Spain 1-Week Itinerary: 7 Best Places To Go Now

There is a specific flavor to the panic that sets in when you realize you have exactly seven days to devour a country as vast, complex, and delicious as Spain. It hits you around 2 a.m. while scrolling through Instagram reels of flamenco heels clacking on cobblestones and waiters balancing towers of churros. The question isn't "Should I go?"—it's "How do I squeeze a lifetime of tapas, Gaudí, and Moorish history into a single week without losing my mind?"

I’ve been there. I’ve stared at the map, paralyzed by the choice between the jagged green peaks of the north and the sun-baked plains of the south. I’ve made the mistakes (trying to see Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville in four days was a youthful error I shall never repeat). But after a decade of hopping across the Iberian Peninsula, I’ve distilled the magic into a rhythm that works.

If you have seven days, you cannot do everything. But you can do the essential things perfectly. You can wake up to the smell of frying dough, get lost in royal palaces, and watch the sun set over a skyline of cathedral spires. This is the itinerary for the traveler who wants the soul of Spain, not just the postcards.

The Route: The Classic Two-City Split

The Vibe: Royal Grandeur meets Passionate Soul.

The Logistics: High-speed train (AVE) is the only way to travel between these two hubs. This 7 day Spain itinerary by train is designed for efficiency.

Days 1–2: Madrid – The Grand Dame

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Madrid is not a city that tries to seduce you immediately like the flashy coast. It is a city that demands you sit down, have a drink, and let it tell you a story. It is often skipped by the "beach brigade," which is a tragedy, because Madrid holds the cultural keys to the kingdom.

Day 1: The Golden Triangle and the Art of the Paseo

Start your morning at the Prado Museum. Do not try to see it all. That is impossible. Instead, I want you to walk straight to the Goya room. Stand in front of The Naked Maja and The Clothed Maja. The scandal of them, the raw humanity—it sets the tone for the trip. The air inside the Prado is cool, smelling faintly of old varnish and stone, a respite from the blinding Madrid sun.

By 1 p.m., emerge into the Retiro Park. This is where Madrid breathes. The paseo (the strolling stroll) is an art form here. Walk past the glass palace, the Crystal Palace, which reflects the sky like a shattered mirror. Grab a bench near the pond and watch the rowboats. It’s aggressively peaceful.

By 2:30 p.m., you must eat. Head to the La Latina neighborhood. This is the tapas cathedral. Specifically, head to Casa Lucio.

Day 2: The Royal Palace & The Market Life

Morning in Madrid should be grand. The Royal Palace is the largest functioning palace in Europe, but the real magic is in the Armory and the Pharmacy. The sheer amount of silver and armor is staggering. It’s a reminder that this was the epicenter of a global empire.

Lunch is non-negotiable: Mercado de San Miguel. It’s touristy, yes, but it is also a jewel box of gastronomy. It’s a 1916 iron structure that now houses stalls of cheese, wine, olives, and jamón. Squeeze in, grab a glass of Albariño, and eat a glistening oyster right at the bar.

Where to Stay in Madrid

• Recommendation: Only YOU Boutique Hotel (Sol).
• Address: Calle de la Luna, 15, 28004 Madrid, Spain.
• Why: It’s in the thick of it, but quiet. The rooftop is a hidden gem for a nightcap.

The Shift: The High-Speed Dash South

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On the morning of Day 3, you will head to Atocha Station. Take the Renfe AVE train to Seville. It takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. Do not fly. The train glides through the arid, olive-tree-filled landscape of La Mancha and Andalusia. It is a cinematic transition from the center to the south. Order a café con leche and watch the brown earth turn to white towns perched on hills.

Days 3–5: Seville – The Triana Heartbeat

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Seville is hot, heavy, and historic. It is the home of Flamenco, of oranges, and of the Alcázar. It feels older than Madrid, more chaotic, more sensual. Even in winter, Seville has a soft, golden light that makes everything look like a painting.

Day 3: Arrival and the Triana Vibe

Drop your bags and cross the river to the Triana neighborhood. This is the gypsy heart of Seville. Historically, this was the potter’s quarter, and you can still smell the kiln dust in the air. Walk the Calle Betis along the riverbank for the iconic view of the Cathedral.

Dinner is in Triana. You are looking for Las Golondrinas.

Day 4: The Alcázar and the Climb

Get tickets for the Royal Alcázar weeks in advance. This is a Mudéjar palace (Moorish architecture built by Christians). It is the most beautiful place I have ever stood in. The tile work, the arches, the gardens where Christopher Columbus plotted his voyages. It is a labyrinth of geometry and water.

Afterward, brave the Giralda Tower at the Seville Cathedral (the largest Gothic cathedral in the world). You don’t climb stairs; you ramp up 35 ramps (originally designed so the muezzin could ride a horse to the top). The view from the top, seeing the orange trees laid out in a grid, is the postcard moment.

Day 5: The Triana Market and Siesta

Sleep in. Then, hit the Mercado de Triana. It sits on the ruins of a castle. Buy some salmorejo (thicker than gazpacho) and eat it standing up. Spend the afternoon doing what the Spanish do: resting. You need the energy for the night.

If you have the soul for it, try to catch a show at Casa de la Memoria. It’s not a tourist trap; it’s an intimate space where Flamenco is treated as high art, not a spectacle. The stomping on the wooden stage vibrates through your chest.

Where to Stay in Seville

• Recommendation: Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla.
• Address: Calle Don Remondo, 19, 41004 Sevilla, Spain.
• Why: It’s central, the roof terrace offers views of the Cathedral, and the breakfast is legendary.

The Detour: Three Paths for the Seventh Day

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You have two choices now. You can loop back to Madrid for a flight home, or you can do a "open jaw" ticket (fly into Madrid, out of Seville). I recommend the latter. But if you have a bonus day (Day 7), here is how to spend it based on your travel style.

Option A: The "Indiana Jones" (Córdoba)

If you are routing back to Madrid, stop in Córdoba for the day (it’s 45 mins from Seville by train).

• The Spot: The Mezquita-Catedral. It is a mosque built inside a cathedral. A forest of candy-cane arches that will make your brain short-circuit. It is one of the world's most architectural triumphs.
• Address: Calle Cardenal Herrero, 14003 Córdoba, Spain.
• Hours: 8:30–10:00 (Worship), 10:00–14:00 (Visits), 16:30–19:30 (Visits), 20:00–21:30 (Worship). Note: Hours vary seasonally, check ahead.

Option B: The "Nature Lover" (Ronda)

If you want to rent a car and see the mountains, drive 2 hours to Ronda.

• The Spot: The Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) spanning the El Tajo gorge. It is terrifyingly high and breathtakingly beautiful. It’s the birthplace of modern bullfighting.
• Address: Plaza del Socorro, 1, 29400 Ronda, Málaga, Spain.
• Experience: Walk the old Moorish town. It feels like a fortress hanging on a cliff.

Option C: The "Coastal Dreamer" (Cádiz)

If you want sea air and seafood, head west to Cádiz.

• The Spot: The La Caleta beach. It’s a small, urban beach flanked by fortresses. It’s moody and Atlantic.
• Address: Playa de la Caleta, 11003 Cádiz, Spain.
• The Food: This is the home of tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters). Go to Freiduría Las Flores. It’s a hole-in-the-wall fry shop that locals queue for.

Practicalities: The "How-To" of a Week in Spain

The Budget

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Spain is surprisingly affordable if you know the rhythm.

• The "Menu del Día": Look for signs that say "Menu del Día" at lunch (13:00–15:00). For €12–€15, you get a starter, main, dessert, bread, and wine/water. This is how locals eat, and it’s the best value on earth.
• Public Transit: In Madrid and Seville, the Metro is clean, safe, and cheap. Buy a 10-journey "Metrobús" card.
• Water: Tap water is safe in Madrid and Seville. Order "Del grifo" to save money and plastic.

The Winter Traveler

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If you are visiting in December, January, or February:

• Madrid: It will be cold. Bring a coat. But the museums are empty, and the hot chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés (open 24/7) is a thick, melted chocolate blanket for your soul.
• Seville: It’s mild. You can still sit outside. It’s actually the best time to visit because you won't melt walking up the Giralda.

The Family Traveler

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Spain loves children. They eat late, but they are welcome everywhere.

• Madrid: Retiro Park has puppet shows (Teatro de Títeres) on weekends. The Teleférico (cable car) offers a great ride over the Casa de Campo.
• Seville: The Parque de María Luisa is huge and great for running around. Also, the Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) is a giant wooden structure you can walk on top of. Kids love the "mushrooms."

The Culinary Map: A Checklist

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If you don't eat these things, have you even been to Spain?

• Jamón Ibérico de Bellota: The acorn-fed ham. It melts on the tongue. It is not just food; it is an investment.
• Tortilla Española: The potato omelet. The debate is: onion or no onion? (I am team onion. It’s sweeter).
• Gazpacho/Salmorejo: Cold tomato soup. Liquid salad. Refreshing.
• Churros con Chocolate: Not for breakfast (unless you’re hungover), but for a mid-morning snack or late-night treat. San Ginés in Madrid is the temple.
• Sherry (Jerez): In Seville, drink Fino or Manzanilla sherry. It is dry, crisp, and salty. It pairs perfectly with the salty air of the south.
• Paella: A warning. Real paella is a lunch dish. It takes 45 minutes to cook. If a restaurant serves it at 9 p.m., it’s pre-made garbage. Go to Casa Robles in Madrid or El Rinconcillo in Seville for the real deal.

The Soul of the Itinerary

Why this specific route for a 7-day trip? Because it balances the head and the heart.

Madrid fills your head with art, history, and the grandeur of empire. It is the logic of the itinerary. Seville grabs your heart, twists it, and forces you to feel. It is the passion of the itinerary.

If you try to add Barcelona to this week, you lose 6 hours on a train or plane, and you lose the connection between the two. You end up seeing Gaudí and then the Alcázar, but you don't feel the shift from the center to the south.

"When you are standing on the Triana Bridge at 11 p.m., watching the water reflect the lights of the Calle Betis, and you hear a distant guitar strumming from a bar, you will understand why I chose this route."

You will be tired. Your feet will hurt from the cobblestones. You will have eaten too much ham. But as you lean against the railing and the warm wind hits your face, you’ll realize that seven days in Spain isn’t about seeing everything. It’s about seeing the right things, slowly enough that they change you.

Spain does not happen to you; it seeps into you. It starts with a coffee at 8 a.m. and ends with a kiss on both cheeks at midnight. It is a country that runs on its own time, and for one glorious week, you are going to let it dictate your rhythm.