Gastronomic Spain & Portugal - 17 days
Gastronomic Spain & Portugal - 17 days
Gastronomic Spain & Portugal - 17 days
17 Days Starting in Barcelona, Spain and ending in Madrid, Spain
Visiting: Barcelona, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Lisbon, Madrid
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 17-day culinary and cultural journey through Spain and Portugal with the "Gastronomic Spain & Portugal 2025" tour. Begin in Barcelona, exploring Gaudi's masterpieces and savoring tapas, then traverse historic cities like Zaragoza, Pamplona, and Bilbao, where you'll enjoy a traditional pintxos dinner. Discover the elegance of San Sebastian, the medieval charm of Oviedo, and the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela. Cross into Portugal to cruise the Douro River in Porto, taste Port wine, and experience a Fado show. Continue to Aveiro, Coimbra, and Lisbon, with its iconic landmarks and vibrant Alfama Quarter. Conclude in Madrid, taking in its rich history and modern vibrancy. Enjoy 16 nights in 4-star hotels, guided city tours, and a variety of gastronomic experiences, including wine and cider tastings, all while traveling in a deluxe coach with Wi-Fi.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation Name: hotel
Bienvenido a Espana! On arrival in Barcelona, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free for you to head out and explore the city.
Day 2: Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour in Barcelona this morning. Driving down the city's main streets, we will admire some of Gaudi's impressive modernist works, such as Le Pedrera and Casa Mila. We stroll through Montjuic Park to admire the surrounding views of the city and we end our tour with a visit to La Sagrada Familia. This is the crown jewel of Gaudi's work and is due to be completed in 2026, exactly 100 years since the great architect died. Entrance to the cathedral is included. After our tour, the rest of today is free for you to continue exploring Barcelona. Perhaps head for a walk along the beach, find some dinner along La Rambla, or head to Parc Guell to see even more of Gaudi's work!
There's an included dinner this evening at an authentic Tapas restaurant. Dine on regional specialties, from 'patatas bravas' to manchego cheese!
Day 3: Zaragoza
Location: Zaragoza
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Barcelona - Zarazoga - Pamplona - Bilbao. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a picturesque journey from Barcelona to Bilbao, passing through enchanting cities along the route. Leaving Barcelona, you will traverse the scenic Catalan landscape, characterized by rolling vineyards and olive groves, on your way to Zaragoza. In Zaragoza, delve into the city's rich heritage and culture by visiting notable sites such as the iconic Basilica del Pilar and the AljaferÃa Palace. Continuing north, the journey takes you to Pamplona, renowned for its annual Running of the Bulls and its charming medieval architecture. Conclude your journey as you reach Bilbao, where you will settle into your hotel accommodations.
Day 4: Bilbao
Location: Bilbao
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bilbao - San Sebastian - Bilbao. After breakfast at the hotel we enjoy a Bilbao city tour, taking in the city's main highlights. The port city of Bilbao is surrounded by green mountains, and the de facto Basque capital is one of the prettiest cities in Spain.
Later, we head to nearby San Sebastian, an exclusive resort town known for hosting the International Film Festival and for La Concha, one of Spain's finest beaches. We will admire the view over San Sebastian and the Bay of Biscay from Mount Igueldo and enjoy some free time before returning to Bilbao for the evening. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, where you can try pincho, The Basque version of tapas.
Day 5: Bilbao
Location: Bilbao
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bilbao - Santander. Leaving Bilbao, we head into the green mountainous region of Asturias, admiring the view en route to the fishing town of Castro Urdiales. There's free time to wander around, and you will be able to see the castle which dates back to the Middle Ages. Then it's onto Santander, a coastal city known for the popular Sardinero Beach.
Day 6: Oviedo
Location: Oviedo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Santander - Santillana del Mar - Covadonga - Oviedo. Our first stop today is Santillana del Mar, known for its Renaissance palaces, medieval towers and the beautiful Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. We then have a short stop in Covadonga before arriving at our destination, Oviedo. There is free time to explore the many pedestrianized streets and you can see the hilltop Saint Maria de Naranco Church overlooking the city. The UNESCO-listed Cathedral is also worth a visit. We enjoy a group dinner tonight at a traditional cider house.
Day 7: Oviedo
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Oviedo - Mondonedo - Lugo - Santiago de Compostela. Today we head into Galicia, Spain's north-westernmost region. Our first visit is Mondonedo, where you can see the 13th century Cathedral and sample the local delicacy. Mondonedo Cake is made with puff pastry, sponge, almonds and fruit.
Stopping in Lugo, you will have time to admire the historic Roman city walls before we arrive in Santiago de Compostela. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is home to one of the most important pilgrimages in Christianity. It marks the end of the Camino de Santiago Route, which was constructed during the Roman Empire.
Day 8: Santiago De Compostela
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend this morning on a city tour of Santiago de Compostela. We will see the Praza do Obradoiro main square and enjoy included entry to the Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Apostle Santiago. After our tour, the rest of the day is free to stroll around the Old Town's cobbled streets.
Day 9: Santiago De Compostela
Location: Porto
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Santiago de Compostela - Porto (Portugal). Today is the day we say goodbye to Spain and cross into neighbouring Portugal. First, we travel to the Rias Bajas fjords and enjoy an included cruise, with tasting of local mussels and wine. Back on dry land, we cross the border into Portugal and complete our drive to Porto. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is located along the Douro River estuary and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Day 10-11: Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 is spent exploring Porto with a number of included activities. We enjoy a guided city tour, taking in highlights such as the Cathedral, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church. We also take a cruise on the Douro River, which runs through the heart of Porto. And we visit one of the riverfront Port Wine Cellars, with included tasting of this local drink.
In the evening, there is an included group dinner at one of the oldest Fado venues in Porto, residing in a prominent cultural neighbourhood.
The next day is free for to explore Porto further.
Day 12: Porto
Location: Porto
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Porto - Aveiro - Coimbra. Departing Porto after breakfast, our first stop today is in Aveiro. Often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal," this city is renowned for its
enchanting canals, vibrant moliceiro boats, and delightful Art Nouveau architecture.
Upon arrival, we'll embark on a serene boat trip aboard a Moliceiro, gliding through the city's idyllic canals. This journey offers stunning views of colourful tile-covered buildings, scenic bridges, and the peaceful lagoon, all while our knowledgeable guides share fascinating insights into the local history and culture.
After the boat tour, enjoy free time for lunch before we continue our journey to Coimbra. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the historic streets of this former Portuguese capital, including a visit to the prestigious University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe, known for its magnificent Baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina. Be captivated by the impressive Romanesque Old Cathedral, Sé Velha, and the charming medieval quarter, with its narrow lanes and the soulful sounds of traditional Fado music.
Day 13: Coimbra
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Coimbra - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. This morning we visit the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery, a 14th Century Gothic masterpiece, built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. We then enjoy some free time in the quaint fishing village of Nazare before arriving in Alcobaca, where we can see the even older 12th Century monastery located here. This is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. After admiring the monastery, we complete our journey to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. The evening is at leisure.
Day 14: Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day starts with a city sightseeing tour, taking in many of Lisbon's highlights. We see the city's main plazas, the fortified Belem Tower, Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers and the Marquis of Pombal Square roundabout.
The afternoon is free, and we recommend you head into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon. Crowned by the Sao Jorge Castle, this part of the city features narrow alleyways and colourful 'tabernas'.
Day 15: Lisbon
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Lisbon - Merida - Madrid. Departing Lisbon, we cross back into Spain and make a stop in Mérida. Mérida is a historic city established by the Romans in 25 BC. It is famed for its remarkable archaeological ensemble, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep an eye out for its famous landmarks such as the Roman Theatre, the Amphitheatre, and the Guadiana River Roman Bridge. We then complete our journey to Madrid.
Day 16: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we take in the highlights of Madrid on a city tour. Highlights of the excursion include the historic Barrio de la MorerÃa region, Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol central square, Plaza Mayor and the Neptuno Fountains. These are dedicated to Neptune, a Roman water god. In the more modern part of the city we see the Salamanca district, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste. We also see the Santiago Bernabeu, the football stadium of Real Madrid, the most successful European club.
Day 17: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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16 breakfasts & 4 dinners
Enjoy 16 breakfasts and 4 dinners during your tour.
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16 nights 4-star hotels
Stay in 4-star hotels for 16 nights.
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Escorted by an English-speaking local tour leader with local guides for sightseeing
Be escorted by an English-speaking local tour leader with local guides for sightseeing.
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 17
Receive an airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 17.
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Transportation by deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets
Travel by deluxe coach equipped with Wi-Fi and audio headsets.
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Guided city tour in Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon and Madrid
Enjoy guided city tours in Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Madrid.
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Entrance to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostella Cathedral
Gain entrance to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostella Cathedral.
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Douro River Cruise in Porto, Rias Baixas (Spanish Fjords) cruise and Moliceiro boat trip along the canals in Aveiro
Experience a Douro River Cruise in Porto, a Rias Baixas cruise, and a Moliceiro boat trip along the canals in Aveiro.
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Gastronomic inclusions
Enjoy a tapas welcome dinner in Barcelona, visit a winery in La Rioja region, have a pintxos dinner in Bilbao, dine and taste cider in a traditional cider house in Oviedo, taste mussels and wine on a Rias Baixas cruise, have a wine tasting at a Porto wine cellar, and enjoy a Fado show and traditional Portuguese dinner in Porto.
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Note
This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Tipping
Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and is not included.
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City tax
City tax of approximately €4.
95 per person per night in Barcelona and €2 per person per night in Porto and Lisbon (approx €17.
90 in total per person) is not included.
This is to be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with transportation by deluxe coach equipped with Wi-Fi and audio headsets, ensuring a comfortable and connected journey.
Accommodation
Enjoy 16 nights in comfortable 4-star hotels, providing a relaxing and luxurious stay throughout your journey in Spain and Portugal.
Age Policy
No minimum age
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 16 nights in 4-star hotels.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 16 breakfasts and 4 dinners.
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Is airport transfer included in the tour package?
Yes, airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 17 are included.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided by a deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets.
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Are guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, guided city tours are included in Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Madrid.
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Are there any special gastronomic experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes several gastronomic experiences such as a tapas welcome dinner in Barcelona, a visit to a winery in La Rioja region, a pintxos dinner in Bilbao, dinner and cider tasting in a traditional cider house in Oviedo, mussels and wine tasting on a Rias Baixas cruise, wine tasting at a Porto wine cellar, and a Fado show with a traditional Portuguese dinner in Porto.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, international flights and visas, tipping, and city taxes in Barcelona, Porto, and Lisbon are not included in the tour price.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visiting La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a Douro River cruise in Porto, a Rias Baixas fjords cruise, and a Moliceiro boat trip in Aveiro. The tour also includes visits to historic cities like Zaragoza, Pamplona, and Merida, and ends with a city tour of Madrid.
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Is there any free time allocated during the tour?
Yes, there is free time allocated in various cities such as Barcelona, San Sebastian, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela, and Porto for independent exploration.
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Will there be any local guides during the tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an English-speaking local tour leader with local guides for sightseeing, or an expert driver-guide for groups of 10 or fewer.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.