Search

Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Spain

Independent rail trip through Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona

Illustration of Classic Spain

Railbookers runs Classic Spain as a 15-day, 14-night independent rail vacation from Madrid to Barcelona, using Renfe trains throughout. The trip opens with three nights in Madrid, taking in a skip-the-line Prado Museum tour and a panoramic bus tour past the Royal Palace. From there, direct trains carry travelers south to Seville for a hop-on, hop-off city tour, then to Cordoba to see the UNESCO World Heritage listed Mezquita, and on to Granada for skip-the-line entry to the Alhambra Palace. The route continues to Malaga, described in the itinerary as the capital of Andalusia, before a final train to Barcelona for three nights that include a hop-on, hop-off tour taking in the beaches and Parc Guell, and a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia. Because it is sold as an independent package rather than an escorted tour, travelers explore each stop largely on their own between the train connections and included sightseeing Railbookers arranges.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotels listed are a set of 33 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than a fixed list of stays; which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The evidence available does not list current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Madrid

    Your Journey Begins in Madrid

    Welcome to Madrid! On arrival, check in at your hotel for a three-night stay and begin exploring this vibrant city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    Included skip-the-line tour of the Prado Museum, then head to the Plaza Mayor and perhaps Casa del Campo.

  3. Day 3overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    A panoramic open-top bus tour taking in the Royal Palace, Puerta de Alcalá, Biblioteca Nacional, and Cybele Palace.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Seville

    Madrid to Seville

    Board the train for Seville and check in for a two-night stay. Spend the afternoon discovering the city's Moorish influenced architecture.

  5. Day 5overnight: Seville

    Seville

    A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour stopping at 14 major attractions including the Plaza de Espana and Acuario de Sevilla.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Córdoba

    Seville to Cordoba

    Journey by train to Córdoba and check in for a two-night stay. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town and the Mezquita.

  7. Day 7overnight: Córdoba

    Cordoba

    A guided tour of the Great Mosque Cathedral of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Granada

    Cordoba to Granada

    Board the train for a scenic ride to Granada, with a transfer in Antequera. Check in for a two-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Granada

    Granada

    Included skip-the-line entrance to the Alhambra Palace.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Málaga

    Granada to Malaga

    Board a direct train for Málaga, the capital of Andalusia, arriving in the late afternoon.

  11. Day 11overnight: Málaga

    Malaga

    A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and Málaga experience card including entry to the Automobile Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, and the House and Picasso Foundation.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Barcelona

    Malaga to Barcelona

    Take the train from Málaga to Barcelona for a three-night stay. Head down Las Ramblas in the evening.

  13. Day 13overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    A full day exploring Barcelona with a hop-on, hop-off tour, taking in the beaches, Parc Guell, and the Gothic Quarter.

  14. Day 14overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Visit the Picasso Museum, then a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia, including a ride to the top for city views.

  15. Day 15

    Your Journey Ends in Barcelona

    Check out of your hotel today and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A skip-the-line tour of the Prado Museum in Madrid.
  • Day 7A guided tour of the Great Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba, the Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Day 9Skip-the-line entrance to the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
  • Day 13A hop-on, hop-off tour of Barcelona taking in the beaches, Parc Guell, and the Gothic Quarter.
  • Day 14A guided tour of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, including a ride to the top for city views.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 nights' total hotel stay with breakfast in Madrid
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Seville
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Córdoba
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Granada
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Málaga
  • 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Barcelona
  • Panoramic sightseeing tour in Madrid
  • Skip the Line: Prado Museum in Madrid
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour in Seville
  • Sightseeing tour of the Great Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba
  • Skip the Line: Alhambra Palace in Granada
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour in Málaga
  • Multi-day hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour in Barcelona
  • Sightseeing tour of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, on Renfe trains running from Madrid to Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, and Barcelona.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is sold as an independent rail vacation, so travelers explore each city on their own between the train connections and included tours Railbookers arranges.
Which trains does the trip use?
Renfe trains running the full route from Madrid to Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, and Barcelona.
What hotels are used?
The trip draws from a set of 33 accommodation options across the six cities, including the Hospes Puerta De Alcala and InterContinental Madrid, and the Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza in Seville.
How much walking does the trip involve?
The trip includes hop-on, hop-off city tours in Seville, Malaga, and Barcelona, plus guided walking tours of the Mezquita in Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada.

Similar journeys