Best Spain & Portugal Highlights for Seniors

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

What to expect on this itinerary

From the prestige of the Alhambra to the historic charms of the Castelo de Sao Jorge, your custom-tailored 10-day senior tour of Europe leads you through Spain and Portugal for the best of the Iberian Peninsula. Feel the beating spirit of Seville during a flamenco performance, sample the subtle flavors of celebrated wines in the Douro Valley, climb the impressive stairwell of the Spanish Royal Palace, and wander along the remnants of Moorish ramparts.

Countries Visited

Portugal, Spain

Places Visited

Madrid, Granada, Seville, Lisbon, Porto, Toledo, Ronda, Sintra, Evora

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Madrid – Introduction to Madrid

Your flight will arrive at Madrid Barajas International Airport, where your transfer will greet you at baggage claim and escort you to a luxurious accommodation near the vibrant center of the captivating city. After settling in to the comforts of your accommodation, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure to enjoy the beauty of Madrid at your preferred pace. The Gran Via embodies the excellence of the city with its combination of architectural styles. The Telefonica Building remains an iconic aesthetic that stands over 265 feet tall and once boasted the title as Europe’s tallest building.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Madrid – Madrid’s History and Culture

Day 3

Granada – Visit Toledo and Tour Granada

Day 4

Seville – Explore the Wonders of Ronda

Day 5

Seville – Seville’s Beauty and Flamenco Show

Day 6

Lisbon – Private City Tour of Lisbon

Day 7

Lisbon – Leisurely Day in Sintra

Day 8

Lisbon – The Regional Capital of Evora

Day 9

Porto – Wine and City Excursion

Day 10

Porto – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the grandeur of the art that is on display in the famous Prado Museum with a collection of over 2,300 paintings
  • Traverse the preserved charms of the Moorish fortress of Granada, which is known as the Alhambra and home to impressive engineering feats
  • Enjoy the rhythm and storytelling that can be found in a live flamenco show when visiting the captivating city of Seville
  • Explore the legacy of exploration when touring the splendor of Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood and the Castelo de Sao Jorge
  • Sample the sensational depth of flavors that can be found in the wines produced in the world’s oldest designated wine-growing region at the Douro Valley
  • Enjoy the preserved medieval charms and cobblestone lanes of the dramatic city of Toledo
  • Marvel at the interesting architecture of Roman and Moorish design, which highlight the diverse history of the region
  • Revel in a fairytale ambiance when visiting storybook palaces and enjoying the picturesque scenery of stunning Sintra

Detailed Description

During your luxurious 10-day senior vacation of Europe, you will discover the marvels of the Iberian Peninsula with an immersive highlights tour of Spain and Portugal. The wealth of history and stature of the former Portuguese and Spanish kingdoms will be reflected by the splendor of the past’s architectural, artistic, and archeological marvels. You will experience the authentic beauty and true spirit of Spanish and Portuguese heritage.

Your adventure through the Iberian Peninsula will begin with your arrival in Madrid, which is the capital of Spain. You can take your time with a guide to explore the city at your pace, winding through the expansive galleries of the Prado Museum and the extravagant rooms of the Spanish Royal Palace. Before you reach Granada, you will have time to traverse the cobblestone lanes of Toledo, and the medieval city boasts preserved architecture along the banks of the Tagus River. You will have a guided tour in Granada to enjoy the inspiring architecture and ambiance of the maze-like city, which will showcase its Moorish and Catholic designs.

On your way to the fascinating city of Seville, you will stop in the town of Ronda, which is known for its whitewashed buildings and panoramic view from the edge of El Tajo Gorge. Here, you will visit the second-oldest bullring in Spain before reaching Seville, where you have the remaining evening at leisure to indulge in the famous flavors of Andalusia. Two nights in Seville will provide you with another opportunity to wander the cobbled lanes of the historic center and the former Jewish. You will also be provided with the exclusive opportunity of witnessing the vibrant steps of a captivating flamenco show.

You will travel from Seville into Lisbon with a stop in Faro to uncover the sensational history of the Algarve region, which is known for its sensational beaches and luxurious resorts. You will have three nights in Lisbon with a full day’s guided tour that will provide you with insight into the marvels of the Age of Exploration. You will enjoy two distinct day trips that will uncover the cultural differences and historic layers of the different regions of the Iberian Peninsula, from the fairytale palaces and streets of Sintra to the majestic Roman architecture found in Evora. One night in Porto will allow you to bask in the delicious splendor of the Douro Valley with a wine tour that will have you visiting numerous cellars within the historic landscape.

Starting Price

$3,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 3162 reviews

Spain Tour Review: Barcelona, Sagrada Familia Tour, 2 Weeks

Everything went as expected. The trip was exactly as planned, with all pick-ups, all transfers, all requested tours, etc. We received an appropriate level of communications from Zicasso's travel specialist, who provided timely updates, names and phones of the drivers and guides, and all the needed details.

See more

Spain Tour Review: Caminito del Rey, Cooking Class, Tapas Tour, 8 Nights

We had an amazing trip to southern Spain, planned by Zicasso’s travel specialists!

See more

Spain, Portugal Vacation Review: Penedes, Sagrada Familia, Wine Tour, Mosaic Experience, 5 Nights

Zicasso’s travel specialist was great, with great communication skills and great ideas. I recommend her highly to anyone going to Spain or Portugal. We had some really unique experiences with real expert guides, including a wine tour in Penedès, a tapas and history tour, a visit to Sagrada Família, and a lovely evening with a local artist making mosaics.

See more

Portugal Trip Review: Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Guimaraes, Sintra, Monserrate Palace, Joanina Library, Fado Museum, Archaeological Museum, Filigree Workshop, Cathedrals, 9 Days

There was a front of bad weather for more than four weeks in Portugal before we arrived. As a result, some of our plans had to be changed. Zicasso’s travel specialists were in communication with us the whole trip, letting us know about new possibilities. All worked like clockwork. The drivers arrived on time and the cars were in mint condition. The half-day guides in Lisbon and Porto were fantastic. The travel specialists were available for our suggestions and changes. The hotels they chose for us were what we wanted, boutique luxury, in good locations, near all the sites and restaurants. The rooms were small, but that comes with the choice.

See more

Spain Tour Review: Madrid, Seville, 12 Nights

We had a great trip, with knowledgeable guides who were very well organized. The one hiccup we encountered, the cancellation of all train service to the south due to a horrific train accident, was proactively and smoothly handled. A car service was arranged for us, as no flights were available. The hotels selected were well located in the historic areas, so we could explore some hidden gems on our own. The Madrid and Seville hotels were both historic and so fun to stay at. Overall, an excellent trip.

See more

Portugal Trip Review: 1 Week

I couldn’t say enough positive things about Zicasso's travel specialists, from top to bottom. Airport service was excellent, daily guides were excellent, and management was excellent, a rare combination.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews