Spain and Portugal A Cultural Odyssey
Begin in Madrid with tapas in La Latina and a city spin past El Retiro and the Bernabéu. Head east for Zaragoza’s Basilica del Pilar and tranquil Poblet Abbey before Barcelona’s Gaudí showpieces and breezy waterfront. Trace the Mediterranean via Peñíscola to Valencia’s old town and the City of Arts and Sciences, with a traditional dinner. Continue through Alicante and Guadix to Granada – with time for the Alhambra. Then it’s Nerja’s coves, Málaga’s charm and dramatic Ronda before Seville’s cathedral quarter and a leisurely Guadalquivir cruise. Finish via Roman Mérida and whitewashed Évora to Lisbon’s hills and Belém. Starts in Madrid and ends in Lisbon – 12 days.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
MadridEnds
LisbonMinimum 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
$2,235.50
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
Zaragoza
Poblet
Barcelona
Peniscola
Valencia
Alicante
Caravaca de la Cruz
Granada
Malaga
Marbella
Ronda
Seville
Mérida
Évora
Lisbon
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Madrid
Welcome to Madrid. On arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel, and you’ll have free time until the tour begins. Please check the information signs at reception for details of the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. In the evening, we’ll provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and the La Latina district – renowned for lively nightlife and excellent tapas – where you can choose where to dine, with options including Spanish, Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cuisines.
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
This morning we set off on a panoramic tour of central Madrid, taking in Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We then continue into El Retiro Park to see the lake and the glass Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – home of Real Madrid. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. In the evening, we provide a transfer back to the hotel.
Day 3 - Madrid - Zaragoza - Poblet - Barcelona
We depart Madrid in the morning, crossing the plains of Castile into Aragon. In Zaragoza we stop to see the Cathedral–Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, then continue to the serene Poblet Abbey – one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries – with admission included. We travel on to Barcelona, arriving in the evening.
Day 4 - Barcelona
In the morning, we take a panoramic tour of Barcelona, a Mediterranean city renowned for Gaudí’s modernist architecture, its lively Ramblas and the legacies of its World Expositions and Olympic Games. We end at Maremagnum – a contemporary waterfront hub beside Columbus Square – where you can stroll along the seafront. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. We provide a return transfer to the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 5 - Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia
We travel south along the Mediterranean, pausing in Peñíscola, a medieval walled town fringed by beaches – you’ll have time for a relaxed stroll. We continue to Valencia, arriving around lunchtime. In the afternoon we explore with a local guide this historic port on the Levantine coast, where monuments from different eras contrast with the contemporary City of Arts and Sciences. After the tour, you’ll have free time to wander at your own pace. We include a traditional local dinner.
Day 6 - Valencia - Alicante - Guadix - Granada
We leave Valencia and travel through the Valencian Community to Alicante – a Mediterranean city of golden sands and a characterful old quarter crowned by Santa Bárbara Castle. We pause here and you’ll have free time for a stroll.The journey continues across the arid landscapes of Murcia, with a stop en route for lunch – you can choose where to eat.Crossing into Andalusia, we make our first stop in Guadix, known for its inhabited cave houses and an historic centre that brings together a Renaissance cathedral, traditional neighbourhoods and views towards the Sierra Nevada. We then continue to Granada, arriving in the late afternoon – dinner is included.
Day 7 - Granada
We spend a full day in Granada. If your tour includes tickets, we visit the Alhambra Palace and its Generalife Gardens – masterpieces from the Arab era. In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the city at your own pace – you might visit the cathedral, which houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs.Important information about the Alhambra: visitor numbers are strictly regulated by law. To secure admission, tickets are issued once your tour is confirmed and you must provide accurate personal details at the time of booking – full name and passport or ID number. Ticket costs are non-refundable if you cancel. On rare occasions when the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will instead tour Seville’s Royal Alcázar, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.
Day 8 - Granada - Nerja - Malaga - Ronda - Seville
We depart Granada, taking in striking views as we leave the Sierra Nevada behind. Following the Mediterranean along the Tropical Coast – where a mild microclimate supports guavas, mangoes and avocados, and once sugar cane – we stop in Nerja, a charming seaside town framed by impressive cliffs. We then continue to Málaga, capital of the Costa del Sol, lively and with a handsome historic centre. You’ll have time for lunch and a relaxed stroll through the city centre at your own pace.In the afternoon we head into the Andalusian sierras to reach Ronda, a celebrated white town known for the dramatic gorge that divides it. We continue to Seville, arriving in the late afternoon – dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 9 - Seville
In the morning, we set out on a guided tour of Seville, taking in Seville Cathedral and the Giralda bell tower, the banks of the Guadalquivir and the atmospheric neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, we include a relaxing boat cruise on the Guadalquivir, offering panoramic views of the city from the water. In the evening, you can choose to attend a flamenco tablao.
Day 10 - Seville - Merida - Evora - Lisbon
We leave Seville, travelling through rolling hills and pastureland towards Extremadura. In Mérida, we include entry to the Archaeological Ensemble – home to the Roman theatre and amphitheatre and recognised as a World Heritage Site. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the pedestrian historic centre. We then continue into Portugal, stopping in Évora – also a World Heritage city – known for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral. We arrive in Lisbon in the evening.
Day 11 - Lisbon
This morning we embark on a guided tour of Lisbon – the Portuguese capital of seven hills – taking in its narrow alleys, tiled facades, a sense of saudade and the Atlantic light. We also visit Belem, the neighbourhood from which Portuguese navigators set out across the oceans in the 15th century. The afternoon is free – you can head up to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint, or join an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we provide a return transfer to the hotel from lively Restauradores Square, known for its bars and cafes.
Day 12 - Lisbon
After breakfast, we bring the tour to a close in Lisbon – you’re free to depart at your convenience and continue your onward 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 - Lisbon
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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