Circuit at your own pace Madrid - Barcelona

1st Day. Origin - Madrid

Upon arrival at the chosen hotel we will check-in and get ready to enjoy the local culture.

We will take this day as free time to unpack our luggage and relax with a walk and a good overview of the city and its streets. After this free afternoon we will return to the hotel to be well rested for the next day with more action.

Day 2. Madrid - Royal Palace (optional)

We will have breakfast at the hotel and at the agreed time we will go to tour the city. We are going to suggest an itinerary to fully explore the heart of Madrid in two days.

We will start at kilometer zero of the roads in Spain, the Puerta del Sol. This square is one of the most popular in the city since in it we find some of its greatest representative elements: the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree and that of Carlos III on horseback, the Post Office building or the Tío Pepe advertisement, among others.

We will continue along Calle Mayor to Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Inaugurated in 1619, it has a completely closed rectangular floor plan with arcaded residential buildings and 237 balconies. It consists of 10 entrances, the most renowned being the Arco de Cuchilleros. Two buildings also stand out, the Casa de la Carnicería and the Casa de la Panadería where even today it is possible to see the coat of arms of King Carlos II.

Leaving the Plaza we can stop at the Mercado de San Miguel and observe its original iron structure from the beginning of the s. XX.

From there we will arrive at the Basilica of San Miguel, declared a National Historic Artistic Monument in 1984, it is one of the most important Baroque buildings in Spain despite its small size. This is especially due to the unique convex shape of its façade.

We will stroll around this area a bit until we reach the Almudena Cathedral. Its construction lasted more than 100 years, it was consecrated in 1993, and it is impressive more for its grandeur and history than for its style. It is possible to visit both the cathedral and the crypt for a donation of €1 and the museum and the dome for a combined fee of €6.

Next to the cathedral we find the Royal Palace of the s. XVIII. If we so choose, within the two optional visits in Madrid, we will be able to investigate it in depth. It is one of the largest and most spectacular in all of Europe and just looking at the Gasparini Hall is worth it.

When we have finished seeing the Royal Palace, we will continue our tour to the Plaza de Oriente, just in front of the Puerta del Príncipe. Here is a statue on horseback from the s. XVII of Felipe IV and just behind the Royal Theater.

Passing in front of the Sabatini Gardens we will arrive at the Principe Pio Mountain. It has a viewpoint with impressive views of the Royal Palace, and more importantly the Temple of Debod. This small temple was donated by the Egyptian government and moved stone by stone. It is over 2,200 years old.

Right next to this Mountain is the Plaza de España, another of the best known. Here we will observe the 35-meter monument to Cervantes with the Edificio España and the Torre de Madrid in the background.

From this point we will take the Gran Vía to conclude our day strolling through this great artery of Madrid.

Day 3. Madrid - Reina Sofía Museum (optional)

Second day in our escapade through Madrid. Breakfast and ready we will continue the adventure where we left off yesterday. In this case starting with the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The 360 ​​views of the Madrid sky from its rooftop have become a must-see on any route in Madrid.

We will pass through the Plaza Cibeles, with its famous fountain surrounded by palaces, to the Puerta de Alcalá. It is a triumphal arch that dates back to 1778 and was built to celebrate the arrival in Madrid of King Carlos III.

We will enter the Retiro Park through the Puerta de la Independencia. The Retiro Park is another of the most iconic spots in Madrid. It is almost 400 years old and two things stand out in particular: the monument to Alfonso XII in the Estanque Grande and the Palacio de Cristal, a beautiful metal and glass structure from 1887 that was originally going to be a greenhouse.

We will cross this urban park until the exit at the Puerta de Felipe IV and we will approach the Jerónimos Church. This was part of one of the most important monasteries in Madrid of which only the aforementioned church and a Renaissance cloister remain. Today it is one of the most spectacular in Madrid and one that houses more history.

From here we will pass by the building of the R.A.E. and we will finish at the Neptune Fountain from 1786. It is a neoclassical style fountain that occupies the center of the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo. A few meters away we will find the Plaza de las Cortes de Madrid where we will see the building of the Congress of Deputies with its lions at the door and the statue in homage to Miguel de Cervantes under which in 2009 a time capsule buried in 1834 was found.

Back on Paseo del Prado we will complete the day in the art triangle with the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum.

If the previous day we did not choose the Royal Palace, now will be the time to enter the Reina Sofía, the most visited museum in Spain. In the permanent collection of the museum, there is a core of works by great Spanish artists of the 20th century, especially Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, widely represented and with some of their best works.

After the experience, we will return to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 4. Madrid - Barcelona

Once we get up we will enjoy a splendid breakfast at the hotel and later we will check-out since today we will rest in Barcelona.

A long trip awaits us since it will take us a large part of the day and we will have to make several stops if we make the trip by car.

If we decide on the train or plane, that time will be reduced to less than half, being able to enjoy a few more hours at our destination.

In any case, once in Barcelona we will go to our assigned accommodation, check-in and pack our luggage. Depending on the time of arrival and the rest we need, we can still establish a first contact with the city before returning to the hotel to spend the night.

Day 5. Barcelona

As soon as we are ready and have finished breakfast in our accommodation, we will start our first day in Barcelona.

Our recommended route begins at Plaza de Catalunya, the most central point from where Barcelona's iconic Rambla starts. It is one of the most touristic areas and with the most atmosphere since here are some of the most emblematic places of the city such as the Gran Teatro Liceo, the Canaletas fountain, the Boqueria market or the Plaza Real.

Later we will head towards the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. It is an area that was within the city walls and still maintains its narrow streets and medieval buildings. The best thing to do is wander around as it is a district full of history, but we must first of all look at two buildings: the Barcelona Cathedral and Casa de l'Ardiaca.

We must also stop, already in the Barrio de la Ribera, at the Palau de la Música. It is a modernist building designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997.

If we continue along Calle Trafalgar we will arrive at the Arc de Triomf, which in its day was the main entrance to the Barcelona Universal Exposition of 1888. This walk will lead us directly to the Parque de la Ciudadela. Inaugurated in 1881 and named a historical-artistic monument in 1954, it houses several buildings such as museums, a Greenhouse or the Palace of the Catalan Parliament. Also a great collection of public art that makes it an open-air sculpture museum.

We will cross the park towards the Basilica of Santa María del Mar, one of the best examples of Catalan Gothic, well known for the book "The Cathedral of the Sea".

Then we will take the Paseo de Colón that will take us relaxed along the coast along the Mediterranean to the Statue of Columbus.

Our last destination finally requires the use of public transport since it is to climb to the top of Mount Montjuic, a highly recommended activity. It is possible to do it, for example, by funicular from the Paral·lel station a few meters from the statue of Columbus. In just two minutes we will be on Mount Montjuic where we can enjoy wonderful views of Barcelona.

Ready for a good rest, we will go back to our hotel to spend our first night in the city.

Day 6. Modernist Barcelona

Penultimate day of our circuit through the two main cities of Spain. Today after breakfast at the hotel we will advance in our goal of discovering the secrets of Barcelona.

Our first stop of the day will be Park Güell. It is a public park, although if we want to access the architectural areas, a ticket is necessary, designed by the Catalan genius Antoni Gaudí and inaugurated in 1926. In it, the architect displayed all his imaginative and naturalistic potential, which has made him worthy of be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Güell Palace and Casa Milà.

When we finish exploring the Park Güell we will continue towards the Sagrada Familia, before making a stop along the way at the Hospital Sant Pau. In this case, this set of buildings is the work of another Catalan architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Despite not being as famous as other modernist works in the city, it can certainly boast of being an unusual Hospital and one of the most beautiful we will ever see.

Connected to Hospital Sant Pau by Avenida Gaudí is the Sagrada Familia. If we could only see one thing in Barcelona it would be this temple. It began its history in 1882 and there are still several years left until the inauguration. It is the maximum exponent of its style and even though almost 140 years have passed since its project, it still has an exceptional and innovative design.

Then we will head to Paseo de Gracia, a large commercial avenue where we can see many interesting buildings such as La Pedrera or Casa Milá, Casa Mulleras or Casa Batló.

Our last tip of the day is to walk or if we prefer by public transport to the Plaza de España. It is the second largest square in Spain and was built for the International Exhibition of 1929. If we cross its two tall towers we will arrive at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, where at nightfall a great show is performed with music and light.

An epic farewell to our nights on the town.

7th Barcelona - Origin

We have breakfast and check - out at the hotel to leave it. If you chose to rent the car, it will be left in the indicated place.

We wish you a safe journey back and that you have enjoyed these days.

• In case of traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be the first accommodation.
• Check-in: Since 12:00 a.m., at your choice.

• It is advisable to always wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes in any type of experience and visit. Some of the routes are longer than others and it would be a good idea to plan departure times well in advance.
• Be careful on the road, the trip and visits are enjoyed more calmly and on time.
• There is a possibility of change this itinerary if you wish in case you come with your own car.

• 7 days / 6 nights in bed and breakfast basis 
• 3 nights in Santander
• 3 nights in Santillana del Mar
• Tickets to the Reina Sofía Museum / Tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid
• Tickets Park Güell
• Free Cancellation Insurance (up to 30 coverages)

The circuit includes one of these two activities to choose from: tickets to the Reina Sofía Museum or tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid

HOW TO FORMALISE YOUR RESERVATION

Our travel agency advised to book minimum 15 days in advance for a better management. It remains feasible to book this gateway although is made less than 15 days. However it is advisable to do it with more time in advance.

A deposit of 60€ will be required so as to formalise the reservation.

Once your reservation has been formalised, shortly after, our team will be in contact with you to specify all of the details. Once the reservation is finalised, we will send you all the information for your compliance.

Once all the services have been booked and confirmed, the client must make full payment minus the deposit paid in advance, 15 days before the beginning date. In case the reservation has been formalised less than 15 days before starting date, the client must paid in full the total amount

NO CANCELLATION FEE up to 7 days before beginning date. In this case, we will refund the total amount paid as deposit. Up to 7 days before the start date, there is no cancellation fee. In the unlikely event that it gets cancel, the deposit will get refund in full.

If you require any further information, please contact us via email info@getingalicia.com or mobile/whatsapp (+34) 639 935 925  

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