Spain and Portugal make for a marvelous European vacation. Drenched in sunshine, and almost completely surrounded by the seas, the Iberian Peninsula is a place of great historic importance, with a lust for life and cuisines to linger over.
Popular Itineraries for Spain & Portugal Tours
Although every tour we build is unique, there are some popular routes and itineraries that we are asked for frequently. Our sample itineraries provide some ideas for you to consider as a basis for your own private tour combining time in both Spain and Portugal.
For each of these itineraries, you can get a rough idea of the price using the Price Guide function. We cover many more destinations than those listed in these popular Portugal & Spain itineraries.
Our expert trip planners will work with you to incorporate any places in Spain and Portugal you want to visit.
* Starting price is per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.
Click on your choice of itinerary, select number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.
Spain & Portugal Vacation Reviews
Our Spain & Portugal vacation packages provide a hassle-free way to see both of these captivating countries. We take care of all the details. All you have to worry about is enjoying the one-of-a-kind experiences that will make this the vacation of a lifetime.
Below you’ll find some recent testimonials from guests who have visited Europe with our help recently.
A wonderful customized and low stress way to explore a city without the hassles of trying to figure out the myriad of details on your own.
Visited : Spain, Portugal
Itinerary : Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon
Rating :
It was like a private tour! They did a great job planning our trip!
Visited : Spain, Portugal
Itinerary : Barcelona, Porto, Lisbon
Rating :
This is our 4th JayWay trip and we enjoyed the consistency of how you do things along with the staff who guided us along the way. It’s a great way to travel! Melita created an amazing trip and Andrea and Maria were absolutely fantastic guiding us through the process. The care they all put into their clients and their jobs is wonderful to be a part of.
Visited : Spain, Portugal
Itinerary : Madrid, San Sebastian, Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Lagos, Lisbon, Porto
Rating :
Spain & Portugal – a Perfect Pairing
With a rich history stretching back to the Ancient Roman era, some swashbuckling centuries as powerful naval empires, and a period of Moorish rule, both Spain and Portugal are packed with fascinating sites.
The various influences of civilizations that have come, gone, and been conquered have graced the countries of the Iberian Peninsula with an exciting blend of history, culture, and traditions. Between the two there’s so much to see, you might just have to make two trips!
Make it a Culinary Crusade, With Wine
In Spain, the unique tapas culture is something to indulge in. Barcelona has long been known as home to some of the best restaurants in the world, but did you know little San Sebastian on Spain’s northern coast has more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere on Earth?
With so much coastline it shouldn’t be a surprise that Portugal’s cuisine is big on fish and seafood.
And then there’s the wine. You’ll be familiar with Cava, Rioja, and Port already, and of course, they’re part of the story too, but both countries are rich in viticulture so there’s much more to be discovered.
Just want to hit the highlights?
If it’s your first time visiting Spain and Portugal, you’ll naturally want to hit the hotspots like Barcelona, Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, and maybe Granada, too.
In Barcelona, you’ll be fascinated by the masterpieces created by Gaudi’s genius, these architectural wonders that are scattered throughout the city.
To mingle with locals, head to La Barceloneta, the city’s iconic urban beach and one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset in Barcelona.
In Lisbon, you’ll hear tales of great explorers as you stroll through the magnificent monuments of the historic Belem district before you’re mesmerized by the tunes of Fado music in the narrow alleys of Alfama, the Portuguese capital’s oldest neighborhood.
For wine enthusiasts, Porto is a mandatory stop. It’s there that the renowned Port wine was born centuries ago. Yet, architecture lovers won’t be disappointed either. Porto’s historic center with its cobbled streets is a sight for sore eyes and so is the city’s emblematic Dom Luis I Bridge.
Madrid is a treasure trove of art. The Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums comprise the Spanish capital’s Golden Triangle of Art with countless invaluable works of art hiding within their walls.
But Madrid isn’t just about the art, it’s also about its authenticity, colorful neighborhoods, and open-minded spirit, a city that makes everyone feel welcome.
In Granada, your eyes will be filled with beauty when you look at the Alhambra complex for the first time, this fine example of Islamic architecture, and one of Spain’s most magnificent monuments.
Or Dig Deeper?
But that’s just the beginning of the story and our deep knowledge of both these countries allows us to craft for you a bespoke itinerary that goes beyond the highlights.
You could spend some of your trip discovering Andalusia, beyond Granada. This gorgeous region in southern Spain is the ideal place for a vacation that combines history and culture with the brightness of the Mediterranean sun.
The region’s capital, Seville, is a glistening city that combines remarkable monuments, like the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the cinematic Plaza de Espana, with an irresistibly laid-back atmosphere and the opportunity to see other smaller towns, like Cordoba, on easy day trips.
San Sebastian on the Bay of Biscay is a treat for gourmets. Home to a picture-perfect beach, San Sebastian is the culinary capital of Spain, and for good reason.
Beyond the mainland, Mallorca awaits to seduce you with its natural beauty and slow pace of life. The largest of the Balearic Islands is also known for its gastronomy and local wines.
Portugal’s southern coastal Algarve region is an easy-going delight. Home to popular resorts and secret coves alike, the Algarve is every beach-lover’s dream.
From Porto, continue your journey to unlock the secrets of Port wine in the scenic Douro Valley, a location of great charm that promises endless relaxing moments – and wine tastings – with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Check out all the destinations we offer in Spain and Portugal, and our expert trip planners will come up with the best Portugal and Spain itinerary for you.
You’re in The Best Hands
Our Spain and Portugal expert travel advisors and trip planners will work with you to create your dream vacation itinerary. You’ll stay at the very best hotels, apartments, or villas.
Most of our guests enjoy stays in gorgeous 4-star hotels, but we also offer 3- and 5-star options in all our destinations.
Depending on the destination, you may stay in a splendid hotel with a historical charm or in a more modern hotel with all the comforts. Each hotel provides excellent service, ensuring a restful night before you head out to explore.
You choose how you want to spend your days, either enjoying day trips and city tours with our trusted partners or taking a day off to wander on your own.
Before you arrive and during your trip, our on-the-ground staff in the region are on hand by phone or email for any help you need. We’re perfectly placed to create the most memorable trip and an unforgettable experience.
Why Travel with JayWay?
You only travel somewhere for the first time once. By taking a custom tailored trip you get a seamless trip, to your choice of destinations and at your own pace, planned by professionals and supported by locals on the ground in Europe.
Save Precious Time
Planning an amazing trip takes time. Our friendly travel advisors and experienced trip planners will listen to your needs and craft your personal dream itinerary. We will maximize your vacation time and enjoyment – we know the best way to get around and how to spend your hard-earned time off.
Have Peace of Mind
You’re in safe hands from the very beginning. Even before you arrive your dedicated tour manager in Europe will be in touch to help you prepare. When you arrive they’ll meet you and be available by phone, email and IM for the rest of your journey with us, for anything you need.
Make Memories Forever
Travel can create memories that last a lifetime. You’ll return home with indelible recollections of beautiful sunsets, magical vistas, fascinating stories, and meals so delicious you’ll want to fly back every time you think of them. This is why we do what we do.
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel to Spain & Portugal
Most of our guests travel to Spain & Portugal from the US by air, unless they are already traveling in a nearby country.
No. All our tours are completely customized and private, providing a much more personal experience. Every tour is a definite departure because it’s based on your travel dates. No worrying about whether your preferred departure meets a minimum number of guests to go ahead, then scrambling to find an alternative because your flights are already booked.
Starting in either of the capitals, Madrid or Lisbon, or Barcelona, makes sense as all three of these cities have direct flights from the US. You don’t have to make your way back to the city you started in either. Buying an open-jaw ticket is usually only a little more than a standard return and we’ll include any intra-European flights in your package. Our travel advisors will help you pick the best flights for your itinerary.
All our Spain and Portugal tours are private, but within your tour, we can include some shared experiences where you can meet fellow travelers and like-minded people. Some activities, like food tours, wine tastings, and cooking classes, are more fun on small group tours. A walking tour, on the other hand, is often better one-on-one so you can ask questions even beyond the regular content of the tour.
It very much depends on your priorities. If you want to visit the most iconic cities, Barcelona and Lisbon would be top of the list, whatever you’re into. Both countries have a wealth of things to see. Spain’s capital Madrid is rich in museums. The Prado museum, in particular, is packed with the works of the old masters. The Andalusia region has a number of highlights beyond the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada. Gourmets should seek out San Sebastian in Spain, and Porto in Portugal. Following the Douro River inland from Porto, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Douro Valley is a day trip not to miss.
Our Spain and Portugal tour packages start from around $375 per person per day. The largest element is often accommodation, but private full-day tours can increase the cost. All our sample itineraries have a Price Guide function to give you an idea of the cost for different levels of accommodation, month of travel, and number of travelers.
The best time of year for your trip will depend on what you want to do. If sunbathing and swimming in the sea are priorities, you’ll want to concentrate on June to September. If you are more interested in sightseeing and avoiding the hottest time of year, mid-July and August could be too warm in the cities for you, but the rest of the year is very comfortable otherwise.
We can arrange rental cars for all or part of the trip, but bear in mind that dropping off a rental in another country incurs high one-way fees. Your JayWay trip planner can arrange for separate rentals where needed so you can avoid unnecessary expenses and have the freedom to get around by car when you need to.
Absolutely. Our Spain and Portugal vacation packages are customized to your wishes. You don’t have to fill every day and we encourage leaving some free time aside simply to appreciate the destinations you’re visiting. We often recommend taking a half-day tour, leaving you the rest of the day to relax or explore on your own.
Our travel experts have inspected all the best 3- to 5-star hotels across our destinations, with an emphasis on small locally owned boutique properties in the city center as well as signature larger properties. During the planning process, we will give you a choice of hotels and available room options to choose from in a carefully-selected range. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, let our trip planners know at the time of booking and they’ll make sure you stay in hotel rooms that will add to your unforgettable experience. You can choose your preferred room type or share with us any specific accommodations you have in mind and we’ll take it from there.
To keep our tours affordable, you won’t have a tour manager with you the whole time. Instead, you will be looked after by a dedicated local representative for each country, who is available by phone, email, and messaging. You will meet a local expert tour guide for each of your excursions.
Not at all. Our approach is to get the basics set first. To begin, we’ll set the dates and number of nights in each destination, your hotels, and how you’ll get between each city. In each destination, we recommend taking a guided tour with a local guide that will get you oriented and familiarize you with the city.
We recommend starting out with the city you have the best flights to. Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona have plentiful direct flights from many US cities.
Other than breakfast, or meals that are part of an experience, like a food tour or cooking class, we don’t include meals, although for larger groups, we often arrange welcome or final night dinners, for example. Once you book, you will receive access to your custom Guest Page, which is packed with our curated local restaurant recommendations.
We don’t sell cruises in Spain and Portugal. We believe you enjoy a far richer experience by spending as much time as possible on land, soaking up the local cultures of these two countries, and enjoying traditional cuisine, while taking part in a more responsible type of travel. A day cruise on a sailboat or catamaran is another matter entirely, and our guests love the opportunity to spend half or even a full day on the sailing trips we offer. All of the thrills of getting out on the water without the cramped conditions and other sacrifices that sleeping on a boat brings.
This is mostly a question of how many places you want to see. Each time you move to another destination, you’ll spend half a day traveling. For this reason, we recommend three nights in most destinations and a trip length of at least two weeks. Fewer destinations mean less time and money spent moving between them, and more time soaking up the atmosphere and seeing the sights.
Yes, thankfully the Euro is the currency of both Portugal and Spain, so any coins and banknotes you have left after the first country can be used in the second.
Our tour packages are designed to make touring Spain & Portugal effortless. From working with our travel advisors and expert trip planners to craft your ideal itinerary to the moment you get on the plane to return home, we will take care of everything. Your custom tour package will include accommodation, airport transfers, any kind of transportation between destinations, walking tours, day trips, and most importantly, the support of our local staff in Europe. They’ll be in touch with you before your trip to finalize any details, and, if you wish, we’ll give you an e-SIM so you can be in touch by phone, email, or instant message. It’s like having a tour leader, but still traveling independently.
Absolutely. That’s the whole point of working with a custom tour operator like us. We’ll work with you to tailor the perfect trip for you, so you can be sure you have enough time to see what you want at your own pace, without having to worry about any of the details, like how to get to the train station, or making reservations at a local restaurant. We take care of all of that.