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Rick Steves' Best of Andalucía in 10 Days, Day by Day
Traveling to the rhythm of strutting horses and flirtatious flamenco, our Best of Andalucía in 10 Days tour captures the passion and pride of this remarkable region. Starting with the Moorish roots of Córdoba, you'll be immersed in the culture and history of southern Spain. We'll marvel at Sevilla's flamboyant cathedral, time-travel through Granada's Alhambra palace, and roll through stunning whitewashed hill towns with plenty of time to slow down and savor Andalucía's sunny skies and tempting tapas. Let's go!
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Day 1: Welcome to Spain
We'll gather at our Córdoba hotel for a "Welcome to Spain" get-together. Then we'll join the locals in their nightly ritual and head out for an orientation paseo (stroll) through our neighborhood. We'll finish by getting acquainted over an Andalusian-style dinner together.
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Day 2: Córdoba's Moorish Maze & Modern City
This morning we'll explore Córdoba's maze-like Moorish old town, from its Roman foundations to its marvelous centerpiece — and Spain's best Islamic sight after the Alhambra — the Mezquita. This afternoon you're free to experience more of this magnificent city on your own, including its hidden patios and modern Plaza de las Tendillas neighborhood. This evening we'll celebrate the rhythm of Andalucía with an intimate flamenco performance.
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Day 3: Ruta del Vino and Andalucía's Olive Country
An hour's drive along Andalucía's Ruta del Vino brings us to the heart of the Montilla-Moriles wine region. We'll tour a local bodega to learn about the famous Pedro Ximénez grape — and its place among Spanish wines. After lunch, we'll continue through the province of Jaén, getting our first glimpse at a landscape dominated by more than 60 million olive trees. Our ultimate destination is the historic and quaint town of Úbeda, one-time home to Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Tonight we'll orient ourselves to the cultural delights of the town before enjoying dinner together.
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Day 4: Undiscovered Úbeda
There's more than meets the eye in this charming town, and this morning we'll meet our local guide to soak up some of its Old World charms. Starting with the impressive Chapel of El Salvador, dedicated to Francisco de los Cobos, we'll unravel its history and dive deeper into the impact of the man who put Úbeda on the map. Later, we'll visit the mystically inspiring Synagogue del Agua before diving back into the 21st century. Your afternoon and evening are free to make even more discoveries.
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Day 5: Rolling Hills and Royal Views
We'll start our day with a visit to one of Úbeda's nearby olive estates, where we'll learn all about olive oil production and put our newfound knowledge to a taste-test over lunch together at the estate. Then we'll head to Granada, where we'll begin with a neighborhood orientation before heading up the Albayzín hill for dinner together and a magical sunset view of the Alhambra.
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Day 6: Moorish Treasures of Granada
This morning you'll learn about Spain's Islamic legacy with a visit to the sprawling palace and garden complex of the Alhambra (when available). This last and greatest of Europe's Moorish palaces will awe you with its grace and artistry. This afternoon and evening, you'll be free to linger longer at the Alhambra and make your own discoveries along the colorful streets and alleyways of Granada's Old Town.
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Day 7: Ronda
Today's destination is the hill town of Ronda, home to Spain's oldest bullring and its most breathtaking gorge. On our way, we'll pause to marvel at the 5,000-year-old megalithic Dolmen of Menga (the largest in Europe). Just before Ronda, we'll stop at a local bull farm to learn about this fascinating — and often controversial — cultural pastime and enjoy a country lunch together. In town, you'll have free time to explore the city's Moorish and Mercadillo quarters linked together by the famous gravity-defying stone bridge. We'll cap our day with an intimate guitar concert together before being set free to complete your quintessential Andalusian evening with dinner on your own.
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Day 8: Sevilla's Barrio Santa Cruz
This morning we'll drive to Sevilla, Spain's most flamboyant and atmospheric city. After settling in to our neighborhood hotel, our local guide will introduce us to the Barrio Santa Cruz and the world's largest Gothic cathedral. Tonight you'll have time to do more exploring on your own or take in a performance of sultry, swirling flamenco.
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Day 9: Sevilla's Royal Alcázar
We'll start today with a tour of the beautifully Moorish-style Alcázar palace (when available), the Sevilla home of the Spanish royal family for the past 500 years. Afterward, you're free to walk in the footsteps of Carmen and Don Juan, linger in Sevilla's charming squares, or stroll along the romantic Guadalquivir River. This evening we'll share travel memories and toast new friends at our final dinner together, capped off with a carriage ride through the streets of Sevilla. Salud!
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Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast
Sevilla's airport, with easy connections throughout Europe, is a bus or taxi ride away. Alternately, you can hop an AVE train to Madrid to continue your Iberian adventures on your own. Hasta luego!
Ready to go? We still have a few 2025 seats remaining (and up to $100 off select spring departures). Learn more and sign up for Rick Steves' Best of Andalucía in 10 Days tour.
Itinerary specifics subject to change.