Southern Route Experience: Authentic Andalusia, Starting in Valencia (2026)

Day 1

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!Leaving Madrid in the morning, we’ll travel towards Castilla La Mancha. On our way, we’ll stop in Alarcón, a charming town with impressive medieval walls, where we’ll have time for a stroll. We’ll then continue to Valencia, where we’ll have lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour with a local guide of Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, which beautifully blends modernity with history. Highlights include the city center, the fish market, the cathedral, and the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, as well as the modern districts. A traditional dinner will be included. Note: If the number of travelers from Madrid to Valencia is limited, the trip may be carried out by high-speed train, skipping the stop in Alarcón.

Day 2

After breakfast, we’ll depart along the Mediterranean coast towards Denia, renowned for its beautiful harbor and expansive beaches. We’ll visit its impressive Arab-era castle (admission included) as well as the Toy Museum, one of the most comprehensive in the country, showcasing toys dating back to 1904. You’ll have free time to stroll around its picturesque harbor, explore the old town, and enjoy lunch. Denia was designated a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.In the afternoon, we’ll continue our route south along the coast. We will make a stop in Calpe, a traditional coastal town belonging to the province of Alicante, located next to two thousand year old salt mines from which salt has been extracted since Roman times, and from where we will contemplate the beautiful Peñón de Ifach. We’ll then arrive in Benidorm, an iconic vacation city known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and towering skyscrapers. The old town retains a traditional charm that contrasts with the modernity of the newer areas. Accommodation will be here.Note: During periods of high demand, accommodation may be provided in a nearby town.

Day 3

Today, we’ll explore the interior of the Valencian Community. Our first stop will be Guadalest, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in the region, known for its charming old town and stunning views, and recognized as a Historic-Artistic Site. We’ll then continue to Alcoy, a city famed for its impressive modernist buildings, such as the Circulo Industrial de Alcoy and the Town Hall, reminders of its significant industrial past. The city is also renowned for its Moors and Christians Festivities, which celebrate its medieval history.Afterward, we’ll head to Jijona, where we’ll visit the Turron Museum to learn about the history and production of this delightful sweet, a hallmark of Christmas desserts in Spain. We’ll then proceed to Bocairent, where you’ll have time for lunch and the opportunity to savor local dishes, with a special focus on regional products and meats. After lunch, we’ll explore this picturesque town, set amidst cliffs and renowned for its beauty. We’ll stroll through its narrow medieval streets and visit the unique caves carved into the rocks, which once served as storage for wheat, wine, and oil. These caves are now cataloged as a Site of Cultural Interest in Spain. We’ll continue our journey to Valencia, arriving in the late afternoon.

Day 4

In the morning, we will head to CULLERA to visit the Fallas Museum, where we can admire a representative collection of fallas—spectacular satirical monuments made of wood and papier-mâché, placed in the streets and later burned as giant torches during Valencia’s most emblematic popular festival.We will then ascend the mountain overlooking the city to explore its Moorish castle (admission included), while enjoying the beautiful panoramic views.Afterwards, we continue to LA ALBUFERA, one of Spain’s largest freshwater lagoons, a Natural Park that shelters important populations of aquatic and migratory birds. We will discover this unique environment with a boat ride (included).Lunch will be in EL PALMAR, a farming village where traditional barracas (the old houses of Valencian peasants) are still preserved. Here we will taste Paella, Valencia’s most iconic dish.In the afternoon, we head to SAGUNTO to visit its main landmarks, where millennia-old remains such as the Roman Theater and the castle intertwine. We will uncover the city’s history through its monuments and feel the passage of time in its stones.We return to VALENCIA at the end of the afternoon.

Day 5

In the morning, we head to the nearby town of TABERNES BLANQUES, home to the original factory and museum of the iconic Lladró porcelain house. We will visit the Lladró Museum (admission included), which displays historic pieces of decorative porcelain, and watch the master artisans as they demonstrate their production process.Afterwards, we continue to the town of EL PUIG to visit the Royal Mercedarian Monastery of Santa María (admission included), one of the architectural jewels of the Valencian Community, renowned for its history and artistic richness.We return to VALENCIA around lunchtime. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 6

We continue through pleasant landscapes in the Valencian Community. ALICANTE, a city bathed by the Mediterranean, combines golden sandy beaches with a charming historic quarter. The imposing Castle of Santa Bárbara stands out. Free time for a stroll.We continue through arid landscapes in the region of MURCIA. Stop en route for lunch.In Andalusia, we make our first stop in GUADIX, famous for its unique inhabited cave houses. Its historic quarter combines the Renaissance cathedral, traditional neighborhoods, and unique views of the Sierra Nevada.We continue to GRANADA. Arrival in the late afternoon, dinner included.

Day 7

We’ll enjoy a full day in Granada. If your tour includes tickets, we’ll explore the majestic Alhambra Palace and its stunning Generalife Gardens, both masterpieces from the Arab era. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to discover the city, including the cathedral that houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs.VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The number of visitors allowed into the Alhambra is strictly regulated by law. To ensure your admission, tickets will be issued upon confirming your tour reservation. It´s essential to provide accurate personal details (full name and passport/ID number) at the time of booking. Please be aware that ticket costs are non-refundable in case of cancellation. In rare cases where the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will instead tour the Royal Alcázar of Seville, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.

Day 8

We’ll enjoy spectacular scenery as we cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Our journey will then take us along the Mediterranean, through the so-called Costa Tropical, where the mild microclimate year-round allows the cultivation of tropical fruits and crops such as guavas, mango, and avocado, and in the past, sugar cane. We’ll stop in Nerja, a charming coastal village with impressive cliffs. Next, we’ll head to Frigiliana, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia, with its steep streets lined with whitewashed houses, where you’ll discover charm in every corner. Our journey will continue to Malaga, capital of the Costa del Sol, known for its many museums, as the birthplace of Picasso, and the unfinished cathedral La Manquita, meaning in English “The One-Armed Lady”. You’ll have time for lunch and to explore the city center, or if the weather allows it, you can enjoy a visit to the beach for a swim.

Day 9

Today we’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful stages of the trip, traveling through the White Villages and the Andalusian mountains. We begin with a visit to Puerto Banús in Marbella, one of Spain’s most luxurious marinas, famous for its yachts and high-end boutiques. After a stroll, we continue to Setenil de las Bodegas, a spectacular white village with houses built into the rock, and then to Ronda, a picturesque city set above the dramatic Tajo Gorge.A typical lunch is included, followed by free time for a stroll before visiting the bullring, one of the oldest and most monumental in Spain (entrance included).We then arrive in Jerez de la Frontera, where we’ll have time to wander through the historic center and enjoy tapas in the traditional tabancos.

Day 10

We’ll find ourselves in the heart of Andalusia, in jerez, a city renowned for its winemaking tradition, equestrian culture, and flamenco art. After breakfast, we’ll visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (tickets included), where we’ll explore the Carriage Museum and witness the training of the majestic Andalusian horses. Before leaving jerez, we’ll make a brief stop to photograph the exterior of the Moorish Alcázar, a historical gem that echoes centuries of heritage.We’ll then continue to el Puerto de Santa Maria, a coastal town famous for its fine wines and seafood. Here, we’ll visit the Osborne Wineries (tickets and tasting included), immersing ourselves in the rich wine-making traditions of the region. After some free time to enjoy the surroundings, we’ll board a boat bound for Cádiz, in a scenic journey of approximately half an hour. In this city—one of the oldest in Europe—you’ll have free time to explore its impressive cathedral and charming old town.Later in the afternoon, we’ll cross the magnificent bridge heading toward Seville, where we’ll arrive by the end of the day.

Day 11

After breakfast, we depart for ITALICA (entrance and guided tour with a local guide included), an ancient Roman city where the emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born. We will visit its amphitheater, which once held 25,000 spectators, as well as its baths and mosaics.Next, we head to PALOS DE LA FRONTERA, the port from which Columbus’s ships set sail for America in 1492. We will explore the Monastery of La Rábida, where Columbus found support for his expedition, and the Wharf of the Caravels (entrance included), where we’ll see replicas of his ships.We’ll have free time for lunch in HUELVA. In the afternoon, we continue along the Atlantic coast, near Doñana National Park, famous for its biodiversity. We’ll stop in EL ROCÍO, a village renowned for its pilgrimage and rural charm, where we’ll visit its sanctuary and enjoy views of Doñana.Return to SEVILLE in the late afternoon.

Day 12

In the morning, we´ll embark on a city tour of Seville, where you´ll see the cathedral with its famous Giralda, the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir River offering stunning panoramic views (included). In the evening, you´ll have the option to attend a popular flamenco tablao.

Day 13

We’ll leave Seville, following the Guadalquivir Valley to Córdoba, famous for its past as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba in Islamic times. With a local guide, we’ll enjoy a visit to the stunning Mosque–Cathedral (tickets included). We’ll also explore the charming Jewish Quarter, known for its narrow streets and flower-filled patios—true symbols of the city. After lunch, we’ll leave for Castilian lands. We’ll make a stop in Consuegra, where 12 giant windmills next to the castle overlook the La Mancha plain. We’ll visit the Rucio Mill and head to Madrid at the end of the day.Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful and lasting memories.Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.