What you’ll do

9 days in Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid
Optional 2 day extension

OVERVIEW
Experience the vibrant pulse of Spain through two distinctly different cities. In Barcelona, students stroll the winding lanes of the Gothic Quarter and stand beneath Gaudí’s colorful creations. Then in Madrid, royal plazas and world-class museums reveal the country’s deep artistic and political heritage. Along the way, flamenco lessons, local markets, and community connections bring Spanish language and culture to life, building students’ confidence and curiosity as they uncover how creativity and tradition shape each city’s unique identity.




What you’ll do
Day 1: Fly overnight to Spain
Board your international flight to Barcelona
Day 2: Barcelona
Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport
Take a walking tour of Las Ramblas
Day 3: Barcelona
Take a guided tour of Barcelona. With your expert local guide you will:
Visit Park Güell with an expert local guide
See La Pedrera or Casa Batlló
Snap photos of the twisting spires of La Sagrada Família
Enjoy time to explore independently, making your own discoveries as you connect with local culture. Or groups can add this activity:

Barcelona by bike
Feel the warm Mediterranean breeze as you explore Barcelona on a guided bicycle tour. This bicycle-friendly city has more than 75 miles of cycling lanes providing a safe, fun, and fast way to gain a deeper understanding of Barcelona’s richly diverse streets and neighborhoods. Stop along the way to learn historical details about the city’s famous sites before pedaling on to your next destination.
Day 4: Barcelona
Enjoy a walking tour of Barcelona. With your expert local guide, you will:
See Gothic Quarter
See Barcelona Cathedral
Compete in a "City Challenge" scavenger hunt
Enjoy time to explore independently, making your own discoveries as you connect with local culture. Or groups can add this activity:

Montserrat
Journey northwest of Barcelona on a half-day excursion to Montserrat, a beautiful mountain range in Catalonia known for its distinctive rock formations. You'll see the Montserrat Monastery, founded in the 11th century, and learn about its role in Catalonia's history.
Day 5: Barcelona • Zaragoza • Madrid
Travel to Zaragoza
Visit Basílica del Pilar
Travel to Madrid
Day 6: Madrid
Take a tour of Madrid with an expert local guide
Visit the Royal Palace
Take a flamenco dance lesson
See a flamenco show
Day 7: Madrid
Visit the Prado Museum
Take a walking tour of Madrid. With your Tour Director, you will see:
Puerta del Sol
Plaza Mayor
Mercado de San Miguel
Enjoy time to explore independently, making your own discoveries as you connect with local culture. Or groups can add this activity:

Toledo
This guided half-day excursion takes you to Toledo, the “city of the three cultures.” Explore its diverse artistic and cultural legacy on a panoramic drive around the city, stopping at the iconic cathedral and the famed Church of Santo Tomé. Note: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Day 8: Depart for home
Board your flight home from Madrid
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Frequently asked questions
We’ll connect you with your personal Tour Consultant—someone who works with other teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF tours. They’ll walk you through this itinerary (along with other tours in our portfolio that match your curriculum or catch your eye), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.
Once you decide to lead a tour, your Tour Consultant will help you get school administrators on board, students excited, and families ready to enroll. You’ll host an informational meeting to kick off the enrollment period, and we’ll provide everything you need—from a digital presentation to printed handouts, parent resources, and more.
You’ll have a dedicated Tour Director who will guide your group from the moment you land in your first destination until your final goodbye. They:
Take all the same transportation and stay in the same hotels as your group
Speak the local language (but lead the tour in English!)
Support you 24/7 as your right hand
Offer deep cultural context to help students feel connected to their destination
Handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to
Are the secret ingredient that makes your tour truly shine
Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone of your choosing. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s four free chaperone spots in addition to yours.
All travelers on international EF tours must have a valid passport. When it comes to documentation, every traveler and destination is different, so once your group starts enrolling, we’ll help direct you and your families to relevant resources.
Passports should have at least three blank pages and be valid for at least six months after your return date.
EF has set the standard for travel-based learning for over 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons you’re already exploring in your classroom, but they also help build more empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.
Our educational philosophy, the EF Method, is built into every itinerary, so your students are immersed in a continuous journey of engaging, hands-on learning in real-world situations from the moment they step off the plane.
Yes! Plan to explore each destination primarily on foot, so be sure to pack your comfiest sneakers. You’ll have time to rest on the bus while traveling between cities and activities. If any travelers need accommodations, just let your EF Travel Team know in advance.
Every hotel your group stays in is required to meet EF’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and cleanliness. (We have an entire team dedicated to ensuring that!) However, it’s important to remember that international hotels designed for student travel may feel a little different from what students are familiar with. For example, some hotels may not have an elevator. Rooms will have multiple single beds or shared double beds, and every room will have a private bathroom.
You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect:
Daily breakfast is served continental-style at your hotel.
Most tours include daily group dinners, which take place at local restaurants (or your hotel) and feature a mix of familiar favorites and local dishes from a set menu.
Lunches are usually not included, but this varies by itinerary. If lunch isn’t included, this is the perfect opportunity for students to explore local markets and discover their new favorite food.
Travelers will share allergy or dietary information with EF after signing up, and we’ll help make the necessary accommodations.
We’re here to help! Start a live one-on-one chat with a team member.