Andalucia Essentials Self-Drive

Arrive at Seville airport and collect your rental car. Drive to your hotel for check-in and, time permitting, take a stroll through the charming streets of Andalusia’s capital. Overnight in Seville.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we explore Seville’s most celebrated sights. Begin with the Royal Alcazar Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose origins date back to the 10th century as a Moorish caliph’s residence. Over time, it has been expanded to include stunning halls, pavilions, patios and gardens showcasing Moorish, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Take time to admire the intricate arabesque carvings, ornate tilework and rich tapestries, and marvel at the inner domes of the Hall of Ambassadors and the Patio of Dolls. Next, visit Seville Cathedral, also a World Heritage Site and the city’s iconic landmark with its towering Giralda belfry. Originally a 12th-century mosque, it is now the third-largest church in the world, housing 80 chapels and over 700 religious artworks, including a magnificent gilded altarpiece that took 80 years to complete. Stroll through the peaceful Patio of the Orange Trees before heading to Santa Cruz, the city’s most traditional neighbourhood. This former Jewish quarter is a maze of whitewashed lanes, alleys, archways and patios, each steeped in history. Overnight in Seville.

After breakfast, we leave Seville and drive to Córdoba, where we explore the historic old town, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the capital of the Moorish Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Córdoba’s rich history is most evident in the Great Mosque, now a Catholic cathedral, renowned for its striking architecture. We also visit the 14th-century synagogue located in the former Jewish Quarter. Later, we continue to Granada for hotel check-in, leaving the rest of the day free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Overnight in Granada.

After breakfast at the hotel, we explore Granada’s historic heart, beginning with the Alhambra palace – the city’s most celebrated landmark. Perched on Sabika hill for over a millennium, this exquisite complex was transformed by the Nasrid dynasty into a royal palace renowned for its tranquil patios, flowing fountains and detailed carvings. We then cross the lush ravine of the River Darro to the Albaicin quarter, a Moorish-era neighbourhood characterised by narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. Here, you can wander at your own pace, taking in the maze-like alleys and stopping at viewpoints that offer stunning panoramas of the Alhambra set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. We stay overnight in Granada.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, drive back to Seville for a final chance to explore the city’s charming streets and key landmarks at your own pace. Enjoy your last evening soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of this captivating Andalusian capital. Overnight in Seville.

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel in Seville before preparing to return your rental car. At the designated time, make your way to the rental company, where a shuttle service will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight home.