Spain-10-days: culture-backpacking

Touch down in Madrid and step straight into the city’s electric rhythm. Check in to your accommodation set in the vibrant heart of the city, drop your bags and take a moment to freshen up. Stroll out into the lively lanes nearby and discover a spot for lunch—tapas bars and local cafés tempt at every corner.

In the afternoon, set out on a Historical Madrid Walking Tour. Trace the city’s royal past through grand plazas, cobbled alleys and Moorish walls. Pause beneath the spires of the Almudena Cathedral and gaze across the vastness of the Royal Palace. Feel the centuries shift around you with every step. As evening falls, gather for dinner and drinks at a local eatery.

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Start the day with a peaceful stroll through El Retiro Park as morning light filters through leafy avenues. Join an activity by the lake, where locals jog and row in the gentle dawn glow. Head to vibrant Malasaña for breakfast—find a cosy café, sip rich café con leche, and watch the city awaken.

Spend the afternoon at leisure. Explore masterworks at the Prado Museum or take a behind-the-scenes tour of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, perfect for football enthusiasts.

Later, join a guided tapas tour through bustling backstreets—taste bold Manchego, crisp croquettes, and expertly poured vermouth. As evening arrives, dive into Madrid's electric nightlife. Discover a rooftop bar with stunning skyline views or slip into a flamenco tablao alive with passionate rhythm. Let the city guide your night—Madrid always delivers something extraordinary.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Check out and board a train to Seville, where orange trees line sun-drenched avenues and flamenco rhythms drift through the air. Arrive and check in at your accommodation, nestled in the heart of Seville’s most spirited district. Drop your bags, freshen up, and head out to explore the city’s inviting streets. Grab lunch at a local spot—perhaps in a shaded plaza where chatter and clinking glasses fill the air.

Later, join a Monumental Seville Walking Tour. Gaze up at the towering Giralda, wander the intricate lanes of the old Jewish quarter, and admire the Alcázar’s Mudejar brilliance. Absorb centuries of history in every stone and tile. As the sun sets, dive into the city’s legendary tapas culture. Sample jamón ibérico, garlicky prawns, and crisp local wines at lively bars tucked into cobbled lanes. End the day on a rooftop or a candlelit terrace—let Seville’s charm sink in.

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Start your day with an early breakfast before heading out across the rolling Andalusian countryside. Arrive in Zahara de la Sierra, a whitewashed hilltop village overlooking a turquoise reservoir—stroll its cobbled lanes and take in sweeping views from the castle ruins. Continue the drive to Setenil de las Bodegas, where houses are built into dramatic rock overhangs—walk beneath the cliffs and pause for a coffee beneath stone ceilings.

Next, journey to Ronda. Cross the mighty Puente Nuevo bridge and gaze down into the deep El Tajo gorge. Wander through the old town, where elegant mansions and quiet plazas hint at Ronda’s layered history. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant, perhaps with views across the ravine.

In the afternoon, return by road to Seville. Arrive back with time to freshen up before heading out to find dinner at your leisure—choose a lively tapas bar or something tucked away and local. Let the evening unfold as the city lights begin to glow.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin your day in Seville with a leisurely breakfast, then step into the rhythm of Andalucía during a private flamenco masterclass. A local teacher guides you through each movement—feel the pulse of the city in your steps.

Afterwards, enjoy free time to wander Seville’s sun-dappled streets. Stroll past orange trees, pause by hidden courtyards, and soak in the layers of Moorish and Gothic architecture.

For this evening, pick an experience that matches your mood. Glide along the Guadalquivir River on a sunset kayaking tour, where golden light spills over the water and city skyline. Or climb the Setas de Sevilla for panoramic views over rooftops and spires—an architectural marvel that fuses modern design with ancient streets below.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Check out from your stay in Seville and travel by bus to Granada, a city nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Arrive and check into your accommodation, a relaxed and welcoming space in the heart of the city. Freshen up and set out to explore the cobbled lanes nearby.

Stop for lunch at a local café—try Andalusian tapas or a hearty tortilla. In the afternoon, join a private guided tour of the Alhambra. Wander through palaces adorned with intricate stucco, gaze out over the Generalife gardens, and trace the city’s Moorish legacy.

Later, stroll through the Arabic markets of the Albaicín—breathe in the scent of spices, browse hand-painted ceramics and textiles, and watch the light shift across the whitewashed walls. As the evening sets in, take time to relax or opt for a flamenco show—an intimate venue with stomping heels, trembling guitar and powerful vocals. Let Granada’s rhythm linger in your step.

Meals Included: Lunch

Wander through the labyrinthine lanes of the Albaicín, where whitewashed houses cling to the hillside and echoes of Moorish Granada linger in every tiled doorway. Climb higher into Sacromonte, the historic gypsy quarter famed for its cave homes and flamenco roots. Take in sweeping views of the Alhambra from hidden miradors. Pause for free time—drift into a local tapas bar, taste jamón ibérico, or sip a crisp vermut as locals chat nearby. For lunch, choose a shaded terrace or a bustling tavern tucked into a side street.

Later, tie on an apron for an immersive dive into Andalusian cuisine. Learn to create paella from scratch, coaxing the saffron-rich rice to perfection. Stir together refreshing sangria with citrus and local wine, then try your hand at gachas dulces, a traditional sweet pudding. Hear the stories behind each dish as rich aromas fill the kitchen. Share your creations with fellow cooks and toast to Granada’s flavourful soul.

Meals Included: Lunch

Arrive in Barcelona by train from Granada, passing the ancient city of Córdoba en route. Watch the Andalusian landscapes shift to Catalonia’s vibrant sprawl. Check in at the lively Sant Jordi Hostel—freshen up, drop your bags, then step out into the city's electric atmosphere. Stroll through tree-lined avenues, grab a bite at a local café, or browse the boutiques tucked into the Gothic Quarter.

Later, join a local guide for an evening of gastronomy and discovery. Start at a tucked-away spot for traditional drinks and tapas—crisp patatas bravas, melting jamón, and clinking vermouth glasses. Then wander through the glowing streets to another restaurant for a hearty main course, steeped in Catalan flavour.

As night falls, the city hums with energy. Take this time to follow your instincts—slip into a hidden jazz bar, dance in a beachside club, or simply sit beneath the stars with a drink in hand. The night is yours to shape.

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Begin the day with a private tour of Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Família, marvelling at Gaudí's masterful design and intricate façades. Wander through Park Güell, where colourful mosaics and sweeping city views captivate the senses.

Enjoy free time exploring the atmospheric Gothic Quarter, with narrow streets lined by medieval buildings, boutique shops, and quaint cafés. Immerse yourself in creativity during a mosaic workshop—craft vibrant art inspired by Gaudí's techniques.

When evening arrives, savour Barcelona's buzzing nightlife at your leisure. Discover traditional tapas bars tucked into hidden corners, vibrant plazas alive with conversation, or catch a passionate flamenco show.

Meals Included: None

Set out from Barcelona on a scenic road trip through Girona and Costa Brava. Wander charming medieval Pals, where narrow cobbled streets invite discovery and quaint shops offer unique treasures. Savour seaside lunch in Calella de Palafrugell, a picturesque fishing town where colourful boats bob in the harbour.

Stroll along the coast, breathing in fragrant pine forests and discovering harbourside cafés. Continue to Tossa de Mar, famous for golden beaches and historic castle walls. Relax on sun-drenched shores or explore the old town's winding alleys lined with local character.

Return to Barcelona for final check-out. Take a moment to reflect on unforgettable memories—from Madrid's bustling tapas bars to Andalucía's white villages, Granada's Moorish splendour, and Catalonia's coastal gems. This Spanish adventure leaves lasting impressions of the country's diverse beauty and vibrant spirit.

Meals Included: Lunch