Saffron-induced aromas waft through the air as locals gather on sun-kissed patios. Gulls coo as they circle overhead while the staccato beats of rhythmic flamenco dancers echo down the cobbled streets. These are just a few of the enticing sensory experiences that you can have on this luxurious, 9-day adventure through Southern Spain. This excursion will have you venturing inside royal palace walls, strolling through illustrious public parks, marveling at internationally revered artwork, and admiring...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Madrid - Touchdown in Madrid and Dinner at Plaza Mayor
The bustling city traffic and energetic pedestrians begin in the morning hours and quicken in pace with each passing hour. Taxis wind sharp bends around major downtown plazas, and street vendors sell souvenirs in front of charming cafes and fountains.
You will touch down in Madrid at the Barajas International Airport, where you will be met by private transport. Momentarily, you will be weaving through the frenzied streets of Spain's capital city. During your transfer, you can catch wafts of churros and the intoxicating aromas of hot chocolate. Waiters will call out to passersby to entice them with the restaurant's daily specials, and shortly, you will arrive at your five-star accommodation in the heart of Madrid.
Once you have checked into your room, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your leisure before you venture into the city for an afternoon of self-guided exploration. You can begin in the Plaza del Sol, where you will witness the beautiful clocktower in addition to the street marker signifying the origin of all major Spanish highways. Later, as the sun begins to set and you have worked up an appetite, you can walk to the illustrious Plaza Mayor, which is a hotbed of activity that hosts a plethora of dining options. As you settle in at an outdoor patio along the plaza's perimeter, you can listen to the soothing serenades of local bands while you bite into the tantalizing sweet saffron flavors of Spain's world-renowned paella.
What's Included: airport transfer, accommodation, dinner
What's Included:
Day 2
Madrid - Tour of City Highlights and Leisurely Stroll Through Parque El Retiro
Day 3
Cordoba - Guided Visit to La Mezquita and Lunch in Historic District
Day 4
Granada - Exploration of Downtown and Tapas Sampler Event
Day 5
Granada - Guided Tour of La Alhambra and Flamenco Dinner Show
Day 6
Sevilla - Visit to Plaza de Espana, Torre del Oro, and Sevilla Cathedral
Day 7
Sevilla - Guided Tour of the Royal Alcazar and Visit to Authentic Bullfighting Arena
Day 8
Malaga - Tour of Alcazaba and the Picasso Museum, Sunset Paella Dinner Along Costa del Sol
Day 9
Malaga - Final Farewell and International Departure
Trip Highlights
- Stroll through the halls of the esteemed Royal Palace in Madrid and amble through the iconic Parque El Retiro
- Marvel at the intricate architecture of La Mezquita in Cordoba and discover the city's eclectic cultural heritage
- Indulge in a delectable variety of tapas in Granada and explore the internationally acclaimed La Alhambra palace
- Immerse yourself in an authentic flamenco show and step inside a traditional bullfighting arena in Sevilla
- Discover Sevilla's diverse architectural inside El Alcazar before delighting in a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Plaza de Espana
- Delight in a tour of the renowned Picasso Museum in Malaga and indulge in Spain's delightful paella along the sparkling coastline
Detailed Description
Locals tend to gather at markets beside stoic fortresses, and royal palace’s gates welcome visitors to explore a storied past. Families like to lounge at outdoor patios while children play in the grassy parks nearby. Also, staccato beats of flamenco music carry through the air as church bells chime on the hour. Andalusia boasts not only a rich history but a unique culture and heritage that permeates nearly every aspect of daily life.
You will begin your tour of Spain with a quick stop in the nation's capital. Here, you will walk the halls of Madrid's Royal Palace, which is the official residence of Spanish royalty. Then, you will venture through the illustrious public park that is known as Parque El Retiro. You will follow a guide along the frenzied Gran Via and dine in the vivacious Plaza Mayor. Then, you and your group will journey to La Mezquita in Cordoba, which is a fascinating blend of Roman Catholic and Muslim traditions.
Your next stop will bring you to Granada, which is nestled into the snowcapped foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. You will tour the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of La Alhambra and sample regional tapas before indulging in an authentic flamenco show. In Sevilla, your adventure continues when you step inside an authentic bullfighting ring before strolling through the downtown area to round the perimeter of the Plaza de Espana. Finally, you will conclude your exciting excursion through Southern Spain along the iridescent shorelines of Malaga, where you can indulge in a sunset dinner along the Costa del Sol as you bid Spain your final farewell.
Read some of our travelers’ reviews for Spain travel to discover new experiences to add to your own tour.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 2630 reviews.
Our trip to Spain was fantastic! Zicasso and their travel planner did an amazing job selecting well-appointed hotels in great locations, providing transfers, curating experiences and tours, and providing local tour guides who knew about Spain!
Reviewed By Kimberly T.
Memorable Mother-Daughter Trip!
We had a wonderful mother-daughter trip to Spain and Portugal! I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter and everything was beautifully organized—excellent accommodations, knowledgeable guides, reliable drivers, and thoughtful recommendations throughout. One of the absolute highlights was a cooking tour in Spain, which gave us an unforgettable, authentic experience.
The agency was extremely responsive and a huge bonus was their app, which made it easy to access our itinerary and connect with them via live chat for questions, tips, and extra suggestions along the way. We felt fully supported from start to finish and would enthusiastically recommend Zicasso's travel partners to anyone planning a special trip.
Reviewed By Shela H.
The trip was all that we expected and the Zicasso travel agency's planning and assistance were exceptional.
Reviewed By Chris V.
During planning for our trip and exploring options, Zicasso's travel partner was responsive and attentive to our desires. The trip execution was almost flawless. In the situations where we required assistance from them, they were quick to react and solve the minor issues beyond their control.
Reviewed By Daniel M.
The trip was fantastic. Everything that was scheduled was well planned, with excellent tour guides, communication with the guides, as well as travel agents live during the trip. The experience was five-star and we could tell that the way it was booked through Zicasso was better for the guides themselves versus how others in our group had booked (ie, through other agencies). There were fewer obstacles, complications, and issues with the booking. We could tell this through our tour guides, as they were more comfortable and knowledgeable about our requests and needs.
Tickets were all organized and either sent to us through PDF or to our tour guides. The off days were were well placed during the week and our requests were more than satisfied.
Reviewed By Shaheed H.
Zicasso's travel specialist did an amazing job! She planned our itinerary well, based on our interests, the cities we wanted to visit, and the experiences we requested. All of the accommodations and transportation worked out well, and we enjoyed the trip a lot!
The only downside was one night with a late-night tour scheduled, followed by an early-morning hot-air balloon ride, which was hard to get up for in time, but we managed. Despite this, we would definitely recommend our travel company to anyone traveling to Spain!
Reviewed By Evan C.