Visit some of Spain and Portugal’s most beautiful and historic cities, including Madrid, Toledo, Burgos, Leon, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon. Each city has its unique charm and character, from Madrid’s stunning architecture to Toledo’s medieval streets and the historic cathedrals of Burgos and Leon. You’ll also get to experience Portugal’s rich culture and gastronomy, with stops in Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon.
Itinerary Highlights
Explore breathtaking cities
Localised Food Tours
Cruise on the Douro River
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
12
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Madrid
Day 2
Madrid
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour in Madrid with your local English-speaking guide and private vehicle. Visit the Prado Museum, one of Madrid’s main attractions for many visitors. Here, you can view works by Spain’s three great Masters: Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. After touring the Prado, visit the Royal Palace, whose rooms are filled with art treasures and antiques. This afternoon, visit the magnificent Thyseen-Bornemisza collection, which boasts 800 paintings and is regarded as one of the world’s most important privately assembled art collections. Also, visit the Reina Sofia Art Centre, which concentrates on 20th-century art and its most famous work, Picasso’s “Guernica”.
Day 3
Toledo
Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to Toledo with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide. Toledo is a fortified city dating from Roman times, which in the Middle Ages was the crucible of the three cultures of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Sightseeing will include the Cathedral, a blend of 13th, 14th and 15th-century architecture, and the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco’s most famous painting, “Burial of Count Orgaz”. You will also visit the city’s oldest synagogue, the 12th-century Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue, which subsequently became a convent.
Day 4
Burgos and Leon
This morning, meet your English-speaking guide and driver for the start of your tour to Santiago with an overnight stop in Leon. Travel from Madrid to Burgos for an overview visit, and continue to Leon to get a better feel for the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. The section from Burgos to Leon traverses the sweeping meseta of Castille, passing through important resting places along the Camino with magnificent churches and monasteries such as Fromista, Carrion de los Condes and Sahagun. Arrive in Leon in the late afternoon, the perfect time to visit the cathedral as it illuminates the superb stained glass in all its glory.
Day 5
Leon and Santiago de Compostela
Continue the pilgrim route via Astorga to visit the amazing Bishop’s Palace built by the Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudi. Follow the Camino, climbing into the mountains and stopping briefly at Villafrance del Bierzo. Continue over the pass of El Cebreiro, driving through the ancient thatched-roofed ‘palooza’ cottages typical of this austere region. Follow the pilgrim road, stopping in Lugo, the smallest of the capitals of Galicia, to see the unique Roman walls that completely surround the city. Continue to Santiago from here.
Day 6
Santiago de Compostela
Enjoy a guided tour with your English-speaking guide, visiting the magnificent Cathedral over the centuries and still today, the culmination of the greatest pilgrimage in Europe, the Archbishop’s Palace, the arcaded streets and the baroque splendours of San Martin Piniero. Also, visit the market, one of Spain’s most interesting and picturesque, with old ladies selling their homemade cheeses.
Day 7
Santiago de Compostela to Porto
Continue touring south to Oporto with your English-speaking guide, driver, and private vehicle. Follow the winding coast road along the beautiful Ria (estuary) of Arousa, with fishing villages and picturesque mussel and oyster beds the major features of this region. You may also like to visit the village of Cambados before continuing to the Portuguese frontier, stopping in one of the frontier towns, Tuy, which has sweeping views over the Mino estuary. Continue to Ponte de Lima with its churches and mansions. Time permitting, you can also visit Braga with its austere fortified cathedral and the dramatic sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Mont, which is reachable by a massive granite staircase punctuated with fountains and statuary.
Day 8
Porto
Today, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour with your private vehicle and a local English-speaking guide in Oporto, which has a glorious location on a steep hillside above the River Douro. You will visit the Cais da Ribeira, the quayside of the fascinating Ribeira district, with views across the river to the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia and some of the city’s most beautiful monuments, including the opulent 19th century Stock Exchange, the cathedral and Bishop’s Palace.
Day 9
Douro Valley
Today, you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide to the breathtakingly beautiful Douro Valley, covered with steep terraces on which the vines that produce the grapes for port wine are grown. You will visit the sumptuous palace of Solar de Mateus with its 18th-century interior and carefully manicured lawns and experience a short cruise on the River Douro.
Day 10
Coimbra
This morning, you will meet your private vehicle and English-speaking driver for your transfer to Lisbon via Coimbra. You will enjoy a 3-hour stop in Coimbra, the oldest university town in Portugal, where you have time to explore the old streets and visit the University with its sumptuous Baroque library. After lunch at leisure in Coimbra, transfer to Lisbon.
Day 11
Lisbon
Today, you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour in Lisbon with your private vehicle and English-speaking guide. Lying north of the River Tagus estuary and spread over seven hills, Lisbon has much to offer the visitor. Your tour today will include a visit to the magnificent Jeronimo’s Monastery, the splendid Coach Museum in the Belem Royal Palace and the priceless treasures of the Gulbenkian Museum.
Day 12
Sintra / Queluz and Cascais
This morning, you will meet your private vehicle and English-speaking driver for your transfer to Lisbon via Coimbra. You will enjoy a 3-hour stop in Coimbra, the oldest university town in Portugal, where you have time to explore the old streets and visit the University with its sumptuous Baroque library. After lunch at leisure in Coimbra, transfer to Lisbon.
Day 13
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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Portugal boasts a temperate climate that makes it a popular travel destination year-round. However, if you’re looking to escape the crowds, the best time to visit is during the shoulder season, which runs from March to May and September to November. During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant, and you’ll be able to enjoy Portugal’s stunning landscapes and historic cities without having to navigate throngs of tourists. In contrast, the peak season, which falls between June and August, can be quite hot and crowded, so it’s best to plan accordingly if you’re traveling during this time.
In January, the weather in Portugal is generally cool and rainy, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C to 15°C. The northern and central regions of the country tend to be colder than the south, with occasional snowfall in the mountains. It's important to pack warm clothing and rain gear if you're planning a trip to Portugal in January. Despite the cooler temperatures, Portugal still has plenty to offer visitors in terms of culture, food, and history.
In February, the weather in Portugal starts to improve, with average temperatures ranging from 9°C to 16°C. Although it can still be cool and rainy, there are usually more sunny days than in January. The northern and central regions of the country tend to be cooler than the south, but overall the weather is milder than in the previous month. It's still a good idea to pack warm clothing and rain gear, but you may also want to bring lighter clothing for the warmer days. February is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to avoid the busy tourist season while still enjoying mild weather and beautiful scenery.
In March, the weather in Portugal starts to warm up, with average temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C. While there can still be some rainy days, the weather is generally milder and more pleasant than in the previous months. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and there are usually more sunny days along the coast. It's a good idea to pack a mix of warm and light clothing, as the weather can still be variable. March is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery and cultural attractions without the crowds of the peak tourist season.
In April, the weather in Portugal is generally mild and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 12°C to 20°C. There are usually more sunny days than in the previous months, and the chance of rain decreases as the month goes on. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and the coastal areas are often the warmest. It's a good idea to pack a mix of warm and light clothing, as the weather can still be variable. April is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, lively festivals, and outdoor activities without the crowds of the peak tourist season.
In May, the weather in Portugal is generally warm and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 14°C to 22°C. The chance of rain is low, and the days are longer than in the previous months, making it a great time to enjoy outdoor activities. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and the coastal areas are often the warmest. It's a good idea to pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. May is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, beaches, and outdoor attractions before the peak tourist season begins.
In June, the weather in Portugal is generally warm and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 25°C. The chance of rain is low, and the days are long and perfect for outdoor activities. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and the coastal areas are often the warmest. It's a good idea to pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. June is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, beaches, and outdoor attractions, as well as the lively festivals that take place throughout the country.
In July, the weather in Portugal is hot and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C. The chance of rain is low, and the days are long and perfect for outdoor activities. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and the coastal areas are often the warmest. It's important to pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the strong sun. July is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, beaches, and outdoor attractions, as well as the lively festivals and events that take place throughout the country during the summer months.
In August, the weather in Portugal is hot and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C. The chance of rain is low, and the days are long and perfect for outdoor activities. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and the coastal areas are often the warmest. It's important to pack light clothing, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the strong sun. August is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, beaches, and outdoor attractions, as well as the lively festivals and events that take place throughout the country during the summer months.
In September, the weather in Portugal starts to cool down slightly, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 26°C. The chance of rain increases slightly, but the days are still warm and pleasant for outdoor activities. The southern regions of the country tend to be warmer than the north, and the coastal areas are often the warmest. It's a good idea to pack a mix of light and warm clothing, as the weather can still be variable. September is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather, beaches, and outdoor attractions, without the crowds of the peak tourist season.
In October, the weather in Portugal starts to get cooler, with average temperatures ranging from 13°C to 22°C. The chance of rain increases, and the days are shorter than in the summer months. The northern and central regions of the country tend to be cooler than the south, but overall the weather is still mild and pleasant. It's a good idea to pack a mix of warm and light clothing, as the weather can still be variable. October is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities, as well as the autumn festivals that take place throughout the country.
In November, the weather in Portugal starts to get cooler and rainier, with average temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C. The chance of rain increases, and the days are shorter than in the previous months. The northern and central regions of the country tend to be cooler than the south, and there can be occasional frosts in the mountains. It's important to pack warm clothing and rain gear if you're planning a trip to Portugal in November. Despite the cooler temperatures, Portugal still has plenty to offer visitors in terms of culture, food, and history. November is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to avoid the crowds of the peak tourist season and enjoy a more authentic experience.
In December, the weather in Portugal is generally cool and rainy, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C to 15°C. The northern and central regions of the country tend to be colder than the south, with occasional snowfall in the mountains. It's important to pack warm clothing and rain gear if you're planning a trip to Portugal in December. Despite the cooler temperatures, Portugal still has plenty to offer visitors in terms of culture, food, and history. December is a great time to visit Portugal if you want to experience the festive holiday season and enjoy traditional Christmas markets and celebrations throughout the country.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add-on holiday options to this Spain and Portugal itinerary; for example, you could consider visiting Morocco, which is just a short ferry ride away from Spain. Alternatively, you could explore the south of France, which is full of charming towns and beautiful beaches. If you’re after more city life, you could head to Paris or London, both easily accessible by train or plane from Spain and Portugal. Additionally, you could explore the stunning landscapes of Scotland or Ireland, or head to Italy to experience its rich history and delicious cuisine. The options are endless!
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