Tour

Iberian Explorer

Add a dash of emoción to your journey across the Iberian Peninsula, following an enticing trail of tapas, architectural triumphs and centuries-old art on this 13-day adventure through Spain and Por...

Add a dash of emoción to your journey across the Iberian Peninsula, following an enticing trail of tapas, architectural triumphs and centuries-old art on this 13-day adventure through Spain and Portugal. You'll ramble through Barcelona, people-watch in Madrid, and stroll along the golden beaches of Costa del Sol. Other famous highlights of this Iberian Explorer tour include the ancient cave dwellings at Guadix, Lisbon's iconic Belém Tower and the world's greatest Gothic cathedral in sizzling Seville.

(from USD 2,265)

Inquire about this trip
Iberian Explorer
Add a dash of emoción to your journey across the Iberian Peninsula, following an enticing trail of tapas, architectural triumphs and centuries-old art on this 13-day adventure through Spain and Portugal. You'll ramble through Barcelona, people-watch in Madrid, and stroll along the golden beaches of Costa del Sol. Other famous highlights of this Iberian Explorer tour include the ancient cave dwellings at Guadix, Lisbon's iconic Belém Tower and the world's greatest Gothic cathedral in sizzling Seville.

Dining Summary

  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 12 Breakfast (B)

Essentials

  • Sightseeing with your Local Guide includes views of Gaudi's La Sagrada Família
  • See the ancient castle overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
  • See the Art Nouveau, Train Station Estación del Norte, Cathedral, Towers of Serrano and Quart and the City of Arts and Sciences
  • See the Rock of Gibraltar
  • View the cave homes in 'Barrio Troglodyte'
  • Enjoy a scenic drive to this Moorish city
  • Visit this renowned resort area
  • Sightseeing with your Local Guide includes views of the Cathedral and Giralda Tower
  • View Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries
  • See the celebrated Shrine
  • Orientation of this university city includes views of the Plaza Mayor
  • See the Royal Palace, Cibeles Fountain and Retiro Park on a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide

Iconic Experience

  • Barcelona: With your Local Specialist, see the elegant Passeig de Gràcia to take in some of the city's finest Modernist architecture. Journey past the beautiful façades of the Eixample district to see the exterior of Gaudi's extraordinary masterpiece, the mesmerizing Sagrada Família.
  • Peñíscola: See the castle featured in the film 'El Cid'.
  • Valencia: See the ultra-modern Center of Arts and Sciences and the historic bullring of Valencia during an orientation drive with your Travel Director.
  • Seville: Guided by your Local Specialist, see the Giralda Tower, former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's belltower. Explore the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter and emerge by the great walls of the Alcazar.
  • Lisbon: With your Local Specialist, visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.
  • Salamanca: See the Salamanca's golden Plaza Mayor, voted one of the most beautiful central plazas in Spain. 
  • Madrid: See the highlights of the city with your Local Specialist. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the Cibeles fountain and Royal Palace.

Details

Tour Operator
Costsaver
Start City
Barcelona
End City
Madrid
Duration (Days)
13
Activity Level
Regional

Highlights

  • CostSaver Regional Experiences
  • Regional
Pricing & departures
Option From Departs Returns
Twin USD 2,325 April 10, 2027 April 22, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,325 April 10, 2027 April 22, 2027
Triple USD 2,265 April 10, 2027 April 22, 2027
Single USD 2,885 April 10, 2027 April 22, 2027
Twin USD 2,325 April 17, 2027 April 29, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,325 April 17, 2027 April 29, 2027
Triple USD 2,265 April 17, 2027 April 29, 2027
Single USD 2,885 April 17, 2027 April 29, 2027
Twin USD 2,895 May 1, 2027 May 13, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,895 May 1, 2027 May 13, 2027
Triple USD 2,835 May 1, 2027 May 13, 2027
Single USD 3,565 May 1, 2027 May 13, 2027
Twin USD 2,895 May 15, 2027 May 27, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,895 May 15, 2027 May 27, 2027
Triple USD 2,835 May 15, 2027 May 27, 2027
Single USD 3,495 May 15, 2027 May 27, 2027
Twin USD 2,895 May 29, 2027 June 10, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,895 May 29, 2027 June 10, 2027
Triple USD 2,835 May 29, 2027 June 10, 2027
Single USD 3,465 May 29, 2027 June 10, 2027
Twin USD 2,550 June 12, 2027 June 24, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,550 June 12, 2027 June 24, 2027
Triple USD 2,490 June 12, 2027 June 24, 2027
Single USD 3,150 June 12, 2027 June 24, 2027
Twin USD 2,595 June 26, 2027 July 8, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,595 June 26, 2027 July 8, 2027
Triple USD 2,535 June 26, 2027 July 8, 2027
Single USD 3,225 June 26, 2027 July 8, 2027
Twin USD 2,325 July 10, 2027 July 22, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,325 July 10, 2027 July 22, 2027
Triple USD 2,265 July 10, 2027 July 22, 2027
Single USD 2,905 July 10, 2027 July 22, 2027
Twin USD 2,325 July 24, 2027 August 5, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,325 July 24, 2027 August 5, 2027
Triple USD 2,265 July 24, 2027 August 5, 2027
Single USD 2,905 July 24, 2027 August 5, 2027
Twin USD 2,325 August 7, 2027 August 19, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,325 August 7, 2027 August 19, 2027
Triple USD 2,265 August 7, 2027 August 19, 2027
Single USD 2,905 August 7, 2027 August 19, 2027
Twin USD 2,325 August 21, 2027 September 2, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,325 August 21, 2027 September 2, 2027
Triple USD 2,265 August 21, 2027 September 2, 2027
Single USD 2,905 August 21, 2027 September 2, 2027
Twin USD 2,895 September 4, 2027 September 16, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,895 September 4, 2027 September 16, 2027
Triple USD 2,835 September 4, 2027 September 16, 2027
Single USD 3,455 September 4, 2027 September 16, 2027
Twin USD 3,075 September 18, 2027 September 30, 2027
TwinShare USD 3,075 September 18, 2027 September 30, 2027
Triple USD 3,015 September 18, 2027 September 30, 2027
Single USD 3,795 September 18, 2027 September 30, 2027
Twin USD 2,475 October 2, 2027 October 14, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,475 October 2, 2027 October 14, 2027
Triple USD 2,415 October 2, 2027 October 14, 2027
Single USD 3,035 October 2, 2027 October 14, 2027
Twin USD 2,695 October 16, 2027 October 28, 2027
TwinShare USD 2,695 October 16, 2027 October 28, 2027
Triple USD 2,635 October 16, 2027 October 28, 2027
Single USD 3,255 October 16, 2027 October 28, 2027
Day by day
  1. Day 1

    Arrive Barcelona

    Bienvenido a España! The golden shores of Barcelona kickstart your exhilarating Spain and Portugal tour. Check in to your hotel, then take some time to recharge siesta-style before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a glimpse of what lies ahead. There's boundless energy to Barcelona and you'll want to soak it all up on your first evening in the capital of Catalonia. Locations: Barcelona

  2. Day 2

    Barcelona Sightseeing and Free Time

    This morning consider joining a Choice Experience to Montserrat with its hidden monastery, home to the revered "La Moreneta". Then gear up for sightseeing in Barcelona, joining your Local Guide who knows all the best spots in town. Capture the sights of Passeig de Gràcia and view the facade of the ornate La Sagrada Família as you tour the city. Spend the rest of your day exploring on your own. Head to the Gothic Quarter or seek out the fanciful façades of Spanish Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudí, whose plentiful works of art and architecture lend a fairy-tale feel to Barcelona's skyline. Later opt into a scenic drive of Montjuïc, host to the 1992 summer Olympics, before indulging in a delightful Catalonian feast with drinks. Locations: Barcelona

  3. Day 3

    Barcelona – Peñíscola – Valencia

    Skirt the Costa Dorada today, where the Mediterranean does a very good job of distracting from the drive. Orange groves, sea views and the dramatic castle of Peñíscola keep things interesting, with its 13th-century Templar fortress still looking every bit the part. Then it’s on to Valencia, where your Travel Director shows off the city’s mix of old and new, from Estación del Norte and the Serrano and Quart Towers to the eye-catching City of Arts and Sciences. Later, why not make dinner the main event on a Choice Experience paella cooking class, then sit down and eat your handiwork. Valencia would expect nothing less. Locations: Barcelona, Peñíscola, Valencia

  4. Day 4

    Valencia – Guadix – Granada

    Today we journey to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and pass by a hidden underground world of cave houses. You'll have the chance to capture this curiosity on camera, then continue your scenic travels to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. Locations: Valencia, Guadix, Granada

  5. Day 5

    Granada – Costa del Sol

    Embrace the laid-back spirit of your Spanish hosts and enjoy a slow start to the day on your Mediterranean tour. Spend your free morning exploring Granada and its Moorish influences on your own. There's even time for a quick tea break at a traditional tetería or you may choose to join a Choice Experience to the Albaicín Quarter, one of the oldest centers of Islamic culture in the city. Later, we head to the golden beaches of the Costa del Sol. Set your watch to siesta time or don your sandals and sunglasses for a leisurely stroll to soak up the fresh sea air. Locations: Granada, Costa del Sol

  6. Day 6

    Costa del Sol – Gibraltar – Seville

    Explore a slice of Britain when you cross the border into Gibraltar, the much-contested gateway to the Mediterranean Sea. Maybe join a Choice Experience to get up close to the Barbary apes and visit the cave of St. Michael at the Rock of Gibraltar, the Roman and Greeks' former pillar of the “known world”. Next, we return to Spain, traveling north through the Andalusian countryside to sizzling Seville. Locations: Costa del Sol, Gibraltar, Seville

  7. Day 7

    Seville Sightseeing and Free Time

    A Local Guide is on hand today to reveal Seville's special allure and, standing amidst the pavilions and fountains of Maria Luisa Park, you'll hear all about the elaborate Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 which put this sleepy Spanish city on the global map. See the world's largest Gothic Cathedral and its Giralda Bell Tower, then consider joining a Choice Experience to the Alcázar, built by a Christian king who loved Mudéjar architecture. This lavish palace complex has witnessed key moments in Spanish history and welcomed great Spanish kings and queens over the centuries. Tonight, you might consider a Choice Experience to see the whirling skirts and fiery passion of a flamenco show. This foot-tapping extravaganza is not to be missed. Locations: Seville

  8. Day 8

    Seville – Lisbon

    The highlights of your Spain and Portugal value tour just keep on rolling and for now it's adiós Sevilla and a warm olá to Portugal, as we journey through the golden and green plains of the Alentejo to Lisbon. Pastel and azulejo-clad façades line the Portuguese capital's narrow streets which ramble across and over its seven hills from St. George Castle to the Tagus River. You'll be drawn to the city's vibrant nightlife in the Bairro Alto and beyond, so head out with new friends for a night on the town or join your Travel Director for a poignant Choice Experience including a traditional meal accompanied by the authentic sounds of Fado. Locations: Seville, Lisbon

  9. Day 9

    Lisbon Sightseeing and Free Time

    Visit the banks of the Tagus River this morning, joining a Local Guide for a guided sightseeing tour that will take you past the iconic Hieronymite Monastery and Belém Tower, built in the 16th century to defend the city. Later, you'll want to hop on one of the signature trams to explore the city's hilly bairros or find a corner cafe to sample some of the local pastries – Pastel de Belém anyone? You could choose to leave the city limits behind this afternoon and visit the beach playgrounds of Estoril and Cascais on a Choice Experience of the iconic Golden Triangle – the choice is yours. Locations: Lisbon

  10. Day 10

    Lisbon – Fátima – Salamanca

    Rub shoulders with visiting travelers who have made the journey to the Catholic pilgrimage center of Fátima. It was here in 1917 that the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children. Today this humble village has been transformed into a place celebrating a religious miracle. There's time to explore the Basilica and Sanctuary before venturing east and crossing the Spanish border bound for Salamanca where your Travel Director will take you to one of Spain’s most beautiful plazas - Plaza Mayor with its golden baroque facades. Spend the evening your way amidst the historic monuments and honey-hued facades for which this ancient university town is famous. Locations: Lisbon, Fátima, Salamanca

  11. Day 11

    Salamanca – Madrid sightseeing

    We leave Salamanca behind, with Madrid firmly in our sights. Our scenic drive takes us through the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains before arriving in the Spanish capital. With a Local Guide at your side, you'll embark on a sightseeing tour to view the Cibeles Fountain, Gran Vía and Paseo de la Castellana. Admire views of the Royal Palace and El Retiro Park, originally created as a retreat for the Royal Family. The evening is yours to discover why the Madrileños adore their nightlife, so resist the urge to set an early curfew and perhaps join an optional dinner and discovery in downtown Madrid. Locations: Salamanca, Madrid

  12. Day 12

    Madrid Free Day

    There's every excuse to rise with the Madrileños and enjoy a leisurely start to your morning. You'll have a full free day to explore the city your way and discover the legacy of 'Madrid's Best Mayor', who helps the city become one of the most gracious capitals across Europe. King Charles III's desire to 'beautify' Madrid can be seen around every turn. Alternatively, you could take an opportunity to join a Choice Experience to the medieval city of Toledo, the country's famous sword-making center. Locations: Madrid

  13. Day 13

    Depart Madrid

    Keep that Spanish gusto in your step as you prepare to close the curtain on your epic Mediterranean journey through Spain and Portugal. It's time to say a final hasta la vista to your fellow travelers and your Travel Director, as you look back on all the unforgettable memories from your Iberian tour. Locations: Madrid

Inquire About This Trip

To receive updates about exclusive experiences, events, new destinations and more, please register your interest.


Idea Travel

Locations

More locations

Contact

13145 Byrd Lane
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Cell: (800)-843-4332
Landline: 650-948-0207
Email: mike@ideatravel.com


© 2026 The Idea Travel Company and its licensors — All Rights Reserved