Spain and Portugal

Experience the best of the Iberian Peninsula as you travel through the beautiful landscapes and immerse yourself in the rich cultures of Spain and Portugal.

This itinerary combines the great architectural wonders of Spain including the big cities of Barcelona and Madrid, the spicy cultures of Andalusia in the southern part of the country, and the incredible beaches of the Algarve region of southern Portugal along with the gem in her crown, Lisbon. Less expensive than other areas of Europe, life here is also more relaxed with a slightly slower pace, leaving you plenty of time for wandering, discovering, and swimming at the beach!

Note: This trip can be done in either direction; be sure to check flight tickets in each direction to see which way will be less expensive for you.

Highlights

Finally understand the tapas craze in a tiny café in La Rambla neighborhood of Barcelona. Smile at the melting buildings and surreal sculptures that make up Gaudi architecture. Learn how to flamenco dance on the streets of Madrid. Imagine a long lost world in the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Visit a cathedral inside a mosque in Seville. Sun bake and swim for hours on some of the best beaches in the world, along the southern coast of Portugal, the more remote the better. Go to a show at the Lisbon opera house and then walk down happy streets to find the nightlife, glass of riojo in your belly and a smile on your face.

Suggested Route

Starting point: Barcelona
Ending point: Lisbon
Time Frame: 14 days or more

Spain: Start in Barcelona with at least three days, and then fly/train to Madrid for at least three days. Fly/train down south to Moorish Spain (Andalusia) and spend several days visiting Granada and Seville, throwing in Cordoba and the Rock of Gibraltar if you have time.

Portugal: Head into Portugal from Seville and spend a few days on the beaches of the Algarve region; when thoroughly drenched in sunshine, head up to Lisbon for at least three days before flying home.