Al-Andalus 2025

Andalusia, Spain | May 2025

Granada | Cordoba | Seville | Malaga

This is a late spring trip to Andalusia in the South of Spain. The muslim name for this region of the Iberian peninsula was 'Al Andalus' and it remains steeped in the architectural and cultural influence of the Moors, the arabic muslims from north Africa who invaded, and subsequently occupied southern Spain for 700 years. Eventually defeated by christian armies in the 'Reconquista' of 1492 and the following years, these lands present a vivid legacy of the Moors and the early islamic empire. So the main objective of this trip is to soak up the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of old Islamic Spain, to explore the winding streets and marketplaces of the principal historical cities of Andalusia, and finally, to chill out for a day or two on the expansive beaches of a southern Mediterranean resort.

Outline of the Tour

We will spend eight nights in Spain, travelling from the UK by air, and internally in Andalusia by train so we can especially experience the cultural legacy of the Moors in the ancient centres of their occupation that are the cities of Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

Highlights of the trip will be a visit to the Alhambra and the Albaycin in Granada; to the Grand Mosque of Cordoba, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites of special historical interest; and the Alcàzar Real de Sevilla, reputed to be an outstanding example of the moorish influence on the architecture of the region. The Alhambra was home to the emirs of Al-Andalus in the 13th and 14th centuries, and these spectacular sites in the historical, medeival centre of Granada, now stand proudly on adjacent hilltops above the modern city. The Grand Mosque in Cordoba stands within the historic centre of the city. The Alcàzar Real de Sevilla is reputed to be one of the best examples of moorish architecture in Spain, and is the oldest royal palace in Europe still in use today.Following the Moorish conquest of Iberia in the 8th century, over 300 mosques, palaces and public buildings were constructed, not least to challenge the splendour of such grand islamic centres such as Baghdad and Constantinople (Istanbul, today).

Possible dates: Monday 12th - Tuesday 20th May

(flights and accommodation availability, and reasonable costs permitting)

Granada, The Alhambra

Reconquista!

Granada, The Alhambra

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Trip Itinerary

Day One -> Granada | Monday 12th May

Depart Southampton 12:10, EasyJet EJU7834 to Amsterdam, arriving 14:25;
- Depart Amsterdam 16:35, Transavia HV5931 to Granada, arriving 19:30;
- Transfer to our AirBnB apartment in Granada for two nights;

Day Two | Granada | Tuesday 13th

Visit The Alhambra palace and Generalife gardens;
Visit the Albayzin, one of the most charming corners of Granada's historic old city, bursting with small shops and cafés;
In the evening, perhaps visit a flamenco café to enjoy a performance of traditional Andalusian entertainment?

Day Three | Granada -> Cordoba | Wednesday 14th

Take a leisurely morning and lunch in Granada, awaiting the 15:06 high speed train service to Cordoba, arriving 16:42;
Check in to our accommodation in the heart of the old city, then find dinner.

Day Four -> Cordoba | Thursday 15th

The highlight of Cordoba is the Grand Mosque. We'll spend at least the morning there followed by an exploration of the old city, taken together, a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of winding streets and charming squares full of flowers;

Day Five | Cordoba -> Seville | Friday 16th

Perhaps we'll visit the Alcázar Fortress of the Christian Monarchs, or maybe the renowned, medeival synagogue;
But we will be in this, City of Flowers, for the Courtyards Festival too, where the old cities numerous small squares are bedecked with blooms;
Later, we'll catch the late-afternoon, 17:41 high-speed train to Seville, arriving 18:48, leaving time to check-in to our accommodation and find dinner;

Day Six | Seville | Saturday 17th

Our third Andalusian city, Seville also has plenty to see and to do; we might visit the Cathedral and La Giralda tower, renowned for the amazing views across the city from the top;
Surely the Alcàzar Réal de Sevilla will be the 'must-see' attraction, this palace complex being a true legacy of the centuries of Moorish domination of the region;
Finally, there is the Plaza de España to see: the main square of the city, partially surrounded by a semi-circular promenade and fine buildings, constructed in 1929, blending both renaissance and moorish revivalist styles - it looks stunning;

Day Seven Seville -> Malaga | Sunday 18th

Our last day in the classic Andalusian cities, we'll spend the morning and early afternoon pottering through the charming the old city streets browsing for souvenirs perhaps, but certainly coffee, and a decent lunch;
Late afternoon, we take a train ride back to the coast at Malaga, where we'll check-in to our accommodation ahead of dinner;

Day Eight | Malaga | Monday 19th

Perhaps today is just for R&R (rest and recuperation), to spend time to chill-out on the beach reflecting on our experiences in Granada, Cordoba and Seville, on this, our final full day in Spain's Al-Andalus.

Day Nine -> UK | Tuesday 20th May

We'll check-out early to head to Malaga's airport for a mid-morning, 10:45 WizzAir flight to London Gatwick, scheduled to arrive at 12:40, and the train home.

Expenses and costs

Outward flights:
- Southampton -> Amsterdam: incl 2 cabin bags: £76.47 per person;
- Amsterdam -> Granada: incl 2 cabin bags: £111.86 per person;
Accommodation Granada (2 nights): €79 per person (= £67)
Accommodation Cordoba (2 nights): €152 per person (= £129)
Accomodation Seville (2 nights): €134 per person (= £114)
Accomodation Malaga (2 nights): €173 per person (= £147)
Return flight
- Malaga -> London Gatwick: incl 2 cabin bags: £63.75 per person;

Total cost per person = £700 approx depending on £-€ rate; this equates to a cost-per-night of £87.50 per person.

Extras not included in this cost are:

Meals of course - a balance of 'eating in' and 'eating out' would be nice - typically lunch may be €10-15 per person;
Travel around the region by train - typically, a single rail fare between the major cites is about €20 (approx £17); for example to cover a distance of about 180km from Granada to Cordoba (about the same as Southampton to Birmingham). Distances and fares between other the cities are comparable.
The cost of entry to some of the historical sites - some are free, others are in the range €10-20 per person.

Granada - market in the old city