TravelTravel
Andalucia by Train: 7-Day Itinerary
A 7-day Andalucia train itinerary — Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Ronda, and Málaga by rail. No car needed. Routes, timings, and booking tips.
This Andalucia by train itinerary connects the region’s most important destinations by high-speed AVE and scenic mountain rail — no car required, no driving, and one of the great European rail journeys included.
Andalucia By Train Itinerary: Key Planning Points
Andalucia’s train network is one of Spain’s best-kept travel secrets. The AVE high-speed trains that link Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga are fast, comfortable, and cheaper than equivalent journeys in most of western Europe. The narrow-gauge mountain line between Málaga and Ronda is one of the great scenic railway journeys on the continent. And a car-free Andalucia trip, planned correctly, reaches everything most travellers actually want to see.
This andalucia by train itinerary guide covers everything you need to know for your trip.
Use this andalucia by train itinerary resource to plan each stage of your visit to Andalucia.
The Andalucia rail network: what connects to what
High-speed AVE network (Renfe):
– Seville ↔ Córdoba: 45 min, ~10 trains/day
– Seville ↔ Málaga: 2h, ~6 trains/day (via Córdoba or Antequera)
– Seville ↔ Granada: 3h 15min, ~5 trains/day (change at Antequera-Santa Ana)
– Córdoba ↔ Granada: 2h 15min, ~5 trains/day (change at Antequera)
– Málaga ↔ Granada: 1h 25min, ~6 trains/day (direct)
– Madrid ↔ Seville: 2h 30min
– Madrid ↔ Málaga: 2h 15min
– Madrid ↔ Granada: 3h
Scenic mountain line (Media Distancia):
– Málaga ↔ Ronda ↔ Algeciras: 2h to Ronda, 3h 15min to Algeciras. 3–4 trains/day. Spectacular gorge scenery through the Serranía de Ronda.
Cercanías (commuter rail, Málaga):
– Málaga ↔ Fuengirola: 45 min (Costa del Sol coast)
– Málaga ↔ Airport: 12 min
All tickets at renfe.com. Book early — Básico (cheapest) fares are released 60 days ahead and sell out fast for popular routes.
7-day train itinerary
Day 1–2: Seville
Fly into Seville SVQ or arrive by AVE from Madrid. Base yourself in Triana or Alfalfa. Two days: Alcázar, Cathedral, Barrio Santa Cruz, flamenco, tapas.
Day 2 option: Bus to Italica Roman ruins (30 min from Plaza de Armas, no train needed).
Day 3: Seville → Córdoba
Train: 6.50am AVE → arrive Córdoba 7.35am. Free Mezquita entry 8.30–9.30am. Full Córdoba day: Judería, Alcázar, Roman Bridge. Return to Seville by evening OR stay overnight in Córdoba.
If staying in Córdoba overnight: Next morning, the Medina Azahara (tourist bus from city, 30 min) before taking the afternoon train to Granada.
Day 4: Córdoba → Granada
Train: Córdoba → Antequera-Santa Ana → Granada. Total: 2h 15min with the change.
Arrive Granada early afternoon. Albaicín walk, tapa libre dinner, sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás.
Day 5: Alhambra day
Nasrid Palaces (pre-booked 2–4 months ahead), Alcazaba, Generalife. Book the night visit for this evening if you can get tickets — a completely different experience.
Day 6: Granada → Ronda → Málaga
Train option A: Granada → Málaga (1h 25min direct), then Málaga → Ronda on the scenic mountain line (2h). Spend 4 hours in Ronda, return to Málaga by evening.
Train option B: Granada → Antequera → Ronda (change required, check connections at renfe.com). Slower but a good route if you want to overnight in Ronda.
The Málaga–Ronda mountain line is reason enough: the train climbs through the El Chorro gorge, past the Caminito del Rey rock path, through limestone cliffs and pine forest. Window seat, right side heading to Ronda.
Day 7: Málaga
Málaga day: Picasso Museum, Alcazaba, Atarazanas Market, Playa de la Malagueta. Fly home from Málaga AGP (12 min by Cercanías to the airport from Málaga Centro-Alameda station).
10-day train extension
Add between Seville and Córdoba:
– Jerez de la Frontera: Train from Seville (1h), overnight or long day trip — sherry bodegas, equestrian school.
– Cádiz: Train from Seville (1h 45min) or Jerez (30 min) — the Atlantic old city.
Add after Granada:
– Almería: Train from Granada via Guadix (2h 30min) — the Alcazaba, the old city, day trip to Cabo de Gata by bus or taxi.
Key fares (2026, advance booking)
| Route | Journey time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Seville → Córdoba | 45 min | €15 |
| Seville → Granada | 3h 15min | €25 |
| Seville → Málaga | 2h | €25 |
| Córdoba → Granada | 2h 15min | €28 |
| Granada → Málaga | 1h 25min | €15 |
| Málaga → Ronda | 2h | €12 |
| Seville → Cádiz | 1h 45min | €18 |
| Seville → Jerez | 1h | €12 |
Book at renfe.com. The cheapest “Básico” fares are non-refundable; “Elige” fares allow changes. For flexible travel, Elige is worth the few euros extra.
What you can’t reach by train
The main limitation of a train-only Andalucia trip:
– The white villages — Grazalema, Zahara, Setenil — have no direct rail service
– Cabo de Gata Natural Park — accessible from Almería by taxi or rental car only
– Alpujarras villages — accessible by Alsa bus from Granada (slow) or car
– Caminito del Rey — no public transport to the trail start
Workarounds:
– Ronda is trainable (Málaga line) — it gives you one major white village
– Guided day tours from Seville, Granada, or Málaga cover the white village circuit by minibus (€45–€75, GetYourGuide/Civitatis)
– Almería → Cabo de Gata: local bus to Agua Amarga or San José (check current schedules), then walk or hire a bicycle
Tips for train travel in Andalucia
Book early. Básico fares sell out quickly for popular morning trains (especially Seville → Córdoba at 8am and Granada → Málaga at 9am). Book at renfe.com as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Arrive at the station early. Spanish high-speed trains close boarding 5 minutes before departure — unlike in many countries, they will leave without you if you’re late.
Luggage. There are no luggage limits on most Renfe trains, and overhead racks are generous. No luggage fees.
Train station locations:
– Seville Santa Justa: 15 min walk from centre, or bus C2
– Córdoba: 15 min walk from Mezquita
– Granada: 15 min walk from centre, or bus SN1
– Málaga María Zambrano: 20 min walk from historic centre, or Metro line 1
Connections. Spain’s train connections require careful timing — a missed connection (especially at Antequera-Santa Ana, a major interchange) can mean a 90-min wait for the next train. Allow 25+ min between connections.
More planning help
- For a trip combining trains and car: Andalucia Road Trip Itinerary
- For car-free travel including day tour options: Andalucia Without a Car
- For renting a car if you decide you want one: Renting a Car in Andalucia
Useful Resources
For official travel information about Andalucia, visit Renfe — Spanish national rail.
Related reading: travelling Andalucia by train, Andalucia without a car.
