Essential Spain and Portugal
Duration
8 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Madrid
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Cities to visit: Madrid; Merida; Evora; Lisbon; Fatima; Porto; Bom Jesus Do Monte, Braga; Cambados, Pontevedra, Galicia; Santiago De Compostela; Lugo; O Cebreiro; Leon
Video Gallery
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.
This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.
Day
Welcome to Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
The day starts around 08.30 hrs with a city tour through the centre of Madrid, including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor.
We will visit Retiro Park , an oasis in the city centre, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. Entrance to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the football stadium of Real Madrid. We get to know the areas reserved for the players as well as the public areas and the small museum about this team, considered by some as the best in the world.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
At the end of the evening, we will return to the hotel.
We will visit Retiro Park , an oasis in the city centre, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. Entrance to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the football stadium of Real Madrid. We get to know the areas reserved for the players as well as the public areas and the small museum about this team, considered by some as the best in the world.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
At the end of the evening, we will return to the hotel.
Total distance covered: 640 km.
Scenery: Wide open pastures in Extremadura, picturesque walled towns in Portugal, and arrival in Lisbon via the breathtaking suspension bridge over the Tagus River.
Note: There´s a time change when crossing into Portugal; remember to set your watch back one hour (when it´s 12:00 p.m. in Spain, it will be 11:00 a.m. in Portugal).
07:45 a.m. – Departure from Madrid (departure time may vary slightly depending on the starting point). We´ll journey through Castile and Extremadura.
12:15 p.m. - Mérida, the capital of Extremadura. Admission included to the archaeological complex of the Roman Theater and Amphitheater, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and a World Heritage Site. It´s renowned not only for its excellent state of preservation but also as a testament to the significance of shows and entertainment in Ancient Rome. Mérida also has a vibrant pedestrian historic center with plenty of options for lunch.
03:30 p.m. – Departing from Mérida, we´ll enjoy beautiful landscapes of vast pastures. We´ll then cross into Portugal and enter the Alentejo region.
04:30 p.m. (Portuguese time) – Évora. We’ll arrive in the capital of Alentejo, one of the most ancient cities in Portugal, declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Time to have a walk through the historic center with its white streets, cathedral, and old churches, a taste of southern Portugal.
06:30 p.m. – Departure from Évora.
08:00 p.m. – Lisbon.
Note: If there are very few passengers, the journey from Madrid to Mérida may be conducted by public transport (regular bus or train).
Scenery: Wide open pastures in Extremadura, picturesque walled towns in Portugal, and arrival in Lisbon via the breathtaking suspension bridge over the Tagus River.
Note: There´s a time change when crossing into Portugal; remember to set your watch back one hour (when it´s 12:00 p.m. in Spain, it will be 11:00 a.m. in Portugal).
07:45 a.m. – Departure from Madrid (departure time may vary slightly depending on the starting point). We´ll journey through Castile and Extremadura.
12:15 p.m. - Mérida, the capital of Extremadura. Admission included to the archaeological complex of the Roman Theater and Amphitheater, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and a World Heritage Site. It´s renowned not only for its excellent state of preservation but also as a testament to the significance of shows and entertainment in Ancient Rome. Mérida also has a vibrant pedestrian historic center with plenty of options for lunch.
03:30 p.m. – Departing from Mérida, we´ll enjoy beautiful landscapes of vast pastures. We´ll then cross into Portugal and enter the Alentejo region.
04:30 p.m. (Portuguese time) – Évora. We’ll arrive in the capital of Alentejo, one of the most ancient cities in Portugal, declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Time to have a walk through the historic center with its white streets, cathedral, and old churches, a taste of southern Portugal.
06:30 p.m. – Departure from Évora.
08:00 p.m. – Lisbon.
Note: If there are very few passengers, the journey from Madrid to Mérida may be conducted by public transport (regular bus or train).
Sightseeing tour of Lisbon. In the morning, you’ll enjoy a city tour with a local guide lasting approximately 2 hours. You’ll get to know the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of "saudade," and the beautiful Atlantic light. Our tour will include stops at the following points: Eduardo VII Park, Baixa Pombalina (Marquis of Pombal Square, Rossio with views of São Jorge Castle and Alfama), Estrela neighborhood, Estrela Basilica, the Monument of the Discoveries, Belém Tower, and the Jerónimos Monastery. The visit will conclude in the city center. You´ll have free time in the afternoon to further explore the city. We recommend taking the Glória Funicular to visit Bairro Alto and the São Pedro viewpoint. Optionally, our guide will offer visits to the picturesque towns of Sintra, with its castle, and Cascais and Estoril by the seaside.
08:30 p.m. - We’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square , filled with vibrant bars and cafes.
08:30 p.m. - We’ll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square , filled with vibrant bars and cafes.
Total distance covered: 320 km.
Scenery: Pleasant green landscapes, hills, historic cities.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Lisbon.
09:45 a.m. – Fátima. We’ll have time to visit the Sanctuary, a significant pilgrimage site marking the apparitions of Our Lady to the Three Shepherd Children. The chapel was built in 1919 at the location of the 1917 apparitions in Cova de Iria, and the Sanctuary has since expanded to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Fátima.
02:00 p.m. – Porto. We’ll have time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll go on a panoramic tour of approximately two hours with a local guide of this coastal city at the mouth of the Douro River. The historic center, with its cobbled streets and colorful houses, is renowned for its imposing bridges and has been declared a World Heritage Site. At the end of the panoramic tour, we’ll visit one of its historic cellars where the famous Port wine is produced. You’ll have free time at leisure.
Scenery: Pleasant green landscapes, hills, historic cities.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Lisbon.
09:45 a.m. – Fátima. We’ll have time to visit the Sanctuary, a significant pilgrimage site marking the apparitions of Our Lady to the Three Shepherd Children. The chapel was built in 1919 at the location of the 1917 apparitions in Cova de Iria, and the Sanctuary has since expanded to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Fátima.
02:00 p.m. – Porto. We’ll have time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll go on a panoramic tour of approximately two hours with a local guide of this coastal city at the mouth of the Douro River. The historic center, with its cobbled streets and colorful houses, is renowned for its imposing bridges and has been declared a World Heritage Site. At the end of the panoramic tour, we’ll visit one of its historic cellars where the famous Port wine is produced. You’ll have free time at leisure.
Total distance covered: 270 km.
Scenery: Beautiful green countryside and views over the Rías Baixas.
Note: Remember to bring warm clothes for the boat trip.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Porto.
09:00 a.m. - Arrival in Braga. We´ll visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus and take a trip on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase.
10:15 a.m. - Departure from Bom Jesus. We´ll head to Galicia with stunning views over the Galician estuaries.
13:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. in Portugal) - Arrival in Cambados. This historic maritime town offers a glass-bottomed boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, where we´ll learn about mussel farming. Onboard, enjoy wine and mussel tastings. Free time to explore Cambados and have lunch follows.
16:00 p.m. - Departure from Cambados.
16:45 p.m. - Arriving in Santiago de Compostela, you´ll embark on a city tour with a local guide, learning about how St. James has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Wander through the medieval streets of the center and marvel at its majestic cathedral.
Note: On certain dates, particularly during the celebration of St. James’ Day, our groups may need to be accommodated in a city near Santiago.
Scenery: Beautiful green countryside and views over the Rías Baixas.
Note: Remember to bring warm clothes for the boat trip.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Porto.
09:00 a.m. - Arrival in Braga. We´ll visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus and take a trip on the world’s oldest water-operated cable car. After exploring the sanctuary, we recommend descending via its picturesque staircase.
10:15 a.m. - Departure from Bom Jesus. We´ll head to Galicia with stunning views over the Galician estuaries.
13:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. in Portugal) - Arrival in Cambados. This historic maritime town offers a glass-bottomed boat trip along the Ría de Arousa, where we´ll learn about mussel farming. Onboard, enjoy wine and mussel tastings. Free time to explore Cambados and have lunch follows.
16:00 p.m. - Departure from Cambados.
16:45 p.m. - Arriving in Santiago de Compostela, you´ll embark on a city tour with a local guide, learning about how St. James has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Wander through the medieval streets of the center and marvel at its majestic cathedral.
Note: On certain dates, particularly during the celebration of St. James’ Day, our groups may need to be accommodated in a city near Santiago.
Total distance covered: 660 km.
Scenery: Green Castilian landscapes and villages.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Santiago. Following the ancient way of St. James, amidst picturesque scenery, we’ll travel to Lugo.
09:30 hrs. - Lugo - arrival and free time, you can stroll around its walls built more than 2000 years ago by the Romans, declared UNESCO World Heritage.
11:00 a.m. Departure from Lugo. We’ll travel to Castile, and on our way, we’ll make a stop at O Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village that shows us this region’s traditional way of life.
02:15 p.m. – León. We’ll have time for lunch and a stroll in this historic city, located on the Way of St. James. Its Gothic cathedral stands out with magnificent stained-glass windows.
04:45 p.m. – Departure from León.
09:00 p.m. – Madrid.
Note: Depending on the group size, the journey from León to Madrid may be done by train or regular transport.
Scenery: Green Castilian landscapes and villages.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Santiago. Following the ancient way of St. James, amidst picturesque scenery, we’ll travel to Lugo.
09:30 hrs. - Lugo - arrival and free time, you can stroll around its walls built more than 2000 years ago by the Romans, declared UNESCO World Heritage.
11:00 a.m. Departure from Lugo. We’ll travel to Castile, and on our way, we’ll make a stop at O Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village that shows us this region’s traditional way of life.
02:15 p.m. – León. We’ll have time for lunch and a stroll in this historic city, located on the Way of St. James. Its Gothic cathedral stands out with magnificent stained-glass windows.
04:45 p.m. – Departure from León.
09:00 p.m. – Madrid.
Note: Depending on the group size, the journey from León to Madrid may be done by train or regular transport.
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.
From
AUD 1,553