The structure has more than 3,000 rooms, some with special themes. Cadiz in southwestern Spain is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions of Europe. We leave for the Portuguese border and then continue via Viana do Castelo, city located between the mouth of the river Mio and Porto, arrive to Porto. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-83942978', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Barcelona. Web21 days in Spain & Portugal Itinerary Created using Klarna Trips Europe journey maker Route Day by day Where to stay Checklist + Add Make it your trip Start: Miami, United I also agree with others posting here that Granada, with its Alhambra Palace, in the Andalusia region is worth a visit if you have the time and the train/bus schedules work out for you. Past two years I've been in Mexico over NYE and it was great. For more about what to eat in Lisbon, check out our Lisbon food guide here. And, yes, it is another fine piece of work from Gaudi. We will take an indirect route though the Douro Valley Wine Region that produces grapes and wine, much of which eventually become fortified Port Wine. SLEEPN Atocha and Petit Palace Triball come highly recommended. Barcelona has a wonderful beach, but Costs Brava is an entire coast of beaches, with inland mountains, volcanic craters and more. Then certainly a big city like Madrid and its surounding towns could fill 4-5 The well preserved town center is still partially surrounded by medieval walls. WebPrincess Cruises. And they use the same railway station so changing is simple. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. On one of your three days in Barcelona, visit Costa Brava or Sitges for a more small-town vibe. Skipping Douro, due to going solo. Our ideal itinerary is Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Maderia Island and Lisbon. Some of the top attractions to visit in the 2 evenings and full day include: The town is said to have an almost magical ambiance, as the edifices made of Villamayor stone seem to glow a golden hue in the sunlight, and by night, the buildings are beautifully illuminated. The Montjuc Park with spectacular views of the city, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Center of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria place where the Virgin Mary appeared. 21 days Portugal/Spain Jump to bottom Posted by hexodeci on 05/24/21 01:10 PM Dec 16 - Jan 5th .21 days Lisbon 3 > Obidos 1 > Coimbra 2 > Porto 4 > Santiago de Compostela is declared World Heritage as it is one of the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago route built during the Roman Empire. Departure to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best known beaches in Spain. I feel that we spent just the right amount of time in each place, including side-trips. Balance of the day at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and get the feel of the student atmosphere. There are so many more wonderful road trips through Spain to take. WebVisit Spain and Portugal. I wondered whether it might be more relaxing to put all of your Madrid time together at the end, and perhaps spend two nights in Toledo. It is the work of the famous Antonio Gaudi, and like no religious building youve ever seen. Explore Spain and Portugal and experience the vibrant cities, sites, and culture of the Iberian Peninsula. All the big towns in Spain and Portugal are connected through direct flights that are shorter than 1 hour and 30 minutes, so if you want to travel fast, it might be worth adding in some flights. Get inspired - Discover Europe with Eurail, A post shared by Visit Porto (@visitporto), A post shared by Refill de Ideias (@refill.de.ideias), A post shared by Visit Portugal (@visitportugal), A post shared by Sevilla Lens (@sevilla_lens), A post shared by (@sergiopayan_oficial), A post shared by AVIATRAVL WORLD (@aviatravelworld). Dedicate one of the days when youre based in Madrid to one of the nearby towns or villages for a taste of how life is outside the capital. I might add another day to Seville and take away from Madrid. Find out more fun facts about Madrid here. Flamenco dancing, tapas bars, Roman ruins, a massive cathedral, the Alczar palace complex and river views combine to make it an impressive stopover. (From San Sebastian we did a day-trip to Bilbao, from Madrid to Toledo, from Seville to Cordoba, and from Barcelona to Figueres.) [emailprotected]. I'm pretty agnostic on traveling over Xmasor not, so I think you'll be fine either way. WebTop Spain and Portugal Tours & Vacations 2022-2023 Trending Machu Picchu Angkor Wat Danube River Mt. Contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Va, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabu Football Stadium. Accommodation at the hotel. The old town and aqueduct are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Learn More. Do you have any better recommendations of how to spread the days? After several months of research, we developed this Spain and Portugal Itinerary for 25 Days that is round trip from Madrid. Reach Barcelona principal Mediterranean city homeland of the famous architect Gaudi symbol of the Catalan modernism. 369 Holly Worton ~ Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone With Outdoor Adventures (now with downloadable You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Then to Fatima. I certainly wouldn't peel off time from any of your other destinations in order to add Valencia. 21 day cultural, religious and historic sites tour through Madrid, Porto, Ftima and 17 other destinations in 4 different countries. Please try again later. Abigail King is an award-winning writer and broadcaster who swapped a career as a doctor for a life on the road. For a luxurious experience, you can stay at the Serras Barcelona or Seventy Barcelona. Free time to explore Oviedo, many of their streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture. Andalusia, the region around Seville, deserves a road trip of its own. Dating back to the 5th century, this huge castle sits on the summit of So Jorge hill, the highest point in Lisbon. As of now I have 3 nights in Madrid, 1 night in Toledo, 2 in Crdoba, 3 nights/2 days in Granada, 4 in Seville. WebThe Iberian Union in 1598, under Philip II, King of Spain and Portugal The Spanish and Austrian Habsburg European lands, ca 1700 Charles formally became the sole monarch of Spain upon the death of his imprisoned mother Queen Joan in 1555. Today, its a museum. We admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. I'm glad it worked out for you. Looking back on the actual itinerary it looks about as good as you could get. These rusharound trips always worry m It was here that Columbus applied for funding for his voyage to India and here, too, where the Game of Thrones filmed their palace in the Kingdom of Dorne. Flight leaves from Madrid (thats why I go there last). If time permits, this is a great day to visit Palace of Ajuda, the official royal house in the second half of the 19th century. For an impressive show with music and lights, visit the magic fountain of Montjic in the evening. All rights reserved. We suggest Salamanca or Toledo. This is what actually tells the stories of the confluence of these cultures which resulted from repeated conquests. So, dont rush your first day in the city. A day trip from Madrid even better. Marvel at imposing castles and buildings of austere Castile in the heart of the country, stroll along grand promenades of northern maritime cities and listen to the melodies of fiery Andalucan Flamenco! Web3. The best way to visit the basilica is to take a walking tour with a local guide who will give you more information on Gaudis vision and the history of the place. Our ideal itinerary is Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Maderia Island and Lisbon. A post shared by Hakan M (@hakan.mhmd) on May 8, 2020 at 11:12am PDT. These rusharound trips always worry me and train travel is not for us - we tend to explore the local area to our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Moorish palace and castle sits on a hill above the town, and though its the primary reason for most visits, the surrounding city is full of life as well. Toll Free : 1-800-770-7148 Step on this historic lift, which takes you from the Baixa neighbourhood to Bairro Alto. Spend one day walking the neighborhoods of the historic Lisbon Center, one day in the Belam area, and one day in Sintra. Maybe you will be happy with the Alcacar in Cordoba and skipping Granada. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Inside the Travel Lab is described by National Geographic Traveler as Essential Reading and Lonely Planet as one of the best travel blogs in the world.. You'll be treated with several stately bridges, a medieval district packed with winding streets and quaint houses, beautiful parks, an abundance of Port wine and a vibrant artistic scene and nightlife. Train, car, plane? I loved Seville last visit - and only skipping Granada due to having been, and solo it wasn't the best. You left off Sintra, vora and Barcelona. My work is closed from Christmas through New years day. We're in our 60s but pretty fit. I have been to Seville/Lisbon prior, thus the weighting towards Porto/Madrid. Accommodation. Morning Madrid panoramic city tour; find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morera, famous for its historical buildings. The next stop on your 2-day Porto itinerary, Igreja do Carmo, consists of two buildings connected through a very small home. Accommodation at the hotel. The Royal Palace in Madrid was inspired by Berninis sketches for the Louvre, rejected in France but put to good work in Spain, where this architectural jewel was built. The town Tomar is dominated to its west by a monumental complex sitting on the top of a hill known as the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, continue on towards Crdoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. Marvel at the gothic-modernist architecture in Barcelona. Portugal itinerary: Porto (5 nights) Coimbra (4 nights) Lisbon (7 nights) Faro (4 nights) Lagos (4 nights) Spain itinerary Seville (4 nights) Malaga (2 nights) Granada (2 nights) Mallorca (3 nights) Valencia (4 nights) Barcelona (5 nights) Zaragoza (2 nights) San Sebastian (3 nights) Bilbao (3 nights) Tenerife (7 nights) Fly home from Madrid! Accommodation at the hotel. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate of Santa The na, a Jewel of the Romanesque Architecture in Cantabria. City tour where we will see the main square called Obradoiro and also the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Best price guaranteed. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Sintra is a sight to behold, full of colourful whimsy, history and heritage. There are no train routes between Portugal and Spain in the south. We'll be self-guided, relying on the train network. This complex was built at the beginning of the 19th century to serve as a garden city for nursing the sick. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. vilas old city, surrounded by imposing city walls comprising eight monumental gates, 88 watchtowers and more than 2500 turrets, is one of the best-preserved medieval bastions in Spain. Should you need additional day-trips from Madrid I can recommend Alcala de Henares (old university town a commuter-rail trip away), Cuenca (atmospheric hill town but at 3000' so could be cold and windy) and Salamanca (large university town). Day 3: Drive from Paris to Saran (114 kilometers/71 miles, about 2 hours and 20 minutes) An alternative is a Northern Spain and Portugal road trip, skipping France. However, I'll note that the aforementioned Cuenca is on the AVE line between Madrid and Valencia. The next time we go, I think we'll go back to Seville and San Sebastian (which were our favourites), and I hope we can get to Salamanca, Porto, Lisbon, Cadiz, Ronda, Malaga, Valencia and Tarragona. You have already subscribed to this newsletter! Enjoy some free time. It has a wonderful observation deck that reveals the views over Baixa. This drive will take between 6 and 7 hours to cover the 275 miles and will cross the international border. The star is the Baroque loggia, lovely decorated with azulejos. Highlights. But the Rossio, Chiado and Cais do Sodre are close to the biggest attractions as well. Destination/Cruise ID. The total journey time is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. Looking back on the actual itinerary it looks about as good as you could get. This afternoon at your leisure to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting Ruas full of color housing the genuine tabernas where Fado sounds as a missing past. Don't miss the Prado Museum in Madrid. Do check what flights run that day, but assuming you're not interested in 'celebrating' the day with family or others, that's a good travel day. The intention is fly into & out of Barcelona. Granada is home to the Alhambra citadel which is one of the most famous buildings in Spain: a Moorish fortress with grand archways and delicate ornamental mosaics. I hope that our experiences can help others with their planning. WebMagic of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It is an oasis of peace in the middle of the town, providing a sweet relief for locals and tourists alike during the summer. Our ideal itinerary is Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Maderia Island and Lisbon. I am a 37 year old / solo / social person. Admire the colourful faade and step in to visit the former residence of the Batll family bathed in light. I started trawling through all of the forums and thought it would be simpler to just throw this out there. In trying to plan, I think we can do 2 The most iconic building in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia, is still under construction. Very near Madrid is Segovia - fantastic ancient Roman aqueduct, and a lively social town. Besides the dramatic views, it is a place of fun, housing an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster. A post shared by (@sergiopayan_oficial) on May 11, 2020 at 1:12pm PDT. 3. The capital of Spain, Madrid, is a beautiful city, combining the charm of the old streets and churches with a more modern architectural vision. Have not been in Leon and can't comment, for Salamanca 2 nights would be sufficient. We also recommend LAntic Bocoi del Gotic if you want to try a Barcelona fish speciality. Next to the park, you will find the Plaza de Espaa, a grand affair built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition. 21 Day Spain & Portugal. Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden. Porto is wonderful, we spent three days there (loved the B&B called The InPatio Guesthouse- book early). Accommodation. The main point of focus is the tomb of Christopher Columbus, but the collection of gold and jewellery is something to behold. We recommend using public transportation, as the streets are quite busy for a rental car. We had to fly into and out of Barcelona, so our itinerary was Barcelona (3 nights), San Sebastian (3 nights), Madrid (5 nights), Seville (4 nights), Granada (2 nights) and back to Barcelona (3 nights). On your second day in Porto, cruise along the Douro River and visit the Douro Valley, the region famous for producing grapes for the Porto wine. Stroll around these picturesque neighbourhoods. These are tiny white villages some with impossibly long names . In the afternoon, stroll around this huge park, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.