Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona: The Perfect Spain Getaway

Days 1–3: Madrid

Museo Nacional del Prado

Stay

Upon your arrival at Madrid’s international airport, your private driver will be ready to whisk you off to your accommodations: Housed in a historic 20th-century palace, the charming Urso Hotel and Spa is the perfect home base from which to explore Madrid’s many cultural treasures.

While you’ll have plenty to do while you’re out and about in the city, you’ll want to devote some time to experiencing Urso’s amenities. For instance, head to the spa for a rejuvenating facial with Natura Bissé’s diamond dust or Casa Felisa for traditional Spanish fare with a contemporary edge.

Eat & drink

Founded in the mid-1800s by the Spanish royal family’s pastry chef, El Riojano sells a wide array of traditional baked goods—grab an almond croissant for the road or take a seat in the opulent café and enjoy some torrijas, Spanish-style French toast.

Just a short walk from your hotel, Taberna La Carmencita is Madrid’s second-oldest restaurant, and an excellent place to sample local dishes made with organically sourced ingredients.

For merienda, or an afternoon snack, head to Chocolatería San Ginés, where locals and tourists alike gather to taste one of Madrid’s most popular churros.

And no visit to Spain is complete without Ibérico ham: Part boutique, part wine bar, and part private club, The Library curates some of Spain’s most impeccable wines, which you can enjoy alongside jamón Ibérico and fine cheeses.

Do

Madrid’s dynamic art scene offers something for every art aficionado: Take a private tour of the Prado and learn about masterpieces from Francisco Goya, El Greco, and other old masters, or explore the city’s contemporary art galleries in the Salesas and Chueca neighborhoods with a local artist as your guide.

A few blocks from the Prado, El Retiro Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—offers a peaceful respite from the bustle of the city. During the warmer months, paddle across the pond in one of the park’s rowboats or take a leisurely stroll through the Rose Garden.

Every Sunday morning, Ribera de Curtidores, one of Madrid’s most prominent streets, comes alive with El Rastro, the city’s famed flea market. While the selection tends to skew a bit newer, you’ll still find vintage treasures like old records, furniture from iconic designers, and ancient relics.

Although Madrid is perhaps Spain’s most modern city, it has no shortage of historical sites to explore. Take a private walking tour through the cobblestone streets, starting at the Plaza Mayor, the central square. Visit the Debod Temple, an Egyptian temple gifted to Spain that dates back to the second century BC, then learn about the artistic significance of the Gothic Catedral de la Almedena. End your tour at the Mercado de San Miguel, a bustling food hall in a historic cast-iron structure.

Days 3–5: Valencia

Stay

The trip from Madrid to Valencia is simple—just a direct two-hour ride on the high-speed train. Once you’ve arrived at the station, a car will be waiting to take you to MYR Hotel Palacio Vallier. This boutique property captures Valencia at its finest: Located in the city’s old town, the stylish 19th-century mansion contains Art Deco and Baroque design elements and is complete with a rooftop terrace, with stunning views of the main square.

If you’d like to take a slow morning, enjoy a multicourse breakfast of thoughtful seasonal dishes at La Perfumería, named for the remains of a third-century Roman perfumery that were found during renovation. Or stop by Restaurante Rincón del Mercado for dinner and sample Mediterranean dishes made with ingredients from the local market.

Eat & drink

As the birthplace of paella, Valencia is inarguably the best place to enjoy the iconic dish. Try it at the beachfront Casa Carmela—the restaurant is particularly celebrated for its paella valenciana, made over a wood fire with chicken, rabbit, duck, snails, and vegetables.

Seafood lovers will find much to appreciate about Bar Ricardo, an unpretentious bar with excellent tapas, a solid wine list, and the freshest seafood in the city.

And just around the corner from the Mercado de Ruzafa (a Valencia institution known for its fresh produce and local delicacies) is Fierro, a 12-seat Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Argentinian chefs Carito Lourenço and Germán Carrizo that’s known for its imaginative tasting menus.

Do

Beat the heat and get an early start with a morning bike tour of the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic building complex designed by world-renowned architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. You’ll see the Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium, and Hemisfèric, a striking planetarium that resembles a human eyeball, as well as a performing arts center and science museum. (Don’t forget to stop for a refreshing glass of horchata along the way.)

Once you’ve had a taste of Valencian paella, you’ll want to learn to make it for yourself: Join a private cooking class, where a professional chef will guide you through the steps of making the popular dish. They’ll even take you to the famous Central Market to gather fresh ingredients beforehand.

Explore Valencia’s historic center with a private guide, who will take you to the Silk Exchange, a group of Gothic-style buildings once used for the silk trade; the Valencia Cathedral (home to what is thought to be the Holy Grail); and, if it’s a Thursday, a session of the Tribunal de Las Aguas, one of the oldest legal institutions in Europe that dates back to the 10th century.

Once evening rolls around, head to the Valencia marina and hop aboard your own private catamaran. Cruise the Mediterranean and gaze at the golden Valencian skyline with a glass of cava in hand.

Days 5–7: Barcelona

Stay

The easiest way to reach Barcelona from Valencia is by high-speed train, a journey of about three hours. Once you reach Barcelona Sants, the main station, a car will take you to the buzzy, industrial-chic Seventy Barcelona. Steps away from Barcelona’s main shopping street, Passeig de Gràcia, Seventy Barcelona offers easy access to luxury shopping and important cultural landmarks (like La Sagrada Família, which is just 20 minutes on foot).

Take an afternoon to unwind at the seventh-floor swimming pool or the vegan spa complete with an additional pool, a steam room, and a dry sauna. Then refuel at the on-site restaurant, Kitchen and Timeless, with cod carpaccio, grilled squid, and truffled risotto.

Eat & drink

The impossibly cozy Baldomero is where to go for a leisurely breakfast (or brunch, if it’s the weekend). Tuck into the quiche of the day, beetroot salad, and other seasonal dishes in the country-chic dining room.

A few blocks from Antoni Gaudí’s famed Casa Milà, La Fuga Barcelona serves up fresh pastas and pizzas in a charming cycling-themed space. (Don’t forget to top off the meal with a scoop of locally made artisanal ice cream.)

After visiting Parc Güell, another Gaudí masterpiece, head down the hill to La Martina, a cozy eatery with seasonally inspired Catalan dishes. You can enjoy an (excellently priced) set menu at lunchtime and a solid à la carte menu in the evenings.

Seasonality rules at Berbena, a 24-seat restaurant whose menu is influenced by Mediterranean, Asian, and South American cuisines. Simultaneously adventurous and accessible, each dish reflects chef Carles Pérez de Rozas Canut’s imaginative culinary sensibilities.

Do

La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s most famous work and Barcelona’s crown jewel, is best experienced early in the morning, before the crowds descend. With a private tour guide, you’ll get the first access of the day to the main floor as well as the Nativity Tower or the Passion Tower. (If you prefer a later start, visit the cathedral in the late afternoon, when the golden light creates a particularly dazzling display of colors through the stained glass.)

Get the best views of the city and bump elbows with stylish locals at Fundació Joan Miró, where you’ll find the Catalan artist’s largest collection of work. Miró himself designed the building with architect Josep Lluís Sert, which also features seasonal exhibits from emerging artists and a café with incredible views of the city skyline.

Girona, a charming medieval town in northeastern Catalonia, makes an excellent day trip for those seeking a change of scenery (it’s just an hour and a half by car). A private guide will show you one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in all of Europe, as well as the Girona Cathedral (of Game of Thrones fame), Arab baths, and Romanesque and Gothic monuments.

Barcelona offers no shortage of incredible shopping: Visit Rowse, a by-appointment-only showroom with plant-based beauty essentials, and Arquinesia Perfumes, for one-of-a-kind Mallorcan fragrances. And discover local designers at Röa and Friends, a whimsical clothing boutique in the trendy El Born neighborhood.