Southern Spain by Train: Seville, Cordoba and Granada

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.