8-Day Itinerary: Madrid and Barcelona

Hello Blogging World! 🙂

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on my blog! I recently attended the TBEX San Sebastian conference at the beginning of the month, and it really inspired me to get back to blogging. To be honest, I thought the blogging world was dead, especially since social media has taken priority for most of us, including myself. However, after that conference and meeting so many passionate bloggers, I want to commit to posting at least once a week. My goal is to provide you with easy access to all the hotels, tours, outfits, and so much more in one place. So, here’s to more blogging!

For my first post back, I wanted to share the itineraries I created for my group trips. Group trips are something I recently started organizing just this past fall. Since then, I’ve hosted four small group trips and have a few more planned for the year. It’s an endeavor I never imagined myself doing, but after seeing a job post about it one day, I decided to give it a try—and here we are! It’s been a learning, rewarding, and exciting experience. I’ve met so many amazing people from all over the world and have traveled to both my favorite destinations and new places I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

Now, let’s get to it!

I want to share these trips with you to inspire your travels to these beautiful places. For my first trip, I’ll be sharing my itineraries for both Barcelona and Madrid. I’ve hosted two trips in Spain, so I’ll combine them into one 8-day itinerary.

8-Day Itinerary: Madrid and Barcelona

Day 1: Arrival in Madrid

Relax on your first day and have dinner at a local spot nearby.

*TIP: I recommend staying in the city center for easy access to attractions and excellent transportation.

Recommended hotels:

Day 2: Book a Food Tour (great for solo and group activities)

Join a food tour to explore the city and its culture. We joined Secret Food Tours during our group trip and learned so much about Madrid’s culinary history, not to mention tried amazing local dishes! Did you know that calamari is a must in Madrid due to historical dietary restrictions during religious feasts? I would have never known without the tour!

Day 3: Museums and Flamenco Show

– Visit the Royal Palace for a fascinating tour of its beautiful rooms and rich history. Something I recommend doing!

– Afterwards, check out the Basilica across the street, which is free to visit.

– If time permits, visit the Prado Museum.

– In the evening, attend a Flamenco show. We booked our show with dinner and drinks, and it was fantastic.

– Don’t miss Chocolatería San Ginés for the best churros and chocolate in Madrid, serving for over 125 years.

Here’s a quick recap of my recent visit!

Day 4: Travel to Barcelona

Time to say goodbye to Madrid and hello, Barcelona!

– Take a train to Barcelona. It’s about a 3-hour journey, and booking in advance is recommended for the best prices.

– Upon arrival, check in and relax. This is the Airbnb I booked for my last group trip and we really liked it!

If you have energy, visit the Sagrada Familia in the evening or the next morning.

Day 5: Day Trips

– Consider a wine tasting tour in Penedes or a day trip to Montserrat. Both are stunning and offer unique experiences. Our tour to Montserrat included lunch and wine.

Day 6: Gaudí Buildings

– Visit these iconic Gaudí buildings:

– Sagrada Familia: A must-see masterpiece. Book here.

– Casa Batlló: Known for its whimsical architecture. Book here.

– La Pedrera: Located next to Casa Batlló. Book here.

– Park Güell: Book a tour to fully appreciate its beauty. Book here.

– Casa Vicens: A stunning early work of Gaudí. Book here.

Day 7: Free Day in Barcelona

Enjoy your last full day in Barcelona! Here are some suggestions:

– Enjoy the beach at Barceloneta.

– Explore the Gothic Quarter and El Born for tapas, boutique stores, and bars.

– Visit Tibidabo for the highest viewpoint in town!

– Shop at Plaça de Catalunya.

– Check out my Ultimate Guide to Barcelona for more ideas.

In the evening, book a paella cooking class with a market visit. It’s a fun and delicious experience!

If you prefer to have a local guide to explore the major spots in Barcelona click here – would be a great option!

Day 8: Last Day

Farewell to a wonderful 8-day trip!

– Enjoy a nice breakfast around town before bidding farewell to a wonderful trip to Madrid and Barcelona.

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I hope you enjoyed this 8-day itinerary for Madrid and Barcelona. I hope it inspires you to visit these incredible cities and helps you plan your next travels!

Stay tuned for my next post about my trip to Greece. Subscribe to my email list so you don’t miss out! If you’re interested in joining any of my upcoming trips, you can find more information here.

Talk soon!!

XO,

Nancy