2025 Spain & Portugal Tour: A 7-Day Review & Guide

So, I honestly just got back from a whirlwind seven-day trip through Spain and Portugal, and wow, there’s a lot to talk about. A trip like this, you know, is something a lot of people dream about, and I was one of them. The idea of seeing Lisbon’s hills, feeling Seville’s heat, and walking Madrid’s grand avenues in one go was just a little bit too good to pass up. Basically, I wanted to write this review to give you a real, down-to-earth look at what a week-long tour of these two amazing places is actually like. You know, no sugarcoating, just the honest details from someone who’s just walked those very streets. We’re going to go through the whole experience, day by day, so you can sort of feel like you were right there with me. Honestly, it’s about helping you figure out if this kind of fast-paced tour is the right fit for your own 2025 Iberian plans.

First Things First: Getting Yourself Ready for an Iberian Adventure

Okay, so let’s talk about getting ready, because seriously, how you pack can really make or break a trip like this. This tour is, like, seriously on the move, so packing light is a pretty good idea. You’ll be living out of a suitcase, and as a matter of fact, you don’t want to be dragging a monster bag over old cobblestone streets. I saw a few people struggling, and honestly, it didn’t look fun. My main piece of advice is to really think about layers. The weather, you know, can be kind of different from Lisbon to Madrid. Portugal, especially near the coast, can get a bit of a cool breeze at night, you know? But then, as a matter of fact, when you get to Andalusia in Spain, the sun can feel incredibly intense, even in the shoulder seasons. So, a mix of T-shirts, a sweater or two, and a light jacket is pretty much your best bet.

Now, let’s have a very serious talk about shoes. Honestly, I cannot stress this enough: comfortable shoes are not optional, they are absolutely the most important thing you will pack. You will be walking. A lot. Like, miles and miles every single day. The streets are often uneven and tiled, and so your feet will thank you for choosing support over style. I pretty much lived in a pair of broken-in walking sneakers, and I had zero regrets. By the way, also throw in a portable power bank for your phone. You’ll be using it for pictures and maps, and at the end of the day, you don’t want to run out of battery just as you’re about to capture a perfect sunset. It’s also a good idea to maybe learn a few basic phrases in Portuguese and Spanish. You know, a simple “olá” or “gracias” goes a long way and people really seem to appreciate the effort. It just makes the interactions a little bit warmer, you know?

Days 1 & 2: Landing in Lisbon’s Timeless Allure

So, you finally arrive in Lisbon, and that feeling is, you know, just amazing. The tour usually has you meet at the hotel, so Day 1 is sort of a “settle in and get your bearings” kind of day. My flight got in early, so I actually had a little bit of time to wander around the Baixa district. The air, you know, it just feels different—it has this slight salty tang from the Tagus River. The city is built on seven hills, which is a fact they will tell you a lot, and frankly, they are not kidding. The streets are steep and lined with these beautifully tiled buildings that are just so photogenic. That first evening, the tour group had a welcome dinner, which was, you know, a nice way to meet everyone. The guide gave us a quick rundown of the week, and honestly, the excitement in the room was really palpable.

Day 2 is, well, when the sightseeing really kicks off. We headed out to the Belém district, which is just a little bit west of the city center. This area is historically super important. As a matter of fact, it’s from here that many of Portugal’s great explorers set off. We saw the Belém Tower, which, you know, looks like a miniature castle floating on the edge of the river. It’s actually a lot smaller in person than you might think, but still incredibly detailed. Right, then we walked over to the Jerónimos Monastery, and frankly, this place is on another level. The architecture is so incredibly intricate; you could seriously spend hours just looking at the carvings on the stone. Of course, you absolutely cannot visit Belém without trying a pastel de nata from the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery. Honestly, they are warm, creamy, and just a little bit life-changing. Later in the afternoon, we explored Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon. It’s this amazing tangle of narrow, winding streets where you can, you know, hear the melancholic sounds of Fado music drifting out of tiny restaurants. It really felt like we were stepping back in time a little bit.

Day 3: A Magical Detour to Sintra’s Fairytale Hills

On the third day, we took a day trip out of Lisbon to Sintra, and to be honest, this was a day I was really looking forward to. Sintra is this town that’s kind of tucked away in the pine-covered hills, and it really does feel like something out of a storybook. It’s only about a 40-minute drive from Lisbon, so it’s a very popular trip. The main event, of course, is the Pena Palace. You can see it from miles away, this incredible explosion of bright red and yellow perched on top of the highest hill. Getting up there is an adventure in itself, with a very winding road. But once you’re there, well, the views are just absolutely stunning. On a clear day, you can pretty much see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Walking through Pena Palace is a really wild experience. The inside is sort of preserved just as the Portuguese royal family left it, so it’s a bit like being a fly on the wall of history. The architecture is a crazy mix of styles, and every room you enter is just a little different from the last. After the palace, we had some free time to explore the historic center of Sintra itself. The town is super charming, you know, with lots of little shops selling local crafts and sweets. I made sure to try the local pastries, like the Queijadas de Sintra, which are these sweet cheese tarts. They were actually delicious. Honestly, Sintra feels like a completely different world from Lisbon. It’s cooler, greener, and just has this quiet, almost magical atmosphere. It’s definitely a highlight and something you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the area.

Days 4 & 5: Into Spain for Seville’s Fiery Heart

Day 4 was, well, a big travel day. We left Lisbon pretty early in the morning for the drive to Seville, which is the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region. The journey itself is actually pretty interesting, as you get to see the landscape change dramatically. You know, you leave the green hills of Portugal behind and enter this much drier, sun-baked terrain dotted with olive groves. The whole trip takes several hours, so it’s a good day to, like, read a book or just watch the scenery go by. We finally rolled into Seville in the late afternoon, and the change in vibe was instant. The air felt warmer, the colors seemed brighter, and there was just this energy buzzing all around. After checking into our hotel, we had the evening to ourselves. So, of course, the first mission was to find some authentic tapas. We found this little bar packed with locals, and basically just pointed at what looked good. You know, it was just a great way to dive right into the local culture.

So, Day 5 was our full day to really get to know Seville, and honestly, this city is just a bit special. We started at the Plaza de España, which is, well, it’s hard to even describe. It’s this massive, semi-circular building with bridges and canals, and it’s all covered in these beautiful, colorful tiles representing the different provinces of Spain. You could easily spend half a day there just taking pictures. After that, our tour took us to the Alcázar of Seville. For instance, if you’re a fan of the show *Game of Thrones*, you might recognize it as the Water Gardens of Dorne. It’s a royal palace that’s still in use today, and it’s this incredible mix of Moorish and Spanish Christian architecture. The gardens are just amazing—so peaceful, with fountains and hidden courtyards everywhere. In the evening, the tour included a flamenco show. And to be honest, seeing it in Seville, its birthplace, is a really powerful experience. The passion and intensity of the dancers and musicians were just, you know, incredible. It really captures the spirit of Andalusia in a way that nothing else can.

Day 6: High-Speed to Madrid, The Grand Capital

On Day 6, we said goodbye to sunny Andalusia and hopped on a high-speed train to Madrid. That in itself was a really cool experience. The Spanish train system is seriously impressive, and we were whisked from Seville to the capital in just a couple of hours, traveling through the Spanish countryside. Arriving in Madrid, you can, like, immediately feel you’re in a major European capital. The city has this very grand, almost stately feel to it, with wide boulevards and huge, imposing buildings. It’s a definite shift from the more relaxed vibe of Seville. After dropping our bags at the hotel, our guided tour of the city began, basically showing us the highlights. We drove past the Royal Palace, which is absolutely massive, and saw iconic spots like the Puerta del Sol, which is like the Times Square of Madrid, and the elegant Plaza Mayor.

The afternoon was reserved for the Prado Museum, one of the most famous art museums in the world. Now, I’m not a huge art expert, but frankly, even I was blown away. Seeing famous works by artists like Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco in person is just a different kind of experience. The museum is huge, so our guide, you know, did a great job of showing us the most important masterpieces without it feeling too overwhelming. The evening was free, so a few of us from the group decided to explore on our own. We wandered over to the Mercado de San Miguel, which is this beautiful old iron-and-glass market that’s been turned into a foodie paradise. It’s packed with stalls selling everything from Iberian ham and fresh oysters to fancy tapas and local wine. Seriously, it’s a feast for the senses and a fantastic place to just sample a little bit of everything. Madrid definitely has this very lively, sophisticated energy that’s really contagious.

Day 7: A Final Taste of Spain and Heading Home

So, we made it to Day 7, the last day of the tour. It honestly felt like the week had just flown by in a flash. Most of the tours, like this one, don’t have anything scheduled on the final day, as people have flights to catch at different times. Breakfast was included, so I made sure to have one last authentic Spanish experience: churros con chocolate. Seriously, finding a local “chocolatería” and dipping those crispy, fried pastries into a cup of thick, dark, hot chocolate is pretty much the perfect way to say goodbye to Spain. It’s decadent and delicious and, you know, just feels so right.

There was a bit of time before I had to leave for the airport, so I took a final, slow walk through Retiro Park. It’s this massive green space right in the heart of Madrid, and it’s just beautiful. People are out jogging, rowing boats on the lake, or just relaxing in the sun. It was actually a really nice, peaceful way to reflect on the whole trip. Thinking back on it all, it was an incredibly packed week. We saw so much and covered so much ground. This kind of tour is, you know, really great if you’re short on time and want to see the absolute must-see highlights of both countries. You don’t have to worry about hotels or transportation, which is honestly a huge relief. You just get to show up and enjoy the sights. At the airport, saying goodbye to the new friends I’d made on the tour felt a little strange. You know, you kind of bond with people when you share an experience like that. It was an amazing whirlwind, and I left feeling like I’d really gotten a wonderful, if brief, taste of the Iberian Peninsula.

My Honest Thoughts & Some Recommendations

Alright, let’s get down to some really honest thoughts on a seven-day tour like this one. So, is it worth it? At the end of the day, yes, but it really depends on what kind of traveler you are. If your goal is to see the absolute main attractions of Lisbon, Seville, and Madrid without the stress of planning everything yourself, then this kind of trip is pretty much perfect for you. The logistics are all handled, which is a massive plus. The guides are generally very knowledgeable and can give you, you know, a lot of historical context that you might miss on your own. It’s incredibly efficient.

On the other hand, you have to be prepared for the pace. It is very fast. You get a taste of each city, but you don’t really get to linger and explore deeply. There are a lot of early mornings and travel days. For instance, if you are someone who likes to spend a whole day in one museum or wander aimlessly for hours, you might find the schedule a bit restrictive. You know, you are on the group’s timetable. For me, it was a fantastic introduction. I now know which cities I’d love to go back to and spend more time in. Seville, for example, really captured my heart, and I would honestly love to return and explore Andalusia more slowly. So, basically, think of this kind of tour as a highlights reel or a sampler platter. It’s a way to see a lot in a little time and figure out what your favorites are for a future, more in-depth trip.

“At the end of the day, a seven-day tour of Spain and Portugal is a sprint, not a marathon. It’s an incredible way to see the icons, feel the different cultures, and discover which places call you back for a longer stay.”

Read our full review: [7-Day Spain & Portugal Tour 2025 Full Review and Details]

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Check Tour Availability for 2025])