Córdoba’s Roman bridge and Mezquita-Catedral glowing at sunset

Spain · Beyond the Big Cities

Hidden Treasures of Spain

Moorish palaces in Andalusia, golden university towns and island coves most visitors never find. Discover the Spain beyond Madrid and Barcelona with our Spain specialists.

  • Seville Granada · Córdoba
  • 3 Balearic islands to explore
  • UNESCO old towns everywhere

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️

Spain’s historic cities

Andalusia and the Old Cities

Beyond the capital and Catalonia lie some of Europe’s most beautiful historic cities. Tap through to meet them.

The tiled bridges and canal of Plaza de España in Seville

The heart of Andalusia

Seville is orange trees, horse-drawn carriages and flamenco. Its Gothic cathedral is one of the largest in the world, the Real Alcázar is a royal palace of Moorish courtyards and gardens, and the Plaza de España was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

Wander the lanes of the Santa Cruz quarter by day, then catch flamenco in Triana at night.

  • The cathedral and the Giralda tower
  • Private tour of the Real Alcázar
  • Flamenco in Triana
The Alhambra fortress on its hill above Granada with snowy mountains behind

The Alhambra and the Albaicín

The Alhambra is the jewel of Moorish Spain: a hilltop palace-fortress of carved stucco, tiled courtyards and fountains, with the Sierra Nevada as its backdrop.

Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is strictly timed and books up fast, so we reserve it early. At sunset, head to the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín for the classic view.

  • Timed Nasrid Palaces entry
  • Stay in the parador inside the Alhambra’s grounds
  • Sunset in the Albaicín
Córdoba’s Roman bridge and Mezquita-Catedral at sunset

The Mezquita and flower-filled patios

Córdoba’s Mezquita-Catedral is one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings, a forest of red-and-white arches with a Renaissance cathedral built at its heart.

In May, residents open their flower-filled courtyards for the Patios Festival. It’s an easy day trip from Seville or a stop on the train to Madrid.

  • Guided Mezquita-Catedral visit
  • The Roman bridge at golden hour
  • Courtyard gardens in May
A medieval stone bridge over the Tagus River below the walls of Toledo

The City of Three Cultures

Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities shaped this hilltop city above the Tagus River. Its cathedral, synagogues and El Greco paintings make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Just 33 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, Toledo is best enjoyed in the evening, after the day-trippers leave.

  • El Greco’s masterpieces
  • Damascene and marzipan workshops
  • An overnight stay for quiet evenings
Salamanca’s cathedral and old town above a stone bridge over the river

Golden stone and student life

Salamanca’s university was founded in 1218, making it the oldest in Spain. The whole old town glows in golden sandstone, especially at sunset in the Plaza Mayor.

Look for the little astronaut carved into the New Cathedral’s doorway during a restoration in the 1990s.

  • The Plaza Mayor at night
  • The historic university
  • Easy by train from Madrid

Islands and coast

Spain’s Islands and Coastline

Spain has some of Europe’s most beautiful coastline. Filter by islands or mainland coast, then tap “Read more” for our tips.

Palma Cathedral in Mallorca rising above palm-lined gardensBalearics

Mallorca

Palma’s Gothic cathedral, the mountain villages of the Serra de Tramuntana and quiet coves.

Read moreShow less

Stay in Deià or Valldemossa for the mountains, or near Palma for restaurants and beach clubs. Don’t miss the Caves of Drach.

Sailboats anchored in the turquoise water of Cala Macarella, MenorcaBalearics

Menorca

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of turquoise coves, fishing villages and Bronze Age monuments.

Read moreShow less

Cala Macarella and its neighbors are best reached by boat or on foot along the Camí de Cavalls coastal path.

Ibiza Town’s harbor with the walled old town of Dalt Vila aboveBalearics

Ibiza

Beyond the beach clubs lies Dalt Vila, a UNESCO-listed fortified old town, plus calm coves and boutique farmhouse hotels.

The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia reflected in still waterMediterranean

Valencia

The birthplace of paella, with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, a lovely old town and long sandy beaches.

Read moreShow less

Visit in March for Las Fallas, when giant sculptures fill the streets before being set alight.

A sandy cove and whitewashed village on the Costa BravaCatalonia

The Costa Brava

Rugged coves, whitewashed fishing villages and the world of Salvador Dalí, north of Barcelona.

Put it together

Itinerary Ideas

Every journey we design is tailor-made, but these combinations show how beautifully Spain fits together.

7 days

Andalusia classics

Seville, a day in Córdoba, Ronda and the white villages, then Granada’s Alhambra.

10 days

Madrid and the south

Madrid with a day in Toledo, then high-speed train to Seville and on to Granada.

10 days

Barcelona and the islands

Barcelona and the Costa Brava, then a short flight to Mallorca or Menorca for villa time.

12 days

Spain’s greatest hits

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Granada, with day trips to Toledo and Córdoba.

7 days

Castile’s old cities

Madrid, Segovia, Salamanca and Toledo, with paradores and wine country along the way.

5 days

Valencia and the coast

Valencia’s food and architecture, paired with beaches and a cooking class in the rice fields of the Albufera.

Tell us what you love, and we’ll design the route and pace around you.

Design My Route

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

The Alhambra palace in Granada at sunset with the Sierra Nevada behind

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

Barcelona’s rooftops stretching to the sea, framed by the spires of the Sagrada Família

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

Sailboats anchored in the turquoise water of Cala Macarella, Menorca

Good to know

Hidden Treasures FAQs

How do I get around southern Spain?

High-speed trains link Madrid with Córdoba, Seville and Málaga, and Granada is well connected. For the white villages and countryside, a private driver is the most relaxing option.

How far in advance should I book the Alhambra?

As early as possible, especially for spring and fall. Nasrid Palaces entry is timed and limited, and we reserve it as soon as your dates are set.

Which Balearic island is right for me?

Mallorca suits those who want variety, Menorca is for quiet beaches and nature, and Ibiza combines a historic old town with nightlife. We’ll help you choose.

When is the best time to visit Andalusia?

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). July and August are very hot inland. See our best time to visit Spain guide.

Can I stay in a parador?

Yes. Spain’s paradores are hotels in castles, convents and palaces. We often include one or two, such as Granada’s parador in the Alhambra’s grounds.

Your Dream Spain Getaway

Spain’s hidden treasures are best explored with someone who knows them. Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Spain specialists will start designing it with you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Tickets, guides and transfers handled
  • Hand-picked hotels with exclusive perks

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Spain Specialists

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