9-Day Spain and Portugal Tour from Madrid with Airport Transfers: Zaragoza, Barcelona, Seville and Lisbon

What you'll experience

Highlights

9 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Madrid

   Today, you will arrive in Madrid and be welcomed at Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD).

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Campanile Madrid Alcala ***, B&B Hotel Madrid Arganda ***
2. 2

   Day 2 — Madrid - Zaragoza

   The tour starts from the capital of Spain, Madrid, where you will pass by the Cibeles Fountain, and then arrive and visit Plaza Mayor, Piazza di Spagna, and Royal Palace of Madrid. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built by the Spanish Royal Family, showing the magnificent and splendid former empire and its historical grandeur. Then you'll arrive at the Puerta del Sol, a public square in Madrid. You can find the Km 0 square tile on the pavement, which represents the Puerta del Sol, the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads. In the afternoon, we say farewell to Madrid and head to Zaragoza.
    
   After arriving in Zaragoza, you'll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, which is a Roman Catholic Church in the city. The Basilica venerates the Blessed Virgin Mary, praised as "Mother of the Hispanic People". It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history. There are a lot of coffee shops and restaurants around the Basilica.

   

   Royal Palace of Madrid

   

   Plaza de Espana (Madrid)

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: EXE Boston **** , Eurostars Hotel Rey Fernando ****
3. 3

   Day 3 — Zaragoza - Barcelona

   In the morning, you will drive directly to the Spanish warm and charming coastal city of Barcelona. After arrival you will visit the Columbus Monument and Las Ramblas, followed by the Sagrada Família, which is a large Roman Catholic Church in Barcelona, designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí's unique, colourful, fairy tale decorations can be seen throughout the city and makes the place feel like a fantasy of the artist's mind.
   
   Next, visit the exterior of Camp Nou for photos and souvenir shopping. (Note: The stadium has been under major renovations since June 2023 and is not open for interior visits.)
   
   Then, head to the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill, the venue of the 1992 Olympic Games, where you can also enjoy panoramic views of the city. The remaining time is free for exploring the bustling Plaça de Catalunya. After dinner, return to the hotel.
   
   Due to a limited daily access control in Sagrada Família church, to avoid disappointment, we recommend customers who strongly request to visit this place to book tickets online in advance at www.sagradafamilia.org.
   Visit time for reservation: 2:00 - 2.30 pm.
    

   

   Montjuïc

   

   La Sagrada Familia

   

   Plaza Catalunya

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Campanile Barcelona Sud - Cornella ***, B&B Hotels Barcelona Sant Cugat ***
4. 4

   Day 4 — Barcelona - Valencia - Alicante

   After having breakfast at the hotel, you'll leave Barcelona for Spain's third largest city, Valencia. In Valencia's history, the city was celebrated as the gateway to the Mediterranean. It's commercially and culturally rich, with Moorish and Arab culture and food. Although today's Valencia is less prominent, it's still an important city for large commerce exhibitions and trade fairs to be held in throughout the year.
   Upon arrival, you will visit the Modernisme Plaza of the City Hall of Valencia, Valencia's Ancient City Gates and the Valencia Cathedral, where the true Holy Grail is preserved.a photo stop at Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. After the tour the day is rounded off with a drive into Alicante.
    

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: YIT Cludad De Elche *** , Hotel Campanile Alicante ***
5. 5

   Day 5 — Alicante - Granada

   In the morning, you depart for the city of Granada on the plateau of the Andalusian province. This historic city has been ruled by the Visigoths and Arabs. It became the last stronghold of the Arab dynasty during its eight-hundred- year-long rule of the Iberian Peninsula. In the 15th century, King Ferdinand successfully expelled the Arabs and managed to unite Spain. You would enter and visit the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, also known as the Red Palace. Alternatively, heading to visit the old city of Granada, with its exquisite and delicate architecture. Following that, embark on a drive to the Mijas, a self-paid group activity, to visit famous white village and winding streets, charming nooks and crannies, flower decked house and numerous tiny squares.
   Due to limited daily access control in Alhambra Palace, and to avoid disappointment, we recommend customer who strongly request to visit this place to book tickets online in advance on https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/.
   Reservation visit time: 1:30- 2:30pm.
    

   

   Alhambra Palace

   

   Mijas

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Campanile Malaga Airport ***
6. 6

   Day 6 — Granada - Seville

   In the morning, Embark on a self-paid group activity in the morning and head to Ronda, the birthplace of Spanish bullfighters. Ronda proudly holds the distinction of being home to Spain's oldest bullring, where the love, hatred, and passion of the fighters of that era were witnessed. Despite its seemingly serene facade, Ronda emanates a vibrant Spanish charm that is unmatched. The town's romantic and peaceful white houses perched on the dramatic cliffs serve as a testament to its allure.
   After the group activity to Ronda or Mijas the tour will go northbound to the largest city of the autonomous region of Andalusia, Seville. This city was the capital of the Muslim dynasty, considered to be the guardian angel of culture in Andalusia and the birthplace of the flamenco dance. Seville is the primary setting of many operas, of which the best known is Bizet's Carmen. As the fourth largest city in Spain, it has hosted the Universal Exposition of Seville in 1992. Upon arrival, you will visit the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. Its completion dates back to the early 16th century and now the cathedral halls serve as the Royal Chapel, the burial place of the kings for over a century. The tomb of Christopher Columbus, who discovered the New World, is also in the church as a credit to the great navigator.
   From there onwards you will see the Alcázar of Seville, which used to be a Muslim palace and a Spanish Royal Palace. The upper levels of the Alcázar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence today, which makes it the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along with the Seville Cathedral. We will walk to Santa Cruz, Torre del Oro (the Tower of Gold) and Maria Luisa Park, where the 1992 World Expo was located. In Plaza de España (Spain Square), you can admire crafted porcelain paintings, detailing the history and elegance of historical Spain.
    

   

   Ronda Town

   

   Alcazar of Seville

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel YIT Via Sevilla Mairena ****, YIT Vereda Real ****, EXE Gran Hotel Solucar ****
7. 7

   Day 7 — Seville - Lisbon

   Today the tour departs for the capital and the largest city of Portugal, Lisbon. You are expected to arrive in Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) in the afternoon. This is the most western extent of mainland Portugal and continental Europe. At the cape, you can see the enormous Atlantic Ocean surrounded by endless scenery. Don't forget to buy the remembrance certificate to prove that you once set foot on the west point.
   Later we will head back to the Lisbon city centre and visit the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both were classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Belem Tower was important during the Age of Discovery, as this was the place where the ships would depart. The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most prominent examples of Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. You will pass through the Marquis of Pombal Square and then stop at the Rossio Square for some free time. Those who are interested in Portuguese custard tarts can taste the authentic ones at a century-old bakery.
    

   

   Belem Tower

   

   Monument to the Discoveries

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: B&B Hotel Lisboa Aeroporto ***, Hotel Roma Lisboa ***, Holiday Inn Express Lisbon Airport ***
8. 8

   Day 8 — Lisbon - Toledo - Madrid

   Today we will drive back to Madrid via Toledo, a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage. This old city is located on a mountaintop, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River, and contains many historical buildings. By strolling across the city, overlooking the Alcázar of Toledo and visiting the grand structure of the Toledo Cathedral, you will feel the bustling of Spain in the old time. Then take a well-earned rest as you sit back, drive through the breath-taking landscape of Spain and enjoy its rich palette of colours in natural surroundings, while you journey to Madrid.
   
    

   

   The Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Campanile Madrid Alcala ***, B&B Hotel Madrid Arganda ***
9. 9

   Day 9 — Madrid

   Today, you will be transferred to Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) and end the tour.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Tour operator