Classic Barcelona to Madrid

Classic Barcelona to Madrid

7 Days Starting in Barcelona and ending in Madrid

Visiting: Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, Madrid

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

ZMKB

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Make your way southbound along the beautiful eastern coastline of Spain on your way from Barcelona to Madrid. This seven-day adventure will be a food and culture lover's dream, with stops in the birthplace of paella, a trip to a cava winery in the heart of the Catalonian wine region, visits to ancient oceanside amphitheatres, behind-the-scenes looks at the construction of festival statues, and more tapas than you can stomach! Explore Spanish beaches on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea and indulge in locally made churros. There’s a little something for everyone in this Spanish crusade.

Highlights

  • Travel from Barcelona to Madrid along the eastern coast of Spain, taking in Tarragona’s Roman amphitheatre and perhaps an agua de Valencia in Valencia along the way.

  • Learn about the history and artistry of the unique Fallas festival of Valencia by meeting a professional artist in their workshop to find out how they construct these intricately detailed statues, often of enormous sizes.

  • Enjoy glasses of locally produced cava – a Spanish sparkling wine produced in the Catalonian wine region. Sip on samples while strolling through a vineyard and enjoy a tapas-style lunch of cured meats, cheeses, and other delectable dishes.

  • Look out over the Mediterranean Sea and the sprawling ‘City in the Sea’ from the walls of Peniscola Castle. Built on the highest point in the city, it juts out into the ocean on its clifftop position, giving you an uninterrupted view of the city below.

  • Savour a Spanish favourite that supports the community – cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros with velvety chocolate sauce from a churreria that provides training and employment opportunities to refugees.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Casa Caridad. Donations help them provide basic needs such as food and shelter for people in need in Valencia.

  • Savour a Spanish favourite at a Madrid insititution – cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros with velvety chocolate sauce from a churreria that has over a century of expertise.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Casa Caridad. Donations help them provide basic needs such as food and shelter for people in need in Valencia. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Barcelona

Location: Barcelona

Hola! Welcome to Spain. Whether you’re here for the architecture, the food, or the football team, there’s something for everyone in Barcelona. This evening, you’ll be meeting up with your leader and group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to do – check out the incredible architecture by Antoni Gaudí (making an essential stop at Sagrada Familia), wander La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous street, or get up close to Pablo Picasso’s early works at the Picasso Museum. After your welcome meeting, take a trip to a local bar for an aperitivo – the perfect opportunity to get to know your group. Why not keep the good times rolling and grab an optional dinner together, cheersing to what promises to be an excellent week ahead.

Included Activities:
-Barcelona - Welcome aperitivo

Day 2: Tarragona

Location: Tarragona

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Head south to the charming Catalan town of Vilafranca del Penedes. Today you’ll be stopping for lunch at a vineyard, where you’ll feast on cured meats, cheeses, and other local favourites. Wander through the vines and enjoy a tasting of cava (a Spanish sparkling wine). After lunch, continue into town where your leader will take you on a walk around the streets. As the wine capital of Catalonia, there’s plenty of delicious wines to sample – just check in with your leader for the best streetside bars to sample another glass or two of Spanish vino. Take a walk through the Gothic district and visit the Santa Maria Basilica. Hitting the road again, you’ll reach your home for the night – Tarragona. Why not gather your group and head out for dinner, finding the best cassola de romesco (a signature dish traditionally made of fresh seafood cooked in romesco sauce).

Included Activities:
-Vilafranca del Penedes - Leader-led orientation walk
-Vilafranca del Penedes - Cava vineyard with tastings

Day 3: Tarragona

Location: Tarragona

Meals Included: breaksfast

Waking up in Tarragona, step out with your leader for an orientation walk through this beautiful coastal town. Stopping by Tarragona’s Roman Amphitheatre, you’ll have as much time as you’d like to explore the 2nd century BC structure. Overlooking the ocean, the amphitheatre was built to hold up to 14,000 spectators and was host to rowdy gladiator fights. The rest of the day is your own. Why not explore more of this beautiful beachside town’s Roman history or wander down to El Serrallo – Tarragona’s port district, where you’ll find some of Spain’s best seafood. Stroll through the medieval city centre and up to the crowning glory of the Catedral de Tarragona, where you can find both Romanesque and Gothic features, the remains of an ancient Roman temple, or book yourself in for a rooftop tour to get the best view of Tarragona in town. Looking to stretch out and relax? This is the perfect place to lay on a patch of golden sand and enjoy the sounds of the Mediterranean.

Included Activities:
-Tarragona - Roman amphitheatre (entrance fee)
-Tarragona - Leader-led orientation walk

Day 4: Valencia

Location: Valencia

Meals Included: breaksfast

Your first stop today is at the Les Ferreres Aqueduct – an ancient Roman bridge and part of an aqueduct that supplied water to the region. Built in the 1st century BC, and at over 200 m long and 24 m high, you’ll take a stroll across this still-standing piece of history. Travel onwards to Peniscola where your leader will take you on an orientation walk of this ‘City in the Sea.’ Head up to the stunning coastal cliffs where you’ll find the Peniscola Castle. Built on the highest point of the city by the Knights Templar, the castle and its grounds jut out into the ocean and overlook the city below. Why not grab some lunch by the beach before jumping back in your vehicle and continuing on to Valencia.

Included Activities:
-Tarragona - Les Ferreres Aqueduct
-Peñiscola - Leader-led orientation walk
-Peñiscola - Castle visit

Day 5: Valencia

Location: Valencia

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Birthplace of paella, home to Gothic architecture, quirky galleries and museums, and more festivals than you can keep track of – there is no shortage of fun to get up to in the coastal city of Valencia. This morning, you and your group will make your way to the Fallas Museum, where you’ll learn all about the traditional Fallas Festival. Each year between the 15th and 19th of March intricate sculptures (many of them enormous) are erected around the town. On the last day, these sculptures are set on fire to mark the end of the festival and welcome spring, with only two chosen to be saved and placed in the museum. After checking out the museum, you’ll have a private tour of a workshop where you can watch a fallero artist designing and building their sculptures for the next festival. After the museum, you’ll be treated to a traditional paella lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city.

Included Activities:
-Valencia - Fallero-guided workshop visit
-Valencia - Fallas Museum
-Valencia - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:
-Valencia - Principe Felipe Science Museum

Day 6: Madrid

Location: Madrid

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today, you’ll be hopping on the train and heading off to your final destination on this Spanish adventure – Madrid. On arrival your leader will take you on an orientation walk, finishing up at a churreria where you’ll indulge in the local favourite – churros! The rest of the day is yours so be sure to ask your leader how to tailor your afternoon to your interests. You might like to visit the Golden Triangle of Art – three world-renowned museums that are home to some of the world’s most valuable collections of art, jump on the Teleferico and see the city from the world's most horizontal cable car, or wander through an ancient Egyptian temple at Templo de Debod. Tonight, you can rejoin your group for an optional farewell dinner where you can send off your new friends in style!

Included Activities:
-Madrid - Churros con chocolate
-Madrid - Leader-led orientation walk

Day 7: Madrid

Location: Madrid

Meals Included: breaksfast

Your journey through Spain comes to an end today. Say adios to your leader and group before parting ways. In Spain, all roads lead to Puerta del Sol (Madrid’s busy central square), so it’s the perfect place to continue exploring. If you’d like to extend your time in Madrid, chat with your booking agent.

Optional Activities:
-Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
-Madrid - Royal Palace

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (6 nights)

  • Barcelona - Welcome aperitivo

  • Vilafranca del Penedes - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Vilafranca del Penedes - Cava vineyard with tastings

  • Tarragona - Roman amphitheatre (entrance fee)

  • Tarragona - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Tarragona - Les Ferreres Aqueduct

  • Peñiscola - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Peñiscola - Castle visit

  • Valencia - Fallero-guided workshop visit

  • Valencia - Fallas Museum

show more

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Private vehicle , Train , Metro

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
  • EUROPEAN HOTELS
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.
  • Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle , Train

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones.

    Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

    This trip doesn't spend much time in Barcelona or Madrid so we recommend extending your trip to enjoy these cities to their fullest. Please speak to your booking agent about adding additional nights of accommodation to your booking.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

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12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

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22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

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08-Mar-2024

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Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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