Spain is bigger than first-timers think. A 7-day trip that tries to do Madrid + Barcelona + Seville means traveling on 4 of 7 days. Here are the itineraries that work.
Option 1: Madrid + Andalusia (best 7-day)
- Madrid 3 nights (with Toledo or Segovia day-trip)
- AVE high-speed train to Seville (2h 30min)
- Seville 3 nights (with day-trip to Cordoba)
- Fly home from Seville
Best for: first-time Spain, anyone who wants the cliché Spain (tapas, flamenco, mosques).
Option 2: Madrid + Barcelona
- Madrid 3 nights
- AVE to Barcelona (2h 45min)
- Barcelona 4 nights
Best for: travelers who want one cosmopolitan + one Mediterranean city. Works well but skips Andalusia.
Option 3: Andalusia loop (specialist)
- Seville 3 nights
- Granada 2 nights
- Cordoba 1 night (or day-trip)
- Malaga or Cadiz 1 night
Best for: anyone wanting the deep Andalusia trip without northern Spain mixing in.
Why we don't recommend Madrid + Barcelona + Seville in 7 days
3 cities in 7 days = 4 of 7 days are travel days. Each city deserves 3 nights minimum to scratch the surface. Pick 2 cities for 7 days; save 3 cities for 10+ days.
Where to stay specifics
- Madrid: full Madrid guide
- Seville: Santa Cruz for first-time; Alameda for repeat
- Barcelona: full Barcelona guide
- Granada: Realejo for walkability; Albaicín for the photo
For longer Spain trips and Portugal combinations see Spain or Portugal.