Alpha Travel
Sample itinerary

Grand Tour of Spain

Art, Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Basque Coast

Duration
18
Days
Cities
6
Cities
Hotel nights
16
Hotel nights

Overview

Trace Spain from imperial Madrid to the Costa del Sol, Andalusian soul in Seville, Gaudí’s Barcelona, and Bilbao’s contemporary north—with private transfers, guided excursions, and hand-picked boutique hotels throughout.

  • Skip-the-line access to Madrid’s Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza on a single art triangle day.

  • Full-day guided tours to Toledo, Segovia, Córdoba, and Ronda—UNESCO heritage, marzipan, and wine tasting included.

  • Evening flamenco with dinner in Seville, plus Montserrat and Sagrada Família with priority entry in Barcelona.

  • Private day to San Sebastián from Bilbao, with your chauffeur and guide tailoring stops along the Bay of Biscay.

Map showing Spain

Spain

Itinerary

Day by day

En route

Day 1 | Depart for Madrid

Board your overnight flight to Madrid. Nonstop service is arranged from your international gateway when available.

Madrid

Day 2 | Arrive Madrid

Upon arrival, a private meet-and-greet transfer brings you directly to your hotel. Flight monitoring allows pickup times to adjust if your arrival shifts.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure to settle in and explore nearby streets.

Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

Day 3 | Full day at the museums

A single ticket opens Madrid’s three great art museums: the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza.

At the Prado, encounter Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, and El Greco among the collection. Reina Sofía brings Picasso, Dalí, Miró, and twentieth-century masters. The Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the triangle with works from Dürer to Rothko (permanent collection).

  • Prado: Mon–Sat 10am–8pm; Sun and holidays 10am–7pm
  • Reina Sofía: hours vary by season; closed Tuesdays
  • Thyssen-Bornemisza: Tue–Sun 10am–6:30pm

Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

Day 4 | Toledo, Ávila & Segovia

Discover three UNESCO cities in one full-day tour from Madrid. Visit Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and Alcázar, Ávila’s walls and Convent of Santa Teresa, then Toledo’s Gothic cathedral and Jewish quarter.

In Toledo, visit a cloistered convent to taste traditional marzipan before returning to Madrid by comfortable minibus.

Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

Málaga

Day 5 | Train to Málaga

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Madrid’s train station for the AVE to Málaga (about two and a half hours).

On arrival, make your own way to the hotel—a short taxi ride. The afternoon is free.

Santos Gran Hotel Miramar

Day 6 | Costa del Sol at leisure

A full day on your own to enjoy Málaga and the Costa del Sol—beaches, the old town, or the Picasso Museum.

Santos Gran Hotel Miramar

Seville

Day 7 | Train to Seville & flamenco dinner

Transfer to Málaga station on your own and board the train to Seville (about two hours). A private meet-and-greet transfer continues to your hotel.

This evening, take in a flamenco performance with Andalusian dinner—song, guitar, and dance rooted in the culture of southern Spain.

H10 Corregidor Boutique

Dinner

Day 8 | Full-day Córdoba

Travel to Córdoba with your guide for a walking tour of the Mezquita, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the synagogue, and the Jewish quarter, ending on Calleja de las Flores before returning to Seville.

H10 Corregidor Boutique

Day 9 | Full-day Ronda

Visit historic Ronda perched above the gorge—its bullring museum, New Bridge views, San Juan Bosco House, and the Wine Museum with a guided tasting and Sangre de Ronda winery visit. Free time in town before returning to Seville.

H10 Corregidor Boutique

Barcelona

Day 10 | Fly to Barcelona

Private transfer to Seville airport for the flight to Barcelona (about one hour forty minutes). Meet-and-greet transfer to your hotel on arrival.

Granados 83

Day 11 | Picasso, Gothic Quarter & Casa Milà

Morning guided tour of the Gothic Quarter and Picasso Museum, including skip-the-line entry and a virtual glimpse of Roman Barcelona. Afternoon priority access to Casa Milà (La Pedrera) at your own pace.

Granados 83

Day 12 | Montserrat & Sagrada Família

Early visit to Montserrat monastery and the Black Madonna, with free time on the mountain. Return to Barcelona for lunch near Sagrada Família, then a guided interior visit with skip-the-line entry.

Granados 83

Day 13 | Barcelona at leisure

A full free day—consider Parc Güell, museums along Montjuïc, or the energy of La Rambla and the waterfront.

  • Parc Güell
  • Museum district
  • La Rambla & Gothic Quarter

Granados 83

Bilbao

Day 14 | Fly to Bilbao

Private transfer to Barcelona airport for the flight to Bilbao (about one hour fifteen minutes). Meet-and-greet transfer to your hotel.

Miro Hotel

Day 15 | Bilbao at leisure

Explore this northern city on your own—the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao faces many rooms at your hotel, and La Ribera Market is ideal for pintxos and café stops.

  • Guggenheim Bilbao
  • La Ribera Market

Miro Hotel

Day 16 | Private San Sebastián

Private vehicle and guide from your hotel around 9am for the journey to San Sebastián. Tailor the day—cathedral, coastal viewpoints, La Concha beach, or lunch at your chosen restaurant (own expense)—before returning to Bilbao.

Miro Hotel

Madrid

Day 17 | Return toward Madrid

Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Madrid. Overnight at the airport hotel. Ground transfers between airport and hotel are on your own.

Hilton Madrid Airport (no breakfast)

En route

Day 18 | Depart for home

Make your own way to the terminal for your international flight home.

Stays

Hotel program

16 nights across 6 properties. Specific room categories confirmed at booking.

  • Madrid

    Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

    3 nights

  • Málaga

    Santos Gran Hotel Miramar

    2 nights

  • Seville

    H10 Corregidor Boutique

    3 nights

  • Barcelona

    Granados 83

    4 nights

  • Bilbao

    Miro Hotel

    3 nights

  • Madrid

    Hilton Madrid Airport (no breakfast)

    1 night

Dates & Prices

Planning your dates

This sample journey is priced from $15,500 per person · double occupancy · excluding international flights. Contact your advisor for seasonal availability, private departures, and international air.

Sample itinerary and pricing for planning purposes. Final quotes depend on travel dates, flight class, hotel availability, and party size. International flights are quoted separately.

Journey Details

Air & rail

  • Day 1 · flight

    International gateway — Madrid

    Nonstop overnight — Scheduled by your advisor before travel

  • Day 5 · train

    Madrid — Málaga

    Approx. 2h 30m — Scheduled by your advisor before travel

  • Day 7 · train

    Málaga — Seville

    Approx. 2h — Scheduled by your advisor before travel

  • Day 10 · flight

    Seville — Barcelona

    Approx. 1h 40m — Scheduled by your advisor before travel

  • Day 14 · flight

    Barcelona — Bilbao

    Approx. 1h 15m — Scheduled by your advisor before travel

  • Day 17 · flight

    Bilbao — Madrid

    Domestic connection — Overnight at airport hotel; transfers on own

  • Day 18 · flight

    Madrid — international gateway

    Nonstop — Transfer to airport on own

Begin Your Journey

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