Classic Barcelona to Madrid
Classic Barcelona to Madrid
7 Days Starting in Barcelona and ending in Madrid
Visiting: Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, Madrid
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZMKB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
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
Itinerary
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 Gaudà (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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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Optional Activities:
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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:
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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:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Airport Transfers at Destination
No
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Fully Guided
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Barcelona - Welcome aperitivo
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Vilafranca del Penedes - Leader-led orientation walk
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Vilafranca del Penedes - Cava vineyard with tastings
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Tarragona - Roman amphitheatre (entrance fee)
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Tarragona - Leader-led orientation walk
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Tarragona - Les Ferreres Aqueduct
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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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.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 15 years old or above
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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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.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
LOW - Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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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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Terms and Conditions