Private Northern Spain & Portugal

When you arrive in Madrid, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or begin discovering the city independently.

After breakfast, you set out on a panoramic tour that introduces you to Madrid’s early history, beginning near the old Arab fortress and the traditional Barrio de la Moreria. You then explore the Habsburg quarter, shaped by Philip II, where Renaissance and Baroque buildings frame Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa.

Your tour continues through the Madrid of the Bourbons, taking in the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptune fountains, and the Puerta de Alcalá. You also view elegant 19th-century landmarks, including Plaza de Oriente and the area surrounding the Prado Museum.

To finish, you gain an overview of contemporary Madrid as you travel along Gran Vía and Paseo de la Castellana, passing the Salamanca district, Parque del Oeste, and the exterior of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace.

Madrid - Zaragoza - San Sebastian. Today, you leave Madrid and travel towards Zaragoza. On arrival, you have free time to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, an important place of devotion in the Spanish-speaking world, and to wander through the historic streets at your own pace.

In the afternoon, you continue to San Sebastián, a refined coastal city renowned for its sweeping bay, celebrated cuisine, and its prestigious international film festival.

This morning, you join a panoramic tour of San Sebastián, an elegant city shaped by its graceful bay and the curve of La Concha Beach. The tour includes a journey up Monte Igueldo, where you can take in wide views across the shoreline and the city below.

The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish. In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional visit to the nearby French towns of Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, both known for their coastal charm and Basque character.

San Sebastian - Bilbao - Castro Urdiales - Santander. You travel to Bilbao, where you have free time around the Guggenheim Museum’s striking riverside setting to admire its bold contemporary architecture.

You then continue to Castro Urdiales, a traditional fishing town where you can enjoy some time at leisure to explore its historic harbourfront.

Later, you journey onward to Santander, a coastal city embraced by mountains and known for its fine beaches, including the well-loved El Sardinero. Here, you meet a local guide for a tour that introduces you to the city’s character, history, and waterfront setting.

Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. This morning, you travel to Santillana del Mar, one of Spain’s most historically significant towns. Here, you can admire its remarkable medieval architecture, including the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a key example of Romanesque art in Cantabria.

You then continue to Covadonga, where you have free time to visit the Sanctuary and the grotto that houses the revered image of the Virgin.

In the afternoon, you make your way to Oviedo, set across a series of gentle hills at the foot of Mount Naranco. The city is known for its attractive pedestrian streets and its collection of monuments recognised as World Heritage Sites, including the Cathedral, a major work of Asturian Gothic.

Oviedo - Mondonedo - Lugo - Santiago de Compostela. In the morning, you begin your journey into the Galician region. Your first stop is Mondoñedo, where you have free time to visit the impressive 12th-century cathedral and, if you wish, sample the town’s traditional Mondoñedo cake.

You then continue to Lugo, where you can explore at your own pace. The city is known for its remarkably preserved Roman walls, recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Later, you travel to Santiago de Compostela, whose historic centre is also a World Heritage Site. This celebrated city marks the end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and is one of Spain’s most significant cultural and religious destinations.

You begin the day with a guided tour of Santiago, visiting the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral, dedicated to the Apostle James the Greater, where entrance is included.

You then have the rest of the day free to continue exploring this historic city, known for its lively university atmosphere and beautifully preserved old town.

Santiago de Compostela - Salamanca. Departure towards Salamanca. On arrival, you have free time to explore this historic university city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich architectural and artistic heritage.

Salamanca - Porto (Portugal). Leaving Salamanca this morning, you head across the border and reach Porto. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Porto in your own way, whether you choose to explore more of its riverside neighbourhoods, visit museums, or simply relax and take in the city’s atmosphere.

This morning, you join a panoramic tour of Porto, a World Heritage city known for its historic quarters and riverside setting. You visit key landmarks such as the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, and the Church of Santa Clara.

You then see the city from a different perspective during a cruise along the Douro River, followed by a visit to a renowned Port wine cellar, where a tasting is included.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Porto at your own pace.

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima. After breakfast, you travel to Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and recognised as an important centre of Portuguese culture. You have free time to explore the historic streets or enjoy the city’s musical heritage.

You then continue to Fátima, a major pilgrimage site known for the Basilica, the Cova da Iria, and the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the three shepherd children are laid to rest. In the evening, you may choose to attend the candlelight procession.

Fatima - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. Today, you depart for the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture and a recognised World Heritage Site.

You then continue to the coastal town of Nazaré, where you have free time to enjoy its traditional fishing heritage and seaside atmosphere.

Your journey carries on to Alcobaça, also a World Heritage Site, where you can visit the impressive Gothic church and Cistercian monastery, whose origins date back to the twelfth century.

Finally, you travel to Lisbon, arriving in the Portuguese capital in the late afternoon.

You will begin the morning with a city tour of Lisbon, once known as Olissipo. The tour introduces you to the city’s main squares and avenues, as well as key landmarks such as the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery (exterior), and the Monument to the Discoveries.

You will then have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace. You may choose to wander through the charming lanes of the Alfama district or take an optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais, both recognised as World Heritage Sites.

Lisbon (Portugal) - Merida (Spain) - Madrid. This morning, you travel towards Mérida, a World Heritage city celebrated for its outstanding Roman remains, including the theatre, amphitheatre, and ancient bridge.

You will have free time to explore the historic centre before continuing your journey back to Madrid.

After your final breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your journey. Safe travels!