spain portugal and france trip

The Perfect France, Spain And Portugal Road Trip Itinerary For 10 Days

(This article has affiliate links to products which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.)

Are you planning a road-trip through France, Spain and Portugal and wondering where to start from? This 10-day itinerary is the perfect quick trip through Southern Europe that hits all the hotspots and popular cities. Enjoy incredible beaches, immerse yourself in the local culture and discover the history of these beautiful places.

With wine tastings and traditional foods, this road-trip itinerary takes you to all the culinary hotspots and will make you fall in love with France, Spain and Portugal. Definitely add these incredible cities to your bucket list.

When Is The Best Time For France, Spain And Portugal Road Trip?

Are 10 days enough to see france, spain and portugal on this road trip, where to stay on your road trip, day 1 – mont-saint michel, day 2 – beaches along the coast, day 3 – bordeaux, day 4 – san sebastian, day 5 – porto, day 6 – porto, day 7 – lisbon, day 8 – lisbon, day 9 – algarve and seville, day 10 – sevilla.

We highly recommend doing this road-trip in summer, preferably between the months of June to September. During this time the weather will be warm and you’ll be less likely to encounter any rain. This is also the high season for tourism so expect some higher accommodation prices. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

If you want some more affordable options consider going in the shoulder season sometime around May or October. Temperatures will be cooler and you’ll encounter fewer tourist crowds. You can also go on this road-trip in winter but expect some rainy days which could impact your trip.

A 10-day road-trip through France, Spain and Portugal will give you a great overview of what this area has to offer but, of course, you’ll be spending a large portion of your time driving. If you can you should definitely extend your trip a few more days or even weeks which will give you a lot more freedom to explore the cities on this itinerary.

Most of the stops on this southern Europe road-trip itinerary are larger cities so staying at a hotel or Airbnb is highly recommended. That way you can enjoy being at a central location and not having to worry about going in and out of the city every day. If you’re travelling on a budget you could also consider camping, however, you’ll most likely struggle to find campsites close to the city. Make sure you book your accommodation in advance so you get the best deals on rooms.

For information on hotels rates and to book, click here.

France, Spain and Portugal 10 Days Road Trip Itinerary

Start your day off in Mont-Saint Michel, one of France’s most popular tourist destinations. This tiny island lies just 1 kilometre off the French coast and is connected to the mainland via a bridge. It’s the perfect place to see in just one day because it is so small.

Try to go early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds. If you’re not up for walking to the island you can take one of the free shuttle buses. Make sure to visit the Mont-Saint Michel abbey and explore all the small side-streets for the best hidden spots.

Read our complete guide to visiting Mont-Saint Michel here .

The next morning drive along the French coast of the Bretagne to explore some of the best beaches in France. This is a true road trip day and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the area. Stop in places like Brest, the Crozon Peninsula, Concarneau and the Pointe du Raz for some of the best photo opportunities. This area has incredible beaches so make sure you pack your swimsuit.

Take a few hours to drive further down the coast of France until you reach Bordeaux. This is a really popular wine area so make sure to go to the countryside to visit a traditional château and take part in a wine tasting.

Visit Saint-Émilion , a small wine village which produces the world’s best wines. You can walk through the old town and even buy tickets for a little train that will take you around the vineyards. In the evening go for dinner in Bordeaux and walk through the historic old town. This is a very beautiful city so don’t forget to pack your camera.

The next day you’ll be crossing the border into Spain. San Sebastian is only a 3 hour drive from Bordeaux and one of Spain’s best cities. This is the perfect place for a beach day so pack your swimsuit. The water is crystal clear and perfect for water sports or swimming. Take a boat out to Santa Clara Island which lies in the bay of San Sebastian. Afterwards, go for lunch or tapas in one of the many small restaurants. San Sebastian is world-famous for its cuisine so if you’re a fan of seafood this is the place to go.

Take the funicular up to Monte Igueldo to watch the sunset over the bay. These are some of the best views you’ll find on this road trip through Spain, France and Portugal.

After a long day of driving, you’ll finally arrive in Porto. Use the evening to walk around the boardwalk along the Douro River and have a glass of Port wine to finish your day. Tomorrow will be a busy day of exploring so make sure you get to bed early.

There is plenty to see and do in Porto so get up early and have breakfast at a cafe by the riverfront. Take the cable car for some of the best views of the city and then cross the river on the Dom Luís I Bridge. Explore the old town of Porto and all its famous blue churches. After visiting the National Museum have a Francesinha for lunch which is a traditional sandwich served in beer sauce. It is a specialty that can mainly be found in Porto so the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

In the afternoon buy tickets for a boat tour to take you around the river and enjoy Porto’s beauty. Afterwards, go to one of the famous port wine cellars for a wine tasting. Enjoy the sunset by the river in the popular Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood with a three-course meal served with port wine.

Click here to read about 37 more unusual things to do in Porto.

After saying goodbye to Porto you’ll reach Lisbon today, Portugal’s capital city. Just like Porto it lies by the river but is far busier and feels more like a large city than a town. Head to the Capela de Nossa Senhora do Monte, a popular viewpoint for sunset. You’ll love the incredible views of downtown Lisbon.

To end the night go to the Barrio Alto, Lisbon’s nightlife district. This neighborhood has narrow alleyways with little bars and restaurants scattered around. Prices are cheap and the food is amazing.

Start your morning by the riverbanks and walk along the boardwalk to Time Out Market. This indoor food market is Lisbon’s best-kept secret and the perfect place for food lovers. After a quick breakfast head into town to see the Santa Just a Lift for a great view of the city. Walk past the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara another amazing viewpoint to the Botanical gardens of Lisbon to get away from the tourist crowds.

After lunch you’ll most likely be tired of walking so why not take the historic Tram Line Number 28? This route takes you to many popular tourist hotspots and you can get on and off at any time. End your day in the famous Alfama district which has incredible architecture and a great selection of little restaurants. If you’re still feeling up for it have a few drinks at one of Lisbon’s popular rooftop bars.

On your way from Lisbon to Seville, you need to stop in the Algarve, Portugal’s incredible south. This area has the best beaches and beautiful scenery. Visit the Benagil Beach to admire the beautiful sea caves and white-sand beaches before you arrive in Seville in the late evening.

You’ll be spending the last day of your road-trip through France, Spain and Portugal in Sevilla. Spend your morning sightseeing and visiting places like the Seville Cathedral, La Giralda, the Plaza de España and the Real Alcázar. Explore the small alleyways of the Triana neighborhood and have lunch in a traditional Spanish restaurant. Escape the busy city by spending the afternoon in Maria Luisa Park, Sevilla’s beautiful park.

Visit some of Sevilla’s incredible museums like the Museum of Fine Arts or the Archaeological Museum before having a traditional Paella for dinner. Enjoy your last evening by making the most of Sevilla’s famous nightlife and enjoying a traditional Flamenco show.

This Guest Post Is Contributed By Victoria Heinz Of Guide Your Travel .

• 5 Places To Visit In The South Of France That Must Be In Your Bucket List
• 25 Top Things To Do In Spain – Bucket List
• 15 Incredible Places To Visit In Europe This Summer
• 10 Stunningly Beautiful Cities To Visit In Italy

Share this:

• 12 Most Charming Romantic Getaways In Southern California For Couples (2024)
• 19 Perfect Places For A California Summer Vacation (2024)

cheerfultrails

Anjali Wadhwa (cheerfultrails) is a travel consultant and enthusiast who has traveled to 15+ countries. She shares about her explorations through her writings. You will find detailed itineraries, best travel tips and well experienced recommendations for food, transportation and hotels on her blog.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from Cheerful Trails

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

The Perfect France Spain Portugal Road Trip Itinerary

Last Summer we drove a beautiful France Spain Portugal road trip. From Disneyland Paris and Bordeaux to the North of Portugal and then Oviedo and San Sebastián. It was perfect. Sundrenched beaches in Spain, endless vineyards, sleepy villages, sidra and port, the birthplace of Portugal, it’s all there in this Southern Europe road trip. Road trips are the best and this France Portugal Spain road trip is truly a beautiful one.

France Spain Portugal Road Trip

Day 1: Arrive at Disneyland Paris

Day 2: Explore Disneyland Paris

Day 3: Drive from Disneyland Paris to Saran (162 kilometers/101 miles, about 2 hours and 15 minutes)

Day 4: Drive from Saran to Mérignac (480 kilometers/298 miles, about 7.5 hours)

Day 5 & 6: Explore Bordeaux

Day 7: Drive from Mérignac to Quintanilha (750 kilometers/466 miles, about 7.5 hours), crossing the border with Spain and Portugal

Day 8 & 9: Explore the Northeast of Portugal

Day 10: Drive from Quintanilha to Guimarães (214 kilometers/133 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 11: Explore Guimarães

Day 12: Drive from Guimarães to Porto (57 kilometers/35 miles, about 1.5 hours)

Day 13 & 14: Explore Porto

Day 15: Drive from Porto to Peso da Régua (129 kilometers/80 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 16 & 17: Explore the Douro Valley

Day 18: Drive from Peso da Régua to Oviedo (492 kilometers/306 miles, about 7 hours), crossing the border with Spain

Day 19: Explore Oviedo

Day 20: Drive from Oviedo to Donostia-San Sebastián (385 kilometers/239 miles, about 5 hours)

Day 21: Explore Donostia

Day 22 & 23: Going home

Day to Day Itinerary

The itinerary of this Southwestern Europe road trip gives plenty of time to explore each city or area. However it also offers some real driving days with beautiful views.

Day 1 till 3: Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is so much fun. Go to the park in the afternoon and evening after you’ve checked in to your hotel. See the fireworks show, which is fun. Sadly there was no Illuminations show or any other shows last year, but we watched them on earlier visits. On day 2 explore the Disneyland park and take the morning on day 3 for the Walt Disney Studios Park. There are so many fun rides to take, enough for hours of fun. We went swimming at our hotel in the evening.

Day 3 & 4: Sunflower Fields

In the afternoon drive to Saran, near the city of Orléans. After passing Paris take the backroads. This will take longer, but saves on toll roads and you’ll get to admire lots of sunflower fields.

On day 4 do the same when driving from Saran to Mérignac. Again a much longer route, which will take all day, but even more sunflower fields and small sleepy French villages. The last part to Bordeaux we took the A10, to save some time.

Day 5 & 6: Bordeaux

Two days to explore Bordeaux, which is one of our best cities to visit in France . We had a rest day on day 5 and explored Bordeaux on day 6. However you can easily spend two days exploring Bordeaux, if you don’t need a day of rest and swimming. There was a swimming pool at our hotel, so part of the afternoon was spent in the water.

We went to Bordeaux by bus. Mérignac is a good base to explore Bordeaux, with one bus we were in the center of Bordeaux and a second one brought us close to the Grosse cloche. We further explored the Porte Cailhau, the river promenade and the Monument aux Girondins.

Day 7: Crossing Spain

It takes almost the whole day to drive from Mérignac to Quintanilha, even if you don’t take backroads but the freeway. Luckily you also had great views on sunflower fields from the highway. Quintanilha is close to the border with Spain. Most of the day is spent driving through Northern Spain.

Day 8 & 9: Rio de Onor & Bragança

We had a rest day on day 8, just went swimming at the pool of our bed & breakfast. On day 9 we drove on the backroads further North to Rio de Onor. We had such mesmerizing views on the mountains. It’s a rugged, green landscape with small, sleepy villages, where they’re not used to tourists. They seemed surprised that someone else drove through town that wasn’t a resident. Rio de Onor is the river that runs through the small town. The Ponte de Rio de Onor gives beautiful views on this quiet river and the quaint village. Walk the cobblestone streets and along the riverwalk.

Then drive further through the hills and small, sleepy villages in Parque Naturel Montesinho. End up in Bragança, perfect for lunch. There’s a castle and several museums to visit. Bragança is very touristique unlike the area where you just drove through. You could spend a whole day in Bragança, so if you don’t need a rest day, you could do that.

Day 10 & 11: Guimarães

Today we drive from Quintanilha to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. We’re staying two nights at Guimarães, you’ll have a day and a half for exploring the city. The old town is beautiful and perfect for wandering around. There’s a sign on the building where Portugal was founded in 893. There’s lots of cute restaurants with terraces in the old town on squares. We celebrated Paul’s birthday here with good food and sangria.

Day 12 till 14: Porto

Porto is a beautiful city with so much to see and do, that the 2.5 days you have in the city aren’t enough to do everything. We wandered through the streets, sat on terraces, admired the buildings with azulejos, and did a self-guided pastel de nata tour. I walked up and down the Ponte Luis I, from which you have mesmerizing views on the Douro river, Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

Buildings with azulejos are everywhere around Porto. Most are blue and white, but green, yellow and other colors are also present. The São Bento station is a good example of this. Pastel de Nata originated at Lisbon, but Porto has several excellent places where you can get the pasteïs de nata. They’re delicious and you definitely have to try them out. Next to that have some port to go with it, also not to be missed and Porto is the city of Port.

Day 15: Rota N222

This day is all about exploring and admiring the Douro valley. The Rota N222 is a road that meanders through the valley South of the Douro river. It takes a lot longer than the toll roads, but the Douro valley is worth it. We crossed the Douro river over the Ponte Entre-os-Rios, from there we followed the N222 to Peso da Régua. There are miradouros along the way, with endless views. There are vineyards on hills almost everywhere. You can visit the vineyards and port houses along the Douro.

Day 16 & 17: Douro Valley

Two days for the Douro valley is not nearly enough, but you can do a lot. We had planned to ride the historical steam train that follows the Douro river, but alas it did not ride that Saturday. Still unclear if it was due to a National holiday or a strike.

We admired the Douro river from strolling along the riverwalk in Peso da Régua. We sat for lunch on terraces overlooking the river and vineyards at the other side. At our last day in Peso da Régua I enjoyed an hour long scenic boat ride on the Douro river. The boat was a traditional Rabelo. I loved the views on the shores with hills filled with vineyards.

Peso da Régua is a good base for visiting the Port houses in the vicinity. They organize tours, which you have to book in advance. Peso da Régua was the city from which the port was shipped to Vila Nova de Gaia, in the traditional Rabelos.

There are longer boat rides on the Douro possible from 1 to 2 hours to a whole day. There are several proprietors that offer these boat rides. The city of Lamego isn’t that far away either and has the beautiful Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. A church with stairs leading up to it decorated with azulejos, beautiful blue and white tiles. Close to Peso da Régus are several miradouros with mesmerizing views on the Douro river and valley. At last there’s the Douro museum at Peso da Régua to learn all about the region.

Day 18: Rota N222

We continue on the Rota N222, the part between Peso da Régua and Pinhão. Those 27 kilometers/17 miles with more than 90 turns, is considered the most beautiful part of the Rota N222. This part follows the Douro river all the way through the valley. We drove the Rota N222 till the end at Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Then we headed North to Oviedo in Spain. We took the road leading through Bragança and then crossing the border with Spain.

Day 19: Oviedo

Oviedo is a less well-known city in Northern Spain. We visited before in 2019 on a road trip through Northern Spain and loved the city. There’s a street with only sidrerías (cider houses) that serve the famous apple cider produced in the region. They serve it by pouring it from up high in the glass, which is fun to see. It also has a function, since this way the cider will have more oxygen and that way more flavor. Some servers make a whole show of it, others less. Last time our son got a try at pouring it, albeit of course not drinking it.

Oviedo has a beautiful historical city center to wander around. It’s small, but has colorful buildings, lively squares and churches. It’s also the city to start the Northern pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino de Santiago. When you want to know more about Oviedo, Asturias or walking the Camino de Santiago, check out the site Into Asturias , from friends of ours.

Day 20: Northern Coast of Spain

On this day drive from Oviedo to Donostia- San Sebastián, following the coast as closely as possible. Northern Spain has some truly beautiful beaches. Further you’ll pass through Comillas, with El Capricho, a building from the hands of Gaudí. Santillana del Mar is another beautiful town worth a stop, with its medieval streets and buildings.  

Day 21: Donostia-San Sebastián

Take the whole day to either explore Donostia and/or San Sebastián. We explored Donostia on this visit, but San Sebastián in 2019. San Sebastián has a beautiful old town.

We explored some sights near our apartment, such as Antiguako tunela, Miramar Jauregia and Loretopea. We went shortly to the crowded beach. For lunch we went for pinxtos and bocadillos, which are a must to try out when here.

Also fun is to use the Igeldoko Funikularra to visit Monte Igueldo. I did that in the afternoon, you’ll have a perfect overview of the city. The views were so perfect. I wandered around for a long time on the mountain, enjoying the views. Monte Iqueldo is a theme park, which charges a separate fee for each ride.

Day 22 & 23: Going Home

We’re leaving San Sebastián and Spain today. We drove back to Utrecht in the Netherlands in two days. We stopped in Saran for the night.

Where to Stay

I’ll discuss per country which places we stayed at. We booked them all up front. Most through Booking, except for Disney and one other. Disney we booked through their own site. The same with the apartment in Donostia.

In France we stayed at 3 different hotels. At Disneyland Paris we stayed at the Newport Bay Club. It was our first time at this hotel, the other times we stayed at the Sequoia Lodge. That one was closed at the moment we visited. Newport Bay Club was also great, the distance to the park and Disney Village was about the same as Sequoia Lodge. We stayed here for 2 nights.

In Saran we stayed, one night at the beginning of our trip and one night on the way back, at Ibis Orléans Nord Saran. A hotel close to the highway. We had a small room, but that was okay, since this was a stopover hotel. There’s a restaurant that serves dinner and breakfast. You can charge an electrical car here.

At Mérignac we stayed for 3 nights at The Originals, Hotel Du Phare. The hotel has a swimming pool, beautiful terrace and a restaurant. The bus stop is nearby, which is easy for visiting Bordeaux. It’s not that far from the highway exit. A McDonald’s and a boulangerie are its neighbors. A grocery store, Lidl, is also pretty close. The only downside to us was that the room was pretty small, perfect for a stopover hotel, but when we’re staying several days we like a larger room.

Casa Machado in Quintanilha, just over the Spanish border, was everything we could hope for. They rent out rooms in a beautiful old house in a teeny tiny sleepy village. There’s a swimming pool, a washing machine and living room. They serve breakfast in the morning on a roofed balcony/patio with a mesmerizing view on the surroundings.

In Guimarães we stayed 2 nights at an apartment from Four-As. You have a kitchen and washing machine at your apartment. The apartment is close to the Castelo de Guimarães and the lively old town. They don’t have a designated parking space, you just have to park on the street. The Wifi was sadly almost not working during our stay, really slow or non-existing at all. We however loved that it was in walking distance from the old town with its terraces.

Aparthotel Oporto Anselmo is a brand new hotel at Porto, where we stayed for 3 nights. They had their own parking lot, a swimming pool and breakfast delivered to your room in the morning. We had a kitchen and a small patio with garden. It was outside the old town, but close enough that we could still walk there.

Our last hotel in Portugal was the In Douro Hostel & Wine Bar in Peso da Régua. It was next to the train station and the Douro River was at the other side of the street. We stayed here for 3 nights. The hostel was new with spacious rooms. The restaurant served delicious food and a good breakfast buffet. The only downside was that they shut off the central air-conditioning at night. Since it was some 40°C/104°F at that moment, we slept not as well at night, because it was just too hot.

In Oviedo we stayed at the Apartamentos Clarin, it was right in the middle of Sidreria street. So a perfect location. There was a parking garage close by. We had a kitchen and washing machine at the apartment.

At Donostia-San Sebastián we stayed again at an apartment, this time one from Baskey Rentals. The apartment was spacious, we had our own small parking spot in the street. We were close to the beach. It was in Donostia. We had a separate kitchen with washing machine.

Where to Eat

Will list most of the restaurants, shops and cute places where we had breakfast, lunch, sweets, drinks and dinner. There were many great places in those 3 weeks.

At Disneyland Paris we got breakfast at McDonald’s and Starbucks. We had dinner twice at Annette’s Diner. It’s expensive, but delicious. Next to dinner we also sat down here for milkshakes in the afternoon. We had lunch at Le Vieux Moulin with Mickey Mouse waffles at the park ad at New York Style Sandwiches in Disney Village.

In Mérignac we got almost everything for our breakfast, lunch, dinner and pastries at Boulangerie Ange. Everything was delicious. The croissants, bread, pastries, salads, quiches and pizza’s. We also got lunch once at the McDonald’s next door for Yuri.

We had crepes and ice cream at Le Zazou Glacier in Bordeaux. In the afternoon we had tea at Chez Julien.

We had dinner twice at O Portela in São Julião de Palácios, a bit North of Quintanilha, we loved this small, local restaurant. There wasn’t a menu to choose from, it was just what they had on offer. But it was well prepared and the people were friendly.

We had a delicious lunch at Taberna Do Javali in Bragança. Near the Castelo de Bragança and a very popular place. The last night at Quintanilha we had dinner at Restaurante  O Rústico. Again delicious, but less friendly staff.

In Guimarães we loved two places. Pastelaria Cristo Rei had everything it seemed from pastries to hot meals. We came here for lunch once and breakfast. The other place we came back to was El Rei restaurant, we had lunch and dinner with sangria here on Paul’s birthday. The food was delicious and the owner nice. We got douradinhas de Guimarães, a local pastry, at Divina Gula. People stood in line at this pastry restaurant.

On our way to Porto we had lunch at Café Europa in Agrela. This road side café had all traditional Portuguese dishes.

In Porto we had dinner at Cerveja Artesanal Levare, which we liked. I tried out the traditional Porto dish francesinha. Once got our dinner from KFC near our hotel and the first evening a milkshake and ice cream. We had lunch on our Pastel de nata tour at a place on the Rua do Flores. For the pastel de nata we took a self-guided tour and ate them at 8 different places. We loved the pasteïs de nata at Manteigaria the most. Other pastelaria and café’s where we tried pasteïs de nata and other pastries at are: Neta 3, Nata Lisboa, Fábrica Da Nata, Confeitario do Bolhão, Majestic Café Porto, Pastelaria Tupi and Natas Douro.

On the Rota N222 we had lunch at Restaurante das Caldes, where they served really large sized plates.

Peso da Régua

We had dinner at the restaurant in our hostel twice. It was of high quality and we loved it. We also ordered sangria there in the afternoon twice, which was also good. The breakfast buffet was also served at the InDouro Hostel-Restaurante & Wine Bar and we loved it. We had lunch at O Barquinho and at Sabores Do Douro. Both places were near the Douro river and served traditional Portuguese dishes. We also got some sandwiches at Adega do Quim, across from our hotel. Restaurante Torrão had a grand view from high on the Douro river, we had dinner here. The restaurant was at the other side of the river.

In Oviedo we tasted a lot of sidra. The experience of the servers pouring it from up high is fantastic. We had dinner and sidra at La Finca and loved it. We sat down at the terrace of Cafetería SouSa for coffee and tea. At a busy road, so fun to people watch.

We had lunch and dinner at Tierra Astur, which we again loved. To this restaurant we also had been two years prior. Their portions are really huge. Their food is delicious. Yuri got to pour sidra here at lunch time. We had sangria with sidra mixed in at Piperu Gascona and loved it very much. The staff was less friendly, but the cider sangria made up for that.

In Donostia-San Sebastián we had dinner twice at Tandoori Mashala. It was delicious. The dishes were mild, I could eat the lamb vindaloo here and I normally can’t.

We had a delicious breakfast with a toasted croissant at Cafeteria Tahona. The place was popular. We sat outside on the terrace.

Sweets, breakfast and lunch for the next day we got at Otaegui. A pastelaria which was popular and that had so much delicious looking cakes and sweets. We had pinchos and boqadillos for lunch at Bar Aliaia. These smaller bites are the local tapas.

When to Visit

The road trip can be done all year long. The North of France and the region of Oviedo know rain and/or snow in Winter time. December and January are the coldest months, and receive the most rain in Portugal. However the North of Portugal is at its greenest at that moment. San Sebastián and Bordeaux are colder in Winter time and have more rain, but can still have pleasant weather.

We drove this route in August. In France and Oviedo we had rain and beautiful (mostly clouded) weather. Bordeaux was colder during our visit than it normally is in Summer time. Portugal and Spain (besides Oviedo) were warm to hot and we had beautiful, sunny weather.

Hiring a Car and Airports

We drove this road trip from our home in Utrecht. We have a fully electrical car, but not all countries have enough charging points yet. So we rented a cabrio/convertible car for this trip. We have excellent experiences with Hertz and Alamo.

You can also fly into Airport Paris-Charles de Gaulle (Roissy Airport) or Airport Paris-Orly. Aeropuerto de San Sebastián is the closest, but the nearest international airports are Biarritz Pays Basque Airport or Bilbao Airport. The Biarritz airport is in France and 32 kilometers/20 miles away. The Bilbao airport is 117 kilometers/73 miles away.

• There’s an hour time difference between Portugal and Spain/France. Portugal is in the same time zone as the UK.
• Dinner in Portugal and Spain is later than we are used to. It starts usually at 8pm. And then you’re one of the first.
• France usually also has dinner later, but you can eat almost all day long at Disneyland and we didn’t have dinner at a restaurant in Bordeaux. Dinner in France is usually from 7pm.
• Bring some small coins for toll roads, most in France and Spain can be paid with credit card, but a few not.
• For the North of Portugal you need to arrange a toll badge up front. You can’t pay them at the booth in either cash or credit card. We found out the hard way and opted for routes avoiding toll roads.
• Each country had different rules in place to combat Covid-19. They changed during our trip. Read the rules before going and check up on them during your stay.

Alternative Itineraries

If you’re less of a theme park fan than swap Disneyland Paris for Paris and explore Paris. It would then be:

 Day 1: Arrive in Paris

Day 2: Explore Paris

Day 3: Drive from Paris to Saran (114 kilometers/71 miles, about 2 hours and 20 minutes)

An alternative is a Northern Spain and Portugal road trip, skipping France.

Day 1: Arrive in San Sebastián

Day 2 + 3: Explore San Sebastián

Day 4: Drive from San Sebastián to Oviedo (385 kilometers/239 miles, about 5 hours)

Day 5 & 6: Explore Oviedo

Day 7: Drive from Oviedo to Quintanilha (290 kilometers/180 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 10: Drive from Quintanilha to Peso da Régua (204 kilometers/127 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 11 & 12: Explore the Douro Valley

Day 13: Drive from Peso da Régua to Porto (129 kilometers/80 miles, about 3 hours)

Day 14 & 15: Explore Porto

Day 16: Drive from Porto to Guimarães (57 kilometers/35 miles, about 1.5 hours)

Day 17 & 18: Explore Guimarães

Day 19: Going home

That’s Everything You Need to Know for a France Spain Portugal Road Trip

Hope you enjoy this road trip as much as we’ve done! We did this road trip with a tween, our son was 11 at the time, here are our best tips for a road trip with tweens .

Like it? Pin it!

You May Also Like

Fun times at Disneyland Paris: with and without kids

Northern France Itinerary for a 3-Week Road Trip

Saint Jean de Luz Travel Guide

Great itinerary. None of those places looks too busy, which is great for driving and accommodation. As a childfree person I would skip Disney, but everything else.. perfect

This looks like such a fun itinerary. There’s so much to see and you’ve covered a lot!

I would love to see that sunflower field. I bet you could get lost in the rows. The flowers are so tall. 🌻🌻🌻

What a great trip this is. You visited plenty of places on my bucket list. It looks like you had a great time.

I’m currently planning a road trip in Europe with France, Spain and Portugal my main focus. So thank you for the inspiration and I’m glad you enjoyed your road trip.

This does look like a fantastic road trip! I’ve done several similar over the years as these are my favoritecoutries ( plus Italy) so we return and explore again and again. You covered a lot and gave me some new ideas for my next trip in this area! Thanks!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Portugal and Spain Itinerary: A 14-Day Iberian Journey

Trying to squeeze in the highlights of Spain and Portugal into a two-week trip can be tricky. Both are incredible countries with rich culture, varied landscapes, vibrant cities, and architectural wonders. After traveling all over the Iberian Peninsula, I’ve come up with a route that hits every city efficiently and makes the most out of your time. This two-week Portugal and Spain itinerary will cover the must-see landmarks in each city, activity suggestions, restaurant and hotel recommendations, and my personal favorites.

As a Portuguese-American woman, I’ve visited these Portuguese cities countless times and, after living in Seville for four months and traveling the country, I have combined all of my favorite things into one trip. Plus, I’ve included hidden gems that most tourists would miss!

Best Times to Visit Spain and Portugal

The best time to visit Portugal and Spain is either early summer or fall. The months of May through early July are less busy than the following summer months. You’ll still get nice weather and less tourism around you. If you choose to visit in the fall, the weather will be just as good, and you’ll get to experience even less tourism. Keep in mind that summer in Southern Spain is incredibly hot and November and April are both rainy months in Portugal.

Portugal and Spain Itinerary Overview

This itinerary starts in Porto, Portugal and ends in Barcelona, Spain. You can also flip this itinerary if you prefer to visit Spain first!

• Douro River cruise and wine tasting
• Dinner and a view
• Livraria Lello and Majestic Cafe for Harry Potter lovers
• The Praça de Liberdade (Liberty Square) 
• Michelin star restaurant
• Medieval town
• Castle of Óbidos
• Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos hotel
• Nazare beach
• Commerce Square and Alfama
• Tuk Tuk tours
• Cable car 
• Miradouro S. Luiza scenic spot
• Castelo S. Jorge
• 25 April Bridge
• Rossio Square
• Torre de Belém
• Sunset boat cruises on the Tagus River 
• Fado show 
• Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira
• Cabo da Roca 
• Albufeira and Lagos
• Epic Sana Hotel or the Pine Cliff Resort 
• Martinhal Sagres Family Resort 
• Benagil Cave 
• Vila Joya and Bon Bon fine dining 
• Hotel Alfonso XIII or Hotel Palacio de Villapanes
• Cathedral of Seville
• Royal Alcazar
• Setas de Seville
• Plaza de Espana & Maria Luisa Park
• La Carbonería 
• Triana Market
• Paella cooking class
• Casa Manolo Lèon 
• Hotel Neri and Ohla 
• Gothic Quarter
• Las Ramblas
• Gaudi houses
• Park Güell
• Sagrada Família
• Paella and Catalan dishes 
• Montserrat mountains 

This map was created using Google My Maps and covers my suggested Portugal and Spain itinerary. You can click on the star next to the title and save this to your Google Maps account or click on the share icon to send it to yourself via email.

14-Day Portugal and Spain Itinerary

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

For this itinerary, I recommend that you fly into Porto and out of Barcelona (or vice versa). It may be easiest if you rent a car to drive from city to city, but if you want, you can take the train or bus from place to place and then fly from Seville to Barcelona. Keep in mind that parking in cities like Lisbon and Porto can be quite challenging, so you could also consider just picking up a rental car for a portion of your trip.

Day 1-2: Porto, Portugal  

Once arriving in Porto, you should check into the PortoBay Flores Hotel or The Yeatman. Both are 5-star hotels but provide different experiences. PortoBay Flores is in the heart of Porto’s historic district. The hotel has an historic charm to it but still has plenty of modern luxuries, such as an indoor swimming pool. People who want to fully immerse themselves into the history and culture of Porto should stay here. The hotel is the perfect walking distance from plenty of landmarks such as Ribeira Square, the historical square of Porto.

The Yeatman Hotel is a luxury wine and spa hotel in the Vila Nova de Gaia historical district. For those who want to relax but also sightsee, this hotel is the best fit. You’re also able to have city views from the hotel of the famous Douro River. 

If you are starting in Porto and arriving after an overnight flight, you will want to start off by exploring some of the city’s highlights on a self-guided walking tour . Begin by walking around and experiencing what Porto has to offer from stores, cafés to the historical districts.

Harry Potter fans and those with children, should visit Livraria Lello and Majestic Cafe. The Livraria Lello is the book store that gave J.K. Rowling inspirations for Harry Potter’s world, such as the moving staircases in Hogwarts. Majestic Cafe is where Rowling hung out and wrote.

The Praça de Liberdade (Liberty Square) is Porto’s main square that connects the old town with the modern part of the city and also a great place to walk around. Be sure to following the narrow streets down to the Douro River and cross over the Luis I Bridge to the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood where you can visit the World of Wine, sample some port, and enjoy the fun vibe along the riverfront.

Finish up your first day with dinner at Terra Nora. Terra Nora is an intimate dining experience with traditional Portuguese cuisine. When making your reservation, request to sit at a window in order to see the Douro River as you dine. For sunset lovers, reserve a time a few minutes before it sets in order to see the sun set on the river. 

For your second day, no trip to Porto is the same without doing a cruise or tour through the Douro Valley to see vineyards and breathtaking scenery. There are so many options, but I always prefer the tours that last all day for a full experience. The authentic Douro River tours last about 9 hours, including travel time to and from the Douro Valley.

The ideal Douro River excursion would include winery visits and tastings of both authentic Port wine and the other wines grown in the region. The wine tasting would then be followed by a cruise on the Douro River and ending with a typical Portuguese lunch made with Douro region products. If you don’t want to spend a full day in the Douro Valley, you can also take a cruise on the river in Porto on an authentic boat that used to carry wine barrels down the river.

For the final night in Porto a perfect meal is needed. For those staying in the Yeatman Hotel, there is a Michelin Star restaurant downstairs that has amazing reviews. Seafood lovers should make a reservation for the restaurant Gruta . After dinner, Porto nightlife is something you don’t want to miss out on. But don’t stay out too late as we prepare for a travel day tomorrow. 

Day 3: Óbidos, Portugal

From Porto, you can travel to Óbidos by bus, train, or rental car. Óbidos is known for its medieval town surrounded by the Castle of Óbidos. For the one night you have here, stay at Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos hotel. The hotel is housed within the 12th-century medieval castle.

If you have a car, you can stop in Nazare on your way to Óbidos. Nazare’s beach is popular with surfers and known for its epically tall waves. Plus, there is a beautiful look-out point. 

Days 4-6: Lisbon & Sintra, Portugal

After your night in Óbidos, take a bus/train or drive to Lisbon. You should stay in the center of Lisbon by Commerce Square or the older part in Alfama. The Bairro Alto Hotel is a charming, centrally located stay that has a great restaurant within it. Another option is the Hotel Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa that is a large property out of the noisy city center on the tree-lined Avenida Liberdade.

The best way to see Lisbon is to just walk. Some streets are so narrow and steep that cars won’t fit through or get up. Lisbon’s infamous Tram 28 is a great tourist option to get explore the city. Tuk Tuk tours are also very popular for seeing Lisbon.

When going to popular scenic spots, it’s best to go early in the morning before 9:00 a.m. The Miradouro S. Luiza scenic spot has great views of Lisbon’s port and cathedral. It will be full of tourists the entire day, so get there early to get your picture. 

Once you’ve gotten all your pictures, make your way to the Castelo S. Jorge that is only a five-minute walk away. The views from the castle are, in my opinion, the best it gets. You can see multiple landmarks such as the 25 April Bridge that was inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the Sanctuary of Christ monument.

For clothes, shoes, and trinket lovers; Rossio is a great shopping area with high-end stores. I highly recommend checking out shoe stores, any you can find around there are great quality and affordable. Once you get tired from shopping so much, take a quick walk to Rossio Square for a place to relax and people watch. Some alternative must see sights for the remainder days in Lisbon are; Commerce Square, Torre de Belém, and Jerónimos Monastery. 

A sunset boat cruise on the Tagus River is my favorite activity to do in Lisbon by far. Nothing can beat being on a vintage sailboat with champagne in hand while eating Portuguese cheese and prosciutto. The sunset cruise I took was about two hours long, and I was able to sit right in the front of the boat on bean bag chairs while listening to the water and soft music. 

After the appetizers you consumed on the cruise, it’s now time for dinner. My top four restaurants in Lisbon are; BAHR , Alma , Solar dos Presuntos , and JNcQUOI Asia . All are traditional Portuguese dishes of meat and fish, except JNcQUOI Asia. Although I love Portuguese food, on this long of a trip I tend to want something different. JNcQUOI Asia offers four types of Asian cuisine: Indian, Thai, Chinese and Japanese.

Another option is to book a dinner and Fado show. Fado is a Portuguese music genre that consists of folk guitars, hand clapping, and singing. Parreirinha de Alfama is a small Portuguese restaurant that has Fado singing. The restaurant is very quaint in order for it to feel like a homespun restaurant. All the food is cooked in a tiny kitchen by one woman. 

After spending a day or two in Lisbon, it’s worth making a day trip to Sintra and the seaside town of Cascais. Sintra is known for the Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira. The town is very small and can be seen in a few hours. On the way back from Sintra, make a stop in Cascais for the Cabo da Roca which is the cape of Portugal and the most western part of Europe. 

For more suggestions, see my 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary .

Days 7-8: Algarve, Portugal

Once you’ve seen everything I listed for Lisbon, it’s now time to head south to the Algarve for some relaxation. If you have a rental car, it’ll only be a three-hour drive to pure beauty. If you want to take the train, you would take the Lisbon to Faro train to stay in either the Albufeira or Lagos area. Both are easy to get to via Uber or bus from the station.

The Epic Sana Hotel or the Pine Cliff Resort are both nice hotels, followed by the Martinhal Sagres Family Resort , which is a great family resort great for those with children.

The first thing you have to do is head out to the beaches. Algarve beaches are tucked between stunning sandstone cliffs on one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. The most famous tourist attraction is a boat ride to visit the Benagil Cave, but there are many ways to explore the coastline.

Albufeira and Lagos both have spectacular beaches and shopping and nightlife. There are little villages all over to explore. If you’re lucky, some sort of festival will be held downtown that is full of great music, food, and drinks. There’s always something to celebrate in Algarve. Two popular restaurants are Vila Joya and Bon Bon for fine dining. 

Days 9-11: Seville, Spain

Enough relaxation, it’s time to get back into exploring and sightseeing and move on to Spain! The easiest way to get to Seville from Algarve is to drive or take a three-hour bus ride. Seville is the gateway to visiting the Andalusia region of Spain.

Choose to stay at either Hotel Alfonso XIII or Hotel Palacio de Villapanes . Both hotels are in the old town of Seville surrounded by history. Hotel Alfonso XII is the most famous hotel to stay at and has been around since the 1900s. The regal rooms and decor make this hotel stand out from others. 

Since you’d already be in the city center, you should visit the Cathedral of Seville as well as the Royal Alcazar. The Royal Alcazar is a historical royal palace with beautiful tile work and stunning gardens, which have been featured in many films and shows.

From there, Seville’s beauty is often found just while wandering around. After living there for four months, my favorite places were the ones I stumbled upon, even just a favorite bench. The center also has hundreds of stores to choose from for clothes, shoes, and souvenirs. While wandering around, you can’t miss the Setas de Seville. This large wooden structure is the best way to see the city from high up, the views are unbeatable. 

A 10-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk will take you to the Plaza de Espana. The Plaza de Espana is my favorite place in all of Seville. The square is beautifully built with authentic tiles all around.

The Maria Luisa Park is connected to the plaza and is a large garden made for lounging and relaxing with multiple fountains and benches. You’re able to rent a row boat to cruise on the river for an hour at your own pace or take a boat cruise.

Seville is also home to the famous dance of flamenco. There are multiple places that host flamenco performances, but you should have an authentic flamenco experience at a local restaurant. La Carbonería is a tavern with flamenco performances in an old coal warehouse. They have three flamenco shows every night, running from 8:30-10:30. 

Another activity to do is a paella cooking class. The Triana Market is a fresh food market with vendor stalls selling produce, meat, and prepared meals. Within the market, Taller Andaluz de Cocina , hosts cooking classes and a tour of the market. The cooking class is held in a makeshift kitchen with everything you need. The class consists of three authentic Seville courses such as gazpacho, paella, and spinach and chickpeas. 

The best restaurants in Seville are the Abantal, El Pinton , and Casa Manolo Lèon . Abantal is known for their fine dining with modern variations on Andalusian cuisines. El Pinton is well known tapas restaurant. Casa Manolo Lèon is my personal favorite, with authentic Andalusian cuisine and an outdoor patio filled with flowers and greenery. 

Also see things to do in Seville with kids .

Days 12-14: Barcelona, Spain & Montserrat 

From Seville, take a quick flight to Barcelona for Spain’s most famous city. Hotel Neri and Ohla are my picks for your stay. Both are located in the Gothic Quarter. I personally recommend always staying in that area because it’s in the center of all the landmarks, shopping, and restaurants.

You’re able to walk around and get to any place if you stay there. From the Gothic Quarter you’re able to see the Cathedral and the Las Ramblas scenic area. 

If you’re interested in art or architecture, you should book tickets to see the Gaudi houses. Casa Battló is one of Gaudi’s creations that we’re able to visit. The house belonged was lived in by Gaudi and his family. The design takes inspiration from the environment and its animals. Park Güell is an attraction I always go to when I’m in Barcelona. The park consists of Gaudi’s artwork within the framework and architecture of the gardens and buildings. 

The following day, you should visit the Sagrada Família. When booking tickets for the Sagrada, you will have to do it relatively very early and also try to get skip the line passes . This is Barcelona’s biggest attraction, and it gets very crowded in there.

After spending a few hours in the Sagrada Família, I would take the rest of the day to walk around the Gothic Quarter. The last time I was in Barcelona, wandering around, I stumbled upon a fashion show at a park as well as a music video in the streets. This city is filled with vibrant energy and people, just appreciate what’s around you. 

Barcelona is known for having some of the best restaurants. Disfrutar is considered as the top restaurant in Europe. Its experimental tasting menus are Mediterranean seafood based and more on the pricey side. Estimar is a hidden restaurant with an open kitchen view from your tabel. They’re known for their seafood and delicious seafood. If you’re tired of paella yet, Mana 75 specializes in paella and Catalan dishes. 

On your last day before flying back home to the U.S., I recommend taking a day trip to Montserrat in the mountains. It’s the perfect escape from the intense city life you’ve experienced the last few days. Montserrat is known for its stunning mountain views, historic buildings, and hiking trails.

Also see things to do in Barcelona with kids .

Read more about Portugal and Spain

• One-week Portugal itineraries (4 options)
• Portugal trip planning tips
• How much does a trip to Portugal cost?
• 3 Days in Lisbon
• Things to do in Madrid with kids
• Day trip to Segovia
• Day trip to Toledo

Emma Da Silva is a journalism major at the University of Rhode Island and an aspiring Travel Writer. Her love for photography and experience studying aboard have led her to want to write for other adventurers and inspire them to go out and make lasting memories.

Find this useful? Share it!

Publish Date: March 20, 2024

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER & RECEIVE A FAMILY VACATION PLANNING KIT!

We3Travel.com will use the information you provide on this form to send you newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting [email protected] . By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

Start typing and press enter to search

The Perfect 2 Week Spain and Portugal Itinerary (+ Essential Tips!)

Tempted by the cultural charm and natural beauty of the Iberian Peninsula and hoping to plan the perfect 2 week Spain and Portugal itinerary?

If so, we’ve designed this itinerary for Portugal and Spain for you!

Tucked away in the southwest corner of Europe, planning a combined trip to Spain and Portugal over 2 weeks is as invigorating as it is challenging.

After more than a year of living in Lisbon as American ex-pats and more trips to Spain than we can count, we have quite a few opinions about planning the perfect 14 days in Portugal and Spain!

These two countries–both of which feature a list of bucket-list destinations that could take months to see if given the opportunity–are fascinating and engaging places, though with more differences between them than might be immediately apparent on the surface.

If you’re hoping to enjoy a whirlwind, fast-paced, crash-course in what makes traveling in Spain and Portugal special, this itinerary is for you.

Here’s how to make the most of 14 days in Spain and Portugal!

Table of Contents

How We Structured This 2 Week Spain and Portugal Itinerary

Getting around during your 14 days in portugal and spain, the ultimate 2 weeks in spain and portugal itinerary, possible alterations to this 14 day itinerary for spain and portugal, the best time of year to enjoy this portugal and spain itinerary, how to extend your iberian peninsula vacation (+ morocco advice), what to pack for your 2 weeks in portugal and spain, faq about planning a spain and portugal vacation, more portugal and spain travel tips, your 14 day spain and portugal itinerary map.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

We structured this 14 day itinerary for Spain and Portugal as a “U” shaped route beginning in Barcelona and ending in Porto.

In addition to those 2 cities, we also cover stops in Seville , Cordoba , Granada, the Algarve, Lisbon , and Sintra .

In other words, this is a very, very fast-paced itinerary!

While very doable, I’ll be perfectly honest: this is a mildly exhausting pace, and if you prefer a more relaxed itinerary, trimming the stop that appeals to you the least is a very reasonable option.

We agonized over what destinations should make the cut (and it took me a long time to come to the conclusion Madrid wasn’t doable on top of everything else, though you could easily swap it for Barcelona or Porto if you prefer), but ultimately, we decided to suggest an ambitious but realistic plan that is as varied as possible.

Major cities, legendary architecture, stunning coastlines, and small towns all feature on this itinerary for Spain and Portugal, and we truly believe that you’ll walk away from this trip with a wonderful snapshot of both destinations.

In order to fit it all in, though, be prepared to lace up your most comfortable shoes, plan your transportation in advance, and squeeze lots of sightseeing into one day!

Oh, and pack as light as you can–trust me, unpacking and re-packing this many times in a row is not a blast.

What About Morocco?

When planning a combined vacation to Spain and Portugal, there’s another country that tends to draw the eye: Morocco, which sits a tantalizingly short ferry trip or plane ride away from the southern edge of the Iberian Peninsula.

We opted not to include Morocco here due to sheer logistics.

The reality is that 14 days is barely enough time to do justice to Spain and Portugal, let alone add on a whole additional country (with a wildly different culture, packing list, and attractions to consider, too).

When you add in the fact that Tangier, the Moroccan port city reachable by ferry from the Iberian Peninsula, isn’t typically the favorite destination of visitors to Morocco, it simply doesn’t make sense to add it to this route.

Now, that being said, Morocco is unforgettable–we still count our time there camping in the Sahara Desert as one of our favorite travel memories of all time.

If you have 3 weeks to work with instead of 2, you might consider adding a Morocco leg onto your trip.

We wouldn’t recommend a day trip, though: about 5 days, enough to see the Sahara Desert overnight as well as Marrakech and/or Fes, is enough to give you a solid taste of the country (though of course, 7-14 days would be even better).

With more time, the Blue City of Chefchaouen and the coastal city of Essaouira offer wonderful experiences.

This itinerary for visiting Spain and Portugal in 2 weeks is best accomplished with a mix of transportation.

Between each Spanish city, the best way to get around is typically via high-speed train, though a flight is an option on one route.

In order to pull this itinerary off effectively, you’ll want to purchase tickets in advance and make sure you’re using the most direct routes!

Spain’s high-speed AVE trains, like many high-speed trains around Europe, use dynamic pricing–in other words, you should lock down your fares as soon as you can commit to dates.

(Be sure to show up early, too, as high-speed train routes in Spain require a security check before boarding).

We use and recommend Omio , a ground transportation aggregate that is popular for traveling in Europe, for checking timetables and purchasing tickets.

For traveling between Spain and Portugal, which in this itinerary means traveling from Seville to Lagos, you’ll want to book a bus ( you can also do this through Omio , and the journey takes around 5 hours).

While it is possible to rent a car for this part of the route too, one-way drop-off fees between countries are generally astronomical.

Once you’re in Portugal, depending on your travel style, you might prefer to rent a car for the Algarve portion of your trip and then drive the car to Lisbon, or to do without and take the train to Lisbon.

Taking the train between Lisbon and Porto is very simple, but if you’d rather step off the beaten path and visit somewhere like Óbidos , the Alcobaca Monastery, or Tomar along the way, driving can also be fun!

This guide for traveling between Lisbon and Porto breaks down your options in detail.

Shop rental cars  and  train tickets  for your 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal today!

Here on Our Escape Clause, we have written (and continue to write) extensively about traveling to Spain and Portugal.

Those guides include (but are far from limited to) standalone trip itineraries for Spain , Portugal , and Andalucia , as well as detailed itineraries for most cities covered in this itinerary (for example, here are our suggestions for Madrid , Seville , and Lisbon ).

For that reason, I’ll try to keep the descriptions of each day semi-brief, as this Portugal and Spain travel guide will no doubt be extremely long regardless!

For more detailed day-to-day advice, I’ll continue to link to additional relevant guides throughout the itinerary, and you can also peruse all of our Portugal blog posts here and/or Spain blog posts here .

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona and hit the ground running.

For the purposes of this 2 week Spain and Portugal itinerary, we’ll assume you arrive in Barcelona in the morning, jet-lagged but excited to start exploring!

(This is an extremely common schedule for flights from North America to Spain).

Once you drop off your language at your hotel (most are more than happy to store bags for you until check-in), it’s time to explore Barcelona’s iconic architecture.

On your first day in Barcelona, start with a visit to either  Casa Milà  or  Casa Batlló , two of the most famous homes designed by Gaudi!

They’re fairly close together, but given how much there is to see in Barcelona, we recommend only going inside one and seeing the other from the outside.

Personally, we recommend  pre-booking tickets for Casa Batlló  for as early a time in the day as possible.

After hitting up your first major attraction, take some time to explore the Gothic Quarter, including the Barcelona Cathedral, the Santa Caterina Market, the famous Las Ramblas, and Plaça Reia.

If you have time (and energy) Catalunya Plaza and Mercado de la Boqueria are also worth a look.

If you’re excited about all of Barcelona’s Catalan modernism architecture, we can also heartily recommend a visit to  Palau de la Música Catalana .

Though not designed by Gaudi, it’s an amazing (and compared to much of Barcelona, uncrowded) example of the style and a memorable place to visit!

Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf is also only a 10-minute walk away, and Ciutadella Park is just beyond it.

From there, depending on your energy, it might be time for a (brief) afternoon nap!

If you can pull together enough energy in the late afternoon or early evening, though, heading down to Barcelona’s coastline and soaking up some sunshine on the beaches (whether that means a swim or just grabbing a bench and enjoying the environment) is a memorable way to close out your first day on the Iberian Peninsula.

Where to Stay in Barcelona, Spain

When deciding where to stay in Barcelona, it’s important to keep in mind that this sprawling city requires some effort to move around.

In other words, there’s no way to stay near all the best things to see in Barcelona, but it’s best to stay by some of them!

We recently stayed at  Citadines Ramblas Barcelona  and were extremely satisfied–to the point that we may just keep going back on additional trips.

Our room was spacious, complete with a kitchenette, and extremely quiet despite the hotel being located in a prime spot right along Las Ramblas.

The view of the Barcelona Cathedral from the rooftop deck of the  Colón Hotel Barcelona  is pretty incredible too, though, and we have it bookmarked for a possible future trip.

If you’re traveling on a bit more of a budget,  Hotel Nouvel  also gets excellent reviews and is in a wonderful location.

Check rates & book your stay in Barcelona today!

Day 2: Dive deeper into Barcelona.

After your first full day of exploring, it’s time to dive even deeper into Barcelona!

Today, plan to head further afield, starting with a visit to  Park Güell  and/or Tibidabo for one of the best views over sprawling Barcelona!

(Keep in mind that these are a bit of a trek from the city center, especially Tibidabo, so plan on using a chunk of time for transportation).

Later on, the incredible Picasso Museum (which holds over 4,000 of the artist’s works), is a must-see for art lovers in Barcelona, while Camp Nou is a popular pilgrimage for football lovers.

And, of course, we can’t forget  the Sagrada Familia : Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece of a cathedral is an absolute must-see when visiting Barcelona!

We visited in the early evening after hearing that the interior’s light was at its best then, and we were not disappointed–the colors were phenomenal.

If you wrap up at the Sagrada Familia before sunset and would like to enjoy the Mediterranean while in Barcelona, consider wrapping up your evening with  a sunset catamaran cruise .

Book skip-the-line tickets to visit the Sagrada Familia  today!

Day 3: Enjoy a morning stroll in Barcelona and then head to Seville.

After a last look at Barcelona–perhaps one more pass through the Gothic Quarter, a stroll along the beach, or a leisurely breakfast in a cafe–it’s time to head south to Andalucia!

Seville, the capital of Andalucia and one of the best places to visit in Spain, is a 6+ hour train ride from Barcelona.

Alternatively, it’s about a 2-hour flight between the 2 cities.

While we personally find the train more comfortable and pleasant (and it saves you the time and hassle of getting to and from the airports), there’s another factor to consider: flying is sometimes cheaper than traveling by train.

We recommend considering and pricing out both options, but either way, most of day 3 will be eaten up with getting to Seville!

Once you arrive, meander through Barrio Santa Cruz, grab dinner (or just a bunch of tapas– this popular tapas crawl is a fun option if you want to find the best spots with ease) and rest up for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Shop train tickets from Barcelona to Seville today!

Where to Stay in Seville, Spain

When deciding where to stay in Seville, location is key as ideally, you’ll want to stay within walking distance of Seville’s best attractions.

We had a fantastic experience at  Petit Palace Puerta de Triana  on our most recent trip to Seville.

The hotel  has a fantastic location (central but also quiet–a far-from-guaranteed combination in Spain), a delicious breakfast, and comfortable rooms.

Looking for something a bit different?

The incredibly popular  Hotel Rey Alfonso X  is an excellent choice, and its rooftop views are sublime!

If you’d like to stick to more of a budget,  Hotel America Sevilla  gets wonderful reviews and doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of location.

Meanwhile, for the height of luxury, you can’t beat the absolutely stunning  Hotel Alfonso XIII !

Check rates & book your stay in Seville today!

Day 4: See the best of Seville.

Today, it’s all about appreciating the beauty of colorful, vibrant Seville!

Don’t miss the chance to visit the gilded and glamorous Seville Cathedral (with a side of dark history: you’ll find the tomb of Christoper Colombus here).

Climbing the cathedral’s bell tower (Giralda) for incredible views of the city is also incredibly memorable, and included with your ticket for visiting the Seville Cathedral .

The tiled Plaza de Espana, which is one of the most photographed spots in the city, is also a must-see!

One of Seville’s top attractions, the Royal Alcazar of Seville , is definitely worth experiencing–but depending on your sightseeing style, you may prefer to skip it and enjoy relaxing in the city more.

The Alcazar, with its complex of intricate palaces and beautiful gardens, is incredible… but it is outshone by the Alhambra in Granada , which you’ll be seeing in a couple of days when following this itinerary for Spain and Portugal.

If you’re a traveler who likes to leave no stone unturned, we recommend visiting the Alcazar first thing in the morning–otherwise, you have a more leisurely pace to work with.

Regardless of what you decide about the Alcazar, though, we highly recommend ending your evening with this wildly popular flamenco show , which is held in a venue dating to the 15th century and will give you an excellent taste of flamenco culture.

Flamenco is widely associated with Spain as a whole, but it originated in the south of Spain–and, according to some sources, it originated in Seville itself, making this the perfect place to pause for a show!

Book your flamenco show in Seville today!

Day 5: Take a half-day trip to Cordoba.

Less than  an hour from Seville by train  or car, you’ll find the captivating Andalucian city of Cordoba–which happens to be one of our favorite places in the region!

Once the most powerful city in Islamic Spain, the Cordoba of today is small and manageable, a bite-size tourism destination that nonetheless leaves a big impact on visitors.

Cordoba is most famous for its incredible  Mosque-Cathedral –literally a former mosque with a cathedral built into its center–which is one of the most memorable buildings we’ve had a chance to visit anywhere.

The Mosque-Cathedral should absolutely be your top priority when visiting Cordoba, but beyond that, there’s still plenty to see within a short walk!

Snapping photos of the picturesque Calleja de las Flores, relaxing in the Patio de los Naranjos, wandering through the Jewish Quarter, and checking out some of  the beautiful patios of Cordoba  should also be on your to-do list.

After enjoying the best of Cordoba, head back for a relaxing night in Seville.

You’ll need the rest: tomorrow will be one of the busiest days during your Spain and Portugal vacation!

Day 6: Experience the legendary Alhambra.

Today is all about enjoying one of the giants of tourism in Spain: Granada’s legendary Alhambra.

This collection of centuries-old palaces (plus a fort, gardens, ruins of a medina, and more), is one of the most unique groupings of architecture in Europe, and the most-visited tourist attraction in Spain!

We wrote about  visiting the Alhambra extensively here , so I’ll try to keep this (kind of) brief, but the long and the short of it is that this is a place you need to plan ahead for.

Tickets often sell out, but coming from Seville for the day, we highly recommend booking an organized day trip (and as a bonus, that means you won’t need to book as far in advance as travelers hoping to score tickets independently).

Why take a tour?

While the Alhambra is absolutely worth seeing–it’s truly one of the most incredible places to visit in Spain, and worth going out of your way for–it’s in Granada, which is 3 hours, each way, from Seville.

Add in getting to and from the Alhambra itself and wanting to leave a small amount of time to sample the rest of Granada (we love this city!), and letting someone else take the lead will make your life much easier.

If that doesn’t appeal, there are two alternatives.

First, you could spend the previous night in Granada ( we stayed here and loved it )–but that will add on hours of travel to your journey to Portugal tomorrow.

Alternatively, you could opt to enjoy the Royal Alcazar in Seville instead, perhaps take a half-day trip to a closer town like Ronda or Setenil de las Bodegas, and save the Alhambra for another trip.

If you don’t expect to be back in Andalucia soon, we believe the Alhambra and Granada are worth the headache–but with only 14 days to visit Spain and Portugal, it’s completely understandable if you’d rather slow down a bit, too.

If you do want to experience the Alhambra, this day trip gets great reviews and covers transportation, the Alhambra (including the essential tickets to the Nasrid Palaces), and time in Granada’s beautiful Albayzin neighborhood.

Don’t miss the view from the Mirador de San Nicholas!

Book your day trip to the Alhambra in Granada today!

Day 7: Say goodbye to Spain and hop over to Lagos, Portugal.

As you hit the halfway point of your Iberian adventure, it’s time to trade Spain for Portugal!

The simplest and most efficient way to travel from Seville to Lagos will be to travel by bus , which takes about 5 hours.

Unfortunately, with no trains between Seville and the Algarve, and no direct flights, there are limited transportation options to work with.

However, the good news is that if you haven’t been on a bus since you were school-aged, these buses are likely much more comfortable than you may think!

Considering driving?

Unfortunately, picking up a rental car in one country and dropping it off in another tends to incur extreme fees–think around 1000 Euro, give or take.

Once you arrive in Lagos, check into your hotel and head to the sea!

If you’re ready to stretch your legs (and have enough time in the day–summer visitors will likely have better luck here than winter ones ), consider hiking the Ponta da Piedade coastal trail to one of Portugal’s most famous viewpoints.

It takes a bit over an hour each way, though you can trim time on the way back by simply hiking along the road instead of the trail (though it’s much less scenic).

Want to enjoy the views from Ponta da Piedade, but without the hike?

Calling a ride share (we tend to use FreeNow in Europe, though Uber works too) will get you there from the historic center of Lagos in just a few minutes.

Where to Stay in Lagos, Portugal

Lagos’ central location, beautiful beaches, and convenient town center make it a fantastic place to base yourself during your time in the Algarve!

Each of these properties boasts excellent reviews and a prime location within walking distance of many of the top things to do in Lagos.

For budget travelers, a fantastic included breakfast, private room, and free parking are all waiting for you at Dream Lagos B&B  –and as the rave reviews indicate, you won’t be disappointed.

The trade-off is staying a bit further from the town center, though still within walking distance.

For mid-range travelers, Hotel Lagosmar features excellent reviews and a perfect location right across from the Lagos Marina, plus a rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of the sea and town.

If you’d like to splash out a bit (and by the standards of much of Europe, the Algarve is a very affordable place to do so outside of the peak summer months), Tivoli Lagos makes a wonderful base in Lagos.

We adored our stay at this 4-star resort and would be thrilled to return to enjoy the beautiful property, gorgeous pool, restaurants, and delicious included breakfast again.

With free parking (almost) on-site, comfortable rooms, and incredibly easy access to Lagos’ attractions, Tivoli Lagos is a fantastic place to stay.

Check rates & book your stay in Lagos today!

Day 8: Soak up Algarve views.

With one full day to enjoy the Algarve, the best way to spend your time depends on a few factors, including your travel style, the season, your energy levels now that you’re past the halfway point of your 2 week trip through Spain and Portugal, and whether you feel like driving.

First things first, though: want to find a beach and spend all day on it?

You’re in a great place for that (though fair warning for those who grew up in hot climates like us: the water is quite chilly in the Algarve, even in summer).

Praia Meia, Praia do Camilo, Praia dos Estudantes, and Praia do Pinhão are just a handful of the many dreamy beaches in the immediate vicinity of Lagos (some within walking distance) that are excellent places to relax.

Praia do Camilo in particular is so scenic that it’s worth stopping by just to admire it for a minute!

Craving more activity?

Heading back to Ponta da Piedade, this time from the water, is an incredible experience!

Whether you want to kick back and relax on a boat ride or join an adventurous kayaking tour , you’ll be treated to unforgettable coastal views.

With any luck, you may spot a few dolphins, as well (though if that’s your focus, a dolphin spotting cruise might be more your speed).

Willing to head 30-45 minutes away from Lagos by taxi, ride-share, or rental car?

The famous Benagil Cave can be visited from the charming town of Carvoeiro, and the magnificent Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and Marinha Beach can also be accessed nearby!

If you want to actually walk inside Benagil Cave, though, prepare to sweat for it: popular boat tours like this can enter the cave but can’t land there.

If you want to land… you’ll need to visit by kayak or SUP (but don’t worry–it’s only a 200m distance or so from the shore).

Book your Benagil Cave kayaking tour  or  small boat tour  today!

Day 9: Make your way to Lisbon.

After a last breakfast, a local beach stroll, and possibly even a quick morning visit to Ponte da Piedade, it’s time to say goodbye to the Algarve and head north to Lisbon–our former home for more than a year and a downright delightful city to visit.

The fastest way to get to Lisbon from Lagos is to drive, however, since you won’t need a car once you arrive (and you’ll incur a one-way drop-off fee for returning the car to a different city), you’ll likely want to opt for a train or bus instead.

The train is the most comfortable option, but generally takes between 4 and 5 hours and requires you to make a change, as there are no direct routes between Lisbon and Lagos.

The bus, while less comfortable, is cheaper, doesn’t require a change, and is a bit faster.

You can check both train and bus prices and times here.

Once you arrive in Lisbon, it’s time to check into your hotel and then hit the ground running with sightseeing!

We loved this food tour , which starts later in the afternoon, and it is an excellent way to get introduced to the city.

Alternatively (or in addition!), head to the top of Lisbon to enjoy the gorgeous views from the remains of Castelo de São Jorge , and meander through Alfama.

Here, you’ll see many Lisbon postcards come to life, including the views from the Miradouro das Portas do Sol and the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, the famous Tram 28 (though we don’t recommend riding it–just snap photos from outside) and the Lisbon Cathedral.

As you head downhill from the heart of Alfama, you’ll reach the riverside neighborhood of Baixa (where the food tour starts).

Be sure to check out Praça do Comércio, Rossio Square, and the Church of São Domingos while there!

If you’re interested in experiencing an evening Fado show in Lisbon, tonight is a great opportunity to do so.

Book your Lisbon food tour today!

Where to Stay in Lisbon, Portugal

While there are plenty of excellent neighborhoods to stay in throughout Lisbon, we recommend picking somewhere central with good transportation connections around the city.

Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Principe Real, and Barrio Alto are great names to keep an eye out for when browsing places to stay.

For a budget-friendly hostel experience (with private rooms available), the  Sunset Destination Hostel  is a great, centrally located option.

At a mid-range price tag, you can’t beat the location or rave reviews for  Tempo FLH Hotels Lisboa .

Looking for a splurge?

The Lumiares Hotel & Spa  is part of the much-acclaimed Small Luxury Hotels of the World Collection, and offers stunning views that you won’t forget anytime soon!

Check rates & book your stay in Lisbon today!

Day 10: Enjoy sightseeing in Lisbon.

Today is all about sightseeing in Lisbon–and wear some comfortable shoes, because it will be a long (and hilly) journey!

First things first: if you didn’t visit Alfama yesterday, take a quick stroll through there and the neighborhood of Castelo (and stop for some pasteis de nata at Pastelaria Santo António while you’re at it).

If you’ve already visited Alfama, start your morning in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto (high town) and Chiado, exploring a corner of the historic center that you didn’t get to see yesterday!

Highlights include the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara, the overwhelming Church of São Roque, the Carmo Convent, and a stop at Livraria Bertrand , the oldest still-operating bookstore in the world.

If you’re a fan of glitzy cafes, consider also grabbing a coffee and pastry at A Brasileira.

From there it’s time to head over to the popular riverside neighborhood of Belém (taxi or ride share will be the easiest way to get there).

Here, you’ll find the famous Jerónimos Monastery and accompanying church (the church is free to enter, the monastery is not), the gorgeous Belém Tower (you don’t need to go in, but it’s worth seeing the exterior), the Monument of the Discoveries, and stunning views of the Tagus River.

You’ll also find the wildly popular Pastéis de Belém, which serves up the original pastéis de nata.

Yes, they are worth the long line (hint: the table service line is often much shorter than the takeaway line!), but if standing in line for carbs isn’t your thing, Manteigaria, another popular Lisbon bakery, has a location just down the street.

Meanwhile, the Jerónimos Monastery, while a must-see, is home to some of the longest lines for any tourist attraction in Portugal!

Pre-book your ticket and, since you’re visiting Belém in the afternoon, consider going close to closing time.

In the evening, close out your day with a sunset boat cruise on the Tagus River, soaking in some of the best views of Lisbon, the Tagus, and the Ponte 25 Abril Bridge from the water.

We absolutely loved our sunset cruise experience in Lisbon and highly recommend it–kicking back and relaxing with beautiful views is the perfect way to end a busy sightseeing day.

Book your sunset cruise in Lisbon today!

Day 11: Take a day trip to Sintra.

Set in the hills just outside of Lisbon, the beautiful town of Sintra–complete with several fantastic palaces–is easily among the most popular places to visit in Portugal.

From the beauty of the distinctive yellow-and-red Pena Palace to the quirky Alice in Wonderland vibes of Quinta da Regaleira to the stunning views from the Moorish Castle and beyond, visiting Sintra is incredibly memorable and worth the effort.

… But, its popularity also has another side effect: the palaces of Sintra are among the most crowded places included on this Iberian Peninsula itinerary, so be prepared for that.

With only 2 weeks to cover both Spain and Portugal, you’ll want to visit Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon, and that essentially leaves you 2 options: travel by public transportation, or on a guided day trip like this .

This day trip is one of the most popular tours in Portugal and includes visits to Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira as well as Cabo da Roca (long believed to be the westernmost point of mainland Europe, now simply a stunning viewpoint), and a short stop in the resort town of Cascais .

The pros of taking a tour are simple: as the palaces in Sintra are far enough apart that you can’t walk between most of them and parking is very tricky, it saves you time and allows you to see more.

The cons are simple too: with so many stops to make, you won’t have much time to linger.

If you’d rather travel independently, you can absolutely do that as well, though we recommend nabbing your tickets for Pena Palace and other popular places in advance.

The train takes about 40 minutes from central Lisbon.

Once you arrive in Sintra, you’ll board one of 2 buses that will take you to your first palace, and then (depending on which palaces you choose to see) another to your second and maybe third, depending on how fast you explore.

When you’re finished, you can head back to Lisbon via train or simply call an Uber (which is what we tend to do).

Book your day trip to Sintra today!

Day 12: Make your way from Lisbon to Porto.

All aboard to Porto!

The final destination of this itinerary for 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal, the beautiful city of Porto is compact and memorable, featuring stunning river views, endless port (and if you don’t think you like port… try it here before you commit to that opinion), and oodles of azulejos .

Easy sightseeing and a relaxed vibe make it the perfect final destination of your trip–but first, you need to get there!

The easiest way to travel from Lisbon to Porto is to take the train, which travels directly between the 2 cities and takes about 3.5 hours.

Most trains leave from Lisbon’s Santa Apolonia Station and run consistently throughout the day.

We go into more detail on managing the journey between the 2 cities in this blog post .

We recommend booking your train tickets for the earliest time you feel comfortable with–the sooner you get to Porto, the better!

Once you arrive in Porto, drop your bags off at your hotel (if it’s not time for check-in yet, they should be able to hold them in the lobby for you) and get ready to explore!

If you’re looking for a quick lunch, the roast pork and soft cheese sandwich at Casa Guedes is a great place to start.

From there, we recommend checking out some of Porto’s attractions that are further from the river, such as the Chapel of Souls, the Church of Saint Ildefonso, and Rua Santa Catarina.

If you have time, head over to the Church of Carmo, as and soak up the view from Miradouro da Vitória (and if you don’t have time to visit the Church of Carmo today, add it to your list for tomorrow).

And, of course, you can’t forget the very first attraction you’ll see as you arrive in Porto: the interior of the São Bento train station is magnificent!

Where to Stay in Porto, Portugal

We’ve visited Porto several times now, and have made a habit of staying at Pestana Porto – A Brasileira or NH Hotel Porto Batalha during our visits.

Both hotels are beautiful, with excellent customer service and incredibly central locations that both make it easy to explore Porto on foot and easy to check in when arriving by train.

(They both also welcome Ranger, a must for us).

If you’re traveling Spain and Portugal on a budget, the Zero Box Lodge Porto gets excellent reviews.

Check rates & book your stay in Porto today!

Day 13: Get to know Porto (and Vila Nova de Gaia).

After a leisurely brunch (we can heartily recommend Floresta Cafe and Esquires Coffee, both of which we’ve eaten at many times), make your way to Clerigos Tower to enjoy one of the most stunning views of Porto!

From there, check out the Porto Cathedral–while the church is free to enter, it’s well worth forking over a few Euro to explore the cloisters and attached museum, too.

Meander down toward the gorgeous Bolsa Palace (if you want to go inside, you’ll need to book a 30-minute guided tour ) and the Church of San Francisco, which is home to a downright stunning interior!

At this point, you’ll be very close to Porto’s vibrant, famous, and colorful riverside, also known as the Ribeira District.

Once the haunt of fishermen and sailors, and now the haunt of tourists, the Ribeira district is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy views of Porto.

Like many picturesque neighborhoods around the world, the restaurants here tend toward being expensive and mediocre, but you can find occasional gems (we enjoyed our meal at Grupo Desportivo Infante D. Henrique, which has a great view but is a bit out of the hustle and bustle).

From Ribeira, make your way across the (lower level of the) Dom Luis I Bridge, to Vila Nova de Gaia.

This charming riverfront destination is technically a separate city from Porto, but it’s also home to all of the port lodges, and no trip to Porto is complete without a port tasting!

This port cellar tour and tasting will give you a good idea of what to expect from a typical tasting, and you can either opt for an organized tour or a build-your-own adventure experience ( Quinta dos Corvos is a personal favorite lodge of ours).

This is also where you can hop on a 6 Bridges Cruise to experience Porto from the water for an hour–a delightful experience in and of itself.

Once you wrap up exploring Vila Nova de Gaia, ride the cable car back up to the top of the Dom Luis I Bridge, where you’ll be treated to gorgeous views over the city and an easy walk back to your hotel.

Day 14: Say goodbye to the Iberian Peninsula and head home.

As you come to the close of 14 (hopefully) perfect days spent exploring Portugal and Spain, there’s one more challenge ahead: getting home!

By far the simplest method for closing out this itinerary is to fly out of Porto, however, for many North Americans, there’s a chance that will be a less ideal option due to scheduling, price, or both (Porto’s airport is much smaller than Lisbon’s).

It’s worth considering, but most likely, you’ll want to head back to Lisbon either the night of day 13 or this morning in order to catch a flight home.

However you say goodbye, be sure to make time for at least one more pastel de nata as you bid adios and adeus to the Iberian Peninsula!

I mentioned this above, but it bears repeating here: while realistic, this itinerary is jam-packed, and one of the fastest-paced itineraries that we’ve published here on Our Escape Clause.

If you’re a traveler who loves to move fast, doesn’t mind changing hotels, and is hoping to see as much variety as possible on their Spain and Portugal vacation, you’ll love it (and be very excited to get home to your own bed afterward).

If you prefer a slower pace, or are enjoying 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal as part of an even longer adventure, you’ll likely want to slow it down a bit.

Here are a few good options for personalizing this itinerary.

Skip Porto to spend longer in Lisbon and the Algarve.

I debated for a long time whether or not to include Porto in the original itinerary above, as it adds quite a bit of travel time!

However, Porto is a small city that can be thoroughly sampled in a day, and it’s a very different city from the other cities featured on this itinerary.

Plus, port!

However, while we definitely consider Porto well worth a visit, if you’re flying out of Lisbon and want to limit your train time toward the end of the trip (it’s about 3 hours each way by train), skipping northern Portugal is definitely a valid option.

If you decide to spend longer in Lisbon, you might even want to add on an easy additional day trip to see a different side of Portugal, such as to Cascais or Óbidos ( here are the best day trips from Lisbon ).

Start your itinerary in Seville.

While Barcelona is wonderful, there’s no doubt that you can cut your travel time significantly by flying straight to Seville to start your trip!

The downside of this route is that you’ll only see one region of Spain ( Andalucia ), but the upside is, you’ll move at a much slower pace.

Skip the Algarve and head right to Lisbon.

We decided to include the Algarve in this 14 day itinerary as it is not only beautiful and an incredibly fun place to visit, but a great change of pace from the more city-sightseeing-and-history-focused stops that make up most of the itinerary.

However, while swapping city streets for sandy beaches and seaside hikes is a wonderful addition to this trip, you can definitely save time by heading right from Seville to Lisbon.

If you’re more interested in cities than coastlines, or the weather isn’t cooperating for your trip, this might be a great option.

Visiting Cabo da Roca from Lisbon as part of your day trip to Sintra, or taking a day trip to Cascais , will also give you a small chance to appreciate the beauty of the Portuguese coastline offers without leaving the Lisbon area.

Swap Barcelona for Madrid.

This change isn’t a matter of timing, but of taste (and flight schedules).

We included Barcelona in this itinerary over Madrid as there’s only room for one of Spain’s two most famous cities, and Barcelona is both the most popular and arguably the most unique.

However, while Barcelona’s Gaudi architecture, Catalan culture, and seaside location are phenomenal, Madrid also has a lot to offer!

If you’re a big fan of art museums and royal palaces, you might prefer the Spanish capital ( our recommended Madrid itinerary is a great guide to what to expect).

Not sure which you’d prefer?

Let flight deals dictate which city you visit!

Spain and Portugal are both the definitions of year-round destinations, and that includes this Spain and Portugal itinerary!

That being said, though, if you have flexible dates and are trying to pinpoint the ideal time to travel Portugal and Spain, we recommend enjoying this itinerary in the spring or fall.

Summer in Spain in particular, especially in Andalucia, can be brutally hot (we shudder to think of  visiting the Alhambra  at noon in July).

Winter is perfectly doable, but the weather can be rainy and less predictable than in spring or summer (it is, however, a fantastic time to go hiking in the Algarve, as long as you don’t mind skipping the swimming).

On the plus side for winter, though, you’ll experience few crowds, low prices, and still have a decent chance at soaking up some sunshine, albeit with a jacket at hand.

The sweet spot for this 14 day Spain and Portugal itinerary, though, which travels across a decent swath of both countries and therefore needs to take multiple climates into account, is the spring and fall.

We have spent time in both Portugal and Spain in every season, and while each trip was a delight, we have a special place in our hearts for the spring and fall!

If you’re lucky enough to have more than 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal, you have a chance to do two things: first, add Madrid to this itinerary (it was very hard leaving it off!).

And, second, slow down as much as you can: every one of the destinations included in this itinerary has plenty more to see, and also boasts far more incredible day trip options than there is time to cover in 2 weeks.

A day trip to Toledo from Madrid , to Monserrat from Barcelona, to Ronda from Seville, to Cascais from Lisbon , or to the Douro Valley from Porto, just barely scratches the surface of the options out there!

For even more ideas, here are the best day trips from Lisbon , and here are the best day trips from Barcelona .

By adding day trips instead of overnights, you’ll be able to slow down the pace of travel and enjoy your trip even more.

If you have close to 3 weeks on the Iberian Peninsula, that’s when I would start to potentially consider adding on a Morocco leg, if that’s something you’re interested in.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, we’d recommend concentrating on the Sahara Desert , Marrakech and/or Fes, and if you have time, Chefchaouen and/or Essaouira.

Taking the ferry from Spain or Portugal to Tangier, Morocco, is a cool experience (though if you have a tendency toward seasickness like me–fair warning, it was also a nauseating experience), but Tangier is quite far from the most popular places to visit in Morocco.

Unless you’re particularly interested in traveling overland for its own sake, flying will likely make more sense, and there are tons of budget airline routes between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Our detailed packing lists for visiting Europe in the spring ,  summer ,  fall , and  winter  cover just about everything you’ll need to bring on your 14 day Spain and Portugal vacation!

To get you started on your list, though, here are a few essentials to add to your packing list:

Travel Adaptors for Spain and Portugal  — If you’re coming from outside of mainland Europe, you’ll definitely need adaptors for your electronics!

Spain and Portugal use the same plugs/voltage, so you won’t need anything different when moving between them.

Travel Insurance  — No one like to think about the possibility of canceled or interrupted trips, let alone accidents on the road.

Anything can happen while traveling, though–and that’s where travel insurance can help.

Check travel insurance policy inclusions and prices with  Safety Wing  for your trip here.

Camera  — We completely adore our  Sony a7R III , but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works–just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories!

Comfortable Day Bag  — We currently use   Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack  and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable.

Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a  Northface Jester backpack  for years and loved it as well.

Sunglasses  — The sun in Spain and Portugal is famous for a reason!

I find myself regularly reaching for sunglasses even in the winter when on the Iberian Peninsula.

Apple Air Tags  — Air Tags are a relatively new addition to our packing list, but we’ve absolutely loved having the extra security when checking our luggage!

They’ll be coming with us from now on.

Reusable Water Bottle  — Save both money and plastic during your 14 days in Spain and Portugal and add a reusable water bottle to your packing list for Europe!  I love this metal one .

Portable USB Charger  — Don’t stress about your phone dying while you’re sightseeing in Portugal and Spain: bring a USB charger along for the ride.

How many days do you need for Portugal and Spain?

Personally, we recommend visiting for a minimum of 2 weeks if you want to have a solid overview of both Spain and Portugal.

If you have less time to work with, consider sticking with fewer destinations, and perhaps sampling one city in each country instead.

Can you do Spain and Portugal on the same trip?

Yes, you can absolutely visit both Spain and Portugal on the same trip!

As next-door neighbors located in the far southwestern corner of Europe, Portugal and Spain make a great combination when planning a European vacation .

Is it possible to visit Spain and Portugal in 7 days?

Yes, you can visit both Spain and Portugal in 7 days–but don’t expect (or try) to see everything!

If you have a week in Spain and Portugal, we recommend picking one city in each country to focus on, with a possible day trip from each.

You’ll likely want to fly between the two countries in this scenario as well unless you happen to pick Lisbon and Seville, which are fairly close together (about 4.5 hours by car).

Can you drive a rental car from Spain to Portugal?

Typically, yes, you can drive rental cars between Spain and Portugal.

Be sure to confirm with your rental car company, though, and as always, make sure you tell them you plan to cross borders!

Can you rent a car in Spain and return it in Portugal (or vice versa)?

Yes, it’s technically possible to rent a car in one EU country and return it to another, but be prepared for an eye-watering fee for doing so!

One-way rental fees are almost always a bit pricey, but when it comes to crossing borders, it can get very expensive: we’ve been quoted around 1000 Euro (not a typo) more than once for the privilege.

If you plan to rent a car for your trip to Spain and Portugal, be sure to build extra fees into your budget… or just plan on returning it to the same country you picked it up in.

Check prices and shop rental cars for your Spain and Portugal road trip today!

Which is cheaper to visit, Spain or Portugal?

We go into this in a bit more detail in our Spain vs Portugal comparison post , but the basic answer is that while online resources and blog posts tend to state that Portugal is cheaper to visit than Spain, the reality on the ground is a bit more complex.

The cost of travel in Spain (and Portugal, for that matter) varies dramatically based on where you visit.

Barcelona, for example, clocks in as a pricey destination on par with  Paris  or  Milan , while other regions like Andalucia can be  far  less expensive–including less expensive than popular places in Portugal’s Algarve.

Overall, from the perspective of planning a vacation, I would say that the Spain leg of this trip and the Portugal leg probably cost about the same, with the most expensive destination (Barcelona) being balanced out by Andalucia being among the more affordable stops.

Can you take the train between Spain and Portugal?

Technically, you can take trains between Spain and Portugal… but for this trip, you probably won’t want to.

Spain and Portugal are not well-connected by train, and doing so requires going out of your way from most major tourist destinations (there’s a train from Porto to Vigo in the north, and alternatively, with multiple stops, you can cobble together a very long route through the center of Portugal into Spain).

Lisbon and Madrid used to be connected via a night train, but that was discontinued in 2020 and talk of bringing it back (or installing a high-speed rail) is stalled at rumor level indefinitely.

There are no trains connecting the Algarve to Andalucia.

Looking for more tips for visiting Spain and Portugal?

We’ve written about both countries extensively, with many more blog posts to come in the future!

You can scroll through all of our Portugal articles here , our Spain articles here , or check out these guides:

• The Ultimate 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary
• Visiting the Alhambra in Granada: 21 Important Tips (FAQ + Tour Info!)
• 17 Best Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal (+ Nearby!)
• The Ultimate 3 Days in Madrid Itinerary
• How to Travel From Lisbon to Porto (By Train, Car, or Bus!)
• 19 Best Day Trips from Barcelona (+ How to Get There!)

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

9 thoughts on “The Perfect 2 Week Spain and Portugal Itinerary (+ Essential Tips!)”

This Spain and Portugal itinerary is a fantastic guide for planning my upcoming trip – it covers all the highlights I’ve been dreaming of! 🌍🌟

Thanks so much! Have a great trip. 🙂

Wonderful info in this guide. Planning our Portugal and Spain trip for April/May 2024 including 10 day Portuguese Camino de Santiago walk. I will be using lots of the tips you have included in this itinerary. Thank you.

Thanks so much, Glenda–hope your Camino is wonderful!

Hi. Thanks for the tips & advice. What’s the best way to visit sights in each city? Uber? And did you book your accommodation in each city in advance?

Within each city, a combination of walking, tram/metro, and occasional taxi or Uber is best–it depends on which city and which specific sites you’re trying to visit! We have written detailed itineraries on several of the included cities that break those steps down in more detail. For example, here’s one of our Lisbon itineraries: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/3-days-in-lisbon-itinerary/

We do recommend booking your accommodation in advance. Personally, we never choose to arrive in a city without knowing where we’re staying. 🙂

Any suggestions re: going “counter clockwise” from Barcelona to Lisbon? We’d like to catch San Sebastian/Bilbao and maybe part of the Camino on the way to Porto then head home from Lisbon (2-3 weeks). Thank you for sharing your great insight!

My understanding is that you’re wanting to cover Barcelona, San Sebastian/Bilbao, some of the Camino (we’ll call that 5-7 days), Porto, and Lisbon–but nowhere else on this itinerary.

If so, that’s doable over 3 weeks, though I’d consider trimming one stop (probably the Camino, as it’s a bit of a commitment even when doing a section) if you need to trim the trip down to 2 weeks.

You’ll also be in the lucky position of being able to take the train from Spain to Portugal, which is typically out of the question for most standard itineraries! There is a route from Vigo (you can connect there from Santiago de Compostela in Spain) to Porto that will get you across the border.

Great insight. Thank you!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Perfect Spain and Portugal Itinerary for 10 to 14 Days

February 1, 2023

Welcome to the complete Spain and Portugal itinerary planner. Enjoy the best of the Iberian peninsula and get ready for your next trip.

Table of Contents

Planning Your Trip Through Spain and Portugal

Many describe Spain and Portugal as some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. And what’s not to like about them? They have gorgeous beaches, centuries-old buildings, delicious food, and a mild climate that attracts tourists even in the winter.

Best of all, they sit next to each other, so you can easily create an amazing Spain and Portugal itinerary and see all the best places in one trip.

I lived in Spain for years and frequently crossed the border into Portugal. But I know that it can seem overwhelming when you’re sitting down to plan out an itinerary for the first time.

So, if you are not sure where to start, here’s a complete guide, including the best cities to visit, top hotels and restaurants, as well as some ideas for day trips in case you have extra time. Follow it as it is or adapt it to your budget and interests and have a fabulous time!

Disclosure: if you book or buy through any of the links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Recommended

I love sharing the best travel resources I can find. 

• I never book a flight without looking on Skyscanner first
• My favourite one stop shop for airport transfers, food tours & excursions is Get Your Guide
• Out of the big accommodation machines, I use Expedia and Booking.com the most
• I’ve hand-picked useful travel gear and tools for you in my Amazon shop . Never leave home without a travel adapter or collapsible water bottle . I’d also recommend these soft ear plugs and a sleep mask .
• Access all our planners and budget spreadsheets in the Travel Toolbox ©
• Plan the perfect road trip with our Road Trip Planner & Toolkit ©
• Use these packing cubes to make life so much easier on the road.
• Save on mobile phone roaming charges with an eSIM from Airalo .

How Many Days Do You Need for a Spain & Portugal Trip?

There’s so much to see in Spain and Portugal that you’ll probably need months or even years to explore everything. However, you can see the main cities and taste a bit of the local culture in about 14 days. Some people race through both countries in seven days but that is a push and you will feel rushed. Spending around 10 days in Spain and Portugal is a decent amount of time but you will still be moving pretty quickly.

How to Tour Spain & Portugal

All the big towns in Spain and Portugal are connected through direct flights that are shorter than 1 hour and 30 minutes, so if you want to travel fast, it might be worth adding in some flights. You can find some tips to get cheaper plane tickets here.

However, flights bring problems, from having to turn up early to possibly losing your luggage to missing out on all the landscapes and smaller places between the big cities. Plus, the costs (and time) adds up travelling out and back to airports all the time.

Instead, I’d recommend looking at some of the sleek, fast trains and hiring a car in a few places for a great Iberian road trip.

Top Tip: Don’t forget about travel insurance . When you are visiting so many cities in a row, the chances of losing your luggage or experiencing a delay increase.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Spain & Portugal?

The summer months are extremely hot in Spain and Portugal, so it can be uncomfortable to hop from one city to another at 40 degrees Celsius (or higher in Seville.) Having said that, there are plenty of things to be enjoyed during a summer in Spain .

It is better to visit in the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October) when the weather is still warm, the crowds are smaller, and the hotel prices are that bit lower.

Or, you could be unusual and see what it’s like to visit Spain in winter.

Your 14-Day Spain & Portugal Itinerary

This itinerary starts in Madrid, continues to two big cities in Portugal, and returns to Spain for more splendid destinations full of history and colour.

Madrid – 3 Days

The capital of Spain, Madrid, is a beautiful city, combining the charm of the old streets and churches with a more modern architectural vision. It is the first destination on your 14-day itinerary, and you have 3 days to explore its attractions and surroundings.

What to Visit in Madrid

One of the best ways to discover the main attractions in Madrid is to take a tour with a local guide. But you can also visit everything on your own if you are organised. We recommend using public transportation, as the streets are quite busy for a rental car.

Puerta del Sol

As soon as you arrive, head to the city centre to discover one of its most famous sites. Puerta del Sol is the square where all major streets meet. Check out the famous clock that’s the centre of attention on New Year’s Eve, when locals and tourists gather in the square to celebrate.

Plaza Mayor

Grab a coffee or have a bite to eat in Plaza Mayor, a magnificent square in the centre of Habsburg Madrid. This is the oldest part of the city, thronging with souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, and street artists and musicians.

Mercado de San Miguel

Tasty and well-heeled, this much loved madrileño market sells fresh produce and tasty snacks, everything from pastry to charcuterie, Venezuelan corn, and vermouth.

The Palacio Real de Madrid

The Royal Palace in Madrid was inspired by Bernini’s sketches for the Louvre, rejected in France but put to good work in Spain, where this architectural jewel was built. The structure has more than 3,000 rooms, some with special themes. Take the Royal Chemist’s room filled with natural medicine cabinets, for example (you can check out the prescriptions the medics wrote to the members of the royal family.) Or the Royal Chapel, home to a magnificent collection of string instruments made by Antonio Stradivarius.

Catedral de la Almudena

Step out of the Royal Palace and enter the grand Catedral del la Almudena, consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. It is the most important cathedral in Madrid and houses a museum with objects related to the life of the local patron saints. If you’ve got a good pair of lungs, climb the stairs to the dome for a splendid view of the city.

Prado Museum

A huge art hub, the Prado houses over 8,600 paintings, so whatever you do, don’t plan on seeing them all. I would highly recommend booking a guide to help you understand and focus. Alternatively, Prado’s website suggests three itineraries that can help you find your way. Do not miss the highlights: the galleries dedicated to El Greco and the extended Goya collection.

El Retiro Park

In the afternoon, stroll around this huge park, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes a large number of gardens and monuments spread across 125 hectares.

Snap a picture of the only statue in the world dedicated to the devil, the Fallen Angel, which sits at 666 meters above sea level, and check out the rare plants in the botanical garden. There’s also a puppet theatre that still holds shows, great for kids and adults.

Find out more fun facts about Madrid here.

Where to Stay in Madrid

Pick a hotel close to the centre to access the main attractions on foot. The Centro and La Latina areas are close to everything, including tapas bars and restaurants, and it’s easy to find a good stay here. You can also stay in Lavapiés or Huertas for a more colourful and bohemian atmosphere.

SLEEP’N Atocha and Petit Palace Triball come highly recommended.

Where to Eat in Madrid

La Latina is the best area for eating in Madrid, especially when you only have a few days. Check out Casa Lucas to try their famous black cannelloni, or take a seat at La Perjila for a plate of delicious tapas. If you fancy a steak, don’t miss Casa Lucio – it’s been sizzling since 1974.

Day Trips from Madrid

Dedicate one of the days when you’re based in Madrid to one of the nearby towns or villages for a taste of how life is outside the capital. We suggest Salamanca or Toledo.

A university city located 214 km from Madrid, Salamanca has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list due to its splendid cathedral, the Monterrey Palace, and huge Plaza Mayor.

Only 73 km from Madrid, Toledo is the former capital and something of a museum city reflecting the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian heritage of the people who built it. You can visit the Cristo de la Luz Mosque, El Transito Synagogue, and the Toledo Cathedral to see how cultures crossed in this city that attracted Goya and Picasso.

Getting from Madrid to Porto

• Plane: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Train: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Car: 5 hours 50 minutes

Porto – 2 Days

Cross the border and stop in Porto, a magically romantic city famous for its harbour and wines. See also our fun guide on unusual things to do in Porto.

Top Attractions in Porto

You only have one day to explore the city, if you choose to do a day trip on the next one, so you will need to concentrate on the big attractions only.

Livraria Lello

Book lovers will be delighted to discover the impressive number of novels, poetry books, scientific and historic treatises and so on, all gathered in what seems to be a reader’s paradise. But even those who haven’t read a book in a while shouldn’t miss this place for its exquisite neo-gothic façade and stunning interior. It’s said to have inspired Harry Potter.

Igreja do Carmo

The next stop on your 2-day Porto itinerary, Igreja do Carmo, consists of two buildings connected through a very small home. It used to be a convent, with one building housing the nuns and the other the monks of the Carmelite Order in Porto. The narrow house between them was built to help preserve the chastity of the nuns and the monks’ vow of celibacy. Today, it’s a museum.

Check out the ‘azulejos’ on the exterior of Igreja do Carmo, which are hand-painted blue and white tiles specific to the area.

Sao Bento Train Station

A masterpiece of azulejo art, the palace-like Sao Bento Train Station unravels its imposing façade just a few steps from the Cathedral of Porto. Inspired by the “Beaux-Arts” style, it has a large vestibule covered in almost 20,000 tiles that depict scenes of daily life in Northern Portugal. The grandeur of the vestibule, along with its large glass ceiling, is simply fascinating. And you’ll see plenty of people hanging out here, trying to get that instagram shot.

Chapel of Souls

Probably the most photogenic building in Porto, the Chapel of Souls sits in the middle of the main shopping street. You will immediately recognise its impressive exterior covered in the popular blue and white azulejos depicting different religious episodes like the death of Saint Francis of Assisi or the martyrdom of Saint Catherine.

Porto Cathedral

The Sé do Porto is the oldest cathedral in the city, built in the 12th century and expanded over the centuries. It combines the Romanesque style with Baroque and Gothic influences and is designed more like a fortress with massive walls. Spend a moment of peace in its beautiful forecourt and then head inside to admire its baroque interior. The star is the Baroque loggia, lovely decorated with azulejos.

Ribeira Promenade

Spend the evening in the dreamy Ribeira neighbourhood, discovering the historic centre and admiring the sunset from the Dom Louis I Bridge which connects the two banks of the Douro River. This area of Porto was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And a beautiful one it is too.

Where to Stay in Porto

The Centro-Baixa and Ribeira are the best areas to stay in Porto due to their proximity to the main attractions. The PortoBay Flores is a popular hotel for its luxurious rooms and great service, but if you are looking for mid-range accommodation, Hotel Mercure Porto Centro Aliados offers everything you need at an excellent price.

Where to Eat in Porto

Porto is famous for its tapas, fish, meats, pastel de nata, and wine. Stop by A Bolina for a nice glass of wine over a plate of tapas, and visit O Caseirinho if you want to try an authentic Portuguese fish-based dish. For the best pastel de nata, Confeitaria do Bolhão is your place.

Day Trip from Porto: Douro River Cruise

On your second day in Porto, cruise along the Douro River and visit the Douro Valley, the region famous for producing grapes for the Porto wine. The river cruises start at Porto’s Ribeira pier and can last from a few hours to a whole day.

Porto to Lisbon

• Plane: 55 minutes (plus airport time)
• Train: 3 hours 23 minutes
• Car: 3 hours 10 minutes

Lisbon – 3 Days

A 3-day Lisbon itinerary is the right amount of time to explore the city itself and take a road trip to one of the nearby cities. But if you have less time, you can skip Sintra or Cascais and head directly to Seville.

What to Visit in Lisbon

Lisbon is an acquired taste. Her joy lies in the tumbling ruins and steep streets, her shareable food and her people far more than her checklist of sights. So, don’t rush your first day in the city. Instead, try to connect to the general vibe.

São Jorge Castle

Dating back to the 5th century, this huge castle sits on the summit of São Jorge hill, the highest point in Lisbon. It will take several hours to see it all, along with the small museum inside, so try to be there early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Climb to the top of the fortress for a magnificent view of the city.

Next to São Jorge Castle, you will find the Alfama district with its massive cathedral, the St. Vincent Monastery, and the National Pantheon. Stop by the Lisbon Cathedral to see where St Anthony was baptised. And, if you are a literature lover, don’t miss Casa dos Bicos, where you will find an exhibition space dedicated to Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago.

Santa Justa Lift

Step on this historic lift, which takes you from the Baixa neighbourhood to Bairro Alto. It has a wonderful observation deck that reveals the views over Baixa.

Chiado and Bairro Alto

Stroll around these picturesque neighbourhoods. Chiado is elegant and bohemian, with gorgeous cafes and theatres, whilst Bairro Alto is famous for its great fado restaurants and graffiti art.

Parque das Nações

If you still have time, spend the rest of the day at this modern park, which manages to include an oceanarium with over 25,000 sea creatures, the Vasco da Gama bridge and tower, the Lisbon Casino, and the Vasco da Gama Centre, a huge mall with stores and spaces for entertainment. Other iconic buildings to visit here are the Oriente Station, the turtle-like Altice Arena, and the Portugal Pavilion.

Day 2 – Belem

On your second day in Lisbon, leave the city centre and visit the Belem district at the mouth of the river Tagus. This is the place from where many Portuguese explorers set sail to other parts of the world, returning with incredible riches. Visit the Jeronimo Monastery (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Belem Tower and stop at the Pastéis de Belém, the place where the delicious Portuguese egg tarts were invented.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

Baixa is the most popular neighbourhood in the city, with lots of accommodation options. But the Rossio, Chiado and Cais do Sodre are close to the biggest attractions as well. If you want a 5-star hotel, book a room at the Avenida Palace, or go for Hotel Santa Justa for something more mid-range.

• Look at our guide on the best places to stay in Lisbon here.

Where to Eat in Lisbon

The food in Lisbon is simply divine, and there are plenty of restaurants cooking it to perfection. Choose Invicta if you crave fish or langoustines plucked fresh from the ocean.

Food writers say that the best octopus in town is served at Frade dos Mares, and Floresta Das Escadinhas is genius when it comes to ribs.

For more about what to eat in Lisbon, check out our Lisbon food guide here.

Day Trips from Lisbon

If you can spare one more day, take a short trip to the nearby spots of Sintra or Cascais. The easiest way to get there is by car or bus, although you can manage a train and bus combination to Sintra, if you don’ t mind a steep climb at the end.

Sintra is a sight to behold, full of colourful whimsy, history and heritage. UNESCO World Heritage. Visit Vila Palace, the former summer resort of the Portuguese kings, and then stop at the glorious Pena Palace which overlooks the town from its hill.

Even if you don’t have much time, you can pay a quick visit to the fishing village of Cascais, which is only half an hour from Lisbon. Lots of shops and restaurants and sunny beaches make this place worth visiting. It is also famous for its fresh fish and shellfish, so you are in for a feast.

• Recommended reading: the best souvenirs from Porto

Lisbon to Seville

• Train: 6 hours 45 minutes
• Car: 4 hours 25 minutes

Seville – 2 Days

Cross the border again, this time to discover Southern Spain, where sun-kissed beaches and century-old buildings are only two of the best things to explore.

Seville Tourist Attractions

Seville cathedral and la giralda.

All visits to Seville find themselves in front of the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede, or simply the Seville Cathedral. Only by St Paul’s Cathedral in London and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome surpasses this monumental building in size.

The main point of focus is the tomb of Christopher Columbus, but the collection of gold and jewellery is something to behold.

The main cathedral tower is the landmark of the city and nicknamed La Giralda. The geometric patterns give away its youth: it was first part of a mosque which once stood upon this land.

Real Alcázar of Seville

Next on, the Royal Alcázar of Seville is a spectacular palace with a lush garden and sumptuous decorations. It was here that Columbus applied for funding for his voyage to “India” and here, too, where the Game of Thrones filmed their palace in the Kingdom of Dorne. Today, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, although for the former rather than latter fact, I believe.

Barrio Santa Cruz

Leave the grand buildings behind and wander through Seville’s most tight-streeted neighbourhood, the former Jewish Quarter in the city. Step by the Centro de Interpretacion Juderia de Sevilla to learn more about their tragic history. And elsewhere, enjoy the bodegas and boutique shops which have sprung up around this lively part of the city.

Casa del Pilatos

The second most beautiful palace in Sevilla, Casa del Pilatos, was inspired by Pontius Pilate’s house in Jerusalem. It combines the Gothic, Italian Renaissance, and Mudéjar styles in an architectural masterpiece decorated with marble columns, azulejos, and flowers. Spend some time in the garden before ending the day on the Guadalquivir River waterfront.

Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park

On the next day, visit Maria Luisa Park, which displays a spectacular collection of Mediterranean trees and plants. It is an oasis of peace in the middle of the town, providing a sweet relief for locals and tourists alike during the summer.

Next to the park, you will find the Plaza de España, a grand affair built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition.

Museum of Fine Arts

Probably the second most important museum in Spain after the Prado, the Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville sits in an old monastery building. The façade of the building, as well as the interior, is exquisite, and the collections are not something to miss. Here’s a taste: El Greco, Velásquez, Zurbarán, and Murillo.

Where to Stay in Seville

As in most cities, the city centre is the best place to stay, and you have some fabulous hotels here that seem to be the smaller copies of the palaces in town – the Boutique Hotel Casa del Poeta and the Hotel Gravina51, for example. For a picturesque view and more affordable prices, you can book a room in Barrio Santa Cruz – we recommend H10 Casa de la Plata.

Where to Eat in Seville

Sevilla is home to lots of upscale restaurants where you can try divine dishes in a gorgeous venue, often decorated with plants and small trees. Ispal Restaurante is one of the most popular places in town, and you will have a lovely time here, but if you want a royal experience, try the Michelin-starred Restaurante Az-Zait.

• Check out our guide to the best tapas bars in Seville.

Day Trips from Seville

Andalusia, the region around Seville, deserves a road trip of its own. And that’s why we wrote one here. However, if you don’t have time for that, you can arrange for some absolutely spectacular day trips to three of the south’s big hitters: Cordoba, Granada, or Malaga.

The Mezquita in Cordoba is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Cordoba itself is a fragrant, picturesque Andalusian town. It’s the perfect place to sip on a lemonade or tinto de verano and watch a flamenco performance on one of the lively terraces. But it’s the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mezquita, a mosque turned into cathedral, which will linger in your memory for decades to come.

At the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains lies the wonderful city of Granada. It’s lively, it’s pretty, it’s fun. And it’s the closest city to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Alhambra, a masterpiece of a Moorish palace and a symbol of defeat and despair. See this Alhambra quote Do not weep like a woman…

Beach lovers should head to Malaga for a relaxing day in the sun. It’s not all about the beach (although it can be if you want it to be.)

Malaga is also the birthplace of Picasso, with a museum dedicated to the artist, and an extremely lively town offering tapas and nightlife galore.

Seville to Barcelona

• Plane: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Train: 5 hours 54 minutes
• Car: 9 hours 15 minutes

Barcelona – 3 Days

The last stop on your Spain-Portugal trip, Barcelona is the heart of the autonomous region of Catalunya, and a popular spot, receiving over 8 million visitors each year.

Barcelona Tourist Attractions

Sagrada familia.

The most iconic building in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia, is still under construction. And it has been since 1882.

It is the work of the famous Antonio Gaudi, and like no religious building you’ve ever seen. The best way to visit the basilica is to take a walking tour with a local guide who will give you more information on Gaudi’s vision and the history of the place. Also, book in advance, as tickets to the Sagrada Familia quickly become sold out.

Sant Pau Recinte Modernista

This complex was built at the beginning of the 19th century to serve as a garden city for nursing the sick. It is an exceptional architectural ensemble built in the Art-Nouveau style and declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. A visit here will take you through the history of medicine in Barcelona whilst you admire an outstanding architectural piece.

Barcelona and Gaudi are two inseparable entities. Barcelona left its mark on Gaudi, and Gaudi left his mark on the city. And Park Guell is a prime example. Spend a few hours in this park, considered one of the most iconic Modernist works in the world, and visit the Gaudi House and Museum to learn more about the most loved architect of Barcelona.

A temple for football worshipers, Camp Nou is the mythical stadium of the beloved FC Barcelona. You can take a tour of the stadium and then visit the museum inside. It is the best place to buy yourself a nice FC Barcelona souvenir.

If you are not a big football fan, you can skip Camp Nou and head to Tibidado, a 520-meter mountain. Besides the dramatic views, it is a place of fun, housing an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster.

Casa Batlló

Start your second day in Barcelona at Casa Batlló, another famous Gaudi masterpiece built between 1904 and 1906. Admire the colourful façade and step in to visit the former residence of the Batlló family bathed in light.

Also known as Casa Milà, La Pedrera got its name from its rocky exterior. At the time, the neighbours found this quite unusual, if not downright ugly. When it was built, it completely broke with the conventions of the time. And, yes, it is another fine piece of work from Gaudi.

Montjuic and the Magic Fountain

For an impressive show with music and lights, visit the magic fountain of Montjic in the evening. It usually plays classical music, and is a great place to relax.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

The best neighbourhoods to book a room in Barcelona are Barri Gòtic, La Rambla, and El Raval since they are close to the centre. For a luxurious experience, you can stay at the Serras Barcelona or Seventy Barcelona.

Where to Eat in Barcelona

Bodega Biarritz 1881 has a long history of serving delicious tapas and local dishes, so it’s worth visiting. We also recommend L’Antic Bocoi del Gotic if you want to try a Barcelona fish speciality.

Day Trips from Barcelona

On one of your three days in Barcelona, visit Costa Brava or Sitges for a more small-town vibe.

Costa Brava

Barcelona has a wonderful beach, but Costs Brava is an entire coast of beaches, with inland mountains, volcanic craters and more. You can spend a full day driving around the coast, stopping to visit the medieval city of Girona, zipping off to Michelin starred museums and taking in the surreal nature of the Dali Museum.

At only 39 km from Barcelona, this town is fully surrounded by nature and has a charming historic quarter. It is once again a beach destination that attracts sun worshippers every year. It has an overall bohemian vibe and used to be a meeting point for poets and artists at the end of the 19th century.

More Ideas for Your Spain and Portugal Itinerary

As you can see, this Portugal and Spain itinerary takes in a lot in two weeks. But it also misses a lot out.

There are so many more wonderful road trips through Spain to take. So many more city breaks to enjoy.

In the north, you can visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and discover the religious (and foodie) heritage of San Sebastian. A road trip through Asturias reveals magical mountains and delicious food, and the coast of Galicia can keep you entertained as well.

In the south, you can spend one or two weeks driving around Andalusia in southern Spain or spend a week roaming through the Algarve or walking the overlooked Costa Vicente in Portugal.

Looking for a slightly different experience? Check out our r eview of the Avalon Alegria Douro River Cruise .

More Travel Articles about Spain

• The Spain quiz for curious people
• 49 Interesting facts about Spain
• Spain in one week: an itinerary for your first time in Spain
• How to plan a road trip through Andalucia
• Galicia: how to travel through the salty north of Spain
• The best road trips in Spain
• How to spend a summer in Spain

from pp Twin Share

Single Traveller

17 Day Magnifique France, Spain & Portugal

This tour includes return international airfares. See the Fine Print section for further details.

This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage. To ensure this trip is right for you, any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aid, then this tour is not suitable.

Take advantage of our 7 day cooling-off period. 

✓ Includes return international airfares ✓ Incredible sightseeing including Paris, the City of Light. Travel to the historic Loire Valley and Bordeaux, see the City Walls of Carcassonne, cross in to Spain and experience Barcelona, travel to Granada to witness the Alhambra before travelling in to Portugal to explore Lisbon ✓ Airport transfer from the airport to your hotel on arrival ✓ 14 nights in comfortable 3-4-star accommodation ✓ Breakfast daily, 2 dinners ✓ Enjoy a boat cruise on the River Seine and Guadalquivir River ✓ Fully escorted by professional English-speaking tour guides ✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout ✓ Sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.

Day 1 Home Paris

Prepare to be inspired. Depart today for your journey to Paris to commence your France, Spain & Portugal tour.

Day 2 Paris

Bienvenue! When you touch down at the airport, a dedicated team will be there to warmly welcome you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. You're free to savour your leisure time until the tour commences. To easily locate details about the meeting point and tour start time, simply consult the information boards conveniently placed in the hotel's reception area.

Day 3 Paris Versailles Paris

Early in the morning, we embark on an enchanting journey to Versailles, the magnificent residence of France's illustrious kings (entrance fee not included, paid locally). Following our visit, we return to Paris around lunchtime, offering you a seamless transfer to the Montmartre District. Here, we'll ascend to the hilltop via a charming funicular ride, treating you to a breathtaking panoramic view of the City of Light. Montmartre is renowned for its vibrant community of painters, artists, and cabarets, all contributing to its unique charm. Take a seat at a local eatery and savour a meal amidst this magical ambiance.

Next, get ready for a captivating guided tour that will unveil the rich history, iconic boulevards, and awe-inspiring monuments that define Paris. Your journey concludes as we return you to your hotel. As an optional experience, you have the opportunity to attend a variety show, adding an extra layer of entertainment to your Parisian adventure.

Day 4 Paris Loire Valley Tours

Our day begins in the heart of Paris, starting with the iconic Eiffel Tower area. Here, you'll have the opportunity to ascend to the second floor of this extraordinary metal marvel, and your ticket is already included. Please note that due to occasional long queues, we may adjust the timing of the climb for organisational purposes.

Following this thrilling ascent, we embark on a delightful boat cruise along the meandering River Seine, which gracefully divides the northern and southern realms of Paris. This cruise promises enchanting views of the city's landmarks, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight.

With a free afternoon at your disposal, you're free to explore Paris at your own pace, following your heart's desire.

Around 5:30pm, we bid adieu to the City of Lights and make our way to the enchanting Loire Valley. Our destination is Tours, the regional capital of the Loire, where we'll arrive in the late afternoon. We highly recommend using this time to take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque historic downtown and indulge in a delectable dinner amidst the charm of this beautiful locale.

Day 5 Tours Bordeaux Lourdes

Today's adventure takes us through the picturesque landscapes of the south of France, where vineyards perfume the air with their rich aroma. Our first destination is Bordeaux, a city renowned for its historical significance, so much so that its town centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, you'll have ample time for a leisurely lunch and to explore this charming city.

We recommend visiting the Port of the Moon, which graces the banks of the Garonne River, and St. Andrew's Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that has withstood the test of time.

Our journey then leads us toward the Pyrenees, and by late afternoon, we reach the sacred town of Lourdes. Here, you can partake in the candle procession, a moving experience available from late March to the end of October, and explore the various places of worship that hold deep significance. As a special treat, we've arranged dinner at the hotel, ensuring a pleasant end to your day of exploration and spiritual discovery.

Day 6 Lourdes Carcassonne Foix Andorra

Day 7 andorra montserrat barcelona.

This morning enjoy some leisure time in Andorra for both shopping and exploration.

After lunch, our journey will resume as we make our way towards Catalonia. The picturesque mountainous terrain will guide us to the awe-inspiring Montserrat Monastery, where you'll ascend the mountain via a rack train to witness its breathtaking scenery.

Afterwards, we'll proceed to Barcelona, with our expected arrival in the late afternoon.

Day 8 Barcelona

Our day unfolds in Barcelona, a captivating city nestled along the Mediterranean coastline. We commence with an informative city tour led by a local expert, offering you invaluable insights into Barcelona's rich history and culture. (Note: If the group comprises fewer than fifteen people, our guide will provide explanations.)

We'll explore the historic heart of the city, including the Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. Our journey continues to the site where the Olympic Games once captivated the world. Moreover, you'll have the privilege of witnessing La Sagrada Familia Basilica, a masterpiece envisioned by the visionary architect Gaudí.

Following this enriching tour, we include admission to 'Poble Espanyol' (meaning 'Spanish Village'), an open-air architectural museum located in one of Barcelona's most iconic areas. Here, you can immerse yourself in the craftsmanship of Spain and discover the diverse architectural styles, traditions, and folklore that define the various regions of this remarkable country. Subsequently, you'll have leisure time to explore Barcelona at your own pace.

As the day transitions into evening, we arrange transportation to the captivating Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. This enchanting show combines lights, colours, water, and music, creating a mesmerising spectacle. You'll also have the opportunity to savour dinner in this picturesque area. (Please note that if, for any reason, the Magic Fountain show is not performed, we'll provide an alternative evening transfer to the Maremagnum, a contemporary leisure centre by the sea, or to Plaza Colón.)

Our return to the hotel will be in the late evening, allowing you to savour the memories of an enchanting day in Barcelona.

Day 9 Barcelona Peniscola Valencia

Day 10 valencia alicante caravaca de la cruz granada.

Our journey continues today as we head to the vibrant city of Alicante. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through this charming coastal city. Following a satisfying lunch, we'll proceed to the Murcia region, where our next destination awaits: Caravaca de la Cruz. This town holds a special place in the Catholic Church, being recognized as one of the five holy cities. Its church houses a precious relic of Christ's Cross.

In Caravaca, we'll embark on a touristic train ride, ascending to the historic area. You'll have the chance to explore this remarkable place at your own pace, absorbing its rich history and unique atmosphere. After our visit to Caravaca, we'll continue our journey along scenic roads as we make our way towards the enchanting region of Andalusia.

Our day will conclude in the stunning city of Granada, where you can anticipate a night filled with rest and anticipation for the adventures that await in this historic and culturally rich destination.

Day 11 Granada

Our day in Granada is brimming with cultural delights. In the afternoon, we'll embark on a guided visit to the magnificent Alhambra Palace, an architectural marvel from Arabian times. We'll also explore the Generalife gardens, a testament to the opulence and beauty of the past.

As evening descends, we'll venture into the Albaicin district, a UNESCO World Heritage site much like the Alhambra. Here, you'll have the chance to dine in the narrow, winding streets of this captivating Medieval Moorish quarter, immersing yourself in its timeless charm.

For those seeking an extra dose of Andalusian culture, you'll have the option to attend a mesmerising flamenco dance show in the traditional neighbourhood of Sacromonte, where the passionate rhythms and movements will transport you to the heart of Spanish artistry (booked locally).

Please note that entrance to the Alhambra is subject to a maximum capacity imposed by the local government. While we include tickets, we cannot guarantee entry. In the unlikely event that we cannot secure access, we'll offer entry to the Reales Alcázares in Seville, a similarly remarkable historical site.

Day 12 Granada Malaga Puerto Banus Seville

Our journey today leads us from Granada to the stunning Costa del Sol. Along the way, we'll reach the coastal city of Malaga, where we'll delve into its historic city centre. Highlights include the impressive cathedral and the renowned Picasso Museum, offering a glimpse into the life and works of the iconic artist.

Continuing along the scenic coastal motorway, you'll be treated to beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. Our next stop is Puerto Banus, located in Marbella, a luxurious resort often frequented by Europe's elite. Take in the elegance and charm of this coastal gem.

In the afternoon, our route winds through the hills, leading us to the captivating village of Ronda, known for its distinctive "white town" aesthetic and the breathtaking gorge that dramatically splits it in two. As we explore the town, you'll be enchanted by its unique beauty.

Our final destination for the day is Seville, where we'll arrive in the late afternoon. Prepare to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of this remarkable city as our journey through Andalusia continues.

Day 13 Seville Guadalquivir River Seville

Our day in Seville begins with a guided tour led by a local expert. You'll embark on a captivating journey through this magnificent city, exploring its most iconic landmarks. Highlights include the grand Cathedral, renowned for its Giralda (bell tower), and a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River. We'll delve into the charming neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana, followed by a visit to the splendid Plaza de España.

Following the tour, we have a special treat in store, a relaxing boat trip along the Guadalquivir River. From the deck of the boat, you'll have the opportunity to soak in panoramic views of Seville's riverside beauty.

Afterward, you'll have free time to explore the city at your own pace, perhaps indulging in some local cuisine or immersing yourself further in Seville's rich culture.

As the day transitions into evening, we'll transfer to the historic city centre area, specifically Calle Alfonso XII, where a diverse array of restaurants awaits. Here, you can enjoy a delightful dinner and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this captivating city.

Day 14 Seville Merida Evora Lisbon

Day 15 lisbon.

Our day in Lisbon commences with a captivating sightseeing tour led by a local guide. We'll embark on a journey through the city's traditional neighbourhoods, delving into its rich history and vibrant culture. Among our stops is the Belem district, a place of great significance as the birthplace of the intrepid Portuguese navigators who ventured across the oceans during the Fifteenth Century.

During our tour, we'll explore the iconic Monument of the Discoveries, Belem Tower, and the exquisite Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure, offering the perfect opportunity to further explore Lisbon's charm or relax as you desire.

In the late afternoon, we have arranged a transfer to the Restauradores Square, a lively public square filled with an array of restaurants and cafes. We recommend taking a ride on the Elevador Da Gloria funicular, which transports you to the San Pedro viewpoint, offering breathtaking vistas of Lisbon and the Bairro Alto neighbourhood.

Our day concludes as we return to the hotel, allowing you to reflect on your experiences and savour the memories of Lisbon's rich history and scenic beauty.

Day 16 Lisbon Home

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport for your flight home

Day 17 Home

Arrive home today. We hope you've been  inspired. 

What's Included

• Includes return international airfares
• Incredible sightseeing including Paris, the City of Light. Travel to the historic Loire Valley and Bordeaux, see the City Walls of Carcassonne, cross in to Spain and experience Barcelona, travel to Granada to witness the Alhambra before travelling in to Portugal to explore Lisbon
• Airport transfer from the airport to your hotel on arrival
• 14 nights in comfortable 3-4-star accommodation
• Breakfast daily, 2 dinners
• Enjoy a boat cruise on the River Seine and Guadalquivir River
• Fully escorted by professional English-speaking tour guides
• Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

Sightseeing Highlights

• Paris – Travel to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower
• Paris - Visit the cultural and artistic centre of Paris, Montmartre
• Paris - Cruise the River Seine
• Bordeaux - Travel through the picturesque landscapes of the south of France, where vineyards perfume the air with their rich aroma
• Saint Bertrand - Where the village is presided over by its grand cathedral, inviting you to take a leisurely stroll through its historic streets
• Carcassonne - With its mediaeval city walls
• Montserrat - Montserrat Monastery
• Barcelona - City tour of its colourful neighbourhoods
• Peniscola - Stop at this charming walled town which sits serenely by the sea and boasts a magnificent castle overlooking the shore.
• Valencia - Guided tour to delve into the city's historic centre
• Caravaca - Embark on a touristic train ride, ascending to the historic area. 
• Granada - Embark on a guided visit to the magnificent Alhambra Palace
• Puerto Banus - Take in the elegance and charm of this coastal gem
• Seville - Guided tour of the city
• Seville - Cruise the Guadalquivir River
• Merida- visit to the impressive roman theather 
• Lisbon - Local guided tour of the city including the Belem district

Payment Terms

Flight information.

This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.

If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section

Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking. Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:

• Flight Offer valid from select departure cities within the purchase path only
• Flights will be booked with the best available airline/s with luggage included. Low-cost carriers may be booked in conjunction with a full-service airline. Depending on the carrier, entertainment and meals may not be included but payable at an extra cost on-board. We cannot specify or guarantee the airline booked. If you would like a specific airline, please request this at the time of purchase. To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchases to make your request. 
• Flights may not be direct and may include multiple connections
• Due to disrupted airline schedules globally with the pandemic, stopovers/transit times may be longer than usual (up to 12 hours in duration in some circumstances).
• Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules, Airline change fees and an Inspiring Vacations change fee of $250 per person.
• Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required at the time of submitting your traveller booking form. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to an Inspiring Vacations name change fee of $150 plus any applicable fees charged by the airline, or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required. 
• If the required booking class is unavailable at time of booking, surcharges may apply. Total cost is final only at time of ticketing. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees or may be non-refundable
• Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are outside of our control. It is important that you, as the customer, stay up-to-date with the latest airline schedule information prior to your departure. If a schedule change results in extended transits or an earlier/later departure from your destination, any additional accommodation or alternative arrangements will be at the traveler's expense.
• After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Inspiring Vacations. Inspiring Vacations reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer's invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
• Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage will still be included for each passenger. Any additional baggage required is payable at time of check-in. 
• If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability. 
• You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.
• In the event of that you no-show on your scheduled flight, please be aware the airline will require you to pay a no show fee, Airline reissue fee plus any additional airfare and taxes. Inspiring Vacations will also charge a $250 admin fee to assist re accommodating you on the next available flight. Please note that depending on the airline's policy, purchasing a new ticket may be required.

Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:

Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.

Flight requests, amendments or preferences

We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements. To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.

We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:

• Airline Preferences - You may wish to fly with a particular airline
• Cabin Preferences - These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
• Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) - You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.
• Meal Requests - You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements.
• Seat Requests - If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.

We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:

• Stopovers - Is where you might want to stop in transit for a certain amount of days prior to your tour or after your tour.
• One way flights
• Different start or end city to the tour - you may not amend the arrival or departure city of your itinerary. 
• Around the world tickets  - Is when a ticket includes multiple stops in different continents.
• Return home to a different city from the one you departed.
• Frequent Flyer point redemption - Is when an airline allows you to redeem points to pay for your flights or upgrade your ticket.  

If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.

For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs   section. 

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

Important Information

Fitness Requirements While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

This particular tour is categorized as a ”2”

Lively Pace: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.

Tipping  A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.

Accommodation The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement Single supplement is $2,238.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.

Triple Share Not available.

Travel Insurance Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE .

Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.

Visa & Passport information It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.

Visas may be required.

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Group Size Maximum of 55.

Children Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels: 

• Fully Escorted - This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

Language This tour will be conducted in English, as well as various others in order to accommodate the various nationalities and languages of other travellers. Your Tour Director/Leader will be English speaking (potentially not as their first language).

Post-Tour Accommodation & Extra Services

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:

Post Tour Accommodation

• $269.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
• $480.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Arrival and departure airport transfers

• Departure Transfer from the Hotel to Airport - $230 per car, maximum of 2 travellers

Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.

Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

• Departure Transfer
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

What Weather to Expect

Click HERE for more information on weather in France.

Click HERE for more information on weather in Portugal.

Click HERE for more information on weather in Spain.

Departure Dates for 17 Day Magnifique France, Spain & Portugal

Choose your departure month

Were you looking for another departure date?

Enter your email to be notified when new dates are released

You might also like

13 day authentic spain & portugal premium small group tour, 22 day the great european tour, experiences.

Snapshot: Beaune

Snapshot: Poulet de Bresse

Snapshot: Lyon

Snapshot: Château-Chalon

Snapshot: Marseille

Snapshot: Côte d'Or Vineyards

Snapshot: Paris

Latest insights.

26 local foods and drinks to try on your trip to France

14 Sep 2020

Know your Baeckeoffe from your Bouillabaisse? Here’s a handy guide to all the foods the locals (not tourists) eat A country which gives the world croissants and Champagne deserves to be celebrated. Any self-respecting Francophile would be familiar with the usual suspects – foie gras, crème brulee and Croque-Monsieur. B...

Incredibly useful French words and phrases to master before travelling to France

Navigate France (almost) like a local You don’t have to be a Francophile to master the French language. The French, like many other nationalities, love their mother tongue and immediately warm to any visitor who takes the trouble to pronounce their bonjour and merci perfectly. A romance language that evolved from Gallo...

The faux pas to avoid when travelling in France

From greeting waiters to tipping and how to give the perfect bisous, this is all you need to know before you embark on your French holiday The French. They’re notorious for observing a certain level of etiquette – they invented the word after all – so whether you’re a new visitor to La République or a tried and tested...

When is the best time to visit France

Vive la France! One of the world’s most popular travel destinations for good reason. But, when is the best time to go? France has some of the most iconic sights, cultures and tastes in the world and thanks to its climate, it's more or less a year-round destination. Travellers visit in all seasons to marvel at the gran...

6 spectacular must-visit towns in the French Alps

Whether it’s world class skiing, Michelin-starred eating, soaking your aches away in a natural hot spring or simply taking in the views on a quiet hike – the French Alps has something for everyone Here are six of the loveliest, most charming towns, resorts and villages guaranteed to take your breath away – regardless o...

We see that you are based in but you are viewing that is meant for residents.

The Best 10 Days In Portugal and Spain Itinerary

Planning a trip to Portugal and Spain? Here’s my guide to taking a fantastic 10 day road trip in southern Portugal and southern Spain.

This 10 day Spain-Portugal itinerary takes you from Lisbon Portugal to Granada Spain. This popular road trip route is dense with exciting cities, must visit medieval villages, Moorish architecture, UNESCO-listed landmarks, and loads of old world charm.

This ten day itinerary begins in Lisbon, Portugal’s sultry capital. Lisbon is an exciting sun-kissed city with glistening azulejo facades and stunning vistas. 

It’s a compact and lively collection of small villages, tapas bars, and some of Europe’s most important palaces.

From Lisbon, you’ll travel through beautiful Evora Portugal en route to Seville in sunny southern Spain. You’ll finish the Andalusia portion of your trip in Granada.

The city of Granada is home to the mighty Alhambra, the world’s greatest existing Moorish fortress.

Andalusia is a dreamy sun-kissed place. From flamboyant Seville to gritty Granada, you’ll discover a well-balanced blend of must see hotspots, hidden gems, tiny whitewashed villages, and natural wonders.

Here’s my recommended 10 day itinerary for a self drive road trip from Lisbon to Granada. You can always reverse the order and start in Granada and travel west to Lisbon. This would work if you are already in Spain visiting Barcelona or Madrid .

READ : Guide To 24 Hours in Barcelona

With this Spain-Portugal itinerary, you don’t need to pick up your rental car until day 4. You won’t want a car in Lisbon unless you have a roomy space to park.

Overview of 10 Day Spain-Portugal Itinerary

Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll see with 10 days in Spain and Portugal:

• Day 1 : Lisbon
• Day 2 : Lisbon and Belem
• Day 3 : Sintra Day Trip
• Day 4 : Drive from Lisbon to Seville, stop in Evora
• Day 5 : Seville
• Day 6 : Seville
• Day 7 : Day Trip to Cordoba or Ronda
• Day 8 : Drive to Granda, stop in Antequera
• Day 9 : Granada
• Day 10 : Granada

Length : 10 days

Start and End Points : Lisbon and Granada

UNESCO World Heritage Sites : Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belem, Cultural Landscape of Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira Palace, Royal Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, the Mezquita, Roman Bridge of Cordoba, Medina Azahara, Antequera Dolmens, the Alhambra, the Albaicin

For this Spain-Portugal road trip, you’ll have three bases: Lisbon (3 nights), Seville (4 nights), and Granada (3 nights).

This trip is best done by car. I give you tips on where to stay for each city.

But this Lisbon to Granada itinerary also also works by train. Just make sure you pre-book/catch an early high speed ATV train when moving from city to city.

A car is superior because it gives you more flexibility over your schedule and the ability to make pit stops (planned or unplanned) along the way.

There are plenty of great destinations to explore in this Portugal to Spain road trip. This super detailed 10 day itinerary is perfectly adjustable.

You can make it shorter or longer, depending on your available vacation time or personal fast/slow travel pace. I’ve tried to give you a mix of cities and leisurely villages, with day trip options as well.

Here’s my guide with tips for renting a car and driving in Europe .

10 Day Itinerary for Portugal and Spain

Day 1: lisbon.

Welcome to the start of your 10 day tour of Spain and Portugal! 

You’re likely going to arrive in Lisbon in the early to mid afternoon. To get oriented, you may want to book a  guided walking tour .

Begin by exploring the main city squares. Start in the Pombaline-designed Rossio Square, also known as Praça Dom Pedro IV.

It’s a lively place with flower vendors and eye catching sidewalks with an optical illusion wave style. Two Baroque fountains stand at each end.

Then head down the main drag, Rua Augusta, to the Praça de Comércio, the showy 18th century square with a triumphal arch.

But don’t dine or shop here; the squares are mostly filled with tourist traps. Be sure to walk through the arch so you can take in the views from the other side.

After poking around, head to Lisbon’s adjacent Chiado neighborhood. It’s a rather arty upscale neighborhood filled with lovely cafes, chic art galleries, bookshops, and tony boutiques. You can also book a  3 hour guided walking tour  of Chiado.

Be sure to pop into the world’s oldest bookstore, Livraria Bertrand. And check out one of the most beautiful azulejo facades in Lisbon — the House of Ferreira das Tabuletas.

Take in the evocative Carmo Convent . It’s probably Lisbon’s best historical site Lisbon and a open air memorial to the worst day of Lisbon’s history, when the 1755 earthquake demolished much of the city.

After visiting Carmo Convent, settle in at an authentic eatery in Chiado, like Taberna da Rua das Flores or Cantinho do Avillez.

If you want a Michelin experience, try Alma . This tony restaurant claims to serve up “emotions, identity, knowledge.”

Then head to Alfama, Lisobn’s most charming must see neighborhood. Steeped in history, immortalized in Fado, and rising over Lisbon, Alfama is Lisbon’s most authentic district. It largely escaped the earthquake’s wrath.

Alfama is city outside a city. Steep stairways tumble down to Baixa below and Castelo São Jorge (St. George’s Castle) stands guard above on Lisbon’s highest hill. As a result, Alfama is incredibly beautiful and photogenic.

You can follow a my walking tour for the Alfama. You can book a  3 hour guided walking tour of this historic neighborhood

Or just surrender to the lively chaos and get lost in the maze of tangled streets, decorated with street art, flowers, and the residents’ laundry.

Day 2: Lisbon and Belem

On day 2, head to the architecturally-rich suburb of Belém. You’ll be cast back to the Age of Discoveries, when the world was Portugal’s colonial oyster.

This neighborhood could take up your entire day, if you’re so inclined. Here’s my guide to the top attractions in Belem .

Your top priority in Belem is Jeronimos Monastery. It’s a 500 year old UNESCO site and a mandatory destination in Lisbon. Jeronimos Monastery is the premiere example of Manueline architecture in Portugal and the #1 site in Lisbon’s Belem district.

You must pre-book a  skip the line ticket   or you’ll wait in incredibly long lines. You can also book a  3 hour guided walking tour of Belem  that includes a skip the line ticket to the monastery.

There’s nothing like the moment you walk into the monastery’s two level cloister, honey colored and dripping with organic detail.

You’ll be wowed by the delicately scalloped arches, twisting turrets, and columns intertwined with leaves, vines, and knots. And the gargoyles and beasties on the upper facade.

READ : Complete Guide To Jeronimos Monastery

You can also visit the Tower of Belem and the Monument to the Discoveries. Both are included in Belem’s UNESCO designation.

You can admire them from the outside or explore inside. Be forewarned, crowds will be intense and there will be long lines to visit the interiors. You can also book a  2 hour skip the line guided tour  the includes both the monastery and the tower.

Belem Tower is a fortress-like structure also built by Manuel I. It had a very Game of Thrones like feel to me with its filigree stonework. A very narrow spiral staircase leads you to the top for fantastic views.

>>> Click here to book a ticket for Belem Tower

When you’re done gorging on Manueline architecture and Belem’s famous Pasteis de Belem custard tarts, travel back to Lisbon.

At night, head to Lisbon’s nightlife spot, the hilly neighborhood of Bairro Alto for food and drink.

Or, take in a dinner and Fado sho w . Here’s a good list of Fado places in the Alfama and another with places in Bairro Alto.

Day 3: Day Trip To Sintra

On day 3, you’ll venture to Sintra Portugal , the most popular day trip from Lisbon. Sintra is rock star glamorous. The town is chock full of UNESCO-listed castles and palaces.

It’s dazzling, colorful, and romantic. Even the town itself is quaint, filled with artisan shops, and well worth exploring. Sintra packs a punch and delivers on its hype.

There are so many amazing things to do and see in Sintra, that I’ve written a guide with tips for visiting Sintra . You need to have a specific strategy and manage your time well to make the most out of one day in Sintra.

To avoid the wait and lines, you may want pre-book a  guided skip the line tour for Pena Palace, the top attraction. Or go on a  guided tour of the Sintra’s highlights with a historian .

If you don’t want to worry about transportation, book a  guided tour full day tour from Lisbon  or a  guided day tour that includes the coastal Cascais and Cabo da Roca .

The three sites in Sintra that you can’t miss are: (1) Pena Palace, (2) Quinta da Regaleira, and (3) the Moorish Castle.

1. Pena Palace

Pena Palace is an operatic romantic palace. It’s intensely colorful, a heavy handed mish mash of different architectural styles.

The palace looks like several castles smooshed together. It’s a schizophrenic whirlwind of onion domes, turrets, crenellation, and fanciful sneering gargoyles.

Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II in 1842. The project was possibly in an attempt to rival the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria .

Ferdinand was strongly influenced by German Romanticism, a style that emphasized the subjective, the irrational, the imaginative, and the spontaneous.

>>> Click here to pre-book a Pena Palace ticket

2. Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleria is a stony Gothic palace built by eccentric and superstitious millionaire Antonio Monteiro.

It’s an eerie romantic place with stunning gardens featuring grottos, fountains, towers, and tunnels. It’s a short 10 minute walk from the historic center of Sintra.

The gardens feature a startling “initiation well” that was used for secret initiation rites. You walk 90 feet down the spiral (and somewhat slippery) staircase. Then, you enter underground tunnels that take you into the gardens.

>>> Click here to book a ticket to Quinta da Regaleira

3. Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle is an ancient 9th century fortress perched high on the hills of Sintra. It’s only a 10 minute walk from Pena Palace. It has astounding 360 panormic views.

There aren’t a lot of good food options in Sintra for dinner. So, it may be better to head back to Lisbon where you’ll have a plethora of choices.

>>> Click here to book a ticket for the Moorish Castle

Where To Stay In Lisbon

I would recommend staying in or near the Chiado neighborhood. The  Verride Palacio Santa Catarina  is a boutique hotel in a renovated palace with incredible views.

LX Boutique  is a pretty luxury hotel with a maritime themes and blue colors. The  Memmo Principe Real   is a historic hotel in a quiet area. It has limestone floors and original paintings.

Day 4: Drive From Lisbon To Seville, Stop in Evora

The drive from Lisbon to Seville is 4.5 hours. En route, to break up the journey, stop in the UNESCO town of Evora. Evora is a 1:15 drive from Lisbon and then it’s another 3.5 hours to Seville.

If you want another stop between Evora and Lisbon, pull over in Merida . Merida is an ancient Roman city and UNESCO-listed site.

The UNESCO-listed Evora is tucked away in the Alentejo region of central Portugal. Evora was untouched by the great earthquake of 1755 and its historic center is well preserved. You can book a guided walking tour of the historic city center .

Evora is topped by a grand 14th century cathedral, commonly refered to as Evora Cathedral. But its official name is the Cathedral Of Nossa Senhora Da Assuncao.

While not particularly pretty itself, it’s worth it to go inside just for the beautiful vistas over Evora from its balcony.

The star of Evora is an ossuary, the Chapel of Bones, attached to the large Royal Church of St. Francis. Franciscan monks slaved away in the early 17th century building this unusual site when cemeteries were overflowing.

Evora was also an important Roman town, lying on a trade route to Rome . In Evora’s center, you’ll see 14 Corinthian columns rising to the sky.

After you’ve seen the sites, leave Evora and head to Seville, your base for the next four nights.

Day 5: Explore Seville

On day 5 of your 10 days in Portugal and Spain itinerary, you’ll explore Seville. Seville is one of my favorites cities in Europe and and a must visit destination in Andalusia.

Seville is known for its Moorish architectural flourishes. The city is guarded by one of the world’s most colossal Gothic cathedrals. It’s a seductive mix of Mudéjar palaces, ornate baroque churches, colorful azulejo tiles, and shady cobblestone lanes.

And you can feast on inventive tapas, ice cold beer, and sweet sherry. At any hour of the day, no less.

On your first day in Seville, plan on seeing Seville Cathedral, La Giralda, and the Royal Alcazar.

1. Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedral is a massive Gothic affair, an odd to excess. It’s the largest cathedral in the world. It’s essential to pre-book a skip the line ticket  in advance.

Tickets include an audio guide. You can also book  tickets + a guided tour of the cathedral and explore its rooftops.

Tickets include an audio guide. To enter the cathedral, you walk through the lovely Patio of the Orange Trees, decorated with a Moorish gate.

The Main Chapel, Capilla Mayor, is a glittering affair. It houses one of the world’s finest high altars, elaborately detailed and finished in gold leaf. There are over 1,000 carved biblical figures.

Along the aisles of the cathedral, there are 80 side chapels to explore. You’ll find spires and reliefs depicting biblical events dedicated to saints.

There’s a large mirror reflecting the intricate ceiling, which you’ll have to queue up to peer into. Lighting up the interior are 75 stained glass windows from the 16th to 19th century.

The Cathedral houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus in the south transept. Many places lay claim to Columbus’ bones.

But apparently DNA tests have confirmed that, in fact, a bit of him is in Seville, maybe a shin bone or something.

2. La Giralda

La Giralda, or the bell tower, dates from 1184. It’s the symbol of Seville and the oldest part of the cathedral complex.

The tower was originally constructed as the minaret of the Almohad Mosque that previously stood here, and was used to call Muslims to prayer. It was modeled after the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh.

You access the 100 meter high Giralda in the far right corner. It’s an easy climb, 35 sloping ramps to reach the top.

There are ramps instead of stairs so that horses could be ridden to the top. You’ll be rewarding with sweeping views of the cathedral and Seville.

3. Royal Alcazar

I’ve written at length about my adoration of the UNESCO-listed Royal Alcazar in Seville. It’s my very favorite spot in Andalusia, even above Granada’s incandescent Alhambra .

It’s essential to pre-book a slip the line ticket  in advance or you’ll have long wait in line. You can also book a   guided tour  of the alcazar with priority entrance.

The Alcázar is one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures. The Alcazar is a centuries old complex of palaces and fortifications, lovely courtyards, and extensive gardens bursting with orange, purple, and green colors.

You cannot help but feel catapulted back in time.

The crown jewel of the Alcazar is the sumptuous Mudéjar Palace of King Pedro the Cruel, built around the iconic Maiden’s Courtyard.

The Ambassador’s Hall, or Throne Room, is the big showstopper. It’s nicknamed the “Half Orange” Room, in honor of its gilded cedar domed ceiling.

But perhaps the best part of visiting the Alcazar is its amazing gardens. They’re a lush, exotic, labyrinthian paradise, encompassing 80% of the Alcázar grounds.

The Baths of Dona Maria de Padilla are perhaps the most striking and frequently visited spot in the Alcázar Gardens.

4. Dinner & Drinks

In the evening, amble up to the hipster haven of La Alameda. This is Seville’s trendy bohemian district, situated around the Plaza Alameda de Hercules.

This not-so-touristy neighborhood of Seville has lively local pubs, parks, boutiques, chic galleries, and Roman era columns.

My pick for dinner in Alameda is Duo Tapa s , where you get delicious tapas under fairy lights. It’s popular and a great value.

You can also try La Taberna de Panduro Baños or the nearby Eslava , hidden behind the Basílica de Jesús del Gran Poder.

In lieu of a restaurant, you could also go on a  3 hour tapas crawl . I did this tour when I was last there and I loved everything except the orange wine. Or try this  “10 tasting of Seville” walking tour  or this  4 hour gourmet food tour .

Day 6: Seville

1. plaza espana.

Start your second day in Seville at the magnificent Plaza Espana. It’s a famous architectural landmark, photogenic spot, and a must visit attraction in Seville .

The plaza was built for the Ibero-American World Fair of 1929, where Spanish speaking countries enjoyed a year long mutual admiration festival. It’s open to the public and there’s no entry fee.

The park’s highlight is the Spanish Pavilion, the sweeping half circle structure with rose gold brick buildings. Designed in an Art Deco style with some Moorish touches, the Plaza has the expected Spanish flair — lots of color and lavish embellishment.

There are 49 alcoves, each decorated with tiles. They show historical scenes and maps from the 49 provinces of Spain arranged in alphabetical order.

2. Barrio Santa Cruz

Then head to Barrio Sant Cruz, Seville’s popular medieval district. The neighborhood is a mass of tangled cobbled streets with tiny palazzos and tile covered patios.

You may want to book a  guided walking tour  of the pretty barrio.

Some streets are so impossibly narrow, they’re called “kissing lanes.” There are also orange trees everywhere. You can get lost and stumble across secret squares, pretty churches, and tapas bars.

Plaza de la Santa Cruz is the heart of the barrio. But I liked Plaza de Dona Elvira best, and stopped for a delicious lunch there at Vinela Street Food.

Be sure to stroll along the winding and romantic Calle Agua, which runs along the walls of the Alcazar to Plaza Alfaro. In Plaza Alfaro, you’ll see a Juliet balcony said to have inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet .

If you like old masters, pop into the Hospital de los Venerables. The pretty baroque building was founded in 1675.

Now, it’s a museum with a few carefully guarded masterpieces by Zurburan, Murillo, and Velasquez. And some gorgeous ceilings.

In the afternoon, cross the Puente de Isabel II bridge over the Guadalquivir River and head to the colorful Triana neighborhood. Triana is a small soulful village within a big city and the old gypsy quarter of Seville.

What was once considered the “wrong side” of the river, is now the fun and funky part of town. Locals still call it the “Independent Republic of Triana.”

Triana is steeped in romance and myth. It was home to many of Spain’s best flamenco dancers and bullfighters.

Once over the bridge, you’ll be greeted by the Capilla del Carmen with its bell tower and chapel. The main commercial street in Triana is the pedestrianized Calle San Jacinto where you’ll find shops and cafes.

For lunch, get off the main drag and head left. Have some modern fusion (Venezuelan and Spanish) tapas at Vega 10 in Triana.

Located at Calle Rosario, its specialty is bull’s tail cannelloni. Or, get some tapas at Casa Cuesta or Las Golondrinas.

If you want to assemble your own dinner, head to Triana’s famous Mercado de Triana, or covered market, located on Capilla del Carmen in the Plaza del Altozano.

Stroll the stalls filled with meats and cheeses. Or try a smoothie or fresh squeezed juice. When you’re done, take a stroll along the river on Calle Betis.

>>> Click here to book a flamenco show in Triana

Where To Stay In Seville

Air Bnb is a good option in Seville. There are also some beautiful boutique hotels.

My picks would be:  Hotel Colon Gran Melia ,  Suites Machado , or  Hotel Casa del Poeta .

I also think Barrio Santa Cruz is a great, and more quiet, place to stay. In this area, you could book at  Hotel Casa 1800 Seville  (timeless elegance) or the  EME Catedral Hotel  (sumptuous hotel with a roof terrace, Michelin restaurant, and spa).

Day 7: Day Trip to Cordoba or Ronda

On day 7, take a day trip to Cordoba or Ronda. If you want a city with a lot of attractions, pick Cordoba. If you want to experience a classic white pueblo village, pick Ronda.

I’d recommend Cordoba just to see the UNESCO-listed Mosque Cathedral called the Mezquita .

1. Option 1: Cordoba

You can take the train from Seville. Or you can book a full day guided tour from Seville . Or a guided tour that includes both Cordoba and Carmona .

Cordoba is an exotic stone paved city with both a Roman and Moorish past. Cordoba is a natural film set, it’s just so beautiful. Cordoba has an authentic Spanish vibe with fewer tourists than Seville or Granada.

Most people come just for Cordoba’s #1 site: the magnificent Mezquita , the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Dating from the 10th century, it’s a UNESCO site and one of the world’s most well-preserved Islamic buildings.

Here’s my one day in Cordoba itinerary . Click   here  to pre-purchase a ticket. Click  here  to book a 1 hour guided tour of this magnificent edifice.

The courtyard is free to visit. And you can climb the minaret for views.

In the 16th century, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella converted the interior of the mosque into a cathedral, calling it the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption.

I expected the combination to be discordant and perplexing. But I found it a fascinating place, a snapshot of the sophisticated dual culture that once existed in Spain.

You walk into the Mezquita from a courtyard of orange trees via the Porte de las Palmas. You’re immediately amidst an overpowering forest of 1,000 candy cane horseshoe arches.

They’re constructed from granite, onyx, jasper, and marble. A highlight is the Mihrab, or high altar. It’s a prayer niche covered in an intricate design of gold leaf and mosaic fragments.

The Renaissance cathedral is built right in the center, sharing marble and space with the Islamic arches. The soaring vaulted ceilings are stunning.

Be sure to go up the minaret for spectacular views of Cordoba. You buy tickets for the tower at a separate ticket booth below the bell tower.

But there’s so much more to Cordoba than the Mezquita. Just downhill from the Mezquita is the Guadalquivir River. Stroll across the stunning Roman Bridge , both a UNESCO site and a Game of Thrones filming location.

Amble around the narrow languid streets of the charming old Jewish Quarter, with its brilliantly white walls and delicate filigreed window grills. You may even want to a  2 hour guided walking tour  of this romantic area.

Skip the Instagram popular Calleja de las Flores, or just stroll by. It’s overrated and crammed with tourists. There are beautiful flowers and patios everywhere in Cordoba.

Go into the Jewish synagogue. Say hello to the nearby statue of Maimonides, an influential medieval Jewish philosopher.

Visit the beautiful Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. This Alcazar can’t hold a candle to Seville’s UNESCO-listed Royal Alcazar, but I thought it was still well worth a visit. Click  here  if you’d like to book a 1 hour guided tour of the alcazar.

2. Option 2: Ronda

Ronda is Andalusia’s third most visited city. It’s one of Andalusia’s most beautiful towns .

You can take the train from Seville. Once there, you may want to take a 2 hour guided walking tour to get oriented.

If you’d prefer to leave the transportation to someone else, you can book a guided day tour from Seville . You can also book a guided full day tour of the white pueblo villages that includes Ronda .

Ronda is not so much a white pueblo town as a sophisticated city. Ronda has a dramatic setting.

It’s perched on a mountainous gash, 1000 feet above the plain below. Ronda is synonymous with its dramatic 18th century bridge, the Puente Nuevo.

The famed bridge connects the old and newish parts of the town over the 328 feet El Tajo gorge. There’s a staircase leading to the floor of the gorge, for a different viewing perspective.

Ronda is also famed as the birthplace of bullfighting. The city’s Plaza de Toros is one of Ronda’s most popular attractions, thanks to its beautiful architecture. The bullring is ringed with double rows of columns, lending it a Neo-Classical look.

If you want to delve more deeply into Spain’s bullfighting culture, head to the Museum of Bullfighting. You’ll even find some sketches depicting the “art” (not sport) of bullfighting by Francisco Goya , the renowned Spanish artist.

Aside from the bridge, Ronda itself is beautiful — plenty of cozy town squares, cobblestone alleys, balconies everywhere, and lovely architecture. You can visit the Mondragon Palace and the Arabic Baths, if you’re feeling ambitious.

Day 8: Drive from Seville to Granada, Stop in Antequera

The Spanish-Baroque town of Antequera is fittingly dubbed the “Florence of Andalusia.” Antequera is a hidden gem in Andalusia. You’ll have the place mostly to yourself, which is a singular joy in southern Spain.

Since you’re day tripping, there’s a lot to do. Park your car on the outskirts of town and walk up Calle Don Infante. Antequera boasts an impressive Moorish Alcazaba, almost like a mini Alhambra.

It also has a lovely Renaissance church and a stunning medieval and baroque historical core. You’ll have an eyeful of swoonful scenery.

>>> Click here to book a guided walking tour of Antequera

Antequera’s ancient megaliths/dolmens are outside the old town. You’ll see signs. The dolmens date from the Bronze Age and are among the oldest things on the planet. They are essentially Spain’s Stonehenge.

The dolmens are ancient burial grounds that were declared a UNESCO site in 2016. They’re one of the most remarkable engineering and architectural works of European prehistory and an important example of European Megalthism.

For more details and information, check out my two guides to visiting the town of Antequera and to Antequera’s UNESCO dolmens .

History buffs may want to book a guided tour of the dolmens .

Day 9: Granada

Granada will sweep you away with its authentic Spanish vibe and dazzling attractions. Lorded over by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it’s an absolutely beautiful ancient city with historic architecture. For its size, it’s surprisingly cosmopolitan.

Granada boasts many atmospheric neighborhoods, each with an earthy distinct character. It’s home to the mighty Alhambra, a Moroccan souk, a massive cathedral, flamenco music, and — perhaps best of all — free tapas.

Start your day at Granada’s marquis site, the UNESCO-listed Alhambra. This amazing Granada attraction requires more than half a day at a bare minimum.

The Alhambra is one of the most popular and best sites in southern Spain, and even in the world. In fact, you might want to split your visit to the Alhambra in two, with separate morning and evening visits.

READ : Top Attractions In Granada

Here’s my complete  guide to visiting the Alhambra . More than any other attraction I’ve mentioned, you MUST have a  ticket to visit the Alhambra  and reserve it well (weeks) in advance. They sell out so fast.

You may want to book a guided tour of this magnificent UNESCO site. Tours are also another way to nab the valuable ticket. They also sell out fast.

Here are some guided tour options:

• a 2.5 hour small  group  guided tour
• a 3 hour private tour
• a 3 hou r tour of t he Alhambra and Generalife Gardens
• a  3 hour t our  with a historian
• a 2 ho ur ni ght visit
• a 6 hou r tour  of the Alhambra and the highlights of Granada

The Alhambra stands on a stunning piece of real estate, high on Sabika Hill, with panoramic views over Granada and the beautiful countryside. The Alhambra is a tranquil place with burbling fountains and beautiful mosaics.

The highlights of the Alhambra are the Alcazaba, the Charles V Palace, and the jaw dropping Nasrid Palace. The Nasrid Palace is the world’s finest example of the refined, intricate, and elegant architectural style of the Moorish civilization.

The Court of the Myrtles, the Hall of the Ambassadors, and the Hall of the Two Sisters are a succession of intricate tile work, honeycomb cupolas, and cursive script.

The wonder of wonders is the Court of the Lions, named for the antique fountain of 12 lions in the center. Around the edge runs an arcade of arches supported by white marble columns.

When you’re done with the lavish palaces, head over to the beautiful Generalife for its soothing water gardens.

Later, wander around and explore the old Arab neighborhood of the Albaicin, or Albayzin. Built on a steep hill, it’s an ancient area with tight tangled winding streets and a bohemian feel. The lively place was declared a UNESCO site in 1984.

The main drags in the Albaicin, which both run parallel to the River Darro, are Paseo de los Tristes and Carrera del Darro.

Amidst a jasmine scented breeze, you’ll find restaurants, cafes, tapas bars, and even street performers. You can enjoy a sunset view at Mirador San Nicolás.

To explore this beauty of the Albaicin and the neighborhood of Sacromonte, you can book a  guided walking tour . I did this tour and thought it was amazing. Sacromonte is a good place to book a  sunset walking tour .

Day 10: Granada

On your second day in Granada, visit the ornate late Gothic tombs of the ambitious dynasty-builders Ferdinand and Isabella. They reigned over the Christianization of Granada and the exploration of the “new” Americas. In the sacristy hangs Queen Isabella’s personal art collection.

10 minutes away, visit Granada Cathedral in Granada’s historic center. Click  here   to book a guided tour of the cathedral and the Royal Chapel.

The cathedral is the second largest cathedral in Spain after Seville Cathedral.It’s the fourth largest cathedral in the world.

The edifice is a mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles. Inside, there’s a towering interior, a grand altar, and side chapels.

Don’t miss Granada’s otherworldly barrio of Sacromonte, home to Granada’s Roma community. Time stands still in this unusual rustic quarter of Granada.

For centuries, Sacromonte was the home of gypsies, bohemians, artists, and foreign refuges. Sacramonte also sports one of the most mesmerizing views of the Alhambra.

Click  here  to book a flamenco show in Sacromonte, which has the best venue for performances in Granada.

Where To Stay In Granada

The  Eurostars Catedral  is a lovely hotel housed in a 16th century manor, just a short walk from the cathedral. The  Catalonia Granada  is a lovely hotel that comes complete with a plunge pool and open air terrace. 

If you want a place where tradition and avant garde style meet, check out the  Hospes Palacio de los Patos . It’s housed in a UNESCO-listed palace, with sprawling gardens, a spa, and mosaic floors.

More Time in Spain?

If you want some time to relax after your 10 day Portugal-Spain road trip, head to the Costa del Sol for a few days of beach time and coastal views.

If you want a big city, head to Malaga. If you want a more laid back beach town, try Marabella or Nerja. Don’t miss the pretty mountain villages of Frigiliana en route.

To read about these towns and other villages in Andalusia, check out my guide to the 27 most beautiful towns in Southern Spain .

You may enjoy these other Portugal travel guides and resources:

• 10 day itinerary for Portugal
• Historic landmarks in Portugal
• 4 day itinerary for Lisbon
• Guide to the Alfama neighborhood
• Guide to the Belem neighborhood
• Day trips from Lisbon
• Hidden gems in Lisbon
• Best sites and photo spots in Porto
• Best azulejo tiles in Porto

You may also enjoy these other Spain travel guides and resources:

• 33 secret towns in Spain
• 10 day itinerary from Madrid to Seville
• 10 day itinerary from Barcelona to Bilbao
• 1 week itinerary for northern Spain
• 10 day itinerary for Basque Spain
• 2 day itinerary for Madrid
• Most Beautiful Cites and Towns in Andalusia
• 3 day itinerary for Seville

If you’d like to spend 10 days in Portugal and Spain, pin it for later.

2 thoughts on “The Best 10 Days In Portugal and Spain Itinerary”

Do you have hotel recommendations?

Yes, the article gives you recommendations for where to stay in Lisbon, Seville, and Granada. The hotels are listed at the end of your stay in the city.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

The Best Spain and Portugal Itinerary to Take Now!

Spain and Portugal

Planning a trip always takes the longest.

Where to go, how long to stay, should I do this city or that one. We decided to do a Spain getaway at the last minute and then added on Portugal at even later minute and found it helpful to read Rick Steves , Lonely Planet , forums and blogs to ultimately decide which cities to linger in and which to skip altogether.

We’re now back from our trip to Spain and Portugal so we thought we’d share a summary of our itinerary. We had 2 weeks and visited Spain’s 2 main cities, Madrid and Barcelona, then headed south to see the Andalusian cities before heading west for a taste of Portugal.

Below is my day by day itinerary featuring  Instagram photos from the trip! You can check out the whole photo series by exploring the hashtag  #shershegoes_spain

ADVERTISEMENT

Or save this article to read later by pinning it ⇟

Spain and Portugal Itinerary

Here’s a summary of the Spain and Portugal itinerary that we did. We would recommend at least 2 weeks if you want to visit both Spain and Portugal. If you have less time, say 10 days, then concentrate on Madrid and Barcelona in Spain!

2 Weeks in Spain

Keep reading below for a day by day city   itinerary of must-see sights, things to eat and where to stay! I’ve also included day trip suggestions below.

Days 1-2: Madrid

We arrived first in Madrid, Spain’s capital city.

The streets are narrow, the apartments all have beautiful shuttered balconies and the charm is everywhere. We settled in for a couple days of sightseeing, healthy doses of tapas, rioja wine and laid back nights that ended with churros con chocolate.

The Best Things to Do in Madrid

Main Attractions: Royal Palace, Museo del Prado, Retiro Park

Don’t Miss: a night hopping from bar to bar sampling tapas and pinchos. Recommended dishes:

• gambas al ajillo (shrimp in hot garlic and oil)
• jamon iberico bellota (fancy coldcuts of iberico pigs fed on acorns)
• calamares a la romana (fried squid rings)
• my special favorite, patatas bravas (fried potato wedges served with a mayo aioli)!

Where to Stay in Madrid

I recommend 2 days, 3 nights. Perhaps the best neighborhood to stay in Madrid would be the Centro district, to stay centrally located near the main sights and attractions. Other solid neighborhoods: La Latina, Chueca and Barrio de las Letras.

We recommend  Catalonia Plaza Mayor , a comfortable hotel that's centrally located in the heart of old Madrid.

Check rates:   Booking.com ,  Hotels.com ,  Expedia  

Read reviews:   TripAdvisor

Best Day Trips from Madrid

We stayed in Madrid an extra couple nights in order to do some day trips in Castille La Mancha. I couldn’t decide on one, so we visited a couple (images above from left to right).

Here are the best day trips from Madrid that I’d recommend!

• Segovia an ancient town famous for its Roman aqueduct ruins
• Toledo a medieval city
• El Escorial  a monastery and entombment for ancient Spanish kings

You can browse more fun day trips from Madrid here .  

Day 4: Cordoba

After thoroughly explored Spain’s capital, we headed south for a loop through Andalusia . First up, Cordoba!

The small town was once a regional capital for the Roman and Moorish empires so today, it bears characteristics of each. The historic sights are all located within the compact Old Town and easily walk able.

We got lucky and timed our visit for their spring festival, the Patio Festival! Patio means inner courtyard in Spanish, and it’s a really pretty time to visit because the entire town comes alive, locals are happy to show off their homes and everywhere you look there are stunning flowers are in bloom. 

Best Things to Do in Cordoba

Main Attractions:  Mezquita-Cathedral, Palacio de los Reyes Cristianos, Roman Bridge

Don’t Miss: a visit in Spring, when this beautiful town comes alive with flowers. The Patio Festival is an opportunity for proud locals to exhibit their version of ‘Best Lawn’ and visitors can see traditional Moorish style patios decorated with a profusion of beautiful pink, red and green blooms.

Where to Stay in Cordoba

The city deserves 1 full day – unless you're in town for the Cordoba Patio Festival when you won't be able to get enough with even two or three days!

For a beautiful hotel, stay at  Eurostars Palace Hotel  which has a gorgeous inner courtyard and gives a true feel for Cordoba's patios. Inner courtyards are usually hidden to outsiders so this hotel is a treat!

Check rates:   Hotels.com ,  Booking.com , Expedia  

Read reviews:  TripAdvisor

Days 5-6: Seville

From Cordoba, we hopped back on the high speed train for Seville.

Flamboyant Seville is home to the fiery flamenco, stadium roaring bull fights and the most delicious tapas bars of my entire trip! We did a bit more sightseeing, although by this point I was thoroughly wow’ed by the cathedrals and had pretty much reached my limit.

Best Things to Do in Seville

Main Attractions:  Cathedral, Alcázar, Barrio Santa Cruz

Don’t Miss:  the gardens in the Alcázar are breathtaking – you might recognize them as ‘Dorne’ from Game of Thrones!

Seville is a fantastic town for foodies. In Madrid, you have lots of old, historic bars, while in Barcelona you’ll find trendy, beautifully decorated restaurants with fantastic fusion food. But in Seville? Expect small, authentic and delicious, with a bit of flair. Essentially, it felt like it offered the best of everything in one compact town. 

Where to stay in Seville

The city is worth at least 2 days & 2 nights – so you can eat all the affordable and tasty tapas you can find! Book a room at  Hotel Alfonso XIII , a luxurious property featuring gorgeous Moorish architecture and every comfort imaginable. Hotel Alfonso is located in a prime spot next to Seville's Real Alcazar.

Check rates Hotels.com ,   Booking.com ,   Expedia  

Read reviews  TripAdvisor

Days 7-8: Granada

After thoroughly exploring Seville, we hopped on a (10 euro!) bus to explore Granada, once the Moorish stronghold of the west. Today the city retains much of its North African flavor and is an absolute must see on any southern trip through Spain.

The main attraction in Granada is the breathtaking Alhambra, an old fortress and palace with extensive gardens. Tickets sell out quite fast so you’ll need to book this in advance. You can read about everything you need to know regarding Alhambra tickets in this post here .

Or, skip the mess entirely and take a guided tour that bypasses the queue altogether here .

I ended up extending our Granada stay for an extra half day so that I could grab the only ticket option remaining during my trip.

Best Things to Do in Granada

Main Attractions:  the Alhambra !

Don’t Miss: a relaxing retreat at the Arabian baths , or Hammam Al Andalus . The current baths are built over the ancient bath site and gorgeously decorated.

There are a number of different pools at different temperatures as well as some fun massage options. We loved how relaxing this experience was! Budget around 3 hours to fully enjoy the experience.

Where to stay in Granada:

Budget 2 full days in order to fully explore the city, with a full 1/2 day devoted to the Alhambra . We stayed at  Anacapri Granada , an affordable, clean hotel within walking distance from the Alhambra.

The Anacapri Granada is located in the heart of Old Town and also conveniently near the local bus stop, should you wish to explore Granada's farther sights.

Check rates:  Hotels.com ,   Booking.com ,   Expedia  

Days 9-12: Barcelona

From Granada, there are a couple ways to get to Barcelona including via car, high speed rail or plane . We decided to fly after hearing unimpressed reviews of the overnight train service.

Barcelona was by far one of the highlights of my trip – I enjoyed it a lot more than Madrid! The city is cosmopolitan, proudly Catalan and lively with some of the most impressive and unique sights in Spain.

After almost two weeks of sightseeing, lots of churches and an abundance of small town charm, the genius works of architect Antoni Gaudí were so distinctive and colossal that I couldn’t help but be awed.

Best Things to Do in Barcelona

Main Attractions:   La Sagrada Familia , Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (aka La Pedrera), Park Güell

Don’t Miss:  a full day dedicated to Gaudi’s works: the modernist mansion Casa Batlló and the still under construction Sagrada Familia church .

Day Trips:  Barcelona had some of the most innovative tapas bars that I tried in Spain – don’t miss a good evening out trying various Spanish small plates  or try a cooking class . Die hard soccer / football fans will want to see FC Barcelona’s stadium and see a match or two.

Where to stay in Barcelona:

Royal Ramblas  is a great hotel to stay in, as it's located right on the main shopping and pedestrian road, Las Ramblas. There's so much to see in Barcelona (and the city makes a great base for nearby day trips in Catalonia) so budget at least 3 full days!

Best Day Trips from Barcelona

Near Barcelona are a couple cities worth visiting. Montserrat is a religious pilgrimage site for many Catalans and a breathtaking change of scenery for tourists – the monastery is actually high up in the mountains!

Also within an easy day trip from the city are Girona , a walkable old city famous for its historic Jewish quarter of narrow cobblestone streets, and Figueres, where Salvador Dali built his museum and personal shrine.

Trains connect all three towns within easy access of Barcelona Sants rail station. We decided to do the first two and left Figueres for another trip simply because the train schedules weren’t as convenient.

• Montserrat :  a dramatic mountaintop monastery where the Black Madonna was discovered
• Girona :  a quaint medieval town very similar to Dubrovnik and currently the set of King’s Landing for the Game of Thrones series

Days 13-14: Lisbon

Portugal’s capital Lisbon feels a lot like San Francisco .

Both have rolling hills, quaint trolleys and well worn cobblestone streets. Lisbon has some amazing seafood spots and charm, but also a sad air of neglect to the magnificent tiled apartment buildings.

I first visited Lisbon on a fun long weekend trip in college, where we spent the days sipping on Sangria and the nights partying in Chiado and Bairro Alto.. with nightly stops at McDonalds in Rossio Square for CBO sandwiches and McFlurrys. 

This time, I focused a bit more on sightseeing and managed to fit in a wonderful day trip to nearby Sintra.

Best Things to Do in Lisbon

Main Attractions:  São Jorge Castle, Alfama walk (medieval district) and Baixa walk (downtown with major squares)

Don’t Miss:  dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro, a local favorite of Anthony Bourdain that completely lived up to my seafood heavy anticipation. Get the garlic shrimp in olive oil and large grilled prawns and wash it all down with beer and buttery garlic bread.

Where to stay in Lisbon:

Hotel Santa Justa is an affordable luxury hotel with an amazing location right by the famous lift. We opted for 2 nights in Lisbon, with an extra day to check out the wacky, beautiful mansions at nearby Sintra !

Check rates:  Hotels.com ,  Booking.com ,  Expedia  

Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra

A couple friends recommended Sintra as a must do while in Lisbon. After a major earthquake and tsunami hit Lisbon in 1755, Portuguese royalty permanently left the city in favor of this mountain retreat.

On a day trip, you can explore the national palace, Pena palace and a number of extravagant private mansions. It’s a unique town and ended up being my favorite day trip of the entire trip!

Best Things to Do in Sintra

Main Attractions:  National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Palace of Queluz, Arab Walls

Don’t Miss:  the Pena Palace , which is said to have inspired Walt Disney’s vision of Cinderella Castle!

Stay:  1 days, 1 night to see the highlights, a 2nd day if you want to see the exotic mansions like Montserrate Mansion that are farther from the town square.

Getting Around Spain

We took a combination of transportation to get around Spain, including

• local flights
• the high speed train

Spain by Train

Mostly, we used the high speed train service, as it was the most convenient.

To book tickets, use Omio . It’s the largest distributor for European train tickets and accepts international credit cards. Spain does have its own train website, but its in Spanish and meant for local Spanish citizens to book.

The Omio site is much more user friendly – you can both browse train schedules and keep track of all your purchased tickets by making an account. They charge a nominal booking fee for the process, I believe around 1-3 euro per transaction, so try to organize your route first then buy all the tickets in one go.

Train routes typically are published 3-6 months out so if you can’t find the schedule for your dates, you might be looking to early. Just check back in a couple weeks or so. Ticket prices will get more expensive with time, so book in advance to save.

Check  train schedules for Spain here .

I got a lot of questions about how we got around. If following my itinerary, here’s the breakdown:

• We flew into Madrid, and spent a couple days exploring the area. From Madrid, we took the high speed train down to Cordoba and again from Cordoba to Seville.
• From Seville , you can take either the train or bus . We found a steal bus fare (~10 euro per person), so we tried the bus. If you can’t find a bus deal, just use the train as it’s much easier to navigate!
• From  Granada , we chose to fly up northeast to Barcelona. You can take the train, but it’s historically been offered as an overnight train option, and friends who took it said it was very uncomfortable. Granada has been doing construction on its train station, so double check whether a train is available for your dates. Personally, we recommend flying. 
• In Barcelona, we booked day trips to nearby Montserrat and Girona using the train. After fully exploring the Catalonia region, we flew to neighboring Portugal to visit Lisbon and Sintra.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April – May) and Fall (September – October) are the best times to visit Spain and Portugal. There’ll be less crowds and more comfortable temperatures!

What Not to Miss

Here are some highlights you absolutely shouldn’t miss in Spain and Portugal!

Exploring Southern Spain’s Moorish history

• the Cathedral Mosque in Cordoba, the Alhambra Palace in Granada and the Alcazar in Seville, where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed

Visiting Spain’s political and cultural capitals

• Madrid: home to 
• Barcelona: home to Gaudi’s masterpieces: the unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral, the UNESCO World Heritage Casa Battlo site and colorful Park Guell

Portugal’s Legendary Food & Culture

And there you go! My trip report after visiting Spain and Portugal for the first time. 

I hope my 2 week itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 10 days or 1 week, I would cut out Southern Spain . You could save Andalusia for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

Are you planning a trip to Spain, Portugal or both? Let me know any questions in the comments below!

Visiting Spain – Travel Checklist

To make the most of our time, we booked open jar flights, flying from NY to Madrid and departing from Lisbon. Check flight deals for your dates here .

For getting around within Spain, we recommend the local train system. Both fast and slow options are available, so Spain train travel is easy and effective! The only catch? It's difficult for non Spanish users to book. Instead, book your tickets on Omio , which is much more convenient for English speakers and accepts international credit card holders. Check train schedules for Spain here .

We mixed up our accommodation throughout the trip, alternating between Airbnb and hotels. You can browse last minute Spain hotel deals here . 

Lastly, be sure to visit Spain with travel insurance . Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Get a quote for your trip here .

  You Might Also Enjoy:  

Spain Vacation Planning Articles

Spain and Portugal: A Perfect Itinerary to Explore Both Countries!

Headed to Andalusia? Check out this 7 day Southern Spain travel guide

How We Spent 3 Incredible Days in Granada

Insider Tips for Visiting the Alhambra Palace

The Best Things to Do in Seville

A Spain Food Guide: Important  Tapas + Food Names in Spanish!

Spain's Hidden Gem: The Quaint Town of Cordoba

Don't Miss Cordoba's Patio Festival ! Here's Why

Follow me @Sher She Goes on

Youtube | Tiktok | Instagram

You may also enjoy:

The 5 best day trips from sprawling san …, london’s big ben and westminster abbey, 6 puerto rico day trips that live up …, pulling the plug: our digital detox in …, 149 comments.

Cordoba and Grenada look gorgeous. I love all the flower shots in Cordoba, what a great time to go! I love all your pictures & travel style too! I might be planning a Spain trip for this summer, I’ll bookmark this and avidly follow all your recommendations haha

Gah you’re making me so jealous, girl!!!! I studied abroad in Salamanca in high school and spent a lot of time in Barcelona and Madrid, but I haven’t been back since. I desperately want to go back and go down to Granada to see the Alhambra!

Wow, so much information & this is so detailed! I may be going to Lisbon in November, so this is cool to know it’s like San Fran. I have my list of must-sees made after reading this post!

Wow, what an incredible trip and your pictures are absolutely stunning! I want to go now!

Nice tips! I will going to Spain later in the summer, so this will help a lot.

Your photos are stunning! Now I want to visit :)

Your photos are absolutely stunning! I’ll be moving to Spain in the fall and will definitely refer back to this.

Aw, thanks for the kind words Colby!

Hey there thanks for the awesome guide! Can you share approx how much you spent for the two weeks. I’m trying to plan a budget and I have no clue how much to plan for

Hi May – glad it was helpful! Since it’s not a packaged tour, the trip cost will depend on what you want to do! Hotels, restaurants, flights, sights etc – it just depends how luxury or budget you go :) You can get an idea upfront by booking your flights and hotels first. Some of the more famous sites in Spain can be booked online in advance too.

Your vacation looks AH-Mazing!!! And the photos!!! Makes me want to book a trip asap!

Thanks Melissa! It was an amazing trip, I hope you have a great summer!

Wow I can’t wait to visit Spain someday, what a great post! Thanks for sharing x

Yes, Spain is amazing! Hope you visit soon. xoxo

Great pictures!! Amazing photos!!!

Thank you Trang!

Excellent review and nicely planned trip. Pictures of Granada and Cordoba look very nice. Too bad you didnt see Porto, such a nice city as well. Many thanks for the inspiration.

Thanks Julian! Yea – I keep seeing Porto all over now. Wish I had gone but it was nearing 3 weeks at that point and I had to get back to work! If only haha.

Fantastic and comprehensive post! I always appreciate a post catering to first timers, as that is quite often what I am, myself! Beautiful photos, thanks for the insight into such spectacular places!

Your photos are simply stunning!! Awesome trip!

i did portugal a couple of years ago! i loved it, sintra was unreal.

All these places are amazing,I definitely have to visit them someday!

• Pingback: 10 Beauty Essentials for Airbnb Traveler

I am absolutely in love with Spain and Portugal but haven’t visited all of these places you’ve listed. This is a beautiful and helpful guide. Thanks so much for sharing and happy travels :)

Love your list! And what amazing photos. I just googled the Patio Festival in Cordoba and it looks so nice! The houses look amazing then. Nice tip

Hey Andra! Yes the patio festival is amazing. I recently posted about it with tons of photos, have a look! :)

A very well arranged guide for the travel you have experienced. I found this clear and easy to understand with structure of information and pictures coming along with. I have printed it for the trip to Spain in next two years. Thanks.

First of all I have to say I LOVE your photos and the way they are set up in this post. Haven’t been to all these places in Spain but definitely have to get back so I can visit more.

Hi Natasha! Thanks so much for the kind words. xx Sher

I will be going to Granada in autumn for 5 night and I am very looking forward to it. Thank you for the tickets tip, I will keep it in mind and book them at least 2 months in advance. :)

Wowwww I’m just in love with Sintra because of your photos <3 I have a thing for colorful cities. Beautiful….

Thank you Renne! Yes I’m so glad I took a detour to Sintra on this Portugal trip, it was a really fun day trip and actually 2 days would have been better!

Love the itinerary and the photos! I’ve been to all these cities and I can say that you pretty much covered everything for a first time trip.

I’m also more a fan of Barcelona than Madrid. In the highlights there, I would add the palace of the Catalan Music – one of my favourite places with the Sagrada Familia – and la Boqueria, the market on the Ramblas. Great guide!

Yes! I loved La Boqueria too – had a great seafood brunch there. Can’t believe I forgot to add that, thanks for the note Stephanie!

I love this :) I did this trip exactly back in 2012 with the addition of Porto. Your photos are beautiful!

That is a concise and well planned itinerary. Very useful and am bookmarking it for my future trip.

All of these places are must-visits, especially Sintra… and Grenada… and Madrid… I think adding the day trip to Segovia is brilliant.

I really enjoyed your post and the pictures look amazing. Lisbon has a lot to do and see, 2 days might not be enough if you want to visit Sintra as well, but that’s my opinion :)

Did you enjoy Belem as well? I can see that you went there because of the picture of the famous Pasteis de Belem :D

Yes! I wish I had spent an extra day in Sintra – there was a lot more to see than I had realized!

• Pingback: 7 Day Andalusia Spain Itinerary - Everything You Need to See

Hi! I am planning an 8 day trip to Europe in April and am torn between two different itineraries: 1. Fly into Barcelona, explore Barcelona, and do monterassat, and then take a flight to Lisbon and explore Porto and sintra

2. Fly into Madrid, do Sevilla and Granada with day trips to Córdoba and Sevilla

Any insight you have would be wonderful!!

Hi Tara – either itinerary would be amazing, it really depends on what you’re looking to do on your trip? Between Madrid & Barcelona, I liked Barcelona a lot more (personally) as it’s a larger, vibrant city with amazing restaurants, lots of sights (mostly of Gaudi’s works) and Montserrat was very different.

Madrid is more historic and I really loved South Spain. Andalusia has Moorish history so there’s lots of beautiful arabic-influenced sights like the Alhambra. Tapas are really good in Sevilla! Cordoba really comes alive in early May for the flower festival.. Either way there’s lots to see in both options you outlined! Maybe you can extend your trip for 2 weeks?? :)

• Pingback: 5 Unforgettable Things to Do in Cordoba, Spain » Sher She Goes

Hi Sher! Im in love with your photos! Im also planning a same trip for July. I just want to ask a few questions , I hope you don’t mind. your first stop was Madrid right? then from barcelona did you fly to lisbon? And was it easy to travel via trains also? I don’t drive so I’ll probably be commuting my entire trip. Im already thinking of flying to Madrid from Singapore(where i come from) and do the same itinerary as yours then go back to Singapore either from Barcelona or Lisbon( I cant decide yet). Thanks for reading my comment . Any advice is a great help thanks;)

Hi Sheena, aw thank you! Happy to help. Yes I flew in to Madrid and yes also flew from Barcelona to Lisbon. In between I took trains from Madrid down south to Seville/Cordoba/Granada. All of those train rides are very doable and you can find the train schedule on renfe.com The site doesn’t fully translate from Spanish to English but the time schedules are easy enough to read. To actually book the tickets I used rail europe (i have a link to that in the post) because it’s easier to pay – with renfe you pretty much need a spanish credit card or it won’t work.

I didn’t rent a car so to get from city to city I took the train or flew. I felt like walking in any of the Spanish cities was very doable and walked pretty much everywhere! Even 30 minutes in some cases but I also don’t mind to walk. There are local buses and taxis to get around too so no need for a car!

I definitely really liked Lisbon but I went with family and they were kind of tired after 10 days in spain, so if you decide to go home after Barcelona that could be fine too. Lisbon is very hilly (kind of like San Francisco if you have been there?) and you mostly have to walk around for sights and such but there’s also the trolley to take which is fun. If you do go to Lisbon, I highly recommend Sintra! There are some colorful palaces and mansions there which are really unique.

Let me know if you have any other questions and thanks for reading :)

• Pingback: Everything You Need to See in Andalusia, Spain | 7 Day Itinerary » Sher She Goes

We’re planning to go visiting Spain and Portugal departing from the UK for 13 days, wondering what would be the best itinerary be for our first time visit on these both countries and we need to head back to Hong Kong after, need your suggestion to see if we’re able to fly direct either from those countries or get back to the UK first. FYI, we don’t drive.

Many thanks for your help in advance.

Wow! your itinerary is perfect! ;) Great choice of places and I also loved your pictures.

Love this itinerary! I’m planning a trip now hoping to hit most of these places, but I only have about 14 days. How many days total was your trip?

Hey Sara! Glad you like it :) I took about 2 weeks so it sounds like you have plenty of time. With shorter time the day trips from Madrid are probably easy to cut and maybe less time in Cordoba if the patio festival isnt going on

Hi Sher, I love everything you posted here, especially the itinerary and the photos. its so easy to understand and the photos are all amazing. I’ll be doing Spain and Portugal trip for 16 days this May, adding few days to spend in Porto and Barcelona. Im planning to do the whole exact thing as yours, I can’t wait to visit Cordoba for the flower festival and Sintra! Thank you so much for your itineraries :)

Hi Sher your blog was really insightful! I have a question. I’m planning to buy train tickets in advance (traveling to Spain and Portugal) but since my itenerary is not finalized so how do I go about making reservations? Is it hard to make same day /2dayreservations in advance for train seat reservation? Thanks for your help!

Hi Namrata, glad my posts were helpful! Hm, it depends. When are you planning to go?

If spring/summer I would recommend you finalize your itinerary and buy the tickets online before you go. Spain gets quite crowded as early as May and certain popular places will sell out. For example, the Madrid day trip to Toledo is strangely very popular!

I booked all of my trains ahead of time, except my Portugal day trip to Sintra. the line at the train station was very, very long the day of. In hindsight I would have bought it ahead of time to save time.

If you are visiting in the fall/winter its probably less important to book ahead.

For the Alhambra you absolutely need to buy a ticket ahead of time (I have a whole post on that). In general the high speed train runs pretty frequently, you just might not the time or seat you want if you buy the day of. Hope that helps!

Hi Sher Your website is so informative and I;m glad that you’re doing well because of it. We are planning a 11 day trip, flying into Barcelona on Aug 10 and flying out of Lisbon on Aug 21st. We are currently scheduled to fly out of Barcelona on Aug 16th and spend 1 night in Seville, and the remaining time in Lisbon. We are a relaxed family (2 adults, 2 teens 13-15) who like to soak it all in and enjoy nights out exploring the town etc. Would you recommend that we cut 1 day short in Barcelona and spend 2 nights in Seville ?

Thank you..

Hi Monica, thanks for the sweet words! Hm it sounds like you have 6 days planned for Barcelona and 1 for Seville. In that case because you have so much time in Barcelona, I would recommend an extra day in Seville, just to get an extra taste for south spain (which is quite different from the two big cities up north)

There’s lots to see, do and eat in Barcelona. You mentioned your family likes to go out and explore at night, I think you’ll really love Barcelona for that.

Seville is much quieter and smaller, but there’s enough to fill 2 days. The tapas bars were my favorite – they have some very authentic “stand at the bar and order” type of tapas bars and more modern, fancier tapas restaurants so you could easily spend the full 2 days eating! If you get bored (which i dont think you would, but just if, Cordoba is a very cute small town only a quick day trip train ride away) that I really loved. Hope that helps and have a fantastic trip!

Hi! Sher, I’m so glad I spotted your travel blog. It has been very helpful so far, very detailed and organized. I was wondering if you could help me plan a better itinerary for a trip my husband and I are planning. It will cover Southern Spain (Andalusia: Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Malaga) to Tangier, Morocco then to Portugal (Lisbon, Fatima, Sintra, maybe Porto) then back to California. This will be for Sept 25-Oct 18. My plan is to fly into Seville first (4 nights) then take the train to Córdoba (2 nights), Granada (3 nights), Malaga (2 nights), ferry to Tangier (2 nights), back to Seville to fly to Lisbon. We have no specific itinerary for Portugal yet except to be in Fatima by Oct 11-14 for the Fatima Centennial events. We plan to take the train between cities in Spain. Do you have a better suggestion in which order should we visit the 4 cities in Andalusia? I’m stuck with the train routes. There’s no direct train route to Granada from the other 3 cities, so we’ll have to keep on backtracking to Córdoba or Seville to get to Granada and Malaga which will be a waste of time. any thoughts? Thank you.

Hi Regina – thanks for the kind words! Hm.. I see what you mean. Granada has an airport as well, which might be convenient if you haven’t already booked your flights.

The train routes in Spain are set, so like you said you sometimes have to backtrack. There is a very affordable and comfortable bus between Seville + Granada. Book through the company Alsa and if you book enough in advance, it’s only 10-15 euro per person.

Perhaps you might split up your time in Seville into 2 night, then Cordoba for 2 nights, then back to Seville for 2 nights so that it’s a more comfortable journey. Sometimes I do that and pick a different neighborhood / hotel to stay at and find that I get a completely different experience! Or you might want to visit Cordoba on a day trip when you’re in Seville. Some people feel Cordoba is small and that the highlights can be seen in a day trip.

I am currently researching and planning a trip to both Portugal and Spain and found your information helpful. Thank you!

Thanks for this incredible detail – it’s amazing. I’m planning a 11-day trip to Spain and, possibly, Portugal. I’d love your input on a planning dilemma I’m having.

We are SUPER adventurous and active, but really want to take in each city.

Ideally, I’d do 4-5 days in Barcelona, then 2 days in each of Granada, Seville, and Lisbon (with the Sintra day trip). It feels like too much. If you had to choose between Granada, Seville, and Lisbon – which would you choose? What about between just Granada and Seville? There’s not enough time for all the things!! :-)

Thanks in advance for your input.

Hi Sarah – I know what you mean! It’s always a challenge between seeing as much as possible and soaking it in. I would recommend cutting out lisbon. I’m not sure of the route you’re taking but flying to Portugal from Spain usually involves flights out of Barcelona, so you would go Barca > Andalusia > back to Barca just to get to Lisbon, which adds extra time.

I liked the small town feel of Seville more and the excellent local tapas scene, but Granada has more sights so usually people do at least 2 days in seville and 3 in Granada. Out of them all, I loved Barcelona – I’m definitely a city person – so I would do 5 days in Barcelona if you have time. There’s lots of sights and then fun nearby day trips to take advantage of. Hope that helps!

That’s extremely helpful. Thank you – I think you just helped make my decision!

• Pingback: Sugar, Spice and Everything Ice: What to Pack for Iceland » Sher She Goes
• Pingback: Weekend Recap and Spain & Portugal Recommendations – Chelsea Eats Treats

Hi Sher – In the Sintra section of this post, where was your 1st and 4th photo posted above taken? Is this a specific palace in Sintra? Thanks! :) (P.s. super helpful blog post!!!)

• Pingback: READ THIS Before You Buy Alhambra Palace Tickets on Ticketmaster

I love your blog! I am planning at trip to Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon) for my birthday in April. I’m a bit overwhelmed with the planning. How long did it take you to plan this trip?

Hi Marcie! So glad you like it :) What a great birthday trip!! You’ll love Spain.

I know what you mean, it takes a loooong time to plan because I like to customize my itinerary to things I like to do, plan the transportation myself and also keep things within budget! What I find helpful is to get a guidebook first, like Rick Steves or Fodors for europe, scan it through to get a general outline and then read blogs and forums for the details.

In the beginning it was really hard and there wasn’t much info out there so I started writing these posts to help other people who like to plan their own trips too!

This is wonderful. Curious for your trip, what was your budget? In planning stages so trying to get a sense. Also are you able to “beach” it anywhere along these stops?

Hi Jessica, Hm I don’t remember exactly what we spent but what I usually do is book the flights, hotels & transportation first – those are usually the bulk of the trip cost. If you’re booking in advance things are much much cheaper, especially flights and trains. In the larger cities hotels are more expensive so you can look into AirBnB for a more budget friendly option.

For sights – Barcelona has some really great sights but the tickets can be expensive if you see them all. The nice thing is you can buy them online in advance and get a sense of budget. I booked those last minute the day of and I think if you book earlier, it is cheaper.

Food in Spain is average priced (compared to New York). Lisbon is budget friendly but again, just depends how you travel. I spent all my time/money at the bars when I was younger but re-visiting Lisbon this time, I spent more on sights and food. So, it really depends!

There are beaches in Barcelona! I’ve heard great things about Portugal’s beaches but haven’t personally been.

Hey Sher, loved your pics and your details so useful. I need an advice. i am planning for a trip on the end of January(16 days).First i will be with prepaid guided tour France-Switzerland-Italy(6 days) and back to Paris, but instead of going back to Paris i was thinking of traveling from Avignon to Barcelona. I was this close to cancel Barcelona and go straight to Madrid then Andalusia then Portugal than after reading your post , i think i can do it. what do you suggest?! What is the best way to manage my time and to see all these cities!

Sounds like an amazing European tour! Not sure how much time you have but if you can fit it all in then great!

Hi Sher! Great pics!! I am planning to do Spain/Portugal in May for 7 days. We were thinking of staying in Barcelona for 4 nights and then heading out to Libson. I also wanted to check out Sintra(day trip). Do you think three nights will be enough in Libson? Unfortunately, I already booked my tickets from/to Barcelona.

Hello Sher! Thank you for a very detailed post- very useful for our Spain Portugal trip in late May!

I might follow your itinerary too :)

I was planning to make Cordoba only a day trip from Madrid (or Seville?) so we wont be dragging our luggage behind. What can you suggest?

I noticed that you don’t have separate posts for Madrid and Barcelona unlike the 3 Andalusia cities which you discussed very thoroughly (you even included day to day itineraries!).

Can you suggest links For Madrid and Barcelona very similar to your Andalusia posts?

Can we travel Madrid-Cordoba-Seville-Granada-Lisbon-Barcelona?

What routes are better traveled by train and those by plane?

Thank you for your help.

With best regards, Ann

Hi Ann – glad you found the posts helpful! I covered transportation in my posts but for specific detailed advice, I highly recommend Rick Steves’ Spain book – relied on it heavily to plan my own trip – or a travel agent to plan all the little details!

This is an amazing itinerary! I’m doing one similar to it when I go to Portugal and Spain in October. I’m doing Spain for five days, Madrid for four days and Seville for three…then an extra day in Lisbon on my way home. Did you fly to a majority of the places? Like Madrid to Cordoba? I’m worried about feeling rushed lol

Thanks! We did a mix of flights and trains – you can see the specific breakdown in my individual spain posts! In general train is easier :)

A couple of points. Citing $300 a night hotels as ‘affordable’ is not something most people would consider a reasonable statement. Only other point is with your assertion that the Pena Palace inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle. That is incorrect. The inspiration was Neuschwanstein castle in Germany.

Hi Tim – The hotels I mentioned are recommendations based on my trip. Keep in mind that rates fluctuate dramatically depending on the time of year that you’re searching for.

Pena Palace is widely believed to have inspired Disney – in addition to Neuschwanstein.

I am so glad that I encounter your website, your photos are all beautiful, your itinerary is very detailed and very helpful that I will consider following some of it and add 2 things: 1st, From Barcelona – I will avail the “Three Countries in One Day: France, Andorra and Spain” 2nd, I am also keen to include “Morocco Day Trip” either from Seville or from Granada going to Malaga or Costa del Sol as there are 2 options a) Morocco Day Trip from Malaga to Tangier b) Morocco Day Trip from Costa del Sol to Tangier what do you think about the possibility of this?

My other question are: 1.How did you travel from Madrid to Cordoba? By bus, I guess? 2.How about BUS from Cordoba to Seville? 3.How did you travel from Barcelona to Lisbon? By plane, I guess?

Awaiting for your replies… Thank you in advance.

Hi Pia – glad you found the post helpful! The 3 countries in one day tour sounds incredible as does the Morocco day trip. It’s up to you, whichever tour best fits your schedule (malaga or costa del sol)

From Madrid, I took the high speed train down to Cordoba and then again the train from Cordoba to Seville. I didn’t take the bus but you can check the Spain bus website if you prefer to take the bus. It will be much slower.

Yes I took a flight from Barcelona to Lisbon. I think that is the easiest way. Even though Spain and Portugal are neighbors, it’s not the easiest to get from one to the other. I heard once that it’s because of mountains.. but I’m not sure. Flight is easiest.

Sher, your post is very helpful and sounds like a wonderful trip. I wish we had time to follow your itinerary. We will be traveling to Spain for 5 days before heading to Portugal for a group trip. We’d love to see as much as possible, where would you recommend we go if we only have 5 days? We prefer exploring the cities over spending lots of time in museums. Would it be doable to fly into Barcelona and spend 2 nights there, flying out to Madrid and exploring Madrid for a couple of days (3 nights) including a day trip before heading to Portugal? Or are we better off going to just Barcelona and doing day trips or Madrid and doing day trips? Thanks!

Hi ZD! If you have a short time, Madrid and Barcelona are definitely the 2 cities you want to visit! Regarding where to spend your 5 days, it depends on how you prefer to travel.

I spent 5 days in just Barcelona, since its a big city and there are lots of sights to see. I also took day trips to Montserrat and Girona which I really liked. For Madrid, I felt like there was a bit less to see, and that the city had a older / historic vibe. I guess you could compare Barcelona to NYC and Madrid to Washington DC? So it just depends on the kind of atmosphere you like.

I think for me, if it was my first time, I would visit both cities just so I could see them both. Now that I’m looking back and can compare them, I enjoyed Barcelona more (but am still glad I went to both!)

Hi Sher Your post is just amazing!! It felt like you wrote this for me…we also are going for exact 14 days and intend to cover Spain and Portugal, have taken a note of all your recommendations:)

I have one question- do you suggest any particular operator for Baixa and Alfama walk in Lisbon? I am travelling with a 4 year old so looking to cover both separately on two dates…

Thanks again Nidhi

Hi Nidhi – so glad it’s been helpful for you! hm what do you mean by a particular operator? like a tour guide? i usually book guided tours through viator and they connect to a local company. hope that helps!

Hi Sher, We are planning to visit Granada from Seville and loved your itinerary. Can you please share which bus company you used for the journey?

Hey Sher! The pictures looks absolutely fantastic!!!. Thanks for the detailed itinerary. I guess for anyone travelling for the first time, the usual dilemmas are always the same – Which places to consider and their relevance, though it might vary from person to person but your post gives a good comparative view of the places to visit.

Just yesterday while talking to a friend, who cover Spain and Portugal starting from Portugal and then moving on the Spain. She found Portugal better than Spain with the exclamation most the places look the same in Spain. She even advised me considering either of Barcelona or Madrid as they both are very similar.

I would be travelling from Bombay and would like to ask which place should be the starting point – Portugal or Spain and am considering around May. Which month did you visit and as per you which would be the ideal time to travel to these places?

Hi Romesh – thanks for the kind words! Hm, I had a different opinion. I found Portugal and Spain to be quite different. I did like Portugal better, I think the food and the people really stand out there. It’s up to you for Madrid vs Barcelona. Personally I think they are very different cities (similar to Washington DC vs NYC). If you have the time I would do both, but if you only have time for 1, it depends what you think you’d like more.

Barcelona has great food, lots of nightlife, impressive architecture, shopping, a cosmopolitan feel. Madrid is older, more historic, government buildings and classic museums. For example, if you want trendy Spanish tapas = Barcelona. If you want old school tapas bars = Madrid. That’s a generalization, of course, but that was my experience.

We went in Spring and loved it. Good weather, less crowds. For starting point, go with whatever transportation is easiest from Bombay and is cheaper!

• Pingback: Here's Your Ultimate Packing List for Europe

This itinerary is awesome! My friend and I want to spend 14 days in Spain and Portugal end of the year. What was the cost for your trip? I know prices change, but a ball park estimate will help with our planning. Thank you so much!!

Hi Kate – so glad you like it! I don’t remember the exact cost but for you can do the trip as budget or as luxury as you want. What I usually do is price out the cost of flights + hotels and that’s usually the two most expensive things. And then I know if I can splurge day to day or if I need to set a limit for how much to spend when I’m there. Hope that helps!

Hi Sher. I am from Singapore and am looking to holiday in Spain In June. As this is my first time I was wondering how to go About it. Your itinerary is so detailed. I think I am going to follow it to the tee. Including staying at the same hotels. I want to do some shopping as well. Heard that Zara is all over. I plan to leave on 10 June and return on 24 June. Are there any tips you can give me. Thank you. Faye.

Hi Faye – You’ll have a great time! Thanks for the kind words about my itinerary :) Zara is AMAZING in Spain (at least compared to the US), plus they have Zara Home stores that I love because we don’t get them in New York! June will be pretty hot in Spain, especially in the South, so try planning your day to get up early and sight see, take a siesta at your hotel in the afternoon, and then go out again after. Have a fantastic trip!

Hi Sher. As we do not want to be too stressed on the trip. Please let me know which areas I can skip. And can u please help me to customize an itinerary including how I get from one place to another. I am not a frequent traveler and this is the first time I am venturing so far out in my own. And if there are cheaper hotel options. I will fly into Barcelona and out of Seville. Is that ok? Thank you. I appreciate your help.

Hi Faye – I’ve shared my itinerary and included lots of options for how to customize it to fit your trip length and interests. Feel free to include or exclude whatever you like :) I think if you read through all my posts on Spain, pick up the Rick Steves guidebook and read through a couple other Spain blogs, you can easily find all the answers to your questions and create your perfect Spain & Portugal vacation.

I love trip planning and planned the entire trip listed in my post but I understand not everyone likes to do the same. If you would like me to review your itinerary, answer questions in depth or plan your trip I offer travel consultations where you can hire me for a one hour call.

I don’t make the bookings though – If you want a completely hands off experience, I have friends who are travel agents who you can hire to create a completely custom itinerary.

Pls send me a contact of a travel agent who can help me with the train and other bookings. Do let me know the charges as well. Tks.

This is WONDERFUL! Thank you so much, I was worried I wouldn’t get the most out of my stay in Barcelona until now!

Hi! I love this post and am largely basing my trip to Spain off it, so thanks for a great article!

Just wondering if you could please clarify how many days you spent in Barcelona and Madrid with day trips.

Did you spend two days in Madrid and then 1 day trip visiting Segovia, Toledo and El Escorial all in one day?

Likewis, did you spend 3 days in Barcelona and then 1 day trip visiting Montserrat and Girona in the same day?

Thanks for your help!

Hi Milli – glad the post is helpful! The itinerary above is just an example and I structured it so that if you have more/less time you can consider the day trips – essentially you can spend however many days you wish in each city!

For Madrid I’d recommend 2 days, longer if you’re interested in the day trip options. For Barcelona, I’d recommend 3 full days, with extra time if you want to add the day trips. Each day trip option would take 1 full day though, it’d be very tight to squeeze 3 different cities in a day trip :)

Personally, I enjoyed Barcelona more and think you could even spend a week just there!

Hello, I am planning a trip to Spain and Portugal in Spring of 2019. I will be traveling for 10 days. I will be visiting Barcelona and Madrid. Would it be better to start at Madrid to the little towns in the south then over to Portugal and then head up to barcelona? Or would it better to start Barcelona, then over to Portugal and then to Mardrid and fly home from there?

Hi Jackie – It depends! What I suggest is checking out the transportation options for your trip dates.

First go to Google Flights here and see if flights are available and how much they cost. Then go to Rail Europe here and see how much train rides cost for each long leg. That’s how I plan my trips!

Even though Spain + Portugal are right next to each other, I found for my trip dates that surprisingly flight connections were not that convenient. So, we did Madrid, train south, flight to Barcelona, flight to Lisbon. Hope that helps!

Hi, I’m planning a trip for 4 people (active “seniors”) to Spain and Portugal for Fall 2019. We were thinking of driving. I see you used train, and planes.Why did you choose planes versus trains? Would you not recommend driving? I see you only visited Lisbon with day trip to Sintra, where else in Portugal do you recommend? My thoughts are Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Seville, possible beach stop in Costa del Sol, then onto Portugal, Lisbon and ….How long do you recommend for this itinerary? Thank you.

Hi Anna – If there are trains available, I prefer trains. They’re MUCH more convenient and often cheaper. Train stations are usually in or near the town center so I can just hop on, get off and go sight see. Whereas airports are outside the city so they require additional transportation to & from, plus I need to factor in at least an hour to go through security and if I have carry on suitcases, domestic airlines will often charge extra per piece.

Spain has a pretty great train network so it’s fast, convenient and affordable. Head to Rail Europe and plug in the cities you want to visit and check the times/ rates.

Driving in Spain is tough, but I think you can see even more if you drive! I’ve heard great things about Cascais in Portugal – check that out.

Thanks for a great article. I was wondering if you could please break down your visit to Madrid and Barcelona into days spent in the cities themselves vs day trips (and what/ how many places you visited for each day trip)?

Hi Milli – I’d recommend at least 2 days in Madrid and at least 3 full days in Barcelona. If you want to do the day trips, add on an extra day for each, or a 1/2 day if you want to go from the day trip on to another city. Hope that helps!

• Pingback: See the Best of Seville in 2 Days | Itinerary
• Pingback: The 9 Best Things You Must Do in Granada, Spain!

Hi..your trip looks amazing. Do you recommend driving in Spain and Portugal to do similar trips?

Thanks, Kavita

Hi Kavita – if you’re comfortable driving then it could be a great idea to see some smaller towns! For me, I had limited time (2 weeks) and the main cities are easily connected via train/flights so that’s what we did.

I am traveling to Barcelona solo for nine days in mid October. I am looking for a week of being in one spot to unwind and be near a beach. I have been looking non stop and can’t seem to find anything great that is priced right. Either what I have found it extremely expensive or seemingly too inexpensive for what is being offered. I will have completed Ironman Barcelona (hard endurance triathlon race) and I am normally very curious yet I know that I will want a beach and relaxation with some culture and fun. That said, I am more interested in unwinding rather than exploring…. Do you have any ideas? Thank you!

Love reading your post before planning my travels. I wanted to know, would you recommend doing Barcelona first and the Southern Spain or the way you did it. We are flying in and out of Madrid so i cant decide what would make more sense. Any input would be grateful.

Thanks, Sumaiya

Hi Sumaiya – check the flight + train schedules for your dates! I usually decide the order of our route based on the times tables + fares.

• Pingback: The Best Day Trips from Barcelona – Exploring Spain - Fit Travel Deals
• Pingback: Planning Spain & Portugal – smithsonvacation

We are two couples from India who are planning to visit Spain and Portugal during September. However we would like to see more of country side, small towns and beaches . We would not like to spend too much time in Madrid/ Barcelona. We are planning 12 to 14 days tour. Could you recommend some places

Thank you for your informative post! I’m sooooo happy to chance upon it! Your photos are so nicely taken as well!

I’m planning a trip for 4 adults in February. Have you heard of Barcelona carnival before? Do you think it is worth going?

Also, we are there for 11 days 10 nights, flying in and out from Barcelona. Do you think it’s possible to do Barc-> Madrid -> Cordoba -> Grananda -> Seville -> drive to Lisbon -> drive back to Spain -> take train back to Barc? Or is it too ambitious?

Thank you so much for your time and help!!

Hi Charmaine – No problem! So glad you found it helpful.

I’ve never been to Barcelona for carnival but it sounds like a lot of fun! I haven’t driven in Spain or Portugal, so unfortunately wouldn’t have any advice on that.

Thanks so much for an amazing summary. You helped me a lot. I hope you continue to do and that you get to travel the world.

Ah, thank you for the nice comment! Have a great trip to Spain / Portugal!

Hi Sher, I am so pleased to have found your blog! Your photos and descriptions of each city and places of interest are absolutely inspiring! Our itinerary goes something like this at this stage: 1 – fly into Madrid from Australia. Explore the city and visit Segovia and Toledo on day trips 2 – trying to decide whether to train to Cordoba, Malaga or Grenada. I’m not sure how we can make this work. Is it possible to stay in one of these as a base and visit each of these places in day trips from one of these? Say 5 days spent between these three cities? 3 – Train to Seville for a few days 4 – Fly [?] from Seville to Lisbon. From Lisbon we will go to Sintra then Porto [by train?] 5 – We will then travel to Vigo [train or fly?] to join one of the Camino routes finishing at Santiago de Compestela. 6 – From here we will go to Barcelona for a few days before flying home. I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have Sher. Thank you so much, Jenni

Hi Jennifer – thanks for the kind words! your proposed itinerary sounds great. yes, it is possible to choose a city as a base and then take day trips from the train.

i haven’t been to malaga, but cordoba + seville are quite close together. granada is a bit farther. so, you could either go from madrid down to cordoba and explore the city, then continue onwards to seville, or you can go from madrid to granada and double back on a day trip to cordoba.

check flight schedules for your dates here . for my trip and dates, i found that flying to lisbon was easier from Barcelona, as it was a larger hub.

walking the camino route sounds incredible, i’ve heard great things! have a great trip!!

Hi Sher! I’ve been wanting to visit Spain and Portugal together for years so this guide was fantastic! My only on concern is that other blogs mentioned that doing too much can be overwhelming and rushed. Did you feel you got adequate time everywhere or were you just concerned with the planning and packing process to get to the next place? I definitely want to do them all but don’t want anything to feel rushed or missed because I’m on a strict itinerary. Thanks!!

Hi Stephanie – glad you found my article helpful! It depends how much time you have – we spent 2 weeks and felt like it was all very comfortable. But, we also are the kind of people that like to do a lot on vacation :) You can use our itinerary above as a starting point and adjust depending on your time frame!

Hi! So how is it taking so many flights within a trip? I’ve never actually flown from one European city to another and am curious about the pain of checking in/out of airports and going through security multiple times. I am going to Lisbon later this year but it’s WAY cheaper to fly into Barcelona so I’m thinking of adding it into the itinerary. I just know the boyfriend isn’t going to be thrilled about “schlepping” luggage to and from airports within a day or so of each other. But we’re talking a $1000 price difference here! :O

Hi Elizabeth,

I feel your pain – I hate to fly and it is definitely annoying to schlep bags. We had a long enough trip to Spain / Portugal that we wanted to see as much as possible, and so for us, a mix of trains, flights + bus were good. We didn’t do fly back to back though. I think it depends on where you want to go and how much time you have! as i get older, i find I care more about convenience then price, ha

Haven’t been to San Fransisco but I heard a lot of people comparing Lisbon to SF. I traveled almost two years ago around Portugal and Lisbon reminded me a lot of some neighborhoods of downtown Athens. Lisbon is such a wonderful and vintage city -and the food is terrific. Thanks for sharing your itinerary :)

I am thinking about Spain and/or Portugal for a family vacation this summer (my sons are in their early 20’s). I’ve been to Madrid and Toledo already, so I am OK missing these. We are certified scuba divers and not sure if we can fit in a day of diving to break up the city experience. I also wonder if we should consider taking a ferry over to Moracco/Gibraltor. I’d appreciate any/all suggestions – thanks!

Hi Sher, Are there any good beaches in Portugal? We want to relax more rather than sightseeing from point A to B. Any suggestions?

Hi Felicia, I haven’t personally been to any beaches in Portugal, so can’t say!

Thanks so much for putting this together, very helpful! We were thinking of a very similar itinerary but were thinking of not going to Barcelona instead possibly visiting Valencia and islands and also a couple additional days in Portugal. Any thoughts or recommendations if we did that? Thanks in advance!

You could definitely do that! I haven’t been to Valencia but heard good things. And Barcelona is a big city, so it’s definitely easy to catch a flight back and explore in the future

Please could you give more information on this tour

We can travel around march 29 2020

for two people from LA to madrid

Hi Lorna – this is just the itinerary we took, not a tour. Sorry!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful itinerary. Me and my daughter with 2 other friends are planning to go to Portugal and Spain this coming November for 2 weeks. We would like to include Fatima. When do you think is best to insert Fatima for a day or a day and a half? Your recommendation is highly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Hi Pinky – sounds like a great trip! I haven’t been to Fatima unfortunately, so don’t have any advice.

Hoping you would be kind enough to recommend an agency to help us with logistics and reservations for Portugal and Spain trip I am planning for four people. Very much enjoyed your posts and experiences…but I desire to chat with someone and help me set up.

Sure – happy to refer you to my travel adviser. Shoot me an email with some more details about what you’re looking for specifically!

Sher than you for sharing your wonderful itenerary. Me and my friend are planning to go Portugal and spain in November. Where to include Marrakesh in the 14 days itnerary.

Hi Mona – Not sure what your specific plans are but you could fit it in before or after!

Hi and thanks for this post. I’m planning on landing in Barcelona in March and plan on spending a month, so it would be nice to get your advice on how the wife and I should break up our time in Spain and Portugal. Looking forward to your advice.

wow! A very comprehensive itinerary. I am totally impressed. I’m planning a trip there for my 25th wedding anniversary. My husband loves soccer so we might stay longer in Barcelona. Thanks for sharing your trip.

Your Itinerary and comments are very helpful. We are planning a 2 weeks trip to Spain and Portugal in early July 2020. My questions, I have many.

1. what is the easiest way to get to your airbnb from airport? i am overwhelmed by the choices, Aerobus, Barcelona train, taxi, Uber?

2. Is Uber and Cabify the same concept?

3. Did you buy the Barcelona City pass? It seems really over the top in terms of cost.

4. Do you recommend doing the tower at the Sagrada Familia?

Thank you so very much, Sonal

Thanks Sher, great itinerary. What was your rough cost of the trip. We traveling in end of March, 16 days, similar itinerary..Did you visit the San Sebastián and region, I would like to know if it a mast see as we can add days.

Thanks, Gila

Definitely pre-book your tickets to the Alhambra in Granada. Tickets sell out fast! This was a costly lesson for us. Cordoba and Seville are very much worth seeing.

What a very well written article. So full of all the relevant details and informational. So helpful. Thank you.

Oh thank you!

Do u recommend we rent a car? We are 4 friends wanting to tour Spain, Portugal and Morocco for 14 days. We are fine with just 2-3 days spent in Morocco

Hm, depends where you’re going! Spain and Portugal are pretty big, probably inconvenient to drive.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

My Magic Earth

Discover the earth. Explore the cultures. Enjoy your life

Ultimate Two-Week Portugal Road Trip, with Stopovers in Spain and France

Our two-week Portugal road trip, including Spain and France, took place during the summer holiday seasons. In the beginning, we only wanted to spend two weeks on a beach resort in Portugal. But because we had to bring many beach kinds of stuff and lots of kid items for our one-year-old child, we decided to drive to Portugal from Germany.

Our two-week Portugal road trip, with stops in Spain and France, took place during the summer holiday season. Initially, the plan was a simple two-week beach resort stay in Portugal. However, the logistics of bringing many beach essentials and numerous items for our one-year-old led us to opt for a road trip from Germany to Portugal.

Given our small child’s needs, frequent stops were a necessity. Covering a distance of 2500 kilometres between the countries, we planned a week-long journey with stopovers in France and Spain. Our accommodation was booked for one week at Crown Plaza Vilamoura in Portugal. Surprisingly, our two-week Portugal road trip turned out to be less stressful than anticipated, allowing us to explore more destinations during the extended period.

Two-Week Portugal Road Trip itinerary

On our journey to Portugal, we had overnight stays in Nimes, Valencia, and Cordoba. On the return leg, our stops included Salamanca, Bordeaux, and Verdun. The key activities in Portugal were centered around our hotel. Here’s a breakdown of our two-week road trip itinerary in Portugal:

1 st Day: Nimes, France (ibis budget Nimes Centre Gare)

• 2 ed Day: Valencia, Spain (Vincci Lys)
• 3 rd Day: Cordoba, Spain (Tryp Córdoba)

4 th Day: Vilamoura, Portugal (Crown Plaza Vilamoura)

5 th day: praia de vilamoura, 6 th day: the old town of lagos and punta da piedade, 7 th day: vilamoura beach, 8 th day: praia do carvalho, 9 th day: vilamoura beach.

• 10 th Day: Loulé
• 11 th Day: Salamanca, Spain (NH Salamanca Puerta de la Catedral)
• 12 th Day: Bordeaux, France ( Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre )
• 13 th Day: Verdun, France (Hotel de Montaulbain)
• 14 th Day: back to Germany

Setting off on a lengthy journey from Germany to Nimes, we reached our destination quite late. Luckily, the reception at ibis budget Nimes Centre Gare operates around the clock, enabling us to check in despite the late hour.

The hotel is conveniently located near the French masterpiece of ancient architecture, Pont Du Gard , making it an excellent choice for your visit to the area.

2 ed Day: Valencia (Vincci Lys)

On our journey from Nimes to Valencia, the direct drive took approximately 7 hours, but with several stops along the way, our travel time extended to nearly 10 hours before reaching Valencia. Our accommodation, Vincci Lys, is conveniently located not far from the city beach. Upon arrival, we took a brief stroll along the beach and later enjoyed a dinner at a buffet restaurant.

3 rd Day: Cordoba

Our hotel is situated in the heart of Cordoba, and upon stepping out of the car, we were greeted by scorching weather, reaching around 40 degrees! Given the intense heat, exploring every site in Cordoba seemed impractical on that hot day. Therefore, we decided to focus our attention on the historic old town, a designated World Heritage Site, particularly the remarkable Great Mosque of Cordoba.

In close proximity to the Mosque of Cordoba, within the Jewish Quarter, we stumbled upon Calleja de las Flores Alley. This charming street is adorned with balconies featuring wrought-iron windows bursting with vibrant flowers.

South from the Mosque of Cordoba is the Roman Bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River. Continuing in the southwest direction, we explored the Alcázar (castle) of Cordoba, characterized by its robust defensive walls. This multifunctional structure served both as a fortress and a palace. If you plan to visit the Mosque, consider arranging your visit strategically to minimize waiting time in queues.

After several days on the road, we eventually reached our accommodation, the Crown Plaza Vilamoura. The hotel appeared to be recently constructed and well-maintained, featuring a spacious outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea. Additionally, there was a designated area for children with a separate pool.

Dinner was included in our room rate, and we were delighted to find a variety of seafood and freshly prepared local dishes. The dining area had efficient air-conditioning, but we had the option to dine outside in the refreshing air. A kid’s menu was also available, making the hotel a family-friendly choice.

Praia de Vilamoura, the stunning golden sandy beach, is situated near various hotel complexes, including Crown Plaza Vilamoura. This beach is partially sheltered from the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, making it ideal for families to enjoy a leisurely swim and playful splashing around. We spent a few hours there and felt thoroughly relaxed.

The old town of Lagos

Lagos is a perfect hub to explore the western region of the Algarve. The walled old town features a historic centre that offers views of the harbour estuary. Its contemporary marina complex is teeming with lively bars and restaurants. Lagos embodies the quintessential Portuguese charm, featuring a warm atmosphere and charming character. This town is a favoured holiday destination with an array of activities to enjoy.

Punta da Piedade 

The cliffs of Ponta de Piedade is one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the Algarve. The coastline boasts dramatic limestone formations, featuring sea pillars, delicate arched rocks, and concealed caves that provide breathtaking sea views. We explored the cliff tops through footpaths leading to charming coves and delightful coastal vistas.

The natural setting offers various activities like kayaking, dolphin watching, and cruising. Consequently, many visitors opt to experience Punta da Piedade from the sea. Additionally, numerous organized tours commence from Lagos.

The Vilamoura beach stretches between the entrance of Vilamoura marina and the Quarteira fishing port. As it was right in front of our hotel, we decided to spend another day there.

This beach is petite yet boasts breathtaking scenery. Enclosed by towering cliffs, accessing it is no walk in the park. We had to process through a man-made tunnel through the rocks, navigating some steep and uneven steps. Praia do Carvalho is also distinguished by a sizable rock in the water, right in front of the beach.

The small beach was full of Portuguese but less crowded than other beaches. The golden sands were soft and flat. Praia Do Carvalho is a secluded paradise. The tour from Albufeira to Benagil Caves includes the visit of this beach.

Despite being frequented by locals, the small beach was not as crowded as others. The golden sands were soft and level. Praia Do Carvalho felt like a secluded paradise. The tour from Albufeira to Benagil Caves even includes a visit to this charming beach.

Since our little one adored the beach, we decided to spend another delightful day by the seaside. It turned out to be a simple yet joyous day, with moments spent swimming in the water and attempting to craft sand sculptures with our child. It was a day brimming with family happiness.

10 th Day: Loulé 

Loulé, situated approximately 15 kilometres north of Vilamoura, is a traditional Portuguese market town with a covered market hall inspired by Moorish architecture. Unlike tourist-centric spots, Loulé offers an authentic taste of Portugal.

Exploring the market hall, we discovered an array of freshly caught fish, regional handicrafts, and other local products. Beyond the market, several shopping streets and tree-lined squares awaited us. However, it was the peaceful cobbled backstreets of Loulé that truly captured our attention.

11 th Day: Salamanca Spain

Our one-week holiday in Portugal seemed to fly by. Since we had already explored Porto , we decided to make Salamanca our next stopover on the way back to Germany during our Portugal road trip. The drive to our hotel in Salamanca took about six hours, so we set out early and managed to reach Salamanca in good time.

Our accommodation, NH Salamanca, was conveniently located near the centre of the old town, just a 10-minute walk from the top attraction, Plaza Mayor. Adjacent to the square, we discovered another interesting site, Iglesia de San Martín de Tours. Salamanca is a sizable city, and for a more in-depth exploration, one could consider hiring a local guide to uncover hidden gems and experience this popular destination like a true local.

Wandering through the old town, we found several shops offering local air-cured hams. Being enthusiasts of cured ham, we spent quite some time selecting two generous packs. Unfortunately, things took a turn when we forgot to pack them with us the next day upon checking out.

12th Day: Bordeaux

After covering around 700 kilometres from Salamanca in Spain to Bordeaux in France, we arrived in the late afternoon.

Bordeaux, renowned for its wines, is perhaps one of the most iconic cities after Paris. Its fame is not only attributed to the wines but also to its rich history, waterfront, fine art museum, and more.

Our primary goal was to enjoy a delightful dinner, considering Bordeaux’s reputation for exceptional food. However, we soon encountered a challenge – nearly every restaurant we passed was fully occupied. Locals were immersed in conversations and culinary delights both inside and outside. Waiting for a table wasn’t feasible, given the leisurely pace of French dinners. Eventually, we decided to venture further away from the city centre and, after some searching, discovered a charming small restaurant that still had some availability.

13th Day: Verdun

The journey to Verdun took us approximately nine hours, and our visit was brief, focused mainly on an overnight stay. Verdun holds significant historical importance, particularly related to the events of the First World War. Presently, it represents the global capital of peace, with numerous sites associated with wartime history open to the public.

14th Day: Back to Germany

On the final day of our two-week Portugal road trip, we opted not to make any sightseeing stops and instead drove directly back to our home in Germany. Our holiday, centered around beach activities with a few excursions interspersed, left us with a desire to revisit these charming places in the future.

Our Travel tips from the two-week Portugal Road Trip

How to find accommodations

Crown Plaza Vilamoura stands as a five-star haven, delivering a luxurious experience with room rates that resonate more with four-star affordability. Vilamoura has a variety of hotels, particularly in proximity to the beaches. It’s advisable to explore different options, considering that numerous hotels may also offer inclusive dinner packages.

How to reach Vilamoura

For those arriving from overseas to explore Vilamoura or Algarve, Faro Airport serves as a convenient entry point. Upon landing, options like renting a car, pre-arranging a transfer, or utilizing public transportation are available to reach Vilamoura.

Should you find yourself in Lisbon, the driving time to Vilamoura is approximately three hours.

Now, let’s discuss how you would plan your two-week Portugal road trip.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Global Gallivanting

Our epic spain and portugal road trip route & itinerary.

In September 2021 we drove an epic 3,500 km in 1 month visiting 12 destinations on an amazing whirlwind Spain and Portugal road trip.

We had the time of our life exploring the beautiful cities, landscapes and historical sights, eating as many tapas and pasteis de nata as possible, visiting offbeat communities and catching up with friends who have moved out there.

We didn’t find many articles online about driving around both Spain and Portugal in one trip and I didn’t find any Spain and Portugal itinerary that started from the ferry ports in Northern Spain.

So in this blog post I’ll share our route, itinerary and tips for an epic Spain and Portugal road trip – what we loved and what we would have done differently another time.

Our 1 Month Spain and Portugal Road Trip Route

We got the ferry from the UK to Spain and this was our 1 month Spain and Portugal road trip route:

Portsmouth (UK) – ferry to – Bilbao (Spain) – San Sebastian – Madrid – Granada – Orgiva – Seville – Algarve – Lisbon – Fundao – Porto – Braga – Oviedo – Bilbao – ferry to – Portsmouth.

We had wanted to do this in 2020, but it looked too difficult with the constantly changing Covid restrictions, but in 2021 the dream finally came a reality and Covid really didn’t affect our trip too much. I’ll explain more about what it’s like traveling nowadays later on in this post.

My Top Tips for Driving in Spain and Portugal

The best time to travel around Spain and Portugal is during the shoulder seasons like May – June and September – October. During this time the weather is the most pleasant and the crowds are less than during the summer holidays.

To see all of Spain and Portugal you need at least 1 month, but you could see the highlights like Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Seville, Lisbon and Porto in 2 weeks.

We spent 1 month in Spain and Portugal, 3 weeks traveling and 10 days visiting a friend’s farm in Portugal towards the end of our trip. 3 weeks allowed us to have a few days to relax and really explore each place.

If you have time, I would recommend spending 1 month as there is plenty to see and do in both beautiful countries. If you have 1 week then just do a road trip around Andalusia or travel from Lagos to Porto or you’ll be spending more time driving than enjoying!

Car or Camper?

Whether I travel by car or campervan, my favourite way travel experiences are always road trips. Nothing can beat the freedom of exploring with your own set of wheels.

We took our own car over on the ferry from the UK, but when we’ve rented cars on previous trips to Europe we used Discover Cars because they compare all the major car hire companies and got us the best price with and no hidden fees.

A campervan or motorhome is even better for this route as your transport, accommodation and kitchen are all on wheels for the ultimate freedom! Check out Motorhome Republic to compare and find the best deals for campervans, motorhomes and RVs.

The free roads in Spain were great, but in Portugal we had to take some toll roads if we didn’t want to spend double the time driving.

Pin me for later! 🙂

To Book or Not To Book?

Europe is very popular in the summer so, especially if you are traveling in the peak season of July and August, you should book your accommodation and tickets for popular sights and attractions to avoid disappointment.

I usually prefer Booking.com to book accommodation, but for a road trip I like how Agoda has a handy filter to find hotels with car parks. The downside of taking a road trip is navigating confusing city center one way systems and finding affordable places to park.

To avoid this we stayed at hotels a little outside the city center with parking and took public transport to save us the hassle of driving in. I’ll mention the car friendly hotels with parking and easy access from the motorways that we stayed at in each destination in this post.

Be aware that tickets for some of the most famous attractions do sell out and some, like the Alhambra (a highlight of my trip) have to be arranged at least 3 days before visiting. I use Viator and Get Your Guide , to find skip the line tickets to make the most of your time and avoid queues.

There’s more practical Spain and Portugal itinerary and road trip tips at the end of the post but lets get on with my Spain and Portugal road trip route!

Our Spain Road Trip

We began our Spain and Portugal road trip taking the 24 hour ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth (UK) to Bilbao (Spain). Bilbao is a buzzing port city in the Basque region of Northern Spain and home to the Guggenheim Museum.

From Bilbao we drove through the mountainous landscape to San Sebastian. Driving a British right hand drive car on the right side of the road and figuring out the different road signs, in Spanish and Basque, was a bit confusing at first!

But Spanish roads are great and we soon got the hang of driving in Europe. It was useful to have someone in the passenger seat when merging into motorways or overtaking but over all it was fine once we got used to it.

Still, I would recommend allowing time in your Spain and Portugal itinerary so that you don’t have to rush on the first day and can acclimatize to the different driving conditions.

Bilbao to San Sebastian: 127km –  2 hours

San sebastian.

Donostia San Sebastian was a perfect start to our Spain and Portugal road trip adventure!

Only 2 hours driving (avoiding tolls) from the ferry port at Bilbao is this pretty seaside town with lovely beaches, stunning views and a fab foodie scene.

San Sebastian’s Old Town is lovely to wander while sampling the delicious Pintxos (tasty tapas-like bar snacks) in the bars and the harbour treated us to a spectacular sunset.

Our highlight was taking the historic funicular railway up to Monte Igueldo to see the quirky amusement park and incredible views from there.

Best Things to Do in San Sebastian

• Wander through the Old Town or take a walking tour
• Go up to Monte Igueldo for the views and amusement park
• Taste the best pintxos in the city – we took this food tour
• Laze on La Concha Beach or stroll along the Paseo De La Concha.

Check out more things to do in San Sebastian and  book tours here.

Where to Stay in San Sebastian –  Mercure Monte Igueldo Hotel 

The Mercure Monte Igueldo Hotel has the best views over San Sebastian, a lovely outdoor swimming pool, great breakfasts and free parking.

Also Visit: Barcelona is one of my all time favourite cities in the world for it’s combination of beautiful and unique art and architecture, beaches, food and all round amazing vibes.

Barcelona shouldn’t be missed off any Spain and Portugal itinerary but as I’ve been to Barcelona many times before we skipped it on this trip, but if you haven’t been you could skip Madrid and visit Barcelona instead and then head down the coast visiting Valencia and then heading to Granada.

San Sebastian to Madrid: 471km – 4.75 hours

From San Sebastian we drove almost 5 hours through the country to Madrid, the Spanish Capital, to break up the journey south to Andalusia.

Madrid is a beautiful, classy city with grand architecture, amazing parks, some of the most impressive art galleries and museums in the world and the largest Royal Palace in Western Europe.

Our highlight was visiting the Prado and exploring the Parque de El Retiro. This huge city center park, originally a pleasure grounds for King Felipe IV in the 17th century, is one of Madrid’s most well loved hang outs. It’s full of interesting statues, monuments, palaces, gardens, museums, galleries and activities. You can even row a boat on the lake.

Best Things to do in Madrid

• Explore Madrid’s Art Triangle; the Prado Museum , the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are considered the best art galleries. The Art Walk Pass gives you entrance and queue jump at all three.
• Marvel at Madrid’s Royal Palace – the largest in Western Europe.
• Stroll around the Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor
• Relax and explore Parque El Retiro and row a boat on the lake
• Visit IKONO and the Museum of Illusions
• Sample Madrid’s best wine and tapas – we took this fun tapas crawl tour.

Check out more things to do in Madrid and  book your tickets and tours here.

Where to Stay in Madrid – Barcelo Imagine

Not wanting to drive right into Madrid we stayed at the Barcelo Imagine. It’s close to the motorways and Chamartin metro station with parking available onsite. The stylish rooftop pool, gardens and interiors also made this hotel a winner.

Madrid to Granada: 420 km – 4 hours

After a 4 hour drive from Madrid we reached Andalusia – Spain’s most flamboyant region and somewhere not to be missed of any Spain and Portugal itinerary. If you didn’t have time to travel around the whole of Spain, Andalusia is my top choice for a short Spain road trip.

From the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Mediterranean Coast, the beautiful landscapes, sun soaked white-washed villages, Moorish forts and palaces make Andalusia one of the most bewitching regions of Spain and my personal favourite.

Granada is home to  The Alhambra , a vast palace and fortress perched imposingly on a rocky outcrop against the backdrop of the mountains.

The Alhambra’s long and storied history dates back to 899 AD. It was once home to Granada’s Nasrid rulers in the 14th century and contains some amazingly intricate architecture and palaces inside.

As one of the finest and largest Moorish Islamic buildings in Europe it’s almost overwhelming how much there is to see here. The Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Carlos V Palace and the gardens at Generalife are all must sees.

When planning your Spain and Portugal itinerary take into account that you must book at least a few days in advance to get a time slot for the Nasrid Palaces and have your passport with you when you visit.The audio guide isn’t the best so I recommend taking a guided tour so you know more about what you are looking at!

This Alhambra guided tour has great reviews and includes the admission ticket and allows you to skip the line. I’d definitely do that next time.

Best Things to do in Granada

• Explore the magnificent Alhambra – book your fast track tickets here.
• Take a photo from the Plaza Mirador de San Nicolas for the best viewpoint of the Alhambra
• Join a sunset walking tour or a fun Segway tour of Albaicín & Sacromonte – Granada’s medieval neighbourhoods
• Visit the Sacromonte Cave Museum and see how people used to live in cave houses.
• Visit Granada Cathedral – Spain’s 2 nd largest cathedral
• Relax in a traditional Arabic Hammam

Check out more things to do in Granada and  book your tickets and tours here.

Where to Stay in Granada –  Hotel Andalusia Center 

Parking is difficult in Granada so we stayed at this comfortable, modern, good value hotel on the outskirts with a rooftop pool and on site parking only 15 minutes walk into town.

One of our reasons for taking a road trip through Spain and Portugal is because we wanted to visit some alternative communities, friends and more remote regions that would have been difficult to access by bus.

Orgiva is a small town tucked away in a beautiful valley between the Sierra Nevada mountains about 1 hour from Granada.

I’d heard about the alternative communities around Orgiva from friends in Goa and wanted to check it out for myself.

I loved how people were able to build their own unique homes and form a community in this beautiful valley. It was really inspiring for me but if you’re not into this kind of stuff and just want to focus on seeing the sights then you can skip this part for your own Spain and Portugal itinerary.

The town, and it’s interesting mixture of inhabitants, is also brought to life in the book – Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart which is now being made into a TV series.

Where to Stay in Orgiva –  Casa Jazmin

A lovely traditional Spanish house with beautiful swimming pool and gardens. Situated close to town with free street parking and friendly hosts

Granada to Seville: 250 km – 2.5 hours

Andalusia, and especially Seville , really captures the essence of Spain. As both the Moorish capital and later a 16th-century metropolis rich on the back of trade with the New World, flamboyant Seville has no shortage of sights and was one of the highlights of our trip.

You can see Seville’s sights on a horse and carriage ride or simply wander in the sunshine, admiring the incredible architecture and beautiful parks like Parque de María Luisa.

Don’t miss the Plaza de Espana, the Royal Alcazar and the massive Seville Cathedral – it’s the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and was even built to ‘make something so beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it will think we are mad!’

Soaking up Spanish culture, eating tapas washed down with sangria and watching flamenco is the perfect way to spend an evening in Seville.

I really fell in love with Seville, it’s became my favourite place on this trip and I already can’t wait to return. Definitely allow at least 3 days to explore Seville into your Spain and Portugal itinerary.

Best Things to do in Seville

• Marvel at The Royal Alcázar of Seville – Europe’s oldest royal palace still in continual use
• See Seville’s sights on a romantic horse drawn carriage ride
• Explore the Plaza de Espana and the beautiful Parque de Maria Luisa
• Visit Seville Cathedral and climb the La Giralda Tower
• Watch a traditional Flamenco performance in the home of Flamenco
• Visit the futuristic Metropol Parasol , also known as Setas de Sevilla, at night.

Check out more things to do in Seville and  book your skip the queue tickets and tours here.

Read More: My Perfect 3 Day Seville Itinerary and Tips

Where to Stay in Seville – Exe Isla Cartuja

The historic centre of Seville is another place where it’s hard to find hotels with parking. Exe Isla Cartuja is a good value modern hotel located near the stadium with plenty of free parking. It also offers easy access from the motorway and a quick bus into town

Seville to Carvoeiro, Algarve: 250km – 3.5 hours (avoiding tolls)

We just drove straight over the bridge and crossed the border from Spain into Portugal – there were no checks or Covid documentation required.

Our Portugal Road Trip

The Algarve

We started the Portugal part of our road trip with a much needed beach day in the Algarve! If you’re following a packed Spain and Portugal itinerary like us you’ll probably want to factor in some rest days too!

Even though it was warm in the September sun, the sea was really quite cold already so it was a super refreshing swim. The turquoise water and golden cliffs, a quintessential Algarve beach scene, made a stunning backdrop.

We only had a couple of days to spend in the Algarve to we stayed in the center of the region near the fishing village of Carvoeiro.

There is still no shortage of beautiful beaches in the Algarve , but sadly a lot of this region has been blighted with developments of towering white concrete apartment blocks (which looked empty)

But Carvoeiro retains it’s charm and made a good base to explore the nearby beaches like Praia da Marinha, kayak to Benagil Caves and to walk the Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail to soak up the stunning views and rock formations that the Algarve is known for.

Best Things to do in the Algarve

• Relax on the beaches
• Take a boat tour  or kayak to visit Benagil Caves
• Take your Benagil Cave tour to the next level by travelling on a pirate ship!
• Walk the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
• Learn to surf by taking a surf lesson or joining a surf camp

Check out more things to do in the Algarve and find the best deals for activities and day tours here .

Where to Stay in Carvoerio –  Castelo Guest House

A unique castle themed hotel in a central location with free street parking. Soak up the stunning views over the beach from the rooms and terraces and enjoy the wonderful breakfast and hosts.

Carvoeiro, Algarve to Lisbon: 307km – 2.75 hours

(4.25 hours avoiding tolls).

Taking the toll road from the Algarve to Lisbon will cut your journey time in half.

Or, if you have more time for your Spain and Portugal itinerary and want to take the scenic route you could visit the historic town of Evora on the way from the Algarve to Lisbon.

It’s one of the most picturesque and best preserved medieval walled towns in Portugal and a UNESCO world heritage site.

One of Europe’s most distinctive, colourful and picturesque cities. Old yellow trams rattle and screech up and down along Lisbon’s cobbled streets, terracotta rooftops sprawl across the hillsides, while tile covered, pastel coloured buildings part to reveal glimpses of the shimmering Tagus river.

It’s hard not to fall in love with Lisbon. Plan to spend at least 3 days here in your Spain and Portugal itinerary.

Best Things to do in Lisbon

• Wander and explore or join a walking tour through Lisbon’s most historic and storied districts – this is the tour we took
• Ride the historic Route 28 tram through Lisbon’s most iconic districts. Or, if you’d rather avoid cramming in with the crowds take a tram tour or follow the route in Tuk Tuk!
• See the Belem Tower and marvel at the 16th-century Manueline architecture of the Jerónimos Monastery
• Take in the beautiful, heart-felt sounds of a traditional acoustic Fado show.
• Explore Lisbon from land and water in adventurous style on an amphibious vehicle
• Take a day trip to Sintra to explore the colourful fairytale castles and palaces.

Check out more things to do in Lisbon and book your skip the queue tickets and tours here.

After spending so long in Goa , and falling in love with the unique blend of Indian and Portuguese influences there, it was interesting to learn about the history and culture of Portugal on a guided walking tour of Lisbon and to explore the narrow streets of Alfama (the only part of the Old city to survive the devastating 1755 earthquake)

The waterside district of Belem is definitely worth the short tram ride out of Lisbon’s city center. This was the place where many of the Portuguese maritime explorers left from to explore the world and is a lot more spacious and relaxing than the city center.

Don’t miss the marvelling at the Belem Tower and walking along the Tagus River to the Discoveries Monument. There’s also a huge world map in mosaics on the floor behind showing all the places the Portuguese explored which was eye opening to see.

The Jeronimos Monastery , also in Belem, has beautiful nautical themed details and you can try the original recipe pasteis de natas at Pasteis de Belem nearby.

Our Highlight: Lisbon’s old yellow trams have become an icon of the city and quite the tourist attraction. Riding the scenic tram route 28 as it twists like a rollercoaster through the historic neighbourhoods like Alfama, Baixa and Chiado was one of the highlights of my time in Lisbon.

You can buy a Viva Viagem 24 hour unlimited ticket for only €6.40 which includes all trams, metros, buses and elevadors in Lisbon. But you can only buy it at a metro station not on the tram. Or you could get a Lisbon Card which gives you free access to Lisbon’s top attractions as well as free public transport.

It’s so popular its actually difficult to get on! Board at Martim Moniz, where the metro meets the tram terminus, for a good chance of getting a seat. Standing is quite the experience as the tram lurches, screeches and rattles around.

Or, to be guaranteed a seat and learn something about the streets you travel though, I recommend taking the  tram tour for a better experience.

Day Trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is also a great base to explore the many beautiful places nearby. Most of these are easily accessible with a day trip tour.

Don’t miss Sintra , a town and former royal retreat in the Sintra Mountains just 30 minutes from Lisbon. The colourful, fairy-tale like castles and mansions at Sintra are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most enchanting places in Portugal. This is the Sintra day trip we took.

You could also combine Sintra with a stop at Cabo da Rocha and the seaside town of Cascais or the picturesque Azenhas do Mar.  Find more Sintra day trips here.

Visit the surfing capital of Europe – the surf reserve of Ericeria only 45 minutes away. It’s a charming historic blue and white fishing town with beautiful beaches and one of the best places to learn to surf in Portugal – more about surf camps in Portugal here.

Where to Stay in Lisbon –  Inspira Liberdade Boutique Hotel

An elegant hotel with free parking located near Marques de Pombal so it’s easy to drive to and also close to the metro station. Some balconies have hot tubs.

For more on the different areas of Lisbon and the best hotels check out my post on Where to Stay in Lisbon.

Lisbon to Porto: 317km – 3 hours (5.5 hours avoiding tolls)

After Lisbon we headed inland to the region of Castelo Branco to visit friends on their farm near Fundao.

If you didn’t want to go into the countryside the route up the coast from Lisbon to Porto is only about 320 km which takes 3 hours driving on toll roads, or 5.5 hours without tolls.

There’s plenty of stunning beaches, legendary surf spots like Peniche and Nazare and historic towns to visit on the way including picture perfect Obidos , the historic university city of Coimbra and Aveiro , the Venice of Portugal.

A Lisbon to Porto road trip is one of the highlights of many people’s Spain and Portugal itineraries, but this time we went inland to see what life was like on the farm so check out this blog for more about the Lisbon – Porto route.

Lisbon to Fundao: 260 km – 2.5 hours (4.5 hrs avoiding tolls)

Portuguese farm life, castelo branco.

One of our main reasons for taking this Portugal road trip was to visit friends who bought an old farm near Fundao in Castelo Branco, Central Portugal and to check out what the lifestyle is like there.

This area is pretty remote with just a few small villages and plenty of nature backed by the mountains of the Serra da Estrela . There’s alot of ruins and cheap land in this area of Portugal (find them on Pure Portugal ) and its inspiring to hear and see how people have moved out here to renovate the ruins and farms to build self sufficient homesteads and live off grid.

Some are also building eco villages, communities and yoga retreats and it’s been a dream of mine for a long time to come and see what farm life in Portugal is like for myself.

Our home for the week was this self contained cabin on our friend’s farm. It’s a beautiful area and it’s really inspiring to see what’s going on here but it’s also a reality check of how much money, time and hard work it takes to make it happen.

If you aren’t lucky enough to have a friend with a farm in Portugal but still want to have this experience you can find hosts on Worldpackers looking for volunteers and you’ll receive free food and accommodation in return for your help.

(Use the code ‘GLOBALGALLIVANTING’ to get $20 off membership with Worldpackers.) 

Where to Stay in Castelo Branco –  Natura Glamping

Natura Glamping is an amazing example of a new eco resort with white geometric domes, spa baths, infinity pool, amazing views and free onsite parking.

Monsanto, Castelo Branco

While staying on the farm we took a day trip to the historic village of Monsanto – a village in Central Portugal that won the award of ‘ the most Portuguese village in Portugal ‘ and was one of the coolest places we’ve seen in the country.

Yes, the Portuguese seem to like building settlements on steep hills, but Monsanto isn’t really your typical Portuguese village. Actually it’s quite unique and even the Game of Thrones are filming the ‘House of The Dragon’ here!

I loved exploring the historic village of cobble stoned pathways and houses built around the boulders. The ruins of Monsanto castle perch high above the village with amazing views and an old church with spooky graves cut out from the rock.

Best of all it just felt like we were exploring, it doesn’t feel like a tourist attraction. Monsanto is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Castelo Branco region.

Due to the steep, narrow, historic lanes you can’t drive into Monsanto village. There is car parking and a shuttle bus slightly down the hill.

Where to Stay in Monsanto –  Casa Mont’Santo

A cute historic fully equipped 3 bedroom cottage, accessible by car with parking, large terraces and great views

Fundao to Porto: 259 km – 2.5 hrs (4.5 hrs without tolls)

Portugal’s 2 nd city is worth visiting just as much as Lisbon and mustn’t be missed from your Spain and Portugal itinerary!

Explore the grand cathedrals, blue mosaic covered churches and the colourful buildings of the historic Ribeira district that tumble down to the Douro River where port barges would have awaited their cargo.

Nowadays you can take a cruise along the river , ride the old trams, funiculars and the modern Gaia Cable Car to explore Porto and stop in at cellar doors to taste Port wine in the city that it was invented.

Did you also know that author JK Rowling taught English and lived in Porto for a while and found inspiration for the Harry Potter series in the enchanting bookstores here like the Livraria Lello and in the uniforms of the university students.

Best Things to do in Porto

• Cross over the river on the Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge for magnificent views
• Take the 6 bridges cruise down the Douro River
• Visit the port wine cellars and taste the best wines of Portugal on a wine tour
• Explore the historic Ribeira district or join a walking tour.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Porto from the top of the Torre dos Clérigos
• Watch the sunset from the Jardim do Morro.
• See the places that inspired JK Rowling on a Harry Potter tour
• Visit the World of Discoveries museum 

Check out more things to do in Porto and find the best deals on tours and attraction tickets here.

Our Highlight: The iconic Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge is rated on Trip Advisor as the best thing to do in Porto and I can see why. Whether admiring it from below or walking along the top soaking up the sweeping views of this beautiful and unique city and watching the sunset from Jardim do Morro.

Soaking up the picturesque views and riverside vibes while tasting port wine in Vila Nova de Gaia and riding the cable car up to the bridge was another highlight.

Where to Stay in Porto –  Vincci Porto 

Amazing art deco style hotel in a stylishly renovated landmark building with easy access from motorway, onsite parking and opposite a tram stop. The panoramic river views from the terrace were a highlight.

Porto to Braga: 54 km – 1 hour without tolls

We made a short stop in Braga to meet a friend’s 2 week old baby! Braga looked like a lovely, historic city but it was raining most of the time we were there so we spent most of the time inside catching up and playing with the little ones.

One thing I couldn’t miss when in Braga is the UNESCO listed Bom Jesus do Monte! The wedding cake like layered steps remind me of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church – the famous church in Panjim, Goa.

If you’re not keen on walking up the 577 steps you can take the historic wooden funicular railway up to the top. Dating back to 1882 it’s the oldest in the world that moves using water counter balancing.

Where to Stay in Braga –  Vila Gale Collection Braga

Located in an amazing heritage building that used to be a church! With a beautiful swimming pool and gardens, fantastic central location and free onsite parking

Braga to Oviedo: 479 km – 4.5 hours (6 hours without tolls)

As we hadn’t planned enough time for our epic Spain and Portugal itinerary, after Braga we only had a few days to drive the 700km back to Bilbao for the ferry so we had to put our foot down if we were going to make it back to the ferry on time and sadly has to skip Santiago de Compostela.

We wound our way over the mountains of Northern Portugal and crossed over the border into Spain without any border checks or paperwork.

Oviedo, Spain

Northern Spain and the regions of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria are beautiful, green and alpine-like – very different from the rest of the Spain.

We stayed 1 night in Oviedo , the unpretentious capital of the Asturias region, and had a bit of time to look around the compact and characterful old town, wander the Campo de San Francisco park and try the local food and cider.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied for a few days in Oviedo. It’s also part of the pilgrims route – the camino (way) to Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral at sunset was a mesmerising sight.

Where to Stay in Oviedo –  Exe Oviedo Centro

Great value modern hotel with spacious, comfortable rooms and free onsite parking, close to train station and 15 mins walk to the cathedral

Oviedo to Bilbao: 280 km – 3 hours

I would have loved to spend more time in Northern Spain but sadly we had our return ferry booked. The ferry departed at 8pm so the next day we drove the 3 hours along the coast from Oviedo to Bilbao.

We stopped for lunch at the pretty seaside town of San Vicente de la Barquera . The harbour, beaches, old village and castle amongst the backdrop of the mountains of the Picos de Europa make it one of the most picturesque sights on the Cantabrian coast.

Other places to visit

If we had planned our Spain and Portugal itinerary better we would have loved to visit Santiago de Compostela and spend some time walking the Camino , the historic pilgrimage route, but we didn’t have time. Plus, it feels a bit like cheating to drive there instead of walk! I’ll save it for another trip when I have enough time to walk the camino properly!

We also wished we’d had more time to explore the coastline of Northern Spain and Picos de Europa – we didn’t know the region would be so beautiful so I recommend that you leave more time in your Spain and Portugal road trip itinerary for Northern Spain than we did.

FAQs and Tips for Planning a Spain and Portugal Road Trip

Why take a road trip around spain and portugal.

There are many ways to travel around Europe – flights are cheap, an interrail pass is fun and convenient and buses are affordable.

But for this trip as we wanted to visit a lot of places in a small amount of time, including some communities and friends off the beaten track. Doing this would be difficult, time consuming and expensive without our own transport.

Nothing beats the freedom of having your own set of wheels and being able to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

Plus, there was less chance of catching Covid or dealing with Covid related paperwork when traveling in the safety of our own vehicle. When we crossed the borders between Spain and Portugal there were no checks or controls at all – we just flew straight through.

Where’s the best place to rent a car or campervan in Spain and Portugal?

We took our own car from the UK on the ferry from Portsmouth to Spain but it’s sometimes cheaper and more convenient to take a cheap flight and then rent a car when you get there.

The benefit of this is that you can drop it off in a different location from where you picked it up saving time and money on fuel (you may have to pay a one way hire charge though)

To find the best deals on rental cars I recommend Discover Cars. They compare all the best deals from the best companies which can save you alot of money – sometimes even 70%, Best of all there are no hidden fees so you can easily see the total price you’ll pay.

Traveling in a campervan, RV or motorhome is also an amazing way to explore and road trip in Europe. You can save money on accommodation and eating out when staying in a campervan or motorhome.

I use Motorhome Republic to find the best deals for motorhome and RV rental. As one of the largest motorhome rental agencies they have a price beat guarantee and the biggest choice from reputable and trusted companies.

You can find places to camp on the Park 4 Night app .  It’s easy to find places to camp for free in Spain but Portugal made wild camping illegal in 2021. There’s plenty of campsites which are still a fun, friendly and affordable option. Many have swimming pools, bars and restaurants and feel more like a resort.

How much does the fuel for a Spain and Portugal road trip cost?

We spent €300 on fuel for this 3,500 km trip.

When’s the best time for a Spain and Portugal road trip?

The Summer months of July and August are the peak season for traveling in Spain and Portugal but I think the best time for a Spain and Portugal road trip is the Spring or Autumn as it won’t be so hot and the sights will be less crowded, plus you’ll get cheaper rates on accommodation.

How to plan a Spain and Portugal itinerary? How long should we spend in each destination?

When planning an itinerary you’ll need to research what you want to see and do so you know how many days to spend in each destination.

As a general rule of thumb I usually recommend spending at least 2 nights/ 3 days  in each destination so that you have enough time to explore and relax and don’t feel like you’re spending most of your time driving.

We took 1 month for this trip but we spent 10 days with friends on their Portuguese farm, so we only had 3 weeks to travel. Although we tried to fit as much in as possible, there are still places we sadly had to skip because, to be honest, we didn’t plan our Spain and Portugal itinerary very well! So I would recommend spending at least 1 month to see the highlights of both Spain and Portugal.

If you have less time maybe just concentrate on one region like Northern Spain, Andalusia or Lisbon to Porto.

Did you use toll roads in Spain and Portugal?

To keep costs down and to see more of the countryside we tried to avoid toll roads on our Spain and Portugal road trip. This was easy to do in Spain because the free roads were so good and, on the motorways, there were petrol stations literally every 10 kms.

Portugal was a different story though and by avoiding toll roads in Portugal we would have ended spending double the time driving.

The Portuguese toll system is a bit tricky, especially if you are driving an non-Portuguese registered vehicle and don’t have an electronic transponder in your car, so it’s worth getting acquainted with it before you go for a hassle free trip . Read this article for tips.

If you rent a car in Portugal you can rent a transponder from the car hire company.

Is it more expensive to take your car on the ferry straight to Spain or to drive through France?

This is a question we spent alot of time deliberating on. Driving all the way through France looked fun with plenty to stop and see but would ultimately end up being exhausting and costly so we decided to take the car on the ferry from Portsmouth, UK to Bilbao in Northern Spain.

We estimated how much we would have spent in 5 or so days traveling through France in fuel, tolls, eating and accommodation (not to mention attractions and sightseeing) and it made more sense to take the ferry instead.

We paid £780 for return ferry tickets for 2 people, 1 car and cabins on each crossing. We found it useful to compare the routes available and get the best deal on Ferry Savers.

This 24 hour crossing is known for being rough at times but it was nice and calm and I didn’t feel sea sick at all. We had a comfortable en-suite cabin and enjoyed exploring the ferry. It felt like a mini cruise with the bars, restaurants, sun decks and even a small swimming pool.

Taking the ferry made it feel like much more of an adventure than flying!

What was it like traveling in Spain and Portugal during Covid in 2021?

The Covid situation and rules are always changing and you should always check the most up to date news before traveling.

But in our experience, in September and October 2021, Covid didn’t adversely affect our Spain and Portugal road trip too much,

We had to present either a negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery and fill out a health form to enter Spain. The process of checking in and disembarking from the ferry was quick and simple. You don’t even need to get out of your car to go through immigration.

Our passports did get stamped at the Spanish border (due to Brexit UK citizens are only allowed 90 days out of 180 in the Shengen zone now.)

Apart from people wearing masks both inside and outside on the street (even though it was not a legal requirement to wear them outside) we didn’t notice many differences from traveling Europe before Covid.

Everything was open, people were friendly and happy to see tourists and, apart from wearing face masks in supermarkets and on public transport, Covid didn’t restrict or impact on our trip too much.

The restrictions had recently been relaxed in Portugal so we no longer need any tests or proof of vaccination to stay in a hotel or eat in a restaurant. There was no Covid pass in Spain.

When returning to the UK we had to fill out a passenger locator form and book a test to do on day 2 after we arrived back. We didn’t need to isolate or quarantine.

Covid doesn’t have to ruin your travels, but it’s really important these days to always check the most up to date rules before traveling!

Do you have any more tips or questions about our Spain and Portugal road trip?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Read More Travel Blogs:

• Discovering the Cheaper, Quieter, Hippie Side to Ibiza 
• Best places to visit in Europe

Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido: Best Beaches, Areas & Hotels (2024)

My pick of the best horse riding holidays in the uk.

Related posts

My guide to yoga teacher training in europe for 2024, my perfect 3 – 5 day chiang mai itinerary (2024), my time as an aussie bar maid working in a rural queensland pub, 11 comments.

[…] Also Read: Our 2021 Epic Spain and Portugal Road Trip – Route, Itinerary and Tips! […]

Always beautiful article.

Thanks for your really interesting blog on Spain and Portugal road trip. We are travelling over from Australia in September/October for a 6 week road trip and your blog was very insightful and informative. It will help us immensely. Thanks for making our travel plans a bit easier. Nicky

Hey Nicky! So nice to hear that my blogs been useful for you! Thank you! 🙂 Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Great blog post. Really informative. Keep up the good work.

[…] was my favourite place on our epic Spain and Portugal road trip and I hope this post will give you all the tips you need to love it as much as we […]

Thanks so much for this write up. My partner and I have just decided (literally today) to do a 25 day or so road trip through Portugal and Spain and your article is really helping us plan. We fly to Seville in a week and have absolutely zero plan. Luckily car rentals are very very cheap. I was initially feeling motivated to do Southern Spain, Andalusia, Algarve, up through Lisbon and Porto and then NW Spain to San Sebastian/Bilbao/etc. But in reading your article I’m starting to think the smart thing to do is cut out NW Spain. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. It sounds like you really enjoyed Seville. My girlfriend loves beaches, and I know that NW Spain has fantastic ones, but I also imagine that late September might be too cold. Anyways, thanks again for sharing your story!

Hi Peter Thanks so much – it’s great to hear that my blog has helped you plan what sounds like an epic trip. Andalusia and Southern Portugal were my highlights of this trip and unfortunately we stayed longer than planned and ran out of time to stop at some of the beautiful places we drove through in Northern Spain when we drove back to the ferry. If you have time I think the north is a bit of a hidden gem but you can’t miss places like Seville and Lisbon – I never wanted to leave. Hope you have an amazing trip 🙂

Am interested in a road trip tour package to spain and Portugal to include catholic pilgrimage sites. Group of 4-6 pax. September-October 2024.

Nice to hear your thinking of a group pilgrimage trip to Spain and Portugal! Sorry, I travelled independently so I don’t know any package tour operator for this. Good luck 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Yes, send me the newsletter.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Spain, Portugal, France & Italy custom tours since 1996

SPAIN, PORTUGAL & FRANCE TOURS

Bespoke portugal, spain & france tour, regional food, breathtaking scenery & splendid architecture.

• Tour description

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

If you have always wanted to take a sun-drenched European road trip, this is the tour for you! This fantastic self-drive Portugal, Spain & France tour is a mix of cities and countryside, guided tours and food and wine. Starting in Europe’s western-most capital of Lisbon, you will visit picturesque places, try regional food and see what makes each country unique; ending your tour in Barcelona. On this independent itinerary we take you to Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, Pinhao and Porto, we take you to Spain: Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Girona and Barcelona and we take you to France: Bordeaux, Dordogne and Carcassonne. This Portugal, Spain & France Bespoke tour is created just for you; so that you can see and experience the places you have always wanted to visit!

• Request a quote
• Tour reviews
• Terms & Conditions

Your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France begins today when our chauffeur will be waiting with a luxury vehicle, to transfer you to your hotel. Your 4* boutique hotel is a genuine Art Deco building in the heart of Lisbon which echoes the glamour of the 1940s. Classified as a historic building, this Read More

Your Officially Licensed guide will be waiting at your hotel, to take you on a private gourmet and historical tour of Lisbon. You will start with Moorish St George’s Castle, from where you will have impressive views over the sea and city below. Leading down from the castle to the river, you will Read More

The independent aspect of your tour begins today, when a representative from our car rental company will deliver your luxury rental vehicle to your hotel. You will then head out of the city and journey to Cascais, a gentrified former fishing-town, where you will be able to stroll Read More

Your self-drive tour leads you north to the Douro Valley. On the way we suggest making a short detour to visit one of the hidden gems of the Portuguese countryside: the medieval town of Obidos. This completely walled town presents itself with pride and white washed houses that the Moorish Read More

Get ready to experience the love of nature as you drive out for a day into the picturesque Douro Valley wine region. First off you will be making a wonderful visit to a very special and world famous winery. Sitting in a privileged location in the Douro demarcated region, this Quinta is famous for its Read More

The beautiful city of Porto is your next destination. Your luxury 5* wine hotel and spa, in Vila Nova de Gaia is in the midst of the famous Port Wine Lodges. Port houses have aged their wines in Vila Nova de Gaia for over three centuries and today over fifty wine companies are based in its narrow, twisting Read More

Finally to Spain, the next country of your wonderful European Tour! Our chauffeur will be awaiting you to transfer you to Santiago de Compostela, stopping in Guimaraes; called the birthplace of Portugal, as Afonso Henriques who went on to be the first king of Portugal was born here Read More

A wonderful guided walking tour of Santiago de Compostela is on the cards today, when our officially licensed guide meets you at your hotel. First you will visit the Cathedral, the most outstanding example of Romanesque architecture in Spain. The crypt of Saint James the apostle lies Read More

This morning you will have your Spanish rental vehicle equipped with automatic transmission and GPS delivered to your hotel. Now you can leave Santiago de Compostela behind as you undertake the journey to Burgos, an historical Castilian town, and the capital of the province. Your excellent 4* Read More

Today you will be heading north as you drive to Bilbao, known for its famous Guggenheim Museum, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. This museum, of modern and contemporary art, features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international Read More

This morning our Officially Licensed tour guide will await you and together you will experience a private gourmet & cultural tour of San Sebastian, renowned as the best city to eat in Spain. Your guide will show you around the most interesting parts of the city where you will go to the best bars Read More

From Spain into France goes your food, wine and cultural tour today! In the morning you will leave for the legendary Bordeaux wine region of France, home of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world. Bordeaux has 57 appellations, with about 7,000 wine-producing chateaux and Read More

Say ‘au revoir’ to Bordeaux today, though if you would like to extend your tour itinerary to visit more wineries in this famous French wine region we can happily include more nights for you. Your next stop is the picturesque French region of the Dordogne valley. On the way you may like to Read More

Discover more of Dordogne today, to discover this historic and beautiful area of France. You may like to head underground and visit some more caves. Dordogne also has a wealth of castles, some perched upon breathtaking cliff tops,others with visitable gardens and interesting museums. Read More

Today you will be driving from Dordogne to Carcassonne, through the ancient Occitane region of France. This afternoon you will meet with your private guide, who will take you on a walking tour of Carcassonne. Stroll down medieval streets and explore the superb castle, ramparts and romantic buildings. Read More

Back into Spain today, where en route to your destination of Barcelona, we highly recommend stopping off on the way to visit Girona, whose old town is a medieval wonder. Over 1000 years of history make up the charming old part of Girona, located around the single nave Cathedral, the Jewish quarter, Read More

Today you enjoy a private guided walking tour of Barcelona, in the company of our Officially Licensed Guide. Enjoy a private guided visit of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s Cathedral on a grand scale. You will then continue with a guided visit to La Boqueria, Spain’s largest marketplace. Our expert culinary Read More

Your tour concludes with a lovely breakfast, followed by a chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport for your onward journey home. We very much hope you will join us for this unforgettable Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France. It is sure to be a wonderful wine, food and cultural adventure! Read More

DAY 1 LISBON

Your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France begins today when our chauffeur will be waiting with a luxury vehicle, to transfer you to your hotel. Your 4* boutique hotel is a genuine Art Deco building in the heart of Lisbon which echoes the glamour of the 1940s. Classified as a historic building, this small and unique hotel is located on a quiet street alongside the cosmopolitan Avenida da Liberdade. You will most likely be tired after your journey hence a short siesta is suggested before you start to get acquainted with this fabulous city!

If San Francisco had a sister, it would be Lisbon. Both cities have twin bridges and famously foggy weather. Both are situated on the best natural harbors on the west coast of their respective continents. Both have bright yellow trams from the 1930´s rattling up and down steep hills past characteristic buildings. And both have survived horrific earthquakes. In 1755, an estimated 9.0 earthquake leveled two-thirds of Lisbon. Within a month, a new city was designed; and downtown Lisbon was rebuilt on a progressive grid plan, with broad boulevards and square squares. Today, Lisbon is a charming mix of old and new and still feels like Europe’s gateway to the world. In your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal you find an array of recommended restaurants. Start your tour of Portugal with a taste of some local Portuguese cuisine this evening!

Tour in a nutshell: Private chauffeured transfer from Lisbon airport. Overnight in a genuine Art Deco 4* boutique hotel in the heart of Lisbon.

DAY 2 LISBON

Your Officially Licensed guide will be waiting at your hotel, to take you on a private gourmet and historical tour of Lisbon. You will start with Moorish St George’s Castle, from where you will have impressive views over the sea and city below. Leading down from the castle to the river, you will traverse the Alfama, the old sailors’ quarter. Its tangled street plan is one of the few parts of Lisbon to survive the big quake, making the Alfama a cobbled playground of Old World color. Urban-jungle roads are squeezed into a maze of confusing alleys, designed to frustrate invaders trying to get up to the castle. Gnarled houses snuggle together in their romantic shabbiness; the air drips with laundry and the smell of clams and raw fish. Onward now to the Baixa and Chiado districts where there are many well-known cafes to enjoy a coffee stop and a typical Portuguese cake. You will be visiting a specialized gourmet delicatessen stocked with authentic local delights such as the typical Bacalhau (dried, salted cod), exclusive wines, traditional sweets, chorizo sausages and much more. Your Lisbon tour guide will provide you with many personalized suggestions for the rest of your day, but you will surely appreciate a relax at your Lisbon hotel first.

Your private tour guide will arrange a taxi back to your hotel for you, but not before providing you with many personalized suggestions for the rest of your time in Lisbon! For extra suggestions, your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal will provide further information.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided gourmet and historic tour of Lisbon. Gourmet delicatessen lunch with wine. Overnight Lisbon.

DAY 3 SINTRA & CASCAIS

The independent aspect of your Portugal, Spain & France Tour begins today, when with your own rental car you head out to explore the beautiful Sintra and Cascais. Elegant  Cascais is a gentrified former fishing-town, where you will be able to stroll the cobblestone sidewalks, admire the traditional tile-work on the buildings and maybe indulge in some shopping at the designer boutiques. We suggest a visit to the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, a pretty little museum, which is housed in a historic villa with gardens, featuring an array of tapestries, paintings, furniture and other objets d’art. Stop for lunch where it takes your fancy – there are various restaurants and small locales to choose from and we will provide you with recommendations in your Personal Travel Website. You may then like to drive up the coast (approx. 30 minutes) to The Roca Cape – the most western point of Europe: “where the earth ends and the sea begins” in the words of the great poet Luis de Camoes.

You will then head inland for Sintra, a gorgeous little mountain city, home to the one and only Palacio da Pena, the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. The Pena Palace is the most extraordinary palace in Portugal, built in the 1840’s for Queen Maria II by her husband and rivaling the castles of Ludwig of Bavaria. This afternoon you are booked for a private tour of the Pena Palace. Your private guide will take you for your private guided visit of the impressive architecture, exteriors and gardens and then you will have free time to visit the interior and stroll in the forest and luxuriant gardens with over five hundred different species of trees originating from the four corners of the earth.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visit to Palacio da Pena. Overnight Lisbon.

DAY 4 OBIDOS

Your self-drive tour leads you north to the Douro Valley. On the way we suggest making a short detour (about 5 minutes off the highway) to visit one of the hidden gems of the Portuguese countryside: the medieval town of Obidos. This completely walled town presents itself with pride and white washed houses that the Moorish occupation left behind in a maze of narrow cobbled streets on the way up to the castle. Here you can enjoy a stroll while you explore the charming town before having a coffee break or, depending on the time, having lunch. In Obidos it will be hard to choose either to pop into the little ceramic shops along the way or enjoy the pleasures of the famous local Cherry Liquor known as Ginjinha.

Onward now to the Douro Valley, considered one the most spectacular wine regions of the world with its characteristic terraced vineyards meeting the meandering river below. You will check into your hotel, a charming 5-star property dating back to the XVIII century when it was once an old Port winery, with a privileged location in the heart of the Douro valley and overlooking the Douro River. Later, you may wish to explore Pinhao. This afternoon, you may like to enjoy a guided visit to a great Douro Valley winery that is just a short stroll from your hotel. We will be delighted to include a visit and a tasting of their wines in your itinerary if you so wish. Or you may like to take a cruise on the Douro River, there are various Rabelo (old style boats) trips that depart from the dock close to your hotel. You may wish to eat at your hotel tonight, but there are also many local good quality restaurants we can suggest.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to the Douro Valley via Obidos. Optional afternoon Douro Valley Winery visit with wine tasting. Overnight in a charming 5* hotel in the Douro Valley.

DAY 5 DOURO VALLEY

Get ready to experience the love of nature as you drive out for a day into the picturesque Douro Valley wine region. First off you will be making a wonderful visit to a very special and world famous winery. Sitting in a privileged location in the Douro demarcated region, this Quinta is famous for its sophisticated wines as well as for the dramatic views. This single vineyard property dates as far back as the early seventeenth century, long before the Douro became the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756. You will have a full private visit of the winery, including the vineyards (with mind blowing views of the River Douro) and cellars, followed by a tasting of their incredible wines and ports. Then enjoy a romantic winery lunch, perfectly accompanied by their top wines from the aperitif through to dessert.

After lunch your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France will take you to another great Quinta, where you will enjoy a private visit to an exceptional winery. This family run winery has a small production (for Douro standards), but offers great wines and even better views. A relatively young winery, with its first harvest taking place in 2007, the estate now occupies 30 hectares of land, 14 of which are vineyards. Both sophisticated techniques and traditional methods are used, and despite the small number of years that the Quinta has been active; this young estate has now established itself as a quality winemaker! Red, white and rose wines are produced with love and precision, where after a complete private tour, you will enjoy another excellent Douro Valley wine tasting.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visits to two prestigious wineries with tastings of their finest wines and lunch at one. Overnight Douro Valley.

DAY 6 PORTO

The beautiful city of Porto is your next destination. Your luxury 5* wine hotel and spa, in Vila Nova de Gaia is in the midst of the famous Port Wine Lodges. Port houses have aged their wines in Vila Nova de Gaia for over three centuries and today over fifty wine companies are based in its narrow, twisting streets. Here, the ageing and blending of most of the world’s supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in wine-making. Many of the oldest Port firms were founded by British merchant families and are owned by their successors to this day. You can now leave your Portuguese rental car behind as a representative of the rental car company will collect it from your hotel.

At midday you are booked for a visit to a prestigious wine lodge, one of the oldest of the founding Port houses, established over three centuries ago in 1692! For many, it is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. The history of the firm is in many ways the history of the Port trade itself. Since its foundation the company has remained independent. Now well into its fourth century, it has thrived and prospered, establishing itself as one of the world’s most respected historic wine houses. Your tour will conclude with a delightful private tasting of some of their best ports. We have many suggestions in your Portugal, Spain & France Tour Travel Journal for a perfect late afternoon foray into the historical center of Porto for a bit of local culture and a fantastic dinner!

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to Porto. Prestigious Port wine lodge visit with top range port tasting. Overnight in a luxury 5* spa hotel in Porto.

DAY 7 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Finally to Spain, the next country of your wonderful European Tour! Our chauffeur will be awaiting you to transfer you to Santiago de Compostela, stopping in Guimaraes en route with time for a walk around. Guiamaraes is called the birthplace of Portugal, as Afonso Henriques who went on to be the first king of Portugal, was born here in 1110. It has beautifully preserved its illustrious past which you will find evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches, time-smoothed paving slabs, towers and cloisters. Its medieval center is a labyrinthine of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings.

Your chauffeur will drop you off at your grand luxury 5* hotel, set in a beautiful 15th-century building, a former pilgrims’ hospital and an emblem of Santiago. It is located in the Old Town, on Obradoiro Square, near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals in the world. Santiago de Compostela is known as the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and is the alleged burial site of the apostle St. James, whose remains lie inside the cathedral. It became a symbol of the Spanish Christians’ struggle against Islam, being destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century; it was subsequently completely rebuilt in the following century. This town is a very well preserved historical city and a place deeply instilled with faith.

Please note: If you would like to experience Saint James’ Way, our chauffeur will take you to the most beautiful strip of the Padron/Escravitude/Santiago route, a trail of around 20km. You could then arrive in Santiago de Compostela in style, walking as an authentic Pilgrim!

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Santiago de Compostela via Guimaraes. Overnight in a luxury 5* hotel in Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 8 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

A wonderful guided walking tour of Santiago de Compostela is on the cards today, when our officially licensed guide meets you at your hotel. First you will visit the Cathedral, the most outstanding example of Romanesque architecture in Spain. The crypt of Saint James the apostle lies directly beneath the Baroque style main altar of the Cathedral. And in the Cathedral’s Museum you will see all the historic and artistic treasures, from the earliest basilicas. You will then meander through the intricate alleys and narrow streets of the old city center and be able to admire some of its most ancient stores and buildings. Santiago’s old quarter has the UNESCO World Heritage designation and you will see why as you look at the palaces, churches, alleyways and squares in the historic center.

You will also make a visit to the traditional market where many of its traders are the producers, harvesters, butchers and fishmongers selling their very own fresh vegetables, fruit, local cheeses, catches of the day etc. En-route you will be introduced to the famous Galician gastronomy – the Galician Rias offer a wide variety of fish (mostly eaten boiled or grilled) and seafood, so you will surely delight in tasting the typical dishes such as Fair-style octopus, seafood, fried peppers from Padron and the famous empanadas or meat pies, accompanied by a glass of Albarino wine. Our private guide will leave you with many personalized suggestions for some more sightseeing for the rest of your day. For example, a walk in the beautiful open space that is Alameda Park dating back to the 19th century offers a privileged and stunning view of ancient Santiago!

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided morning tour of historical Santiago de Compostela with food & wine tastings. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 9 BURGOS

This morning, with your Spanish rental vehicle, you can leave Santiago de Compostela behind as you undertake the journey to Burgos, an historical Castilian town, and the capital of the province. Your excellent 4* hotel is located in the heart of Burgos, beside the River Arlanzon and a few minutes walk from Burgos Cathedral. The building itself, a magnificent Gothic creation built in the 16th and 17th centuries, is as impressive as the setting. The three main entrances of the Cathedral are flanked by ornamented bell towers and beneath these majestic spires lays the tomb of Burgos’ favourite and most roguish son, El Cid – the 11th-century mercenary.

Enjoying a stroll in the old town, in purely Castilian style, is well worth it to get the feel of the Castilian way of life marked by its intact medieval architecture. Burgos is also a place known for both excellent home-style cuisine and Michelin starred restaurants. Like most cities in Spain, the local cuisine is enriched by a great variety of locally grown products, like pulses, cured sausages and game meat. For dessert, try the delicious “yemas” (a sweet made with egg yolks and sugar), fresh cheese with honey and walnuts, or caramel almonds. All this should be had with some of the famous wines that hold the label Designation of Origin – Ribera del Duero; the closest Spanish wine region to the city. As always, we will provide you with a fount of ideas for how to spend your afternoon in your Portugal, Spain & France Tour Travel Website.

Tour in a nutshell: Overnight in a 4* palace hotel in Burgos.

DAY 10 BILBAO

Today you will be heading north as you drive to Bilbao, known for its famous Guggenheim Museum, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. This museum, of modern and contemporary art, features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international artists. The curves on the building were designed to appear random and the architect has been quoted as saying that “the randomness of the curves are designed to catch the light”. If you want to spend some more time in the city after the museum, another option would be to enjoy some typical local tapas along our cherished tapas route which we will provide. In the Old Quarter you can relive Medieval Bilbao, with its cobbled streets, charming corners and squares, which have witnessed the port’s hustle and bustle that made the Village grow. Its walls, Saint James’s Gothic Cathedral, the Plaza Nueva, the emblematic San Anton Church and the ancient ruins it was built on, and the busy Mercado de la Ribera (Seaside Market) account for more than 500 years of history and an urban life not affected by the passing of time.

Onwards to San Sebastian – just over an hours drive away, where you will check-in to your elegant 4* hotel, with a beach front location. San Sebastian will immediately draw you in due to its beauty alone, and is probably best known for the still, brilliantly sparkling waters of La Concha Bay surrounded by luscious green hills. Maybe take a moonlit stroll along the promenade of the lovely La Concha Bay to fully appreciate the beauty of your new surroundings. You make like to Michelin dine this evening at one the famed Michelin 3* restaurants for which we would be delighted to assist with prior booking.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to San Sebastian via Bilbao. Bilbao Guggenheim Museum entrance. Overnight in San Sebastian.

DAY 11 SAN SEBASTIAN

This morning our Officially Licensed tour guide will await you and together you will experience a private gourmet & cultural tour of San Sebastian, renowned as the best city to eat in Spain (if not the world!) Your guide will show you around all the most interesting parts of the city where you will be privileged not only to go to the best bars, but to sample the specialities of each place, accompanied by the best Txakoli wine. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they became perfected in San Sebastian and here are known as Pinchos (written as Pintxos in the Basque language). Each bar is bursting with so many different and creative pinchos – local tradition dictates that you enjoy one or two pinchos at one bar, before moving on to the next!

In the afternoon, you might wish to further explore San Sebastian on your own. The Old Town of San Sebastian is bordered by three natural elements: Urgull Mountain (Monte), the Urumea River and Concha Bay, all great for taking a walk. The town itself is surrounded by three mountains whose beauty has been protected for centuries and are ideal for hiking, to appreciate the views. At the top of Monte Urgull you will also see the remains of the walls and canons from the city’s military past and, guarding the city, stands the Sacred Heart statue (Cristo de la Mota). It’s no Rio de Janeiro but this giant statue of Christ measures over 12 meters! On the other side of San Sebastian there is Mount Igueldo where the best way to get to the top is by using the funicular railway which has been operating since 1912 and is the oldest in the Basque Country.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of San Sebastian with tapas hopping lunch. Overnight in San Sebastian.

DAY 12 BORDEAUX

From Spain into France goes your food, wine and cultural tour today! In the morning you will leave for the legendary Bordeaux wine region of France, home of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world. Bordeaux has 57 appellations, with about 7,000 wine-producing chateaux and 13,000 wine growers! Bordeaux’s reputation as a great wine region rests on its most superb reds, legendary and long-lived wines made by historic wine estates (chateaux), which can improve for several decades. About 75 to 80 percent of Bordeaux’s wines are red, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which give vigor, tannin and excellent cellaring qualities, and Merlot which brings a softness and suppleness. White wines are produced mostly from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and sometimes, Muscatel.

You will undertake a wine tour at a leading winery which is one of the oldest chateaux in Bordeaux. The vineyards of the winery cover 80 acres, producing marvelously concentrated, elegant reds with a purity of style- full bodied, well-structured and smooth, with flavours of smoky ripe plum, tobacco, earthy coffee and chocolate. The whites are full bodied with undertones of honey, apricots and melons with a refreshing vibrancy. At the end of your private VIP tour you will enjoy a very special tasting with the winery sommelier who will introduce you to some of their great wines. You will then check-in to your chateau hotel nestled in rural landscape amongst vineyards and horses. It is a relaxing haven of peace in a gorgeous setting. We will, of course, provide you with our restaurant recommendations in your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of a prestigious Bordeaux winery. Overnight in a chateau hotel in the Bordeaux wine region of France.

DAY 13 DORDOGNE

Say ‘au revoir’ to Bordeaux today, though if you would like to extend your tour itinerary to visit more wineries in this famous French wine region we can happily include more nights for you. Your next stop is the picturesque French region of the Dordogne valley. On the way you may like to stop in Bergerac, located on the northern bank of the Dordogne river and one of the largest towns of the region. The old town or ‘vieille ville’ is a delight to stroll around with old half-timbered houses, narrow alleys and lovely squares. Some of the surrounding towns of interest are Sarlat and Rocamadour. Sarlat boasts some of the region’s best-preserved medieval architecture is a picturesque tangle of alleyways, virtually unchanged since the middle ages, lined with honey-colored buildings and embracing secret squares. The old town dates from both medieval and renaissance times. Rocamadour lies on the eastern edge of the Dordogne, a town with a beautiful and dramatic setting as it climbs up a cliff side. This small village is an important pilgrimage destination, and has been for a 1000 years as it was built on the site of a shrine to a Madonna, which became famous for its healing powers.

The Dordogne region of France has literally hundreds of caves, several open to visit. Early Homo Sapiens lived about 40,000 years ago, and skeletal remains of Cro-Magnon man were first found here in 1868. Today a number of excavated caves and grottoes are open for public viewing. In and around the town of Les Eyzies de Tayac there are a series of prehistoric rock dwellings, with caves including some of the most significant archaeological finds of the Upper Paleolithic (from about 40,000 to 10,000 years ago) and Middle Paleolithic (200,000 to 40,000 years ago) periods.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to the Dordogne region of France. Overnight in a delightful 4* hotel in the Dordogne.

DAY 14 DORDOGNE

Discover more of Dordogne today, to discover this historic and beautiful area of France. You may like to head underground and visit some more caves. The most important caves in France are here, located near the village of Montignac, called the Lascaux caves – just over an hour away. The original cave has been closed to the public for more than 50 years and is now under close surveillance in order to preserve it. However, a replica cave has been built nearby, Lascaux II, and is open to visit. In its two galleries the same paintings, same techniques and same pigments have been meticulously reproduced to enable everybody to discover the prehistoric masterpieces.

Dordogne also has a wealth of castles, some perched upon breathtaking cliff tops,others with visitable gardens and interesting museums. The impressive medieval fortress of Chateau de Beynac is perched above the Dordogne river and carved out of the rock of the cliff! Other impressive castles to visit are the beautifully-preserved gothic castle of Chateau de Milandes (the home of the famous dancer and humanitarian Josephine Baker) as well as Château de Castelnaud; owned by the same family for several generations and today the home of the Museum of Mediaeval Warfare. There are also some wonderful gardens with stunning views in the area, we will provide you all the detailed information in your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal. You may prefer to breathe in the fresh country air today with a hike or cycle. Your hotel is in the triangle between Perigueux, Bergerac and Sarlat, and there are many walking and cycling routes for you to take in the stunning French scenery, and work up an appetite to enjoy some French cuisine!

Tour in a nutshell: Free day in the Dordogne. Overnight Dordogne.

DAY 15 CARCASSONNE

Today you will be driving from Dordogne to Carcassonne, an approximate four hour drive, through the ancient Occitane region of France. Carcassonne is a perfectly restored, medieval walled fortress town which sits majestically above the River Aude and Canal du Midi. Carcassonne is an excellent example of a medieval fortified town whose massive defenses were constructed on walls dating from Late Antiquity. You will check into your lovely 4* hotel, overlooking Carcassonne with its castle and drawbridge, nestled in greenery, offering you a haven of tranquility where you can recharge your batteries after your journey.

This afternoon you will meet with your officially licensed private guide, who will then take you on a private walking tour of Carcassonne. You will stroll down medieval streets and explore the superb castle, city ramparts and romantic buildings. The walled city of Carcassonne has been occupied since the 6th-Century BC, first as a Gallic settlement and later as a fortified Roman city. The Visigoths seized the city in the 5th-Century, and were followed by the Saracens, who remained in control for just 30 years before the Franks expelled them. After exploring with your guide, why not stroll along the cobblestone streets, browse through the artisan shops and enjoy a cafe au lait at one of the many cafes. For dinner, we have various fantastic French restaurant suggestions in and around the area to be found in your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to Carcassonne. Private guided tour of historic Carcassonne. Overnight at a charming 4* boutique hotel in Carcassonne.

DAY 16 GIRONA

Back into Spain today, where en route to your destination of Barcelona, we highly recommend stopping off on the way to visit Girona, whose old town is a medieval wonder. You may like to make Girona your next stay rather than just a day visit and we will be delighted to include extra nights to your tour itinerary for you. Girona is a little city with a big heart that has enchanting stretches of cobblestone streets. Over 1000 years of history make up the charming old part of Girona, located around the single nave Cathedral, the Jewish quarter, Sant Feliu church and Sant Pere de Galligants monastery. As you wander through the enchanting old town of Girona you will step back in time as you wind through the narrow streets and stoned walls of the old Gothic Quarter and encounter little shops, cafes and medieval homes that families have passed down through the generations. We have many restaurant recommendations in your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal, for where to have lunch in Girona.

On arrival in Barcelona you will be able to drop off your rental car at the local office before taking a taxi to your 4* boutique hotel, ideally located in the Barcelona Gothic Quarter, nearby to all major sights, but at the same time on the seafront. The rooftop terrace bar and pool provide an astonishing view of the city as well as the port, and your lovely room looks out onto the harbor. Formerly, your hotel was the residence of a wealthy Duke in the city and is deep-seated in history. We have several dinner recommendations for fine restaurants, as well as informal tapas places nearby to your hotel, in the Gothic and Born districts, as well as in the relaxing old port area.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to Barcelona. Overnight in an excellent 4* boutique hotel in Barcelona.

DAY 17 BARCELONA

Today you enjoy a private guided walking tour of Barcelona, in the company of our Officially Licensed Guide. Enjoy a private guided visit of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s Cathedral on a grand scale. You will then continue with a guided visit to La Boqueria, Spain’s largest marketplace. Our expert culinary guide will lead you around the best booths and you will taste some of the most delicious local seasonal produce at a famous La Boqueria bar, frequented by celebrities. Continuing your private walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona, you will see a few architectural feats and of course, enjoy a wander through Las Ramblas, the colorful must-see pedestrian area. Our guide is a real specialist in local history and will amuse you with fascinating local stories! Now, you will taste some of the best artisan Spanish cheeses at a charming cheese shop. The knowledgeable owner will divulge the secrets of her cheese while you taste some of the delicious specialties paired with excellent Priorat wine. For something sweet, your tour will stop at the oldest venue in Barcelona for dried nuts, fruits and chocolates. This quaint store has existed for over 150 years and is still decorated with its original wood oven.

Your private walking tour will finish with a light lunch of exquisite Spanish produce, from the best delicatessen in the city. Here you will taste fine cold cuts, delectable local preserves of tuna and sardines and a selection of the best olive oils, etc. In addition, there are sommeliers on hand to guide you through more than 6,000 wines! Your guide will then leave you settled safely at this amazing delicatessen, enjoying your delicious meal.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of La Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter and Born Areas of Barcelona with gourmet food and wine tastings. Overnight Barcelona.

DAY 18 DEPARTURE

Your tour concludes with a lovely breakfast at your hotel, followed by a chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport for your onward journey home.

We very much hope you will join us for this unforgettable Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France. It is sure to be a wonderful wine, food and cultural adventure!

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport.

Tour quotation

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Quote Request

We are excited that you are considering joining us on one of our fabulous custom-built tours of Spain, Portugal, SW France and/or Italy! Please fill in the form below and we will happily provide you with a non-committal initial quote for the sample tour itinerary chosen.

In case you would prefer us to build a personal tour proposal for you from scratch, please e-mail us at  [email protected]  and we will be delighted to start working with you on your personal and very special travel itinerary with us.

Name and surname *

E-Mail address *

Number of participants * Number of participants* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10

Approx. budget per person

When would you like to travel? *

Further information

How did you hear about us? How did you hear about us? Personal recommendation Internet search Travel publication Social Media Other

I have read and accept the Legal notice & Privacy policy *

Tour in a Nutshell

Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra, Douro valley wine region & Porto

Spain: Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Bilbao & Barcelona

France: wine region of Bordeaux & adorable villages of Dordogne

Private guides, monument visits and food, wine & culture

18 days/17 nights, boutique 4* and 5* hand selected hotels

Read what our clients say

Tour Reviews

We had the trip of a lifetime thanks to Gourmand Breaks. All of our private guides were excellent, engaging and knowledgeable, and all of the detailed planning made it a worry-free trip. In addition it was very convenient to have the personalized itinerary that you created for us, with all the details of our trip and numerous restaurant Read more

Quick note to let you know that we are now back home and to thank you for making our trip so memorable, perfectly planned and executed! You exceeded our expectations with an itinerary that matched exactly what we were looking for in experiencing local cuisine, wine, history and culture, while also allowing time for us to wander and explore on our own Read more

This is a thank you note, and love letter, to Gourmand Breaks for designing the 40th anniversary trip of our dreams. Our expectations were very high, but Madrid and Andalusia, and your caring attention to detail, exceeded them! As close to a perfect vacation as we’ve ever had together, and we’re talking 40 years! Read more

Thank you for all your efforts in making our trip a memorable one. You have a great set up at Gourmand Breaks and I would always like to do trips in this way. We definitely wouldn’t have had as good a time without yourself and the guides along the way. They know all the secret places to visit with ease. It has been a wonderful mix of food, wine and history! Read more

Read what our clients say about our food, wine & cultural tours here:

Gourmand Breaks is a Spanish Registered and Fully Bonded Tour Operator GC 1627, inscribed in the Commercial Register of Girona on 17 of May 1996, VAT number ESB61124814

TOUR DESTINATIONS

• Spain Tours
• Portugal Tours
• Spain & Portugal Tours
• Spain & France Tours
• Spain, Portugal & France Tours
• Italy Tours

EXPERIENCES

• Custom Build Your Tour
• Gourmet Food & Culinary Tours
• Honeymoon & Celebration Tours
• Jewish Heritage Tours
• Private Wine Tours
• History & Cultural Tours

[email protected]

+34 629 290 749

We use own and third-party cookies to improve your experience and our services, by analyzing the browsing on our website. If you continue browsing, you are agreeing to their use.

Cookie and Privacy Settings

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

France, Spain, Portugal & Morocco

31 days | see the champs-elysee, sample sangria and sleep in the sahara.

Hop on a train and watch the incredible landscape of France and Spain roll past, exploring country highlights like Paris, Nimes, Barcelona and Madrid. Sip champagne, taste flaky croissants and share tapas and jugs of sangria before heading into Portugal, where you’ll be relaxing on the pristine coast of the Algarve and exploring delightful towns and villages. Hop on a ferry and cross the Gibraltar Strait into Northern Africa, where your Moroccan adventure begins. Explore the medinas of Marrakech, buy a fes in Fes, hike the High Atlas Mountains and trek through scenic Amazigh villages. Join a camel caravan into the Sahara and sleep under the stars in a desert camp. There will be something for everyone on this mammoth month through Southern Europe and Morocco.

Trip overview

• Wander the streets beloved by centuries of artists and wander the home of the Bohemian art movement in Montmartre. Through Paris, you can see the Moulin Rouge and walk up to the Sacre Coeur – they call it the City of Love for a reason!
• Explore Portugal’s pristine coast along the Algarve, soaking up the sun on the sand, traversing rocky cliff tops, discovering hidden coves and watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.
• Indulge in buttery croissants in France, share a plate of tapas in Madrid, take a sip (or two, or three) of port in Lisbon and tuck into a tajine in Marrakech.
• Hike the High Atlas Mountains and trek through Amazigh villages, exploring the region and getting a glimpse of local life in the mountainous region.
• Catch a camel ride out into the Sahara, where you’ll trade stories around a campfire with your travel buddies and the local Bedouin people, then sleep under the stars among the sand dunes.
• If you love avoiding airport queues this is the trip for you however as public transport is the predominant form of transport on this trip we highly recommend packing as lightly as possible as you will be expected to carry your own bags of buses, trains, etc. as well as to and from your accommodation.
• If travelling to Paris from London we highly recommend using the fast Eurostar train from London's St Pancras station. At under 2.5 hours travel time and with no airport queues, this is by far the most convenient and carbon friendly travel option.
• The European part of this trip will be led by a European leader, while the Moroccan part will be led by a Moroccan leader. The changeover will take place upon arrival at the port of Tangier in Morocco with your European leader returning to Spain after you meet your Moroccan leader.
• This trip covers a lot of ground and the majority of travel is done by trains, ferries and public buses. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
• We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
• Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe and Morocco have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
• Space is at a premium in Europe and Morocco and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
• We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may differ from standards at home.
• Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.

Bonjour! Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights. Your trip kicks off with a welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm. After you meet your fellow travellers and trip leader, you might choose to head out for an optional welcome dinner at one of the gorgeous local restaurants or explore the surrounding neighbourhoods and discover why this city is known for its romantic appeal.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

If you’re travelling from or through the United Kingdom, you can add an optional train journey from London to Paris to kick off your journey, making for one epic carbon-friendly and flight-free adventure. Speak with your booking agent to find out more.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll hop on local transport to Montmartre – one of the most romantic enclaves within Paris, over 2000 years old. Discover the squares, churches and why this district has been popular with artists for generations on an included Urban Adventure tour. Starting with a deliciously buttery croissant, your local guide will take you past the homes of Van Gogh and Picasso to a secret spot with awesome panoramic views. Discover the Sacre-Coeur Basilica from a unique perspective and the last remaining vineyard in Paris (maybe grab a glass of wine here if the mood calls). End your walk by joining the locals with an included lunch at a typical French brasserie that serves up all the delicious traditional specialities of the regions of France - sit back and enjoy the Parisian ambiance as well as the excellent food. This afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore Paris as you wish. Maybe head to the iconic Louvre or climb the Eiffel Tower to tick some major sites off the bucket list.

• Paris - Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure
• Paris - Palace of Versailles - EUR20
• Paris - Louvre Museum - EUR17
• Paris - Arc de Triomphe - EUR13
• Paris - Musee d'Orsay - EUR16
• Paris - Rodin Museum - EUR13
• Paris - Napoleon's Tomb & Les Invalides Army Museum - EUR15
• Paris - Eiffel Tower (from) - EUR19
• Paris - Da Vinci Code Walking Tour - EUR25

This morning, you’ll have some breakfast then leave Paris behind. Take a fast train to Nimes – a city in the south of France known for its well-preserved Roman monuments, left over from the Roman Empire. When you arrive, enjoy free time to explore and find some lunch and then head out on a leader-led walking tour. Marvel at the exterior of the Arena of Nimes – a magnificent Roman amphitheatre from 70 AD. Imagine the ancient spectacles that took place here and enjoy the panoramic views from the top, before heading to the Maison Carree – a remarkably well-preserved Roman temple. Admire the intricate facade and maybe visit the museum inside to learn more about its history. Continue to Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle – a lively square surrounded by beautiful buildings. This is a great spot to soak in the local atmosphere and people-watch. Walk past Nimes Cathedral, Jardins de la Fontaine and Place d'Assas – a charming square full of cafes and shops. Maybe find the perfect spot to sit and people-watch here, as you wait for sunset.

• La Maison Carrée (Roman Temple) - EUR6
• Roman Amphitheatre of Nîmes - EUR10

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then head out on a day trip by public bus to Pont du Gard. This magnificent aqueduct bridge spans the Gardon River and is a marvel of Roman engineering. You can walk across the bridge and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Explore the site’s museum for an insight into the history of the aqueduct, explore the exhibits and learn about its significance during the Roman era. The Pont du Gard is located on the Gardon River, and there are designated areas where you can swim to cool off. If the weather calls for it, consider renting a kayak and seeing the bridge from a different perspective. Maybe bring along a picnic or some snacks to enjoy by the riverside. This afternoon, you’ll take the bus back to Nimes, where you can spend the rest of the day however you wish.

• Visit Pont du Gard (Museum, Bridge and Swimming Time and Free Time for Lunch)
• Pont du Gard Kayaking - EUR13

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you’ll have some free time in Nimes to explore, relax or head to a local café and enjoy the local delicacies. After, take a local train to Barcelona – the capital and largest city of Catalonia in Spain. When you arrive, you’ll head to a group dinner at a local tapas restaurant. Enjoy an array of delectable small plates that represent the very heart of Spanish cuisine. From perfectly grilled chorizo to refreshing gazpacho, these dishes celebrate the diversity and the richness of local ingredients. Sharing dishes with your group and with the locals fosters a sense of community that lies at the centre of tapas culture. Raise your glass to the beauty of Spanish food and friendship as you get to know the locals and feast on endless delights.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head out on a leader-led walking tour of Barcelona. See some of the city's main sights, including a visit to Antonio Gaudi's incredible La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The architect worked on this hugely ambitious project for decades until his death, and it remains in constant construction. Along with the Camp Nou football stadium, it’s possibly the city's most iconic landmark. Gaudi was the master of the unique Catalan Modernista architecture that Barcelona is known for, and his work is dotted all over the city. Maybe check out the Neo-Gothic mansion of Guell Palace, or the wave-inspired structure of Casa Batlo this afternoon. For more insight into the artist himself, head to the Gaudi House Museum inside Parc Guell, home to a long, mosaic-covered bench overlooking the city. Tonight, maybe finish the day with a sip of red wine from a porro – a traditional glass pitcher.

• Sagrada Familia Admission
• Barcelona - National Art Museum of Catalonia - EUR12
• Barcelona - Museum of Gaudi - EUR6
• Barcelona - Museum of City History - EUR7
• Barcelona - Picasso Museum - EUR14
• Barcelona - Barcelona Cathedral - EUR11
• Barcelona - Ethnological and World Cultures - EUR5
• Barcelona - Contemporary Art Museum - EUR12
• Barcelona - Casa Batllo (advance booking required) - EUR29
• Barcelona - Guell Palace - EUR12

Have breakfast at your hotel and then hop on another train towards Madrid. When you arrive, head on an orientation walk that will introduce you to the city's most iconic landmarks. Discover the bustling Puerta del Sol – the symbolic centre of Madrid. Admire the iconic Tio Pepe sign, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (the city's emblem) and the impressive Plaza Mayor – a historic square surrounded by stunning architecture. Take note of Mercado de San Miguel – a gourmet food market where you can sample tapas, fresh seafood and local delicacies – you might want to return here later! Try some delicious churros along the way and then continue to the Royal Palace – an architectural marvel and testament to Madrid's royal history – and the Almudena Cathedral. Maybe step inside for a moment of tranquillity and end in the bustling Gran Via. Tonight, maybe ask your leader for the best dinner spots and join your group for a celebratory farewell dinner.

• Churros Stop

Welcome to Madrid! The sassy central capital is known for its elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks, but it also pulsates with energy, and is without doubt a vibrant city. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at either 6 or 7 pm, depending on common area availability. After the meeting we will head out for an optional group dinner where you can get to know your fellow travellers. As there's limited time for sightseeing in Madrid, consider flying in a few days early to explore. Perhaps while away the hours along the Paseo del Arte, or Art Walk, for an expansive history of Western art. Start with the Museo del Prado, then discover modern Spanish masters, including Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia. Finish at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which displays eight centuries of European painting. After your meeting, perhaps get into the mind of a Madrileno with some tapas and Rioja.

• Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR13
• Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
• Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
• Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR10
• Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR14
• Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR99

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Say farewell to Madrid this morning and head north-west by public transport to the historical university town of Salamanca. Situated among beautiful pastures and rolling green hills on Spain's northern plateau, the rose-hued medieval town of Salamanca is great to explore on foot. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk on arrival, where you can explore the central Plaza Mayor and discover the beautiful Renaissance and Baroque architecture the city is known for. Plaza Mayor is a true centre of local life, perhaps the most perfect city square in Spain. Not only is it architecturally unique, but it also thrives with activity as locals meet and take coffee, tapas or cocktails on the square. The rest of your afternoon and evening is then free. You can admire the intricate detail of the Casa de Las Conchas, or ‘House of the Shells’, see the contrasting Old and New Cathedrals, and climb to the top to get a view across the terracotta-coloured rooftops. Thanks to the large student population the town has a vibrant nightlife, so maybe soak up the buzzing vibe tonight.

• Salamanca - Art Nouveau & Art Deco Museum - EUR5
• Salamanca - Unamuno House Museum - EUR4
• Salamanca - New Cathedral - EUR5
• Salamanca - Old Cathedral - EUR5
• Salamanca - University of Salamanca - EUR10
• Salamanca - Casa de Las Conchas - Free

Today's travel time is approximately 3 hours.

Head further west by private bus today and cross the border into Portugal to the laidback city of Coimbra. Coimbra will be your base for the next two nights. Sitting dignified on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the capital of the county, and its royal heritage can be felt in its ancient streets and buildings. On arrival, your leader will escort you on a walk to help you orientate yourself in the maze of alleyways of this riverfront city. Half the fun of Coimbra is wandering and exploring, so use your free time getting to know the city. Coimbra features typical white stone buildings with several excellent examples of colourful azulejos tiling. Some of the historical structures were originally built in the 12th century (like the Cathedral Se Velha), and you can find some of Portugal's best examples of Romanesque churches and elegant museums here. The University of Coimbra – the oldest in Portugal – and the famous baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina, with its 18th-century bell tower, are highlights today.

Today's travel time is approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy a free day of exploration in Coimbra before witnessing a traditional Fado performance. Fado songs must follow a particular structure, and though this traditional music can really be about anything, it popularly features mournful tunes with lyrics about the sea or the life of the poor. In Coimbra, male university students would often serenade their sweethearts with this music, with songs here tending to be literary translations or follow themes students can relate to. In your free time, perhaps head out into the countryside in search of ancient Roman ruins, which takes around 30 minutes by bus. The ruins of Conimbriga are rich in well-preserved mosaics and offer a great insight into ancient Roman life. There are several options to return, including a three kilometre walk through the countryside to the unspoiled rural town of Condeixa (optional). If you have time, you can take a short boat tour to take in the view of Coimbra from a different angle.

• Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
• Coimbra - Mondego River Boat Trip - EUR10
• Coimbra - Cathedrals - EUR5
• Coimbra - Conimbriga Ruins - EUR10
• Coimbra - Portugal Dos Pequenitos - EUR15
• Coimbra - University of Coimbra and Joanina Library - EUR14

Today, jump on a bus through the countryside of central Portugal to Lisbon. As one of Europe's most pleasant and affordable capital cities, Lisbon combines the best elements of Portuguese life, offering fantastic architecture, a multicultural population, delicious seafood and non-stop nightlife. On arrival to the city, head out on an orientation walk around Lisbon, located on the banks of the Tagus (Tejo) River. Much of Lisbon’s character and charm lies in its beautiful renovated buildings, grand boulevards and impressive castles and churches. Visit the medieval citadel in the city centre, the Citadel of Sao Jorge Castle, which dates back to Moorish times and sits on the highest point of the Old Town. Look down on a city swarming with endless angular white houses and buildings with distinct red terracotta rooftops. Your evening is free to explore as you wish, perhaps head to the grand Naval Museum for an insight into the history of Portuguese navigation. Or maybe you'd prefer to roam through charming narrow streets of local neighbourhoods and see local life play out. If you want to sample some Portugese nightlife, Barrio Alto is the place to head this evening. 

• Lisbon - Sao Jorge Castle

Today is free for you to explore more of Lisbon, or maybe take a 45 minute train ride out to the mountainous region of Sintra, an absolute jewel of Portugal where you will see a beautiful Pena Palace. This area offers great walking, stunning cliff-top palaces and unique Moorish architecture. The 8th-century Castle of the Moors looks down on the Old Town, and the views from the battlements across the Serra de Sintra mountain range are stunning.

• Sintra - Palacio Nacional - EUR13
• Sintra - Palacio da Pena - EUR20
• Sintra - Day Trip - EUR10
• Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros - EUR12
• Lisbon - Experience Lisbon Walk Urban Adventure - EUR45
• Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR7
• Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR25
• Lisbon - Fado Show with Dinner - EUR50
• Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
• Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR5
• Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR6
• Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5

Take a bus journey to the southern coastline of Portugal, the Algarve. Known for fertile plains rich with orange and olive groves, fig trees, almonds and maize fields, this region is perfect to explore. Your base is Olhao, the Algarve’s biggest fishing port. With an active waterfront, Moorish buildings and bustling old quarters, the city has a Northern African feel. Upon arrival check in to your home for the next two nights and use the rest of the day to discover Olhao. You may wish to wander the city centre or perhaps try Olhao’s famous fish restaurants along the waterfront on Avenida 5 de Outubro, the eastern Algarve’s food mile, filled with delicious and authentic local flavours.

Today's travel time is approximately 5 hours.

Olhao is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a series of barrier islands, creating a beautiful landscape of canals, salt pans, lagoons and sandbanks. Today board a local passenger boat and head out to one of these islands, Ilha de Culatra, where you can wander along a series of boardwalks, leading away from the fishermen’s settlements. You'll cross over dunes and lagoons to beaches that are so long that they disappear into the haze of the horizon. Return to Olhao in the afternoon (or earlier if you wish), and enjoy the rest of your day relaxing in Olhao. Perhaps use the area's great walking paths to access some of the Algarve's lesser-known spots, or maybe head towards the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve for some bird watching. Evenings are best spent watching breathtaking sunsets, and the best place to do so is Olhao’s Old Town.

• Algarve - Culatra Island Day Trip by Boat
• Algarve - Birdwatching Tour - EUR35
• Algarve - Marine Wildlife Watching Tour - EUR45
• Algarve - Boat Trip Rio Formosa - EUR30
• Algarve - Fishing Trip - EUR40

Please note, the birdwatching and marine wildlife tours in Ria Formosa are seasonal and do not operate in winter.

Leave Portugal behind and return to Spain, travelling by private vehicle to the charming city of Seville. If the legends are to be believed, Seville was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. To the Romans it was Hispalis, and to the Moors it was Isbiliya. After the Christian reconquest, it became thought of as the portal to the 'New World', and is today is the largest city in southern Spain. Seville is famous for its vitality and flamboyance as the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro. Seville is also well-known for its oranges, tapas and flamenco, all three of which are ingrained in the fabric of the city and its proud people. Enjoy a short orientation walk around the main sights, then enjoy some free time in the late afternoon and evening to explore as you wish.

• Seville - Real Alcazar - EUR14

Today's travel time is approximately 2.5 hours.

This morning you'll rise early to start your long journey to Chefchaouen. You'll head toward Tarifa and then leave Europe behind as you make your way to Africa. After leaving the ferry, you'll be picked up by our Moroccan crew, and journey to a mountain town peppered with blue-washed buildings and ambient restaurants – Chefchaouen, which is in the centre of an agricultural region. There may not be much time to explore this rural retreat by the time you arrive today, but you might just have time to look over the architecture of the 15th-century Grand Mosque and the medina, the walled fortress of the Kasbah. Perhaps tuck into some popular local goats’ cheese or a tajine tonight, before settling in to your hotel.

Please have your passport handy as today you'll head over to Morocco. Your leader will change upon arrival into the port of Tangier. After an introduction your European leader will return to Spain, while your Moroccan leader will take care of you on the Moroccan part of the trip.

Today's total travel time is approximately 6 hours. The private transfer from Seville to Tarifa is approximately 2 hours, and after a 1-hour ferry, the ride to Chefchaouen is approximately 3 hours.

Meet your local guide early in the day to explore the maze of streets in Chefchaouen. The ‘blue city’ is arguably one of the prettiest places in Morocco. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen may take you by surprise. Its medina has been lovingly cared for with striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways. The medina is filled with handicrafts, while the main square has shops selling woven goods and small sweets. Learn about general life in a small Moroccan community, visit a communal bakery and walk up to a former mosque for a great view over the town that's nestled between two mountain peaks. As a popular shopping destination for handicrafts, carpets, blankets or woollen garments, you may also see the artisans at work. Possibly relax after your walking tour in a traditional Moroccan hammam.

• Chefchaouen - Walking Tour with Local Guide
• Chefchaouen - Hammam (public baths) - MAD150
• Chefchaouen - Henna Tattoo - MAD50

Say farewell to Chefchaouen today and jump on a private minivan trip to the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Arrive in the city of Fes and step back in time to the medieval medina thick with exotic smells, tastes and sounds. Vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming – a feast for the senses – Fes is the mother of all medinas. Maybe fuel explorations of this imperial city with a glass of mint tea and some sweet Moroccan dates. Your day is free once you arrive, so perhaps get your bearings of the most complete medieval city in the Arab world. The adventurous may want to try some Moroccan specialities like a camel burger or harira (chickpea soup) and chicken-stuffed pastilla with couscous for dinner. Watching the sun set over the Medina while a dozen melodic prayer calls vie for attention is an experience you'll likely remember for a long time.

Take a guided walking tour of the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali. Step back in time in to the labyrinth of the Medina, which is alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries and mosques. Pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souks. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres of education and culture: both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and its libraries are legendary. Its mosques are of great renown. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Pass the Belghazi Museum, Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. After the tour, the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please.

• Fes - Medina walking tour

You'll be on your feet for at least five to six hours today to explore the unique medina of Fes. This is one of the highlights of Morocco and well worth any weariness at the end of the long day. We highly recommend you wear appropriate footwear. Today’s experience will also include some visits to carefully selected shops. As the receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry, Intrepid has established a centralised system of receiving and distributing payments from these recommended suppliers. For more information, please refer to the ‘Important Notes’ section or talk to your Tour leader on the ground.

Travel by train this morning to Marrakech. On arrival in Marrakech, ead out with the group for a quick visit to the main square, Djemaa El Fna before dinner. The square is filled with a hive of activity. Henna-painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies. From a distance you'll see the Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret – famous throughout the world as one of the greatest minarets and the 'sister' to the Giralda in Seville. If you have time the following day, explore the ruins of Palais Badi, once one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, or comb the spectacular bazaar, where every step to a new souq brings a new smell, a new sight or a new gift to buy. Be enticed by the alluring scents and brilliant colours of the spice markets, the sounds of the musicians, the rich folds of carpets, delectable foods, acrobats and perfumed gardens. Perhaps brave dinner in the chaotic square of Djemaa el Fna, when night falls.

• Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
• Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
• Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
• Marrakech - Hamam (public baths) - MAD250

Today's train ride will be approximately 8 hours. Moroccan trains are quite comfortable (we travel in first class), so sit back, relax, watch the scenery roll by or read a good book.

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Marrakech in Morocco. This vibrant city has a myriad of things to see, do, taste, smell and enjoy! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. There's not much time to explore Marrakech this, but if you arrive early there's plenty to see and do. Just speak to your booking agent to organise extra accommodation.

• Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD155
• Marrakech - Medersa Ben Youssef - MAD40
• Marrakech - Museum of Marrakech - MAD40
• Marrakech - Photography Museum - MAD40

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and emergency contact information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, take a short drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil. When you arrive, store your main luggage and load your overnight bags onto pack mules. Make the 1-hour trek to the peaceful village of Aroumd. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Amazigh culture. Spend the night in a family-run mountain gite where, surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, you’ll enjoy traditional hospitality and homecooked food. Use the rest of the day to explore the village and the surrounding farmlands. If the group is up for it and weather permits, there will be a chance to hike to the pilgrimage shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (approximately 4 hours return). Regardless of your fitness levels, the gentle pace of Aroumd makes it a special place to explore beyond the reach of the modern world.

• Gite (1 night)
• Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. The optional hike to the Sidi Chamharouch shrine requires appropriate footwear. A pair of good walking shoes with rigid and grippy sole will be sufficient. You will walk over well-trodden paths that may be muddy and unstable. Facilities at the homestay are shared (both the bathroom and sleeping arrangements) but cosy, comfortable and definitely a unique and rare opportunity to stay with a local family.

This morning, journey along mountain roads and over Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka (2260 metres above sea level), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara. Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites and a World Heritage site. It was once an important stop for caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory and slaves. Does it look familiar? The town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator! Enjoy a leader-led walk through the winding streets of the Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy the views across the surrounding plains. Your evening is free, with the option of partaking in a local cooking demonstration and meal of Morocco's most famous dishes: couscous and tagine.

• Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
• Ait Benhaddou - Cooking Demonstration & Dinner - MAD313
• Ait Benhaddou - Henna Tattoo - MAD50

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

This morning you'll journey south towards the Sahara Desert, stopping in the regularly used film location of Ouarzazate along the way. Continue to travel through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, a small oasis town on the Sahara fringe that is perfect for an overnight stop. Here, take a stroll through the palm groves, explore the ksars and wander around the surrounding countryside.

• Ouarazate - Atlas Movie Studios - MAD80
• Ouarzazate - Kasbah Taourirt - MAD20

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast today, you’ll drive along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges and through seas of sand past the occasional desert oasis of date palms, to the township of Tamegroute. Here, you’ll visit an intriguing library filled with ancient scripts of science, literature, the Koran and stories of the prophet Mohammed (subject to unregulated opening times). After, join a local guide to uncover the underground Kasbah. Enjoy a hearty lunch of Medfouna – nicknamed the ‘Amazigh Pizza’ – a crispy flatbread filled with a variety of smoky ingredients like beef, egg and vegetables. Then, carry on driving to the frontier town of M'Hamid. From here, your group will jump into 4WD vehicles and drive to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes. This is the largest dune in the Moroccan Sahara and one of the less asited – meaning your experience will be further from surrounding towns and villages, making for a unique experience. Arrive in the late afternoon and then all aboard for the experience of a lifetime – riding on the backs on camels into the Saharan sunset. Tonight, enjoy a night under the stars at your desert camp.

• Desert Camp (1 night)
• Tamegroute - Ancient Library
• Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
• Tamegroute - Medfouna lunch (Amazigh pizza)
• Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. The camel trek through the Sahara is a highlight of the trip, but if you'd rather, you can walk alongside the camels instead. The trip takes about an hour. The camp is simple, with bedding and basic shared toilet facilities. The blankets provided are warm enough between April and October, but you may like to bring your own sleeping sheet or jumper for extra warmth during the months between November and March. Electricity is not available in the camp, so it’s recommended you come prepared with fully charged phones, cameras and everything else you may need.

Travel to the market town of Oulad Berhil today after breakfast, stopping along the way to stretch your legs and take in some epic views. Today will be a long travel day, so stock up on snacks, your favourite playlists and your go-to book. Enjoy desert scenery along a route that's actaully a reserve for the Indigenous argan trees. You’ll make a pitstop at a local woman’s cooperative specialising in argan oil production. This coop provides women and their families in the rural area with extra income for their community, promoting independence. You’ll learn about how the argan is extracted from the trees, how it’s produced and then have the opportunity to try the Amlou paste – a common dip in Morocco made with almond and argan oil. Arrive at your accommodation by the early evening. Your riad for tonight has a steam bath and a pool – the perfect way to relax after a long day of travel!

• Riad (1 night)
• Taroudant – Argan oil women coop visit

Your travel time today is approximately 8 hours.

In the morning, take to the souqs of Taroudant and haggle with local traders for silver jewellery or colourful Moroccan ceramics and mosaics. After, head west to the coastal town of Essaouira. The name Essaouira means ‘pretty picture’, which is appropriate, since it's such a picturesque town! Within the stone ramparts, you'll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries and wood workshops – ironically, the perfect spot for photos! This evening is free for you to explore or relax.

Today after breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port and skala (sea wall). Essaouira is one of the oldest port cities in the country, and fishing here is still quite traditional. You’ll have the chance to meet one of the expert fishermen in the port, who will tell the group all about their story and show you some of the tricks they use, what type of fish to catch and what seasons mean to them. After, enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Jimi Hendrix spent a lot of time here during the 60s, so you know this is a great spot to sit, people watch and listen to the sound of the ocean. Maybe grab a freshly cooked plate of the day's catch at the port or browse the plentiful shops and intriguing art galleries. This is also a hotspot for surfing, so consider taking a lesson if that’s your thing. If you’d prefer to relax, don't miss the opportunity to indulge in a hammam (Moroccan day spa) or local-style bath.

• Essaouira - Guided walking tour
• Essaouira – Local fisherman visit
• Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
• Essaouira - Amazigh Massage - MAD400
• Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD300
• Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD100

Enjoy a free morning in Essaouira, then catch a bus back to Marrakech in the afternoon. Enjoy free time when you arrive, to explore or partake in optional activities. Walk around the famed Jemaa el-Fnaa Square – one of the largest public squares in the world – and take it all in. From fire dancers to performers and street food carts, this is somewhere you actiually want to get lost. Maybe check out the Palais Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture, or the ruins of the Palais Badi. Join your group tonight for an optional farewell dinner.

• Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
• Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
• Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
• Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2090
• Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
• Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
• Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD650
• Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
• Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438

Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.

Your adventure ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Marrakech (subject to availability). Just speak to your booking agent.

24 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Train, Ferry, Metro, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi

Camp site (1 night), Gite (1 night), Hotel (25 nights), Riad (3 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The price of the single supplement does not include Days 16, 23 & 26, where a single room does not form part of the package. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent. 2. In order for our local operator to be able to buy ferry tickets we need your passport details. Please advise these at least 45 days prior to the trip's departure. 3.The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry. In an effort to best control and monitor shopping and activities with an aim for the best experience possible, Intrepid has established a system of carefully selected shopping experiences and activities based on positive feedback from our previous travellers. On occasion these will be as part of included walking tours or outside of included activities in free time. Please note that if you feel that you do not wish to join in on these shopping experiences we assure you there is no obligation and if you indicate your desire to not partake your group leader will help to facilitate a suitable alternative during this time. Intrepid have set up a centralised system of receiving payments from these recommended suppliers, which are then distributed towards local Responsible Travel projects (such as 'say no to plastic' cotton bags for our travellers and drinking water refilling stations), traveller information packs, and leader bonuses. Further details of these arrangements can be provided by your group leader on request. While Intrepid endeavors to ensure that these suppliers and services maintain reasonable levels of quality, please note recommended suppliers are chosen based on past travellers feedback and experiences and Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of the product. A priority in establishing this fund is that the experience of you our traveller is not compromised in any way. Please let us know via the feedback after your trip if we are successfully meeting this objective. 4.Please note that the European part of the trip will be led by a European leader, while the Moroccan part will be led by one of our experienced local Moroccan leaders. The changeover will take place upon arrival at the port of Tangier in Morocco from where the European leader will return to Spain. Additionally, as this is a combination of two trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Marrakech.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Check back later or explore reviews for similar trips.

MOVING WITH THE MILITARY SOON?

The Best Spain and Portugal Itinerary: 14-Day Road Trip

With this Spain and Portugal itinerary, 14 days is the perfect way to get your feet wet by exploring two amazing countries. The best part is that this guide is the perfect combination of sightseeing and relaxation without any crazy long driving days because you don’t want to spend the majority of your trip stuck inside a car, right?

Can’t read this now? Pin it for later!

And spoiler alert about this Spain and Portugal itinerary: there’s an option to also visit Morocco, Africa, and Gibraltar, too! Of course, you can always stay somewhere shorter/longer, but there’s just enough time allotted with this guide to unpack your bags and explore a city. You’ll feel like you experienced it, by seeing as many places as possible.

We took this 14-day Spain and Portugal road trip during our kids’ spring break in April, and it was the perfect time to visit. The weather was excellent, we did and saw so many cool things, and it totally filled our bucket to see and experience new cultures. Surprisingly, we all got along just fine, too. I was almost certain we’d be at each other’s throats, but it went off without a hitch. (To be transparent: I was the one who got grumpy on the last day.)

If you’ve been searching for a great plan for two weeks in Spain and Portugal, look no further.

Quick Tips for Visiting Spain and Portugal

• Dinner starts around 8 pm. Keep that in mind if you like to eat early or if you’re traveling with kids. Since we were in Spain and Portugal for two weeks we decided to embrace the culture and get into a new routine. We ended up enjoying an afternoon siesta (see below), having a snack around our normal dinnertime, and then enjoying a Spanish or Portuguese dinner. And truly: try to do this if at all possible. Towns come alive after 8 pm in a way that’s hard to describe. The entire vibe changes and there’s an incredible energy in the evenings.
• Siesta time! Expect places to shut down in the afternoon for siestas—a block of time devoted to rest. We noticed this in smaller towns, and even in the bigger cities, so plan accordingly. My advice: embrace it . You’ll likely be staying up later, so a mid-day rest isn’t the worst thing.
• English is spoken everywhere. We never had an issue speaking English, and many places offered English menus, too.
• We were there during “shoulder” season (spring 2022) and it was already very, very busy. I highly recommend a great travel bag or backpack that locks. It was nice to not be terribly worried about pickpocketers.

Where this Spain and Portugal Itinerary Starts and Ends

I came up frustrated and empty-handed when I started researching this trip—many Spain and Portugal itineraries suggest flying from one side of the country to the other (Barcelona to Madrid or Seville, for example), but we were jonesing for a good road trip within Spain and Portugal and didn’t want to hop on a second or third plane.

Yes, a plane might let us see even more in a short amount of time, but the scenery we saw, and the impromptu stops we made during those 14 days in Spain and Portugal were spectacular, and we would’ve missed out if we flew.

We bought one-way tickets on RyanAir and flew into Madrid, Spain. From there we rented a car and drove for the rest of our journey, making our way over to the west edge of Spain, into Portugal, down the coast, along the southern Portuguese edge, and back into Spain. We returned our rental car and flew out of Seville, Spain.

Pro tip: Renting a car would’ve been one of our biggest expenses for this trip. Instead, we used credit card points and got it for “free.”

Quick look: 14-Day Spain and Portugal Itinerary

Here’s a quick look at the exact route we used for our Spain and Portugal 14-day road trip.

• Day 0: Flew into Madrid (late flight)⁠
• Day 1: Madrid all day (slept in Segovia, Spain)⁠
• Day 2: Segovia⁠, Spain
• Day 3: Drove to/explored Lisbon⁠, Portugal
• Day 4: Lisbon, Portugal
• Day 5: Sintra, Portugal⁠
• Day 6: Drove to Algarve⁠, Portugal⁠
• Day 7: Algarve⁠, Portugal⁠
• Day 8: Algarve⁠, Portugal⁠
• Day 9: Drove to Tarifa⁠, Spain
• Day 10: Tarifa, Spain (alternative: day trip to Morocco)⁠
• Day 11: Tarifa, Spain (alternative: day trip to Gibraltar)⁠
• Day 1 2: Drove to Seville⁠, Spain
• Day 13: Seville⁠, Spain
• Day 14: Seville⁠, Spain
• Day 15: Flew out of Seville early AF⁠

This may look like A LOT, and while it was a long trip, keep in mind that you’re balancing touristy attractions with a decent amount of relaxation. ⁠

Day 0: Fly into Madrid

To kick off our two-week road trip around Spain and Portugal we flew directly into Madrid via RyanAir. We picked a late flight on purpose; intending to really start our trip the next day.

Pick up a Rental Car

Do you really need a car for this Span and Portugal itinerary? 14 days around two countries is a decent amount of land to cover, so we loved renting a car; it gave us the flexibility to change plans if needed. Parking was plentiful (we only had an issue once in Lisbon, but it was a holiday weekend, and we only ended up walking a little further than intended); we didn’t spend very much on tolls.

What sealed the deal for us was that we used credit card points, making the car rental free for the entire two weeks in Spain and Portugal.

PRO TIP: We used the mifold boosters for all three kids (aged 5, 7, and 9) on this trip. This solution worked out fantastic instead of bringing their boosters with us, and best of all: they lugged them in their own backpacks when we flew on the plane. This compact and backless booster is designed for kids ged 4+, 40-100 lbs and between 40-59″ tall. It’s also safety tested and globally regulated, meaning you can use it in every country except Australia and Taiwan

Where to Stay in Madrid

I thought I picked a place to stay near the airport, when, in fact, it was actually about 30 minutes away, and I wouldn’t recommend it. If I had a do-over I’d pick a spot near El Retiro, one of the largest parks in Madrid.

For a family, look into staying at 60 Balconies Art . If you’re visiting as a couple, this trendy boutique hotel ; looks amazing. And if you’re on a budget, consider Hostal Brua .

Day 1: Madrid, Spain

If you’re sticking with this Spain and Portugal itinerary, then you only have a day to spend in Madrid, so make the most of it and start your day early, trying to cover as much ground as possible.

What to do with One Day in Madrid

If you’re driving into the city, I suggest parking here for the day. We were only in Madrid for about 8 hours, but we packed a decent amount into our day.

Start your morning with a stroll through El Retiro; the park is huge and gorgeous, and if you’re lucky you’ll even catch some live musicians playing for tips.

We loved walking through here in the morning—it was fairly empty except for locals out for a morning run.

Explore the park (go on a paddle boat ride, or check out the Palacio de Cristal), or just make a bee-line across the street to the Museu Nacional del Prado.

Enjoy El Retiro Park and Royal Palace of Madrid during this Madrid Royal Palace and Retiro Park Guided Tour with an expert guide. You will have an opportunity to discover the Palace’s various rooms and expansive grounds of El Retiro.

No, you don’t have time to go into the museum (but you can if you have two days in Madrid); you’re going to get on a HoHo bus( the hop on, hop off bus , obviously).

Hop aboard, grab a seat up top so you can see the sights, and hop off whenever you’d like. We rode the tourist bus all around and still managed to clock around 20,000 steps.

There’s so much green space in Madrid, but since we parked near El Retiro, we spent time in that area the most.

Where we Ate in Madrid

Our hotel served breakfast, so we filled up there before exploring Madrid.

Lunch was at a delicious tapas place near the Plaza Mayor. They spoke English but were also super patient while I attempted my rusty Spanish. The Sangria was fantastic (not all are created equal, as I found out along this trip), and we loved trying all their dipping sauces.

We stopped for a mid-day snack (and bathroom break) at a cafe across from the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena.

Our dinner was in Segovia after we arrived there for the night.

Food tours in Madrid

• 🍷 Enjoy Madrid’s vibrant culinary scene: Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour (children under 9 years can not take part of the tour)
• 😋 Learn more about Madrid’s historical and culinary sides during this Tapas, Taverns & History Tour Madrid
• 🧑🏼‍🍳 Learn how to cook classic dishes of Spanish cuisine: 4-hour Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid an expert chef
• 🚶🏼‍♂️ Visit several authentic tapas bars while strolling through the atmospheric streets of the old city center: Madrid Historical Walking Tour with Food Tasting and Dinner
• 😋 Immerse yourself in a culinary world of Madrid during this Madrid Food Tour: Gastronomy & History with Lunch or Dinner

If we had More Time in Madrid

Even though we were only in Madrid long enough to basically “window shop” (we didn’t have time to go into places), I made a note of all where I’d like to go back. If you have more than one day to spare, or if any of these look great, make them a priority during your day in Madrid:

• it’s huge and you could spend hours/days looking at everything
• There was a CRAZY long line to get in when we walked by; get skip-the-line tickets in advance
• a modern take on a cathedral
• supposedly stunning inside, but they close for siesta, so keep that in mind)
• the train station; there’s a tropical garden inside!
• either ride when they open at 10 am or get tickets early for later.
• Really long lies in the afternoon
• a little outside the city, but super cool place⁠
• San Miguel Market

Find even more to do in Madrid:

Day 2: segovia spain.

A few weeks before our trip we watched the Spain episode on Europe from Above on Disney+, and decided we had to make a stop in Segovia, Spain, too. So we cut Madrid down to one day and spent the next day about an hour north of the capital city.

If Segovia doesn’t interest you, plan for an extra day in Madrid.

What to do with One Day in Segovia

Surprisingly, there’s more than enough to keep you busy for an entire day in Segovia.

The big site to see here is the aqueduct, but you can see that at any time of the day, so prioritize other places like the castle.

Start your morning at the Alcázar de Segovia —a castle that inspired Disney’s, Sleeping Beauty.

If you didn’t buy tickets ahead of time, get there early. We opted for the tower tickets, and if you go to the tippy-top you’ll have an excellent view of the whole area.

After the castle, walk up the narrow cobble-stone road and you’ll eventually see the stunning, and huge Catedral de Segovia .

While we thought it was slightly more impressive from the outside, it was nice to get out of the heat and go inside for a little bit.

The walk to the cathedral was charming.

PRO TIP: There’s a delicious ice cream shop just outside the Catedral de Segovia. Great pit-stop for kids who may need a little extra oomph to keep them going.

The main reason we went to Segovia was to see the Roman aqueduct that dates back to the 1st century. ⁠It was so impressive and bigger than I thought it’d be.

One of the coolest parts of this aqueduct is that the ginormous stones are held together simply by the force of gravity—there is no mortar or cement holding it together. ⁠

You can even climb up the side to see it from the top. Head to the stairs near the tourist information center and make your way up there to see the aqueduct from a different point of view.

Where we Ate in Segovia

There are several cafes and bakeries near the center of Segovia, along with many restaurants. Keep in mind that most restaurants take reservations, so plan accordingly.

Cochinillo , better known as “suckling pig” is popular in Segovia. It’s a perfectly roasted pig that’s so tender restaurants boast that it can be cut with a plate instead of a fork.

Several restaurants claim they have the best, but we tried one place simply because they had an opening when we were available. While I loved the atmosphere inside, and that it was directly next to the aqueduct, the service at Mesón De Cándido was less than stellar, and they didn’t have a kid’s menu (or even anything that my three wanted to eat).

The food, on the other hand, was fantastic. (We got a steak for the kids to split and it was amazing…even if they refused to eat it.)

FUN FACT: There’s a McDonald’s across from the aqueduct…just saying.

Where we Parked

We parked on the side of the road near the castle for our morning adventures, but you’ll also see signs for a parking garage near the cathedral.

When we went into town to see the aqueduct we parked in this parking garage .

Where we Stayed in Segovia

Because we didn’t want to be packing and repacking every other day, we spent two nights near Segovia. The place itself was fantastic . There was ample room and it was great for our family of 5; however, it was kinda in the middle of nowhere. The sleepy “town” lacked amenities, but we didn’t mind since we had our own car.

If you’re jonesing to stay closer to Segovia’s center, consider staying here ; it has a fabulous roof-top view.

If You have More Time in Segovia

READ EVEN MORE ABOUT SEGOVIA IN THIS FULL POST !

Pit Stop in Alburquerque

On our way from Segovia to Lisbon, we actually made a pit stop in Alburquerque, Spain , the sister city to our hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stopping in this sleepy Spanish town on Palm Sunday was a highlight of our trip. I’m going to do a full post on this stop.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR DETOUR TO ALBURQUERQUE IN THIS POST HERE .

Day 3 & 4: Lisbon, Portugal

Continuing with our Spain and Portugal itinerary, it’s time to make our way into Portugal! The drive from Madrid/Segovia to Lisbon was fine, although keep in mind that the time changes and goes back one hour as you enter Portugal.

Another interesting tidbit about the Lisbon area (and the Algarve region mentioned below): they love cilantro and put it on everything . Just something to keep in mind if you’re not a fan; ask for your dish without coriander.

What we did in Lisbon

Lisbon is a vibrant, colorful, and hilly city oozing charm and character, and it captivated us.

Our total time in Lisbon was two days, but it was half a day, a full day, and half a day, so these activities were all spread out over the course of three days.

✰ Go on a Tuk-Tuk Tour Wanting to make the most of our time, we booked an afternoon tuk-tuk tour as soon as we arrived, and it was a fantastic decision. Riding around in a tuk-tuk let us experience so much more than we would’ve in a car, and we didn’t have to climb the crazy hills. I 100%, highly recommend going on a tour that’s at least three hours long (honestly, if I knew how much we’d love this, I would’ve found a full-day or a half-day tour).

✰ Sea the Aquarium (HA! “Sea” what I did there?!) During our full day in Lisbon, we relaxed a little bit and kept things simple. Our first stop was the Oceanário de Lisboa, the aquarium, recommended by several friends. I highly recommend getting tickets ahead of time . Honestly, the aquarium didn’t impress me much, but the kids loved it. There is also a cafe on sight.

✰ Paint Your Own Tiles We were enchanted by all the tiles we saw around Lisbon, so it’s no surprise that this was a highlight of our entire trip. We spent 3 hours with a local artist learning about azulejos, and then painting our own tiles. I thought we would just make one or two each, but the kids ended up making multiple tiles, and bowls and even painted some mugs. It was so much fun!

*If you’re going to do this, make sure to book it for the beginning of your time in Lisbon since the tiles need to be baked . Also, make sure you have room in your suitcase to bring them back with you!

✰ (Maybe) Visit the Tile Museum The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is an art museum devoted to—you guessed it—the history of Lisbon’s tiles. While there were sections that were very pretty to see, our kids were all bored and mentioned that they liked seeing them on the buildings more. The museum also closes in the middle of the day, so keep that in mind.

If we had More Time in Lisbon

I still wish we had more time in Lisbon, and if my husband and I can ever sneak away, Lisbon will be my first choice of place to go with him. We purposely left one of our days in Lisbon to be a little more relaxed; I truly think that was part of why this Spain and Portugal itinerary didn’t exhaust us.

However, there’s still so much to see in Lisbon. Explore more here :

Where we Ate in Lisbon

All the Pastel de Natas Oh. My. Great. Goodness. When in Lisbon, get yourself a (lot) pastel de nata! What is a pastel de nata? It’s basically an egg-custard pastry, but I don’t think that gives it any justice. ⁠

I was actually prepared to hate them; custard desserts aren’t really my jam. Thankfully, I’m VERY happy these proved me wrong. ⁠ The pastry is a super buttery and flakey, melt-in-your-mouth crust filled with a not-too-sweet egg-yolk custard with a caramelized crust. Top it off with a dusting of cinnamon and let’s just say that you’re in for a big treat.

Time Out Market Lisbon You have to make time for this food hall when you’re in Lisbon. There are more than two dozen unique restaurants (with everything from pizza and hamburgers to local Portuguese favorite dishes and desserts), several bars, and a dozen shops.

This place fills up, especially on a weekend, so be prepared for long lines if you visit during peak times. But it’s well worth the wait!

Do you want to learn more about the local cuisine? If the answer is yes , then I recommend you to take a food tour and immerse yourself in the culinary world of Lisbon!

Where we stayed in Lisbon

We stayed here , just outside the city center in the Alfama area (near the Belém Tower), and it was a great location. The host was beyond helpful and spot on with his recommendations, the place itself was perfect for a family of five, and there was a washer and a dryer!

If you’re looking to stay more in the heart of Lisbon, here are a few places to check out: For a couple on a getaway, check out this gem (and it includes breakfast). This 2-bedroom apartment looks great for a family. If you’re on a budget, this spot looks funky and fun, too.

Want to read more about Lisbon? Check out all of my Lisbon posts here !

Day 5: Sintra, Portugal

Ah, Sintra. This is a wonderful spot to visit, and I highly recommend a full day here, if not longer. We decided that if we have a chance we’d love to come back and stay in Sintra for a weekend.

What to do with One Day in Sintra

One thing to know about Sintra is that you cannot drive your own car up to any of the main attractions, so it’s highly recommended that you hire a guide/tour . You can do it on your own, but if you plan on visiting more than a couple of places, it will be easier to have a driver.

Here are the places I suggest you check out (and the order you should visit them):

✰ Pena Palace This is the main attraction: get there early, and get tickets in advance . Also, keep in mind that you have to get from the bottom of the hill up to the palace. The walk will take about 15-30 minutes, but there is a bus you can get included with your ticket.

After you’ve explored the palace: walk back down through the gardens. It’s beautiful and you won’t regret it.

✰ Monserrate Palace Full disclosure: we did not visit this palace, and I 100% regret it. I’ve been told that it’s beautiful and a hidden gem in Sintra since most people flock to other more popular places instead.

✰ Quinta da Regaleira A neat place to visit. Plan on spending at least an hour if not two, walking around here.

✰ Moorish Castle (IF you have time) If you’ve seen castle ruins before, this won’t be all that impressive, which is why I think you can skip it.

✰ Cabo da Roca (AKA: the end of the world) Welcome to the westernmost point of mainland Europe with breathtaking views. Getting to Cabo da Roca is about a half-hour drive from Sintra, and totally worth squeezing it into your plans.

Where we Ate in Sintra

We enjoyed snacks and treats at the top of Pena Palace and from Casa Piriquita; a popular bakery dating back to 1862. (NOTE: at Casa Piriquita, customers order based on a number, so grab a ticket with a number on it when you walk in!)

Lunch came in the form of tapas from Romaria de Baco , but all the other restaurants in the area looked great, too.

If we had More Time in Sintra

Since we didn’t make it to the Monserrate Palace , I’d definitely go there. I’d also like to spend more time at Pena Palace. We drove through the resort town of Cascais and it looked delightful. If we spent a weekend in the Sintra area, we’d definitely spend more time in Cascais.

Where to stay in Sintra

We stayed in Lisbon since it’s not that far away, but if you are specifically looking to stay in Sintra, here are a few options:

This villa looks stunning, and there are rooms for up to 6 people. This chalet also has accommodation for up to 6 people, and it’s in the heart of Sintra. If you’re looking for a boutique hotel, check out this one .

Day 6, 7, & 8: Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve region of Portugal is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and you could easily spend weeks in the area. We were only there for three days, but it was a glorious three days, and I would happily return.

One thing to note: Unless you’re staying directly on the beach, you will have to drive a decent amount to get to places. What looks like a “short” drive may end up being around a half-hour to get from place to place. Just something to keep in mind.

Pro tip: On your way from the Lisbon area to Algarve, make sure you make a pit stop (only for about 15 minutes) to see the largest cork tree in the world !

Things to do in Algarve

Spending time in the Algarve was relaxing for us. We didn’t have any specific “must-do” things except enjoy the area.

✰ Chill at the Beach There’s no shortage of pristine beaches in the Algarve. Our favorite spots were Praia da Luz⁠ and Praia de Salema (but they were also near where we were staying.)

Keep in mind that women often go topless at the beach in Portugal.

If you’re looking for more beaches to explore, check out this post from my friend Bri.

✰ Hike Along the Cliffs Truly, pick a spot and just start walking. There are trails everywhere, and the scenic views are breathtaking.

✰ Find Dinosaur Footprints YES, like, actual fossilized dinosaur footprints right along the coast! This was a total highlight and a fun experience to see. I wrote all about it (including a detailed map with specific directions to find them) in this post .

✰ Go to the (other) end of the World Cabo de Sao Vicente is the most southwesterly point in Europe. The views are fantastic (check it out during sunset) and if you’re in the area it’s worth checking out. During the Middle Ages, it was considered to be the “end of the world” by the people who lived there.

Opens at 10 am; closes at 6 pm; closed Mondays. There’s a gift shop and toilets available, free parking, and food trucks outside of the lighthouse area.

✰ Shop for Ceramics You’ll pass by some cute ceramic shops (you’ll know where they are since they have fun plates hanging on the exterior walls). If you have room in your suitcase, stop in one and take a look.

✰ Explore the Caves The famous caves of the Algarve are a must-see, especially Benagil. But be warned: it will get VERY busy unless you go early in the morning. We took a boat tour (and loved it), but if you want to get out in any of the caves you must do that via swimming, kayaking, or a private tour.

Here are some tours to look at for checking out the caves:

• Boat tour of the caves (we did this one and loved it; we did not get out of the boat to see the caves)
• Catamaran + kayak tour to see the caves (my friend Crystal did this one with her kids and they did get to kayak to the caves)
• Kayak to the caves
• Swim—or float—out to the caves (check out what my friend Bri did to get out to see the Benagil cave!)

If we had More Time in Algarve

There are tons to do in Algarve! If we had more time we would’ve done the following:

• Sand City in Lagoa
• Wine tasting
• Horseback riding along the coast
• Go check out more adorable seaside towns.

WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT THE ALGARVE? CHECK OUT MORE POSTS HERE

Where we Ate in Algarve

We had several meals where we stayed (see more below), but here are a couple of other places we loved:

At Praia da Salema: We grabbed lunch from  A Bóia  nearby, and it was delicious. I highly recommend their sardines or the catch of the day—ask and they’ll bring out several different options.

At Praia da Salema: the pizza from Pizza Real was legit, one of the best pizza’s I’ve ever tasted. And we lived in Italy. It was just SO good, and it’s a good thing we had it on our last night, otherwise, I would’ve wanted to go back there for every meal.

Where we stayed in Algarve

We stayed at Turiscampo , part of Yelloh Village (which we LOVE), and their premium cottage was perfect for our family of five. The village has a little shop (with fresh baked goods every morning and everything you might need during your stay), two restaurants, indoor/outdoor pools, laundry, and so much more.

There are literally thousands of places to stay along the Algarve. Find your perfect spot here:

Day 9, 10, & 11: Tarifa, Spain

Our stay in Tarifa for this portion of our Spain and Portugal itinerary during our 14-day road trip was supposed to be our “home base” just for sleeping.

The first day was for leisurely driving from Algarve to Tarifa (which we did). On the second day, we were going to go to Gibraltar, and on our last day there we were going to hop a ferry to Morocco.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get into Gibraltar and ended up turning around to come home. If you’re U.S. military, read this before attempting to go into Gibraltar.

And Morocco was just unfortunate timing. Tarifa has ferries that go back and forth to Tangier, Morocco, but they were closed because of the pandemic and actually reopened two days before we arrived. The problem was that anyone unvaccinated needed a PCR test to enter. Our (then) 4-year-old son was unvaccinated, and we couldn’t get the results from a PCR test in time, so we couldn’t go over.

All that to say: We ended up staying in Tarifa for much longer than expected, but it ended up being great and we really enjoyed the town.

Good to know: street parking is very limited in Tarifa. There is a parking lot , but I’m honestly not sure how much it is (or maybe it’s free). It was attended when we arrived and unattended when we left a couple of days later.)

What we did in Tarifa

If you find yourself with more time in Tarifa, you’ve gotta hit the beach and wander the adorable streets.

We really enjoyed both of those things and spent most of our time in the water, on the sand, and wandering the streets.

Windsurfing is really popular in Tarifa, because of the gusts that come from Africa and through the sea. If you have a chance, go to Valdevaqueros beach to watch the windsurfers there; it was remarkable to watch.

Where we Ate in Tarifa

Tarifa comes alive after 8 pm and the restaurants will all be filled to the brim. Any place you go is sure to be fantastic.

On the beach, though, I highly recommend Chiringuito Tangana ; it was delicious and so enjoyable to watch the windsurfers from there.

Optional Day Trips from Tarifa

• 45-minutes away
• read this post before going, especially if you are U.S. military
• I wish I had first-hand experience with this, but we, unfortunately, couldn’t make it.
• See Tarifa/Tangier ferry info here
• Day trip to Tangier: we were going to use Jamal Chatt, a local tour guide who comes highly recommended and is very quick to respond to your questions.

Where we stayed in Tarifa

Our place in Tarifa was….good? One thing to note is that you can’t park your car anywhere near the town’s center, so we parked in a parking area that randomly closed the day we left (and I’m so thankful we got our car out!). The reason for my uncertainty in that first sentence is that our place had zero cell service and zero wifi. This is where we stayed … a great location within the town, but I’m not sure if I’d recommend it if you like to stay connected.

If you just have two or three in your party, check out this place in the heart of Tarifa. Traveling with four people? Here’s an apartment for you. For a little more space out of town, families may enjoy staying here .

Day 12, 13, & 14: Seville, Spain

Seville was so amazing that I’ll definitely do a more in-depth post, but in the meantime here are some things to do in a nutshell.

Our Day 12 was a travel day; we leisurely made our way to Seville from Tarifa, about 2.5 hours away. Days 13 and 14 were crammed with fitting as much as possible into our last days in Spain.

What we did in Seville

While we usually love going on HoHo (hop-on/hop-off tour bus rides), we didn’t like this one; it took you through parts of Seville that were definitely off-the-beaten-path (and not in a good way).

Instead, take a walking tour . We did this, and it was great to have some background on places, but you’ll want to plan on going back to the places since you don’t have much time to look around anywhere.

Here are the must-see/do things in Seville:

✰ Explore Plaza de España This is one of Seville’s most popular places and for good reason. It’s remarkable, and you may recognize it from Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and Laurence of Arabia. It took 15 years to complete, and you can easily spend at least an hour wandering around. You can also rent paddle boats (note that they open at noon).

✰ See a flamenco show If you’re in Seville you must see a flamenco show. The passion the performers express during the show is astonishing. It was a highlight of our stay.

HOT TIP: see the performers at Plaza de España for free during the day.

✰ Explore the Real Alcázar de Sevilla Book tickets ahead of time, and I suggest going with a guide ; I wish we did that so I’d know what we’re looking at. Plan for a few hours; the gardens are huge and beautiful.

✰ Drink sangria aka “tinto de verano,” eat all the tapas , and cool off with gelato during your Spain and Portugal itinerary.

✰ Climb La Giralda at the Seville Cathedral The Cathedral and the grounds are a mix of Muslim and Christian architecture (so basically it’s beautiful). When you’re in the cathedral, keep an eye out for Christopher Columbus’s tomb.

Fun fact: the bell tower is made up of ramps, not stairs. Fair warning if you’re at the top of the tower at the top of the hour…the bells are LOUD! Also, skip-the-line tickets are awesome.

✰ Check out the bull ring (Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla) It was really interesting seeing the museum portion of the bull ring; the kids really liked it and asked us TONS of questions.

And yes, there are still bullfights that take place here, but there weren’t happening while we were there (and I’m not sure if we would have gone anyway.)

✰ Stroll around Old Town; it’s adorable .

If we had More Time in Seville

There’s so much to do in Seville, but in case you can’t cram it into your already packed Spain and Portugal itinerary, rest easy knowing that it’s easily doable with just a weekend (if you have one to spare sometime). If you want more options, check these out:

Where we Ate in Seville

Everything was awesome. Truly. We ate at random places, and every time it was fantastic. Order the tapas version of whatever you get since the plates are small enough that you can try multiple things.

Where we stayed in Seville

We stayed here , about a 10-minute walk to the old town. The space was wonderful for a family of five. It was a two-level apartment, and the exposed brick added a ton of charm. The kitchen was a little limited, but we didn’t use it very much (when in Spain, enjoy the tapas). However, if we went again I’d try to stay closer to the old town — it was just so adorable.

Here are a couple of places I had on my radar, but they were sold out for our dates. This place looks a little more in central old town (and can accommodate large families), and this place looks amazing and families can stay there, too, but it’s possibly a splurge.

But there are SO many spots to stay in Seville. Start your search here:

don’t forget this post! Pin it for later!

I truly hope this Spain and Portugal itinerary helps you plan your trip. Longer trips can often be difficult to put together, which is why I wanted to share as much as possible in this post. If this helps you in any way, I’d love to know; please let me know how it went!

Looks like such an amazing trip! I’ll definitely be pinning it for the future. I’m still holding out hope we’ll be able to re-schedule our Madrid trip. 🤞

This looks great! Can you post a link to where you stayed in Lisbon? Thanks.

Thanks for catching that! I just updated the post with where we stayed, and here’s the link as well: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45483135

Hello Jessica, I really enjoyed reading you blog. We are traveling from NYC last week of March. My wife and I are researching a 2 week road trip.

Anyway I can get a copy of your trip/suggestions?

Alan & Josephine

[email protected]

I’m so glad you found this helpful. I don’t have this post in PDF form, so the only thing I can suggest is copying the parts that might work for you to help you plan your trip. I wish I had a better solution right now!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Tours  > 
• Destinations  > 
• Europe Itineraries  > 

France and Spain Itineraries

Now you can find, compare, and share trips from 1,000+ operators and expert trip planners. Unlike most travel agencies and websites that only show options from large companies that pay big commissions, we show you all the options we can gather, and we’re adding more all the time. We want you to have all the available information to find your perfect trip, no matter who it’s with. Whether you’re looking for a short weekend getaway or a multi-country expedition, you can find it on Travelstride. About us.

...to foster a community connecting travelers to wonderful places, people, & experiences. Learn more.

Top France and Spain Travel Packages

France and spain in 7-10 days, france and spain in 1 week - first time visit.

One week in Spain and France gives visitors the opportunity to hit the major sites and see the most famous attractions – such as the Eiffel tour, the louvre, and the Sagrada Familia. Visitors get a glimpse into the French and Spanish lifestyle, including fashion, food, and culture.

Day 1, Paris : The city of romance! Spend your first morning at one of the cafes or bakeries, immersing yourself in some delicious French food. As it should be, make your first attraction visit the Eiffel tower. Climb to the top for some spectacular views. Don’t forget to come back at night to see the tower sparkling.

Day 2, Paris : The first stop on your second day in the city of romance is a visit to the louvre museum. Spend the afternoon strolling around Montmartre.

Day 3, Paris : Beat the morning crowds and climb up to the top of arc de triomphe for some of the best birds eye views of Paris. This will give you a bit of a different view of the city from the Eiffel tower, as this one includes the Eiffel tower in the skyline. Watch the sunset over the seine river while soaking in the magic of Paris.

Day 4, Paris : Your last day in Paris, stop in to any last minute shops/sites you want to see, before your departing flight to Barcelona.

Day 5: Barcelona : Upon your first morning in Barcelona, Spend the day exploring the streets of this wonderful city. Spend time in the gothic quarter, and walking along Las Ramblas

Day 6: Barcelona : Now it’s time to hit the major sites! Spend the morning exploring the Sagrada Familia, an amazing work of art that has been under construction for over a century! Spend the afternoon at Parc Guell. The evening is free for leisure.

Day 7: Barcelona : Spend the morning at the beach and visiting any last minute sites you want to see before departing for your flight home.

France and Spain in 2 Weeks

Two weeks in Spain and France gives visitors the opportunity to see the major attractions and the countryside of both countries. Explore the big cities, the wine regions, and soak in some sun on the Mediterranean in this two week adventure.

Day 1, Paris : The first day of the tour allows visitors to get acquainted with the city. How we do this is by soaking in the best views! An early morning visit to the Eiffel tower is followed by a climb up the arc de triomphe. Spend the evening walking along the seine river and dining in a French café.

Day 2 : Spend the morning visiting the Louvre before heading over to Champs Elysées for some shopping on Paris’ most famous street. Even if you’re window-shopping, it’s worth a visit to see some of the most luxurious brands

Day 3 is spent transferring from Paris to Nice, with the afternoon to be spent at leisure. Spend some time walking the Promenade des Anglais and the harbor. Nice has some awesome beaches, so feel free to get some relaxation in laying next to the Mediterranean.

Day 4: About a half an hour east from Nice is Monaco. Take the train and explore Monaco city, the luxurious yachts line the harbor, and tour the incredible Casino Monte-Carlo.

Day 5: Cannes is the perfect place for some relaxation. Home for the annual International Film Festival, this town sits on the coast. Enjoy sandy beaches, upscale shopping, and see where some of the biggest films start group together every spring.

Day 6: Transit to Bordeaux, home to one of the best wine regions. The city is filled with art museums, and best known for the Bordeaux Cathedral. The city has some marvelous gardens. Spend the afternoon exploring this southwestern French town.

Day 7: Spend the day on a wine tour of the region.

Day 8: Barcelona – Barcelona has so much to offer! Spend the first day getting familiar with the city. Roam around the gothic quarter, visit Park Guell, and walk la ramblas.

Day 9: Barcelona – Spend the day taking the train down to Sitges, a darling coastal town that will make you feel like you’re on a Greek island. The white-washed and colorful buildings often a unique change from the architecture of Barcelona.

Day 10: Barcelona: A day full of Gaudi! Some of Gaudi’s best work is found in Barcelona, including the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and the Casa Mila. Spend your final afternoon in Barcelona relaxing on the beach.

Day 11: Seville: Spend the morning on a flight to Seville. Start your visit in the historic city center, and spend the day visiting the real Alcazar of Seville and the Seville Cathedral.

Day 12: Seville: The second day in Seville will be spent visiting Plaza de Espana, the Metropol Parasol and cruising the streets of Santa Cruz.

Day 13: Madrid – Starting the morning In Puerto Del Sol, and make your way to the Royal Palace of Madrid. Make a culture shift and visit the Debod Temple, an authentic Egyptian temple!

Day 14: The final morning of the trip will be visiting Museo del Prado. There are two other art museums within a mile, so make it a morning of the arts! Head over to El Retiro Park for a relaxing stroll before heading to the airport for your departure home.

Basque Country in One Week

One week gives visitors the opportunity to explore Southern France and Northern Spain, one of the most ancient regions in Europe. Learn about the art, culture, and history in this Basque Country tour.

Day 1-2, Basque Bayonne

Day 1: Get settled into France’s Basque country with an introductory walking tour and a community dinner to get acquainted with your travel partners.

Day 2: The morning starts off with a tour of Bayonne’s Museum of Basque Culture for an introduction next week, and all that will be learned. The afternoon is spent at leisure walking through the cobblestone streets and exploring the old town.

Day 3 and 4: Pamplona

Day 3: A scenic route drive takes visitors to the next base of the trip – the beautiful Pyrenees mountains. Spend the afternoon on an orientation walk with a tapas dinner.

Day 4: Spend the day exploring Pamplona, visiting cathedrals, learning about Navarra region and hear about the Camino de Santiago.

Day 5, San Sabastian:  En route to San Sebastian, stop in the previously discussed Navarra region for lunch at a local winery. Upon arrival in San Sebastian, there will be a walking tour through the old town to get a glimpse at the Spanish Basque life.

Day 6-7: Bilbao

Day 6: Spend the morning in San Sebastian at leisure, such as at that beach or riding the funicular up to the Monte Igueldo’s viewpoint. Depart towards Bilbao, enjoy the coastal views of the Bay of Biscay.

Day 7: The morning is spent at a local farm to learn about the importance of sheep in Basque culture. Spend the afternoon at the Guggenheim Bilbao, with the rest of the evening free to explore the other sites that Bilbao has to offer.

Travelstride featured in

Unlock Community Benefits

• Save favorite trips and itineraries
• Get insider insights
• Receive personalized recommendations ...and much more

Top France and Spain Tours See all

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Top France and Spain Attractions

Eiffel Tour

Sagrada Familia

Louvre Museum

Mont Saint-Michel

Top Activities in France and Spain

Sip wine in southern France

Shop along Champs Elysee

Swim in the Mediterranean

Explore the wonders of Gaudi

Learn about Basque Country

France and Spain Tours Reviews & Ratings

Top france and spain tour companies.

• Trafalgar Reviews
• Topdeck Reviews
• Rick Steves Reviews
• Road Scholar Reviews
• Cosmos Reviews
• National Geographic Expeditions Reviews
• Backroads Reviews
• Europamundo Vacations Reviews
• Avalon Waterways Reviews
• Odysseys Unlimited Reviews
• Discovery Nomads Reviews
• Evaneos Reviews

Why Travelstride

Click to send a new magic link to your inbox.

Welcome back!

By signing in, you agree to our Privacy Policy  and  Terms of Use

• Bookmark trips you like
• Share with your travel companions
• Track price changes
• Access private discounts on trips you save

TripFinder is a member-only feature. Don’t worry, it’s free!

With a membership you:

• Save up to $700 per person!*
• Access private deals and offers
• See personalized trip recommendations
• Save favorite trips

Just use the email address and password provided in the email we sent.

With your free membership you:

• Digital Locker Login
• Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
• Columbia Climate School
• Oxford Academia oxfordacademia.com

Hands-On Experiences to Inspire Your Future

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Adventure Travel & Cultural Immersion

Community Engagement & Global Awareness

Active Immersion in Language & Culture

Begin Standard Application

Traveled with us before, apply for a scholarship.

Our Programs

• Find a Program
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Safety & Risk Management
• Custom Programs

Why Choose Putney?

• Our History
• Our Values & Commitments
• Meet the Team
• Our Leaders
• Leader Bios
• Instructor Bios
• Apply to Lead

Learn more 

• Admission Details
• Attend a Webinar
• Watch Past Webinars
• Subscribe to Newsletter
• Visit Our Blog
• Request a Catalog
• Continue an Application
• Login to your Digital Locker
• 345 Hickory Ridge Rd. Putney, VT 03546
• [email protected]
• 802.387.5000
• Exploration »
• Pre-College »
• Our Programs »
• Who We Are »
• Leadership »
• Learn More »
• Login to Your Digital Locker
• Smithsonian Student Travel
• Oxford Academia
• National Geographic Student Travel
• Harvard Chan C-CHANGE

Spain, France, & Portugal

From the iberian peninsula to the city of light.

Delve into the cultures and diverse heritage of Spain, France, and Portugal this summer, along with a stop in the Pyrenees mountain town of Andorra la Vella. Experience iconic sites and museums, such as Lisbon’s historic Belem Tower and Madrid’s Prado, and get off the beaten path by exploring Barcelona’s street art. Participate in cultural workshops, relish local specialties like pastéis de nata and tapas, and stretch your legs hiking in the Pyrenees or strolling along the Seine.

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Meet your student travel group and one of your trip leaders in New York and fly together to Lisbon, Portugal. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Begin your adventure in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Get to know your group during an in-depth orientation, then delve into Lisbon’s captivating blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy. Immerse yourself in historic neighborhoods, exploring cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Explore remnants of civilizations like the Phoenicians, Romans, and Goths, and the cultural melting pot that is the Iberian Peninsula. Visit nearby Sintra and the sites of former inhabitants of the area including the Moors and Knights Templar.

Continue on to the Spanish capital of Madrid, home to world-class art museums including El Prado and the Reina Sofia, and stunning architecture from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Visit Retiro Park, go on a tapas tour, or perhaps catch a football match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to Real Madrid Football Club. Arrive and depart from Atocha Station, known for its indoor tropical garden.

Catch the high-speed AVE train to Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, known for its incredible cuisine, stunning modernist architecture, and vibrant social scene. Enjoy some time on the Mediterranean beach, revel in the wonders of Antoní Gaudí, and get to know what makes Catalán culture unique to the rest of Spain.

Head into the Pyrenees Mountains and make a stop in Castellar de N’Hug, a village of less than two hundred residents. Explore the region bordering the principality of Andorra while hiking, biking, and enjoying other outdoor activities in the fresh mountain air.

Continue by train to Montpellier, an elegant and multicultural Mediterranean city. Enjoy the sights of this vibrant city, which has had the greatest population growth of any urban area in France since 2000. Home to one of the oldest universities and medical schools in the world at the University of Montpellier, students can get a feel for a European college town where almost a quarter of the inhabitants are students. Take a daytrip to Nimes, home to an impressive Roman colosseum and close to the world-renowned Pont du Gard.

Travel by train to Lyon and dive into French cuisine. Visit the food stalls and learn about the historical significance of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a famous indoor food market. Join a local chef for a French cooking class, and learn to prepare quenelles (fish dumplings), Lyonnaise potatoes, and praline tart.

Continue north to Paris, one of the world’s most beloved cities, and get ready to explore the streets of this massive capital city full of cafes, creperies, and culture. Experience the vibrant art scene, boasting some of the best known museums in the world, including the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and galleries brimming with art throughout the city’s streets. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner with your group and reflect on your adventures.

Fly from Paris to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

Spain, France, and Portugal boast rich histories, vibrant cultures, and a wide variety of landscapes. Spain captivates with its passionate flamenco, iconic architecture like Sagrada Família, and historic cities like Madrid and Barcelona. France exudes elegance with the Eiffel Tower, art at the Louvre, and culinary delights in Paris. Portugal's charm lies in its colorful tiles, charming coastal towns, and exploratory past. Each nation showcases unique traditions, from Spain's bullfighting to France's haute couture and Portugal's Fado music. With a wealth of cultural treasures and natural wonders, these countries offer an unforgettable journey through European heritage.

Castellano, or Castilian Spanish, is the official language of Spain, although other languages are spoken in different regions, including Catalan in Cataluña, Galician in Galicia, and Euskara in the Basque Country. French is the official language of France, although there are over 40 regional dialects. Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, though here too there are many regional dialects.

Summer temperatures in Europe can be very warm. Daytime temperatures in Spain and Portugal range from 80–95ºF (27–35ºC), and in France from 70–90°F (21–32ºC).

Spain, Portugal, and France offer diverse cuisines that reflect their unique cultures and culinary traditions. Spain boasts tapas, with an array of small dishes like paella and jamón . Portugal's cuisine delights with bacalhau (salted cod) and custard tarts ( pastéis de nata ). France is renowned for its delicate pastries, cheeses, and escargot. Each country celebrates fresh ingredients, regional specialties, and a love for food that brings family and friends together.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.

Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on Gaudí’s most famous works, create a recipe book of French dishes, or learn the differences between regional cheeses.

This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to hike and swim regularly. You will also do a lot of walking in various towns and cities. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.

Accommodations are varied, ranging from comfortable hostels to cosmopolitan hotels. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.

We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we find small restaurants or go to local markets to purchase food for a picnic. Restaurants range from traditional regional cuisine to a more international selection in Madrid and Paris.

A Day in the Life: Barcelona

This program is directed by, evan overton.

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

Enroll in two programs & save $1,000!

$800 tuition discount + no application fee

Reset Password

2024 Dates June 20 — July 20 June 27 — July 27

Duration 31 days

Tuition $9,990 + airfare

Eligibility Currently* in grades 9–12 *Your grade as of the day you apply

Typical Group 16–18 students, 2 leaders

Group Flight Departs from New York

• Additional Info

Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000

Request More Info

• About Career Programs
• About Exploration Programs
• About Language Programs
• About Pre-College Programs
• About Service Programs
• About Middle School Programs
• Admissions Details
• Scholarships Opportunities

Putney has been the leader in student travel and educational summers for more than 70 years. As a family-run organization, our decades of experience, our dedication to quality programs, and the personal service you receive are unmatched.

We invite you to subscribe to hear about new programs and upcoming events, and start your path to the summer of a lifetime.

Thank you for your request. We’ll be in touch shortly!

Foreign Office advice for Brits heading to Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal

U K holidaymakers planning to jet off to popular European destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal are being urged to familiarise themselves with the latest travel guidelines to ensure a smooth journey. With many Brits eager to soak up the summer sun abroad in the coming months, it's crucial to stay updated on any rules for your chosen destination.

The Foreign Office routinely revises its advice on what tourists need to know before leaving the UK. In this article, we'll delve into some of the key points, including passport requirements.

Stay informed by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here for the latest updates on major and breaking stories.

Passport Requirements

As reported by Liverpool Echo, the passport rules for Spain, France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal are largely similar. Before you can depart from the UK, your passport must meet certain criteria:, reports Birmingham Live .

Ensure that your passport fulfils these requirements prior to your travel. If your passport was issued before October 1, 2018, additional months may have been added to its expiry date.

This guidance mirrors the UK government's understanding of current regulations for individuals travelling on a full 'British citizen' passport from the UK, for most common types of travel. The authorities in the country you are visiting establish and enforce entry rules.

If you're unsure about whether these rules apply to your situation, touching base with the local embassy or consulate here in the UK would be wise.

Do I need a visa?

Ordinarily, British holidaymakers heading off to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece enjoy visa-free travel. This is because these popular destinations are part of the Schengen area of the EU, granting travellers up to 90 days of unrestricted movement within any 180-day period.

This covers vacations, family visits, business meetings, cultural events, sports trips as well as short-term schooling or training exercises. In total, the area includes 26 countries.

Do I need a vaccination?

Currently, those planning a trip to Italy aren't required to perform COVID-19 tests or prove their vaccination status. The advice for travellers heading out to Spain, Portugal, France, and Greece states: "Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice."

"Check with your travel provider for changes."

APRIL SALE Extended:   Book now for   up to 60% off!

10 Day France and Spain Tours & Trips

Filter for departure dates and price to find the right 10 day France and Spain tour with TourRadar. Choose from 37 trips with 116 customer reviews, that range from 8 up to 10 days.

37 France And Spain 10 day tour packages with 116 reviews

Andalusia to the Cote d'Azur

• Coach / Bus

London to Barcelona Quest (Summer, Start Paris, 8 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• In-depth Cultural

Highlights of France and Barcelona (End Barcelona, 10 Days)

Great tour with amazing sights - cathedrals and castles. Excellent Guide Pascal and Excellent Driver Luis.

Camino - Pyrenees St Jean Pied de Port to Logrono

Paris, Lourdes and Madrid

We thoroughly enjoyed our vacation, it was our first time in Europe. The buses were always on time and clean, the hotels also of good quality and clean, and the guides very friendly and informed of the places where they took us to visit. Sometimes there were some uncoordinations, but they were arranged with the good attitude of the guides and tourists.

• Sightseeing

Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with Barcelona (Fatima to Barcelona) (2025)

Spanish Shores & Beyond (Start Barcelona, End Palma Mallorca)

Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with Barcelona (Fatima to Barcelona) (2024)

• Christmas & New Year

A Virtuous Line

Organized itinerary, punctual guides and transport Great accommodation Our guide Israel was excellent

North of Portugal and Spain (Airbus factory visit)

Spain, Burgundy, Alsace and Black Forest

Classical Spain with Paris

Overall the tour was good value in terms of included sightseeing. The hotels were generally fine if slightly out of the city centre. But transfers into the city is offered every day for dinner. Due to the large groups joining and leaving the tours, especially in large cities like Madrid, the morning of departure was chaotic. On the whole, if one travels with a degree of resilience and flexibility of attitude, it is fine. If you're expecting the same tour leader and group for the whole tour, then this isn't for you.

Basque Country, Andorra and Barcelona with Lourdes

London to Bordeaux, the Basque Country and the Beach

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

France and Barcelona

What people love about 10 day france and spain tours.

I really enjoyed my tour from Paris to Barcelona, everything was organised well. The bus driver was so nice and drove us around safe and the guide Bruno was very knowledgeable of the places we went and made it interesting as well with some humour. Because of the heatwave some of the eating places were uncomfotable due to no aircon.

Excellent tour guides. Excellent hotels for the price. Saw a lot of beautiful places. I was only disappointed that I booked a couple of excursions that did not take place. I still need to request a refund for them. Overall very worth it.

Other Regions in France and Spain

• Southern France 10 day Tours (130)
• Northern France 7 day Tours (120)
• Northern France 10 day Tours (81)
• Southern France 7 day Tours (74)
• Alsace & Lorraine 7 day Tours (47)
• Provence 10 day Tours (46)
• Provence 7 day Tours (31)
• Normandy 10 day Tours (30)
• Aquitaine & Midi Pyrenees 10 day Tours (30)
• Loire Valley 7 day Tours (21)
• Pays de la Loire 7 day Tours (21)
• Northern France 2 week Tours (20)
• Ile de France 7 day Tours (17)
• Aquitaine & Midi Pyrenees 7 day Tours (17)
• Bordeaux & Dordogne 10 day Tours (16)
• Burgundy 7 day Tours (16)

Get all the latest and breaking news in Yorkshire by signing up to our newsletter here.

Latest stories

Scots easyjet passengers chant 'cheerio' as couple escorted off diverted flight to egypt.

Scots easyJet passengers chant 'cheerio' as couple escorted off diverted flight to Egypt

What are the EU’s new travel rules for Britons and will its fingerprints plan cause chaos?

New European Union border rules will soon make it more complicated for Britons to travel to the bloc.

19 Hotels That Need To Be Boarded Up, Closed Down, And Never Spoken Of Again

That "pool area" though...

Foreign Office issues fresh warning to anyone visiting Turkey

The country is a popular holiday destination for thousands of people

Boy, 15, slams 'degrading' British Airways experience after landing in Manchester Airport to find vital items missing

Tomas Woods, a wheelchair motocross (WCMX) world champion, has spoken of his 'degrading' experience

17 Deeply Unsettling Places Across America People Think You Should Avoid

"We got followed by two cars the entire time we were there, and the whole town felt exactly like something you would see in a Stephen King novel."

Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet, TUI passengers have bags 'rejected' at security due to 'confusing' rule

Birmingham Airport is among the airports on track to installe new liquid scanners for Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz Air, British Airways, TUI and Easyjet passengers.

Foreign Office advice for UK holidaymakers going to Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal

Key information on passport requirements and other entry rules

Pilot proposes to girlfriend on flight

CNN’s Jeanne Moos has their story.

Family Sues United Airlines After Nightmare Near-Crash Ruins Their Vacation

ReutersA family aboard a Boeing 777 jetliner that suddenly dropped from the sky after takeoff and almost crashed is suing United Airlines over the harrowing incident they say nearly killed three generations of kin in one fell swoop.“This litigation arises out of the near death of eleven members of the Maltz family on United Airlines Flight 1722 on December 18, 2022, due to the negligence of United Airlines, Inc. and its flight crew,” according to a lawsuit filed April 24 in Chicago federal court

I spent 6 days in Italy after dreaming of visiting my whole life. 8 moments made it worth the wait.

Business Insider's reporter spent her first trip to Italy taking trains and strolling castle grounds while exploring Venice, Rome, and Milan.

Edinburgh hotel advert banned over claims of '£35 per night rooms'

The Advertising Standards Association has banned a Premier Inn advert that had "misleading" claims over hotel rooms in Edinburgh there were available for £35 per night.

Easyjet passengers told flights to 13 destinations cancelled 'due to Israel'

Flights included Belfast to Faro as well as Cyprus to Luton and Newcastle, Edinburgh to Bristol

Premier Inn ad banned for promoting rooms 'from only £35 a night' by advertising authority

Hotel chain Premier Inn has been banned from advertising rooms "from only £35 a night" by the advertising regulator. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found that an online ad from November, saying "Premier Inn Edinburgh - rooms from only £35 per night" was "likely to mislead" viewers. Premier Inn's owner Whitbread showed the watchdog there were 377 rooms on offer in the Scottish city for £35 a night within a year of the ad running.

A vintage steam train with on-board dining is coming to south London stations

A vintage steam train with on-board dining and Pullman carriages will be heading to two south London stations in May.

Inside the tiny corner of Spain that lies in the middle of North Africa

The North African territory of Ceuta is surrounded by Morocco but claimed as part of Spanish Europe. It’s one of the most unusual places on either continent.

Restaurant at village pub to become five-bed B&B amid economic viability fears

The restaurant at The Swan Inn in Monks Eleigh, described as 'no longer economically viable', will be transformed into a B&B with five bedrooms.

Hot tubs and axe-throwing: How British holiday lets are raising their game to survive

All the recent rain seems to have put a dampener on UK holidays. Accommodation providers say bookings were slow at the beginning of the year, though they’re gradually picking up. And Visit Britain’s latest domestic travel sentiment tracker, a survey that measures intent regarding overnight trips, found that our weather is currently the second biggest barrier to a night away on home turf – beaten only by the rising cost of living.

I grew up in Athens. Here are 8 things I wish tourists would stop doing when they come here.

I was born and raised in Athens, and I believe many mistakes tourists make are avoidable. Never flush your toilet paper and don't count on the buses.

Hotel to be built close to London Underground station despite wind tunnel 'blowing pensioners over'

The seven-storey hotel, being built on three vacant retail units, will dominate the low-rise skyline

More From Forbes

Ranked: the 18 best hidden gems in europe, according to a new report.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Looking for the best places to travel in Europe? So is the rest of the world.

As the summer season kicks into high gear across Europe, popular destinations are grappling with an influx of visitors. From Venice (which just started a controversial tourist tax ) to Spain’s Canary Islands (where the locals are planning mass protests against overtourism), iconic landmarks and locations are straining under the weight of record-breaking crowds.

So the new list of 2024’s Best Hidden Gems in Europe from European Best Destinations couldn’t come at a better moment.

A view of Primosten, Croatia, one of 18 hidden European gems revealed in a new report.

This new ranking shines a spotlight on 18 under-the-radar destinations that will whisk travelers away from the tourist throngs and into the heart of authentic European culture. The list is based on votes by more than one million travelers from 172 countries.

From secluded villages tucked away in the mountains to lovely untouched beach towns, these 18 hidden gems offer a glimpse into a world rarely seen by the average traveler.

View of Villajoyosa, Spain from above.

Trump Media Stock (DJT) At Risk Of A New Short Selling Plunge

Your best look yet at the new iphone 16, ryan garcia what s ostarine and how could a boxer use it to cheat, 1. villajoyosa, spain.

Experience a kaleidoscope of colors in Villajoyosa (which means “the jewellish town” in the Castilian language). Here, jewel-toned houses line the shores in a nod to the town’s seafaring heritage, overlooking crystal-clear Mediterranean waters.

Ares del Maestre, a hidden gem in Castellon, Spain.

2. Ares del Maestre, Spain

Perched atop a rocky hill, Ares del Maestre—built in the 1300s in the province of Castellon—offers panoramic views and centuries of Spanish history. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets and explore ancient castles.

Sand beach in front of old town of Primosten in Croatia.

3. Primosten, Croatia

In Primosten—set along Croatia’s Dalmation coast—you’ll find pristine beaches and azure waters. You can indulge in fresh seafood, stroll along waterfront promenades and discover why this coastal paradise is still Croatia’s best-kept secret.

Floating village Bokodi in Hungary at sunset.

4. Lake Bokodi, Hungary

On Lake Bokodi, an hour drive from Budapest, there’s a village of floating chalets that’s an Instagrammer’s dream. Some of the chalets are private (many belong to local fishermen), but others are open to visitors. Explore the winding waterways and unwind in the serenity of this hidden Hungarian gem.

View from the sea to park at Moomin world on a sunny summer day in Naantali, Finland.

5. Naantali, Finland

In Naantali, a little town in southwestern Finland, you can experience the whimsical, colorful world of the Moomins—quirky characters created by a Finnish author in 1945. This enchanting seaside town even has a theme park dedicated to the Moomins called Muumimaailma.

Bour village in the Faroe islands.

6. Bour, Faroe Islands

Discover the rustic charm of Bour, a tiny village on Vagar Island in the Faroe Islands (a remote Danish archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean). Wander through verdant landscapes, marvel at panoramic ocean views and immerse yourself in this area’s timeless beauty.

Lighthouse and bunker in the sand dunes on the beach of Blavand, Denmark.

7. Blavand, Denmark

Blavand is a seaside Danish gem where wartime bunkers have been transformed into sculpted symbols of peace. Here, you can ride horseback along the wide, windswept beaches and explore coastal dunes.

View of the city of Ulm, a hidden gem in Germany.

8. Ulm, Germany

In Ulm—a small city on the banks of Germany’s Danube River—historic landmarks and modern amenities coexist in perfect harmony. Marvel at Gothic cathedrals, stroll along cobblestone streets and grab a bite to eat in the Fishermen’s Quarter, where restaurants and cafes are set in half-timbered houses. Just across the Danube is Neu-Ulm, which is part of Bavaria.

Boardwalks leading to a viewing platform on the beach of Bordeira in southwest Alentejo, Portugal.

9. Aljezur, Portugal

With its rugged Algarve coastlines and golden beaches, Portugal’s Aljezur has a laid-back vibe and a tranquil beauty. Don’t miss the local wines.

The view of Dartlo Village in Tusheti, a remote region of Georgia.

10. Dartlo, Georgia

Dartlo—a remote Georgian village—is the crown jewel in the untamed mountainous Caucasus landscape. It’s home to pristine wilderness and ancient stone towers.

Jumping into the water in Castro Urdiales, Spain.

11. Castro Urdiales, Spain

Castro Urdiales is a medieval port town steeped in maritime tradition in the Cantabria region of Spain. Wander through cobblestone streets, check out the ancient fortresses and soak up the sun on sandy beaches.

Ljotipollur crater lake in Landmannalaugar, Iceland.

12. Landmannalaugar, Iceland

In Iceland, Landmannalaugar is recognized for its otherworldly beauty, full of rhyolite mountains and steaming hot springs. It’s also a haven for outdoors lovers, thanks to its volcanic landscapes.

First folk architecture reserve in the world in Cicmany, Slovakia.

13. Cicmany, Slovakia

The Slvoakian town of Cicmany is like a fairytale, where narrow streets are lined with hand-painted houses and ancient traditions like folk art are being preserved.

Road to Mount Pico in the Azores.

14. Pico Island, Azores

In the volcanic paradise of Pico Island in the Azzores, you’ll find dramatic landscapes, lava caves and vineyard-covered hillsides with world-class wines.

The village of Pont-en-Royans, France.

15. Pont-en-Royans, France

In France, Pont-en-Royans is a pretty cliffside village where you can swim in the crystal-clear river and soak up panoramic views of the countryside.

Schwebebahn Train crossing a street in Wuppertal, Germany.

16. Wuppertal, Germany

Wuppertal is an industrial German city with a unique attraction: the iconic Schwebebahn, a suspended monorail built in 1901 that offers breathtaking views of the urban landscape. Fun fact: This is the oldest electric elevated railway with hanging cars in the world.

Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel sitting on a rock in Le Puy en Velay, France.

17. Le Puy-en-Velay, France

In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, Le Puy-en-Velay is a place that’s steeped in history: It’s the gateway to the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. One of the highlights is St-Michel d’Aiguilhe, a 10th century chapel perched on a volcanic rock.

Staithes, a seaside village in the Scarborough borough of North Yorkshire, England.

18. Staithes, England

A former fishing center on North Yorkshire’s dramatic coastline, Staithes now attracts modern-day travelers, who come for the charming village, fresh seafood and natural beauty. Don’t miss the North York Moors National Park, where you can hunt for fossils and explore coastal trails.

MORE FROM FORBES

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions