Grand Iberian Adventure Spain to Portugal
Set off from Madrid on a 15–day loop that finishes back in the capital – a sweep through Spain and Portugal packed with culture, coastline and character. You’ll explore León’s cathedral, sip Asturian cider in Oviedo and take in the Picos de Europa and Covadonga. Expect medieval Santillana del Mar and the Altamira Museum, coastal Santander and Bilbao’s Guggenheim, Rioja’s wine heritage and Zaragoza’s Goya links. Continue via Barcelona to Peñíscola and Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, then south to Alicante, Guadix’s cave houses and Granada’s Alhambra. Round things off in Málaga, Ronda and Seville, before Roman Mérida, Évora and Lisbon – returning to Madrid.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
15 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
MadridEnds
MadridMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Spain that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Countries
Spain, PortugalPassengers
€2,460.75
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Madrid
León
Oviedo
Covadonga
Santillana del Mar
Santander
Bilbao
Foronda Service Area
La Rioja
Zaragoza
Poblet
Barcelona
Peniscola
Valencia
Alicante
Caravaca de la Cruz
Granada
Malaga
Marbella
Ronda
Seville
Mérida
Évora
Lisbon
Cáceres
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Madrid
Welcome to Madrid – we’ll meet you on arrival and transfer you to the hotel. You’ll have free time to settle in or start exploring at your own pace. In the afternoon, please check the information boards at hotel reception for details about the tour start and meeting times.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Madrid - Leon - Oviedo
We leave Madrid early, crossing the plains of Castile and León. We stop in Tordesillas to hear about its history – you can enjoy a coffee in the main square. We then continue to León, where you’ll have time for lunch and to see the Gothic cathedral in this historic city on the Camino de Santiago. In the afternoon we cross the Cantabrian Range into Asturias, reaching Oviedo in the evening.In Oviedo we include a one and a half hour city tour with a local guide, either this evening or tomorrow morning, taking in the cathedral dating back to the 9th century, the Congress Palace of Oviedo, the Campoamor Theatre and Calle de la Rúa. A traditional Asturian dinner is included in a typical cider house.Note: Depending on the number of travellers between Madrid and León, the journey may be by train or by regular transport, and the stop in Tordesillas may not be included.
Day 3 - Oviedo - Covadonga - Santillana del Mar - Santander
We leave Oviedo for the Picos de Europa, beginning with a visit to the Basilica of Covadonga. We then follow the coast to Santillana del Mar – one of Spain’s most beautiful towns with a remarkably preserved medieval centre – and visit the nearby Altamira Cave Museum, with tickets included. Later, we continue to Santander, the regional capital, for an included panoramic tour with a local guide, exploring this elegant coastal city and its beautiful bay.
Day 4 - Santander - Bilbao - Foronda Service Area - La Rioja - Zaragoza
After breakfast in Santander, we travel to Bilbao for a guided tour of the Basque Country’s largest city – a major economic and cultural centre. A key highlight is the Guggenheim Museum with its striking architecture. You’ll have free time to explore the area – you can stroll around or visit the museum if you wish.We then continue into La Rioja to visit the Wine Culture Museum in Briones, gaining an insight into the history of winemaking in this renowned region. We arrive in Zaragoza in the evening.
Day 5 - Zaragoza - Poblet - Barcelona
This morning we take a panoramic tour of Zaragoza with a local guide – we visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, explore the legacy of Goya and view some of his works, continue to the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace, and enjoy a stroll by the Aljafería Palace. After lunch we travel east into Catalonia to visit Poblet Abbey – a remarkable walled monastery in a beautiful setting – with tickets included. We then continue to Barcelona, arriving in the evening.
Day 6 - Barcelona
This morning we take a panoramic tour of Barcelona – a Mediterranean city celebrated for Gaudí and its modernist architecture, the lively Ramblas, and the legacy of its World Expositions and Olympic Games. The tour ends at Maremagnum – a waterfront leisure and dining complex next to Columbus Square – where you can stroll through this lively seafront area. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore. We return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 7 - Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia
We travel south along the Mediterranean, pausing in Peniscola – a medieval walled town surrounded by beautiful beaches – where you’ll have time for a relaxed stroll. We then continue to Valencia, arriving around lunchtime.In the afternoon, we join a guided tour with a local guide of this major port on the Levantine coast, whose history spans more than 2,000 years. We’ll take in monuments from different periods set against the bold modern lines of the City of Arts and Sciences. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace before we meet again for an included traditional local dinner.
Day 8 - Valencia - Alicante - Guadix - Granada
Leaving Valencia, we travel through the Valencian Community’s gentle landscapes to Alicante – a Mediterranean city of golden sands and a charming historic quarter, home to the Castle of Santa Bárbara. You’ll have free time for a stroll. We then continue across the arid scenery of Murcia, pausing en route for lunch. Crossing into Andalusia, our first stop is Guadix, noted for its inhabited cave houses and a historic centre that brings together a Renaissance cathedral, traditional neighbourhoods and views towards the Sierra Nevada. We continue to Granada, arriving in the late afternoon – dinner included.
Day 9 - Granada
A full day in Granada. In the morning, if tickets are included on your departure, we explore the Alhambra and its Generalife Gardens – masterpieces of the Arab period. In the afternoon, you have free time to get to know the city, including the cathedral that houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs. Important note – entry to the Alhambra is strictly regulated by law. Tickets are issued when your booking is confirmed, and you must provide accurate personal details, including full name and passport/ID number, at the time of booking. Ticket costs are non‑refundable if you cancel. In rare cases where the Alhambra visit cannot be operated, we will instead tour the Royal Alcázar of Seville, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.
Day 10 - Granada - Nerja - Malaga - Ronda - Seville
We leave Granada, enjoying striking scenery as we move away from the Sierra Nevada and follow the Mediterranean along the Tropical Coast, where a mild year round microclimate supports the cultivation of guavas, mangoes and avocados, and in the past, sugar cane. We stop in Nerja, a charming seaside town with impressive cliffs, then continue to Málaga – capital of the Costa del Sol – with time for lunch and a stroll through its lively historic centre. In the afternoon we head into the Andalusian sierras to reach Ronda, a beautiful white town famous for the dramatic gorge that divides it in two, before continuing to Seville for a late afternoon arrival – dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 11 - Seville
This morning we take a guided tour of Seville, taking in the cathedral with its famous Giralda, the banks of the Guadalquivir and the characterful neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour we board an included boat cruise on the Guadalquivir for panoramic views of the city from the water. The evening is at leisure – you can choose to attend a flamenco tablao.
Day 12 - Seville - Merida - Evora - Lisbon
We leave Seville, travelling through rolling hills and wide pasturelands towards Extremadura. In Mérida, we include admission to the Archaeological Ensemble – the Roman theatre and amphitheatre – a World Heritage Site renowned for its excellent preservation. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the lively pedestrian historic centre.We then continue into Portugal, stopping in Évora, another World Heritage city known for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral. We arrive in Lisbon in the evening.
Day 13 - Lisbon
In the morning, we set out on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon – the Portuguese capital of seven hills – taking in its narrow lanes, patterned tiles, a distinct sense of saudade and the city’s luminous Atlantic light. We then visit the Belém neighbourhood, the riverside quarter from which Portuguese navigators set out across the oceans in the 15th century. The afternoon is free – you can wander at your own pace, make your way up to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint, or join an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we return to the hotel from lively Restauradores Square, filled with bars and cafés.
Day 14 - Lisbon - Caceres - Madrid
An early departure from Portugal as we cross the picturesque Alentejo. We pause in Estremoz for coffee – a town known for its medieval castle, cobbled streets and traditional architecture. We then cross into Spain. In Cáceres, you’ll have time for lunch and to explore the historic centre, renowned as one of the best preserved medieval and Renaissance urban complexes. We continue to Madrid, arriving in the evening.
Day 15 - Madrid
After breakfast, we conclude the tour in Madrid – we hope you leave with lasting memories of your journey.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Madrid
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Madrid
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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