17D Spain & Portugal Premium Small Group Tour

17D Spain & Portugal Premium Small Group Tour

18 Days
From

$5042

17D Spain & Portugal Premium Small Group Tour

18 Days

Visiting: Spain

Tour operator:

Julia Travel

Tour code:

227

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

8-99

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Luxury, Sailing, Small Group

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $5042 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 18-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on a luxurious 17-day journey through Spain and Portugal with our Premium Small Group Tour, designed for food and wine enthusiasts. Experience the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula, starting in Barcelona with a guided city tour and a catamaran sailing experience. Delight in culinary adventures such as pintxos in Bilbao, cider tasting in Oviedo, and a Fado show with dinner in Porto. Explore historic cities like Santiago de Compostela, Lisbon, and Madrid, with guided tours and leisure time to soak in the local atmosphere. Enjoy the comfort of luxury coach transportation, selected hotel accommodations, and private transfers, all while being accompanied by an English-speaking tour director. Indulge in daily breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinners, and unique tastings, including mussels and wine on a Rias Baixas cruise and chocolate with churros in Madrid. This tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Spain and Portugal's rich heritage and flavors.

Highlights

  • Guided city tour in Barcelona, including Sagrada Familia entrance

  • Catamaran sailing experience along the Barcelona coastline

  • Pintxos dinner in Bilbao

  • Mussels and wine tasting on a Rias Baixas cruise

  • Douro River cruise and Port wine tasting in Porto

  • Fado show and dinner in Porto

  • Cruise along the Aveiro estuary in a traditional moliceiro

  • Chocolate and churros tasting in Madrid

Itinerary

1st Day (Fri.) BARCELONA (D)
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Join tour Tour Director for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful evening of good food and wine. Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Catalonia Barcelona Plaza, Hesperia Presidente or similar

2nd Day (Sat.) BARCELONA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues with its impressive Gaudi modernist buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. The Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbor, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Visit the most important landmark in the city of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. Continue to Port Vell to board a catamaran and sail along the beautiful coastline of Barcelona. Upon arrival, the crew will welcome you on board with music, a courtesy drink and a typical local tapa to start the experience in a Mediterranean style. You can sit in the shaded aft seats to feel the sea breeze, or lie on the forward nets in the sun to tan and be closer to the sea. This experience is the ideal complement to get to know Barcelona from all perspectives.
The afternoon is for you to keep on discovering this city.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Catalonia Barcelona Plaza, Hesperia Presidente or similar

3rd Day (Tue.) BARCELONA – ZARAGOZA – PAMPLONA – BILBAO (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure southwest along an industrial and agricultural area with certain relevance within Europe. Arrive to Zaragoza, capital city of Aragón, within the banks of Ebro River, the most copious within the Iberian Peninsula. Free time to see the impressive Baroque architecture of the Basilic-Temple of Our Lady Pilar. Continue to Pamplona, internationally famous for its annual San Fermín festival, a city rich in history, with roots dating back to Roman times, and offers a variety of cultural and architectural attractions, including its medieval old town and the Gothic-style Cathedral. Depart to Bilbao.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Barceló Nervión, Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilbao, or similar

4th Day (Wed.) BILBAO – SAN SEBASTIAN – BILBAO (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a Bilbao city tour and discover its most recent developments. Time at leisure for you to explore the esplanade where The Guggenheim Museum is located in order for you to admire this modern architectural building. Continue to San Sebastian in the afternoon, one of the most famous tourist destinations where they hold the International Film Festival. Panoramic city tour of this marvel style bourgeois city, seeing the extraordinary landscape dominated by the bay and the magnificent La Concha beach. We will approach Mount Igueldo, to contemplate the marvelous views of the city. Free time to stroll through this elegant city. Back in Bilbao, enjoy dinner at local restaurant to taste the famous typical “pintxos”, Basque name for tapas.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Barceló Nervión, Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilbao, or similar

5th Day (Thu.) BILBAO – CASTRO URDIALES – SANTANDER (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Bound for Asturias, famous Green Spain, we will proceed to the old fishing village “Castro Urdiales”. Time at leisure. Depart to Santander, a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Santemar or similar

6th Day (Fri.) SANTANDER – SANTILLANA DEL MAR – COVADONGA – OVIEDO (B, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Depart to Santillana del Mar, one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Architecture in Cantabria. Continue to Covadonga, where you will have free time to see the Sanctuary and the Grotto where you will see the patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. In the afternoon, departure to Oviedo, where you will see on a series of hills the beauty of Saint Maria de Naranco Church, Jewel of the pre Romanic Asturian architecture. Free time to explore Oviedo, many of its streets are pedestrian, where you will be able to see World Heritage sites like The Cathedral, a splendid example of gothic Asturian architecture. Join your fellow travelers to dine at a traditional cider house.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Silken Monumental Naranco or similar

7th Day (Sat.) OVIEDO – MONDOÑEDO – LUGO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Bound for Galician lands. On the way to Lugo, take a short stop at Mondoñedo. Time at leisure to visit the 13th century Cathedral and try the delicious “Mondoñedo cake”. Continue to Lugo. Time at leisure to explore the Roman remains that still retains like its walls, declared World Heritage. We finally approach Santiago de Compostela´s holly land, declared World Heritage, as it is the most important center of Christian Pilgrimages in Spain as the end of the Camino de Santiago.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Exe Peregrino or similar

8th Day (Sun.) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Join a Santiago city tour where you will see the main square called Obradoiro and the Cathedral (entrance included) dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the narrow cobblestone streets.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Exe Peregrino or similar

9th Day (Mon.) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – RIAS BAJAS – PORTO (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart towards one of the most marvelous areas of Galicia, the Rias Bajas (Spanish Fjords). Continue to the Ria de Arosa, where will do a cruise, with tasting of the typical wines and mussels. Bound for the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns, and proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Vila Galé Porto Ribeira, Vila Galé Porto, HF Ipanema Porto or similar

10th Day (Tue.) PORTO (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. Rest of day at leisure.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Vila Galé Porto Ribeira, Vila Galé Porto, HF Ipanema Porto or similar

11th Day (Wed.) PORTO (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure.
Tonight, you will have the opportunity to share a typical fado show with dinner with your fellow travelers.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Vila Galé Porto Ribeira, Vila Galé Porto, HF Ipanema Porto or similar

12th Day (Thu.) PORTO – AVEIRO – COIMBRA (B)
After breakfast, we depart to Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, which have earned it the nickname “The Venice of Portugal”. We will enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colorful boat used for navigating the canals of Aveiro, before heading to Coimbra. We will meet the local guide for a tour of Coimbra, a historic city known for its prestigious university (one of the oldest in Europe), charming medieval streets, and beautiful riverfront.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: Aeminium Coimbra affiliated by Meliá or similar

13th Day (Fri.) COIMBRA –BATALHA – NAZARE– LISBON (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style considered a World Heritage place by UNESCO. Continue to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time and continue to Lisbon.
In Lisbon, we will cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas and enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant featuring seafood.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: VIP Entrecampos, VIP Art’s, Lutécia or similar

14th Day (Sat.) LISBON (B)
After breakfast, join a morning city sightseeing of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square & Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure for you to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of color housing the genuine “tabernas”. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy this magnificent city.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: VIP Entrecampos, VIP Art’s, Lutécia or similar

15th Day (Sun.) LISBON – MERIDA – MADRID (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Merida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Madrid
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: AC Cuzco by Marriott, Princesa Plaza or similar

16th Day (Mon.) MADRID (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the beauties of the city with a guided city tour. Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. During the visit, we will taste the typical chocolate with churros, the most Madrid-style snack. Afternoon at leisure to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer.
In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Accommodation at the hotel.
Hotel: AC Cuzco by Marriott, Princesa Plaza or similar

17th Day (Mon.) MADRID (B)
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport.
END OF OUR SERVICES.

What's Included

  • Guided city tour with local guides in Barcelona (Sagrada Familia entrance included), Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago (Cathedral ticket included), Porto, Coimbra & Lisbon.

  • Daily breakfast.

  • Welcome dinner in Barcelona.

  • Catamaran sailing experience in Barcelona.

  • Pintxos Dinner in Bilbao.

  • Dinner and cider tasting in traditional cider house in Oviedo.

  • Mussels and wine tasting in a Rias Baixas cruise.

  • Fado show and dinner in Porto.

  • Douro River Cruise & Port wine tasting in Porto.

  • Cruise along the Aveiro estuary in a typical moliceiro.

show more

What's Not Included

Barcelona, Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto Local City Tax is not included, to be paid directly to the hotel.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a variety of dining experiences such as a welcome dinner in Barcelona, a pintxos dinner in Bilbao, dinner and cider tasting in a traditional cider house in Oviedo, a fado show with dinner in Porto, a seafood dinner in Lisbon, and a farewell dinner in Madrid. Additionally, there is a chocolate and churros tasting in Madrid.

  • Are there any unique cultural experiences included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes several unique cultural experiences such as a fado show in Porto, a pintxos dinner in Bilbao, and a visit to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. There is also a guided city tour in several cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago, Porto, and Lisbon.

  • What types of transportation are used during the tour?

    The tour provides transportation in a luxury coach and includes private transfers from and to the airport and train stations in Madrid and Barcelona. There are also several cruises included, such as a catamaran sailing experience in Barcelona, a Douro River cruise in Porto, and a cruise along the Aveiro estuary in a traditional moliceiro.

  • Is travel insurance included in the tour package?

    Yes, travel insurance is included in the tour package.

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    Accommodation is provided at selected hotels throughout the tour. Specific hotels mentioned include Catalonia Barcelona Plaza, Barceló Nervión, Santemar, Silken Monumental Naranco, Exe Peregrino, Vila Galé Porto Ribeira, Aeminium Coimbra affiliated by Meliá, VIP Entrecampos, and AC Cuzco by Marriott, among others.

  • Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour?

    Yes, local city taxes in Barcelona, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto are not included and must be paid directly to the hotel.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    We will include meet local health and safety regulations

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Is not possible to join the tour once it has departed but we can always try to adapt for an excepcional situations.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    The company has been trading since 1929

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    There is a cancellation policy indicated for our itineraries

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We try to avoid any kind of paper documentation in our tours, we keep our buses cleaned daily

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    You will recieve all necessary documents to travel with us from our Booking and Opwerations Department

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    You will travel with other people who booked the same tour, so you will have the chance to interact with other people from diferent countries and cultures.

Reviews of this operator

Carole Kirby (Google Reviewer)  

We booked tickets for Sagrada...

06-May-2024

We booked tickets for Sagrada Familia and the towers with a guide. Our guide, Victor, was excellent- the pace was just right and he explained everything making the visit so much more informative and interesting for us. Would definitely recommend.

Audrey Brice (Google Reviewer)  

A very enjoyable tour around...

01-Apr-2024

A very enjoyable tour around Park Guell yesterday under the guidance of Raul in excellent English. Great audio system so we could hear Raul no matter how far away we were. Not at all rushed. Very informative and amusing with humorous personal anecdotes.

Barb Agostini (Google Reviewer)  

Did the half day trip...

22-Sep-2019

Did the half day trip from Barcelona to Girona with Julia Tours (left at 8am and back around 2:20pm). Bus was comfy and air conditioned. Left on time. Our tour guide was friendly and showed us around and we had a good amount of free time. Plus if you’re a GOT fan, you’ll get to see some spots from the show.

Janaya Williams (Google Reviewer)  

Our tour of Sagrada Familia...

22-Mar-2024

Our tour of Sagrada Familia was amazing! Olga was our guide and she was absolutely incredible!! She was extremely knowledgeable about the site and was so pleasant to listen to discuss all the details and history. Love learning about the ins and outs and the story behind every detail.

Kyle Mundon (Google Reviewer)  

This was the only place...

11-Oct-2023

This was the only place I could find last-minute tickets to see Sagrada Familia. It was more expensive than the tickets directly from the basilica (which were sold out), but it included a guided tour. I opted to add the tower access in as well, which is about €15 more than just the guided tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate. They have to deal with a lot of other people in the area, and to still be able to communicate effectively is impressive. I can't remember the guides name, but she had blue hair, so definitely easy to keep track of in the crowd of thousands inside the basilica. I didn't deal with any disrespect or lack of professionalism, as other reviews have mentioned. Everyone I interacted with was very kind and took time to explain things. FYI, if you're afraid of heights or claustrophobic, the tower is not for the faint of heart!

Lawrence Delaney (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I toured...

29-Nov-2024

My wife and I toured Park Guell and Sagrada Familia with tour guides Matthew (Park Guell) and Marc (Sagrada Familia) on November 25th 2024. We showed up about twenty minutes late to our tour of Park Guell because our taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong location. Despite this, Matthew was very understanding and accommodating to both us and others on our tour with other specific or individual needs, ensuring to either wait at a location a little longer or offer an alternative path for those who needed a bit more assistance maneuvering within the park. When arriving at the Julia Travel location after our tour, he provided nearby restaurant recommendations and tips for avoiding potential pickpocket attempts in the crowded city center. Matthew’s Barcelona experience is second to none! Marc provided an amazing tour of the incredible Sagrada Familia. His passion, thoroughness, and efficiency in conducting the tour were very impressive. Despite the heavy crowds, he did a great job directing our tour group through Sagrada Familia in an organized manner while also pointing out specific details about the church that we wouldn’t have otherwise noted. Julia Travel provided two great tours through significant locations within Barcelona. We highly recommend them to anyone looking to learn more about these locations!

Creston Inderrieden (Google Reviewer)  

Had a great time touring...

11-Jun-2024

Had a great time touring Sagrada Familia. Beautiful and organized tour.

April Hamilton-West (Google Reviewer)  

Una is absolutely the best...

29-Jul-2023

Una is absolutely the best tour guide ever! Knowledgeable. Energetic. And a delight to be around her. She kept everyone engaged and we all walked away with much more than La Sagrada Familia knowledge. We learned architecture, Gaudi history, and she pointed out things most would miss. Thank you, Una!

FamilyTravel18 (Google Reviewer)  

We took the 30 person...

01-Aug-2023

We took the 30 person catamaran, and had a fantastic time. They stop the boat after about an hour and let the guests swim for half an hour, which is refreshing. There are no pool toys, as advertised, however. Remember to grab a life jacket to swim in the ocean. The boat needs more life jackets available on deck.

Jeffery R. Phaneuf (Google Reviewer)  

Our tour guide Maria was...

02-Aug-2024

Our tour guide Maria was with Julia Tours. It was easy to see she was a regular guide as many of the others knew her as well as the staff of the Basilica. She seemed to love the space as it was “beautiful” to her (told us 18xs). BUT our tour was very poor. It was suppose to be 1.5 hours, scheduled to start at 5. We didn’t start till 5:16 and were done at 6:10. She made all kinds of recommendations of what we could go see AFTER the tour AND didn’t really provide much detail. I suggest you go to the audio tour… has to be better then what we experienced today. Felt like we had a guide who was doing her last tour of the day and just wanted to go home to her air conditioning. This tour company felt like the McDonalds down the road. Fast and efficient but no real nutrients to feed your soul.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Julia Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Julia Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform julia travel, 0 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Julia Travel requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 21 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of julia travel charges.

    Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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