Spain and Portugal Highlights
From CAD $2,902
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
With 12 days under the Iberian sun, this trip will guide you through the rich and unique culture of both Spain & Portugal. Explore Cascais on a street art tour and enjoy a Special Stay night in a 15th century monastery in Cordoba. Plus, explore the UNESCO-listed sites of Porto & Sintra, tick off a Game of Thrones filming location in Seville, and dine on traditional Spanish & Portuguese dishes in the ultimate treat for the senses.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- London: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
- Madrid: Do the included meals have a set menu? Yep. Usually, we arrange a buffet for all your included meals. If you’d like a vegetarian option, please inform your Trip Manager beforehand, and they’ll sort it out for you.
- Madrid: I need to refrigerate my medication. Can I do that on the coach? Of course! Just inform your Trip Manager if you need refrigeration on the coach. Please remember that the fridge is turned off overnight, so you’ll have to take your medication with you into your accommodation. We recommend that you bring a cooler bag with you as a backup. It’s your responsibility to store your medication with care.
Included Experience
- 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.
- The Algarve: Roll out your sarong on the golden sands and take in the salty sea air and rugged scenery. And relax...
- 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.
- 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 17556
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 485.2009B
Starts: Madrid, Spain
Finishes: Madrid, Spain
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,902 ($242 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Spain! Join up with your new crew today and we'll start our adventure by heading to Córdoba. Flowers adorn storybook balconies & charming little lanes will take your breath away in this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, overflowing with history. We'll make our way to the Mezquita (The Great Mosque of Cordoba), the perfect way to spend a few hours. We’re keeping it cosy this evening, with a tasty included dinner. Good food, great company!
Accommodation: Crisol Jardines De Cordoba (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Ready to explore more of Andalucía? This morning we'll leave historical Córdoba with our sights set on sun-soaked Seville. 13th century architecture and one of the world's biggest cathedrals wait for us in the passionate arms of Southern Spain's capital, Seville. We'll be seduced with a guided stroll of the city, admiring the city's river, Mudéjar palaces & aristocratic mansions. Just be sure to save some energy for our optional EatWith dining experience tonight, an authentic feast.
Accommodation: YIT Via Sevilla Mairena (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Another day free to explore Seville? Don't mind if we do. Take a wander through picturesque Barrio Santa Cruz, visit the Alcazar (a Game of Thrones location for those in the know) and explore winding medieval lanes to your heart's delight.
Accommodation: YIT Via Sevilla Mairena (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
We couldn't think of a more perfect way to say goodbye to Spain, and say goodbye we must, because our agenda today sees us moving westwards on the Iberian penninsula to Portugal. Crossing the border, spirits are high as we cruise along the Algarve, where petiscos and pastéis de nata await. Remarkable coastlines. Show-stopping seafood. Pastel-coloured streets. And a sunny Atlantic breeze. Welcome to Portugal. Our first destination in this wonderful country is the breathtaking beaches of The Algarve. You’ll drop your bags off at our hotel and join us as we search for the best dinner spots. And so begins the second part of our adventure…
Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Folks, it's beach time. But not just any beach, we’ll visit the stunning sun-kissed beaches of Algarve. So wake up, get some of that included breakfast, and put on your swimsuits. You’ve got the ENTIRE day to spend as you please. Soak in the sunlight. Dive into the water. Grab a book and chill. Taste some fresh seafood. Take a buggy adventure. Wow. For dinner, we’ll walk around the colourful streets and get some dinner on the way. Pure bliss.
Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Good morning, it’s time to say goodbye to the Algarve. Don’t worry. We’ve still got more coastal spots to explore. So, fill up on some breakfast and hop onto your coach! Stop One? The incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sintra. Here in this fairytale town, expect to feel fully enchanted with a stop-off at Quinta da Regaleira – Sintra’s mesmerising manor house. Our second stop this morning is in the coastal town of Cascais, known for its stunning beaches and tasty seafood. Stroll along the marina or opt in for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience hosted by local residents: a street art tour showcasing the culture of a neighbourhood shaking off old perceptions by creating an urban art gallery unlike anywhere in the world. Welcome to yet another example of incredible Europe’s historical cities. Here in Lisbon, vintage looking trams roll down cobbled streets and tiny intricate tiles make everything beautifully picturesque. You’ve got plenty of time for exploring tomorrow. So why not take to the streets and check out some of the sidestreet cafes or restaurants for dinner?
Accommodation: VIP Executive Zurique Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
A free day gives you plenty of time to explore all the hotspots including Portugal's Christo Rei (Christ the King), Rossio Square, the Belém District, home to the famous tower of the same name, and feel some Moorish vibes at a monastery where Vasco de Gama's tomb is held.
Accommodation: VIP Executive Zurique Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Lisbon, you’ve been incredible. But the show must go on. Today, we’ll make our way further up north, along the stunning coastline. We can’t leave Portugal without tasting some authentic local wine, can we? That’s why we’re visiting the 19th century vineyards to see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savour some of it. Alive with galleries and coffee shops and amazing food culture, the city of Porto is basically a dream for art lovers and foodies alike. So, it's a good thing you've got a free evening here to spend however you like. Then, it's time to tuck in for tomorrow.
Accommodation: Ibis Porto Gaia (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Wakey wakey...You get to decide the agenda for today. Discover heritage in the old wooden tram in Riberia. Or walk along the picturesque coastline, and view the main sites like lavish São Francisco Church, Porto Cathedral and 19th century Palácio da Bolsa. And if you're on the hunt for things to do, you can join us for a tour of some of the local foodie hotspots! Or catch a traditional Portuguese singing show. You do you.
Accommodation: Ibis Porto Gaia (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
See ya Portugal, you've shown us all your best places and we're feeling very thankful! We'll have an hour to check out a fortified city on the Spain/Portugal border - that dates back all the way to the Roman Empire (true story!) We'll settle for the night in Salamanca. We're just 2 hours from Madrid but somehow Salamanca feels like a whole other world, with a 13th century University, mysteriously futuristic characters, a painted indoor sky fresco, and a house decorated with carved stone shells. After orienting ourselves to the city (with the option of learning about the women who shaped its history) we'll have some free time to find some food this evening. Think cheeses, cured meats, wine & sweet almond cookies!
Accommodation: Hotel Bardo Recoletos Coco (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Satisfied with our time in Salamanca, we'll make our way back to Madrid with a stop in Ávila. Ávila is best known for its perfectly preserved 11th century medieval walls, protecting the medieval UNESCO World Heritage-listed city inside. We'll stop to admire them before jumping back in the coach, bound for Madrid. Back where it all began, again! Here in Madrid you'll be able to make the most of our night together with an optional dinner of traditional food at an iconic Spanish restaurant near the Plaza Mayor.
Accommodation: Hotel Praga (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Tears and tissues and pinky swears for a reunion trip will mark the blur of sadness that is our morning departure. These are the memories that will stay with you a life time; make sure your next Contiki adventure is just around the corner.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Skyla Schmid - Traveled, December 2024
This was an amazing trip! Our trip manager, Blinky, was an absolute powerhouse - super approachable, incredibly knowledgeable, extremely enthusiastic and overall just a great guy. Our driver, Paulo, was also the best! Drove super safely, loaded all our bags carefully, and was just an all-round kind and funny guy. This trip allowed the perfect amount of free time, whether that be moseying around a small Spanish town on a travel day, chilling on the beach for a few hours in Portugal, or just having some time to chill at the hotel. Unlike the big Europe trips, travel days didn't feel so much like travel days as there was less travelling and more scenic stops along the way. My group was so lovely and I had such an incredible time with them - I was so blown away at how well we all got along. Something that also far exceeded my expectations was the accommodation - most of our accommodation was amazing. Particular mention to our accommodation in Albufeira, which was essentially a resort, complete with a pool, spa, gym, everything. The trip itinerary was perfect and we saw some amazing places and sights. The free time add-ons were also great - my favorites being 'Eat with Seville', the Cascais Street Art Walking Tour, and buggies in the Algarve. Not much I can really fault about this trip and I will be recommending it to everyone I know! The trip was easy to book and the team were very helpful to tending to all my changes my friends and I made (e.g. changing from twin share to triple, wanting to all be in one room etc.). My only complaint is that we wanted to book the 'Spain, Portugal and Morocco Highlights', however every time we all tried to book, only one of us would be able to, and then we'd be told it's sold out. Would be great if the team could let us know if there's enough space for all three of us before one of us books in - saves time for us and the Contiki team.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/27/2025
Camila Gaitan - Traveled, February 2025
Truly unforgettable - amazing from start to finish. This was my first Contiki trip ever and I cannot wait for more adventures like this. *Personal information removed by Feefo* and *Personal information removed by Feefo* were excellent in making sure we all had an amazing time. This trip exceeded all expectations-1000% recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2025
Kristen O'Sullivan - Traveled, February 2025
Overall the trip was amazing! All the included experiences were great as well as the add ons. The locations were great and it was nice to spend 2 days in most locations. Booking was super easy. I booked online and was done in 10 min
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/18/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2025
I really loved the special stays and visiting Porto. The dinners were amazing and the history lessons from "Personal information removed by Feefo* on the coach were very interesting and appreciated. I also loved the little extra activities that *Personal information removed by Feefo* organized ontop of the included experiences and free time add ons.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/21/2025
Grace Daly - Traveled, April 2025
this was the absolute best way to do spain and portugal. the experiences were AMAZING, the food was fantastic and over all our road crew made everything run so smoothly and efficiently. contiki really has given me the best highlights of these beautiful countries, and the time was just about perfect. the only negative about the trip was having to say goodbye, definitely made friends for life that i cannot wait to see again someday !!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2025
The trip was awesome we packed a lot into only a few days. Only thing I would recommend is either adding more time in Madrid or making it clear that we won't actually be spending very much time in Madrid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/11/2025
Clayton Pascoe - Traveled, February 2025
*personal info removed by Feefo* were the perfect driver and trip manager to take us through Spain and Portugal. Some surprisingly good accommodation throughout the trip incl. the Special Stays. Highly recommend doing this trip or the combined bigger trip incl the Ibiza portion.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/18/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
It was a lovely trip that explored so many places and all the tourist hot spots that I wanted to see during my first time in Spain and Portugal! The tour guide and driver were extremely knowledgeable, hospitable and respectful. Would highly recommend this travel experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2025
So so much fun exploring and travelling with others through Spain and Portugal. Felt like our guide and driver were both super knowledgeable and helpful throughout. Accommodation and included experiences made the trip just that little bit more worth it. So easy. Was travelling with a friend and contacted the Contiki team who were so happy to help link our bookings together. Made it such a smooth process
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/10/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, January 2025
The trip was fantastic. Overall I enjoyed it very much and had a great time. The only complaint I had was that some of the free time add on dinners weren't amazing. The food sometimes was not to my taste.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/11/2025
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