Join us on this memorable tour of Andalusia to see, feel, and understand the passion, romance, mysticism, beauty, and history of Spain, because nowhere are these features more evident than in this ancient southern region. During this fascinating tour, discover the cultural riches of Andalusia, from the inspiring Phoenician times to the Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian periods, while visiting spellbinding World Heritage Sites in Seville, Cordoba and Granada.
What’s Extra
After landing at Malaga Airport, we transfer to our adults-only hotel in Benalmadena/Costa del Sol to spend the rest of our first day exploring our surroundings. You can either venture out into the streets to start discovering the many delights it has to offer at your own pace or simply relax at the hotel while making the most of the available amenities.
When evening comes, we gather to enjoy a welcome drink and snack before enjoying dinner together at the hotel.
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart towards Ronda. On arrival, we admire the well-preserved ruins of five defensive walls testifying to Ronda’s turbulent past. Today, this history casts an enchanting spell over Ronda, retaining a beguiling timelessness in the maze of whitewashed cobbled alleys leading to the famous New Bridge over the 120-metre-deep El Tajo Gorge and of the emblematic balconies of the hanging houses.
We visit most important parts of the city – from the houses on Calle Tenorio, the House of St. John Bosco and the María Auxiliadora Square. We also enjoy breathtaking views of the town from the El Campillo viewpoint. We also experience the Plaza de la Duquesa de Parcent – a square famous for its four different churches: Santa María de la Encarnación, Santa Isabel de los Ángeles, La Caridad and María Auxiliadora.
Plus, no visit to Ronda would be complete without seeing the bullring. Not only is this one of the oldest in Spain, but it is also considered to be the birthplace of traditional bullfighting.
Afterwards we continue on to Seville, where we enjoy a panoramic tour of Seville (45min). We explore the city by bus, passing through the ‘Torre del Oro’, ‘La Maestranza’, Guadalquivir River, Triana Square and more.
We make a stop to Plaza de España, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seville, known by its beauty and complexity of its architecture.
We check-in to our hotel in Seville and spend the night.
We wake up to breakfast at the hotel before stepping out into the streets of Seville, capital of Andalusia and one of Spain’s most renowned cities for its authentic Spanish atmosphere and impressive architecture.
Our first stop will be the Santa María de la Sede Cathedral, built on the site of the old mosque of Seville. As soon as we arrive, its dimensions will leave you speechless, with the largest Gothic temple in the world. We’ll walk through and review its fascinating history, in particular paying special attention to the main altarpiece and the Christopher Columbus tomb.
Our next stop will be the Real Alcázar of Seville – the oldest royal palace in use in Europe. This spectacular palace complex was built in different historical periods, so inside you’ll witness the perfect combination of Mudejar style and Gothic architecture. We will also reveal the series and films that have been shot in the Alcázar, including Game of Thrones.
At the end of the tour, you will meet the driver to go back to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to continue discovering all the things that make Seville special at your own leisure.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our next destination – Cordoba. This romantic location is known for having been a shining example of coexistence during medieval times, when it was home to Christians, Muslims and Jews who all lived side by side in peace. Cordoba was also the capital of the Moorish caliphate of Al-Andalus during the height of its powers and glory, and nowhere is this wealth more evident than in the magnificent Mezquita (‘Great Mosque’), which is now a Catholic cathedral. We explore this unique monument, declared a World Heritage Site, which houses exceptional Islamic and Christian art – a gem not to be missed! After visiting the monument, we continue our visit walking around the Jewish Quarter. Located in the historic centre, which is part of the area named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. The Jewish Quarter retains the traditional urban layout of a medieval Islamic city, with two central intersecting streets surrounded by a labyrinth of smaller streets which often end in dead ends or narrow alleys.
At the end of the visit, we have some free time to explore the city on our own, before meeting our driver to continue our way to Granada.
Afterwards, continue to Granada, where we will check-in and spend the night.
After breakfast at the hotel, we can begin exploring the Alhambra Complex in Granada.
The Alhambra is one of the most visited monuments in Spain, and for good reason. The stunning walled palace complex dates back largely to the 13th and 14th centuries, and is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture. We admire the intricately carved stonework and complex geometric designs of the numerous courtyards, labyrinthine hallways and elegant gardens. We’ll visit the main buildings and monuments of the Alhambra, including the Medina, the Alcazaba, the Generalife Gardens and the Palacios Nazaries: Mexuar, the Comares Palace and the iconic Court of the Lions.
Our afternoon offers boundless opportunities for exploration in Granada, the illustrious former capital of Spain’s last Muslim state. Even today, Granada retains enchanting echoes of its Moorish heritage, where every corner reveals a piece of history. Wander through the labyrinthine streets of the Albaicin Quarter, each cobblestone pathway a nostalgic homage to the days of the emirate, inviting us to immerse ourselves in the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
Today, breakfast in the hotel is followed by a trip to the Olive Oil Mill. A complete and informative guided introduction to the world of olive oil awaits us here! We visit centuries-old olive trees immersed in a beautiful natural scenery and a modern family estate producing the best quality olive oil in a state of the art mill. We have the opportunity to taste a range of premium olive oils.
We continue to our next stop to Nerja – a charming village on the Costa del Sol, where we have free time to explore its natural and cultural attractions. We marvel at the Maro Cliffs, a scenic coastline of turquoise waters and hidden coves, and stroll along the historic quarter, admiring the whitewashed houses, the elegant Saviour Church, and the lively shops and cafes. Don’t miss the Balcón de Europa, a spectacular viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains.
After a busy day, our last stop is Benalmadena where we check-in to our hotel.
Today we can have an leisurely breakfast at our hotel to recharge the batteries for a day cleared of plans and schedules. Today is for you to relax and enjoy this location at your leisure. Put your feet up at our hotel, relax on the sandy beaches of Benalmádena Costa or, if you’re feeling adventurous, explore the picturesque village of Benalmádena Pueblo, with its whitewashed houses and panoramic views. Or why not have the best of both worlds: rest in the morning, enjoy a siesta after lunch, and venture out in the afternoon!
After one final breakfast at our hotel, bid farewell to Andalusia as we hop onto a comfortable transfer to Malaga Airport, where we catch our flight home.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);
Four-star Hotel Alay (adults-only) – Benalmádena
Four-star Hotel Hesperia Sevilla – Seville
Four-star Hotel Occidental – Granada
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer from Malaga Airport to our Hotel is approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic and local conditions.
Please note: Alhambra Complex & Royal Alcázar
We cannot guarantee whether all participants will receive tickets within the same entrance time. We will do our best to have all participants from our group in the same booking reference/time slot. There are several sections within the monument and we cannot guarantee group visits to the Nazarie Palace, which is the most restricted area. We will do our best to have all participants from our group in the same booking reference/time slot.
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling.
The dress code for during the day is casual. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended.
Euro
To enter Spain your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Spain Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Spain
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of minimum EUR 35.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15 °C | 6 °C |
| February | 17 °C | 7 °C |
| March | 20 °C | 9 °C |
| April | 24 °C | 11 °C |
| May | 27 °C | 13 °C |
| June | 32 °C | 17 °C |
| July - August | 36 °C | 20 °C |
| September | 32 °C | 18 °C |
| October | 26 °C | 14 °C |
| November | 20 °C | 10 °C |
| December | 16 °C | 7 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
