Firsthand Advisor Review

Sweet Spanish Dreams: Barcelona & Madrid

Published on March 26, 2025 • By Karen Lee Elder, Luxury Cruise & European Travel Specialist

Route: Barcelona – Madrid – Barcelona

Duration: 6 Nights

Rail: Renfe AVE (290+ km/h)

Featured Hotels: Hotel Claris & Hotel Fénix

Tapas, good wine, and fast trains—Spain has spoiled me. Spending six nights divided between Barcelona and Madrid, connected by the whisper-quiet speed of Spain's AVE bullet train, delivered an unforgettable masterclass in European culture, Gaudí masterworks, royal history, and indulgent culinary immersion.

Arrival in Barcelona: Signature Preferred Hotel Claris & SPA

I arrived in Barcelona on a Saturday early evening. Clear multilingual airport signage made navigating passport control and reaching the official taxi queue effortless. Approximately 40 Euros and under an hour later, I was pulling up to my first retreat: the five-star Signature Preferred Hotel Claris and SPA.

My Junior Suite was gorgeous. What sets Hotel Claris apart is its remarkable museum-quality character: each of its 124 rooms and suites is uniquely decorated and showcases authentic pre-Columbian art, Roman mosaics, and ancient carvings from the private collection of the hotel's owner, Jordi Clos. Situated in the elegant Eixample district just steps from Passeig de Gràcia and a pleasant 20-minute stroll from Sagrada Família, it offered the perfect sophisticated home base in Catalonia.

Gaudí's Barcelona: Park Güell & The Passion Tower

Following a restful night and a leisurely breakfast buffet, I set out to explore Antoni Gaudí's architectural wonders. I had pre-booked an afternoon guided tour of Sagrada Família and attempted a morning visit to Park Güell. I had not pre-purchased tickets because my schedule was flexible, and I walked assuming it was closer than it actually was. (Advisor note to self and clients: take a taxi to Park Güell, as the uphill climb through Carmel Hill is substantial, and always secure timed-entry passes in advance!)

After a quick lunch, I met my group for our guided exploration of Basílica de la Sagrada Família. Scheduled for structural completion in 2026, photographs simply cannot convey the ethereal magnificence of the interior nave. Colossal fluted columns branch like ancient stone trees into the ceiling, illuminated by fiery oranges, reds, deep blues, and greens streaming through stained glass windows.

Our tour concluded with an ascent of the Passion Tower. After stowing larger daypacks in security lockers, a high-speed elevator whisks you 295 feet above the city streets. While space atop the catwalk is narrow, the panoramic views across Barcelona to the Mediterranean are breathtaking. The descent requires walking down 504 narrow circular stone steps without an inner handrail—a thrilling architectural experience I am glad I accomplished, though once in a lifetime is certainly enough!

Fast Rail to Madrid: Signature Preferred Hotel Fénix

The next morning, after leaving my larger luggage in the care of the hotel, I boarded Spain's high-speed Renfe AVE train at Barcelona Sants station. The bullet train covered more than 600 kilometers (approximately 388 miles) to Madrid Atocha in just 2 hours and 45 minutes! Station security screening was swift and orderly, requiring arrival just 40 minutes before departure. Watching the Spanish countryside sweep past at 290+ km/h while relaxing with a book was sheer luxury.

Madrid welcomed me with golden sunlight. A short taxi ride from Atocha station brought me to my second Signature Preferred haven: Gran Meliá Hotel Fénix, situated just off Plaza de Colón in the fashionable Salamanca district. My Premium Room offered splendid views across the square, accompanied by classic neoclassical decor and plush bedding. The hotel boasts a jaw-dropping stained-glass dome rotunda in the lobby, sits two blocks from the National Archaeological Museum, and is a pleasant 20-minute walk from the Prado. Furthermore, the hotel offers a complimentary city shuttle service on a first-come, first-served basis.

Day Excursion: Royal Monastery of El Escorial

The following morning, I embarked on a countryside excursion to the Guadarrama mountains to tour San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the colossal Renaissance palace, monastery, and royal pantheon built by King Philip II in the 16th century.

The grandeur of El Escorial is awe-inspiring. Standing in the Courtyard of the Kings (Patio de los Reyes) beneath the granite towers of the Basilica, one feels the sheer weight of the Spanish Empire. My favorite room by far was the Royal Library (Real Biblioteca)—a monumental barrel-vaulted hall adorned with vibrant ceiling frescoes by Italian Renaissance master Pellegrino Tibaldi representing the liberal arts, lined with carved fluted bookcases holding priceless manuscripts.

Our excursion continued to the nearby Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos), an immense underground basilica carved deep into granite rock beneath a 500-foot stone cross, honoring those who perished during the Spanish Civil War. The sweeping mountain panorama from the basilica esplanade looking across the pine valley was tranquil and deeply moving.

Madrid Culinary Immersion: Mercado de San Miguel & Tapas

Returning to Madrid in the late afternoon, I joined an evening walking food tour led by Aafke, a wonderful private guide originally from the Netherlands who has lived in Spain for 35 years. Because I happened to be the sole guest on the tour, she personalized every stop directly to my palate.

We began near the Palacio Real before heading to the historic cast-iron Mercado de San Miguel. We sampled chilled Spanish Vermut paired with briny Campo Real olives. As we wandered through historic alleyways, our tasting menu unfolded:

• Boquerones en Vinagre: Marinated white anchovies served with olive oil and fresh garlic.
• Tinto de Verano: Refreshing red wine blended with sparkling lemon soda—the quintessential Madrid warmer-weather sip.
• Tortilla de Patatas: Warm, creamy Spanish potato omelet cooked to golden perfection.
• Croquetas Caseras: Crisp fried croquettes filled with rich Ibérico ham and silky béchamel.
• Torrijas: Traditional caramelized Spanish brioche soaked in milk, cinnamon, and honey for dessert.

Because every stop was served in small tapas portions, punctuated by walking through historic plazas, it was the perfect introduction to Madrid's legendary dining culture without feeling weighed down.

My final full day was dedicated to world-class art and archaeology. The morning was spent at the Museo del Prado admiring masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. In the afternoon, I visited the Museo Arqueológico Nacional (MAN), marveling at the Lady of Elche and prehistoric Iberian antiquities in a tranquil, unhurried setting.

Full Circle: Rooftop Cava at Hotel Claris

The next afternoon, I said a fond farewell to Madrid and boarded the high-speed train back to Barcelona. Returning to Hotel Claris felt like coming home; the gracious staff greeted me warmly with a chilled flute of local Catalan Cava. That evening, I enjoyed a farewell dinner at La Terraza on the hotel's rooftop level under the Mediterranean stars.

This journey through Spain was pure magic. Between the architectural wonders of Gaudí, the royal halls of El Escorial, world-class art collections, and leisurely tapas dinners, I will be dreaming of Spanish siestas for a very long time to come.

6-Night Barcelona & Madrid Itinerary Overview

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