Andalucia, Spain
Here's a sample itinerary for your family to review that includes the landmarks of southern Spain, including Granada, Cordoba, Seville and the nearby countryside of Las Cabezas de San Juan.
There’s something familiar about Spain that draws visitors, who maybe remember a few phrases of high school Spanish or harbor a vague curiosity of bullfighting or siestas. But it’s the staggering diversity—of cultures, languages, cuisines, and landscapes—that keeps travelers coming back again and again. Every neighborhood and town offers something unique, and the Spain you thought you knew is suddenly full of surprises.
May 17–21 | Madrid
- Mandarin Oriental Ritz (4 nights)
May 21–24 | Granada
- Parador Granada (3 nights)
May 24–27 | Seville
- Corral del Rey (3 nights)
May 27–29 | Cadiz
- Parador Cadiz (2 nights)
May 29–30 | Madrid
- Only You Atocha (1 night)
May 30 | Departure
May is one of the most beautiful months of the year in Spain. This is the best time to visit Madrid and Andalucia with mild temperatures and the rush of tourist traffic hasn't reached summer volumes.
- You don't need a visa for Spain if you have a United States passport.
- Fully vaccinated travelers with a valid certificate don’t need a negative COVID-19 test result before traveling to Spain.
- Travelers must have a valid vaccination certificate that shows full vaccination against COVID-19.
- Travelers between the age of 12-18 years old are considered vaccinated even if 270 days have passed since the last dose without having received the booster dose.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
The appeal of Spain’s capital city is how laidback it is. Visitors don’t come for the big-name attractions, but for the local lifestyle. Wander labyrinthine streets through colorful neighborhoods, stumbling in and out of tapas bars along the way. Meals are served late and last for hours since the locals would never rush good food, wine, and company. Of course, there are some sights you can’t miss, including a glitzy royal palace and cherished art museums.
Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you into the city center to your hotel. Once you exit baggage claim, he'll be waiting right outside with a sign with your name on it.
Here are some great spots for getting a bite in Madrid, from casual tapas bars to finer diner restaurants. If you'd like a reservation at any of them, just send a message in the chat.
- Bodegas La Ardosa: This classic Madrileño tavern dates back to 1892, and it’s the ideal place for sitting, chatting, and drinking while getting a dose of Spanish history. Definitely try the tortillas de patatas and the artichokes!
- Casa Dani: One of the most famous stalls at Madrid’s Mercado de la Paz is Casa Dani, a spot that serves up generous portions of croquetas, oxtail, and their famous tortilla de patata.
- Juana la Loca: Juana La Loca is a stylish, popular restaurant with glass cases sitting on the bar filled with tapas and pintxos.
- Saddle: The dishes, like the garlic-topped Mediterranean red prawns, Caspian pearl caviar with blinis and crème fraîche, spider crab marinated in sherry, and aged beef shank always deliver, and you’ll probably be talking about every course on this tasting menu back home.
- Charrua: The speciality here is the parrilla, meaning grilled pieces of meat. Enjoy some of the best steak filets you can find in the Spanish capital at this elegant restaurant.
Enjoy a delicious meal at the Uruguayan steakhouse, Charrua. Meets are grilled on the parrilla and always come out to perfection.
Reservation: Evening
Why we love it for you: When it opened as the Ritz in 1910, it was the first luxury hotel in Madrid. A recent renovation by new owners has only magnified the glamour while keeping it fresh. It would be easy to think you’ve accidentally walked into the Prado, since the two buildings are next door to one another and the hotel’s decor is just as grand as Spain’s national museum. Artwork hung up in the bar and guest rooms pay homage to the artistic neighbor, and many windows look directly onto the Prado’s facade.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz
Deluxe Room
- Breakfast included
As a special perk for using scenset, we've included your admission to the three major museums that make up Madrid's Golden Triangle. With the ticket information below, you'll be able to visit the following museums during your stay in Madrid.
- The Prado: The most famous art museum in all of Spain, this iconic building is right in front of your hotel and houses some of the most important European works.
- La Reina Sofia: This is Madrid's contemporary art museum. This is an obligatory visit, especially to see Picasso's magnum opus, Guernica.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza: The Thyssen-Bornemisza’s collection shines particularly bright in the areas which are underrepresented in other Spanish museums.
You can access your admission tickets. You can print them or show them on your phone.
Booked by scenset
Mandarin Oriental Ritz
Deluxe Room
- Breakfast included
Enjoy a day exploring the city at your leisure. You can continue using your admission ticket to visit an art museum, take a stroll through Retiro Park, or simply get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways—stopping often for wine and tapas, of course.
Refer to the list of dining recommendations under Day 1 for some inspiration.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz
Deluxe Room
- Breakfast included
Cuenca is a gorgeous city and UNESCO World Heritage Site about 90 minutes outside of Madrid. This full-day excursion will give you an insightful history into this fascinating city, with its plummeting gorges and casas colgadas or hanging houses that seemingly defy gravity.
Pick-Up Time: Morning
Pick-Up Location: In front of hotel
Leave from Cuenca: Afternoon
Transportation to and from Cuenca arranged by scenset.
Cuenca has been selected as the Spanish capital of gastronomy for 2023, so you'll find all kinds of great places to eat in the city. Here are two recommendations:
- La Ponderosa: In Spain we call them "un bar de toda la vida," meaning it's classic, traditional, and delicious. They've been serving local dishes here since 1973.
- Casas Colgadas: Located in the iconic hanging houses of Cuenca, this restaurant is considered more "haute cuisine" with an awarded chef. Lunch is served as a tasting menu.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz
Deluxe Room
- Breakfast included
Granada is the folkloric heart of Andalucia, where the influence of its Moorish past still thrives over five centuries later. You can feel it in the dizzying streets of the Albaicín neighborhood, guided by the sounds of Spanish guitar and the stomping of a flamenco dancer. You can see it as well, in the omnipresent Alhambra palace guarding over the city. You can even taste it in the neverending tapas plates that Granada is known for.
Get picked up from your hotel in your private transfer for the short ride to Atocha Train Station.
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Hop aboard your high-speed AVE train direct from Madrid to Granada (approximately 3 hours).
Departure: Afternoon from Atocha Station
Seats: will be provided
Arrival: Evening at Granada
Find your train tickets here.
Your driver will be waiting for you at the Granada train station to take you to your hilltop hotel.
Here are some vetted and delicious places to eat in Granada, ranging from casual tapas bars to sit-down restaurants.
- Puerta del Carmen: An all-time favorite tapas restaurant with a cool ambiance and delicious food—try the milhojas with mango and goat cheese!
- Mirador de Morayma: Have lunch in this traditional restaurant with a huge terrace overlooking the Alhambra.
- Más Que Vinos: Another tapas bar that has become an institution in Granada. It's where you'll find a lot of locals who comes for the good food and even better sherry.
- La Puerta de Syria: The Arab influence in Granada is undeniable, and you'll see that in local restaurants too. Take a break from Spanish food and eat at this Arab restaurant with inspiration from Morocco to Syria.
Why we love it for you: The only building that has better real estate in Granada than this hotel is the Alhambra itself. It comes with excellent service, known to be among the best in Spain, and the rooms overlook Granada's most famous building. Located on top of a hill away from the center, guests get peaceful nights while only being a short taxi or bus ride away from the city center.
Parador de Granada
Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
Visit the Royal Chapel, the last resting place of Spain’s Catholic Monarchs, Isabel I de Castilla (1451–1504) and Fernando II de Aragón (1452–1516). Later, visit the Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation and Residence to explore its gardens and private art collection.
An unguided experience booked by scenset. Your tickets will be available for you at the front desk of your hotel and you can visit at any time.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Alhambra complex with an expert guide. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you'll all walk together to the Alhambra.
Bring your passport with you!
Pick-Up Time: Afternoon
Pick-Up Location: In front of hotel
Guide: will be provided
Experience arranged by scenset.
You must have your passport to enter the Alhambra. Be sure to bring it with you when leaving your hotel for your Alhambra tour!
Parador de Granada
Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
At your leisure, walk through some of Granada’s main highlights, including the Jewish neighborhood of Realejo. This Realejo is known as the “Juderia” or the Jewish Quarter during Muslim rule. Stop by the Sephardic Museum of Granada and pop into the Palace of the Forgotten – a new privately-run Sephardic museum.
Suggested activity by scenset.
Have lunch at Restaurante El Huerto de Juan Ranas, facing the Alhambra. Explore the Arab neighborhood of Albayzin, with its white-washed houses and narrow streets. Trek up through the hill to the top of the neighborhood where you will reach Mirador San Nicolás. From here, you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the Alhambra.
Suggested activity by scenset.
You'll be picked up by your driver for a private transfer to the train station in time for your train to Cordoba.
Pick-Up Time: In the afternoon
Driver: will be provided
Number: will be provided
All aboard for the short train ride through the Andalucian countryside to Cordoba.
Departure: afternoon
Seats: will be provided
Arrival: early evening
Find your tickets here.
Booked by scenset
Grab a taxi upon arrival at Cordoba and ask them to bring you to your hotel: Hospes Palacio de Bailio.
Hotel location here.
Why we love it for you: This evocative five-star hotel is both a luxe urban retreat and a slice of Córdoba history, set within a thoughtfully restored centuries-old mansion built on the ruins of a Roman villa, an elegant restaurant, and a candle-lit spa.
Hospes Palacio de Bailio
Dreamer's Room
- Breakfast included
One cannot visit Andalucia without paying tribute to the most beautiful architectural wonder of southern Spain. The style hints at a refined age when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side and enriched their city with vibrant cultures. Visit this cultural and architectural treasure with your expert guide to learn about its fascinating history.
Start Time: Late morning
This is an unguided visit. Arrive at the start time with your tickets and passports.
Find tickets here.
Booked by scenset
Hail a cab from your hotel for the short drive to the Cordoba train station in time for your afternoon train.
Catch your train to Seville from the Cordoba train station.
Departure: Afternoon
Seats: will be provided
Arrival: Early evening
Find your tickets here.
You'll be picked up from a station in Seville and shuttled to your hotel in the city center.
In Sevilla, it’s easy to pretend you’re an explorer preparing to set off for the New World. The labyrinthine streets, the towering Gothic cathedral, and the tranquil gardens of the Alcázar have preserved their seductive charm through the centuries, while newer neighborhoods continuously reinvent themselves with new bars, restaurants, and art.
Seville is a beautiful city with a rich culinary culture. Here are some of the best restaurants in Seville:
- El Pintón: This restaurant is a great option for families looking for traditional Spanish food. The menu features dishes such as gazpacho, Iberian pork, and octopus, as well as a wide selection of tapas.
- La Azotea: This restaurant is located in the heart of Seville and offers a contemporary take on traditional Spanish cuisine. The menu features a range of tapas and dishes, including grilled Iberian pork and roasted vegetables.
- La Brunilda: This is a small and cozy restaurant that serves a variety of Spanish and international dishes, including pasta, burgers, and salads. The restaurant has a friendly atmosphere and is great for families with kids.
- El Pasaje: This restaurant is known for its seafood and traditional Spanish cuisine. The menu includes dishes such as fried fish, paella, and grilled seafood. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and is a good option for families.
- Al Aljibe: This restaurant is located in the Santa Cruz neighborhood and offers a range of Spanish and Andalusian dishes. The menu includes grilled meats, seafood, and a variety of tapas. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and will be provided for families.
Why we love it for you? A tiny corridor in the hip Alfama neighborhood takes you to an almost hidden doorway, which opens up like a portal to a secret garden that seems impossibly spacious. Everything at Corral del Rey is coolly laidback, from the traditional Andaluz breakfast on the patio to sherry tastings in the evening. You’ll likely be on a first-name basis with the owners by the time you leave, who enthusiastically share their love for Seville with the best insider recommendations.
Corral del Rey
Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
Enjoy a biking tour with your guide. Seville’s historic centre, lorded over by a colossal Gothic cathedral, is an intoxicating mix of resplendent palaces, baroque churches and winding medieval alleys. Cycle by the Real Alcazar, a magnificent marriage of Christian and Mudéjar architecture. End your tour in at the famous Parque de Maria Luisa. A delightful oasis of green, the extensive park is a lovely place to escape the noise of the city, with duck ponds, snoozing locals and shady paths snaking under the trees.
Pick-Up Time: Late morning
Pick-Up Location: In front of hotel
End Time: Early afternoon
Guide: will be provided
Experience arranged by scenset.
Enjoy a spectacular show at the intimate Tablao de los Gallos where you can witness some of the best flamenco musicians and dancers interpret famous alegrias.
Tickets for four people will be available at the front desk of your hotel.
Start Time: Evening
You should arrive to the venue around 30 minutes beforehand to check-in and get your seats.
Directions to your Flamenco Show.
Experience arranged by scenset.
After the show, enjoy dinner for four at the contemporary tapas bar, La Brunilda.
It's either a 15-minute walk through the center or a quick taxi ride.
Reservation: In the evening.
Corral del Rey
Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
Start your day with a group tour to the rooftop of Seville's famous cathedral (this is the only way to access the rooftop).
Your tickets will be available for you at the reception desk of your hotel.
Depart Hotel: Morning
Start Time: Morning
It's a 5-minute walk from your hotel to the cathedral.
Here are the directions to your meeting place. Look for a group outside of the Puerta de San Miguel and join for your tour.
Experience arranged by scenset.
The world’s largest Gothic cathedral, it was built between 1434 and 1517 over the remains of what had previously been the city’s main mosque. Highlights include the Giralda, the mighty bell tower which incorporates the mosque’s original minaret, the monumental tomb of Christopher Columbus, and the Capilla Mayor with an astonishing gold altarpiece.
Start Time: Late morning
Meeting Place: Meet your guide outside the cathedral at the same door where your morning rooftop tour began
Guide: will be provided
Booked by scenset
After the guided tour of the cathedral, your guide will take you to the rooftop of the EME Mercer Hotel overlooking the cathedral for a pre-lunch apertivo drink with the best view in town.
Start Time: Afternoon
Experience arranged by scenset.
Seville is a true hub of Spanish tradition, and traditional bars and restaurants are found all throughout the city. However, no bar combines a traditional atmosphere with beautifully prepared Sevillano cuisine quite like Bodeguita Romero.
The standout dish at this tiny, locally run bar has to be the montadito de pringá. This small sandwich filled with delicious tender pork chunks and black pudding embodies the homemade cooking style of this restaurant. Pair it with one of the beautiful sherries or a glass of wine from the weekly specials board and soak up the atmosphere that is so quintessentially sevillano in this bar.
Recommended lunch spot by scenset—nothing has been reserved or booked.
The Alcazar of Seville is a royal palace in the city of Seville, Spain. It was built in the 14th century and features a blend of Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles. The palace is known for its intricate tilework, beautiful gardens, and historical significance as a symbol of Spain's rich cultural heritage.
Start Time: Afternoon
This is a self-guided experience. Your tickets will be available for pickup at your hotel front desk.
Corral del Rey
Junior Suite
- Breakfast included
Every city in Andalucia has its charm, but there's something about Cádiz that really makes it glisten compared to the rest. Perhaps it's the actual glistening of the sea, something that other cities can't compete with. The speciality here is fried fish—traditionally served in a paper cone to enjoy while sitting on the sand with your feet in the water.
You'll be picked up from your hotel in Seville for the drive to Cádiz, but with some worthwhile stops along the way...
Pick-Up Time: Morning
Driver: A driver will be provided
Contact: will be provided
The White Towns of Andalusia, or Pueblos Blancos, are a series of towns and large villages in the northern part of the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga in southern Spain, mostly within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. They are characterised by whitewashed walls and brown tiled roofs with a dreamy sense of the remote past.
Make a pitstop in Jerez to try the local speciality: sherry. The Spanish for sherry is jerez, so there's no better place to try it. You'll stop at a local bodega in town that's been producing sherry for generations, getting a tour and, of course, a tasting.
Why we love it for you: Wind down your trip at the hotel with front row access to the sea. Whether you're at the pool, the restaurant, or in your room, you couldn't escape the idyllic views of the sea even if you tried. It's just a 15-minute walk into town from the hotel, but the beach is at your doorstep.
Parador Cadiz
Superior Double with Seaview
- Daily breakfast included
You'll be picked up from your hotel in Cádiz for your ride to the train station for one last leg.
Pick-Up Time: Early morning
Hop aboard the train at Cadiz station for the journey back to Madrid.
Departure: Early morning from Cadiz
Seats: will be provided
Arrival: Late morning at Madrid Atocha
Find your train tickets here.
Grab a taxi upon exiting Atocha Station to take you to your hotel, Hotel Orfila.
Address: Calle Orfila 6
Why we love it for you: Enter Hotel Orfila and the framed portraits, Victorian wallpaper, and period furniture immediately transport you to a fantasy of living in the Spanish aristocracy. The restaurant from a two-Michelin-starred chef and refined outdoor garden fit right in, but what is surprising is that a hotel seemingly filled with antiques can at the same time feel so fresh. There’s nothing stuffy about it, and a bar so cool that even locals come to visit means it’s always buzzing.
Hotel Orfila
Superior Double
- Breakfast included
Enjoy a final dinner where it all started: at Charrua.
Reservation made directly by an individual.
After dinner, head to the historic Cafe Central in the city center for a live show of jazz music, accompanied with a final drink during your trip to Spain.
Reservation: In the evening
You'll be picked up in the morning from your hotel and taken to the airport.
Pick-Up Time: Morning
Driver: will be provided
Contact: will be provided