Explore Spain & Portugal

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

4.6 out of 5 based on 43 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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USD $4,097
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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 to Barcelona, 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
Barcelona, Spain
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Portugal, Spain
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 45.87 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.
  • Pulsing with quirky and vibrant art and architecture, walking the streets of Barcelona is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the unique culture of Catalonia.
  • 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!

Is this trip right for you?
  • Please note that this trip covers a lot of ground. The majority of travel between destinations on this trip is done by trains and local buses. Time estimates are given in the day-to-day itinerary. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. It's also a perfect opportunity for local interaction.
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in Spain and Portugal (over 40°C), so it’s important to use sun protection, wear breathable layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. In contrast, this trip also has departures during the winter months (mid-October to mid-March). This is the perfect time to see the highlights of Spain without any of the crowds, however the weather during this time of year is unpredictable, and possibly cold and rainy. 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.
  • You don't have a lot of time in Madrid and Barcelona at the start and the end of the trip respectively, so if you're keen to explore these spectacular cities in depth, we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip and/or extend your stay at the end.
  • Some hotels and train stations don't have lifts, and you will need to walk up and down some stairs carrying your luggage. Please make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information.
  • Please note that shops, attractions, sights and businesses may be closed for up to 5 hours in the middle of the day for siesta time. This gives the locals time to escape the heat and spend time with their families, eat a large lunch or simply sleep through the most uncomfortable time of day. This means of course that people work later into the evening and dinner time can seem quite late – 9.30 pm is not uncommon for family dinner time.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight between 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Explore Spain & Portugal including Portugal and Spain

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Plane, 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 - EUR12
  • Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
  • Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
  • Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR10
  • Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR11
  • Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR82
  • Granada - Jose Guerrero Centre - Free
  • Granada - Mirador de San Nicolas - Free
  • Granada - Science Park - EUR7
  • Granada - Science Park Planetarium - EUR2
  • Granada - Catedral de Granada - EUR5
  • Granada - Capilla Real - EUR5
  • 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 - EUR10
  • Seville - Casa de Pilatos - EUR8
  • Lisbon - Fado Show with Dinner - EUR50
  • Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR5
  • Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR6
  • Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR3
  • Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR17
  • Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5
  • Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
  • Lisbon - Citadel - EUR9
  • Lisbon - Belem Tower and Monastery - EUR13
  • Porto - Lello Library - EUR3
  • Porto - Clerigos Tower - EUR5
  • Porto - Serralves Foundation - EUR5
  • 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 - Free
  • Barcelona - Barcelona Cathedral - EUR9
  • Barcelona - Casa Batllo - EUR24
  • Barcelona - Cable car to Montjuic (one way) - EUR8
  • Barcelona - Contemporary Art Museum - EUR10
  • Barcelona - Guell Palace - EUR12
  • Barcelona - Museum of City History - EUR7
  • Barcelona - Picasso Museum - EUR14
  • Barcelona - Andean-Amazonian Ethnographic Museum - Free
  • Barcelona - Old Santa Creu Hospital - EUR10
  • Barcelona - Museum of Gaudi - EUR6
  • Barcelona - National Art Museum of Catalonia - EUR12
  • Barcelona - La Sagrada Familia (must be prebooked in advance) - EUR15
  • Barcelona - Tapas Tour in El Raval Urban Adventure - EUR70

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. A guided visit to the Alhambra Palace and Gardens is included in your trip. Please note that due to high demand and to be able to control visitor numbers, local authorities have implemented a timed ticket slot system for the Alhambra Palace. Depending on your departure date the time of your group's visit can vary. Please note that tickets are nominative, and you will need to advise us of your passport details at the time of booking as we are unable to organize tickets for you without them. Details will be counter checked at the entrance, so make sure you bring your passport with you at the time of the visit.
3. The luggage limit for airlines we use for the domestic flight on this trip is 20kg. Exceeding this limit will incur an excess baggage charge, payable by the traveler. However, we must stress that due to the adventurous nature of this trip and the amount of public transport we use on it, this limit far exceeds Intrepid's recommended luggage weight for this tour (10kg).

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

4.6 out of 5 based on 43 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

Filter by rating

VIDHI · Traveled July 2023
The whole premise of joining a Group Tour was compromised. There were 2 people on the tour, one of them being myself ! How ridiculous is that . Paying a ridiculous amount of money for solo travel is not what I signed up for. Accommodation and transport were also poor. Was made to sleep in an ATTIC without air conditioning in the peak of 40 degrees heat! For the inclusion to the Palace , we were provided transport only one way up and pay to get back down or walk down the steep hill ! How is this 'An inclusion ' ???!!! When it only Cost 1 euro . Do not understand what I paid 258 euro per day for ? !!! Absolutely pathetic. The trainees were made to do the orientation walks and were Absolutely clueless on even basic logistics and poor knowledge of the cities. Will never travel with Intrepid ever again. Worst experience of my life ! I've been on 9 other group Tours with Contiki and Top deck and this by far has to be the most poorly handled tour company. They tour leader struggled with the basic travel information of which public buses to take , as if doing this route for the first time. The least you can expect from a tour company is the know how of basic transport in the city. Might as well have done a solo trip for 1/4th the cost. Did not get a group to travel with . Accommodation and transport very poor. Seriously do not understand what I paid for ??!!!! Ridiculous!
Review submitted 17 Aug 2023

JULIE · Traveled July 2023
The itinerary for this trip gave us the opportunity to travel through bustling, cosmopolitan cities like Madrid, Lisbon & Barcelona, as well as experience the beachside beauty of Lagos, Algarve and the picturesque city of Porto. The chance to walk part of the Camino trail in Santiago de Compostela was a unique and unforgettable experience to share with the group.
Review submitted 06 Aug 2023

Allan · Traveled May 2023
An excellent introduction to Spain and Portugal with a great combination of organized and free time. The use of public transport was enjoyable and at times entertaining. Pack light for the many stairs. Our tour leader Adrian is a credit to his profession.
Review submitted 04 Jul 2023

Glecy · Traveled May 2023
The Spain to Portugal trip is an amazing trip with a great combination of visits to historical areas, cultural experience, strolling the city, relaxing by the beach, great food and hotel. Highly recommended!
Review submitted 10 Jun 2023

Paul · Traveled May 2023
This trip has great attractions and activities, it has a good balance of busy cities, then quiet places.
Review submitted 11 Jun 2023
Explore Spain & Portugal
From
USD $4,097