Grand Tour of Spain
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Culture, history, and cuisine, all with Spanish flavor.
Spain's charismatic locals and cosmopolitan cities shine on this tour, which take you from the museums of Madrid to the sands of the Costa del Sol. Barcelona and Madrid compete for the title of cultural capital, both boasting incredible art and architecture. Andalusia is a showcase of mosques, churches, and Moorish castles. Sample it all on this guided tour of Spain, traversing the country from north to south and back again.
Your tour package includes
- 12 nights in handpicked hotels
- 12 breakfasts
- 5 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 food tasting
- 7 sightseeing tours
Included highlights
- Prado Museum
- Olive oil tasting
- Córdoba
- Seville Cathedral
- Ronda
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Madrid today.
Welcome to Spain! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
Get an insider’s view of Madrid with a local guide.
- View the Royal Palace, Spain’s largest royal residence.
- Pass by the Temple of Debod, a reassembled temple from ancient Egypt.
- View the city’s many squares, including Plaza Colón and Plaza Neptune.
- Explore the Prado, a world-class art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy and is home to the works of Goya, Velásquez, and more.
Enjoy free time in Madrid or add an excursion.
Traditional Spanish Evening
From $119 per person
Spend a free day in Madrid or add an excursion.
Toledo
From $105 per person
Ride a high-speed train to the town of Córdoba. Then, discover some of the flavors and history of Andalusia.
- Explore Córdoba, which was once home to 700 mosques, 900 public baths, and 70 libraries.
- Enter the Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the eighth century as a mosque and then transformed into a cathedral during the Christian Reconquista of 1236.
- Stop at an olive oil farm and join a local guide for a tour of the olive groves, mill, and cellar.
- Sample some orange-infused olive oil drizzled on top of chocolate gelato.
- Enjoy free time to shop.
Then, continue on to Seville and sit down for an included dinner.
Please note: Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage.
Uncover the beauty of Seville, the historic Andalusian capital, on a guided sightseeing tour.
- View the tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España.
- Pass the whitewashed homes of Barrio de Santa Cruz.
- Step inside the Gothic Seville Cathedral, the third-largest church in the world.
Enjoy free time in Seville or add an excursion.
Traditional Seville Flamenco Show
From $79 per person
On your way to the beaches of Costa del Sol, stop to explore the famous cliffside town of Ronda with a local guide.
- Admire the town's picturesque white buildings and pass the Plaza de Toros, which was constructed in the late 1700s.
- View the staggering Puente Nuevo, an 18th-century bridge that spans a deep gorge.
- Walk by Mondragón Palace and enter Casa don Bosco, a historic home with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside.
Continue on to Costa del Sol and sit down for an included dinner.
Spend a free day on the beaches of Costa del Sol or add an excursion.
A Day in Gibraltar
From $155 per person
Take a guided tour of the UNESCO-recognized Alhambra, the Moorish sultans’ last stronghold in Spain.
- Walk along the Cypress Promenade to view the upper and lower gardens of Generalife Palace, once the Nasrid dynasty’s summer home.
- Enjoy panoramic views overlooking Granada and the surrounding countryside.
- View the unique curved, Roman-style courtyard inside the Palace of Charles V.
- Admire the blend of Western art and Islamic design as you stroll through ornamented courtyards.
- Enter the Nasrid Palaces and see the Mexuar, where the Council of Ministers met.
- See where the royal family lived during visits to Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions.
Please note: The order of activities is subject to change.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
On the way to Valencia, stop in the cave district of Guadix, where nearly half of the residents live underground.
Discover Valencia on a guided sightseeing tour.
- Pass the City of Arts and Sciences, a symbol of Spain’s modernist architecture.
- See the Torres de Serranos and national ceramics museum and on a drive through El Carmen neighborhood.
- Admire the UNESCO-listed Llotja de la Seda as you walk through the Old Town to Plaza de la Virgen.
- Gaze upon the unique architecture of Valencia Cathedral.
- Stop for a tasting of the decadent beverage known as horchata.
Enjoy free time to get to know Valencia on your own, perhaps grab a dish of their famous paella, or take a leisurely stroll through the Royal Gardens.
Travel along the Mediterranean coast as you make your way to Barcelona.
Follow a local on a guided tour of the Catalonian capital.
- Step inside La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s famous masterwork-in-progress.
- Drive along Passeig de Gràcia, past Gaudí’s “House of Bones.”
- Stop at Montjuïc, where the 1992 Olympic Games took place, and stroll through Mirador de l’Alcalde Park.
- Pass Plaça d’Espanya.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Barcelona or add an excursion.
Celebrate your trip with your group at tonight’s farewell dinner.
Park Güell & La Pedrera
From $109 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue exploring Barcelona.
Enjoy a free day in Barcelona or add an excursion.
Picasso & Gothic Barcelona
From $85 per person
Spend a free day in Barcelona or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Montserrat
From $95 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.7 out of 5
4 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
This trip exceeded my expectations. Attention to detail was evident in accommodations, transportation, tour guides and activities. While two weeks is not long enough for such a beautiful country, this trip provided a great overview of Spain’s history, culture and geography. All the cities we visi...
5 out of 5 stars
I recently did the Grand Tour of Spain. It’s my third time traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours. My daughter, my friend and I had a wonderful time discovering all the wonders and tastes of Spain with Manuel, the very best tour guide. It was the largest group I ever traveled with, but Manuel handled ever...
Hi Norma, Thank you so much for your kind review. ...
Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This stylish hotel is located in Madrid’s Chamberí neighborhood. Guests enjoy spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a relaxing bar. Nearby, you’l...
This stylish, modern hotel is located in the Nervión district in eastern Seville. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, as well as a swimming pool, gym, and restau...
This coastal hotel is located in Benalmádena. Guests enjoy a bar, gym, and outdoor pool. Nearby you’ll find the marina, Malapesquera Beach, and Benalm...
This modern hotel is located close to the shopping area of Granada. Guests enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, gym, and restaurant options. Nearby you’ll ...
This modern hotel is located in Valencia’s Camins al Grau neighborhood. Guests enjoy bike rentals, a cafe, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the P...
This contemporary hotel is located in the Eixample district. Guests enjoy air conditioning, a swimming pool, and terrace. Nearby, you'll find Montjuïc...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter Spain, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code JOS.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Madrid and depart from Barcelona.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
- When you arrive in Madrid, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- One 1-night stay
- 3 full days of included activities in a row (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Occasional transportation by train
- About 4 hours of bus time daily
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day - this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Access to Alhambra requires travelers to walk uphill, including many stairs with uneven steps.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 90F.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including train and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A train ride from Madrid to Córdoba is included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- European train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which includes a train.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, airports, and train stations.
- Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto storage racks, sometimes above the seats.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
- Accommodations are typically three to four star hotels.
- All accommodations include a private bathroom.
- Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
- Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
- Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- Spain operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code JOS.
- This tour includes five dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- In Spain, breakfast like a local with just a pastry and coffee. Then, tuck into a three-course lunch featuring a Spanish staple like savory seafood paella or grilled meat and fried potatoes. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9pm and midnight. Snack on small plates called tapas any time of day.
- Cuisine in Spain's southern Andalusia region is heavily influenced by surrounding countries, and has many Arabic elements. Kebabs are popular, and desserts are often prepared with almonds, honey, and cinnamon. Be sure to try Serrano ham, which is considered a regional delicacy, as well as the famous chilled soup known as gazpacho.
- Catalan cuisine, which can be found in Barcelona, is markedly different from food in other parts of Spain. Nearly every restaurant will offer pa amb tomàquet—toasted bread with tomato and olive oil. Fresh seafood, hearty meat dishes, cheeses, and locally grown vegetables, such as wild mushrooms, are culinary mainstays.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro on tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
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4.7 out of 5 stars