Spain is wonderfully varied, so this first-timer’s route pairs Madrid and Andalusia with an easy high-speed train connection. You’ll get grand landmarks, atmospheric old quarters, relaxed meals and a little time to slow down; travel times between nearby stops are on foot unless noted.
Budget
Around €1,000–€1,700 per person, excluding international flights and accommodation; includes intercity trains, attractions, local transport and meals.
Best time to visit
April–May or September–October for pleasant sightseeing weather; summer in Andalusia can be extremely hot.
Madrid: Retiro and the art district
Ease into Madrid with leafy Retiro Park, then spend the afternoon among the city’s great museums and end with dinner nearby.
Morning
Stroll through
Start with the gardens and lake at this much-loved city park. Allow about 10 minutes on foot to reach the Prado Museum.
FreeAfternoon
Visit the Prado Museum
See Spanish masters including Velázquez and Goya; reserve a timed ticket ahead. The park entrance is about a 10-minute walk away.
About €15Evening
Tapas around Huertas
Head into the nearby literary quarter for an unhurried tapas dinner. It’s roughly a 10-minute walk from the Prado.
About €25–€40
Madrid: Old town and the Royal Palace
Keep the day in central Madrid, linking its historic squares and palace with a classic market lunch.
Morning
Explore
Take in the arcades and lively central square, then walk about 5 minutes to .
FreeAfternoon
Have lunch at the market
Browse the stalls for small plates, seafood and something sweet. The market is about a 5-minute walk from ; continue roughly 10 minutes to the palace.
About €15–€30Afternoon
Tour the Royal Palace
Explore the richly decorated state rooms and palace grounds; booking ahead is sensible. It’s around a 10-minute walk from the market.
About €14Evening
Watch the sunset at Templo de Debod
Finish with a peaceful sunset view over western Madrid. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the palace.
Free
Seville: Santa Cruz and the cathedral
Take a morning high-speed train to Seville, then explore the compact old quarter around the cathedral and Santa Cruz.
Morning
Travel to Seville
Take a high-speed train from Madrid Atocha to , usually about 2 hours 40 minutes, then allow around 15–20 minutes by taxi to the old town.
About €30–€90Afternoon
Visit Seville Cathedral and La Giralda
Explore the vast Gothic cathedral and climb the tower for rooftop views. From the old town, allow about 5 minutes on foot.
About €13Afternoon
Wander the Santa Cruz quarter
Follow the lanes and shady plazas of Seville’s former Jewish quarter. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
FreeEvening
See a flamenco performance
Enjoy an intimate show in the historic centre; arrive early for a drink and a good seat. Allow around 10 minutes on foot from Santa Cruz.
About €20–€25
Seville: Royal gardens and riverside
Spend the day around the palace and its gardens, then cross into lively Triana for dinner by the river.
Morning
Tour the Real Alcázar
Give yourself time to enjoy the palace’s intricate rooms, courtyards and gardens; book a timed ticket in advance. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Seville Cathedral.
About €15.50Afternoon
Walk through María Luisa Park
Relax beneath the trees and visit the grand . Allow around 20 minutes on foot from the Alcázar to the park.
FreeAfternoon
See
Admire the tiled alcoves and curved colonnades, then take a taxi or walk about 25 minutes to Triana.
FreeEvening
Dinner in Triana
Cross the river for a relaxed evening of Andalusian food and a stroll along the waterfront. From , allow about 25 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by taxi.
About €20–€35
Córdoba: Mezquita and the old quarter
Make an easy day trip by train and keep the sightseeing close together in Córdoba’s atmospheric historic centre.
Morning
Train to Córdoba
Take a high-speed train from Seville to Córdoba, typically about 45 minutes, then a taxi or bus for roughly 10–15 minutes to the old town.
About €15–€35Morning
Visit the Mezquita-Catedral
See the famous forest of arches and the cathedral built within the former mosque. From the old quarter, it’s about a 5-minute walk.
About €13Afternoon
Explore the Jewish Quarter
Wander the narrow lanes, patios and little shops around the old quarter. Allow about 5 minutes on foot from the Mezquita-Catedral.
FreeEvening
Walk the Roman Bridge at dusk
Cross the river for lovely views back toward the old city, then return to Seville by train in about 45 minutes. The bridge is roughly a 10-minute walk from the Mezquita-Catedral.
Free
Granada: Alhambra and Albaicín
Travel to Granada and devote the day to its hilltop palace and the historic lanes that look back toward it.
Morning
Travel to Granada
Take a morning train from Seville to Granada, generally around 2.5–3 hours depending on the service, then allow about 15 minutes by taxi to the centre.
About €25–€50Afternoon
Explore the
See the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife gardens and fortress; timed tickets often sell out well ahead, so book early. Allow about 15 minutes by taxi or 25 minutes on foot from central Granada.
About €19–€25Evening
Watch the evening light from
Take in the classic view of the above the city, then enjoy dinner in Albaicín. From the , allow around 20 minutes by taxi or 35 minutes on foot.
FreeEvening
Dinner in Albaicín
Settle into a relaxed meal among the quarter’s winding streets and traditional restaurants. The viewpoint is about 5 minutes away on foot.
About €20–€35
Granada: Historic centre and farewell
Keep the final day gentle and central, with a cathedral visit, a market lunch and time for a last wander.
Morning
Visit
Step inside this striking Renaissance cathedral in the heart of town. It’s about a 10-minute walk from .
About €6Afternoon
Browse
Pick up lunch from the stalls or settle in for a casual bite. The market is about a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
About €12–€25Afternoon
Take a last stroll around
Enjoy a final coffee and people-watching in this central square before heading to the station or airport. It’s around 5 minutes on foot from the market.
About €5–€12
Good to know
Tickets
Book the , Real Alcázar and Madrid–Seville train ahead, especially in spring, autumn and holiday periods.
Getting around
Madrid, Seville, Córdoba and Granada’s historic centres are easiest to explore on foot; use taxis for steep routes or when the heat is strongest.
Daily rhythm
Spanish lunches and dinners often start later than visitors expect. Carry water and leave a little room for a leisurely meal.
Route planning
This route works best with one night in Córdoba only if you prefer a slower pace; as written, return to Seville after the day trip and continue to Granada the next day.