Should I rent a car for this itinerary?

No. Spain's high-speed trains connect these cities efficiently, and parking in city centers is expensive and difficult. Public transport within cities is excellent.

Can I do this trip in fewer days?

8 days minimum by cutting Granada to 1 day and doing Madrid-Barcelona-Seville only. 7 days means choosing just two cities.

When do museums close in Spain?

Most close Mondays. Many close 2-4pm for siesta except major tourist attractions. Sunday hours are usually shorter, ending by 3pm.

Is it safe to carry cash?

Cards work everywhere, but carry €100-150 cash for small tapas bars, market vendors, and public bathrooms (usually €0.50).

What if I speak no Spanish?

English works in major tourist areas and hotels. Download Google Translate with offline Spanish. Learn basic phrases: gracias, por favor, disculpe.

How to Plan a 10-Day Spain Itinerary

Spend 10 days in Spain by dedicating 3 days to Madrid, 3 days to Barcelona, 2 days in Seville, and 2 days in Granada. This covers Spain's essential cities while allowing time to experience each properly without rushing.

Book flights into Madrid, out of Barcelona. Multi-city flights save backtracking time. Madrid-Barajas (MAD) to Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is the most efficient routing. Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices.
Reserve high-speed train tickets. Book AVE trains on Renfe.com 60 days before travel. Madrid-Seville takes 2.5 hours, Seville-Granada is 3.5 hours by bus (ALSA), Granada-Barcelona is 6 hours by train. Reserve seats for specific departure times.
Pre-book major attractions. Buy timed tickets online for Alhambra (Granada), Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), and Prado Museum (Madrid). Alhambra sells out weeks ahead. Sagrada Familia offers best slots 2-3 weeks prior.
Plan around Spanish meal times. Lunch happens 2-4pm, dinner after 9pm. Many restaurants close 4-8pm. Plan museum visits during restaurant closure hours. Book dinner reservations for 9:30pm or later.
Download offline maps and translation apps. Download Google Translate with camera function for menus. Save offline maps for each city. Download Citymapper for Madrid and Barcelona public transport.

Should I rent a car for this itinerary?: No. Spain's high-speed trains connect these cities efficiently, and parking in city centers is expensive and difficult. Public transport within cities is excellent.
Can I do this trip in fewer days?: 8 days minimum by cutting Granada to 1 day and doing Madrid-Barcelona-Seville only. 7 days means choosing just two cities.
When do museums close in Spain?: Most close Mondays. Many close 2-4pm for siesta except major tourist attractions. Sunday hours are usually shorter, ending by 3pm.
Is it safe to carry cash?: Cards work everywhere, but carry €100-150 cash for small tapas bars, market vendors, and public bathrooms (usually €0.50).
What if I speak no Spanish?: English works in major tourist areas and hotels. Download Google Translate with offline Spanish. Learn basic phrases: gracias, por favor, disculpe.