2 Weeks in Spain & Portugal - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Portugal & Spain: Lisbon, Porto, Madrid & Barcelona

Take two weeks to cover the highlights of two of Portugal's and Spain's top-rated cities on this ultimate itinerary. Experience Lisbon's history, music, and culture before touring the mountaintop palaces of Sintra. Then you'll head north to enjoy port wine tastings in the river city of Porto before flying to Spain to sample tapas in Madrid and laze on the beaches of vibrant Barcelona. 

Spend your first three days discovering the highlights of Portugal's capital, Lisbon. Hop on the famous tramway, stop at historic neighborhoods, and then enjoy dinner at a traditional fado restaurant. On a day trip, visit Sintra's mountaintop Pena Palace, and let your tuk-tuk driver zip you around Belém's riverfront. Make stops at the Castle of Óbidos and the fishing village of Nazaré before your stay in the colorful riverfront city of Porto. Day 5 has you touring its historic center and tasting world-famous port wine. See the Douro Valley wineries the following day before cruising down the tranquil Douro River and admiring the vineyard-covered hills.

Next up is Madrid, with its can't-miss museum scene, including El Prado. To dine amid history, head to Botín, an Ernest Hemingway-approved restaurant, and for bars and clubs, check out Huertas and Chueca. Sample tapas, Spanish wines, and churros y chocolate on a walking tour on Day 8, followed by taking in a show at the flashy Gran Vía on Day 9. You'll then board a train to Barcelona. For panoramic city views, ride a cable car up to Castle Montjuïc and discover the nightlife on an evening wine and tapas tour. Spend your last two days on the golden sand beaches and sightsee Gaudí architectural landmarks like La Sagrada Família. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Off-The-Beaten-Path Portugal & Southern Spain

Covering more ground as you're transferred across the Iberian Peninsula from Porto to Granada in southern Spain, you'll get to check out must-see cities and discover lesser-known towns and villages on this off-the-beaten-path trip. Soak up the culture of Portugal's biggest cities, Porto and Lisbon, and unearth Tomar's mysterious Knights Templar history. Journey deep into the Alentejo countryside, where you'll visit a cork tree forest, tour an olive oil farm in ancient Évora, and stargaze in Monsaraz. Hike the Caminito del Rey near Seville and explore the incredible Alhambra in Granada. 

Begin in Portugal by joining a walking tour of Porto's historic downtown, where you'll have a foodie experience and taste port wine. Explore the hilly neighborhoods like Ribeira by e-bike before another wine tasting. On your free day, walk the Paiva Walkways, a beautiful riverside hike, or visit the famous Douro Valley wine region. Transferring south, stop to visit Tomar, known as the "Templar City" and charming Constância en route to Lisbon. Discover the capital's stunning panoramic viewpoints and the LX Factory by tuk-tuk and venture to Sintra's storybook hills the following day, dotted with fairy-tale palaces and the incredible Moorish Castle.

Hop on a train to Évora on Day 7 and then on a Jeep safari to learn about the cork forest and olive oil production. See the medieval village of Monsaraz and stargaze at the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve. Next, see how pigs are reared at a family-run farm in Sierra of Aracenal before reaching Seville. Enjoy a flamenco performance after sightseeing the stunning Plaza de España, the Real Alcázar, and the Seville Cathedral. On Day 11, hike the Caminito del Rey on the way to Granada, where you'll tour the Alhambra. On your final day, take a trip to the Las Alpujarras mountains or hike through the Sierra del Torcal mountain range. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Spain & Portugal Adventure: Lisbon, Algarve, Seville, Granada & Madrid

Active travelers who want to hike, bike, and boat their way through the highlights of Portugal and Spain will enjoy this multicountry adventure. Discover Lisbon's historical attractions, markets, and fairs on a tuk-tuk tour, go hiking in Sintra, enjoy a catamaran cruise of the Algarve, and join a bike tour of the Ria Formosa Lagoon. In Spain, you'll pedal from Seville to Carmona along the famous Via Verde trail, try local specialties in Madrid on a tapas crawl, go ziplining in Toledo, and view scenic Segovia from above in a hot-air balloon. 

In Lisbon, explore two ancient neighborhoods, Mouraria and Baixa, on a food tour and zip through the modern and historic districts on a tuk-tuk. Buy authentic food and souvenirs at its markets and fairs, such as the Feira da Ladra flea market. After exploring the palaces and villas of Sintra, head to the Algarve to trek the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. The following day, cruise from Portimão to the Benagil Caves and Carvoeiro beach before biking along the Ria Formosa lagoon's rich landscapes on Day 6. Transfer to Seville the next day and take in the sites (and scents) like La Giralda bell tower and the orange tree-filled Santa Cruz neighborhood.

On an e-bike, you'll ride past rivers, castles, and olive and orange groves as you travel from Seville to Carmona on the famous Via Verde trail. Then you'll head farther east to hike the adrenaline-pumping Caminito del Rey walkway en route to Granada. Next, tour the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. Later, experience a passionate flamenco show performed in a cave. On Day 11, hop on a train to Spain's capital, where you'll tour Old Madrid and embark on a tapas crawl before visiting Toledo's historic churches and monasteries and ziplining over the Tagus River. Your last day sees you viewing Segovia from the sky in a hot-air balloon. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Culinary Journey Through Spain & Portugal

Travel across the Iberian Peninsula from east to west, discovering tapas in Barcelona and pintxos in San Sebastián on this culinary journey. You'll tour Porto in a vintage car and go winetasting and ride a boat through the Douro Valley before exploring Sintra's mountainside castles and palaces. Throughout your trip, you'll feast on local produce in beautiful settings and learn to cook regional dishes alongside local chefs.

Stroll Barcelona's historic streets for tapas and taste typical dishes from cheese and meats in the Gothic Quarter to traditional Catalan plates in El Born and seafood platters by the beach in Barceloneta. Take a day trip on Day 3 to a family-run winery and an olive oil farm in the countryside of Vall d'Hortons. You'll then board a train north to San Sebastián and dive into the Basque's culinary heart on a food tour. You'll try pintxos to pair with txakoli, the local white wine, in the Parte Vieja (Old Quarter). Next, experience local food markets and learn to make pintxos at a cooking class. On your free day (Day 6), tour Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum.

Next, explore Porto in a vintage car and visit a canning factory for tinned fish the following day. Sample wine in the Douro Valley, beginning with a visit to a quinta (winery estate). You'll then shop for local ingredients for a cooking class with a top chef and see sites like Dom Luís I Bridge or Gaia's port wine cellars. Lunch in medieval Coimbra en route to Lisbon and enjoy the world's best pasteis de nata (custard tart) in the city's Belém neighborhood. Search for souvenirs at Mercado da Ribeira and wander the Time Out Market food hall, finishing with a trip to enchanting Sintra, charming Cascais, and Cabo de Roca's dramatic coastal cliffs. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Beyond Spain & Portugal: Explore the Canary & Azores Islands

Travelers wanting a tropical island experience will love the slower pace of this Canary and Azores islands itinerary that goes beyond the Iberian Peninsula. You'll enjoy catamaran trips, mountain biking, and lazing on the tropical beaches of Spain's Canary Islands. Go off-roading in a safari Jeep in Tenerife, hike to volcano craters, and relish the sun, sea, and surf of Portugal's Azores, the "Hawaii of the Atlantic."

After arriving in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, cycle around the Ayagaures Valley and ascend Mount Ayagaures. The following day, explore the islands and stop at beaches like Playa Amadores before driving along the stunning coastline to Agaete to check out the sea cliffs at Puerto De Las Nieves. Sail along Gran Canaria's coast, stopping to swim and snorkel at Playa del Cura and Anfi del Mar. On day 6, you'll ferry to Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, to tour historic sites, such as Plaza de España, landmark castles, and a lovely botanical garden. An off-roading adventure takes you to Mount Teide on Day 7 and the area's natural pools.

After arriving in the Azores, and São Miguel Island, hop in a 4WD vehicle for an exciting off-road excursion to beautiful Sete Cidades. Stop at Carvão and Vista da Princesa viewpoints and stroll around a volcano rim on the Cumeeiras Trail. Then on Day 12, relax on one of the many beaches, such as Vila Franca do Campo Islet, a bather's paradise and a great snorkeling spot. Discover the geological wonderland of the Furnas Valley by hiking on the Pico do Ferro trail and visiting the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, dating to the 18th century. And then enjoy a cup of tea from Europe's only tea plantation before departure. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other two-Week Spain itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.