Published 10 Oct 2026 · Updated 11 Oct 2026
For a first trip to Spain, spend three nights in Barcelona, take the AVE high-speed train to Seville for two nights, then to Madrid for three, and fly home from there. Budget roughly ₹1.35 to ₹1.95 lakh per person for eight days including flights, and start the Schengen visa at least six weeks before you fly.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Spain, applied for in advance. Applications go through BLS International, Spain’s visa partner in India. We checked the BLS India short-stay visa page and its notices page on 10 October 2026, and they say:
- Where to apply: at a BLS Spain Visa Application Centre, with an online appointment (appointments are free). The Embassy of Spain in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai decide applications, by jurisdiction, so check which one covers your state.
- Fee: the BLS fee table shows ₹9,599 for the tourist visa and ₹4,799 for children aged 6 to 12. The BLS service charge is ₹1,802 including 18% GST, payable in cash; children under 6 are exempt. The table gives rupee figures only, so the euro amount is whatever the embassy sets that day.
- How early: the Delhi notice says the embassy accepts applications up to 3 months before the trip, and BLS Delhi will not take an application with less than 5 working days’ notice. The Mumbai notice asks for a gap of at least 15 days between submission and travel.
- Processing: the Delhi notice says it may take up to 15 days from the day of application, and up to 15 working days or more if the mission requires. Real time depends on the season.
- Insurance: a travel insurance certificate is mandatory at submission.
- Photo and form: one recent photograph (not older than 6 months), and an online-filled application form.
The BLS pages do not list the full supporting documents. They point to the checklists on the Embassy of Spain (Delhi) and Consulate General (Mumbai) websites, which we could not load, so follow those exactly. In practice that means flight and hotel reservations, bank statements, income-tax returns and a cover letter. Several notices on the BLS page date from 2017 to 2019, so treat them as background and rely on the current checklist.
Apply only through BLS or the embassy. Look-alike “Spain visa” sites charge large fees for the same appointment. Book flights on a refundable or flexible fare until the visa is in hand.
Once you hold a Schengen visa you can add other Schengen countries; the process is the same as in our Italy plan for Rome, Florence and Venice and Greece island itinerary. More facts are on the Spain hub.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a mid-range double room, for eight days (three nights in Barcelona, two in Seville, three in Madrid). These are our estimates for typical fares and rates, and they swing with season. One euro is roughly ₹95 to ₹105, so check the day’s rate.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights Delhi or Mumbai, one stop (into Barcelona, out of Madrid) | ₹50,000 – ₹72,000 |
| Visa fee plus BLS service charge | about ₹11,400 |
| Hotels, 7 nights (half a €90–130 room) | ₹30,000 – ₹44,000 |
| Food, about €30–45 a day | ₹22,000 – ₹32,000 |
| AVE trains and city transport | ₹11,000 – ₹19,000 |
| Attractions (Sagrada Família, Real Alcázar, Prado and others) | ₹8,000 – ₹13,000 |
| Travel insurance, eSIM, small extras | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| Total | ₹1.35 – ₹1.95 lakh |
Book the AVE tickets early: advance fares are much cheaper than same-day ones, and the budget above assumes you buy a few weeks ahead. Sharing a room halves the hotel line.
Day-by-day itinerary
Days 1–3: Barcelona
Arrive, drop your bags and walk La Rambla to the Boqueria market and the Gothic Quarter. On day two, take a timed ticket for the Sagrada Família in the morning (book it online well ahead, because slots sell out), then see Gaudí’s Casa Batlló or walk Passeig de Gràcia. In the evening, go up to Bunkers del Carmel for a free view over the city. Day three: Park Güell (also timed tickets), then the beach at Barceloneta or the Picasso Museum.
Days 4–5: Seville
Take the AVE from Barcelona Sants to Seville Santa Justa. It takes roughly five and a half hours, so leave in the morning. If you would rather split it, change at Madrid. Spend the evening in the Santa Cruz quarter.
Next day, go early to the Real Alcázar, a Moorish palace with gardens, then the Cathedral and La Giralda tower. In the afternoon, walk to Plaza de España, the brick half-circle in the lead photo, and row on the canal if you want to; boats are cheap.
Days 6–8: Madrid
Take the AVE from Seville to Madrid, about two and a half hours. In the afternoon, walk Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace exterior. Day seven is for art: the Prado, then the Retiro Park, and the Reina Sofía if you like Picasso’s Guernica. Day eight: a slow morning, tapas around La Latina if it is a Sunday, then the Metro to Barajas airport. Allow three hours before an international departure.
Eating in Spain as an Indian traveller
Spanish kitchens put ham and fish in many dishes. Vegetarians can eat well if they ask: tortilla española, patatas bravas, pimientos de Padrón, croquetas de queso, gazpacho, pan con tomate and paella de verduras. Say “sin carne, sin jamón, sin pescado”. Salmorejo, the thick Andalusian tomato soup, is often topped with ham, so ask for it without. Lunch is the cheap meal: the menú del día is often €13 to €18 for three courses. Dinner is late, from about 8:30 pm. Jain food is hard, so carry dry snacks. For Indian food, Barcelona and Madrid both have Indian restaurants, particularly around El Raval and Lavapiés.
Best time to go
April to June and September to October are best: warm days, long evenings and fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August are very hot, particularly in Seville and Madrid, so plan indoor visits in the afternoon. November to March is cheaper and quieter, mild in Barcelona and Seville and cold in Madrid. Holy Week and the Feria de Abril in Seville raise hotel prices sharply.
Practical tips
- Money: carry a forex card or multi-currency card. UPI is not accepted; keep some euro cash for markets and small bars.
- Pickpockets: Barcelona, particularly La Rambla, the Metro and the Sagrada Família area, is known for them. Keep your phone and passport in a zipped inner pocket.
- SIM: an eSIM bought before you fly saves queueing at the airport.
- Plugs: Spain uses the two-round-pin Type C/F plug at 230 V, so pack an adapter.
- Border check: you will be fingerprinted and photographed under the EU’s Entry/Exit System on arrival, so allow extra time at immigration.
- Siesta hours: many small shops close from about 2 to 5 pm outside the big cities. Plan sightseeing around it.
- Paperwork: keep your visa, insurance certificate, hotel bookings and train tickets in one folder, since the border officer can ask for any of them.
Related guides
Want another Schengen trip on the same visa? See the Italy 8-day plan, the Portugal trip through Lisbon, Sintra and Porto, the Greece islands itinerary the Switzerland honeymoon guide the Netherlands tulip season plan or the cheaper Prague trip with Kutná Hora and Český Krumlov. All facts for Spain are on the Spain hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Spain?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Spain. You apply at a BLS International visa application centre in India, and the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai decides it. It allows up to 90 days in any 180.
How much is the Spain Schengen visa fee for Indians?
The BLS India fee table lists ₹9,599 for adults and ₹4,799 for children aged 6 to 12, plus a BLS service charge of ₹1,802 including GST, payable in cash. Children under 6 are exempt from the service charge. Fees move with the euro, so confirm the table on the BLS page before you go.
How early should I apply for a Spain visa from India?
BLS says the Embassy of Spain accepts applications up to 3 months before travel, and processing can take up to 15 days or more if the mission needs it. In practice, apply six to eight weeks before you fly, and book flights on a refundable fare until the visa is in hand.
How many days are enough for Spain?
Eight days covers Barcelona, Seville and Madrid without rushing: three nights in Barcelona, two in Seville and three in Madrid. With five days, drop Seville and do Barcelona and Madrid, which are 2.5 hours apart on the AVE train.
How much does a Spain trip cost from India?
Roughly ₹1.35 to ₹1.95 lakh per person for eight days, sharing a mid-range hotel room, with return flights from Delhi or Mumbai, the visa, trains, food and attractions. Flights and hotels in Barcelona are the biggest swing.
Is Spain good for vegetarians?
It is workable but not automatic. Tortilla española, patatas bravas, pimientos de Padrón, gazpacho, pan con tomate and vegetable paella are easy. Ham and fish turn up in dishes you would not expect, so say 'sin carne, sin jamón, sin pescado' and ask about stock.
What is the best time to visit Spain from India?
April to June and September to October: warm, long days and manageable crowds. July and August are very hot in Seville and Madrid, and August is when many locals take holiday. Winter is cold in Madrid but cheap, and mild in Barcelona and Seville.
