12-Day Classic Spain & Portugal
Overview
From the lively streets of Madrid and the magnificent architecture of Barcelona, to the colours of Lisbon and beauty of the Algarve Coast, this 12-day tour of Spain and Portugal is filled with unforgettable adventures! Tour the Iberian Peninsula, starting in Madrid. See Spain’s top destinations including Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Granada. Admire the incredible natural scenery, taste world-class cuisine and explore Lisbon in Portugal! See iconic landmarks including the Sagrada Família and the Alhambra. Look forward to history, culture, bucket-list destinations and tons of fun on this unmissable Spain and Portugal tour!
What’s Included
- All breakfasts
- Air Conditioned private coach transport between cities
- 11 nights’ accommodation in Spain and Portugal
- Drive through the beautiful Algarve region
- Explore Madrid on a city tour
- Go in-depth on a guided tour of Barcelona
- Enjoy a tour of Valencia’s Old Town
- Visit the beaches in the Algarve
- All dinners
- An expert tour director for the duration of the trip
- Drive through historic towns from Granada to Seville
- Free days in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Lisbon
- See Barcelona’s highlights on an orientation tour
- Visit Peniscola; a beautiful seaside city
- Explore Seville on a guided tour
- Enjoy a guided tour of Lisbon
Itinerary
Day 1:
Start of tour in Madrid
Welcome to the beginning of this 12-day adventure through Spain and Portugal! Begin in Madrid where you’ll meet the tour director who will provide an overview of the upcoming trip, outlining everything to look forward to! Enjoy free time in Madrid this afternoon. Spain’s capital city is home to top attractions such as Plaza Mayor (the city’s main square), the Royal Palace of Madrid, several world-famous museums including the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía which is home to famous artworks by Picasso, Dalí, Miró and more.
- Explore Madrid on a city tourDay 2:
Madrid
*OptionalsDiscover Madrid on a full free day in Spain’s beautiful capital city! Start with a city tour to get to know Madrid. Top places to visit include the Almudena Cathedral, the Puerta del Sol and the bustling San Miguel Market. Art and history lovers will enjoy visits to the renowned Museo Nacional del Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Football fan? Madrid is home to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium which is the homeground for Real Madrid football club! Why not finish it off with a colourful flamenco show tonight?
- Madrid Food Tour* - Flamenco Show*Day 3:
Madrid - Barcelona
See more of Spain as the tour travels to Barcelona today. Choose to journey by coach or by train for a different kind of travel experience. Along the way, admire the changing Spanish landscapes. If travelling by coach, enjoy options for a comfort stop including Zaragoza and Soria, both home to striking historical architecture. Salou and Tarragona offer a coastal break and ancient Roman ruins. Wherever the group stops, you’re sure to be treated to fascinating Spanish history and culture! Later arrive in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of Spain’s most popular destinations! Discover the city on an orientation tour.
- See Barcelona’s highlights on an orientation tourDay 4:
Barcelona
*OptionalsBarcelona is a gorgeous city famous for its architecture, art, cuisine, coastline and, of course, its football team. Get to know more about the city on a locally guided tour. Then, customise the rest of today’s activities to your group’s interests. See Antoni Gaudí’s architectural icons including Park Güell and the famed Sagrada Familia, or learn more about the city’s favourite sport on an FC Barcelona stadium tour. Alternatively, escape the city and visit Montserrat - a monastery located in the picturesque mountain ranges north-west of Barcelona.
- Go in-depth on a guided tour of Barcelona - Barcelona Food Tour* - FC Barcelona Stadium Tour* - Half-Day Montserrat Trip*Day 5:
Barcelona - Valencia
*OptionalsSay adios to Barcelona and travel to Valencia. Make a comfort stop in Peniscola and see its striking seaside castle! Later, arrive in Valencia and see its top sights, such as the Valencia Cathedral and the Lonja de la Seda, on a tour of the Old Town which is home to more than 2,000 years of history! A tour of the City of Arts and Sciences will reveal why this cultural complex is one of the “12 Treasures of Spain.”
- Visit Peniscola; a beautiful seaside city - Enjoy a tour of Valencia’s Old Town - Central Food Market Tour in Valencia* - City of Arts and Sciences Tour*Day 6:
Valencia - Granada
*OptionalJourney into the heart of the Andalusia province before arriving in Granada later today. Moorish influence is evident throughout this spectacular city located in the Sierra Nevada mountains! Granada is renowned for its grand Islamic architecture, the most famous of which is the magnificent Alhambra palace and fortress. Take a highly-recommended tour of the Alhambra Palace and Gardens to fully explore the impressive hilltop fortress!
- Guided tour of Alhambra*Day 7:
Granada - Seville
*OptionalLook forward to a scenic drive through Spain’s gorgeous interior region today during the drive from Granada to Seville. En route, choose to stop in Málaga which was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonia Banderas. A stopover in Gibraltar is also an exciting option! This overseas British territory is known for the Rock of Gibraltar and being home to the only wild monkeys in Europe. Later, arrive in Seville, the largest city in Andalusia. Enjoy a guided tour of this captivating city, famous for its architecture, museums, lush gardens and flamenco dance!
- Explore Seville on a guided tour - Visit Málaga* - Visit Gibraltar*Day 8:
Seville
*OptionalsEnjoy a free day in Seville! Like many cities in Andalusia, Seville’s history is a mix of Moorish and Spanish influence, as illustrated in the city’s architecture, culture and cuisine. Visit Seville’s famous landmarks like the Seville Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic and medieval cathedral in the world, and the Real Alcázar - this royal palace is a mesmerising mix of Mudéjar and Christian architecture! See famous Spanish artworks during a tour of the Seville Museum or explore the Naval Museum which includes a visit to the La Maestranza bullring. Alternatively, add a brand new country to the itinerary with a day tour to Morocco!
- Seville Museum of Fine Arts Tour* - Seville Naval Museum Tour* - Day trip to Morocco*Day 9:
Seville - Lisbon
The Iberian Peninsula adventures continue to a new country today: Portugal! Cross the border into the Algarve region and prepare for the most impressive drive of the tour! Travel along the Algarve coast complete with white sand beaches, striking rock formations and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Comfort stops are available at beautiful Portuguese towns along the coast. Later, arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital! Get to know Lisbon better on a guided tour. This city is famous for its mouthwatering cuisine, diverse architecture and Mediterranean climate!
- Visit the beaches in the Algarve - Enjoy a guided tour of LisbonDay 10:
Lisbon
*OptionalFrom a trip on the iconic yellow Tram 28 to pasteis de nata served hot and fresh, experience the best of Lisbon during a free day! Lisbon’s top sights include the Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries and Praça do Comércio. A half-day trip to colourful Sintra is highly recommended. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with whimsically beautiful palaces, villas and gardens. This is one of Portugal’s most enchanting and unique destinations!
- Half-Day Trip to Sintra*Day 11:
Lisbon - Madrid
*OptionalIt’s time to head back to Spain this morning on this travel day. Looking for a great option for a stopover? In Spain, Toledo is a must-see! This ancient city is known as the “city of three cultures” after experiencing Chritsian, Islamic and Jewish influence over 1,000 years, with impressive architecture and historic sites to boot! Arrive back in Madrid later today for the last night of the tour.
- Visit Toledo in Spain*Day 12:
End of tour in Madrid
Following 12 days of unforgettable adventures across two wonderful countries, the tour wraps up after breakfast today. We hope you have had a wonderful time experiencing the best travel experiences in Spain and Portugal with the Young Explorer!
- Half-Day Trip to Sintra*