Planning a week in Spain and not sure how to fit it all in? This 7-day Spain travel itinerary takes you through some of my favorite destinations in the North, starting in my vibrant home of Madrid, winding through the wine country of Rioja, eating your heart out in Bilbao and San Sebastián, and ending with the colorful, iconic city of Barcelona.
While many tourists flock to the South of Spain, there is so much to be enjoyed in the North. This route is perfect if you want to experience the best of northern Spain: rich history, world-class food, stunning beaches, and plenty of bucket-list attractions. I’ve been to each of these unique cities and included personal recommendations, restaurant tips, and pro travel hacks so you can explore each stop like a local — without spending hours researching.
Whether you’re sipping Rioja in a medieval village, watching the sunset over La Concha Beach, or standing in awe at the Sagrada Familia, this itinerary is designed to give you an unforgettable week in the north of Spain.
Table of Contents
- Day 1 – Madrid: Arrival & First Impressions
- Day 2 – Madrid: Local Charm
- Day 3 – Bilbao
- Day 4 – Rioja Wine Region (Day Trip from Bilbao)
- Day 5 – San Sebastián
- Day 6 – Barcelona: Iconic Sights
- Day 7 – Barcelona: Beach & Park Day
- FAQs: Planning Your 7 Days in Spain Itinerary
- 1. What’s the best way to travel from Madrid to Barcelona while visiting Rioja, Bilbao, and San Sebastián?
- 2. When is the best time to visit northern Spain?
- 3. How many days should I spend in each city on this itinerary?
- 4. Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in northern Spain?
- 5. What should I pack for this Spain itinerary?
- 6. Can I do this itinerary without renting a car?
- FREE Interactive Map
- Final Thoughts
Day 1 – Madrid: Arrival & First Impressions
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and serves as a great place to start your trip and get a feel of Spanish culture. Visit Madrid for it’s charming streets, royal palace, theater scene, and world-class restaurants.
Morning
When you land, check into your hotel or Airbnb and regroup after your long flight. Once you feel rested, walk around your neighborhood and grab a coffee and croissant on your way out the door. No matter where you stay, I guarantee you’ll find a local coffee shop or bakery within a short walking distance!
It’s important to note that life starts later in Spain. No need to wake up super early to maximize your day — you’ll find empty streets and most stores/restaurants still closed!
Where to stay: To maximize your short time in Madrid, I’d recommend staying near Sol/Gran Via/Playa Mayor. Check out my personal favorite, Dear Hotel Madrid, or look into Airbnbs in the area!
Afternoon
After you grab your coffee and a pastry, walk towards Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, and Mercado de San Miguel – all the tourist spots in the heart of the city that you can’t miss! These are all close to one another and can be easily covered in an hour or two of exploring depending on your pace.
After you hit the big sites, wander through the narrow side streets and see what you stumble upon during your first day in Madrid. Don’t over-schedule yourself, just explore and see what the city offers you! Stop for a tapa and a beer as you go and discover local restaurants that call your attention.
When you’re in Madrid, I recommend trying the following foods:
- Torreznos: a very Madrileño dish consisting of crispy fried pork belly
- Patatas Bravas: fried or baked potatoes in a mildly spicy tomato sauce and ailoi
- Tortilla Española: Spanish egg omelet with potatoes and (sometimes) onion
For more on what to eat, visit my ultimate foodie guide to Madrid!
Evening
After a quick siesta, consider booking a tapas crawl in the La Latina neighborhood or take a cooking class! Both options are great opportunities to meet new people and get to know Madrid’s culinary scene in a fun and interactive way.
Optional: If you have any energy left at the end of the day, visit Circulo de Bellas Artes rooftop for the best cocktails and sunset views!
Day 2 – Madrid: Local Charm
Morning
Sleep in a tiny bit and grab breakfast at Mazál Bagels. You can either dine in the cute restaurant or grab your order to-go and enjoy it outside in Plaza de Oriente nearby. This plaza has incredible views of the Royal Palace and the Opera house.
After your breakfast, book a tour of the Royal Palace & Almudena Cathedral. To avoid long wait times, make sure to buy your tickets in advance if you’d like to visit the inside of the palace (which you absolutely should)!
Afternoon
After the palace tour, do some exploring before grabbing lunch at the stunning restaurant, La Primera. Conveniently located right on Gran Vía, this place has some of the best Spanish food I’ve tried in Madrid.
After a long lunch, I recommend choosing between El Prado Museum or the Reina Sofia Museum to spend the rest of your afternoon. El Prado is massive, and you could spend hours upon hours wandering the halls of the classic art museum. El Prado houses thousands of famous pieces like Las Meninas, while the Reina Sofia offers contemporary art, including Picasso’s famous La Guernica. The Reina Sofia is an old hospital that was renovated into an art museum, and is rumored to be haunted at night!
Evening
Wind down and relax in your hotel after a busy day, and rest up before having a late dinner. In Spain, most restaurants don’t open until 8pm, and locals eat closer to 10pm.
Go out to dinner in either Malasaña or Chamberí neighborhoods for a more casual, local feel, or splurge on a fancy night out in Salamanca. I would recommend Casa Macareño in Malasaña, Bar Trafalgar in Chamberí, or HER in Salamanca. You really can’t go wrong with any of the options above!
Pro tip: End the night with churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés (open 24 hours). I highly recommend sitting on their heated patio, or if it’s cold out, enjoy their churros inside where they have a photo wall of all their famous guests!
Day 3 – Bilbao
Next stop, Bilbao! The capital of the Basque region has a distinct language and culture that sets it apart from the rest of Spain. Known for it’s pintxos and famed Guggenheim art museum, this is a great destination for a well-rounded trip to Spain.
Morning
Rent a car or take a train from Madrid to Bilbao (~5 hours driving). If you’re planning to rent a car, I would recommend taking a taxi/metro to the outskirts of the city so you don’t have to worry about driving through the Madrid city center. It’s very easy to rent a car as a tourist in Spain if that’s more comfortable for you!
Enjoy the scenic journey to Bilbao, and once you arrive and get settled, grab a coffee/light lunch and walk around the Casco Viejo towards the Nervión riverwalk.
Afternoon
Take the riverwalk towards the Guggenheim Museum & enjoy the outdoor artwork before heading inside. Don’t miss the iconic flower puppy behind the museum!
Pro tip: Once a month, the Guggenheim hosts an Art After Dark party where you can enjoy the museum with a live DJ and cocktail in hand. If your trip happens to coincide with this event, I highly recommend attending!
Evening
After visiting the museum, head back to the hotel and rest before going back out for dinner.
Get dinner at a Michelin-starred Basque restaurant like Etxanobe (high end) or explore the Casco Viejo and do a DIY pintxo crawl depending on your vibe! Either way, you’re getting the complete Basque experience.
Day 4 – Rioja Wine Region (Day Trip from Bilbao)
Rioja is the wine capital of Spain, and offers beautiful scenery tucked away in the San Lorenzo mountains. Get ready to sip on incredible wine in the sun and watch the day go by from a gorgeous Spanish vineyard! Truly the European dream.
Morning
Book a day trip to La Rioja – about one hour away in car from Bilbao. I would strongly recommend booking a guided tour so you don’t have to worry about driving when you want to drink all the delicious Spanish wine. But if you wanted to, you could easily do a self-guided tour of the Rioja wineries on your own time. Just make sure to book your vineyard tours in advance!
Spend the morning enjoying a slow coffee and getting a good base in your stomach before heading out to the vineyards.
Afternoon
When you arrive in La Rioja, don’t miss your chance to visit Marqués de Riscal, Bodegas Ysios, or a small family-run vineyard like Bodegas Muga. If you book a tour, you’ll likely hit most of these spots!
Spend the afternoon sipping wine and enjoying the beautiful architecture and scenery in the region.
Evening
After spending the afternoon at the wineries, either head back to Bilbao for dinner or stop in the medieval town Laguardia if you’re doing your own self-guided tour. If you go to Laguardia, check out the caves used to store wine, and grab dinner at SVGAR for classic food from Rioja!
Day 5 – San Sebastián
Next stop is the iconic San Sebastián. This basque city is a foodie paradise, complete with incredible beaches and beautiful architecture. The best thing to do here is eat, eat, eat.
Morning
Drive or take the train from Bilbao to San Sebastian — about 1 hour and 20 mins in car.
When you arrive, check into the hotel, grab coffee and a light breakfast (check out Simona), and head to La Concha Beach for a stroll.
Afternoon
Take the funicular to Monte Igueldo for panoramic views of San Sebastián! This is a historic amusement park that’s currently trending for it’s boat rides with views of the city from the mountain above.
Do a self-guided pintxos crawl — stop at Borda Berri, Bar Sport, Bar Txepetxa, and end at La Viña for the best basque cheesecake. Come hungry, because this is the main event!
Take your time enjoying the different bars and restaurants, and go to as few or as many as you’d like. I even recommend starting at 2-3pm and continuing to enjoy light bites into the evening.
Evening
Walk off all the delicious food and enjoy the sunset at Zurriola Beach before retiring to bed.
Day 6 – Barcelona: Iconic Sights
The last stop on our Northern Spain itinerary is Barcelona. Beautiful Gaudí architecture, amazing wine and food, walkable coastal city, and vibrant nightlife make Barcelona one of the world’s best tourist destinations.
Morning
Grab breakfast near your hotel then drive or take the train or drive to Barcelona — the final stop on your Spanish trip.
Afternoon
Once you arrive at your hotel and get checked in, your first stop needs to be the Sagrada Familia. Depending on when you plan to visit, you may see the finished product (expected at some point in 2026 – the 100 year anniversary of Gaudí’s death).
Stroll the Passeig de Gràcia for Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. This is also the shopping district if you want to get a few souvenirs from your trip!
Pro Tip: If you want to come back later or switch up your trip, you can actually go to the rooftop of Casa Batlló at night! Make sure to book your tickets in advance.
Evening
To end the day, grab dinner and drinks in the Gothic Quarter. I highly recommend Gats or Tapeo which are both near the Gothic Quarter, then heading into the narrow streets of the neighborhood after dinner to do some bar hopping and exploring.
Day 7 – Barcelona: Beach & Park Day
Morning
For your final day in Spain, grab a coffee and explore Park Güell first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. This way you can reenact your favorite Cheetah Girl moments in peace! Make sure to buy your tickets to the park at least a few days in advance to guarantee entry, as it does tend to book out in busy season.
Afternoon
After a leisurely morning in the park, head down to Barceloneta Beach. This is the best place to relax and enjoy the Spanish sun, which is a must before you head home.
I recommend stopping at a chiringuito (beach bar) for lunch when you’re at the beach! Here you’ll have fresh seafood and beautiful views of the ocean, without having to travel far.
When you’re done at the beach, go back to the hotel and shower/get ready for an unforgettable last night in Spain.
Evening
Book a farewell seafood dinner with ocean views at Julieta’s or Fiskebar, or if you want something different, I highly recommend getting sushi at Akiro Hand Roll Bar. Just note that Akiro does not take reservations, and the line can get long if you don’t go early!
After dinner if you still have some energy, head to a rooftop bar with views of the Sagrada Familia for some final photos before you leave. Check out the rooftop of Sercotel Hotel Rosellón for the best views, but it gets busy, so reserve your spot in advance!
FAQs: Planning Your 7 Days in Spain Itinerary
1. What’s the best way to travel from Madrid to Barcelona while visiting Rioja, Bilbao, and San Sebastián?
For the northern Spain section (Rioja, Bilbao, San Sebastián), renting a car gives you the most flexibility to explore wine country and small coastal towns. If you’re just traveling directly between Madrid and Barcelona, the high-speed AVE train or a short flight is quickest.
2. When is the best time to visit northern Spain?
Spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) are ideal for pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and lively local festivals. Summer is warm and perfect for beach days, but expect higher prices and more tourists.
3. How many days should I spend in each city on this itinerary?
This 7-day Spain itinerary gives you 2 days in Madrid, 1 day each in Bilbao, Rioja, and San Sebastián, and 2 days in Barcelona — the perfect balance of culture, food, and coastal charm.
4. Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in northern Spain?
It’s helpful to know basic Spanish phrases, but most tourist areas and larger cities have English-speaking staff in hotels, restaurants, and attractions. In the basque country, they actually speak euskera in addition to Spanish.
5. What should I pack for this Spain itinerary?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, layers for varying coastal and inland weather, and a few elevated outfits for nicer restaurants or wine tours. Don’t forget swimwear for the beaches in San Sebastián and Barcelona! For more info on how to pack for your trip, see my travel essentials blog.
6. Can I do this itinerary without renting a car?
Yes — high-speed trains connect Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao, and buses/tour trips run to Rioja and San Sebastián. However, having a car in Rioja and along the Basque Coast makes day trips much easier (and provides for more flexibility).
FREE Interactive Map
See below for a free map that pins all the locations listed in the itinerary above! Save this link for your upcoming trip to Spain.
Final Thoughts
This 7-day northern Spain itinerary is my idea of the perfect mix — major cities, peaceful wine country, coastal escapes, and just enough flexibility to wander off the beaten path. You’ll see the cultural contrasts between regions, taste flavors you’ll crave long after you’re home, and take in some of the most beautiful views in Europe.
While you craft your own ideal itinerary, my advice is to keep it flexible. Build in little moments to slow down. Make time for that extra coffee in a sunny plaza, take the long way back to your hotel, or stop for one more pintxos before your next agenda item.
No matter how many times I explore this country, I always find something new that makes me fall in love all over again. I have a feeling you’ll feel the same way by the end of this trip.
Looking for more Spanish destinations? Check out my 3 Days in Ibiza itinerary or my list of 7 underrated Spanish cities!
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