I’ve finally put together the ultimate road trip itinerary for Spain! While Spain is completely accessibly by train, there is so much to see so I decided to rent a car for the tail end of my journey through Europe in order to give myself the opportunity to see more while also enjoying the beautiful scenery. Here is my itinerary and how I made my way from the country capital of Madrid finally ending in Barcelona on the gorgeous Costa Brava.
Arrive in Madrid
Once you arrive in Madrid make your way to the Barrio de las Letras district and check into NH Collection Palacio de Tepa, a 5-star hotel set in a 19th century palace. It is just around the corner from Plaza de Santa Ana and one of my favorite restaurants in Madrid called Lateral, which has various locations throughout the city and even a restaurant in Barcelona. Be sure to go shopping along Calle de Las Huertas where one of my favorite boutiques The Corner is located. Another favorite store (albeit much more pricier) is Eduardo Rivera located just one block down from Palacio de Tepa. I probably visited that store almost every day – I was slightly obsessed.
And, of course, be sure to twirl and dance in any given lobby 🙂
Córdoba
250 miles from Madrid
In Madrid, rent a car and hit the road for the South of Spain – first stop Córdoba – approximately 250 miles. Check into the NH Hotel Amistad Cordoba, a historic building made up of two Moorish mansions in the heart of the city. On a sunny afternoon, consider exploring Palacio Museo de Viana, a gorgeous Renaissance palace set around beautiful courtyards and gardens. Be sure to visit the Mosque of Córdoba, one of the oldest structures still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus in the late 8th century. For dinner, try Casa Pepe De La Juderia, a local’s hangout that serves both tapas and a full dinner menu.
You can read more about visiting Cordoba here.
Seville
90 miles from Córdoba
From Córdoba, head 90 miles south to Seville where you can check into Hotel Palacio de Villapanés, a former palace showcasing all there is to love about Spanish architecture while incorporating modern technology such as Apple iMacs in the elegant, vaulted-ceiling suites. Don’t leave Seville without dining at La Brunilda, a small tapas restaurant and one of the city’s most happening spots. With a no-reservation policy, crowds begin lining up at the door before the restaurant even opens so be sure to arrive early.
Read about how I ate my way through Seville.
Granada
155 miles from Seville
No other hotel in Granada can beat the location of NH Hotel Victoria. It is ideally situated in the heart of the city and I was able to explore everything the city has to offer. If you’ve heard of Granada then you probably already know that the main attraction here is the Alhambra, which is definitely not to be missed. I soon discovered that while visiting the Alhambra is incredible, a local gave me a little insider tip on the best view of the Alhambra – and pretty much the entire city for that matter. For the best viewpoint, walk up the cobblestone path of Callejón de San Cecilio where you will arrive at the Mirador de San Nicolás. Here you will find sweeping views of the city and the Alhambra. Another insider discovery that I was so exited to uncover was a cozy little wine bar Taberna La Tana (Calle Rosario, 11; +34 958 225 248) serving tapas and other small plates. There is no website and it is rather difficult to find but I eventually found it and my only disappointment was that I hadn’t found it sooner. It seems to be all locals gathering there and it is tiiinyyy but highly entertaining.
If you aren’t fully convinced, which I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t be, check out this post 10 Photos to Make You Want to Visit Granada.
Valencia
310 miles from Granada
The longest drive of the trip will be from Granada to Valencia. So if you need to make a stop along the way, consider stopping in Alicante and having lunch at Michelin-starred restaurant La Ereta set beside the Castle of Santa Barbara and offering sweeping views of the city. Once you arrive in Valencia, check into Caro Hotel, a five-star boutique hotel housed in a 19th century palace. Be sure to visit places like the City of Arts and Sciences and the Central Market. For me, my favorite thing to do in Valencia was just wander and stumble upon whatever I found interesting. I did barely any research before arriving so I wandered…a lot. But this city is fun and the locals are friendly. I stumbled into an Irish bar at some point and met some rather interesting characters.
For more photos of Valencia, and why you must absolutely stop here, check out this post on this post on Valencia.
Barcelona
220 miles from Valencia
The very last, but certainly not least, stop on this road trip was Barcelona. And I think it should be yours too. Barcelona is incredible in every sense of the word. There was such much to explore here that I could barely fit everything into just five days. First, check into Hotel SixtyTwo conveniently located on Passeig de Gracia. Take a stroll along the tree-lined pedestrian mall La Rambla perusing the boutiques and shops before heading to Mercado de La Boqueria, one of my favorite markets in Spain. This market is more than just a local’s go-to for fresh groceries. You can also sit down here and enjoy a meal or head to one of the many food vendors to pick up some tapas-style foods to munch on while roaming around the mercado. If you’d rather have an expert show you the ropes of Spanish cuisine, I strongly suggest taking a food tour with Devour Barcelona where you will be able to sample foods from numerous eateries in the Gràcia neighborhood. Be sure to explore the countless masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí, the famous Catalan architect whose work greatly influenced the face of Barcelona architecture, especially the famed Sagrada Família. There are so many different places to eat in Barcelona that I’ve put together a list of my favorite tapas bars, which I’m sure you will love just as much as I did.
Thank you to my travel sponsors who made this trip possible.
