Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Spain – Andalucia – Cordoba – Granada – Ronda – Cadiz – Seville
100% customisable for you
Your adventure in Andalucia starts today. Head to the airport for a swift two-and-a-half-hour flight to Seville. On arrival, pick up your hire car and drive two hours to Cordoba, before checking into your centrally located hotel for two nights. Built on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, this beautiful city is steeped in Roman and Islamic heritage.
After settling in, take a wander around the neighbourhood to soak up the atmosphere, where you’ll discover orange tree-lined streets, flower-filled patios and hidden plazas at every turn. Amble through the maze of cobbled streets in the Jewish and Moorish quarters and grab a cold drink at a bustling tapas bar.
This evening we’ve arranged tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (also called La Mezquita). As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s considered one of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture and incorporates Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influences.
This nighttime experience, called The Soul of Cordoba, is more than a tour. It features a sound and light show to help visitors connect more deeply with Cordoba’s history and culture. Stroll through Patio de los Naranjos (a garden planted with orange trees, palms and cypresses), before stepping inside, through the prayer hall’s ‘forest’ of marble, jasper and granite columns, and gaze in awe at dazzling mosaic ceilings and ornate carved arches.
Afterwards, enjoy a taste of modern-day Cordoba – our Concierge can book you a table at an innovative restaurant where contemporary dishes are rooted in the region’s traditional cuisine.
After breakfast, say goodbye to Cordoba and set off on the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Granada for a restful two-night stay.
On arrival, check into your hotel in the heart of the historic centre before heading out to explore your new surroundings. You’ll find lively tapas bars and restaurants spilling onto the streets and the sound of flamenco filling the air.
Today is all about exploring Granada with a clued-up local guide. Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, the city was the last stronghold of the Moors, who ruled this part of Spain from the eighth to the 15th century.
That heritage is ever-present – most famously in the Alhambra, the fortress-palace of the Nasrid rulers. As you wander hidden nooks and alleyways, keep your eyes peeled for teterias (tea houses) and carmenes (whitewashed mansions with lush walled gardens). En route, spot urban art in El Realejo, Granada’s old Jewish quarter, and explore Sacromonte, the city’s traditional Roma neighbourhood, where artistic types live in centuries-old caves.
Fun fact: The abstract expressionist painter Jose Guerrero was born in Granada. The city and its majestic Alhambra palace also captivated author Victor Hugo, who wrote about Granada in his travel-inspired poetry.
Your journey continues to Ronda today, a large pueblo blanco (white town) where stone buildings cling to the sides of El Tajo, a dramatic gorge carved by the Guadalevin River. It’s just over a two-hour drive east. En route, pause at pretty villages and explore Archidona, home to a striking octagonal-shaped plaza.
On arrival, check into your hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy a glass of something chilled before wandering around your new surroundings. Ronda is perched above a 300ft sheer drop, with three bridges connecting its two sides. After postcard-worthy views? We recommend heading to the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), the largest of the three and built in 1793. On the south side lies the Old Town, which mostly dates back to Moorish times when Ronda was a cultural centre, and is still home to historic mosques and palaces.
Feeling hungry after all that exploring? This evening, tuck into hearty regional dishes and the local favourite, Rabo de Toro – a tender slow-cooked oxtail stew simmered in red wine, vegetables and aromatic spices.
Hit the road this morning to Cadiz, an ancient port city just over a two-hour drive away. Founded by the Phoenicians around 1100BC, it’s thought to be Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement.
On arrival, check into your boutique hotel for a two-night stay before heading out to explore its centuries-old barrios (neighbourhoods) and the labyrinthine streets. Feeling hungry? Sample small plates at an old-school tapas bar as flamenco music drifts through the air.
If you’re a keen surfer, you’re in luck as this stretch of coastline is a hotspot for catching the waves. In the city, Cortadura beach attracts more experienced surfers, while El Palmar beach, about a 45-minute drive down the coast, is a great place for beginners thanks to its surf schools.
This evening, we’ve arranged a sherry tasting session – the perfect chance for you to learn why the region is famous for its fortified wine and enjoy the flavour profiles of different varieties.
Another day, another road trip. Jump back in your hire car this morning for a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman city ideally located by the beach. After being abandoned due to an earthquake in the third century, this important archaeological site offers a glimpse into life in Roman times.
Explore the remains of the thermae (bath houses), a 2,000-capacity theatre, temples, a forum (public square) and basilica (courthouse), tabernae (shops) and a macellum (market), then pop into the visitor centre to see a scale model of the city.
Next, head to the ancient town of Tarifa, a 30-minute drive down the coast, where windswept, sandy beaches are a playground for international surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. It’s the last stop in Spain before Morocco (you can catch a ferry from Tarifa to Tangier across the Strait of Gibraltar), so it feels like North Africa as you amble around the winding alleys.
It’s onwards to Seville today, where postcard-worthy streets are laden with orange trees, and locals sip in picturesque shady plazas. It’s about a one-and-a-half-hour drive, heading north. On arrival, return your hire car, then check into your hotel in a peaceful neighbourhood near the Guadalquivir River.
The next few days are all yours to explore the city’s Moorish architecture, soulful flamenco scene and enjoy tapear – the tradition of bar hopping for tapas. Each barrio (neighbourhood) has a distinct character. Arenal is the place to be for old-school bars and restaurants, while Triana, a traditional neighbourhood, is home to creative types and historic tile workshops and potteries. Check out Macarena for art galleries and dining spots for innovative cuisine.
During your stay, be sure to enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a majestic palace that combines Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles and lush gardens.
Sadly, it’s time to say adios to Andalucia. Take one final stroll around the city, before your private transfer to the airport. Flights to the UK take around two hours and 45 minutes, so you’ll soon be on home turf, ready to research another Spanish adventure.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
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.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
