Embark on a journey through southern Spain, discovering the dramatic landscapes of Andalucia and the unique territory of Gibraltar. From the historic streets of Malaga to the cliffside 'white village' of Arcos de la Frontera, we'll explore regional specialities like Jerez sherry and organic mountain wines. The pinnacle of our adventure is witnessing the 2027 solar eclipse from the ancient coastal city of Cadiz, accompanied by an expert astronomer.
Breakfast: 7
Dinner: 1
Explore Tour Leader
Local Guide(s)
Bus
Ferry
2 nights premium
5 nights premium hotel
Moderate
Trip maximum 16 Explore average 11
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our journey begins in Malaga, a city famed for its coastal charm, historic Alcazaba, and as the birthplace of Picasso. Upon arrival, there's time to settle into our hotel and explore a little, as there are no activities scheduled until the evening.
Our tour leader will meet us in the reception area of the hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Malaga airport, which is around a 20-minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, on this tour we also offer a complimentary transfer for those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your arrival day.
Hotel Soho Boutique Colon (or similar)
Grade: Premium Hotel
This morning we drive to the border of Spain and Gibraltar, where our group will be split across three smaller vehicles for a guided visit of Gibraltar. The three-hour tour takes us along the iconic Rock, through the historic Great Siege Tunnels, and to other local highlights such as St Michael's Cave and Europa Point.
We then continue our journey to the ancient port city of Cadiz. In the late afternoon, we'll enjoy an insightful introduction to the constellations and the upcoming eclipse led by an expert astronomer. This evening, we gather for an included dinner at a local restaurant to sample the region's renowned seafood.
Occidental Cadiz (or similar)
Grade: Premium
After breakfast, we'll make our way to a viewing location in the vicinity of our hotel to witness the solar eclipse. The eclipse will begin its partial phase at 9.40 am, as the moon first touches the sun's edge. Over the next hour, you can watch through your eclipse glasses (provided for you) as the sun transitions into a thinning crescent.
The eclipse reaches totality at 10.45 am. As the moon completely obscures the sun for nearly three minutes, the sky will darken to a deep indigo, the temperature will drop, and the sun's white corona will become visible to the naked eye. This is also the moment to look for "Baily's Beads" and the 'Diamond Ring' effect as the final rays of light vanish. Throughout the morning, we'll be accompanied by an expert astronomer with a telescope at hand to help you navigate each phase and identify the planets and stars that emerge in the sudden midday darkness. Once totality ends, we'll observe the final partial phases as the day returns to normal.
In the afternoon, we'll enjoy an orientation walk through the charming old town with our tour leader, followed by free time to explore the city's sun-drenched plazas and coastal fortifications.
Leaving Cadiz this morning, we'll take a public ferry to El Puerto de Santa Maria, a town known for its beaches, pine woods and whitewashed houses. We'll have time for lunch there before driving to Jerez, home to sherry and flamenco. The historic centre is a beautiful mixture of Baroque, Moorish and Gothic styles, and we'll explore on foot. No visit to Jerez is complete without experiencing its most famous export, so we'll visit a traditional sherry bodega for a tour and tasting. Bodegas are unlike other wine cellars and are often referred to as 'wine cathedrals' - they have high ceilings, thick walls and high windows, aging wine via the 18th-century 'Solera' system.
Our journey continues to the 'white village' of Arcos de la Frontera, where we'll spend the night in a historic Parador in a former Moorish fortress on an imposing limestone cliff.
Parador Arcos de la Frontera (or similar)
Heading further into the heart of Andalucia, we arrive in Ronda. We'll be joined by a local guide for a tour of this dramatic town, famously split in two by the El Tajo Gorge and connected by the iconic 18th-century Puente Nuevo bridge.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You might choose to walk down into the gorge for a different perspective of the Puento Nuevo bridge or explore the hidden gardens of the Palacio de Mondragon before we settle into our boutique hotel for the next two nights.
Hotel Soho Boutique San Gabriel (or similar)
Our day begins with a drive to Setenil de las Bodegas for a stroll through its unique streets, where houses are built directly into the overhanging cliffs. We then continue to the village of Zahara de la Sierra, a classic white village set on a steep hillside in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. After a enjoying the village we head to a nearby olive oil farm. The trade in olive oil has shaped the region's landscape and economy for centuries and we'll get an insight into how traditional methods are still very much alive.
In the afternoon, we return to the outskirts of Ronda to visit one of the region's prestigious local wineries. These small-scale, family-run operations are the lifeblood of the area, preserving artisanal techniques passed down through generations. We'll discover the unique terroir of this high-altitude enclave and learn about the long history of Ronda's wine production before enjoying a tasting of local labels.
This morning, we head to the Caminito del Rey to walk the famous 7 kilometre/4.3 mile trail suspended along the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge. The walk is not challenging and takes place on good quality walkways and paths. For those who would prefer a more relaxed morning, the nearby lake is a good place to spend some time before rejoining the group. We'll then drive back to Malaga for our final afternoon. You'll have free time to visit the Alcazaba fortress or the Picasso Museum, or perhaps enjoy a final sunset stroll along the Muelle Uno waterfront.
Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Malaga.
If you'd like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Malaga airport, which is around a 20 minute drive from our hotel.
As part of our Upgraded range, this tour includes a complimentary transfer for those who have made post-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your departure day.
Our tour features boutique stays and urban retreats that capture the essence of the region. Your journey begins and ends in Malaga at the Hotel Soho Boutique Colon, a stylish 4-star residence set in a beautifully restored building that blends traditional architecture with contemporary design. In the vibrant city of Cadiz, you will enjoy two nights at the Occidental Cadiz, located just moments from the golden sands of Victoria Beach and a short stroll from the historic old town.
The experience continues with a night at the Parador de Arcos de la Frontera, a former Magistrate’s house perched on the Guadalete River cliffs. Here, you can relax in a traditional Andalusian tiled courtyard and soak in sweeping views of the white-washed town. In Ronda, we stay for two nights at the Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel, an 18th-century palace located in the heart of the historic quarter.
Overall, spring, early summer and autumn are ideal times for a Spanish trip - though the weather varies enormously from region to region. The high central plains suffer from fierce extremes, stiflingly hot in summer, bitterly cold and swept by freezing winds in winter. The Atlantic coast, in contrast, has a tendency to damp and mist, and a relatively brief, humid summer. The Mediterranean south is warm virtually all year round. Spain's Islands the Canaries and Balaerics experience very mild winters and warm summers making them ideal year round destinations.
+1
2 Pin Round
Roman Catholic
Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
Clothing should be lightweight as the temperature will be very hot in the summer.
We recommend comfortable shoes or trainers with good ankle support as we spend time visiting several sites with uneven terrain
20Kg
One main piece of baggage and daypack is recommended.
A sunhat and high factor sunscreen are all essential, given the hight temperatures at this time in Andalucia, whilst we recommend swimming costumes and towels.
Bus, Ferry
Andalucia's culinary identity is formed by its coastal location and the rugged traditions of its white-washed mountain villages. The local fare is defined by high-quality staples such as golden olive oils from the rolling hills, world-class Iberico ham from the nearby sierras, and fresh fish from the Atlantic. Specialties range from the crisp pescaito frito found in the ports of Malaga and Cadiz to the hearty, slow-cooked stews and artisanal goat cheeses of the highlands of Ronda and Setenil. This region is equally distinguished by its diverse drinks, from the coastal Manzanilla wines and robust reds produced in the high-altitude vineyards of the interior.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Our price guarantee does not apply to Polar Voyages. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Spain: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. Gibraltar: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
For customers visiting the EU, or transiting via EU countries, please be aware that the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out, with full operation from 10 April 2026. This means that when you travel into, or depart from, the Schengen area for short stays, you will need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration. On your first entry or exit into a Schengen country, you will be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. At some ports and international stations allow for extra time as there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK and transit through a EU country. Once initial registration has been completed future entering or exiting of an EU Schengen country should be simplified as only a single fingerprint scan or facial recognition scan will be required. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
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Nothing compulsory but Tetanus is usually recommended as a precaution. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.