Spain School Trip Overview
Our educational tours of Spain offer a unique and immersive experience for school trips. From the wide boulevards of regal Madrid to the rich history of sunny Andalucía and the laid-back Mediterranean vibe of Barcelona, our Spain Explorer program gives students a comprehensive view of this fascinating country.
On our school trip to Madrid, students will discover the cultural and artistic heritage of Spain’s capital city, from the world-renowned Prado Museum to the Museo de la Reina Sofía and the historic Plaza Mayor. Meanwhile, on our Andalucía tour, students will explore the region’s Moorish legacy, visiting the stunning Alhambra in Granada on a guided tour. Our Barcelona leg of the tour offers the chance to experience vibrant street life, modernist architecture, and stunning beaches.
From the wide boulevards of regal Madrid, to the rich history of sunny Andalucía and the laid-back Mediterranean vibe of Barcelona, this tour gives students a comprehensive view of Spain. Explore three of the country’s most beautiful regions and learn what makes each of them different.
This tour is perfect for teachers who want to show their students the multicultural history of Spain, as we’ll explore the diverse people who have called the Iberian Peninsula home, from the ancient Romans, to the Moorish Caliphate and the Catholic Monarchs.
Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers.
Map and Route
- Day 1: Overnight flight to Spain
- Days 2-4: Madrid
- Days 5: Granada
- Days 6-7: Sevilla
- Day 8-9: Barcelona
- Day 10: Return flight
Interested in learning more about this tour?
Detailed Trip Itinerary
Learn more about what each day is like on tour! Click on the day to discover the different sites and activities you will experience
DAY 1: Flight departs for Spain
Flight from your preferred airport to Madrid.
DAY 2: Madrid
¡Bienvenidos a España! Arrive in Madrid and meet your TFT guides, who will join you for the remainder of your journey. After getting settled into your hotel in the heart of the city, we’ll take a walking tour of downtown Madrid, familiarizing ourselves with the area around la Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. For our first Spanish dinner, enjoy traditional homemade tapas followed by an evening walk for ice cream.
Tour Highlights
- Tour of Madrid
- Check out the Puerta del Sol, the statue of Oso and Madrono, Kilometer Zero, the clock tower, and more!
DAY 3: Madrid
Today we’ll see why Madrid is one of Europe’s most livable cities. Begin with a guided tour of the Museo del Prado, where our art historian guide will help students gain an appreciation for the masterpieces found here. Have a relaxing lunch at the Parque del Retiro. In the afternoon, the group will have their choice of seeing works by Dalí and Picasso at the Museo de la Reina Sofía, visiting the home of Real Madrid Football Club at the Bernabéu Stadium, or having free time for shopping in Madrid’s hip boutiques. For dinner, try some more local specialties, like Basque pintxos or tortilla de patata.
Tour Highlights
- Museo del Prado
- Parque del Retiro
- Options of Real Madrid Football Club or the Museo de la Reina Sofía
DAY 4: Madrid to Granada
After our final breakfast in Madrid, board our private coach for Granada! After arriving in Granada and checking into our accommodation, head out for tour of Granada – see the Tomb of Catholic Monarchs, climb up to the Mirador San Nicolas and walk through the Albaicin, and do some souvenir shopping on Calle Elvira. We’ll have dinner at a local bodega. In the evening, go soak in a classic Arab bath (hammam) – for those who do not partake in this, we will go for an evening photography stroll and grab a dessert!
Tour Highlights
- Tomb of Catholic Monarchs
- Climb up to the Mirador San Nicolas and walk through the Albaicin
- Do some souvenir shopping on Calle Elvira
- Optional evening at a classic Arab bath (hammam)
DAY 5: Granada to Sevilla
This morning we will take a tour of the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex particularly famous for its intricate stonework, decorative tiles, and intricate carvings, as well as its stunning fountains and water features. After lunch, its time to head toward Sevilla! Along the way, we’ll stop at El Torcal de Antequera, a fantastic hiking spot – take in some of the stunning Spanish nature to break up our drive today.
Tour Highlights
- Guided tour of the Alhambra
- El Torcal de Antequera
- Sevilla
DAY 6: Sevilla
Today we’ll explore Sevilla’s complex cultural history and learn about the different groups of people who have called this city home over the centuries. Begin the day with a visit to the Alcázar, a palace that the Spanish King and Queen still use today but that was decorated in the Mudejar artistic style. We’ll then explore the Cathedral of Sevilla, which was once a mosque but has now been converted into a Catholic place of worship (and, interestingly, is where Christopher Columbus is buried). In the evening, go to a Flamenco show and witness the art and passion of Flamenco in Spain!
Tour Highlights
- The Alcázar
- Cathedral of Sevilla
- Flamenco Show
Day 7: Sevilla to Barcelona
A high speed train will bring us us from Sevilla to the buzzing capital of Cataluña. Jump right into some of Barcelona’s best sites with a visit to the Sagrada Familia, the city’s famous basilica that has been under construction for nearly 100 years! For dinner, we’ll go to the market and buy fresh ingredients for our dinner, and then it’s off to the kitchen to learn how to make tapas and paella in our cooking class!
Tour Highlights
- Arrival in Barcelona
- Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia
- Cooking Class
DAY 8: Barcelona
Today we’ll take a bike tour of Barcelona! For those who don’t feel comfortable on a bike, we will go up to the cliff-top fortress of Montjuic. Then we’ll have lunch at the Boqueria Market before heading to Parc Guell to take in the stunning views of Barcelona while exploring this amazing park designed by Antoni Gaudi. After dinner, we’ll take an evening stroll back to the hotel, passing by to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, with its incredible display of color, light, and water acrobatics with musical accompaniment.
Tour Highlights
- Barcelona Bike Tour
- Boqueria Market
- Park Guell
Day 9: Barcelona
For our final day in Barcelona, we’ll provide students with choices. We understand that student travelers have diverse interests and needs, so our staff do their very best to accommodate everyone’s must-sees. Students may choose to visit Camp Nou, home to FC Barcelona; the Picasso Museum; or have free time for souvenir shopping on Passèig de Grácia. For our final dinner in Barcelona, enjoy an upscale night out at one of our favorite restaurants!
Tour Highlights
- Camp Nou, FC Barcelona Stadium
- Picasso Museum
- Passèig de Grácia
Day 10: Depart Spain
Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.
The TFT Difference
We Never Combine Groups (unless you want to!)
Your tour is special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour unless you request traveling with another teacher. We will lead a trip with as few as six people and a teacher. Your Trip Director travels with you for the duration of your educational tour. If you have another group you would like to travel with, let us know and we can arrange for that as well!
Stress-Free Planning and 24/7 Support
We are there for you every step of the way, and our support begins the moment you decide to do a TFT educational tour! We will provide you with a team member who will help bring your tour to life, along with everything you need to help get students to sign up for the adventure! On the tour you will have 24/7 dedicated staff with you to ensure everything runs smoothly and because we know travel is full of surprises, solve anything that may pop up along the way.
Photos and Email Updates
We make sure your travel memories are captured forever! Expect frequent personal email updates and hundreds of photos from your TFT staff shared with you and your students’ families so everyone can follow along on the journey. We are the only educational tour company to offer this in-depth trip communication and it truly makes all the difference!
Central Accommodation and Local Meals
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. We stay at locally owned accommodation in the city center so you don’t waste your valuable time commuting. We dine at charming authentic restaurants to get a real flavor (literally!) for the local culture. The best way to travel is like a local. So ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us!
Photo Gallery
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
