Best of Madrid & Andalusia Tour: Madrid, Seville, Granada & Cordoba

Your tour begins in Spain’s capital of Madrid, a vibrant European city. You’ll be staying at a luxurious hotel in central Madrid. In a marvelously restored historic building from 1883, this charming boutique hotel is sure to delight you. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted warmly and welcomed with a refreshing beverage. The afternoon is at your leisure to begin exploring Madrid. Your boutique hotel offers splendid views of Retiro Park, once a recreation area for the royal family, and is wonderfully situated near many important sights. You could take a short stroll to the park, one of Madrid’s largest green spaces. Then walk slightly further afield to the Cybeles Fountain, an impressive monument dedicated to the Roman goddess of nature. This spectacular fountain was created in 1782 and has become an emblematic symbol of Madrid.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and then begin your discovery of Madrid. Today you’ll have a chance to visit Madrid’s world-famous museums. This tour includes a Madrid Art ticket, which allows you entrance into all of Madrid’s museums. Take advantage of the hotel’s ideal proximity to the city’s two most impressive museums. You are within walking distance to the famous Museo del Prado and the noteworthy Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Art lovers will want to spend at least a few hours at the world-class Museo del Prado. At this exceptional museum, you’ll see the greatest works of Spanish masters Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco among others. In addition to the classic masterpieces, the Museo del Prado also boasts modern art’s most important antiwar piece: Picasso’s “Guernica” that depicts the atrocities of the 1937 Spanish Civil War. Those who appreciate contemporary art should visit the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. The collections begin with art created at the end of the 19th century and continue with art from the post-war period up to postmodernity exhibitions from the 1960s to the 1980s. You’ll definitely want to see the museum’s expansive exhibition of art work by Joan Miró, the most famous of Spanish contemporary artists.

Today after breakfast, you’ll take the high-speed train to Cordoba in the Andalusia region. The journey to Cordoba takes less than two hours, yet you’ll feel much further away. With its narrow cobblestone lanes and antique street lamps, Cordoba takes you to another world in a bygone era. The city has a glorious past that dates back to the 10th century. Cordoba was the former capital city of Al Andalus, as the territory of the Muslim empire in Southern Spain was called during the period of Islamic rule. The centerpiece of Cordoba is the Mezquita, the grand mosque, which dominates the city’s maze of medieval streets. After you check into your hotel this afternoon, you will have a unique culinary experience; enjoy a tasting of local olive oils that are the basis of the region’s wonderful cuisine.

This morning after breakfast you will visit Cordoba’s Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it was later converted to a cathedral, the Mezquita is a triumphant example of Muslim architecture. This spectacular structure dating back to the 8th century is one of the biggest mosques in the world and the most important Islamic monument in Western Europe. Entrance tickets are included and you may take a self-guided tour. Cordoba has many beautiful corners for you to discover, and you may choose the option of having a private guide show you around the city. One fascinating area is the Juderia—the medieval Jewish quarter that surrounds the Mezquita. In this atmospheric neighborhood, whitewashed buildings flourish with potted plants and vibrant flowers. Narrow lanes lead to small courtyards, hidden architectural gems and ancient synagogues.

In the afternoon, you will board a high-speed train to Seville. The journey takes less than an hour. Today’s capital city of Andalusia, Sevilla is famous for its architectural beauty and vibrant lifestyle. Seville will give you a taste of quintessential Southern Spain—traditional festivals, convivial tapas tours, Flamenco dance, and bullfights are all part of the local culture.

Savor a generous breakfast at your hotel and then begin your discovery of Seville, one of the gems of Andalusia. This atmospheric city is a delight to explore! You’ll appreciate the lifestyle and culture as much as the history. In Seville, everyday life is theater played out in fashionable streets, stylish bars, and fine restaurants. Even the presentation of food is done with much flair. For instance there is a special art to cutting an Iberian Ham, one of the region’s specialties. On this tour, you’ll have a chance to see a demonstration of ham slicing and sample the delicacy.

Enjoy a guided walking tour through the old town. The two-and-a-half-hour tour takes you through Seville’s Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter, as well as to important monuments such as the cathedral. Your knowledgeable tour guide will share interesting insights into Seville’s most important sites and can give you the local’s perspective. Be sure to ask for recommendations about where to go for the best tapas. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or continue sightseeing.

Tonight you’ll have the chance to visit an authentic “tablao Flamenco,” a traditional showroom for Flamenco dance. Intense and dramatic, Flamenco dance displays a feat of incredible technique, rhythm, and emotion. Flamenco owes its cultural heritage to the Andalucia Romani community, who created the quintessential Spanish art form of Flamenco. You can see this wonderful legacy of cultural heritage shine through in the performance. This is an evening that you will never forget!

This morning is at your leisure before you take the train from Seville to Granada. The perfect conclusion to your Andalusia tour, Granada was the center of the last Muslim kingdom in the 15th century. The Alhambra was a stronghold of Muslim power until the final Christian Reconquista (Reconquest) of Spain. In addition, Granada has always been a place of cultural diversity. For centuries Christians, Muslims, and Jews as well as the Roma community lived here in harmony. During your stay, you’ll have a chance to see two of Granada’s most interesting ethnic neighborhoods, for a fascinating look into the city’s cultural heritage.

After being transferred from the train station, you’ll check into your hotel. Enjoy the hotel’s delightful atmosphere, an oasis of relaxation in the center of Granada. This afternoon, you’ll have leisure time to begin exploring Granada. Be sure to visit Granada’s beautiful Renaissance cathedral and Capilla Real, the impressive Gothic chapel that is lavishly decorated. Tonight you’ll enjoy a special Andalusian dinner in a romantic setting. The Arabian-influenced meal includes a selection of tapas,  a tasting menu of typical Andalusian dishes and dessert. You may also order wine to accompany your meal for the complete dining experience.

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up at your hotel for a visit to the Alhambra Palace, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. The residential palace of the Nasrids Sultans, the Alhambra exemplifies the splendid civilization of the Moorish kingdom. Located in a spectacular setting surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Alhambra encompasses several royal palaces surrounded by verdant gardens. Your guided tour allows you to skip the tourist lines to enter the palace and takes you inside the Royal Palaces including the palace of Carlos V. You’ll be awestruck by the exquisite Moorish design and ornate details. After seeing the splendid interior, you’ll visit the Generalife Gardens. This lush garden provides a welcome shade on a sunny day. Wandering through the elaborate rows of flowers, greenery, and fountains, offers a wonderful sense of peacefulness. A symbol of Moorish richness, the garden’s complex water system was a feat of engineering when it was created in the 14th century.

After your tour of the Alhambra, you’ll have the afternoon at leisure. You may visit the Albaicín district, the old Arab quarter. This ancient Moorish settlement is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Soak up the atmosphere in this perfectly preserved medieval neighborhood. It’s a wonderful place to take a tour of the tapas bars or to stop for mint tea at a Moroccan tea house. Another fascinating neighborhood is the Sacromonte, Granada’s Romani quarter, built into a hillside that rises above the Albaicín. Wander around to get a taste of this unique and picturesque community. Amidst the humble cave dwellings, you’ll find many Flamenco caves where you can watch the performance at its best. Tonight you will discover the secrets of "tapas." Granada is one of only a few cities in Spain that still offers complimentary tapas worthy of culinary mention. Later in the evening, you’ll be treated to an authentic Flamenco show, the perfect way to conclude your tour of Spain.

The tour concludes today after breakfast at your hotel. You’ll be provided a private transfer to the train station for your train ride from Granada to Madrid. Then you’ll receive a transfer to the Madrid airport for your return flight home.