Andalusia Tour 2026-2027: Cordoba, Granada and Seville Programmes

Andalusia (al-Andalus) is the region, now in the south of Spain, that for about eight centuries was one of the most brilliant centres of Islamic civilisation in Europe. An Andalusia tour offers the chance to see this heritage first-hand in the cities of Cordoba (Qurtuba), Granada (Gharnata) and Seville (Ishbiliya). That is why an Andalusia tour of Spain is less an ordinary European trip than a journey to read the story of a civilisation where it unfolded.

The Islamic history of the region begins in the Umayyad period, when the army under the command of Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed the strait that bears his name today. After the fall of the Umayyad dynasty in Damascus, Abd al-Rahman I crossed into Andalusia and founded an independent emirate centred on Cordoba; under Abd al-Rahman III, Cordoba became one of the leading centres of learning and culture of its time. In later periods, the Almoravids and the Almohads, both of North African origin, ruled the region, while the Granada-based Nasrid state, the last Muslim state in Andalusia, left behind the palaces of the Alhambra that visitors admire today. Figures such as the Qur’anic commentator Imam al-Qurtubi and the philosopher Ibn Rushd also grew up in these lands. For the detailed story of each period, take a look at our Andalusia travel guide.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba

Construction of the Great Mosque of Cordoba began under Abd al-Rahman I, and the building was extended many times under later rulers. Its double-tiered arches of red and white stone and its prayer hall, which resembles a forest of columns, are the symbols of the building. The mihrab built under al-Hakam II and the gold-ground mosaics around it are regarded as among the most refined examples of Andalusian art. The historic centre around the Great Mosque also stands out with its narrow streets and flower-filled courtyards; exploring this fabric on foot is the best way to understand the spirit of the city.

After the city passed to the Kingdom of Castile, the building was converted into a church, and in the following centuries a cathedral section was added in the middle of the prayer hall. As the building is used as a cathedral today, praying inside is not permitted. You can complete your visit while respecting this rule and perform your prayer at a suitable place set out in the programme.

Madinat al-Zahra

Founded by Abd al-Rahman III to the west of Cordoba, Madinat al-Zahra was a palace city that reflected the splendour of the caliphate. The city was destroyed in the civil strife that accompanied the caliphate’s disintegration, and its ruins can be visited today as an archaeological site. As the site lies outside the city centre, transport to it is planned separately as part of the programme.

The Alhambra Palace and the Generalife

Developed under the Nasrids, the Alhambra is a vast complex made up of a fortress, palaces and gardens. The plasterwork, tiles and wooden ceilings of the Nasrid Palaces form the most impressive part of the visit. The phrase “La ghaliba illa Allah” (There is no victor but Allah), repeated frequently on the walls, is known as the motto of the Nasrids. The Court of the Lions, with a fountain surrounded by lion statues at its centre, is one of the best-known corners of the palace. Near the palace, the Generalife (Jannat al-Arif) is a summer palace and garden known for its pools and water channels.

The Albaicín and the San Nicolás viewpoint

With its narrow, steep streets, the Albaicín is the quarter of Granada that best preserves its fabric from the Andalusian period. Its whitewashed houses, mansions with gardens and narrow slopes give a strong sense of the urban fabric of the Andalusian era. From the San Nicolás viewpoint above the quarter, you can see the Alhambra set against the Sierra Nevada mountains, especially towards sunset.

The Great Mosque of Granada

Located right next to the San Nicolás viewpoint, the Great Mosque of Granada (Mezquita Mayor de Granada) is a mosque open to visitors, whose garden offers a view of the Alhambra. As visiting and prayer times may change, they are checked before the mosque is added to the programme.

The Giralda and the Courtyard of the Oranges

Used today as the bell tower of Seville Cathedral, the Giralda is the minaret of the great mosque built under the Almohads. The bell section and the upper part of the tower were added much later, in the Renaissance period; one of its notable features is that it has ramps inside instead of stairs. The Courtyard of the Oranges beside the cathedral also bears traces of the old mosque’s courtyard.

The Alcázar of Seville

The Alcázar is made up of palaces and gardens built in different periods. Its important sections were built in the style known as Mudéjar, which continued the tradition of Muslim craftsmen under Christian rule, so their plasterwork, tiles and courtyards are reminiscent of the Alhambra.

Malaga and Gibraltar

Depending on the flight plan, Malaga can be the entry or exit point of the route; the city’s Alcazaba fortress bears traces of the Andalusian period. Gibraltar, which takes its name from Tariq ibn Ziyad, may be subject to different entry requirements, so whether it is added to the programme is assessed according to your request and current conditions.

Because we plan our Andalusia programmes on request, the route is shaped by flight times, the arrival and departure cities and the Alhambra ticket time. The Cordoba and Seville stops can also be taken in reverse order, depending on the arrival city. The table below is intended only to give a general idea.

The order and length of the programme vary depending on the package you choose.

The Alhambra is the most sought-after stop on an Andalusia trip, and its tickets are sold in limited numbers and in advance. A specific entry time is usually given for the Nasrid Palaces, and visitors are expected to keep to it; in busy periods, tickets can sell out early. For this reason, once your registration is complete, we plan the Alhambra visit as a priority and arrange the day’s schedule around the ticket time. As the Alhambra visit involves a long walk, the programme for that day is kept lighter and breaks are planned accordingly.

At sites such as the Great Mosque of Cordoba, Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar, visiting hours, ticketing practices and dress codes may also change from time to time. Current conditions are confirmed with official sources before travel. As identity details may be requested at some entrances, it is useful to carry your passport with you.

Halal food

Because pork products and wine-based sauces are common in Spanish cuisine, halal sensitivity requires special care on this route. Group meals are chosen from venues that offer halal options; in Granada in particular, it is relatively easy to find halal dishes from North African and Middle Eastern cuisines in and around the Albaicín. During your free time, your guide helps you ask about the ingredients of dishes on the menu.

Prayer and the Friday prayer

Sightseeing days are planned around prayer times. Because the days are long in the summer months, prayer times may differ from what you are used to in Türkiye; your guide shares the prayer times and the qibla direction in advance. If the programme coincides with a Friday and you are in Granada, performing the Friday prayer at the Great Mosque of Granada is taken into account, as far as the mosque’s arrangements allow.

Accommodation and transport

For accommodation, hotels with easy access to the historic centres and visiting points are preferred. As there are high-speed rail and road connections between the cities, transport can be planned by train or private vehicle according to the route and the group’s needs. Airport pick-up and transport to sites outside the city, such as Madinat al-Zahra, are also arranged as part of the programme.

Guidance and support

Because the Andalusian heritage is intertwined with the architecture of later periods, it can easily be overlooked if it is not explained properly. Our experienced Turkish-speaking guide explains in which period and under which dynasty each building was constructed, from the perspective of Islamic civilisation. Throughout the journey, you can reach our 24/7 support line via WhatsApp.

The climate of Andalusia and the distances between its cities directly affect how enjoyable the trip is. Choosing the right period ensures that the programme can be completed without becoming tiring.

As long outdoor walks become difficult in the summer months, sightseeing during this period is shifted as far as possible to the cooler hours of the day.

Documents and entry requirements

The documents required to enter Spain may differ depending on your nationality and passport type, and the requirements may also change over time. We recommend confirming the current requirements with official sources before travelling; we guide you through the application process. It is also useful to check the current travel information from Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Clothing

• Comfortable shoes suitable for long walks and stone-paved, sloping streets
• Modest, season-appropriate clothing that can be worn in layers
• A hat and sunscreen for summer, a raincoat for winter

Money and shopping

The currency in Spain is the euro, and card payment is common; even so, carrying some cash for small expenses makes things easier. In the markets of Granada you can find ceramics with Andalusian motifs, lanterns and inlaid souvenirs.

Health and personal needs

We recommend taking enough of any medication you use regularly, in its original packaging. A water bottle, sunglasses and a small backpack make the all-day walks easier. If you have a chronic condition, do not forget to consult your doctor before travelling.

If a date change or cancellation is needed after registration, the conditions that apply depend on the date on which the cancellation is made; you can find the details on our cancellation and refund conditions page.

We plan our Andalusia tour programmes on request; when you send us your travel period, the number of travellers and your expectations via our WhatsApp line, we prepare a tailored quote for you. In the table below, you can compare our other halal culture tour programmes; the current prices and dates for these programmes are shown on the package cards.

Comparing different routes also helps you clarify your expectations for Andalusia. You can send us your questions about the itinerary, the accommodation area and the services included in the price.

For an Andalusia tour, the price is given in a quote prepared according to your request, and the scope is clearly stated in that quote. In general, our programmes may include the following services:

• Flights and airport transfers, depending on the programme
• Accommodation and the meals specified in the programme
• Experienced Turkish-speaking guidance and transport between cities
• Organisation of the museum and archaeological site visits in the programme
• A pre-departure briefing and 24/7 support

Personal expenses, meals not included in the programme, optional additional visits and costs related to entry documents are generally not included in the price. For other topics you may be curious about, you can also take a look at our frequently asked questions page.

• Planning on request: The route, pace and travel period are decided together according to your needs.
• Halal concept: From meal breaks to sightseeing hours, the programme is built around prayer times and halal sensitivities.
• Experienced Turkish-speaking guidance: Every stop, from Cordoba to Granada, is explained from the perspective of Islamic civilisation.
• 24/7 support: From the moment you send your request until your return, you can reach our team via WhatsApp.

For those who want to get to know Andalusia together with the Almoravid and Almohad heritage of North Africa, our Morocco tours are a fine complement. If you would like to visit the first qibla, you can explore our Jerusalem tours page, and if you are curious about the centres of learning in the east, our Uzbekistan tours page; you can see all routes on our halal culture tours page. For your questions, you can also reach us through our contact page.

Andalusia is a journey made not only to see historic buildings but to follow the traces of a civilisation where it flourished. Simply write to us on our WhatsApp line so that we can plan your tailored Andalusia programme together.