Classic Madrid to Lisbon

9 Days | Taste Portuguese tarts, sip famed port wines and wander the cobbled streets of Madrid, Porto and Lisbon.

5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
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USD $3,438
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On this nine-day adventure through Spain and Portugal, you’ll dip into Madrid for a tapas dinner, take a trip into Salamanca’s sandstone surrounds and stay in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. After indulging in delicious local wines and soaking in the views of rolling greens, head to the birthplace of port wine and wander through the medieval riverside district, meeting locals and watching the city light up as the sun sets. Enjoy some free time in Coimbra – the official European Region of Gastronomy – and wander its historic university before ending it all in shining Lisbon. Don’t leave without tasting the famous pasteis de nata (the flakiest pastry you’ll ever treat yourself to) and why not – another splash of local wine!

Trip overview

Map of Classic Madrid To Lisbon including Portugal and Spain
Start
Madrid, Spain
Finish
Lisbon, Portugal
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
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMKO
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Journey into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley and indulge in a wine tasting of local wines, served with a delicious lunch of Portuguese specialties.
  • Tick Madrid, Salamanca, Porto and Lisbon off your bucket list and spend afternoons wandering around narrow, cobbled streets, colourful architecture with hilltop views and glittering coasts as you wait for nightly sunsets to transform these cities into glittering havens.
  • Feast on Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, snacks and local wines with a delicious tapas welcome dinner in Madrid, a port tasting in Porto, a bacalhau dinner in Coimbra and the unmissable pasteis de nata from the best spot in Lisbon – yum!
  • Rub shoulders with the locals in the University of Coimbra, famed for its baroque library and historical buildings, during a tour with a local guide who has all the insights.
  • Spend a day discovering the history of Tomar – a 12th century town of relaxed streets, verdant gardens and the Castelo de Tomar, a Templar castle just waiting for the curious to explore its ramparts and cloisters.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, REFOOD. Donations help them save good food, from restaurants and supermarkets, that is destined to go to waste and distribute it amongst people in need.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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.
  • 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. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
  • Portugal, particularly its cities, are very hilly and stairs are commonplace. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines, so packing light is recommended. The cobblestone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Portugal's topography challenging.

Itinerary

Map of Classic Madrid To Lisbon including Portugal and Spain

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Train, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Activities
  • Salamanca - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Douro Valley - Wine Tasting & Lunch
  • Porto - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Porto - Port wine tasting
  • Coimbra - University tour with a local guide
  • Tomar - Castelo de Tomar
  • Tomar - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Lisbon - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Lisbon - Pasteis de nata
Add on activities
  • Porto - Livraria Lello - EUR8
  • Coimbra - Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery - EUR4
  • Lisbon - Castelo de Sao Jorge - EUR15

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.

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.

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Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 6 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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Olga · Traveled September 2024
I would highly recommend Intrepid if you are planning a touring trip. We were taken care of very well had nice hotels and a very knowledgeable guide as well as well planned days which included transfers to our destinations and lots of enjoyable activities
Review submitted 18 Sep 2024

Kathryn · Traveled September 2024
This was my first intrepid tour and it was wonderful. We booked extra nights and airport pick up and Intrepid took care of it all. The hotels were great and the experiences in Portugal were excellent. I learned so much history and visited so many amazing places. We tried local foods, port tasting and learned about Portugese wines and vineyards. It was an amazing trip. Our guide was knowledgeable and proud of her country.
Review submitted 26 Sep 2024

Arden · Traveled August 2024
The Intrepid Travel package for this trip encompassed a number of items and experiences that I would have not experienced had I tried to do this on my own. The overall organisation of the trip and attention to detail was impressive. Well done!
Review submitted 14 Aug 2024

Stephanie · Traveled May 2024
I couldn’t have done this trip without the lead of a knowledgeable and professional guide. And you delivered.
Review submitted 23 May 2024

Elizabeth (Bette) · Traveled May 2024
An excellent introduction to Portugal from the initial meet up with our group and our excellent tour guide Daniel in Madrid until the farewell dinner in Lisbon. With a small group we were ae to move easily around cities like Porto and Lisbon. Hotels were all of a good standard and not "cookie-cutter" chain hotels. The night in the boutique hotel in the Douro Valley was especially memorable.
Review submitted 20 Jun 2024
Classic Madrid to Lisbon
From
USD $3,438