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
- Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: from the incredible Alhambra to the mosque of Córdoba
- Ronda, the birthplace of bullfighting
- Visit a local winery and sample regional wines in Jerez
- Six nights onboard the Al-Andalus
- Málaga’s impressive Alcazaba Moorish fortress
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 Jerez, Cádiz, Ronda, Cordoba, Ubeda, Baeza and Granada before ending in Málaga (tour also operates in reverse). You can easily get to the start of this trip by high-speed, 2.5-hour AVE train from Madrid straight to Seville or Málaga.
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.
View IRT Society Vice President Angela Walker’s account of her Al-Andalus adventure.
Countries Visited
- Spain
Itinerary
Day 1: Seville-Jerez
Welcome reception for passengers in the Hotel Alfonso XIII 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 Jerez, where it will stop for the night.
Day 2: Jerez-Cádiz-Jerez
After breakfast on board, the train travels to Jerez. From there, a motorcoach transfers you to Cádiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe and popularly known as “la Tacita de Plata” (the Silver Teacup). Enjoy a city tour of Cádiz, free time, and lunch.
Return to Jerez in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight on the train, stationed in Jerez.
Day 3: Jerez-Ronda
Breakfast on board, followed by a visit to a winery in Jerez, the birthplace of Sherry and some of the most deeply rooted Andalusian traditions. Then visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where you will enjoy the show “How the Andalusian Horses Dance.”
Lunch will be served on board as the train travels to breathtaking Ronda, set on a plateau cut by the dramatic Tajo de Ronda gorge through which the Guadalevín River runs. Dinner in a Ronda restaurant. Overnight on the train, stationed in Ronda.
Day 4: Ronda-Cordoba
After breakfast, visit Ronda, the birthplace of bullfighting. Lunch on board the train while traveling to Cordoba.
Tour, dinner, and overnight stay in Cordoba.
Day 5: Cordoba-Úbeda-Baeza-Granada
This morning visit the unique Mosque-Cathedral and continue exploring Cordoba. Lunch on board while traveling to Úbeda and Baeza, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage cities.
This evening, dinner is served as the train arrives to Granada, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
For 2024 departures: The afternoon includes an additional visit to an oil mill (Almazara) and olive oil tasting.
Day 6: Granada
This morning is dedicated to visiting the Alhambra, the rich palace complex that housed the Nasrid rulers from the Kingdom of Granada. After lunch, there is more time to visit this beautiful city. Dinner and overnight in Granada.
Day 7: Granada-Málaga
After enjoying your last breakfast on board, say goodbye to the train and its crew and travel by coach to Málaga. Visit the extensively restored Alcazaba fort, known for its Moorish architecture.
For 2023 departures: Free time and lunch at the AC Hotel by Marriott Málaga Palace. The tour ends at approximately 5 p.m.
For 2024 departures: Free time and lunch in Málaga. The tour will conclude at the “Sala Club” of the Málaga-María Zambrano train station at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Day 1: Málaga-Granada
For 2023 departures: Welcome reception for passengers at the AC Hotel by Marriott Málaga Palace at 10 a.m. Visit the extensively restored Alcazaba fort, known for its Moorish architecture, followed by lunch in the hotel.
For 2024 departures: Welcome reception for passengers in the “Sala Club” of the Málaga-María Zambrano train
station at 10 a.m. Lunch in the Parador Gibralfaro.
Then, in the afternoon, travel by coach to Granada and board the waiting Al Andalus train. Meet the train crew and enjoy a welcome drink before settling in to your private cabin. Dinner and overnight in Granada.
Day 2: Granada-Linares/Baeza
This morning is dedicated to visiting the famed Alhambra, the rich palace complex that housed the Nasrid rulers from the Kingdom of Granada. After lunch, there is more time to visit this beautiful city. Dinner is served on board as the train travels to Linares/Baeza, where it stops for the night.
Day 3: Linares/Baeza-Úbeda-Cordoba
After breakfast, visit Úbeda and Baeza, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage cities. Lunch on board while traveling to Cordoba. Tour, dinner and overnight stay in Cordoba.
For 2024 departures: Today includes an additional visit to an oil mill (Almazara) and olive oil tasting.
Day 4: Cordoba-Ronda
Morning visit of Cordoba’s unique Mosque-Cathedral. Return to the train for lunch and travel to breathtaking Ronda, set on a plateau cut by the dramatic Tajo de Ronda gorge through which the Guadalevín River runs. After a tour of Ronda, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight on board in Ronda.
Day 5: Ronda-Jerez
Enjoy breakfast on board as the train travels to Jerez. Visit a winery in Jerez, the birthplace of Sherry as well as some of the most deeply rooted Andalusian traditions. Then visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where you will enjoy the show “How the Andalusian Horses Dance.”
Lunch on board in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, followed by free time. Dinner on board and overnight in Jerez.
Day 6: Jerez-Cádiz-Jerez
A motorcoach transfers you to Cádiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe and popularly known as “la Tacita de Plata” (the Silver Teacup). Enjoy a city tour of Cádiz, free time, and lunch.
Return to Jerez in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight on the train, stationed in Jerez.
Day 7: Seville
After enjoying your last breakfast on board, say goodbye to the train and its crew. Visit the city of Seville, the capital of Andalusia and one of the most historic cities in Spain.
For 2023 departures: Lunch in the Hotel Alfonso XIII. Trip ends approximately 5 p.m.
For 2024 departures: Lunch in the Hotel Querencia. Trip ends approximately 5 p.m.
Dates & Prices
2023 Dates
September 24 - 30
October 1 - 7 *
October 8 - 14
October 15 - 21 *
October 22 - 28
October 29 - November 4 *
November 5 - 11
November 12 - 18 *
November 19 - 25
November 26 - December 2 *
*Starred departures run Málaga to Seville.
| Accommodation | Double | Single | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Class Room | €4,700 | €8,000 | 15% |
| Deluxe Suite | €5,600 | €9,800 | 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.
2024 Dates
March 31 - April 6
April 7 - 13 *
April 14 - 20
April 21 - 27 *
April 28 - May 4
May 5 - 11 *
May 12 - 18
May 19 - 25 *
May 26 - June 1
June 2 - 8 *
June 16 - 22
June 23 - 29 *
September 1 - 7
September 8 - 14 *
September 15 - 21
September 22 - 28 *
September 29 - October 5
October 6 - 12 *
October 13 - 19
October 20 - 26 *
October 27 - November 2
November 3 - 9 *
*Starred departures run Málaga to Seville.
| Accommodations | Double | Single | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Class Room | €5,600 | €9,500 | 15% |
| Deluxe Suite | €6,700 | €11,700 | 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.
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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
Everything including the air arrangements was perfect. The tour included many very interesting sites. The food was fabulous and made from local ingredients served in unique settings. The hotels were local, luxurious and very unique. Some of best we have stayed in.
More
Seville and Malaga 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.
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For dates and prices, please click here.
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