Historical Tours & Trips in Spain
Step back in time and learn the secrets of ancient times on a historical tour of Spain. With 420 adventures, you're sure to visit the best historical places packed full of stories from days long ago.
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richard • traveled in September
Very enjoyable and would like to go again
Historic Cities & Foothills of Northern Spain - F
Feng • traveled in June, 2025
Everything was perfect and exceeded our expectations. Thanks!
Discovery of Spain - 10 days - C
Charlotte • traveled in October
Tour itinerary needs to be revised: Guggenheim closed Monday, our only day in Bilbao; not enough time to enjoy San Sebastián- should stay overnight nearby and avoid 3 hours on the bus from Bilbao, wine tasting would be much better in the afternoon than in the AM, way too much packed into single day on Thursday before touring Zaragoza late afternoon. Hotels must have working AC. Still, it was a great trip thanks to excellent tour leader Ester: She was personable, flexible, organized, knowledgeable, and FUN.
Northern Spain Explorer
Our traveler's Moments
Discovery of Spain - 10 days
ErinNONaomi
Charming Spain - 9 Days
Taste of SpainCristy
Madrid and BarcelonaLorraine
Down South, Self-driveJet
Heart of Andalusia 6 Days, Self-driveCathy
Best of Catalonia, Self-driveOliverKAKirsten
Spanish Ole (25 destinations)
Spanish Bliss (13 destinations)Hema
The North Trail, Self-driveIsabelSCSilvana
Andalucia & Toledo, 4 days
JAJUAN
Spain From North to South (including Marbella)
Bilbao & San Sebastián City BreakMaureenYWYang
Spanish Ring (19 destinations)
IMIvana
Classical Spain (10 destinations)
10 best Historical Spain tour packages
Compiled by
SteffSpain travel expert at TourRadar
Historic Cities & Foothills of Northern Spain
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Very enjoyable and would like to go again.”
richard, traveled in September
Spain's rich heritage comes alive at Altamira NeoCave's prehistoric art, 12th-century Santa Juliana Church, and Santo Toribio Monastery. The medieval town of Santillana del Mar and historic sites along the Picos de Europa mountain range reveal centuries of history.
Duration 11 days Destinations Bilbao, Santander, Covadonga, Oviedo, Picos de Europa National Park, Bulnes, Las Arenas de Cabrales, Sotres, Fuente De, ZumaiaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Yellowwood Adventures Ltd From
- US$2,999
Discovery of Spain - 10 days
39 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The overall area was quite large to see-a lot of road time. A tour that focused on 2 or 3 metro areas with more local activites would be an alternative idea.”
Patrick, traveled in January
Spain's heritage unfolds from Madrid's Royal Palace to Córdoba's ancient Mosque-Cathedral. The Roman Theater in Mérida and Granada's stunning Alhambra Palace stand as testament to centuries past. Historic district hotels including Rafael Atocha Madrid and Melia Lebreros Seville complement expert historical insights.
Duration 10 days Destinations Madrid, Merida, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Click Tours From
- US$2,290
Jewels of Andalucia & Barcelona - 7 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was excellent and the guide was skilled at handling the demands of the guests.”
Karin, traveled in October
Visit Granada's UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace complex, a masterpiece of Nasrid Islamic architecture with summer retreat gardens. Head to Cordoba's 8th-century Mezquita, where Moorish mosque meets Christian cathedral, and check out Sevilla's cathedral housing Christopher Columbus's tomb beneath the 12th-century Giralda tower. Stay at 4-star hotels like Eurostars Lucentum in Alicante, see Zaragoza's Basilica del Pilar, and have 6 breakfasts and 3 dinners included across all the historic cities.
Duration 7 days Destinations Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $1,795
35% Off- US$1,167You save $628
Northern Spain Explorer
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The full day of mini visits en-route to Zaragoza was great and the town itself an absolute gem.”
Sandie, traveled in September
Historical treasures abound from Pamplona's ancient streets to Zaragoza's Mudejar architecture. The 14th-century Olite Castle, Laguardia's medieval walls, and Barcelona's Gothic Quarter captivate visitors. Tours include Montserrat Monastery and Sagrada Familia.
Duration 8 days Destinations Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Laguardia, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Barcelona Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
35% Off- US$2,990
North Spain Discovery
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“great exposure to local culture.”
Christa, traveled in April
Spain's rich heritage spans from Pamplona's Gothic cathedral to Laguardia's 10th-century walls. Barcelona's La Sagrada Familia, San Sebastian's Monte Igueldo, and Madrid's Museo del Prado showcase centuries of Spanish culture.
Duration 8 days Destinations Barcelona, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Logrono, Madrid Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,625
20% Off- US$2,100You save $525
Best of Spain
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Interesting activities; excellent accommodations; variety of sights and landscapes.”
Joan, traveled in April
Duration 15 days Destinations Madrid, Granada, Ronda, Tarifa, Seville, Cordoba, Valencia, Barcelona Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,630
15% Off- US$3,936You save $695
Spain's historical treasures shine from Madrid's Bourbon Quarter to Oviedo's 9th-century churches. Covadonga's Holy Cave, Pelayo's victory site, and medieval Santillana del Mar transport visitors through time. Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and the architectural marvel of Sagrada Família complete this journey.
Duration 11 days Destinations Madrid, Museo del Prado, Guadarrama, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Asturias, Miraz, Santillana del Mar, Santander, CovadongaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From
15% Off- US$4,750
Spain's rich heritage shines at Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Burgos's UNESCO Cathedral, and Segovia's medieval Alcazar. Historical experts guide visitors through Madrid's Royal Palace and Prado Museum's masterpieces.
Duration 10 days Destinations Barcelona, Pau, Sagrada Família, Montserrat, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Burgos, MadridSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From
15% Off- US$4,250
Madrid's 3,000-room Royal Palace and Mérida's Roman theaters anchor this heritage tour. Salamanca's 12th-century university and Ávila's medieval walls await, with select 4-star hotels like Hospederia Parque Monfrague.
Duration 9 days Destinations Madrid, Caceres, Merida, Salamanca, Avila, Segovia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Spain From $1,306
20% Off- US$1,045You save $261
Must of Andalusia, Self-drive
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The Alhambra in Grandada (not included, book in advance) was the highlight of the tour.”
Richard, traveled in May
Seville's 12th-century Cathedral, Cordoba's Great Mosque, and Granada's 1000-year-old Alhambra showcase Spain's architectural heritage. Jewish quarters and Moorish architecture span three UNESCO sites. Accommodations include 4-star heritage district hotels.
Duration 6 days Destinations Seville, Cordoba, Granada Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Spain From $709
20% Off- US$567You save $142
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in Spain
What are the must-see historical highlights on a Spain Historical tour?
Spain's historical landscape centers on several key monuments that showcase its rich past. The Alhambra Palace stands as Granada's crown jewel while Córdoba's Great Mosque-Cathedral reflects the country's Islamic heritage. Seville presents two UNESCO treasures: the Royal Alcazar and its towering Cathedral. Madrid's historical core features Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol which serve as windows into Spain's royal past. In Barcelona the Gothic Quarter and Gaudi's Sagrada Familia draw visitors year-round. The Roman Theater in Mérida stands as one of the best-preserved ancient venues in Europe. A recent TourRadar traveler noted ". I loved the tour guides - they did an awesome job explaining the historical significance of each site."
When is the best time to take a Historical tour in Spain?
Spring months from March to May and fall from September to October offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring Spain's historical sites. These shoulder seasons bring mild temperatures and fewer tourists at major attractions. Summer temperatures can soar especially in Andalusia reaching 40°C/104°F making extended outdoor visits challenging. Winter brings smaller crowds but shortened visiting hours at many sites. Early morning visits to places like the Alhambra prove particularly rewarding in spring as one TourRadar visitor observed: "The morning light made the architecture even more spectacular and the weather was perfect for exploring."
What types of accommodation can I expect on Spain Historical tours?
Spain's historical tours generally feature 4-star hotels positioned near significant landmarks. Madrid visitors often stay at the Silken Puerta Madrid while Seville offers the Silken Al-Andalus Palace. The Gran Hotel Luna serves as a gateway to Granada's attractions. Guest feedback often highlights the convenience of these locations with one TourRadar traveler noting: "The hotels were very nice centrally located with great breakfasts though some properties like in Granada were a bit further from the historical center but well-connected by public transport."
How long should I plan for a comprehensive historical tour of Spain?
A thorough exploration of Spain's historical sites requires 7-10 days with most itineraries dedicating 2-3 days to major cities like Madrid Seville and Granada. This timeline allows visitors to explore key monuments while maintaining a comfortable pace. According to a TourRadar participant "The 8-day itinerary from Madrid through Andalusia was perfect - enough time to explore the Mezquita in Cordoba Alhambra in Granada and still have leisure time to soak in the atmosphere of historic neighborhoods." Many tours include stays at centrally located hotels like the Melia Lebreros in Seville.
What historical regions are covered on typical Spain tours?
Standard historical routes concentrate on central Spain including Madrid and Toledo along with Andalusia's treasures in Seville Cordoba and Granada. These regions showcase Spain's layered heritage from Roman ruins to Moorish palaces and Christian cathedrals. A TourRadar traveler observed "From Madrid's Royal Palace to Cordoba's Mezquita and Granada's Alhambra we experienced Spain's diverse historical influences." Some tours feature stays in historic properties like the Hospedería Parque de Monfrague in medieval Caceres.
What's the best way to explore Spain's historical cities?
Local expert-guided walking tours provide the most enriching way to discover Spain's historical centers particularly in pedestrian-only medieval quarters. Tours typically balance structured visits to major sites with independent exploration time. A TourRadar participant shared "The expert guides brought history alive at places like Toledo's Jewish Quarter and Granada's Alhambra while we had time to wander the narrow lanes of Seville's Santa Cruz district." Most tours select hotels like Granada's Gran Hotel Luna for easy access to historical areas.