Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Andalusia - 7 days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Evening Tapas Tour

Welcome to Spain! Upon arrival at the nation's capital, you'll enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to settle in before heading out to explore. You'll want to see some of the highlights, like the Puerta del Sol, one of the most historic and expansive plazas in the city. There's also Madrid's famous Fountain of Cibeles. Located in the city center, it features a sculpture completed in 1782 depicting Cybele, the Greek goddess of fertility, riding in a chariot pulled by lions.

In the evening, you'll dig into Madrid's culture on a food tour. A local expert guide will lead you on a two-hour walking excursion that stops at some great tapas bars. On this tour, you'll visit Barrio Las Letras, known as the "literary quarter." This historic neighborhood in the city center was once home to Spanish-lit legends like Cervantes and Quevedo. Besides visiting some historic sights around here, you'll also stop at Calle Huertas for a bite at one of the many tapas bars that line the street.

Day 2: Private City Tour, Discover Madrid's Royal Legacy

Enjoy a half-day tour of Madrid led by an expert local guide today. Madrid has a long history, and today, the city adorns itself with that history in its architecture, public spaces, and culture. An organized tour is ideal, and your guide will reveal insight into how different periods influenced Madrid's neighborhoods and buildings and point out the most interesting sights.

One area you'll visit that's awash in splendor is the Madrid de los Austrias. It was built in the 16th century during the reign of the Hapsburg Dynasty's first ruler, Charles I. Located in the city center, it's home to one of the grandest plazas in Spain, the Plaza Mayor, once the heart of Old Madrid.

Also here is the Royal Palace, which was the official home of the Spanish monarchs until 1931. You'll tour both the grounds and interior of this 3,418-room monument to opulence, entering the parade ground, the chambers of Charles III, several salons, the Royal Chapel, and the Hall of the Crown, which displays Charles I's crown, scepter, and throne.

Later you could visit El Retiro Park. This 308-acre expanse of verdure is the green lung of Madrid, abounding with sculptures, fountains, and a man-made lake perfect for taking a boat trip. There are also must-visit gardens here, including the Jardín de Vivaces (Garden of Vivacious Plants), Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez (inspired by the Andalusia region), and a garden home to over 4,000 roses—the best time to see these blooms is from May through June. 

Day 3: Drive to Seville, Córdoba Tour

In the morning, you'll pick up your rental car and embark on a five-hour drive south from Madrid to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. It's a long drive, but you'll stop along the way for a guided tour of Córdoba, a city that dates back to Roman times. There's quite a bit to see in Córdoba, as it's a historical hodgepodge of Moorish, Gothic, and Jewish architecture.

During the walking tour, you'll explore numerous historical landmarks, among them the awe-inspiring Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba), initially a pagan temple that was repurposed into the magnificent mosque of the Umayyad caliphate before being later consecrated as a Catholic church.

You'll also meander around the winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. Within this historic neighborhood is the Córdoba Synagogue, which dates to 1315. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, the building served different functions. At one time or another, it was a hospital, a chapel, and a nursery school.

After the tour, you'll continue to Seville, where you'll check into your hotel and will have the evening free.

Day 4: Half-Day City Tour of Seville

After breakfast, you'll head off with a local guide to explore Seville. Start with the Seville Cathedral, a 15th-century Roman-Catholic church home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. You'll also see La Giralda, the cathedral's looming bell tower. There's a noticeable stylistic difference between the two structures, as this 12th-century pillar was originally built as a minaret for the Great Mosque back when the Moors ruled Andalusia.

Then, travel back to the era of the Christan conquest when you visit the Alcázar of Seville. This royal palace was commissioned for King Peter of Castile in the 14th century and was built over the site of a former Muslim fortress. It features well-manicured gardens, and the building itself is one of the finest examples of Mudéjar architecture in the nation.

After stopping at the Alcázar, you'll walk to the fashionable Santa Cruz neighborhood, which was once the Jewish Quarter in the city. It's a colorful and well-preserved part of the historic center, with many options for cafés and tapas bars. You can also visit crafts markets and local shops where seasoned artisans produce intricate silverwork and elegant garment embroidery.

After completing the half-day tour, you can return to your hotel and relax or continue to explore the town. If you decide to head out for a night on the town, do like the locals and complement an evening of tapas with a nightcap at a favorite watering hole.

Day 5: Drive to Granada, Hike the Caminito del Rey

After breakfast in Seville, you'll embark on a road trip through some of Andalusia's most enchanting locales. Take in the views as you drive through olive groves, rolling meadows, cork forests, and around mountains, passing the region's famous "white villages"—ancient hilltop towns famous for their whitewashed buildings.

Your destination is Granada, located about three hours east of Seville. However, you'll stop along the way for some adrenaline-pumping hiking at the Caminito del Rey—a stunning network of walkways built along a deep gorge carved out by the Guadalhorce River. At times, the gorge reaches harrowing depths of 2,297 feet (700 meters).

You'll arrive at the northern entrance and put on your safety equipment. Then, it's time to head off along the trail. As you hike, you'll be treated to incredible views down the gorge to the river winding through the valley below. This one-way trail typically takes about three to four hours to complete.

Afterward, you'll continue to Granada, where you'll check into your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to relax and recharge.

Day 6: Private Tour of the Alhambra, Ceramics Class

Granada was once the last bastion of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) when it was ruled by the Moors. You can see examples of this history in the form of Granada's most famous landmark, the Alhambra, which receives more than two million visitors annually. In the morning, you'll meet an expert guide for a private tour.

This imposing Muslim fortress was built atop a hill overlooking Granada and dates to the 9th century. It was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Nasrid Dynasty and served as a Moorish palace until 1492, when, after the Christian reconquest, it became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and on a private tour, you'll walk through its grand halls and stroll the Generalife Gardens, which are filled with colorful flowers and fountains and offer panoramic views of the city down below.

Later in the afternoon, you'll participate in a private ceramic tile-painting class with a professional artist. Granada is renowned for the quality of its ceramics, a long tradition that dates back to Moorish times. Your teacher is an accomplished local artist who will present you with a selection of designs and guide your technique as you create them yourself on the tiles. At the end of the class, you'll glaze the tiles before firing them in a special kiln.

Day 7: Drive to Málaga, Depart

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll get in the car and drive 1.5 hours from Granada to Málaga. This port city has gone through quite a rejuvenation over the last few years and is quickly becoming a hotbed of culture, style, and art. Depending on your flight schedule, you can take a self-guided tour of the city and visit famous sights like the Picasso Museum in the historic center. It's devoted to the cubist master, who was born in Málaga.

At the designated time, you'll transfer to the airport or rail station, drop off your rental car, and depart. Safe travels!

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