Which trains are used on this trip?

Marvellous Escapes secures reservations on Eurostar (London to Paris or Brussels), TGV inOui (France to Spain), and Renfe regional trains (within Spain) to connect the cities.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It is an independent tailor-made journey between destinations. You travel on your own schedule, but Marvellous Escapes includes 24-hour on-trip support. Guided walking tours, museum entries, and experiences like the Flamenco show and tapas evening are arranged at each stop.

What is included in the price?

Hotel accommodation with breakfast, secure train reservations, return flights (or roundtrip train from London), Hop-on-Hop-off bus passes in Barcelona and Seville, private guided tours in Ronda and Cordoba, entry to major monuments, and a Flamenco show in Granada are included.

How many nights are spent in each city?

Barcelona 1 night, Seville 3 nights, Ronda 2 nights, Granada 2 nights, Cordoba 2 nights, Madrid 1 night.

What hotels are used?

The itinerary includes the Parador de Ronda and Parador de Granada (historic Spanish state-run hotels). Other locations use hotels in Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, and Madrid; Marvellous Escapes will confirm the specific properties when you book.

How much walking is involved?

Walking tours through city quarters and narrow streets are included; guided minibus excursions are offered as well. No strenuous hikes or high-altitude activity is required.

Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Andalusia Discovery

12-day Andalusian rail journey from Barcelona to Madrid via Seville, Ronda, Granada, Cordoba

Marvellous Escapes' 12-day Andalusia Discovery is a tailor-made rail holiday that departs Barcelona and concludes in Madrid, passing through Seville, Ronda, Granada, and Cordoba. The itinerary balances rail travel, guided cultural experiences, and free time for independent exploration. You stay in a mix of historic hotels and state-run Paradors, some located within significant monuments like the Alhambra. Days in Seville include a Hop-on-Hop-off bus pass and a small-group minibus tour with skip-the-line entry to the Alcazar and Cathedral; in Ronda, a private walking tour covers the city's oldest bullring and nearby white villages; Granada offers a Flamenco show in a cave restaurant; and Cordoba features a guided tour of the Mezquita-Catedral and Alcazar. The trip ends with an authentic tapas evening in Madrid. With 24-hour support from the operator and a blend of structured tours and leisure time, this journey suits history lovers, food travellers, and independent explorers who want cultural depth without a fixed daily schedule.

What to know before you look closer

The package includes a UK return flight or optional train journey from London St. Pancras with an extra night in Barcelona; confirm your preference when booking
Hotels in Seville, Ronda, Granada, and Cordoba are named or described as Paradors (state-run hotels); specific properties in Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid are not named, so final accommodation depends on your preferences and tier
This is an independent tailor-made journey between destinations with guided excursions at each stop, not a fully escorted tour; you book your own meals except where specifically included

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Barcelona
Barcelona
Welcome to Barcelona! After arriving, head to your hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy dinner at one of the city's fantastic restaurants.
Day 2railovernight: Seville
Seville
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before boarding the train to Seville. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 3overnight: Seville
Seville
Make full use of your Hop-on-Hop-off bus pass to explore Seville's Islamic monuments, lush gardens, and vibrant Flamenco festivals, plus free walking tours through Plaza de Espana, Maria Luisa Park, the Jewish quarter, and Santa Cruz.
Day 4overnight: Seville
Seville
A small-group tour by minibus through the medieval city, visiting Plaza de Espana, San Telmo Palace, the Isabel II Bridge, Santa Cruz, and a boat cruise on the Guadalquivir River, with skip-the-line admission to the Alcazar and Seville Cathedral.
Day 5railovernight: Ronda
Ronda
Board a train into the mountains to Ronda, checking into the charming Parador de Ronda for a two-night stay, with breathtaking views of the Serrania de Ronda.
Day 6overnight: Ronda
Ronda
An all-access private walking tour of the city including a visit to the oldest bullring in Spain, followed by a scenic drive through Andalucia's white villages to Setenil de las Bodegas.
Day 7railovernight: Granada
Granada
Take the train to Granada and check into the breathtaking Parador de Granada, situated within the Alhambra complex, for a two-night stay. Explore Granada's narrow streets and its compact Cathedral.
Day 8overnight: Granada
Granada
Enjoy exploring Granada at your leisure today. In the evening, enjoy a unique Flamenco show inside a cave, filled with music, colour, and passion.
Day 9overnight: Cordoba
Cordoba
A picturesque journey through the Andalusian countryside to Cordoba for a two-night stay. Explore the magnificent Mezquita-Catedral, the Jewish Quarter, the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, and the Roman Bridge.
Day 10overnight: Cordoba
Cordoba
Explore Cordoba's most significant monuments with an informative guide, including the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, the historic synagogue, and the Mezquita.
Day 11railovernight: Madrid
Madrid
Board the train to Madrid, your final city on this rail holiday. After checking in, a private guide will escort you to Madrid's oldest and most esteemed taverns for an authentic tapas experience.
Day 12
Return home
Today, you will transfer to the airport for your flight home. If you would like to extend your stay in Madrid or explore more of Spain, speak to your Travel Designer.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Board the train from Barcelona to Seville, traveling through central Spain into Andalusia
Day 4Small-group minibus tour of Seville includes skip-the-line entry to the Alcazar and Cathedral, plus a boat cruise on the Guadalquivir River
Day 5Train journey into the mountains arrives at the Parador de Ronda, situated above the Serrania de Ronda
Day 6Private walking tour of Ronda's oldest bullring followed by a scenic drive through white villages to Setenil de las Bodegas
Day 7Check in at the Parador de Granada, located within the Alhambra complex
Day 8Attend a Flamenco show in a cave restaurant in the Sacromonte area of Granada

Included

Overnight hotel accommodation in Barcelona with breakfast included
3-nights hotel accommodation in Seville with breakfast included
2-nights hotel accommodation in Ronda with breakfast included
2-nights hotel accommodation in Granada with breakfast included
2-nights hotel accommodation in Cordoba with breakfast included
Overnight hotel accommodation in Madrid with breakfast included
Secure reservations for the Eurostar, TGV inOui & Renfe trains
Return flight to the UK (or a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras, with extra night in Barcelona)
Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Barcelona & Seville
Private guided tour of Ronda
Flamenco Show in a Cave Restaurant in Granada
Cordoba Mosque, Cathedral, Alcazar & Synagogue tour with tickets included

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are used on this trip?: Marvellous Escapes secures reservations on Eurostar (London to Paris or Brussels), TGV inOui (France to Spain), and Renfe regional trains (within Spain) to connect the cities.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: It is an independent tailor-made journey between destinations. You travel on your own schedule, but Marvellous Escapes includes 24-hour on-trip support. Guided walking tours, museum entries, and experiences like the Flamenco show and tapas evening are arranged at each stop.
What is included in the price?: Hotel accommodation with breakfast, secure train reservations, return flights (or roundtrip train from London), Hop-on-Hop-off bus passes in Barcelona and Seville, private guided tours in Ronda and Cordoba, entry to major monuments, and a Flamenco show in Granada are included.
How many nights are spent in each city?: Barcelona 1 night, Seville 3 nights, Ronda 2 nights, Granada 2 nights, Cordoba 2 nights, Madrid 1 night.
What hotels are used?: The itinerary includes the Parador de Ronda and Parador de Granada (historic Spanish state-run hotels). Other locations use hotels in Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, and Madrid; Marvellous Escapes will confirm the specific properties when you book.
How much walking is involved?: Walking tours through city quarters and narrow streets are included; guided minibus excursions are offered as well. No strenuous hikes or high-altitude activity is required.