The Must See Spain Blog
 A Traveler's Guide
by Kristin Espinar

ou’ve got seven days, a Spain-shaped itch, and maybe a sense that a well-timed glass of sherry could change your life. You’re not looking to “do Europe.” You’re here for something slower. Truer. Southern Spain has a way of folding you into its rhythm—if you let it. And this itinerary? It doesn’t rush.

This southern Spain itinerary for 7 days is built like a good playlist. Big hits, deep cuts, and plenty of space between tracks. You’ll cover Seville, Córdoba, Granada, and Málaga—each with its own vibe, tempo, and unexpected edge. No bus tours. No burnout. Just cities with soul, and a plan that makes sense on the ground.

Madrid doesn’t exactly have a reputation for slowing down. This is a city that hums with flamenco steps, late-night tapas, and a calendar that never seems to sleep. Yet tucked away among its lively boulevards, I recently discovered a quieter rhythm—one that involved a basin of smooth stones, a cloud of chosen scent, and a pair of remarkably skilled hands.

Yes, I’m talking about a head spa in Madrid—a concept born in Japan, brought gently westward, and perfectly suited to counterbalance Madrid’s relentless pace. What began as a simple curiosity turned into one of the most restorative treatments I’ve experienced in Spain. And here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about my scalp or hair. It was about touch, scent, silence, and time, woven into a ritual that felt far removed from the usual massage-meets-facial formula.

You land in Barcelona with a suitcase full of excitement and, well, an actual suitcase. But lugging it through the Gothic Quarter? Not exactly the dream. So, the big question: where to store luggage in Barcelona without breaking your stride?

Stepping off the train in Madrid, the city greets you with hot air (in the summer), the chatter of locals sipping café con leche, and the distant clinking of cañas and tapas plates. You’ve just got 24 hours in Madrid, and it already feels like either the best idea or the biggest mistake of your life. But as any seasoned traveler will tell you: when it comes to Madrid, sweating through your shirt under the Spanish sun is just part of the charm. Let’s dive in — tapas in hand.

In a city crowded with charming boutique stays and offbeat luxury digs, the Caro Hotel manages to elbow its way into your memory without saying a word. It doesn’t woo you with gimmicks or whisper-sweet aesthetics. Instead, it builds its case with 2,000 years of history, clever design, and a quiet kind of confidence that makes most hotels in Valencia feel like they’re trying too hard.

When you stay here, you’re not just close to Valencia’s core—you’re practically sleeping inside of it. There’s a Roman mosaic underfoot, a Moorish wall at dinner, and centuries of aristocratic dust now polished into deliberate design choices. This is a place that sees your Pinterest board and says, “Nice try.”