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7-Day Spain Itinerary: Barcelona, Madrid & Andalusia

7-Day Spain Itinerary: Barcelona, Madrid & Andalusia

You’ve got seven days to see Spain—Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Granada—and you’re wondering if it’s even possible without spending half your trip on a train. I’ve done this exact loop, and the answer is yes, but only if you move fast and skip the fluff. Here’s how I made it work, with real opinions on where to stay, what to eat, and what to skip.

Can you really do Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Granada in 7 days?

Yes, but you’ll need high-speed trains and early starts. I booked AVE trains for Madrid to Seville (2.5 hours) and Seville to Granada (2.5 hours via bus or local train). The Barcelona to Madrid leg is about 3 hours on the Renfe AVE. The trick is to sleep in each city one or two nights, not three. I packed a carry-on and moved every other day. If you hate unpacking, this trip isn’t for you.

  • Barcelona: 2 nights (Day 1-2)
  • Madrid: 2 nights (Day 3-4)
  • Seville: 1 night (Day 5)
  • Granada: 1 night (Day 6), then fly out Day 7

How do I spend Day 1 and 2 in Barcelona without wasting time?

Land in Barcelona and head straight to El Born neighborhood. I checked into Hotel Neri—small, quiet, and steps from the Barcelona Cathedral. Skip the Sagrada Familia tour if you’re short on time; the outside is impressive enough. Instead, walk La Rambla early (before 9 a.m.) to avoid the pickpockets, then duck into La Boqueria market for a jamón ibérico cone at El Quim de la Boqueria. For dinner, I ate at Cal Pep in El Born—no reservations, just show up and order the clams.

  • Must-do: Gothic Quarter walking tour (free, but tip the guide)
  • Skip: Park Güell (overcrowded and far from center)
  • Eat: Patatas bravas at Bar Tomás (yes, worth the metro ride)
  • Neighborhood: El Born or Gràcia for local vibes

What’s the best way to see Madrid in 2 days?

Day 3, take the early AVE from Barcelona to Madrid. I dropped my bag at Room Mate Oscar in Chueca—rooftop bar with views of Gran Vía. Spend the afternoon at the Prado Museum (book ahead, focus on Goya and Velázquez). For dinner, skip the tourist spots near Plaza Mayor and walk to Mercado de San Miguel for a quick bite, then head to Casa Lucio for huevos rotos. Day 4, I did a morning walk through Retiro Park and rented a rowboat. Afternoon is for shopping in Malasaña—thrift stores and vintage shops.

  • Top tour: Royal Palace (skip the line with a guide)
  • Best tapas: Casa Revuelta for bacalao (fried cod)
  • Neighborhood: Malasaña for nightlife, Chueca for food
  • Train tip: Renfe AVE from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha

Is one night in Seville enough?

Barely, but yes. I arrived from Madrid by AVE around noon on Day 5. Checked into Hotel Palacio de Villapanés—a converted 18th-century palace in Santa Cruz. Dropped my bag and walked straight to Real Alcázar (book tickets days in advance). It’s better than the Alhambra for gardens. Then I wandered through Santa Cruz neighborhood, got lost in the alleyways, and ate at El Rinconcillo—the oldest bar in Seville, open since 1670. For the evening, I watched a flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria—small, intimate, no dinner included.

  • Must-see: Plaza de España (go at sunset)
  • Skip: The Cathedral climb (Giralda views are better from the Alcázar)
  • Eat: Bodega Santa Cruz for montaditos (small sandwiches)
  • Walk: Along the Guadalquivir River after dinner

How do I handle Granada in one day without rushing?

Day 6, I took the early bus from Seville to Granada (2.5 hours, ALSA bus). Checked into Hotel Casa 1800 in the Albaicín—rooftop terrace with Alhambra views. Booked the Alhambra for 11 a.m. (the only slot available; book 3 weeks ahead). The Nasrid Palaces are worth the hype. Afternoon, I walked up to Mirador de San Nicolás for the classic view—packed with tourists but still magical. For dinner, I got free tapas at Los Diamantes (order a drink, get a plate of fried fish). Day 7, I flew out from Granada Airport (direct to several European hubs).

  • Alhambra tip: Buy the Generalife gardens ticket if Nasrid Palaces are sold out
  • Neighborhood: Albaicín for whitewashed streets and views
  • Eat: Bar Poë for creative tapas in the center
  • Avoid: Restaurants on Plaza Nueva (overpriced and mediocre)

FAQ

Is it better to rent a car or take trains for this itinerary? Trains. Parking in Granada and Seville is a nightmare, and the AVE is faster and more comfortable. I used Renfe for long hauls and ALSA for Seville to Granada. Only consider a car if you want to stop in Ronda or Córdoba, but that adds a day.

What’s the biggest mistake people make on a 7-day Spain trip? Trying to do too much. I see itineraries that add Valencia, Bilbao, or Mallorca. Stick to four cities max. Also, don’t book non-refundable Alhambra tickets until you’ve confirmed your train times—delays happen.

How much cash do I need for this trip? Less than you think. Most places take cards, but small tapas bars in Seville and Granada are cash-only. I withdrew €100 at the start and it lasted four days. Tip: always carry small bills for the free-tapas bars in Granada.

Conclusion

  • Move fast: 2 nights in Barcelona and Madrid, 1 in Seville and Granada—it’s tight but doable.
  • Book ahead: Alhambra, Real Alcázar, and AVE trains at least 3 weeks out.
  • Eat local: Skip chain restaurants; hit Cal Pep, Casa Lucio, El Rinconcillo, and Los Diamantes.
  • Pack light: A carry-on makes train-to-hotel transfers painless.
  • Skip the extras: Park Güell, Sagrada Familia interior, and flamenco dinner shows aren’t worth the time or money.