Spain 7-Day Itinerary: The Best Way to See Madrid, Seville & Granada

Morning:

Arrive in one of Europe's greatest capital cities. (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

Give yourself a straightforward first day to get oriented before hitting the major sights tomorrow:

Deposit your bags at your hotel and walk to Puerta del Sol, the geographic heart of Spain, a zero-kilometre point from which all Spanish national roads are measured. Always busy, occasionally chaotic, and immediately communicates the city's energy.

• Note! The Puerta del Sol can get extremely crowded by midday, so arrive early.
• Walk from Puerta del Sol to the atmospheric Plaza Mayor (5 minutes), a baroque square built in 1619. Buskers, pigeons, outdoor cafes, seasonal markets, and a strong sense of centuries of urban life.
• Take a break. Chocolateria San Gines (Pasadizo de San Gines, 5): Open since 1894, open 24 hours. Order churros with thick hot chocolate. Tourist yes, legendary yes, worth it absolutely.
• Mercado de San Miguel: A 1916 iron-framed covered market steps from Plaza Mayor. Iberian ham, fresh oysters, croquetas, vermouth. Perfect for grazing rather than a full meal.

Afternoon:

Afternoon of Culture. (1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)

The Paseo del Prado boulevard houses three world-class museums within a 10-minute walk. This is the Golden Triangle of Art, and it is genuinely one of the great cultural concentrations in Europe.

• Prado Museum (Museo del Prado): Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens. One of the greatest collections of European painting anywhere. Buy tickets at museodelprado.es or through Tiqets. Queue without a ticket: up to 45 minutes. Entry: from 15 euros.
• Reina Sofia Museum: Picasso's Guernica is here. A painting of such force that it stops visitors mid-step. Also excellent for Dali, Miro, and 20th-century Spanish art. Entry: €12 plus a small booking fee online.
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Covers medieval to Pop Art in a single building. Third priority if time is short, but a genuinely outstanding collection. Entry: €13.

You cannot see all three museums properly in one afternoon. Pick one or two, do them properly, and return tomorrow if needed.

Flight4 Pro Tip: The Prado offers free entry in the last two hours of each day (Monday-Saturday 6-8pm, Sunday 5-7pm). Good for a first look, but crowded. Book early Book online!

Evening:

Garden Rhapsody & Rooftop Drinks. (6:00 PM - Late)

Head to the Huertas neighbourhood (Barrio de las Letras) for dinner and first drinks. This is one of Madrid's most sociable evening areas, centred on Plaza Santa Ana, (drinks first, food later, then more drinks).

• La Finca de Susana (Calle Arlaban, 4): Reliable, well-priced Spanish restaurant in the heart of Huertas. Good wine list, local crowd. Book ahead, or take a chance and just turn up outside peak times.
• Hemingway Cocktail Bar: A genuine speakeasy accessed through the bathrooms of Casa Suecia restaurant. Prohibition decor, exceptional cocktails. Ask at the bar if you cannot find the entrance. (It's a very popular "secret," so arriving early is wise).
• Teatro Kapital (Calle de Atocha, 125): Madrid's most famous superclub, with seven floors each playing a different music style. Rooftop terrace opens in summer. Clubs fill up after midnight and run until 6am. Entry from 15 euros. Flight4 Pro Tip: Expect to pay €30+ on weekends, usually including one or two drinks. Dress code is strictly enforced (no trainers/sportswear).
• Alternative: Malasana neighbourhood for a more local, indie atmosphere. La Via Lactea and El Penta are established bars with rock and alternative music.

Safety:

Madrid is generally safe, but be aware of the following:

1. Pickpockets around Puerta del Sol and Gran Via. Note that the "Trileros" (shell game scammers) are also common around Puerta del Sol.
2. Keep your phone in a front pocket in crowded areas to avoid theft. Remember, (like any major city), you're a tourist and a potential target. Remain vigilant and leave valuables behind, then relax and enjoy.
3. If leaving clubs late, use official taxis or Bolt, Cabify and FreeNow, rather than unlicensed drivers.

Morning:

Early Start (8 AM - 1:00 PM)

If today is a Sunday, start at El Rastro flea market before anything else. Every Sunday, around Plaza Cascorro and Calle Ribera de Curtidores, more than 1,000 vendors set up from early morning.

Antiques, vinyl, vintage clothing, ceramics, and genuine oddities. The oldest leather shop here, Tienda Hipica El Valenciano, has been operating for over 120 years. Get there before 10am to beat the crowds.

On other days, start at the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), the largest palace in Western Europe by floor area. Over 3,400 rooms, with the state rooms open to visitors. Extraordinary frescoes and tapestries. Book tickets at Royal Palace (Palacio Real) patrimonionacional.es. Entry: €20.

• Almudena Cathedral sits directly opposite the Royal Palace. Entry is free, (though a €1 donation per person is requested at the door for maintenance). The crypt is atmospheric and often overlooked. Note: The museum and dome have a separate entrance fee of €7.
• Temple of Debod: An authentic 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple in Parque del Oeste, gifted to Spain by Egypt in 1968. The only Egyptian temple in Spain. Free entry. Best at sunset.

Afternoon:

Fresh Air then Shopping (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro) is a 340-acre formal park that locals treat as a second living room on weekends. Rent a rowing boat on the central lake, visit the Crystal Palace (a glass pavilion holding temporary art exhibitions), and take coffee at one of the park cafes.

Shopping options in Madrid:

• Gran Via is the main commercial street with international brands and flagship stores.
• Calle Fuencarral offers independent boutiques and streetwear.
• Salamanca district's Calle Serrano is luxury territory: Loewe, Balenciaga, Spanish and international designers.
• Teledisko on Calle Montera is the world's smallest disco, a phone-box-sized booth where you pick a song and dance alone. It's usually free or charges a small fee (typically €2-€5) to play a song and receive a photo. It is genuinely ridiculous. It is worth doing. (Note! Check current location, as its been known to move).

Flight4 Pro Tip: The Madrid Go City Pass covers the main museums and provides worthwhile savings, available online and from tourist offices - good value if you plan multiple museums. For unlimited travel, purchase the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass (Tarjeta Turística).

Evening:

Start drinking at one end and work your way through (7:00 PM - Late)

La Latina on a weekend evening is one of Madrid's best experiences. Calle de la Cava Baja packs 53 bars and restaurants into 300 metres. Start at one end and work your way through, ordering a glass of wine and a tapa at each stop.

• Taberna El Tempranillo (Calle de la Cava Baja, 38): Outstanding wine by the glass, excellent jamón, proper local atmosphere. One of the best bars in Madrid for a good reason.
• Chueca is Madrid's LGBTQ+ district and one of the liveliest after midnight. Museo Chicote (Gran Via, 12) opened in 1931 and has won best bar in Europe multiple times. Fills up around 11pm.
• Goya Social Club and Icon Club Madrid are solid options for electronic music and dancing later in the night.

Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic significance. Dominated by the Alcázar fortress and featuring the impressive Toledo Cathedral, the city is famous for its narrow streets and medieval architecture, making it one of Spain's most historically rich and visually striking cities.

Morning:

Toledo is 30 minutes from Madrid Atocha rail station by high-speed train.

Depart on the 8:30am or 9am service to arrive before tour groups. Toledo is one of the most complete medieval cities in Europe, a hilltop city above the Tagus River where Christian, Moorish, and Jewish cultures built their most significant monuments within walking distance of each other.

• Toledo Cathedral: A Gothic masterwork with paintings by El Greco, Goya, and Caravaggio inside. Entry: A basic ticket is €12.00, which includes the sacristy and art gallery. Book through Tiqets or at the door.
• Alcazar of Toledo: A 16th-century fortress converted into a military museum, with sweeping views over the city and surrounding countryside from the towers. Entry: 5 euros.
• Guided Toledo day trips from Madrid are available through GetYourGuide for around 40-55 euros per person, including return transport and expert commentary. Worth it if context and history matter to you.

Afternoon:

Spend the afternoon in the Jewish Quarter (Barrio Judio), one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish neighbourhoods in Spain

• Sinagoga del Transito (14th century) and Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca (13th century): Two of the finest medieval synagogues in Spain, both still standing.
• El Greco Museum (Casa Museo del Greco): The house where the Renaissance master lived and worked (a beautiful early 20th-century recreation), an atmospheric museum with original works.
• For lunch, try local dishes: carcamusa (a pork and vegetable stew) and Toledo marzipan. Confiteria Santo Tome is the most famous marzipan shop in the city. Buy some to take home.

Evening:

Return to Madrid by train (trains run frequently, final services around 9.30 - 10pm check the official schedule for your specific date). Dinner in Malasana, Madrid's bohemian neighbourhood north of Gran Via.

• Lolina Vintage Cafe (Calle del Espiritu Santo, 9): A Malasana institution. Eclectic decor, affordable cocktails, good food from breakfast through to late night. Reliably good.
• For nightlife, POMPA Club and El Internacional draw a younger crowd in Malasana. Both are well-established.

Morning:

Take the AVE high-speed train from Madrid Atocha to Seville Santa Justa. (Journey time: approximately 2 hours 20 minutes).

Book through RENFE (renfe.com) or Omio. Early morning trains are cheaper and arrive in time to make the most of the afternoon.

Seville has an immediate impact. Orange trees line every street, the architecture shifts from Castilian grandeur to Andalusian warmth, and the pace of life slows enough to notice. Check in and head straight out!

Afternoon:

Walking shoes on. (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Seville's historic centre is compact and easy to walk. Your first afternoon covers the three sites that define the city.

• Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla): The largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Inside, the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Giralda tower (the cathedral's bell tower, originally the minaret of the mosque it replaced) offers panoramic city views. Entry: 14 euros. Book through Tiqets for skip-the-line access.
• Royal Alcazar (Real Alcazar): A UNESCO World Heritage royal palace of Moorish and Mudejar architecture with extraordinary tile work, carved plasterwork, and manicured gardens. One of the finest buildings in Europe. Book well in advance (1-2 months). Entry: 13.50 euros + booking fee. This is the filming location used for Dorne in Game of Thrones.
• Barrio Santa Cruz: The former Jewish quarter. A network of white alleyways, tiled doorways, orange trees, and small flower-filled squares. Walk without a specific destination and let yourself get partially lost. That is the point.

Flight4 Pro Tip: Alcazar tickets disappear fast in peak season. Book through the official website (alcazarsevilla.org) as early as possible. The queues for door tickets are discouraging.

Evening:

Seville After Dark - prepare to be entertained (8:00 PM - Late)

Seville's evenings begin on the Alameda de Hercules, a long, tree-lined square that transforms into the city's social centre after dark.

Bars open onto the square, terraces fill up, and the atmosphere is relaxed and genuinely local. No pretence here, just glide yourself in.

• Duo Tapas (Alameda de Hercules area): A well-regarded tapas bar with modern Andalusian small plates and a good atmosphere. Popular with locals.
• Teatro Flamenco Sevilla (Calle Cuna, 15): One of the best flamenco venues in Seville, set in a converted theatre with six world-class performers. Three shows nightly at 5pm, 7pm, and 8:45pm. Tickets from €26. Book through their official site or Tiqets.
• Post-show: The Triana district across the river has a more local evening atmosphere. Calle Betis runs along the riverbank with a string of bars and outstanding views of the illuminated Torre del Oro.

Why Flight4 loves Seville: Seville at night is vibrant and romantic, with illuminated landmarks and bustling tapas bars. Areas like Barrio Santa Cruz and the Guadalquivir River create a magical atmosphere for strolling and dining, making the city lively until 2 a.m. (Don't stay out too late, it's an early start tomorrow).

Morning:

Start at the Metropol Parasol, known locally as Las Setas (The Mushrooms). A wildly ambitious wooden structure built in 2011 over a Roman archaeological site in Plaza de la Encarnacion. It is the largest wooden structure in the world. Roman ruins are visible through glass floors at ground level. The top walkway offers 360-degree city views. Entry: 16 euros.

Next - explore these attractions:

• Mercado de la Encarnacion: Underneath Las Setas is a covered food market. Good for breakfast, fresh produce, and local cheeses.
• Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de Espana: A 30-minute walk south. The plaza is a semi-circular 1929 exhibition building ringed by tiled alcoves representing each Spanish province. One of the most photographed sites in Spain. Entry is free. Come before 10am or after 4pm for manageable crowds, be aware of afternoon heat mid-summer.

Afternoon:

Neighbourhoods & Shopping till late (1:30 PM - 7:00 PM)

Cross the Triana Bridge (Puente de Isabel II) into the Triana neighbourhood. This is Seville's most distinctive barrio, the historic home of the city's Romani community and the birthplace of some of the greatest flamenco artists in history.

• Calle Betis and its side streets: Walk along the riverbank and explore the neighbourhood. The character is completely different from the tourist centre.
• La Alfareria ceramic workshops: Triana is famous for its hand-painted tiles and pottery. Several genuine workshops still operate and sell directly. Prices are fair and the quality is the real thing, not factory imports.
• Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold): A 13th-century watchtower on the riverbank, used as a harbour gate and later a prison. Small navigation museum inside. Entry: voluntary donation (3 euros suggested). The exterior view over the Guadalquivir is free.

Shopping in Seville: The shopping scene in Seville is a vibrant mix of historic, pedestrianised streets, high-street brands, and unique, artisan boutiques.

Where to Shop: Calle Tetuan and Calle Sierpes are the main pedestrian shopping streets north of the Cathedral, with Spanish chain stores and local boutiques. The Alcaiceria (historic silk market) near the Cathedral area has small craft and ceramics shops. Antique hunters should browse the side streets of Santa Cruz.

Shop Late: Shops are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Larger chain stores operate continuously, while smaller shops typically close for a siesta from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. On Sundays, shops are usually closed, but some in central areas may open.

Evening:

Experience Authentic Seville (8:00 PM - Late)

La Carboneria (Calle Levies, 18) is Seville's most famous free flamenco experience. A former coal warehouse turned sprawling bar and live music venue. No entry charge.

Order drinks and wait. Local guitarists and singers take the floor most evenings. No tourist packaging, no fixed price, no script. Arrive around 9pm and stay for as long as the music holds (7pm fri-sat).

• El Rincon de Triana: A reliable tapas bar in Triana, popular with local residents. Order fino sherry (dry, chilled) rather than sangria. That is what Sevillanos drink with their food.
• For younger crowds and dancing: Check the area around Plaza Alfalfa, it has a cluster of bars that build through the evening. Alameda de Hercules genuinely comes to life after midnight.

Safety in Seville: The city is safe but the Cathedral area and Santa Cruz barrio attract persistent street vendors and unofficial guides. Be politely direct and walk on. Keep your phone in a secure pocket in busy tourist areas.

FULL DAY:

Early Start

Cordoba is a UNESCO-listed historic city. Famous for its Moorish and Christian architecture, winding streets, and vibrant patios. It offers a quieter atmosphere than Seville or Granada and is renowned for the stunning Mezquita-Catedral.

Cordoba is 45 minutes from Seville by AVE. Take an early train and arrive before the crowds and heat build. This is one of the most architecturally extraordinary buildings in the world. Flight4 Pro Tip: It's highly recommended to book Renfe tickets in advance to secure preferred times.

What you'll discover:

• Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba: A must visit former mosque converted into a cathedral in the 13th century. The interior contains a forest of 856 columns topped with red and white striped horseshoe arches.
• At its centre: A baroque cathedral was constructed inside the mosque after the Christian Reconquista. The result is unlike anything else in Spain. Entry: 15 euros. Book through GetYourGuide for a guided tour with skip-the-line access. Arrive before 10am. Guided Tours cost €25–€38 for skip-the-line access.
• Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Palace of the Christian Kings): A 14th-century royal palace with Roman mosaic floors and formal pool gardens. Entry: 5-7 euros.

Afternoon:

Walk the Jewish Quarter (Juderia), one of the finest surviving medieval districts in Andalusia.

• Synagogue of Cordoba: One of only three medieval synagogues remaining in Spain, dating to 1315. Entry: 0.30 euros.
• The Calleja de las Flores: A narrow alley framed by geranium-covered balconies. The most photographed street in Cordoba and deservedly so.
• Lunch in Cordoba: Order salmorejo, a thick Cordoban cold soup topped with hard-boiled egg and jamón. It is the local speciality. Every bar and restaurant in the city serves it.
• Cordoba's Patio Festival: Opens in May to private courtyards decorated with flowers and fountains to the public. Outside festival season, several patios can be visited year-round.

Evening:

Return to Seville by train in the late afternoon. Final evening in Seville.

• Azotea de Atarazanas: A rooftop bar near the Torre del Oro with river views. Good for sunset cocktails before dinner. (Note: It's further from the river and the Torre del Oro than other riverside bars).
• Bar Alfalfa (Calle Candilejo, 1): A casual standing-room tapas bar in the heart of Seville. Popular with locals, affordable, reliably good. Expect to share tables with strangers.

Morning:

Travel from Seville to Granada by ALSA coach (approximately 3 hours) or by direct high-speed Avant trains from Seville-Santa Justa to Granada, or with a change at Antequera. Book the Alhambra before you book anything else for this entire trip. Top Tip: Book it the day you decide to visit Spain.

Spend your morning at the Alhambra palace complex. It is one of the most significant buildings in the Islamic world and the most visited monument in Spain.

• Nasrid Palaces: The centrepiece of the Alhambra. Intricate stucco carvings, the Patio de los Leones with its 12 marble lions, the Sala de los Abencerrajes with a stalactite ceiling of extraordinary complexity.
• Your timed slot is fixed: Do not be late for the Nasrid Palaces entry time on your ticket.
• Alcazaba: The oldest part of the complex, a 9th-century fortress with towers offering views over Granada and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada.
• Generalife Gardens: The sultans' summer gardens, terraced with fountains, roses, and cypress trees. Visit last, before leaving the complex.

Allow 3-4 hours. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water and sun protection. The site is extensive and paths are uneven.

Tickets: Official site www.alhambra-patronato.es/en or guided tours via GetYourGuide and Tiqets with skip-the-line access. General entry: €21.00 + booking fee. Night visits (Nasrid Palaces only) are available and atmospheric. Book 2-3 months ahead for peak dates.

Afternoon:

Walk down from the Alhambra into central Granada and then up into the Albaicin, the ancient Moorish hillside neighbourhood facing the palace.

• Mirador de San Nicolas: The most famous viewpoint in Granada, looking directly across to the illuminated Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada behind. The view at dusk stops most people.
• Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel: The tombs of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand are in the Royal Chapel. These are the monarchs who financed Columbus and ended the Moorish kingdom. Entry: 6 euros.
• The Albaicin streets: Cobblestoned, steep, and genuinely beautiful. Walk the main route from Plaza Nueva, stopping at small squares and North African tea houses (teterias). The neighbourhood has a strong Moroccan cultural influence. Several genuine hammams operate here.

Granada's free tapas culture: In many Granada bars, a drink comes with a free tapa. This is a real local tradition. Order a beer or a glass of wine and wait to see what arrives with it.

Evening:

Sacromonte is the hillside cave district above the Albaicin where Granada's Romani community has lived for centuries and where some of the most powerful flamenco in Spain takes place.

• Cave Flamenco (Zambra) in Sacromonte: Intimate performances in whitewashed cave venues cut into the hillside. Cueva de la Rocio and Cueva Maria La Canastera are long-established venues with solid reputations. Tours from central Granada including transport and cave show can be booked through GetYourGuide for 25-30 euros.
• La Gata Mora (Plaza Sto. Domingo, 6): A well-regarded Granada bar with craft beers and a relaxed atmosphere. Good for a final evening drink.
• Bar Bibo (Calle Puentezuelas, 11): Tapas bar popular with university students and young locals. Excellent free tapas culture in action.

Safety in Granada: Sacromonte is safe during organised cave shows but poorly lit at night on walking routes. Take a taxi or use a booked tour rather than walking alone after dark. The Albaicin is safe by day and evening but some passages are quiet and steep late at night.