7-Day Southern Spain Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Southern Spain tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSouthern Spain travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Southern Spain Itinerary, incl. Madrid and Seville

  Ten destinations unfold over 7 days from Madrid's Retiro Park to Córdoba's historic Synagogue. The tour showcases Granada's Alhambra Palace, Costa del Sol's Puerto Banús, cliff-top Ronda, and Seville's Giralda. Approx. $120 daily with stays at quality hotels like PRAGA.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Madrid

    Begin at Plaza Mayor and La Latina neighborhood. This area is most vibrant after 8 PM when locals fill the streets for tapas. You'll find excellent restaurants on Calle Cava Baja. Visit Retiro Park before 11 AM to avoid crowds and heat. Plan the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium tour for early morning to skip long lines - it takes about 2 hours.

    
  • Day 3

    Madrid to Granada

    The journey through La Mancha takes 4.5 hours by car. A recent visitor notes: "Book your Alhambra tickets months in advance – they sell out quickly. The Generalife Gardens are less crowded in late afternoon, and the lighting is perfect for photos." Consider staying in the Albaicín neighborhood for its local character and views of the Alhambra.

    
  • Day 4

    Costa del Sol

    The coastal drive to Seville offers several stops. Málaga's historic center takes 2 hours to explore on foot. Start at the Picasso Museum when it opens at 10 AM. The mountain drive to Ronda takes 1.5 hours. Plan to reach there by mid-afternoon for the best views of El Tajo gorge.

    
  • Day 5

    Seville

    Take a morning city tour, but wait until after 3 PM for the Cathedral and Giralda tower when lines are shorter. A boat trip on the Guadalquivir River offers great views, especially at sunset. Skip the tourist spots in Santa Cruz for dinner. Instead, go to Triana for authentic flamenco and local food.

    
  • Day 6

    Córdoba to Madrid

    Get to the Mezquita-Catedral right when it opens at 8:30 AM. Spend the afternoon in the Jewish Quarter, where narrow streets provide shelter from the heat. The 4-hour drive back to Madrid includes a stop at the windmills of Consuegra.

    
  • Day 7

    Madrid

    Use your last morning to see anything you missed. If you're flying out, remember Madrid's airport is large. Allow 3 hours before international flights, particularly during summer.

    

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• 7 Days in Andalucia, incl. Seville and Cadiz

  Eight historic cities across Southern Spain await your arrival. The route leads from Seville's Alcázar, through Carmona's Arab fortress, Montellano's pink marble streets, and Arcos' dramatic clifftop setting, concluding at Cádiz's ancient harbor.

  

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  • Day 1

    Seville:

    Begin your week in Seville's historic center. Get to the Alcázar palace complex early and book tickets online to skip the long lines. Visit the cathedral and Giralda tower after 4pm when it's less crowded. For real flamenco, skip the tourist spots and go to Casa Anselma in Triana where locals gather after 11pm.

    
  • Day 2

    Seville to Carmona (45km):

    Start your ride before 9am to beat the heat. Take the cycle paths along the Guadalquivir River through sunflower fields. A recent cyclist noted: "The Via Verde between Seville and Carmona has deep ruts and sandy patches - bring a hybrid bike with wider tires." Your destination is the stunning 14th-century Parador castle-hotel in Carmona.

    
  • Day 3

    Carmona to Montellano (55km):

    Today you'll ride through peaceful olive groves on quiet country roads. Take extra water since shops are limited between towns. Stop for lunch in Marchena's plaza at the halfway point. Your day ends in Montellano, known for its pink marble buildings, at a hacienda surrounded by almond trees.

    
  • Day 4

    Montellano to Arcos de la Frontera (60km):

    This is the most beautiful riding day through Mediterranean forest. You'll enjoy 8km of traffic-free cycling on the Via Verde railway path. Take a good break in Puerto Serrano before tackling the afternoon heat. The final climb to clifftop Arcos is steep but the views make it worthwhile.

    
  • Day 5

    Arcos to Jerez (45km):

    Follow the Guadalete River valley on gentle rolling roads. Leave early to catch the morning light on the white villages. Once in Jerez, plan for a late afternoon bodega tour. Both Pedro Domecq and Tio Pepe offer excellent sherry tastings.

    
  • Day 6

    Jerez to Cadiz (40km):

    A previous cyclist shares: "Getting out of Jerez takes patience - follow the route notes carefully through industrial zones before reaching prettier coastal areas." Stop for fresh seafood in El Puerto de Santa Maria. Beach cycling paths lead you into historic Cadiz.

    
  • Day 7

    Cadiz:

    Spend your final day exploring Europe's oldest city on foot. Visit La Caleta beach early for the best photos. If returning to Seville, take an afternoon train (1h35m) after enjoying churros at Café Royalty in Plaza Candelaria.

    

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• 6 Days in Southern Spain & Portugal, incl. Madrid and Lisbon

  Twelve cities reveal themselves across Southern Spain, from Madrid's capital to Lisbon's coast. Visit UNESCO-listed La Mezquita in Córdoba, admire Granada's Alhambra Palace, and tour Jerez's sherry bodegas. Local culture comes alive through olive oil tastings, flamenco shows, and authentic tapas in Seville's historic center.

  

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  • Day 1

    Madrid to Córdoba via Toledo

    Leave Madrid at 8:30 AM from Hotel Porcel Ganivet for a one-hour drive to Toledo. Spend your morning walking through Toledo's Jewish Quarter and Gothic Cathedral. "The cobbled streets of Toledo's old town are quite steep - wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially in summer months." After lunch head south through Don Quixote country to Córdoba. The city really comes to life after sunset when locals fill the historic center for tapas.

    
  • Day 2

    Córdoba to Granada

    Get to La Mezquita by 8:30 AM before the crowds arrive. You'll see stunning Islamic architecture with rows of striped arches throughout this unique mosque-cathedral. The drive to Granada takes about 2.5 hours through Jaén's olive groves. Take a break to see the hilltop Fortaleza de la Mota fortress before reaching Granada. Try dinner in the Albayzín area for great local food and views of the Alhambra.

    
  • Day 3

    Granada & Alhambra

    Book your Alhambra tickets well in advance as they sell out quickly. "Visiting the Alhambra in summer can be intensely hot - go early and bring a water bottle. The audioguide is essential for understanding the rich history." Later check out the unusual cave homes in Guadix and stop for photos in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

    
  • Day 4

    Granada to Seville via Ronda

    Drive about 3 hours through Málaga's lake district to reach Ronda sitting high above El Tajo gorge. Visit the bullring and old town before stopping at an olive oil farm for a tasting. You'll get to Seville by evening. The Santa Cruz quarter is perfect for trying different tapas spots.

    
  • Day 5

    Seville

    Use the full day to see Seville's main sites. Start at the Cathedral and Giralda tower at 10:30 AM opening to avoid lines. You can also take an optional trip to Jerez for sherry tasting. A recent visitor noted: "The Plaza de España is magical at sunset - time your visit for late afternoon when the light makes the tiles glow and street performers come out."

    
  • Day 6

    Seville to Lisbon

    The final day involves 4-5 hours of driving. Start at Huelva's Muelle de las Carabelas to see Columbus's ship replicas. Cross into Portugal and stop for lunch in Tavira in the Algarve. You'll reach Lisbon's Hotel Zenit around 7 PM where the tour ends.

    

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