tour of spain by train

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11 incredible trips around Spain for train lovers

The Transcantábrico

The Transcantábrico Train is the oldest and most quintessential luxury tourist train. This route is a dream: travel around the north of Spain, known as Green Spain for its stunning landscapes overflowing with this colour, on board a train that preserves the romanticism of the great trains of the early 20th century but also has modern facilities. It has a more glamorous version, the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, which goes from San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela (or vice versa) on an 8-day tour. Travellers can try the cuisine of the Basque Country , Cantabria , Asturias and Galicia , while enjoying gala evenings, live music on board and tickets to museums and monuments with a multilingual guide.

People say the Al-Andalus Train is like a palace on wheels. In fact, the carriage-suites are part of the very series constructed to transport the British Royal family between Calais and the Côte d'Azure. Passengers on this train will visit Andalusia over seven days, beginning in Seville and ending in Malaga (or vice versa). The experience of travelling on one of the world's most spacious trains is combined with the chance to try dishes by prestigious chefs and discover cities such as Cadiz, Ronda, Cordoba, Úbeda and Baeza and sights like the Alhambra in Granada.

Galicia's tourist trains

Did the previous ideas tempt you to visit Galicia? Then you will be happy to hear that every year in Galicia, they run various themed tourist trains. They usually run between May and October and travel the most beautiful routes, such as the Lighthouses Route, the Mansions and Historic Gardens Route, the Cheese Route, the Monasteries Route, etc. Galician wine has become very famous, and one of the most original ways to try it is on board one of these trains, on routes such as the Rías Baixas Wine Route . Get ready to see through the window landscapes of valleys and vineyards, monasteries hidden among the mountains or incredible coastal landscapes.

La Robla Express

Still in the north of Spain, for three days and nights this train offers a journey through the nature and culture of the area, for the most part following the Camino de Santiago or St James' Way. The Bilbao and Leon itinerary is a journey usually offered from June to October. Inside, you can expect classic decoration and outside you will see the natural landscape of the north of Spain. And fine dining is an important part of this route.

Tren dels Llacs

The landscape on this route is equally stunning. We are going to the province of Lleida (in Catalonia) to travel on the Lakes Train . You have two options: a journey in vintage carriages, which have been lovingly restored, or on board modern, panoramic trains. The route takes you to a multitude of locations and has plenty of activities to take part in. For example, there are stops arranged at one of the oldest liquor factories in Catalonia, a lunch of traditional local dishes, trips to the Gerri de la Sal salt flats, the Castell de Mur, artisan cheesemakers, the Aigüestortes y Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and much more. You can enjoy a trip on this historic train most Saturdays from April to October. The panoramic trains are also available some Saturdays in July and August.

The Cervantes Train

As well as trips over several days there are also interesting day trips. The Cervantes Train departs from Madrid and arrives in the historic city of Alcalá de Henares , the birthplace of the most famous Spanish writer of all time: Miguel de Cervantes. Even the journey itself is interesting as various actors in 17th-century costume accompany the travellers. When you arrive you can visit iconic places in Alcalá such as the Calle Mayor, the University, the Cathedral and, of course, the home of the author of Don Quixote . The train usually runs on Saturdays in the spring and autumn seasons.

Sigüenza Medieval Train

Sigüenza , known as the “City of the Young Kinght”, is just 130 kilometres from Madrid. It is one of the few places that still has three preserved walls and a surprising medieval feel. The train journey , which departs from Madrid, is brought to life by folk singers, knights and princesses through music and theatre, and it also offers a selection of cakes. Upon arrival in Sigüenza, a tour guide will take you to discover the most important points in the city: the Castle, the Cathedral, the Plaza Mayor square and the Casa del Doncel. You will also be able to try typical dishes such as migas, Castilian soup and the delicious Yemas del Doncel sweets. It usually operates between April and November, not necessarily on weekends.

The Strawberry Train

This is a great idea for the weekends in Spring and Autumn . The route? From Madrid to Aranjuez , a location famous for its delicious strawberries and whose Cultural Landscape is listed as World Heritage. Aranjuez is primarily known for the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and its stunning gardens that are great for walking around. During the journey, you will travel in wooden carriages constructed between 1914 and 1930, and will be offered strawberries to try. Once you arrive in Aranjuez, depending on which itinerary you have chosen, you can visit places such as the Palace or the gardens, or climb aboard a boat or sightseeing bus-train.

Philip II Train

Passengers are taken to San Lorenzo de El Escorial , just over 50 kilometres from Madrid, in a 20th-century locomotive . Once the train arrives, and depending on the ticket type, the trip includes a guided tour of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial . This amazing monument was built by Philip II in the 16th century and was considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. It houses the Royal Pantheon, the Basilica, the Library, the Hapsburg Palace, etc. That is why walking around inside is an experience worthy of kings. The tour can also include a panoramic route through La Herrería forest or the Casita del Infante gardens.

Sóller railway

Climbing aboard this period train with wooden carriages is one of the best experiences on the island of Mallorca . The railway itself is really beautiful, but what you can see through its windows is even more so: It leaves the city of Palma , passes through the Serra d'Alfàbia, overcomes a difference in altitude of almost 200 meters and crosses 13 tunnels, several bridges and the Cinc-Ponts viaduct. Once the train reaches the beautiful village of Sóller , the smell of orange blossom mixes with the sea and having a coffee outside with the mountainous landscape in the background is a truly delightful experience.

Campos de Castilla Train

We recommend travelling to Soria from Madrid and spending the weekend surrounded by poetry and local cuisine. Taking this train means following in the footsteps of the famous poet Antonio Machado, who lived there more than 100 years ago. Before the train arrives in Soria, in Sigüenza, some “special” passengers get on board: actors who liven up the journey with anecdotes about Machado. Once you reach Soria you can visit the Baroque San Saturio Chapel, the splendid San Juan de Duero Monastery , the ancient city of Numantia and the enigmatic, captivating Black Lagoon. You can take this trip some weekends between May and November.

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Trains are the perfect way to travel in Spain. The country is filled with lively cities, cultural curiosities, lovely beaches, and great food. Your Eurail Spain Pass is your ticket to amazing rail adventures, from the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Andalusia to the unspoilt beaches of the Costa Brava.

Train types in Spain

The majority of trains you'll take on the Spanish rail network are run by  RENFE , the country's national train company. High-speed and night trains connect Spain to other European countries. You can search for Spanish train times in the  Eurail timetable  as well as on the  RENFE website .

• Domestic trains
• International trains

Night trains

Regional and Intercity trains

Media Distancia (RE)

Connects larger cities with smaller destinations over medium distances.

Fast trains making frequent stops along their routes.

Cercanías (RE)

Suburban trains serving Spain's largest cities such as Madrid and Valencia. In Catalonia, around Barcelona, these trains are branded as Rodalies .

Domestic high-speed trains

Avant (AVN)

High-speed services for short journeys along short to medium routes.

Faster and more comfortable than Media Distancia with similar coverage.

• Covering Europe's largest high-speed rail network, these trains travel on speeds of up to 310 km/h (193 mph).
• Takes you from Madrid to Barcelona in under 3 hours.

Alvia  (ALV)

Comfortable, long-distance trains connecting Madrid and Barcelona to destinations throughout Spain.

Intercity (IC)

Comfortable, long-distance trains connecting Madrid to destinations in the south of Spain.

Euromed  (EUR)

High-speed, air-conditioned trains running along the Mediterranean coastline of north-eastern Spain.

Connects key cities in the Levante region: Barcelona to Valencia in just over 3 hours then onwards to Alicante.

International high-speed trains in Spain

TGV INOUI to France

• TGV INOUI Trains operated by the French railways.
• Barcelona – Paris.

RENFE AVE to France

• Barcelona – Lyon
• Madrid – Marseille
• Reservations are required
• Intercity trains that link Spanish train station Vigo Guixar with Porto in Portugal.

Other International routes to France (also see Night Trains section)

Rodalies (re).

It is possible to reach cities such as Perpignan and Toulouse by local trains from Barcelona. These French cities are very well connected to Paris and the rest of France by TGV and other trains, as an alternative to the direct Barcelona-Paris services.

• From Latour de Carol, connecting trains go to Toulouse. 
• From Cerbere, connecting trains go to Perpignan, Montpellier, Nîmes, and Avignon (France).

Alvia (ALV) Madrid – Irun

• A 3km walk from Irun to Hendaye (France) to take direct trains to Bordeaux and Paris. Or take Euskotren (not included for Passholder)

Other International routes to Portugal

IC & Regional train (RE)

• Madrid – Badajoz by IC.
• Badajoz – Entroncamento.
• Entroncamento – Lisbon/Porto with connecting trains.

Intercités de Nuit (NT)

Night trains connecting the Spanish border to France. The following routes are useful for travelers to France:

• Latour de Carol – Paris  (Daily)
• Cerbere – Paris (Not daily)

Use the Intercités de Nuit as an alternative route to France

Night trains from Latour de Carol and Hendaye are good alternatives for the busy TGV routes from Barcelona. The night train to Hendaye is a good alternative to reach San Sebastian and Bilbao.

• Search for  Latour de Carol to Paris  in our  timetable  and find the local train from Barcelona to Latour de Carol on the  Rodalies website  (‘La Tor de Querol-Enveitg’).
• Search for  Cerbere to Paris  and  Barcelona to Cerbere  in separate enquiries in our timetable. This train only runs daily during summer season.
• Search for  Hendaye to Paris  in our timetable and find the local trains from San Sebastian and Bilbao on Euskotren * to Spain. RENFE trains from San Sebastian and Madrid arrive to Irun, which is a 30 minute walk across the border or a 4 minute train ride by Euskotren.*

*Euskotren is not part of the Eurail network. Buy your tickets locally in Hendaye in vending machines or at the ticket desk.

Popular connections

• Domestic connections
• International connections

Here are approximate times between Spain's most popular cities when taking direct high-speed trains.

By traveling with slower regional trains you do not need to make reservations. For example, there's a direct regional train ride from Barcelona to Madrid that takes 9h 06m. That's 6 and a half hours longer than the high-speed train journey.

You can travel to and from Spain from popular cities in the following European countries:

Reservations

How can i make reservations for trains in spain.

More often than not, you need to make advance reservations for trains in Spain. Fees vary depending on the type of seat or bed you choose. 

Eurail reservation self-service system

• TGV Barcelona – Paris (international tickets only) 
• AVE, Intercity (IC), Euromed, and Alvia trains (domestic tickets only)

Other platforms

• TGV Barcelona – Paris
• Intercités de Nuit Bayonne/Cerbere/Latour de Carol – Paris

At a local railway station

• Reservations for other domestic and long-distance trains in Spain can only made locally at the ticket desk  of a Spanish Long Distance railway station. Find a list of long distance train stations   here . You can make reservations on the day of travel or for up to one year in advance.
• The international TGV’s connecting Barcelona with Lyon and Paris in France, can only be booked at train stations in France and in the Eurail reservation self-service system.
• AVE international trains, reservations can only be made at a train station in Spain. They cannot be booked online or at a train station in France.

By calling RENFE phone sales

• +34 91 232 03 20 
• Pre-reserving a seat is possible. You will receive a PNR code which you must use to pick up and pay for your reservation at a local station ticket office, making sure to show your Eurail Pass. After the booking, you must collect your reservation within 72 hours. The reservation can only be booked up to 24 hours before the train departure time. After this time the pre-reservation will expire. 
• Please note that a pre-reservation is not the same as a reservation. It only holds a seat for you for 72 hours.
• Your ticket must be picked up from a train station in Spain. 

If you have a disability or reduced mobility and you want to travel by train in Spain, you can request help from Atendo Service. You can contact them by phone:

• Phone number: +34 91 214 05 05
• Opening hours: 24/7

Other locations

• In Portugal , the following stations have international ticket desks where you can make reservations for RENFE trains departing from Badajoz and Vigo:  Lisbon Santa Apolónia, Lisbon Oriente, Lisbon Rossio, Porto Campanhã, Porto São Bento, Aveiro, Coimbra and Faro.
• At a Deutsche Bahn ticket office. You need to provide the train number.

You can get more detailed information about train reservations in our  reservation guide .

Get your Pass for Spain

Spend your whole vacation to discover Spain by rail.

Standard prices from  $  184

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Have the freedom to visit Spain and up to 32 other Eurail countries.

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Tips and tricks

Quick facts.

Capital: Madrid

Population: 47.2 million

Language: Spanish

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Dialing code: +34

Spelling of city names

On Spanish train timetables and at train stations in Spain, you'll usually find the local spelling of Spanish cities and stations.

Here is the local spelling of some popular Spanish cities:

Alicante = Alacant

Seville = Sevilla

Spanish hub stations

Spain's main hub stations are  Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes, Barcelona Sants, Irun  and  Portbou . At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to Spain's main cities and many international destinations.

Station facilities

Stations in Spain usually have excellent facilities, often including:

Luggage lockers

Foreign exchange desks

Restaurants and cafés

Tourist information offices

ATM cash machines

Elevators and escalators

Access for disabled passengers

Gate at stations for some local lines

Barcode paper or mobile Pass cannot be used.

There is a number of stations with access gates. In these stations, customers can ask the staff to open them by showing the pass (and the seat reservation if necessary). In case there’s no staff at the station, the gates will be permanently open or will open automatically.

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Change of currency

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Spain by rail.

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Our Distinctive A+R Style

• Tailor your holiday with your choice of first class or deluxe hotels including breakfast… All have been handpicked for their terrific city-center locations and fine service; some are even set in historic landmarks that capture the heritage of these cities.
• Pursue your own passions with our curated selection of included sightseeing tours in each city – each with your own personal guide.
• We include high-speed, first-class rail travel throughout: it’s the best way to experience the beauty of the Andalusian countryside in total comfort, safety and style!
• Chauffeured airport and rail station transfers are always included for your convenience!
• With our signature flexibility, we can arrange additional privately-guided sightseeing tours, add extra nights in any city, or extend your journey to other destinations throughout Spain!

Show all itinerary details

Welcome to Madrid

First Class Accommodations : Heritage Hotel - Madrid, Spain

Deluxe Accommodations : Hotel Orfila - Madrid, Spain

On arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The balance of this day is free to relax, enjoy and explore as you wish.

Tailor Your Stay in Madrid

Spain’s capital is a modern cosmopolitan city offering much to see and do: historic landmarks, great art, and a vibrant cultural life. Today you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your own personal interests and to tailor your stay in this captivating city. Just choose one of these included tours and delight in the intimacy and thoughtful engagement of touring with your own personal guide! Meals B   Half-Day Walking Tour of Madrid de los Austrias and Royal Palace: Built during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty that ruled much of modern-day Europe from their capital in Vienna, El Madrid de los Austrias is the name used for the capital’s historic city center. With insight and information from your engaging guide, you’ll explore its charming squares and cobblestone streets, including the handsome Plaza de la Villa and impressive Plaza Mayor. Then visit the Royal Palace, official residence for the King of Spain until 1931. Filled with great works of art by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and other master painters, this 18 th century landmark is now used mainly for official state functions. Tour Duration: 4 Hours   Half-Day Tour of Madrid’s Museums: Join your expert private guide to explore two of Europe’s greatest art museums, starting with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Formerly in private hands, its vast collection is a journey through the history of art—from medieval Italian painters of the 14 th century and the 17 th -century Dutch School to French impressionism and important 20 th -century avant-garde works by Kandinsky, Dali, Lichtenstein and others. Then continue to the world-famous Prado Museum, one of the first public art galleries in the world. Among its enormous collection are important masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, Rubens, Titian, and other giants of European art.  Tour Duration: 4 Hours   Tapas Walking Tour: With tapas restaurants now found in cities across America, many travelers are familiar with this wonderful Spanish tradition. But here in Madrid, tapas is more than just small-plate dining; it’s a cultural tradition that is as much about the people and the conversation as it is about the food. Choosing lunch or dinner time, you’ll join our engaging foodie guide to stroll along the charming streets of Madrid’s historic city center, stopping along the way in some of your guide’s favorite haunts to savor a variety of traditional tapas dishes paired with fine Spanish wine.  Tour Duration: 3 Hours   Dinner to the Sound of Flamenco: With Andalusian roots in southern Spain, authentic flamenco is a complex art form incorporating poetry, singing, guitar playing, polyrhythmic hand-clapping and, of course, dancing. Known as Tablao Flamenco, there are many places in Madrid where you can enjoy a flamenco show. This evening, we’ll take you to the best Tablao Flamenco in the city, recipient of numerous accolades including the prestigious City of Madrid Award. Enjoy fine Spanish cuisine and an unforgettable evening of Flamenco. You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Madrid.  CLICK HERE  for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.

Madrid at Your Leisure

Carefully selected for their prime locations, our first class and deluxe hotels in Madrid offer the perfect base for exploring the city on your own. If you prefer additional privately guided touring, we offer a wide variety of sightseeing tours to complement your stay here in the capital. CLICK HERE for a complete list of our privately guided excursions in and around Madrid.  Meals B

By Rail to Granada

First Class Accommodations : Hospes Palacio de los Patos - Granada, Spain

Deluxe Accommodations : Hotel Alhambra Palace - Granada, Spain

After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the rail station to continue your journey. Sit back in first-class comfort and enjoy the scenery en route to Granada. On arrival, you’ll be met and escorted by private vehicle to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The rest of this day is yours to enjoy as you wish.  Meals B  

Tailor Your Sightseeing in Granada c

Situated at the foot of the mighty Sierra Nevada mountain range, Granada is one of the most interesting Andalusian cities, with a rich cultural heritage that reflects its distinctive Moorish influence. Today you can pursue your own personal interests and tailor your exploration of this fascinating city. Just choose one of these included excursions and delight in the attentive, thoughtful engagement of touring with your own private guide.  Meals B   Half-Day Tour of the Alhambra: Founded as a simple walled citadel, the Alhambra c  developed into a sprawling fortified palace complex; by the late 13 th century, it was the seat of power for the Nasrid emirs, the last Muslim dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula that ruled the Emirate of Granada through the 1400’s. From the opulent Nasrid Palaces to the enchanting Generalife Gardens, this is one of Spain’s greatest sites and an enduring symbol of the country’s Moorish legacy. Enhanced by your guide’s extensive knowledge, this private tour is a journey through some of Spain’s most fascinating historical chapters.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   Tour of the Albaicín and Tapas: Predating the Alhambra by a couple centuries, the Albaicín c is Granada’s oldest district where buildings of the Nasrid Dynasty and later constructions of the Christian tradition coexist harmoniously. Accompanied by your engaging personal guide, you’ll begin your exploration with a magnificent twilight view of the Alhambra and its dramatic mountain backdrop. Then continue along the charming, winding cobblestone streets of the Albaicín as your guide shares history and insight. Along the way, you’ll stop by a couple of their favorite local bars to enjoy tapas and a glass of fine Spanish wine.  Tour Duration: 2.5 Hours  

Onward to Seville

First Class Accommodations : Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza - Seville, Spain

Deluxe Accommodations : Gravina 51 - Seville, Spain

Your private car and driver will take you to the train station for your included first-class rail journey to Seville. On arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish.  Meals B

Customize your Day in Seville c

With important monuments that reflect centuries of Moorish influence as well as Spain’s ascendancy as an ecclesiastical and maritime power, Seville is home to three distinct UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, you have the opportunity to customize your sightseeing to your personal interests and style: Just choose one of these included, privately guided excursions.  Meals B   Half-Day Tour of Monumental Seville – Cathedral + Alcazar: Founded in 1403 on the site of a former mosque, Seville’s magnificent Cathedral c reflects both Gothic and Renaissance styles, encompassing 700 years of history and architecture. With its five naves, it is heralded as the largest Gothic building in all of Europe. In addition to your guided visit of the Cathedral, you’ll also tour the ornately decorated Alcazar Palace c and its stunning Andalusian gardens. Dating back to the 10 th century, this is  one of the oldest royal residences in Europe; it is a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture—a style that reflects a unique blend of Moorish and Christian influences.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   Guided Visit to Hospital de la Caridad and Archivo de Indias: History enthusiasts will love this privately guided tour, featuring two of Seville’s most historic treasures. First up is the Archivo General de Indias c , situated in a 16 th -century landmark building that once housed the Consulate of the Merchants of Seville. Established as an archive in 1785, it is home to the world’s greatest collection of documents related to the history of the earliest European explorers in the New World and the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Next, you’ll visit the Hospital de la Caridad. Founded in the 17 th century by a wealthy nobleman as a charitable institution to care for the poor and sick, it’s famed for its Baroque architecture and impressive art collection.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   E-Bike Introduction to Seville : Joined by your private guide, enjoy a pleasant walk from your hotel to the Cathedral, where you’ll pick up your e-bike and safety helmet. From here, you’ll enjoy a guided biking tour through Seville encompassing some of the city’s most important historic sites and beautiful landmarks. See the Giralda Bell Tower, originally built in the 12 th century as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville, and take in breathtaking views of the Alcazar c . See the lovely Park of Maria Luisa and continue through the Plaza de España to the Guadalquivir River.  Tour Duration: 2 Hours You can also purchase any of these tours in advance for additional sightseeing to enhance your time in Seville.  CLICK HERE  for a complete list of our Privately Guided Sightseeing Tours.  

Enjoy Your Free Day in Seville

This entire day is yours to relax, shop, or discover more of Seville at your own pace. If you prefer guided sightseeing, we offer a variety of optional excursions in and around Seville that you can book to enhance your stay. CLICK HERE to see our complete list of privately guided tours, cultural activities and exciting excursions.  Meals B  

Depart Seville

After breakfast, you’ll be chauffeured to the airport or rail station for your onward journey. Meals B

Extend Your Trip

Travel on to lisbon + porto.

7 Days From $4,099

Complement your travels in Spain with our perfectly planned 7-day tour to Lisbon and Porto. Complete with chauffeured transportation from Seville, we include our signature privately-guided services and uniquely flexible sightseeing so you can tailor this itinerary to your own personal interests and style.

From Seville to Lisbon, Via Evora

Departing Seville, Spain in your privately chauffeured vehicle, you can sit back and enjoy the journey as your travel north and west toward the Portuguese border. Stop in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Évora c  for a 3-hour walking tour. With roots dating back to Roman times, this veritable living museum is home to a number of important landmarks including the historic St. Francis Church, the ancient Roman temple and the spectacular Evora Cathedral. Completed in 1250, this is the largest cathedral in Portugal, and it showcases the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture, with later additions during the Renaissance and Baroque eras. After sightseeing, continue onward to Lisbon and check in to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel.

Choose Your Sightseeing in Lisbon

Nestled along the banks of the Tagus River, Lisbon offers a rich tapestry of history, tradition, culture and modernity. Customize your exploration of the capital to your own personal interests and style with one of these included, privately-guided excursions.  Meals B   Half-Day Tour of Lisbon with Driver + Guide: Combining a guided panoramic drive with a narrated walk in the medieval Alfama district, this tour showcases important landmarks including Edward VII Park, Rossio Square and the 12 th -century Cathedral. Then continue to the Belém district west of downtown to see the imposing Belém Tower c , constructed in the 16 th century. Behold the Monument to the Discoveries, commemorating the 500 th Anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, and tour Jerónimos Monastery c , a 16 th -century architectural masterpiece in the lavish Manueline Gothic style.  Tour Duration: 4 Hours   Portuguese Cooking Class: Portuguese cuisine is a wonderful blend of both historical and geographical influences. Seafood dishes are popular as are hearty stews featuring meats and vegetables. You’ll also find Mediterranean influences and flavors inspired by Portugal’s ancient spice trade. Led by an engaging chef, this hands-on cooking class will teach you how to prepare a traditional meal, including meat and fish dishes and dessert. At the end of class, enjoy the meal you’ve helped to prepare along with fine Portuguese wine. Available for either lunch or dinner.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours   Bohemian Lisbon Food Walk + Dinner: This immersive, privately-guided tour begins with a 2-hour stroll through two very different city neighborhoods, starting in Chiado where you’ll find high-end boutiques, classic theaters, inviting cafes and Michelin-starred restaurants. In contrast, Cais do Sodré is an old fishermen’s district that has been transformed into one of Lisbon’s hottest destinations, filled with trendy restaurants and bars. This guided walk features 3 tasting stops to sample Portuguese cheese, charcuterie, and the famous Pastéis de Nata (custard tart). End your evening in the charming Bica neighborhood where you’ll dine at one of our favorite restaurants, renowned for its traditional tapas-inspired menu.  Tour Duration: 4 Hours  

Enjoy a Free Day in Lisbon

From the historic districts of Alfama and Bairro Alto to the inviting waterfront, Lisbon is one of Europe’s most beguiling cities—and our hotels are ideally situated for you to explore on your own. If you prefer the expert company of our guides, we offer a variety of additional excursions in and around Lisbon. CLICK HERE to see all of the tours that are available to enhance your stay, including privately-guided, full-day excursions to Sintra and Fátima.  Meals B  

Onward to Porto

Our private car and driver will take you to the rail station to board the high-speed train to Porto. On arrival, you’ll be met and chauffeured to your choice of first class or deluxe hotel. The balance of this day is at leisure to relax, shop, dine and explore as you wish.  Meals B  

Tailor Your Sightseeing in Porto

Famed for its lovely riverside views, architectural wealth, vibrant culture, and historic wine cellars, Porto c   is a delight to explore. Personalize your sightseeing today with your choice of included, privately-guided sightseeing. Meals B   Half-Day Tour of Porto with Driver + Guide: Traveling in comfort with your own chauffeured vehicle, you’ll discover some of Porto’s most significant highlights. Begin along Avenida dos Aliados, a grand boulevard lined with impressive Neoclassical landmarks. Then visit the São Bento Train Station, an early 20 th -century railway terminal embellished with 20,000 blue and white tiles, each one hand-painted with scenes depicting important moments in Portuguese history. Admire the towering silhouette of Torre dos Clérigos, the symbol of Porto, and discover other city landmarks including the Lello bookshop, Dom Luis I Bridge, and 18 th -century Carmo Church.  Tour Duration: 4 Hours   Porto E-Bike Tour: Porto’s contemporary street art scene has emerged as one of the most dynamic and vibrant in all of Europe. After an instructional briefing on how to navigate Porto’s hills and winding streets on an e-bike, you’ll set out with your engaging private guide to discover the city’s colorful street art. The scene emerged in the 1990’s and continues to thrive as both an art form and a powerful tool for social activism. With insights from your expert guide, you’ll learn about the techniques used by different artists and how the art form has evolved over the decades. Beyond Porto’s street art scene, this tour is a great way to experience the city’s architecture and vibrant street life.  Tour Duration: 3 Hours   Portuguese Food + Wine Tour: Porto’s vibrant culinary scene is the focus of this immersive tour, led by our engaging professional guide, a Porto native and passionate foodie. With the city’s history and architecture providing the backdrop, you’ll spend this time savoring traditional Portuguese dishes and sampling fine local wines. From historic landmark restaurants to small, family-run eateries, you’ll sample more than a dozen different foods and enjoy a variety of beverages including a Port wine masterclass featuring three different types of Port. This gastronomic tour is a wonderful way to discover the city’s foodie scene as you engage with friendly city residents.  Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours  

Porto at Your Leisure

With the prime, city-center locations of our hotels, you’ll find it easy to get out and enjoy more of Porto’s myriad sites and charms at your own pace. If you prefer to explore farther afield, we offer a variety of excursions to some of the historic towns close to Porto, including ancient Braga and Coimbra. CLICK HERE to see a complete list of our available privately-guided tours from Porto.  Meals B  

Depart Porto

After breakfast, our car and driver will take you to the airport or rail station for your onward journey. If you wish to extend your stay, our Travel Experts can help you plan the perfect itinerary anywhere in Portugal, Spain or beyond.  Meals B  

Prices are per person, land only and may vary by day of week, season and during holiday periods. Availability of included sightseeing tours may be affected by holidays, museum closures and seasonally-adjusted schedules. Holiday surcharges may apply. Add extra nights.

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Ultimate guide on Spain trains to organize your trip (2024)

Spain trains are a great way to get from one destination to another. In fact, Spanish trains are an increasingly cost-effective alternative to planes, particularly if you’re going a relatively short distance or if you’re traveling in the one of the high-speed long distance trains.

Nowadays several companies compete to offer the best train service of the country.

But which one suits better your travel plans?

Do your research and compare fares! The good news is that there’s a great site for that. Purchase your train tickets online with the best booking platform. Have a look at a complete guide on how to purchase your train tickets online .

Below you can find a list of all the railway companies operating in Spain and the routes that they cover.

Table of Contents

Railway companies operating in Spain

Who operates trains in Spain?

The deregulation of the railway sector has led to the different operators gaining access to the Spanish railway network. After decades of monopoly, the state-owned company Renfe Operadora competes with several private operators.

Here is a list of the current railway operators in Spain:

• Renfe . It’s the Spanish state rail operator, which until recently operated a monopoly in Spain. It also operates through Avlo , its low-cost subsidiary.
• OUIGO . It’s French SNCF’s low-cost service high-speed trains, offering long-distance services on core routes of the Spanish rail network.
• iryo . It’s operated by ILSA, which is part of a consortium made up of Spanish airline Air Nostrum, Globalvia (a Spanish multinational transport infrastructure company) and Italy’s main train operator Trenitalia.

Now… You may be asking yourself, which one is better?

Well, all of them are valid options. It’s just a matter of availability (as you’ll see below, Renfe still offers the widest range of routes) and price (Renfe tickets are still the most expensive ones).

So, do your research and compare fares here and there!

The good news is there’s a great site for that. And it’s my favorite place

Purchase your train tickets online with the best booking platform.

Spain trains: high-speed long distance routes

With a 3,100km track network the Spanish high-speed trains operate on the longest high-speed network in Europe. Running at speeds of up to 310 km/h this extensive network allows for fast connections between cities in Spain.

For example, the central hub of the high-speed long distance routes in Madrid is the train station Puerta de Atocha , although other routes depart from Chamartín train station. In Barcelona these trains depart from the Barcelona Sants train station. And in Seville, they depart from Santa Justa train station.

Currently Renfe has the following AVE routes:

• Madrid Atocha – Calatayud- Zaragoza – Lleida – Tarragona – Barcelona – Girona – Figueres
• Madrid Atocha – Guadalajara – Calatayud – Zaragoza – Tardienta – Huesca
• Madrid Atocha – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Córdoba – Sevilla
• Madrid Atocha – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Córdoba – Puente Genil – Antequera – Loja – Granada
• Madrid Atocha – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Córdoba – Puente Genil – Antequera – Málaga
• Madrid Atocha – Cuenca – Requena – Valencia – Castellón
• Madrid Atocha – Cuenca – Albacete – Villena – Alicante – Elche – Orihuela – Murcia
• Madrid Chamartín – Cuenca – Requena – Valencia
• Madrid Chamartín – Cuenca – Albacete – Villena – Alicante
• Madrid Chamartín – Segovia – Valladolid – Palencia – León
• Madrid Chamartín – Zamora – Ourense
• Barcelona – Tarragona – Lleida – Zaragoza – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Córdoba – Antequera – Granada
• Barcelona – Tarragona – Lleida – Zaragoza – Ciudad Real – Córdoba – Antequera – Puente Genil – Antequera – Málaga
• Barcelona – Tarragona – Lleida – Zaragoza – Ciudad Real – Córdoba – Sevilla
• Valencia – Cuenca – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Córdoba – Sevilla
• Valencia – Requena – Cuenca – Madrid Chamartín – Valladolid – Burgos
• Alicante – Albacete – Cuenca – Madrid Chamartín – Zamora – Ourense
• Alicante – Albacete – Cuenca – Madrid Chamartín – Valladolid – Palencia – León

Apart from AVE trains , Avlo is Renfe’s low-cost high-speed long-distance train service operating 5 long distance routes:

• Madrid Atocha – Guadalajara – Calatayud – Zaragoza – Lleida – Tarragona – Barcelona – Girona – Figueres
• Madrid Atocha – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Villanueva de Córdoba – Córdoba – Sevilla
• Madrid Atocha – Ciudad Real – Puertollano – Villanueva de Córdoba – Córdoba – Puente Genil – Antequera Santa Ana – Málaga

In addition to this, Renfe has 2 other types of high speed trains:

• Avant trains travel at the same speed as AVE one, but they are designed for short trips to interconnect nearby destinations (e.g. from Madrid to Segovia, Valladolid, Córdoba, Sevilla, Toledo and from Barcelona to Zaragoza, Tarragona, Santiago, Girona).
• Alvia train services share the high speed lines with AVE trains, but then branch off in to conventional tracks, or continue beyond the end of the high speed lines, in order to reach their final destinations.

French SNCF’s low-cost high-speed OUIGO trains now operate on 3 routes:

• Madrid Atocha – Tarragona – Zaragoza – Barcelona
• Madrid Chamartín – Valencia
• Madrid Chamartín – Albacete – Alicante

OUIGO Spain services will gradually be extended to other high-speed lines in Spain.

iryo is the brand from railway operator ILSA. The company is jointly owned by Italy’s main train operator Trenitalia, Spanish airline Air Nostrum, and the infrastructure investment fund Globalvia.

It operates on the following routes:

• Madrid Atocha – Córdoba – Sevilla
• Madrid Atocha – Córdoba – Antequera – Málaga
• Madrid Chamartín – Cuenca – Valencia
• Madrid Chamartín – Cuenca – Albacete – Alicante

They are also expected to run between other destinations in the near future.

Spain trains: Media Distancia routes

The Media Distancia (regional trains) and Avant trains cover the whole country and are solely operated by Renfe . These trains are also very modern and quite punctual but they are not as fast as the long distance ones.

This map shows you in detail all the routes network in Spain.

The following routes are currently available using the Avant trains:

• Avant Madrid – Segovia – Valladolid
• Avant Málaga – Córdoba – Seville
• Avant Madrid – Ciudad Real – Puertollano
• Avant Madrid – Toledo
• Avant Barcelona – Tarragona – Lleida
• Avant Calatayud – Zaragoza
• Avant Ourense – Santiago – A Coruña
• Avant Barcelona – Girona
• Avant Barcelona – Figueres Vilafant
• Avant Valencia – Requena Utiel

Spain trains: Cercanías routes

The Spain trains for commuter rail services or suburban trains are called Cercanías (or Rodalies in Barcelona).

Operating from many major cities, these local routes travel from main city center stations to suburbs and exurbs, and serve primarily to bring workers and students into city centers from more provincial areas. They either cover large cities (including Madrid , Barcelona , Bilbao, Seville and Valencia) or small regions (Asturias, Murcia).

These local trains are only operated by Renfe .

The following maps show you in detail all the routes corresponding to a certain geographical area of Spain:

• Murcia/Alicante
• San Sebastián

This article is part of a complete tutorial about train travel in Spain where you can read all the information you need to organize your train journeys around the country.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. Ultimate guide on Spain trains to organize your trip 2. How to buy Spain train tickets online the easy way 3. 7 tricks to get cheap train tickets in Spain 4. Renfe: Spain’s state-owned railway company full guide 5. AVE trains: all about Renfe high-speed trains 6. Combinado Cercanías: get the most out of your free transfer 7. Is the Renfe Spain Pass worth it? My full review 8. Avlo: all about Renfe’s high speed low cost trains 9. OUIGO trains: all about the budget train operator 10. iryo: all about Spain’s low cost rail operator 11. 7 packing tips to comply with your train baggage allowance

Start planning your upcoming trip to Spain

• Find the cheapest flights to Spain
• Book the best hotels at the lowest rates
• Find the cheapest train tickets ( tutorial )
• Save by choosing the best Barcelona city pass for you with my exclusive discounts. My favorite is the Barcelona Pass .
• Book the best tours and day trips in Barcelona in English
• Pay in Euros and avoid commissions with your Wise debit card ( tutorial )
• Buy your prepaid SIM card online to have internet connection as soon as you arrive ( tutorial )
• Get your travel insurance to avoid bad surprises ( review )
• Rent a car at the lowest rate
• Book your Barcelona Airport transfer

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SPAIN RAIL holidays

Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination thanks to its warm climate, glorious beaches and mouthwatering cuisine. Spanish rail tours are the perfect way to explore Spain's rich history and culture on a multi-destination trip. 

All of our train holidays to Spain can be tailor-made , so our team can put together the perfect itinerary if you're looking for a short city break or a grand Spain rail holiday that showcases the best of the country in one long trip. 

Ready to experience rail holidays to Spain? Enquire about our Spanish rail tours today!

RAIL TOURS OF SPAIN YOUR WAY

With a range of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels, all centrally located and always with breakfast included, you'll be perfectly set up to explore the best of this magical country on our exclusive rail holidays to Spain. Choose from flying from the UK to Spain or taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras and continuing your Spanish rail tour adventure from France to Spain. 

  Speak to our expert team and start planning your train holidays to Spain today! 

JOURNEY THROUGH SPECTACULAR SPAIN

Visit a wide range of stunning destinations on our rail holidays to Spain, such as the famous cities of  Madrid  and  Barcelona,  as well as lesser-known towns and villages with cobbled streets and local tapas bars!

Journey through the Andalucian region of Spain and explore the history of Córdoba , the narrow streets of the gardens of Granada and the Roman architecture in Seville . As you sit back and relax on our train holidays around Spain, you can admire the region's orange groves pass by your window as you journey through the region. 

 Enquire with our expert team to start planning your rail holiday to Spain today! 

Explore the ancient pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela and marvel at the great Cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage old town centre , then joy the delicious seafood of Galicia . 

Spend time exploring the northern Basque Country region , travel to the seaside resort of San Sebastian and continue onto Bilbao and discover all the crowd-pleasing landmarks and attractions. All of this is possible and more on our tailor-made Spanish rail holidays. 

 Ready to get prices for our Spain rail tours? Enquire with our expert team to start planning your rail holiday to Spain today! 

SPAIN'S LUXURY RAIL

If you're looking for a luxury Spain rail experience, travel aboard one of the world's most beautiful trains,  Al Andalus .  Step aboard Spain's 'Orient Express' train, sleeping in your own private en-suite cabin. Each day will be a different adventure with amazing sights and delicious food on this luxurious rail holiday to Spain.

Travel in luxury and comfort aboard the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo Train   across the north of Spain as you journey through beautiful landscapes and cities of  Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria  and the  Basque Country.  The Transcantábrico Gran Lujo means comfort, glamour, gastronomy, culture, rest, and fun. 

Marvellous Escapes has access to over 400 suppliers, including several Spain rail tour specialist operators. As a result, our advice is always unbiased and tailored to your holiday plans. 

• 2 night stay in  Barcelona  with breakfast 
• 3 night’s stay in Seville  with breakfast 
• 2 night’s stay in Granada  with breakfast 
• 2 night’s stay in Cordoba  with breakfast 
• 1 night stay in Madrid  with breakfast 
• Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Barcelona & Seville
• Seville full-day tour with Alcazar & Cathedral Skip-the-line Tickets
• Cordoba tour with tickets to Mosque, Cathedral, Alcazar & Synagogue
• Flamenco Show in a cave restaurant in Granada
• Secure reservations for the Eurostar, TGV inOui & Renfe trains
• Return flight to the UK (or a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras, with extra night in Barcelona

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Jul 17, 2024 • 6 min read

The Costa Verde Express winds its way through northern Spain between Ferrol and Viveiro. From low-cost commuters to luxury trips of a lifetime, Spain is a joy to traverse by train. James Jackman for Lonely Planet

With Europe’s longest high-speed rail network, Spain is a joy to traverse by train. Such is the efficiency of its most sustainable mode of public transport that in a single day you can admire Gaudí’s Modernist architecture in Barcelona in the morning, have lunch in Madrid , and then be in Seville in time for dinner and a flamenco performance.

But there’s more to train travel in Spain than speed: slower journeys along Green Spain’s narrow-gauge northern tracks, and scenic meanders into Andalucía ’s mountains are a wonderful way to acquaint yourself with Spain’s diverse scenery. Whether you opt for a wallet-friendly cercanías train ticket or splurge on a multi-day extravaganza aboard the luxurious Transcantábrico train, you’re in for a treat.

Spain’s train services

Most trains are operated by Renfe , Spain’s national railway company. These include high-speed long-distance AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) intercity services that reach up to 193mph; its low-cost competitors are Avlo , Iryo and Ouigo services. High-speed routes include Barcelona – Madrid, Madrid – Seville, Madrid – Valencia , and Córdoba – Málaga . Avant is Renfe’s brand name for high-speed, short-distance hops such as Madrid – Valladolid and Barcelona – Girona ; they tend to be single cars on long-distance AVE services.

Mid-distance ( media distancia ) Alvia and Intercity services reach speeds of up 250km/h (155mph) and cover routes such as Barcelona – Pamplona , Madrid – San Sebastián , and Madrid – Cádiz .

Slower Renfe trains include Cercanías (the equivalent of Catalonia’s Rodalies) commuter services. In addition, some slower scenic routes are run by regional operators such as Euskotren that connects Irun and Hendaye ’ on the French border to Bilbao and San Sebastián via narrow-gauge tracks. Other narrow-gauge services along Spain’s north coast include Bilbao – Santander and Gijon – Ferrol, while Barcelona is connected to the Montserrat monastery via the slow, picturesque FGC route.

Booking tickets

Since dynamic pricing is used by Spain’s rail operators for high-speed and long-distance services, and since seat reservations are mandatory, it pays to book ahead. Iryo and Ouigo release tickets for early purchase months in advance; Renfe’s ticket release varies from 11 months to 15 days, depending on the route. Book your ticket via the Renfe website or Trainline .

Travel on long-distance and mid-distance trains is divided into Standard (2nd class or Estándar) and Comfort (1st class or Confort) classes. Fares are divided into Básico (basic, non-refundable, valid for 2nd class travel); Elige (semi-flexible, valid for 2nd class or 1st class if you pay an Elige Confort fare); and Premium (flexible fare for travel in 1st class on AVE or Euromed services, with an airline-style meal with wine included. Cercanías tickets cannot be purchased in advance; buy them from ticket offices, self-service machines or onboard from the conductor.

For traveling from A to B, an advance-purchase ticket is ideal, but if you’re looking for flexible travel within the space of a month, Renfe offers a Spain Pass to travelers living outside Spain, valid for 4, 6, 8 or 10 individual one-way journeys on all of Renfe’s long-distance and medium-distance trains.

The Costa Verde and Transcantábrico train routes are the jewels of Spain's tracks. James Jackman for Lonely Planet

Special trains

You can experience some of Spain’s most stunning landscapes and characterful cities from the comfort of ‘palaces on rails’ that hark back to luxurious railway journeys of the past. The best-known and oldest of Spain’s luxe train routes is the Transcantábrico , which traverses Green Spain between San Sebastián in the Basque Country and Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela in 8 days, stopping in Bilbao, Santander, Gijón and Oviedo . During the day, you’ll take part in bilingual guided excursions to the cities’ top attractions, then return to their luxurious wood-paneled suites, enjoy panoramic views from the train’s lounges, and dine on the latest in Spanish cuisine while listening to live music.

The Al-Andalus train takes in the architectural and cultural highlights of the likes of Úbeda , Córdoba, Granada , Ronda , Seville and Jerez while traveling between Málaga and Cádiz over the course of a week. You reside in carriages identical to those that once transported the British royal family between the Côte d’Azur and Calais, while sampling the best of Andalucían cuisine, from jamón iberico bellota to aged sherries.

In the north of Spain, the 3-day/2-night La Robla Express makes the journey between Bilbao and León , combining contemporary art and centuries-old architecture with the gastronomy of Green Spain.

Multi-day journeys-of-a-lifetime aside, there are numerous themed day routes that typically run between April and November. These include Catalonia’s Tren dels Llacs , with lovingly restored vintage carriages, that explores the highlights of the Lleida province, from the the Aigüestortes y Estany de Sant Maurici National Park to artisan cheesemakers. Galicia ’s themed trains take in the Rías Baixas Wine Route, the Cheese Route, the Lighthouse Route and the Monasteries Route, among others.

In Madrid, you may board the Cervantes Train to Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Spain’s iconic author, alongside actors in 17th-century costume, hop aboard the Medieval Train to Sigüenza, accompanied by minstrels, knights and princesses; or visit the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial aboard the Philip II Train . Finally, the restored early-20th-century carriages of Andalucía’s Tren Turístico de Riotinto pass through a Martian landscape, where minerals have been mined since Roman times, following the course of the crimson river.

Particularly scenic routes

Some highly affordable regular train routes showcase Spain’s natural beauty. The three-hour journey from Granada to Andalucía’s coastal city of Almería (€17) gives you tremendous vistas of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada peaks while crossing its foothills, before you duck into cork-oak groves and get your first glimpse of the Mediterranean.

For under €10, step into 19th century Andalucía by riding the rails from the industrial port of Algeciras into the mountains to the spectacular pueblo blanco of Ronda. An impressive feat of engineering involving 16 tunnels and 20 bridges, the line was built by the British and opened in 1892. During the two-hour journey, the train passes through orange and olive groves, cork-oak and eucalyptus forest and meanders among russet-colored mountains and rugged cliffs, stopping at tiny stations with antique clocks and fringed wooden canopies. A similarly scenic journey can be made between Ronda and Málaga, at nearly double the price.

If the Transcantábrico is beyond your reach, you can still enjoy many of the same panoramic views of the Cantabrian mountains and the Bay of Biscay during the 5½- 7 hour ride from Santander, Cantabria to Oviedo, Asturias on a cercanías train (from €16). Since seat reservations are not possible, that works in your favor as you switch sides to take in views on either side of the train.

Fisterra’s lighthouse in A Coruña

One of Spain’s longest rail routes (from Barcelona to A Coruña ) traverses fertile farmland and arid plains studded with rock formations, before passing the verdant Galician Massif and reaching the Atlantic. Your best bets are either the 9.05 Alvia departure (14 hours, €66), or the swifter but pricier 10am Avlo departure (8 hours and 15 minutes, €82); reserve a seat on the right-hand side.

Stellar mountain panoramas are your reward for taking one of the twice-daily trains from Zaragoza to Canfranc (2½ hours, €13.50) that makes its ponderous way up into the Aragonese Pyrenees, and finally arrives at the 1920s concrete-and-glass station, transformed into a luxury hotel.

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Visiting Spain by train – Which route and circuit to choose?

If you want to visit Spain by train, then here are my tips for choosing from the best routes and prices.

In addition, I share with you an itinerary that allows you to visit the most beautiful Spanish cities in 10 days or more!

In this post, you will also find advice on how to travel cheaply in Spain and organize your train trip as best as possible.

Why choose the train to visit Spain?

Here are the main advantages of choosing the train as a mode of transport to travel in Spain:

• Scenic and comfortable journey in modern carriages, well equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi;
• The high-speed rail network (AVE) is the ideal means of transport to explore Spain quickly;
• Best transport option to reduce carbon footprint;
• Low cost compared to plane or car;
• Easy access to tourist sites in major Spanish cities.

Where to find cheap train tickets to Spain?

Booking train tickets in Spain is relatively simple, with several options available for travelers wanting to plan their trips in advance. Tickets can be purchased online via the website of the chosen railway company or at renfe.com which is the platform dedicated to booking tickets and consulting train timetables.

But the cheapest option for traveling by train in Spain is to choose the Interrail Pass . Indeed, for €220, this pass allows you to make up to 6 train journeys, which is ideal for visiting the 5 most beautiful cities in Spain.

You can use your 6 trips at any time over a period of one month, individually or to take a sightseeing tour (see my itinerary below).

If you are not European, you have the same possibilities but on the site eurail.com .

How long does it take to visit Spain by train?

By choosing an Interrail pass, you can visit Spain in as much time as you want, but no more than 1 month. In fact, you will be able to choose the dates and times of your train tickets for different Spanish cities freely provided they do not exceed 30 days.

But if you are looking for a time-optimized tour, you can visit Spain by train in 10 days by choosing night trains or trains with very early morning departures. For example, the circuit itinerary that I present below can be done in 10 days. But if you have more time, you can do it in 15 days, 3 weeks or 1 month!

How to visit Spain by train?

You have hundreds of possibilities to visit Spain by train. Indeed, the rail network is very extensive and allows easy access to the country's main destinations ( see the different train lines to visit the most beautiful regions of Spain at the end of the article ).

Among the most popular lines to visit Spain by train are:

• The journey linking Madrid to Seville, offering an immersion in Andalusian culture,
• the journey between Barcelona and Valencia, renowned for its coastal beauty,
• The line from Barcelona to Malaga is also a good option for exploring the beautiful region of Andalusia.

In addition to these popular routes, Spain is full of scenic rail routes offering spectacular panoramic views.

Among these routes are the journey from Granada to Almeria, crossing unique desert landscapes, as well as the journey from Bilbao to Ferrol, offering an immersion in the coastal beauty of northern Spain. In addition, the route from Zaragoza to Lérida allows you to admire the picturesque rural landscapes of the Aragon region.

However, if you want to get a general overview of Spain, I recommend taking a train tour of several regions of Spain. See below the one I offer you.

Train tour to visit Spain

Here is a nice train tour that allows you to visit the most beautiful cities in Spain: Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Madrid, Malaga, Seville. In addition to the cities to visit, at each stage you can expand your visits around the cities and thus discover the different Spanish provinces and regions.

Here is the route map of this train tour:

Itinerary to visit the most beautiful cities in Spain by train

Here are the stages of the train route which allows you to discover Spain by stopping in these most beautiful cities:

Train ride from Barcelona to Valencia

• Train journey from Valencia to Madrid

Train journey from Madrid to Malaga

Train journey from malaga to seville.

• Return from Seville to Barcelona

Here are details of the most beautiful cities and most beautiful sites that you can visit in Spain by following this train route:

Barcelona – Stage 1

What's better than starting your trip in Barcelona? The town is full of cozy bars and restaurants, beautiful architecture, and even a beach. Here are some must-see places to visit:

• The Ramblas
• Plaça de Catalunya
• Mercat de la boqueria
• Ciutadella Park

To be able to visit all the emblematic sites of the city, I recommend that you follow my tour to visit Barcelona on foot .

And for accommodation, I recommend the hotel  The Medinaceli in one of best neighborhoods in Barcelona , very well placed for visiting or doing shopping in Barcelona .

The train journey from Barcelona to Valencia lasts 3 to 3 hours without changing trains along the way. You will depart from Barcelona Sants station. If you travel with the Euromed train company, you will arrive at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station.

If you take a Talgo train you will arrive at Valencia-Estacio del Nord station, this option will take 30 minutes longer than the Euromed train. The 2 stations are located south of Valencia city center.

Valencia – Stage 2

The second stop on this route is Valencia. This city is full of historical sites such as the Valencia Cathedral, the Basilica of Valencia and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lonja de la Seda.

Another very popular item on your list of things to see in Valencia is the beautifully designed La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias museum and the L'Océanographic aquarium.

Additionally, if you want the beach, then head to Playa de las Arenas, near the city center or further afield Playa el Saler or La Garrofera.

And if you don't know where to stay, which area of ​​Valencia to avoid , then here is a very good hotel that I recommend: MYR Palacio Vallier

Train ride from Valencia to Madrid

The train journey from Valencia to Madrid takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Departure is from Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station and arrival at Madrid-Puerto de Atocha station.

Madrid – Stage 3

The capital of Spain is a must when visiting the country. You can spend a day there walking through El Retiro Park, around the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. You can see the Royal Palace, visit the Prado Museum or go shopping on Gran Via.

If you are not familiar with the neighborhoods of Madrid , I recommend that you stay in a hotel well located in the beautiful areas of the city center: Hotel H10-Villa de la Reina

The AVE train journey from Madrid to Malaga takes less than 3 hours.

From Madrid, departure is at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha station for arrival at Maria Zambrano station in Malaga.

Malaga – Stage 4

Welcome to Malaga, bathed in sunshine on the Costa del Sol, home of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas!

This magnificent town is ideal for sightseeing but also for enjoying the beaches (Playa de la Malagueta or Playa Caleta).

Among the must-see sites in Malaga, you can visit the Gibralfaro Castle or the remains of a Moorish palace, the Alcazaba. In addition, you will find many museums like the Picasso Museum.

If you are looking for a very nice hotel in the city center, this is it. solecio palace which is one of the most beautiful hotels in the city (far from the neighborhoods to avoid in Malaga ).

The journey from Malaga to Seville takes only 2 hours by AVE train. It departs from Malaga Maria Zambrano station and arrives at Seville-Santa Justa station.

Seville – Stage 5

This train tour to visit Spain ends in one of the most beautiful cities in the country: Seville.

Located around the Guadalquivir River, Seville is known for its flamenco shows and tapas.

Among the mythical sites of Seville, you can visit the Cathedral of Seville, La Giralda, the royal palace Real Alcazar or the Museo de Bellas Artes.

If you are spending several days in Seville, I recommend booking a day trip to Ronda which is also a must-visit site. Andalusia .

See also the recommended hotel for visiting Seville on foot: Hotel   Don Pedro Palace House  

Train lines to visit the most beautiful regions of Spain

With very fast travel times, AVE trains allow you to visit the most beautiful regions and tourist sites in Spain.

Here are the different AVE train lines that you can combine depending on the places you want to visit:

Traveling by train in southern Spain

• Madrid – Seville line : It is one of the most popular lines of the AVE network in Spain. In just 2 hours, you can go from the great monuments of Madrid, such as the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, to the charm of Seville with its famous Giralda and its Gold Tower. This line also has intermediate stops in Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Córdoba, where you can visit iconic places such as the UNESCO-listed Córdoba Mosque.
• Barcelona – Seville line : Journey of just over 5 hours which allows you to visit several interesting destinations along the way. You can visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and then be in Seville in the afternoon. This line also makes stops in Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Ciudad Real and Cordoba.
• Valencia – Seville line which are two beautiful tourist destinations in Spain. Take advantage of these two cities to discover their rich historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage. Stops on this line include Cuenca, Ciudad Real and Córdoba.
• Madrid – Malaga line to go to the Costa del Sol. In just 2 hours 40 minutes, you can go from Madrid to Malaga to enjoy its sun, beaches and Roman theater. This line also stops at Córdoba, Puente Genil and Antequera, other options for discovering the wonders of Andalusia.
• Barcelona – Malaga line to travel to the Spanish Mediterranean coast. In just over six hours you can travel from Barcelona to Malaga. This line also makes stops in Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Cordoba, Puente Genil and Antequera.
• Madrid – Granada line : In just over 3 hours you can travel from Madrid to Granada and visit the famous Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This line makes stops at Cordoba , Puente Genil and Antequera.

Traveling by train in Eastern Spain

• Madrid – Barcelona line to get to Catalonia from Madrid in just two and a half hours. This line also stops in Zaragoza, Lleida and Tarragona.
• Madrid – Castellón line which connects Madrid to the Valencia region in 2 hours and thirty minutes. This line includes stops in Cuenca, Requena and Utiel.
• Madrid – Alicante line to travel to the Costa Blanca in Spain. In just 2 hours 40 minutes you can go from Madrid to Alicante I&II and discover its old town and the Santa Bárbara castle. This line has stops in Cuenca, Albacete and Villena.

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The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in spain.

• Buy train tickets
• Buy ferry tickets
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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, see spain by train.

Once upon a time, Spain had one of the most backward train networks in western Europe.  Now, they have one of the best, indeed, one of my favourite rail systems.  High-speed AVE trains (Alta Velocidad Española) link major cities at up to 300 km/h (186mph), and if you book in advance online you can find some great cheap fares.  This page will give you a heads-up on how to travel cheaply around Spain by train.

A guide to taking the train in Spain

    Barcelona Sants    Madrid Atocha    Madrid Chamartin   Malaga

    Valencia   Alicante & Benidorm   Seville Santa Justa   Vigo

International trains to & from Spain

Other train travel information, useful country information, spain by train, the key things to know.

Avlo is a lo-cost subsidiary of Renfe which runs Barcelona-Madrid, other routes planned.  Their trains are one class only, with no-catering.

Ouigo Spain is a lo-cost subsidiary of SNCF (French Railways) which runs Barcelona-Madrid, Madrid-Valencia & Madrid-Alicante, other routes planned.  Two class, with basic catering.

Elige (Choice) = A semi-flexible fare, you can choose between Elige (2nd class seat) or for a higher price, Elige Confort (1st class seat).

Now for the catch, and it's some catch that Catch 22:  You can only buy a Tarjeta Dorada in person at a Renfe station when you get to Spain.  You cannot buy it online.  But you can't buy tickets online in advance with the Tarjeta Dorada discount until after you've bought the card because you need to enter the card number to get the discount.  So if you're planning a trip to Spain, it's better to forget about being senior and just buy a normal adult advance-purchase ticket now for perhaps €30 without any Tarjeta Dorada discount, than to wait until you get to Spain to buy a Tarjeta Dorada to get 25% off a fare which by that time (on or close to departure date) might have risen to €90.  Just let that sink in...

How to buy tickets & check train times

You can buy tickets at any Renfe station or online at www.renfe.com , but see the advice on using Renfe.com below .  There's no booking fee, but Renfe.com is a pain to use with some confusing translations and quirks, it's also known for sometimes rejecting overseas payment cards.  It's far easier (and quicker!) to buy tickets in plain English using www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, works for anyone from any country) or www.raileurope.com ( various currencies, small booking fee), Omio.com (various currencies, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, with a small mark-up).  These websites all connect to Renfe's ticketing system and sell the same trains at the same prices with no payment problems and the same official Renfe print-at-home tickets.

Real time information

You can see whether a train is on time and which platform it will leave from, if you download thetrainline.com 's app and run an enquiry for today. Trainline's app show real time information for all operators, Renfe, Avlo, Iryo & Ouigo.

Combinado Cercanias : Free suburban travel with a long-distance ticket

When you buy a ticket for one of Renfe's long-distance trains ( AVE , Euromed , Alvia , Intercity ) of any fare type in any class for a journey within Spain, or any ticket for an Iryo train , you get free travel from any Renfe suburban station at the start of your journey and free travel to any Renfe suburban station at the end of your journey, in the following cities:

Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Madrid, Malaga, Murcia/Alicante, San Sebastian, Santander, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza.  You also get free travel from/to any ex-FEVE narrow-gauge station in Asturias, Santander, Bilbao & Cartagena.

If your ticket includes this, it will say Combinado Cercanias in the corner with a reference number.

At your starting city, you must use the suburban ticket within 3 hours of your long-distance train departure, and at your destination you must use the suburban ticket within 4 hours of your long-distance train's arrival.

You can travel to or from any suburban station within that city's numbered zones, but not outside the zones - so longer rural routes to stations outside the urban zonal area such as Barcelona to Portbou or Latour de Carol are not included.

Different cities have different processes:  To access the suburban (Cercanias) platforms in Madrid, Barcelona or Malaga, place the QR code of your long-distance ticket against the scanner on the Cercanias ticket gates and they will open.  In some cities, you may need to use the Combinado Cercanias code printed on your ticket to get a Cercanias ticket out of one of the Cercanias ticket machines, or go to a ticket window.

Add a meal box to your booking in Elige Confort on AVE & Euromed .  You can add a meal box to your booking if you buy an Elige fare for Confort class on AVE , Euromed or some Alvia trains at Renfe.com.  You can add it when you book or afterwards, at least 12h before the train leaves its origin station.  You can't add it if you use 3rd party retailers.  There's a choice of menu, the Iberico and Nordic menus are both pretty good.  The cafe-bar staff have a list with your seat number, they will come and ask what drink you want with it, then bring it to your seat.

Luggage control into first-floor departures at Madrid Atocha.  Only takes a few minutes, nothing like an airport.

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Spanish train fares & classes explained

In July 2021, Renfe introduced a completely new fares structure for all its long-distance trains including the high-speed AVE, and also changed the terms it uses for 1st & 2nd class.  It's easy to get confused between what's a class of accommodation and what's a fare type, so here's a run-down of Renfe's new classes & fares.

Standard & Comfort class

Básico, elige & premium fares.

Elige (Choice).  A semi-flexible fare.  If you select this you get a choice of Elige to travel in Standard (2nd) class or Elige Confort at a higher price to travel in Comfort (1st) class but without any included food or access to lounges.  Elige & Elige Confort tickets are refundable & changeable for a fee.

Sala Club lounges

If you pay the Premium fare for an AVE or Euromed train you can use Renfe's Sala Club (1st class lounge) at Madrid Atocha , Madrid Chamartin , Barcelona Sants , Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa , Malaga Maria Zambrano , Alicante , Zaragoza and several other major stations, the opening hours and full list are on the Renfe website.

Sala Club at Madrid Atocha.

Railpasses for Spain

Option 1, eurail & interrail passes.

Unfortunately, Interrail & Eurail passes do not offer hop on, hop off convenience in Spain because all Spanish long-distance trains and even many short-distance ones require a reservation.  This costs around €10 for AVEs and other premier trains or €7 for lesser trains.

The next problem is that Interrail & Eurail reservations can't always be made online.  Passholder reservations for most AVE trains and some Alvia / Intercity / Euromed trains can be made online at the Interrail/Eurail reservations service , but many trains can't be booked online anywhere , you have to make reservations at a station in Spain.  Getting served in summer at a busy ticket office in Madrid or Barcelona can take up to two hours (yes, you read that right) and as Spanish trains often leave full, waiting until you get there isn't ideal.

Option 2, Renfe's Spain Pass

Renfe offer its own Spain Pass to anyone resident outside Spain.  This can be better value as it includes all reservations, no hidden costs.  However, unlike Interrail & Eurail passes it does not give unlimited travel.  One journey = 1 train ride, if you change trains, that's 2 journeys.

You can buy a Renfe Spain Pass giving either 4, 6, 8 or 10 individual one-way train journeys of any length in a one-month period on all of Renfe's long-distance & medium-distance trains, including AVE , Euromed , Alvia , Intercity , Media Distancia & Avant . 

With the Renfe Spain Pass, reservations can be made for free and there are no extra fees or quotas - if there is an empty seat on the train, you're entitled to it with your Spain Pass, although be warned that Spanish high-speed trains can indeed get fully-booked close to departure date.

How to buy a Renfe Spain pass

You can buy a Spain pass online at www.renfe.com/es/en.../renfe-spain-pass (has a few quirky translations and sometimes struggles with some credit cards).  The passes are completely electronic.  After setting up an account and buying your own pass, you can buy passes for your travelling companions as separate transactions.  They will also appear as passes in your account.

You have up to 6 months to make your first trip after you buy the pass, then one month to use the remaining trips after that first trip.

You can make reservations to go with a Spain pass either at stations as you go or at www.renfe.com , but the online method isn't obvious.  Here's how to make Renfe Pass seat reservations using www.renfe.com ( feedback appreciated ):

1. After buying your Renfe pass, go to www.renfe.com and switch it to English by clicking the globe logo at top right and select Ingles .

2. Log into your account and select the tab called My passes. You should see each Renfe pass you have bought for you and your companions. 

3. At the top of that page is a from and to field, like the journey planner used to book tickets on their home page.  Use this to make reservations, the price will be shown as €0.

You can only make reservations for one person/pass at a time.  But if you click Choose seats you can select your seat from a seat map and can use this feature to select seats next to each other.

Important:  When you make your first reservation, Renfe assumes that this is the first train you want to take with your pass and automatically starts the one-month pass validity from that date.  This now prevents you from making reservations on an earlier date.  So make sure that the first reservation you make is for the day you intend to start using the pass!

Important u pdate July 2024:   As of July 2024 it's reported that you cannot make Renfe pass reservations online, only at stations (by which time you may find many trains fully-booked).  It's not clear if this is temporary fault or permanent change, but unless or until this is fixed, I strongly recommend you forget the hassle of trying to use a  'pass' and simply book normal Elige/Premium refundable/changeable point-to-point tickets for the journeys you want, so you can easily pre-book, change or cancelled journeys online in the Renfe/Trainline/Raileurope app.  This is so simple compared to trying to use a 'pass'!

What are Spanish trains like?

AVE or Alta Velocidad Española trains are Renfe's front-rank high-speed services.  Reservation is compulsory, there are standard and comfort class seats, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

If you pay the Premium fare, an airline-style hot tray meal with wine is included although on some departures you get a snack box instead, see the food & drink section above .  AVE trains come in various types.

AVE trains come in various types, see the AVE page for more information, photo & tips .

A type S103 AVE at Madrid Atocha .  More about AVE trains .

Euromed trains

Euromed trains operate the fast services on the Barcelona-Valencia-Alicante corridor, with Intercity trains operating the slower services.  Euromed trains have standard & comfort class, a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They run at up to 250 km/h on a short stretch of high-speed line near Barcelona, but mostly at up to 200 km/m on upgraded classic tracks.  Euromed services use the same S130 Talgo trains used for most Alvia services, but with AVE levels of service:  If you pay the Premium fare you get a comfort class seat with Sala Club access and meals included.

Euromed train at Barcelona Sants.  These S130 trains are known as Patito (little duck) by staff.  No prizes for guessing why...

Alvia trains

Alvia trains are the next rank down from AVE & Euromed trains, with standard & comfort class and cafe-bar.  Alvia trains come in several types, see the Alvia page for more information, photo & tips .

Intercity trains

These run on many long distance routes, including Madrid-Ronda-Algeciras, Madrid-San Sebastian.  Most are former Altaria trains, little articulated trains built by the Talgo company and hauled by a locomotive, they have adjustable wheels so they can run at up to 200 km/h on the standard-gauge high-speed AVE lines then run slowly though a gauge-changing shed to emerge on traditional Iberian broad gauge to complete their journey on the classic network.  A few Intercity trains have been created by rebranding former S120 Alvia trains built by CAF, for example on the Madrid-San Sebastian route, which also have gauge-changing wheels.  All Intercity trains have a cafe-bar, but you're unlikely to find WiFi or power sockets.

A Cartagena-Alicante-Valencia-Barcelona Intercity train at Valencia Estación del Nord.

Avant is Renfe's brand name for 'short hop' high-speed trains, one class of seating only.  There are two broad types of Avant service:  (1) Separate trains of varying types, such as the one shown below from Valladolid to Madrid and (2), a designated standard class coach on a longer-distance AVE train, which is why you see two trains leaving at the same time on routes such as Barcelona-Girona, one an AVE with 2 classes and higher prices, the other an Avant with a cheaper fixed price.  They are of course the same train, the Avant is one car on the AVE designated for passengers making shorter journeys.

Avlo, Iryo, Ouigo...

Spain's high-speed lines have been opened up to competition.  Renfe now has a lo-cost brand called Avlo , and competitor operators Iryo & Ouigo now operate on key routes including Barcelona-Madrid , Madrid-Valencia, Madrid-Cordoba/Seville/Malaga.  See the Barcelona-Madrid page for a run down of these 3 operators .

An Iryo train at Barcelona Sants.

How to buy train tickets for Spain

When does booking open?   Anything between 15 days and 11 months, Renfe is a law unto itself when it comes to booking horizons, see the introduction .

What can these sites sell?   They can sell Renfe's mainline trains and sometimes competing high-speed trains run by Avlo, Iryo or Ouigo.  They can't sell tickets for Renfe's suburban (cercanias) routes including Latour de Carol-Barcelona or Cerbère-Portbou-Barcelona, nor can they sell tickets for Euskotren (Hendaye-San Sebastian-Bilbao) or the former FEVE routes (Bilbao-Santander-Gijon-Ferrol).

Option 1, buy at Raileurope.com

The quickest & easiest way to buy Spanish train tickets is at Raileurope.com with cheap advance-purchase fares & print-at-home or collect-at-station tickets.  You can choose to pay in €, £ or $. There's a small booking fee.

Raileurope.com links directly to Renfe's (Spanish Railways) ticketing system and charges the same price as Renfe themselves with the same print-your-own ticket delivery.  Unlike Renfe's own site it's in plain English without any of Renfe.com's quirky translations and no credit card rejection problems.

Raileurope.com can book the lo-cost Barcelona-Madrid Ouigo Spain trains as well as the normal Renfe trains, but cannot book lo-cost Avlo trains

Anyone from any country can use Raileurope.com as international credit cards are welcomed.  It can also sell international trains between Spain and Portugal or France, as it links to the French, German, Italian & British ticketing systems.  Who are Raileurope.com?

Important:   If you have a baby or infant, remember to add them as a child and enter their age, they'll still go free but will get the free infant ticket which is now necessary in Spain.

Option 2, buy at Thetrainline.com or Omio.com

www.omio.com & www.thetrainline.com also connect to Renfe's ticketing system to sell Renfe tickets at exactly the same prices as Renfe with the same print-your-own or collect-at-station tickets, very easily, all overseas credit cards accepted.  Both charge a small booking fee.  They can also book Ouigo Spain trains & Avlo trains .  Who are Thetrainline.com?

Option 3, buy at Petrabax.com , easy to use, in US$

If you'd rather pay in USD, use www.petrabax.com .  This is a US-based agency which also links directly to the Renfe ticketing system to sell the same trains as Renfe.com with the same print-at-home tickets.  They add a small mark-up, but it's easy to use in plain English and it avoids the English translation and credit card acceptance problems people can experience with Renfe.com.  Anyone from any country can use Petrabax, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India & Singapore.

Option 4, buy at Renfe.com

How to use www.renfe.com, before you start, step 1, use the journey planner, step 2, select a train, step 3, select fare & class.

Basico and Elige fares both get you a Estandar (2nd) class seat.

Elige Confort and Premium fares both get you a Confort (1st) class seat.

Basico is non-changeable, non-refundable.  Elige fares are semi-flexible, semi-refundable.  The Premium fare is fully changeable, fully refundable and includes Sala Club lounge access and a meal served at your seat.  You'll only see a Premium fare on AVE & Euromed trains.

Step 4, passenger details

Step 5, customise trip, step 6, pay & print tickets.

Print your tickets or download the Renfe app

After you've paid, a confirmation screen appears, with a link to download tickets and save them to your PC.  Or you can download the Renfe app onto your phone, sign into your account and your tickets will appear.  You can now board the train.

G uidebooks

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format .lonelyplanet.com"> from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Spain

Backpacker hostels.

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Environmentally aware, actively ethical adventures in Spain:  www.wildsideholidays.com

For environmentally-aware guesthouses offering walking, hiking, riding or nature-watching in the Spanish countryside and national parks, try www.wildsideholidays.com , a new site listing independent, environmentally-aware properties across Spain.  It was started by British ex-pats Clive Muir and Sue Eatock, when they found nowhere to advertise their own wonderful property deep in the heart of the Sierra de Grazelema near Ronda in Southern Spain.

Holidays & breaks by train

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

If you want to tour Spain by train, with all your train reservations and hotels sorted for you to your own specification, contact train tour specialists Railbookers and they'll create the best rail holiday for you, hassle-free.  They take good care of their clients and get a lot of repeat business.  In particular, check out their Ultimate Barcelona, Madrid & Seville tour on their US & Canada site, or a top seller on their UK site, Madrid & Andalusia.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Spain by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/spain .

Byway, byway.travel

Byway ( byway.travel ) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  If you're nervous about booking train travel yourself, they'll book a UK-Spain trip for you as a package, including overnight hotels, starting from any British station you like.

To see pre-configured packages from London to Spain by train, use the journey planner on their website .

Alternatively they can build a trip to your requirements, email them or use the contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.

Car hire comparison:  www.carrentals.co.uk

The award-winning website www.carrentals.co.uk compares many different car hire companies including Holiday Autos, meaning not only a cheapest price comparison but a wider choice of hire and drop off location.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Al Andalus Train

Travel through the South of Spain with maximum comfort aboard the luxurious train Al Andalus. You will visit the most beautiful cities of Andalusia, enjoying unique landscapes and the most select of Spanish gastronomy.

The Al Andalus train takes a tour of 7 days and 6 nights, visiting cities such as Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz, Ronda and Granada. A very special opportunity to get to know Andalusia with exclusive attention, maximum comfort and surrounded by the glamour of the Belle Epoque.

In this luxurious hotel on wheels, you will stay in glamorous first-class rooms that recall the elegance of the 20s. They are modernized with all comfort, have full bathroom, WIFI and panoramic views to contemplate the amazing landscapes.

Tours and excursions

Feel like in the Thousand and One Nights strolling through the arches of the Mosque of Cordoba. Relive the past of the Arab sultans who inhabited the Alhambra in Granada. From Seville to Cadiz, incredible World Heritage cities await you to show you the best of Andalusia.

Iberian ham from Jabugo, olive oil and typical dishes of the famous Andalusian cuisine, paired with the best sherry wines, liqueurs and teas, will not miss at the table of the elegant restaurant of the Al Andalus train. This is a trip to eat it!

What our customers say

We show you the al andalus train reviews from real guests who have booked with us.

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Southern Spain 2-Week Itinerary: A Road Trip Through Andalucía

Created On: August 7, 2022   |   Updated: January 27, 2023   |   7 Comments

Planning a trip to Andalucía? This southern Spain 2-week itinerary will take you through the best cities and towns in Andalucía. Even better, you can get to all the places via train if you don’t want to rent a car!

Madrid and Barcelona may be the best known cities in Spain, but my heart belongs in Andalucía!

After the Muslims invaded Spain in 711 AD, they called the southernmost part of the country “Al-Andalus.” Near the end of Reconquista — a war between the Christians and the Muslims to gain total control of Spain that spanned seven centuries — Al-Andalus was the last remaining portion of the country that still belonged to the Muslims.

The centuries spent under Muslim rule has imbued the entirety of present day Andalucía with a unique culture you won’t find elsewhere. In each city of Andalucía, you’ll find mosques-turned-churches, stunning Mudejar architecture, and a cuisine that combines ingredients and flavors from both cultures.

While you could plan a 2-week trip to Spain anywhere you’d like, I highly recommend spending your time exploring Andalucía. 2 weeks in southern Spain will give you a taste of Spanish culture as a whole while offering a more nuanced experience wholly unique to Andalucía.

Below is a Spain itinerary for 14 days. I’ve gone into as much detail as possible about what to do in Andalucía, but you’ll notice that I’ve included links to my detailed city guides as well — otherwise this blog post will turn into an e-book!

How Many Days Do You Need in Spain?

In a perfect world, we’d all be able to spend 3+ months in Spain to fully immerse ourselves in the culture and see the main sights. However, that’s not how life works and I know your vacation time is limited.

2 weeks in Spain is just enough time to see three to six cities and towns — the exact number depends on how many activities you pack into your days and the size of cities you visit. (This itinerary comfortably fits five major cities in Southern Spain!)

I’ll focus solely on the main cities in Andalucía in this itinerary. I’m of the opinion that it’s better to focus on one specific area rather than waste time traveling from one end of the country to another just to see the big cities.

You could of course adjust this itinerary to spend just one week in Spain if that’s all the time you have. If that’s the case, I think your best call would be to visit Seville and Granada if you’ve never been to either!

What’s the Best Time to Visit Spain?

I recommend planning a trip to Andalucía during shoulder season (March / April or September through November) . I visited southern Spain at the end of May, thinking I’d beat the worst of the crowds and would experience cooler temperatures. Wrong! It was 90ºF+ most days and major attractions, like the Alhambra in Granada, were packed with people.

The next time I visit Spain, I plan on going in the early spring!

Overview of This Spain 2-Week Itinerary

You’ll note that I didn’t include Barcelona or Madrid in this southern Spain 2-week itinerary. You can OF COURSE visit one or both of these cities, but I prefer to travel a little slower these days. If I’m going to go to Barcelona or Madrid, I’d rather have at least 5 full days in each place — which would have eaten into most of my 2-week trip to Spain!

So know that there are no itinerary police holding you accountable. Travel wherever you want, but I think this is the best 2-week Spain itinerary for those of you (like me!) who want to visit lots of different cities and see a variety of sights without having to run yourself into the ground each day.

All that being said, here’s an overview of this 2-week Andalucía itinerary:

• Days 1 – 3: Málaga
• Days 4 – 6: Granada
• Days 7 – 8: Córdoba
• Days: 9 – 10: Ronda
• Days 11 – 13: Seville

Day 14 has been left blank to account for travel between cities. It’s better to have a little wiggle room in case your arriving flight is delayed, you miss your train, etc.

Where Should You Start and End a 2-Week Trip to Spain?

This southern ​​Spain 2-week itinerary begins in Málaga and ends in Seville. You could also flip flop the itinerary if you find better flight prices flying into one city versus the other.

Or, you may find it easier and cheaper to fly into Madrid and then drive or take the train to Málaga to start your 14 days in Spain. That will obviously add on time and eat into your trip, but sometimes needs must!

Car, Bus, or Train? How to Get Around Southern Spain

Most itineraries I referenced for planning 2 weeks in Spain suggested renting a car to traverse Andalucía. They said it was easier and quicker to do so, but I had zero desire to spend extra money on a rental car, nor did I want to deal with parking in foreign cities on my own.

I was worried that taking a train around southern Spain would prove confusing or time-consuming, but it was actually so incredibly easy and affordable!

From my personal experience, I can assure you that this 2-week Spain itinerary can absolutely be done by train! The longest train journey is just under 3 hours, and it will be at the end of your trip.

Note that many of the trains leave either first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. I recommend boarding the morning trains (none require you to get up ridiculously early, don’t worry!).

Also, you should plan to arrive at the train stations 20 to 30 minutes before departure. In Spain, you’re required to go through a quick security check before boarding your train. They’ll X-Ray your suitcase and check your ticket, and then you’re off!

Lastly, please note that I walked from the central train stations to each of my hotels and AirBNBs. So know that the train stations of each city listed in this 2-week Andalucía itinerary are very close to the city centers!

Best Way to Book Train Tickets in Spain

The Renfe website (i.e. the Spanish railway’s official website) is an absolute nightmare to use. Every time I tried to book a ticket, the site crashed.

Save yourself a major headache and book your train tickets through a third-party provider like Omio . I did manage to book a couple tickets through Renfe after much hair-pulling, as I noticed that Renfe sometimes had additional train times listed that weren’t shown on the Omio site. So check both sites, but book through Omio if possible.

Of course, you can also wait to book your tickets in person at the train stations. There are ticket machines everywhere and they’re easy to use. The prices may be more expensive day-of, but it would give you the flexibility to alter your itinerary if that’s important to you.

Southern Spain 2-Week Itinerary

I’ve already given quite a few tips for making the most of your 2 weeks in Southern Spain, but here are a few quick reminders before I FINALLY dive into the full itinerary.  

First and foremost, you can get to all of the cities mentioned on this itinerary via train. No need to rent a car!

Second, you can mix and match this itinerary as you see fit.

Thirdly, I’ve given broad overviews of each day’s activities but have linked to my ultra detailed city guides in each portion of the itinerary. Read those posts for more information on the individual attractions. I wanted this itinerary to be, well, an itinerary (i.e. a broad overview of how to plan a 2-week trip to Spain).

Spain Itinerary Days 1 – 3: Málaga

One of the gems of southern Spain, Málaga is a gorgeous port city that boasts one of the biggest and best preserved Old Towns I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Málaga is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, and the locals are very proud of their famous sons!

Of all the places in Andalucía, Málaga is one of the better ones for understanding how the Romans, Muslims, and Catholics shaped the region’s culture. The absolute top attractions in Málaga are undoubtedly the beautiful cathedral, the Alcazaba, and Gibralfaro Castle.

Below is a bulleted itinerary for 3 days in Málaga, but you can read LOTS more about the specific attractions in my full Málaga city guide . 

Day 1 in Malaga

Free walking tour — Malaga Adventures has a detailed 3-hour, free walking tour of the city center. This is the best way to learn about the history of the city, plus it gives you a chance to ask a local for restaurant and activity recommendations!

Cathedral and rooftop  (shown above) — Nicknamed La Manquita (little lady with one arm), Málaga’s cathedral took more than 200 years to get to its current state … and it was never finished! It’s one of the most stunning cathedrals I’ve visited, and I highly recommend paying extra to climb to the rooftop for an unparalleled view of both the unfinished cathedral and the city center.

Malaga Museum — Housed in what was originally the city’s customs house, the Malaga Museum is a small but impressive museum that boasts a variety of art and artifacts meant to give visitors a closer look into the city’s past.

Explore the Old Town — After packing your brain with key historic facts, enjoy window shopping getting lost in the Old Town! Calle Marqués de Larios is one of the most expensive shopping streets in all of Spain, and there are many more side streets to discover.

Day 2 in Malaga

Alcazaba  (shown above) — A former Muslim fortress that was built in the 11th century as a means of defending the port. The interior of the fortress has lots of hidden gardens and babbling fountains, and is a surprisingly peaceful place to visit.

Roman Theater — Built by the Romans in the 1st Century BCE, the Roman Theater is now in ruins. The city has built platforms over the ruins so you can walk directly over them and get a sense of how the theater must have operated in its heyday.

Gibralfaro Castle — Gibralfaro Castle was built in the 1300s to improve the city’s defenses. Like the Alcazaba, the castle was built by the Muslims. The views from the castle’s parapets are absolutely stunning!

Picasso Museum — The perfect place to escape the afternoon heat! Picasso was born in Málaga, and this museum owns more than 230 of his works of art. If Picasso doesn’t pique your interest, I can also highly recommend the Carmen Thyssen Museum as an alternative.

Day 3 in Malaga

Muelle Uno  (shown above)— A section of the port of Málaga that’s been transformed into an open-air shopping and dining center.

Playa de la Malagueta – The local beach! It can become crowded in the summer, so arrive early to claim a spot. You can spend the morning here, or the entire day. OR enjoy a walk along the sand before continuing with the attractions below.

Mercado Central de Atarazanas — A covered market in the city center with vendors selling fresh produce, seafood and meats, dried fruits, and almonds. Grab some fresh fruit, almonds, and other nibbles here to take with you to the gardens!

La Concepcion Botanical Gardens — An underrated Málaga attraction! The gardens are located on the historic La Concepcion. After touring the various gardens, I recommend finding a spot in the shade to enjoy your snacks from the market and maybe read a book or call home, if desired.

Spain Itinerary Days 4 – 6: Granada

Granada was ruled by the Muslims for centuries and was the last city in Spain to fall back into the hands of the Catholic monarchy in 1492. Granada is home to one of the top tourist attractions in all of Spain: the Alhambra.

Many people visit Granada as a day trip from Seville or Málaga, but I don’t recommend doing that as there’s SO much more to do and see than simply tour the Alhambra.

Below you’ll find an itinerary for 3 days in Granada. For more details on the individual attractions listed below, check out my full Granda city guide .

Day 1 in Granada

Cathedral — Built on the site of the Great Mosque following the Catholic reconquest of Spain. The cathedral contains a unique blend of architectural styles, but it was built mostly in the style of the Spanish Renaissance.

Guided walking tour —  Granada has a long history, which you won’t learn about simply by visiting the main tourist attractions. Walk in Granada offers a more traditional pay-what-you-want walking tour, as well as a walking tour of Albaicin and Sacromonte. Choose whichever interests you more!

Sacromonte / Albaicín  (shown above) — The “Old Town” areas of Granada directly facing the Alhambra. They’re mostly residential, but there are many white-washed alleyways to meander through as well as scenic overlooks ( Miradors ) offering up spectacular views of the city.

Bañuelo — An 11th century Arabic hammam (bath house) that’s been beautifully preserved.

Sunset — Most itineraries say to watch the sunset from Mirador San Nicolas, but it fills up quickly and is noisy and crowded. Instead, watch the sunset from Mirador de la Vereda de Enmedio, Mirador Placeta de Carvajales, or Mirador Sacromonte.

Day 2 in Granada

Alhambra  (shown above)— The top attraction in Granada! It’s a massive complex that was originally built in the 9th century as a military fortress, but it was expanded upon over the centuries to also serve as the royal residence.

Rest! — Even if you visit first thing in the morning, you’ll be wiped after walking for hours around the Alhambra complex in the sunshine. Schedule a rest period into your day to ensure you don’t become overheated. (Seriously, please do this! Even if it’s just relaxing at a cafe for an hour with a cold drink.)

Window shop and explore some more — Popular shopping streets include the Reyes Catolicos, Carrera del Darro, and Calle Calderería Nueva. If you’re up for a little adventure, try to find a local convent or monastery selling sweets! (Check out my full Granada guide linked above for info on where I bought my convent cookies.)  

Flamenco show — You can’t leave Granada without attending an authentic flamenco show in the caves of Sacromonte! The local style of flamenco is called Zambra, and the entire performance is absolutely electrifying.

Day 3 in Granada

Carmen de los Mártires  (shown above)  — A stunning 19th century mansion with a sprawling park and garden complex.

San Jeronimo Monastery —The first monastery to be built in Granada after the reconquest of Spain by the Catholic monarchy.

Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (“La Cartuja”) — A lavishly decorated Spanish Baroque church atop a hill just outside the city center. Emphasis on “lavishly decorated.” This place is insanely beautiful! If you don’t have the time or desire to visit both monasteries on today’s itinerary, pick this one over San Jeronimo.

Spain Itinerary Days 7 – 8: Córdoba

Córdoba was formerly the capital of Islamic Spain and was also once the largest and most advanced city in all of Europe. Today Córdoba is best known for its Mosque-Cathedral, “La Mezquita,” which integrated the original mosque architecture with the Christian cathedral built on the site.

There are enough attractions in Córdoba to fill two leisurely days of adventuring, but one full day will also give you enough time to see the main sights. If you want to alter this itinerary for 2 weeks in Southern Spain, this is one place you could do it.

For more information on the Córdoba attractions listed below, check out my full Córdoba city guide.

Day 1 in Córdoba

Mosque-Cathedral ( Mezquita ) — A former Islamic mosque that was converted into a Catholic cathedral in the 13th century. The original mosque architecture has been integrated into the cathedral, rather than destroyed and built over.

Flower Street — A quaint white-washed alleyway near the Mezquita lined with bright blue flower pots. A great photo opp!

Roman Bridge (+ Calahorra Tower, if desired) — The Puente Romano was first built in the 1st century by the Romans. The view from the opposite bank makes for a great photo! Calahorra Toweris a fortified gate along the bridge that now houses the Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus.  

Alcazar of the Catholic Monarchs — A fortress that also served as a palace. It’s where the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella lived for eight years during the Reconquista. The interior of the fortress isn’t anything to write home about, but the gardens are beautiful!

Almodóvar Gate — One of only three remaining medieval city gates. Walk through the gate to reach the former Jewish Quarter, where there are lots of shops and restaurants.

Day 2 in Córdoba

Palacio de Viana  (shown above)— A 15th century palace with 12 stunning patios (the lush inner courtyards that Córdoba is known for!).

Templo Romano — Ruins of what was once the largest Roman temple in the city.

Plaza de las Tendillas — Nearby square with a fountain and pretty cafes.

Window shopping in the Old Town b— Return to the Old Town to shop, grab a drink, or enjoy an afternoon siesta back at your hotel.

Plaza de Corredera — A residential square with bars and cafes at street level. It’s fairly quiet during the daytime, but at night it’s packed with locals all chatting over their drinks. This is a relaxed, family-friendly spot, not a party destination!

Spain Itinerary Days 9 – 10: Ronda

Ronda is one of the prettiest towns in all of Spain! The Old Town is set high above the El Tajo Gorge and connects to the modern part of the town via the 322-high Puente Nuevo bridge. This was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite haunts, and the town’s iconic bridge is said to have inspired scenes in his novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls.  

Like Córdoba, you could get away with one full day in Ronda if there are other cities you’re dying to pack into your 2 week-trip to Andalucía. However, my two days in Ronda were some of the most magical of my entire 2 weeks in Spain! The town’s small size makes it perfect to explore at your leisure.

For lots more detail on the Ronda attractions I’ve shared below, read my full guide to Ronda .

Day 1 in Ronda

Bullring — The oldest and largest in all of Spain.

Mirador de Ronda overlook (shown above, right) — Near the bullring. It’s a gorgeous vista with views of the surrounding countryside.

Puente Nuevo  (shown above, left) — The main attraction of Ronda. Words can’t describe how beautiful this bridge is! (In my full guide linked above, I’ve also shared my favorite spots to photograph the bridge.)

Murallas de la Cijara (old city walls) — The best preserved section of the old city walls is near the Puerta de la Cijara.

Arab baths — 13th century Arab baths that have been lovingly preserved and restored.

Walking tour — End your first day in Ronda with a guided walking tour of the Old Town. The tourism board offers a 90-minute tour that I highly recommend!

Day 2 in Ronda

Jardines De Cuenca — Lovely hanging gardens on terraces set over the El Tajo gorge, facing the bridge. This is a good spot to come in the morning to photograph the sun rising over the bridge!  

Puente Viejo — Another pretty (albeit less impressive) bridge in Ronda.  

Collegiate Church of Santa Maria la Mayor — The inside of the church isn’t that impressive, but the viewing decks from the rooftop offer an amazing view of the Old Town and surrounding countryside.

Casa Museo Don Bosco — An old home-turned-sanatorium that operated until 2008. The home is very small, but the gardens with their cliffside views are the main attraction.

Sunset — You could watch the sunset by the Puente Nuevo bridge, but I recommend finding a quiet spot to sit at the Plaza de María Auxiliadora.

Spain Itinerary Days 11 – 13: Seville

Seville flourished under Muslim rule and rose to further prominence under the Catholic monarchy following the discovery of the Americas. Much of Spain’s trade with the Americas was facilitated in Seville, making it the country’s richest city for nearly 100 years.

Seville is the most diverse city on this southern Spain 2-week itinerary, both in terms of attractions and the local culture. It’s also the biggest city on this itinerary, so if you have the time and desire you can certainly spend more days here either to explore the city more in depth or to take day trips.

Read my full Seville itinerary for more details on the attractions listed below!   

Day 1 in Seville

Royal Alcazar — A palace complex originally built by the Muslims to offer them a more strategic position next to the port (i.e. where the city’s wealth flowed in). Arrive first thing in the morning to avoid waiting in a long line.

Cathedral  (shown above, left)— The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the third largest in general!

Giralda Tower — The symbol of Seville! La Giralda was originally the minaret of the mosque that stood on this site. In the 17th century, the cathedral’s bell tower was built atop the minaret.

Maria Luisa Park — Palace gardens that were donated to the city and transformed into a sprawling public park. The park is divided into smaller gardens and gathering areas, making it a fun spot to explore.

Plaza de España  (shown above, right)— End your day here to watch the sunset! The Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 and was designed to showcase Spain’s accomplishments in industry and architecture.

Day 2 in Seville

Setas de Sevilla  (shown above)— A wooden structure in Encarnacion Square that has a walkway and viewing platform on top. If it’s not in your budget to ascend to the viewing platform, the structure is still really cool when seen from below.

Lebrija Palace — A 16th century palace that was heavily renovated in the 20th century to accommodate a private collection of ancient Roman mosaics. If you love house museums, you MUST come here!

Collegiate Church of El Salvador — A pretty Baroque church that was built on the site of what was the Great Mosque in Muslim Seville.

Museum of Fine Arts — An art museum housed in the former La Merced convent. This is a great spot to end the afternoon as a means of escaping the heat!

Day 3 in Seville

Walking Tour of Triana — The free Sandemans walking tour of Triana offers a unique perspective on Seville’s 2,000-year history.

Mercado de Triana — A covered market selling fresh produce and seafood. There are also restaurants inside, which is where I recommend grabbing lunch today.

Archivo de Indias — Free to enter! The Archives of the Indies houses 80 million pages and maps (all original!) relating to Spain’s massive empire from the 18th to 19th centuries.

Casa de Pilatos  (shown above)— A 15th century palace decorated with  azulejo (Spanish glazed tiles).

Free time to explore! — Seville is walkable, and there’s a lot packed into the city center. Give yourself some free time to wander the streets and enjoy your final afternoon in Spain.

Adios, Andalucía!

Hopefully this southern Spain 2-week itinerary have given you plenty of information — and then some! — to make planning your vacation easier. If you have any questions about planning a trip to Andalucía, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!

More Places to Visit in Southern Europe: 

• 3-Day Florence Itinerary: The Best Things to Do! 
• Best Things to Do in Corfu, Greece
• What to Do & See in Athens, Greece
• All of my Europe travel recommendations! 

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Comments & Reviews

October 18, 2022

Do you commercially run such tours? We are on the wrong side of 65 (esposa/mi) and never been to Europe. I enjoyed reading your summary. I’ve been put off some “tours” by people complaints. Cost is also a factor, many seem for royalty we’d feel uncomfortable in such company. I say this if we decide to do less with quality but the upper middle class would be far to… Regards Tony

November 9, 2022

Hi Tony, no, I do not provide any kind of travel planning or tour services. Right now I just provide awesome, free guides online right here on my blog 🙂 Hopefully you’re able to visit Spain soon though!

May 20, 2023

Very impressive, thanks for sharing!

December 16, 2023

Awesome , information . What hotels do you recommend? We are planning to do this in March.

December 29, 2023

Hi Sonia! How exciting that you’ll be visiting southern Spain in March, I think you’ll have an amazing time! Unfortunately I can’t recommend any specific hotels because I stayed in AirBNBs throughout my stay. However, let me know if you’d like general recommendations for areas of the cities to stay in and I can provide info on the neighborhoods I was in.

May 20, 2024

Southern Spain 2-Week Itinerary: A Road Trip Through Andalucía Was a great read! My partner n I are planning visiting the same towns so it was most informative. We have booked for end of September but I am finding it impossible to get any train or bus schedules at this time. I checked the train sites you recommended but there are no schedules yet so I was wondering if they only post a few weeks or a month in advance? Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

May 21, 2024

Hi Darlene! I’m so glad you found this guide useful — enjoy your trip! Spanish train tickets typically go on sale around 60 days in advance, so that’s likely why you’re not seeing anything online yet.

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Transcantabrico Train Holidays That Promise Views on Views in This Naturally Breathtaking Northern Spanish Region

Undertake the adventure of a lifetime and journey through the striking landscapes of the country’s northern region on the Transcantabrico Train in Spain. A luxurious Transcantabrico Gran Lujo Train holiday promises the most spectacular views that perfectly showcase the region’s natural beauty. As you traverse along the astonishing rugged coastline of the Cantabrian Sea, you’ll get treated to a spectacular display of some of Mother Nature’s finest work, including the glorious cliffs of the Bay of Biscay.

Tren Transcantabrico tours sweep through lush green valleys beatified with delightful villages nestled among rolling hills, each offering a sneak peek into the vibrant cultural legacy of Asturias and Galicia. The Transcantabrico Train in Spain also passes the Picos de Europa mountain range. Its snow-capped peaks towering above flourishing meadows and serpentine-like rivers provide a jaw-dropping backdrop. El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo will wind through tunnels and traverse viaducts, immersing you in picturesque scenery at every turn.

Enjoy Total Immersion in the Classical Luxury of the El Transcantabrico on your Exclusive Tren Transcantabrico Tour

Passengers boarding El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo are in for a treat as this premium luxury express train offers unparalleled comfort and elegance. Book your exclusive El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo tickets and prepare to embark on a tour that promises to immerse you in exemplary luxury as you leave for a voyage across northern Spain’s magical landscape. Transcantabrico Train holidays are renowned for the luxury they deliver to their passengers, from incredible suites to out-of-this-world amenities. 

For the price of a Tren Transcantabrico ticket, you can expect to experience gourmet cuisine prepared by world-class chefs, demonstrating the finest regional ingredients and culinary traditions. From the glorious meals to the finest wines, every dining experience, on and off-board during an El Transcantabrico journey, is a wonder. Pamper yourself this year, take a break onboard the Transcantabrico Train in Spain, stay in a luxurious suite, and indulge in the absolute luxury that comes with it.

Whether it’s the Costa Verde Express or the Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, You’re in for a Remarkable Journey

Twist and turn through the stunning northern Spanish landscape onboard the Costa Verde Express, formerly the El Transcantabrico Clasico luxury train, and experience the country’s north at its best. This train runs a route between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela, plus a return journey. The Costa Verde Express is a pared-down edition of the El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo with less spacious accommodations. Still, it offers passengers incredible scenic views, destinations, exquisite cuisine and top-class service. 

Taking the level of luxury up a notch from the Costa Verde Express, the Transcantabrico Gran Lujo provides larger suites, incredible world-class gourmet meals, personalised attentive service, and unmatched panoramic views. The El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo price is wholly warranted for those discerning travellers who want an exclusive onboard experience mixed with culturally significant destinations and off-train excursions. Whichever of these two trains you decide upon, the Costa Verde Express or El Transcantabrico, you’re in for an unforgettable trip.

Beautifully Curated Itineraries That Make a Transcantabrico Train Holiday Strikingly Unique and Magical

Travelling onboard the El Transcantabrico luxury train is akin to stepping into unmatched luxury and cultural immersion. El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo provides passengers with beautifully crafted itineraries that seamlessly unravel the rich tapestry of Northern Spain, entwining history, gastronomy, and stunning landscapes. The El Transcantabrico price point gives you access to the awe-inspiring rugged coastlines, picture postcard villages, and blooming valleys while indulging you in sumptuous regional cuisine and wines.

These Northern Spain train tours are unmatched for the lavish amenities and highly attentive personalised service you’ll receive onboard. Whether savouring the gourmet meals prepared by the prestigious chef or unwinding in the comfort of the lounge or your Deluxe Suite, every moment spent onboard during your Tren Transcantabrico tour is permeated with enchantment and sophistication. A Transcantabrico Train holiday is more than a journey; it’s a captivating odyssey that seizes the spirit of the country’s north. 

Speak With Our Travel Industry Experts and Book Your Costa Verde Express or El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo Tickets today!

For an exceptional luxury rail experience, engage with our travel industry experts today and secure your Costa Verde Express or El Thranscantabrico Gran Lujo tickets. Our specialists will guide and advise you through each step, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. For more information regarding the trains, routes, itineraries, and GVE or Transcantabrico Gran Lujo Train prices, we’re here to help! Book your journey and take a voyage that promises to deliver a luxurious like no other. 

THE MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS

Northern spain train tours faqs, how do transcantabrico gran lujo train prices compare with other luxury european rail tours.

El Transcantabrico prices start from under $4000, and a Tren Transcantabrico ticket will start at around $15000, depending on when you book. There are luxury rail journeys throughout Europe that cost less and many that are more costly. Transcantabrico Train holidays represent fantastic value when you look at the level of luxury that is on offer. From the incredible suites, world-class cuisine and destination, the CVE and El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo price point is very attractive in the luxury travel sector for discerning travellers looking for something special.

What do the Tren Transcantabrico tours include regarding onboard entertainment and off-train excursions?

The Tren Transcantabrico tours offer passengers a variety of onboard entertainment during the journey, from talks about the region’s history to live music and themed dinners. Off-train excursions include exploring historical sites in medieval villages, visiting culturally significant landmarks, and enjoying the scenic landscapes along the journey route. Travellers exploring Northern Spain by train experience immersive activities, guided tours, and authentic local experiences at each stop, embellishing the journey through Spain’s diverse regions.

Which is the more popular route for the El Transcantabrico luxury train, San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela or the return journey?

The more prevailing Tren Transcantbrico route typically goes from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela. It’s a voyage that highlights the region’s incredible diversity, from its landscape, villages, and cultural highlights. The reverse journey visits the same destinations, and this Tren Transcantabrico tour is the same eight-day duration. It comes down to personal preference and the order in which you wish to visit destinations along the route. Transcarabrico Gran Luji Train prices are the same regardless of your travel direction.

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Home / Europe via train / Train Travel in Spain: Tickets, Routes, Prices, Rail Pass

Train Travel in Spain: Tickets, Routes, Prices, Rail Pass

• April 14, 2023
• Europe via train
• 16 min read

Train travel is an exciting encounter in Spain. It is more of an adventure than just traveling from one station to another. Do you cherish the panoramic view on transit? There is a beautiful scenic landscape along the journey that will make the traveling experience better and relaxing. Also, high-speed trains, escpecially between Barcelona and Madrid, are reliable and fast to take you to your destination effectively and conveniently. Spain boasts of one of the unique train systems in the world.

Train Travel in Spain: Short Info

An Introduction to Train Travel in Spain

Train travel allows you to tour the country of Spain and view its magnificent physical features. You travel easily with the modern and complete transport network. Generally, the train network system is the largest in Europe hence the high popularity among the people living in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, and Bilbao. With Eurail passes, traveling is affordable with fantastic promotions.

The Spanish high-speed trains connect the top cities in the country and other cities around Europe. The cities in Spain use this type of travel because of its convenience and the ability to carry a very high number of people. Most Spanish cities are crowded, and getting in and out is a big hassle.

You will find out the top providers and train companies in Spain, the routes, and train tickets. Also, find all the information you need to know how to book your train tickets, get special services while on travel, and seat reservation procedures. Also, find quality information on using your Eurail pass.

If you want to discover more of Europe by train, read our full guide How to rail Europe or, when it comes to tickets, our guide to European Train Tickets .

Renfe – the Spanish Train company

Before you embark on using train travel, it would be best to get familiar with the top providers and utilize the most appropriate service. The country has a primary train travel provider known as Renfe. It operates nationally. Is it a monopoly? No. Another significant and popular train provider is Renfe Ave. The latter has partnerships with a France corporation known as the SNCF. It helps them to create a harmonious way to have international travel to France with direct routes.

Renfe provides trains that travel across the whole country, reaching the rural regions of the country. It also has services on commuter routes and high-speed trains that cover long distance travels.

Renfe is an ancient train service provider in Spain. It was established in 1941 as a national train provider, a position it has held ever since. With new modern commuter links, high-speed AVE providing intercity links, and regional rural lines, it holds a perfect place in Spain’s transport sector.

Its routes all over Spain are estimated to be about 15,000 kilometers of railways. The train tickets are also very cheap and affordable for any passenger. There are discounts and offers provided to make the process even smoother and more straightforward.

Renfe AVE – high-speed train network

Renfe AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), which collaborates with SNCF, continues to offer long-distance high-speed trains that connect major cities. The AVE routes are:

The most popular route by AVE among travelers is the route from Madrid to Barcelona. The route is regarded as the busiest domestic route in Spain.

The Renfe AVE high-speed train is essential to anyone going to work and their significant cities’ daily activities. It is fast and convenient hence making it the most used service in Spain.

Equally important, the major cities where the international routes come from are Madrid and Barcelona. The trains go straight to Lisbon and Paris, France, while those from Barcelona have their destinations in Montpelier and Perpignan, France.

Renfe Avlo – Low-Cost trains between Madrid an Barcelona

Renfe Avlo is a high-speed train service launched by Spanish railway operator Renfe in 2019. The service offers affordable and efficient travel options for passengers looking to travel between major cities in Spain at a lower cost than traditional high-speed trains.

Renfe Avlo trains operate on the same rail network as Renfe’s AVE trains, but at a lower speed and with fewer amenities. Despite these differences, the service offers a comfortable and reliable travel experience, with modern and spacious carriages equipped with comfortable seats, power outlets, and free Wi-Fi.

One of the key selling points of Renfe Avlo is its affordability. By operating at a lower speed and with fewer amenities, Renfe is able to offer significantly lower fares than its AVE trains, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers. In addition, the service offers a range of fare options, including flexible tickets and discounted tickets for children and seniors.

Renfe Avlo currently operates between Madrid and Barcelona, with plans to expand to other routes in the future. The service has been well received by passengers since its launch, with many praising its affordability and convenience.

In conclusion, Renfe Avlo is a cost-effective and efficient high-speed train service that offers a comfortable travel experience for passengers looking to travel between major cities in Spain. Its affordable fares and modern amenities make it a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers, and it is sure to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.

Cost of Renfe Train Rickets and Its Structure

Have you decided to start using Renfe and want to purchase the train tickets? Any new passenger can feel overwhelmed by the structure of the train ticket and its rules. However, all these regulations are put to ensure the safety and convenience of travel without any compromise. Many people visit the Renfe website in Spain to purchase train tickets. The process is somehow complicated, and if you have no idea or prior knowledge, it can become very tedious. All Renfe train tickets have similar complexity. The complex nature of the train tickets is a result of the various classes available in Renfe.

There is a long list on the website for the train tickets. The list also has various tarifs for high-speed ticket in the three classes available on Renfe. They include:

• Turista Plus

You can get the following tickets concerning the above classes. Note, the prices of the train tickets also differ with the different properties they possess.

• Promo ticket : It is used as an offer with a cheap tariff that offers up to 70% discount on the fare. The fare is fixed and non-refundable, and you cannot change it. You are also not able to choose a seat with this type of train ticket.
• Promo+ ticket : Also, an offer that gives about 65% discount on the general fare. It is optimized for changing for 20% and even 30% to cancel the original ticket price that you formerly bought. You can make a personal selection of seats when you purchase the ticket.
• Flexible ticket : The flexible ticket is expensive but comes with a lot of benefits. You can change it at no cost. However, you will pay a 5% fee of its price when you want to cancel the ticket. You can make a selection of the seat when you purchase this type of train ticket.
• Tarifa de ida y vuelta : You can use this ticket when you want a round trip fare cheaply. It is more affordable to anyone than using a flexible ticket. Canceling the ticket will give you 60% of the original price, but you cannot change it at no cost at all. You can choose your seat on this type of ticket. Notably, the name might confuse since a new passenger may think it applies for both to and fro trips. You need to pay for both rounds.
• Mesa or Table for 4: When you want to travel as a group, then this is the best tariff to use. Most of the high-speed trains include 4 spaces onboard where two seats face one another. The four seats have discounts of about 60% on any trip. You cannot combine the ticket with others, but you can cancel it to receive 50% of the original fare. The ticket allows for pets on the train without any charges.

How to Buy the Train Tickets in Spain

There are several options for purchasing any tariff you need. They include sites and train stations where you can go to get your ticket physically. However, with the spread of Covid-19, it is vital to purchase your ticket online to avoid crowding the stations.

Using Omio website

It is one of the most popular among every passenger using the Renfe. They sell train tickets at the price of the train providers. They charge a 3% booking fee and accept all overseas tickets. Omio themselves customize their discounts according to the number of tickets; they take €2 for one ticket, €3 for two.

Rail Europe Website

Another option to use is the Rail Europe website. Payment is made in several currencies such as €, £, or $. You will also pay a minimal booking fee for the swift service. The site is linked directly to the Spanish rail system and offers the same prices on the Renfe board.

The service is available for virtually any international country. Ensure to include the age of a baby or infant that you will take on the travel. The train service offers a free ticket for the infant.

Petarbax website

Are you willing to pay in USD? Any passenger using USD can use their website since it is US based and links directly to the Spanish train providers. It is best since a new passenger from the US may not be familiar with the foreign language. Other countries able to use Petrabax include Canada, Singapore, India, and Australia.

Spanish railways website

Visit Spanish Railways for tickets online in Spain. The process is not friendly with a lot of information and is not recommended for a new passenger.

The cost of the Renfe is then full of discounts and promotions. The estimate for any trip is available on these sites. Visit them and make appropriate choices and the perfect selection.

Eurail Pass – Spain Rail Pass

To make your train commutation an easy experience, it is best to secure convenient train tickets better known as Eurail Pass . These rail passes are designed to be used only by international visitors.

It is very beneficial to have a Eurail pass when you travel to Spain. There are many cheap passages and discounts with the pass while using private transport such as railways, hotel bills, and other unique offers.

The benefits are offered when you show a valid Eurail pass. You can also make a prior communication with the company on the benefits and tell them you wish to access their services using your Eurail pass. The services are only valid on travel days.

Madrid – Barcelona by train

There are more than 25 departures daily on this route. It is a swift trip which takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes.

This route is one of the busiest routes in whole Europe, with a lot of companys offering train services between Madrid and Barcelona: 

Renfe AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), continues to offer long-distance high-speed trains that connect major cities. The most popular route by AVE among travelers is the route from Madrid to Barcelona. The route is regarded as the busiest domestic route in Spain.

• iryo , the new high-speed train company in Spain, is a merger of the Spanish airline Nostrum and the train company Trenitalia, one of the European leaders in rail transport. iryo is the first private Spanish railway company to operate high-speed trains on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route, which will also in future connect Madrid – Cuenca – Valencia/Alicante and Madrid – Córdoba – Seville/Malaga. A fleet of ETR1000 model trains will be deployed, offering maximum comfort when traveling in Spain with a combination of advanced propulsion technology and high quality onboard services, including WiFi access and restaurant areas. 98% of the train parts used are fully recyclable, so your journey is also sustainable!
• OUIGO is the “Low Cost” brand of the French company SNCF, which operates in France and Spain. In France, journeys on OUIGO trains are only offered in 2nd class, and tickets can only be purchased online. You also have the option of booking additional services, such as E.g. sockets at the seat, additional luggage or the possibility to reserve your seat in the relaxation area. OUIGO has been present in Spain since May 2021. The OUIGO trains in Spain have an onboard bar service as well as a premium class of service called OUIGO Plus.

Other Popular Train Routes in Spain

Most people in Spain use trains for their transport services. Here are the most popular routes, stations, and journeys that offer the most efficient services. They are always busy with numerous travelers willing to take the incredible trip.  Popular routes the train covers include:

• From Madrid to Barcelona
• From Barcelona to Madrid
• From Barcelona to Valencia
• From Madrid to Seville
• From Seville to Cordoba

The trains also cover international routes such as:

• From Madrid to Lisbon
• From Madrid to Paris
• From Barcelona to Montpellier

The medium-distance travel is Renfe train services that connect the regional routes with the high-speed trains. The major Spanish trains are connected with suburban travel trains that operate within the country.

Renfe also has trains running on international routes to France and Portugal. These international trains originate from the major cities of Spain towards the major international cities.

Madrid – Barcelona

There are more than 25 departures daily on this route. It is a swift trip averaging about 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 3 hours, 15 minutes since the time taken to stop often vary when the number of people changes.

• Madrid – Seville

Want to move fast? The train takes an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Do not miss your scheduled meeting and travel fast and convenient.

• Madrid – Malaga

This trip from Madrid to Malaga takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.

Madrid – Valencia

Move to the third-largest city of Spain from the capital city in about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Barcelona – Malaga

The high-speed AVE takes around 5.5 hours to finish this amazing journey through southern Spain’s lively ports..

Train stations in Spain

The most popular train travel stations in the country are:

• Barcelona Sants station
• Sevilla Santa Justa station
• Madrid Atocha station
• València Nord station

Your train travel guide for Spain

The train starts in Barcelona .

• Casa Mila La Pedrera, Casa Batllo and the incredible Sagrada Familia, all architectural wonders by the brilliant Antoni Gaudi, mixing buildings with nature.
• Experience Catalan cuisine and the fine wines of Barcelona.
• Visit beautiful beaches on the shores of the Balearic Sea

Your next train is to Valencia .

• The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences includes an oceanarium and a planetarium. Don’t forget that the rail pass is also a ticket to some museums.
• Incredible beaches with miles of golden sand line the coast.
• Explore the cobbled streets of Old Town with art shops and restaurants. Get lost in the maze of back streets and shaded squares with odd cafes.

Your ticket takes you to Madrid .

• Madrid is the home of Flamenco. Take in a performance. You’ll never forget it.
• No trip to this great city would be complete without a visit to the Prado Museum, one of the finest art museums in the world.
• Madrid has twelve palaces! You must explore a few of them, including the Royal Palace, the largest functioning palace in Europe..

Flash your rail pass and you’re off to Seville .

• Seville is medieval. Wander the streets of Barrio Santa Cruz to escape into another century.
• Enjoy the Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine.
• The Real Alcazar de Sevilla is a fourteenth century Moorish castle, known for its beautiful mosaics.

Then visit Malaga with your rail pass.

• This ancient port city has a diverse history. The oldest building is the Roman amphitheater.
• The fortress on the top of the hill, overlooking the city, is Alcazaba, one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture. Above Alcazaba looms Gibralfaro Castle with the finest views in the city.
• Malaga is known for its fine wines.
• Malaga is the home of Pablo Picasso. A walking tour will take you from the house where he was born to the museum in his honor.

Do I Need to Make Seat Reservations?

When you buy your ticket for any long-distance train, you automatically reserve your seat. You are not eligible to choose your seat on some tickets; hence they are automatically generated by the service providers. When you are a group, the providers will ensure you get adjacent seats and sit together.

How to Access Renfe WiFi

The high sped trains have WiFi to keep you occupied on the long-distance journeys. The WiFi network is fast and reliable. It would be best to use it since it is included on the price ticket and enjoy yourself along the way. The high-speed services with WiFi include:

• Madrid – Barcelona – Girona – Figueres
• Barcelona – Seville/Malaga
• Madrid – Marseille – Barcelona – Lyon
• Madrid – Valencia – Castellón
• Valencia – Seville
• Madrid – Bilbao

You use your ticket number to connect to these available WiFi networks. The process involves:

• Switch on the WiFi on your phone and select PlayRenfe
• You will get a prompt to a signup window and enter your preferred language.
• Allow your phone to access PlayRenfe.
• Select ticket number and enter the RENFE-SNCF as promotional code when you are using an international ticket.
• Key in your train ticket number
• Put in your ID

Book your trip now!

Discover Spain's green north aboard the gourmet Costa Verde Express

A gentle jolt wakes the sleeping guests from their dreams as the Costa Verde Express leaves the small station of Viveiro at a walking pace. Early morning fog lies over the coastal town in the far northwest of Spain.

The tangy Galician Albariño white wine served with lobster and octopus in the dining car the night before has kept most people snoozing a bit longer. The onset of the rhythmic rattling of the train doesn't make it any easier to get up. But in the corridor, the train crew is already ringing a bell: Breakfast.

In the dining car, the smell of warm croissants, fresh coffee, Ibérico ham, and scrambled eggs wafts through the air. A stewardess wearing a white uniform indicates a free table set with cloth napkins, fresh flowers and a small lamp with a yellow marbled glass shade. Again and again, the passing coastal landscape entices me to look out the window.

Long sandy beaches alternate with rugged rocky cliffs. In between, the train travels through dense forests and past old fishing villages. At a leisurely pace of 50 kilometres per hour, the Costa Verde Express travels along old narrow-gauge tracks, sometimes only a few meters from the Cantabrian Sea. In some parts, the route also runs parallel to Spain's northern pilgrimage trail, the Camino del Norte.

Not an express train

While the pilgrims struggle by foot along the Costa Verde, Spain's "Green Coast" that stretches along the northern province of Asturias, Julio Cesar Pallucchini and his wife Liliana enjoy the scenery over a café con leche in the wood-panelled, carpeted lounge of the Costa Verde Express.

"Thank goodness the train only partially lives up to its name," Julio says. The Costa Verde, he says, is truly impressively green. On the other hand, Julio says he's glad it's not an express train, but rather a slow affair, allowing you to observe the landscape in peace.

This is exactly the kind of slower way of travelling he was looking for, he says. "And the good food, of course," he says and laughs.

The train ride takes us through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia - Spain's gourmet strongholds, Laura López says. She is head chef on board the Costa Verde Express. And food certainly plays an important role on this train journey.

While the daily excursions involve dining in restaurants, in the evenings Laura and her colleague Daniela prepare delicacies from the region where the train is currently stopping. Scallops and octopus in Galicia, wild salmon, fabada stew, and cabrales cheese in Asturias, the Cocido Montañes stew in Cantabria, stockfish in the Basque Country.

Spain's answer to the Orient Express

The Costa Verde Express is one of the so-called historic royal trains of Spain's state-owned railway company Renfe. They are something like a Spanish version of the Orient Express, reminiscent of train journeys from a bygone century.

The nostalgic train in the Belle Époque style takes six days to cover the 600 kilometres between Bilbao in the Basque Country and the Galician pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela. Depending on the date, it goes in either direction.

This particular train adventure started at the tomb of St. James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela. Above the tomb stands the cathedral, the final destination of the Camino.

The first pilgrim and a Sistine Chapel

The train also stops in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. The city's cathedral was the starting point for the oldest Camino route. Asturias' King Alfonso II is said to have been the first pilgrim, riding by horse to Galicia from Oviedo after the discovery of the Apostle's tomb in 812.

In Cabezón de la Sal in Cantabria, the train stops at the station, as it does every evening, so that the passengers can sleep. Cool country air flows through the sliding window, crickets chirp.

The next morning, everyone realizes why Spain's north is so green: it's raining cats and dogs. On the platform, the train crew distributes umbrellas for the day's outing. The bus takes half an hour to reach the Altamira Cave, often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Stone Age.

The prehistoric cave paintings of bison, deer and horses are at least 14,000 years old. Today, only a small number of lucky people drawn by lot can visit the original cave, wearing protective suits and masks to cover their nose and mouth. But there is hardly any perceivable difference to the replica of the cave next door.

Futuristic temples of art

Lunch is 2 kilometres away in Santillana del Mar. Aristocratic coats of arms and wooden balconies covered in flowers adorn the stone houses. The convent of the Poor Clares, Colegiata de Santa Juliana, is one of the most important Romanesque religious buildings in Cantabria.

In comparison, the elegant regional capital, Santander, with its magnificent Art Nouveau buildings, seems downright young. The silver-panelled Centro Botín opened here a few years ago. A magnificent cultural centre, it was built directly on the river promenade by the Botín banking family, owners of Santander Bank, and is home to contemporary avantgarde art.

But the Centro Botín cannot compete with the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in the Basque coastal metropolis of Bilbao. The building on the Nervión River, formed from silver titanium plates, looks like a gigantic napkin and can be seen in the distance from the Costa Verde Express. The view announces the end of the journey for Bilbao is this particular adventure's final destination.

Global IT outage hits companies around the world as planes grounded and train services affected

The outage is affecting Windows PCs globally, with hundreds of flights grounded worldwide and GP surgeries being left unable to book appointments – and it could take "weeks" to fix.

News reporter @laurenvrussell

Friday 19 July 2024 22:20, UK

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Businesses including banks, airlines, train companies, telecommunications companies, TV and radio broadcasters, and supermarkets have been affected by a mass global IT outage.

Major US airlines including American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines have been grounded, while airports in Germany, Amsterdam and Spain are also reporting issues.

The outage was related to a Microsoft Windows PC update rolled out by global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike - and while the company says a fix has been deployed, an expert has warned it could take "weeks" for all computers and systems to be fully restored.

According to an alert sent by CrowdStrike to its clients, the company's falcon sensor software caused Microsoft Windows to crash and display a blue screen, which has begun to be referred to as the "blue screen of death".

Read more: Outages latest: Follow live What has been impacted and where?

CrowdStrike chief executive, George Kurtz, said in a statement on X that "the defect [was] found in a single content update for Windows hosts".

"This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed," Mr Kurtz said.

Adam Leon Smith of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, said: "The fix will have to be applied to many computers around the world. So if computers are getting blue screens and endless loops, it could be more difficult and take days and weeks.

"Microsoft Windows isn't the main OS for mission-critical systems, that's Linux - and so this could have been much worse."

The outage affected Windows PCs globally, including at Sky News in the UK which was not able to broadcast live TV first thing on Friday morning.

pic.twitter.com/4dnNPawEJG — Sky Group (@SkyGroup) July 19, 2024

The company said in a statement it was seeing disruption to its usual broadcasting and customer service teams due to the third-party outage and apologised for any inconvenience.

UK airports 'experiencing delays'

Flights are being grounded at numerous airports worldwide and passengers in the UK are facing hours of queues to get into terminal buildings, check in and go through security.

As of 8pm, 5,078 flights had been cancelled worldwide - which equates to 4.6% of all scheduled flights globally, according to an aviation analytics company.

Cirium Data also said 167 flights that should have left UK airports have been cancelled so far - which is 5.4% of departures - while 171 inbound arrivals were cancelled.

London's biggest airport, Heathrow, said in a statement that its "flights are operational though we are experiencing delays".

pic.twitter.com/iPFMsDVgwT — London Luton Airport (@LDNLutonAirport) July 19, 2024

It said it was implementing contingency plans to minimise any impact on journeys and passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest flight information.

Gatwick Airport said "passengers may experience some delays" due to the global outage - particularly when checking in and passing through security.

Luton Airport also said it was aware of the global IT issue and is currently using manual systems to support operations.

Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, said it was "forced to cancel a small number of flights today" and told passengers: "If your flight has been cancelled, we kindly request that you leave the airport as the IT outage means we cannot currently assist passengers at the airport."

Edinburgh Airport also urged those whose flights had been cancelled to leave. Passengers there were unable to use automated boarding pass scanners and monitors at security displayed a message saying "server offline", according to a Reuters witness.

The airport had reverted to checking boarding passes manually, the witness said.

'Beyond the control of GP surgeries'

The IT outage has also reached GP surgeries across the UK, which said they are unable to access patient records or book appointments.

NHS England said the IT outage is "causing disruption in the majority of GP practices" in England but there is currently no known impact on 999 or emergency services.

Northern Ireland's Department of Health said two thirds of its GP practices had been impacted.

Grimethorpe Surgery in Barnsley said it had no access to the clinical system, EMIS Web - which allows healthcare practitioners to view and contribute to a patient's healthcare records.

The Wilmslow Health Centre in Cheshire wrote on X: "All practices in the UK using the NHS-commissioned GP computer system EMIS are currently without access to their IT systems.

"This is beyond the control of GP surgeries. Please bear with us until we have our IT systems back online."

Another surgery in Putney, southwest London, shows an error message online when patients attempt to book appointments.

The Windrush Medical Practice in Witney, Oxfordshire, asked patients with "routine concerns" to wait until Monday after the booking system has been affected by the global outage.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police said it has not been affected, and everything seems to be working normally.

Issues at UK train stations

Also in the UK, Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern - all four of Govia Thameslink Railway's brands - said its services were experiencing widespread IT issues.

⚠️ We are currently experiencing widespread IT issues across our entire network. Our IT teams are actively investigating to determine the root cause of the problem. We are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice cancellations,… — Thameslink (@TLRailUK) July 19, 2024

"We are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice cancellations, particularly on the Thameslink and Great Northern networks," the company said.

"Additionally, other key systems, including our real-time customer information platforms, are also affected."

However, most trains ran as scheduled - though some passengers encountered problems inside stations as South Western Railway said all its ticket vending machines had stopped working due to IT issues.

Out-of-date prices at London Stock Exchange

The London Stock Exchange is among the businesses that have been affected by the global outage, Sky News' business correspondent, Ian King, said.

A statement posted on the exchange's website earlier said a technical issue was being investigated with the publication of RNS - the exchange's Regulatory News Service - announcements.

When trading began at 8am this morning, the exchange's website was still showing prices from the close on Thursday evening.

The FTSE-100 opened 50 points lower - around 0.62% - at the open but no prices were available on the exchange's website, King said.

Read more from Sky News: 'Police presence' on streets of Leeds after mass riots Trump's wife and eldest daughter make rare appearance

Other major European stock indices have also opened to the downside this morning, with the DAX in Germany down by 0.55% half an hour into the session, while the CAC-40 in France and the MIB in Italy down by 0.45% apiece.

Users on the subreddit for cyber security firm Crowdstrike reported issues in India, the United States and New Zealand.

. @SkyNews have not been able to broadcast live TV this morning, currently telling viewers that we apologise for the interruption. Much of our news report is still available online, and we are working hard to restore all services. — David Rhodes (@davidgrayrhodes) July 19, 2024

While users in Australia began reporting issues early on Friday, stating they had been locked out of their workstations.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Within hours, Australia's National Security Coordinator said it was aware of the large-scale technical outage affecting a number of companies and services across the country.

It said there was currently no information to suggest the outage is a cyber security incident.

Related Topics

• Global IT outage

Mass IT outage hits airports, businesses and broadcasters around the world

Major airlines, medical facilities, businesses and police forces around the world were hit by a massive information technology glitch Friday, with Microsoft computers around the world showing " Blue Screens of Death ."

The cybersecurity company CrowdStrike said Friday that the outages were the result of a routine software update gone wrong, "not a security incident or cyberattack."

CrowdStrike, which provides cybersecurity services and software for many large corporations that use Microsoft systems, later issued a new software update that automatically fixed some computers. But others must be manually restarted and patched, causing huge delays.

Microsoft announced late Friday morning that its 365 apps and services had recovered, and CrowdStrike said a fix had been deployed early in the morning. But some frozen computers couldn’t receive CrowdStrike’s automatic update, leading to some of the problems lingering into the weekend.

Many flights were delayed as of Friday afternoon . Starbucks locations in New York had resumed normal wait times , despite its mobile order-ahead feature still not working.

The glitch brought chaos to a number of key institutions and businesses around the world that may take some time to clear up.

Many flights were grounded across the globe, and stores and broadcasters in several countries went offline. According to the aviation technology company FlightAware, the tech glitch was responsible for more than half of the U.S.'s 1,352 flight delays and cancellations before 8 a.m. ET on Friday.

Major carriers, including American Airlines , Delta Air Lines and United Airlines , all issued ground stops Friday morning citing communications issues. Passengers traveling to the United States from as far away as Japan had their flights canceled. Delta ordered a “global ground stop,”  said Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., a member of the House subcommittee on cybersecurity.

Follow live updates on the global tech outage

George Kurtz, president and CEO of CrowdStrike, said the problems could persist.

“It could be some time for some systems that just automatically won’t recover,” he told NBC’s “TODAY” show on Friday.

Kurtz said the company was “deeply sorry for the impact that we’ve caused to customers, to travelers, to anyone affected by this,” adding the issue had been fixed on its end.

“Many of the customers are rebooting the system, and it’s coming up, and it’ll be operational because we fixed it on our end,” he said. “We’re just trying to sort out where the negative interaction was,” he said of the faulty update that affected Windows PCs.

Earlier, in a post on X , Kurtz said that the outages were due to a “defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts.”

In Europe, Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport said there would be delays to passenger check-ins “because of a technical fault,” and Aena, which manages 46 airports in Spain, said “an incident in the computer system” could cause delays. Several budget airlines in South Korea reported technical problems and delays, The Associated Press said. Sydney Airport, one of Australia’s largest, said there would be delays.

Paris' airport authority said in a statement that while its systems were not affected ahead of next week's Olympic Games opening ceremony, "this situation has an impact on the operations of airlines at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports: delays in check-in, delays and temporary suspension of some flights," according to the AP.

The Paris Olympics organizing committee told Reuters that while the outage was slowing its operations, its ticket sales remained unaffected. Elsewhere in the world of sports, British soccer team Manchester United delayed a ticket release scheduled for Friday, blaming problems with Microsoft.

That was just one of many businesses affected across the United Kingdom, with train operators blaming IT outages for cancellations Friday morning and the London Stock Exchange saying that a “3rd party global technical issue” had prevented its regulatory news service from posting any new items.

The country’s National Health Service posted on X that “the NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with a [general practitioner] appointment and patient record system.” The NHS that the system’s emergency phone service was still operating.

In Israel, at least 15 major hospitals were affected, according to media there. However, most medical centers had either returned to normal operations or reverted to manual operations. The emergency line of the country’s ambulance service was also affected.

At 2:20 a.m. ET, Alaska State Troopers said that 911 and nonemergency phone numbers across the state were not working “due to a nationwide technology-related outage."

The glitch affected news outlets, too, including NBC News. Sky News, NBC News' British partner broadcaster, was temporarily unable to air live news. Broadcasters in Australia also reported problems.

In a blog posted late Friday afternoon , Kurtz wrote that CrowdStrike staffers would be on call over the weekend to help affected customers, and warned of hackers and scammers exploiting the situation.

“We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this," he said. "I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that you’re engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives."

I cover early morning U.S. breaking news, everything from severe weather to crime. I'm based in London and have worked for American news outlets since 2013.

Kevin Collier is a reporter covering cybersecurity, privacy and technology policy for NBC News.

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