Multicountry

Highlights of Spain and Portugal

 Experience the beauty and excitement that highlights classic Spain and Portugal during 16 memorable and pleasure filled days.

 

 

Day 1  

Barcelona
Arrive at Barcelona Airport. Transfer to your hotel and accommodation. 

 

 

Day 2    

Barcelona
Have a full-day guided tour of Barcelona, starting from the Old town and Barcelona’s most famous avenue, Las Ramblas, with the Columbus monument at the end. See the Gothic Quarter, where La Seu Cathedral is situated. Proceed to the hill of Montjuic, home of the Olympic Games in 1992. Reach the 17th century fortress on the top of the hill with great panoramic views over the city and the harbour. Admire the National Palace and the Magic Fountains, standing gloriously in front of the monumental Plaza España. Later, see the Gaudí most impressive works - Casa Milá and Casa Batlló and visit Sagrada Familia, the most prestigious and complex project of the catalan architect. 

 

 

Day 3    

Barcelona - Zaragoza (320 km/4,30h) - Madrid (320 km/5h) 
Leave Barcelona and drive through the Penedes vineyards of Catalunya to Zaragoza. Stop at Zaragoza for a visit of the basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, dedicated to Virgin Mary for her apparitions in Spain, and the Aljafería Palace, an Arab palace from 11th century with an extraordinary decoration. Proceed to Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain. 

 

Day 4

Madrid - Toledo (80 km/1,30h) - Madrid (80 km/1,30h)
Start with a half-day guided tour of Madrid and see the highlights of the city. Visit the Royal Palace, official residence of King Carlos and his family, see Plaza Mayor, the main square, the Cibeles Fountain, the luxury boulevard Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol Square, which is officially the exact centre of the country, and Plaza España with the famous monument to Cervantes. After lunch, enjoy a guided visit of Toledo, a UNESCO Heritage Site, due to its historical significance. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to one of El Greco’s most famous paintings.Tour highlights include also the amazing 13th-century cathedral, the medieval castle and Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue. Return to Madrid.  

 

Day 5

Madrid - Burgos (260 km/3,30h)- León (180 km/3h)
Drive north and reach Burgos, where we visit the remarkable Gothic Cathedral of Burgos, officially recognized as World Heritage, and one of Spain’s architectural treasures. Have free time to wander around the Old Quarter of the city before proceeding to León for overnight.

 

Day 6

León - Santiago de Compostela (180 km/3h)
Today arrive in Santiago de Compostela and Spain’s northern green region of Galicia. Spend the day exploring this amazing city, famous worldwide as the final destination of the thousand-year-old pilgrimage route to Santiago. Visit the heart and the soul of the city, the Cathedral, dating from 11th century and located at the plaza de Obradoiro. See the beautiful portico de la Gloria which is the main entrance. Declared a World Heritage Site, the Cathedral houses the silver coffer with the remains of Saint James. 

 

Day 7

Santiago de Compostela - Braga (180 km/3h) - Porto (60 km/1h)
Continue the journey to the enchanting northern region of Portugal - Porto e Norte. Make first stop at Braga, and visit Bom Jesus Sanctuary, the most photographed church of Portugal. This baroque masterpiece is unique with its ornamental stairway, dedicated to the Five Senses and the Three Theological Virtues. Drive to Porto, second largest city of the country and one of the most beautiful European cities. In the evening have a traditional dinner and attend a fado show. 

 

Day 8

Porto
A day dedicated to the highlights of Porto. Built on the hillsides on the Douro River, the city is world known for the sweet wine Porto and is a UNESCO Heritage Site with its riverfront Bairro of Ribeira. Enjoy a city tour, starting at the monumental central avenue Avenida dos Aliados. See the Palacio da Bolsa, with the beautiful Arab room, St. Francisco Church, Clerigo Tower and reach the riverfront Ribeira with its colorful painted houses and great views of Douro River. In the afternoon cross the famous Dom Luis Bridge, connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, and visit of one of the famous cellars for a taste of the famous Port Wine.

 

Day 9

Porto - Fátima (200 km/3h)- Lisbon (130 km/2,30h)
Today travel through central Portugal and visit Fátima, one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in the catholic world. Every year from 13th of May to 13th of October  the appearances of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children is celebrated. Visit the impressive Basilica and the huge square in front of the Sanctuary. Proceed south and arrive at one of the most ancient European capitals - Lisbon.

 

Day 10

Lisbon
In the morning explore the highlights of Lisbon. Start with the historic quarter and Torre de Belém, the symbol of the capital, dedicated to the rich age of the great maritime discoveries. Visit the famous Jerónimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site, the best example of Portuguese Manueline style and Vasco da Gama’s resting place. Continue to the Avenue of Liberdade and reach the Baixa district to admire the Sé Cathedral, Rossio square and the monumental Comercio Square. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to Sintra - the famous royal residence village. 

 

Day 11

Lisbon - Évora (140 km/2h) - Albufeira (210 km/3,30h)
Cross the impressive 25th April Bridge of Lisbon, which commemorates the end of the fascist regime, and head to Évora. Known as the museum-city and listed as a World Heritage Site, this city is worth a visit because of The Roman Temple of Diana, dating from the 2nd century. In the afternoon reach the sunny Algarve region and enjoy a one-night stay in Albufeira, a lively coastal village with sandy beaches. Evening at leisure. 

 

Day 12

Albufeira - Sevilla (230 km/3h)
Drive east and travel in the most lovely and cheerful region of Spain - Andalucia. Our destination of the day is its capital - Sevilla, where you will fall in love with the whitewashed houses and the old quarter, full of orange trees. In the afternoon have a guided visit of the largest gothic cathedral in the world, also the burial site of Christopher Columbus, and the Giralda Tower, the bell tower of the Cathedral. Walk through the green park of Maria Luisa with its fountains and pools until reaching the magnificent Plaza España with its 48 tiled benches. As Sevilla is famous like the home of the flamenco, we highly recommend that you  enjoy a traditional flamenco show here.  

 

Day 13

Sevilla - Córdoba (150 km/2,30h)- Granada (170 km/3h)
Continue discovering  Andalucia’s highlights and stop for a visit at Córdoba. See the Mosque of the Caliphs, a jewel of Hispano-Islamic art and Moorish architecture and walk through the old Sephardic Jewish quarter. Proceed to Granada, one of Spain’s most visited cities and capital of the Moorish Kingdom until 1492. A guided tour of the Alhambra Palace is a must here. Built in the 13th century, this Moorish palace still has a unique beauty and is a World Heritage Site. Walk through the Generalife exotic gardens and fountains and admire wonderful views of the city and the surrounding hills.

 

Day 14

Granada - Guadix - (60 km/1h) - Valencia (450 km/6h)
Leave Granada and drive through the Andalucia’s mountains. Make a short stop for a visit of Guadix and the ‘Barrio Troglodyte’ where almost half of the inhabitants live in caves. From here proceed to  sunny Valencia, the third largest city in Spain. In the evening enjoy a Paella dinner in the home place of this famous spanish dish. Overnight in Valencia.

 

Day 15

Valencia - Barcelona (350 km/4,30h)
In the morning enjoy a half-day city tour. Visit the City of Arts & Science, a futuristic ‘city within the city’, and one of the finest international venues for theatre, dance, opera and musicals. Continue  sightseeing with a visit of the Historic center and the Valencia Cathedral, the Miguelete tower and the Cathedral’s gothic bell tower. In the afternoon, make your way to the capital of the Mediterranean coast - colorful Barcelona. 

 

Day 16

Barcelona
Departure to Barcelona airport.