# 7 days in Spain: an itinerary by city

> A week in Spain brings three very different cities: Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. Three days in [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona): the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Gaudí's houses, the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla and Barceloneta beach. Two days in [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid): the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, the Prado and Retiro Park. Two days in [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville): the cathedral and Giralda, the Alcázar, Plaza de España and Roman Italica. High-speed trains link the cities in about 2.5 hours.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/in-7-days

## Who it suits

- A first trip to Spain
- Independent, by train
- Architecture, museums and southern flair in a week

Not for:

- Granada and the Alhambra need 1–2 more days
- Beach-only trips: try the Costa del Sol or Mallorca

When to go: April–June and September–October. Madrid and Seville are very hot in summer, so sightsee early and late.

## Day 1 — [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona.md)

1. [Sagrada Família](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/sagrada-familia.md) — YesGo score 69/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Paid
   ↓ 20 min by transport
2. [Casa Batlló](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/casa-batllo.md) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 19 min by transport
3. [La Rambla](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/la-rambla.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
4. [Gothic Quarter](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/gothic-quarter.md) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Free

Total with walks: 7 h 45 min

## Day 2 — [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona.md)

1. [Park Güell](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/park-guell.md) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid
   ↓ 22 min by transport
2. [Casa Milà](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/casa-mila.md) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 23 min by transport
3. [Magic Fountain of Montjuïc](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/magic-fountain.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
4. [National Art Museum of Catalonia](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/mnac.md) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Paid

Total with walks: 8 h 6 min

## Day 3 — [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona.md)

1. [Parc de la Ciutadella](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/parc-de-la-ciutadella.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Free
   ↓ 11 min on foot
2. [Picasso Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/picasso-museum.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 3 min on foot
3. [Santa Maria del Mar](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/santa-maria-del-mar.md) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free in the morning
   ↓ 13 min on foot
4. [Barceloneta](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/barceloneta.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free

Total with walks: 7 h 37 min

Transfer Barcelona → Madrid: AVE, Ouigo or Iryo high-speed train, ≈ 2 h 30 min

## Day 4 — [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid.md)

1. [Puerta del Sol](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/puerta-del-sol.md) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 25 min · Free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
2. [Plaza Mayor](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/plaza-mayor-madrid.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free
   ↓ 10 min on foot
3. [Almudena Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/almudena-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Cathedral free
   ↓ 5 min on foot
4. [Royal Palace of Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/royal-palace-madrid.md) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 13 min on foot
5. [Temple of Debod](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/temple-of-debod.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free

Total with walks: 5 h 49 min

## Day 5 — [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid.md)

1. [Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/thyssen-museum.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 6 min on foot
2. [Prado Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/prado-museum.md) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid
   ↓ 12 min on foot
3. [Retiro Park](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/retiro-park.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Free

Total with walks: 7 h 33 min

Transfer Madrid → Seville: AVE, Ouigo or Iryo high-speed train, ≈ 2 h 30 min

## Day 6 — [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville.md)

1. [Plaza de España](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/plaza-de-espana-seville.md) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · Free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 16 min on foot
2. [Alcázar of Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/alcazar-of-seville.md) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid
   ↓ 3 min on foot
3. [Archive of the Indies](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/archive-of-the-indies.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
   ↓ 3 min on foot
4. [Giralda](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/giralda.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · With cathedral ticket
   ↓ 3 min on foot
5. [Seville Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/seville-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid

Total with walks: 8 h 20 min

## Day 7 — [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville.md)

1. [Metropol Parasol](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/metropol-parasol.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 36 min by transport
2. [Italica](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/italica.md) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Paid; free for EU citizens

Total with walks: 5 h 6 min

## How the week works

The route runs from the north-east to the south: Barcelona — Madrid — Seville. Each day is a YesGo city itinerary: three days in Barcelona, two each in Madrid and Seville.

Fly into Barcelona and out of Seville so you never double back. High-speed trains between the cities are fast and comfortable, so you don't need a car; city-centre parking is expensive and the metro and your feet are quicker.

## The cities on the route

Barcelona is the city of Gaudí and the sea: the Sagrada Família, the houses on Passeig de Gràcia, medieval lanes and beaches. Madrid is the capital of great museums: the Prado with Velázquez and Goya, the Royal Palace and green Retiro. Seville is the heart of Andalusia: the world's largest Gothic cathedral, the Moorish Alcázar and its gardens, and flamenco.

## Getting around independently

Barcelona to Madrid: about 2 h 30 min by high-speed train; Madrid to Seville: also about 2 h 30 min. AVE, Ouigo and Iryo fares are much cheaper booked a few weeks ahead. Barcelona and Madrid have handy metros, and Seville is best on foot and by tram.

## Where to stay

Three nights in Barcelona, in the Eixample or Gothic Quarter, close to Gaudí and the old town. Two nights in Madrid, by Puerta del Sol or Atocha station for trains south. Two nights in Seville, in the Santa Cruz quarter by the cathedral or near the Guadalquivir river.

## Spain itinerary for 5 or 10 days

Five days: Barcelona 2, Madrid 1 and Seville 2, or just Barcelona and Madrid. Ten days: add [Granada](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada) and the Alhambra after Seville, a trip to Toledo from Madrid and [Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia) between Barcelona and Madrid. For the sea, add [Málaga](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga) and the Costa del Sol, or [Mallorca](https://yesgo.io/spain/palma), an hour's flight from Barcelona.

## Tips

- Book the Sagrada Família, the Alhambra and the Alcázar ahead.
- AVE, Ouigo and Iryo fares are cheaper a few weeks out.
- In summer in the south, sightsee early and late, museums at midday.
- Churches require covered shoulders and knees and no beachwear; walking around town in swimwear is not allowed.
- Spain uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gaudí houses ahead on their official sites, which list entry times and closing days.

## Questions

### What is a good 7-day Spain itinerary?

Barcelona for 3 days, Madrid for 2 and Seville for 2.

### Can you travel around Spain independently?

Yes: high-speed trains link the main cities, and the centres are easy on foot.

### How long from Barcelona to Madrid by train?

About 2 h 30 min by high-speed train.

### How long from Madrid to Seville by train?

About 2 h 30 min by high-speed train.

### Do I need a car in Spain?

Not for this route: trains are faster and city-centre parking is expensive.

### What can I see in Spain in 5 days?

Barcelona and Madrid, or Barcelona and Seville with a flight.

### When is the best time to visit Spain?

Spring and autumn: April–June and September–October.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes; Barcelona and Madrid each have their own with-kids itinerary.

### What should I wear in churches?

Churches require covered shoulders and knees and no beachwear; walking around town in swimwear is not allowed.

### How do I pay in Spain?

Spain uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gaudí houses ahead on their official sites, which list entry times and closing days.

## Sources

- Spain's official tourism portal, spain.info
- Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo: high-speed trains

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