MADRID, SEVILLE, GRANADA, VALENCIA, BARCELONA & COSTA BRAVA
Explore Spain’s delicious cuisine, the incredible legacy of art and architecture, dramatic history, and grand passions. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a taste of Spanish delights from regional tastings, tapas, and paella! Explore bucket-list-worthy highlights like the Prado Museum in Madrid, Giralda Tower in Seville, Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and the Dalí Museum in Cadaqués. We’ll also enjoy a lovely Guadalquivir River Cruise, a tour of Cordoba, an idyllic visit to an olive grove, and a chance to explore Peñíscola, a jewel of the Mediterranean, and a boat ride along Costa Brava’s coastline to Roses. This tour serves up a multi-course feast of sights and experiences that are simply unforgettable.
Shorten Your Trip! Enjoy our Splendid Spain tour which includes Spain’s highlights from Madrid to Barcelona!
Itinerary at a Glance
2025 Tour Itinerary:
3 nights in Madrid
2 nights in Seville
2 nights in Granada
1 night in Valencia
2 nights in Barcelona
2 nights in Costa Brava
1 night in Barcelona
Tour Highlights
Madrid Walking & Bus Tour with Jamon tasting
Prado Museum Admission
Old Town Seville Walking Tour
Guadalquivir River Cruise (Seville)
Córdoba Tour with Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Olive Oil Grove
Alhambra Palace (Granada)
Valencia Walking Tour with horchata tasting
Peñíscola, Mediterranean village, with paella lunch
Barcelona City Tour
Sagrada Familia Interior Visit (Barcelona)
Girona walking tour with tapa tasting
Cadaqués city tour with Dali Museum
Boat ride along coastline to Roses
Your Tour Includes
High-speed AVE train ticket from Madrid to Seville
Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodations at first class hotels
19 Meals: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners
Wine and mineral water with dinners
Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s grand capital and cultural heart! Tonight, we'll come together for a welcome drink, orientation, and dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Emperador Madrid or similar Meals: Dinner
Day 2:
Madrid
Our morning features a guided tour of splendid Madrid. As we travel along Calle Gran Vía, Madrid’s equivalent to New York City’s Broadway, we'll marvel at the Opera district, Plaza de Colon, the monumental 18th-century Royal Palace (exterior visit), Puerto del Sol Plaza and Plaza de España, Madrid’s main square, where we’ll see an imposing statue of Spain’s literary giant, Miguel de Cervantes. We'll end at the enormous, impressive Prado Museum, which holds one of the world’s top collections, including masterpieces by El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya. We'll also visit a local Iberian ham specialty shop to enjoy a jamón tapa and a drink. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider doing what the Madrileños do. Take el paseo (stroll) to the delightful Retiro Park and then stop at one of Madrid’s excellent restaurants or tapas bars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3:
Madrid at Leisure
Enjoy the day at leisure to further explore Madrid or consider an optional tour to Toledo & Bull Farm with wine tasting.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
Madrid – Seville
Today we will take a high-speed train for Seville, the charming Moorish capital of Spain’s Andalusia Region. We'll drive to the Plaza de España, passing the elegant Maria Luisa Park. Tonight, enjoy a local Tapas dinner with drinks.
Accommodations: Hotel Macià Sevilla Kubb or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Seville
On an included guided walking tour, we’ll discover the passions of the city that create the backdrop for the great operas Carmen and Don Giovanni. Highlights include the Seville Cathedral, the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world, and landmark Giralda Bell Tower, the remaining part of the mosque built by the Moors. Our tour winds through the narrow streets and plazas of the well-preserved Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter, where we'll delight in the whitewashed buildings, quaint shops and colorful flowers. Enjoy some free time to enjoy lunch on your own or explore. This afternoon, we'll experience the beauty of Seville as seen from the only major navigable river in Spain, the Guadalquivir. We'll get a complete perspective of both riversides, confronting the old part of town with the most modern one.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
Seville – Cordoba – Granada
Today we'll visit Cordoba, one of Spain's cultural gems and home to some of the country's most impressive monuments. On our guided tour, we'll marvel at the Mezquita (Great Mosque) built in the 10th century during Cordona's glory days as the capital of Moorish Spain. The mosque was later converted to a cathedral, but the original architectural details are stunning. We'll also see the reconstructed Roman Bridge and the beautifully restored 14th-century synagogue that survived the expulsion of Spain's Jews. After our tour, we'll continue our journey to Granada, a former Moorish stronghold, stopping along the way at an Olive Oil Mill for a tasting. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together at our hotel.
Accommodations: Meliá Granada or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7:
Granada
Today we'll visit Granada's crown jewel, the Alhambra. Sprawled over a hilltop overlooking the city, the awe-inspiring Alhambra is an impressive castle and fortress with its romantic Generalife gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later today we'll have free time to explore the city and the mystic Albaicin Quarter or consider taking an optional Illuminated Granada Tour with Flamenco show and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Granada – Valencia
We're sure to be captivated by the rolling terrain and groves of olives, almonds, lemons, and oranges on our way to Valencia, a city of great culture and beautiful gardens on the Mediterranean coast. On our guided tour this afternoon, we'll see architecture both ancient (Roman, Arabic, and the gothic cathedral) and modern—or should we say futuristic? Renowned architect Santiago Calatrava designed the City of Arts and Science, an eye-popping “city within a city” that gives us a peek into what the future might look like. The entrance fee to silk exchange and Royal Basilica of Our Lady of the Desamparados is included.
Accommodations: Meliá Valencia or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
Valencia – Peñíscola – Barcelona
The next leg of our journey through splendid Spain hugs the coastline of Catalonia. We'll stop at Peñíscola, a pearl of the Mediterranean. The old town—crowned by a 14th-century castle-fortress that was once the home of Pope Benedict XIII—stands on an imposing rock that rises 64 meters above the azure seas and is connected to the mainland by a thin sandbar that waves wash over during storms, turning the town into an ephemeral island. We'll enjoy a delightful paella lunch before continuing to Barcelona where we'll settle into our hotel.
Accommodations: SB Icaria Barcelona or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10:
Barcelona
After breakfast, tour Barcelona, well-known for the 1992 Olympic Games. Drive along the main avenues with impressive modernist buildings by Gaudí such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló (entrances not included), declared World Heritage buildings, the Montjuic Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the emblematic Gothic Quarter, heart of the old city and its historical center. Visit of the impressive Sagrada Familia, the unfinished masterpiece of Gaudí. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11:
Barcelona – Costa Brava
After breakfast, depart for the stunning Costa Brava, where sun-kissed beaches, charming coastal villages, and crystal-clear waters await. Along the way, stop in the historic city of Girona. Experience a walking through the historic area, Jewish quarter, ramblas and then visit a tavern to taste local Girona tapa and drink. Then, continue to the hotel to settle in and further explore.
Accommodations: Porto Cristo Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 12:
Costa Brava
Embark on a captivating city tour of Cadaqués, a charming coastal town known for its whitewashed buildings and stunning Mediterranean views. Explore its narrow streets, picturesque squares, and iconic landmarks, including the historic Teatro Dalí. Immerse yourself in the artistic legacy of Salvador Dalí as you visit this unique theater, where the renowned surrealist once performed. Then, we will set sail on a scenic river cruise to Roses, a picturesque coastal town nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Upon arrival in Roses, explore its charming streets, visit historical landmarks such as the Ciutadella de Roses, and indulge in delicious seafood cuisine at waterfront restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13:
Costa Brava – Barcelona
Departure to Barcelona to enjoy a free day at leisure, where you'll have the opportunity to explore the city at your own pace. Stroll along the lively Ramblas, visit iconic Gaudi buildings as Park Güell or Casa Milá, or relax on the beaches of Barceloneta. Or consider an optional tour to Montserrat.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14:
Depart Barcelona
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today.
Meals: Breakfast
Guided Tour Pricing
Explore Last Minute Deals and our Book Early & Save offers below!
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please
contact us here
or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern)
at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Slow the pace of your tour with a pre- and/or post-night stay so you can
arrive refreshed, acclimate to the time zone if needed, and depart leisurely,
ensuring a seamless transition into and out of your journey.
Pre-Night in Madrid
From $159 per person based on double occupancy
Start our tour off on the right foot! Arrive a day early and enjoy more time to recover from travel, adjust to any time differences, and feel well-rested and relaxed on our first day of touring.
Post-Night in Barcelona
From $159 per person based on double occupancy
Extend your stay by one night at the end of our tour to make the most of additional free time for exploring our final city, shopping for last-minute souvenirs, or dining at that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. Or, use this extra day to relax before beginning the journey home or to your next destination.
Optional Tours
Enhance your trip with these optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
Toledo & Bull Farm Excursion
$299 per person
Day 3 Full-Day Tour
Explore Toledo, one of Europe's oldest towns, and a city-museum that was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's also known as the "City of Three Cultures" as Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived here together and its great artistic beauty and buildings come from all periods of history and we'll see a blend of Arabian, Gothic, Mudejar, Rennaissance, and Baroque styles. We'll explore the famous Primate Cathedral of Toledo with its flamboyant Gothic style. A walk through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter takes us to the Church of St. Tomé where El Greco's famous painting, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, and to the old Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, a strong symbol of the coexistence of the "Three Cultures" (exterior only). Afterward, we'll immserse in the serene surroundings of chestnut groves and picturesque landscapes as we learn about the breeding and care of fighting bulls and gain insight into Spain's cultural heritage. A typical Spanish lunch is included inside the 26th-century hosue which has been declared a cultural interest.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Illuminated Granada Tour with Flamenco Show & Dinner
$85 per person
Day 7 Evening Tour
Enjoy a real flamenco show inside a real bullring declared monument of cultural interest from 1928. In addition, enjoy a panoramic tour of the Alhambra Illuminated at night.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Montserrat Excursion
$149 per person
Day 13 Afternoon Tour
We'll arrive at the incomparable setting of Montserrat, a mountain that rises 4,051 feet and offers amazing views of the area. Named for its rock formations which look like they've been sawed and sculpted, the result of thousands of years of wind and rain, Montserrat Mountain is home to the famous Benedictine monastery. This important Catholic pilgrimage spot is home to the 12th-century wooden statue of The Black Madonna. During our visit, we can appreciate not only the religious and cultural importance of Montserrat, but its beautiful scenic views.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 2
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature light hiking, and/or stairs on some hilly and/or uneven terrain. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
New in 2025: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in 2025, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.
Travelers will encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps, and significant slopes
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
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