9 hours; ~$100–140) including transport, the basilica, scenic cogwheel, and a wine tasting with Catalan bites at a local bodega.
Valencia
Valencia marries golden beaches, citrus-scented streets, and a soaring sci-fi skyline at the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s Spain’s paella heartland—here, rice simmers over wood fires, best enjoyed at lunch by the sea. The Turia Gardens, a lush urban park in a former riverbed, make cycling from medieval Old Town to the coast a joy.
- Top sights: City of Arts and Sciences, Oceanogràfic, Malvarrosa & Patacona beaches, Central Market, Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), San Nicolás Church, Turia Gardens, El Cabanyal.
- Why visit: Authentic paella, broad sandy beaches, bike-friendly greenways, and a laid-back rhythm perfect for unwinding.
- Local flavor: Sip horchata (tiger-nut milk) with fartons at century-old cafés; go for paella at lunch, not dinner.
Where to stay (beach or arts district):
- Hotel Primus Valencia — Steps from the City of Arts and Sciences; great value with spa access.
- Hostal Venecia — Excellent location on Plaza del Ayuntamiento; clean, comfortable, budget-friendly.
- Splurge beachfront: Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort — Classic resort right on Malvarrosa Beach.
- Browse more: Hotels.com Valencia | VRBO Valencia
Getting from Barcelona to Valencia: Morning high-speed Euromed/Intercity trains take ~2h40–3h; typical fares ~€25–€65. Book on Omio (Trains). Buses take ~4–4.5h and can be cheaper—see Omio (Buses).
Day 5: Barcelona ➜ Valencia, Turia Gardens Ride, El Cabanyal Tapas
Morning: Depart Barcelona Sants by train (~3h). Grab a seat on the sea side for views. On arrival, drop bags and rent bikes near the Turia Gardens for a gentle cruise under stone bridges toward the City of Arts and Sciences.
Afternoon: Explore the futuristic complex by Santiago Calatrava—photograph Hemisfèric’s eye and the white-ribbed Museu de les Ciències from the reflecting pools. Coffee and light lunch at Dulce de Leche (Ruzafa) or Bluebell Coffee Roasters (hidden patio).
Evening: Tram to El Cabanyal and settle in at Casa Montaña (historic bodega; order sardines, clóchinas in season, and patatas bravas). Stroll the wooden promenade by Malvarrosa under twinkling lights—unbeatable for a relaxed first night.
Day 6: Market Morning, Paella by the Sea, and Beach Time
Morning: Central Market—one of Europe’s largest—glitters with Valencian tiles and stained glass. Snack at Central Bar by Ricard Camarena (bocadillos and croquettes) and pick up oranges or jamón for a picnic. Detour to San Nicolás Church, nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of Valencia” for its vivid Baroque frescoes.
Afternoon: Paella as Valencians do: at lunch. Book Casa Carmela near Malvarrosa (traditional wood-fired paella valenciana) or La Pepica (historic beachfront spot). Laze on the sand afterward; Patacona is a touch quieter, with cafés like La Más Bonita for iced horchata.
Evening: Keep it light: tapas in Ruzafa at Taberna Amparín (seasonal plates) or Anyora (Cabanyal, mariner’s tavern vibe). For a sweet finish, try artisanal gelato at Gelateria La Romana.
Day 7: Old Town Sights and Museum Time
Morning: Visit the UNESCO-listed Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) to admire its palm-tree columns. Climb the Miguelete Tower for panoramic city views from the Cathedral complex. Coffee break at Retrogusto Lab (near the Central Market) for meticulous espresso.
Afternoon: Art fix at IVAM (modern art) or the Fine Arts Museum (Goya, Velázquez, Sorolla). Lunch at Bar Ricardo (legendary sepia a la plancha and bravas) or Tasca Ángel (tiny, standing-room-only sardine heaven—go early).
Evening: Sunset stroll through the Turia Gardens toward the Palau de la Música. Dinner in the Carmen quarter: Canalla Bistro-inspired spots scatter nearby, or grab a cozy table at Bodega La Aldeana 1927 in Cabanyal if you prefer the seaside neighborhood vibe.
Day 8: Oceanogràfic or Albufera Nature + Sunset
Morning: Families and ocean lovers can spend the morning at Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium, with immersive tunnels and a standout Mediterranean habitat. Alternatively, head to Albufera Natural Park (30–40 minutes) for boat rides among rice paddies.
Afternoon: If you chose Albufera, lunch in the lakeside village of El Palmar—look for menus featuring all i pebre (eel stew) and classic paellas. Back in the city, café break at Bluebell or Blackbird Café and a siesta before your final night.
Evening: Easygoing finale by the water. Share grilled fish and arroz del senyoret at Casa Isabel on Malvarrosa, then a beachfront gin-tonic as waves roll in. Pack leisurely, ready for tomorrow’s departure.
Day 9: Slow Morning and Departure
Morning: Brunch at Federal Café (Ruzafa) or a last horchata at Horchatería Santa Catalina with warm fartons. Pick up edible souvenirs at the Central Market—smoked pimentón, saffron, turrón.
Afternoon: Depart Valencia by train or plane. For onward travel, compare Omio (Trains) and Omio (Flights). Until next time—¡buen viaje!
Booking Shortlist (Barcelona Viator picks used above)
- Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour
Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour on Viator - Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets
Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets on Viator - Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket
Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket on Viator - Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch
Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch on Viator
Insider tips: Buy Park Güell and Sagrada tickets well ahead. In Barcelona, a T-casual (10-ride) metro card is cost-effective for a few days of riding. In Valencia, cycling is flat, easy, and fun—use bike lanes through the Turia Gardens to reach the beach.
Trip Summary: This 9-day Spain itinerary pairs Barcelona’s Gaudí showstoppers and lively tapas scene with Valencia’s beach life, futuristic architecture, and authentic paella—paced with ample downtime. With fast trains, skip-the-line entries, and foodie stops planned in, it’s a relaxed Mediterranean escape you’ll remember bite by bite and sunset by sunset.