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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Iconic Cities of Spain: Barcelona to Madrid

Escorted rail journey from London through Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Granada, Córdoba, Seville to Biarritz.

Illustration of Iconic Cities of Spain: Barcelona to Madrid

Great Rail Journeys operates this 12-day escorted tour departing London and ending in Biarritz, combining Eurostar and First Class Spanish rail travel with stays in six cities across Spain and France. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, coordinating guided city tours, meals, and all transfers. Days are structured around city exploration: Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Família; Valencia's coastal charm and authentic paella dinner; Madrid's Royal Palace and El Retiro park; Granada's UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace complex and Moorish Albaicín quarter; Seville's flamenco performance and Royal Alcázar; and the Basque Country coast. Breakfasts are included daily along with eight dinners and one lunch, featuring regional specialties. The itinerary moves at a balanced pace, with two-night stays in the major cities allowing time for both guided exploration and independent discovery. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking the comfort of escorted service, history enthusiasts drawn to Andalusian heritage sites, and food-focused visitors keen to sample local cuisine.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement (from GBP 4,099) is substantially above half the per-person rate, a 32% uplift.
  • Hotels are described as 3 and 4-star properties; exact star ratings are not specified for each location.
  • Maximum group size is 30, which is larger than some specialist operators.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Barcelona

    Welcome to Barcelona

    Your Spanish holiday begins today at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Taking Plus class seats, enjoy a light meal before arriving in the French capital. From Paris, continue by First Class rail to Barcelona, tracing the coast of the Balearic Sea. Arriving late this evening, check in to the central hotel and enjoy a welcome drink.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Discovering Barcelona's sights and flavours

    A guided tour of Barcelona by coach and on foot, taking in the exterior of the Sagrada Família, the tree-lined Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter. Free time in the afternoon to explore independently. This evening, dinner at an authentic 17th-century Catalan farmhouse just outside Barcelona.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Valencia

    To Valencia, a city of contrasts

    After breakfast, board the First Class train to Valencia for a two-night stay, enjoying scenic coastal views between Tarragona and Castellón. On arrival, walk from the station to the hotel and enjoy a welcome drink and canapés.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Valencia

    Valencia sightseeing and paella dinner

    Morning guided tour of Valencia with a local guide, visiting La Lonja de la Seda, Valencia Cathedral and sampling horchata and fartons. Free time in the afternoon to explore the Turia Gardens or City of Arts and Sciences. This evening, dinner at a local restaurant featuring authentic paella.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Madrid

    Arriving in Spain's capital

    A free morning to explore Valencia at your own pace. Around midday, transfer by coach to the station and board the First Class train to Madrid. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and settle in. Dinner together at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Madrid

    Exploring historic Madrid

    Guided sightseeing tour by coach and on foot of Madrid's main sights, including El Retiro park and the Palacio Real. Tour concludes with a tapas lunch. Afternoon and evening at leisure to visit the Prado Gallery or other museums.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7railovernight: Granada

    To Granada's Moorish Quarter – the Albaicín

    Coach transfer to Madrid's station and train to Granada for a two-night stay. Walking tour of the Albaicín Quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow medieval streets. Free time in the afternoon and evening to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Granada

    Granada's impressive Alhambra

    Relaxed morning followed by a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace complex, including the Nasrid Palaces with intricate carved ceilings, mosaics and plasterwork, and the 14th-century Generalife gardens. This evening, authentic Andalucían dinner at a traditional restaurant overlooking the illuminated Alhambra.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Seville

    A guided tour of Córdoba en route to Seville

    Leave Granada by coach towards Seville, stopping in Córdoba to visit the Mezquita mosque-cathedral, crossing the Roman Bridge and passing the Calahorra Tower. Continue to Seville by coach, arriving this afternoon. This evening, a captivating flamenco show before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Madrid

    Uncovering Seville on a guided tour

    Guided tour of Seville with a local guide, visiting the Santa Cruz district, Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcázar. Later, transfer to the station and return to Madrid in First Class. Dinner at a local restaurant in Madrid.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11railovernight: Biarritz

    Into Spanish & French Basque Country

    Travel from Madrid by First Class train to the Basque Country. Approximately one hour at leisure in San Sebastián city centre, then continue by coach to Biarritz, France. Arrive at the hotel this evening with views of the ocean, then walk to a local restaurant for the final dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12rail

    Homeward bound

    Walk to Biarritz station and take First Class seats on the train to Paris. Continue on the Eurostar in Plus class with a light meal, arriving at London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and exterior of the Sagrada Família, followed by dinner at an authentic 17th-century Catalan farmhouse.
  • Day 4Morning guided tour of Valencia with sampling of horchata and fartons, evening dinner featuring authentic paella.
  • Day 8Guided tour of the Alhambra palace complex, including the Nasrid Palaces with carved ceilings and mosaics, and the 14th-century Generalife gardens, followed by dinner overlooking the illuminated Alhambra.
  • Day 9Coach stops in Córdoba to visit the Mezquita mosque-cathedral and cross the Roman Bridge before arriving in Seville for a flamenco show and dinner.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 11 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel with light meals
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 8 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels from Barcelona to Granada, Seville to Madrid
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar Plus class between London and Paris, First Class TGV rail from Paris to Barcelona and return, and First Class AVE trains throughout Spain.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the 12 days, and includes guided city tours in Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Granada, and Seville.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, one lunch (tapas in Madrid), and eight dinners, including paella in Valencia and a flamenco dinner in Seville. Eurostar light meals are included.
How many nights and where?
11 nights: 2 in Barcelona, 2 in Valencia, 2 in Madrid, 2 in Granada, 1 in Seville, and 1 in Biarritz.
When does the tour run?
Departures are offered in May 2027, June 2027, September 2026, September 2027, and October 2027.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walking tours of city quarters such as Barcelona's Gothic area and Granada's Albaicín, with free time to explore independently. Visits to palaces and cathedrals involve stairs and climbing.

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