Experience the Best of Spain by Train
Travel by rail and discover the Moorish palaces and Baroque squares in Andalucia, the dreamlike Gaudí creations in Catalonia, and a rich array of architecture along with great museums, stunning galleries, and beautiful scenery in Madrid and beyond. Here we profile 5 top Spanish cities and highlight some of the best rail journeys to complete the experience!
1. Seville
Recently named by Lonely Planet as the world's top city to visit, Seville's sun-kissed, Moorish appeal is growing by leaps and bounds. You might have seen vibrant images of whitewashed houses and orange tree-lined streets or postcards of Seville, but nothing can prepare you for the tranquillity, vibrancy, or aesthetics of the city itself. History abounds in the Andalucian capital. Roman ruins lay alongside Moorish masterpieces, and the skyline is memorably embroidered by the city’s much-replicated minaret, the Giralda Bell Tower. Discover the Royal Palace of Alcazar, dating back to 913AD and boasting architectural styles from Islamic and Gothic to Rococo, and indulge in tasty tapas in the southern Spanish sunshine. The city is easy to get to by train, as the following rail holidays highlight:
Ultimate Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid - Discover the treasures of Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid on this eight-night holiday by rail and air. Fly into Barcelona before travelling southwest to Seville and then ending the journey in Madrid. Enjoy included guided tours of historic monuments such as the Alcazar in Seville and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Included City Cards provide you with access to the main attractions of each city as well as discounts in shops and restaurants. Also included are hop-on, hop-off bus tours providing easy access to a wide range of attractions.
Andalucian Explorer - You'll never forget the stunning seaside beauty and the exotic Moorish roots of Southern Spain’s Andalucian region on this eight-night holiday by air and rail. Your journey begins in Malaga, on Spain’s southern coast, where you’ll enjoy two days of sightseeing before journeying by train to Granada, Cordoba, and the fascinating Andalucian capital of Seville. Experience all the best of Southern Spain with this journey to its most vibrant cities!
2. Barcelona
Take the train to Barcelona and discover something for everyone, from the eccentric creations of architect Antonì Gaudi to the street performers on Las Ramblas and the long, sandy beach. Stroll the cobbled lanes of the Gothic quarter, soak up the Spanish sun amidst the myriad mosaics of the Parc Guell, or be inspired by the panoramic city views from the top of the still unfinished Sagrada Familia, the city’s crowning glory. The following two rail holidays feature all the best of Barcelona and more:
Barcelona and Madrid - Discover two vibrant cities on this six-night Spanish holiday by rail to Barcelona and Madrid. Fly to Barcelona and explore the rich architecture and interesting museums of this lively city before riding the rails west towards the Spanish capital, Madrid. Visit pretty parks and marvel at beautiful buildings, before enjoying some of Spain's finest tapas or maybe even a Flamenco show!
Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid - Explore three of Spain's most vibrant cities - Barcelona, Seville, and Madrid - and enjoy travel between cities by high-speed, comfortable AVE train. Relax on the beach in Barcelona, visit the Alcazar in Seville, and sample the delicious tapas in Madrid.
3. Madrid
Capital of Spain and spiritual home of the tapas bar, Madrid is an architecturally diverse city with its rhythms and culture. Discover unforgettable things to do in Madrid, like enjoying a cafe cortado in the magnificent Plaza Mayor before visiting some of the world's finest art galleries including the Prado and the Reina Sofia Museum. People watch in the unmissable Plaza Mayor or take an afternoon stroll under the famed bright blue skies to the Royal Palace and the Casa del Campo, one of Europe’s largest public parks. Discover Madrid and beyond on these exciting rail holidays:
Madrid and Andalucia - Travel through Andalucía visiting traditional Spanish cities on this holiday by rail. Starting in the lively capital city of Madrid, spend the afternoon sampling delicious tapas or visiting the city's famous art galleries and museums. Moving on to Granada, marvel at the impressive views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and uncover the history of the Mezquita in Cordoba. Finally, discover Seville, a city with more to offer than just the oranges that it is famous for, with its Roman architecture and stunning cathedral.
Barcelona and Madrid - Discover two vibrant cities on this six-night Spanish holiday by rail to Barcelona and Madrid. Explore the rich architecture and exciting museums in lively Barcelona before riding the rails west towards the Spanish capital, Madrid. Visit sprawling parks and marvel at the beautiful buildings, before enjoying some of Spain's finest tapas or maybe even a Flamenco show!
4. Malaga
Malaga is a vibrant, culturally rich city that is a far cry from the stereotypical city found along the Costa del Sol. Blessed with a delightfully restored historic centre, with a range of modern and traditional bars as well as a plethora of family-owned and contemporary shops, the city is a cultural delight. Uncover things to do on your Malaga holiday: wander around the Alcazaba, an 11th-century Moorish castle with ramparts overlooking the city, visit the Picasso Museum for works by the famous artist who was born here, or relax in the tranquil surroundings of La Conception Botanical & Historical Garden, also with stunning views over the city and the Mediterranean coast.
Madrid and Complete Andalucia - This two-week rail adventure takes in everything the fascinating region of Andalucía has to offer from Madrid. First, visit the Alhambra Palace and see a Flamenco show in Granada, then go to the ancient city of Cordoba and tour the beautiful Mesquita then spend a day in the evocative city of Jaen. Take the train to Cadiz, one of the world's oldest cities, then on to Seville to discover the spectacular Alcazar and the vast Cathedral. Enjoy a day trip to the mountain-top city of Ronda before heading to Malaga for a two-night stay. Finally, head back to Madrid for a final night in the Spanish capital.
Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam - First, discover the vibrant culture of Spain with a journey to Madrid, Malaga and Barcelona - each city fascinating and unique in its own right. Then take the scenic high-speed rail journey to Paris, delighting in the views of the snow-capped Pyrenees Mountains along the way. Once in Paris, spend two full days in the ‘City of Light,’ exploring all the iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, and Notre Dame. Finally, take the quick and comfortable rail journey to Amsterdam and escape among the canals and cobblestoned lanes of this classic European city.
5. La Coruna
La Coruna is blessed with plenty of things to see and do, including pristine beaches, tantalizing seafood, and famous, historic architecture. A busy port city in Spain’s northwestern Galicia region, the city abounds with harbour-side charm and picture-perfect views. Whether you’re strolling down one of the longest seafront promenades in Europe, admiring the 16th century Castle of San Anton, or taking in the views from the Roman Tower of Hercules – the world’s oldest lighthouse – A Coruna treats visitors to a memorable, off-the-beaten-track experience. Get there with the following memorable rail experiences:
La Coruna to Lisbon - Discover the incredible West Coasts of Spain and Portugal following Michael Portillo and the Great Continental Railways guide from La Coruña down to Lisbon. Explore a different side of Spain through the beauty of Galicia with stops in the largest city, La Coruña, and the capital Santiago de Compostela before riding the rails through three of Portugal's essential cities: the Duoro-side city of Porto, the historic, university city of Coimbra and thriving, coastal capital of Lisbon.
Galicia and Porto - Explore an alternative side to Spain on a holiday by rail to the sandy beaches, vibrant ports, and sumptuous seafood of Galicia. Discover La Coruna's Roman lighthouse and the end of the Pilgrim's Trail in Santiago de Compostela. Then, continue down by train to the bustling port cities of Pontevedra and Vigo before flying home from Porto, across the Portuguese border.
