Spain & Portugal tours
In the cities and countryside of the Iberian Peninsula, every turn tells a different story. But whether you opt for flamenco or fado, croquetas or pasteis, you’ll find a shared harmony unique to the region. Listen in on our Spain and Portugal tours.
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What to know before you go
POPULATION
About 55 million people live on the Iberian Peninsula, with the vast majority—99.8%—calling Spain or Portugal home. (The rest are residents of Andorra and Gibraltar, but we’ll dig into that another time!)
MAJOR CITIES
Perched on the Manzanares and Tagus rivers, Madrid and Lisbon comfortably sit among Europe’s cultural capitals. But they don’t just trade in big-city bustle: Their complex histories and old-world feel remain key parts of their modern identities.
CULTURAL QUICK TAKE
Think of Spain and Portugal like distant cousins: Though they share similar languages and live as neighbors, their personalities and habits generally differ. Spaniards, like Italians, live and laugh with gusto; saudade, the Portuguese idea of melancholic longing, extends beyond the country’s famous fado bars.
WHAT TO GO FOR
The lingering legacy of Moorish rule. Some of the best seafood (and food, full stop) you’ll try in your life. From the waves crashing off Nazare to the pintxo bars dotting the Basque Country, our Portugal and Spain tours hit must-see highlights and hidden gems alike.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON TOUR
Walk the whimsical halls of Sintra’s Pena Palace, visit the towns and shrines tucked away in the Picos de Europa, taste your way across a Menorcan cheese farm, and more. Add these excursions to your Spain and Portugal group tour to make it even more memorable.
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Experience both on our Grand Tour
Between Porto’s azulejos and Barcelona’s modernist masterpieces, this Spain and Portugal tour will whisk you across the southern Iberian Peninsula. Evora’s Capela dos Ossos, Seville Cathedral, the Alhambra of Granada—you’ll see it all, and then some.
More tours of Portugal & Spain

Lisbon, Seville & Madrid
Discover three international icons, one moment at a time.
See the 11-day tour
Portugal, Spain & Morocco
Enhance your Iberian experience with a jaunt through North Africa.
See the 16-day tour

Spain & Portugal for Women
Embrace the womanhood that unites your group—and these two countries.
See the 11-day tourSpain? Portugal? Yes, por favor.
The destination’s in the details, and taking the time to explore one of these countries at a time reveals their nature—sweet as a sip of Port or Sherry. Browse our Portugal and Spain tour packages to begin peeling back their layers.
Signature experiences for your memory vault. Why don’t you...

Sip and sail along the Douro River
Cruise down Portugal’s most famous river before stopping at a revered Port wine cellar for a tasting. Try it on our Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Barcelona.

Enjoy a taste of Andalusian heritage
Cap a trip to Cadiz, an ancient port city with Phoenician roots, with a sampling of Sherries at a local tavern. Try it on our Lisbon, Seville & Madrid tour.

Find quintessential culture in a hillside cave
Head into the hills surrounding Granada and let the dynamism of a live flamenco show take your breath away. Try it on our Portugal, Spain & Morocco tour.
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Dig into Spain’s most famous cuisine
Make your way, plate by small plate, through Seville’s Triana neighborhood on a tapas-themed walking tour. Try it on our Spain & Portugal for Women: Madrid, Seville & Lisbon tour.
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Why stop at tours to Spain & Portugal?
If the Iberian Peninsula served as your introduction to Mediterranean Europe and North Africa, these trips can help deepen your love for the region.
Travel tips for Spain and Portugal tours
Here are some of the main attractions to see in Spain and Portugal:
Portugal
- Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. This UNESCO World Heritage site is full of beautiful architecture and deep history.
- Tower of Belém in Lisbon. Step into Lisbon’s maritime history at this waterfront landmark. Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan visited in their day, too.
- Old-World Ribeira district in Porto. These medieval lanes are as picturesque as it gets.
- Évora. One of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Évora is home to whitewashed homes with intricate tile work, temples, and even a cork factory.
Spain
- Alhambra in Granada. This is the UNESCO-recognized site of the Moorish sultans’ last stronghold in Spain, and home to a promenade, palaces, and panoramic views of the city.
- Córdoba. This is Europe’s largest medieval city located in the countryside of Madrid.
- Park Güell & La Pedrera. Here, you’ll discover the magnificent works of Gaudí, the famed Spanish architect known for his bold, distinct designs.
- Puerta del Sol in Madrid. This bustling public square is the center of activity, with a famous semi-circle shape, grand buildings, and beautiful fountain.
Anytime is a good time! Both countries bask in sunshine all year, with hotter summers and more mild winters (though winters can be a little rainy). Summertime tends to be the most popular time to go on Spain and Portugal tours, but there are many benefits to travel in the off-season, too—including fewer crowds.
- Wear sturdy footwear because those beautiful cobblestone streets weren’t built for flimsy flip flops!
- In Portugal, if you order café, you’ll get espresso instead of a cup of coffee. Try ordering a meia de leite (half-coffee and half-milk) instead, if that’s more your speed.
- In Portugal, don’t assume appetizers are free—even if your waiter puts them on your table. Anything you eat will be added to your bill.
- In Spain, people eat much later than they do in the United States. Lunch tends to be around 2pm., and dinner happens closer to 9 or 10pm.
As you’re planning a trip to Spain and Portugal, just remember they’re two different countries with different cultures and languages. And while Spanish is very similar to Portuguese, the most polite thing to do is to try and speak each country’s language—even if it’s just to say “good morning!”
Spain and Portugal trips are full of great food, friendly people, and exciting experiences—and traveling with a group makes all that even better. When you go on a guided tour of Spain and Portugal, we do all of the planning for you, so you can truly focus on relaxing, learning, and having fun. You might even make some new friends along the way.
All of our Spain and Portugal vacation packages also feature local expert guides, so you’ll experience what it’s like to truly live in every city, as well as better understand the culture.
You can’t go on one of our Spain and Portugal tour packages without feasting on fantastic foods.
In Spain, you’ll want to try the paella, a famous dish made in a cast-iron pan with rice and spices. If you’re into seafood, Spain is known for gambas al ajillo, a fresh shrimp dish with garlic and chilli pepper, pulpo a la gallega, a tapa dish made with thin-sliced octopus and potatoes, or boquerones, which are fried anchovies. And lastly, you’ve got to try all the tapas, especially pintxos. They're tiny bites of fish, meats, cheeses, or peppers on little pieces of bread! Check our ultimate food and wine guide to Spain to dive even deeper.
In Portugal, you’ll have to try caldo verde, a classic Portuguese soup with potatoes, kale, and sliced chorizo, as well as piri-piri chicken. Portugal is also known for its deliciously fresh seafood. Be sure to finish off with some pastel de nata, a traditional egg custard, for dessert! The Go Ahead Travel Guide to Lisbon is full of other foods and drinks to try, too.