Great Rail Journeys · Independent Holiday

Al Andalus Express - Seville to Madrid

Luxury Al Andalus Express train tour across Andalucia, Seville to Madrid

Al Andalus Express - Seville to Madrid, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys runs this 9-day independent holiday between Seville and Madrid, built around six nights aboard the Al Andalus Express, a luxury cruise train travelling in a Gran Class Cabin. After flying into Seville and a day to relax or explore independently, travellers join the train the next afternoon, following a panoramic tour of the city's cathedral, Giralda and the Barrio de Santa Cruz. The train then works its way north over six nights, with day excursions to Cádiz by luxury bus, an equestrian ballet and sherry winery tasting in Jerez de la Frontera, the historic town of Zafra, the UNESCO sites of Cáceres and the Roman ruins of Mérida, a cheese factory, wine cellar and the windmills of Campo de Criptana in La Mancha, and Toledo's Gothic cathedral and mosque before touring the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. The train reaches Madrid over breakfast on day 8. It suits travellers who want a single-train, all-inclusive way to see southern and central Spain's historic towns without organising the logistics themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels in Seville and Madrid are offered as a choice (for example a 4-star or 5-star option in Madrid), so which one you get depends on what you book.
  • Day 1 in Seville has no guided activity; you are transferred to your hotel to relax, with an optional extended two-night stay available at a supplement.
  • The Cádiz sightseeing on day 3 is reached by luxury bus rather than the train itself, so part of that day's travel is by road.
  • The evidence lists no specific departure dates for this itinerary; confirm current departures with Great Rail Journeys.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Seville

    Seville

    Your adventure begins when you take your flight from London to Seville, a land of flamenco, sherry bars and quaint cobbled streets. On arrival in Seville, you'll be transferred to your hotel to relax. Choose from a selection of hotels on a B&B basis. You may wish to extend your tour into a two-night stay instead of one, and optional excursions are available at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast (if extended stay)

  2. Day 2railovernight: Córdoba (on train)

    Boarding Al Andalus in Seville

    This morning, you'll be transferred to meet your fellow Al Andalus passengers. After lunch, a panoramic tour of Seville unveils the main sights of the historic capital of Andalucía - including the cathedral crowned by the Giralda and the narrow streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Boarding the luxurious Al Andalus, savour your first dinner aboard as the train begins its journey, arriving in Córdoba where it stops for the night.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Jerez (on train)

    Andalucían gems in Córdoba and Cádiz

    Following a hearty à la carte or buffet breakfast served on board, you'll travel by luxury bus to Cádiz, the oldest city in the western world, visiting its attractions and enjoying free time to explore. Lunch is prepared by the onboard chef and served back on the train. Dinner is taken in an authentic restaurant in Jerez. The train remains at the station and you spend the night in Jerez.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Zafra (on train)

    Jerez de la Frontera and onwards to Zafra

    Enjoy a flavour of this celebrated region in Jerez, beginning after breakfast with a famous equestrian ballet - 'How the Andalucían Horses Dance'. After lunch in a local restaurant, head to one of Jerez's most prestigious wineries to discover how sherry is produced, including a tasting. Dinner is served on board while you travel towards Zafra, a historic town known for its 15th-century castle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Mérida (on train)

    Cáceres and Mérida

    While you have breakfast, the train makes its way to the Extremadura city of Cáceres. A tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site reveals a city brimming with well-preserved medieval streets, timeless squares and grand palaces. Later, Al Andalus rolls south to the nearby city of Mérida. Sightseeing uncovers the remains of Emerita Augusta, the capital of the former Roman province of Lusitania, including breathtaking theatres, temples and aqueducts dating to 25BC. Dining back on the train this evening, Al Andalus rests for the night in Mérida.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Alcázar de San Juan (on train)

    La Mancha and Cervantes' windmills

    Enjoy breakfast on the train before arriving in Alcázar de San Juan. Visit an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar to uncover the soul of the region through its food and drink - La Mancha is renowned for its wines and Manchego cheese. Lunch is enjoyed before a trip to Campo de Criptana, dotted with iconic windmills that inspired Cervantes' Don Quixote. Later, return to the train in Alcázar de San Juan and savour dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Aranjuez (on train)

    Aranjuez and the imperial city of Toledo

    Arriving in Aranjuez after breakfast, you transfer to Toledo, once the capital of Spain during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. The city's blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish architecture - including its Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque and synagogues - has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. After lunch in the city, you return to Aranjuez to explore the Royal Palace and its gardens, a UNESCO-listed site dating from the 16th century.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8railovernight: Madrid

    Disembarking in Madrid

    During breakfast, you arrive in Madrid and disembark the luxurious Al Andalus train. This afternoon, you can take a private transfer to your choice of 4 or 5-star hotel for the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9

    Homeward bound

    Awaking in your hotel in Madrid, your once-in-a-lifetime adventure comes to an end as you are transferred from your hotel to Madrid airport ready for your flight back to the UK.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The tour boards the Al Andalus Express in Seville after a panoramic tour of the city's cathedral, Giralda and the Barrio de Santa Cruz, then travels overnight to Córdoba.
  • Day 3A luxury bus takes the group to Cádiz, described as the oldest city in the western world, for sightseeing and free time before dinner in an authentic Jerez restaurant.
  • Day 4An equestrian ballet in Jerez, 'How the Andalucían Horses Dance', is followed by a sherry winery tour and tasting.
  • Day 6A stop in Alcázar de San Juan brings a cheese factory and wine cellar visit, followed by a trip to the windmills of Campo de Criptana that inspired Don Quixote.
  • Day 7After breakfast the train reaches Aranjuez, from where the group transfers to Toledo to see its Gothic cathedral and 10th-century mosque before returning to tour the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.

Included

  • 6 nights on the Al Andalus Express luxury train in a Gran Class Cabin
  • 2 nights in 4-star hotels on a bed & breakfast basis
  • Flights from London to Seville and Madrid to London
  • Panoramic tour of Seville
  • Equestrian ballet in Jerez
  • Sherry winery visit and tasting in Jerez
  • Sightseeing in Cáceres (UNESCO World Heritage site)
  • Sightseeing in Mérida (Roman ruins)
  • Visit to artisanal cheese factory and wine cellar in La Mancha
  • Excursion to Campo de Criptana windmills
  • Tour of Toledo (UNESCO World Heritage site)
  • Visit to Aranjuez Royal Palace and gardens (UNESCO World Heritage site)
  • Meals as described in the itinerary (on-board dining)
  • Private transfer on arrival in Seville
  • Private transfer to hotel on arrival in Madrid

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, 6 nights aboard the Al Andalus Express in a Gran Class Cabin, from Seville to Madrid, are included in the package.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's an independent holiday: flights, transfers, hotels and the Al Andalus Express are arranged, but day 1 in Seville is unguided and you choose your own hotel.
Which train is used?
The Al Andalus Express, travelling from Seville via Córdoba, Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Zafra, Cáceres, Mérida, La Mancha and Aranjuez to Madrid.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 4-star hotels in Seville (Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia or Hotel Becquer) and a choice of 4 or 5-star hotels in Madrid, each for one night.
What is not included?
The evidence lists only cancellation and travel insurance as excluded; flights, the train, and most meals and sightseeing are included.
Can I extend the trip?
Yes, an extended two-night stay in Seville instead of one is available as an optional extra.

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