If you’re planning a 10-day itinerary in Spain by train and dream of combining it with the most delicious local foods, here’s how to make your foodie adventure come true. Regional cuisine is a huge part of Spanish culture, so any trip to Spain is the perfect opportunity to embrace your cooking skills, try creative tapas and staple dishes, and get first-hand tips from chefs and locals!

• 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.

The Best 10-day Spain Itinerary for Foodies (by train)

Spain in 10 days

First of all, let me remind you that on the blog, you can find Spain itineraries for various trip lengths via this page. This particular 10-day Spain travel plan doesn’t focus on popular landmarks (however, you can always customize and add at least a few for each city).

While it’s easy to travel across Spain for three weeks and discover delicious foods in every region, if I only had 10 days on the Iberian Peninsula myself – San Sebastian, Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia – is where I would go to find the best food experiences across the country. If you have more than 10 days for this foodie adventure, I would recommend adding Seville and Malaga to your itinerary. Additionally, research whether there are any special foodie events during your visit, such as the Gastronomic Weeks of Artichoke.

Where is the best place to visit in Spain for foodies?

This itinerary includes four important cities known for their unique food scenes: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and San Sebastian. It’s important to note that this is not a complete list of foodie destinations in Spain. With only 10 days, it’s impossible to try all the unique foods in Spain, especially in the places where they originated.

So, Madrid and Barcelona are great destinations, as they offer restaurants focused on different regional cuisines of the country. Valencia, however, is special as it’s the birthplace of paella – it’s the best place in Spain to try and even learn how to make an authentic one. San Sebastian is considered one of the best dining destinations in the world, known for its famous pintxos (small bites with creative twists served in bars and restaurants).

What is the foodie capital of Spain?

While many might disagree, for me, San Sebastian is the foodie capital of Spain. During my recent 3-day visit, I had the most mouthwatering meals I’ve experienced in years of international travel. So, if you’re looking for exceptional gastronomic experiences, San Sebastian is the unofficial culinary capital of Spain.

10 days in Spain: Car or Train?

If one of the reasons for your visit to Spain is to fall in love with the local food, this itinerary has you covered. If you consider renting a car in Spain, I would suggest at least 14 days for the same itinerary. Since this 10-day version is designed for exploring Spain’s foodie capitals by train (mostly using the high-speed network, which significantly reduces travel time). You can find the best ticket deals via Trainline, and for car rentals I use DisoverCars.

Also, if you choose to drive, you can add more sightseeing stops along the way, as the routes between Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona are all detailed on the blog:

• Madrid to Barcelona Road Trip: Top Stops (read it)
• Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip: Top Stops (read it)
• Madrid to Valencia Road Trip: Top Stops (read it)

Map of this Spain foodie itinerary (preferably for train travel)

10-day Spain Itinerary for Foodies

From bustling markets to cozy tapas bars and local homes, each Spanish region offers a unique culinary adventure that can make your trip truly unforgettable. Here are the top gastronomic cities and best local food experiences in Spain that you absolutely must try!

Let’s start with Madrid, the Spanish capital, which boasts the best train connections to the rest of the country and serves as a fantastic starting point for any 10-day itinerary across Spain.

Day 1-2: Madrid

As Spain’s capital and the hub of all national roads, Madrid brings together culinary traditions from across the entire Iberian Peninsula. This makes it an ideal destination for discovering new local food experiences in Spain. You can find my 1-day itinerary here, a 3-day plan here, and an extensive list of things to do in Madrid in this post.

Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid

Taking a Spanish cooking class in Madrid offers an immersive experience in the heart of Spain’s culinary scene. During the class, you will usually master the art of iconic Spanish dishes (but you can also find alternatives with a creative twist). My recent cooking experience in Madrid was amazing. We had seven people from different parts of the world learning the secret tips and ingredients of croquetas and arroz negro. You can find more details in this post.

• Tapas Cooking Class & Dinner in a Secret Venue (check availability) – read more in this post
• Spanish Cooking Class: Paella, Tapas & Sangria in Madrid (check availability)
• Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing (check availability)
• 10 Tapas 2.5-Hour Cooking Class (check availability)
• Half-Day Spanish Cooking Class (check availability)

Tapas Tour in Madrid

Like many vibrant Spanish cities, Madrid is a popular destination to experience the tapas culture. These small, flavorful dishes are meant to be shared with friends over drinks. So, a tapas tour in Madrid is one of the most popular things to do in the city. From tortilla de patata to gambas al ajillo, Madrid’s foodie scene is a delicious way to immerse yourself in Spanish culture.

• Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour (check availability)
• Tasty Tapas & Rooftop Views Guided Tour (check availability)
• Wine and Tapas Walking Tour (check availability)
• Madrid Gastronomic Tour: Tapas, Wine & Rooftops (check availability)
• The Ultimate Food Tour & Market Visit (check availability)

Best foods to try in Madrid

Check out these must-try dishes in Madrid and the best places to enjoy them:

• Churros con chocolate ( a beloved Madrid delicacy, and Chocolatería San Ginés is the city’s most famous spot to enjoy it. However, be prepared for crowds, so you might also want to try Churrería Milagros as a great alternative).
• Cocido Madrileño (a rich slow-simmered stew, regarded as a staple of classic Madrid cuisine; for some of the best cocido madrileño, head to these highly praised local spots: Malacatín and Casa Carola).
• Tortilla de patata ( a traditional Spanish dish enjoyed all over the country, but many travelers aren’t aware that Madrid is the ideal spot to experience it; while most bars across Spain tend to overcook it, there are a few places in Madrid renowned for getting the texture just right: popular spots to taste the Madrid-style tortilla de patata include Casa Dani, La Primera, Pex Tortilla, and La Penela).
• Jamon Iberico (if you enjoy Spanish jamón, you need to try jamón ibérico in Madrid, which tastes much better than the more budget-friendly jamón serrano. Don’t miss Cinco Jotas or La Garriga for a simple jamón sandwich or food souvenirs).

Best Madrid restaurants not to miss

Restaurante Botín in Madrid holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest restaurant in the world, operating since 1725 and offering classic dishes. Their standout specialty is cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Though it might not be my personal favorite in Madrid, I can’t deny that it’s a must-see spot for those visiting for the first time.

Some of the most popular and highly-rated restaurants in Madrid are Los Montes de Galicia, Taberna Más Al Sur, and El Velázquez 17. For Michelin-style dining, check out Cebo or Paco Roncero.

Day 3-4: San Sebastian

After you’ve explored the best foodie experiences in Madrid, take a train to San Sebastian (it usually takes around 5 hours one way). There is still no high-speed connection between these two cities, but it is definitely possible to visit San Sebastián on a weekend getaway from Madrid. San Sebastian is renowned as one of the top dining destinations in the world. This Basque coastal town is a culinary paradise, perfect for enjoying fine dining and trying the iconic pintxos. You can check out my 1-day itinerary for the city here.

In addition to the famous pintxos, during my last visit, I also discovered an interesting Basque cider house and learned more about this traditional local drink.

Cooking Class in San Sebastian

This Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian was one of my favorite culinary experiences in the city. A local chef took us to the market and then guided us through the preparation of a Michelin-style meal. The experience ended with a mouth-watering lunch at the venue. The class was so educational and fun, providing insights into the region’s rich culinary heritage. Additionally, we received a copy of the chef´s recipes.

• This Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian (check availability)
• San Sebastian Basque Cuisine Cooking Class (check availability)
• Cook Traditional Basque-style Chicken stew (check availability)

Pintxo Tour in San Sebastian

A Pintxo Tour in San Sebastian is always mentioned on any list of top local food experiences in Spain. The city is known for its endless delicacies, from traditional favorites like gilda (skewers of olives, anchovies, and peppers) to innovative pintxos with modern twists. Here are a few must-visit places to try pintxos in San Sebastian: Atari, Txepetxa, La Cerveceria del Antiguo, Gandarias Jatetxea, and Sirimiri. However, I highly recommend joining a pintxos tour, since bars constantly create new gastronomic inventions and local guides will take you to all the best spots in town.

• The Ultimate Pintxos and Wine Tour (check availability)
• San Sebastian Pintxo, Wine & Market Foodie Tour / Small Group (check availability)
• San Sebastian Pintxos food tour (check availability)
• Pintxos route with a research chef (check availability)

Visiting a Cider House in San Sebastian

Before my recent visit to San Sebastián, I had no idea that apple cider was deeply rooted in the Basque history. Locals call it sagardoa (where sagar stands for apple and ardoa means wine).

During the Middle Ages, this drink was often consumed instead of water to prevent diseases (or as a sailor’s drink rich in vitamin C). Today, 90% of Basque cider is produced in the area surrounding San Sebastian, so visiting a Basque cider house is an amazing day trip idea. You can read more details about my visit in this post.

• Visit a traditional Basque cider house & lunch with transport (check availability) – read more in this post
• Cider House Experience From San Sebastian (check availability)
• Traditional Cider House Tour with Lunch (check availability)

Best foods to try in San Sebastian

Beyond its iconic bars, famous pintxos, and cider, San Sebastián is a great destination to try some of the staple dishes of Basque cuisine:

• Bacalao al Pil-Pil ( a traditional Basque dish made with salt cod and a sauce known as ‘pil-pil,’ which is famous for its creamy, velvety texture and the flavors of garlic and oil; Atari is a great place to try it).
• Marmitako or any local fish soup ( marmitako is a traditional Basque fisherman’s stew, typically made with tuna, potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. In many restaurants in San Sebastián, you will find a similar variations under “fish soup” or “fish soup a la Donostiarra”, check out Rekondo, Restaurante Igeldo, or La Rampa).
• Basque Cheesecake ( the most famous place to try it is La Viña).

Best San Sebastian restaurants not to miss

The Basque Country is renowned for having one of the highest concentrations of Michelin stars per capita in the world, making San Sebastian the perfect place to indulge in a memorable fine dining experience. Both Akelarre and Arzak are awarded three Michelin stars.

Day 5-7 Madrid to Barcelona

After you return from San Sebastian to Madrid, you can take a high-speed train to Barcelona, which only takes 2.5 hours, significantly reducing the travel time between the two cities. For Barcelona, you can check out this itinerary. If you’re visiting with kids, head to this post instead.

Tapas & Flamenco in Barcelona

While Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, you can still find local food experiences in the city if you know where to look. My recent Tapas & Flamenco Tour in Barcelona was epic. The local guide took us to a secret tapas bar set in the charming Gothic Quarter while sharing the city’s hidden gems along the way. You can read more details in this post.

• Semi-Private Tapas & Flamenco Tour of Barcelona (check availability) – read more details in this post
• Tipsy Tapas Food Crawl Walking Tour with Tastings (check availability)
• Tapas and Wine Walking Tour with Optional Flamenco Experience (check availability)
• Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour (check availability)

Cava and Catalan Cuisine

Those who are passionate about the flavors and traditions of Catalonia should not miss the Cava tour. It offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s culinary heritage while pairing your meal with the world-renowned cava, Catalonia’s sparkling wine.

• Wine & Cava Tour with Tasting from Barcelona (check availability)
• Create you Own Cava Experience at Local Winery near Barcelona (check availability)
• Caves Codorniu Winery Tour (check availability)
• The Typical Catalan Spanish Market Lunch in Barcelona (check availability)

Best foods to try in Barcelona

• Crema Catalana (a creamy dessert similar to crème brûlée and topped with a caramelized sugar crust; you can try it in almost any restaurant or visit an old local café, Granja M. Viader).
• Escudella (a hearty Catalan stew, typical during winter and the Christmas season; popular places to try it are Terra d’Escudella and Can Culleretes).
• Butifarra (a type of Catalan sausage made from pork, often grilled; you can find it in local bars or shop as a food souvenir at La Botifarreria).
• Canelones (Catalan-style stuffed pasta with béchamel sauce; Antiquari Gastronòmic has great canelones with a creative twist.).
• Calçots con salsa romesco (a seasonal dish of grilled green onions available from November to April, typically served with a rich, smoky romesco sauce made from tomatoes, almonds, and peppers; head to Mussol Casp if visiting Barcelona during the calçots season).
• Bomba de Barcelona (a popular tapa consisting of a deep-fried potato ball stuffed with spiced meat; check out El Xiringo or La Cova Fumada).

Best Barcelona restaurants not to miss

Some of the popular restaurants in Barcelona that should not be missed are Pepito and Arcano, while Mirabe is known for great views and Disfrutar has 3 Michelin stars.. Also, those with a sweet tooth should make a stop at La Pastisseria Barcelona.

Day 8-9 Valencia

Paella Cooking Class in Valencia

As the official birthplace of Spanish paella, Valencia is the most authentic destination to learn the secrets of this iconic dish from the locals. My recent paella cooking class in Valencia was so good! Despite already having tested numerous local food experiences in Spain, this was my first time cooking with locals in their homes (which felt even more authentic). I highly recommend it to all international visitors as the best way to immerse in the local culture! For more information on things to do in Valencia, check out my 1-day itinerary here and 2-day travel plan here.

• Any Day is Sunday: Tapas, Sangria, and Paella cooking class (check availability)
• Paella Workshop and Algiros Market Visit (check availability)
• Paella Workshop, Tapas and Ruzafa Market Visit (check availability)
• Paella Cooking Class on a Splendid Terrace in the Sun in Valencia (check availability)
• Valencian Paella Cooking Class, Tapas & Sangria (check availability)

Best foods to try in Valencia

• Paella Valenciana (a traditional Spanish rice dish originating from Valencia; here are many great local restaurants, but Arrocería El Rek, Fum De Llum, Casa Baldo 1915, and Flor de Valencia are some of the most iconic when it comes to delicious food).
• Horchata and Fartons ( a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts; the most iconic place to try it is located just outside of Valencia at Horchatería Daniel, but they also have a small stand at Valencia’s Central Market).
• Carajillo ( a Spanish drink that combines coffee with a splash of liquor, typically brandy, rum, or whiskey; try it at La Cantina de Ruzafa).
• Fideua ( a seafood dish similar to paella, but made with short, thin noodles instead of rice; it is especially typical in Gandia, but also popular in Valencia; most restaurants that serve paella also offer fideua).
• All i Pebre (a traditional Valencian dish made with eel, potatoes, garlic (all), and paprika (pebre); try it at Arroceria Maribel).
• Traditional almuerzo in Valencia (read more in this post).

Best Valencia restaurants not to miss

Note that some of the most authentic and traditional local restaurants I recommend, along with the best Valencian food, are not located in the city center but in El Palmar, in the Albufera lagoon area (like Arroceria Maribel or Arrocería El Rek). This area is about 30 minutes from the city center (by car, taxi, bus 25, or an organized tour) and is considered the birthplace of traditional Valencian cuisine.

While you can find everything in Valencia these days, visiting Albufera is one of the most popular day trips for food lovers. The restaurants in El Palmar are not fancy and have simple decor, but the food is amazing. Many locals from Valencia visit El Palmar on weekends to enjoy these authentic countryside meals, traditional recipes, and locally sourced ingredients.

For Michelin-style experiences in Valencia, the most popular restaurants are Ricard Camarena and Karak.

Day 10 Return to Madrid

On the last day of this 10-day Spain itinerary, I suggest returning to Madrid by taking a high-speed train from Valencia (it takes less than 2 hours). However, if your flight to Spain is not tied to the Spanish capital, you can spend an extra day in Valencia (you can find numerous travel stories and itineraries for the region of Valencia here).

Another alternative is making a stop in Cuenca, as it lies on the same high-speed line connecting Valencia and Madrid. You can check out my Cuenca itinerary here and read more about the region in this article.

Read more about Spanish food & foodie experiences:

• Top Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
• Delicious Breakfast in Madrid: My Favorite Spots & Avocado Toasts (read it)
• My Amazing Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid (read it)
• Family, Countryside, and Cooking The Traditional Paella (read it)
• Visiting Basque Cider House near San Sebastian (read it)
• Breakfast in Valencia: Cute Cafes You Will Love (read it)
• Spanish Eating Habits: Almuerzo in Valencia (read it)
• 10+ Best Local Food Souvenirs from Spain (read it)
• Traditional Spanish Food in Local Villages: Part 1 (read it)
• An Amazing Artichoke Tasting Menu in Benicarlo (read it)
• Gastronomic Weeks in Spain: A Hazelnut Menu (read it)

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, Booking, and Hotellook
• 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, WayAway, 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 Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
• Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
• Top E-Sim: GigSky helps me to avoid roaming fees and provides connectivity everywhere (even on a cruise ship)
• 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