Itinerary
- Day 1
Lisbon to Porto
The day starts early with a pickup in Lisbon at 8:15 AM, heading north through Portugal's countryside. You'll stop in Obidos, a charming walled town where you can walk the cobbled streets and explore the Moorish Castle perched above the village. From there, it's on to Coimbra for a guided visit to the historic 13th-century university, one of Europe's oldest. After that, you'll drive to Porto with the afternoon free to get your bearings and explore the city on your own terms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Coimbra University Library
Optional Activities
- Explore Moorish Castle walls in Obidos
- Stroll through cobbled shopping lanes in Obidos
- Taste Ginjinha d'Obidos (sweet liqueur in chocolate cup) in Obidos
- Find restaurant for lunch in Coimbra
Landmarks Moorish Castle Obidos Coimbra University 
- Day 2
Porto
This day offers flexibility in Porto. You can stay in the city and wander around at your own pace, or sign up for the optional half-day trip to Douro Valley. If you go, you'll travel to Pinhao for a traditional rabelo boat cruise down the river paired with port wine tasting. The optional stop in Peso de Regua gives you a chance for more wine tasting, and you'll get to the viewpoint at Mesao Frio with views overlooking the Douro River before heading back. By evening, you're free to enjoy local restaurants, try different wines, or catch an optional Fado music performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional half-day excursion to Douro Valley
- Traditional rabelo boat river cruise on Douro River
- Port wine tasting in Pinhao
- Wine tasting in Peso de Regua
- Visit Mesao Frio viewpoint
- Attend Fado music performance in Porto
Landmarks Douro Valley Pinhao Peso de Regua Mesao Frio Viewpoint - Day 3
Porto to Santiago de Compostela
Heading north from Porto, you'll reach Braga to visit the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a UNESCO site known for its Baroque staircase with intricate fountains leading up to a neoclassical church at the top. You have the choice to take the elevator or tackle nearly 600 steps to reach the summit and enjoy the views. After that, you'll move on to Guimaraes, where Portugal's history began. The historic center is a UNESCO site itself, and you'll have time for lunch with the option to visit the Palace of Braganza. Then the route crosses into Spain and ends in Santiago de Compostela, one of Europe's most significant pilgrimage sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Bom Jesus Sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Ascend Bom Jesus Sanctuary by elevator
- Climb approximately 600 steps to Bom Jesus Sanctuary summit
- Explore Guimaraes historic centre independently
- Lunch in Guimaraes
- Optional visit to Palace of Braganza in Guimaraes
Landmarks Bom Jesus Sanctuary Mount Espinho Palace of Braganza Guimaraes Historic Centre 
- Day 4
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is yours to explore freely, or you can take the optional full-day excursion to Cape Finisterre. The optional trip includes a scenic coastal drive through areas known as Costa da Morte, passing through Noia and stopping at Playa de Carnota, Galicia's largest beach. You'll see Ezaro Waterfall cascading directly into the sea, then arrive at Cape Finisterre where the lighthouse marks the Atlantic edge. Lunch happens in the harbor town of Muxia before you return to Santiago for the evening. The city's cathedral sits above the remains of St. James, and it's worth seeing lit up after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Full-day excursion to Cape Finisterre
- Scenic drive along Costa da Morte
- View Playa de Carnota
- Visit Ezaro Waterfall
- Lighthouse visit at Cape Finisterre
- Lunch in Muxia harbour town
- View Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Landmarks Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Cape Finisterre Costa da Morte Playa de Carnota Ezaro Waterfall Muxia - Day 5
Santiago de Compostela to Salamanca
The route takes you to Lugo first, where you can walk along the world's only fully intact Roman city walls that ring the entire town. Next, you're heading to Las Medulas, a surreal landscape of red earth with deep cavities and holes left over from Roman gold mining operations centuries ago. It's unlike anywhere else, with dramatic geological formations created by mining activity. After exploring and having lunch, you'll continue the drive to Salamanca.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Lugo Roman city walls
- Explore Las Medulas landscape
- Lunch before arriving in Salamanca
Landmarks Lugo Roman Walls Las Medulas 
- Day 6
Salamanca to Madrid
Start with free time in Salamanca to check out the city on your own before heading across the vast plains of Castile and Leon. You'll stop in Avila for lunch, then visit El Escorial, the palace and monastery that serves as the home of the Spanish Royal Family and a UNESCO site. The drive wraps up with arrival in Madrid early in the evening, where the tour finishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to El Escorial
Optional Activities
- Explore Salamanca independently in the morning
- Lunch in Avila
Landmarks El Escorial Avila 
