06 Oct Discover Spain By Train
All on board! Discover Spain by train
Imagine a luxury hotel that effortlessly takes you from one enchanting location to the next without you ever having to think about packing and unpacking or even getting drivers, taxis or rental cars. Make the journey your destination on a luxury train adventure and enjoy a wide variety of sceneries from the comfort of your private suite. Ease, glamour, gastronomy, culture, luxury and leisure await you on these unforgettable train trips around Spain. This is slow tourism at its best! Take your time and relax….
Rest assured, you are in great hands!
The Spanish state railway Renfe (pronounced Ren-fay), was originally Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles created in 1941 and now a brand name in its own right. Today, it is known to be the largest railway system in Europe and second-largest in the world covering around 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) of railway. The wonderfully efficient and high-quality Spanish train network offers several high-speed trains that connect the main cities in Spain with each other, as well as to other cities around Europe.
If you like to travel Spain by train for the scenery, we have selected some truly epic routes across mountains, seaside and backcountry. Each of these voyages has been lovingly and carefully curated so as to perfectly complement each hotel-train’s ambiance and style. You’ll enjoy fascinating city tours, delicious meals and more.
5 best experiences in Spain by train
Here’s our pick of the 5 best train journeys you can experience in Spain:
El Transcantabrico Gran Luxe, Northwestern Spain by Train
Travel back in time on this luxurious hotel on wheels. Indulge in the nostalgia and charm of 20th century trains, with the technology and comfort of the 21st century. The Transcantábrico means comfort, glamour, gastronomy, culture, rest and fun. It will take you across the breathtaking landscapes of northwestern Spain, from the pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela to the foodie city of San Sebastian. In addition to visiting museums, cathedrals, ports, and wine cellars.
This remarkable experience with scheduled departure dates includes a stay in the train’s Grand Luxe five-star cabins as well as the possibility of enjoying delicious meals at the on-board fine dining restaurant and being entertained in the train’s elegant social carriages. A journey on the Transcantabrico is truly a holiday in its own right, so why not indulge and enjoy the best that Northern Spain has to offer?
2021 scheduled departure dates:
* Route San Sebastián–Santiago de Compostela (8 days, 7 nights):
May: 15 & 29
June: 12 & 26
July: 10 & 24
Sept: 4 & 18
Oct: 2 & 16
* Route Santiago de Compostela–San Sebastián (8 days, 7 nights):
May: 8 & 22
June: 5 & 19
July: 3 & 17
Sept: 11 & 25
Oct: 9 & 23
La Robla Express, Northwestern Train Travel in Spain
Comfort, gastronomy and high quality are on the menu on this lovely and air-conditioned vintage train. Offering a similar experience to the Transcantabrico but with less glamour – and a reduced price tag – La Robla is a train experience across Northwestern Spain, with scheduled departure dates from Léon to Bilbao in the Basque Country.
Admire the picturesque countryside and enjoy the culture of the “French Way” of St James. The vintage locomotive stops off at different points of interest along the way where guests can enjoy sightseeing as well as traditional meals in local restaurants. At night, the train stays stationary at train stations allowing passengers to have a peaceful night’s sleep after an evening out enjoying local cuisine and the night life in each town. ¡We love Spain by train!
2021 scheduled departure dates:
* Route: Bilbao – León (3 days – 2 nights)
July 9
Sept 10
* Route: León – Bilbao (3 days – 2 nights)
July: 2 & 16
Sept 17
Al Andalus, Andalusion Route
The Al Ándalus Train is a true Belle Epoque palace on wheels and is unmatched in terms of comfort, elegance and spaciousness. It has a long history of luxury and sophistication behind it starting with its Wagon-Lits Company carriages. These carriages, built in France between 1929 and 1930, have been fully restored to their original splendor and are now where guests will find the train’s lounge, bar and restaurant. Let yourself be carried away and seduced by the charms and traditions of Andalusia on this scheduled seven-day trip which you will most definitely want to repeat.
2021 scheduled departure dates:
Circle Route (7 days, 6 nights): starts and ends in Sevilla including the jewels of Southern Spain:
Jérez, Cádiz, Ronda, Granada, Ubeda, Baeza and Córdoba.
May: 24 & 31
June: 7, 14, 21 & 28
Sept: 13, 20 & 27
Oct: 4, 11 & 18
Al Andalus, Lusitanian Route
This journey is also aboard the Al Ándalus Train. Lose yourself on this trip and explore the former Roman province of Lusitania which stretched from Western Spain (Extremadura) to Portugal. On this route which starts in Seville, you’ll begin by taking in the ancient wonders and traditions of Al Andalus – Islamic Spain. Then, you’ll cross the modern-day border to spend time in Portugal’s largest cities: Lisbon and Porto all the while indulging in exceptional dining, cocktail evenings, and unique wines. ¡We love Spain by train!
2021 scheduled departure dates:
* Route: Seville – Mérida – Lisbon – Porto (4 days – 3 nights)
August 11
* Route: Porto-Lisbon-Mérida-Sevilla (4 days – 3 nights)
August 25
Customised Train Itinerary by Just Explore
If you’re looking for an option which can offer a little more flexibility with your departure dates and choice of accommodation, we can design a wonderful bespoke trip which would take you through various parts of Spain by high-speed train. This option gives you a pleasant dose of both worlds: Train travel in Spain and hotel stays.
Spend a couple of nights in our handpicked luxury boutique hotels for a truly memorable and authentic experience. On your tailor-made train trip around Spain, you’ll effortlessly go from one stunning Spanish city to the next without ever having to think about logistics; we’ll take care of everything for you.
The possibilities are endless: Barcelona, Valencia, Cordoba, Malaga, Sevilla and Madrid, just to name a few. Leave the organizing to us while you relax and explore our beautiful country.
Need some inspiration? Head to our example itineraries page to see some of our past bespoke itineraries or contact us directly if you already have something in mind. Whatever you dream up, we can make it happen!
