Here’s my ultimate 10-day Pyrenees itinerary from Madrid, combining a visit to the Spanish capital with some of the most iconic national parks and hikes in the country.

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10 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain Itinerary

Visiting the Pyrenees of Spain From Madrid

Since most of the questions I receive on the blog are about the Spanish Pyrenees, I decided to create a new road trip itinerary from Madrid that lets travelers explore some of Spain’s most iconic landmarks while also enjoying a nature getaway to the country’s best national parks and hiking spots. While you can find countless tips and itineraries under the hashtag #Pyrenees, this road trip is a lesser-known option.

Most travelers explore the Spanish Pyrenees from Barcelona. However, combining this iconic mountain range with a visit to Madrid (or any of its nearby road trip destinations) offers a completely different experience. This route takes you through regions of the Pyrenees that are too far to combine with Barcelona, offering a unique perspective on this stunning part of Spain – and it’s also less crowded than any of the road trips from Barcelona.

Note that this 10-day Pyrenees itinerary is completely different from my 7-day Pyrenees road trip from Barcelona. By combining these two routes, you can easily spend an epic 2-3 weeks exploring the mountains between Spain and France, without missing any of the top beautiful spots in the Pyrenees.

10-day Pyrenees Itinerary: An Epic Road Trip from Madrid

The Pyrenees mountain range spans across three Spanish Autonomous Communities: Navarra, Aragon, and Catalonia (with a bit of the Basque Country as well). By clicking on each of these regions, you can explore posts about the main landmarks in each area, which will help you personalize this itinerary if you want to add more stops along the way.

I should also mention that you could easily spend weeks exploring each part of the Pyrenees. However, this 10-day Pyrenees itinerary is ideal for those visiting the mountains for the first or second time, offering a general overview of the region and allowing you to pick your favorites for future trips.

Day 1 – Madrid to Pamplona

Since this 10-day Pyrenees itinerary starts in Madrid, you can either spend a few days exploring the city or make the most of the drive by visiting new Spanish landmarks along the way to northern Spain. Specifically, on your journey from Madrid to Pamplona, you can make stops at:

• the iconic Burgos Cathedral – one of the most beautiful cathedrals of the Iberian Peninsula
• Numantia Celtiberian Ruins (known for its heroic resistance to the Roman Empire: you can read more in my Soria post)
• Cute small towns near Madrid, like Sigueza, Medinacelli, Buitrago del Lozoya, and Aranda de Duero
• If you like underrated cities in Spain – consider making a stop at Soria or Vitoria-Gasteiz

Each of these places is worth visiting, but depending on your travel preferences, you can choose one to stop by on the road from Madrid to Pamplona. For art lovers, consider the Burgos Cathedral, and for history enthusiasts, the Numantia Ruins are a must-see.

Days 2/3 Pamplona & The Pyrenees of Navarra

Staying near Pamplona

The city of Pamplona is one of the most popular destinations in the Navarra region, renowned worldwide for the San Fermín Festival, famously depicted in Hemingway’s Fiesta. Pamplona is also the closest city to one of Spain’s magical forests, Selva de Irati, the hidden gem of the Pyrenees in Navarra. I recommend spending at least a few days in this area during your 10-day Pyrenees itinerary. Below, you can see a selection of hotels near Pamplona in case you prefer to stay outside the city.

Top places to visit in the Pyrenees of Navarra:

• Selva de Irati ( check the list of hikes on the official website)
• Xorroxin Waterfall (the hiking trail starts in the small town of Erratzu)
• Señorio de Bertiz Natural Park (you can check the map of local hikes on the official website)
• Roncesvalles (aside from unique trails, like Ibañeta to Lindux, Roncesvalles is the starting point of the famous pilgrim itinerary El Camino de Santiago; plus, the iconic location of one of the most important battles in the history of Spain – Batalla de Roncesvalles)

Days 4/5/6 Ainsa & The Pyrenees of Aragon

Staying near Ainsa

After exploring the Pyrenees of Navarra for a few days, I suggest driving to Aínsa to discover the Pyrenees of Aragón. To make the most of the drive, consider stopping to visit the Real Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña, one of the secret and beautiful Spanish monasteries, Sos del Rey Catolico (one of the most charming medieval villages of Spain), or the Javier Castle (one of the dreamiest castles in Spain).

The village of Aínsa itself is considered one of the most beautiful small towns in Spain and is a gem of the Pyrenees. It’s a good base for exploring the Pyrenees of Aragón. However, on my multiple trips to the region, I’ve also stayed in other nearby villages. Below, you can find a map with rental options close to Aínsa – just choose any stay that suits you.

Top places to visit in the Pyrenees of Aragon:

• Ordesa y Monte Perdido, one of my favorite Spanish National Parks
• Añisclo Canyon
• Cola de Caballo Waterfall
• Canfranc Train station
• Astun Ski Lift ( to enjoy the hiking trail of 7 Ibones de Astun)
• the town of Jaca & its Museum of Military Miniatures
• Sorrosal waterfall in the village of Boltaña
• Tirolina Valle de Tena (a popular spot for adventure lovers in Spain)
• Cueva de las Güixas, one of the most unique Spanish Caves (previous booking is required)

For more details on the Pyrenees of Aragón, I recommend checking out this 4-day itinerary, Hiking Guide to Ordesa National Park, and this Pyrenees family holidays post – all include more information on the hikes and landmarks in the area that I personally enjoyed.

Days 7/8 Vielha & The Pyrenees of Catalonia

Staying near Vielha

Right next to the Pyrenees of Aragón, you’ll find the most popular part of the entire mountain range – the Pyrenees of Catalonia. The easiest option is to drive from Aínsa to Vielha, which serves as the main hub in the area.

Vielha is located near the famous ski resort of Baqueira-Beret, but during the warmer months, this whole region – known as Vall d’Aran – is a fantastic starting point to explore the Pyrenees of Catalonia.

You can find more alternative rental options near Vielha on the map below. Once again, staying directly in Vielha isn’t necessary; any accommodation nearby will work perfectly to explore this part of the Pyrenees.

Top things to see do in the Pyrenees of Catalonia:

• Aiguestortes National Park, one of the top Spanish National Parks
• Romanesque Churches of Vall de Boi
• Uelhs deth Joeu waterfall
• Bosque de Carlac, one of the secret Spanish hikes near the French border

For more details on things to see and do in the Pyrenees of Catalonia, check out this other article of mine.

Day 9 Alquezar

Before returning to Madrid after this 10-day Pyrenees itinerary, make sure to spend a day in Alquézar. This area is often referred to as the “Pre-Pyrenees” of Spain, but it’s also home to one of the most stunning Pyrenees hikes, Ruta de las Pasarelas del Vero. Alquézar itself is one of the top 5 medieval towns in all of Spain. You can read more about my experience in the Pre-Pyrenees in this post.

Day 10 – Return to Madrid

On the road from Alquezar back to Madrid, you can make a stop in Zaragoza to visit Basilica del Pilar, one of the most famous Spanish cathedrals, or Belchite, one of the most mysterious and haunted places in Spain.

To visit Belchite, the only option is a guided day or a night tour, which is usually in Spanish (but you can reach out to the Tourist office at turismo@belchite.es to ask whether they have something available in English during your travel dates).

Save this 10 days Pyrenees road trip on Google maps here.

Read more about the Pyrenees:

• Top Adventurous Things to Do in the Pyrenees (read it)
• Beautiful Small Towns in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
• Hiking Guide to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain (read it)
• Where to Stay in the Pyrenees: Top Hotels and Best Hikes in Every Area (read it)
• Exploring The Pre-Pyrenees of Spain: A weekend in Sierra de Guara (read it)
• Cogost de Montrebei: The Most Adventurous Hike in Spain (read it)
• Epic 7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
• Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss (read it)
• Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
• Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia (read it)
• 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
• Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra (read it)
• The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip 4-Day Itinerary (read it)
• Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
• Top Things to Do in Andorra (read it)
• Best Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
• 3 days in the Pyrenees of Aragon with Seniors & Kids (read it)
• Pyrenees in Fall: An Ultimate 5-day Pyrenees Itinerary (read it)

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