1 Day in Madrid

Landing at 5 AM, we cleared customs quickly and headed to our hotel in the heart of Madrid. Though check-in wasn't until noon, Hotel Preciados stored our bags and gave us space to freshen up.

Madrid was just waking up—perfect timing to start exploring the streets as the city came to life.

Early Morning in Madrid

As dawn painted Madrid's sky shades of purple, we wandered through the quiet streets of a city slowly coming to life.

The occasional sound of metal shutters rolling up and delivery trucks restocking cafés provided the morning's soundtrack as we explored the awakening capital.

Making our way to the Jardines de San Francisco for sunrise views, we were struck by the magnificent Almudena Cathedral.

The Almudena Cathedral in Madrid at dusk, its white Baroque facade illuminated by street lamps against a purple sky
A woman in white stands near a weathered stone wall of the cathedral gardensA woman in a yellow sweater poses next to a vertical garden bursting with purple flowers and green vinesA sunset view over Madrid's rooftops and buildings stretching to the horizonA typical Madrid street with parked cars, historic buildings, and traditional lampposts lining both sides

Royal Palace of Madrid

After settling into our hotel and enjoying a lunch nearby, we made our way to Madrid's crown jewel—the Royal Palace.

The palace stands impressively in a vast plaza, which on this day bustled with visitors. Built in the 18th century on the site of a burned Moorish fortress, this Baroque masterpiece remains Europe's largest functioning royal palace.

Inside, we wandered through grand state rooms with gilded chandeliers and intricate ceiling frescoes.

The white Baroque facade of Madrid's Royal Palace gleams against a bright blue sky, with ornate windows, balustrades, and a central clock tower flying the Spanish flag
A woman poses in front of the Almudena Cathedral's white facade and towers on a sunny dayAn ornate gold and cream ceiling in the Royal Palace features intricate Baroque frescoes and decorative clocksA billiards room in the Royal Palace with a green-felted table and dark wood panelingA crystal chandelier hangs against wallpapered walls in one of the Royal Palace's state rooms

Plaza Mayor

With only a short amount of time in Madrid, we took a brief rest at our hotel, and then headed out to explore the city at dusk.

We joined the excited crowds at the Plaza Mayor's Christmas market, waiting for the city's holiday lights to illuminate—which, in true Spanish style, happened fashionably late.

Christmas market stalls with illuminated red roofs line Madrid's Plaza Mayor at dusk, with crowds browsing beneath the historic square's iconic architecture

The next morning, we hailed a cab to the Puerta de Atocha train station, and off we went to begin our journey through Andalusia.

3 Days in Granada, Spain

Orange trees lined our path from Granada's station to our Airbnb near Mirador de Los Carvajales, nestled in the ancient Moorish quarter.

A Walking Tour of the Albacin

Following a local's Google Maps guide from Reddit, we wandered through the Albaicin's maze of narrow, whitewashed streets.

Founded in the 11th century under the Zirid dynasty, this historic quarter grew from a fortified citadel into a thriving Muslim neighborhood.

Each twist in the path revealed new architectural treasures and hidden plazas, offering glimpses into Granada's medieval past that earned the neighborhood its UNESCO World Heritage status.

An aerial view of the Albaicín neighborhood's white buildings and terracotta roofs climbing up the hillside, with cypress trees dotting the landscape
A narrow whitewashed alley in the Albaicín with stairs and walls decorated with street artA winding cobblestone path between white buildings on the hillside of the AlbaicínA typical Albaicín plaza with trees providing shade and traditional cobblestone pavingA woman standing on a path in Sacromonte with whitewashed buildings visible in the background at sunset

A Morning in Carmen de los Martires

This hidden gem near the Alhambra seemed like the perfect spot for a grand gesture. Built as the city's first church in 1492 and later becoming a peaceful Carmelite monastery, these tranquil gardens blend centuries of history.

With the help of Granada Photography to catch the moment, I proposed to my now fiancé. After a beautiful engagement shoot, we wandered through cypress-lined paths, discovering peaceful fountains and pavilions.

A marriage proposal in Carmen de los Martires gardens, with a man kneeling to propose to a woman in a red skirt and cream sweater beside a reflecting pool
A palm tree-lined garden path with a fountain at the far end in Carmen de los MartiresA peacock displaying its feathers on a window ledgeA newly engaged couple pose together under brick archways in the gardenA woman smiles standing next to a leaning palm tree

A Hike to Moore's Chair

In the afternoon, we climbed the steep path to Silla del Moro, a 14th-century Nasrid watchtower overlooking Granada.

Once part of the Alhambra’s defensive system and responsible for protecting its water supply, the ruins now offer one of the most breathtaking views of the city and its iconic palace.

A monastery complex nestled in the hills above Granada, with white houses dotting the slopes below
A sweeping view of Granada's cityscape stretching to the distant mountainsA woman in a red dress stands at a viewpoint on the path to Silla del MoroA view of the Alhambra palace complex through cypress treesA framed mountain vista through pine trees near Silla del Moro

Visiting the Alhambra

We dedicated a full day to exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site, starting early to beat the crowds.

Built between the 13th and 14th centuries under the Nasrid dynasty, the Alhambra is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

The complex also features the Renaissance-style Palace of Charles V, commissioned in 1526 and later completed in the 20th century.

The circular Renaissance courtyard of the Palace of Charles V features two tiers of classical columns beneath a cloudy sky
A woman poses at a viewpoint overlooking Granada's cityscape and mountainsA palm tree and cypress trees frame a church tower in the Alhambra gardensA close-up of persimmons growing on a tree branch against a blue skyA view of the Nasrid Palace's Moorish arches and decorative architectureA panoramic view of Granada with a cypress tree in the foreground

As our time in Granada drew to a close, we bid farewell to the city that had given us not just beautiful memories, but a beautiful beginning.

With hearts full and cameras fuller, we boarded our train to Cordoba, eager to continue our journey through Andalusia.

1 Day in Cordoba, Spain

A short train ride brought us to the heart of Andalusia, where we checked into Balcon de Cordoba.

This boutique hotel, with its warm hospitality and beautiful rooms, proved to be the perfect base for exploring the city.

Mosque-Cathedral Monumental Site

Originally built as a mosque in the 8th century and converted to a cathedral in the 13th century, this architectural marvel showcases centuries of evolution.

The distinctive red and white arches, constructed during the height of the Cordoba Caliphate, reflect the building's Islamic origins, while the ornate Renaissance cathedral nave, built in the 16th century, rises dramatically from the mosque's center.

A detailed geometric lattice window screen (celosía) in Islamic style, with sunlight streaming through its intricate pattern beneath a stone arch
Interior view of the Mezquita showing its famous striped arches and Byzantine-style architectureThe bell tower (former minaret) of the Mezquita rises against a blue skyA woman stands in one of the Mezquita's columned corridors with red and white striped archesA painted ceiling fresco visible through an archway in the Mezquita

Other Sites in Cordoba

The Roman Bridge, originally built in the 1st century AD during the Roman Empire, spans the Guadalquivir River, offering postcard-perfect views of the Mezquita.

Once a key crossing point on the Via Augusta, the bridge has been reconstructed multiple times, with significant modifications during the Islamic period.

The narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter, where we stayed, wind past whitewashed walls and hidden courtyards, preserving the medieval character of this historic district.

The Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba viewed from across the Roman Bridge, with its honey-colored walls rising above the Guadalquivir River
A woman in a red sweater poses in a narrow whitewashed alley of the Jewish QuarterView over the terraced gardens and fountains of the Alcázar of CórdobaSunset over Córdoba's rooftops with the Mezquita's bell tower silhouetted against an orange skyThe triumphal arch entrance to the Roman Bridge of Córdoba with people walking nearby

The next morning, before hopping on a train to Seville, we toured the Alcázar. Originally built in 1328 by Alfonso XI on the site of earlier Roman and Islamic fortifications, this royal fortress served as a residence for Isabella I and Ferdinand II during their campaign against Granada.

Today, its magnificent gardens, designed in Mudéjar style, provide a peaceful retreat.

3 Days in Seville, Spain

Our base at the El Rey Moro Hotel Boutique Sevilla positioned us perfectly for exploring Spain's most enchanting city.

Catedral de Sevilla

Built between 1401 and 1506 on the site of a former mosque, this Gothic masterpiece stands as the world's largest cathedral.

Only the Giralda tower and Orange Tree Courtyard remain from its Islamic past. Inside, soaring vaults and golden altarpieces showcase the splendor of medieval Seville.

The Giralda tower of Seville Cathedral rises between ornate yellow buildings, with orange trees in the foreground against a bright blue sky
An ornate domed ceiling inside Seville Cathedral with intricate white stoneworkA woman stands at the center of a circular patterned floor in a red-walled roomGothic arches and stained glass windows inside Seville CathedralA woman poses in a courtyard garden with orange trees and stone walls

Royal Alcázar of Seville

Originally a 10th-century Islamic fortress, the Alcázar was transformed in the 1360s when Pedro I created his spectacular Mudéjar palace.

The complex blends Islamic-inspired decoration with Christian elements, its ornate courtyards and intricate archways showcasing the finest surviving example of Mudéjar architecture in Spain.

A courtyard in the Real Alcázar of Seville showing Mudéjar architecture with ornate horseshoe arches and a Renaissance-style upper gallery
A woman in a red sweater sits on a tiled bench in one of the Alcázar's gardensA gilded dome ceiling in the Alcázar with intricate Islamic geometric patternsA courtyard in the Real Alcázar of Seville showing its layers of history: weathered stone walls, ornate arches, terracotta details, and blue-railed balconies framed by citrus trees and palm trees against a bright skyA white facade of the Alcázar showing Moorish-style arched windows and decorative details

Setas de Sevilla

Known locally as Las Setas ("The Mushrooms"), this modern wooden structure provides a striking contrast to Seville's ancient streets.

At sunset, the distinctive parasol design creates a magical viewing platform over the city's spires and rooftops, with the cathedral's silhouette dominating the skyline.

View from the Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol) at sunset, showing its modern wavy architecture alongside historic buildings and church spires
Close-up of the Metropol Parasol's honeycomb structure illuminated in purple at nightPanoramic view over Seville's rooftops and monuments from the Setas viewing platformSilhouettes of tourists taking photos of the sunset from the Setas viewing deckNight view of a church tower lit up against a dark blue sky

Plaza de Espana

A grand finale in ceramic tiles and painted pavilions, this sweeping semicircular plaza celebrates Spain's history and artistry.

Built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, it blends Art Deco, Spanish Renaissance Revival, Spanish Baroque Revival, and Neo-Mudéjar styles.

Designed by Aníbal González, the Plaza de España stands as Seville's most ambitious architectural project.

A woman in a rust-colored sweater smiles while sitting beside the ornate azulejo tiles and benches representing Spanish provinces at Plaza de España
The North Tower and colonnade of Plaza de España against a bright blue skyWhite swans swim alongside ducks in a pond at Maria Luisa Park, with their reflections visible in the dark waterAn ornate coffered ceiling with geometric patterns in gold and black stretches along a colonnade at Plaza de España, with brick arches and decorative ironwork visible along the wallsThe Costurero de la Reina, a Mudéjar-style pavilion with geometric patterns and a domed roof, is framed by palm trees and lush greenery along a sandy path in Maria Luisa Park

The adjacent Maria Luisa Park showcases a "Moorish paradisical" design created for the 1929 Exposition.

Tiled fountains, shaded paths, and lush plantings of palms and orange trees offer a cool retreat from Seville's heat.

Leaving Spain

On our final morning in Spain, we took a train back to Puerta de Atocha train station, and then hopped in a cab to the airport.

This journey through Andalusia had shown us how centuries of diverse cultures—Roman, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian—created something uniquely Spanish, their influences visible in every corner of these historic cities.