6 Day Andalusia Guided Tour from Lisbon to Madrid

Day 1: Lisbon – Cáceres – Cordoba 
In the early morning, leave central Lisbon by air-conditioned coach to travel east to Spain. Relax on board and listen to your guide explain your tour’s exciting itinerary. After roughly 3.5 hours on the road, arrive in the region of Extremadura, home to the city of Cáceres with its UNESCO-listed Old Town.Stop to stretch your legs in the city and enjoy some free time. Perhaps use your time to enjoy lunch in one of Cáceres’ many cafes, or explore the Old Town independently to see architecture influenced by both the Moors and the Christians.Travel onward to Cordoba in the afternoon, and check in to your hotel in the evening. Your first night is spent doing whatever you wish; head out to explore at leisure or try out the city’s famous tapas at a bar in town.

Overnight: 4-star superior TRYP Cordoba Hotel or 4-star Hotel Hesperia Cordoba in central Cordoba

 

Day 2: Cordoba – Seville (B)
Enjoy breakfast, and then head out on a 2-hour walking tour of the ancient Moorish city. Explore the pretty, flower-bedecked paths and cobbled side streets that weave around the Mezquita, Cordoba’s famous cathedral-mosque. Head inside the iconic attraction and spend roughly an hour walking around its interior and learning about its history. Converted from a mosque to a church in the 13th century, the building boats a mishmash of architectural styles and influences from different religions.

Your tour finishes in the center of town, so take use of some free time for lunch, and then check out of your hotel. Leave Cordoba in the early afternoon, and travel south to Seville, the sunny capital of Andalucia. The countryside on your route is legendary, having been immortalized in Don Quixote’s novel Man of La Mancha. Lap it up, and then arrive at your central Seville hotel in the early evening.

Overnight: 4-star superior NH Plaza de Arma or 4-star Don Paco in central Seville

 

Day 3: Seville (B)
After breakfast in your hotel, discover the sights and charms of Seville on a 2-hour sightseeing tour by both coach and foot. Sightsee around the ‘expo’ area (near Plaza de España), and then stop for a walk through leafy Murillo Gardens, the perfect place to escape from the heat. Pass Maria Luisa Gardens by coach, and then finish your sightseeing tour at a central location.

In the afternoon, enjoy some free time for lunch and to sightsee at leisure. Perhaps scout out Seville Cathedral — a masterpiece of Gothic architecture — or pay a visit to Real Maestranza Bullring. Any entrance fees are at your own expense.

If you want to experience Seville’s famous culture after dinner, why not experience a traditional flamenco show in town at your own expense? The 1.5-hour show features fiery dancing from some of the city’s top bailors (flamenco dancers) in time to fast-paced live music. Make your own way back to your hotel after the show finishes.

Overnight: 4-star superior NH Plaza de Arma or 4-star Don Paco in central Seville

 

Day 4: Seville – Ronda – Costa del Sol (B)
Check out of your Seville hotel after breakfast, and travel further south to the historical city of Ronda, roughly two hours away. As you travel, learn about Ronda’s history and culture from your guide; the city is said to be one of the oldest in Spain with wealth accumulated from trade. Enjoy roughly an hour of free time to grab some lunch or stretch your legs. Look out for the New Bridge that straddles the dramatic El Tajo de Ronda gorge — it’s the town’s eye-catching centerpiece.

Meet back up with your guide to continue your journey south to the Costa del Sol, Spain’s sun-drenched southern coastline. Check in to your Torremolinos hotel, and spend your evening at leisure, perhaps visiting the town’s lively bars.

Overnight: 4-star Sol Principe Hotel, 4-star Sol Don Marco or 4-star Sol Don Pablo in Torremolinos, Costa del Sol

Day 5: Costa del Sol – Granada (B)
Leave the Costa del Sol after breakfast in your hotel, and then loop back inland in the direction of Granada. Arrive in the historical Andalucian city in the early afternoon, and admire sights of the stunning mountain range of Sierra Nevada as you travel through town. Your first stop is the Alhambra: Granada’s UNESCO-listed stunner. Head inside the hill-top palace complex with your guide, and discover its highlights on a 2.5-hour walking tour.

After entering, visit the oldest part of the Alhambra, Alcazaba Fortress, with its myriad of ramparts and towers. Ogle the views, and then continue to the Nasrid Palaces to marvel at the elaborate public rooms and intriguing Islamic art of the old Moorish buildings. From the palaces, stroll outside to Generalife Gardens and check out where the Moorish kings of bygone days once relaxed amid terraces of colorful flowers.

Check in to your hotel after your tour, and enjoy free time in the afternoon to have lunch or exploring independently. Later in the evening, why not head out to see a zambra (Moorish-style flamenco) performance at the famous Sacromonte Caves? The show is not included in your tour, but the opportunity to see passionate gypsy-style dancing in the famous Granadan caves is well worth the extra expense.

Overnight: 4-star superior Hotel Los Angeles or 4-star Hotel Carmen in central Granada

 

Day 6: Granada – Toledo – Madrid (B)
After breakfast, travel from Granada to the ancient city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The former capital of Spain, Toledo is now cited as the country’s spiritual capital and is home to countless religious monuments and historical landmarks. Learn about the city on a 1.5-hour tour by foot and coach, and see a collection of top Toledo attractions, too. Highlights include outside visits to the Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue and San Juan de los Reyes Monastery.

When your sightseeing finishes, return to your coach and start your journey back to Madrid. Your 6-day tour then finishes with a drop-off in central Madrid around early evening.