Spain & Portugal Tour with Flights

Board your overnight flight to Europe!

Welcome to Madrid and the start of this exciting tour of Spain and Portugal! Depending on when you arrive, there may be time to see some of the city. Explore the streets or simply relax at the hotel. This evening, meet up with your tour leader as well as the rest of the group in the hotel lobby. Tonight, there will be an included dinner with the tour group. Enjoy the delicious tastes of Spain and get to know the rest of the travellers on this group tour.    

Depending on arrival times, a complimentary airport shuttle will be available to transport travellers to the hotel. 

Depart Madrid this morning and travel to San Sebastian on Spain’s northern coast. Along the way, stop off in Segovia, a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site which offers the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in Europe, as well as an incredibly well-preserved Roman aqueduct that runs into the heart of the city. Arrive in San Sebastian in the late afternoon. San Sebastian is a charming city with a beautiful beach and vibrant nightlife. A foodie’s paradise, San Sebastian is known for its Basque gastronomy, so this evening is best spent exploring the beachfront bars and indulging in pintxo, northern Spain's version of tapas!

Today’s first stop is Pamplona - the historic city made famous by “the running of the bulls” during the San Fermin festival. Pamplona is packed with history! Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful medieval city centre and see the city walls and citadel. After seeing Pamplona, travel to Zaragoza and enjoy a wine tasting along the way. Arrive in Zaragoza and take a walking tour of the city. The city has experienced a long and varied history, with Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities leaving their marks over the centuries. This storied history can be seen in the architecture of the Basílica del Pilar cathedral, Aljafería Islamic palace, the Roman theatre and more.

It’s time to hit the road to Barcelona! Today’s first stop is the tiny principality of Andorra. Enjoy free time to explore Andorra la Vella, the highest capital city in Europe and a popular ski resort. Arrive in Barcelona in the late afternoon. The cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region is bursting full of beautiful sights and great things to see and do. Embark on a driving tour with your tour leader and become acquainted with the city’s vibrant energy. Look out for famous La Sagrada Familia and other examples of eclectic art and architecture.

The hotel for the next two nights is located in Sant Cugat, just outside the city. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

Enjoy a free day in Barcelona today! See more of the city’s incredible architecture, visit the Old Town, stroll along Las Ramblas, enjoy authentic tapas or simply relax in one of the city’s parks. The best panoramic city views can be found in Park Guell, another creation by Antoni Gaudí. Barcelona is home to many of Gaudi’s designs and you could spend the whole day simply locating each one! Las Ramblas is a street lined with shops, restaurants, market stalls, museums, theatres, art galleries, street performers and more! For an unforgettable evening, join the optional Flamenco show and dinner excursion tonight. The dance of passion is performed with style, flair and energy, and is a real experience not to be missed.

Leaving Barcelona behind, travel along the south coast towards Valencia. En route, stop for lunch in Peniscola. Home to a historic old town, a beautiful promenade and sandy beaches watched over by an imposing castle built by the Knights Templar - this is surely one of the most picturesque spots in Europe to enjoy a lunch stop! Arrive in Valencia and enjoy a driving tour of this thriving port city. Discover Valencia’s uniqueness in how it retains plenty of historic charm despite the decades of development that have given it a distinct space-age feel. Enjoy dinner in the city tonight Look forward to tasting paella - one of the dishes Valencia is famous for! 

Today, it’s time to travel onwards to Madrid. Journey through the historic La Mancha region, made famous by the legend of Don Quixote - an ageing knight who, inspired by his literary heroes, sets off with his squire in search of chivalrous adventure. Next up, explore Castillo de Belmonte. Located on the hill of San Cristobal, tour the medieval castle and discover grandly furnished rooms and dungeons, and learn more about the intriguing history. Arrive in Madrid later in the afternoon. This evening, enjoy an included dinner where travellers from the Highlights of Spain & Portugal tour will join the group. 

This morning, say farewell to Madrid and head to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Toledo, an ancient city in central Spain. Fall in love with this charming medieval town, complete with Gothic architecture and an impressive Cathedral. The tour continues south to the Moorish city of Granada, which was the last stronghold of the Spanish Moors, and the legacy is evident all around! Arrive in the afternoon and set off on an orientation tour of the city. Your tour leader will point out top attractions including the famous Alhambra and share great insight into this beautiful region of Spain.

The journey through Andalusia continues! Spend the morning exploring the city of Granada, or join our optional excursion to the Alhambra Palace (please note: this excursion must be pre-booked). In addition to a rich Moorish and Medieval history, Granada is a fascinating city that is packed with street art, culture and the best restaurants. This afternoon, travel to Ronda and take in the spectacular views from the ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge) before enjoying free time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, arrive in the enchanting city of Seville. Sit down for a traditional tapas dinner followed by a tour accompanied by a local guide. Soak up the culture, sights and sounds of the city as you walk through the streets!

Enjoy a free day in Seville! This is a town steeped in history, found in the architecture, culture and general atmosphere. Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, many thousands of years ago! With a full free day, you will have time to properly explore this beautiful and pleasingly compact city. Seville is famous for its flamenco dance, tapas bars and orange trees. The cobbled streets of the Old Town make for a pleasing morning stroll, while in the afternoon you may wish to visit the Metropol Parasol for amazing views, the palaces of Alcázar Casa de Pilatos or the Museum of Flamenco. Tonight, opt-in to join the Flamenco dinner show excursion for vibrant Spanish culture and flavours!

Today, cross the border and travel to Lisbon in Portugal! En route, visit the Algarve, the stunning southern coastal region of Portugal that features golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Make a comfort stop at one of these beautiful beaches and enjoy the impressive views, golden sand, and azure blue waters. Arrive in Lisbon and it’s time to set out on an orientation tour of Portugal’s capital city. See Lisbon’s top sights and attractions from the imposing Sao Jorge Castle to the pastel colours of the old town - Lisbon has it all! Take note of any spots you would like to explore on the free day tomorrow!

Today is a free day to explore Lisbon at your leisure. See Lisbon's iconic landmarks including the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower, or discover the hilltop district of Bairro Alto which is home to narrow streets filled with dozens of restaurants and bars. Be sure to taste a delicious pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tart) during your free time! Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Sintra, a charming UNESCO World Heritage Site village and the capital of Romanticism in Portugal, known for its strikingly colourful monuments. It was once the summer retreat for Portugal’s royal families! This evening, find a spot to enjoy one of Portugal's cultural highlights; Fado music - some of the oldest urban folk music in the world! 

Say “tchau” to Lisbon this morning, as Porto awaits! First stop of the day is Obidos, a classic fortified town with narrow cobbled streets, picturesque houses and an imposing hilltop castle. Enjoy free time to explore. Continue the tour of Portugal and arrive in Porto - the second largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest European centres. Head out on a driving and walking tour with your tour leader. See sights including Ponte de' Luis - a stunning bridge which crosses the River Douro, the Clerigos Tower and many other famous landmarks. One of Portugal’s famous exports is Port wine, which is named after Porto, and you will have the opportunity to taste it this afternoon at an included Port wine tasting.

It’s time to wave goodbye to Portugal and travel back across the border to Spain. Journey through the countryside this morning and make a stop in Guarda, where you can enjoy some free time. Guarda was founded in the 12th Century by King Sancho I, and many of the fortified towers and defensive walls he built survive to this day. Arrive in Salamanca in Spain, and check into the hotel. Enjoy free time this afternoon to see more of the magnificent city. A visit to the Old Town and the Cathedral Bell Tower is highly recommended. To cap off the evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner, offering three courses of delicious food from around the province of Salamanca.

It’s the last day of the tour and time to travel back to Madrid. Depart Salamanca this morning and travel to Avila to enjoy some free time. Nestled amongst rolling hills in Spain’s countryside, Avila is notable for its many Romanesque and Gothic churches as well as its famous and incredibly well-preserved medieval walls. Finally, continue on to Madrid, where this amazing 15-day tour of Spain and Portugal concludes. A complimentary airport shuttle will be available to transport travellers to the airport in Madrid.