Visit Andalusia, Barcelona, and other cities in Spain
With Spain’s biggest international airport, Madrid is probably the most common arrival point for most people visiting Spain. So no wonder there are so many things to do and tours of Spain that depart from Madrid.
Whether you have time for just a day trip or if you have a little longer to explore outside of Madrid, you’ll find something of interest on this page. These Spain tours from Madrid offer the best-guided trips you can do from the capital, with excursions extending to all corners of the country and even Portugal and Morocco.
The most popular tours from Madrid are the four- and five-day tours of Andalusia. They take in the most famous cities in Andalusia – Seville, Granada, and Cordoba – and usually fit in Toledo and Ronda too. However, we’re particularly fond of the four-day tour to Lisbon because they’ve crafted the itinerary to ensure you spend all three nights in the Portuguese capital, with all other cities visited either en route or as day trips from Lisbon. Therefore, there is no need to pack and repack your bags each night!
1. Day Trips From Madrid
If you’ve only got time for a day trip from Madrid, you’re likely considering one of the city’s satellite locations: either Toledo to the south or a couple of cities to the west: Segovia, Avila, Valle de los Caidos, or El Escorial.
Moreover, you could venture as far as Barcelona or Seville, trips facilitated by the high-speed AVE train.
2. Short Tours of Andalusia From Madrid
Andalusia is Spain’s most popular region, featuring several cities essential for any Spain trip situated just a couple of hours apart.
Seville is the spiritual heart of flamenco and bullfighting and is Andalusia’s most visited city. Nearby Cordoba is renowned for the Mezquita, once the largest mosque in the world and now a cathedral, making this a perfect addition to your Seville itinerary.
For a slightly longer journey, consider adding Ronda, the pueblo blanco perched over a deep ravine, or Granada, home to the Alhambra.
- Two-Day Tour: Seville and Cordoba Two-Day Tour
- Three-Day Tour: Seville, Cordoba and Ronda Three-Day Tour with Costa del Sol Drop-Off
- Four-Day Tour: Seville, Toledo, Cordoba and Granada Four-Day Tour
- Five-Day Tour: Seville, Toledo, Cordoba, Ronda and Granada Five-Day Tour
Our recommendation? The four-day Seville, Toledo, Cordoba, and Granada tour. The tour planners have perfectly balanced the itinerary, with half a day in Cordoba, a day and a half in Seville, and a day in Granada. Consequently, on the way back to Madrid, stop off in Toledo for a brief exploration.
3. Four-Day Tour of Lisbon and Central Portugal
Travel from the capital of Spain to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, on this three-nights-and-four-days tour. The highlight of this trip (besides the attractions themselves) is that all accommodation is at the same location – in Lisbon.
On the journey, visit Trujillo in Spain before arriving in Lisbon. Settle into your hotel, take a guided tour of the capital, and enjoy some leisure time on your second day. On the third day, you will embark on a day trip to Fatima, capping off your final day with a visit to Caceres on your return to Madrid.
This tour serves as an excellent introduction to some of Portugal’s highlights and lesser-known sights in Spain, all without having to move your luggage every evening.
However, this tour does not include Porto, one of Portugal’s main attractions, which is understandable given the tour’s length.
4. Four-Day Tour of Barcelona and Valencia
Explore Spain’s most popular city, Barcelona, along with Valencia (the birthplace of paella) on this four-day tour from Madrid. You’ll enjoy one night in Valencia and two nights in Barcelona, returning to Madrid via Zaragoza.
This itinerary of eastern Spain excludes Andalusia, so for that experience, a longer tour is necessary.
5. Seven-Day Tour of Barcelona, Andalusia, and More
Discover the best of Spain’s cities: Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Valencia, and Zaragoza in this expansive tour of the country.
This seven-day (six-night) journey combines brief visits to smaller cities with extended stays in Seville and Barcelona (where you’ll spend two nights in each). If you only have a week to explore Spain and want to see its highlights, this is the perfect tour for you.
Expect accommodation at luxurious hotels and many meals included.
