This driving route takes you through former frontier country – between the Christian Kingdom of Castile and the Muslim Kingdom of Granada. This mountainous area was contested for hundreds of years, which explains why there are so many castles along the route.
The neighbouring villages of Zuheros and Luque are within easy reach of Córdoba, on the northern edge of the Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark, which has impressive karst landscape features. See the rock formations up close at the Cueva de los Murciélgos or visit a romantic castle.
The Guadalquivir has played a pivotal role in Andalcuía’s history and development. This itinerary takes you the whole length of the river, from its source in the Sierras de Cazorla to its mouth at Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Capital of both the Roman province of Baetica and Al-Andalus, Córdoba’s rich cultural heritage is preserved in its architecture, customs and cuisine. It’s worth lingering for a few nights to do the city justice and to experience its more tranquil side once the day-trippers have left.
Córdoba is very easily reached on the AVE high-speed train from Seville, Málaga or Antequera, so it makes a great day trip. You’ll have time to explore the beautiful UNESCO-listed Mosque-Cathedral and Jewish quarter. You might even be able to squeeze in the Alcázar or a couple of Córdoba’s famous flower-filled patios.
Seville and Córdoba have a wealth of historic monuments, including must-see sights like the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Seville Cathedral and the royal palaces (Alcázares) in both cities. As well as them, this itinerary gives you time to explore traditional Andalucian neighbourhoods, experience the passion of a flamenco performance and sample the local cuisine.
For thousands of years, Andalucía has been a melting pot of cultures: Iberian, Phoenician, Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian. This one-week itinerary includes the most emblematic sights of Seville, Córdoba and Granada while also finding time to explore a few hidden corners of each city that most visitors miss.
