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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Andalucian Explorer

Independent rail trip through Andalucia via Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, Seville

Illustration of Andalucian Explorer

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation through Spain's Andalucian region, starting and ending in Madrid with stops in Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. After an overnight in Madrid with time for the Plaza Mayor and Prado Museum, a scenic train reaches Granada for two nights at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, including a skip-the-line tour of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. The train continues via Antequera to Cordoba, where two nights take in the Old Town, the Mezquita, and an included Flamenco show. From Cordoba, the train reaches Seville for two nights, with an early access tour of the Royal Palace of Alcazar and Seville Cathedral, home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. A final train ride returns travelers to Madrid for one more night before departure. Because it is independent, sightseeing beyond the included tours is self-guided, suiting travelers drawn to Moorish and Islamic architecture and Andalucian history who want trains and key entries pre-booked.

What to know before you look closer

  • The included list does not mention hotel nights or breakfast for the two separate Madrid stays (day 1 and day 8), even though the itinerary and hotel list both show Madrid overnights are part of the trip; confirm Madrid accommodation details with Railbookers.
  • Granada is listed with two named hotel options, Hospes Palacio de los Patos and Parador de Granada, each for 2 nights; confirm which one applies with Railbookers.
  • No specific departure dates are listed in the evidence; confirm current availability directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Madrid

    Your Journey Begins in Madrid

    Check in for an overnight stay; visit the Plaza Mayor and Prado Museum.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Granada

    Madrid to Granada

    Scenic train to Granada; check in for a two-night stay at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.

  3. Day 3overnight: Granada

    Granada

    Included entrance to the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Cordoba

    Granada to Cordoba

    Train via Antequera to Cordoba; check in for a two-night stay; visit Cordoba Old Town and the Mezquita.

  5. Day 5overnight: Cordoba

    Cordoba

    Visit the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Juderia quarter; included 2hr Flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco El Cardenal.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Seville

    Cordoba to Seville

    Train to Seville; check in for a two-night stay; explore Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park.

  7. Day 7overnight: Seville

    Seville

    Early access tour of the Royal Palace of Alcázar and Seville Cathedral, home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Madrid

    Seville to Madrid

    Return to Madrid by train for a final night.

  9. Day 9

    Depart Madrid

    Check out after breakfast and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3An included skip-the-line tour visits the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada.
  • Day 4A train travels via Antequera to Cordoba, where the Old Town and the Mezquita, one of the world's greatest Islamic buildings, are highlights.
  • Day 5Sightseeing takes in the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Juderia quarter in Cordoba, followed by an included 2-hour Flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco El Cardenal.
  • Day 7An early access tour visits the Royal Palace of Alcazar and Seville Cathedral, home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

Included

  • Rail travel throughout
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Granada
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Cordoba
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Seville
  • Skip the line walking tour of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada
  • 2hr Flamenco show in Cordoba
  • Skip the line tour of Seville Cathedral and Alcázar

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. "Rail travel throughout" is in Railbookers' included list, running on Renfe.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Included extras are skip-the-line tours of the Alhambra Palace, Seville Cathedral, and Alcazar, plus a Flamenco show, but the evidence does not describe a guide accompanying travelers throughout.
Which hotels are used?
Madrid: Hospes Puerta De Alcala Madrid. Granada: either Hospes Palacio de los Patos or Parador de Granada. Cordoba: Hospes Palacio del Bailio. Seville: Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza.
What is not included?
The included list covers rail throughout, breakfast hotel nights in Granada, Cordoba, and Seville, the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens tour, the Flamenco show, and the Seville Cathedral and Alcazar tour; it does not mention the two Madrid hotel stays.
What is the starting price?
From $1,589 per person, which works out to about $177 per day, according to Railbookers' listed price.

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