Unforgettable 14-day Spain and Portugal Itinerary
Unforgettable 14-day Spain and Portugal Itinerary
Visiting the Iberian Peninsula? Here’s the best 14-day Spain and Portugal itinerary. While I was planning this trip, I did a lot of research and found out that most of the blogs recommended the same places and required a lot of flying. I on the other hand, wanted to spend less time at the airport and more time exploring lesser-known towns. So, I put together this 14-day Southern Spain and Portugal Itinerary that includes small towns and no flights required. Enjoy!
The Best 14 Days Itinerary for Spain and Portugal
Day 1-3: Seville
Day 4: Cordoba
Day 5: Granada
Day 6: Cadiz
Day 7-8: Lagos
Day 9 Elvas and Monsaraz
Day 10: Evora
Day 11: Sintra
Day 12-14: Lisbon
Who is this itinerary for?
This 2-week Spain and Portugal itinerary is for those looking for a mix of big cities and small towns, loves a scenic road trip, and enjoy traveling off beaten paths.
When I travel to Europe, I like to include small towns on my itinerary. It’s a great way to learn more about the local culture that you may not get when visiting big multicultural cities. You can also travel at a slower pace giving you a chance to take it all in, as opposed to going with the rush of buzzing cities. Plus, European villages and small towns are enchanting! When I was planning this trip with my friend, I insisted on visiting smaller towns instead of Barcelona and Porto, as she suggested. And I’m glad I stood my ground, she ended up loving the trip, and now she is all about small towns too!
How many days do you need in Spain and Portugal?
Although you could easily stay for a month, you will need at least 14 days to explore Spain and Portugal to give you enough time to see a couple of the big cities and a few smaller towns as well, without feeling too rushed.
What is the best time to visit Spain and Portugal?
The best time to visit Spain and Portugal is in the spring and fall when the crowd is smaller, the weather is not too hot (especially in Seville) or too cold (in the Algarve, Portugal), and accommodation becomes more affordable.
Should I visit Spain or Portugal first?
The beauty of this 14-day itinerary is that it’s flexible and you can start in either in Portugal or Spain. It will come down to whichever is easier or economical for you to fly to.
How to get around in Spain and Portugal?
This Portugal and Southern Spain itinerary will take you from Seville to Lisbon without taking a single flight – as you waste a lot of time, and it’s exhausting to be hopping on and off planes every other day. Instead, you will be taking trains and buses, plus driving. Throughout this post, I will explain the best way to get to each location - prices and schedule may change depending on the season so make sure to compare before booking.
Tip: While planning, I initially thought about renting a car in Seville and return it Lisbon - which is possible - but the return fee in another country was too costly. On this itinerary, you will only need a car on the Portuguese portion, but it could be worth it for you to rent a car in Spain as well - if there’s more than one person traveling and you want the flexibility to visit smaller towns, then renting a car may be a better option than taking public transportation. I recommend returning it in Spain and cross to Portugal by bus and pick up a new rental there.
Spain & Portugal Itinerary Notion Planner
Stay organized with my Spain & Portugal Notion Planner. It include different sections like budgeting, check list, plus all the hotels, restaurants, and tours recommendations neatly organized.
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 1-3: Seville
Sleep in: Seville
Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region and one of my favorite cities in Spain! It is a vibrant place with many cultural influences reflected in its cuisine, architecture, and history. Although it is easy to lose track of time wandering around, three days in Seville is enough to see all the main attractions and get a good feel of the Andalusian capital.
Day 1 in Seville
Real Alcazar de Seville
Cathedral de Seville
Torre Giralda
Barrio Santa Cruz
Day 2 in Seville
Parque de Maria Luisa
Plaza de España
La Casa de Pilatos
Guided Food Tour
Flamenco Show
Day 3 in Seville
Explore Triana Neighborhood
Mercado de Triana
Metropol Parasol
Walk around Seville
For more travel tips on Seville, check out my Seville Itinerary post. And for the foodies, check out my Seville Food Guide.
Book Your Seville Tour
Where to stay in Seville
There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation in Seville, so it all depends on what you are looking for and what neighborhood you want to stay in. I stayed at Santa Maria Apartments. It’s a charming apartment – with a kitchen! – located in the heart of Barrio Santa Cruz. It’s within walking distance to many attractions, bars, and restaurants. There’s even a taxi stop a few blocks away. If you are looking for a full-service hotel, I recommend the 4-star Hotel Casa Del Poeta or Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, both located within walking distance of many attractions.
When visiting for more than 3 days, I like to stay in accommodations that have a kitchen. That way, I can cook, and not feel like I have to eat out every single meal – it’s also an excuse to peruse the grocery store in search of local snacks!
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 4: Cordoba
Day Trip
Sleep in: Seville
Cordoba is one of the most beautiful cities in the Andalusian region, so it is a must when you visit the South of Spain. It has a wealth of historical sites, charming old towns, and colorful courtyards for you to peruse to your heart's content. The fastest way to go from Seville to Cordoba is by high-speed train. It takes about 45 minutes, and tickets are pretty affordable, depending on the season.
Things to do in Cordoba on a day trip
Historic Center
Jewish Quarter
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Palacio de Viana
Roman bridge of Córdoba
Calleja de las Flores
Patio de los Naranjos
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
Medina Azahara
Book Your Cordoba Tour
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 5: Granada
Day Trip
Sleep in: Seville
Granada is another unmissable beautiful town in Southern Spain. It’s one of my favorite places in the region, and I may even say, only second to Seville. The Moorish village is a great place to get lost in its winding roads, take in the view from one of the many miradores, and admire the majestic Alhambra and surrounding palaces. The best way to go from Seville to Granada is by bus. It takes about 3 hours and buses run 10 times a day.
Tip: Make sure to get your ticket to Alhambra as soon as possible, tickets sell out FAST.
Things to do in Granada
Alhambra
The Palacio de Generalife
Enjoy the view from one of the Miradores
· Mirador San Nicolas – Also known as Plaza San Nicolas
· Mirador San Miguel
· Mirador San Cristobal
Get lost in the old Great Bazaar, Alcaiceria
Stroll Carrera del Darro
Hammam Al Ándalus
Book Your Granada Tour
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 6: Cadiz
Day Trip
Sleep in: Seville
Cadiz is a great city to visit on a day trip. The ancient port was once one of Europe's most important ports, and as you walk around, you can feel the rich history. The colorful town also offers tons of things to do - no matter what you are into. The most convenient way to go from Seville to Cadiz is by Train, and it’s about 1hr and 45 minutes ride.
Things to do in Cadiz
Get lost in Barrio del Populo
Visit the Castle of San Sebastian
Sunbathe at one of their beaches: Playa La Caleta, Playa de la Vicotria, Las Playas de Caños de Meca
Get a panoramic view of the city at Torre Tavira
Visit the Cadiz Cathedral
Eat all the fresh seafood
Check out the Mercado Central de Abastos
Check out my Day Trips From Seville Without a Car post to see what other places you can visit. I also included in details the best method to get to each town and which station to depart from.
Book Your Cadiz Tour
How to get from Seville, Spain to Lagos, Portugal?
Seville – Faro – Lagos
The easiest way to get to Lagos is by taking the bus from Seville to Faro Airport. From there, pick up your car rental and drive to Lagos. Get your bus ticket to Faro here for about $15 depending on the time and season.
Take the bus from Seville Plaza de Armas station and hop off at Faro Airport stop - in Portugal. Right outside the airport, you will find the car rentals. Once you have picked up the car, drive to Lagos! Driving is the easiest way to get around in the Portuguese countryside.
I rented my car from Sixt and it was a smooth process. But there are several other companies by the airport you can choose from.
Tip: Make sure to rent the Via Verdi transponder. Portugal has many toll roads without booths, and it’s super convenient.
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 7-8: Lagos
Sleep in: Lagos
Lagos was the town that finally convinced me to visit Portugal. Its world-renowned jaw-dropping cliffs should be reason enough to visit, but if you need more, Lagos has beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and plenty of things to do to keep you busy. It’s also a great place to take it slow and reconnect with nature. You can go on scenic hikes, soak up the sun by the many beautiful beaches, or go kayaking around the cliff!
Day 7 in Lagos
Enjoy one of the many beaches
Check out Ponta da Piedade
Explore the old town
Day 8 in Lagos
Go Kayaking or go on a Grotto boat tour
Go hiking at the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
See the Benagil Cave
Where to stay in Lagos
Casa Creativa Lagos is a lovely boutique hotel conveniently located within walking distance to the beach. It’s beautifully decorated, the staff is friendly, and breakfast is delicious. But most importantly, it offers free parking.
Another great option is Casa Margô, located within walking distance to the beach. The resort feels more like a residential neighborhood with individual houses than a resort. Each home has a full kitchen and they offer free bikes for free for you to use.
For more tips and things to do in Lagos, check out my Lagos Travel Guide.
Book Your Lagos Tour
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 9: Elvas and Monsaraz
Sleep in: Evora
There’s an abundance of picturesque towns in Portugal, and I wished I had time to squeeze a few more to the itinerary, but alas, only three small towns on this trip. Elvas, Monsaraz, and Evora are located not too far from each other and, therefore, easy to reach in a day. The towns are small enough that you could visit two or three in a day. But I dedicated a full day to Evora since it’s the biggest town in the area.
Elvas is a small town that exudes Portuguese charm. It’s located near the border with Spain and, therefore, a strategic defense point in the past. But war is over, and Elvas is now a quaint place where locals are going about their day grilling sardines outdoors or congregating by the town’s church.
Monsaraz is an authentic Portuguese medieval village and one of the oldest settlements in the southern region. The town perched on a hilltop, which means beautiful panoramic views. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed cottages and stonewalls covered in Bougainvillea.
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 10: Evora
Sleep in: Evora
Evora is a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of Portugal's most beautiful medieval towns. It’s a great place to get lost in its narrow cobblestone streets, savor traditional Alentejan cuisine, and search for hidden gems – there are plenty! History buff or not, there’s plenty for you to see here!
Where to stay in Evora
I stayed at Vitoria Stone Hotel, a modern hotel located within walking distance – 10 minutes - from the city center. It has a beautiful rooftop pool, which I sadly discovered too late, and a great restaurant. If you would like to experience a bit of rural Portugal, check out these boutique hotels Casas Caiadas and A Casa do Governador.
For more tips and things to do in Evora, check out my Things To Do in Evora post.
Book your Evora Tour
Alternative Day 9-10:
If you want to experience authentic Portuguese countryside, I recommend staying at a rural boutique hotel. Believe it or not, there are many beautiful hotels in the countryside that are worth traveling to. Many of them are located in remote areas or near a small fishing village where one can relax and enjoy nature. It may not be for everyone, so I only recommend it as an alternative. Instead of dedicating a full day to Evora, add it to day 9 and free up a day to enjoy rural Portugal.
Herdade da Matinha: is a charming rural boutique hotel, located in the Alentejo coast near the Vicentine Coast Natural Park. It is a great place to relax, disconnect, and enjoy nature. Here you can spend your time by the pool, partake in yoga classes, or even go on horseback riding. And if you need more to fill your day, you can go on scenic walks or explore the nearby fishing village, Porto Covo.
Três Marias: is another beautiful rural boutique hotel – minimalist mix barn – located only 3 miles away from Herdade da Matinha. It’s a great place to appreciate nature and disconnect. You can rent a bike, go on scenic hikes, or explore the nearby towns.
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 11: Sintra
Day Trip
Sleep in: Lisbon
Depart early in the morning and make your way to Sintra – it’s only an hour and a half drive. Sintra was actually a last-minute addition to the itinerary. But after seeing photos of this beautiful town, I knew I had to visit. Here, you will find the famous Palacio da Pena and other gorgeous palaces, including my favorite Palacio de Monserrate – which you cannot miss! It’s also a UNESCO Heritage Site, and its picturesque old town is not to be missed either.
For more information or tips about driving in Sintra check out my Complete Guide to Visiting Sintra
Next stop, Lisbon! Drive to the Portuguese capital and return the car. I do not recommend keeping the car while in Lisbon. There’s a lot of traffic and parking can be expensive plus hard to find.
Tip: Make sure to check the car rental hours and arrive before closing time.
Book Your Sintra Tour
Spain and Portugal Itinerary Day 12-14: Lisbon
Sleep in: Lisbon
And we finally arrive at the Portuguese capital! Lisbon is an incredible city full of life, fun things to do, rich history, and panoramic views. It doesn’t hurt that it is super photogenic too! If you love sightseeing, there’s plenty for you to check out. But the best thing to do in Lisbon is wandering around uncovering all its hidden gems. I can’t wait to return to this amazing city.
Where to stay in Lisbon
There are plenty of great accommodations for you to choose from in Lisbon. Whether you are looking for a luxurious hotel, a comfortable apartment, or a simple and quaint place - this city has it! I stayed at Casas da Baixa a cozy apartment located in Alfama - the oldest and most charming neighborhood in the city. The apartment is wihthin walking distance to many attractions.
For a detailed guide on Lisbon, check out my Lisbon Itinerary post. And for the foodies, check out my What To Eat in Portugal post.
Book your Lisbon Tour
