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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