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Treasures of Andalucia

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7 days From £1,099 £999 per person
4.2 stars(122 reviews)
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Explore the Moorish cities and rich culture of Spain’s Andalucía region, from Seville’s Gothic cathedral and Córdoba’s Mezquita to Granada’s magnificent Alhambra palaces and gardens

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Save £100pp on Europe & British Isles 2025 holidays, when you book by 31st May 2025.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: 25ANF

About the tour

Experience the highlights of Andalucía on this spectacular holiday to the region's three main cities.

With a local guide we tour the vibrant city of Seville - seeing the world's largest Gothic cathedral, and the Plaza de España. In Córdoba, we see the exterior of the glorious Mezquita, a unique mosque-cathedral, with free time to look around the historic Jewish Quarter.

After a guided tour through Granada's breathtaking Alhambra palaces, you are free to soak up the beauty of the Generalife gardens. We uncover all these treasures, from our base in the traditional town of Antequera.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Walking among the Alhambra palaces and gardens, Granada
Walking among the Alhambra palaces and gardens, Granada
In historic Granada a guided tour reveals the majestic Alhambra, with its unforgettable backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains – one of the world’s greatest, most famous sites and best-preserved Moorish palaces and gardens.
Touring the main sights of Seville
Touring the main sights of Seville
On a guided tour we see highlights including the Gothic cathedral, and the 1920s’ designed Plaza de España, which combines Art Deco and Spanish Renaissance Revival, Spanish Baroque Revival and neo-Mudéjar styles.
Exploring Córdoba
Exploring Córdoba
Visit the exterior of Córdoba’s mosque-cathedral, known as the Mezquita, one of the world’s most impressive examples of Islamic architecture that has been an important place of worship for Muslims and Christians.
Based in Antequera, in the heart of Andalucía
Based in Antequera, in the heart of Andalucía
We explore this amazing region from the traditional Andalucían town of Antequera – with its churches, Moorish fortress, and Spanish cafés – plus there’s time built in to visit nearby cities such as Málaga.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Antequera in the heart of Andalucía

Your holiday begins this morning when you meet the Tour Manager and group at London Gatwick, or depart independently from your regional airport, for a morning flight to Malaga.

On arrival we're transferred by coach to our hotel in Antequera, a traditional Spanish town in the heart of Andalucía, ideally situated to explore the cities of Granada, Córdoba, Seville and Málaga.

Antequera is a typical Andalucian medieval town with an impressive Moorish fortress, several churches, and a relaxed atmosphere. The town also has many examples of Spanish Baroque buildings, carefully restored to retain their façades. There's time to look around and get your bearings in Antequera.

Day 2 - Free time in Antequera

After breakfast this morning, you are free to explore Antequera at your own pace. To find out more about local sights and seasonal or special events, the tourist office is located in the centre near the Plaza de San Sebastián.

There are plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from if you'd like to indulge in a traditional Spanish lunch. A local speciality is 'Porra Antequerana', a gazpacho-style soup, served cold and made with tomatoes and bread.

Nature lovers have two interesting nearby places to discover. El Torcal de Antequera, five miles outside of the city, a national park with unique rock formations which can be reached by local bus or taxi. Equally interesting are the Dolmen Tombs, some of the largest prehistoric burial chambers in Europe. Antequera's cuisine is well regarded throughout Andalucía and, dining independently, you can uncover why.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - An excursion to Seville, Andalucía’s colourful capital

Our tour continues this morning as we catch the high-speed train to beautiful Seville, for a guided tour.

Exploring by coach and on foot, our first stop is the Plaza de España, a colourful landmark with fountains, and tiled alcoves, created for the 1929 'Fair of the Americas' a mix of Andalucía's different architectural styles. Our tour ends at the amazing cathedral, the largest Gothic building in Europe, where the bones of Christopher Columbus were interred. The cathedral's bell tower, La Giralda is the minaret of the original mosque and has panoramic views over the city.

The afternoon is yours to explore. The nearby Santa Cruz district is teeming with tapas bars and restaurants. After some lunch you could visit the Alcázar Palace, which - with its stunning gardens, shady seating areas and cooling water features - is a lovely retreat from the city streets. You may like to walk along the river to the Torre del Oro, once a watchtower and medieval prison, which glows gold as the sun sets. We return to our hotel by rail at the end of the afternoon.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - A trip to Córdoba, guided tour and time to explore independently

Today we take another high-speed rail journey, this time to Córdoba, an ancient city that was once the largest metropolis in western Europe and is now a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site.

On arrival, we're taken on a guided tour of the city's main attractions, seeing the exterior of the famous Mezquita of Córdoba - one of the world's greatest examples of Islamic architecture. Inside, several Roman Catholic chapels have been introduced over the centuries, and the building is now regarded as a mosque-cathedral. Our tour also takes you through Córdoba's historic Jewish Quarter, which has a tiny ancient synagogue, hidden stone patios and characterful streets.

You're free over lunch and into the afternoon to look around at leisure and may like to visit the Alcázar palace and gardens here, smaller than Seville's historic palace but still beautiful. We return to our hotel by rail where there is time to relax and dine independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - A day at leisure in or around Antequera

On this free day, you could visit Malaga, around an hour away by rail. This attractive city combines history, cuisine and culture. Known as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, the Museo Picasso in the Old Town is one of the city's most popular sites (booking ahead advised). The city has a cathedral, a Roman amphitheatre and one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain, the Alcazaba, which overlooks the city from a hilltop. Above is a second fortress, the Castillo de Gibralfaro. Malaga has many inviting restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as the 'Centre Pompidou' gallery of contemporary art.

In Antequera, the Roman Villa of the Station was discovered in 1998 and is now open to the public. From mid-June to mid-September the town has a cultural event called 'Moonlight', when monuments are lit up after dark.

Of course, you may prefer a relaxing day, possibly at the hotel swimming pool before visiting a restaurant for dinner on your own. Local cuisine ranges from refreshing soups to hearty stews and sweets treats such as Bienmesabe.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - Granada: the Alhambra and the Albaicín

Travelling by coach to Granada, we visit one of the world's most well-preserved examples of Moorish architecture - the Alhambra palaces and fortress complex, with a stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. On a guided tour, we discover the wonderful Alhambra palaces, whose interiors have intricately carved wooden ceilings, colourful mosaics and beautiful plasterwork.

After our tour you are free to walk among the beautiful 14th-century Generalife gardens, once a summer palace and country estate of the sultans. Peaceful paths are laid out beneath pergolas dripping with jasmine, pebble mosaics, pools and cooling water features, framed by flowerbeds and pavilions.

With the rest of the day at leisure you could look around the Albaicín - the Moorish quarters of the city with its steep, narrow streets, Moroccan-style tea shops, and colourful craft shops. The Mirador de San Nicolas has fantastic views up to the Alhambra and is a popular spot for flamenco players, artists and craftspeople. Restaurants and cafés nearby serve tapas, drinks and meals.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Homeward bound

This morning, we bid adiós to Spain, as a coach transfers us from Antequera to Malaga Airport for our flight back to London Gatwick, or to your regional airport.

Our adventure in Andalucía has taken in the region's three main cities, and on this tour, we have explored its deep history, from Moorish times to the modern day, with plenty of free time to discover the region for ourselves.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Discoveries collection

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Antequera Hills, Antequera

Hotel Antequera Hills, Antequera

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Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 122 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (49)
  2. 4 stars
    (54)
  3. 3 stars
    (13)
  4. 2 stars
    (4)
  5. 1 star
    (2)

Simon Vidler

5 stars

Submitted 10 Nov 2024

The hotel was central to visiting Seville, Cordoba and Granada, on a fee day a trip to Ronda was organised for those of us that wished to go which was the majority of the group, or tour manager Tracey Davies was exceptional in looking out for us with a vast knowledge of the area nothing was to much trouble for her.

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Naomi Olaoluwa

5 stars

Submitted 06 Nov 2024

The product was lovely.

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Naomi Olaoluwa
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Swetrat

5 stars

Submitted 26 Oct 2024

Excellent tour with first class leader - everything happened according to the published itinerary.

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Swetrat
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Pauline

5 stars

Submitted 07 Oct 2024

A hastle free way of seeing three major cities and Unesco Heritage sites. Entrance tickets purchase in advance, coach, train and guides all ready and waiting.

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi Pauline, Thank you for your positive feedback. That is wonderful to hear! Kindest regards, Sarah
1 comment

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Diana

5 stars

Submitted 05 Oct 2024

The trip itself was greaf, covered all the things that we expected. Local guides were good informative and entertaining. Hotel was comfortable, good selection of food at both meals. Nice pool ( although pump was a bit noisy at night!). All this was spoiled by our treatment by BA on the journey home

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Lorry

5 stars

Submitted 29 Sep 2024

Very thorough comprehensive tour. Well organised and a reasonable price.

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