Classic Madrid to Lisbon
Classic Madrid to Lisbon
Classic Madrid to Lisbon
9 Days Starting in Madrid and ending in Lisbon
Visiting: Madrid , Douro Valley, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZMKO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
On this nine-day adventure through Spain and Portugal, you’ll dip into Madrid for a tapas dinner, take a trip into Salamanca’s sandstone surrounds and stay in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. After indulging in delicious local wines and soaking in the views of rolling greens, head to the birthplace of port wine and wander through the medieval riverside district, meeting locals and watching the city light up as the sun sets. Enjoy some free time in Coimbra – the official European Region of Gastronomy – and wander its historic university before ending it all in shining Lisbon. Don’t leave without tasting the famous pasteis de nata (the flakiest pastry you’ll ever treat yourself to) and why not – another splash of local wine!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Madrid, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you will meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not explore the city? Maybe have a picnic in Buen Retiro Park or explore the rich culture of European art at the Prado Museum, which houses works by Goya, Velazquez and other Spanish masters. Tonight, after the meeting, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner of traditional tapas, maybe try patatas bravas, tortilla or croquetas.
Day 2: Douro Valley
Location: Douro Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Take the train to Salamanca – home to the 10th century university that continues to bring vibrancy to the town through its diverse student population. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk, taking in the ornate sandstone architecture of the city. Then, enjoy some free time for lunch. Drive to the Douro Valley by private vehicle. This UNESCO World Heritage area is set on the highest flowing river of the Iberian Peninsula and the region is known for its wineries and unforgettable scenery.Upon arrival, you can unwind in the comfort of your hotel and its lovely swimming pool and savor the breathtaking views of the Douro vineyards before heading for dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, maybe heading out for a morning walk or taking a Rabelo boat ride (optional) – the traditional Rabelo was once a Portuguese cargo boat used to transport barrels of port wine. Take in the sights from the water before joining the group for an included lunch and wine tasting at your wine hotel.As you tuck into some local Portuguese cuisine and choose your new favourite afternoon wine, soak in the last of the sweeping green hill views and then head in a private vehicle to Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon to wander this coastal city. Maybe visit Livraria Lello – a bookstore that’s been standing since 1906. If the romance of books isn’t your thing, you can head to the Serralves Foundation – this art foundation boasts a contemporary art museum, a park and a villa, all demonstrating contemporary Art Deco architecture and Modernism.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, you’ll head out on a leader-led walk around Porto, taking in the city’s colourful architecture and stately bridges. Wander through the medieval riverside district, the narrow cobbled streets and the countless cafes that are all surrounded by the Douro River. You’ll visit the local market, too, where you can grab some snacks before heading to a port wine tasting – port wine production is this city’s namesake, after all! This afternoon is at your leisure to explore how you wish. Maybe take the chance to take a boat ride to see the colourful buildings of Porto from a new perspective. Tonight, ask your leader for the best local restaurants and people watch as the sun goes down.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Coimbra
Location: Coimbra
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning, take the train to Coimbra – the former capital of Portugal. Coimbra is now a university city home to a well-preserved medieval Old Town. When you arrive, you can explore however you wish – maybe stroll by the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral of Se Velha or wander the Jardins da Quinta das Lagrimas – 12 hectares of gardens and a palace that has been converted into a luxury hotel – and take a walk through the woodlands. Tonight, head out for dinner with your group and feast on traditional Portuguese favourites at a restaurant specializing in the nation’s favourite – bacalhau (salted cod).
Day 6: Coimbra
Location: Coimbra
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Join a local guide this morning for a tour of the University of Coimbra, including the famed Biblioteca Joanina (the baroque library). After, you have a free day to choose your own adventure. You might like to keep exploring the wonderful architecture of this region and visit the Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery and the Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery. Tonight, maybe head to a fado show to immerse yourself in the culture’s traditional music scene. Coimbra was elected the European Region of Gastronomy for 2022, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the perfect spot for a delicious dinner!
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Drive to Tomar – a city perfect for history and architecture buffs! When you arrive, take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and then visit the Castelo de Tomar – this castle of the Knights Templar is a national monument built by King Afonso Henriques around 1160 near the river Nabao. After exploring the Convent of Christ inside, enjoy free time for lunch and then maybe take an afternoon walk in the National Forest of Sete Montes or visit the Church of Santa Maria do Olival. Later, you’ll continue your journey to Lisbon, arriving in the late afternoon. You’re free in the capital city tonight, so maybe ask your leader for the best dinner spots and watch the city light up as the sun goes down.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Join your leader for an orientation walk to get your bearings, making a stop at the Fabrica de Nata for coffee and pasteis de nata (the famed Portuguese tarts that you’ll soon be obsessed with if you’re not already). This is home to one of the best custard-filled pastries (is your mouth watering yet?) in the world, so it’s a good idea to buy a few extras to take with you. The rest of the afternoon is free, so maybe wander to the Belem Tower, tour the Castelo de Sao Jorge or take a leisurely boat trip on the Tejo River. Tonight, you might like to rejoin your group for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a trip well-travelled with another glass of port or local wine.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 9: Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Meals Included: breaksfast
With no activities planned today, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time in this charming capital (as is recommended), just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights) -
Salamanca - Leader-led orientation walk
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Douro Valley - Wine Tasting & Lunch
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Porto - Leader-led orientation walk
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Porto - Port wine tasting
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Coimbra - University tour with a local guide
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Tomar - Castillo de Tomar
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Tomar - Leader-led orientation walk
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Lisbon - Leader-led orientation walk
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Lisbon - Pasteis de nata
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 2 dinners
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
- Private vehicle , Train , Taxi
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- EUROPEAN HOTELS
- Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.
- Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
- Private vehicle , train , taxi
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones.
Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
Portugal, particularly its cities, are very hilly and stairs are commonplace. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines, so packing light is recommended. The cobblestone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Portugal's topography challenging. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Monday - Tuesday
Nov 04, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions