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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Barcelona and Classic Andalucia

10-day independent rail trip through Barcelona, Andalucia, and Madrid

Illustration of Barcelona and Classic Andalucia

Railbookers operates this 10-day, 9-night independent rail vacation through Spain, connecting Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Madrid by Renfe train. The trip opens with two nights in Barcelona, including a small-group tour of the Sagrada Familia and a Hop-on Hop-off pass. A direct train leads to Seville for a Monumental Tour of the Cathedral and Royal Alcázar, then on to Cordoba for a small-group tour of the Great Mosque. In Granada, an escorted evening visits the Sacromonte quarter for a flamenco show with tapas, followed by a guided tour of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens. The journey ends with a single night in Madrid, reached by the high-speed AVE train, with a panoramic bus tour and a tapas and wine tour. This is a self-guided trip with pre-arranged tours layered in, suited to travelers who want the history and architecture of Andalucia without planning each connection themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator does not publish specific hotel names or star ratings for this package; confirm the properties with Railbookers before booking.
  • The final stop in Madrid is a single night, shorter than the two-night stays in Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada, so sightseeing there is limited to one evening and morning.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Barcelona

    Your Journey Begins in Barcelona

    Welcome to Barcelona! On arrival make your way to the hotel for a two-night stay, then head out to explore the city with your Hop-on Hop-off pass. Enjoy dinner at any of the city's great restaurants.

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Beat the crowds this morning on a small group tour of the Sagrada Familia, then continue to explore this great city with your Hop-on Hop-off pass, including Park Gueell and the impressive city views from Montjuic Castle.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Seville

    Barcelona to Seville

    After breakfast at your hotel take the direct train to Seville, then take advantage of your Hop-on Hop-off pass to see what this great city has to offer. In the evening take a stroll down to the river perhaps or climb the impressive Metropol Parasol.

  4. Day 4overnight: Seville

    Seville

    This morning join a small group Monumental Tour including the Cathedral and Royal Alcazar. Perhaps take a cooling cruise on the river in the afternoon.

  5. Day 5overnight: Cordoba

    Seville to Cordoba

    Head to the ancient city of Cordoba today, and check in at your hotel for two nights. Cordoba has many beautiful squares, none more impressive than the Plaza de la Corredera. Enjoy a cold drink with tapas or stroll across the beautiful Roman Bridge.

  6. Day 6overnight: Cordoba

    Cordoba

    Enjoy breakfast then learn some of the history of this great city on a small group tour of the Great Mosque of Cordoba.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Granada

    Cordoba to Granada

    Take the train to Granada today, and head to your hotel for a two-night stay. This evening you are escorted to the caves of the Sacromonte quarter for an authentic Flamenco show including tapas and drinks.

  8. Day 8overnight: Granada

    Granada

    Enjoy exploring the narrow streets of Granada independently today, but also tour one of the treasures of the world in the Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Madrid

    Granada to Madrid

    Board the high-speed AVE train to Madrid this morning, and upon arrival, check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Set out to explore the Spanish capital with a panoramic open-top bus tour past the Royal Palace, Puerta de Alcalá, and Gran Vía. In the evening, join a very small group tapas and wine tour led by a local guide.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Journey Ends in Madrid

    Check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport for your flight home, or speak to any of our Rail Experts about extending your travels elsewhere.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group tour beats the crowds at the Sagrada Familia, followed by time to see Park Güell and the views from Montjuic Castle using the Hop-on Hop-off pass.
  • Day 4A small-group Monumental Tour visits Seville's Cathedral and Royal Alcázar.
  • Day 6A small-group tour explores the Great Mosque of Cordoba.
  • Day 7An escorted evening visits the caves of the Sacromonte quarter for a flamenco show with tapas and drinks.
  • Day 8A guided tour visits the Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens after independent time exploring Granada's narrow streets.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Barcelona
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Seville
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cordoba
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Granada
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Madrid
  • 48hr Hop-on Hop-off pass in Barcelona
  • Skip the line Sagrada Familia Tour in Barcelona
  • 24hr Hop-on Hop-off pass in Seville
  • Small group Monumental Tour of Seville including the Cathedral and Royal Alcazar
  • Small group tour of the Cordoba Mezquita
  • Authentic Flamenco show with tapas and drinks in Granada
  • Small group tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens in Granada
  • Open-top panoramic tour in Madrid
  • A local Tapas and Wine tasting tour in Madrid

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, Railbookers includes rail travel throughout on Renfe, including the high-speed AVE train from Granada to Madrid.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It's an independent, self-guided rail journey, though most days include a pre-arranged small-group tour, such as the Sagrada Familia, the Alcázar, the Mezquita, and the Alhambra.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Madrid.
What is included besides rail and hotels?
Hop-on Hop-off passes in Barcelona and Seville, small-group tours in each Andalucian city, a flamenco show with tapas and drinks in Granada, and a tapas and wine tour in Madrid.
How many nights in each city?
Two nights each in Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada, and one night in Madrid.

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