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Classic Spain & Portugal: Madrid to Seville

9 days, Madrid to Seville

Map of the route for Classic Spain & Portugal: Madrid to Seville
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Itinerary

Day 1Madrid

Arrive at any time.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend arriving a day earlier to explore all that this amazing city has to offer.

Please note that if you wish to visit popular sites and want to avoid waiting in line, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. We recommend pre-arranging your visit to the Prado Museum.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

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Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow

Reina Sofia Museum
Madrid2h-3h
12EUR per person

The Reina Sofia is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, and currently boasts an art collection of over 21,000 works.

Gran Vía Visit
Madrid1h-2h
Free

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Madrid1h-2h
13EUR per person

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum displays an overview of art from the 13th century to the late 20th century.

Taurino Museum
Madrid1h-1h30m
15-20EUR per person

Ever wanted to learn everything there is to know about the history of bullfighting in Spain? Here's your chance.

Museo Nacional Del Prado Visit
Madrid30m-1h
15EUR per person

Take in some culture with a trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, and a definite highlight of any Madrid trip. Be inspired by its collections and exhibitions: the museum's main emphasis is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art, but there is plenty of Goya and a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez.

Plaza Mayor Visit
Madrid15m-30m
Free

Enjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.

Royal Palace (Palacio Real) Visit
Madrid1h-2h
12EUR per person

See how kings and queens live, with a visit to the Palacio Real, the official (and uninhabited) palace of the King of Spain. Wander the rooms to take in some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms you'll ever see.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Europa (or similar)
Hotel

Day 2Madrid/Porto

Get ready for a full travel day. Journey to Porto, including a quick lunch stop in charming Salamanca. Arrive in Porto by the early evening.

Local Train
Madrid – Salamanca2h30m-3h218km

Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.

Private Vehicle
Salamanca – Porto3h30m-4h350km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Ibis Porto Centro São Bento (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Porto

Enjoy an orientation walk of Porto with the rest of the day free to explore. Opt take a cruise down the Douro River. In the evening, visit a port wine cellar and raise a glass to the day.

Head down Allies Avenue to see the French-inspired buildings. Bargain at the Bolhão Market. Wander the city's World Heritage-listed Ribeira district, visit São Francisco church, the palatial former 19th-century stock market Palácio de Bolsa or head to the Clerigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

Orientation With CEO
30m-1h

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Free Time
Porto

Take the day to explore this picturesque coastal town.

Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit

Finish off the day with a tour of the cellars of the region's famed export - Port wine. Learn about the art of Port making and the processes that render its rich taste. Indulge in a tasting and raise a glass to a day well spent. Saúde!

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Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow

Lello Bookstore
Porto
8EUR per person

Take a wander around this incredible, and beautifully ornate bookstore built in 1906.

Ribeira Square
Porto
Free

Take some time to walk around this charming square and get in with the local hustle and bustle.

Sao Bento Railway Station
Porto
Free

The blue painted tiles on the inside of São Bento railway station makes it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. See for yourself.

Gran Vía Visit
Madrid1h-2h
Free

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

Porto Ribeira Cruise
Porto1h-2h
20EUR per person

Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float along this ancient route used for centuries as a port wine shipper's route.

Palacio da Bolsa
Porto30m-1h
12EUR per person

Join a half-hour guided tour of this neoclassical monument.

Accommodation

Ibis Porto Centro São Bento (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Porto/Lisbon

Journey to Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, and take in your surroundings on an orientation walk.

Train
Porto – Lisbon3h30m

Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Lisbon Orientation Walk
Lisbon

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Free Time
Lisbon

Get out and explore.

4

Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow

Alfama District Visit
Lisbon1h-2h
Free

Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal's traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night.

Sao Jorge Castle
Lisbon
15EUR per person

Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River.

Belém District Visit
Lisbon1h-2h30m
Free-10EUR per person

Discover Belém, a western suburb that's linked to Portugal’s Golden Age of Discoveries – it was the site where famous navigators once set sail to discover the world. While there, take some time to tour nearby must-see attractions: the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Tropical Botanical Garden, and the Berardo Museum of contemporary art. Please note: most attractions in Belém are closed on Mondays.

Praça da Figueira Market
Lisbon30m-1h
Free

Take a wander through this traditional open-air market, established in 1755.

Accommodation

Residencial Florescente (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Lisbon

Free day to explore Lisbon. Opt for a day trip to nearby Sintra. In the evening enjoy a Fado night and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighbourhoods.

Opt to take a day trip into the foothills of the surrounding mountains to Sintra. Get lost in the city's winding streets lined with pastel coloured houses, palaces, majestic gardens and lush forests. It doesn't get more postcard-worthy than this.

Opt to pre-book a spot on the Lisbon Food tour during your free time in Lisbon. In addition, special meal requirements cannot be accommodated.

Free Time
Lisbon

Opt to explore the town or take a day trip to nearby Sintra.

Your Foodie Moment: Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal

Sit down to a traditional meal and lend your ears to the sound of a performance by Portuguese folk music artists.

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Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow

Rossio Square
Lisbon
Free

Stop in this lively square to get a taste of the local hustle and bustle.

Praça da Figueira Market
Lisbon30m-1h
Free

Take a wander through this traditional open-air market, established in 1755.

Visit to Sintra
Lisbon

Take a break from reality to visit the fairytale-like town of Sintra. Get lost exploring the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

National Coach Museum
Lisbon
8EUR per person

Loacted in the lively Belém district, find dozens of ornately decorated horse-drawn carriages (fit for the kings and queens they used to carry) at the National Coach Museum. Housed in an old riding school, it's one of the most popular museums in Lisbon today.

Santa Justa Lift
Lisbon
6EUR per person

Take a ride up 147ft from the lowest to highest points of Portugal. Sit back and enjoy the views.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Lisbon1h-2h
10EUR per person

Visit one of Europe's most impressive private art collections at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. With an eclectic mix of Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic, Armenian, and Far Eastern art, it's beloved by art critics and locals for a reason.

Sao Jorge Castle
Lisbon
15EUR per person

Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River.

Tuk Tuk Tour of Lisbon
Lisbon
100-250EUR per person

While tuk-tuks aren't a traditional mode of transport in Portugal, they're the perfect vehicle to explore the hilly streets of Lisbon in. There are lots of operators to choose from, with tours that visit popular sites and back alleys alike. Most use electric tuk-tuks, an eco-friendly way of sightseeing.

Alfama District Visit
Lisbon1h-2h
Free

Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal's traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night.

Belém Tower
Lisbon
8EUR per person

Take a trip to the coastline to see this charming fort, built to protect Lisbon from raiders invading from the sea. Climb up the tower for great views of the ocean and surrounding city.

Lisbon Food Tour
Lisbon

Explore the undiscovered side of Lisbon most tourists don’t venture out to see. Still very central, this area of Lisbon is rich in culture and history and hosts some of the best restaurants Lisbon has to offer. Wander up and down the tile-filled streets with us in two local neighborhoods – Baixa, which translates to “downtown” followed by Mouraria, which is the old Muslim neighborhood. Our food tour takes you away from the tourist traps to the traditional and trending restaurants that are loved and frequented by the locals of Lisbon. Explore and really get to know the city through its amazing food and drinks. Not only will you try typical Portuguese food and drinks, but you’ll also learn about the international influences in Lisbon and discover some beautiful street art. Get away from the crowds and join us for an unforgettable day of eating, drinking, making new friends, and – above all – having fun!

Accommodation

Residencial Florescente (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6Lisbon/Évora

Travel to Evora in the heart of the Alentejo region. Enjoy an included tour to the haunting, but mesmerizing Chapel of Bones. Opt to visit Diana's Temple, one of the best preserved Roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula.

Private Vehicle
Lisbon – Évora2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Chapel of Bones Visit
Évora

Visit the most famous sight in Évora, the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones. Take care if squeamish – built in the 1500s by a Franciscan monk, the walls are covered with human skeletons as a reminder to fellow monks that life is fleeting.

Free Time
Évora

Take a wander around this historic town.

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Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow

Diana Roman Temple
Évora
Free

Take a visit to the best preserved Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula, assumed to have been constructed in 1 AD.

Évora Museum
Évora
Free

The Évora Museum houses art and archaeological artefacts first collected by Portuguese friars in the early 20th century.

Évora Cathedral and Roman Temple
Évora

Visit the neighbouring Évora Cathedral and Roman temple to see two remarkable buildings built more than 1000 years apart.

Accommodation

Hotel Ibis Evora (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Évora/Seville

Journey to the Algarve coast to the small fishing village of Olhão. Explore its bustling fish market, active waterfront and white washed laneways. Continue to Seville and enjoy an orientation walk on arrival.

Private Vehicle
Évora – Olhão2h45m248km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time
Olhão

Take the morning to wander around this quaint town.

Private Vehicle
Olhão – Seville2h15m191km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Orientation With CEO
30m-1h

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

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Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow

Olhão Fish Market
Olhão
Free

Olhão is the busiest fishing point on the Algarve, and has a vibrant fish market to match. Take a wander!

Accommodation

Cool Sevilla Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Seville

Spend a day enjoying this city and its Moorish influence. Opt to explore the district of Santa Cruz and the Alcazar Palace before joining the group in the evening for a dramatic flamenco performance.

Take the time to see all this great city has to offer. Opt to explore the interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a magnificent palace dating from Moorish times, or the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter— a charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares.

Seville is home to the world’s largest gothic cathedral — climb the adjoining tower for great views of the city. Other attractions include the Museo Arqueológico, the Casa de Pilates and the Parque de María Luisa, which has a maze of paths, garden beds, pretty little patios, fountains, and shaded lawns.

Please note that if you wish to visit popular sites and want to avoid waiting in line, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance. We recommend pre-arranging your visit to the Alcázar of Seville.

Free Time
Seville

Spend time in Seville exploring Moorish monuments, parks, and gardens, getting a feel for Seville's energetic pulse. Opt to savour some tapas at the city's many bars and cafés.

Flamenco Show
2h-3h

Enjoy a flamenco performance in the city known for the energetic dance. Be swept away by the flamenco's passion, fire, and grit!

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Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow

The Golden Tower (Torre del Oro)
Seville30m-45m
3EUR per person

Dating to 1220, the Golden Tower is the last major building constructed by Seville's historic Muslim population.

Casa de Pilatos
Seville1h30m-2h
10-12EUR per person

Take a visit to marvel at one of the grandest mansions in Seville. The home is still inhabited by the Medinaceli family, but remains open to visitor tours during operating hours.

Alcázar Palace Visit
Seville2h-3h
13.50EUR per person

Explore the wonderful interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a royal palace that was originally a Moorish fort. Arrive during the evening in the summer months (until mid-September) and enjoy a series of concerts in the beautiful setting of the Reales Alcázares.

Santa Cruz Quarter Visit
Seville15m-45m
Free

Visit the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter. A charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares, you can wander, shop, or just soak in the neighbourhood's quaint atmosphere while enjoying a refreshing drink (sangria, perhaps) at one of the local restaurants.

Ronda Day trip
Seville6h-8h
100-150EUR per person

Described by Ernest Hemingway as the most romantic town in Spain, Ronda is a quaint city 2 hours outside of Seville. Take a day trip to tour highlights such as a traditional Spanish bullfighting ring, incredible views of the El Tajo River gorge, and the wine museum.

Santa Paula Convent
Seville1h30m-2h
2EUR per person

Take a visit to this beautiful historic convent. Established in 1475, this convent is still home to the Jerónimas nuns. Infrequent tours in Spanish are run here, but visitors are welcome to the modest museum displaying 16th-18th century ecclesiastical art and sculpture.

La Giralda Visit
Seville1h-2h
9EUR per person

Climb the tower known as La Giralda, adjacent to the world's largest Gothic cathedral, for spectacular views and a walk among historic walls. The 76m (249 ft) Giralda was constructed by the Moors as a mosque between 1184 and 1197. In 1568, after the reconquest, Christians fit the minaret with its bell tower.

Accommodation

Cool Sevilla Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Seville

Depart at any time.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Classic Spain & Portugal: Madrid to Seville

| 9 days - Madrid to Seville - from $1839 USD