Here’s my complete 3-week Spain itinerary from Madrid, recommended for travelers who want to see all of Spain’s most iconic landmarks in one trip.
- This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
An Ultimate 3-week Spain Itinerary from Madrid by car
How many weeks should you spend in Spain?
Anything from 2 to 3 weeks is a great amount of time to cover major landmarks across the Iberian Peninsula. However, 2 to 3 weeks will never be enough to see it all. I’ve been living and traveling in Spain for the past 15+ years, and while I’ve visited every major city and province, I still have things on my travel bucket list. So, 2 to 3 weeks is a great amount of time to see a lot, but it’s important to prioritize the landmarks and cities you want to see the most.
Is 3 weeks in Spain too long?
You can’t see everything on a Spain bucket list in just 3 weeks, so if you’re worried about getting bored, three weeks in Spain is definitely not too long. Additionally, if you’re visiting from the United States, Australia, or Canada, spending three weeks in Spain makes perfect sense, as it helps make the long-haul flight to the Iberian Peninsula worthwhile.
Also, keep in mind that this 3-week Spain itinerary completely excludes Northern Spain, which is worth a separate road trip, as well as the Pyrenees of Spain. However, it includes some of the most iconic Spanish landmarks and offers a great overview of different regions in Spain. After following this itinerary, you can decide where in Spain you’d like to return to explore more.
What is the best way to travel around Spain? Train or Car?
As someone who frequently travels across Spain by train and car, I can say that both options are great. I recommend choosing either train or car based on your destination choices in Spain. With the train, you’ll be connected to major Spanish cities, while the car gives you complete flexibility. The train is ideal for big capitals, and many Spanish cities are connected by high-speed rail, which significantly reduces travel time.
If you’re considering train travel In Spain, I recommend following this 2-week itinerary. You can find the best train ticket deals through Trainline.
On the other hand, if you plan to visit a few lesser-known cities or destinations and want the flexibility to explore new places – even if it’s just a quick stop along the way – the car is a great option. For car rentals, I find DiscoverCars particularly helpful, as the platform allows you to compare prices from a wide range of local and international companies to find the best deals.
Where to start this 3-week Spain Itinerary
This detailed 3-week itinerary starts in Madrid, but you can easily personalize it to start in Barcelona or even Valencia, as my blog covers detailed routes between all three cities, pointing out all the landmarks you might potentially find along the way.
- Madrid to Barcelona Road Trip (check it out)
- Madrid to Valencia Road Trip (check it out)
- Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip (check it out)
Complete 3-week Spain Itinerary from Madrid (by car)
Day 1-3: Madrid
Starting any 3-week Spain itinerary in Madrid is a great way to begin your Spanish adventure by visiting the country’s capital, home to Spain’s most iconic artworks and national historical treasures. I recommend spending 1-2 days in Madrid (check out the itinerary here) and taking a day trip to Toledo (check out the itinerary here). However, if you consider staying in Madrid longer, it’s definitely possible to spend a week in the city if you focus on fully exploring its numerous day trips (or even plan a separate road trip around Madrid). To get the full scope of what Madrid has to offer, I recommend checking out my post on 40+ things to do in Madrid.
From my personal experience, Toledo is a must-do day trip, but Segovia and Ávila are also quite unique. With only 3 days in Madrid, you’ll need to decide whether to follow my fast-paced 1-day itinerary in the city and spend the remaining 2 days in Toledo, Segovia, and Ávila, or spend 2 days in Madrid at a more relaxed pace, only venturing out to Toledo. Both options are perfectly fine.
Also, if you follow this 3-week itinerary till the end and all the way back to Madrid, Toledo will also be along the way. So, a third option would be to spend 2 days in Madrid, take a day trip to Ávila and Segovia, and leave Toledo for the end of this road trip. I suggest reading till the end and make your own decision.
Where to stay in Madrid: Melia Avenida de America
Day 4: Driving from Madrid to Barcelona
While driving from Madrid to Barcelona, you can make the most of your day on the road by making a few stops along the way. The easiest option is to spend a day in Zaragoza, as it is located halfway between the two major Spanish cities.
However, if you’re interested in Roman ruins, you might prefer a stop at the village of Medinaceli. Fans of medieval towns in Spain should head to Daroca. There are even more unique landmarks to explore while driving from Madrid to Barcelona, so I recommend checking out this detailed post that covers all of them.
Day 5-7: Barcelona
The city of Barcelona needs no introduction as the most visited destination in all of Spain. You can check out my detailed 4-day itinerary in this post. If you’re visiting Barcelona with kids, check out this 3-day itinerary instead.
Where to stay in Barcelona: Grand Hyatt Barcelona
Day 8: Driving from Barcelona to Valencia
A drive from Barcelona to Valencia is a treasure trove of unique places to visit along the way. Located along the popular Mediterranean coast, this is one of the most well-traveled routes in the country. Therefore, it’s important to stay vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings, as scams can occur (like the one my friends experienced in Costa Brava).
I recommend making a stop in One of these places: Reus, Tarragona, Tortosa, Sitges, PortAventura, or Peñíscola (click on each to be redirected to a detailed blog post to help you choose the destination that appeals to you most). Also, you can also check out a full list of potential stops between Barcelona and Valencia in this post.
Day 9-10: Valencia
The region of Valencia has been my home in Spain for more than 15 years, so it’s truly the area where I have explored every corner, including many hidden gems perfect for day trips. I recommend staying in Valencia for 2 days (you can check out the itinerary in this post). Alternatively, if you enjoy Valencia and want to stay longer, you can follow this 3-day itinerary or even a 7-day itinerary. You can find numerous blog posts about Valencia and its surroundings under the hashtag #Valencia.
Where to stay in Valencia: YOU & CO. Quart Boutique
Day 11: Driving from Valencia to Cartagena
While driving from Valencia towards Southern Spain, I always recommend making a stop in Cartagena for history and ancient ruins enthusiasts. This city was one of the most important capitals of Hispania during Roman times, so the city is home to stunning historical finds. On the road from Valencia to Cartagena, you can stop in either Xativa, Denia, Gandia, or Elche (click on each to be redirected to a detailed blog post to help you choose the destination that appeals to you most).
If you’re not into ancient ruins, don’t worry – you can replace Cartagena with Alicante (check out the Alicante itinerary here). The road between Valencia and Alicante, along with potential landmarks along the way, is also covered in detail in this article.
Day 12: Cartagena
Cartagena is located in the region of Murcia, often overlooked by international travelers. However, this city far exceeded my initial expectations during my first road trip through Murcia. You can check out my full Cartagena itinerary in this post.
Where to stay in Cartagena: B&B HOTEL Cartagena Cartagonova
Day 13: Drive from Cartagena to Granada
While driving from Cartagena to Granada, you can make a stop in the small town of Mojácar (read more in this post) or Lorca (you can read more about it in my Murcia post).
Day 14: Granada
Granada, a vibrant city in southern Spain, is home to the iconic Alhambra Palace, a magnificent fortress complex that reflects its rich Moorish heritage. It’s also a fantastic place to experience an authentic flamenco show. However, be aware that the Alhambra is one of the most visited historical sites in Spain, so it’s important to book your tickets at least a few months in advance. The number of daily visitors is limited, and if you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to secure a spot.
Where to stay in Granada: Hospes Palacio de los Patos
Day 15-16: Malaga
While driving from Granada to Málaga, you can make a stop in Frigiliana, often referred to as one of the most colorful and picturesque villages in all of Spain. Another option for those who enjoy hiking is the Torcal de Antequera.
Málaga is one of the most famous coastal cities in Spain, highly popular among international travelers. The city boasts both a Moorish and Roman heritage, with landmarks such as the Alcazaba fortress and the Roman Theatre. It’s also a favorite destination for those looking to celebrate a warm Christmas in Spain. Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and the Picasso Museum, which showcases his works, is a must-visit.
I recommend spending one day exploring Málaga and dedicating the second day to a day trip – either to Córdoba (check out the itinerary here), Ronda, or the El Caminito del Rey hike (be sure to book in advance). While Málaga is a fantastic city, I must admit that I like it slightly less than other southern Spanish cities, such as Córdoba, Seville, or Cádiz.
Where to stay in Malaga: NH Málaga
Day 17-18: Seville
While I’m personally not too drawn to Málaga or Granada (even though both are must-sees for first-time visitors to Spain), I absolutely love Seville. You can follow my 2-day itinerary for the city here, or spend one day in Seville (check out the itinerary here) and take a day trip to Cádiz (see the itinerary here) or Tarifa (read more here).
Where to stay in Seville: Hotel Giralda Center
Day 19: Merida
Merida is another Spanish gem often overlooked by international visitors, but this city is home to some of the most spectacular Roman ruins in Spain. The Roman Theatre of Merida is considered one of the most significant landmarks in the entire country. Additionally, the Museum of Roman Art in Merida is probably one of the most impressive Roman heritage museums I’ve ever seen in Europe. You can follow my 1-day Merida itinerary in this post.
Where to stay in Merida: Hotel Ilunion Mérida Palace
Day 20: Caceres
The town of Caceres is one of the most impressive yet underrated destinations in Spain. Although it was recently featured in the HBO series House of the Dragon, which brought more international attention to Caceres, when I first visited during my road trip through Extremadura region, it still felt like one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. I highly recommend visiting, especially for fans of medieval architecture, as Caceres’ medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The nearby village of Trujillo, often called one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, is also worth exploring.
Where to stay in Caceres: this town doesn’t have many good hotel options, but you can stay at the nearby Hospes Palacio de Arenales & Spa, or visit it on a day trip while staying in Mérida
Day 21: Drive from Caceres to Madrid
On the way from Caceres back to Madrid, you can visit the lesser-known town of Talavera de la Reina, which is famous as one of the most iconic birthplaces of Spanish ceramics. You can read more about Talavera de la Reina in my post about Spanish ceramics. Another option is to stop in Toledo (check out the itinerary here) or its medieval park Puy du Fou.
3 Weeks in Spain and Portugal
Since both Spain and Portugal are located on the same Iberian Peninsula, it is easy to combine these countries within the same 3-week itinerary. While this travel plan focuses on Spain, I’ll explain how to include Portugal to customize your road trip.
The most common Spain+Portugal route is to drive from Madrid or Barcelona down to Southern Spain, where from Seville (days 17-18 of this itinerary), you can cross the border into Portugal’s Algarve coast (you can check out my itinerary for the region in this post). From the Algarve, you can drive up to Lisbon (check out my Lisbon itinerary in this post).
Another alternative to integrate Portugal into this 3-week itinerary is to start from Merida (day 19 of this itinerary), from where you can directly drive to Lisbon. Both options will allow you to enjoy Spain and Portugal within the same itinerary, but you might need to skip certain places on this 3-week Spain itinerary to fit both countries into these 3 weeks.
4 Weeks in Spain itinerary
If you’re considering traveling around Spain for more than 3 weeks, this information is also covered on the blog. After completing this 3-week Spain itinerary and returning to Madrid, you can choose between two Northern Spain itineraries based on your travel preferences: a 10-day Northern Spain road trip or a 10-day Pyrenees road trip. The latter focuses entirely on nature and hiking, making it ideal for those looking to disconnect in nature.
From Barcelona, you can follow my Costa Brava road trip, French Riviera road trip, or 7-day Pyrenees itinerary; from Málaga – a 7-day Southern Spain road trip, and from Merida – an Extremadura road trip. You can find even more itineraries on this page, as well as in my Spanish road trips post.
Pin it:
For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.
- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda and Booking
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
- For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
- Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner and Kiwi
- Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Omio (10% off with code ATC10 for first-time customers)
- Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Discover Cars
- Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Holafly (use ATLIFESTYLECROSSROADS for for a 5% discount)
- Shop My Level8 Suitcase: get 15% off with the code ATC15 here
- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
- Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
- Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)
Combining this itinerary with your 10 days in the Pyrenees sounds like an incredible way to spend a month!
It was be incredible being able to live and work in Spain. It sounds like a lovely place and this is a perfect itinerary for anyone wanted to see and do a lot in a short Period of time.
Love Spain! I have so many other places to visit there, so thank you for this.
What an amazing itinerary- saving this one for a bucket list trip to Spain!
Great article! I love how thorough and engaging it was. Makes me want to book a trip to Spain asap!
Great article! Very thorough and engaging, and makes me want to book a trip to Spain asap!
Such a helpful itinerary!! There’s definitely so much to see and do
What a wonderful itinerary for a road trip from Madrid! You highlighted some great stops down the Eastern coast of Spain!
The pictures on this post are absolutely stunning! It really is such a great route and you get to see so much! Murcia is on my bucket list for next time!
Love this guide! I am hoping to visit Spain and Portugal together soon