Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Southern Spain by Train
Seville, Cordoba and Granada

Seville - Cordoba - Granada

Starting from between £1,645 to £2,260 per person for 8 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Leave the car behind and take the train to the great cities of Andalucia: Seville, Cordoba and Granada
  • Stay in beautiful hotels in the heart of the historic centre, ideal for exploring on foot
  • Explore the emblematic sites of each city, including cathedrals, mosques, palaces, gardens and fortresses
Enviable climate, friendly locals, delectable cuisine and pristine Mudejar architecture are just a few of the things that make Andalucia such a desirable destination. But its popularity can also make driving through city centres somewhat of a nightmare. That’s why for this three-part city-hopping adventure to Seville, Cordoba and Granada you’ll be leaving the car at home and travelling by train, passing though gentle landscapes of olive groves and whitewashed villages instead of honking your horn on crowded roads. In each stop you’ll hang up your hat in a centrally-located hotel and set out on foot to admire fascinating historic sites, tuck into indulgent regional tapas dishes and get lost in the narrow, winding, floral streets that characterise southern Spain.
Andalousie - Espagne © Alix Pardo
Andalousie - Espagne © Alix Pardo
Andalousie - Espagne © Marisa Murillo/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Andalousie - Espagne © Marisa Murillo/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Seville - Andalousie - Espagne © Matthieu Salvaing
Seville - Andalousie - Espagne © Matthieu Salvaing
Andalousie - Espagne © Alix Pardo
Andalousie - Espagne © Alix Pardo
Andalousie - Espagne © Alix Pardo
Andalousie - Espagne © Alix Pardo
Seville - Andalousie - Espagne © Pia Riverola
Seville - Andalousie - Espagne © Pia Riverola
train - Espagne © Julie GUICHES  / PINK / saif images
train - Espagne © Julie GUICHES / PINK / saif images
Cordoue - Andalousie - Espagne © Marc Oliver Schulz/LAIF-REA
Cordoue - Andalousie - Espagne © Marc Oliver Schulz/LAIF-REA
Séville - Andalousie - Espagne © Javier Orive/Las Casas De El Arenal
Séville - Andalousie - Espagne © Javier Orive/Las Casas De El Arenal
Andalousie - Espagne © Pia Riverola
Andalousie - Espagne © Pia Riverola
Grenade - Espagne © Olga/stock.adobe.com
Grenade - Espagne © Olga/stock.adobe.com
Mezquita - Cordoue - Andalousie - Espagne © Marc Oliver Schulz/LAIF-REA
Mezquita - Cordoue - Andalousie - Espagne © Marc Oliver Schulz/LAIF-REA
Séville - Andalousie - Espagne © Monica Gumm/LAIF-REA
Séville - Andalousie - Espagne © Monica Gumm/LAIF-REA
Seville - Andalousie - Espagne © Pia Riverola
Seville - Andalousie - Espagne © Pia Riverola

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Your Andalusian adventure starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some down time in the airport lounge with some nibbles and refreshments as you await departure. Flight time to Seville is just under three hours, enough time to get stuck into your holiday read before touchdown. On arrival, you’ll be met by a private driver and transferred to your first accommodation: a charming hotel set in a classic property in the heart of the historic centre, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. The rest of today is yours to spend settling into your new Spanish surroundings. We recommend heading out for a stroll through the network of picturesque narrow streets that make up the old town. Here you’ll find plenty of traditional tapas bars, perfect for getting a first taste (quite literally) of Seville’s lively foodie scene.

It’s your first full day in Spain, so a spot of sightseeing is top of the agenda. Today you’ll be armed with skip-the-queue tickets to three of Seville’s most important sites: the Royal Alcazar of Seville, the Cathedral and the Church of the Divine Savior. We recommend starting your day bright and early at the Alcazar Palace to beat the crowds of visitors that come to marvel at this picturesque oasis. Built on the foundations of an Arab fortress, this sprawling palace harbours a rich architectural heritage: golden domes, tiled walls, elegant courtyards and magnificent manicured gardens. Continue on to the Cathedral of Seville. This Roman Catholic church is one of the largest in the world and has a claim to fame as the resting place of Christopher Columbus. Round off your day with a visit to Basilica of the Divine Saviour. Built on the site of the grand old Umayyad Mosque, this architectural jewel displays a majestic brick facade with carved stone reliefs.

After visiting the city’s main sites yesterday, today is yours to spend soaking in Seville’s rich culture. We recommend renting bikes for the day, as this makes it possible to get around quicker and easier than on foot. Spend the morning exploring the beautifully-curated exhibitions of the Museum of Fine Arts before winding your way to the Italian Renaissance palace of Casa de Pilatos. The afternoon is a great time to head to the down-to-earth neighbourhood of Triana. There is a lively market hall filled with eateries serving ultra-fresh local dishes. During your bike ride, make sure to take regular breaks for a bite to eat at the many beautiful tapas bars that call Seville home. Round off your final evening here watching the sunset from Las Setas, an elevated wooden structure overlooking Encarnación Square in the old quarter. Other options for today include a gastronomic walk through Triana with a foodie-obsessive local guide.

It’s time to board the first train of your Andalusian adventure. After a delicious breakfast this morning, head to the train station to catch a one-hour train to Cordoba. The journey is very scenic, passing through the heart of the peaceful Andalusian countryside. On arrival, check in for two nights at a beautiful hotel rooted in tradition. Spend the rest of today exploring your new surroundings before tucking into a delicious meal at the hotel this evening.

Today is all about discovering the scenic and cultural delights of Corodba, one of the prettiest cities in Andalucia. The overlapping neighbourhoods of San Basilio and the Jewish Quarter are home to classic white-washed houses with floral facades, elegant cafes set in shaded courtyards and traditional tapas bars serving local fare. You can also head over to central Cordoba to admire the grand 1920’s architecture and wide, well-kept avenues that extend out from Plaza de las Tendillas. This evening you’ll be touring the Mezquita, Cordoba’s most iconic site. This ancient Roman temple is steeped in religious history: it was a church, then a mosque and later a cathedral after the Christian reconquest in the 16th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Europe’s most important monuments of Islamic architecture and pays homage to the historic Muslim presence in southern Spain. This evening’s visit revolves around a sound and light projection in the Patio de los Naranjos and in the Hall of Columns that retraces the history of the building and the city.

Your journey through Andalucia continues today. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning, head to the train station to catch a two-hour train to Granada. On arrival, check into your next accommodation: a grand hotel full of Mudéjar charms in the heart of town, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. The rest of today is yours to spend discovering your new surroundings. We recommend simply going for a stroll around the old town before heading back to the hotel for a delicious evening meal.

It’s your last full day in southern Spain and what better way to spend it than touring two of Granada’s most emblematic sites: the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens. After breakfast this morning you’ll be met by a friendly local guide, who knows everything there is to know about the fascinating Arab heritage of this historic wonder. Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the fortress is home to a military area that served as barracks for the royal guard, known as the ‘Alcazaba’, and the Medina, where the noblemen resided. In the centre of the complex are the Nasrid palaces, where the kings lived and which acted as the political and religious heart of the city until the 16th century. Round off your visit to the fortress with a private tour of the beautiful Generalife gardens, which pay homage to the elements of tranquillity and contemplation valued in Islamic gardens. The rest of this afternoon and evening is yours to play with. You can continue exploring at your own leisure or our team can arrange for you to head out on a private walking tour of Albaicín, the medieval Moorish quarter and oldest neighbourhood in Granada.

Sadly the time has come to bid southern Spain a warm farewell and embark on the journey home. After one last delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, you’ll be collected by a private driver and transferred to the airport in Granada. After whizzing through security, take the opportunity to stock up on any last-minute souvenirs and specialities before boarding your two-and-a-half-hour flight back to the UK.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

WATCH A FLAMENCO SHOW IN SEVILLE



Colourful dresses, dazzling twirls and the click of those heels… catching a Flamenco show in Seville is a must for any cultural enthusiast. From its humble beginnings as the music and dance of Andalusia’s gypsies, Flamenco is now an integral part of southern Spain’s culture as well as a dance form recognised all over the world. Spend an evening watching a traditional show in the Flamenco Dance Museum, one of the best stages in the city where world-famous artists come to perform.



GOURMET WALK IN TRIANA, SEVILLE



Triana is a neighbourhood of sailors, craftsmen, bullfighters, singers and exceptional chefs. Spend a few hours strolling the colourful streets of the neighbourhood, visiting sites such as the Carmel Chapel and the home of the famous bullfighter Francisco Vega de los Rios. Round off your walk with a tasting of various local products in the bustling Triana market.



PRIVATE TOUR OF GRANADA’S ALBAICIN DISTRICT



Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this district has preserved a rich ensemble of Moorish architecture that blends almost seamlessly with traditional Andalusian style. The neighbourhood’s most authentic houses, ‘carmenes’, were built during the period of Arab domination and all follow the same plan: their immaculate walls hide precious courtyards filled with plants and flowers.

Why visit Spain with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Spain

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £1,645 to £2,260 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £1,910 per person.

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