Madrid to Andalusia, Self-drive
7 Days Starting and ending in Madrid, Spain
Visiting: Madrid, Córdoba, Granada, Seville
Tour operator:
Tour code:
34780
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
10-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating self-drive journey from Madrid to Andalusia, exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Spain. Begin in Madrid, where you can marvel at Europe's largest palace and the renowned Reina Sofia Museum. Travel to Córdoba to witness the stunning Great Mosque, now a cathedral, and wander through its charming old town. In Granada, be enchanted by the Alhambra and the historic Albaicin quarter. Continue to Seville, where the Royal Alcazar palace and the vibrant Barrio Santa Cruz await. Enjoy the freedom of unlimited mileage with your car hire, and relax in superior 4-star accommodations throughout your adventure. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, art, and breathtaking architecture, all at your own pace.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVAL MADRID
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: Silken Puerta de Madrid or similar 4*
Arrive at Madrid airport, pick up your car and drive to your hotel. The Spanish capital is one of Europe’s liveliest and most elegant cities, boasting beautiful boulevards, vast parks, bustling plazas, as well as numerous historic churches and palaces. Madrid is also home to the legendary ‘golden triangle’ of art galleries, which houses some of the world’s most treasured masterpieces.
Overnight in Madrid.
Day 2 : MADRID
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: Silken Puerta de Madrid or similar 4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Discover all the main sights and attractions driving through famous locations like the Paseo de la Castellana, the Plaza de Los Cibeles, and the Gran Via. Visit the Royal Palace - Europe’s largest - and the Reina Sofia Museum of modern and contemporary art. The Royal Palace has more than 3,000 rooms and the appearance of those seen during the guided tour is an eclectic mix, ranging from cluttered Victorian to exotic oriental décors. Works of art by great masters such as Caravaggio, Velazquez and Goya adorn the walls while period furniture graces every room. The lavishness and opulence of the interiors stand in contrast to the sober baroque and neo-classical exterior, which faces the Almudena Cathedral and overlooks the Campo del Moro gardens. The Reina Sofia Museum boasts one of the greatest collections of modern art in the world. Admire works by Spanish masters such as Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Juan Gris, and Pablo Picasso, whose vast and haunting Guernica is complemented by an exhibition of other works and resources, which help put the iconic painting in context.
Overnight in Madrid.
Day 3 : MADRID – CÓRDOBA (400Km – 4hrs)
Location: Madrid, Córdoba
Accommodation Name: Hotel Ayre or similar 4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Then, Head towards Cordoba in Andalusia, and check in at the hotel on arrival. Cordoba was 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 Great Mosque, which is now the Catholic cathedral.
Overnight in Cordoba.
Day 4 : CÓRDOBA – GRANADA (210km – 2.15hrs)
Location: Córdoba, Granada
Accommodation Name: Gran Luna or similar 4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Cordoba after breakfast at the hotel. Take your time to wander through the colonnaded prayer halls, which are decorated with hundreds of marble columns joined by two-tone arches. Admire the mihrab and the side chapels, with their eclectic mix of arabesque and baroque styles. Stroll through the Patio of the Orange Trees, an oasis of peace cooled by the shade of 100 trees, and admire the arabesque decorations of the exterior doorways. Explore the old town’s whitewashed patios and narrow alleys bedecked with plants and flowers while strolling towards the former Jewish Quarter and visiting the former synagogue. Continue to Granada for check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Granada.
Day 5 : GRANADA – SEVILLE (250km – 2.45hrs)
Location: Granada, Seville
Accommodation Name: Silken Al-Andalus or similar 4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before exploring the historic city of Granada and visiting its greatest treasure, the Alhambra palace, the seat of the last Moorish emirs in Spain. For more than a thousand years, this ‘pearl set in emeralds’ has stood atop Sabika hill overlooking the city, gaining in importance during the Nasrid dynasty, which turned the original castle into the palace of today. Cross the verdant ravine of the River Darro to the Moorish-era Albaicin quarter. Narrow cobblestone alleys of tightly packed whitewashed houses snake their way upwards to the various vantage points offering breathtaking views of the Alhambra nestled under the Sierra Nevada. Continue to Seville for check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Seville.
Day 6 : SEVILLE
Location: Seville
Accommodation Name: Silken Al-Andalus or similar 4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Seville after indulging in breakfast at the hotel. You can discover some of the city’s top attractions such as the Royal Alcazar palace and the cathedral – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites – as well as Barrio Santa Cruz, its most picturesque old town neighbourhood and the former Jewish quarter. It is a warren of whitewashed lanes, alleys, archways, and patios, each with a historical tale to tell. The Royal Alcazar traces its origins to the 10th century when it became the palace of a Moorish caliph. Over the centuries, it has been expanded with a series of stunning halls, pavilions, patios, and gardens in a variety of styles from Moorish and Mudejar to Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque. Admire the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, with its glorious Giralda belfry, Seville’s most iconic symbol. Head over to the magical Maria Luisa Park to discover its two impressive squares, Plaza de España, with its beautiful tiles, elaborate redbrick towers, bridges, and canals, and Plaza de America, which is flanked by a number of magnificent neo-Gothic and neo-Mudejar palaces.
Overnight in Seville.
Day 7 : SEVILLE – MADRID DEPARTURE (530km – 5hrs)
Location: Seville, Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin your last day in Seville with a tasty breakfast. Then, drive to Madrid airport to return the vehicle and catch your departure flight back home.
What's Included
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Car Hire
Travel comfortably with a self-drive car hire, featuring options like the Seat Ibiza or Seat Leon, including unlimited mileage, 24-hour road assistance, and comprehensive insurance coverage.
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Car Hire Insurance
The car hire includes Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCWD) and Vehicle Theft Protection (STP).
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Local Taxes
Applicable local taxes (VAT) are included.
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Airport/City Surcharge
The airport/city surcharge is included in the package.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, laundry, drinks, and meals not stated explicitly in the programme are not included.
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Flights
National or International flights are not included.
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Insurance
All types of insurance except mentioned car insurance are not included.
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Visas
Entry visas to Spain and Gibraltar (if applicable) are not included.
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Entrance Tickets
Entrance tickets to any venue, museum, or activity are not included.
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Car Hire Exclusions
Damage to a third party or the hire vehicle due to negligence or inappropriate driving, loss or damage to vehicle components, theft of the vehicle with keys left in the ignition, fines due to breaking traffic laws, additional driver fee, young driver surcharge, one way fees, petrol refueling charge, any extra equipment (GPS, baby seat etc), and no insurance coverage in Gibraltar are not included.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Spain and Andorra though a warm jumper and jacket are advisable in the cooler months. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
- Drivers age from 26 to 75 years old (must have had their driver´s licence for a minimum of one year)
- Drivers who are not citizens of the European Union must present an international driver’s licence together with the original from their country of origin
- Opening hours are Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 21:59. Pick-ups and returns outside these hours (if available) may incur a surcharge
- If the customer returns the vehicle earlier than the agreed upon drop-off date stated in the rental contract, the rental company will not refund the customer for any unused days
- Deposit credit card Visa or MasterCard only
- Accident/theft reporting must be notified within 48hours of the incident
- In cases where, following the return of the vehicle, additional cleaning is required due to the car being dirty beyond the level expected from normal vehicle use, an additional charge shall apply, against evidence of the cost of the service provided
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Madrid:
- Superior Hotel Category = Silken Puerta de Madrid or similar 4*
Day 3 Córdoba:
- Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Ayre or similar 4*
Day 4 Granada
- Superior Hotel Category = Gran Luna or similar 4*
Day 5, 6 Seville:
- Superior Hotel Category = Silken Al-Andalus or similar 4*
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
- Car Group Category B = Seat Ibiza or similar
- Car Group Category C = Seat Leon or similar
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Madrid:
- Superior Hotel Category = Silken Puerta de Madrid or similar 4*
Day 3 Córdoba:
- Superior Hotel Category = Macia Alfaros or similar 4*
Day 4 Granada
- Superior Hotel Category = Macia Condor or similar 4*
Day 5, 6 Seville:
- Superior Hotel Category = Silken Al-Andalus or similar 4*
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
- Car Group B = Opel Corsa or similar
- Car Group C = Ford Focus or similar
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably with a self-drive car hire, featuring options like the Seat Ibiza or Seat Leon, including unlimited mileage, 24-hour road assistance, and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Accommodation
Enjoy 6 nights' accommodation in superior 4-star hotels, including Silken Puerta de Madrid in Madrid, Hotel Ayre in Córdoba, Gran Luna in Granada, and Silken Al-Andalus in Seville.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of car is included in the self-drive tour?
The self-drive tour includes a car hire with options like the Seat Ibiza or Seat Leon, featuring unlimited mileage, 24-hour road assistance, and comprehensive insurance coverage.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 6 nights' accommodation in superior 4-star hotels, including Silken Puerta de Madrid in Madrid, Hotel Ayre in Córdoba, Gran Luna in Granada, and Silken Al-Andalus in Seville.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 6 breakfasts.
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What are the requirements for drivers on this tour?
Drivers must be between 26 to 75 years old and have had their driver's license for a minimum of one year. Non-EU citizens must present an international driver's license along with the original from their country of origin.
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What is the policy if the vehicle is returned earlier than the agreed drop-off date?
If the vehicle is returned earlier than the agreed drop-off date, the rental company will not refund the customer for any unused days.
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What should I wear when visiting religious or official buildings during the tour?
Visitors should avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings.
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
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Low Deposit
Destination Services Spain requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services spain charges.
Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 17 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 9 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
