Al-Andalus: Moorish Spain with Jason Webster

Al-Andalus: Moorish Spain with Jason Webster is a 6-night private small-group tour of Córdoba, Seville and Granada, led by historian and bestselling author Jason Webster. The tour explores the history and legacy of Moorish Spain, from the founding of Al-Andalus in the 8th century to the fall of Granada in 1492, through expert-guided visits to the Mezquita, the Alhambra, the Reales Alcázares, the Medina Azahara and other key sites, alongside a flamenco show, Arab baths experience and Moorish and Jewish cuisine.

Jason Webster studied Arabic and Islamic History at Oxford before moving to Spain, where he became a bestselling author of fifteen critically acclaimed books on Spanish history, culture and society. His work has been published in over twenty countries and he has appeared in BBC documentaries and presented programmes for BBC Radio 4. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost English-language authorities on Moorish Spain and the legacy of Al-Andalus.

‘Duende’ is the quality of authentic flamenco, often described as a force, a spirit, or a deep emotional intensity that arises in a live performance when everything — the singer, the dancer, the guitarist, the room, is perfectly aligned. It has roots in Moorish and Gypsy musical traditions. On this tour, Jason Webster gives a dedicated talk on the Art of Flamenco and the mystery of duende before an intimate flamenco performance with reserved seating.

The Medina Azahara — Madinat al-Zahra — was a vast fortified palace city built by Caliph Abd al-Rahman III on the outskirts of Córdoba in the 10th century, intended to rival Baghdad and Constantinople. It was destroyed less than eighty years after it was built and lay buried under the earth for nearly a thousand years. Excavations have revealed palatial reception rooms decorated in extraordinary carved marble and stone. The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. It is included in the Córdoba portion of this tour.

Arab baths (hammams) were a cornerstone of daily life in Al-Andalus, functioning as social spaces, places of ritual purification, and architectural showcases. Several cities in Andalucia have restored hammams modelled on the medieval originals, using sequences of hot, warm and cold pools in arched spaces that evoke the atmosphere of the Moorish era.

Yes. The Al-Andalus tour with Jason Webster is conducted entirely in English. All of Jason’s lectures, commentary and discussions are in English, as are the services of Manni Coe as Tour Director. Local guides in each city are also English-speaking.

The tour runs with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 participants, ensuring an intimate group experience with full access to Jason Webster’s commentary and the ability to ask questions freely throughout. It is not a large-group coach tour.

Dates are confirmed in advance and the tour fills quickly due to the small group size. Complete the enquiry form on this page to be added to the wait list, there is no obligation, and you will be contacted when new dates are confirmed. The tour price is €3,950 per person in double or twin occupancy, with a single supplement of €700.

The tour of Moorish Spain covers the 500+ years during which Al-Andalus was the most culturally advanced corner of Europe. From the 9^th to the 15^th centuries, Andalucia’s history will be unfurled before you.

Yes, entry to the Alhambra, Generalife and Royal Chapel in Granada, Cordoba’s Mezquita and Alcazar, the cathedral, Palacio Lebrija and Alcazar in Seville are all included.

We select the best flamenco shows which give you the most authentic experience. In addition, on this particular tour you will enjoy a talk by author Jason Webster on Duende and Flamenco.

Jason Webster has written 15 books on Spain, including the Max Cámara series of crime novels but he recommends “Violencia: A New History of Spain: Past, Present and the Future of the West” as the best book to start with to get an overview of the country and its history.