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Self-Guided Tour of Madrid & Barcelona
Spain in 8 Days, 7 Nights in Destination
From
£ 1,439
£ 999
/person
-30%
Natalie
Travel crafter
The perfect dual-city break for those looking for an independently-led experience of Spain’s diversity and culture, with stays in the majestic capital, Madrid, and the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona.
Trip Highlights
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Montjuic
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Breakfast only
Availability
Departures available until December 2025
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + £ 530
Add up to 3 nights to your stay
- WHAT'S THIS?
Categories available
charm included
- WHAT'S THIS?
Itinerary
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Spain's most iconic cities on this self-guided adventure! Begin in the capital of Madrid to discover its elegant architecture and amazing food scene. Take a high-speed train to the northern region of Catalonia to explore the artistic heritage of vibrant Barcelona, famed for the architecture of Gaudi and its beautiful Mediterranean beaches!
1st Day: UK/Ireland - Madrid
Ready to explore the historic cities and vibrant culture of Spain on your self-guided adventure? Arrive at your UK/Ireland departure airport, ready for a flight* to Madrid. Touch down in Madrid, the enigmatic capital city of Spain, known for its fast-paced atmosphere, classical architecture and beautiful plazas and parks. Private transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. Madrid is well-known for its brilliant gastronomic scene and lively nightlife, so be sure to get out after dark to experience the amazing atmosphere of the capital. Overnight stay in Madrid.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Puerta de Toledo or similar
1432 Reviews
See our full selection
2nd Day: Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Make your own way to the nearest pick-up point and discover Madrid aboard a double-decker tour bus. Hop-on and hop-off the bus as many times as you wish and enjoy the city at your own pace. There are two different routes available. Route 1 (blue) will take you to discover the Historical Madrid and includes a complete historical, artistic and monumental tour. Discover the beautiful Paseo del Prado or admire magnificent buildings, legacy of the Habsburgs period. The second route (green) goes through Modern Madrid. Discover the city beyond historical landmarks and royal monuments. The itinerary will take you by the impressive KIO towers, Museum of Public Art and Real Madrid stadium.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the world-class cuisine, excellent shopping and limitless cultural treasures of Madrid at your leisure. We recommend a half-day excursion to the city of Toledo.* Overnight stay in Madrid.
* Optional Afternoon Excursion to Toledo: Set off this afternoon for the historic city of Toledo, known as the 'City of Three Cultures' for its fusion of Jewish, Muslim and Christian histories. Discover this once powerful Imperial City and its eclectic mix of architectural styles.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Puerta de Toledo or similar
1432 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Madrid City Tour Hop-on/Hop-off
Light
See more
Half-Day Afternoon Excursion to Toledo
Moderate
See more
3rd Day: Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day to discover Madrid at your leisure. Why not soak up a little culture at the incredible Prado Museum or go shopping along the Gran Via? For an afternoon stroll, we recommend El Retiro Park, home to a beautiful boating lake, stone fountains and the elegant Crystal Palace. Alternatively, why not enjoy an excursion to Ávila and Segovia*? As night falls, be sure to get out and enjoy Madrid's vibrant nightlife! The city is known for its many rooftop bars where you can enjoy sunset drinks alongside excellent views of the city! Overnight stay in Madrid.
* Optional Excursion to Ávila & Segovia: Set off for the charming city of Ávila, one of the best-preserved medieval fortified cities in Spain. Enjoy a walking tour through the old town to discover its Gothic palaces, fortified cathedral and Romanesque-style churches. Visit the incredible Walls of Ávila and enjoy free time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace. Next, set off for Segovia, where you'll stop for a gastronomic lunch before continuing the day with a guided tour of the exterior of Segovia Cathedral and an atmospheric walk through the old Jewish Quarter. Finally, enjoy a guided visit to the magnificent Alcazar of Segovia, a castle said to have inspired Walt Disney and one of the most enchanting medieval fortifications in Europe!
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Puerta de Toledo or similar
1432 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Full-Day Excursion to Ávila & Segovia with lunch
Moderate
See more
4th Day: Madrid - Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you transfer to the train station to catch a high-speed train to Barcelona. Arrive in the Catalonian capital and transfer to your hotel. A vibrant city, known for its artistic heritage and the amazing architecture of Gaudi, spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the historic streets of the Barrio Gothic or strolling along the seafront in the old fishing neighborhood of Barceloneta. Overnight stay in Barcelona.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Evenia Rocafort or similar
749 Reviews
See our full selection
5th Day: Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city today on a combined walking and bus tour of Barcelona. Find your own way to the meeting point at Barcelona's Estació del Nord to meet your guide and set off on a walking tour of the historic neighborhoods of Born and the Gothic Quarter. Stroll along some of the most emblematic streets in the city before reaching the incredible Barcelona Cathedral, famed for its magnificent Gothic architecture. Continue the walking tour to uncover the secrets of one of the oldest parts of the city. Next, board an air-conditioned coach for a panoramic tour of Barcelona's most important sights. See the beautiful Mediterranean Coastline and Port Olympic, pass by the old fisherman's quarter of Barceloneta and head inland to the leafy neighborhood of Montjuïc. Famous as the stage for the 1992 Olympic Games, learn how this event transformed the city. Take the Montjuïc cable car for amazing views across the entire city and visit MNAC Viewpoint for captivating panoramas of Barcelona. On the way back to the meeting point, drive along spectacular Passeig de Gracia to see some of the most emblematic architecture of Gaudi, such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. End the tour and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, making the most of the city's incredible beaches or indulging in Barcelona's many tapas bars. Overnight stay in Barcelona.
Important information: Please note that time and days in Barcelona can be changed according to the availability of the walking and bus tour of Barcelona. It will be confirmed 15 days before arrival. However, all included excursions are already guaranteed.
In case that the Barcelona city tour is not available because of external causes as a religious or an official event, a national holiday or demonstrations, a 1-day-pass of the hop-on-hop-off bus will be offered.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Evenia Rocafort or similar
749 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Walking & Panoramic Tour of Barcelona with Cable Car Ride
Moderate
See more
6th Day: Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy today in Barcelona to explore at your leisure! Why not get to know the vibrant neighborhood of El Raval or pay a visit to Park Guell in Gracia, the fantastical creation of architect Antoni Gaudi? For an afternoon stroll be sure to visit Parque de la Ciudadela, one of the most popular green spaces in the city. On the other hand, don't miss the chance to visit the world-famous La Sagrada Familia, perhaps the most famous of all of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces! Overnight stay in Barcelona.
* Optional Fast Track Sagrada Familia & Gaudi's Artistic Works: Visit two of the most important landmarks in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Admire Gaudí’s mastery and learn about the symbolism of his incredible works. Discover some of the most emblematic modernist monuments in the city and walk by two of the most important Gaudí works: La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Evenia Rocafort or similar
749 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Fast-track Guided Visit of Sagrada Familia & Park Guell
See more
7th Day: Barcelona
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your final day in this magical, vibrant city and soak up the charms of Barcelona. Whether you're heading to the beach or uncovering the treasures held in the city's museums and art galleries, you're sure to fall in love with this lively regional capital. Overnight stay in Barcelona.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Evenia Rocafort or similar
749 Reviews
See our full selection
8th Day: Barcelona - UK/Ireland
Breakfast at the hotel.* Sadly, it's time to bring your journey through Spain to an end. At the indicated time, private transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK/Ireland . Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip.
* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
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Categories Available:
charm
From £ 999
Selected
- Accommodation in Charm category hotels.
Accommodation: 7 Nights
Day 1 to 4
Hotel Puerta de Toledo
Location
Madrid
Category
Nights
3
Rating TripAdvisor travelers
The hotels we select comply with our high standards and requirements per category. The allocation is dependent on availability and seasonality, so you can be assigned any of our selection, including the following: Hotel Gran Legazpi, Hotel Madrid Chamartín Affiliated by Meliá, Hotel Sterling, Princesa Plaza Madrid
Included activities
Available Activities
The price includes
- Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
- International flights: US - Madrid; Barcelona - UK/Ireland.
- High-speed train: Madrid - Barcelona.
- 7 nights accommodation in Charm category hotels.See hotels included
- 7 breakfasts.
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles as indicated in the itinerary.
- Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.See itinerary
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- Sightseeing tour by bus of Madrid. Panoramic tour of Barcelona including Montjuïc cable car.*more information
- ATOL Protection.
Not included
Tax*, drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
* City taxes are not included.
Hotel pick up and drop off for sightseeing tour of Madrid and panoramic tour of Barcelona.
Important: It is mandatory to send a copy of the valid passports of all passengers to customerservice@exoticca.com at the moment you make your reservation.
* Important: hotel pick up and drop off for the sightseeing tour of Madrid and the Panoramic tour of Barcelona are not included. You will have to make your own way to the meeting point and it is important that you present yourself at least 10 minutes before the starting time of the tour.
Please note: this itinerary is an independent tour, not a group tour. It includes accommodation, some activities and transfers, but you will not be accompanied by a guide throughout the entire trip, nor will you be traveling in a group.
Hotel ratings in Spain are not governed by the same standards as those in the UK, so please keep this in mind when selecting your desired accommodation category.
Please note that time and days in Barcelona can be changed according to the availability of the walking and bus tour of Barcelona. It will be confirmed 15 days before arrival. However, all included excursions are already guaranteed.
In case that the Barcelona city tour is not available because of external causes as a religious or an official event, a national holiday or demonstrations, a 1-day-pass of the hop-on-hop-off bus will be offered.
Download the final itinerary uploaded to your Exoticca account to check the day, the time and pick up point of the activities.
Entry requirements
Passport with a minimum of 3 months validity required.
Visa
Visa not required for stays of up to 90 days.
Currency
Euro
Language
Spanish
Electricity
Type C & F 230V 50Hz
Health
No vaccines required.
Time zone
UTC + 1
Other useful information
Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in Spain.
Tourist Office website
https://www.spain.info/en/
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.
If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +44 20 8068 3176 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.
While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Room allocation: We will do our best to accommodate your family in the same room. If availability doesn't permit this, we guarantee your family will be accommodated as close together as possible. Children will always be accomodated in a room with at least 1 adult.
Car seats: Not available in all destinations. Feel free to take your own if you need one.
Pay in installments
Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.
Rest is paid in instalments according to your departure date.
UK Foreign Travel Advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
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