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7 Best Spain & Portugal Itineraries

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Female traveler at overlook in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal

From Madrid to Barcelona, Lisbon to Porto, find inspiration for your Iberian adventure with our seven best Spain and Portugal itineraries.

Discover destinations with a rich cultural heritage spanning centuries, where world-class art and architecture stand alongside natural beauty spread from rugged coasts to rolling hills covered in vineyards. Savor incredible wine with notes of cloves and dark fruits, or indulge in traditional small plates famous for their exquisite flavor. Whether you wish to learn flamenco in Seville, explore Moorish palaces in Andalusia, or lounge on the beaches of the Algarve, you can find inspiration with an insider’s perspective.

Find motivation for your custom-tailored tour as you explore the diverse possibilities you can experience during your Spain and Portugal vacation.

Overview
  1. 1. Highlights of Spain & Portugal Tour
  2. 2. Family-Friendly Tour of Spain & Portugal
  3. 3. Coastal Villages to Iconic Metropolises: Spain and Portugal Tour
  4. 4. Iberian Gastronomy Delights: 7-Day Food Tour of Spain and Portugal
  5. 5. Best of Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon Tour
  6. 6. Iberian Peninsula Food & Wine Tour
  7. 7. Best Spain & Portugal Highlights for Seniors
  8. Plan Your Trip to Spain and Portugal

1. Highlights of Spain & Portugal Tour

Toledo, Spain

Toledo, Spain

Length: 12 days

Places Visited: Madrid, Valencia, Cuenca, Guadix, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Salamanca, Toledo, Avila, Algarve, Lisbon, Fatima

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Our Highlights of Spain & Portugal Tour immerses you in the swell of guitar music and the rapid heel-clicks of passionate flamenco dancers in Seville. Wander beneath towering Roman aqueducts in Segovia and uncover hidden synagogues tucked within the medieval quarters of Toledo, a living museum where Arab, Jewish, and Christian heritages intertwine.

Traverse the grand archways and intricate geometry of the Alhambra palace before discovering the Mediterranean shores of Portugal's Algarve. With the enchanting melodies of fado music acting as the soundtrack to your experience, you can savor the contrasts between contemporary Lisbon and traditional Fatima.

2. Family-Friendly Tour of Spain & Portugal

Mother and daughter at Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Length: 9 days

Places Visited: Barcelona, Madrid, Porto

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Blend cultural experiences with interactive adventures tailored for kids during your Family-Friendly Tour of Spain & Portugal. Embrace the thrill of scavenger hunts through famous museums, experience the excitement of live performances for all ages, and witness new perspectives with local art explorations, from Park Guell to the bookstore that inspired Harry Potter.

Alternating between educational adventures and thrilling excursions, you can witness handmade medieval swords or sample artisanal chocolate to bring the history of Spain and Portugal to life. By emphasizing time together, your trip will create family bonds in unique ways that will see everyone enjoying themselves by creating their own special memories.

3. Coastal Villages to Iconic Metropolises: Spain and Portugal Tour

Beach in Begur, Spain

Beach in Begur, Spain

Length: 15 days

Places Visited: Sant Feliu de Guixols, Costa Brava, Begur, Girona, Barcelona, Madeira

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Traverse the rugged contours of the Costa Brava by paddleboard, discover tiny villages where medieval towers and plazas transport you through the centuries, and embrace the Mediterranean breeze while cycling Catalonia’s landscapes on this Coastal Villages to Iconic Metropolises: Spain and Portugal Tour.

Witness Antoni Gaudí’s one-of-a-kind architecture at mesmerizing La Sagrada Familia. Enjoy insider’s advice with a private cooking class in Barcelona to master the secrets behind dishes like paella. Explore the volcanic island of Madeira, where expert guides lead you rappelling down lush cliffsides or during a surf lesson to find the perfect wave.

Experience the wonders of the Azores’ rich whaling history while enjoying leisurely quests in search of wildlife around the famous Portuguese islands. From emerald pastures to spotting dolphins, you can blend active adventures, cultural discovery, and Iberian history on this 15-day journey that connects you to the essence of Spain and Portugal.

4. Iberian Gastronomy Delights: 7-Day Food Tour of Spain and Portugal

Couple toasting with wine glasses in Douro Valley, Portugal

Vineyards in Douro Valley, Portugal

Length: 7 days

Places Visited: Porto (City), San Sebastian, Barcelona

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Our Iberian Gastronomy Delights: 7-Day Food Tour of Spain and Portugal lets you indulge in unforgettable and luxurious Iberian experiences. Savor the melancholic melodies of fado music alongside fine regional cuisine and wine when settling alongside the Douro River in Porto. Master secrets of local specialties like the iconic Francesinha sandwich under the guidance of an expert chef. Meander through San Sebastian's Old Town, discovering delightful Basque pintxos culture famous for its bite-sized dishes that fill bustling taverns with aromas of grilled squid or blistered tomatoes.

Work up more of an appetite walking La Rambla's colorful Mercado de La Boqueria in Barcelona, indulge in traditional Spanish charcuterie, and relax at a quaint wine estate perched atop steep riverbanks.

You can embrace Iberia's incredible food and wine on this week-long culinary adventure as you uncover more of Spain and Portugal’s gourmet traditions.

5. Best of Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon Tour

View of the Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal

Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal

Length: 10 Days

Places Visited: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Uncover Iberian treasures, from Gothic towers to gilded palaces, with the Best of Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon Tour.

Stand in awe beneath the soaring spires of Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia, envisioning the surreal fusion of art and architecture. Traverse the pillars and arches of the Moorish Alfama quarter, embracing Lisbon’s medieval contours. Wander the lavish halls of Madrid’s Royal Palace, which rivals France’s Versailles in opulence and size, before escaping to the preserved hillside hamlet of Pedraza de la Sierra.

From the alluring rhythms of fado music to the gilded tomb of Vasco de Gama, trace the steps of great explorers and artists while discovering the cultural treasures of Iberia. Savor pintxos in San Sebastian, cod fritters in Lisbon, paella in Barcelona, and experience the kaleidoscopic colors that shift from historic medieval neighborhoods to vibrant ancient landscapes.

Your Spain and Portugal highlights tour will capture the beauty, history, and heritage of the region, leaving you with unforgettable memories.

6. Iberian Peninsula Food & Wine Tour

Pastéis de nata in Lisbon, Portugal

Pastéis de nata in Lisbon, Portugal

Length: 10 Days

Places Visited: Lisbon, Porto, San Sebastian, Barcelona, Madrid

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Savor Iberian culinary treasures, from pristine wine regions to Michelin-starred restaurants, with our 10-day Iberian Peninsula Food & Wine Tour.

Expert guides can lead you to a famous Lisbon bakery to indulge in the sweet custard pastéis de nata or you can learn the secrets behind this iconic pastry during an intimate baking lesson inside a local family’s home.

Traverse the steeply terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley to sample complex vintages straight from the cask and bask in the savory pintxos of San Sebastian during a guided culinary tour of charming Old Town.

Whether eager to sample one of the Iberian Peninsula’s celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants with a pre-booked dinner or interested in sampling the renowned Bellota ham, your gastronomic journey will connect your discerning palate to the incredible breadth of historic and contemporary flavors thriving across Spain and Portugal.

7. Best Spain & Portugal Highlights for Seniors

Garden and bell tower at Alhambra Palace in Granada in a beautiful summer day, Spain

Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain

Length: 10 Days

Places Visited: Madrid, Granada, Seville, Lisbon, Porto, Toledo, Ronda, Sintra, Evora

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Relive the grandeur of Moorish palaces to Roman aqueducts with this 10-day Best Spain & Portugal Highlights for Seniors.

Revel in the grandeur of the Alhambra’s intricate archways. Lose yourself in the swell of guitar music and rapid heel-clicks of flamenco dancers in Seville. Traverse the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley before sampling full-bodied vintages that leave hints of dark fruits and anise on your palate. Wander beneath towering Roman aqueducts in Segovia as you trace the architectural marvels of the past empire.

Enjoy the preserved medieval charms of Toledo’s cobblestone lanes, witness the fairytale palaces of Sintra, and embrace the Iberian Peninsula’s blended history firsthand on your custom-tailored tour of Spain and Portugal for seniors.

Plan Your Trip to Spain and Portugal

Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Spain and Portugal are destinations full of captivating history and inspiring traditions that bridge the past with contemporary life. From family to romance, hidden gems to culinary marvels, the Iberian Peninsula has a shared heritage, while demonstrating the marvelous ways Spain and Portugal are unique from each other.

For more inspiration on the custom-tailored experiences you could enjoy, as well as helpful tips for your trip, explore our Spain & Portugal Tours or our ideas on How to Spend 10, 14, or 21 Days in Spain and Portugal.

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