Spain is a country located in Southwestern Europe with a territory across the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the only country to have a physical border (Cueta and Melilla) with an African country and has the third-largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites.
This country is famous for its beaches and historic sites. In fact, the oldest restaurant in the world could be found in Madrid. Spain also has a vast expanse of coastline, 8,000 kilometres to be precise.
There are many reasons to visit Spain. This includes seeing ancient and historical sites, trying out traditional Spanish dishes, and of course, visiting its pristine beaches. In this 2 weeks in Spain article, I will show you 4 different itineraries to choose from.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS show
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING SPAIN
Spain is a big country in Europe. That’s why it’s so easy to get lost during your 2 weeks in Spain if you don’t know your way around or aren’t familiar with the appropriate mode of transportation to use. Hence, knowing how to get around is important.
In this portion, I will also tackle the possible activities that you could do during specific seasons, which season is peak and off-peak.
Last but definitely not least, I will provide you with some of the most commonly used phrases in the country, as well as the currency Spain uses. These tips will help you plan and write your 2 weeks itinerary for Spain.
When is the best time to go to Spain
For those who love the sun and sand, summertime in Spain is from June to September, while for those who are fond of skiing, all other snow-related activities, and the snow itself, winter is from the last week of December to the last week of March.
Getting around
There are tons of modes of transportation in Spain, including trains, buses, coaches, planes, rental cars, Uber, and taxis. Some even use scooters and segways.
The best way to go from one city to another is through Renfe, which is their national train network. The bus is the cheapest and most common mode of transportation while flying is the fastest way to travel.
Language and currency
Some of the basic words include:
- hola, – hello,
- buenos dias – good morning
- adios – goodbye
- por favor – please
- gracias – thank you
- lo siento – sorry
- si – yes
- no – no
Spain uses the Euro as their currency. Locals usually pay with their debit cards, but it is understandable for tourists to pay with cash instead.
Visa and COVID-19 policy
If you have a passport from North America, Latin America, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and some parts of the Middle East, you can enjoy a free visa which allows you to enter and stay in Spain for 90 days in a 180-day calendar.
If your passport is from the EU or a member of the Schengen State, you can enter, travel, and stay in Spain for an unlimited time. Other nationalities must apply for a Schengen tourist visa in advance.
Spain’s international border has been open since June 28, 2022. Foreign visitors no longer have to present a negative RT-PCR test or COVID-19 vaccination card. Please check with your airline if they still require any tests to be done prior to boarding.
PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN SPAIN
Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google
2 WEEKS IN SPAIN ITINERARY
For those who love to dance, you might be familiar with Flamenco. It is with great enthusiasm that I share that this enchanting dance originated in Andalusia, Southern Spain. You could watch a performance while on a vacation for two weeks in Spain and be amazed not only with their moves but with their intricate and elaborate dresses.
Some of the world’s most famous painters also came from Spain, it’s no wonder that they have tons of museums and galleries. And for football enthusiasts, like most countries in Europe, Spain’s national sport is football. In fact, they have some of the world’s most well-known football clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, among others.
Itinerary #1: Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza or Majorca/Palma
The first itinerary option consists of the cities Barcelona, Madrid, and Ibiza. Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia. This is a good itinerary for 2 weeks in Spain if you want to visit the most popular spots but also to enjoy the beach.
Aside from football, it is also famous for its sandy beaches and lively nightlife, in fact, it is considered one of the most vibrant cities all over the world. They host large music festivals that attract up to 200,000 people.
Madrid on the other hand is the most populous city and the capital of Spain. It is known for food markets and the Royals as it houses the residence of the Spanish Royal Family.
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Madrid for 4 days
Madrid is perfect for tourists as it has sunny weather almost all year round. Some people also claim that they tasted the best tapas in this city. You can either explore on foot or take the train. For those who love shopping, Madrid has the perfect balance of high-end and quaint little boutiques.
Barcelona for 4 days
Barcelona is actually a perfect holiday destination. It houses La Sagrada Familia, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. But it also has other quirky architectures aside from this, including Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and Santa Maria del Mar, to name a few. You wouldn’t just find brilliant architecture here, you can even unwind and relax at the seaside. And since it’s a coastal city, they have tons of fresh seafood that would satisfy your palate.
To reach Barcelona from Madrid, you could board the train, ride a bus, fly, or drive. The fastest option would be to ride the plane and the cheapest is through taking a bus, especially during peak seasons because the trains and flights are priced extremely high or are completely booked.
Ibiza and Palma for 4 days
Ibiza and Palma are on two different islands. Depending on what you like to do, you can choose between these two amazing places.
Both Ibiza and Palma have clear blue waters of the Mediterranean and a wide variety of gastronomy and wine.
Ibiza is significantly smaller than Palma, you would be able to cover most of the island if you stay here for four days.
Ibiza is directly connected to Barcelona both through ferry and plane. You can also board the train, ride the bus, or drive. The cheapest option would be to ride a bus and the most recommended option would be to board the train, which would take about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach your destination.
Mallorca on the other hand is perfect if you want to visit cultural and heritage sites as well as enjoy the beach.
For those who are planning to go to Palma from Barcelona, you can choose between ferries, private helicopters, and trains, or you could take the ferry, and then transfer to a bus. If you have a rented car, you can take the ferry that takes cars.
Itinerary #2: Madrid, Seville, Malaga
The second itinerary option for those who are planning to stay for 14-days in Spain includes the cities Seville, Madrid, and Malaga.
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Madrid for 4 days
Madrid is perfect for people who live an eco-friendly lifestyle as it is one of the greenest cities in Europe. For foodies, you might want to try their local delicacy suckling pig, which Ernest Hemingway even raved about.
Seville for 4 days
Seville is the capital and the largest city of Andalusia. It is actually an intriguing place to visit because there’s a myth saying that this city was built by Hercules himself. It is also famous for flamenco performances and other historical sights.
For those who plan to visit Seville from Madrid, you could board the train, use rideshare, ride the bus, drive, or fly. The cheapest option would be to use rideshare and it would take around 5 hours driving to reach your destination.
Malaga for 4 days
Malaga is a municipality in Spain, well-known for being Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, one of the reasons why it became a hub of art and culture. It is also one of the oldest cities in Spain that’s why you’ll get to see preserved old town remains, which is quite fascinating.
The options for travelling if you’re coming from Seville include, flying, taking the train, riding the bus, or driving. Trains and buses usually take the same amount of time before you reach your destination. However, buses are cheaper. It would take 2.5 to 4 hours before you reach Malaga.
Itinerary #3: Madrid, Valencia, Majorca/Palma
The third itinerary option for our 2 weeks in Spain comprises the countries Valencia, Madrid, and Majorca/Palma and since we’ve already highlighted Madrid and Majorca/Palma on the previous itineraries, it’s now Valencia’s time to shine.
Valencia is the third most populated municipality in Spain. The great thing about Valencia is that it has most of the sceneries and activities seen or done in major cities, but with less crowd. It also has more than 300 sunny days a year, this is a haven for people who love to soak in the sea and sunlight.
Madrid for 4 days
I’m not sure if a lot of people know this (I was quite surprised when I read about it as well) but Madrid houses the largest seafood market in Europe and the second-largest in the world. Tourists and retail buyers wouldn’t be able to buy here because only bulk buyers can purchase their goods. However, you can book tours to see the behind-the-scenes.
Valencia for 4 days
Did you know that paella originated in Valencia? With that being said, paella lovers and foodies, in general, will surely have a great time trying out their variety of paellas, including seafood paella, Valencia paella, which contains rabbit, chicken or duck and mixed paella. They also have bizarre annual festivals that could be quite captivating.
There are five ways to get from Madrid to Valencia, including boarding the train, using rideshare, riding the bus, driving, and flying. The cheapest option would be to use rideshare and the most recommended option would be to ride the train, which would take more or less 2 hours to reach your destination.
Majorca/Palma for 4 days
Majorca is the biggest island in Spain’s Balearic archipelago. It is easily accessible and you can find something to do for everyone, even for your children! And aside from the towns that look straight out of a movie, they also have stunning coves and beaches.
You can get to Majorca from Valencia by flying, boarding a train, and car ferry. The most recommended option would be to ride a plane which would take you around 3 and a half hours to reach your destination.
Itinerary #4: Madrid, Tenerife, Gran Canaria
The last 2 weeks in Spain itinerary option consists of the places Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Madrid. For this portion of the article, I will highlight Tenerife and Gran Canaria’s charms since we already discussed Madrid earlier. Remember that these are two separate islands.
Tenerife is the most populous and largest island of the Canary Islands. One of the activities this place is famous for is stargazing, as it has low pollution levels, plus it’s close to the equator.
Gran Canaria is also located in the Canary Islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the archipelagos, islands, and cities in Spain have their own beaches, but not many have their own sand dunes and Gran Canaria has one. It is also a famous golf destination and has roads and sceneries perfect for road trips.
Madrid for 4 days
Madrid might be Spain’s capital, but it doesn’t mean that everything is expensive such as activities, food, and accommodation. In fact, the miscellaneous cost here is a little cheaper compared to places near the beach. They also offer day trips where you can get away from the city to the nearby countryside and mountains.
Tenerife for 4 days
There are certainly tons of activities to do in Tenerife, one of which is diving. Tourists can also enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving all year round, making Tenerife the Hawaii of Europe. Their national park is the second most visited national park all over the world.
There are a couple of options to reach Tenerife if you’re from Madrid. This includes flying and taking a car ferry for those with a rented car. The most recommended option is to take a flight.
Gran Canaria for 4 days
You’ll definitely see tons of lovely sights in Gran Canaria, including whitewashed villages by the mountain, caves that were once dwelling places, and of course, beaches where you could do various water sports. This place is also a haven for hikers and you’ll get to see mesmerizing sunsets by the beach.
You can reach Gran Canaria from Tenerife by taking a flight which takes only 30-minutes or the ferry ride, which is about an hour and 20-minutes journey.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SPAIN
Madrid
- Royal Palace – get your fast-access ticket
- Plaza Mayor
- Museo Nacional del Prado – purchase your ticket in advance
- Parque Natural de Peñalara and Sierra de Guadarrama National Park
- Visit Real Madrid’s Stadium (Santiago Bernabéu Stadium) – join a Bernabeu Stadium tour
- Buen Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace
- Puerta del Sol
- Fuente de Cibeles and Gran Via
- Temple of Debod
- Basilica de San Francisco el Grande
- Enjoy wine and tapas tasting – join a group tour
- Puerta de Alcala
- Watch a flamenco show with dinner
- National Museum of Romanticism
- Day trip to Avila and Segovia and visit historical sites or go to Toledo with a local guide
Barcelona
- Mount Tibidabo
- Barceloneta Beach
- Basilica de la Sagrada Familia – skip the online and explore with an audio guide or combine with Parc Guell
- Casa Mila
- Barcelona Aquarium – suitable for young children, buy your ticket in advance
- Palau de la Musica Catalana
- Park Güell- get your ticket in advance, there’s a limit per day ticket sold for Parc Guell
- Casa Batllo
- Enjoy tapas and wine – book a walking tour
- Bogatell Beach/Playa de Bogatell
- Magic Fountain of Montjuic – ride a round-trip cable car
- Museo Picasso de Barcelona
- Explore Montserrate – join a half-dspay tour
- Camp Nou
- Trio day trip and cover Spain, France, and Andorra – check the itinerary
- Walk around Barri Gotic
- Go kayaking and snorkelling in Costa Brava – book an affordable tour
Palma/Majorca
- Caves of Drach
- Alcudia’s Old Town
- Puerto Portals
- The Hilltop Town and Monastery of Valldemossa
- Soller
- The Port Town of Pollenca
- Deia
- Petra
- Calvia Coastline
- Arta
Valencia
- La Lonja de la Seda
- Oceanografic – perfect for young children, get your entrance ticket
- Albufera Natural Park
- La Ciutat de les Artes i les Ciencies de Valencia
- Cuevas de San Jose – sign up for a half-day guide tour
- Mercado Central
- Plaza de la Virgen
- Hike and swim at Montanejos – book a group tour
- Bioparc Valencia
- Torres de Serranos
- Playa del Saler
- Sail on a Catamaran Cruise – check the tour price
- The medieval town of Requena
- Enjoy wine and tapas tasting in an 11th-century historical monument – check this trip
- Join a cooking class
- Las Fallas
- Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas
Seville
- Royal Alcazar of Seville
- Catedral de Sevilla
- Real Alcazar
- Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de Espana
- Barrio de Santa Cruz
- Santa Semana
- Museo del Baile Flamenco
- Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla
- Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija
- Metropol Parasol
- Torro del Oro
Malaga
- Alcazaba de Malaga
- Old Town
- Jardin Botanico-Historico la Concepcion
- Museo Picasso Malaga
- Playa de la Malagueta
- Centre Pmpidou Malaga
- Soho
- Festival de Malaga
Tenerife
- Lago Martianez
- Playa de Las Teresitas
- Mount Teide National Park
- Siam Water Park – get your tickets
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Museum of Science and the Cosmos
- Fuerteventura – do a 4×4 tour
- Cueva del Viento
- Masca Village
- Tabaiba Shipwreck/Pecio de Tabaiba
- Bajamar Natural Pools/Piscina Natural de Bajamar Teneriffa
- Sign up for a whale and dolphin watching tour or do a kayak tour while looking for dolphins and turtles
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnavale
- El Medano Beach
Gran Canaria
- Crocodilo Park
- Pico de las Nieves
- Reserva Natural Especial de las dunas de Maspalomas
- Go scuba diving – book a tour
- Playa Puerto Rico
- Drive an ATV – enjoy a tour
- Roque Nublo
- Enjoy a submarine tour – read the reviews
- Palmitos Park
- Sign up for a morning cruise – check the price
ACCOMMODATIONS
Madrid
- Affordable: Olblanc Plaza de Espana or Hostal Arrate
- Mid-range: II Castilla Madrid or Hotel Liabeny
- Luxury: Pestana CR7 Gran via Madrid or Palacio de Atocha
Barcelona
- Affordable: Unite Hostel or Factory Hostel
- Mid-range: Sixties Ramblas or Violeta Boutique
- Luxury: Vincci Gala or Ohla Barcelona or ME Barcelona
Ibiza
- Affordable/Mid-range: Hotel Florencio or Lux Isla
- Luxury: Aparthotel Duquesa Playa or THB Los Molinos (adults only)
Palma/Majorca
- Affordable:
- Mid-range:
- Luxury:
Valencia
- Affordable: Hostal Antigua Morellana or Colors Rooms
- Mid-range: Ad Hoc Carmen or Venecia Plaza Centro
- Luxury: Vincci Lys or Petit Palace Plaza de la Reina
Malaga
- Affordable: COEO Pod Hostel or Hotel Zeus
- Mid-range: Petit Palace Plaza Malaga or Be Mate Malaga Centro
- Luxury: Soho Boutique Castillo de Santa Catalina or Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio
Seville
- Affordable: Hostel A2C or Pension Javier
- Mid-range: Hotel Casona de San Andreas or Cool Sevilla Hotel
- Luxury: Hotel Rey Alfonos X or Hotel Dona Maria
Tenerife
- Affordable: Albergue San Jose de Los Llanos or Hotel Las Canadas
- Mid-range: Hotel Adonis Plaza or Alua Tenerife
- Luxury: Hotel Hacienda del Conde or Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort & Spa
Gran Canaria
- Affordable: La Hoyilla Hostel or Mountain Hostel Finca La Isa
- Mid-range: La Cason Canaria or Hotel Rural Hacien del Buen Suceso
- Luxury: Hotel the Lumm or Hotel Cordial or Wavia Hotel (adults only)
SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN SPAIN
Spain might just be one country but it seems like it consists of multiple countries rolled into one because their autonomous communities are so diverse. Some have their own languages and people in Basque country don’t even identify themselves as Spanish. They have their own folklore, variation of tapas, and national sport, which is quite fascinating.
You might also notice that there are a bajillion of places to see and things to do here, which is why spending at least 2 weeks in Spain would be the perfect timeframe to stay. However, there are still tons of places that aren’t included on the list. Imagine how much fun you’ll have exploring once you’ve reached this magnificent country.
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