Self-Launched Madrid, Andalucia & Barcelona: 7-Day Independent Adventure
7 days · Spain (Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza)
VPT Tours charges £1,110
No-markup version: ~£610 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of VPT Tours' 7-day Madrid–Andalucia–Barcelona coach tour, covering Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona and Zaragoza. Instead of a guided coach group, you'll travel by Spain's excellent AVE high-speed trains and regional buses, staying in hostels and budget guesthouses, and booking the must-see sights (Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, the Alhambra, Gaudi's Barcelona) directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Same headline destinations and experiences at a fraction of the packaged price — with complete flexibility to linger or move on.
Day-by-day
Madrid to Cordoba to Seville
Cordoba & Seville
Take an early AVE high-speed train from Madrid Atocha to Cordoba (~1h 45m, book ahead on Renfe from ~£25-40). Drop bags at the station lockers, then explore the UNESCO-listed Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita) — book a timed ticket directly at mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es or via GetYourGuide (~£13). Wander the whitewashed Jewish Quarter (Judería) and the Roman Bridge, then take an afternoon AVE or regional train to Seville (~45m, ~£10-18). Check into your hostel in the historic centre, and in the evening join a free walking tour or explore the tapas bars of Triana.
🚌AVE train Madrid Atocha → Cordoba (~£25-40), then Cordoba → Seville (~£10-18). Book on Renfe or Trainline in advance for cheapest fares.
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Seville historic centre (e.g. Oasis Backpackers Palace, ~£22/night dorm or ~£45 double)
- →Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (timed entry)
- →Cordoba Jewish Quarter (Judería)
- →Roman Bridge
- →Evening tapas crawl in Triana
Seville: Cathedrals, Parks and Palaces
Seville
Spend a full day exploring Seville on foot. Start at María Luisa Park and the grand Plaza de España (free), then walk to the Seville Cathedral and Giralda tower — climb the Giralda ramp for rooftop views (ticket ~£10, book directly). Explore the maze-like Santa Cruz neighbourhood, then head along the river past the Gold Tower. Optional add-ons: a Guadalquivir river cruise (~£15), the Maestranza bullring tour (~£10), or an authentic flamenco show in a small tablao (book via GetYourGuide, ~£20-25).
🚌All on foot — Seville's old town is compact and walkable
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Seville historic centre
- →María Luisa Park
- →Plaza de España
- →Seville Cathedral & Giralda
- →Santa Cruz neighbourhood walk
- →Gold Tower
- →Optional: flamenco show / river cruise
Seville to Granada: The Alhambra
Granada
Take a morning train or ALSA bus from Seville to Granada (~2h 45m by bus, ~£12-18; trains are slower and less direct). Check into your hostel in the Albaicín or Realejo area and grab lunch. The Alhambra is the highlight — book the Nasrid Palaces ticket well in advance (they sell out weeks ahead) directly at alhambra-patronato.es or via GetYourGuide (~£16-20 including Generalife gardens). Note: the standard tour only included Generalife, but independently you can secure the full Nasrid Palaces entry. In the evening, wander the Albaicín's cobbled lanes and watch the sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás.
🚌ALSA or FlixBus Seville → Granada (~£12-18, ~2h 45m)
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Granada (Albaicín or city centre), ~£20-30/night
- →Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces (pre-booked entry)
- →Generalife gardens
- →Albaicín neighbourhood
- →Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás
Granada to Valencia
Granada & Valencia
A travel-heavy day. Take a morning bus or combination of train and bus from Granada to Valencia (there's no direct high-speed rail; the reliable route is an ALSA bus, ~6-7h, ~£25-35, or train via Madrid which is faster but pricier). Arrive in Valencia in the late afternoon, check into a hostel near the old town, and stretch your legs with an evening stroll through the Plaza de la Virgen and the Turia Gardens, followed by a traditional dinner of paella valenciana.
🚌ALSA bus Granada → Valencia (~£25-35, ~6-7h); alternatively train via Madrid (longer, pricier)
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Valencia old town, ~£22-32/night
- →Plaza de la Virgen
- →Turia Gardens walk
- →Paella dinner in Valencia
Valencia to Barcelona
Valencia & Barcelona
Spend the morning exploring Valencia's Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (futuristic architecture, free to walk the grounds; museums ~£8-12 each) or the buzzing Mercado Central for breakfast. Then take an afternoon Euromed or AVE train from Valencia to Barcelona (~3h, book on Renfe from ~£25-40). Arrive in Barcelona, check into your hostel in the Eixample or Gothic Quarter, and enjoy a relaxed evening exploring La Rambla and the Boqueria market.
🚌Renfe Euromed/AVE train Valencia → Barcelona (~£25-40, ~3h)
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Barcelona (Eixample or Gothic Quarter), ~£28-40/night
- →Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- →Mercado Central Valencia
- →La Rambla & Boqueria market
Barcelona: Gaudi, Gothic Quarter and Montjuïc
Barcelona
A full day in Barcelona. Start on Montjuïc — ride the cable car or funicular, visit the Olympic Ring and the Columbus Monument by the port. Walk the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) with its Roman walls and cathedral, and consider a free walking tour (tips-based). In the afternoon, visit Gaudi's Sagrada Família (book timed tickets ahead via GetYourGuide or sagradafamilia.org, ~£25) or Park Güell (~£10). In the evening, join a night tour of the illuminated fountains at Montjuïc or the Magic Fountain show (free, check seasonal schedule).
🚌Barcelona Metro (T-casual 10-ride card ~£10)
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Barcelona
- →Montjuïc Park & cable car
- →Olympic Ring
- →Columbus Monument
- →Gothic Quarter walk
- →Sagrada Família (pre-booked)
- →Magic Fountain night show
Barcelona to Zaragoza to Madrid
Zaragoza & Madrid
Take a morning AVE train from Barcelona to Zaragoza (~1h 30m, ~£25-35). Spend a few hours exploring the Basílica del Pilar, the Roman ruins and the Aljafería Palace (a Moorish gem, ~£5) — Zaragoza is a perfect half-day stopover. In the late afternoon, continue on the AVE from Zaragoza to Madrid (~1h 20m, ~£25-40), arriving back in the capital in the evening. Trip ends in Madrid.
🚌AVE train Barcelona → Zaragoza (~£25-35), then Zaragoza → Madrid (~£25-40). Book both legs in advance on Renfe for best prices.
🛏N/A (trip ends in Madrid — book an extra night if needed, ~£30)
- →Basílica del Pilar
- →Zaragoza Roman ruins
- →Aljafería Palace
Self-launched vs. VPT Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | VPT Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£610 | £1,110 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £500 per person (45%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more VPT Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£610
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Madrid, Andalucia & Barcelona: 7-Day Independent Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £610 per person for 7 days in Spain (Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with VPT Tours?+
Yes — VPT Tours charges around £1,110 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £610 — a saving of roughly £500 (45%) per person.
How long is the Spain (Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza) trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Spain (Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, budget trip through Spain (Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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