EXTENDED rail trips offer visitors idealistic views of Spain’s expansive cultural scenery.
The nag of airport queues and motorway traffic can be left behind with the option to see some of Spain’s most memorable locations by train.
Spanish cities are often best discovered on the rails, with a front row view to the country’s variety in landscapes and culture.
Five different railway routes offer a slow-paced journey across ancient cities, mountain ranges and vineyard-covered countryside.
The most famous tourist rail experience is the Transcantabrico.
The luxury train travels through northern Spain’s dramatic landscape with rugged coastlines and green valleys.
Over the course of eight days, passengers get a glimpse of the Cantabarian coast, Asturian beaches and Basque Country.
Travellers can feast upon regional cuisine inspired by local dishes like Galician seafood and Castilian meat.
The south is best viewed through the Al Andalus Express, a seven-day ride across Andalucia and stopping through Cordoba, Cadiz, Ronda and Granada.
It’s considered one of Spain’s most exclusive rail experiences for its private suites and panoramic bar cars.
Next up is the train for wine lovers aboard the La Rioja’s Wine Route.
One of Spain’s most important wine regions is explored through day trips over four days, which gives its voyagers a chance to stop and enjoy wine tastings across La Rioja.
A two-day train ride into Spain’s most historic regions can be found on the Tren de Felipe II.
The winding train tracks take its passengers back in time to routes linked to the Spanish monarchy.
Stops include Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, and smaller mountain villages.
Along with a retro style carriage, one of the best parts of this train journey is the Alcazar of Segovia.
Catalunya’s Tren dels Llacs (Train of the Lakes) may be considered one of the most breathtaking expeditions, connecting Lleida to La Pobla de Segur.
The Catalan Pre-Pyrenees landscape is traversed in around seven hours, crossing 75 bridges, 40 tunnels and four lakes.
Prices for these exceptional rail journeys range from day trips at €25 all the way up to €9,900, depending on the duration and cabin selection.
Spain is said to boast one of the most sophisticated and extensive public transportation systems in the EU.
The country ranks as the second largest high-speed rail network, only coming behind to China.
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