Spain + Portugal 10-Day Itinerary from India: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Porto (2026)
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer writes offbeat destination guides for Indian travellers — places that work in monsoon, shoulder-season picks, and the cities Indian first-time international travellers underrate. Based in Bangalore, perpetually mid-itinerary.) · Published · 15 min read
Spain + Portugal in 10 days from India — Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Lisbon, Porto. AVE/Alfa Pendular trains, Schengen visa via Spain, vegetarian food, budgets in rupees.
Why combine Spain + Portugal
Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula, a Schengen visa, and convenient direct flights from major Indian cities. They're culturally distinct enough to make a combo trip rewarding (Spain = bold, Portugal = melancholic) but logistically easy (1-hour flights between major cities, high-speed train connections). 10 days lets you do Barcelona + Madrid + Seville + Lisbon + Porto without rushing.
Total budget excluding international flights: ₹1,30,000–2,00,000 per person mid-range. International flights from India to Barcelona, returning from Lisbon: ₹55,000–95,000.
Day 1-3 — Barcelona
Day 1 arrival: Land at BCN, Aerobús to Plaza Catalunya (40 min, €6.50). Stay in Eixample (central, Modernist architecture) or Gothic Quarter / El Born (medieval old town). Recommended: H10 Casa Mimosa, Ohla Eixample, Hotel Casa Camper. Budget: €120–250/night (₹11,000–23,000). Evening walk on La Rambla + tapas crawl in El Born.
Day 2 Gaudí circuit: Sagrada Familia (€26, book online 4+ weeks ahead, allow 2 hours), Park Güell (€10 monumental zone, book 2+ weeks ahead, allow 2 hours), Casa Batlló + La Pedrera (Casa Milà) (€29 each, exterior alone is iconic).
Day 3 Gothic Quarter + Beach: walk Gothic Quarter alleys, Barcelona Cathedral, Picasso Museum (€14, book online), Mercat de la Boqueria for lunch. Afternoon at Barceloneta Beach + Olympic Port. Evening: dinner at El Xampanyet (cava bar) or Cervecería Catalana (best tapas in the city).
Day 4 — Barcelona → Madrid by AVE high-speed train
AVE train Barcelona → Madrid: 2hr 30min, €35–80 (book on renfe.com 60 days ahead for cheapest fares). Drops you at Madrid Atocha station, walk or taxi to hotel.
Stay in Centro / Gran Vía / Sol for first-timers — walking distance to everything. Recommended: VP Plaza España Design, Iberostar Las Letras Gran Vía, Hostal Central Palace Madrid (budget). Budget: €120–230/night.
Afternoon: Puerta del Sol + Plaza Mayor walk, lunch of cocido madrileño at Lhardy or churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés.
Evening: Mercado de San Miguel for tapas crawl, then catch a Flamenco show at Corral de la Morería (€55-95, dinner extra) or Cardamomo (more intimate, €45).
Day 5 — Madrid: Art triangle + Retiro
Morning: Museo del Prado (€15, free 6-8 PM weekdays — go then to skip queues) — Goya, Velázquez, Bosch. Allow 2-3 hours. Or Reina Sofía (€12, Picasso's Guernica) if you prefer modern art.
Late morning: walk through Parque del Retiro (free), Crystal Palace, rowboats on the lake (€10/hour).
Afternoon: Royal Palace (€14) + Almudena Cathedral. Optional: Bernabéu Stadium tour for Real Madrid fans (€35).
Evening: tapas + cañas (small beers) in La Latina neighbourhood — Casa Lucio for cocido, El Tigre for huge free tapas with every drink.
Day 6 — Madrid → Seville by AVE + Seville arrival
Morning AVE Madrid → Seville: 2hr 30min, €40–80. Arrive Seville noon.
Stay in Santa Cruz (medieval Jewish quarter, most atmospheric) or near Alameda de Hércules (younger vibe). Recommended: Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla, EME Catedral Mercer. Budget: €100–200/night.
Afternoon: Plaza de España — built for the 1929 Iberoamerican Expo, semicircular plaza with tiled benches representing each Spanish province. Iconic for photos.
Evening: dinner of pescaíto frito (fried fish) at El Rinconcillo (Spain's oldest tapas bar, est. 1670). After dinner, walk to Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol — the world's largest wooden structure) for night views.
Day 7 — Seville: Alcázar + Cathedral + Flamenco
Morning: Real Alcázar of Seville (€14.50, book online — sells out daily) — Game of Thrones' Dorne palace, Mudéjar architecture, gardens of orange trees. Allow 2.5 hours.
Mid-day: Seville Cathedral + Giralda (€12) — the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Climb the Giralda bell tower (no stairs, just ramps) for city views.
Afternoon: walk Santa Cruz alleys, Casa de Pilatos (€10) for less-crowded Andalusian palace.
Evening: authentic Flamenco at Casa de la Memoria (€18, intimate 50-seat venue, book ahead) or La Carbonería (free, in a working flamenco bar — drinks expected).
Day 8 — Seville → Lisbon by flight
Morning flight Seville (SVQ) → Lisbon (LIS) — 1hr 10min, €60–120 on TAP Air Portugal / Vueling / Ryanair. Alternative: night bus Seville→Lisbon (8 hours, €30, painful).
Stay in Alfama (oldest neighbourhood, narrow alleys, fado) or Baixa / Chiado (central, flat). Recommended: Memmo Alfama, Bairro Alto Hotel, Hotel da Baixa. Budget: €120–250/night.
Afternoon: ride the iconic Tram 28 through Alfama (€3 single, get a 24-hour pass €6.40 for unlimited rides). Get off at Largo das Portas do Sol for the Alfama viewpoint.
Evening: Fado show dinner in Alfama — Tasca do Chico, Sr. Vinho, or Clube de Fado. Portuguese melancholy music, set the right mood for Lisbon.
Day 9 — Lisbon: Belém + day-trip to Sintra option
Morning: Belém district by Tram 15. Visit Jerónimos Monastery (€12), Belém Tower (€8), Monument to the Discoveries, Padrão dos Descobrimentos elevator. Eat pastéis de Belém at the original 1837 bakery (€1.20 each — get 4-6).
Afternoon option A: Sintra day-trip (40 min train from Rossio, €4.60 round-trip) — Pena Palace (€14, colorful fairy-tale palace), Quinta da Regaleira (€10, mystical garden with initiation well), Cabo da Roca (continental Europe's westernmost point). Rushed but doable.
Afternoon option B: stay in Lisbon, do Castle of São Jorge (€15, sweeping views), Time Out Market for dinner (food hall with 26 stalls — try every Portuguese dish in one place).
Day 10 — Lisbon → Porto OR direct departure
Option A (recommended if departing Porto): morning Alfa Pendular train Lisbon→Porto (2hr 45min, €25–45). Half-day Porto: Ribeira riverside, Dom Luís I Bridge, Livraria Lello bookshop (€8, Harry Potter inspiration), Port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellars (€15-25 for 3 tastings + cellar tour at Sandeman, Cálem, Taylor's). Fly home from Porto (OPO).
Option B: leave Porto for next trip. Spend last day in Lisbon — pack, last pastéis de nata, fly out from Lisbon (LIS).
Budget breakdown (per person, mid-range)
- International flights (DEL/BOM → BCN, OPO/LIS → home): ₹75,000
- Internal flights (SVQ → LIS): ₹6,500
- AVE/Alfa Pendular trains (BCN→MAD, MAD→SVQ, LIS→OPO): ₹14,000
- Hotels (9 nights, €160 avg, ₹15,000): ₹1,35,000
- Local transport (metros, trams, airport transfers): ₹6,000
- Food (€40–60/day, ₹3,800–5,700): ₹50,000
- Sightseeing tickets + tours: ₹20,000
- Flamenco + Fado shows: ₹6,000
- Total per person: ₹3,12,500
Frequently asked questions
Do I need separate visas for Spain and Portugal?
No — both are full Schengen members, one Schengen visa covers both. Apply via VFS Spain or VFS Portugal depending on your main destination. For a balanced trip, Spain via France or Spain via Spain works equally well.
Should I do AVE train or fly between Barcelona-Madrid?
Train every time. AVE Barcelona-Madrid is 2hr 30min city-centre-to-city-centre, vs flying ~1hr + 2hr airport hassle = same total time, but train is cheaper, more comfortable, and more punctual. Book on renfe.com 60 days ahead for €35-50 fares.
Best time to visit Spain and Portugal from India?
April-June and September-October are ideal — warm but not hot, low rainfall, Schengen visa appointments easier. July-August is peak heat (Madrid and Seville hit 40°C+) and packed with European tourists. November-March is cool but pleasant and significantly cheaper.
Can vegetarians eat well in Spain and Portugal?
Spain is moderately challenging (tapas are heavy on jamón, seafood, and meat) but vegetarian-only places like Loving Hut and Casa Vegetariana exist in every major city. Portugal is easier — Lisbon and Porto have multiple vegan/veg restaurants. Tortilla española, gazpacho, padrón peppers, paella vegetal, manchego cheese, croquetas de espinacas are reliable Spanish veg options.
Is 10 days enough for Spain + Portugal?
Yes for the highlights — both major Spanish cities + Andalusia + Lisbon + Porto. If you want to add Granada (Alhambra) or do a deeper Portugal stay (Algarve beaches), extend to 14 days.
Is Barcelona safer for Indians than people say?
Generally yes — Barcelona has had a pickpocket reputation for years but violent crime against tourists is rare. Stick to busy areas, keep your phone in front pocket, don't display expensive cameras or jewellery. The Gothic Quarter and La Rambla are pickpocket hotspots — be especially alert there.