Best of Spain: Madrid, Andalucia and Barcelona

Discover rich traditions and colourful culture on this private tour of Spain

Passionate, sophisticated and wildly romantic, Spain is a sprawling patchwork of a country united by a passion for life and the rhythmic beat of flamenco. Explore the very best of this diverse country on an 18-day private tour of Spain, combining the history, architecture, art and gastronomy of Madrid and Barcelona with the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Andalucia – Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada.

This Iberian adventure begins in the capital, where an expert local guide accompanies you on a Madrid tour around some of the city’s classic sights, including the Royal Palace and the world-renowned Prado Museum. Take a journey through Spain’s past with visits to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Segovia, and admire the paintings of El Greco in Toledo, a fascinating city where three religions coexisted for centuries.

From flamenco to tapas, Andalucia is the birthplace of many traditions regarded as quintessentially Spanish. The next part of your journey introduces you to three of its architectural treasures with expert-led tours of Granada’s Alhambra Palace, Cordoba’s mosque and Sevilla’s cathedral. You’ll also visit white hilltop villages and family-run vineyards, sample traditional tapas and fine sherry wine, and experience flamenco and equestrian shows.

The final part of this custom Spain tour takes you to the flamboyant city of Barcelona. Here, you’ll admire the whimsical architecture of Gaudí on a Barcelona tour, explore two nearby towns synonymous with Dalí, Figueres and Cadaqués, and head into the Montserrat mountains to visit an ancient monastery and holy shrine.

From World Heritage sites and Old Master paintings to tasty tapas and fine wines, this Spain private tour is jam-packed with art, history, culture and flavour. Expert private guides bring the destinations to life, and there’s plenty of time for relaxation and solo exploring, too.

Make This Itinerary Yours

This example itinerary was created by experts and designed to give you a flavour of Spain. It’s here to inspire your next adventure, and can be fully customised to suit your interests, tastes and budget.

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Duration

18 days

Start point

Madrid

End Point

Barcelona

Trip type

Custom

Accommodation

4-star hotels

Tour transport

Trains, private drivers & internal flights

Highlights

  • Explore the Royal Palace and marvel at the Old Masters in Spain’s premier art museum, the Prado, in Madrid.
  • View masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance at El Escorial and admire the soaring aqueduct at Segovia.
  • Discover architectural treasures belonging to three religions and see an iconic painting by El Greco on an expert-led tour of Toledo.
  • Explore the unique architectural treasures of Andalucia: Córdoba’s Mezquita, Granada’s famous Alhambra Palace and Sevilla’s impressive Gothic Cathedral.
  • Learn about traditional olive oil production and Andalucian wines by visiting handpicked family farms & boutique wineries.
  • Get a flavour of Andalucian culture with equestrian and flamenco shows and a guided tapas tour.
  • Explore white hilltop villages, walk the famous Caminito Path, and take in views over the plunging gorge of Ronda.
  • Discover Gaudí’s unique architecture on an expert guided tour of Barcelona.
  • Wonder at the Surrealist world of Dalí as you explore the towns of Figueres and Cadaqués.
  • Visit an ancient monastery and holy shrine in the scenic Montserrat mountains.