Twice the size of the British Isles and only slightly smaller than Texas, Spain is packed with cultural treasures from many eras of its rich history. One of the best ways to discover its dramatic landscapes, vibrant cities and unique heritage is by rail.
Here are four of the country's acclaimed luxury trains, which take travellers to some of Spain's most spectacular sites. Great Rail Journeys' Independent Holiday Specialists, James Starkie and Ashleigh Howe, describe their experiences on two of these enticing routes.
El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo
This five-star independent journey features seven nights aboard the luxury train, starting with a night in Spain's foodie capital, San Sebastián and ending with a night in Santiago de Compostela, a city where pilgrims have passed over the centuries.
The country's oldest tourist train journeys across the unspoilt coastline of northern Spain, known for glorious beaches, unique culture and cuisine. In San Sebastián, you could join a Rioja wine tour with a gourmet lunch or a private tapas tour of the city's pintxo bars. Once on board, stops include Bilbao, where you can look around the striking Guggenheim museum and vibrant Old Town. In Santander, a tour of the city is followed by free time to explore at your own pace.
At the beautifully preserved town of Santillana del Mar, catch a glimpse of life here in medieval times. Further along the route, you could visit the cave of Altamira with its Palaeolithic cave art. As the train travels into the Picos de Europa, see stunning Lake Enol and the sacred sanctuary of Covadonga. In Oviedo, there's a guided tour of the city with time at leisure. Crossing into Asturias, the train stops at the coastal city of Gijón, then continues to Luarca, which has some stunning architecture.
Reaching Galicia, you step off at Ribadeo, visiting Playa de las Catedrales, a superb sandy beach with dramatic rock formations. El Transcantábrico rolls into Ferrol on Day 9, where a coach takes you to Santiago de Compostela.
Staying in the heart of the historic centre, overlooking the plaza and magnificent cathedral, your final night is spent in the Parador de Santiago de Compostela - a perfect end to this exceptional tour.
Onboard El Transcantábrico
Journeying aboard El Transcantábrico is an experience in itself as you travel in immaculate 1920s Pullman carriages, refurbished with 21st-century comfort. The crew welcomes you onboard with a drink as you settle into your luxury surroundings.
The cuisine is considered among the best in Spain with local ingredients, and excellent local wines. Indulgent dinners in the retro dining cars are followed by evening entertainment.
Enjoy a journey on El Transcantábrico with Great Rail Journeys
La Costa Verde Express
From buzzing Bilbao, this vibrant green route follows the coast to Santiago de Compostela at the end of the Pilgrim Trail.
Some of the treasures along this attractive route include the Cathedral of Oviedo, the coastal gems of Asturias and evergreen Galicia.
Independent Holiday Specialist James Starkie describes the highlights of his trip: "During the journey, the train stops for a morning excursion at Picos de Europa National Park. It is a beautiful area, great for a little hike."
When asked about the best time to visit this unspoilt coastline, he says: "La Costa Verde Express only operates during the warmer months between May and October, but visiting in the summer means you can spend time on the stunning Las Catedrales beach and in the beautiful Picos de Europa National Park."
Onboard La Costa Verde Express
Built from 1920s Pullman carriages, with luxury and nostalgia at the heart of the experience, the Costa Verde Express takes you through northern Spain in comfort and sophistication.
James says: "First impressions of the train were great, seeing the vibrant green carriages as the train approached into the station. The cabins are wonderful, very spacious and comfortable, with a fully equipped ensuite bathroom, plus lots of luggage space and modern amenities.
"The views from the train were amazing, especially as we travelled along the coastline - all the cabins have big windows that pull down, so you can fully take in the scenic views.
"The best feature was the double bed that faces the window, so you can lay on your bed and watch the scenery pass by! It was a nice sociable train, and the service onboard was top-class."
The route passes mountains, beaches, green meadows and steep cliffs, all the way to the pretty port town of Ferol, where you travel by coach to Santiago de Compostela to spend a final night in the stunning Parador de Santiago.
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La Robla Express
Introduced in 2010, this popular train offers vintage rail journeys and all modern comforts. La Robla offers three different itineraries, including the Pilgrim's Route - a round trip from Oviedo.
Independent Holiday Specialist Ashleigh Howe travelled on the route between Bilbao in the Basque Country and the historic city of León.
"The great thing about this," she says, "is the journey stops off in some small authentically Spanish villages and towns which felt virtually undiscovered! The highlights were seeing some amazing off-the-beaten track places.
She adds: "It was wonderful to experience Spain in a way I've never seen it before. When you think of Spain, you mostly think of beaches, but in the north it's beautiful green countryside on this route.
"My favourite excursion was visiting the Roman villa of La Olmeda. The villa was only discovered by chance in 1968 by a farmer who then worked to uncover the ruins for 11 years without any help. He then donated the site to the Spanish government to preserve the mosaic and villa ruins. It was mind-blowing - the intricacy of the mosaics, that the Romans were able to create such masterpieces, and how beautifully they had been preserved.
"Frías was another beautiful medieval town on a hill above the river Ebro. The architecture was amazing, it really made you feel like you were stepping back in time and Frías Castle at the top of La Muela hill was a special sight - it as almost hanging from the cliff side, like a castle in a Disney movie!"
Onboard La Robla Express
La Robla Express has three air-conditioned lounge areas and a bar service. All communal areas have large windows, so you can admire wonderful views as the train journeys along the coast. The carriages are interconnecting, so you can also walk freely from one end of the train to the other.
The Deluxe Suites feature air-conditioning, a wardrobe, desk and minibar, and the comfortable double bed transforms into a sofa during the daytime.
Ashleigh says: "I really enjoyed having my morning coffee and breakfast in the elegant restaurant car of La Robla and watching the world go by. It was a very peaceful way to start the day.
"Overall, I had a fabulous time. The train staff and guides were lovely and knowledgeable about the areas we were exploring. The food was fantastic too, not to mention the Spanish wine. I think anyone would enjoy this journey as the atmosphere on this train was incredibly relaxed!"
Al Andalus Express
Perhaps the star of these four luxury trains, Al Andalus is the ultimate journey to great Andalusian cities and towns, including Seville, Jerez, Cádiz, Córdoba and Granada.
On this captivating nine-day tour of Andalucía, you're immersed in the style of the golden age of travel, stopping to view magnificent palaces, sample the sherry, and taste the tapas.
Starting in Seville, the historic capital, you tour the magnificent city, its cathedral and famous Giralda bell tower, and explore the atmospheric Santa Cruz district. After sipping sherry in Jerez, you travel to Cádiz, the oldest city in the western world, with Roman and Phoenician remains, where echoes of the past can be heard in its medieval streets and along its historic waterfront. Ronda is another stunning town, on the route of Andalucía's white villages, and a personal guide takes you around this breathtaking setting.
Córdoba was an important city in medieval times, when it was the capital of the Al Ándalus caliphate. Here, you visit La Mezquita, the acclaimed mosque-cathedral. You also stop to tour the World Heritage towns of Úbeda and Baeza before heading for Granada, where the spectacular Alhambra sits beneath the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. Explore the exquisite palaces of this UNESCO-listed site and walk among its fabulous gardens.
Onboard Al Andalus Express
The lavish Al Andalus train is a benchmark in comfort, elegance and design.
Fashioned from the same carriages used by the British royal family in the 1920s, the train has beautiful Belle Époque rooms. Four different lounges and a bar create an inviting setting to relax, enjoy an aperitif or end the day with a lively show.
Last but not least, there are two restaurants, with menus prepared by prestigious chefs, showcasing the traditional dishes of Spain.
Savour a spectacular journey aboard Al Andalus with Great Rail Journeys
