Leisurely 10-Day Vacation Through Spain & Portugal

The fabulous Pena National Palace on one of the hills of Sintra, Portugal

What to expect on this itinerary

On this 10-day excursion through Spain and Portugal, explore much of the best of these Western European countries. Stroll along the charming streets of Sintra, ride in a hot air balloon over Barcelona, and attend a live flamenco show accompanied by regional tapas. From the serene beaches of Barcelona to the bustling streets of Madrid, this adventure will open your eyes to the rich history and culture of this fascinating region.

Countries Visited

Portugal, Spain

Places Visited

Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Sintra, Montserrat

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Lisbon – Traditional Fado Show

You will arrive at the airport in the wonderful city of Lisbon, which is the capital of Portugal, and be met at baggage claim by your private driver. From there, you will be transferred to your luxury accommodation. After you have had time to settle in, you will spend your first hours in this gorgeous city at your leisure, strolling through Alfama’s picturesque streets and stopping at the lovely cafes that line them. You will return to your hotel and meet your private guide in the lobby for a transfer to a world-renowned Fado show that will be accompanied by a gourmet Portuguese dinner and wine pairing.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Breakfast
Day 2

Lisbon – Explore Sintra and Cascais

Day 3

Lisbon – Lisbon’s Most Extraordinary Sites

Day 4

Barcelona – Visit La Sagrada Familia

Day 5

Barcelona – Discover the Best of Barcelona

Day 6

Barcelona – Hot Air Balloon Ride over Montserrat

Day 7

Madrid – One of the City’s Best Museums

Day 8

Madrid – Madrid’s Parque del Retiro

Day 9

Madrid – Enjoy a Live Flamenco Show

Day 10

Madrid – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in Portuguese culture when you delight in a traditional Fado performance that is accompanied by a gourmet dinner and wine pairing
  • Marvel at the splendid towns of Sintra and Cascais on a full-day excursion from Lisbon
  • Uncover the secrets of the famed La Sagrada Familia cathedral on a private tour through Barcelona
  • View Montserrat from above as you float through the sky in a hot air balloon
  • Immerse yourself in the unique designs and works of art as you traverse the world-famous Park Guell in Barcelona
  • Stroll through Spain’s top museums as you delight in a specially curated, private tour in Madrid
  • Explore Madrid’s serene Parque del Retiro, which provides the perfect respite from the rest of the bustling city
  • Delight in age-old, Spanish traditions, such as a wonderful Flamenco show that is accompanied by Spanish tapas

Detailed Description

From the stunning promenade along the beaches of Cascais to the bustling center of the Spanish capital of Madrid, Spain and Portugal offer the perfect combination of leisure and excitement. You will luxuriate in the beauty of Madrid’s serene Parque del Retiro and delight in a traditional Fado show in Lisbon, which is the heart of Portugal. On this luxurious, 10-day tour through Spain and Portugal, you will be provided with a taste of the intriguing history and culture of both of these Mediterranean countries.

Your tour will begin in Lisbon, which is the capital of Portugal. Here, you will explore the city’s most noteworthy sites on a privately guided tour. In the evening, you will attend a live Fado show that will be accompanied by a traditional Portuguese dinner and wine pairing. From Lisbon, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the charming towns of Sintra and Cascais. After leaving for Spain, you will arrive in the magical city of Barcelona, where you will discover the best of this seaside city when you visit the world-famous La Sagrada Familia cathedral and Park Guell. You will then venture outside the of the city to Montserrat, where you will board a glorious hot air balloon and float high above the clouds.

Finally, you will arrive in Madrid, which is the capital of Spain. You will never be lacking for things to do in this city because it has something for everyone. You will discover Spain’s best museums, such as the Prado and the Reina Sofía, and you will visit the world-renowned Royal Palace on a privately curated tour. You will also delight in relaxing in the shade of the brilliant Parque del Retiro as charming rowboats float by on the park’s beautiful lake. Finally, you will be enchanted by a private Flamenco show that will be accompanied by delicious Spanish tapas. On this 10-day tour of Spain and Portugal, you will truly experience the best of what these wonderful destinations have to offer.

Zicasso works closely with the top travel operators, who specialize in the regions of Spain and Portugal, to ensure that you have a fully personalized trip of a lifetime.

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 553 reviews

Portugal Travel Review: Porto, Douro Valley, Alentejo, Lisbon, Lagos, 11-Day Trip

I'd make this 4.5 stars if I could. We had a five-star experience with a few glitches, but they were addressed quickly and kindly.

Zicasso’s travel specialist is a gem. She goes out of her way to clearly communicate what to expect, who you'll be with, and the times for meets and activities. She made us feel special, as though we were her personal guests rather than just clients. We had a luggage issue that she went out of her way to help resolve.

We asked to stay in nice places with AC and king-size beds, and she delivered. All places were great and a bit different from what we're used to and from each other. Most of the drivers were also a lot of fun to be with and spoke at least reasonably good English.

I offer two suggestions for those who use this service. One, always verify meet times and contact info that you receive. Two, don't pre-book two meals in a day if you're staying at a place that offers breakfast. It's just too much food too close together.

We had an 11-day vacation. We chose variety rather than immersion, so went from Porto to Douro Valley to Alentejo to Lisbon to Lagos in the Algarve area, with some stops in between and drivers who brought us everywhere. Next time, we'd likely choose two or three places for a more immersive experience.

I highly recommend this travel company and the travel specialist in particular.

See more

Spain, Portugal Trip Review: Lisbon, Porto, San Sebastian, Barcelona, Seamless Travel, Wine, 10 Nights

My wife and I have been lucky enough to travel to many places around the world, but our April 2025 journey organized by Zicasso's tour company was easily one of the best. Our agent and her team thought of every detail. All we had to do was show up and enjoy these two beautiful countries!

We went to Four cities: Lisbon, Porto, San Sebastián, and Barcelona. The itineraries were thoughtfully planned to give us great experiences without wearing us out too much. And the guides in each city were fun, knowledgeable, and engaging. The transportation was always easy and on time, and the hotels were top-notch.

See more

Portugal Trip Review: Douro Valley, Lagos, 10 Days

Zicasso exceeded our expectations! Our travel specialist listened to our requests, considered our lifestyle, and created the perfect 10-day itinerary through Portugal. We had amazing experiences we never could have planned on our own. While we are comfortable traveling on our own, this eliminated the stress. We cannot wait to plan our next adventure!

See more

Spain Vacation Review: History, Architecture, Hiking, E-Biking, Barcelona, Caminito del Rey, Marbella, 2 Weeks

Zicasso's travel specialists did a great job for us. They clearly listened to us and curated an experience that was made specifically for us. It checked all of the boxes and more.

Highlights were the local tour guides in each city. It was great to meet and get to know local people, learn so much history, see the architecture (Gaudí in Barcelona and the awesome palaces and cathedrals that we visited), the Montserrat hike, Caminito del Rey (which was absolutely better with a guide), and the Marbella e-bike adventure.

The hotels were wonderful; all unique and all great choices. We came home happy and tired, which is the sign of a good trip for us (since we do not ever sit on beaches or at pools and relax!).

See more

Portugal Trip Review: 1 Week

Zicasso’s travel specialist curated the perfect trip for our family in Portugal, with the perfect balance of guided tours and downtime. We would not have gotten such a great feel for the country on our own, and our guide was a gem!! Overall, it was an incredible vacation.

See more

Spain Travel Review: Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Alhambra, Flamenco Show, 10-Day Trip

Our group of five ladies recently returned from a wonderful 10-day trip to Spain, visiting Madrid, Seville, and Málaga. From the very beginning, working with Zicasso’s travel specialists made the entire experience seamless and enjoyable.

During the planning stages, our travel specialist was outstanding. We had several phone calls and exchanged numerous emails, and he always listened carefully to my suggestions, while offering thoughtful recommendations of his own. Together, we created a customized itinerary that perfectly suited our group. Highlights included the flamenco show, guided tours of Madrid, Triana, Málaga, the Alhambra, and the Real Alcazar in Seville.

All of our tour guides were local, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the history, culture, and culinary traditions of their cities. We particularly enjoyed our time in Triana with a local guide and our tour in Madrid with another local guide. Their insights and enthusiasm made our experiences even more memorable.

The logistics throughout the trip were excellent. Every transfer between airports, hotels, and train stations was punctual and professionally handled. Our drivers were always on time, courteous, and reliable.

The hotels selected for us were beautiful, comfortable, and conveniently located. The standout was our hotel in Málaga, which was absolutely stunning. We also appreciated the excellent breakfast options at each property. An added convenience was that every hotel allowed us to check in early, something our group greatly appreciated after traveling.

Throughout the trip, our travel specialists remained in close communication with us and were always responsive to any questions or requests. Our specialist consistently provided advance information regarding our guides and meeting locations, which made everything easy and stress-free. When our train from Málaga to Madrid was rescheduled to an earlier departure time, she promptly notified us, sent updated tickets, and arranged an earlier hotel pick-up, ensuring that everything went smoothly.

The level of stress that often accompanies international travel was significantly reduced thanks to the professionalism, organization, and attention to detail provided by the travel specialists. It was truly a pleasure working with them and their dedication ensured that every aspect of our trip ran smoothly.

We would not hesitate to recommend their services to anyone planning a trip to Spain. They helped create a memorable experience that our group will cherish for years to come.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

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

31,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews