Romans, Visigoths & Viziers

We start the day with a visit to the Palacio le Lebrija, housing an Archaeological Museum famous for its Roman mosaics. We proceed to the Seville Archaeological Museum, the most important museum of its kind in Andalucia, housing artefacts from the Neolithic period to the time of the Moors. After lunch, we explore the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, the largest Gothic church in the world. Afterwards, we take a tour of the Real Alcazar, the oldest European royal palace still in use today.

We drive north to Italica, birthplace of Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Founded by General Scipio in the 3rd century BC, Italica is home to many Roman remains, ancient cobbled streets and one of the largest amphitheaters in the Empire. On our return to Seville, we visit the Metropol Parasol, the iconic wooden structure locals refer to as Las Setas, where we explore the archaeological remains found underneath it.

This morning we travel to Carmona to explore the ruins of the ancient city, the fortress, as well as the necropolis, famed for its extensive rock-cut tombs. The most important finds on display among the collections in the Carmona Museum are the Tartessian and Roman remains. In the afternoon, we drive to Córdoba, where we visit the archaeological museum whose collection of artefacts spans the breadth of early Andalucian history and includes the Lion of Nueva Carteya.

After breakfast, we venture out of the city to explore the ruined Moorish palace of Medina Azahara. Upon our return to Córdoba, we explore a city colonized by Muslims until the 8th century. We explore the Mezquita, a peerless mosque which transformed into an elaborate gilt cathedral in the 16th century. Lastly, we explore the atmospheric Jewish Quarter.

We visit the archaeological park of Torreparedones, an important Ibero-Roman site where we see a market and forum. Later, we visit the Baena Archaeological Museum to view the artefacts recovered from the site and the larger region dating from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. 

Today we spend all day in Granada, exploring both the city and the unique Alhambra. We will explore the Granada Archaeological Museum, set in a 16th century palace. The highlight of the day and of the tour is the visit to the Alhambra, with its enchanting blend of Arabic and Renaissance architecture. Described by Muslim poets as a pearl set in emeralds, there are fewer places more famous than this – a lovely way to end the tour.

We drive to Málaga, on the southern coast, and make our independent onward journeys.