Circuit at your own pace Madrid and Andalucia

1st Day. Origin - Madrid

Upon arrival at the chosen hotel we will check-in and get ready to enjoy the local culture.

We will take this day as free time to unpack our luggage and relax with a walk and a good overview of the city and its streets. After this free afternoon we will return to the hotel to be well rested for the next day with more action.

Day 2. Madrid - Royal Palace (optional)

We will have breakfast at the hotel and at the agreed time we will go to tour the city. We are going to suggest an itinerary to fully explore the heart of Madrid in two days.

We will start at kilometer zero of the roads in Spain, the Puerta del Sol. This square is one of the most popular in the city since in it we find some of its greatest representative elements: the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree and that of Carlos III on horseback, the Post Office building or the Tío Pepe advertisement, among others.

We will continue along Calle Mayor to Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Inaugurated in 1619, it has a completely closed rectangular floor plan with arcaded residential buildings and 237 balconies. It consists of 10 entrances, the most renowned being the Arco de Cuchilleros. Two buildings also stand out, the Casa de la Carnicería and the Casa de la Panadería where even today it is possible to see the coat of arms of King Carlos II.

Leaving the Plaza we can stop at the Mercado de San Miguel and observe its original iron structure from the beginning of the s. XX.

From there we will arrive at the Basilica of San Miguel, declared a National Historic Artistic Monument in 1984, it is one of the most important Baroque buildings in Spain despite its small size. This is especially due to the unique convex shape of its façade.

We will stroll around this area a bit until we reach the Almudena Cathedral. Its construction lasted more than 100 years, it was consecrated in 1993, and it is impressive more for its grandeur and history than for its style. It is possible to visit both the cathedral and the crypt for a donation of €1 and the museum and the dome for a combined fee of €6.

Next to the cathedral we find the Royal Palace of the s. XVIII. If we so choose, within the two optional visits in Madrid, we will be able to investigate it in depth. It is one of the largest and most spectacular in all of Europe and just looking at the Gasparini Hall is worth it.

When we have finished seeing the Royal Palace, we will continue our tour to the Plaza de Oriente, just in front of the Puerta del Príncipe. Here is a statue on horseback from the s. XVII of Felipe IV and just behind the Royal Theater.

Passing in front of the Sabatini Gardens we will arrive at the Principe Pio Mountain. It has a viewpoint with impressive views of the Royal Palace, and more importantly the Temple of Debod. This small temple was donated by the Egyptian government and moved stone by stone. It is over 2,200 years old.

Right next to this Mountain is the Plaza de España, another of the best known. Here we will observe the 35-meter monument to Cervantes with the Edificio España and the Torre de Madrid in the background.

From this point we will take the Gran Vía to conclude our day strolling through this great artery of Madrid.

Day 3. Madrid - Reina Sofía Museum (optional)

Second day in our escapade through Madrid. Breakfast and ready we will continue the adventure where we left off yesterday. In this case starting with the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The 360 ​​views of the Madrid sky from its rooftop have become a must-see on any route in Madrid.

We will pass through the Plaza Cibeles, with its famous fountain surrounded by palaces, to the Puerta de Alcalá. It is a triumphal arch that dates back to 1778 and was built to celebrate the arrival in Madrid of King Carlos III.

We will enter the Retiro Park through the Puerta de la Independencia. The Retiro Park is another of the most iconic spots in Madrid. It is almost 400 years old and two things stand out in particular: the monument to Alfonso XII in the Estanque Grande and the Palacio de Cristal, a beautiful metal and glass structure from 1887 that was originally going to be a greenhouse.

We will cross this urban park until the exit at the Puerta de Felipe IV and we will approach the Jerónimos Church. This was part of one of the most important monasteries in Madrid of which only the aforementioned church and a Renaissance cloister remain. Today it is one of the most spectacular in Madrid and one that houses more history.

From here we will pass by the building of the R.A.E. and we will finish at the Neptune Fountain from 1786. It is a neoclassical style fountain that occupies the center of the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo. A few meters away we will find the Plaza de las Cortes de Madrid where we will see the building of the Congress of Deputies with its lions at the door and the statue in homage to Miguel de Cervantes under which in 2009 a time capsule buried in 1834 was found.

Back on Paseo del Prado we will complete the day in the art triangle with the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum.

If the previous day we did not choose the Royal Palace, now will be the time to enter the Reina Sofía, the most visited museum in Spain. In the permanent collection of the museum, there is a core of works by great Spanish artists of the 20th century, especially Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, widely represented and with some of their best works.

We will eat in the city and later we will leave for Granada. A long trip awaits us and we will have to make several stops if we do it by car. If we decide on the train, that time will be reduced, being able to spend a few more hours at our destination.

In any case, once in Granada we will go to our assigned accommodation, check-in and pack our luggage. Depending on the time of arrival and the rest we need, we can still establish a first contact with the city before returning to the hotel to spend the night.

Day 4. Granada

Once we get up, we will delight ourselves with a splendid breakfast at the hotel and later marvel at the "lamented city".

We will start with the Cathedral of Granada. Queen Isabella the Catholic ordered its construction in 1505, shortly after the taking of the city. Including the Tabernacle and the Royal Chapel in the monumental complex, it becomes one of the largest in Europe. Precisely in the latter rest the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, which gives it a very exceptional historical importance.

From here we will head towards the Plaza Nueva making a stop at the Plaza de Isabel la Católica where we can appreciate the sculpture of Isabel la Católica and Christopher Columbus from the year 1892 built in bronze.

Leaving the Plaza de Isabel la Católica behind and before reaching the Plaza Nueva, we will take a detour onto Calle Elvira. One of the most recommended for tapas and eating.

Its route is long and full of charm since it is the artery that divides the old city from the modern one and ends at the Puerta de Elvira. It was built in the 11th century and was the most strategic gate of the Muslim medina.

Returning to the Plaza Nueva, the oldest in the city, we will take the Carrera del Darro already in the Albaicín neighborhood, one of the city's World Heritage Sites. We will get lost in its streets observing constructions such as the Casa Zafra or the Arab baths el Bañuelo, the oldest building in Granada. It is also the area with the best viewpoints in the city such as the Mirador de los Carvajales and especially that of San Nicolás. From the latter we will go to the gardens of the Great Mosque of Granada that are next door. It is a temple in use so it has a series of rules to comply with inside.

Then we will go down to the Paseo de los Tristes that will take us again with a quiet and very pleasant walk at the foot of the Alhambra to the Puerta de los Tableros or Puente del Cadí.

If, despite the lack of time, we wish to visit the Alhambra, our advice is to do it at night. The areas are more limited but it has a special charm due to the special lighting conditions and it is lived in a more authentic way as there is less capacity.

After the experience we will return to our hotel for a well-deserved sleep.

Day 5. Granada - Cordoba

On this new day we will have breakfast at the accommodation, check-out and head to our next destination: Córdoba. Once there, the first thing will be to check-in and accommodate the luggage to then discover the city.

Our route starts from the Roman bridge until we reach the jewel of the city: its Mosque, a World Heritage Site for the uniqueness and beauty of its building as well as for its incalculable historical value. We recommend taking a guided tour of the interior to learn as much as possible about places such as the prayer room, the most outstanding doors, the Patio de los Naranjos...

After the tour we will go to the Calleja del Pañuelo, which is very close. Actually its name is Calle Pedro Jiménez but it is popularly known as Calle del Pañuelo since it is so narrow that you can join one wall to the other with each point of a handkerchief. Also very close is the Calleja de las Flores, one of the most touristic due to its views that allow you to glimpse the Cathedral Mosque between the walls of a very narrow alley decorated with plants.

We will resume our journey through the Jewish quarter, a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets where the Synagogue and the Casa Sefarad are located, up to the Puerta de Almodóvar, one of the three gates out of the seven of the walled enclosure that protected the Islamic city that has reached to our days. We will go down accompanying the wall along Cairuán street to the Puerta de Sevilla, another of those that are still preserved.

Along Calle Enmedio we will arrive at the Royal Stables, which houses a collection of carriages from the time and is very close to our final destination for the day: the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. Inside we will find a sample of the architectural evolution of the city. A spectacular Mudejar-style monument that has passed from Romans to Muslims, until it became the residence of the Catholic Monarchs during the reconquest of the Kingdom of Granada. They highlight places of great beauty such as the Hall of Mosaics, the four Towers, the Mudejar Patio, the Royal Mudejar Baths and the Gardens.

To eat in the city we can find innumerable restaurants and tapas areas. Among the most celebrated dishes of the gastronomy of Córdoba we have: the salmorejo which even has a street with its name, the flamenquín or the oxtail and for dessert the Cordovan cake.

Day 6. Cordoba - Seville

As soon as we are ready and have had breakfast in our accommodation, we will start our day with the check-out of the accommodation in Córdoba to head for Seville. Once there, the first thing will be to check-in and leave the bags in what will be our last accommodation on the circuit.

At the agreed time we will meet with the guide who will take us on a panoramic exterior tour of Seville on a journey through time with all the civilizations that once populated the city, giving it the shape it has today. We will pay particular attention to the monuments declared World Heritage Sites: the Cathedral, the Alcázar and the Archivo de Indias ending on the banks of the Guadalquivir.

After the guided tour we will recreate ourselves with Sevillian gastronomy. This is a reflection of the melting pot of cultures that have accompanied the city for centuries. Among the most typical we will find: pavia soldiers, Sevillian stew, seasoned dogfish, gazpacho or snails. All traditional dishes and very different from each other.

At the end of the meal we will have the afternoon free if we wish to be able to visit any of the monuments that require admission, such as the Reales Alcázares, the Cathedral or the Giralda.

Tonight if the forces are with us there are innumerable live flamenco shows, unlike any other that we have been able to contemplate elsewhere. Because as it is usually said, everything tastes better on its site.

Day 7. Sevilla - POINT OF ORIGIN

After a good breakfast we will check-out at the hotel and we will consider our getaway crowned.

We wish you a good trip back and that you have enjoyed these days.

• In case of traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be the first accommodation.
• Check-in: Since 12:00 a.m., at your choice.

• It is advisable to always wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes in any type of experience and visit. Some of the routes are longer than others and it would be a good idea to plan departure times well in advance.
• Be careful on the road, the trip and visits are enjoyed more calmly and on time.
• There is a possibility of change this itinerary if you wish in case you come with your own car.

• 7 days / 6 nights in bed and breakfast basis in Madrid
• 3 nights in Madrid
• 1 night in Granada
• 1 night in Cordoba
• 1 night in Sevilla
• Tickets to the Reina Sofía Museum or Tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid
• Guided tour of Sevilla
• Free Cancellation Insurance (up to 30 coverages)

The circuit includes one of these two activities to choose from: tickets to the Reina Sofía Museum or tickets for the Royal Palace of Madrid

There is the option of making the transfers by train, for more information contact us

HOW TO FORMALISE YOUR RESERVATION

Our travel agency advised to book minimum 15 days in advance for a better management. It remains feasible to book this gateway although is made less than 15 days. However it is advisable to do it with more time in advance.

A deposit of 60€ will be required so as to formalise the reservation.

Once your reservation has been formalised, shortly after, our team will be in contact with you to specify all of the details. Once the reservation is finalised, we will send you all the information for your compliance.

Once all the services have been booked and confirmed, the client must make full payment minus the deposit paid in advance, 15 days before the beginning date. In case the reservation has been formalised less than 15 days before starting date, the client must paid in full the total amount

NO CANCELLATION FEE up to 7 days before beginning date. In this case, we will refund the total amount paid as deposit. Up to 7 days before the start date, there is no cancellation fee. In the unlikely event that it gets cancel, the deposit will get refund in full.

If you require any further information, please contact us via email info@getingalicia.com or mobile/whatsapp (+34) 639 935 925  

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