Rick Steves Home > 2008 Tours > Spain & Portugal

Best of Spain & Portugal in 15 Days

$3,595 + air • 24-28 people • Begins in Barcelona and ends in Lisbon

From El Greco to flamenco, you'll feel the passionate pulse of Spain and Portugal — past and present — on this exciting tour. Our days together will be packed with world-class art treasures, vivid folk life, exotic foods...and a welcome that matches the sunny climate.

Along the way, your enthusiastic guide will show you some of Europe's greatest big-city thrills: Barcelona's vitality, Madrid's majesty, Sevilla's soul, and Lisbon's tenacity. You'll also climb to the top of an Andalusian hill town, then kick back and soak up some sun along the Algarve coast.

You'll also get to know some full-bodied wines, succulent seafood, terrific tapas, heavenly paella, and more. Ole!

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day 0: Depart USA

Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA.

Day 1: Welcome to Spain

We'll gather at our Barcelona hotel around 5 p.m. for a "Welcome to Spain" fiesta, followed by a short orientation paseo (walk) and dinner together. Sleep in Barcelona (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Lively, Artistic Barcelona

We'll begin our day with a walking tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. Then you'll be free to experience more of this magnificent city on your own, from the Picasso Museum to the delightfully sprawling La Boquería public market. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 3: Train to Magnificent Madrid

All aboard! We'll take the train to Madrid, where a bus then takes us on a panoramic tour of Madrid's major monuments and along its classy boulevards. After checking into our hotel, we'll stroll the lively streets of our neighborhood and enjoy dinner together. Sleep in Madrid (2 nights). Train: 5 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 4: Masterpieces of Royal Madrid

This morning we'll take a walking tour and visit one of Europe's finest art museums, the Prado. The afternoon is free to visit the Royal Palace, explore more museums, or people watch in the vibrant Puerta del Sol. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 5: All Day in Historic Toledo

After a short bus ride to Toledo, we'll join a local guide for a morning walking tour that will include Toledo's magnificent cathedral, an historic synagogue, and mucho El Greco paintings. This afternoon, there's plenty of time to enjoy the winding streets and varied sights of Spain's former capital (as well as some of Spain's best shopping). Sleep in Toledo (1 night). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 6: Don Quixote Country and Granada

Through the windswept La Mancha landscape we'll drive to Granada, where we'll visit the ornate tombs of world-changing Ferdinand and Isabella. We may even sneak in a sunset view of tomorrow's treat — the Alhambra. Sleep in Granada (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 7: Moorish Treasures of Granada

We'll spend our morning touring the sublime Alhambra palace and gardens with a local guide. The afternoon is free to explore Granada's other sights, including the very Moorish Albayzín hill and stroll its ancient alleys on your own. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 8: Ronda and Los Pueblos Blancos

We'll wind our way between olive and oak groves and whitewashed villages en route to our own pueblo blanco (white town). We'll pause on the way to explore the gorge-straddling town of Ronda, the birthplace of bull-fighting. Sleep in Arcos de la Frontera (1 night). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 9: Clifftop Arcos and Colorful Sevilla

The morning is yours to melt into the white washed alleys of Arcos, to find the best views or perfect café and mix it up with the locals. Then it's off to Sevilla, Spain's most atmospheric city, where we'll begin with a tour of the Santa Cruz district. After seeing Sevilla's massive cathedral (Europe's third-largest), we'll relax over dinner together. Sleep in Sevilla (2 nights). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 10: Sevilla's Alcazar and Street Scene

Today you're free in Sevilla to walk in the footsteps of Carmen and Don Juan. Tour the impressive Alcazar palace, linger in Sevilla's charming squares, or stroll along the romantic Guadalquivir River. Sultry, swirling flamenco is a great evening option. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 11 & 12: Portugal's Algarve

Over the next two days we'll explore Portugal's famed Algarve, once thought of as the end of the earth (before Columbus).  We'll brake for crashing waves and dizzying cliffs, view castle ruins that symbolize the struggles between the Christians and Moors, and relax our pace to enjoy the sandy coves and pristine dunes. You have free time to explore as the ancient sea farers once did in Sagres or Cabo Sao Vincente, or to relax with the locals in a simple fishing village. Sleep in the Algarve (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice). 

Day 13: Lisbon, City of Discoveries

We'll make a direct run to Lisbon, Portugal's bustling capital. We'll visit the Monument to the Discoveries and the Jerónimos Monastery, before checking into our very centrally-located hotel. Since many of us may have early flights departing the morning our tour ends, your guide may choose to organize a "last supper" Fado extravaganza tonight (rather than tomorrow). Sleep in Lisbon (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 14: Neighborhoods of Lisbon

This morning we'll take a walking tour through Lisbon's three downtown neighborhoods. You'll have the rest of the day free to browse more of the neighborhoods, visit the superb museums, or ride a vintage streetcar. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 15: Tour over after breakfast

The Lisbon airport is an easy bus or taxi ride away — or continue your Iberian adventures on your own. Adios y adeus!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

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Recommended reading and viewing list for this tour

 

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