Alhambra Palace

Discover the Alhambra, a vast and elaborate fortress and palace. Built in the 14th century and later expanded, this magnificent and imposing complex has ornate domed ceilings, colourful tiles and intriguing inscriptions. You'll also be able to explore the exquisite gardens of the Generalife, the summer palace of the caliphs. The Generalife (from the Arabic Jannat al-‘Arif – Architect’s Garden) and its surrounding grounds are beautifully designed with waterfalls, walkways, courtyards and smaller, secret gardens.

Half Day

Alpujarras

Enjoy a taste of Andalusia as you follow the twists and turns of the Sierra Nevada's mountain roads, passing through gleaming white villages that cling to the hillsides and clifftops. This area was one of the last strongholds of the Moors before their expulsion from Spain by the Christian forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Its isolation has helped it maintain a strong character.

Full day

Cabo de Gata-Nijar National Park

Look out for volcanic rock formations, hidden coves, natural beaches and a wide variety of birds and wildlife at this incredible national park. Salt flats, desert and lush vegetation all add to the splendour of this untouched landscape.

Cartagena

Cartagena has been 3,000 years in the making and is the oldest port in Spain. See the magnificent 18th-century walls and enjoy a walk past the historic port, towards the town hall and main square. Here you can admire some of the city’s most flamboyant buildings – see the art nouveau casino, the former governor’s palace and the Grand Hotel, dating from 1907. You also visit the the Roman theatre, discovered in 1988 it’s since been restored to some of its former glory. After lunch aboard an historic ship in the harbour, you’ll visit the naval museum, castle and embroidery museum.

Full Day

Frigiliana

Explore the village of Frigiliana, known as the ‘Pearl of Andalusia’ and one of the best-kept villages in Spain. It was the site of the famous battle of the Rock of Frigiliana in 1569, which ended in the final expulsion of the Moors from Spain. The history of this battle is depicted on a series of ceramic plaques mounted on walls throughout the village. Many of the older houses in Frigiliana are built with stone from the demolished Moorish castle and the narrow streets of whitewashed houses, with their wrought-iron balconies decked with flowers, remain typically Andalusian.

Half Day

Lecrin Valley

The Lecrin Valley in Andalusia is an area of outstanding natural beauty, which has not yet experienced the mass tourism seen along the coastal strip and in parts of the Alpujarras. The valley has a number of delightful small towns and villages, including Acequias, Beznar, Tablate and Talara, which is also sometimes known as Lecrin. 

The valley is home to over 300 species of wild flowers, 66 of which are endemic to this area. It's especially beautiful in the spring, when the almond trees are in blossom and the distant peaks of the Sierra Nevada are still capped with snow.

Half Day

Lorca

This historic town once lay on the frontier between Christian and Muslim Spain, giving it a diverse range of architecture: there's an impressive hilltop castle, a Spanish Renaissance-style church and ancient Roman ruins. The archaeological museum here has exhibits dating from prehistoric times.

Half Day

Malaga

Phoenicians, Romans and Moors have all shaped Andalusia's second largest city, so there are plenty of historical sights to see during a tour of this elegant provincial capital. Highlights include the outstanding 8th to 11th-century Alcazaba with its part-excavated Roman amphitheatre, the 14th-century Moorish castle and the 16th-century cathedral. There are plenty of shops to enjoy too!

Three-quarter day

Nerja

This attractive resort lies between the Sierra Almijara and the Mediterranean. Nerja takes its name from the Arab Narija, meaning ‘abundant fountain’. The town centre retains much of its old-world charm with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses and balconies overflowing with brightly coloured flowers. Nerja is famous for its seafront promontory, the Balcón de Europa (Balcony of Europe), a wide palm-fringed promenade built on a rocky cliff on the site of the old 9th-century Moorish castle, which was originally used to keep pirates at bay. Nowadays, this picturesque location is a popular place to enjoy the lovely coastal views.

Half Day

Valencia City of Arts and Sciences

This impressive complex by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and consists of five main areas: an IMAX cinema, a landscaped viewing point, a centre for interactive science, a huge aquarium housing over 500 marine species, and an area dedicated to an operatic programme. It’s located in the dry river bed of the now diverted River Turia in Valencia and is one of the city’s most important modern tourist destinations.

Full Day