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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Grand Tour of Spain by First Class rail

First Class rail across Spain: Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Madrid, Girona

Illustration of Grand Tour of Spain by First Class rail

Planet Rail's Grand Tour of Spain is a 14-day independent rail journey starting in London and ending in Girona. The itinerary chains together Spain's most significant cities via First Class trains, beginning with Eurostar to Paris and a direct TGV into Barcelona, where you spend three days exploring Gaudi's architecture, the Ramblas, and museums. The route then heads south through Andalucia, stopping for two nights each in medieval Cordoba (home to the Mezquita mosque) and Granada (with access to the Alhambra Palace and Sierra Nevada views), followed by two nights in Seville to visit the Alcazar, cathedral, and Giralda bell tower. You then spend three nights in Madrid for its art museums and Royal Palace, before a final overnight in the charming walled city of Girona. The return journey retraces via AVE, TGV, and Eurostar. All accommodation is four-star, and private taxi transfers are arranged in Paris. This package suits independent travellers with rail experience, couples seeking unhurried exploration, and those interested in Spanish art, architecture, and heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of £2,295 applies to two people travelling together in low season; confirm final cost and current seasonal pricing with Planet Rail before booking.
  • This is an independent, self-guided tour; there are no escorted group activities or a tour guide. You navigate each city and book optional visits on your own.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Barcelona

    London to Barcelona

    From St. Pancras International travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served in Standard Premier service. Your private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon for the direct TGV through France and into Spain, arriving in Barcelona in time for dinner or tapas. Settle into the H10 Urquinaona Plaza for 3 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    A full day to explore this magical city, from the lively Ramblas to the smart shops of Passeig de Gracia. Head towards the cathedral and the older parts of town with wonderful examples of Gaudi architecture. Don't miss the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece, or the Picasso Museum.

  3. Day 3overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Another full day in Barcelona. Perhaps head to Placa de Sant Josep Oriol where street musicians, fortune tellers and painters entertain visitors amid designer boutiques and handicraft shops. Dinner options range from gastronomic restaurants to cosy bistros and tapas bars.

  4. Day 4overnight: Cordoba

    Barcelona to Cordoba

    From Barcelona Sants begin your First Class journey aboard the high-speed service south-west to Cordoba. Check in for 2 nights at the centrally located Las Casas de la Juderia. This afternoon visit the palace of the Christian Kings, the Alcazar, with its luxuriant gardens of courtyards, fountains and water terraces.

  5. Day 5overnight: Cordoba

    Cordoba

    A full day to explore the compact city of Cordoba. Among many highlights is the world's third largest mosque, the Mezquita, with its forest of more than eight hundred red and white striped columns and arches. Explore Cordoba's countless plazas and courtyards hidden along narrow streets.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Granada

    Cordoba to Granada

    Take the regional train to the Moorish-influenced city of Granada, arriving in the afternoon. Check in to the Hotel Aurea Catedral for 2 nights. This evening head to one of Granada's tapas bars, or stroll the meandering streets of the Albaycin for the view of the Alhambra Palace at sunset.

  7. Day 7overnight: Granada

    Granada & the Alhambra Palace

    A full day in Granada. Start early to enjoy the sun coming up over the Alhambra Palace and make the most of your visit to the stunning Moorish palace and its luscious gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is also time to explore Granada's quarters or take a trip to the pueblos blancos (white villages) of the Alpujarras.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Seville

    Granada to Seville

    Join the regional train westwards to Seville and check in to the Hotel Becquer for 2 nights. This afternoon climb the Giralda bell tower to gaze down on the city, then stroll the characterful courtyards and narrow alleys of the ancient Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz before an evening at a tapas bar.

  9. Day 9overnight: Seville

    Seville

    A full day to discover Seville. Start with the elaborate Arabic designs and rococo ornamentation of the Royal Palace, or Alcazar, with its delightful gardens, then head for the awe-inspiring gothic cathedral which took a whole century to build.

  10. Day 10overnight: Madrid

    Seville to Madrid

    Take the high-speed journey to Madrid and check in to the elegant Hotel Liabeny, ideally situated in the heart of the Spanish capital, for 3 nights. This evening sample one of Madrid's fine restaurants.

  11. Day 11overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    Explore Madrid's golden triangle of art: the Prado Museum, the more intimate Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, all within striking distance of each other on the Paseo del Arte.

  12. Day 12overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    A second full day in Madrid. Head down the Carrera de San Jeronimo past the Parliament to Sol in the heart of the city, then take Calle Mayor to the Plaza Mayor and the old Madrid of the Asturias, capped by the opulent Royal Palace.

  13. Day 13overnight: Girona

    Madrid to Girona

    After a leisurely breakfast and time in Madrid, board the high-speed AVE northwards from Madrid Atocha to the charming city of Girona and the welcoming Hotel Nord 1901. Explore the walled medieval quarter, the Barri Vell, the pastel-hued Cases de l'Onyar along the Riu Onyar, and one of the best preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Spain.

  14. Day 14rail

    Girona to London - Homeward bound

    Board the high-speed TGV to Paris. On arrival at the Gare de Lyon you are transferred by private taxi to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to London, with a light meal and drinks before arrival into London St. Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras at speeds up to 186mph, then a direct TGV carries you through France into Spain, arriving in Barcelona by dinner time.
  • Day 4First Class high-speed train from Barcelona to Cordoba; afternoon visit to the Alcazar palace with its luxuriant gardens of courtyards and fountains.
  • Day 7Full day exploring the Alhambra Palace and its luscious gardens in Granada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Sierra Nevada.
  • Day 8Arrive in Seville and climb the Giralda bell tower to view the city before exploring the ancient Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz.
  • Day 13High-speed AVE from Madrid to Girona; explore the walled medieval quarter, Barri Vell, and one of Spain's best preserved medieval Jewish quarters.

Included

  • First Class rail travel on daytime trains throughout (Eurostar in Standard Premier service)
  • 13 nights 4 star accommodation: 3 nights Barcelona, 2 nights Cordoba, 2 nights Granada, 2 nights Seville, 3 nights Madrid, 1 night Girona
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes all First Class rail fares: Eurostar from London to Paris (Standard Premier service), TGV to Barcelona, high-speed and regional trains between Spanish cities, and return TGV and Eurostar to London.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London St. Pancras to Paris), TGV (Paris to Barcelona and return), high-speed trains (Barcelona to Cordoba, Seville to Madrid, Madrid Atocha to Girona), regional trains (Cordoba to Granada, Granada to Seville), and AVE (Madrid to Girona).
What accommodation is included?
Thirteen nights in four-star hotels: H10 Urquinaona Plaza in Barcelona (3 nights), Las Casas de la Juderia in Cordoba (2 nights), Hotel Aurea Catedral in Granada (2 nights), Hotel Becquer in Seville (2 nights), Hotel Liabeny in Madrid (3 nights), and Hotel Nord 1901 in Girona (1 night).
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an independent, self-guided, tailor-made package. Planet Rail arranges transport and accommodation but does not provide a tour guide or planned group activities.
What is not included?
Meals (except light meals and drinks on Eurostar and return TGV) are not included. Optional visits to museums and attractions are at your own expense.
How much walking is involved?
Each city day involves walking and exploring on foot: strolling the Ramblas and cathedral quarter in Barcelona, touring the Mezquita and courtyards in Cordoba, visiting the Alhambra and Albaycin in Granada, climbing the Giralda in Seville, touring museums and squares in Madrid, and exploring the medieval quarter in Girona.

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