Madrid & Southern Spain
Set off from the Spanish capital, Madrid, to take in the best of Southern Spain on this 9-day coach tour. Explore the cultural gems of Merida and Cordoba and visit the famous cathedral in Seville. Taste Andalusian olive oil, admire the view from Ronda, and spend a night in the Costa del Sol, with free time to stroll along the beach. Visit the incredible Alhambra complex in Grenada, see a Flamenco master class and show, and much more.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Madrid
Day 1 Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, the Spanish capital! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 2 Exploring Madrid
Day 2 Exploring Madrid
Madrid - Cordoba. Today, we embark on an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid. The highlights of our excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburgs District, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa. We will explore the Madrid of the Bourbons, including the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, and visit the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. In the more contemporary part of the city, we will see areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the Salamanca district, as well as the commercial and financial zones of Modern Madrid.
We will also visit the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium, home to Real Madrid. During the tour, we will enjoy a taste of the typical Madrid-style snack, chocolate with churros. We have a tasty Welcome Dinner this evening at an authentic Tapas restaurant.
Day 3 Merida & Cordoba
Day 3 Merida & Cordoba
Madrid - Merida - Cordoba. After breakfast, we say farewell to Madrid and head south. Before reaching Cordoba, we visit Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 4 Exploring Cordoba
Day 4 Exploring Cordoba
Cordoba - Seville. This morning, we embark on an impressive tour of Cordoba's Mosque (entrance included) and other sites that will ease our minds and spirits as we stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter, accompanied by our expert local guide. In the afternoon, we continue our journey towards Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Tonight, we have the opportunity to discover Andalusian cuisine at a local restaurant with our fellow travelers.
Day 5 Seville
Day 5 Seville
Today we explore Seville on a guided tour. Entrance to the city's cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world, is included. We also visit the Santa Cruz Quarter, where the famous opera 'Carmen' is largely set, also known for the myth of Jon Juan. Wander through Maria Luisa Park and the picturesque Plaza Espana. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to further explore Seville at your own pace.
Day 6 Jerez & Ronda
Day 6 Jerez & Ronda
Seville - Jerez - Ronda. After breakfast, travel south through Andalusian villages to Jerez, where you will be captivated by two of the essential elements of the Andalusian soul: wine and horses. We will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and enjoy a wine tasting in one of the famous local wineries.
Continue to Ronda, where you will visit the olive oil production facility at LA Organic and taste their organic olive oil. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the secrets of Ronda.
Day 7 The Alhambra
Day 7 The Alhambra
Ronda - Malaga - Granada. After breakfast, we head to the coastal city of Malaga. We can spend some time exploring the city's Roman and Arab past before continuing to Granada, located at the foot of Sierra Nevada. We will enjoy an included Flamenco dance masterclass before attending an included dinner and Flamenco show. After dinner, we will head to one of the city viewpoints to take in our surroundings.
Day 8 The Alhambra
Day 8 The Alhambra
Granada - Madrid. This morning we visit the world-famous Alhambra. This stunning palace and fortress complex was built during the Nasrid Dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. Originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 AD on Roman remains, it was later transformed into a royal palace by the Moors. The Alhambra showcases exquisite Islamic architecture, with intricate carvings, stunning tilework, and tranquil gardens, reflecting the cultural zenith of Islamic Spain before the Christian Reconquista in 1492, when the Alhambra was surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella.
After our included visit to the Alhmabra, we make our way back to Madrid, and there is an included farewell dinner this evening.
Day 9 Madrid
Day 9 Madrid
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Opposite Cuzco metro station in Madrid's business district, this contemporary hotel is an 8-minute walk from Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid football club. The modest rooms, equipped with soundproof windows, feature 49-inch flat-screen TVs, desks, Wi-Fi, and minibars. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in public areas. The hotel boasts a casual Mediterranean restaurant and a lounge/bar, as well as a fitness centre and 9 meeting rooms.
Located on the peaceful banks of the Guadalquivir River, Hesperia Cordoba offers views of Cordoba's two main attractions, La Mezquita and the Alcazar and is just a 7-minute walk from the city's historic centre. Facilities include a rooftop pool, garden and complimentary Wi-Fi connection. Rooms at the hotel all come equipped with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning and satellite TV. Decor is classic white, as is commonplace in southern Spain. As well as an onsite restaurant, there is a rooftop bar serving drinks until 23:30.
A stylish hotel located in Seville's commercial district, Melia Lebreros was extensively refurbished recently and modern, elegant decor is visible throughout. Rooms offer air-conditioning, wood panelled flooring, minibar, flat screen TV and ensuite bathrooms with complimentary toiletries. Facilities include an outdoor pool and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. Local and international cuisine can be enjoyed at the Mosaico Restaurant and local dishes are served in a traditional atmosphere at La Taberna la Dehesa. There is also an onsite bar.
Catalonia Ronda Hotel, located in the heart of Ronda, seamlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. Just steps away from the iconic Puente Nuevo and offering breath-taking views of the El Tajo Gorge, the hotel features elegantly designed rooms with contemporary décor and state-of-the-art amenities. Enjoy the rooftop terrace, savouring panoramic vistas, swim in the pool, and enjoy the on-site restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients and a selection of regional wines. Relax in the wellness centre with a range of spa treatments and a fully equipped fitness area, ensuring a relaxing and rejuvenating stay in this captivating town.
Located in the heart of Granada, the Catalonia hotel offers sleek and modern guest rooms with smart TV, private bathrooms, minibar and desk. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property and other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and rooftop sun terrace. Buffet breakfast is served in the main restaurant, and there is an onsite Gastrobar open from 11am to 11pm, serving a variety of snacks and Mediterranean dishes.
Tour Reviews
Madrid & Southern Spain - 9 daysSet off from the Spanish capital, Madrid, to take in the best of Southern Spain on this 9-day coach tour. Explore the cultural gems of Merida and Cordoba and visit the famous cathedral in Seville. Taste Andalusian olive oil, admire the view from Ronda, and spend a night in the Costa del Sol, with free time to stroll along the beach. Visit the incredible Alhambra complex in Grenada, see a Flamenco master class and show, and much more.Handpicked98101.5No complaint about the itinerary, did not feel the guide was particularly interested in any of the travellers, people joining and leaving the tour at different times so no real connections with them encouraged or developed by tour leader, was more like a taxi service around Southern Spain.
Madrid & Southern Spain - 9 daysSet off from the Spanish capital, Madrid, to take in the best of Southern Spain on this 9-day coach tour. Explore the cultural gems of Merida and Cordoba and visit the famous cathedral in Seville. Taste Andalusian olive oil, admire the view from Ronda, and spend a night in the Costa del Sol, with free time to stroll along the beach. Visit the incredible Alhambra complex in Grenada, see a Flamenco master class and show, and much more.Handpicked98101.5The tour visited all the cities that we wanted to visit but getting there was a nightmare!!! We always had a driver who tried his best but more often we did not have a guide. We thought that it would be a guided tour but it wasn’t. I will inform our travel of this and suggest that your tour is rubbish.and not worth the money
Madrid & Southern Spain - 9 daysSet off from the Spanish capital, Madrid, to take in the best of Southern Spain on this 9-day coach tour. Explore the cultural gems of Merida and Cordoba and visit the famous cathedral in Seville. Taste Andalusian olive oil, admire the view from Ronda, and spend a night in the Costa del Sol, with free time to stroll along the beach. Visit the incredible Alhambra complex in Grenada, see a Flamenco master class and show, and much more.Handpicked98101.5The tour was okay. The tour guide was nice but English hard to understand sometimes. The hotel option is very poor. The hotels are far away from city centers or where the site seeing places are. We had to take Uber, taxi, bus, or metro to be able to see anything because the poor location of the hotels. The hotels felt like 2 stars and not 4 stars. They are small, some without even coffee makers in the room, and some don't have tissue papers . One hotel doesn't even have cold air conditioning and we waited for repair man who never showed up. The panaramic tour of the city is ridiculous. Nobody wants to see the city from the bus and not being able to get off and go into places. A lot of admission tickets not included and most days we were left to ourselves by noon. We paid too much for the type of tour/hotels we received.
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