23 Dec 2026
Twin share
£4,325pp
Single from £4,985
Escorted tour
Spain & Portugal in Winter: Madrid, Lisbon & Barcelona – 15 Days
A grand circle of Spain and Portugal in winter, from Madrid to Porto, Lisbon, Seville, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona, with a tour director throughout.
15 days
From £3,775
Tour overview
This 15-day escorted tour makes a grand circle of Spain and Portugal in the quieter, cooler winter months, starting and ending in Madrid. A tour director travels with you throughout, local guides lead the main visits, and you travel on an air-conditioned 40-seat coach with extra legroom. You stay 14 nights in city hotels, with 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners. Hotel tips, porterage and taxes are included, so your bags are taken to your room.
In Madrid a local guide shows you the historic old quarter, and an art historian takes you through the Prado Museum to see Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens. You then visit Segovia, with its Alcázar and Roman aqueduct, and pass the walls of Ávila on the way to Salamanca and its golden sandstone university city. Crossing into Portugal, you tour the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia in Porto with a tasting, then stop at the pilgrimage shrine of Fátima. In walled Óbidos you can taste the local cherry liqueur before reaching Lisbon.
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In Lisbon a local guide takes you through the Baixa and to Belém, where Portugal's explorers set sail, for a taste of pastéis de Belém and a visit to the National Coach Museum. Crossing the Algarve back into Spain, you spend two nights in Seville, visiting the cathedral and an evening at the Cristina Heeren Foundation to watch young flamenco artists. Next comes Gibraltar, with the Rock and St Michael's Cave, and a free day on the Costa del Sol.
In the white mountain village of Alfarnatejo you taste olive oils at a rural mill and share lunch in a local home. A guided visit to the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens in Granada follows. In Valencia you see the old city gates and the City of Arts and Sciences and learn to make paella over dinner. The coast road leads past the castle of Peñíscola to a cava cellar in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia for lunch and a tasting. The tour ends in Barcelona with Passeig de Gràcia, the Modernist buildings of the Eixample and a visit inside Gaudí's Sagrada Família.
Several days have a later start, and the pace is comfortable. It suits travellers who want the great cities of Iberia in winter, with every detail arranged.
Trip highlights
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The Prado Museum with an art historian (Day 2)
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Segovia's Alcázar and aqueduct, and golden Salamanca (Day 3)
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Port wine cellars and a tasting in Porto (Day 4)
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Belém, pastéis de Belém and the National Coach Museum in Lisbon (Day 6)
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The Rock of Gibraltar and St Michael's Cave (Day 9)
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Lunch with a family in Alfarnatejo and the Alhambra in Granada (Day 11)
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A cava tasting and Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona (Days 13–14)
Your route
17 stops from Madrid to Barcelona
- Madrid Days 1–2 & 15
- Segovia Day 3
- Ávila Day 3
- Salamanca Day 3
- Porto Day 4
- Fátima Day 5
- Óbidos Day 5
- Lisbon Days 5–6
- Tavira Day 7
- Seville Days 7–8
- Gibraltar Day 9
- Torremolinos Days 9–10
- Alfarnatejo Day 11
- Granada Day 11
- Valencia Day 12
- Peñíscola Day 13
- Barcelona Days 13–14
Why choose this tour
Fifteen days take in nine cities across Spain and Portugal, with local guides, an art historian and hands-on food experiences. Winter brings milder crowds and comfortable sightseeing weather in the south, with tips, porterage and coach travel all included.
Best suited to
- Travellers who want Spain and Portugal's great cities in one trip
- Art and architecture lovers
- Food and wine lovers keen on port, cava and paella
- Anyone who prefers winter travel and comfortable hotels
Day-by-day itinerary
15 days from Madrid, Spain to Madrid, Spain
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Day 1 · Madrid Arrive in Madrid
Arrive in Madrid, with transfers at scheduled times. In the evening, meet your tour director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner of Madrid specialities at a local restaurant.
- Hotel
- Barceló Torre de Madrid or Barceló Emperatriz, or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Madrid, Prado Museum Madrid and the Prado
A local guide shows you Madrid's most historic neighbourhoods and the old quarter where the city began. Then visit the Prado Museum with an art historian to see works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens.
- Hotel
- Barceló Torre de Madrid or Barceló Emperatriz, or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Segovia, Ávila, Salamanca Segovia and Salamanca
Walk through medieval Segovia with a local guide to see the Alcázar fortress and the Roman aqueduct. Continue past the walls of Ávila to Salamanca, a university city of golden sandstone, for a guided walk.
- Hotel
- Alameda Palace or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia Porto and the port lodges
Cross into Portugal to Porto on the Douro, home of port wine. Walk the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia among the casks and learn your tawnys from your vintages at a tasting, then see more of the city.
- Hotel
- NH Collection Porto Batalha or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 · Fátima, Óbidos, Lisbon Fátima, Óbidos and Lisbon
A later start, then visit Fátima, Portugal's great place of pilgrimage. Walk within the walls of medieval Óbidos and taste its cherry liqueur before continuing to Lisbon.
- Hotel
- Dom Pedro Lisboa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Lisbon, Baixa, Belém Lisbon and Belém
A local guide takes you through the Baixa, the Lower Town, and around Pombal Square, then to Belém, where the great voyages of discovery set out. Taste pastéis de Belém from a traditional bakery and visit the National Coach Museum.
- Hotel
- Dom Pedro Lisboa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Algarve, Seville Through the Algarve to Seville
Drive into the Algarve for lunch in one of its coastal towns, then cross into Spain and travel through Andalucía to Seville, arriving in the late afternoon.
- Hotel
- NH Collection Sevilla or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Seville, Seville Cathedral Seville and flamenco
A relaxed start, with optional visits to the Pilatos Palace or the Alcázar. Visit Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. In the evening, visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation to meet young flamenco students and watch them perform.
- Hotel
- NH Collection Sevilla or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Gibraltar, St Michael's Cave, Torremolinos Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol
Travel to Gibraltar, a British territory since 1704. A local guide takes you up the Rock and into St Michael's Cave. Then follow the coast road through the resorts of the Costa del Sol to Torremolinos.
- Hotel
- Meliá Costa del Sol or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Torremolinos, Málaga Free day on the Costa del Sol
A relaxed day at leisure. Walk the seafront promenade, enjoy the local restaurants or visit Málaga, the city where Picasso was born.
- Hotel
- Meliá Costa del Sol or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 11 · Alfarnatejo, Granada, Alhambra Alfarnatejo and the Alhambra
Visit Alfarnatejo, a whitewashed mountain village of fewer than 500 people, and taste olive oils at its rural mill. Share lunch in a local home, then continue to Granada for a guided visit to the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens.
- Hotel
- Vincci Albayzín or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 12 · Valencia, City of Arts and Sciences Valencia and paella
Travel to Valencia and pass through the old city gates to the striking City of Arts and Sciences. After free time, perhaps at the cathedral, learn the secrets of paella, Valencia's most famous dish, over dinner.
- Hotel
- Barceló Valencia or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 13 · Peñíscola, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Barcelona Peñíscola and cava country
Follow the coast to Peñíscola, whose sea-girt castle starred in the film El Cid. Continue to a cava cellar at Sant Sadurní d'Anoia for a light lunch and tasting, then on to Barcelona.
- Hotel
- Labtwentytwo or NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 14 · Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia, Sagrada Família Barcelona and the Sagrada Família
A relaxed start, then a local guide takes you along Passeig de Gràcia and through the Modernist Eixample to Gaudí's Sagrada Família, with its forest-like columns inside. In the evening, there is a farewell dinner.
- Hotel
- Labtwentytwo or NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 15 · Madrid Return to Madrid
After breakfast, a coach transfer takes you from Barcelona back to Madrid, where the tour ends. Airport transfers run at scheduled times if your flight matches the end date.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Madrid (2 nights) Barceló Torre de Madrid or Barceló Emperatriz, or similar
- Salamanca (1 night) Alameda Palace or similar
- Porto (1 night) NH Collection Porto Batalha or similar
- Lisbon (2 nights) Dom Pedro Lisboa or similar
- Seville (2 nights) NH Collection Sevilla or similar
- Torremolinos (2 nights) Meliá Costa del Sol or similar
- Granada (1 night) Vincci Albayzín or similar
- Valencia (1 night) Barceló Valencia or similar
- Barcelona (2 nights) Labtwentytwo or NH Collection Barcelona Constanza, or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 14 nights in 4-star city hotels
- Meals 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners, including a welcome dinner in Madrid, a home-cooked lunch in Alfarnatejo, a paella dinner in Valencia and a farewell dinner in Barcelona
- Transport air-conditioned 40-seat coach with extra legroom, airport transfers at scheduled times and a coach transfer from Barcelona back to Madrid
- Guided visits the Prado, Segovia, Salamanca, port cellars in Porto, Lisbon and Belém, Seville Cathedral, Gibraltar, the Alhambra, Valencia, a cava cellar and the Sagrada Família
- Tour director throughout, with local guides and radio headsets
- Hotel and restaurant tips, porterage and taxes
Not included
- International flights to and from Madrid
- Meals not listed and drinks
- Optional experiences, such as the Portuguese Riviera or the Alcázar in Seville
- Tips for the tour director and driver, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You want a slow pace in one place — you change hotel often
- You want all meals included — 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
- You want warm beach weather — this is a winter departure
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,775 per person, twin share, tour only. 8 upcoming departures.
27 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,675
09 Jan 2027
Twin share
£3,775pp
Single from £4,435
30 Jan 2027
Twin share
£3,925pp
Single from £4,845
27 Feb 2027
Twin share
£3,925pp
Single from £4,725
13 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,765
20 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,995pp
Single from £4,795
27 Mar 2027
Twin share
£4,125pp
Single from £5,025
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.
Are flights included?
No. International flights to and from Madrid are not included. Airport transfers run at scheduled times on the start and end dates.
Why travel in winter?
Winter brings fewer crowds at the big sights and mild weather in the south. Pack warm layers, a light waterproof and comfortable walking shoes.
What meals are included?
14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners, including a welcome dinner in Madrid, lunch with a family in Alfarnatejo, a paella dinner in Valencia, a cava lunch and a farewell dinner in Barcelona.
Are tips included?
Hotel and restaurant tips, taxes and porterage are included, and your bags are taken to your room. Tips for the tour director and driver are not.
How does the tour travel?
By air-conditioned 40-seat coach with extra legroom, a washroom and Wi-Fi. A coach transfer takes you from Barcelona back to Madrid on the last day.
Are there optional experiences?
Yes, such as a trip to the Portuguese Riviera from Lisbon, the Pilatos Palace or the Alcázar in Seville, and an Andalusian evening, all at extra cost.
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