14 days in Barcelona, Madrid and Andalusia

Arrival at Barcelona El Prat airport. Spend the next two days making your way around this cosmopolitan city: visit the monuments and buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí, such as the famous Sagrada Familia or Park Güell, and stroll along La Rambla. If you feel like shopping, have a walk along Passeig de Gracia and, if you're a football fan, don't leave without visiting the Camp Nou stadium.  If you’re travelling with kids, visit El Pueblo Español, the Zoo or the Tibidabo amusement park, where they will have a great time. To get around the city, you can use the metro or public buses. You can find information here. Spend the two nights in Barcelona.

Choose the option you like best: Montserrat Head to the rugged heights of Montserrat mountain, known for its unique pink formations, breathtaking views and thousand-year-old Benedictine monastery. You can take a guided tour of Montserrat from Barcelona, or you can go on your own and take a train from Plaza Espanya, in Barcelona, to Manresa. There are two ways to get to the top of Montserrat from Plaça Espanya: the most picturesque and quickest way is to get off at the Aeri de Montserrat station from where you can take the cable car to the top. The other option is to get off further on at Monistrol de Montserrat station and take the rack railway to the top. Girona An hour and fifteen minutes by car from Barcelona. You can also get there by AVE high-speed train in 38 minutes or by medium distance train, which takes an hour and 20 minutes. You can visit the Arab Baths of this beautiful city, the Cathedral and the houses on the river Onyar. You can glimpse them from the Eiffel Bridge. In addition, you can get great views of the city from the city wall. Costa Brava The best way to visit is by car. You can walk along part of the coast from Blanes to Cadaqués and discover small fishing villages such as Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu or Palafrugell. Enjoy the beaches, roam the picturesque streets or just soak up the Mediterranean sun! PortAventura World Take the train directly from Barcelona to PortAventura World (an hour and 10 minutes). Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, this is Europe's largest family holiday attraction with 5 and 4-star themed hotels. PortAventura World consists of three parks: PortAventura Park, Caribe Aquatic Park and Ferrari Land, which offer exciting attractions, shows and fun for the whole family. If you feel like it, you can add an extra day to your journey and enjoy a night in the park and experience PortAventura World in style. Night in Barcelona.

Take the high-speed train from Barcelona Sants to Madrid's Atocha station (two and a half hours). It's up to you whether you prefer to visit Barcelona a bit more or take an early train and visit Madrid. Night in the Spanish capital.

Spend the day enjoying the top attractions of Madrid, the capital of Spain: the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the Gran Vía, the Temple of Debod, the Puerta del Sol, the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and shopping on the “Golden Mile” (Milla de Oro). You can also go to see a show at the Teatro Real (Royal Theatre), include the Retiro Park in your route or go to an amusement park. By the way, if you’re travelling with kids, you can visit the Warner Park, the Zoo Aquarium or the Museum of Illusions.  Night in Madrid.

Segovia Take the AVE/AVANT high-speed train from Madrid-Chamartín station to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia (27 minutes). Explore this medieval town. Don’t forget to visit the Alcazar, a castle which, with more than 2,000 years of history, was once a Roman fortress but also a fortress of Moorish Spain. Another must visit is the Roman Aqueduct, one of the most outstanding engineering works of the entire Roman Empire. You can stroll through the Segovia’s medieval streets and buy local souvenirs to take home. In the late afternoon, you can visit the Royal Glass Factory of La Granja or the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, which are located 20 minutes away from the city, by car or public transport. Toledo Take the high-speed train from the Madrid-Atocha station to another city declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Toledo (33 minutes). Explore it on foot and see for yourself the Islamic, Christian and Jewish past of the so-called “City of Three Cultures”. Toledo is also a great place to enjoy shopping for local crafts. Cuenca Toledo: take the AVE/AVANT high-speed train from the Madrid-Atocha station to another city declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Cuenca (54 minutes). The town is ensconced on the cliffs of the Huécar river gorge and is famous for its Hanging Houses. Don't forget to take a memorable photo from the San Pablo bridge! Night in Madrid.

Take the AVE high-speed train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha to Santa Justa station in Seville (two and a half hours). The capital of Andalusia is a must-see on any trip to southern Spain. In the evening, go out and enjoy an exciting flamenco show. Night in Seville.

Home to a multitude of cultures over the centuries, you can visit its Cathedral and admire its beautiful bell tower, the Giralda, or the imposing palace complex of the Real Alcázar. You can visit the Torre del Oro, the Plaza de España and the María Luisa park. You can also get lost in the charming Santa Cruz quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed lanes. Night in Seville.

Take the AVE high-speed train from Santa Justa station in Seville to Cordoba Central (43 minutes). This World Heritage city is home to the splendid Great Mosque of Cordoba. Roam through its streets and witness the best equestrian show in the Royal Stables, the Calahorra Tower or visit the palace-city of Medina Azahara. Don't forget to see the castle Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Roman Bridge. Night in Cordoba.

Take the high-speed train from Cordoba Central to the city of Granada (an hour and a half), which located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and an hour from the sea. In the evening, visit the gypsy quarter, Sacromonte, which is known for its tradition of flamenco dancing. Night in Granada.

You can visit the Alhambra, an ancient Nasrid fortress that was home to sultans and kings. Today it is a World Heritage Site. In addition, you should also visit the Patio de los Leones, the fountains of the Generalife and the Nasrid palaces, which form the Alhambra and the Generalife. You can see it all online Culture with a wonderful, lively atmosphere, full of tapas bars and tearooms suffused with an Arab inspiration. Night in Granada.

Take the AVE high-speed train to Antequera and then switch to another AVE train to continue to Malaga (an hour and 35 minutes). Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol, is a charming port city brimming with history and culture: from the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle to the Roman Theatre and the Picasso Museum. Don't miss out on the shops offering everything from Andalusian handicrafts to high-end fashion! Night in Malaga.

Hire a car and head to the coastal town of Marbella, known for its luxurious lifestyle, but also for its charming old town. You may have heard of its marina, Puerto Banús, which is filled with luxury yachts, fine dining restaurants and exclusive designer boutiques.  You can also visit towns such as Nerja, for example, which has stunning beaches and magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea. Frigiliana, on the other hand, is known for its Moorish architecture and picturesque cobbled alleyways. Benalmádena consists of two distinct parts: the coastal area and then the mountain village, and you can explore its archaeological sites. The town of Fuengirola has a promenade that stretches for more than seven kilometres and a historic town centre that is a must, with the Sohail Castle or the Church of Santo Cristo. You can also visit Mijas and stroll through its beautiful old town full of cobbled streets with white houses; or Casares, where you should visit El Castillo, the Casa Natal Blas Infante, the Torre de la Sal or the bridge-aqueduct of Los Baños. If you prefer, you can take the AVE high-speed train (two and a half hours) from Malaga to the Andalusian town of Ronda and stroll through its cobbled streets. Walk across the stately New Bridge that crosses the gorge of El Tajo and enjoy spectacular views of the river. Also explore the Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, and the Lara Museum of art and antiquities. Night in Malaga.

Fly from Malaga airport or take the AVE high-speed train back to Madrid Puerta de Atocha station (2 hours and 40 minutes).