Tour overview

This 15-day escorted coach tour sweeps across the Iberian Peninsula from Madrid through Portugal and Andalucía to the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona, combining great cities, Moorish palaces and seaside time. A tour director travels with you throughout, with local experts in the main cities. You stay fourteen nights in handpicked hotels, among them the Westin Madrid Cuzco, the Alameda Palace in Salamanca and the Meliá Sarrià in Barcelona. Fourteen breakfasts, two lunches and five dinners are included, from a welcome dinner in Madrid to a home-cooked lunch with a local family and a paella dinner in Valencia.

After a welcome dinner and a guided tour of Madrid's historic neighbourhoods, you visit the fortified city of Segovia, with its Roman aqueduct, and golden Salamanca, one of Europe's oldest university cities. Crossing into Portugal, you reach Porto on the River Douro, famous for its port wine lodges, then travel via Fátima, the country's great place of pilgrimage, and the walled town of Óbidos to Lisbon, where a local expert shows you the Lower Town and the monuments of the Age of Discoveries.

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Through the sun-drenched Algarve you return to Spain and Seville, the city of Carmen, with free time and the chance to see flamenco. You head south to Gibraltar, the British territory on the tip of Spain, and relax for two nights on the Costa del Sol.

In the whitewashed village of Alfarnatejo you share a home-cooked lunch with a local family, before visiting the Alhambra in Granada, the great Moorish palace and gardens. In Valencia you see the old city gates and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, with a paella dinner. Following the coast to the castle of Peñíscola, you reach Barcelona, where a local expert takes you along the Passeig de Gràcia to Gaudí's masterpieces.

The physical rating is low, with relaxed starts built in. This tour suits travellers who want to see the best of both countries in comfort, with every detail handled. A passport is needed for Gibraltar and an airport transfer is included in Barcelona. Summer departures are limited, so early booking is recommended for this popular route.

Trip highlights

  • Segovia and Salamanca (Day 3)
  • Porto on the Douro (Day 4)
  • Lisbon with a local expert (Day 6)
  • Seville and flamenco (Day 8)
  • A family lunch and the Alhambra (Day 11)
  • Gaudí's Barcelona (Day 14)

Your route

16 stops from Madrid to Barcelona

15-day route: Madrid – Salamanca – Porto – Lisbon – Seville – Gibraltar – Costa del Sol – Granada – Valencia – Barcelona
  1. Madrid Days 1–2
  2. Segovia Day 3
  3. Ávila Day 3
  4. Salamanca Day 3
  5. Porto Day 4
  6. Fátima Day 5
  7. Óbidos Day 5
  8. Lisbon Days 5–6
  9. Seville Days 7–8
  10. Gibraltar Day 9
  11. Torremolinos Days 9–10
  12. Alfarnatejo Day 11
  13. Granada Day 11
  14. Valencia Day 12
  15. Peñíscola Day 13
  16. Barcelona Days 13–15

Why choose this tour

Spain and Portugal's great cities in one tour, with a tour director and handpicked hotels. A family lunch, a paella dinner and two nights by the sea.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Spain and Portugal
  • Travellers who prefer coach touring
  • Couples and solo travellers
  • Culture lovers
The Alhambra palace on its hill above Granada, Spain

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Madrid, Spain to Barcelona, Spain

  1. Day 1 · Madrid Arrive in Madrid

    A welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

    Hotel
    The Westin Madrid Cuzco
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Madrid Madrid

    A guided tour of historic Madrid.

    Hotel
    The Westin Madrid Cuzco
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Segovia, Salamanca Segovia and Salamanca

    The aqueduct and the golden city.

    Hotel
    Alameda Palace
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Porto Porto

    Cross into Portugal to the Douro.

    Hotel
    NH Collection Porto Batalha
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Fátima, Óbidos, Lisbon Fátima and Óbidos

    A relaxed start and on to Lisbon.

    Hotel
    TURIM Marquês
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Lisbon, Belém Lisbon

    The Age of Discoveries with a local expert.

    Hotel
    TURIM Marquês
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Algarve, Seville Seville

    Through the Algarve to Seville.

    Hotel
    NH Collection Sevilla
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Seville Seville

    Free time and flamenco.

    Hotel
    NH Collection Sevilla
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Gibraltar, Costa del Sol Gibraltar

    The Rock, then the coast.

    Hotel
    Meliá Costa del Sol
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Torremolinos Costa del Sol

    A day at leisure by the sea.

    Hotel
    Meliá Costa del Sol
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Alfarnatejo, Alhambra, Granada Alfarnatejo and Granada

    A family lunch and the Alhambra.

    Hotel
    Barceló Carmen or Vincci Albayzín
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  12. Day 12 · Valencia Valencia

    The old city and a paella dinner.

    Hotel
    Barceló Valencia
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Peñíscola, Barcelona Peñíscola to Barcelona

    A castle by the sea, then Barcelona.

    Hotel
    Meliá Sarrià
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  14. Day 14 · Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona Barcelona

    Gaudí's city with a local expert.

    Hotel
    Meliá Sarrià
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Barcelona Tour ends

    A transfer to the airport.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Plaza de España in Seville, Andalucía, Spain

Where you stay

  • Madrid (2 nights) The Westin Madrid Cuzco
  • Salamanca (1 night) Alameda Palace
  • Porto (1 night) NH Collection Porto Batalha
  • Lisbon (2 nights) TURIM Marquês
  • Seville (2 nights) NH Collection Sevilla
  • Torremolinos (2 nights) Meliá Costa del Sol
  • Granada (1 night) Barceló Carmen or Vincci Albayzín
  • Valencia (1 night) Barceló Valencia
  • Barcelona (2 nights) Meliá Sarrià

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in handpicked hotels
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Air-conditioned coach and an airport transfer on the final day
  • Guided sightseeing in Madrid, Lisbon and Barcelona
  • Segovia, Salamanca, Fátima and Óbidos
  • Home-cooked lunch in Alfarnatejo and the Alhambra
  • Paella dinner in Valencia
  • Tour director throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Optional experiences such as flamenco
  • Meals not included 11 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The Roman aqueduct of Segovia, Spain

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You dislike long coach days
  • You prefer small groups — groups can reach 40
  • You want to stay longer in each place
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Days 11 and 13 · Dinner: Days 1, 4, 10, 12 and 14
A classic tram in Lisbon's Alfama district

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £4,123 per person, twin share, tour only. 55 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £4,995 (single supplement from £810).

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is a relaxed start?

A later departure, giving time for a leisurely breakfast.

Is the Alhambra included?

Yes, a visit to the Alhambra in Granada is included.

Do I need a passport for Gibraltar?

Yes, a passport is needed to enter Gibraltar.

Are flights included?

No, flights to Madrid and from Barcelona are not included.

Who leads the tour?

A tour director travels with you throughout, with local experts in the main cities.

How many people travel together?

Up to 40 travellers, with a tour director.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £4,123
See dates & prices