Madrid & Seville Journey Self-Drive

Arrive at Madrid airport, collect your car and drive to your hotel. Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital, offers a blend of elegant boulevards, expansive parks, lively plazas, and numerous historic churches and palaces. The city is also renowned for its ‘golden triangle’ of art galleries, home to some of the world’s most treasured masterpieces. Settle in for your overnight stay in Madrid.

After breakfast at the hotel, we explore Madrid’s key sights by car, including the impressive Paseo de la Castellana, the bustling Plaza de Los Cibeles, and the vibrant Gran Vía. We visit the Royal Palace, Europe’s largest, with over 3,000 rooms showcasing a mix of Victorian and exotic décor. The palace’s interiors feature masterpieces by Caravaggio, Velázquez and Goya, contrasting with its restrained baroque and neoclassical exterior that faces Almudena Cathedral and overlooks the Campo del Moro gardens. Later, we visit the Reina Sofía Museum, home to one of the world’s finest modern art collections. Here, you can admire works by Spanish artists such as Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris and Pablo Picasso, including the iconic Guernica, displayed alongside contextual exhibitions. We stay overnight in Madrid.

After breakfast, we drive south to Cordoba, where you will check in to your hotel upon arrival. Once the capital of the Moorish Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Cordoba’s rich history is best seen in the stunning Great Mosque, now serving as the city’s Catholic cathedral. Overnight in Cordoba.

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring Cordoba’s remarkable Great Mosque–Cathedral. Wander through the colonnaded prayer halls, where hundreds of marble columns support distinctive two-tone arches. Admire the intricately decorated mihrab and the side chapels, which blend arabesque and baroque styles. Take a moment in the tranquil Patio of the Orange Trees, shaded by around 100 trees and adorned with elegant arabesque designs on the exterior doorways. Stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys and whitewashed patios, rich with plants and flowers, as you make your way to the former Jewish Quarter to visit the historic synagogue. Later, continue your journey to Granada and check in at your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, explore Granada’s highlight—the Alhambra palace, the former seat of the last Moorish emirs in Spain. Perched atop Sabika Hill, this remarkable fortress and palace complex reflects centuries of Nasrid dynasty craftsmanship and history. Cross the lush ravine of the River Darro to visit the Albaicin quarter, a maze of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses offering stunning views of the Alhambra against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Later, continue your journey to Seville and check in at your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we explore Seville’s key highlights, beginning with the Royal Alcazar palace and the cathedral—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Wander through Barrio Santa Cruz, the city’s most charming old quarter and former Jewish neighbourhood, with its maze of whitewashed streets, archways, and patios, each steeped in history. The Royal Alcazar dates back to the 10th century as a Moorish caliph’s palace and features a blend of Moorish, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture across its halls, pavilions, patios, and gardens. Admire the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, renowned for its Giralda belfry, Seville’s iconic landmark. We also visit Maria Luisa Park, home to two striking squares: Plaza de España, known for its decorative tiles, redbrick towers, bridges, and canals, and Plaza de América, surrounded by impressive neo-Gothic and neo-Mudejar buildings. Overnight in Seville.

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning in Seville at your leisure before driving to the airport. Return your vehicle and prepare for your onward flight home.