One of the best trains in the world is launching the ultimate slow-travel journey through Spain in spring 2026.
Over the course of seven days, the Belle Epoque-inspired Al Andalus train will carry passengers between Seville and Madrid, with stops in charming towns like Cordoba, Cadiz, Mérida, and Toledo. Along the way, they will have the chance to explore Unesco World Heritage Sites, visit local vineyards, dine on regional delicacies, and see ancient Roman ruins, all while absorbing amazing views of the Iberian landscape from the train’s windows.
Here’s an overview of the luxe new journey, including where the train will stop, and what guests can expect on board.
Al Andalus’ new itinerary between Seville and Madrid
The immersive seven-day journey kicks off in Seville with a tour of the city and a visit to the parliament building of Andalusia, a Moorish and Renaissance-style structure built in 1546. Later, guests will be greeted aboard the historic train with a welcome toast followed by a lavish dinner in the wood-panelled restaurant as the train winds its way toward Cordoba.
The following day, guests will explore the famous sights of Cordoba, including the town’s Mosque-Cathedral, and set off on walking tours that illustrate the city’s past as the medieval Emirate and Caliphate of Al-Andalus, when it was “the largest, most cultured, and most opulent city in Western Europe,” according to the train’s site. Later that afternoon, it pulls in to Cádiz, considered the oldest city in the Western world, for more sightseeing tours and dinner at a local restaurant in town.
The journey also allows passengers to explore smaller villages in the heart of Andalusia. In Jerez, travellers will witness a famous equestrian ballet, followed by a visit to a local winery, and in Mérida, a Unesco World Heritage Site, ancient Roman ruins dating back to 25 BC await. In Alcázar de San Juan, there will be visits to an artisanal cheese factory to learn about the famous cheeses of the Castilla-La Mancha region, followed by a tour of Campo de Criptana that’s known for its windmill-lined landscape that is said to have inspired Cervantes when writing Don Quixote.
On the journey’s penultimate day, travellers will be completely immersed in the Unesco-listed city of Toledo, via tours of the town’s Gothic and Moorish architecture, as well as its cathedral, 10th-Century mosque, and two synagogues. Later that day, another World Heritage Site will be on offer: the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and its gardens, the ornate former hunting lodge of Phillip II, the 16th-century king of Spain. That night, all guests are invited to an end-of-journey gala dinner and send-off party to wrap up the trip on a stylish and festive note. On day seven, the journey completes itself in Madrid, with one final breakfast on board before all passengers disembark by 1:30 p.m.
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