Few corners of Europe cast a spell quite like southern Spain. Here, the muezzin’s echo still seems to linger in horseshoe arches, orange blossom perfumes whitewashed lanes, and the ghosts of caliphs, kings, and flamenco dancers share the same sun-baked plazas. Andalusia and its neighboring lands — Extremadura and Castile-La Mancha — are where Moorish Spain reached its most dazzling heights, layering eight centuries of Islamic artistry beneath the golden domes of Catholic Spain. To travel here is to move through living history, and there is no more romantic way to do it than aboard a vintage luxury train.
Places to See
The south rewards the curious traveler with a procession of unforgettable cities, each with its own character and treasures.
Seville
The soulful capital of Andalusia is a city of grand gestures: the soaring Gothic cathedral with the Giralda tower rising above it, the fantastical Real Alcázar with its Mudéjar courtyards, and the tapas bars and flamenco tablaos of Triana and Santa Cruz. Seville is where many southern journeys begin.
Cordoba
Once the glittering capital of Moorish Spain, Cordoba is home to the Mezquita — a forest of red-and-white striped arches that remains one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings. Wander the flower-filled patios of the old Jewish quarter and cross the Roman bridge at dusk.
Cadiz & Jerez
Perched on an Atlantic peninsula, Cadiz claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, its salt-washed streets ringed by sea. Nearby Jerez de la Frontera is the cradle of sherry and Andalusian horsemanship, where bodegas and equestrian schools carry on centuries of tradition.
Toledo
Rising dramatically above a bend in the Tagus River, Toledo is the storied “City of Three Cultures,” where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage intertwine in synagogues, mosques, and a cathedral of breathtaking scale. It is one of Castile-La Mancha’s crowning jewels.
Getting There by Luxury Train
The most memorable way to discover the Moorish south is aboard the Al Andalus, a lovingly restored 1920s Belle Époque train that glides through the region in unhurried, palatial style. This 7-day journey runs between Seville and Madrid, weaving through Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castile-La Mancha with stops in Cordoba, Cadiz, Jerez, Caceres, Merida, Toledo, and Aranjuez. Fares start from EUR 7,552 per person, with departures from late June through October in 2026 and from late March through September in 2027.
Please note that the Al Andalus itinerary does not visit Granada or Ronda. Travelers hoping to add the Alhambra or Ronda’s cliff-top drama can contact our team to discuss extensions and private arrangements. To compare this journey with Spain’s other great rail routes, explore our guide to the luxury trains of Spain or browse our full fleet on the all trains page.
Best Time to Visit
Southern Spain is at its most enchanting in spring and autumn, when warm days give way to balmy evenings and the crowds thin. Late March through May brings orange blossom, wildflowers, and the great festivals of Seville. September and October offer golden light, the grape harvest in Jerez, and comfortable sightseeing temperatures. Midsummer in Andalusia can be intensely hot, which is why the Al Andalus schedules its journeys to align with the region’s most pleasant seasons. For a deeper look at timing your trip, see our guide to the best seasons for luxury train travel, and find more inspiration across our Spain journal.
Begin Your Andalusian Journey
From the arches of the Mezquita to the flamenco nights of Seville, southern Spain is a destination made for the romance of rail. Let our specialists craft your perfect Moorish escape aboard the Al Andalus. Start your booking or contact us today. Call us toll-free at (855) 720-2539 or email bookings@luxurytrainvacations.com to reserve your place aboard one of Europe’s most captivating journeys.