Spain’s rich history and vibrant culture make it a popular destination for tour companies. Group tours of Spain offer a convenient way to explore iconic sights and smaller towns, catering to different preferences and interests. And the best part is that accommodations, transportation, activities (some which would be difficult or impossible to arrange on your own), and many meals are all planned out for you so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation.
Best small group guided tours of Spain
The best Spain tours combine iconic attractions like Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia with charming coastal cities and smaller towns scattered around the county. No matter your lifestyle, fitness level, or interests, there’s a tour to Spain that will fit your needs. Here are my picks for this year’s top guided tours of Spain.
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1. Northern Spain Tour
Trafalgar
The 11-day tour of Northern Spain from Trafalgar takes you from Barcelona to Madrid. With this Spain tour package, you’ll visit 12 different cities and see some of the the country’s top highlights. The trip has plenty of built-in downtime, too, which you can use to explore on your own. One of the tour highlights is the stay in Pamplona, where the annual Running with the Bulls festival takes place.
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Other draws include the holy cave of Covadonga, which is carved into the side of a cliff; exploring the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, equally famous for its collection and its building design; and Madrid’s Prado Museum, which has the largest collection of European art in the world.
- Length: 11 days
- Starting price: $2,900
- Average group size: 40 to 45 people
- More tours: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024
2. Best of Southern Spain Tour
G Adventures
Families with teenagers may find a perfect fit with Best of Southern Spain tour from G Adventures. This small group Spain tour has a maximum of 16 people, and everyone must be over 12 years old to join. Over the course of 8 days, you’ll travel to six different cities—and while there are some adult-centered activities like wine tasting in Granada, teens should find that the hikes and cooking classes are fun too.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting price: $1,979
- Average group size: 16 people
- More tours: Best G Adventures tours to take
3. Spanish Fiesta Tour
Globus
For a sweeping trip through Spain, consider the 14-day Spanish Fiesta tour offered by Globus. This Spain tour starts and ends in Madrid, which makes booking round-trip flights a cinch. During the tour, you’ll see everything from an ancient Roman Aqueduct in Segovia to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and the Alhambra complex in Granada.
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Foodies will delight in plenty of stops at local restaurants where tapas and wine are served in abundance. In Malaga, you’ll stop in at the tapas bar El Pimpi, an 18th-century home turned wine cellar that’s now partly owned by actor Antonio Banderas.
- Length: 14 days
- Starting price: $3,749
- Average group size: 24 people
4. Treasures of Spain and Portugal Tour
Tauck
If you’re looking for a luxurious and relaxing way to tour Spain, consider the the 13-day Treasures of Spain and Portugal tour from Tauck. At the start of the trip, you’ll spend two nights in Barcelona before hopping aboard the Windstar Wind Surf luxury yacht to see even more of Spain with eight days of sailing. Stops include Palma de Mallorca, Granada, Malaga, Gibraltar, and Seville (via Cadiz). Then the group will disembark the ship in Lisbon, Portugal, for two nights in this capital city.
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In Barcelona, you’ll explore the enchanting Parc Güell, the wildly colorful Gaudi-designed UNESCO World Heritage Site where buildings are embedded with ceramic mosaics and colorful glass. Once you set sail on the ship, you can enjoy a mix of enrichment sessions from local experts, spa treatments, and simply relaxing on the yacht’s top decks between stops in quaint villages and seaside towns.
- Length: 13 days
- Starting price: $9,990
- Average group size: Maximum of 80 guests per sailing
5. Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago Tour
National Geographic Expeditions
Head off on the hike of a lifetime with NatGeo’s Walking the Camino de Santiago Spain tour. The guided trek follows Europe’s longest pilgrimage route from Pamplona to Cabo Fisterra on the westernmost tip of Spain. Along the way, you’ll be able tp stop for wine tastings, see churches bathed in the light of stained glass windows, and wander through a sixth-century monastery.
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Daily hikes can be anywhere from seven to 12 miles. Anyone looking to do this tour should be in good shape and enjoy being outside. Along with meals, accommodations, and activities besides hiking, the trip also includes expert insight from a National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader, along with local guides.
- Length: 10 days
- Starting price: $8,495
- Average group size: 20 people
6. Barcelona Escape Tour
Adventures by Disney
The four-day Barcelona Escape tour offered by Adventures by Disney is a great tour add-on if you’ve already planned another type of group tour or cruise in Spain. This family-friendly mini tour gives families the opportunity to explore the city of Barcelona with two knowledgeable Adventure Guides. After seeing it on your own for the first day, you’ll have a welcome dinner at a hillside restaurant that overlooks the city.
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Day two is filled with private tours of the city’s most iconic sights including La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. The trip ends with a visit to Montserrat and a flamenco dancing dinner show. Those who are spending a week on the Disney Dream, one of Disney Cruise Line’s ships, have the opportunity to add this onto their vacation and be transferred to the port at the end of the trip to start the next leg of their vacation.
- Length: 4 days
- Starting price: $2,999
- Average group size: 25 to 45 people
7. Spain in Depth Tour
Intrepid Travel
If you’re looking for a very long, very immersive Spain tour, Intrepid Travel has you covered with its 11-day Premium Spain in Depth tour. The trip takes you from Madrid to Barcelona. Along the way, you’ll sample local cuisine, see spellbinding works of art and architecture, and be led by highly rated local tour leaders.
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On some days, lunch and dinner are not included in the overall tour price, so you’ll have the chance to find local gems on your own. History fans will enjoy being able to see the Alhambra Palace during the day and at night without having to fight the usual crowds.
- Length: 11 days
- Starting price: $5,061
- Average group size: 12 people
