Explore Spain & Portugal
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the heart of Spain and Portugal. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, taking you from the vibrant streets of Madrid to the stunning coastal town of Lagos, the charming city of Lisbon, the romantic city of Porto, and the spiritual hub of Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, you'll marvel at Moorish architecture, taste world-renowned wines, experience the energy of flamenco, and even join pilgrims on the last stretch of the Santiago de Compostela route. With a mix of guided activities and free time, you'll have the flexibility to explore at your own pace and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.
Included
9 breakfasts
vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
Train , Public bus , Metro , Taxi
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
EUROPEAN HOTELS:
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel (14 nights)
hotel: 14 night(s);
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative.
Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
EUROPEAN LEADERS:
Intrepid trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe.
We also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Granada - Guided Visit to Alhambra Palace & Gardens
Seville - Evening Flamenco Performance
Lagos - Algarve Cliff Boat Trip
Porto - Port Wine Tasting
Santiago de Compostela - Camino de Santiago Hike
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Madrid
- Madrid - Arrival day
- More
Your Spanish adventure begins in the bustling capital city of Madrid. Known for its elegant boulevards and manicured parks, Madrid is a city that never sleeps. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by an optional tapas and Rioja tasting session. As there's limited time for sightseeing today, you might want to consider extending your stay to fully explore this vibrant city.
Day 2 – Day 2: Madrid to Granada
- Granada
- Madrid
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- Mirador de San Nicolas, Granada
- Alhambra
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Today, we'll journey to the enchanting city of Granada, nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This city is a treasure trove of Moorish architecture, charming tapas bars, and natural beauty. Explore the old Arab quarter of the Albaicin, wander through the 'Alcaiceria' (old silk market area), and climb the steep streets up to the Mirador de San Nicolas for breathtaking sunset views over the Alhambra. If time permits, consider visiting the historic Renaissance Cathedral and Capilla Real.
Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Granada
- Granada
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- Alhambra
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Today, we'll delve into the wonders of Granada's Alhambra Palace. This 11th-century marvel boasts red fortress towers, intricate palace decor, diverse architectural styles, and stunning gardens set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. After exploring the Alhambra, we'll venture deeper into Granada's Moorish Albaicin quarter and visit the area of traditional tea houses. The view of the Alhambra Palace from this area is simply breathtaking. In the evening, consider joining the group for dinner.
Day 4 – Day 4: Granada to Seville
- Seville
- Granada
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We'll travel by bus and train to the vibrant city of Seville, the capital of Andalucia and the largest city in southern Spain. Known for its fascinating history and important monuments, Seville is a city full of vitality and flamboyance. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Perhaps start with a visit to Barrio Santa Cruz, a medieval neighborhood designed to provide refuge from the Andalusian heat. In the evening, consider dining at a local restaurant on San Jacinto, the bustling main street of the Triana quarter.
Day 5 – Day 5: Discovering Seville
- Seville
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- Alameda de Hércules
- Royal Alcázar of Seville
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Today is a free day to discover the wonders of Seville. Don't miss the world's largest Gothic cathedral and the adjoining Moorish tower, La Giralda. Visit the magnificent Alcazar, a palace complex used by Moorish and Christian rulers over the centuries. If you're a foodie, be sure to sample some of the delicious tapas on offer in one of the city's many tapas bars. In the evening, experience the passion and drama of a local flamenco performance.
Day 6 – Day 6: Seville to Lagos
- Lagos
- Seville
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Today, we'll cross the border into Portugal and journey to the Algarve, Portugal's stunning southern coast. Our destination is the seaside town of Lagos, known for its temperate Mediterranean climate and rich heritage. Upon arrival, take a leisurely stroll around the old town, enclosed within 16th-century walls. In the evening, consider dining at a waterfront restaurant or cafe, where you can enjoy freshly caught fish and watch the sunset over the water.
Day 7 – Day 7: Exploring Lagos
- Lagos
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- Ponta da Piedade
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Today, you'll have plenty of free time to enjoy Lagos and its surrounds. At some point during the day, we'll embark on a boat tour around Algarve's rocky cliffs, exploring the weathered rockface of Pinta da Piedade. The rest of the day is yours to relax on the beach, try water sports, or explore the quaint alleys of central Lagos. You might also consider taking a boat trip to spot dolphins or go birdwatching.
Day 8 – Day 8: Lagos to Lisbon
- Lisbon
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Today, we'll head north to Lisbon, one of Europe's most pleasant and affordable capital cities. Upon arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk to get your bearings. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Consider visiting one of the city's many art museums, exploring the charming narrow streets, or simply relaxing at an outdoor cafe. As the sun sets, head to the neighborhood of Bairro Alto for some of Lisbon's best nightlife.
Day 9 – Day 9: Discovering Lisbon
- Lisbon
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- Casa Roque Gameiro
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Today is a free day to further discover Lisbon. Consider visiting the medieval citadel of Sao Jorge Castle, which offers panoramic views over the city and the ocean. With the rest of your free time, you might want to catch a tram or hire a bike to explore the historic neighborhood of Belem, relax at a cafe in hilly Alfama, or check out the city's fascinating street art.
Day 10 – Day 10: Lisbon to Porto
- Porto
- Lisbon
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- Ponte D. Zameiro
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Today, we'll continue north to Porto, the capital of the north that sits between a river and the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its romantic charm and as the birthplace of port wine, Porto is a city that will capture your heart. Upon arrival, indulge in a group tasting of some famous tawny and ruby ports. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Consider visiting the Museu do Vinho to learn more about the history of wine and port making, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this coastal city in one of its many cafes and restaurants.
Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Porto
- Porto
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- Saint Lawrence Church
- Foz da Ribeira da Varziela
- Relógio de Sol
- Clérigos Church
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Today is a free day to explore Porto. The city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district is packed with twisting alleys, staircases, and baroque churches, and is great to explore on foot. Visit Sao Francisco church, known for its lavish interior with ornate gilded carvings, and the 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa. For a sensational view of the whole town, head to the Torre dos Clerigos. In the evening, make sure you try the country's most famous sandwich, the francesinha, and explore the nightlife on Galerias Paris Street.
Day 12 – Day 12: Porto to Santiago de Compostela
- Santiago de Compostela
- Porto
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Today, we'll board a bus bound for Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. This city is famous as the culmination point for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. Upon arrival, soak up the spiritual energy in the cathedral where St James, one of the 12 Apostles, is purportedly buried. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your leisure. Consider joining the locals in one of the cafes, listening to street artists, or visiting the cathedral to admire its grandeur.
Day 13 – Day 13: Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage
- Santiago de Compostela
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- Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
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Today, you'll have the opportunity to join pilgrims on the last stretch of the Santiago de Compostela route. We'll take an early bus to Amenal village where the 18 km walk begins. The trek will take you through villages, fields, and rivers of Galicia. Upon reaching Santiago de Compostela, the rest of the day is free for you to explore. This World Heritage site is an open-air museum that holds many delights within its walls. Consider exploring the lively squares, the market, and the University buildings.
Day 14 – Day 14: Santiago de Compostela to Madrid
- Barcelona
- Madrid
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Today, we'll take a train back to Madrid. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and then head out on an orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Consider visiting El Retiro Park or exploring the Prado Museum's works by Goya, Velazquez, and other Spanish masters. In the evening, consider joining your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Day 15 – Day 15: Farewell Madrid
- Barcelona
- Madrid - Departure day
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Today, your Spain and Portugal adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned, so you are free to depart the accommodation at any time. If you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
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