Barcelona and Madrid

8 days

Barcelona, Madrid

Experience the best of Spain in two beloved cities known for their art, history, and cuisine. Start your journey in Barcelona, where seaside charm meets big city energy and Gaudí’s iconic architecture is abundant. Continue enjoying Spain’s artistic side in the capital city of Madrid with a visit to the famed Prado Museum and savor Spanish flavors at a hands-on cooking class.

Customize your experience
Two of the days in your itinerary are fully customizable! On those days, you can opt to enjoy unscheduled independent exploration or customize the experience by adding activities and excursions aligned with your academic discipline.

If you decide to customize one or both days, our experts will handle the logistics to help bring your vision to life.

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Barcelona and Madrid tour

Day 1: Fly overnight to Spain

Day 2: Barcelona

Meet your Field Director at the airport

With your Field Director, take walking tour of Las Ramblas, a pedestrian mall where you’ll find endless entertainment, restaurants, markets, monuments and shopping

Enjoy dinner in Barcelona

Day 3: Barcelona

Take a guided tour of Barcelona

With your expert local guide you will see:

La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s masterpiece cathedral that is over 130 years in the making
Gothic Quarter, a memory of the Roman Empire, now lined with shops and restaurants
Barcelona Cathedral, a Gothic Revival church known for its gargoyles and other mythical animals

Visit Park Güell, a vast public park designed by Antoni Gaudí that features colorful mosaics and remarkable architecture

Visit La Sagrada Família, a massive cathedral that was started in 1883 and remains unfinished

Day 4: Barcelona: Customize your day

Spend the day exploring Barcelona on your own, or customize your day with an EF-arranged experience of your choosing:

Industry Engagement Activity: Dive into your academic discipline alongside industry experts
Cultural Activity: Experience local culture on a deeper level through an immersive activity
Out of City Excursion: Embark on a half-day or full-day excursion outside the city center

Day 5: Barcelona • Madrid

Travel by AVE train to Madrid

With your Field Director, take a walking tour of Madrid, Spain’s capital and largest city

Visit the Prado, Madrid's famed art museum where you can behold Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s paired canvases

Day 6: Madrid

Take a guided tour of Madrid

With your expert local guide you will see:

Puerta del Sol, one of the city’s busiest squares
Plaza Mayor, the center of old Madrid where you’ll learn about the grand square’s history of bullfights, royal weddings, and public executions
Plaza de Oriente, the Royal Palace square, located across from the Royal Palace

Visit the Royal Palace and get a glimpse of regal Madrid, where you’ll wander the fabulous palace interior

Enjoy a Spanish cooking class followed by dinner

Day 7: Madrid: Customize your day

Spend the day exploring Madrid on your own, or customize your day with an EF-arranged experience of your choosing:

Industry Engagement Activity: Dive into your academic discipline alongside industry experts
Cultural Activity: Experience local culture on a deeper level through an immersive activity
Out of City Excursion: Embark on a half-day or full-day excursion outside the city center

Enjoy dinner in Madrid

Day 8: Depart for home