8-Day Itinerary: Madrid and Barcelona

Planning a trip to Spain and trying to decide how many days to spend in Madrid and Barcelona? This 8-day Madrid and Barcelona itinerary gives you four days in each city, with plenty of time to experience Spain’s two most popular cities without feeling completely rushed.

I originally created this itinerary while hosting my own group trips through Spain, and since then, I’ve spent even more time traveling, and living, throughout the country. So I’ve updated this guide with some of my favorite experiences, places to stay, day trips, and travel tips to help you plan your own Madrid and Barcelona adventure.

Only visiting one city? You can also read my complete 4-Day Madrid Itinerary or 4-Day Barcelona Itinerary for a much more detailed day-by-day guide.

Before we dive into the itinerary, make sure you’ve booked your accommodation. If you’re still deciding which neighborhood is best for your trip, check out my complete guide on Where to Stay in Barcelona, where I break down the best areas and hotel recommendations for every budget.

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 Madrid and Barcelona Itinerary: The Perfect Spain Trip

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:

Still deciding where to base yourself? Read my guide to Where to Stay in Madrid for the best neighborhoods and 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!

Only visiting Barcelona? If you aren’t combining it with Madrid, I’ve also put together a dedicated 4-Day Barcelona Itinerary that goes into much more detail, including restaurant recommendations, where to stay, and optional day trips.

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. For the Madrid to Barcelona leg of the trip, I booked a high-speed train via Omio—it was seamless, affordable, and super convenient!

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

Recommended hotels:

Not sure which Barcelona neighborhood is right for you? Read my complete Where to Stay in Barcelona guide, where I break down the best neighborhoods and hotel options for different budgets and travel styles.

If you want a more comprehensive travel guide to Barcelona – click here!

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

💡 TIP: Maximize Your Barcelona Experience with the GoCity Pass! 🎟️✨

If you’re looking to see the best of Barcelona while saving money, the GoCity All-Inclusive Pass is a game-changer! I used the 2-day pass and covered 10+ must-visit spots, including Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and even a day trip to Girona & Figueres, all for one set price! It’s super easy to use, just book your activities, scan your pass, and explore hassle-free.

Check out my full GoCity Pass experience & get yours here!

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.

If you want to get outside the city, Barcelona has some incredible options. Montserrat and Penedès are two of my favorites, but I’ve put together 10 of the Best Day Trips from Barcelona if you want even more ideas, including beaches, castles, wine country, and nature escapes.

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

After a busy day seeing Barcelona’s major attractions, I’d keep your final full day a little more relaxed. One thing I’ve learned from spending so much time in Barcelona is that the city is best enjoyed when you actually leave some room to wander.

Start with a slow breakfast or coffee, then explore the Gothic Quarter and El Born, wander toward Barceloneta, stop for tapas, shop around Passeig de Gràcia or Plaça de Catalunya, and finish the day with a paella cooking class or food tour.

If you want more of my personal recommendations after living in Barcelona, read Where I Actually Eat, Stay & Unwind in Barcelona: An Expat’s Guide.

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.

How to Get From Madrid to Barcelona

High-speed train being your preferred option, approximate journey length, why you prefer it over flying, where the trains depart/arrive, and your personal experience booking through Omio.

Check Madrid to Barcelona train times and prices with Omio →

💡 One final travel tip: To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing’s Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits.

If you’re visiting Spain for the first time, I honestly think Madrid and Barcelona make such a good combination. The cities feel completely different. Madrid gives you incredible museums, food, nightlife, and that classic Spanish city energy, while Barcelona mixes Gaudí architecture, beaches, neighborhoods, and Mediterranean life.

8 days gives you enough time to experience both without trying to squeeze everything into a long weekend, although you could easily spend much longer in either city.

Talk soon!!

XO,

Nancy

8-Day Itinerary: Madrid and Barcelona