Barcelona to Andalusia & Madrid
On this 9-day small group tour, explore Gaudi’s landmarks in Barcelona, including La Sagrada Familia, then cruise the picturesque coastline aboard a catamaran. Visit Peniscola and Valencia, taste horchata, and discover Granada’s Alhambra. Learn flamenco, enjoy a traditional dinner and show and tour Seville’s Cathedral. Explore the city's Santa Cruz quarter and Plaza de Espana, visit Cordoba’s Mosque and Jewish Quarter, then see Madrid’s historic and modern sites. Conclude with chocolate and churros and a farewell dinner featuring regional specialities.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Barcelona
Day 1 Barcelona
Welcome to Barcelona, Spain! We will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Join our tour leader for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers over a delightful evening of good food and wine.
Day 2 Barcelona City Tour
Day 2 Barcelona City Tour
After breakfast, we begin our Barcelona city tour with a drive past Gaudi's La Pedrera and Casa Batllo. See Montjuic Park, the Olympic Ring, Columbus Monument, and Olympic Port. There is also an included visit to Gaudi's corwn jewel, the jaw-dropping Sagrada Familia. It has been under construction for nearly 100 years, and completion is drawing close!
After our sightseeing concludes, we head to Port Vell and board a catamaran for a memorable coastal sail with music, a drink, and a tapa. Relax on shaded seats or sunbathe on forward nets. After this unique experience, the rest of the afternoon is free to continue exploring the city on your own.
Day 3 Pensicola and Valencia
Day 3 Pensicola and Valencia
Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia. This morning after breakfast, we head towards Valencia via the Costa Dorada and the Ebro Delta, stopping at Peniscola to see locations where "El Cid" and "Game of Thrones" were filmed. In Valencia, enjoy a typical "horchata"(tiger milk) and explore the city, including the modern Arts and Sciences Architectural Complex with its six elements: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts, and Agora. Visit the old town and the exterior of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Day 4 Valencia & Granada
Day 4 Valencia & Granada
Valencia - Granda, After breakfast, we travel to Granada, a jewel of Andalusia located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, between the Darro and Genil rivers. The city boasts an impressive Andalusian legacy, exemplified by the Alhambra, and is also home to Renaissance architectural gems. In Granada, we'll have the opportunity to learn flamenco dancing before enjoying a dinner accompanied by a flamenco show at one of the city's most typical venues. After dinner, we invite you to experience the stunning views of Granada from one of the city's viewpoints.
Day 5 The Alhambra & Seville
Day 5 The Alhambra & Seville
Granada - Seville. This morning, after breakfast, we visit the renowned Alhambra complex, a stunning example of Moorish architecture, and stroll through the beautiful Generalife Gardens, known for their exquisite landscaping and serene atmosphere. Afterward, journey through the picturesque countryside, passing olive groves and charming white villages, as we make our way to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. This evening, we will have the opportunity to join our fellow travellers for a delightful dinner, where we can savour the rich and diverse flavours of traditional Andalusian cuisine in a convivial setting.
Day 6 Seville
Day 6 Seville
After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a morning city tour of Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. Visit the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter's in Rome. Explore the charming Santa Cruz quarter, known for its connection to Carmen and the legend of Don Juan. Stroll through the picturesque Maria Luisa Park and admire the stunning Plaza de Espana. In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore and soak in the atmosphere of this enchanting city of light.
Day 7 Cordoba
Day 7 Cordoba
Seville - Cordoba - Madrid. This morning after breakfast at the hotel, depart for Cordoba, the historic capital of the caliphate. Upon arrival, take a tour of the impressive Mosque-Cathedral and wander through the narrow streets of the charming Jewish Quarter. Continue the journey to Madrid, passing through the dramatic natural border of Despenaperros and travelling across the plains of La Mancha, famously known as Don Quixote's land. Arrive in Madrid in the evening.
Day 8 Madrid Sightseeing
Day 8 Madrid Sightseeing
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided city tour of Madrid. Explore the historic Barrio de la Moreria, the Hapsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa, as well as the architectural achievements of Charles III, including the Royal Palace and the Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains.
Discover modern Madrid with sights such as Gran Via, Castellana, the Salamanca district, and the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Football Stadium. Sample the local treat of chocolate with churros during the tour. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to further explore the city's attractions. Conclude the day with a farewell dinner featuring regional specialties, shared with your fellow travellers.
Day 9 Madrid
Day 9 Madrid
Tuck into a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
Tour Highlights
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Prices & Dates
Hotels
Located on one of Barcelona's most famous streets, Diagonal Avenue, the Hesperia President hotel is ideally located for those looking to immerse themselves in Barcelona. Ranked as a Biosphere sustainable hotel with measures taken to save water, use renewable energy and take climate action, it's a hotel that's good for the planet too! Modern rooms are bright and spacious, with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, flat screen TV and complimentary Wi-Fi access. There is an onsite gym and sun terrace, and a buffet breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.
This contemporary hotel, located near Parc de Joan Miró and just 4 minutes from Espanya metro station and Fira Barcelona, offers sleek rooms with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, desks, and minibars. Upgraded rooms feature stylish decor, city views, and Nespresso machines, with some including terraces. Suites provide access to a club lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks. Enjoy a laid-back bar, a Japanese restaurant, and a rooftop pool with panoramic city views. Additional amenities include a gym, spa with wellness treatments, and versatile meeting spaces. The hotel is child and pet-friendly and offers room service, a 24-hour front desk
This upscale hotel in a modern tower is an 18-minute walk from the City of Arts and Sciences and 2.6 km from Valencia Cathedral. The sophisticated rooms feature modern furnishings, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, minibars, and sitting areas. Room service is available. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in public areas, a casual bar and cafe, and a breakfast buffet for a fee. Additional amenities include a rooftop pool, fitness room, business center, conference facilities, and paid parking.
This elegant hotel is located 1.6 km from the Alhambra and 1.9 km from the 14th-century Generalife estate. The stylish, traditional rooms come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars, with some upgraded options offering private terraces with mountain views. Amenities include a casual dining area where a breakfast buffet is available for a fee, a fitness center, and a bright restaurant/bar.
Located in the financial district, this modern hotel is a 5-minute walk from San Bernardo metro and 2 km from Plaza de España. Rooms feature wood floors, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea/coffee facilities; some include whirlpool tubs and city views. Suites offer separate living areas and extra TVs. Amenities include a Mediterranean restaurant, pub, outdoor pool, gym, terrace with park views, business center, and 11 meeting rooms. Parking is available for a fee.
n Madrid's Barrio de las Letras, Casa de las Artes Meliá Collection celebrates the Spanish Golden Age's artistic heritage with modern art tributes. Positioned between Atocha and Moratín streets, it blends historical charm with contemporary creativity, offering a vibrant setting for art enthusiasts. The hotel features Maché restaurant, which offers a fusion of local and international cuisine, making it more than just a place to stay—it's a tribute to artistic expression.
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