The Best of Spain (ZV)

9 days from Madrid to Barcelona

2025 Tour Details View 2024 Tour Details »

Although you might be enthralled with the idea of the Spanish siesta—the customary post-lunch nap to escape the midday heat—you’ll want to think twice about catching any afternoon Zzzs on this dreamy introductory tour of Spain. Otherwise, you’d miss all the sunny sights this 9-day vacation to Spain has in store. From Madrid’s art-filled Prado Museum to Barcelona’s tree-lined La Rambla, we show you the country’s top must-see sights, indulging in pans of zesty paella, and pitchers of tangy sangria along the way. While you’ll treat yourself to the fresh catches from the sea, the olives from the hills, and the wine from the lush river valleys; it’s sights such as Granada’s opulent Alhambra complex, Seville’s over-the-top Plaza de España, and Barcelona’s unparalleled Sagrada Familia Basilica that are a feast for the eyes.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Globus 2021 Europe tours are limited to an average of just 24 guests per tour. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus European tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery Europe vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Full buffet breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN

Welcome to Madrid! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

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Dinner

Day 2 MADRID

Masterpieces in Madrid MADRID Guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of the Cibeles Fountain and Calle Alcala.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The Prado Museum houses one of the world’s largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.

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Breakfast

Day 3 MADRID–CORDOBA–SEVILLE

Treasures of Cordoba CORDOBA Guided walking tour includes the Mosque of the Caliphs. Enjoy free time to browse before departing for Seville. 354 mi / 570 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE The Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba in Spanish) today is a Catholic cathedral but was originally a mosque built for Muslim prayer by Abd ar-Rahman I in the 8th century. The mosque’s architecture is rich in dazzling detail, with over 800 granite and marble pillars supporting its beautiful brick and stone arches - a major focal point in the mosque along with the soaring bell tower – the tallest structure in the city.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 4 SEVILLE

The Squares of Seville SEVILLE Visit Plaza de España. Guided sightseeing includes Casa de Pilatos, and a walk through the Santa Cruz quarter.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Walk through Seville’s picturesque Plaza de España, originally built for Seville's Ibero-American Expo at the 1929 World's Fair. The 540,000-square-foot plaza features a sprawling mosaic patio. Explore the historic Santa Cruz quarter and its magical maze of tapas, flamenco, and cafés

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Breakfast

Day 5 SEVILLE–GRANADA

Splendid Spain GRANADA Guided walking tour includes the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife.
155 mi / 250 km

NOTE:
Day 5 Alhambra complex: Entrance to Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ARCHITECTURAL GEMS Granada’s Alhambra Complex stands as one of the largest ancient aristocratic sites of Western Muslim culture. Its leafy lanes and streams enhance the grand water gardens of Generalife, at the once summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers.

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Breakfast

Day 6 GRANADA–VALENCIA

Spanish Specialties VALENCIA Guided walking tour includes a photo stop at the science complex and a traditional Horchata (drink made from tiger nuts) tasting. Enjoy a traditional Paella dinner at a local restaurant.
311 mi / 500 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Enjoy an authentic Spanish paella dinner in Valencia. Traditional Paella Valenciana is made with chicken and sweet paprika and golden saffron in a slow simmered broth for a sumptuous, heart-warming hallmark of traditional Spanish cuisine.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 VALENCIA–BARCELONA

The Boulevards of Barcelona Scenic drive along the coast en route to Barcelona.
BARCELONA Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening.
211 mi / 340 km

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Barcelona in the footsteps of Picasso through the historic heart of the old city. Indulge in the tradition and tastes of 2,000 years in the Gothic Quarter. Take in the charm and captivating history with a walk down the tree-lined avenue of La Rambla amid the terraces and street performers on Barcelona’s famous thoroughfare.

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Breakfast

Day 8 BARCELONA

Adiós, Barcelona! BARCELONA Guided sightseeing includes the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluña, and panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. Visit the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Enjoy Sangria and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Say farewell to Spain with Sangria and culinary specialties at a local city center restaurant. Often considered the signature drink of Spain and taking its name from its “blood red color”, Sangria’s origins are thought to go back to Roman times, when it was simply wine added to water. Since then, the recipe has been revisited many times and there are many delicious local variations. Tonight, lift your glass for a toast to your Best of Spain tour.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 9 BARCELONA

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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Breakfast

Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

BEATRIZ FERNANDES

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I was born a wanderer and I decided very early that travel will be not just a dream but my life plan. For me happiness is not a destination but the journey itself, so the best thing in life other than planning a new trip, is to make it happen for the guests. I love history, art, food and wine, trekking, photography, reading, street art, but more than anything to create new memories.”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Madrid

Seville

Granada

Barcelona

Madrid

Discover Toledo

Discover majestic Toledo, an incredible melting pot of Jewish, Islamic, and Christian influence over the centuries, making it one of Europe's most interesting and unique walled medieval cities!

Price Range: $$$

Panoramic Drive & Dinner

Drive through the capital's boulevards, passing beautiful buildings and fountains and dine Spanish style!

Price Range: $$$

Seville

A Night in Seville with Flamenco and Dinner

Enjoy an exciting and passionate flamenco show while savoring a mouthwatering 3-course Andalusian dinner and drinks.

Price Range: $$$

Cathedral and Columbus Tomb

Seville's 15th-century gothic cathedral is the third-largest church in Europe and boasts the breathtaking La Giralda, one of the three remaining Almohad minarets in the world. The cathedral also houses the remains of explorer Christopher Columbus.

Price Range: $

Granada

Dinner in Granada's Moorish Albaicín

Discover the essence of Islamic Granada on this wonderful journey into the legendary Albaicín district, one of the city's oldest centers of medieval Moorish culture. Stop for a splendid panoramic view over the city, then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Price Range: $$$

Barcelona

Beautiful Barcelona

The treasures of Barcelona await your discovery on this sightseeing excursion!

Price Range: $$

Discover Montserrat

Experience the magical beauty surrounding Barcelona on this memorable guided excursion to the soaring mountains of Montserrat.

Price Range: $$

Private Touring

Private Touring: Globus European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Globus tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience.

For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party.

Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $3,229*
18 guests in a party: $742*

Contact Globus or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Globus Private Touring.

* Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2020 and 2021 travel years. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.

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