Madrid, Toledo & Seville

3 Nights – Madrid
2 Nights – Toledo
3 Nights – Seville

Optional Extension: Visit Cáceres in Extramadura

✈️ UK to Madrid (3 nights):  You’ll spend the first part of your trip exploring the vibrant capital of Madrid, located in the heart of the country. Madrid’s historic centre features impressive landmarks such as the Royal Palace, offering a glimpse into Spain’s royal family.  The nearby Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid’s oldest squares, with cafes, shops, and street artists makes it a great place to hang out and watch the world go by.  Another must-visit is the Puerta del Sol, a popular square that is home to the famous clock that chimes in the New Year.  There’s also of course the iconic football stadiums home to Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, both offering tours for football fans. As you might expect from a country where fiestas are a way of life, Madrid has a lively nightlife scene with trendy rooftop bars, busy nightclubs, and live music venues which carry on until dawn – so don’t forget to have a siesta before you go out! At the end of your stay in Madrid, you’ll pick up your hire car for the next leg of your journey.

🚗 Madrid to Toledo (2 nights):  From Madrid, your adventure continues with a scenic drive to Toledo.  Nestled on a hill above the Tagus River, Toledo is full of ancient streets, wonderful landmarks and a rich religious history.  The Toledo Cathedral is a stunning Gothic masterpiece which houses works by artists including Velázquez and El Greco. Wander through the Jewish quarter and visit the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and the Sephardic Museum.  For the best views, head to Mirador del Valle. Here you’ll get a great view of the cityscape including the Alcazar of Toledo and the Tagus River which encircles the city. Other must-sees in the city include El Greco Museum which showcases many of his works and the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes which features intricate cloisters and a stunning façade.

🚗 Optional extension: Cáceres: Before heading to Seville, you could consider extending your trip with a visit to Cáceres in the Extremadura region.  Cáceres’ Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval and Renaissance cities in the world. With its narrow, cobbled streets, stunning palaces, and historic homes, it’s easy to see why the city holds this accolade.  Other highlights include the Plaza Mayor, the 13^th century Santa Maria Cathedral, the Arab Aljibe (an ancient Arab cistern) and the Palace of Golfines de Abajo.

🚗 Toledo to Seville (3 nights):  Next, drive south to Seville, where you’ll spend three nights soaking up the Andalusian culture.  Seville’s most iconic landmark is Seville Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.  It is also home to the Giralda Tower, where on reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city. Other must-sees include the Alcazar Palace and the old Jewish Quarter of the Barrio Santa Cruz.   Seville is  renowned for its tapas culture, where you can try delicious specialities such as gazpacho and fried fish whilst listening to the gentle strum of the Spanish guitar and perhaps a flamenco dancer or two.

✈️ Seville to UK: After returning your rental car, you’ll jet off on your flight back home to the UK.