Explore Spain & Portugal

15 Days | From the hills of Granada to the beaches of Lisbon

4.8 out of 5 based on 59 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
AUD $4,788
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Follow an enticing trail of delicious tapas, avant-garde art, architectural triumphs and dramatic history on this 15-day tour through Spain and Portugal. Travel the scenic route from Madrid, relaxing on the beach in Algarve, sipping wine in Porto, enjoying the rolling green hills of Granada and being charmed by Andalusian Seville. Admire the masterpieces of Picasso, Dali and Gaudi, experience the passion of flamenco, taste some of the best port in the world and embrace the culture of these two spirited countries with a local leader to show you the way.

Trip overview

Map of Explore Spain & Portugal including Portugal and Spain
Start
Madrid, Spain
Finish
Madrid, Spain
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Spain, Portugal
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMSI
This trip generates 34 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Get lost in the labyrinthine streets of the Albaicin in Granada before crossing the river to visit the imposing Moorish fortress of the Alhambra.
  • Unwind in a laidback fishing town in the Algarve, soaking up the sun on the beach and enjoying an included boat trip around the rocky cliffs of the coast.
  • Join pilgrims along the last leg of the famous Camino de Santiago journey as they reach the historic cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
  • Sit back, relax and watch the water flow by in one of Porto’s river restaurants while you sample a couple of varieties of the city’s signature wine – port!
  • Start and end your adventure in Madrid, home to art galleries, colourful architecture and some of the best restaurants in Spain.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Open Arms. Donations help them safeguard the physical integrity and rights of migrant people in imminent danger who have fled their homes across the Mediterranean Sea.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip covers a lot of ground and the majority of travel is done by trains and public buses. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Map of Explore Spain & Portugal including Portugal and Spain

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Activities
  • 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
Add on activities
  • Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR13
  • Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
  • Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
  • Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR10
  • Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR14
  • Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • Granada - Mirador de San Nicolas - Free
  • Granada - Science Park - EUR7
  • Granada - Science Park Planetarium - EUR2
  • Granada - Catedral de Granada - EUR6
  • Granada - Capilla Real - EUR6
  • Seville - Torre del Oro - EUR3
  • Seville - Santa Paula Convent - EUR3
  • Seville - Indias Archive - Free
  • Seville - Museum of Fine Arts - EUR2
  • Seville - Archaeological Museum - EUR3
  • Seville - Andalusian Contemporary Art Centre - EUR3
  • Seville - Guided Tour including Alcazar - EUR13
  • Seville - Museum of Art & Popular Customs - EUR2
  • Seville - Cathedral & Giralda Tower - EUR12
  • Seville - Casa de Pilatos - EUR10
  • Lisbon - Fado Show with Dinner - EUR50
  • Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR7
  • Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR6
  • Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR5
  • Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR25
  • Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5
  • Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
  • Lisbon - Sao Jorge Castle - EUR15
  • Lisbon - Belem Tower and Monastery - EUR20
  • Porto - Livraria Lello - EUR8
  • Porto - Clerigos Tower - EUR8
  • Porto - Serralves Foundation - EUR20
  • Porto - Bolhao Market - Free
  • Santiago de Compostela - Visit to a Local Cheesemaker - EUR20
  • Santiago de Compostela - Bike Hire - EUR10
  • Santiago de Compostela - Pilgrimage Museum - EUR2
  • Santiago de Compostela - Cathedral - EUR12

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name and passport details at the time of booking so that we can secure Alhambra entrance tickets for you. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 60 days of departure. In some cases, without these details, we may not be able to obtain entrance tickets for you.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 59 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Anna · Traveled September 2024
I think the brochure should explain more about the use of public transport & the difficulty with luggage on crowded transport
Review submitted 25 Sep 2024

Vivienne · Traveled September 2024
A fabulous itinerary of breath taking scenery spoilt by the unreliability of public transport . We had several delays which wasted a lot of time .
Review submitted 22 Sep 2024

mark · Traveled September 2024
Fantastic trip spoilt by the unreliability and frequency of public bus transport in Spain and Portugal. Group leader was absolutely superb in very difficult circumstances.
Review submitted 22 Sep 2024

Cheryl · Traveled August 2024
We were so lucky to have Natalia lead our group! Her passion, knowledge and love of what she does is to be commended. She’s extremely organised, a great communicator and shared some great tips for each city! Loved the orientation walks!
Review submitted 17 Sep 2024

Neil · Traveled August 2024
Excellent trip with a lovely guide. Would absolutely recommend
Review submitted 28 Aug 2024
Explore Spain & Portugal
From
AUD $4,788