After you land in Madrid, head straight to Salamanca / Centro and get yourself checked in before doing anything ambitious. This is the easiest first-night base because you’ll be well connected by Metro, Cercanías, and plenty of taxi/Uber options, and you won’t waste energy figuring out the city after a long travel day. If you’re coming from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, a taxi is usually the simplest option to Madrid Centro and takes roughly 20–35 minutes depending on traffic; the fixed airport taxi fare is typically around €33, while Metro is cheaper but less comfortable with luggage. Give yourself about an hour to settle in, shower, and change into something cooler — mid-August in Madrid can still feel hot well into the evening.
Once you’re out, start with Plaza Mayor, which is the kind of place that instantly makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Spain. Go for an unhurried walk first rather than sitting down immediately; the square is at its best when you just circle it, take in the arcades, and watch the street performers and visitors spill in from Centro. From there, wander a few minutes over to Mercado de San Miguel for a first snack crawl. It’s touristy, yes, but still a fun first-night stop if you keep expectations realistic: think quick bites, jamón, croquetas, oysters, vermouth, and a glass of something cold. Budget around €20–35 per person if you sample a few things and have a drink or two; the market is usually open into the evening, and it gets busiest after 7:30 pm, so earlier is calmer.
For dinner, make your way to Calle de Cava Baja in La Latina, which is one of the best streets in Madrid for a proper tapas night. This is where the city feels lived-in rather than staged: old taverns, buzzing terraces, and a steady flow of people hopping from bar to bar. If you want a classic order of things, keep it simple with a couple of shared plates and a drink, then linger rather than rushing — dinner here easily runs 1.5 hours or more if you let it. Afterward, drift over toward Café de Oriente near the Royal Palace for a calmer finish: coffee, dessert, or a nightcap with a polished view of one of Madrid’s most elegant corners. It’s a good last stop because it lets you wind down without needing a big plan, and then it’s an easy taxi or Metro ride back to Salamanca / Centro before calling it a night.
Start early at Museo Nacional del Prado on Paseo del Prado before the August heat and crowds build up; it usually opens around 10:00, and an online timed ticket is worth it so you can walk straight in. Give yourself about 2.5 hours and focus on the heavyweight rooms rather than trying to conquer everything: Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and the big Spanish masterpieces are the heart of the visit. From most central hotels, a taxi or Uber is the easiest way over, or it’s an easy Metro ride to Banco de España if you’re already out and about.
When you come out, drift into Parque del Retiro for a shaded reset. In mid-August, this is where Madrid feels mercifully breathable: locals are under the trees, families are circling the paths, and the lake area gives you a nice change of pace after all that art. Keep it light and unhurried, about 1.5 hours, and use the walk to let the morning sink in.
While you’re already in Retiro, pop into Palacio de Cristal, which is one of those places that looks almost too delicate for Madrid’s dry summer light. It’s usually free to enter and takes only about 30 minutes, so it works perfectly as a quick add-on rather than a separate stop. If you want to linger, the nearby paths around Estanque Grande and the quieter corners of the park are excellent for people-watching without any agenda at all.
For lunch, head to Gran Café de Gijón on Paseo de Recoletos—a classic Madrid institution that still feels properly old-school, with mirrors, dark wood, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a simple coffee feel more deliberate. Expect roughly €15–30 per person depending on whether you go for a full meal or just coffee and dessert. It’s an easy walk or short taxi from Retiro, and it’s a smart pause before your next museum so the day doesn’t turn into a sprint.
After lunch, continue to Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza back along Paseo del Prado. This one is ideal in the afternoon because it feels less overwhelming than the Prado and gives you a broader sweep of European painting, from early works to modern pieces, without the same intensity. Plan about 2 hours, and if the weather is especially brutal, this is the best part of the day to hide inside air conditioning and take your time.
Finish with Gran Vía and a rooftop drink nearby to catch the city at its most animated. In August, Madrid empties a bit in the afternoons, but Gran Vía still gives you neon, theater facades, and a nice “capital city” buzz once the sun starts dropping. Good rooftop options nearby change often, but anything around Círculo de Bellas Artes or the Pestana CR7 area can work well; expect about €12–25 per drink depending on the terrace and view. Go after sunset if you can, and keep dinner loose—this is the kind of evening where wandering a few blocks and picking a place that looks lively is part of the fun.
Take the AVE from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Sevilla Santa Justa and treat this as a clean, easy reset day rather than a rushed transit day. If you leave around 9:00–10:00, you’ll still reach Seville in time for a late late-morning start; from Santa Justa, grab a taxi into Santa Cruz or the center in about 10–15 minutes, or use the tram/bus if you’re traveling light. Once you’ve dropped your bags, head straight to Real Alcázar de Sevilla and go early enough that you can enjoy the courtyards before the heat gets properly serious. Prebook timed entry if you can — tickets are usually around €15–20, and with the gardens, halls, and tiled rooms, you’ll want roughly 2 hours here.
From the Alcázar, it’s an easy walk over to Catedral de Sevilla y La Giralda through the Santa Cruz lanes. This is the classic Seville pairing for a reason: the cathedral is enormous, cool inside, and perfect around midday when the sun is strongest outside. Expect €12–15 for entry, plus a bit extra if you want to climb La Giralda for the views. Afterward, duck into Casa Morales in the center for lunch — it’s the kind of place locals still genuinely use, with tiled walls, old barrels, and straightforward tapas done right. Order a few plates to share, keep it simple, and budget roughly €15–25 per person; it’s best for an unhurried one-hour stop rather than a long sit-down meal.
Save the hottest, slowest part of the day for a wander through Barrio de Santa Cruz. This is the Seville most people imagine: narrow white lanes, tiny plazas, orange trees, and just enough shade to keep moving without melting. Don’t try to “do” it — just drift, especially around the quieter backstreets near Calle Vida and the smaller squares off the main flow. August afternoons are brutal, so this is where you pace yourself, stop for water, and let the neighborhood be the activity.
Once the light softens, make your way to Las Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol) in Encarnación. It’s one of the best places in the city for a sunset-to-evening transition: the elevated walkway gives you a broad view over the rooftops, and the area feels much more alive after dark than in the afternoon. Entry to the walkway is usually around €15–25 if you add a drink or snack nearby, and you’ll want about 1.5 hours here. If you’re still up for one last stroll afterward, the surrounding streets around Plaza de la Encarnación are easy to explore without committing to anything structured — a good way to end a first Seville day before an early night.
Start as early as you can at Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa — in August, the difference between 8:30 and 10:30 is huge. If you go first thing, the stone is still relatively cool, the light is beautiful for photos, and you can actually enjoy the scale of the place without fighting the heat. It’s an easy taxi ride from the center, or about 20–25 minutes on foot if you’re already staying near the old town. Give yourself about an hour to wander the canal bridges, tiled alcoves, and the arcaded edge without rushing.
From there, stay in the shade and continue into Parque de María Luisa itself, which is really the point of doing this area in summer. The paths are broad, leafy, and more forgiving than most of Seville in mid-August, especially if you keep it to a slow loop and don’t try to “see everything.” It’s one of those places where the best plan is just a gentle walk, a bench stop, and maybe a coffee or water break before the city starts heating up properly. Afterward, head by taxi or bus back toward the center for a cooler late-morning break at Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla; the air conditioning alone makes it worth it in August, and the Spanish painting rooms give you a nice contrast to the outdoor morning. Tickets are usually around €1.50–€3, and it’s typically open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 9:00–21:00 in summer, though it’s always worth checking the day’s hours.
For lunch, go to El Rinconcillo in Alfalfa and keep it simple: a few tapas, a drink, and no overthinking. It’s one of those places where the room itself is part of the experience — old tiles, standing-bar energy, and a very Seville sense of lunch. Expect roughly €20–35 per person depending on how many plates you order, and if you arrive around 13:30 you’ll usually miss the worst of the lunch rush. This is a good day to eat lightly and then let the city settle around you before heading out again.
In the afternoon, cross the river to Triana Market (Mercado de Triana) for a slower, more local-feeling browse. The market sits right by the bridge and is easy to pair with a walk along the waterfront; it’s not just for shopping, it’s also one of the best places to get a sense of everyday Seville life away from the monument circuit. If you want a snack, look for a small bar or a quick bite inside the market rather than making a whole second lunch of it. Then drift onto Calle Betis as the light softens — this is the Seville riverside at its best, with open views back toward the center and enough bars and terraces that you can choose between a quiet drink and a more social stop. In August, the street comes alive later, so don’t worry if it feels sleepy at first; that’s normal.
Stay on Calle Betis for an easy evening stroll and a drink or two rather than trying to cram in another major sight. The whole point here is to let the day unwind: sit by the river, watch the skyline change color, and enjoy the fact that this part of Triana feels a little looser and less formal than the historic core. If you’re still hungry, this is also a good area to graze for a second round of tapas, but don’t feel obligated — Seville works best when you leave space in the schedule for wandering, especially in summer when the city really wakes up after dark.
Take the AVE/Avant from Sevilla Santa Justa to Córdoba Central mid-morning so you land with the whole day still ahead of you; from the station, a taxi into the old center is the easiest move in August, especially if you have luggage. Once you’re in Judería, head straight to the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba while your energy is fresh. It’s the city’s headline sight for a reason: the forest of columns, the red-and-white arches, and then the later cathedral inserted inside all make it one of the most extraordinary buildings in Spain. Buy a timed ticket online if you can, and aim for roughly 1.5–2 hours so you can slow down and actually absorb it rather than sprinting through.
From there, it’s an easy wander to Calleja de las Flores, which is small but worth the quick stop for the classic view back toward the bell tower. Don’t overthink it — this is a 20-minute pause, a photo, maybe a cold drink if you spot one nearby, and then on to lunch. Bodegas Mezquita Céspedes is a solid, dependable choice near the mosque-cathedral for Córdoba staples like salmorejo, flamenquín, and local wine; expect around €18–30 per person depending on how much you order. In August, lunch is best kept relaxed and indoors or in shade, so sit down, cool off, and give yourself a proper break before the afternoon heat peaks.
After lunch, make your way to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in San Basilio. The gardens are the reason to go: shaded paths, fountains, and a little breathing room after the intensity of the mosque-cathedral. It’s a good 1.5-hour stop if you include the towers and the main courtyard, and it pairs nicely with Córdoba’s summer rhythm because you can keep the pace unhurried. Later, when the light softens, walk down toward the Roman Bridge and the Guadalquivir riverfront. This is the best time to be outside — the reflections, the view back to the old city, and the way the bridge opens up make for a calm end to the day. Stay for sunset if the sky looks promising, then cross back toward Centro for a last drink before turning in.
Use the morning for the Córdoba Central to Granada train and aim to get into town by late morning or around noon, which gives you a proper half-day without feeling rushed. If you’re carrying bags, the easiest arrival move is a taxi straight to your hotel so you can drop everything and start fresh; if you’re driving instead, park once near your base and leave the old center for walking or short taxi hops only. In August, Granada feels noticeably warmer in the lower streets, so the first rule is simple: keep the middle of the day light and shaded.
For lunch, head to La Gran Taberna in the Centro area and keep it unfussy: this is a good place for a relaxed sit-down, a cold drink, and a few easy plates before the city’s hills start demanding more of you. Expect around €15–25 per person, and it’s the kind of place where you can linger without overplanning the rest of the day. After that, make your way toward Realejo and spend about an hour in Carmen de los Mártires; it’s one of those Granada spaces that immediately slows your pace, with gardens, shade, and views that make the city feel much more layered than it does at street level.
From Carmen de los Mártires, it’s a good transition up toward Albaicín for Mirador de San Nicolás, ideally in late afternoon when the light starts softening on the Alhambra. This is the classic viewpoint for a reason, but it works best if you arrive with no major agenda beyond standing still for a while, taking photos, and letting the view do the work. Give yourself about 45 minutes, though it’s easy to stay longer if the sky is clear. If you have energy, wander a little through the surrounding lanes rather than moving on immediately — the charm here is in the pauses between viewpoints.
As the light fades, walk down to Paseo de los Tristes for an atmospheric evening stretch along the river; it’s one of the prettiest places in the city to be just before dinner, with the Alhambra looming above and a much calmer feel than the viewpoint crowds. Then head back toward Realejo for dinner at Casa Julio, a solid tapas-forward choice that suits an arrival day because it’s casual, local, and not too fussy after a travel day. Expect about €20–35 per person with drinks and a few plates. If you’re still up for a post-dinner wander, keep it loose and stroll a little through the neighborhood streets — Granada is best when you don’t try to force too much on the first night.
Start at Alhambra on Sabika hill as early as you possibly can — in August, this is the whole trick to enjoying Granada instead of just surviving it. If your ticket is for the first entry window, take a taxi from the center or a short walk uphill if you’re staying nearby, and plan on being at the entrance a bit before your slot because security lines can move slowly. Give yourself a solid 3.5 to 4 hours here: the Nasrid Palaces, Charles V Palace, and the sweeping views over the city are the reason people come to Granada, and the light in the morning is much kinder for photos than anything later in the day. Bring water, wear proper shoes, and don’t try to rush through — the site is bigger and hillier than most first-timers expect.
After the main visit, continue into Generalife for about an hour. The gardens are the best palate cleanser after all that carved stone and tiled grandeur: shaded paths, fountains, cypress hedges, and a slower pace that feels especially good when the city below is already heating up. From there, head down toward Realejo for lunch at Restaurante Arrayanes, which is one of the better places in the city if you want a polished meal without losing the mood of the day — think Moorish-influenced dishes, a handsome interior, and an easy break before the afternoon. Expect roughly €25–45 per person, and if you’re ordering leisurely, this is the kind of lunch that can stretch a little without feeling like a mistake.
After lunch, make your way to Catedral de Granada in Centro; a taxi is the easiest move in the heat, though it’s also a pleasant downhill walk if you feel like drifting through the city a bit. The cathedral is massive, bright, and very different in tone from the Alhambra — a full-on statement of the Catholic city that emerged after the Reconquista — and about an hour is right for it unless you’re especially into religious architecture. Then continue next door to Capilla Real de Granada, which is smaller and quicker but essential for the historical context; the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs make it one of the most important rooms in the city. Tickets for the two are often sold together or at least paired in most visitors’ minds, and the combined visit works well in a single afternoon without overloading you.
End the day at Bañuelo in the Albaicín, where the atmosphere shifts from grand and formal to quiet and atmospheric. This is one of the oldest surviving Arab baths in Spain, and it’s a nice final stop because it feels intimate after the scale of the cathedral and the palace. It’s usually a short visit — around 30 minutes — but the location gives you a good excuse to wander nearby lanes afterward if you still have energy. If you want to keep it very relaxed, stop for a drink nearby and let the afternoon slide into evening from there; Granada is at its best when you don’t force it.
Make this a logistics-first day: leave Granada on an early flight from Granada Airport (GRX) or, if flights don’t line up, use the Renfe connection via Madrid and keep expectations realistic. Door to door, you’re looking at roughly 4.5–7 hours, so the win is simply getting to Valencia with enough daylight left to enjoy the old town. Once you arrive, head straight into Ciutat Vella and drop your bags near the center so you can move on foot for the rest of the day — that’s the whole point of this arrival day.
Start with La Lonja de la Seda, the city’s most elegant hit of gothic old-town architecture, and give it about an hour; it’s usually calm enough in the afternoon that you can actually look up and enjoy the carved ceilings and columns without being rushed. From there it’s an easy stroll to Mercado Central de Valencia, which is exactly where you want to be after travel: bright, lively, and full of things you can graze on for €10–20 if you keep it simple. Grab fruit, jamón, a tortilla slice, or a quick coffee, then continue into La Seu for Catedral de Valencia — worth about an hour if you want the main interior and a slow look around, and it flows naturally with the old streets around it. If you’re carrying heat fatigue by this point, take your break at Horchatería Santa Catalina near Plaza de Santa Catalina for horchata and fartons; it’s the classic Valencia reset and usually lands in the €6–12 range.
Finish with an unhurried loop through Plaza de la Virgen, which is one of the nicest places in the city to ease into the evening. Come here when the stone starts to cool and the square feels a little less hectic; it’s perfect for photos, people-watching, and deciding on dinner without pressure. If you still have energy, stay in the La Seu / El Carmen area for a relaxed meal and call it a day — after a long transfer, Valencia is best enjoyed by not overdoing it.
Start early at the City of Arts and Sciences in Quatre Carreres before the pavement turns into a griddle. This is Valencia’s big showpiece, and in August it’s best enjoyed in the first light when the white concrete, blue pools, and reflections still feel almost futuristic rather than punishingly hot. If you’re coming from Plaça de l’Ajuntament or the center, a taxi is the simplest move, or you can take the bus and save your energy for walking the complex itself; budget around €10–15 by taxi from central Valencia. Give yourself about 2 hours just to wander the exterior spaces, cross the bridges, and get the classic photos without rushing.
Head into L’Oceanogràfic next, which is the one part of the complex that actually works beautifully in August because it gives you shade, air-conditioning, and a slower pace. Plan for around 2.5 hours if you want to see it properly; tickets are usually in the €35–40 range, and it’s worth booking ahead because summer weekends get busy. The main tanks, tunnel sections, and penguin areas make it easy to linger, and by the time you come out you’ll be ready for lunch rather than another museum-style stop.
For lunch, go straight to La Pepica on Playa de la Malvarrosa and do it the Valencia way: paella, sea breeze, and no apology for taking your time. This is a classic beachfront place, very popular with locals and visitors alike, and it’s smart to book a table in advance if you want a comfortable hour at peak lunch time. Expect roughly €30–50 per person depending on what you order, and remember that a proper paella is best ordered for lunch, not dinner. Afterward, walk it off along Playa de la Malvarrosa and the promenade; even 45–60 minutes of sea air makes the afternoon feel much more manageable in mid-August.
When you’re ready to head back toward the center, drift into Jardín del Turia, which is basically Valencia’s best escape hatch in summer. If you want, rent a bike near the beach or around the city center and follow the shaded paths westward; otherwise, just stroll a section of it and enjoy the fact that the old riverbed gives you a long, green corridor right through the city. It’s one of those places where you can do as much or as little as you like without feeling like you’re “missing” anything, and that’s exactly the right energy after a beach lunch.
Finish the day at Café de las Horas in El Carmen, which is a lovely, slightly theatrical place to end Valencia on a soft note. It’s especially good for a cocktail, horchata-based drink, or dessert if you want something more memorable than a standard bar stop; plan on about €12–22 per person. From there, it’s an easy walk to many central hotels, or a short taxi if you’re staying farther out.
Take the AVE/Euromed from Valencia Joaquín Sorolla to Barcelona Sants early, and if you can, book a seat on the left side for a little coastline and city-edge scenery as you roll in. Once you arrive, don’t overthink the logistics: from Barcelona Sants, a taxi is the simplest way into Eixample with a bag, while metro Line 3 is the cheapest if you’re traveling light. After you drop your things, head straight to Passeig de Gràcia to reset your bearings — this boulevard is Barcelona at its most polished, with wide sidewalks, great people-watching, and the city’s best modernist façades lined up like a greatest-hits reel.
From Passeig de Gràcia, it’s an easy walk to Casa Batlló, which is worth doing before the afternoon heat and crowds build up. Book a timed ticket online if you can; entry typically runs around €35–€45 depending on the season and package. Afterward, continue north on the same avenue to Casa Milà (La Pedrera) — it’s only a few minutes away and makes a perfect pairing because you’re already in the right neighborhood. For lunch, step into El Nacional just off the boulevard near Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya; it’s tourist-friendly, yes, but it’s also genuinely convenient when you want a clean, air-conditioned break with plenty of choice. Expect around €20–40 per person depending on how much you order, and don’t rush it — the whole point is to sit down, cool off, and let the day slow down.
As the light softens, make your way down toward El Born for an unhurried finish in the Borne / Santa Maria del Mar area. This is the part of Barcelona that feels most alive once the sun starts dropping: narrow streets, small wine bars, locals out for a paseo, and enough atmosphere that you can just wander. If you want a natural anchor, slip into Santa Maria del Mar first, then drift through the surrounding lanes without a fixed plan. A good rule here in August: keep water with you, expect things to move a bit later in the evening, and leave yourself room for one last drink or pastry rather than trying to “do” the whole city in a day.
Start early at Park Güell in Gràcia — ideally be at the gate around opening time, because by late morning the stone paths heat up fast and the busier photo spots get crowded. An advance timed ticket is basically mandatory in August, and the main monument zone is best experienced at a slow pace rather than a rush; budget about 2 hours so you can wander the terraces, colonnades, and upper paths without feeling like you’re sprinting through a checklist. If you’re coming by taxi, ask for the Carrer d’Olot entrance; if you prefer transit, the uphill walk from the metro is real, so save your energy for later in the day.
From the park, drift into Gràcia neighborhood itself and let it feel different from the tourist core. This is the kind of area where you should just wander: Plaça del Sol, Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, and the smaller side streets around Carrer Verdi give you that village-in-the-city feel Barcelona does so well. Grab a coffee, browse a few local shops, and keep the pace loose — around an hour is enough to enjoy the neighborhood without overdoing it before lunch.
Head to Bar Mut in Eixample for a proper sit-down lunch. It’s polished but not stiff, with excellent small plates, a smart wine list, and the kind of room where you can cool off and reset before the afternoon sightseeing push. Expect roughly €30–50 per person depending on how much you order; in August I’d recommend making a reservation because places like this fill up with locals and in-the-know visitors. A taxi from Gràcia is the easiest move, though the metro works if you’d rather save the energy.
Save Sagrada Família for after lunch, when the light gets more dramatic and you’re mentally ready for Barcelona’s biggest landmark. Book a timed entry in advance — same-day tickets can be limited in peak season — and give yourself about 2 hours inside and around the church so you can actually look up, walk the exterior properly, and maybe climb a tower if you’re feeling energetic. From there, it’s an easy transition to Hospital de Sant Pau, just a short walk away, and it’s one of the best “bonus” stops in the city: a huge Modernist complex with gardens, tiled pavilions, and way fewer crowds than the basilica. It pairs perfectly with Sagrada Família because you don’t need to waste time on transport, and 1.5 hours is a good amount to appreciate it without tiring yourself out.
End the day with dinner at Xiringuito Escribà by the Poblenou beachfront. This is the right kind of finish after a heavy sightseeing day: sea air, a more relaxed mood, and a menu that works well if you want paella, seafood, or something lighter with a drink while the heat eases off. Plan on about €35–55 per person, and if you’re aiming for a sunset-adjacent meal, book ahead — it’s a popular spot and worth securing. After dinner, you can take a slow walk along the beach promenade before heading back; a taxi is simplest late at night, especially after a full day on your feet.
Start your last day with Breakfast at Brunch & Cake in Eixample — it’s a very easy, low-stress way to begin a departure day because everything is central, the service is fast, and the menu is reliable without feeling heavy. Expect roughly €15–25 per person for coffee, juice, and something substantial like eggs, pancakes, or a breakfast bowl; the whole point here is to keep it flexible so you’re not racing the clock. If you’re staying around Passeig de Gràcia, this is a simple walk or short taxi ride, and in August it’s smart to go early before the heat and brunch queue both build up.
From there, head to Palau de la Música Catalana in Sant Pere / La Ribera for a compact final culture stop. Even if you’ve already seen plenty of Barcelona’s architecture, this place still feels special because the interior hits you immediately — stained glass, mosaics, and that dramatic central skylight. A guided visit or self-paced entry usually takes about an hour, and tickets are worth booking ahead if you need a specific time slot. It’s easiest to get here by taxi or Metro, but honestly the walk from Eixample is pleasant if you have the energy and want one last look at the city streets.
Continue on foot into El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, which is one of the nicest “last stops” in Barcelona because it gives you a sense of the city without demanding too much time. The old market structure itself is interesting, but the real value is the atmosphere — you’re right in the middle of El Born, with narrow lanes, old stone façades, and a more local, lived-in feel than the big postcard sights. Give it about 45 minutes, then drift into Mercat de Santa Caterina nearby to pick up edible souvenirs like turrón, olive oil, jamón, or a few sweets for the journey home; budget around €10–20 depending on how generous you get. It’s a good idea to keep purchases compact and easy to carry, especially if you’re flying.
For the transfer, leave Barcelona with a proper buffer — in August, traffic to Barcelona–El Prat Airport can be slower than you expect, and train stations feel busier than they should. If you’re flying, a taxi from the center is the least stressful option; if you’re already near Sants, the train is easy; and if you’re coming from the city center, Aerobús is the practical middle ground. Plan to arrive 2–3 hours before a flight, a little less only if you know the airport well and you’re traveling light. If you have a train instead, aim to be at Barcelona Sants at least 30–45 minutes early so you’re not sprinting at the end of a very full trip.