Best Spain & Portugal Highlights for Seniors

Garden and bell tower at Alhambra Palace in Granada in a beautiful summer day, Spain

What to expect on this itinerary

From the prestige of the Alhambra to the historic charms of the Castelo de Sao Jorge, your custom-tailored 10-day senior tour of Europe leads you through Spain and Portugal for the best of the Iberian Peninsula. Feel the beating spirit of Seville during a flamenco performance, sample the subtle flavors of celebrated wines in the Douro Valley, climb the impressive stairwell of the Spanish Royal Palace, and wander along the remnants of Moorish ramparts.

Countries Visited

Portugal, Spain

Places Visited

Madrid, Granada, Seville, Lisbon, Porto, Toledo, Ronda, Sintra, Evora

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Madrid – Introduction to Madrid

Your flight will arrive at Madrid Barajas International Airport, where your transfer will greet you at baggage claim and escort you to a luxurious accommodation near the vibrant center of the captivating city. After settling in to the comforts of your accommodation, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure to enjoy the beauty of Madrid at your preferred pace. The Gran Via embodies the excellence of the city with its combination of architectural styles. The Telefonica Building remains an iconic aesthetic that stands over 265 feet tall and once boasted the title as Europe’s tallest building.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Madrid – Madrid’s History and Culture

Day 3

Granada – Visit Toledo and Tour Granada

Day 4

Seville – Explore the Wonders of Ronda

Day 5

Seville – Seville’s Beauty and Flamenco Show

Day 6

Lisbon – Private City Tour of Lisbon

Day 7

Lisbon – Leisurely Day in Sintra

Day 8

Lisbon – The Regional Capital of Evora

Day 9

Porto – Wine and City Excursion

Day 10

Porto – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the grandeur of the art that is on display in the famous Prado Museum with a collection of over 2,300 paintings
  • Traverse the preserved charms of the Moorish fortress of Granada, which is known as the Alhambra and home to impressive engineering feats
  • Enjoy the rhythm and storytelling that can be found in a live flamenco show when visiting the captivating city of Seville
  • Explore the legacy of exploration when touring the splendor of Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood and the Castelo de Sao Jorge
  • Sample the sensational depth of flavors that can be found in the wines produced in the world’s oldest designated wine-growing region at the Douro Valley
  • Enjoy the preserved medieval charms and cobblestone lanes of the dramatic city of Toledo
  • Marvel at the interesting architecture of Roman and Moorish design, which highlight the diverse history of the region
  • Revel in a fairytale ambiance when visiting storybook palaces and enjoying the picturesque scenery of stunning Sintra

Detailed Description

During your luxurious 10-day senior vacation of Europe, you will discover the marvels of the Iberian Peninsula with an immersive highlights tour of Spain and Portugal. The wealth of history and stature of the former Portuguese and Spanish kingdoms will be reflected by the splendor of the past’s architectural, artistic, and archeological marvels. You will experience the authentic beauty and true spirit of Spanish and Portuguese heritage.

Your adventure through the Iberian Peninsula will begin with your arrival in Madrid, which is the capital of Spain. You can take your time with a guide to explore the city at your pace, winding through the expansive galleries of the Prado Museum and the extravagant rooms of the Spanish Royal Palace. Before you reach Granada, you will have time to traverse the cobblestone lanes of Toledo, and the medieval city boasts preserved architecture along the banks of the Tagus River. You will have a guided tour in Granada to enjoy the inspiring architecture and ambiance of the maze-like city, which will showcase its Moorish and Catholic designs.

On your way to the fascinating city of Seville, you will stop in the town of Ronda, which is known for its whitewashed buildings and panoramic view from the edge of El Tajo Gorge. Here, you will visit the second-oldest bullring in Spain before reaching Seville, where you have the remaining evening at leisure to indulge in the famous flavors of Andalusia. Two nights in Seville will provide you with another opportunity to wander the cobbled lanes of the historic center and the former Jewish. You will also be provided with the exclusive opportunity of witnessing the vibrant steps of a captivating flamenco show.

You will travel from Seville into Lisbon with a stop in Faro to uncover the sensational history of the Algarve region, which is known for its sensational beaches and luxurious resorts. You will have three nights in Lisbon with a full day’s guided tour that will provide you with insight into the marvels of the Age of Exploration. You will enjoy two distinct day trips that will uncover the cultural differences and historic layers of the different regions of the Iberian Peninsula, from the fairytale palaces and streets of Sintra to the majestic Roman architecture found in Evora. One night in Porto will allow you to bask in the delicious splendor of the Douro Valley with a wine tour that will have you visiting numerous cellars within the historic landscape.

Starting Price

$3,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 3299 reviews

Lauren S.
Spain Trip Review: Toledo, San Sebastian, Wine Tasting, Pintxos Tour, 12 Nights

We have been very happy with everything Zicasso's travel agent planned for us. All of the days were good, but some were just amazing. We enjoyed all of it.

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Corinna S.
Spain Family Trip Review: Basque Country, 15-Day Tour

Our family was very happy with our trip. The experiences were excellent, the local travel guides were exceptional, and all of the logistics went off without a hitch. It was great to have someone always a text away!

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Michele M.
Spain Vacation Review: 2 Weeks

From beginning to end, Zicasso's travel experts took great care in taking care of everything. We received great communication, guides, hotels, transportation, suggestions, etc, and they were reliable before and during our trip

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Olivia L.
Portugal, Spain Tour Review: Porto, Cangas de Onis, Sidecar Tour, History, 10 Days

The planning experience was wonderful overall. From the initial conversation about what my family was looking for to the final touches to the itinerary, Zicasso's travel expert was engaging, responsive, and helpful.

The accommodations he selected for us exceeded expectations; they were spacious, beautiful, and well-located. The tours/activities suggested were really fun and gave us a sense of the locale in a unique and memorable way that fit our family well. Once we were in-country, communications were easy and helpful. We felt very well cared for.

Payment to our travel company was easy and it was a real pleasure once we were in-country to have all the identified items already paid for. I would definitely book a trip with them again.

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William L.
Spain Vacation Review: History, Architecture, Hiking, E-Biking, Barcelona, Caminito del Rey, Marbella, 2 Weeks

Zicasso's travel specialists did a great job for us. They clearly listened to us and curated an experience that was made specifically for us. It checked all of the boxes and more.

Highlights were the local tour guides in each city. It was great to meet and get to know local people, learn so much history, see the architecture (Gaudí in Barcelona and the awesome palaces and cathedrals that we visited), the Montserrat hike, Caminito del Rey (which was absolutely better with a guide), and the Marbella e-bike adventure.

The hotels were wonderful; all unique and all great choices. We came home happy and tired, which is the sign of a good trip for us (since we do not ever sit on beaches or at pools and relax!).

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Junis N.
Spain Travel Review: Asturias, Covadonga, Shrine, Fishing Villages, 8 Nights

My family and I loved Asturias. We considered it a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip. Zicasso's travel agent planned the perfect outings for us. Our guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Our agent also provided us with very helpful hints and suggestions for restaurants and shops. Both of the hotels he chose were located perfectly and staffed by friendly employees.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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