Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid 12-day Itinerary

Upon your arrival in the romantic city of Paris, you will be greeted with a seamless transfer to your hotel in one of our vehicles, where your professional driver will ensure your comfort and convenience throughout the journey.

You will have the rest of the day free to explore the city of Light.

Paris holds a significant place in the history of France and all of Europe. With over two million inhabitants, the capital is one of the most populous cities on the old continent and among the most visited destinations globally, thanks to its countless attractions.

One of them is the great architectural development of the 19th century, which left jewels such as the Madeleine Market, the Grandes Halles, and the Eiffel Tower, the city's icon par excellence.

Paris is also known by many names, one of them being La Ville Lumière (The City of Light) due not only to its fame as a flagship city of arts and sciences, but also for the early illumination of its streets.

Although the VII arrondissement, where the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées are located, is the most frequented area, full of luxury venues, monuments such as the Bourbon Palace, or museums such as the Orsay, there is much more to discover. The history, culture, and gastronomy of Paris are prevalent throughout the city.

Greca Tip: The city has a building code that prohibits buildings taller than the Eiffel Tower. This aims to preserve the iconic appearance of the Paris skyline, maintaining the tower as one of the tallest and most recognizable structures.

After a wonderful breakfast, you will have the day free to explore the city.

Paris is a blow to the aesthetic senses, when you stand in front of the Louvre for example or the Arc de Triomphe, you wonder where they got the courage and inspiration to build such monuments.

The famous Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur are expressions of enormous ego but also of laudable generosity. They didn't make things simple, they put a lot of effort into it, proving that viewers deserve the best. Once again, Henry James's phrase is proven: "Paris is the greatest temple ever built for material pleasures and visual sensuality."

It is worth taking a walk through the Tuileries: elegant squares, gardens, and galleries that give this area of ​​Paris its special character.

This area of ​​Paris has the Louvre Museum as its main property. Residence of the French kings for four centuries, and today it is a museum with one of the most wonderful art collections in the world. Completely visiting this museum can take two days, it is recommended to make a selection of the rooms to visit since otherwise you will lose track of time inside it.

Don't miss: The Mona Lisa, The Victory of Samothrace, Delacroix's paintings about the French Revolution the Greek sculpture room, and the Egyptian sector. Then, in front of the museum, the Palais Royal, which during the 17th century was the setting for debauchery and gambling meetings. Today its garden is a refuge from the city, lined with restaurants and art galleries.

Greca Tip: In step 1 of the reservation, you can add tickets to visit the most iconic attractions in the city.

After the tasty breakfast, you will have free time to visit more neighborhoods in Paris.

You can start with a walk through the Latin Quarter, then continue towards the famous Eiffel Tower to finish on the Champs Elysées.

The origins of Paris are found in Ile de la Cite, on this island in the middle of the Seine. It is home to the famous Notre Dame, a superb example of medieval French architecture, whose construction began in 1163 and ended in 1330. Admission to the church is free, you only have to pay one fee if you want to climb its towers.

At the opposite end of the island there is another Gothic masterpiece: the Sainte Chapelle, a "miracle" of natural lighting, its entrance is through the Palace of Justice. During the summer, concerts are offered inside the chapel. Also on the island is the "Conciergerie", which was the antechamber of the guillotine, a prison widely used during the Revolution.

Crossing the St. Michel Bridge you will immerse yourself directly in the Latin quarter, which is associated with intellectual artists, the Bohemian lifestyle, and students since the Sorbonne is located there.

Boulevard St Michel, the main avenue of this neighborhood, is home to cafés, book stores and nightclubs. A few meters from this place is the St Severin church, which took centuries to be built and is an example of the flamboyant Gothic style. Continuing along Blv St Michel, you will see the famous Luxembourg Garden and later the Pantheon.

The famous Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel. Its height is 317 meters, and it has 3 floors that can be visited. You can visit the tower between 09:00 AM and 11:00 PM. In the surrounding area, there are several museums such as the Rodin Museum, and the Liberation Order Museum.

You can end the day visiting the Champs Elysees neighborhood, crowned by its famous Triumphal Arch. Considered one of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe was built by order of Napoleon Bonaparte to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Austerlitz and was inaugurated 30 years later, on July 29, 1836.

Greca Tip: Visit local markets like the Marché Bastille to try authentic French food. You can enjoy crêpes, cheeses, sausages, and other delicious local products.

After enjoying our breakfast, we will transfer to the famous Paris Lyon Station to board our high-speed train heading to Barcelona.

During the journey south, we will traverse the Burgundy region, renowned for its extensive vineyards and picturesque rural landscapes. One of the highlights of the trip is crossing the majestic Pyrenees Mountains, which form the natural border between France and Spain, just before entering Catalonia.

Upon our arrival in Barcelona, we will have free time to take an initial stroll through the city or relax at our hotel.

Greca Tip: Let's not forget to try the Catalan cream; this dessert is similar to crème brûlée and is a delicious way to conclude a meal. It features a crispy layer of caramelized sugar over a smooth vanilla cream.

After a delicious breakfast, you can visit the city aboard the double-decker tourist bus (including an audio guide).

The tourist bus offers two different routes to explore and see everything that Barcelona has to offer. With the freedom to hop on and off at any stop, we can explore this bustling and cosmopolitan city at our own pace.

Red Route
You'll tour many of the city center's tourist spots. You'll start in the heart of Barcelona at Plaza de Cataluña, a lively square and the meeting point between the old and new parts of the city. From here, you'll continue along Paseo de Gracia. This elegant boulevard is filled with luxurious boutiques, stunning architecture, and gastronomic establishments.

You'll then pass through some of the most important sites of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics at Montjuïc. This picturesque tree-covered hill is one of the city's most famous landmarks. At the top, you'll find fantastic views, the spectacular Montjuïc Castle, and the National Art Museum of Catalonia, known for housing the world's best collection of Romanesque art.

The tour continues through the Medieval Gothic Quarter, the Plaça de Rei, where, according to legend, Columbus met with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella upon his return from the New World.

Blue Route
You'll explore the northern part of the city, where we'll find Antoni Gaudí's most famous works. One can't speak of Barcelona without mentioning the incomparable Sagrada Familia. The blue route continues through Park Güell, where you can admire Gaudí's recognizable and inimitable architectural style, full of color, twists, and curves.

Greca Tip: You can add the tickets to visit the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia to step 1 of the reservation process.

After a delicious breakfast, you will have the day free to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, is a city known for its impressive architecture, lively culture, and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. It is home to iconic places like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí.

The city offers a rich blend of Gothic and modernist architecture, bustling markets, and a thriving culinary scene. Barcelona is also famous for its football team, FC Barcelona, and the energetic atmosphere at Camp Nou stadium.

With its mild climate and outdoor cafés, Barcelona invites you to explore its charming streets, enjoy its vibrant nightlife, and indulge in delicious tapas.

We can also choose to take a tour to the outskirts, such as a visit to the Montserrat Sanctuary.

Greca Tip: Visit Parc de la Ciutadella, a beautiful park with lakes, gardens, and the famous Arc de Triomf.

After a tasty breakfast, we will depart towards Madrid, the capital of Spain.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day will be free to start enjoying this destination. Madrid is one of the most important cities in Europe, offering endless cultural, gastronomic, and leisure options for all tastes.

Walking through this city means coming across emblematic places such as its impressive Royal Palace, its Plaza Mayor with more than 400 years of history, its lively Puerta del Sol, its well-known Gran Vía street full of shops, or the four tallest towers in all of Spain.

Each of its neighborhoods offers a different experience: La Latina is ideal for tapas, Las Letras is the perfect mix between literature and gastronomy; each corner is unique and worth discovering.

Greca Tip: Be sure to taste the most famous "tapas" and "pinchos" in the area such as tortillas, Iberian ham, or fresh seafood.

After savoring a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to Madrid-Barajas International Airport at the designated time to catch your international flight.

On behalf of everyone at Greca, we extend our warm wishes for a safe journey and hope to welcome you back soon to create more unforgettable memories together.

Wishing you a pleasant trip! Or, as the locals say: "¡Buen viaje!".

Greca Tip: If you feel your time in Madrid was too short, you can easily add extra nights when making your booking.