9-Day Spain & Portugal Highlights

9-Day Spain & Portugal Highlights

9 days

Overview

Discover breathtaking architecture, vibrant cultures and fascinating history with this jam-packed 9-day Spain and Portugal tour! Start in Madrid, Spain’s capital city. Visit historic and charming cities like Toledo, Rhonda and Seville. Watch a Flamenco show and travel back in time in medieval towns. Travel to Portugal and spend time in the picturesque Algarve region before arriving in Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital. See Guarda, Porto and Salamanca before heading back to Spain. Visit the UNESCO town of Avila before ending the tour back in Madrid. Make memories to last a lifetime while learning and exploring!

What’s Included

  • All breakfasts
  • Air Conditioned private coach transport between cities
  • 8 nights’ accommodation in Spain and Portugal
  • Visit the diverse, ancient city of Toledo
  • Visit Ronda; home to the famous Puente Nuevo
  • Explore Seville with a local guide
  • See Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, on a driving tour
  • See highlights of Porto on a driving and walking tour
  • Explore the ancient city of Salamanca
  • All dinners
  • An expert tour director for the duration of the trip
  • Explore Madrid on an orientation tour
  • Discover the medieval architecture of Granada
  • See Seville on a driving tour
  • Spend time at the beach in Portugal’s Algarve region
  • Visit Obidos; a fortified medieval town
  • Visit Guarda; Portugal’s highest city
  • Admire the incredible Romanesque architecture of Avila

Itinerary

Day 1:

Start of tour in Madrid

Your adventure through Spain and Portugal begins today! Arrive in Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital city. The tour kicks off with an orientation tour of Madrid’s highlights, led by your tour director. Madrid is famous for its historic architecture, art galleries and mouthwatering food as well as for being home to the Spanish royal family. See top attractions such as the Plaza Mayor, Sobrino de Botín (the world’s oldest restaurant!) and San Miguel Market. Get a good night’s rest as the adventure continues tomorrow!

- Explore Madrid on an orientation tour

Day 2:

Toledo - Granada

Today promises ancient cities, impressive architecture and fascinating history! Leave Madrid this morning and head to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Enjoy a visit to this charming hilltop city which is home to Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments including an impressive Cathedral, a Moorish synagogue and a medieval stone bridge. Later, the tour makes its way south to Granada. This city is full of striking medieval architecture dating back to the Moorish occupation. Enjoy an orientation tour of this important and historic Andalusian city.

- Visit the diverse, ancient city of Toledo - Discover the medieval architecture of Granada

Day 3:

Ronda - Seville
*Optional

This morning, visit the Alhambra - a palace and fortress complex which is one of the most popular destinations in Granada! This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts some of the world’s finest and most well-preserved Islamic architecture as well as elements of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Later, travel to Ronda. While here, take in the breathtaking views from the famous Puente Nuevo bridge! Arrive in Seville in the afternoon and embark on a driving tour of this city situated atop the El Tajo Gorge. Many famous films and TV series such as Game of Thrones and Star Wars were filmed in Seville!

- Visit Ronda; home to the famous Puente Nuevo - See Seville on a driving tour - Alhambra Palace & Gardens*

Day 4:

Seville
*Optional

This full day in Seville begins with a tour from an expert local guide. Learn more about local culture, history and legends (like how Seville was said to be founded by Hercules!) and admire the city’s wide array of architectural styles; from Gothic structures to ancient Roman ruins! Soak up spectacular views from atop the Metropol Parasol. The rest of the day is free to explore more of Seville’s history and culture. Seville is famous for Flamenco and no visit is complete without a traditional Flamenco show which the group can enjoy tonight!

- Explore Seville with a local guide - Flamenco Dinner Show*

Day 5:

Algarve - Lisbon

Say adiós for now to Spain and head to a whole new country; Portugal! En route to Lisbon, visit the breathtaking southern coastal region of the Algarve. Spend some time at one of these beaches and swim in the crystal clear waters or relax on the golden sand. Later, arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s lively capital city! Get to know this colourful capital on an orientation tour and see highlights including Sao Jorge Castle and the charming Old Town.

- Spend time at the beach in Portugal’s Algarve region - See Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, on a driving tour

Day 6:

Lisbon: Free Day

Look forward to a full day in Lisbon! There are a number of ways to explore this vibrant Portuguese destination. Visit more of Lisbon’s landmarks including the Monument to the Discoveries, the Belem Tower and Bairro Alto, a bohemian hilltop district. Climb to the top of one of Lisbon’s seven hills and take in the views across the city and the River Tagus. Experience a true highlight of Portuguese culture and watch a live Fado music performance! Fado is one of the oldest types of urban folk music in the world. Don’t forget to try as much local food as possible today - freshly baked pasties de nata are the perfect Portuguese treat!

Day 7:

Obidos - Porto
*Optional

This morning the tour makes its way to another stunning Portuguese city; Porto! En route, stop over in Obidos - this charming medieval town is built within castle walls and its picturesque cobblestone streets will take you back in time! Then, continue towards Porto, Portugal’s second-oldest city. Arrive and enjoy a driving and walking tour. Learn more about Porto’s history and admire its diverse architecture. Porto’s top sights include the Ponte Dom Luis, which is a striking bridge over the River Douro, and the Clerigos Tower.

- Visit Obidos; a fortified medieval town - Visit Obidos; a fortified medieval town - Douro River Cruise

Day 8:

Guarda - Salamanca
*Optional

Say adues to Portugal as the tour travels back to Spain. On the way, enjoy spectacular views of the countryside and stop over in one last Portuguese city, Guarda. This is the highest city in Portugal and was founded in the 12th century by King Sancho I. Marvel at its centuries-old fortified towers and defensive walls. Later, arrive in Salamanca - an ancient Spanish city founded nearly one thousand years ago! See some of Salamanca’s impressive cathedrals, plazas and palaces on an orientation tour.

- Visit Guarda; Portugal’s highest city - Explore the ancient city of Salamanca

Day 9:

Avila - Madrid
*Optional

Enjoy one final stop before the tour ends today. Travel from Salamanca to Avila, a gorgeous walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site which is known for its Romanesque and Gothic churches. Then, continue onwards to Madrid. This unforgettable 9-day Spain and Portugal tour comes to an end this afternoon. Safe travels!

- Admire the incredible Romanesque architecture of Avila

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