Essential Andalucia‬

Holiday overview

In the country’s south, the wonders of Islamic Spain live on, crouched among the region’s great cities. In between taking in the castle-palaces of Granada and orange-fragranced Seville, you’ll marvel at Córdoba’s Mezquita – a true bucket-list mosque-cathedral. Each fresh treasure combines Renaissance flourishes with exotic beauty. Along the way, you’ll stay in historic mansions and chic hotels, explore on scenic country drives and enjoy a pair of included tours.

Holiday itinerary

Days 1-2: UK/Seville

Begin your trip with complimentary airport lounge access before flying into Málaga, picking up your hire car at the airport. Perhaps pause at its Gothic cathedral, Roman amphitheatre and Moorish palace-fortress before driving through the gorge-dotted Spanish plains to Seville and the pool-side of your historic accommodation. You might also want to stop at Ronda, a plateau-top town of grand, thousand-year-old beauty, or the whitewashed town of Olvera. You’ll then have plenty of time to explore Seville itself. Relax in plaza-side cafés, meander through the medieval Jewish quarter and take in everything from the Giralda tower’s competing Islamic and Renaissance beauty to the world’s largest cathedral and the Alcázar – a true world wonder, part Moorish castle part royal palace.

Stay: Casa 1800 Seville (Superior)

Days 3-4: Córdoba

Make the drive west, through the Spanish countryside, to Córdoba and your delightful accommodation – an 18th-century Moorish mansion. Found within the city walls of the thousand-year-old Jewish quarter, you’ll be perfectly poised for exploring the city’s delights. A short guided tour of the Medina Azahara will then lead you onto Grand squares lined with extravagant mansions, the riverside district makes for atmospheric walks and the city’s status as Roman Spain’s largest city is remembered by attractive bridges. However, it’s the Mezquita that truly excites. Often regarded as one of the greatest architectural achievements of Islamic Spain, it’s a grand arched mosque that’s been converted into a spectacular cathedral.

Stay: NH Collection Amistad Córdoba (Superior)

Days 5-6: Granada

Continue through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to Granada, checking into your neoclassical accommodation in the town's historic centre. Begin with exploring the city, strolling through narrow alleyways and the squares of its UNESCO-listed Moorish old town where whitewash houses rub shoulders with charming churches, historic bathhouses and a beautifully Baroque 16th-century cathedral. Your included tour will zoom in on the Alhambra. One of Spain’s true wonders, this palace-fortress combines Moorish severity with Renaissance indulgence. You’ll also visit the Palacio de Generalife where Islamic arches overlook stunningly curated gardens.

Stay: Casa 1800 Granada (Superior)

Day 7: Depart for UK

After a last breakfast, skirt the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to take the coastal route back to Malága and your flight home. We highly recommend a stop at Nerja, a seaside village and a perfect spot to enjoy a last paella.