Here’s my ultimate two weeks Spain itinerary for history lovers, designed for travelers who prefer to explore by train rather than renting a car. This route allows you to make the most of your time on the Iberian Peninsula while immersing yourself in its rich ancient history and iconic ruins.
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Two Weeks Spain Itinerary (by train)
Spain for history lovers
Following my articles about Spanish historical mysteries and Roman ruins in Spain, I was frequently asked how to combine some of those locations into one itinerary. So, I decided to create a few unique Spain itineraries for history lovers with places I would visit myself if I hadn’t been living here for the past 15 years (and perhaps I still will one day, especially when my recent memories of these historical marvels start to fade).
While Spain was inhabited by many different cultures, from Phoenicians and Celtiberians to Romans and Moors, this itinerary mostly focuses on ancient history, unique museums, and stunning ruins, rather than the most popular landmarks (though you can easily personalize it to fit your own preferences). It’s a great option for those who want to make the most of Spain’s high-speed rail network, enjoying a new wanderlust book on the journey instead of driving.
Is it better to drive or take trains in Spain?
You can explore Spain efficiently by both car and train, each with its own perks and disadvantages. If you choose to travel by train, you’ll be limited to major cities for transfers, as many of them are connected by high-speed routes. These significantly reduce travel time and, in some cases, even costs. However, traveling by train means you may miss some hidden gems along the way, be tied to specific schedules, and possibly need to book a few organized tours (since some iconic historical sites are located outside cities and lack good public transport connections). On the other hand, it’s a carefree option where you don’t have to worry about driving, allowing you to relax and enjoy a Spanish novel during the journey.
If you plan to explore Spain by train, I recommend using Trainline for booking and getting your tickets at least a month in advance for the best deals. Tickets bought last minute at the station can be nearly twice as expensive. Depending on the tariff you choose, you might be able to return or exchange your tickets by paying a small fee, but even then, it’s often cheaper than buying tickets last minute.
On the other hand, driving a car gives you more flexibility to maximize and personalize your itinerary, allowing you to visit hidden gems and opt for more local accommodations and restaurants outside the major cities. I usually use Discovercars since they have more than 700 suppliers, both local and international, making it convenient to compare and evaluate options. If it’s your first time driving in Spain, you might find this Tripiamo driving guide helpful for boosting your confidence on the road.
Where to start your Spain itinerary
Both Madrid and Barcelona are good starting points for any 14 days in Spain Itinerary. The cities are connected by a high-speed train, taking only 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, I would say that when it comes to exploring the rest of Spain, Madrid offers more efficient train connections and more interesting day trips.
Two Weeks Spain Itinerary for history lovers (by train)
4 Days in Barcelona
History in Barcelona
I suggest beginning this 2-week Spain itinerary in Barcelona, as it allows for an easy transition to the rest of the trip, which will take you to Southern Spain. Since there is no direct high-speed train from Barcelona to Seville, you will need to travel via Madrid anyway. So, it is easier to start with Barcelona.
Barcelona is one of the most iconic Spanish cities. To fully enjoy it, I recommend spending at least 3-4 days there. You can check out a detailed itinerary in this post. Since this two weeks Spain itinerary is focused on history lovers, I would highlight that you should not miss the MUHBA City History Museum, where you can walk through the ancient tunnels of the Roman city Barcino. Also, visit the Catalan Archaeology Museum, make a stop at The Temple of Augustus, and take a day trip to Tarragona, known for its stunning Roman ruins. You can check out my Tarragona itinerary in this post.
Best Barcelona tours for history lovers
- The Spanish Civil War Historical Walking Tour (check availability)
- Jewish Quarter 2-Hour Walking Tour (check availability)
- From Barcelona: Private Full-Day Tarragona and Sitges Tour (check availability)
Where to stay in Barcelona
AC Hotel Sants by Marriott or Via Sants Hotel Barcelona (both located near Barcelona Sants Train Station)
4 Days in Madrid
History in Madrid
While both Madrid and Barcelona are amazing cities, each with its own unique charm, I often mention that I prefer Madrid slightly more due to the many day trips it offers to some of Spain’s most iconic landmarks and unique small towns. You can check out my 1-day Madrid itinerary in this post, my weekend guide to Madrid here, and for an extensive list of things to do in Madrid, head here.
For history lovers, I highly recommend visiting the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, which houses Spain’s historical treasures, including some impressive Roman mosaics and the sculpture of Dama de Elche, as well as Museo de America. You should also consider a day trip to Segovia to see Spain’s most iconic Roman aqueduct, as well as Segobriga, a unique, lesser-known set of ruins in Central Spain. Additionally, no history lover should miss a day trip to Toledo, located just 30 minutes away by high-speed train. You can read more about Toledo in this post.
Best Madrid tours for history lovers
- Spanish Inquisition and Legends Evening Walking Tour (check availability)
- Jewish Madrid and Spanish Inquisition History Private Tour (check availability)
- Madrid: Roman Empire Tour (check availability)
- Avila & Segovia Tour with Tickets to Monuments from Madrid (check availability)
- Private Day Tour: Segovia and Ávila with Hotel Pickup (check availability)
Where to stay in Madrid
Only YOU Hotel Atocha or Catalonia Atocha (both located near Madrid’s Atocha train station)
4 days in Seville
History in Seville
After exploring Madrid and its surroundings, you can take a high-speed train to Seville, known as one of the greatest gems in Southern Spain. The city is a treasure trove for history lovers, famous for the iconic ruins of Italica, the cathedral where Christopher Columbus was buried, and the Alcazar of Seville, one of Spain’s top fairytale locations, as well as a well-known filming location for Game of Thrones. You can check out my one-day itinerary in Seville here, and for a two-day itinerary in the city, head to this post.
Also, near Seville, you’ll find another stunning city that is a must for history lovers – Cadiz. This Southern gem is known as the oldest settlement in Western Europe (you can visit the ancient ruins of Gadir to learn more). Additionally, close to Cadiz, you can explore the unique Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia.
Cadiz is located just 1.5 hours from Seville, so you can easily visit it on a day trip by train on your own or book an organized tour. When it comes to Baelo Claudia, you can either rent a car or book a guided tour, as it is located outside of the major cities. You can read more about why Cadiz is worth visiting in this post and check out my one-day itinerary here.
Best Seville tours for history lovers
- Itálica 3-Hour City of Emperors Tour from Seville (check availability)
- Baelo Claudia and Tarifa from Seville (check availability)
- Small-Group Jewish Quarter Discovery Walking Tour (check availability)
- Mysteries and Legends Guided Walking Tour (check availability)
- Cadiz Full-Day Guided Excursion from Seville (check availability)
Where to stay in Seville
Only YOU Hotel Sevilla or Catalonia Santa Justa (both located near Seville’s Santa Justa train station)
2 days in Merida
After exploring Seville and Cadiz, you should take a train to Mérida, a lesser-known destination in Spain that is renowned among history enthusiasts for its unmatched Roman landmarks. You can read more about Mérida in this post.
Best Merida tours for history lovers
- Complete Roman Tour in Merida (check availability)
- Merida Legends and Mysteries Night Tour (check availability)
- Merida Roman Theater and Amphitheater Guided Tour (check availability)
- Merida Roman Theater Private Walking Tour (check availability)
Where to stay in Merida
Top Spain articles for history buffs
Here are a few blog posts that will provide you with historical insights into Spain and its rich, complex history, while also inspiring your future trips to the country.
- Christopher Columbus sites in Spain (read it)
- Borgia Family in Spain: Top Places to Visit (read it)
- Inspiring Spain Documentaries to Watch Before Your Trip (read it)
- The Most Impressive Roman Ruins in Spain (read it)
- Historical Mystery Facts About Spain (read it)
- Famous Spaniards in History & Their House Museums (read it)
- 10 Fascinating Legends from Spain (read it)
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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: To avoid roaming fees, I like Saily (use AtLifestyleCrossroads for for a 5% discount)
- 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
Great itinerary! Extremely detailed – I’ve only been to Madrid, but it looks like there is plenty more to explore!
We do so love that you can do so much touring around Spain by train. It is fast and efficient – even if it does not let you meander into smaller places on travel days. But a great way to see all the spots on your 2 week itinerary in Spain. And then head back to explore more of the fascinating history of Spain!
It’s a great 2-week itinerary in Spain, but I truly love that it’s geared towards history lovers. There are so many amazing historic sites in Spain.
Great post! This practical information is great for someone who is wanting to make the most of their trip to Spain. I LOVE history and was drooling over your amazing photos. I saved this post to come back to later, along with your post on where to see Borgia history in Spain – because who doesn’t love/hate that family!? haha.
This is such a thorough and creative itinerary! As a Barcelona local, I approve.
On my first visit to Spain, I was mostly focused on the contemporary—but I’d love to return for a historical perspective. Thanks for sharing this helpful guide!
well, you have created our perfect itinerary. Art and a train ride. Saving for a bucket list trip!
Wow, what a great post. I really appreciate the details of an itinerary using train, as it’s better for the environment and a great way to enjoy slow travel, and works especially well for solo travel.
As a history lover, this is an ideal itinerary. While we’ve seen a few places on your list, we have so much more to explore. Looking forward to being able to use this.
Spain is such a perfect destination for history lovers (as well as art history lovers!) There is just sooo much! Great post Anna, as always!
This sounds like the perfect itinerary! Spain is high on my bucket list
You are my go-to Spain expert. This is a fab itinerary, will definitely share this pin.
Thank you so much for providing such an in-depth look at this trip. Travelling by train is always my preference and sometimes it’s hard to find good information and recommendations for such travel.