Specials Trip Finder Brochures Menu

Andalusia Tours and Vacation Packages


  • Visit a piece of history at The Alhambra of Granada, one of the best-preserved Islamic palaces remaining
  • Explore a record-holding location at the world's third largest mosque, The Great Mosque of Cordoba
  • Go for a relaxing stroll along the canal that runs beside the Plaza de Espana, Seville

Andalusia is a unique region in Spain unlike any other part of the country to be experienced on a Spain holiday.  

Three Andalusian cities, on a trip to Spain, worth visiting are all conveniently contained within the same geographical region of Southern Spain. A mixture of cultural influences left by 3 religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, greatly influenced the architecture and the character of each Granada, Seville and Cordoba.

Granada

Granada has a beautiful, scenic setting with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range towering in the background. The Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooks the city from the top of a hill. It has an extensive series of beautiful palaces and gardens dating back to the 14th Century. It has been a fortress, a palace and a city within a city. Its architecture is dazzling. In the centre of the Alhambra is the immensely large Palace of Charles V, a magnificent example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. This complex was the residence of the Kings of Granada. Adjacent to the Alhambra is the Generalife, the “Garden of Paradise” and a series of beautifully laid-out gardens containing courtyards, archways, pathways, pools, fountains, waterfalls and flowers. 

Granada’s Cathedral dates back to 1523 and is the burial place of many Catholic Monarchs including Queen Isabella (who encouraged Christopher Columbus to sail across the Atlantic). Its stunning interior contains some wonderful sculptures and interesting glass windows. A fascinating district in Granada is the Alcaiceria close to the Cathedral, a neighbourhood of narrow streets and alleyways decorated with Moorish-styled arches. It was originally the site of the Great Bazaar of Granada in medieval times but was burnt down in 1843. Today it is home to a number of craft and souvenir shops selling ceramics, silks, jewellery and spices. A stroll along the banks of the River Darro with its 5 bridges will be rewarded with a wonderful array of distinguished Arab houses, ancient churches and mosques, lovely plaza convents as well as many pleasant bars and restaurants. The Albaicin is an old Arab Quarter made up of a labyrinth of narrow streets. A walk through this neighbourhood with its ancient Spanish/Muslim architecture will take you back to historical times on a trip to Spain.

 

Cordoba

Cordoba has been the centre of several civilizations, Roman, Arabic and Christian which have all left their mark on the city. Originally founded by the Romans, it was then taken over by the Moors and later, taken back by the Christians. For this reason, you have Roman relics which include the remains of a Roman wall, a temple, a forum, an amphitheatre and several other archaeological sites, all to be experienced on a holiday in Spain.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba, also known as the Mezquita, is one of the world’s largest and greatest Islamic buildings and is a symbol of the importance and sophistication of the Islamic period as it related to Cordoba at a time when it was Western Europe’s largest and most cultural city. The mosque is unique in its architectural style. It is a breathtakingly beautiful building inside and out. Following the conquest of Cordoba by the Christians, the Mezquita was used as a cathedral which took 250 years to complete and because of this, shows off a range of architectural styles including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. 

Another of Cordoba’s treasures is the Alcazar (fortress) built by the Christians in 1328. This fortress, built by the Arabs, includes a castle with battlements and some attractive gardens. The gardens where you can spend some relaxing time have a wide variety of plants, palm trees, cypresses and orange and lemon trees. 

Cordoba's medieval quarter is called "La Judería" (The Jewry) as it was once the home of the Jewish community. It is now a labyrinth of winding, narrow streets, shady courtyards and picturesque squares. Interesting museums in Cordoba include the Centro Flamenco Fosforito, probably the best flamenco museum in Andalusia where you can learn about the history of the guitar and all the Flamenco greats and the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts), the main art gallery of Cordoba mainly exhibiting paintings by local masters.

 

Seville

Europe square in Seville, Spain

The Moorish influence in Seville is very apparent on Spain holidays. This city is larger than the other two being Spain’s 4th largest and has a vast number of attractions. The city has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Alcazar, the Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies. The best known is the Alcazar Palace built in the 1300s but expanded and reconstructed many times over the centuries. Today, it is still used as a Royal Palace with many rooms, magnificent halls and courtyards all hidden behind the walls. The Alcazar is divided into sections dating through a succession of eras which include Moorish (11th-12th Century), Gothic (13th Century), Mudejar (14th Century), and Renaissance (15th-16th Century). The heart of the Alcazar is the Mudejar Palace with its Mudejar architecture. (The Mudejars were the Moors who stayed on in Spain after the Christians took over the region). There are also extensive gardens which are exotic in style with both Moorish and Renaissance influences.

Seville’s enormous Cathedral is the third-largest in the world after the Vatican and St. Paul’s in London, built on the site of a 12th Century mosque, the minarets of which still exist. It is an art gallery it contains well-known works by artists such as Goya, Murillo and others. Inside the cathedral is the monumental tomb of Christopher Columbus supposedly containing his bones brought here from Cuba in 1898. The main chapel has possibly the largest altar in the world with a gold leaf design of the story of Jesus. The General Archive of the Indies is one of the most important document collections about the conquest of the New World.  It is housed in a 16th Century building and has80 millions pages of documents! This is open to the public with exhibits including maps and documents relating to Spain’s Colonial days. It is a story about Spain’s discoveries, explorations and conquests with letters written by Christopher Columbus on display.

The Museum of Fine Arts of Seville or Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla has a collection of mainly Spanish visual arts from the medieval period to the early 20th century. One of Seville’s most photographed landmarks is the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold), a watchtower built in the 13th Century, located on a wide promenade near the river bank. It was part of the city's defensive walls. Seville also has a Flamenco museum which is spread over 3 floors of an 18th Century palace. The collection includes sketches, paintings, photos plus dresses and shawls. There are nightly Flamenco concerts in the courtyard of the museum to be enjoyed on trips to Spain.

 

Extend your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Spain vacation at one of Goway's other European destinations. You can choose from a Paris vacation, a London vacation or an Amsterdam vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Spain.

Read More

Andalusia

  • Highlights of Seville

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Escape to Seville for a sunny 4-day getaway in the capital of Andalusia. Stay in first class accommodations and explore famous landmarks, from Christopher Columbus’s grave in Seville Cathedral to the bullring and a boat cruise along the Guadalquivir River. Then, head to the Granada to see the famous Alhambra.
    Duration:
    4 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 736
    Trip Type:
    Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
  • Iberian Inspiration: Madrid, Andalusia, Lisbon & More

    FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: This program takes you from the capital cities of Spain and Portugal, including cities in between like Toledo, Corboda, Seville, Granada and Estremoz. Steeped in history, discover magnificent architecture, try delicious food, and learn about Moorish influences. Your journey ends in Lisbon.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,689
    Trip Type:
    Multi Country Vacation Ideas, Small Group Touring
    Spain See Trip Details
  • Madrid and the Andalusian Coast: Madrid, Seville & Granada

    MODERATE | ESCORTED COACH TOUR: See the best of Spain in one week. In Madrid, explore the city at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. Then, travel by deluxe coach to southern Spain and visit Cordoba, Seville, and Granada. Savor the unique and diverse Andalusian culture and architecture, including a visit to the great Alhambra.
    Duration:
    8 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,516
    Trip Type:
    Escorted Coach Touring, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
  • Magic of Southern Spain: Seville, Cordoba, Granada & More

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Discover the magic of southern Spain in 10 days. Start in Madrid, then head south to Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Jerez and Cadiz. Cruise the Guadalquivir River, try authentic ‘tapas’ and wines and enjoy a flamenco show. Entrance to the big three - Royal Alcázar Seville, Cordoba Mosque, and the Alhambra, is included.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,572
    Trip Type:
    Bucket List Travel Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
  • Spanish Deluxe: Madrid, Seville, Granada & More

    DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Discover Spain on a 8-day program personalized just for you. With your own personal tour guide, get an intimate look at the Royal Palaces of Madrid, Seville and Granada, and discover the famous works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. This program is tailor-made to ensure you discover the heart of Spain.
    Duration:
    8 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,483
    Trip Type:
    Private Experiences, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
  • The Best of Spain and Portugal

    FIRST-CLASS | ESCORTED COACH TOUR: Combine two countries in two weeks in one exciting program! In Spain, explore the vibrant cities of Madrid and Salamanca, and the quintessential region of Andalusia. In Portugal, taste Porto wines, honor religious monuments and enjoy the colourful city of Lisbon. Fascinating, unique and a delightful mix of contrasts.
    Duration:
    14 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,866
    Trip Type:
    Escorted Coach Touring, Multi Country Vacation Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
  • Journey to Spain and Morocco

    FIRST-CLASS | ESCORTED COACH TOUR: Discover the quintessential highlights of Spain and Morocco on a 16-day program. In Spain, visit Madrid and classic Andalusian cities. Then, board a ferry to Morocco, crossing the strait of Gibraltar to explore Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat and Fez. Relax in Costa del Sol to complete this interesting two country tour.
    Duration:
    16 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,035
    Trip Type:
    Escorted Coach Touring, Multi Country Vacation Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
  • Essentials of Spain from Madrid to Barcelona

    Visit five iconic Spanish cities, Madrid the capital, Cordoba, Seville and Granada in Andalusia and Barcelona in Catalonia, each with its own character, culture and history. Enjoy magnificent architecture, old and new and be awed by all that Spain has to offer the visitor.
    Duration:
    9 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,946
    Trip Type:
    Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Spain See Trip Details
Trip Finder

What our travelers say

Goway Toolkit


Need help planning your holiday? Our toolkit is a great place to get started.