Even with 21 days, you'll find that gets eaten up very quickly. The Moorish palace and castle sits on a hill above the town, and though its the primary reason for most visits, the surrounding city is full of life as well. As in most cities, the city centre is the best place to stay, and you have some fabulous hotels here that seem to be the smaller copies of the palaces in town the Boutique Hotel Casa del Poeta and the Hotel Gravina51, for example. We had to fly into and out of Barcelona, so our itinerary was Barcelona (3 nights), San Sebastian (3 nights), Madrid (5 nights), Seville (4 nights), Granada (2 nights) and back to Barcelona (3 nights). However, I'll note that the aforementioned Cuenca is on the AVE line between Madrid and Valencia. And, yes, it is another fine piece of work from Gaudi. The Cultural Landscape of Sintra is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Morning Madrid panoramic city tour; find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morera, famous for its historical buildings. Her joy lies in the tumbling ruins and steep streets, her shareable food and her people far more than her checklist of sights. When Is the Best Time to Visit Spain & Portugal? And it has been since 1882. a) work out when you are travelling and when Christmas falls. Only by St Pauls Cathedral in London and St Peters Basilica in Rome surpasses this monumental building in size. Andalusia, the region around Seville, deserves a road trip of its own. Free time to be able to contemplate the Roman remains that still retains like its walls, declared World Heritage. While the region is associated primarily withPort wine production, the Douro produces just as much table wine (non-fortified wines) as it does fortified wine. Afternoon at leisure where you can assist an optional tour to the Rias Altas. Brief panoramic driver through the main avenues of this fabulous town driving by the Marine Avenue to admire the elegance of this city with the typical Galician architecture of glass house galleries. Created by a user from Egypt. Marvel at the gothic-modernist architecture in Barcelona. Step out of the Royal Palace and enter the grand Catedral del la Almudena, consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. Next to the park, you will find the Plaza de Espaa, a grand affair built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition. When it was built, it completely broke with the conventions of the time. The best neighbourhoods to book a room in Barcelona are Barri Gtic, La Rambla, and El Raval since they are close to the centre. I started trawling through all of the forums and thought it would be simpler to just throw this out there. We'll be self-guided, relying on the train network. 10 Day Portugal Tour. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Cross the border and stop in Porto, a magically romantic city famous for its harbour and wines. These rusharound trips always worry me and train travel is not for us - we tend to explore the local area to our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This drive will take between 6 and 7 hours to cover the 275 miles and will cross the international border. A post shared by Visit Portugal (@visitportugal) on Aug 17, 2017 at 7:55am PDT. Cordoba was Spains capital during Roman and Moorish times. Transfer to bus terminal, located in the underground parking of the Plaza de Oriente. I'm pretty agnostic on traveling over Xmasor not, so I think you'll be fine either way. As soon as you arrive, head to the city centre to discover one of its most famous sites. The Douro Valley has been devoted on the vineyards for centuries. On this grand tour of Spain, well visit northern sites among them world famous Santiago de Compostela. The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a former Spanish royal residence located 50km south of Madrid in the town of Aranjuez. By this time, Crdoba had become the most important city in the Islamic Kingdom. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header. A post shared by AVIATRAVL WORLD (@aviatravelworld) on May 11, 2020 at 1:02pm PDT. Accommodation. 18th Apr 2022 - 11 Nights - Britannia. Porto is wonderful, we spent three days there (loved the B&B called The InPatio Guesthouse- book early). Designed as a court town, only servants from the Royal household could reside in the town. Marvel at imposing castles and buildings of austere Castile in the heart of the country, stroll along grand promenades of northern maritime cities and listen to the melodies of fiery Andalucan Flamenco! how best to spend 21 days in Spain & Portugal, Re: how best to spend 21 days in Spain & Portugal, Get answers to your questions about Spain. Optional traditional and typical dinner including a show of Fado, typical Portuguese song and music. Snap a picture of the only statue in the world dedicated to the devil, the Fallen Angel, which sits at 666 meters above sea level, and check out the rare plants in the botanical garden. The summer months are extremely hot in Spain and Portugal, so it can be uncomfortable to hop from one city to another at 40 degrees Celsius (or higher in Seville.). All the big towns in Spain and Portugal are connected through direct flights that are shorter than 1 hour and 30 minutes, so if you want to travel fast, it might be worth adding in some flights. WebTop Spain and Portugal Tours & Vacations 2022-2023 Trending Machu Picchu Angkor Wat Danube River Mt. Today we start with a morning city tour of this bright city including a drive through the old city showing the most prominent buildings, we will then be driven past the old riverbed of the Turia to the most avant-garde complex Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias to watch the emblematic exteriors of the six buildings. Admire the colourful faade and step in to visit the former residence of the Batll family bathed in light. Puerta del Sol is the square where all major streets meet. 56 cheap Portugal And Spain vacation packages with 324 reviews View Map Seville is said to be one of the most charming cities of Spain. On this 10 Night Spain Intensive sailing, the ship will visit a total of 10 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. If time permits, this is a great day to visit Palace of Ajuda, the official royal house in the second half of the 19th century. Web10 Night Spain Intensive from Lisbon, Portugal The September 11, 2024 cruise on the Azamara Quest departs from Lisbon, Portugal. Answered: We are a family of 5 (children ages 23, 22 and 15) traveling to Spain and Portugal in mid-June. This is the place from where many Portuguese explorers set sail to other parts of the world, returning with incredible riches. These are tiny white villages some with impossibly long names . Copyright Ken and Karen's Travels 2023 | Design by, Chapel of S. Gregrio and Nossa Senhora da Piedade. 21 day cultural, religious and historic sites tour through Madrid, Porto, Ftima and 17 other destinations in 4 different countries. 21 Day Spain & Portugal. Accommodation at the hotel. Probably the second most important museum in Spain after the Prado, the Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville sits in an old monastery building. We were able to visit Salamanca, Spain just across the border as well. Next on, the Royal Alczar of Seville is a spectacular palace with a lush garden and sumptuous decorations. Probably the most photogenic building in Porto, the Chapel of Souls sits in the middle of the main shopping street. Or, you could be unusual and see what its like to visit Spain in winter. WebThe Iberian Union in 1598, under Philip II, King of Spain and Portugal The Spanish and Austrian Habsburg European lands, ca 1700 Charles formally became the sole monarch of Spain upon the death of his imprisoned mother Queen Joan in 1555. We leave for the Portuguese border and then continue via Viana do Castelo, city located between the mouth of the river Mio and Porto, arrive to Porto. Then certainly a big city like Madrid and its surounding towns could fill 4-5 Many noble families settled here beginning in the 11th century and the town became known as Avila de los Caballeros (Avila of the Nobles). Its history, culture and favourable climate have made it a major hub for rail travellers in Spain. WebFamily-Friendly Tour of Spain & Portugal 9 Day Custom Tour Dynamic pricing from $2,569 Luxury 2- Week City Highlights Tour of Spain and Portugal 14 Day Custom Tour Dynamic pricing from $5,637 Coastal Villages to Iconic Metropolises: Spain and Portugal Tour 15 Day Custom Tour Dynamic pricing from $4,675 Aranjuez became one of four seasonal seats of government. Best Place For Family/Kids Holiday on July, August? WebWhether you are looking for a 7-day tour plan for Spain, 10 days, 2 weeks, or even more, our extensive list of itineraries provides the perfect inspiration for your tour of Spain. Thinking about this itinerary. What is the driving guide for foreigners? Even if you dont have much time, you can pay a quick visit to the fishing village of Cascais, which is only half an hour from Lisbon. Food writers say that the best octopus in town is served at Frade dos Mares, and Floresta Das Escadinhas is genius when it comes to ribs. 3 nights for (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Our ideal itinerary is Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Maderia Island and Lisbon. Barcelona has a wonderful beach, but Costs Brava is an entire coast of beaches, with inland mountains, volcanic craters and more. All visits to Seville find themselves in front of the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede, or simply the Seville Cathedral. Departure towards one of the most marvelous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). UNESCO World Heritage. And elsewhere, enjoy the bodegas and boutique shops which have sprung up around this lively part of the city. The Madrid part of my trip is quite large now. Departure to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best known beaches in Spain. It is the best place to buy yourself a nice FC Barcelona souvenir. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-87150499', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Spain, spending our 21-odd days in a number of places to really experience the variety of character, history, culture and food & drink, while giving ourselves time to see things but also to relax. Klarna Trips How did you pick December January? Accommodation at the hotel. Answered: We are a family of 5 (children ages 23, 22 and 15) traveling to Spain and Portugal in mid-June. The Royal Palace was the spring residence for the monarchs from the 16th to the mid-19th century. Check out the azulejos on the exterior of Igreja do Carmo, which are hand-painted blue and white tiles specific to the area. Portugal will consume at least 6-10 days. It also has a burgeoning gastronomic scene. The style of wines produced in the Douro range from light, Bordeaux style claret to rich Burgundian style wines aged in new oak. Besides the dramatic views, it is a place of fun, housing an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster. I would recommend focussing on 3-4 cities/regions and really exploring them more at leisure. Faro lies in the far south, in Portugals Algarve region. Day 2: Explore Paris. Lisbon is set on 7 hills just like Rome we will be using the many trams, elevators, and funiculars to explore the city. Today in another driving day as we motor along from Seville to Granada traveling 206 miles in 5 hours through los pueblos blancos. My work is closed from Christmas through New years day. You will immediately recognise its impressive exterior covered in the popular blue and white azulejos depicting different religious episodes like the death of Saint Francis of Assisi or the martyrdom of Saint Catherine. Granada, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is home to the Alhambra one of the most celebrated attractions in Europe. Free time to explore Oviedo, many of their streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture. I love Seville and Madrid, but if you've been there before, I agree that you might want to spend some time elsewhere. Spending around 10 days in Spain and Portugal is a decent amount of time but you will still be moving pretty quickly. Marvel at imposing castles and buildings of austere Castile in the heart of the However, renting a car in one country and dropping in the other will be a huge charge. The S do Porto is the oldest cathedral in the city, built in the 12th century and expanded over the centuries. In 2001, Aranjuezwas named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcal. Web14 days in Spain & Portugal Itinerary Created using Klarna Trips Europe journey planner Route Day by day Where to stay Checklist + Add Make it your trip Start: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Fly 1 Barcelona, Spain 3 nights Fly 2 Madrid, Spain 3 nights Fly 3 Porto, Portugal 1 night Fly 4 Lisbon, Portugal 4 nights Fly 5 Seville, Spain 2 nights Fly The well preserved town center is still partially surrounded by medieval walls. The Portuguese capital is understandably the most visited city in the country - and its never fails to disappoint. Enjoy a coastal hike on Spain's northern Costa Brava. There are several daily trains between Seville and Cadiz. Train, car, plane? We recommend using public transportation, as the streets are quite busy for a rental car. There are several daily InterCity trains between Lisbon and Faro that take about 3.5 hours. Cadiz in southwestern Spain is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions of Europe. Please let me know if I am missing, or should miss anything. Also, book in advance, as tickets to the Sagrada Familia quickly become sold out. Its lively, its pretty, its fun. I also really enjoyed Segovia and think it deserves at least a day trip from Madrid. Departure at 08:30 a.m. towards Zaragoza. After breakfast at the hotel start driving looking for the Mediterranean coast. At the time, the neighbours found this quite unusual, if not downright ugly. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Brief stop in one of the wonders of the world the oldest working lighthouse the Tower of Hercules dating back from the roman period. Filter for departure dates and price to find the right 7 day Portugal and Spain tour with TourRadar. Accommodation. Follow it as it is or adapt it to your budget and interests and have a fabulous time! Coimbra, Portugal 4. We had a wonderful time in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Today, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, although for the former rather than latter fact, I believe. A huge art hub, the Prado houses over 8,600 paintings, so whatever you do, dont plan on seeing them all. Flamenco dancing, tapas bars, Roman ruins, a massive cathedral, the Alczar palace complex and river views combine to make it an impressive stopover. My wife & I are looking to travel around Spain & Portugal for 30 days this Christmas. Probably the only plane is from Porto > Seville. In trying to plan, I think we can do 2 We love both countries and actually like Portugal a bit more than Spain. See also our fun guide on unusual things to do in Porto. I'll be at hostels over Xmas/NYE so I'm hoping it should be fine socially (usually is). On one of your three days in Barcelona, visit Costa Brava or Sitges for a more small-town vibe. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. A visit here will take you through the history of medicine in Barcelona whilst you admire an outstanding architectural piece. Spend a few hours in this park, considered one of the most iconic Modernist works in the world, and visit the Gaudi House and Museum to learn more about the most loved architect of Barcelona. Should you need additional day-trips from Madrid I can recommend Alcala de Henares (old university town a commuter-rail trip away), Cuenca (atmospheric hill town but at 3000' so could be cold and windy) and Salamanca (large university town). Everyone else stayed overnight in other villages and came to Aranjuez for the day. Contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Va, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabu Football Stadium. Take the Royal Chemists room filled with natural medicine cabinets, for example (you can check out the prescriptions the medics wrote to the members of the royal family.) The best way to visit the basilica is to take a walking tour with a local guide who will give you more information on Gaudis vision and the history of the place. You can take a tour of the stadium and then visit the museum inside. Center of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Centro-Baixa and Ribeira are the best areas to stay in Porto due to their proximity to the main attractions. Below, weve created a 10-day itinerary that takes in Portugals main cities, historical sites, and idyllic beaches at a modest pace. For a picturesque view and more affordable prices, you can book a room in Barrio Santa Cruz we recommend H10 Casa de la Plata. Stop by A Bolina for a nice glass of wine over a plate of tapas, and visit O Caseirinho if you want to try an authentic Portuguese fish-based dish. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-83947399', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lisbon is very tight, you would have 2 full days only, and no time for nearby Sintra, so I would not talk about covering Portugal with your plan. It's also home to the famed University of Coimbra. Yes I have been to Granada and enjoyed it. Choose from 27 trips Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market. Destination/Cruise ID. You'll be treated with several stately bridges, a medieval district packed with winding streets and quaint houses, beautiful parks, an abundance of Port wine and a vibrant artistic scene and nightlife. 21 days Portugal/Spain Jump to bottom Posted by hexodeci on 05/24/21 01:10 PM Dec 16 - Jan 5th .21 days Lisbon 3 > Obidos 1 > Coimbra 2 > Porto 4 > Alternatively, Prados website suggests three itineraries that can help you find your way. The tour used Su Casa en Ronda which treats its guests as well as any hotel I've ever been. Take a wine tour of the Douro River Valley in northern Portugal. Batalha Monastery is a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Visit the Spain Tourism AuthorityHere, Visit: Madrid, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Castro Urdiales, Santander, Santillana, Covadonga, Oviedo, Lugo, A Coruna, Santiago de Compostela, Rias Bajas, La Toja, Vigo,Viana Do Castelo, Porto, Coimbra, Fatima, Obidos, Lisbon, Caceres, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, April: 13, 20 & 27May: 04, 11 & 18June: 01, 08, 15 & 22July: 13 & 27August: 03 & 24September: 07, 14 & 28October: 05, 12 & 19, USD pricing will be at the days exchange rate, To begin the Spain and Portugal tour we meet and assist you at the airport. You can spend a full day driving around the coast, stopping to visit the medieval city of Girona, zipping off to Michelin starred museums and taking in the surreal nature of the Dali Museum. Cordoba itself is a fragrant, picturesque Andalusian town. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. But I know that it can seem overwhelming when youre sitting down to plan out an itinerary for the first time. Next to So Jorge Castle, you will find the Alfama district with its massive cathedral, the St. Vincent Monastery, and the National Pantheon. 3 days: Madrid and Toledo6 days, add: Barcelona10 days, add: Sevilla, Granada13 days, add: Nerja, Ronda, Tangier (Morocco)15 days, add: Salamanca, Segovia17 days, add: Santiago de Compostela21 days, add: Basque Region (San Sebastin and Bilbao)25 days, add: Camino de Santiago (by car) La Latina is the best area for eating in Madrid, especially when you only have a few days. We will approach Mount Igueldo, to contemplate the marvelous views of the city and then proceed towards Bilbao. On the orders of the Emir Abd al-Rahman in 784, the church was destroyed and work began on a great mosque. WebMarch 21, 2023: BROCHURE RATES - Stateroom Category IB: $1,780.00 (USD) March 21, 2023: ESCAPE TO SEA CRUISE ONLY - Stateroom Category BA: $1,879.00 (USD) March 21, 2023: ESCAPE TO SEA CRUISE ONLY - Stateroom Category SM: $2,069.00 (USD) March 21, 2023: BROCHURE RATES - Stateroom Category IR1: $2,080.00 (USD) March Today, take a walking tour to visit the Castle, many churches and cathedrals, and neighborhoods. It is an oasis of peace in the middle of the town, providing a sweet relief for locals and tourists alike during the summer. Maybe you will be happy with the Alcacar in Cordoba and skipping Granada. After breakfast we end the Spain and Portugal tour and transfer to the airport. Some links are affiliate links and Klarna may earn a commission. Take a panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto considered World Heritage city. more. If you have more time, consider extending your trip to visit other top destinations in Portugal. You can wander off on your own and imagine it's the Middle Ages. Lisbon is an acquired taste. In addition to the monuments, Segovia offers an old Jewish quarter, stately homes, outstanding views and a green belt. If you want a 5-star hotel, book a room at the Avenida Palace, or go for Hotel Santa Justa for something more mid-range. . Read More Tour Type Small Group Tour VIGO VIANA DO CASTELO PORTO, Vineyards & Cathedrals of Central Spain ES201. We did a super Douro River cruise that I highly recommend. But at such a distance, with limited opportunities to repeat, it sounds like you got the absolute best out of it, side trips included, and saw one hell of a lot. But the Rossio, Chiado and Cais do Sodre are close to the biggest attractions as well. However, flights bring problems, from having to turn up early to possibly losing your luggage to missing out on all the landscapes and smaller places between the big cities. 9 ni Cadiz, Spain 8. Or the Royal Chapel, home to a magnificent collection of string instruments made by Antonio Stradivarius. Malaga is also the birthplace of Picasso, with a museum dedicated to the artist, and an extremely lively town offering tapas and nightlife galore. Valencia seems out off route logistically, it would be better to go there after Barcelona before Madrid, train connection between Granada and Valencia is very tricky. You are missing Barcelona and Granada, but perhaps you don't have time. Do you have any better recommendations of how to spread the days? Toll Free : 1-800-770-7148. Granada also offers beautiful views of Alhambra from the Mirador San Nicolas. In the north, you can visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and discover the religious (and foodie) heritage of San Sebastian. And youll see plenty of people hanging out here, trying to get that instagram shot. Accommodation. Best things to do in Paris, Bayeux, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, and Albufeira are: Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Parc Guell. The Spain and Portugal Tour is a comprehensive 21 day tour across the Iberian Peninsula. Spend some time in the garden before ending the day on the Guadalquivir River waterfront. Day 1: Lisbon Solar Do Castelo Hotel/Oyster 31 Interesting Facts About Madrid You Dont Already Know, Your Galicia Road Trip Itinerary: Why Youll Love Spains Rugged and Wild Coast, Be The Change: Steps to Take for a Better World, How to Boost Your Writing in 4 Simple Steps, Planning Your Trip Through Spain and Portugal. You can also take a direct Alvia train from Madrid (Chamartin station), which takes just over 6 hours. Could be worth your time. Click To view other tours:All Tours,Guided ,Private,By Region Contact usHere. Spain is a mix of several different nations (Castilla, Leon, Navarra, Pais Basco, Catalunya) which created one country only in 1715. Therefore, as you can see, Portugal is much older than Spain. Your question relies on the premise that Portugal and Spain were ever together and that premise is false. Accommodation. 3. Lisbon (Evora day trip) 4 > Obidos .5 > Coimbra 2.5 > Porto 3 > Seville 3 > Cordoba 1.5 > Madrid - (Toledo/Segovia/Alcala de Henares day trips) 7.5. Does this cover a wide selection of what Spain / Portugal have to offer and are famous for? Instead, Id recommend looking at some of the sleek, fast trains and hiring a car in a few places for a great Iberian road trip. This complex was built at the beginning of the 19th century to serve as a garden city for nursing the sick. It will involve a change, but an easy one since there are lots of fast options from Cordoba to Madrid and then from Madrid to Toledo. It is definitely beautiful. We realize Spain/Portugal combined is a big area & you cannot do it justice in Thirty days,so we are looking at driving the middle /southern regions. Sounds like I should do Ronda! A post shared by Vigo (@vigotoday) on Aug 21, 2017 at 1:38pm PDT. Shop the sale now .