Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and get transferred from the airport to your hotel. After you settle in, stop by the hotel reception to find out about the welcome meeting with your guide. Later that evening, head to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, where you can explore the neighborhood's nightlife and grab tapas. Dinner is your choice from Indian, Chinese, Spanish, or Middle Eastern restaurants in the area.
Landmarks/POIs Plaza Mayor La Latina - Day 2
Madrid
Your day starts with a comprehensive tour through central Madrid, hitting Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. Then you'll go to Retiro Park, a nice green space where you can see the lake and Palacio de Cristal. After lunch, head to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid. You'll have free time in the afternoon to do your own thing, and by evening you're transferred back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Comprehensive city tour of central Madrid (Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, Plaza Mayor)
- Visit to Retiro Park including the lake and Palacio de Cristal
- Admission to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Landmarks/POIs Paseo del Prado Cibeles Neptuno Puerta de Alcalá Plaza de Colón Plaza Mayor Retiro Park Palacio de Cristal Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - Day 3
Madrid to Granada
Leave Madrid early heading south through La Mancha toward Granada. You'll stop in Puerto Lápice, a charming Manchego village that feels like Don Quixote's world. From there, continue into Andalusia through Despeñaperros. Lunch comes with arrival in Granada. In the afternoon, if you chose the Alhambra option, a local guide will walk you through Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, both with impressive Arab period architecture.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Lunch in Granada
Optional Activities
- Visit to Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens with local guide (included only if Alhambra ticket option selected at booking)
Landmarks/POIs Puerto Lápice Despeñaperros Alhambra Palace Generalife Gardens - Day 4
Granada to Seville
You'll leave Granada heading toward the Costa del Sol. First stop is Málaga where you walk through the historic district with its cathedral and Picasso Museum. From there, travel along the coastal highway with Mediterranean views. Next comes Puerto Banús in Marbella, a sophisticated harbor area. Then head through the mountains to Ronda, a white town on a cliffside above a canyon. You arrive in Seville in the evening with dinner included at your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Dinner at hotel in Seville
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Málaga's historic district (cathedral and Picasso Museum area)
- Visit to Puerto Banús in Marbella
Landmarks/POIs Málaga Cathedral Picasso Museum (Málaga) Puerto Banús Ronda - Day 5
Seville
Start with a city tour of Seville visiting the cathedral and its famous Giralda tower, exploring the Guadalquivir River banks, and discovering Santa Cruz and Triana neighborhoods. After the tour, you'll take a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir with nice views. Later in the evening, you can choose to attend a flamenco tablao if interested.
Included Activities
- City tour of Seville (cathedral, Giralda, Guadalquivir River, Santa Cruz, Triana neighborhoods)
- Boat ride on the Guadalquivir River with panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Flamenco tablao evening show
Landmarks/POIs Seville Cathedral Giralda Guadalquivir River Santa Cruz Triana - Day 6
Seville to Lisbon
You'll leave Seville heading through rolling hills and pasturelands toward Extremadura. In Mérida, visit the Archaeological Ensemble with a Roman Theater and Amphitheater, a well-preserved World Heritage Site. There's time for lunch and to walk through the vibrant pedestrian historic center. Then continue to Portugal, stopping in Évora, another World Heritage Site with whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces, and a cathedral. You arrive in Lisbon by evening.
Included Activities
- Admission to the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida (Roman Theater and Amphitheater)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Mérida's pedestrian historic center with restaurants and local shops
- Visit to Évora
Landmarks/POIs Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida Roman Theater of Mérida Évora - Day 7
Lisbon
Take a sightseeing tour of Lisbon exploring the Portuguese capital's seven hills, charming alleys, iconic tiles, and beautiful Atlantic light. Visit Belem neighborhood where Portuguese navigators set sail in the 15th century. You'll have free time in the afternoon to explore Bairro Alto and its viewpoint. There's an optional trip available to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril if you're interested. By evening, you're transferred to Restauradores Square with its lively bars and cafes.
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Lisbon
- Visit to Belem neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Optional trip to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril (4 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Belem Bairro Alto Restauradores Square - Day 8
Lisbon to Porto
Travel north to Fátima, an important pilgrimage site, then continue to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. After lunch, enjoy a 50-minute cruise on the Douro River aboard a traditional Portuguese Rabelo boat with nice views of the riverside. You'll have free time to explore the medieval Ribeira district with its narrow streets, historic merchant houses, and cafes before going to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Douro River cruise (50 minutes) aboard traditional Portuguese Rabelo boat
Optional Activities
- Visit to Fátima pilgrimage site
Landmarks/POIs Fátima Douro River Ribeira - Day 9
Porto to Santiago de Compostela
Travel through beautiful landscapes to Braga where you'll ride the world's oldest water-operated cable car to reach the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus with great views. You can walk down through its picturesque staircase. From there, continue into Galicia to Cambados in Rías Baixas for a glass-bottom boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, learning about mussel and oyster production with wine and mussel tasting onboard. Arrive in Santiago de Compostela for lunch and a city tour through medieval streets and pilgrimage sites.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to Sanctuary of Bom Jesus in Braga
- Glass-bottom boat trip along Ría de Arousa with wine and mussel tasting
- City tour of Santiago de Compostela with local guide (medieval streets and pilgrimage sites)
Landmarks/POIs Sanctuary of Bom Jesus Cambados Ría de Arousa Santiago de Compostela - Day 10
Santiago de Compostela to Oviedo
Follow the Way of St. James starting in Lugo where you'll explore the historic town center and its Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit O Cebreiro, a charming Galician stone village. Continue to León arriving around lunchtime to see the beautiful Gothic cathedral with its stained-glass windows and explore the historic center. Cross the Cantabrian Range into Asturias, reaching Oviedo by evening. A local guide will show you the 9th-century cathedral, Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre, and Calle de la Rua. Dinner at a typical cider house with traditional Asturian food is included.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Asturian dinner in a typical cider house)
Included Activities
- City tour of Oviedo with local guide (9th-century cathedral, Calatrava Congressional Palace, Campoamor Theatre, Calle de la Rua)
- Traditional Asturian dinner at a cider house
Optional Activities
- Explore Lugo's historic town center and Roman walls
- Visit O Cebreiro
- Visit to León Cathedral and historic town center
Landmarks/POIs Lugo Lugo Roman Walls O Cebreiro León Cathedral Oviedo Cathedral Calatrava Congressional Palace Campoamor Theatre Calle de la Rua - Day 11
Oviedo to Santander
Head to the Picos de Europa starting with a visit to the Basilica of Covadonga. Follow the coastline to Santillana, one of Spain's nicest towns with an intact medieval quarter. The Altamira Cave Museum is nearby with tickets already included. Later, head to Santander, the region's capital, a coastal city with nice views of mountains and beaches. A panoramic tour with a local guide lets you explore this elegant coastal city and its beautiful bay.
Included Activities
- Visit to Basilica of Covadonga
- Admission to Altamira Cave Museum (National Museum of Altamira caves)
- Panoramic city tour of Santander with local guide
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Santillana medieval quarter
Landmarks/POIs Picos de Europa Basilica of Covadonga Santillana Altamira Cave Museum Santander - Day 12
Santander to Zaragoza
Follow the motorway along the Cantabrian coast through beautiful landscapes where mountains meet the sea. Arrive in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. A brief city tour with a local guide covers the Guggenheim area, the old quarter, and the Cathedral. After, you'll have free time to try authentic pintxos. Continue to La Rioja, known for its exceptional wines. Visit the Wine Culture Museum in Briones to explore the ancient art of winemaking. You arrive in Zaragoza in the evening.
Included Activities
- Brief city tour of Bilbao with local guide (Guggenheim area, old quarter, Cathedral)
- Visit to Wine Culture Museum in Briones
Landmarks/POIs Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Bilbao Old Quarter Bilbao Cathedral Wine Culture Museum Briones - Day 13
Zaragoza to Barcelona
Start with a morning panoramic tour of Zaragoza guided by a local expert. Visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, see works by the famous painter Goya, and check out the Roman theatre and a Renaissance palace. Walk by the Aljafería Palace. After lunch, head to Catalonia to visit Poblet Abbey, a walled monastery set in beautiful scenery and one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the world with tickets included. You arrive in Barcelona in the evening.
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Zaragoza with local guide
- Visit to Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
- Tour of Goya works and masterpieces
- Visit to Roman Theatre
- Visit to Renaissance Palace
- Stroll by Aljafería Palace
- Admission to Poblet Abbey
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar Goya Museum (Zaragoza) Roman Theatre (Zaragoza) Aljafería Palace Poblet Abbey - Day 14
Barcelona
Start with a panoramic tour of Barcelona, one of Europe's most interesting capitals. This vibrant Mediterranean city is known for Gaudí's modernist architecture, the bustling Ramblas, and its history from the Universal Exposition and Olympics. You'll have free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. By evening, you're transferred to Maremagnum, a contemporary entertainment and dining complex by the sea near Plaza de Colón, where you can stroll and choose from various dining options.
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Barcelona
Landmarks/POIs Ramblas Maremagnum Plaza de Colón - Day 15
Barcelona to Madrid
Travel south along the Mediterranean with a special stop in Peñiscola, a charming walled town by the sea with picturesque landscapes where you'll have time to walk around. Continue to Valencia, a vibrant port city on the Levantine coast, arriving around lunchtime. Try the famous paella if you want. At around 4:30 p.m., continue your journey to Madrid with a brief stop at Valencia's avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences. You arrive in Madrid between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.
Included Activities
- Stroll in Peñiscola
Optional Activities
- Stop at City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia
Landmarks/POIs Peñiscola City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia - Day 16
Madrid
After breakfast, your journey ends here, and you'll leave with wonderful lasting memories from your trip through Spain and Portugal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
