We will start this Tour from Madrid early in the morning and leave by train (AVE) to Granada. They will pick us up at the station to go to the Alhambra in Granada, the most important Arab construction in the world. This is a magical route through the palatine city. 

Visit to Alhambra

We will go from its oldest area, the Alcazaba, to the emerald green of the Generalife. We will learn about the origin of the Arab settlement in Granada as we walk between the great walls of the Alcazaba and the towers that surround the citadel. 

Then we will go to the Generalife Gardens, these are still today inspiration for hundreds of artists for their unique architecture. This palatial city is full of great vegetation and aromatic flowers.  It is said that Alhambra is the largest sundial on the planet, there we will discover its details, legends and its great historical, artistic value and the great influence of the Catholic Monarchs. Finally we will enter the Nasrid Palaces that have an exquisite decoration that will impress you. 

We will have some time to eat and we will take the train back to Córdoba. 

Visit to Córdoba

 Our guide will be waiting for us to take us to the Mosque, the Cathedral that combines Catholic art with Muslim art, unique in the world. 

Visiting the Mosque of Cordoba with a guide will not only allow us to skip the line, but it is the best way to get to know this incredible monument.  

These are some of the things we will discover: 

• The construction of the mosque began in 785.  
• It was the second largest in the world, behind Mecca, until the construction of the Blue Mosque.  
• In the thirteenth century, after the reconquest it was consecrated as a cathedral.  
• In 1984 Unesco listed it as a World Heritage Site.  
• It brings together the Umayyad, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. 

 
In the Tour through the Mosque you will discover the heart of the city and the importance of Andalusian architecture.  

This is a World Heritage monument, you will learn about each of the three extensions that were in the Muslim temple since its construction in 785 and its subsequent conversion to a Christian cathedral in the thirteenth century; and being for centuries the second largest place of worship after Mecca.  

We will see things as curious as the shape of its arches, supported by columns, bases, shafts and capitals of very varied sizes, styles and materials; The mosque was built with material pillaged from very old buildings of Roman and Hispanic Visigoth buildings, and the Mihrab built with pieces of greater beauty for the most noble area, the Mihrab.  

Next, we will cross the forest of columns until we reach the great choir of the Christian cathedral that stands in the central part of the building. We will observe the mahogany wood stalls that were brought from the island of Santo Domingo, this narrates biblical scenes with many original characters and ornaments. The organ that culminates the choir has more than 1,500 tubes, and after a century without sounding and seven months of restorations, it is today a unique piece worldwide. 

At the end of the visit, we will tour the streets of the historic center of Córdoba. Time to eat some tapas and return to Madrid. 

Granada and its History 

The origin of the name of Granada comes from the eleventh century, it was when the ziríes moved the capital of their kingdom from Medina Elvira to Medina Garnata. The etymological meaning of this term could come from Latin, having as reference the fruit of the pomegranate granatum, or of the Arabic language gar-anat, which is “city of pilgrims“. 

The Alhambra and its History 

Initially it was a military zone at the beginning, the Alhambra became a royal residence and the court of Granada, in the mid-thirteenth century, after implementing the Nasrid kingdom and the construction of the first palace, by the founding king Mohammed ibn Yusuf ben Nasr, more known for Alhamar. 

Generalife Gardens 

Considered as one of the most beautiful in the world, from there you can see the Alambra, the Albaicín and a great visual of the Vega of Granada. This a garden made for pleasure and enjoyment of the senses. Its construction was in the fourteenth century and its name derives from the word Yannat-al-arif, this means Garden of the Architect, was founded by the bell or vizier of Abdullah III, from whom he takes his name, giving it later to King Aben Nazar. He has also been named Huerta del Zambrero or Tañedor de Laúd, since apparently the courtiers celebrated their zambras or private parties. 

Nasrid Palaces 

This is a palatial, purple ensemble of the kings of Granada. In the 13th century, the dynasty’s founder, Alhamar, began to build it. In the walls of these palaces there is a refinement and a delicacy of the last Spanish-Arab governors of Al Andalus, the Nasrids. 

Three palaces form this enclosure: The Mexuar, The Palace of Comares, or Yusuf I and the Palace of the Lions, or Mohammed V. 

Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba 

This is a World Heritage Site since 1984, it is the most important monument in the Islamic West and one of the most impressive in the world. Its history summarizes the complete evolution of the Umayyad style in Spain, also the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of Christian construction. 

All year except Christmas, New Year and St. Stephen

Tickets:

• Alhambra of Granada
• Mosque of Cordoba
• AVE train Madrid – Granada
• AVE train Granada – Córdoba
• AVE train Córdoba – Madrid

• Maximum capacity: 15 people.
• Meeting point: Pick up at the Hotel of Hospedaje.
• It is essentialto have received the reservation confirmation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

1-day tours are cancelable up to 24 hours before.