3 Weeks in Spain & Portugal - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Explore the Beauty of Spain & Portugal: Culture, History & Architecture

Offering a mix of cultural, historical, culinary, and outdoor experiences, this highlights itinerary is an excellent option for first-time visitors to the Iberian Peninsula. You'll learn to cook paella in Barcelona, take guided tours to see the historical and cultural sites of Madrid and Toledo, hike in Sintra, go sea kayaking and swimming in the Algarve, and much more. 

Get a taste of Barcelona on a tapas and city walking tour before heading to the Montserrat Mountains for a hike to Santa Maria de Montserrat. Pick up artisanal ingredients at La Boquería market, then prepare paella in a cooking class. Take the train north to San Sebastián on Day 5 for sunbathing, cider house tours, and pintxos (a type of tapas popular in the Basque region). Continue to Madrid and embark on a guided history, culture, and architecture tour that includes the Habsburg district, followed by a flamenco show. 

Take a day trip to Toledo, the "City of the Three Cultures," where you can stroll medieval streets and observe Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences. On Day 12, fly to Portugal and sample port wine in Porto's historic downtown, then take an e-bike tour before heading to Douro Valley for wine tasting and a river cruise. Continue to Lisbon for a tour with views from the Elevador de Santa Justa. Hike to the Moorish Castle in Sintra, then cap off your trip with sunbathing and sea kayaking in the beautiful Algarve. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Road Trip Through Spain & Portugal

With free time to explore and several self-guided tours, this road trip itinerary is best suited to travelers who prefer flexibility and exploring at their own pace. The inclusion of several wine experiences—including a tapas and wine tour in Madrid, port wine sampling in Porto, and wine tasting in Douro Valley—is also a good option for travelers interested in trying a variety of Spanish and Portuguese wines. 

Sample small bites with local beer and wine on a guided tapeo (tapas crawl) in Madrid before seeing the sites, like Plaza Mayor. Catch a train to Toledo for a self-guided tour of its Christian, Muslim, and Jewish monuments, then continue to Granada to visit the Alhambra fortress, followed by a flamenco show. Enjoy dramatic views, including those from Zahara de la Sierra, on the road trip portion of your adventure to Seville. Visit Moorish palaces and Gothic cathedrals, then take a train to Córdoba for a self-guided tour. 

Sip sherry wine in Jerez, the city where it originated, before setting sail on the Bay of Cádiz. Say adiós to Spain as you transfer to Lagos, a seaside village in Portugal. Cruise to the Bengali Caves, then go bird-watching at Costa Vicentina Natural Park. Continue to Lisbon for souvenir shopping in the markets, followed by a fado (traditional music) dinner show. Visit Sintra's iconic Pena Palace and the beaches of Cascais and spend your final days in Porto, sampling port and exploring the sites on an e-bike. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Iberian Adventure: Spain, Portugal & the Azores

Active adventurers and nature enthusiasts will appreciate this Iberian trip's abundance of outdoor activities. There's bird-watching in the Alpujarras Mountains, a hike in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, snorkeling in the Arrábida Marine Reserve, and whale watching and geothermal excursions in the stunning Azores island of São Miguel. 

Start in Spain with tapas at a traditional bodega, then learn about Madrid's history, culture, and architecture on a guided tour. Kayak under the Monasterio de la Hoz ruins and stroll Segovia's old town. Check out the grand structures, gardens, and views at the Alhambra fortress. Then it's off to the Alpujarras Mountains on Day 6 for bird-watching. Hike over the gorge on the Caminito del Rey elevated walkways before arriving in Seville for an e-bike tour. Transfer to Lisbon for a food and culture walk followed by an electric tuk-tuk tour. 

Days 11 and 12 see you trekking the Sintra coastline at Cascais Natural Park and setting out on a sailing and snorkeling excursion in the Arrábida Marine Reserve. Tour Porto's cobbled streets by e-bike before heading to beautiful Matosinhos for seafood and sunbathing. Fly to São Miguel in the Azores for five days, and explore the flavors of Ponta Delgada on a culinary walk. Spend your final days immersed in the natural wonders of the island: go whale watching, visit the Sete Cidades, hike the Cumeeiras Trail, and take a dip in the thermal springs. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Culinary Journey Through Spain & Portugal

With a focus on food and wine, this culinary journey is ideal for travelers that prefer to experience a destination through the local cuisine and drink. Each day is a culinary adventure, from olive oil tasting in Catalonia to pastry-making in Ávila, sampling port wines in Porto, and dining in a local home in Lisbon.

Set off on a sunset cruise—complete with Spanish cava—in Barcelona. Sip organic wine at a family-run vineyard in Pla de Bages and enjoy an olive oil tasting in Vall d'Hortons. Board a train to San Sebastián on Day 4 for a food tour of the Old Quarter and a cider house experience in Astigarraga. Try local cheese and txakoli wine in the Basque countryside, then enjoy coastal views en route to Bilbao. Prepare Basque dishes in a cooking workshop before exploring Bilbao's highlights, including the impressive Guggenheim Museum.  

Once in Madrid on Day 9, go museum-hopping and dine at the legendary Botín restaurant. Catch a train to Ávila, where you'll learn how to make yemas de Santa Teresa pastries. On Day 13, transfer to Portugal and enjoy a river cruise and wine tasting in the beautiful Douro Valley. Then it's on to Porto to sip port and try local eats on a culinary walk. Get a history lesson during a Port city tour, and learn culinary traditions at a canning factory. Next, you're off to Lisbon for your last three days, immersing yourself in the culture and cuisine of the capital with a visit to the markets followed by dinner in a local's home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Epic Portugal & Spain Discovery Tour: Iberian Culture, Coastline & Beaches

If you're looking to schedule a beach holiday, this epic discovery tour of Spain and Portugal is crafted for travelers keen on coastal activities. Sunbathe on the beaches of Ericeira, sail and snorkel in the Algarve, visit Portugal's "Deserted Island," and go beach-hopping in Mallorca and Costa Brava. It's also great for couples and honeymooners looking for a beach holiday that includes cultural activities and historical tours, such as visiting the Pueblos Blancos and the ancient city of Girona.

Dive into Portugal's food and wine scene with a Porto tasting tour, then learn some history and culture on an experience that includes the historic center and Ribeira, the colorful waterfront. Check out the castle and handicraft shops in Óbidos en route to Lisbon on Day 4. Take an auto rickshaw tour of the capital before visiting Ericeira's beaches for sunbathing or surfing. Head to Sintra for a hike to the lighthouse at Cape Roca, then it's off to the Algarve for three days for a catamaran cruise, snorkeling, and a visit to the idyllic Ilha Deserta (Deserted Island).

Transfer to Spain on Day 10 and hit the ground running—or rather, cycling—on a Seville bike tour. Take a guided road trip to Granada, with scenic stops in the famed Pueblos Blancos (White Villages). Explore Granada's Moorish and Christian architecture before flying to the island of Mallorca for sailing and beach-hopping over four days. Catch a flight to Barcelona and tour sites like La Sagrada Família, and learn to make paella. End on a high note with a visit to the ancient city of Girona and the medieval villages and beaches of the stunning Costa Brava. Learn more

More Great 3-Week Spain Itineraries

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