Southern Spain: Granada, Seville & the coast

Welcome to Andalucía, a region steeped in culture and tradition, brimming with natural riches. Touching down in Málaga, a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you to Granada, where you’ll be spending your first few days. The final stronghold of the Moorish caliphate, which fell to the Catholics in 1492, nowhere captures the sense of Andalucía’s Nasrid past like this intriguing city. There’ll be time to freshen up and meet your guide before tonight’s welcome activity: an experiential tapas tour, where you’ll sample all kinds of local appetisers from traditional flamenquines (fried ham and cheese rolls) to creamy salmorejo (chilled tomato and garlic soup). A tasty start to your trip. 

Today, you’ll be visiting one of Spain’s most iconic sights: the opulent Alhambra Palace. This 13th-century fortress is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Europe, its walls adorned with intricate tiles and calligraphy. Spend the morning exploring its courtyards and hallways, seeing how the Moors achieved their vision of paradise through the principles of beauty and symmetry. Later, you’ll explore the evocative Albaicín – the city’s medieval Arab Quarter – winding through the whitewashed streets, lined with cute cafes and tapas bars, to the Mirador de San Nicolás for spectacular city views. Finish your evening at an authentic Tablao Flamenco, where you’ll watch a spectacular live performance of this intensely passionate art form.

Fuel up at breakfast, as today you’re headed for the foothills of the lofty Sierra Nevada – a tranquil region of fertile valleys dotted with wild flowers, almond orchards and olive groves on the range’s southern flanks. From the sleepy riverside village of Monachil, an easy but adventurous trail runs through a dramatic gorge. Negotiating suspension bridges and rocky overhangs, past waterfalls and narrow caves, the trail opens up to an amazing viewpoint over the Andalucían countryside. Enjoy some free time to relax and explore the village, or cool off in one of the swimming holes. Then it’s time to head back to Granada for an evening at leisure, perhaps sampling more local flavours at one of the city’s many restaurants.  

Goodbye Granada, hello Seville. After breakfast, you’ll hit the road to Andalucía’s charismatic capital. Conjuring up images of flamenco dancing and street parades, stylish shops and crowded bars, it encompasses all the romance and passion of this hot, hedonistic region. With its Moorish and Renaissance architecture – from the Real Alcázar palace to the Catedral de Sevilla – the wealth of culture here is remarkable. Your introduction to the city will be on a guided cycling tour, delving into its citrus-scented backstreets and uncovering some lesser-known spots in the cooler part of the day. As evening falls, join the locals in the bohemian Alameda neighbourhood, a pedestrianised area buzzing with bars, cafes and restaurants.

Enjoy a free day to explore Seville at your own pace, stopping off in leafy plazas for ice cream and carafes of sangria. Admire the cathedral and its landmark Giralda bell tower, once a great mosque and 12th-century minaret. Pause to admire the exotic royal palace, Real Alcázar, and explore the maze of narrow streets in Seville’s historic centre before making your way to the vibrant district of El Arenal. Here, overlooking the Torre del Oro, you’ll rejoin your group to learn about Andalucía’s famous fortified wine: sherry. During an expert-led tasting, you’ll savour five different samples, discovering how it’s made the traditional way and why it’s the perfect complement to your tapas. 

It’s time to hit the beach. After breakfast, you’ll leave Seville and start your journey to the wild, undeveloped Costa de la Luz. You’re headed for Tarifa, at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula where the Mediterranean and Atlantic meet. Just nine miles from Morocco, the laid back surf town has a tangible North African feel, with its walled windswept old town and winding whitewashed streets. It also has some of the region’s longest sandy beaches, making it a hub for watersports. There’s a special afternoon in store, as you’ll be heading out to sea on a private cruise (weather permitting). Accompanied by a marine expert, you’ll scan the waves for pilot whales, fin whales and resident pods of dolphins.   

It’s your final full day and we couldn’t let you leave Tarifa without some dedicated time at the beach. This morning, you’ll don a wetsuit and take a private surf lesson with your group. Led by an expert instructor, you’ll cheer each other on as you master the basics of paddling out, popping up and having fun in the waves. Tired but contented, there’ll be time to chill out on the powder-white sand before setting off on the final leg of your journey back to Málaga. Tonight, you’ll be heading out to a top-notch restaurant for a farewell dinner with your group. It might have only been a week, but you’ve made memories to last a lifetime. 

After breakfast, your Spanish adventure has come to an end. It’s now over to you to make your way to the airport – your guide can help you arrange a transfer. If you’re interested in extending your European adventure, why not take a look at our adventures to Portugal, Italy or Greece?