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

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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 3460 reviews

Clayton D.
Portugal Trip Review: Douro Wine Region, Algarve Beaches, Benagil Caves, Private Guide, Food Tour, Fado Performance, 10 Nights

The trip was very well organized; Zicasso's travel company listened to our wishes and delivered. We would definitely use you again and would highly recommend. We were very happy with Zicasso's travel designer's communication and quick responses.

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Allison L.
Portugal Tour Review: Douro Valley, Lisbon, Porto, Evora, Algarve, Braga, Guimaraes, Pena Palace, Pastry Experience, Food Market, Tile Workshop, Winemaking, 12-Day Trip

My husband and I traveled with our two adult children for 12 days through Portugal. Our trip was absolutely amazing, with every transfer, lodging, and tour detail seemingly tailored especially for us. Zicasso's travel expert was so wonderful to talk with as he planned our trip; he asked great questions to understand what kind of travelers we are and our interests. Our itinerary was perfect as we reviewed it prior to our trip, but as we experienced every transfer guide, tour specialist, and lodging, we could not have asked for a better experience. "Mahalo nui" (thank you so much) for helping us to experience your beautiful country and your even more beautiful and kind people. We can't wait for our trip back.

I wanted to make a special note of recognition about our transfer drivers/guides: they were absolutely amazing; so experienced and warm. We all enjoyed learning from them about Portugal and just felt so very well taken care of as they seamlessly transported us through your beautiful country and made sure we knew where to go and where to meet later. One of our drivers walked us through a local pastry shop to see the pastries being made; without him, we would have surely missed that experience. In Douro, another driver recommended a "locals" restaurant down the hill from our hotel. The owner was so kind he arranged for our server to drive us up the steep and winding hill to our hotel! These "special" experiences so reminded us of our beautiful Hawai'i and the spirit of "aloha" we felt so strongly in Portugal! At our departure, another driver walked us with our luggage into the airport departure terminal and showed us where to go (it was so much larger than any terminal we had been in). We would surely have been lost without his expert guidance.

Your tour guide selections were all simply amazing. We felt each guide's love ("aloha" for us) and attachment to each place we visited. We cannot thank you enough for all your work in planning so that we could truly enjoy and now have lasting memories until we return again.

With much "aloha" and gratitude, our "'ohana."

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Peter G.
Spain Tour Review: Baths, Flamenco, Guitar Concert, 10-Day Trip

I dealt with our travel agent to plan our trip for two couples. I knew roughly the locations we wanted to visit, but with her suggestions and recommendations, our visit to several cities in Spain was enhanced and made the trip even more memorable.

Needless to say, all guides and drivers were punctual and the guides were very knowledgeable and flexible to our needs. I would highly recommend Zicasso's travel company.

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Derek L.
Portugal Vacation Review: Benagil Caves, Hiking, Boat Tour, 1-Week

My wife and I recently returned from our trip to Portugal, booked with Zicasso's tour operator, and let me say, we could not have been happier. She helped us create an ideal trip in a little over a month, since we decided to book a relatively last-minute getaway.

Our travel expert was a pleasure to work with. We told her what we were looking for and she put together a fantastic itinerary for us. We were beyond happy with the hotels she suggested and booked, as well as every excursion, including private hikes and boat tours. Every part of the trip was well coordinated, including all the private transfers and guides, who were all exceptional themselves. She even met us at the airport when we arrived and even saw us off at the end of our trip, helping guide us around the airport to make that as efficient as possible.

Even on the days we had to ourselves without any planned excursions, she still put together a tentative itinerary, including suggestions of what to explore based on the location we were at.

Our travel expert was very responsive throughout our planning and you can tell she really cares about making her clients' experience the best it can possibly be. We cannot say enough good things about this company and therefore, highly recommend them if you are looking to travel to Portugal. Thank you again!

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Robert P.
Spain Tour Review: Barcelona, Scenic Drives, 1-Week Trip

The trip was wonderful. Our driver and tour guides were pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable.

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Amanda B.
Portugal Trip Review: Douro River Valley, Grape Stomping, Dining Experiences, 10 Days

The trip was well planned by Zicasso's tour company, with only one scheduling snafu. The hotels were nice. The travel agents were very communicative and helpful.

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Customizable Itinerary

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

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