Tour highlights
Within two weeks, this journey will introduce you to the vibrant culture of both Spain and Portugal. There are lots of wonderful experiences waiting for you – admire street art in Cascais, witness a Flamenco show, stay overnight in a 15th century monastery in Córdoba, visit the UNESCO-listed sites of Porto & Sintra, discover a filming location from Game of Thrones in Seville and savor traditional Spanish & Portuguese foods. An absolute pleasure for all senses!
Tour itinerary
Day 1 Madrid to Cordoba
It’s time to explore the beauty of Spain. We’ll start the journey today and head to Córdoba. Everywhere you look, you’ll be captivated by its historic streets and breathtaking balconies with flowers blossoming everywhere. On our orientation tour around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, one of our main stops will be at Mezquita (The Great Mosque of Cordoba). Then this evening, we’ve got a special treat: an included dinner together at a 15th Century monastery with vaulted ceilings, outdoor pool and internal courtyard – it’ll make for a memorable night!
Day 2 Cordoba to Seville
Time to experience the captivating beauty of Andalucía! This morning our journey will take us from Córdoba to Seville, the sunny capital of Southern Spain. There, we will be mesmerized by the 13th century architecture and its world-renowned cathedral. After a guided tour of the bustling city along the riverbank, we can marvel at incredible Mudéjar palaces and grandiose aristocratic mansions. To make this day even more memorable, partake of an optional EatWith rooftop dinner – a delicious feast with local specialities!
Day 3 Seville
What a perfect day to take in the sights of Seville! Let’s start by strolling through the picturesque Barrio Santa Cruz, which is known to fans of Game of Thrones as being the location for Alcazar. Afterwards we can take a leisurely walk down winding medieval lanes that are sure to bring joy to our hearts. This will be capped off with a wonderful shared dinner experience tonight.
Day 4 Seville to Lisbon via Albufeira
As our Iberian journey comes to an end, it is now time for us to make a move westwards and take on Portugal. Our spirits high, the car ride along Algarve grants us views of petiscos and pastéis de nata. A brief stop here gives us a chance to explore old town and admire the ocean. This brings us closer to Lisbon – a place where vintage trams traverse cobblestone roads and lovely little tiles give everything its charming aesthetic. After tomorrow’s full day of exploration you can seek out the hidden sidestreet cafes or restaurants for dinner tonight! Europe continues to present itself with immense beauty – yet another example why distance does not define differences between countries.
Day 5 Lisbon
On your day off, you can take in some of the most beautiful sights Portugal has to offer. Start with Christo Rei (Christ the King); then make your way to Rossio Square. Next, check out the Belém District and its famous tower. End your day by admiring the Moorish monastery where Vasco de Gama’s tomb is located.
Day 6 Lisbon to Porto
This morning, our journey will take us up the coast to Porto, with a couple of stops along the way. First, we’ll visit Cascais; this beautiful coastal town is known for its idyllic beaches and seafood delicacies. Next up is Sintra – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fairytale town that demands exploration! Quinta da Regaleira provides an entrancing experience in this remarkable place. Should you wish to delve deeper into the culture of Cascais, there’s a unique street art tour allowing visitors to discover a neighbourhood through an urban art gallery like no other. Finally, our day concludes in Porto – paradise for art lovers and foodies alike thanks to its impressive range of galleries, coffee shops and excellent cuisine. When visiting Porto, be sure to make time to really soak it all in! This is your chance to explore the city and try local cuisine with the Eating Europe Food Tour. Take a ride on the iconic wooden tram that runs through town, and wander down UNESCO listed alleyways of Riberia. The picturesque coastline offers plenty of sites like the grand São Francisco Church and 19th century Palácio de Bolsa.
Day 7 Porto
The vibrant city of Porto is bursting with life. Its historic cobblestone streets, wooden trams and UNESCO-recognized alleys of Ribeira all contribute to its unique charm. Exploring the city in your free time today will be a truly memorable experience, revealing magnificent sites like São Francisco Church and Palácio da Bolsa. Be sure not to forget the stunning coastline too!
Day 8 Porto to Salamanca
It’s been a wonderful adventure in Portugal, and now we cross the border into Spain for the night. Salamanca awaits us, and although it’s only two hours from Madrid, it feels like a completely different universe! Here there is an ancient 13th century University, gargoyles that range between strange and futuristic, plus a magnificent Cathedral made even more spectacular with painted indoor frescoes and carved stone shells. After getting oriented to the city our evening free time beckons – time to track down some delicious Spanish cheese, cured meats, wine & sweet almond cookies before venturing further out!
Day 9 Salamanca to Madrid
With a memorable time spent in Salamanca, our next stop is the ancient city of Ávila. Famous for its majestic 11th century walls, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination is a must-see on the way to Madrid. After taking in all that impressive history and grabbing some lunch, we’ll carry on with our journey towards the Spanish metropolis. Once there, you can make the most of our final night together by enjoying an optional dinner at one of Madrid’s iconic restaurants near the historic Plaza Mayor. Where it all started again.
Day 10 End Madrid
Kisses, hugs, and excited words will fill the air as we prepare to part ways. What a bittersweet experience; these memories are sure to linger for years to come. To ensure your next Contiki adventure is just around the corner, make sure you have plans in place for an eventual reunion trip!
What’s included
Accommodation
8 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay
Guide
Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides
COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures
All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022.
For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.
Meals
3 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)
Additional Services
Córdoba: This ornate World Heritage site was built by the Moors after they conquered Iberia. And it’s still one of the world’s biggest mosques.
Lisbon: Take an orientation in Lisbon’s ‘museum district’. See the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and the best places to taste a pastel de nata.
Lisbon: Get to grips with Portugal’s coastal capital. See all the sights, including Castelo de São Jorge, the Praca do Comércio, Rossio Sqaure and Praça da Figueira.
Transport
Coach
What’s not included
Flights
Flights are not included.
Insurance
Insurance is not included.
Optional
Guided walking Tour
EUR 20.00
Eat with the locals on the rooftops of Seville and be serenaded with Spanish guitar
EUR 36.00
Tastes of Lisbon
EUR 43.00
Lisbon Like a Local Dinner
EUR 38.00
Cascais Street Tour
EUR 15.00
Walking tour of Lisbon with local port tasting
Eat a traditional Madrilenos feast including jamon and tortilla, Madrid
EUR 37.50
Additional Services
Other activities and services are not included.
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