9 Days in Spain: Madrid, Seville and Granada
Explore stunning views, intricate historical architecture and citrus lined streets in Madrid and the South of Spain.
This itinerary doesn’t include every activity we did, I only want to share the very best experiences from our trip. It’s also not strict and leaves room for you to explore and improvise. Enjoy!
Table of Contents:
1. Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 - Fly into Madrid (MAD)
Day 2 - Madrid, optional day trip to Toledo via train
Day 3 - Madrid to Seville
Day 4 - Seville
Day 5 - Seville, optional day trip to Córdoba
Day 6 - Seville to Granada
Day 7 - Granada
Day 8 - Granada to Madrid
Day 9 - Depart from Madrid (MAD)
2. Travel Details and Tips
Day 1 - Fly into Madrid (MAD)
Day 2 - Madrid, optional day trip to Toledo via train
Day 3 - Madrid to Seville
Day 4 - Seville
Day 5 - Seville, optional day trip to Córdoba
Day 6 - Seville to Granada
Day 7 - Granada
Day 8 - Granada to Madrid
Day 9 - Depart from Madrid (MAD)
3. Calendar View
4. Map View
Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1 - Fly into Madrid (MAD)
• Puerta del Sol (20 minutes from airport - good hub for hotel)
• Stay at UMusic Hotel Madrid
Centrally located with affordable pricing
Check-in after 3:00 pm, however they will check you in earlier if able (we checked in around 12pm directly after arriving from the airport)
• Dinner at Restaurante Gloria Bendita Madrid
Day 2 - Madrid, optional day trip to Toledo via train
• Museo del Prado - Arrive early and reserve tickets online so you don’t have to waste time on a long line (Photos not allowed)
• Lunch at Plenti - pet friendly with tons of cute dogs
Optional Day Trip to Toledo:
• Toledo (35 minutes from Madrid by train) - make sure to book train tickets in advance, also be aware that there is no Uber in Toledo, so if you do not have arranged transportation, you will have to rely on flagging down taxis which are not frequent (especially later in the evening)
- Crepería GastroArt Toledo - one of the few places open in the early evening to grab a bite to eat, while other places are only open for drinks
• Return to Madrid
• Take a peak into the tiny house of the tooth fairy Casita Ratón Pérez , Pablo Herrera El Porterito, a work of street art that can be easily missed if you don’t know where to look!
Day 3 - Madrid to Seville
• Take the high speed train from Madrid to Seville (~2 hours and 45 mins)
• Breakfast at Restaurante Moya Brunch
• Catedral de Sevilla and Giralda Bell Tower
Massive, intricate sculptures and the site of Christopher Columbus' tomb
• Plaza de España (located within Parque de María Luisa) - you may be fortunate enough to come across a Flamenco show here!
Day 4 - Seville
• Brunch at Billy Brunch & Terrace
• Coffee or drinks on rooftop Cocktail Bar Puerto de Cuba Premier
• Seville Museum of Fine Arts - cash only
• Puente de Triana - overlooks the Río Guadalquivir, a spot reminiscent of the Seine in Paris
• Mercado del Barranco - renovated gourmet food hall that used to be an old fish market
Day 5 - Seville, optional day trip to Córdoba
- Day trip from Seville to Córdoba (45 minutes one way by high speed train)
• Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba and Bell Tower
• Tapas lunch at Bodegas Mezquita (Céspedes)
• Return to Seville
• Attend the stunning night walk light show, Naturaleza Encendida - Real Alcázar de Sevilla, for a magical experience of Alcazar Palace and Gardens
• Dinner at El Librero Tapas Y Quesos - delicious cheese board and paella
Day 6 - Seville to Granada
• Take the high speed train from Seville to Granada (~3 hours)
• Stay at Áurea Catedral - beautiful rooms with excellent location
• Lunch at Tajin Dar
• Royal Chapel (Capilla Real)
• Tetería El Bañuelo - traditional teahouse to enjoy tea, coffee, and sweets on an outdoor terrace with a lovely view overlooking the Alhambra
• Sunset Views at Mirador San Nicolas
• Enjoy views of twilight from Santa Isabel la Real viewpoint with the locals
• Luxury Pizza,s for a late night snack
Day 7 - Granada
• Alhambra - aim to get tickets for the 8:30 AM entrance time, arrive closer to 8AM to get on line early
**Make sure you’re on time and have your passport, since your passport is scanned for entrance and acts as your ticket for the day.
• Brunch at Cafe 4 Gatos - Tiny cafe with outdoor seating, delicious coffee, sandwiches and amazing carrot cake
• Wander the Albaicín/Albayzín neighborhood
• Dinner at 한국식당 CHOIBAP KOREANFOOD 최밥 - must try the beef bulgogi
• Rivareno Granada for gelato
Day 8 - Granada to Madrid
• Take the high speed train to return to Madrid (~3.5 hours)
• Vinitus Gran Via Restaurant - Amazing tapas
• Azotea del Circulo - Rooftop restaurant with beautiful views of the city
• Retiro Park - expansive park with various sculptures, fountains, row boats, gardens and paths for pedestrians, cyclists and skaters
• Chocolateria San Gines - mentioned since it is famous for chocolate with churros, however not a must-try for me personally!
Day 9 - Depart from Madrid (MAD)
• Breakfast and depart for the airport
Spain Loves Cats!
Travel Details and Tips:
Day 1 - Fly into Madrid (MAD)
Upon arriving in Madrid, settle into an accommodation in Puerta del Sol, which is conveniently located 20 minutes from the airport. Consider staying at UMusic Hotel Madrid, which has beautiful modern rooms with a central location in the city. They offer check-in after 3:00pm, however had no issues checking us in around 12pm after we arrived directly from the airport - a huge plus after a long flight!
After enjoying some lunch, start your afternoon at the Royal Palace of Madrid. Explore room after room of lavish decorations, including intricate paintings and detailed moldings along the walls and ceilings.
Stop for a snack or simply to marvel at the bustling Mercado San Miguel, a market filled with cheeses, meats, sandwiches and more. After passing through the market, head for dinner at Restaurante Gloria Bendita Madrid. Finish your first night walking through the expansive and busy Plaza Mayor, which holds a statue of King Philip III on horseback in the center of the square.
Day 2 - Madrid, optional day trip to Toledo via train
Begin your day at the beautiful Museo del Prado - I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance for when the museum opens at 10am to avoid wasting time in a long line. Be aware that photos are not allowed in the museum. There is also a cafe on the first floor where you can enjoy a quick bite and some coffee.
Once you’ve made your way through the numerous halls and floors of artwork, enjoy lunch at Plenti, a pet friendly establishment with dogs coming in and out of the door as often as people! After a relaxing lunch, stop by Monumento a Murillo, where you will find a statue of Spanish Baroque painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo centered in a small garden.
Optional Day Trip to Toledo:
Depending on how long you have in Madrid, you can also take a day trip to Toledo (35 minutes from Madrid by train). I recommend getting an early start and making sure to book train tickets in advance, especially since the trains run less frequently in the evening. Be aware that there is no Uber in Toledo, so if you do not have arranged transportation, you will have to rely on flagging down taxis, which are hard to come by and much more pricey than the train.
Start by wondering through the military museum Alcázar de Toledo, where you can view archeological excavations within the historic fortress. Following the museum, head to Plaza del Ayuntamiento, an open plaza with Toledo City Hall on one side and Catedral Primada de Toledo on the other. Take in the architecture from the plaza before going to explore the cathedral. Make your way through the Jewish Quarter of Toledo before grabbing a snack from Crepería GastroArt Toledo - one of the few places open in the early evening offering tasty bites, a time of day when most restaurants are either closed or only open for drinks.
After taking in the views and architecture of Toledo, make your way back to Madrid for dinner. Before heading back to your accommodation, take a peak into the tiny house of the tooth fairy Casita Ratón Pérez , Pablo Herrera El Porterito, a work of street art that can be easily missed if you don’t know where to look!
Day 3 - Madrid to Seville
Take an early train from Madrid to Seville (~2 hours and 45 minutes) so you will still have plenty of time to enjoy your first day in Seville when you arrive. Once in Seville, start with a delicious breakfast at Restaurante Moya Brunch. From breakfast, head to Catedral de Sevilla and Giralda Bell Tower - be sure to get tickets online in advance here. Amongst the massive and intricate sculptures of the cathedral, you will also find the Tomb of Christopher Columbus - his remains were brought to Seville in 1898 after being moved many times since his death in 1506. After the cathedral, ascend the sloping corridor of the bell tower to reach it’s 341-foot tall peak. At the top, you can enjoy not only the 24 bells of the tower, but also sweeping 360-degree views of Seville.
From the bell tower, head to the expansive Parque de María Luisa. Within the park, you will find the lovely Plaza de España, where painted ceramic tiles are extensively used to decorate the bridges, buildings and benches. In the plaza, you may spot couples and families rowing in boats along the man-made moat surrounding the square, or even catch a Flamenco show! After walking around the park and plaza, relax over a flavorful dinner at Restaurante Arabesca.
Day 4 - Seville
Start your day roaming the stunning Moorish architecture and gardens of Alcazar Palace and Gardens. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest royal palace in Europe, and still in use as the official residence of the Spanish royal family when they visit Seville. You can get tickets in advance to reserve your time slot here. After walking in the steps of royalty, enjoy a hearty breakfast at Billy Brunch & Terrace.
Stop by the Setas de Sevilla, or “Mushrooms of Seville”, a massive and unique wooden structure that has a pathway on its rooftop offering panoramic views of the city. After the Setas, rest and recharge while sipping on a coffee at Cocktail Bar Puerto de Cuba Premier’s outdoor rooftop.
From the rooftop, take a short walk to Seville Museum of Fine Arts. The museum only accepts cash for tickets, so be sure to have some on hand before you arrive. The museum has impressive art and small tranquil gardens to enjoy a peaceful getaway from the city.
Head to Puente de Triana to catch the sunset over the Río Guadalquivir, a spot reminiscent of the Seine in Paris, with friends and couples sitting on the edge of the cobblestone walkway along the water, and locals walking their dogs for the evening. End your evening with a variety of delicious options from Mercado del Barranco, a renovated gourmet food hall that used to be an old fish market.
Day 5 - Seville, optional day trip to Córdoba
Get an early start to take a day trip from Seville to Córdoba (45 minutes one way by high speed train). You can either walk into town or hop in a local taxi from the train station, as you won’t find Ubers in Córdoba.
Begin your day with a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba and Bell Tower. Built as a mosque in the 8th century and later converted into a cathedral in the 13th century, the Mosque-Cathedral reflects the fusion of Gothic and Islamic architectural styles and its cultural history. After wandering through the high columns and arches of the Mosque-Cathedral, walk up the 191 steps of the Bell Tower to take in panoramic views of Córdoba, the courtyard, and the Mosque-Cathedral.
Indulge in a delectable tapas lunch at Bodegas Mezquita (Céspedes), where you can enjoy traditional cuisine. After lunch, head to the Roman Bridge of Córdoba and walk across its 16 arches.
Return to Seville to attend the immersive night walk light show, Naturaleza Encendida - Real Alcázar de Sevilla, for a magical experience of Alcazar Palace and Gardens. Most recently drawing inspiration from the visions and dreams of King Felipe V during his stay at the palace, the palace and gardens are transformed with lights and projections, offering a completely different experience compared to seeing Alcazar in the daytime. Finish your busy day over a delicious cheese board and paella at El Librero Tapas Y Quesos.
Day 6 - Seville to Granada
Take an early train from Seville to Granada (~3 hours) to make the most of your time upon arriving in Granada. Stay at Áurea Catedral, which has beautiful rooms and an ideal location across the street from the cathedral. Once checked-in and settled, enjoy lunch at Tajin Dar, which offers flavorful Moroccan cuisine.
After an energizing lunch, head to Catedral de Granada to marvel at beautiful architecture, stained glass windows and beautifully adorned pipe organs. The church took over 200 years to build, as is one of Spain’s largest cathedrals. Following the cathedral, head to Royal Chapel, which is located right next door. Built in the 1500’s, the mausoleum is the final resting place for Catholic royalty.
Stroll through the cobblestone streets and make your way up some stairs to find the inconspicuous Tetería El Bañuelo, a traditional teahouse with an outdoor terrace. Enjoy sipping on tea or coffee and snacking on sweets while taking in a lovely view overlooking the Alhambra. After the teahouse, make your way to secure a spot at Mirador San Nicolas to catch the sunset over mountains, tree covered hills, and the Alhambra. As you make your way back to your accommodations, enjoy views of twilight from Santa Isabel la Real viewpoint, where you will find locals relaxing with friends or their dogs. After a day filled with walking, grab some takeout from Luxury Pizza,s if craving a late night snack.
Day 7 - Granada
Start your day at the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site Alhambra, also known as the Red Fortress. The famous monument is an ancient palace and fortress that now preserves Islamic architecture of the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Islamic kingdom in Western Europe. I recommend buying tickets in advance for the 8:30AM entrance time and planning to arrive closer to 8AM in order to get on line early. This will allow you to enjoy exploring with either a decreased crowd, or sometimes, even no crowd at all. Make sure you’re on time and have your passport, since your passport is scanned for entrance and acts as your ticket for the day.
After spending ample time exploring the various structures and vast gardens of Alhambra, make your way to Cafe 4 Gatos for brunch. This tiny cafe has outdoor seating and serves delicious coffee, sandwiches, and amazing carrot cake!
Take some time to wander the Albaicín/Albayzín neighborhood after your meal. After so many hours of early morning exploring, you may want to head back to your accommodations for a seista before dinner! If looking to stray from Spanish cuisine for a night, head to dinner at 한국식당 CHOIBAP KOREANFOOD 최밥 , where you must try the beef bulgogi. Finish your evening with delicious gelato from Rivareno Granada while strolling along pedestrian roads bustling with energy even at night.
Day 8 - Granada to Madrid
Make your way back to Madrid early by taking the high speed train (~3.5 hours), so you can make the most of your final day in Spain. After checking-in to your accommodations, enjoy amazing tapas at Vinitus Gran Via Restaurant. Wash down your delicious tapas with drinks and a view at Azotea del Circulo - a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. Be sure to make a reservation for the rooftop, and upon arriving in the building, stop at the front desk in the lobby to get your reservation ticket before heading up the elevator that will take you to the restaurant.
Once you’ve had your fill of views from above, make your way to the expansive Retiro Park. Here you will find various sculptures, fountains, row boats in a man-made lake, gardens and paths for pedestrians, cyclists and skaters alike.
If not still full from tapas, finish your last full day in Spain with a tasty sweet! We stopped by Chocolateria San Gines, which was not a must-try for me personally, however I want to mention it since it is famous for it’s chocolate with churros.
Day 9 - Depart from Madrid (MAD)
Head to the airport for an early morning flight home. Be sure to leave extra time to get through security, customs, take the monorail (the only way to get from the entry terminal to the departing international terminal), and endless moving walkways. This airport is one of the most time consuming to get through compared to others we’ve traveled to!
* Tip - Train Station Security
Train stations in Spain require a security check similar to an airport - baggage must go through an X-ray machine and tickets are often reviewed at 2 check points before you board. Make sure to accommodate for the extra requirements when planning your arrival time to the station in order to make your train on time.
* Tip - Train Station Cafes
Cafes in the train stations are unassuming, yet have delicious coffee and sandwiches on fresh bread - do not underestimate the joy of stopping by one of the cafes and sitting down with a delicious coffee and sandwich before catching your train!
Calendar View: Spain Itinerary
Map View: Spain Itinerary
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