Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

A Great Rail Adventure Across Andalucia Historic Cities, Flamenco Shows & Moorish Masterpieces

Spain – Andalucia – Seville – Cordoba – Granada

Starting from between £2500 to £3000 per person for 8 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Travel through Andalucia by train on this eight-day journey to Seville, Cordoba and Granada
  • Explore Seville’s cultural treasures on a guided tour
  • Feel every stomp, strum and soulful note at a live flamenco performance
  • Discover the magic of the Mezquita in Cordoba
  • Unwind in Granada’s traditional hammam
  • Step inside the magnificent Alhambra, Granada’s iconic fortress
  • Benefit from our Original Services: expert guides, local Concierges, 100% carbon absorption and more
One week, three cities and plenty of scenic views: this is how to rail across Andalucia in slow travel style.

The fun kicks off in Seville with a traditional flamenco performance, where stamping heels, soaring vocals and the strum of a Spanish guitar fill the tablao. And by the time the final chord rings out, you might just be ready to give the dance a whirl yourself. Then explore Seville alongside a local guide, wandering the honey-hued streets and the banks of the Guadalquivir River, with plenty of time to stop for tapas whenever temptation strikes.

Next, set your sights on Cordoba, where you’ll discover the Mezquita in all its glory. Famed for its iconic striped arches, this Mosque-Cathedral tells the story of the many cultures that have shaped the city over the centuries.

For the grand finale, your rail adventure rolls into Granada. Here, make a beeline for a traditional hammam where warm thermal pools, fragrant steam and flickering candles promise a blissful afternoon of R&R. Then it’s on to the Alhambra, a Moorish palace that’s bound to spark plenty of wide-eyed wonder. By the end of your trip, you’ll likely be smitten by Andalucia’s charms... and its trains.
Flamenco - Seville - Spain © joserpizarro / Fotolia.com
Flamenco - Seville - Spain © joserpizarro / Fotolia.com
Train - Spain © Rares Popescu / Pexels.com
Train - Spain © Rares Popescu / Pexels.com
Seville - Spain © Imren Tutuncu / Pexels
Seville - Spain © Imren Tutuncu / Pexels
Seville - Spain © Pia Riverola
Seville - Spain © Pia Riverola
Seville - Spain © Monica Gumm/LAIF-REA
Seville - Spain © Monica Gumm/LAIF-REA
Seville - Spain © Pia Riverola
Seville - Spain © Pia Riverola
Andalucia - Spain © Pia Riverola
Andalucia - Spain © Pia Riverola
Mezquita - Andalucia - Spain © Marc Oliver Schulz/LAIF-REA
Mezquita - Andalucia - Spain © Marc Oliver Schulz/LAIF-REA
Train © Carmen Laezza/Unsplash
Train © Carmen Laezza/Unsplash
Flamenco - Spain © Andrane de Barry
Flamenco - Spain © Andrane de Barry
Seville - Spain © Fabian Navarro/Unsplash
Seville - Spain © Fabian Navarro/Unsplash
Andalucia - Spain © Faustine Poidevin
Andalucia - Spain © Faustine Poidevin
Seville - Spain © Sabino Parente/stock.adobe.com
Seville - Spain © Sabino Parente/stock.adobe.com
Cordoba - Andalucia © uvejs bektas / Pexels.com
Cordoba - Andalucia © uvejs bektas / Pexels.com
Train journey © Pia Riverola
Train journey © Pia Riverola

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Bags packed, passports at the ready and excitement levels officially sky-high, today's the day you’re off to Spain.

Head to the airport, breeze through security and enjoy some drinks and nibbles in the lounge before boarding your three-hour flight to Seville – just enough time to master some Spanish phrases before touchdown.

When you arrive, a private transfer will whisk you away to your hotel in the heart of the city – your home for the next three nights.

This evening, swap travel-day yawns for castanets, thundering drums and footwork so fast it may leave you dizzy at a traditional flamenco performance. Held in a tablao (an intimate venue dedicated to this iconic art form), watch as dancers in ruffled dresses swirl and stamp across the stage with fiery flair, while soulful vocals ring out to the unmistakable twang of the Spanish guitar. And who knows, it might just have you attempting a few moves of your own before the curtain falls...

Rise and shine early this morning, then meet your local guide for a greatest hits tour of historic Seville.

Begin with an amble along the banks of the Guadalquivir River as your guide shares stories of the city’s past, from the days of Moorish rule to the reign of Spain’s Catholic monarchs. Along the way, step inside the ornate Cathedral before gazing up at the Giralda, which once served as the minaret of the Almohad Mosque and now stands as a soaring bell tower.

Then follow the mosaic-embellished streets into the Royal Alcazar, a centuries-old palace where tiled archways adorned with Mudejar art are bound to spark plenty of oohs and aahs. Afterwards, weave through the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, before stopping by the Archivo de Indias, where time-worn maps and stories of daring voyages await.

Finally, wrap things up with an afternoon tipple at a sun-drenched café in the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes. Sangria, anyone?

With a velvety Spanish coffee in hand, today is all yours to soak up the splendour of Seville.

Fancy yourself an art aficionado? Make a beeline for the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Casa de Pilatos, a beautifully preserved palace renowned for its Renaissance architecture. If you’re more of a history buff, explore Seville’s tangle of Moorish palaces, Gothic churches and grand streets adorned with elaborate Baroque facades.

Alternatively, hop on a bicycle and pedal through the neighbourhoods of El Arenal and Triana to Macarena (yes, the very district that inspired that Macarena song – so feel free to bust out some moves), dipping into tapas bars en route whenever hunger strikes.

Has one too many plates of patatas bravas got you craving something sweet? We can also arrange a tour of Seville’s Convents, where you’ll tuck into traditional pastries prepared using time-honed recipes.

This morning, make your way to the station to catch your direct one-hour train to Cordoba. On board, nab a window seat and tune into our destination-specific playlist, admiring the views of the Andalucian countryside tumbling by.

When you arrive in Cordoba, make your way to your charming guesthouse located in the heart of the city; your base for the next two nights.

After a few action-packed days, it’s time to dial things down a notch. Find a sun lounger, soak in that oh-so glorious Spanish sunshine, crack open your holiday read and cool off with intermittent dips in the pool. And when the heat really starts to bite, embrace siesta o’clock with an afternoon snooze – a rite of passage when in Andalucia.

Raring to go? We can also arrange a tour of Cordoba, where your guide will take you beyond the headline sights and into the heart of local life.

Another day, another adventure. This morning, it’s time to discover Cordoba’s crowning glory: the Mezquita.

Perched beside the Guadalquivir River, this UNESCO-listed icon is one of the world’s largest former mosques and today stands as a cathedral, where Islamic artistry meets Renaissance grandeur. Inside, weave your way around the almost 1,000 columns, framed by the Mezquita’s mesmerising red-and-white arches. Then lift your gaze to admire the vaulted ceilings, revealing ever more intricate details the longer you linger.

Suitably wowed, climb the former minaret, now converted into a bell tower, for sweeping views across the city’s terracotta rooftops.

Back in the heart of Cordoba, you’ll find a healthy smattering of bars and taverns lining the streets, leaving you spoilt for choice when dinnertime rolls around. Dine al fresco, raise a glass of regional wine and feast on berenjenas con miel (crispy fried aubergine drizzled with local honey).

It’s all aboard to Granada this morning so head to the train station, stock up on snacks and settle in for the two-hour journey. Between rounds of cards and striking up conversations with your fellow passengers, the time will fly by.

When you arrive in Granada, check in to your centrally located hotel – your home away from home for the next two nights.

Then make your way to the Hammam of Granada and slip into the warm, mineral-rich pools, embracing a bathing ritual that has been cherished since the Nasrid dynasty era. Surrounded by candlelit arches and intricate Moorish architecture, watch wisps of steam curl from the water and let Granada’s centuries-old spa culture work its magic. And if you fancy dialling up the indulgence, treat yourself to an essential oil massage.

After all that pampering, bypass any dinner deliberations with a restaurant recommendation from our local Concierge – just tell them what you’re craving, and they’ll sort the rest.

Lace up your comfiest walking shoes and pack your camera: this morning, you’re setting off with a local guide to discover the Alhambra, Andalucia’s crown jewel.

Perched high above Granada, this magnificent Moorish palace and fortress was built by the Nasrid rulers more than 700 years ago. Your guide will bring its history to life as you weave through the maze of ornate halls and tranquil courtyards, where geometric tiles and trickling fountains all showcase the remarkable artistry of Islamic Spain.

Round off your visit at the Generalife gardens, where cypress-lined pathways and shaded terraces once offered the city’s rulers a peaceful summer retreat.

This evening is all yours to explore at your own pace. Or, if today’s visit has sparked your curiosity about the city’s history, we can also arrange a private tour of the Madraza and the Royal Chapel of Granada.

For your final night, leave dinner plans in the hands of our local Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.

Swap your train ticket for a boarding pass this afternoon, as sadly, it’s time to say adios to Andalucia. You’ll be privately driven one-and-a-half-hours to Malaga Airport, where you can stock up on any last-minute souvenirs before checking in for your return flight home.

You’ll spend around three hours in the air – plenty of time to flick through your holiday photos, relive the highlights and start dreaming up your next European escape... 

Suggestions

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

SWEET TREATS IN SEVILLE’S CONVENTS

Clocked up plenty of steps sightseeing around Seville? It’s time to refuel with something sweet. Join your guide to discover some of the city's most peaceful convents, beginning at Santa Paula before continuing to others such as Santa Maria de Jesus and Santa Isabel, all tucked behind Seville’s lively streets. Along the way, you’ll meet the religious communities who reside here and learn all about their way of life, including how their famous pastries are still lovingly prepared using recipes passed down through generations. Then comes the best part: sampling these sweet delights, which may include the likes of lemon yemas (soft egg-yolk sweets) honey-drenched pestinos (fried pastries) and fresh-out-the-oven tarts filled with fig jam.

CORDOBA LIKE A LOCAL

If you fancy exploring Cordoba through a local’s eyes, join a guide who knows these streets like the back of their hand. They’ll introduce you to their favourite corners, share stories about the city's rich cultural identity and show you how Andalucian traditions are still woven into everyday life. This is a go-with-the-flow kind of experience, so as you amble through the whitewashed streets, simply follow what catches your eye – whether that’s a shaded terrace perfect for a spot of people-watching or a leafy park calling out for a stroll. And if the aromas of a bustling tapas bar lures you inside, your guide will know exactly which dishes are worth ordering.

GRANADA’S ROYAL TREASURES

Ready for another history fix? Join a local guide for a stroll through Granada’s cultural heart, beginning at the Madraza Palace, a former Islamic university founded in 1349. Then continue to the Royal Chapel, a striking example of late Gothic architecture and the final resting place of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand. Keep your camera handy as you admire the finely chiselled stuccoes and soaring stone vaults, while your guide gives you the lowdown on the craftmanship, symbolism and lasting legacy they’ve left on Granada.

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
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The cost for this trip starts from £2,500 to £3,000 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 £2,800 per person.

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