What this tool does
Trip planning involves a balance: more cities means variety but more transit time. More days in one city means depth but less variety. The math: each city "costs" 0.5–1 day of transit, and each day in a city gives diminishing returns (you've seen the main sights by day 3; the rest is exploration).
This calculator outputs the optimal trip length and split for your preferences.
The four findings
- 5 days is the sweet spot for first-timers: Enough to do Madrid + day trips (Toledo, Segovia, Ávila).
- 7 days allows Madrid + Sevilla OR Madrid + Barcelona: Most popular 7-day structure.
- 10–14 days is the "real Spain" trip: 3 cities, depth, day trips, possibly a coast add-on.
- 21 days is the "slow traveller" trip: 4–6 cities, regional flavour, much cheaper (more day trips, less transit).
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Madrid?
Yes — main sights (Prado, Reina Sofía, old town, Retiro) plus 1 day trip (Toledo or Segovia) fit in 3 days. Tight but doable.
Is 7 days enough for Barcelona + Madrid + Sevilla?
No — that's 3 cities in 7 days = 1 day lost to each transfer + 1–2 days per city = too tight. Pick 2 cities for 7 days.
Should I add Portugal?
Lisbon (2–3 days) adds well to Madrid (2.5h flight or 10h drive). Porto is more complex to combine. For a Spain-only trip, Portugal adds 2–3 days minimum.
Limitations
Utility math assumes you're a typical first-time visitor. Slow travellers, repeat visitors, or special-interest trips (Camino, food tour) have different optimal patterns.