From Madrid to the Mediterranean: See more of Spain with iryo

Spain's high-speed rail network puts Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and other cities within easy reach of the capital. Most of these journeys take around two to three hours, city centre to city centre. That means a trip to Madrid can easily become a trip across Spain, without adding another airport to your holiday. 

One of the train operators that can take you there is iryo. It is one of the high-speed options you might see when searching for trains in Spain. So, what is iryo, what is it like on board, and where could you go? 

First things first: what is iryo?

iryo is a Spanish high-speed train operator connecting major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, Alicante, Córdoba, Seville and Málaga. 

It launched in late 2022 and is run by a group of three transport companies, with one being the Italian state railway group. And that Italian connection shows in the trains.  

iryo runs Frecciarossa 1000s, the same family of high-speed trains you may recognise from Italy. Inside, the focus is on making the journey comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, power sockets at every seat, onboard entertainment and a choice of seating and fare options. 

In other words, iryo is not just a different departure time that appears when you search. There are some good reasons to look again when you see that iryo logo. 

Especially if you are planning to see more than one side of Spain.

Madrid to Barcelona: two cities, two very different moods

Madrid and Barcelona get compared a lot. We prefer not to choose. 

Spend a few days in Madrid walking between the Prado and Retiro Park, stopping for tapas and discovering just how late dinner can reasonably begin. Then board an iryo train at Madrid Puerta de Atocha and head northeast to Barcelona Sants. 

The fastest journey takes just over three hours, and iryo runs up to 13 return services a day, so you can leave after breakfast or after lunch.

At the other end, you can swap Madrid's grand boulevards for Gaudí, neighbourhood walks through Gràcia, a vermouth before lunch and, of course, the Mediterranean. 

If you are coming all the way to Spain, seeing both cities makes a lot of sense. High-speed rail means you do not have to plan your holiday around airports to do it. 

Madrid to Valencia: straight to the Mediterranean 

If you want the moment where your city break starts to feel like a holiday, head to Valencia. 

The journey takes under two hours, with around eight return services a day, and ends at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station, a short walk from the old town. 

The city gives you a bit of everything. There is the historic centre and Central Market, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, the long green stretch of the Turia Gardens and, a little further east, the beach.

And then there is the paella. Valencia is its birthplace, so this is one place where ordering it counts as sightseeing. 

It also makes a natural partner for Madrid. Start with art galleries, busy streets and big-city energy, then take the train east and finish with rice, sea air and a slower afternoon. 

Madrid to Seville: go south 

Take the train south and Spain changes again. 

Seville is under three hours from Madrid, arriving at Sevilla Santa Justa. It is a city of tiled courtyards, orange trees, flamenco, tapas bars and evenings you will not want to end early.

Visit the Real Alcázar and Seville Cathedral, walk through Plaza de España and leave some space in your plans for doing very little at all. 

The journey from Madrid makes it easy to add Andalusia to a trip that might otherwise have stopped in the capital. 

And if you are not ready to stop there, you do not have to. 

Madrid to Málaga: add a beach to your city break

Málaga is often treated as the place you fly into before going somewhere else on the Costa del Sol. Stay a while. 

There is a historic centre, the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba, a busy food scene and beaches within the city itself. You can spend the morning looking at art and the afternoon looking at the Mediterranean, which is a good way to plan a day. 

The train from Madrid takes around three hours and stops at Córdoba on the way, so you can break the journey if you want to. 

Málaga also works as the final stop on a longer trip through southern Spain. Madrid, Córdoba, Seville and Málaga each give you something quite different, and you do not need a flight between them. 

So, what is it actually like on an iryo train? 

This is where iryo gets particularly interesting. All iryo trains have free Wi-Fi, power sockets and onboard entertainment, so you can catch up on messages, watch something or simply put your phone away and look out of the window. If you would rather travel in peace, iryo also has a quiet coach, Espacio Silencio. 

There is a proper food and drink offer on board too. iryo's Haizea service is built around Spanish dishes and tapas, with seasonal ingredients and Spanish wines. There is a café carriage and a trolley service, and on most fares you can pre-order a Market Menu when you book. At the top end, Infinita Bistró includes a meal served at your seat. 

One more thing that is easy to miss: every iryo ticket includes free travel on the local Cercanías and Rodalies commuter network at both ends of your journey, for four hours before departure and four hours after arrival. If your hotel is not next to the main station, that is a useful saving. All of this matters on a holiday. 

A train journey does not have to be time you simply get through. Instead you can have lunch, read, watch the landscape change, and start planning where you are going for dinner, even though you are currently eating lunch. Your getaway begins before arrival!

Which iryo fare should you choose? 

All tickets include that beloved iryo experience, but it is worth understanding the luggage rules before you book, especially if you are flying in with a large suitcase. 

• Inicial is the cheapest fare and is fine for a comfortable high-speed journey. It includes Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment and access to the café carriage. Be aware that it only covers hand luggage and one cabin-sized bag, so it is not the best choice if you are travelling with a big suitcase. 
• Inicial Superior uses the same seats but adds flexibility, including free same-day time changes and better cancellation conditions. You can also add a larger bag for a small fee. 
• Infinita gives you an XL leather seat with extra legroom in a 2+1 layout, more generous luggage allowance including a suitcase, and more flexible conditions. 
• Infinita Bistró is iryo's most complete experience. You get the XL seat, a meal and drinks served at your seat, seat selection and the most flexible ticket conditions. And it's worth it (really worth it). 

The useful thing is that there is no single way to travel with iryo. You can keep things simple for a quick trip between cities, or make the train journey a bigger part of the experience. 

One practical tip: iryo tickets go on sale a few months before departure, and prices rise as the date gets closer. Booking early usually means a better fare.

One trip, more of Spain 

You could spend your entire holiday in Madrid and have a very good time. 

But when Barcelona, Valencia and Andalusia are all a few hours away by high-speed train, it is worth looking at the map before you book your return flight. 

Madrid and Valencia give you city and coast. Madrid and Barcelona give you two of Europe's great city breaks in one holiday. Head south through Córdoba, Seville and Málaga and you have the beginnings of a completely different trip. 

That is one of the pleasures of travelling around Spain by train. You do not have to choose just one version of the country. 

Ready to see more of Spain? 

Search for your journey on Rail Europe and you will see the trains available for your route, including iryo. When choosing a ticket, look at the departure time and the price, but look at the train as well. If you want a modern high-speed journey with comfortable seating, free onboard Wi-Fi, free local travel at both ends, different levels of flexibility and the option to turn lunch into part of the trip, iryo is well worth a look. 

Then there is only one question left. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville or Málaga? Or, better yet, how many can you fit in? 

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