Suggested Itineraries in Spain

It would be a delight to get lost in Spain, wandering about at your leisure, discovering unspoiled villages off the beaten path. But few of us have such a generous amount of time in the fast-paced 21st century. Vacations are getting shorter, and a lean-and-mean schedule is called for if you want to experience the best of any country in a short amount of time.

If you only have seven days to spare, and it's your first time in the country, check out our two one-week trip itineraries, or, if you have more time, our two-week itinerary. These plans will get you to the most treasured Spanish attractions.

If you've been to Spain before, especially Madrid or Barcelona, you may want to skip either of these cities, using them as gateways, and hop down to Andalucia to explore the single-most iconic region in all of Spain.

To get well off the beaten path, but still see awe-inspiring historic sights, take our Centurions, Conquistadors and Castles itinerary which takes in the highlights of Extremadur and Castilla y León in one week.

Families might want to consider the family-fun tour, with more focus on sights that appeal to kids.

We also have a very smart itinerary for those who want to explore the North of Spain, from Santiago del Campostelo to Bilbao and a final itinerary for art lovers which explores the country's top museums.

ASpain ranks with Germany and France in offering Europe's best-maintained superhighways. It also boasts one of the fastest and most efficient public transportation systems in the world, especially its national rail system. Madrid stands at the hub of a vast transportation empire, with many once-remote cities now within easy reach of the capital -- for example, Córdoba in 1 1/2 hours or Seville in 2 1/2 hours.

Our itineraries cover both major attractions and charming towns. The pace may be a bit breathless, so skip a town or sight occasionally to have chill-out time -- after all, you're on vacation. You can also peruse our review of the best of Spain to find out what experiences or sights appeal to you and adjust the itineraries to suit your own interests.

Plan on using various kinds of transportation. Because Spain is big, it’s worth covering long distances either by plane or high-speed train. Bear in mind that it may be faster to take a train from Madrid to Barcelona or Sevilla than to go to the airport and wait to get through security; and you’ll arrive in the city center. In practice, you may end up using trains, planes, buses, and rental cars for maximum convenience and efficiency.