Sharing is caring!

I won’t lie to you, Portugal and Spain weren’t really on my travel radar. Not because I wasn’t interested in them, but because I just had (in my mind) bigger things to see and experience. But I’m happy to report, I was so wrong for not prioritizing these destinations sooner!

Portugal is known for its beautiful (and incredibly hilly) coastal cities like Porto and Lisbon and delicacies including pastel de nata and piri piri chicken, plus port wine! You’ll love their orange roofs, blue and white tiled buildings, and historic gems.

Spain, I’m sure you’re more familiar with. Known for culturally vibrant cities, underrated coastal and mountain towns, incredible hiking (hello Caminos!), and food like you wouldn’t believe!

When tackling these two neighboring countries, it’s tempting to want to bite off more than you can chew…mainly in the name of limited travel time and your ability to be away from work. I get it. I’ve been there. Luckily, you can get around Spain and Portugal easily without a car and can accomplish a lot in as little time as one week.

With this Portugal and Spain itinerary, I’m sharing my exact one week itinerary with some suggestions on how to fill extra days if you have them!

Portugal and Spain Itinerary Summary

Is one week enough time to explore Portugal and Spain?

Yes and no. You will absolutely get a ton crossed off your bucket list on this one week trip in both countries, so don’t fret if you only have one week. But, as with MANY destinations, there’s never enough time.

In my opinion, you can easily do the highlights of Portugal and some of Spain in this itinerary, where I’ll be focused on the area of Spain closest to Portugal. Of course, Spain is a massive country, so this itinerary won’t be tackling the farther to get to places like Barcelona (all the way to the east away from Portugal) or Bilbao (to the northern coast).

If you have more than one week, I’ll share my recommendations on how to extend this itinerary to visit some other destinations in Spain or slow the pacing down to enjoy these destinations more deeply.

All this to say, if you only have one week to spend, this itinerary is going to be AMAZING to dive into Portugal and Spain.

I have 10 – 14 days, is this itinerary right for me?

Definitely! In fact, if you have more time than one week, I’ll share exactly how I would spend those extra days. Then, from there, you can choose what sounds best to you!

How to get around Spain and Portugal

If you’re coming from the US, you’re likely going to be impressed at how easy it is to get around Portugal and Spain. I’d argue that in the US, our public transportation system is lacking, but that’s not the case in Europe. Luckily, you can get around easily within cities and between them with buses, trains, and more!

Trains

The easiest way to travel long distances is often by train in Europe. They have an elaborate system where their trains can get you everywhere you need to go. On this itinerary, you’ll be using the train to get across Portugal and then again to get from Portugal to Spain.

The most important things to remember when traveling by train are to validate your ticket in the yellow kiosks around the platform and to ensure you get on the correct train. I found this super intimidating when I was traveling solo in Paris, but when in doubt, ask and use Google Translate on signs and in conversation. Don’t let the fear of asking for help stop you from getting to where you need to go.

Buses

It’s very common to travel by bus in Europe as well. Buses are typically for shorter distances, although I’ve certainly used them to travel cross-country in Europe, as well.

You’ll use a bus to get around in this itinerary when crossing between Portugal and Spain in conjunction with a train above.

Ride Shares

Apps like Uber and Bolt are the two ride share apps most popularly used here. I recommend downloading them ahead of time, just so you aren’t scrambling when you need to request a ride.

Personally, I could never get Bolt to work for me because it needed to send a code to my phone number for verification and I never got it no matter what I did or where I was.

Still, I had no problem using Uber to get around if I needed it. And, fares are inexpensive compared to prices in the US, so you can expect rides for $6-10 USD or less.

Taxis

Taxis are most common when getting to and from the airport, however, they are used all over the place. In fact, I took a taxi in Salamanca (day 5 on this itinerary) to get back to my hotel because they were more prevalent than ride shares since it was a smaller town.

Local Transport

While you’re in each city, they’ll have their own local public transit to get around locally. For example, Lisbon is known for their trams!

Google Maps is your best friend when it comes to local navigation, especially. I also love the travel app, Rome2Rio, which shares lots of options for longer navigation.

Map of this Portugal and Spain Itinerary

The Ultimate Portugal and Spain Itinerary for 7 Days

Day 0: Arrival in Lisbon

Depending on your travel dates, you may need to account for an extra day “0” to act as your arrival day. You might not have much time that day to do much of anything as far as sightseeing goes.

If you arrive in the morning you can skip ahead to Day 1 for the itinerary to truly begin.

Day 1: Lisbon

I’m starting you off in Lisbon as I did on my trip. Lisbon is a fantastic opener and one of the most important cities in Portugal. It is the capital after all!

There’s lots to see in Lisbon, so I recommend an early start if you arrived yesterday (day 0). If you arrived today, you can choose the activities you think you can fit in.

Breakfast in Alfama

Now the one thing I missed when I was in Lisbon is the one spot I think I would have loved the best and that’s Alfama, the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon with the most beautiful, classic buildings. I was traveling on a Contiki group trip, so my itinerary was a bit out of my hands.

However, I was traveling with a fellow blogger (Elle of Travels with Elle) who had visited the area on a prior trip and recommended Alfama to me.

So, for you, I highly recommend getting breakfast there.

If I were permitted a do-over, I’d go to Augusto Lisboa in the heart of Alfama. This brunch restaurant serves up some stellar breakfast and some of the reviews even say it’s the best breakfast they’ve ever had! As a breakfast fiend, I’d definitely opt for there!

Walking tour of Lisbon

For your first main activity, I recommend a walking tour of the city — whether that’s guided or on your own.

There are lots of highlights to see and you can do it yourself.

Start in Restauradores Square where you’ll spot a statue commemorating the tile workers who laid down the beautiful cobblestone-esque streets in Lisbon.

Make your way down to A Ginjinha, a classic liquor store where you can try the namesake drink. The drink is really a shot of liqueur made from ginjinha berries found in Portugal. It’s strong and tastes a bit like alcoholic cherries.

Right next door is the Church of Saint Dominic, which played a role in the Inquisition when Jesuit, Gabriel Malagrida, was executed. It was also the site of the Lisbon massacre when New Christians (Sephardic Jews and Moors who were forced to convert to Catholicism) were murdered by Christians. You can also see evidence of a fire that occurred inside where the walls are were left in their scorched state.

The church is free to visit, so you can just pop in to take a look.

Continue to Praça Dom Pedro IV (aka Rossio Square) where there’s a beautiful fountain, a statue of Dom Pedro IV, a king of Portugal, and wavy tiles that make it look like the ground is undulating.

Head to Santa Justa Lift, the most iconic elevator in the city that was built in the 19th century during the Industrial era. It takes you up to a viewpoint, however, the queue can get insanely long, so instead I recommend walking to the top.

You can either take the stairs at the back of the elevator, or walk around the city and up the hill. If you’re walking around (rather than taking the stairs), it’s easiest to navigate to Chafariz do Carmo, a fountain in a central square at the top of the hill. Head to the southeast corner toward the street, Tv. Dom Pedro de Menezes, which will take you to the viewpoint.

If you are walking, you can also head to Praça do Comércio first to see another iconic square in Lisbon. This one is on the water, so it’s a really lovely spot to relax and take a breather.

Traditional and Non-Traditional Lunch Options

There are lots of great restaurants in Lisbon, so I’ll share where I went and where I would have gone instead.

I ate at Organi Chiado, which was a vegan restaurant near the trek up to the Santa Justa Lift viewpoint. The food was delicious, but not the most classically Portuguese, so here’s where I’d go instead: Taberna dos Ferreiros, located closer to our next bout of activities.

They have traditional dishes like bacalhau, aka salted cod, which is a must try!

The original Pastel de Nata

Make sure you save room for dessert because I’m sending you to Pastéis de Belém, the original shop that made and sold Portugal’s most iconic dessert – the egg custard tart. This shop has been around since 1837 and they make pastel de nata best!

They were first made by someone from a neighboring monastery and sold in order to save the monastery, which was closed as a result of the Liberal revolution in 1820. The recipe has been secretly passed down generation-to-generation.

Now, when you visit expect crowds and a wait. It’s the name of the game, but one worth playing.

One pastel de nata pastry costs 1,15€, and you’ll likely want more than one…they’re addictive. Plus, be sure to grab a packet of cinnamon to try them with for extra flavor and deliciousness.

You can get a table inside to enjoy them from, or simply get some to go. In fact, you can enjoy them from Praça do Império Garden or Garden Vasco da Gama, two nearby parks/gardens, if you don’t want to wait for a table.

Monument to the Discoveries

This is one of the most iconic monuments in Lisbon – the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), which honors the Portuguese discoverers of the 15th and 16th centuries including Henry the Navigator.

You can visit this monument for free and walk around it to see all of the discoverers on it. Plus, it’s MASSIVE so it’s fun to try to capture in a photograph. I especially loved that it borders the sea, which really emphasized the theme of discovery by crossing the ocean.

Belém Tower

Keep walking to Belém Tower (pronounced Beleng), which is a tower that was erected to welcome people to the city as they approached on boats. Its architecture is in the Manueline style, which was named after King Manuel I. This type of architecture is also known as Portuguese late Gothic and features Gothic, religious, and maritime elements for a conglomeration of themes and pieces.

The tower acted as a ceremonial gateway to the city and a send off point for discoverers, although it was outfitted for military purposes as needed.

Belém Tower was built in 1514 and completed in 1519 and was admitted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, so it’s definitely a worthwhile stop!

As you admire it, try to spot the rhinocerous on the side, which is thought to be the first depiction of such an animal in Western Europe.

If you’re feeling up to it, feel free to go inside the tower to tour around. It costs 8,50 € for adults and is free for kids up to 14 years old.

Dinner at Farol de Cacilhas

In order to get the best view of Lisbon this evening, I recommend having dinner at Farol de Cacilhas, a seafood restaurant on the opposite coast of Lisbon’s main city area.

They have some amazing prawns, seafood rice, and Mozambique shrimp! Yum!

Expect 15 – 20 € for this meal. And feel free to find some inexpensive street food as an alternative, if you’re staying on a tighter budget.

Be sure to head outside to enjoy the views as well! You can walk along the water and spot the 25 de Abril Bridge, which was built by the same engineering company as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Can you spot the similarities? (It’s impossible not to tbh).

Related read >> Detailed 1 day Lisbon itinerary

Day 2: Sintra and Cascais

While you certainly can stay in Lisbon to keep exploring, I think it would be a disservice to ignore some of the smaller, less visited cities in Portugal. So instead, I recommend a day trip to Sintra and Cascais.

Sintra as it was explained to me is where the “old money” of Portugal was and Cascais is for “new money.” If you’re wondering what that means…think historic and lavish mansions in Sintra and upscale beach town for Cascais.

Both are worth a visit and you can see a lot of both in just one day, so let’s go!

And an aside here, I recommend grabbing breakfast at your hotel or from a bakery or café before you leave for the day. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, just enough.

Getting to Sintra

The easiest way to get to Sintra is to take the train operated by Comboios de Portugal. It costs 2,60 € maximum each way for an economy class ticket and you can get them ahead of time or the day of at the station.

It’ll take you about 45 minutes to get to Sintra from Lisbon via the train.

Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra

The most prominent mansion in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira, which is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

It was built in the 16th century and is a Renaissance-style home, which evolved over the years as different families purchased and lived in it.

Most notably, it has features that were added and used by the Masons where the cave system and wells were built for initiation purposes. For example, they would walk down the spiral lining the well and soul search. Once they arrived at the bottom, they would pass under a waterfall and cross over stones along the water, which represented Jesus walking on water.

I mentioned that the property evolved as new families owned it. One interesting thing to spot is a giant fireplace with a bench that was once in the main home, but when a new family moved in and didn’t like it, they moved it out to its current location in the gardens!

I recommend a guided tour to get the most of your visit, but feel free to do it self-guided!

Don’t skip a little exploration of the town of Sintra. They’re known for their travesseiro pastries (literally translated to pillow), which are puff pastries full of egg and almond cream. One of the best places to get them is a shop called Piriquita. They have two locations in Sintra (called Piriquita I and Piriquita II), so if one is busy, head to the other.

If you’d like to spend more time in Sintra, definitely check out the National Palace of Pena, which is a gorgeous, brightly colored castle on the hill. We didn’t have time to go since I was on a group trip (I cry), so go for me and tell me how it was!

Lunch at Hifen in Cascais

To get to Cascais, there are a few options, but to save time and connections, I would go with the 1623 route bus (red line). It’s operated by Carris Metropolitana, so consult their site for further details like the schedule.

Once you’ve arrived in Cascais, visit Hifen for lunch if you want somewhere to sit down, or a street food/quick service vendor if you want more time by the beach.

Hifen serves up Spanish inspired Poruguese food and the highlight for me was certainly dessert. I actually spoke with their pastry chef, Martim, who happened to be serving my group, and he recommended his chocolate walnut nougat dessert topped with homemade passionfruit ice cream from Santinni (a local ice cream vendor/maker). He said the dessert took him over 100 hours to perfect and you can taste it! Don’t miss it!

P.S. Their chocolate mousse was also devine!

Explore Cascais

There are a few lovely places to check out in Cascais. First of all, the beaches are beautiful, but Boca do Inferno adds some ✨ spice ✨. This chasm in the seaside cliffs is gorgeous! To get there, you can simply walk 20 minutes along the water (northwest from Hifen).

Along that walk, there’s a number of museums that you’re welcome to explore as well including Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, a Revivalist-style palace with art and artifacts, Santa Maria House Museum, with an elegant oil-painted dining room ceiling, and Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, which teaches you about the namesake lighthouse and depending on the time of your visit, you can go inside!

Dinner in Lisbon

While I certainly can give you every restaurant that I visited, I did go to some not so great ones, so I’m going to refrain from giving you a recommendation just because I went there. Instead, I’ll share where I would go if I could have a do-over.

This dinner is that! I would go to Minhota da Prata, which serves up classic Portuguese dishes in a cozy restaurant in the center of town.

It looks like a great location with even better food. Although, one note, the all knowing Google says they’re cash only, so either come prepared, or take your own restaurant pick!

One food to try that they have is francesinha, a Portuguese sandwich with layers of hot meat like wet-cured ham, steak, linguiça, or chipolata and topped with cheese and a tomato based sauce.

Day 3: Lisbon to Porto via Aveiro

Time to hop on another train to head north to Porto! For the most direct route, opt for train IC 273 Braga operated by Comboios de Portugal (same as the one used to get to Sintra yesterday). It’ll take you about 2 hours and 25 minutes to get to Aveiro and cost 29,50 €.

Moliceiro Boat Ride and a Snack

While you certainly can go straight to Porto, I think it would be a disservice to skip over Aveiro. This little town is also called the “Venice of Portugal” because they have two canals that run through town and gondola-like boats that traverse them, called Moliceiro boats.

Grab a ticket for a boat ride and enjoy learning a little history about Aveiro including the boats themselves, architecture of the surrounding buildings, and Aveiro’s historic role in fishing trade in Portugal.

While you’re there, pop into one of the bakeries in town to try their local delicacy, ovos moles, which is a flaky shell filled with whipped egg yolks and sugar. They typically are shaped after maritime elements like shells, fish, boats, etc.

Of course, a stop in Aveiro is optional, but I really enjoyed it there and it certainly makes for a nice break after traveling for hours.

Bifana Sandwiches for Lunch

Head to Porto on the AP 137 Braga train operated by Comboios de Portugal. It’s only a 45 minute train ride and 3,90 €.

You’ll probably arrive in Porto around lunch time, so I recommend finding a lunch spot. If you want one of my favorites, visit Conga for their bifana sandwiches, which is a Portuguese pork sandwich. They’re hearty, delicious, and inexpensive. You can also watch them make the sandwiches from the window out front or from the bar as soon as you walk inside.

A note here that many quick service restaurants in Porto feature these stand up bars at the entrances from which you can dine. You can just walk up or ask to be “seated” there.

Relax at Parque de Serralves

For your afternoon and evening in Porto, visit Parque de Serralves, which is a combination of gardens including a sculpture park, and an art museum. This is a unique way to be introduced to the city as you’ll learn about Portuguese art, while visiting one of Porto’s most beautiful greenspaces.

Don’t worry, tomorrow there’s lots of classic Porto activities on a walking tour and food tour. If you’re feeling up for it, you can certainly divvy up the Porto activities between today and tomorrow as you see fit as you read this guide.

As I mentioned before, I really encourage you to explore the city on your own and find somewhere for dinner on your own that looks great to you! More food recommendations coming tomorrow!

Local food tour for dinner

It wouldn’t be an “Alanna itinerary” without a food tour…they’re kinda my favorite thing.

In Porto, I went with Eating Europe and we went to the best local spots! We had croquettes, Portuguese rye and Iberico ham, and more. It’s definitely filling for a dinner and it starts in the 6:00 pm hour.

Day 4: Porto

Good morning from Porto!

Tackling Livraria Lello

This morning, I’m starting you off at one of the most touristy places on the list, which might be a confusing way to start, but there’s good reason!

If you want to visit Livraria Lello, the world’s most beautiful bookstore, it takes strategy. This bookstore became so popular from social media that they now charge to enter and the lines get absolutely insane…not to mention the crowds inside.

Still, I think it’s worth seeing at least once. So here’s how to do it.

First, buy a skip-the-line ticket online ahead of time. It costs 15,90 € and comes with a book. So you’re really just buying a book as a souvenir!

The tickets are timed and dated. I booked my ticket the day before, but I visited in shoulder season in March. If you’re visiting in the summer, check their calendar and be sure you get your ticket well ahead of time.

I recommend the first time slot of the day (hence this being activity number one on today’s itinerary). That’s so you can avoid as much of the crowd as possible.

@periodicadventures

Replying to @Anamika And book tickets in advance! #livrarialello #portoportugal #porto #thingstodoinporto #portoportugal🇵🇹 #beautifulbookstore #bookstore #bookstores #traveltips

♬ original sound – ur mom <3

When you arrive, look for the line that matches your timed entry and ticket color (skip-the-line tickets were gold when I purchased). That ensures you’re in the correct spot. When in doubt, ask (politely…people get crazy rude around crowded tourist spots).

Once you make it inside, enjoy the central staircase, the Hogwarts library vibes (it was said to be inspiration for the author), and the little details that make Livraria Lello so gorgeous. The stained glass ceiling is incredible, the lamps, the book trolley tracks on the ground, and pulley system for transporting books between levels are all worth noting. Toward the back, there’s also an exhibit that rotates, so don’t miss it.

You’ll notice a collection of classics in special Livraria Lello covers. Those are the books you can choose from that come with your ticket. And I know that when you purchase your ticket online ahead of time, it has you choose between two books (mine was Art of War or Romeo and Juliet), but I asked the staff and you can choose any book in that special collection.

Once you’ve picked yours, you have to check out at a register so they can mark the book as “sold” in their system. Be patient and kind. They’re swamped.

Whew!

Feel free to reward yourself with gelato from Amorino Gelato next door. I won’t tell.

Walking tour of Porto

Let’s embark on a walking tour of Porto. You can certainly book a guided one, but in case you’re on a tight budget or want to do it yourself, I’ll guide you through some spots to visit.

Assuming you’re starting from Livraria Lello, head across the way to the Fonte dos Leões (or Lion Fountain). The lions here actually look more like griffins and are said to have been further Harry Potter inspiration when the author spent time in Porto.

Make your way a bit north to Letras do Porto, which is the massive Porto sign in front of Porto’s town hall. This area gives some great views of the city and is a fun photo spot!

Next up is a lunch stop. Although, I’ll share a bit of a spoiler now. I am sending you to the world’s most beautiful McDonald’s, so if you’re one of those people who loves to try McDonald’s when you travel, that’s an option for lunch a bit later on.

If not though, walk to Mercado do Bolhão, one of Porto’s most famous markets. It’s two levels and is housed in a neoclassical building with over 75 vendors. I highly recommend walking the market and finding something to eat. There’s prepared foods like sandwiches and groceries including produce, meats, and cheeses, for example. I had a simple ham sandwich on focaccia and it was delicious!

I also tried some hibiscus candy, which is popular in Europe. It’s made from dried hibiscus flowers and is candied so it’s chewy like a fruit roll up. You can find them at all the candy stalls!

My Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss the Majestic Café, where she who must not be named wrote part of the series. It’s a very popular café because of that, so if you intend to dine there, even for just coffee, expect a wait. Personally, I was content just peeking through the window to see the Belle Epoque-era decor for a moment including ornate wood carvings, chandeliers, and mirrors galore.

Don’t miss the Church of Saint Ildefonso, which was built beginning in 1709 and completed in 1739 and features the iconic blue tile work on the facade (called azulejo) that was added in the 1920s.

And a note for azulejo tiles! These are painted tin-glazed ceramic tiles that are famous in Spain and Portugal. They often tell stories as they’re essentially canvases. You’ll spot them all over the place in both countries, so keep an eye out.

Anyway, back to the Church! Inside, you’ll marvel at the gold retable, which is the giant structure placed behind the altar. That alone is worth stepping inside for and don’t worry, it’s free to enter!

Continue to Porto São Bento, which is the main train station in Porto. Even if you aren’t traveling by train, I still recommend a stop here. It opened in 1916 and has some of the most beautiful azulejo tiles you’ve ever seen! Not to mention, it’s an UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Monument of Portugal.

There are over 20,000 azulejo tiles and they depict the history of Portugal as well as peoples from the various regions in the country. You’ll spot a chronology of Portugal’s transportation system developments, conquests such as those by Henry the Navigator, and the wedding of King John I and Philippa of Lancaster, for example.

The final stop on your walking tour of the city center is McDonald’s Imperial, which is considered to be the world’s most beautiful McDonald’s. That might sound weird, but it’s true!

This was once a café, but when McDonald’s took over, they did their best to keep all the Art Deco elements found throughout the building. So now, you’re greeted with chandeliers, Art Deco stained glass, mirrored walls, and ornate sculpture decor on the upper walls.

@periodicadventures

Not what you were expecting? 😂 #traveldestinations #beautifulplaces #beautifulplacestotravel

♬ LOVE. 70s remix by dustin garza – mo

This McDonald’s is called McDonald’s Imperial because out front, the sign has a massive eagle sculpture accompanying it. Sometimes, they even hire someone to stand out front with a live eagle!

It might sound kitschy, but it’s an interesting oxymoron of place.

Now to continue our walking tour, I want to take you down to the water. You can either take the bus there on line 901 toward Valadares where the closest stop is Elevador Guindais, or you can take a ~ 15 minute walk down the hills of Porto to Cais da Ribeira, the picturesque waterfront area.

Here, there are vendors selling souvenirs, fresh chestnuts, and jewelry, among other things. Plus, you can sit for awhile on the water’s edge and watch the boats go by. It’s a peaceful break to split up the busy day.

When you’re ready, cross Luís I Bridge toward Cais da Ribeira de Gaia, another scenic spot where you can view Porto from across the way. This gives you the best view of the city itself!

Don’t miss Half Rabbit by Bordalo II, an art sculpture that takes up an entire side of a building. As it’s made entirely from recycled and fount materials, it’s a critique of society’s wastefulness.

Port Wine Tasting at Casa Ferreira

The final stop for today is a trip to Casa Ferreira, a port wine cellar. What makes them so spectacular is that the person who lead the family business and brought Casa Ferreira to success was a woman, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira! Who run the world?…GIRLS!

They cultivate their port wine from the Douro region with a focus on quality, tradition, and innovation.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Portugal without a port wine tasting, so what better place for it! Tickets are 21 € and include a tour of the aging warehouse, vintage museum, and gardens, plus, of course, a port wine tasting, in 50 minutes. With your ticket you can try three wines.

For a more extensive experience, there’s another hour and a half long tour option for 28 € which includes a tour focusing on Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira herself and a tasting of 5 port wines. I did this one and it was incredibly interesting! Not to mention that port wine is STRONG (it’s like liquor, not wine), so the value of two extra tastings for only 7 € is definitely there.

Dinner at Brasão Aliados

For dinner, I recommend Brasão Aliados, where they serve Portuguese sharable pub fare like pica-pau (woodpecker in Portuguese), a stew-like dish with cubes of beef and vegetables served with toothpicks to skewer the pieces like a “woodpecker.”

To get there, you can take bus 901 to Trinidade (the opposite direction of the one to get to Cais da Ribeira).

They also have francesinha, which if you haven’t had a chance to try it, now’s your moment. Francesinha is that meat filled sandwich with cheese and tomato sauce on top (from Day 3 above).

And I have to mention their brownie because this thing was what chocolate dreams are made of! If you have room, don’t miss it!!

Day 5: Porto to Salamanca

Alexa play “On to the Next One” by Jay-Z. Yepp, we’re moving on. And I know it feels fast, but we’ve got to get to Spain at some point on this Portugal and Spain itinerary, right?

How to get to Spain from Portugal

Today we’re headed to Salamanca, Spain, which is a smaller university town. In fact, it’s been a college town for it’s entire history!

It might be tempting to skip straight to Madrid or a bigger city in Spain, but unless you want to catch a flight, it’s actually best to take an extra day to travel from Porto to Madrid.

You can get to Salamanca from Porto via two buses. First take FlixBus 1038 to Viseu, then transfer to a BlaBlaCar Bus, which goes directly to Salamanca. the first leg is 2 hours and the second is 3 hours. If you need a break, I recommend a stop in Ciudad Rodrigo, which is one of the two stops before Salamanca on the BlaBlaBus. That total journey will cost about $25 USD.

PS: Be sure to look out the window! You’ll see some historic fortresses and cities along the way!

Exploring Ciudad Rodrigo and Lunch

This small town in Spain is a beautiful first stop. It sits atop a rocky ridge and has been occupied as a city since the Neolithic Age (Americans could never!).

One of the best things to do there is explore the Cathedral of Santa Maria. Tickets are $6.40 and come with an audio guide so you can learn about the Gothic and Renaissance architecture in this Spanish National Monument.

Ciudad Rodrigo also falls along the Camino de Santiago, one of Spain’s most famous medieval pilgrimage trails. I don’t know if I’ll ever have it in me to do one of the Caminos…but at least I’ve stepped on the trail, right?

I recommend a pause for lunch as well. My group went to Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo for their medieval themed luncheon. They have a restaurant on site that serves non-themed meals as well with a focus on Iberian pork, a delicacy of the area. You can make a reservation here.

They also have a hotel on site, so if you have more time in your itinerary than the 7 days I’ve allotted, you can slow it down, spend the night here and unwind.

Evening in Salamanca

As you arrive in Salamanca, it’s likely that it’ll be late afternoon. Luckily, since the town is so quaint, you can see a lot in a short amount of time. After dropping your bags at your hotel, head to the town square, called Plaza Mayor. It was built in the Spanish Baroque style in 1755 and was the inspiration and location for the film Vantage Point (which is quite good, if you haven’t seen it!).

The medallions (or circular portraits) that surround the plaza have notable and historic Spaniards, such as Francisco Franco and Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote.

While you’re there, grab some of the best ice cream from Heladería Bico de Xeado. I had their plain chocolate and it was so creamy and delicious.

The best way to explore Salamanca is on foot.

Head out of Plaza Mayor to Casa de las Conchas, a unique building that’s covered in stone shells. It was built in the late 15th century and it’s actually a public library now! Remember, university city!

You can go inside or just admire the shell-covered exterior.

Head toward the Cathedral, which is impossible to miss. One of the most interesting features is that when the cathedral underwent restoration work in the 1990s, the artist added in a couple modern features to this 16th century cathedral including an astronaut and dragon eating ice cream.

The exterior is quite busy with figures, so they can be hard to spot, so it’s like a Where’s Waldo game!

The astronaut in particular fueled lots of confusion and questions regarding 16th century prediction of space travel. It’s a compliment to the artist that he was able to add it in so seamlessly that people thought it was original!

If you have time before dinner (aka if you’re not starving yet), I’ll usher you to visit Museo Art Nouveau y Art Déco – Casa Lis, which has a fabulous collection of decorative art by local Salamanca artists and beyond. Admission is only 5 € and they’re open pretty late, close to European dinner time at 7 or 8 pm depending on the day of the week.

While I didn’t have time to visit the museum, I certainly hope you do, because it looks amazing!

For dinner, I unfortunately don’t have a personal recommendation. Not because the food wasn’t good, but because I wasn’t feeling well this day of my own trip and left my dinner early without eating anything. It was picturesque, though, so I can recommend it based on that!

The restaurant we went to was called Mesón Cervantes and it was located in Plaza Mayor overlooking the square.

Feel free to find somewhere else though!

Day 6: Salamanca to Madrid

It’s time to be moving on, so hop on the train to Madrid this morning. It’s operated by Renfe and is called the Media Distancia line, which costs 24,95 €. It’s a direct route and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Lunch and a Must Try Dessert

Once you arrive in Madrid, drop your bags at your hotel and head out for lunch. For the most Instagram-friendly spot with great food, I recommend Restaurante-Coctelería Inclán Brutal Bar. They have some of the most insane dishes like duck rice served in a ceramic duck.

You can get drinks, too, in cups that look like celebrities including Freddie Mercury, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis!

Note that they open for lunch at 1 pm, so if you need something sooner, you’re on your own.

Okay, not entirely on your own. Whether you have this for dessert or a second breakfast Hobbit-style, don’t miss Chocolatería San Ginés where they’re famous for their churros and dipping chocolate. I can’t even begin to explain how freaking delicious this is, so please if you do nothing on this whole itinerary, please try these! Yes, that’s dramatic, and yes, I stand by it!

I served churros and chocolate as my wedding dessert, so it’s kind of a big deal to me haha!

Walking Tour of Madrid

This afternoon, I recommend a walking tour to get acquainted with the city. There’s a few notable squares including one called Puerta del Sol, which features “kilometer zero,” a plaque that marks the center of Madrid.

We honestly did a really relaxed walking tour of Madrid, so I recommend a guided one for a more extensive experience.

Dinner and a Flamenco Show

This evening, head to Tablao Los Porches to enjoy an authentic Spanish flamenco show. They have a full dinner menu including tapas and paella, as well as drinks.

Flamenco is such an interesting art, specifically because the dancer is leading the musicians. Meaning, the dance comes first and they read the dancer and follow with music including guitar and singing. It’s also an incredibly emotional art form, so pay attention to the dancers’ facial expressions as they dance. It will move you. I promise!

A Night Out in Madrid

While I’m certainly not a nightlife type gal and often omit it from my itineraries, I actually did go out in Madrid because I was on a Contiki group trip and it was our goodbye festivities. If you’re looking for nightlife, Madrid is definitely a great place for you!

We went to a couple places, both of which were very fun — Enbabia Infused, which was more of a bar vibe with hookah in the back, and Espit Chupitos Madrid Sol, which boasts over 600 different shot flavors and was way more of a party!

Day 7: Madrid with Toledo Day Trip Option

Listen, I’m just saying if you went back for churros and chocolate for breakfast, I wouldn’t tell anyone, okay?

Day Trip to Toledo

While there’s certainly enough to keep you busy in Madrid for a GOOD while, there’s actually some incredible day trips from Madrid to take including one to Toledo, that’s a great option.

You can get there directly on the Alsa bus for 6.18 €. It’s only about an hour and a half away and there’s lots of neat historic monuments, buildings, and activities in Toledo.

I recommend a trip up to Mirador del Valle, which is a viewpoint of the city. To get there, take the Unauto Bus L71 to the Ctra. Circunvalación (H. Doménico) stop.

Toledo is a wonderful city for wandering because there are some incredible shops, namely for swords and metalworks, which is what this medieval city was known for.

Finally, you can go ziplining in Toledo over the river that runs through, called The Taugus, with Fly Toledo! It’s only 11 € or 15 € if you want your photo taken.

Because I was on a group trip, I wasn’t entirely on my own time, which meant I missed some things in Toledo I wish I hadn’t. One was the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, which just looks so beautiful. I also wish I had had time for the Cultural Exhibitions, which at the time I was visiting featured a witchcraft exhibit.

To get back to Madrid, you’ll take the same Alsa bus back.

Alternatively, consider a guided day trip to Toledo from Madrid that includes transportation, a stop at Mirador del Valle, a guided walking tour, and free time!

How to Spend a Day in Madrid

Alternatively, if you decide to stay in Madrid, there’s plenty to do.

I would personally do a guided food tour of Madrid, because those are always my favorite ways to explore a city.

I also really enjoyed their art museum, Museo Nacional del Prado. They have some very famous works including Las Meninas and The Garden of Earthly Delights. Just as a heads up, this museum is the most maze-like museum I’ve ever been to…that includes the Louvre in Paris. Take a map and give yourself extra time to navigate the place.

Admission is 15 €.

Some other things to do include touring the Royal Palace, exploring El Retiro Park, visiting the National Archeological Museum, and Temple of Debod, which is an ancient Nubian temple.

I know…kind of an open-ended ending to the itinerary. But, I really feel like the magic is in the wandering. Use this as a guide and don’t be afraid to stumble into what looks interesting!

FAQs about this Portugal and Spain Itinerary

What currency do you need?

Portugal and Spain both use the Euro. I had about 50 € on me in cash for the whole trip because most places do take card.

My preferred method of getting currency is through your local bank at home in US as part of my international travel checklist. You can do this online and they’ll mail you your currency. Super easy!

And just remember, if you pay with card, always choose to pay in the local currency (Euro), not your converted home currency as the rates are always awful.

How much does this itinerary cost?

Where to fly into and out of

I have you flying into Lisbon and out of Madrid. Depending on how much flights cost, it might be more beneficial to do the reverse. If that’s the case, you’ll have to reverse this itinerary. That part isn’t too difficult, but note that the transportation options may be different going in the reverse direction as I’ve stated here.

If you have more time to spend as well, you can choose where to fly into and out of based on your availability.

When is the best time to visit?

I’d opt for shoulder season, which is spring and fall. I visited in March and it wasn’t crowded most places, weather was mild, and prices weren’t too gouged yet.

Summer is considered peak season, so with it you’ll get way more crowds, which makes for a less than pleasant experience. Not to mention the heat can be intense and not all hotels run AC (although this is improving lately).

Winter is also a good option if you don’t mind it being cooler.

I have more time, where should I go?

Of course, it depends on how much time you’re working with. One option if you’re shorter on time is to simply take this itinerary and slow down. Meaning you can spend an extra full day in Lisbon, Porto, or Madrid, as there’s much to do in those big cities.

For example, in Lisbon, there’s an incredible coach museum (like Cinderella coaches…not handbags), Museum of Art Architecture and Technology, and a castle with lots of viewpoints around town!

If you have more time or simply want to go somewhere new, you can get to Spain’s southern region, Andalusia, by train. The big hitters there are Seville, Granada, and Córdoba, where Granada was the last home of the Moors before they were kicked out to Africa during the Reconquista. The Alhambra is the most famous Moorish palace to see.

You can get to Cordoba and Grenada from Madrid via the Renfe AVE trains where 02092 goes to Cordoba, 03930 goes from Cordoba to Grenada. To get to Seville, take the Renfe Intercity train 02494. It takes about 3 hours to get from Madrid to the Andalusia region, so I’d be sure you have an extra 2 full days to explore one of these cities.

Don’t forget that as you move farther from the big cities, like Madrid, flight prices are likely to be increased unless you make your way back to those larger international airports.

You can also take a high-speed train (Iryo 06091) for 3 hours to Barcelona from Madrid. The most iconic things to do in Barcelona are architecture-related including Gaudi’s Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, and Casa Batlló. I’d give yourself 2 extra days to get to Barcelona and explore fully before flying out of their international airport (Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport).

Tips for visiting Spain and Portugal

Download Google Maps and Translate Offline

Assuming Portuguese and Spanish are a language barrier for you as they are for me, you’ll definitely want to download those languages in Google Translate offline. That will allow you to translate menus and the like on the go even without service!

To download a language offline, tap your little person icon in the top left corner, then hit “Downloaded Languages” and tap the download button next to the language you want to download. Easy!

Similarly, you’ll want to download the Google Maps offline of the regions you plan to visit, specifically the cities you’ll be navigating on a deeper level.

To do so, enter the name of the destination in Google Maps and search. Once it pulls it up, scroll all the way to the right and hit the download button. That’s it!

Use Bolt or Uber in these destinations

For ride shares, the two apps that are most used are Bolt and Uber. Personally, I could never get Bolt to send me the code for verification upon creating my account, so I never used it. But, if you have better luck, it is reliable, as is Uber!

Expect the heat

I don’t know why but it was hotter than I was expecting in Portugal particularly. It’s not closer to the equator than I’m used to, but for some reason their 62 degrees felt like 80! I literally had to buy tank tops when I was there because I had packed light long sleeves.

And even though I run hot, I know it wasn’t just me because I was with a group and everyone was hot! So, just come better prepared for the heat than I did, even if the temperature is “cool.”

Travel light

For any busy itinerary like this where you’re moving from destination to destination every day or so, pack light. You do not want to be hauling two suitcases and a backpack everywhere you go. Trust me.

Especially on train after train, it gets old FAST.

Try planning your outfits ahead of time and keeping a note in your phone to make sure you don’t overpack.

Not to mention, European hotel rooms can be quite small!

What to pack for Portugal and Spain

Speaking of packing, here are some essentials to bring on your Portugal and Spain trip.

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Euros
• Anti-pick pocket bag
• Good walking shoes (these are my go to’s for Europe…see below)

My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
• Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

Save to Pinterest

Sharing is caring!