From Barcelona to Madrid: A Journey Through the Heart of Spain

Having been living in Romania for five years, we could not miss a chance to explore some of the iconic and popular countries of Europe. I and Anshul, if not much, at least plan one long vacation in a year (apart from our trip to India). This year we had a few places on our bucket list, such as Istanbul, Greece, and Spain. But in all three of them, both of our interest matches with Spain.

We always try to plan our trip in pleasant weather, no matter where we go. So, we thought Easter would be the best time to make this happen.

Hurray!!! We finally packed our luggage and flew from Bucharest.

It was an 8-day trip to Barcelona and Madrid. Before starting the journey, let me describe a few lines about these cities. 

Madrid and Barcelona are two major cities in a vibrant country with a rich history, and they are both considered a foodie's paradise with diverse and delicious cuisine.

Ahhh!!! You might be wondering why this city is one of the most visited destinations in Spain.

Now let me give you my perspective on why Barcelona is so popular among tourists. First, it has world-class infrastructure, including the unique Gaudi architecture, that is not found in many other European cities. And to top it off, Barcelona boasts some of the best urban beaches in the world, making it a destination that is sure to keep you entertained and captivated. I can assure you will never be bored in Barcelona.

Ok, now I am coming to Madrid, the capital of Spain. It has the most beautiful and modern architecture.

It should be on everyone’s bucket list. I am telling this because apart from its awe-inspiring architecture, it has fascinating neighborhoods to explore and is just a mile away from city life.

In this blog, I will share my travel itinerary, the places I like the most, and where I stayed. I will also give some recommendations which might help you while traveling.

Without any delay, I will share with you my seven days itinerary.

Day 1: Arrived in Barcelona, free walking tour

Welcome to Spain! Upon our arrival at the airport, we quickly booked a taxi to take us to our hotel, Hotel Vora Port. After the long flight, I was starving, so we settled in and enjoyed the food I had packed from home. We then took some time to rest before venturing out to explore the beautiful city. I was eager to see all that Spain had to offer.

Once we were ready to head out, we went ahead and purchased a three-day public transportation card, which gave us access to all forms of public transportation. While traveling, we prefer not to use taxis as they can be quite expensive and don't always provide an authentic local experience.

With so much to see and do around the city, it can be challenging to decide where to start.

Arc de Triomf

Our first stop was the Arc de Triomf, a magnificent structure situated in the center of a street, surrounded by a long plaza lined with beautiful palm trees on both sides. We took some time to admire its grandeur and snapped a few photos before our free walking tour began from this location. I found this is an excellent way to get to know a new city. By passing through the narrow streets of Barcelona, I couldn’t stop myself from admiring the beauty of the surroundings.

Our tour eventually led us to Barcelona Cathedral, which is situated in a small square surrounded by a few handmade stalls and cafés. It was a charming and lively spot. 

Barcelona Cathedral

After soaking up the city's ambiance for a while, we headed back to our hotel, feeling satisfied with our first day of exploration.

Day 2: Visit to Park Guell and Sagrada Familia

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we made our way to the colorful and whimsical Park Guell. The park was spacious and naturally beautiful, with stunning Gaudi architecture throughout. While the park provided excellent views of the city, we found that the real beauty of the park was in its unique and fascinating architecture, which could also be appreciated from the outside.

Park Guell

After exploring the park, We had a delicious South Indian lunch at Senor Chutney to satisfy our craving and to prepare ourselves for the entire day. 

Sagrada Familia

Afterward, we headed toward the Sagrada Familia. As I saw this huge and beautiful building, my mouth was wide open, and I was overwhelmed by its beauty. It is one of the famous Gaudi architectures and has been under construction for over 100 years. Having already visited several cathedrals in Europe, so decided to admire the stunning architecture from the outside. The intricate and mischievous beauty of the cathedral was captivating, and I found myself lost in admiration for hours without hesitation.

We ended our day by having a soul-fulfilling dinner at SWAD - The Indian Restaurant

Day 3: Visited Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, the Gothic Quarter, and the beach

As we sat out on our 3rd day of exploring, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the incredible experiences we have had so far from trying new food to immersing ourselves in the local culture.

With our interest in modernist architecture, we couldn’t resist exploring more of Gaudi’s masterpieces, so we headed toward the Casa Batllo. The first thing that blows my mind is the striking front of the building covered in colorful tiles that evoke the shape of a dragon. The intricate design is awe-inspiring and makes the building stand out from other structures in the city. After having enough photos of it we made our way towards Casa Mila, another iconic building designed by Antoni Gaudi.

Casa Batllo

Casa Mila

Eager to continue our exploration of Barcelona’s Iconic architecture, we moved toward the Gothic quarter. This was my favorite place because of its old and well-preserved architecture. The narrow winding streets of a gothic quarter are perfect for exploring on foot.

The day has not yet wrapped up. After taking a few hour's breaks, we decided to visit El Poblenou beach to relax and unwind. It’s a gorgeous beach covered with thousands of visitors. The cool breeze provided the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, and we spend a delightful evening strolling around it.

Day 4: Madrid visit

After having breakfast, we headed to the train station to catch the train for Madrid. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to experience all the vibrant Spanish culture had to offer. As we boarded the train and settled into our seats, we feel a sense of adventure, ready to embark on the next leg of our journey.

We finally reached our destination after 3hrs of our leisure train rides. Checked into our hotel agora Juan de Austria and after a quick break came out to explore the bustling city center. The streets were alive with the energy and vibrancy of Spanish culture. From the stunning architecture of plaza mayor to the colorful market we soaked up the sights and sounds of the magnificent city, eager to discover all that it had to offer. 

Madrid had already taken my heart as we headed back to our hotel, we knew this was just the beginning of a memorable journey, Madrid will not stop keeping us amazed with its beauty.

DAY 5: Visit Almudena Cathedral and Royal Palace

Again here, after enjoying a delicious breakfast at our hotel we headed to explore some of Madrid’s most iconic landmarks. Our first stop was the stunning Almudena Cathedral, a breathtaking example of Gothic and neoclassical architecture. From here we headed to the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid. I suggest you book online tickets for all these attractions to avoid waiting in a long queue.

Almudena Cathedral

With its stunning architecture and incredible art collection, it offers a glimpse into the opulent world of the Spanish monarchy. It is an official residence of the Spanish royal family. Each and every single room of the palace features rich decorations and furnishings. In addition to its opulent interior, it also has expansive gardens that offer breathtaking views of the city. Overall, the palace is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, art, and culture.

Royal Palace Madrid

We then came back to the city center for having lunch and to explore some more streets of it.

Every corner seemed to offer something new and exciting, from the charming cafés and shops to the colorful streets. Surprisingly, each street was like a siren call, calling to explore further and discover all the hidden gems Madrid has to offer. Now we were set to wind up for the day, so headed back to the hotel.

DAY 6: Day tour to Toledo and Segovia

We have booked a guided tour to Toledo and Segovia for a day. It was just 1 hour and 15mins. The bus ride from Madrid. We were all set for taking unforgettable experiences filled with history, culture, and breathtaking sights. Throughout our journey, we witnessed the picturesque Spanish countryside, where we marveled at the stunning landscape and charming villages along the way.

Santa Iglesia Cathedral Toledo

Our first stop was Toledo, a city rich in history and home to many stunning landmarks. We explored the winding streets of the city’s old town, selling beautifully designed souvenirs and local delicacies. Don’t forget to have delicious Marzipan, a must-try dessert made of almonds and sugar. 

To our surprise, we had the best pizza and lasagna in Cafe Delfin, a must-try place for vegetarians. 

Afterward, we set off for Segovia, another ancient city with a rich cultural heritage. It was a 3hrs ride from Toledo.

Here we were awestruck by the incredible Roman Aqueduct, a towering structure that has built over 2000 years ago to transport water from the nearby mountains to the city of Segovia. We also visited the stunning Alcazar of Segovia, a fairytale-like castle that has been used as a royal palace. This place is worth taking a few photos.

Roman Aqueduct

Now our trip was going to an end, it was time to board the bus and ride back to Madrid.

If you have an extra day, I highly recommend exploring this beautiful and iconic neighborhood.

Day 7: Visited Prado Museum and El Retiro Park

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we made our way to the Prado Museum. Though I am not a big fan of museums, this one is very famous. So we decided to explore its vast collection of art and artifacts.

We spend a few hours wandering through the galleries, admiring masterpieces by some of the most renowned artists. Being exhausted and hungry, we decided to head to the city center to find a good vegetarian place for lunch. Thankfully we found a good restaurant, and after having a delicious lunch, we were ready for some more sightseeing and visited El Retiro Park, one of Madrid’s most popular parks. As we entered, we were immediately struck by its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. While strolling around it, we stopped to take photos of the Crystal Palace, a stunning glass structure.

El Retiro Park

We were so tired by now, so headed back to our hotel to pack up and prepare for our journey back home. We were so grateful for the memories we had created during our trip and the experiences we had shared.

That was our Spain trip.

I hope you enjoyed reading my article. Please feel free to pour some suggestions regarding the blog.

Also, give some ideas about where we should travel next???