5 unforgettable train routes in Spain to take with Iryo’s addition to the Pass network
Rachel Schnalzer
January 24, 2025
As my train rolled past Pancorbo’s medieval streets and soaring rock faces, a feeling of gratitude washed over me. I was thankful to see this mountainous slice of Castile and León as a part of my Interrail trip across France and Spain – content to watch the fields and hillsides and villages unfurl from the comfort of my window seat. After all, these were views I surely would have missed if I decided to fly instead of take the train.
2024 was a record-breaking year for Spain, with a whopping 94 million international travelers visiting its cities, towns, beaches and other natural destinations. For those dreaming of visiting Spain in 2025, I have some good news: with the new addition of Iryo’s high-speed trains to the Eurail Pass network, travel within Spain just got even more convenient and enjoyable.
As I experienced on my journey, taking the train offers travelers the chance to see the country’s world-class cities – such as Madrid and Barcelona – as well as enchanting towns and pristine nature along the way. Here are five routes Eurail travelers can take on Iryo’s trains beginning April 1, 2025. Experience them all with an Eurail Global Pass or Eurail Spain Pass, plus any required seat reservations.
Several Iryo routes take travelers through the countryside of Castile-La Mancha, home of the fictional Don Quixote, in eastern Spain.
The Palacio de la Aljafería in Zaragoza
Madrid to Barcelona via Zaragoza
Travel from Madrid, in the heart of Spain, to the Mediterranean coast on this journey between two of Spain’s most popular destinations. Pro-tip: Iryo’s route from Madrid to Barcelona stops in Zaragoza, a city known for its two impressive cathedrals and other architectural gems dotted across its old town.
Take time to visit Zaragoza’s churches, palace and Roman ruins – as well as its quieter streets and neighborhoods – before making your way to Barcelona.
Madrid to Valencia via Cuenca
Sunny Mediterranean views continue on this route from Madrid to Valencia, which boasts a glorious 300 days of sun per year. Ideal for anyone missing the warmth of summer during the off-season, Valencia is home to beaches and plenty of outdoor cafes and terraces where you can relax as you enjoy regional specialties, such as paella, puchero, and cocas.
Along the way, the train makes a stop in Cuenca; if time allows, take time to experience the mountain city’s historic streets and admire its famous “hanging houses” over the Huecar River.
Valencia's skyline at sunset
Cuenca's famous "hanging houses," built above a steep ravine
Madrid to Alicante via Cuenca and Albacete
Immerse yourself in the beauty of inland Spain on this train trip from Madrid to coastal Alicante. On the way to Alicante, travelers pass through Cuenca and Albacete, the largest city in Castilla-La Mancha. Take time to linger as you visit Albacete’s Gothic cathedral and wander down Tejares Street, where you will find some of the most traditional homes in the city.
Rest up on your journey to Alicante – once you arrive, you’ll have the chance to explore its fascinating walled city and mighty Santa Bárbara fortress, as well as dip your toes in the clear blue waters of Spain’s Costa Blanca.
Barcelona to Málaga (via Madrid and Córdoba)
Experience two different sides of Spain’s Mediterranean coast on this train journey from Barcelona to the sun-soaked beaches of Málaga. Along the way, you’ll stop in Madrid and Córdoba, home to the famous Mosque-Cathedral and other architectural highlights.
Córdoba is fondly called the “city of flowers” due to its many lush courtyards and squares — stop and smell the blooms before culminating your train adventure on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
A scenic stretch of Málaga's jaw-dropping coastline
The Plaza de España in Sevilla
Barcelona to Sevilla (via Madrid and Córdoba)
On this train ride across Spain, from northeast to southwest, you’ll pass through many of the places that make Spain such an unforgettable destination. After traveling from Barcelona to Madrid, stop for a few days to experience Spain’s capital before continuing south. In the next stretch of your journey, you’ll watch the fields of Castile-La Mancha roll past your train window before stopping in Córdoba to explore the “city of flowers.”
After Córdoba, you’ll ride alongside the Guadalquivir River all the way to Sevilla, a destination beloved for its architecture – often a blend of Islamic, Gothic, and other styles — festivals, and mouth-watering cuisine.
Meet the writer
Rachel Schnalzer is a senior writer at Eurail, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Favorite place in Madrid:
I really love visiting the Glass Palace in El Retiro Park. Though it was once a greenhouse, today the Reina Sofía Museum uses the impressive structure to host temporary art exhibitions. The art is always changing, so travelers get a new experience each time they visit.
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