Visit Spain’s star attractions on a classic tour through its heart. Starting in Madrid, let your imagination unfold on a journey through this beautiful country oozing with charm, and visit the people and cities that reflect Spain’s fascinating history and culture

Day 1 - Madrid

In the 9th century emir Muhamad I built a fortress to protect the routes to Toledo. For 250 years Mayrit would be the north border of al-Andalus. Unfortunately, few traces has been left.

Madrid, artistic, vibrant and filled with culinary hotspots spending your time seeing the Gran Via, Plaza de Espana, Royal Palace & Puerta del Sol (the city’s main square) will not go to waste as you explore the heart of the city. Walk the Madrid de los Austrias and La Latina the muslim quarter Moreria for centuries after the christian conquest in 1085

Day 2 - Madrid & Toledo

Day 3 Madrid & Cordoba

Qurtuba, the old capital of al-Andalus where you will learn about the Umayyad dynasty. Cordoba city was established capital of al-Andalus by the first Umayyad emir, Abd al-Rahman I in the early 8th-century. During the muslim period, Cordoba became a center of knowledge with countless libraries and three universities. It was the world’s most populated city, but suffered a sharp decrease in population during the Renaissance.

We will visit first the old Mosque of Cordoba, famous for its red and white arches and its mihrab the site is a World Heritage protected by the Unesco. Nowadays, it is the cathedral of Cordoba. Afterwards, we will explore the old muslim quarter (nowadays known as the “Jewish quarter”. Walking through these narrow streets you will learn the history of this neighborhood listed by UNESCO as world heritage while enjoy the beauty of its whitewashed houses and courtyards full of flowers. We will see many examples of islamic architecture from Al Andalus times. Take a nice shot from the roman bridge and the Calahorra tower.

Pop in the arts & crafts shops and discover the local handcrafts. Visit a jewlery to see why cordobese workshops of silver and gold are world famous in techniques like the filigree.

Day 4 - Cordoba & Seville

We will visit the archeological site of Madinat Al Zahra, a city built by caliph Abd al-Rahman III in the 10th century to show the world the splendor of its kingdom. Located 8 km away from the city center, it is listed as world heritage by UNESCO for it’s great example of the sophisticated urban planification in al-Andalus. Continue the journey to Seville the capital of the Andalusia region.

Day 5 - Seville

The islamic imprint of ancient Isbilya is not large, as the city falled in 1248 in hands of Fernando III. However, it still deserves a visit because of the beauty of its palaces, parks and river wadi al-Kabir. In times of the caliphate, an important route to Cordoba.

Historically it has been rich city due to the effervescent activity of this port as the river flows into the Atlantic ocean. Here were established the main routes for trading with the New World since the America conquest (1492).

Discover the islamic heritage of this city. Today belltower of Seville’s cathedral, la Giralda was once the minaret of the old Masjid of muslim Isbiliya. The Golden Tower is another landmark of the city. We will continue exploring the historic district and Santa Cruz quarter, and we will walk along the boulevard on the banks of the river Guadalquivir on our way to the beautiful Plaza de España. Tour in the Royal Alcazar of Seville.

Free Time Ads-Ons:

Visit the archeological site of Italica the first roman city founded in the Iberian Peninsula. The mosaics of the houses are amazing.

Enjoy a Guadalquivir river cruise.

Day 6 - Seville & Granada

Roam through the streets of the Realejo, the old jewish quarter. Discover the local handicrafts. The Fajalauza a traditional ceramic technique of hand painted glazed clay brought 500 years from Middle East. And Taracea a decorative art consisting in adding pieces of ivory, silver or bone in wood. We travel to Madrid for overnight.

Day 7- Granada

Sightseeing tour of the Albayzin quarter. Explore the mysterious maze of alleyways of the old muslim quarter. Enjoy the astounding views over Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountains from the Masjid gardens next to famous San Nicolas viewpoint.

The palace Dar al-Horra in the oldest part of Albayzin, the official residence of Aixa mother of the last emir of Granada Boabdil. The Hammam al-Yawza “El Bañuelo”. Best preserved public arab baths in the Iberian Peninsula. An example of a wealthy family house in times of the Nasrid, Horno de Oro house.