Journey Through Spain
Head south to the folkloric heart of Spain, where the influence of its Moorish past can not only be seen across the architectural landscape but also felt within the reverberating sound of the Spanish guitar or the stomping of a fervent flamenco dancer. Cities like Seville, Granada, and Cordoba come alive in the evenings once the midday sun has set, oftentimes with boisterous outdoor festivals. The bars in Andalucia are known for their generous tapas, and a couple of drinks can easily turn into dinner.
There’s something familiar about Spain that draws visitors, who maybe remember a few phrases of high school Spanish or harbor a vague curiosity of bullfighting or siestas. But it’s the staggering diversity—of cultures, languages, cuisines, and landscapes—that keeps travelers coming back again and again. Every barrio and pueblo offers something unique, and the Spain you thought you knew is suddenly full of surprises.
May 18 – 21, 2024: Madrid (3 nights)
May 21 – 22, 2024: Córdoba (1 night)
May 22 – 24, 2024: Granada (2 nights)
May 24 – 25, 2024: Madrid (1 night)
May 25, 2024: Departure
In May, Spain experiences a transition towards warmer and drier weather, with regions like Andalusia and the Mediterranean coast enjoying pleasant temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 79°F) and limited rainfall. It's a great time to visit for outdoor activities and beach vacations.
U.S. passport holders do not need any special visa to enter Spain for tourism purposes.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
Get ready for your trip with our personalized guides to Spain. You'll find:
- Tipping Guidelines
- Packing Lists
- Useful Local Phrases
- Dishes to Try
- and more!
Take a look at Scenset's Guide to Spain here.
The appeal of Spain’s capital city is how laidback it is. Visitors don’t come for the big-name attractions, but for the local lifestyle. Wander labyrinthine streets through colorful neighborhoods, stumbling in and out of tapas bars along the way. Meals are served late and last for hours since the locals would never rush good food, wine, and company. Of course, there are some sights you can’t miss, including a glitzy royal palace and cherished art museums.
Upon exiting baggage claim at the airport, meet your driver who will take you to your hotel in the city center.
Driver: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Early check-in has been requested so you can leave your luggage and freshen up upon arrival.
Early check-in is dependent upon availability.
Hit the ground running by getting to know Madrid in the most delicious way possible: on a food tour. Explore the best markets and tapas bars with your expert guide, trying some of the most traditional dishes of Madrid along the way.
Light meal included.
Pick-Up Time: Around midday
Pick-Up Location: Hotel lobby
End Time: Early afternoon
Guide: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked by Scenset
Filled with a warm and friendly lounge atmosphere, Oroya is a perfect Madrid rooftop for cocktail hour and a delicious meal with a Latin twist.
Reservation: Evening
Reservation is under a guest's name.
Oroya Restaurant is located on the rooftop of your hotel. Simply head up the elevator when you're ready to eat.
Enjoy a credit on food and beverages at any of the Madrid Edition restaurants or bars as a special perk for using Scenset to plan your trip!
Here are some great spots for getting a bite in Madrid, from casual tapas bars to finer diner restaurants. If you'd like a reservation at any of them, just send a message in the chat.
- Bodegas La Ardosa: This classic Madrileño tavern dates back to 1892, and it’s the ideal place for sitting, chatting, and drinking while getting a dose of Spanish history. Definitely try the tortillas de patatas and the artichokes!
- Casa Dani: One of the most famous stalls at Madrid’s Mercado de la Paz is Casa Dani, a spot that serves up generous portions of croquetas, oxtail, and their famous tortilla de patata.
- Juana la Loca: Juana La Loca is a stylish, popular restaurant with glass cases sitting on the bar filled with tapas and pintxos.
- Charrua: The speciality here is the parrilla, meaning grilled pieces of meat. Enjoy some of the best steak filets you can find in the Spanish capital at this elegant restaurant.
- Saddle: The dishes, like the garlic-topped Mediterranean red prawns, Caspian pearl caviar with blinis and crème fraîche, spider crab marinated in sherry, and aged beef shank always deliver, and you’ll probably be talking about every course on this tasting menu back home (1 Michelin star).
- DStage: The chef believes in getting the most out of his produce and champions a constantly evolving cuisine. Through his set menus ("Dstage" and "Denjoy"), he proposes a fun culinary journey around the world (2 Michelin stars).
Enjoy the warm weather at any one of these fantastic rooftop bars in the city.
- Oroya at Edition Hotel: Filled with a warm and friendly lounge atmosphere, Oroya is a perfect Madrid rooftop for lazy lunches, cocktail hour or light bites.
- RIU Plaza Espana: Perched on top of the recently renovated Hotel Riu Plaza España, 360º Rooftop Bar gives you the chance to discover Madrid from high, high above.
- Azotea at Bella Artes: One of Madrid's best rooftop bars, with a central location, fantastic views and generous opening hours.
- Dani Brasserie: Named after a three-Michelin-starred Chef, this beautiful brasserie, bar and terrace is found on top of the Four Seasons Hotel in the heart of Madrid.
Why we love it for you: The nondescript cement facade of the Madrid Edition offers no clues as to what’s inside, and as you’re ushered through the front door all you see is a white spiral staircase. You’re always left eagerly awaiting what’s to come, and the results never disappoint. It has mastered the niche of urban luxury, where classy decor of white tones and mahogany mesh with the tropical colors of the awarded Peruvian restaurant. The real treat is the rooftop infinity pool, which is unparalleled in Madrid’s center.
Madrid EDITION
2x Deluxe Room Street View
- Breakfast included
- Confirmation: will be provided
Pedal into the heart of Madrid's natural oasis with our exhilarating biking tour through Retiro Park. Feel the wind in your face as you explore this expansive urban green space, a tranquil retreat from the city's hustle and bustle. Follow winding paths that lead you through lush gardens, past serene lakes, and under the shade of ancient trees. Along the way, discover hidden gems like the Crystal Palace, a stunning glass pavilion, and the playful statues that dot the landscape. With each turn of the pedal, you'll uncover the park's rich history and natural beauty. This biking tour is a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, offering a unique perspective on one of Madrid's most beloved treasures. So, grab a bike and let's embark on a memorable journey through Retiro Park!
Meeting Time: Morning
Meeting Place: Rent&Roll Madrid Bike Shop
The bike shop where you'll meet your guide is a 20-minute walk through the center from your hotel.
Guide: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
In the Literary Quarter, Inclan Brutal Bar offers an informal and scenset proposal with creative dishes and a wide range of cocktails, with a carefully designed décor. In 2021, it won the prize for the Best Cocktail Bar-Restaurant in Spain.
Reservation Time: Evening
Reservation under a name will be provided
The restaurant is a 9-minute walk from your hotel.
If you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation or don't show up, there is a charge.
Madrid EDITION
2x Deluxe Room Street View
- Breakfast included
The Museo del Prado is the number one art museum in all of Spain, and one of the best in Europe. It would take days to explore everything, but you'll get to experience the highlights with your art historian guide.
Pick-Up Time: In the afternoon
Pick-Up Location: Hotel Lobby
Guide: A guide will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked by Scenset
The Royal Palace in Madrid isn't just an antique from the past—it's a working palace for the current royal family in Madrid. Get a tour of this still-functioning palace and learn about the monarchy that dates back centuries.
Start Time: Directly after Prado Museum
End Time: 7 p.m.
Guide: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked by Scenset
Madrid EDITION
2x Deluxe Room Street View
- Breakfast included
Head south to the folkloric heart of Spain, where the influence of its Moorish past can not only be seen across the architectural landscape but also felt within the reverberating sound of the Spanish guitar or the stomping of a fervent flamenco dancer.
You'll be picked up from your hotel for the short ride to Madrid Atocha station to catch your train to Cordoba.
Pick-Up Time: Around late morning
Driver: will be provided
Booked by Scenset
Arrive at the station and board the train using your tickets.
Reservation Code: will be provided
Car: 3
Seats: will be provided
Click here for your train tickets.
You'll be picked up from Cordoba train station by your driver and taken to your hotel in the city center.
Contact: will be provided
Booked by Scenset
One cannot visit Andalucia without paying tribute to the most beautiful architectural wonder of southern Spain. The style hints at a refined age when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side and enriched their city with vibrant cultures. Visit this cultural and architectural treasure with your expert guide to learn about its fascinating history.
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Pick-Up Location: Hotel lobby
End Time: Evening
Guide: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Regadera offers a rustic-chic dining ambiance where they expertly blend the rich traditions of Andalusian cuisine with global influences. Their menu showcases iconic dishes like "Salmorejo," "Rabo de Toro," "Gambas al Ajillo," and "Jamón Ibérico," each prepared with a modern twist. With a diverse selection of flavors, this restaurant is a culinary gem that perfectly captures the essence of Andalusian gastronomy while adding a contemporary touch. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Andalusia.
Reservation: Evening
Reservation under a diner's name
Location: Here
Menu: Here
Why we love it for you: This evocative five-star hotel is both a luxe urban retreat and a slice of Córdoba history, set within a thoughtfully restored centuries-old mansion built on the ruins of a Roman villa, with a soothing pool, an elegant restaurant and a candle-lit spa.
Hospes Palacio del Bailio
2x Deluxe Room
- Breakfast included
- Confirmation: will be provided
Granada is the gem of Andalucia, where the influence of its Moorish past still thrives over five centuries later. You can feel it in the dizzying streets of the Albaicín neighborhood, guided by the sounds of Spanish guitar and the stomping of a flamenco dancer. You can see it as well, in the omnipresent Alhambra palace guarding over the city. You can even taste it in the neverending tapas plates that Granada is known for.
You'll be picked up by your driver today for a private transfer to Granada.
Pick-Up Time: Late morning
Travel Time: About 2 hours
Contact: will be provided
Booked by Scenset
You'll begin with a tour of the labyrinthine Albayzín neighborhood, still flourishing with artists and tapas bars. This neighborhood itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having maintained its same street layout since the era of the Moors.
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Pick-Up Location: Hotel lobby
Contact: will be provided
You'll be picked up in a vehicle and taken to a high point of the Albayzin, and then walk back down during your tour.
Booked By Scenset
Visit the Royal Chapel and Cathedral of Granada, the last resting place of Spain’s Catholic Monarchs, Isabel I de Castilla (1451–1504) and Fernando II de Aragón (1452–1516). Later, visit the Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation and Residence to explore its gardens and private art collection.
Booked By Scenset
After your tour, you'll be dropped off back at your hotel to have time to freshen up and relax before heading out in the tapas capital of Spain.
In the evening, experience a private guided tapas tour, tasting the various authentic dishes of the region. A tapas tour in Granada is a must-do experience for foodies. Start in the lively district of El Realejo and make your way to Calle Navas, where you'll find a wide selection of bars serving delicious tapas with every drink you order. Don't miss out on local specialties like tortilla de Sacromonte and jamón ibérico. You will visit 3 restaurants on this tour, or choose to stay at 1 location depending on your interest.
Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Here are some vetted and delicious places to eat in Granada, ranging from casual tapas bars to sit-down restaurants.
- Le Bistro by El Conjuro is a brand new restaurant in Granada that provides a tasty menu of homemade Andalucian dishes and traditional tapas.
- Puerta del Carmen: An all-time favorite tapas restaurant with a cool ambiance and delicious food—try the milhojas with mango and goat cheese!
- Mirador de Morayma: Have lunch in this traditional restaurant with a huge terrace overlooking the Alhambra.
- Más Que Vinos: Another tapas bar that has become an institution in Granada. It's where you'll find a lot of locals who comes for the good food and even better sherry.
- La Puerta de Syria: The Arab influence in Granada is undeniable, and you'll see that in local restaurants too. Take a break from Spanish food and eat at this Arab restaurant with inspiration from Morocco to Syria.
Why we love it for you: A sensitively converted 16th-century ‘palacete’ hosts this elegant 25-room boutique hotel styled with lashings of historical charm, on the slopes of Granada’s ancient Albayzín. Terracotta corridors lead to swish golden-hued rooms, a peaceful Andalucian patio and hidden corners filled with scenset features.
Casa 1800 Granada
2x Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
- Confirmation: will be provided
Enjoy a guided tour of the Alhambra complex with an expert guide. This one-time palace and fortress is one of the greatest living examples of Islamic architecture in the world, and its sheer beauty is enough to bring visitors to tears.
Bring your passport with you!
Pick-Up Time: Morning
Pick-Up Location: Hotel Lobby
Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Experience an olive oil tasting session, known as “liquid gold” in Spain. Your olive oil tasting takes place inside the Mercado de San Agustín, a lively marketplace where you'll also get to try some local products.
Start Time: Afternoon
End Time: Afternoon
Booked by Scenset
Experience authentic Andalusian culture by attending a private flamenco show in a cave in the Sacromonte neighborhood. This intimate setting provides an up-close and personal encounter with the passionate art of flamenco, accompanied by snacks and drinks.
Pick-Up Time: Evening
The show lasts about an hour. Your roundtrip transportation is included.
Booked By Scenset
Casa 1800 Granada
2x Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
Today your driver will pick you up and take you all to the Granada train station for the train ride back to Madrid.
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Arrive at the station and board the train using your tickets.
Reservation Code: will be provided
Car: 2
Seats: will be provided
Click here for your train tickets.
Upon arrival at Madrid Atocha station, your private transfer will pick you up and take you to your hotel for one final night.
Driver: will be provided | will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Enjoy a credit on food and beverages at any of the Madrid Edition restaurants or bars as a special perk for using Scenset to plan your trip!
After confirming your trip, we'll make recommendations and a reservation for a memorable final dinner in Spain.
Recommended by Scenset—nothing has been reserved.
Madrid EDITION
2x Deluxe Room Street View
- Breakfast included
- Confirmation: will be provided
It's time to head home but, thankfully, in Spain we don't say adiós, but rather hasta luego, or until next time!
You'll be picked up from your hotel in a private transfer in time to catch your flight out of Madrid Airport.
Driver: A driver will be provided | A phone number will be provided
Booked by Scenset.
