Al-Andalus: Southern Spain by Luxury Rail
Overview
The Highlights
- Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and a chance to watch the “dancing Andalusian horses”
- All meals and excursions included
- Explore iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Seville, Córdoba, Toledo, Cáceres, Mérida, and Aranjuez.
- Visit an artisanal cheese factory and winery in Alcázar de San Juan.
- Explore Mérida’s ancient ruins, founded in 25 BC
- Visit the Royal Palace of Aranjuez
- Six nights onboard the Al-Andalus
2026 Itinerary Change: Starting in 2026, itinerary is changing to Madrid-Sevilla (or vice versa). This is exciting for luxury train enthusiasts, as it will nearly double the distance traveled. Stops will include Aranjuez, Toledo, Alcázar de San Juan, Cáceres, Mérida, Jerez, Cádiz, and Córdoba.
The Tour
Enjoy the Spanish landscape on the Al-Andalus luxury train as you journey through the country’s southernmost territory. The train combines attentive service, lush décor, and elegant cuisine for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Tour includes day touring by motorcoach to incredible restaurants and sites not reachable by train and a long list of UNESCO World Heritage sites you will never forget. The seven-day, six-night tour begins in Seville, with stops in Córdoba, Cádiz, Jerez, Cáceres, Mérida, Alcázar de San Juan, Toledo and Aranjuez before ending in Madrid (tour also operates in reverse).
And when we book your hotels pre and post-train, we offer a great value with our Virtuoso partner hotels: the offer includes exclusive and valuable complimentary amenities which can add a value of hundreds of dollars to your booking.
Read about IRT co-owners Owen & Eleanor Hardy’s 2024 Al-Andalus adventure.
Countries Visited
- Spain
Itinerary
Day 1: Seville-Córdoba
Welcome reception for passengers in the local hotel in Seville at 10 a.m. While the crew transfers your luggage to the train, enjoy a guided tour of Seville, the capital of Andalusia and one of the most historic cities in Spain. This includes lunch and a panoramic tour that includes the famous Plaza de España. Then, transfer to the Al Andalus train. Meet the train crew and enjoy a welcome drink before unpacking in your private cabin.
Dinner is served on board as the Al Andalus makes its way to Córdoba, where it will stop for the night.
Day 2: Córdoba-Cádiz-Jerez
Following breakfast on board, tour Córdoba’s magnificent Mosque-Cathedral and wander its charming streets, once the capital of the Emirate and Caliphate of Al-Andalus, what was then the most cultured city in Western Europe. Enjoy lunch on board en route to Jerez.
In the afternoon, travel to Cádiz, known as the “Silver Cup” and considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the West.
After dinner in Cádiz, return to Jerez for an overnight onboard.
Day 3: Jerez-Zafra
Begin the day with breakfast on board, followed by a spectacular performance of How the Andalusian Horses Dance, a graceful equestrian ballet set to Spanish music.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant, after which you will visit a winery.
Dinner is served on board as you continue onto Zafra. Overnight in Zafra onboard.
Day 4: Zafra-Cáceres-Mérida
Enjoy breakfast as you arrive in Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose streets, squares, and palaces are magnificently preserved.
After exploring Cáceres, return to the train for lunch, continuing to Mérida.
Dinner and overnight in Mérida.
Day 5: Mérida-Alcázar de San Juan
This morning’s journey takes you to Castilla–La Mancha, renowned for its cheeses and wines.
In Alcázar de San Juan, you will visit an artisanal cheese producer and a family-run winery before enjoying a regional lunch.
Later, explore the characteristic landscape of windmills of Campo de Criptana, a source of inspiration for Cervantes in his novel Don Quixote.
Dinner and overnight in Alcázar de San Juan.
Day 6: Alcázar de San Juan-Toledo-Aranjuez
Enjoy breakfast as you travel to Toledo, another UNESCO World Heritage city and former capital of Spain.
Witness how Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions intertwine in the Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque, and historic synagogues. Lunch is served in Toledo before you continue to Aranjuez to tour its Royal Palace and exquisite gardens.
Dinner on board. Overnight in Aranjuez.
Day 7: Aranjuez-Madrid
This morning, savor your final breakfast on board before saying farewell to the Al Andalus and its crew.
Your journey ends in Madrid around 4 p.m.
Day 1: Madrid-Aranjuez
Welcome reception for passengers at a local hotel in Madrid at 10 a.m.
Join your fellow guests for a panoramic tour of Spain’s vibrant capital, followed by lunch in the city.
In the afternoon, transfer to Aranjuez and settle into your cabin onboard Al Andalus.
After a welcome toast and introductions to the crew, enjoy your first dinner on board. Overnight in Aranjuez.
Day 2: Aranjuez-Toledo-Alcázar de San Juan
Begin with a visit to Toledo, one of Europe’s most monumental cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque, and historic synagogues speak to the blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage.
Lunch is served in Toledo, followed by free time to explore.
Rejoin the train in Aranjuez for dinner and continue to Alcázar de San Juan, where you overnight onboard.
Day 3: Alcázar de San Juan-Cáceres
This morning’s journey takes you to Castilla–La Mancha, renowned for its cheeses and wines.
In Alcázar de San Juan, you will visit an artisanal cheese producer and a family-run winery before enjoying a regional lunch.
Later, explore the characteristic landscape of windmills of Campo de Criptana, a source of inspiration for Cervantes in his novel Don Quixote.
Dinner onboard as you travel towards Cáceres for an overnight.
Day 4: Cáceres-Mérida-Jerez
Enjoy breakfast before disembarking to tour Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose streets, squares, and palaces are magnificently preserved.
After exploring Cáceres, return to the train to travel towards Mérida, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, enjoy lunch and explore the remains and history of the ancient Roman Empire city.
Following, rejoin the train for dinner en route to Jerez. Overnight in Jerez.
Day 5: Jerez
Begin the day with breakfast on board, followed by a spectacular performance of How the Andalusian Horses Dance, a graceful equestrian ballet set to Spanish music.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant, after which you will visit a winery.
Dinner is served on board as you continue onto Jerez. Overnight in Jerez onboard.
Day 6: Jerez-Cádiz-Córdoba
Following breakfast on board, you depart for Cádiz, known as the “Silver Cup” and considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the West.
Enjoy lunch on board en route to Córdoba, where you will tour its magnificent Mosque-Cathedral and wander its charming streets. Once the capital of the Emirate and Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Córdoba was considered the most cultured city in Western Europe.
Dinner and overnight in Córdoba onboard.
Day 7: Córdoba-Seville
This morning, savor your final breakfast on board before saying farewell to the Al Andalus and its crew.
Your journey ends in Seville around 4 p.m.
Dates & Prices
2026 Dates
April 12 - 18
April 5 - 11 *
April 26 - May 2
April 19 - 25 *
May 3 - 9 *
May 10 - 16
May 17 - 23 *
May 24 - 30
June 7 - 13 *
June 14 - 20
June 21 - 27 *
June 28 - July 4
September 6 - 12 *
September 13 - 19
September 20 - 26 *
September 27 - October 3
October 4 - 10 *
October 11 - 17
*Starred departures run Sevilla to Madrid.
| Accommodations | Double | Single | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Class Room | €6,600 | €11,200 | 15% |
| Deluxe Suite | €7,900 | €13,800 | 15% |
- Prices are per person.
- Please note: We cannot hold space on this train. A 15% deposit will be required immediately to confirm your cabin.
- Tour is priced in Euro. View approximate exchange rates.
Book Your Journey
Reviews From Our Travelers
We’ve traveled a lot, and we can tell you: they made a tremendous effort. The staff treated us wonderfully. They did everything they could possibly do for us. It was not pretentious in any way, though. It was elegant. …I just felt that we were treated like royalty.
This was the most wonderful trip I have ever experienced. The staff were delightful, thoughtful, caring and smiling throughout. Never have I had such a splendid trip; it is expensive; I won't be doing it every day of the week however I loved every second
The trip was superb, the quality of service on board was excellent... The staff could not have been more accommodating and the guests got to know each other in no short order.
More
Seville can easily be reached by high-speed regular train from Barcelona or Madrid. Contact us if you would like to utilize our concierge service to extend your journey in Spain — or elsewhere in Europe.
Inquire About This Journey
For dates and prices, please click here.
Questions? Our experienced luxury rail travel consultants are ready to help.