Spain Trip 2026: Schengen Visa, Madrid to Barcelona 10-Day Guide
Quick answer: Spain needs a Schengen visa for Indians (€90, apply via BLS International, 4-6 weeks before). Best time is April-June or September-October (mild weather, fewer crowds). A 10-day classic covers Madrid (3 nights), Barcelona (3 nights), Seville (2 nights), Granada (2 nights). Use Renfe AVE high-speed trains (Madrid-Barcelona in 2.5 hours, book on Renfe.com 60 days ahead for €30+). Budget ₹1.7-2.2 lakh per person including flights and mid-range stays.
Spain in 2026 is one of the most well-rounded European trips for Indian travellers — Madrid’s art scene, Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture, Seville’s flamenco and tapas, the Costa del Sol beaches, all on the Schengen single-visa system. This is a planning guide for a 10-day Spain trip from India.
The Schengen visa for Spain
Apply through BLS International (Spain’s official visa partner in India).
- Fee: €90 + ~₹1,800 service charge = ~₹10,500
- Processing: 15 working days standard
- Apply 8 weeks before travel
- Documents: Insurance €30,000 medical, return flight, hotel bookings, 6-month bank statements, ITR, leave letter
Flights from India
- Delhi → Madrid (MAD): One-stop via Dubai/Doha/Frankfurt. 12–14 hours total. ₹55,000–₹95,000.
- Delhi → Barcelona (BCN): One-stop similar. ₹55,000–₹95,000.
- Open-jaw (Madrid-in, Barcelona-out) saves the train back.
A 10-day Spain itinerary
- Day 1–3: Madrid — Prado Museum, Reina Sofía (Guernica), Royal Palace, Retiro Park, tapas at Mercado de San Miguel
- Day 4: Day trip to Toledo (UNESCO old town, 30 min by AVE)
- Day 5–6: Seville — flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria, Alcázar, Plaza de España, Cathedral with Giralda climb
- Day 7: Cordoba day trip — Mezquita-Cathedral
- Day 8–10: Barcelona — Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, La Boqueria, Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta Beach
What it costs in 2026 (in INR)
- Tapas meal: ₹1,500–₹3,000
- Restaurant dinner: ₹2,500–₹6,000
- Sagrada Família entry: ₹3,800 (book 4 weeks ahead)
- Prado: ₹1,800
- Alhambra Granada: ₹2,400 (sells out — book 1 month ahead)
- AVE Madrid–Seville (2h30m): ₹6,500–₹10,000
10-day budget — three tiers (per person)
- Budget (₹1,90,000–₹2,40,000): One-stop flight, 3-star hotels, tapas only, train passes
- Mid-range (₹2,80,000–₹3,80,000): Direct flight, 4-star + boutique, restaurants, all major sights
- Premium (₹5,00,000+): Business class, heritage Paradores, private guides, flamenco VIP
The honest verdict
Spain in 2026 is the most varied 10-day Europe trip Indians can take — three distinct cities, day trips to historical towns, and food culture you will not find elsewhere on the continent. Book Sagrada Família and Alhambra 4+ weeks ahead, take AVE high-speed trains instead of flights for inter-city, and lean into the tapas culture.
Spain hidden costs Indian travellers should know
Spain’s tourist tax is ₹250-450 per person per night depending on the city — most hotels collect it at check-in and many Indians don’t budget for it. Barcelona and Valencia have higher rates than Madrid. The famous La Sagrada Família tower visit (separate ticket ₹1,200) is widely overrated — most photos are from outside. Skip the Park Güell paid zone (₹650) — the free zones above offer better Antoni Gaudí mosaics with no crowds.
Vegetarian Spain that doesn’t taste like tomato pasta
Hispania-origin Mexican vegetarian dishes are widely available — pisto, ratatouille-style stews, gazpacho. The “menú del día” lunch in Spanish cities is ₹650-1,100 for three courses including drink — always order the vegetarian first course. Real authentic Spanish veg restaurants: Restaurante Vegetariano El Granero (Madrid), Quinoa BCN (Barcelona). Skip Indian restaurants in Spain except Tandoori Station in Madrid — most are tourist-priced and mediocre.
Related guides on PunyaPaths
- Italy Trip 2026: Schengen Visa, 10-Day Route & Budget for Indians
- Georgia Trip 2026: e-Visa, Tbilisi to Kazbegi 7-Day Itinerary
- Portugal Travel 2026: Schengen Visa, Lisbon to Porto 8-Day Guide
Sources: Spain BLS International visa portal; aggregator fare data May 2026.
Best time to visit Spain
April–June and September–October are the sweet spots — pleasant weather, fewer crowds, lower hotel rates. July–August is hot (Madrid hits 40°C) and Barcelona’s beaches get packed. Visit Andalusia (Seville, Granada) in spring for the orange blossom season; Costa Brava is best in late May or September for swim-friendly water without summer crowds.
Common mistakes Indian travellers make
Eating dinner at 7 PM. Spanish dinner is at 9–10 PM. If you turn up at 7, you’ll find only tourist restaurants open. Snack on tapas at 6 PM, then a proper dinner at 9.
Visiting Sagrada Familia without pre-booking. Tickets sell out daily. Book online 2–3 weeks ahead with a timed slot for entry plus the tower lift.
Driving in Madrid or Barcelona old town. Both cities have strict low-emission zones (Madrid Central, Barcelona ZBE) — Indian-licensed rentals can attract automatic fines. Use the metro instead.
Eating paella in Madrid. Paella is Valencian — Madrid versions are tourist traps. Save it for Valencia, where you can also try authentic horchata.
Money, SIM & connectivity
Movistar, Vodafone Spain, and Orange sell prepaid SIMs at Barajas (Madrid) and El Prat (Barcelona) airports for €15–20 (10–15GB). Cards work everywhere; carry €50–100 cash for small bars and markets.
Packing checklist for Spain
Walking shoes (Old Quarter cobblestones), a light scarf for church visits, sunglasses, sunscreen, Type C/F adapter, a small crossbody bag (Barcelona pickpockets target backpacks on metro).
FAQs about Spain for Indian travellers
Is Spain Schengen visa easy for Indians? Moderately. Spain has decent approval rates but Mumbai/Delhi VFS slots can be 6–8 weeks out. Apply with strong bank statements (3 months at minimum), confirmed hotels, return tickets, and travel insurance covering €30,000.
Madrid vs Barcelona — which first? Barcelona is the friendlier introduction (compact, beach, Gaudí). Madrid is grander, more authentic, better museums. A 10-day Spain trip should include both plus Seville/Granada.
Vegetarian Spain? Possible but requires effort. Pisto, gazpacho (cold tomato soup), tortilla española, patatas bravas, padron peppers, and croquetas (some are vegetarian) work. Most big cities have Indian and Mediterranean veg restaurants.
Is Granada worth the detour? If you can spare 2 nights, yes — the Alhambra is one of the world’s great monuments. Book Alhambra tickets 6 weeks ahead — they sell out fast.
Train vs flight inter-city in Spain? AVE high-speed trains (Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Seville) are faster door-to-door than flights. Book on Renfe’s site 60 days ahead for promo fares (€30–50 instead of €120).
Sample budget breakdown for Spain (9 nights)
For two travellers, mid-range Madrid + Barcelona + Seville: Return flights Delhi/Mumbai (1-stop): ₹70,000–95,000 per person. Hotels (3-star, central): ₹7,000–10,000 per night across cities. AVE Madrid–Barcelona and Madrid–Seville trains: ₹6,000 per person total. Tapas + restaurant meals: ₹3,000 per couple per day. Museum and Alhambra tickets: ₹5,000 per person combined. Metro day passes: ₹1,200 per person across the trip. Realistic per-person cost for 9 nights: ₹1.70–2.20 lakh, excluding Schengen visa and shopping.
