Highlights of Andalucia: Seville, Córdoba & Granada

On arrival, transfer to your hotel.  

This evening, join your fellow travellers as we dine out in Malaga, offering a wonderful introduction to the rich tastes and flavours of Andalucía. Malaga boasts a vibrant food scene that combines traditional Andalusian flavours with Mediterranean influences. Dining here is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of history, community, and local cuisine. 

Our first stop today is Ronda. Built high on a ridge, split by a dramatic gorge, the draw of the city is as much for the surrounding natural beauty as its history and architecture. Its most famous site is the Puente Nuevo, a bridge that connects the two sides of the El Tajo Gorge. Built of solid stone in a series of arches, it was also used as a prison during the 19th century and in the Spanish Civil War.

Driving through the countryside, we'll continue on to Seville - the capital of Andalucía.

Today, we'll explore one of Spain's most charismatic cities.  Seville is famous for its stunning architecture, iconic monuments, vibrant flamenco culture, and delicious tapas. During our guided tour, we will explore the semi-circular Plaza de España, which beautifully showcases Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture. We will also visit the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) and much more. 

While its origins stretch all the way back to Roman times when Emperor Hadrian came here, much of Seville was built during the Age of Exploration. The immense wealth that poured into the city, thanks to the discovery of the New World, catapulted Seville into one of the largest and richest cities in the world -that is still evident in its architecture. Fittingly, its gothic cathedral is the last resting place of the famous explorer and navigator, Christopher Columbus. 

This afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to visit The Alcázar Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world's oldest palaces, and it is still used as a royal house. Its origins can be traced back to the early 10th century, and the palace now serves as a record of history with its fascinating blend of architectural styles and rich décor.

With our included entrance, you can wander the cool patio courtyards, elaborate gardens and fragrant orange trees to soak up the history. The palace is an interesting fusion of Christian and Mudéjar architecture, that was first built as a fort in 913. During the ages it has been added to, including the Courtyard of the Maidens and the gold-domed Hall of Ambassadors. It's still the Alcázar crowning jewel. 

The day is yours. You could wander around the Barrio Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter of the medieval city, and the smart pedestrianised Calle Sierpes, a street full of beautiful shops selling high-quality leather goods. Or for a pop of colour, Maria Luisa Park is a lovely display of flowers - it's the perfect spot for people-watching.

This evening experience a truly authentic performance of flamenco in an intimate venue. Gain an insight into the meaning, style and rhythm of the dances - the proximity of the stage will allow you to see every mesmerising detail, whilst admiring the superb artistry of the musicians and dancers. For them, flamenco is not just a job, it is a way of life.

We'll bid goodbye to Seville and head east to Córdoba for our guided tour. This icon of Andalucía was once the capital of the Moors, and their legacy remains in the city's most famous building - the Mezquita.

Its fortress-like outer walls are unmistakable amidst the skyline of Old Town, yet its true beauty lies within the ramparts. It's known for its vast forest of horseshoe arches adorned with intricate patterns and colours, mosaic works and over 850 columns made of semi-precious stones. Throughout the centuries, it has been used by both Muslims and Christians. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site remains one of the country's most significant buildings.

We'll also see another of Córdoba's famous structures - the Roman Bridge (or Puente Romano). Connecting the old town with the Calahorra Tower, the bridge spans the width of the Guadalquivir River. It's over 300 metres and has 16 arches. Believed to have been built in the era of Augustus, it played an important part in protecting the city, most notably against the armies of Peter I, King of Castile.

Continuing our journey, we'll pass very arid countryside with a landscape of dried riverbeds, giving way to rolling olive groves. In the distance is the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in Spain. The landscape becomes more fertile and picturesque, with ancient olive trees stretching off into the distance as we make our way closer to the coast.

Our destination is Granada - the last stronghold of the Sultans during the Middle Ages and home to the Alhambra, the most spectacular gem of Moorish Andalucía - where we'll stay for two nights.

Nestled between the permanently snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, Granada is the perfect place for Spain's most recognisable architectural wonder, the Alhambra.

Built between the 9th and 15th centuries, it's a marvel of the Moorish culture. Part palace, part fortress - there's a wealth of history and Islamic architectural features to uncover. There are ornate stucco carvings, geometric patterns, colourful tilework, Arabic inscriptions and horseshoe arches. Outside, there's a real sense of peace and tranquillity in the shaded walkways, sunlit gardens and quiet courtyards enhanced by the ambient trickle of their water features.

Today's visit the Alhambra will be the highlight of the holiday for many, and afterwards, you'll have time to explore Granada at leisure.

Get lost in myriads of twisting streets, the old Moorish quarter and the Sacromonte neighbourhood, which is the traditional gypsy area of Granada. If you're looking for souvenirs, you can browse the tiny shops offering crafts, silks, fruits, and local trinkets intersperse with bright explosions of colourful flowers sprouting from balconies and window baskets. Or, for a more relaxed afternoon, Granada also boasts some of the most distinctive old bars in Spain, many of them decorated with antique tiles, where taking a drink and a few tapas can be an excuse for a unique, authentically Andalusian experience.