Best Time to Visit Spain & Portugal

April to June and September to October are ideal for this itinerary, with comfortable sightseeing weather, long daylight hours and fewer crowds than the peak summer period.

July and August are warmer, busier and generally more expensive, while November to March is cooler and quieter, with a greater chance of rain in Porto and Lisbon.

Day 1 – Barcelona

Pickup from the airport and proceed to the hotel for check-in. Explore the following sights:

• Gothic Quarter – Wander through medieval lanes, historic squares, atmospheric cafés and Catalan restaurants.
• La Rambla – Stroll along Barcelona’s famous tree-lined boulevard, known for its shops, cafés and lively street scene.
• Plaça de Catalunya – Visit the city’s central square, surrounded by landmark buildings, fountains and popular shopping streets.
• Barcelona Beach – Relax along Barcelona’s Mediterranean waterfront and enjoy its lively beachfront promenade.

Day 2 – Barcelona

Discover Barcelona’s celebrated architecture and culinary culture:

• Sagrada Família Basilica – Explore Antoni Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished basilica, under construction since 1882, on an inclusive guided tour.
• La Boqueria Market – Experience Barcelona’s famous covered market, filled with fresh produce, local delicacies and colourful food stalls.
• Casa Batlló – Admire Gaudí’s imaginative modernist façade, distinguished by flowing curves, colourful mosaics and a dragon-inspired roof.
• Casa Milà – La Pedrera – View Gaudí’s remarkable modernist building, famous for its undulating stone façade and wrought-iron balconies.
• Park Güell – Visit Gaudí’s whimsical hillside park, featuring colourful mosaics, imaginative architecture and panoramic city views.

Day 3 – Barcelona to Madrid

Take a morning high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid, with an approximate journey time of three hours. Check in at the hotel and explore:

• Puerta de Alcalá – See Madrid’s monumental 18th-century neoclassical gateway near El Retiro Park.
• Cibeles Fountain – Admire the iconic fountain depicting the Roman goddess Cybele in a chariot drawn by lions.
• Plaza Mayor – Explore Madrid’s grand arcaded square, lined with historic buildings, cafés and restaurants.

Day 4 – Madrid

Spend the day discovering Madrid’s royal landmarks, shopping streets and cultural traditions:

• Royal Palace of Madrid – Visit the magnificent official residence of the Spanish royal family, known for its lavish state rooms and historic collections.
• Gran Vía – Walk along Madrid’s energetic shopping and entertainment boulevard, framed by impressive early-20th-century architecture.
• Antón Martín Market – Explore a traditional neighbourhood market combining fresh-produce stalls with casual international eateries.
• El Retiro Park – Relax in Madrid’s historic city park, featuring landscaped gardens, fountains, monuments and a boating lake.
• Flamenco Show – Experience the passion, rhythm and expressive artistry of traditional Spanish flamenco.

Day 5 – Madrid to Porto

Take a flight from Madrid to Porto, with an approximate flying time of 1 hour and 20 minutes. On arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in and explore:

• Dom Luís I Bridge – Walk across Porto’s iconic double-deck iron bridge for sweeping views of the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia.
• Ribeira – Explore Porto’s colourful historic waterfront, filled with narrow lanes, traditional buildings, restaurants and riverside cafés.
• Six Bridges Cruise – Enjoy an inclusive one-hour cruise beneath Porto’s six bridges while viewing the city from the Douro River.

Day 6 – Douro Valley

Take a full-day group excursion through the beautiful Douro Valley, one of Portugal’s best-known wine-producing regions.

Admire its terraced vineyards and learn about the traditional techniques that make Douro wines distinctive. Visit a historic winemaking cooperative established in 1959 and discover the region’s wine-production process with an expert guide.

Enjoy a one-hour boat journey along the Douro River, surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes and dramatic valley scenery. A traditional regional lunch and wine tasting are included.

Return to Porto in the evening.

Full-day group tour with lunch, wine tasting and boat cruise included.

Day 7 – Porto to Lisbon

Take a morning train from Porto to Lisbon, with an approximate journey time of 2½ to 3 hours. Check in at the hotel and explore:

• São Jorge Castle – Visit Lisbon’s historic hilltop castle for panoramic views across the terracotta rooftops and the Tagus River.
• Praça do Comércio – Explore Lisbon’s impressive waterfront square, surrounded by elegant arcades and dominated by the Rua Augusta Arch.
• Miradouro de Santa Luzia – Enjoy scenic views over Alfama’s rooftops, church towers and the Tagus River from this picturesque terrace.
• Monument to the Discoveries – See the striking riverside monument honouring the explorers and navigators of Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
• Tagus River Cruise – Admire Lisbon’s waterfront landmarks and hillside neighbourhoods from a scenic cruise along the Tagus.

Day 8 – Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais

Take a guided day trip from Lisbon to explore:

• Sintra – Discover a scenic UNESCO-listed cultural landscape celebrated for its wooded hills, colourful palaces and romantic estates.
• Pena Palace – Visit Sintra’s colourful 19th-century Romanticist palace, once a favourite summer residence of Portugal’s royal family.
• Quinta da Regaleira – Explore an enchanting estate filled with gardens, grottoes, symbolic architecture and the famous spiral Initiation Well.
• Cabo da Roca – Experience dramatic Atlantic Ocean views from the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
• Cascais – Visit an elegant former fishing village known for its historic centre, marina and golden beaches.

Return to Lisbon in the evening.

Day 9 – Return

Check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.

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