10-Day Private Package Journey

Spain & Portugal

Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon & Porto

Available as Private Semi-Private Self-Guided

From €4,730 per person 10 days / 9 nights

Tour Overview

10 days across Spain.

This ten-day private journey traces a luminous arc across the Iberian Peninsula, from the audacious curves of Gaudí's Barcelona to the tiled facades and fado-filled nights of Lisbon and the port wine cellars of Porto. Along the way, you'll stand in the Prado before Velázquez's masterpiece, ride a funicular through Lisbon's seven hills, and taste port wine in centuries-old cellars above the Douro. Two countries, four cities, one seamless itinerary — shaped entirely around your pace, your palate, and your sense of wonder.

Detailed Itinerary

Your journey, day by day.

Every day is designed with breathing room. Sleep in, take a detour, linger at lunch — the itinerary flexes around you, not the other way around.

Day 1

Arrival in Barcelona

The Mediterranean capital opens the journey.

Your private driver meets you at Barcelona–El Prat Airport and delivers you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After check-in, the afternoon is yours to ease into Barcelona's rhythm: stroll down La Rambla as the flower sellers arrange their stalls, explore the boutiques of the Born quarter, or find a terrace café on Plaça Reial with a glass of cava and let the Mediterranean light do its work. We'll share our curated list of favourite restaurants nearby for your first evening.

Private airport transfer to central Barcelona
Curated restaurant recommendations for your first evening

4–5★ centrally located hotel, Barcelona

Day 2

Barcelona: Gaudí & Modernista Marvels

The city where art escaped the museum and colonised the streets.

Morning begins with a private, skip-the-line visit to the Sagrada Familia — Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, where the light pouring through the stained-glass windows turns the interior into a forest of colour that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Your guide is a Barcelona-born architect who makes the geometry, the symbolism, and the sheer audacity of Gaudí's vision feel alive and urgent. From the basilica, your driver takes you to Park Güell for its mosaic terraces and panoramic views over the city to the sea, then back along the Passeig de Gràcia to admire Casa Batlló and Casa Milà from street level. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace.

Skip-the-line Sagrada Familia with a local architect guide
Park Güell mosaics and city panorama
Casa Batlló & Casa Milà on the Passeig de Gràcia

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Barcelona

Day 3

Gothic Quarter & the Born

Two thousand years of stories in stone.

Today peels back the medieval layers of Barcelona. A private walking tour leads you through the Gothic Quarter's narrow alleys — Barcelona Cathedral with its cloister and resident geese, the remnants of the ancient Jewish Quarter, and the half-hidden medieval squares where time slows to a murmur. From there, cross into the Born district: the soaring nave of Santa Maria del Mar, the basilica the fishermen built. The afternoon is free — return to La Rambla, browse the Boqueria market's kaleidoscope of fruit and seafood, or sit on the beach at Barceloneta with a cold caña and watch the kite surfers.

Private Gothic Quarter walking tour
Barcelona Cathedral and medieval Jewish Quarter
Santa Maria del Mar in the Born district
La Rambla and La Boqueria at leisure

Meals: Breakfast 4��5★ centrally located hotel, Barcelona

Day 4

Barcelona to Madrid

Trading the coast for the capital.

A leisurely Barcelona morning — perhaps a final coffee on Passeig de Gràcia or a last wander through the Born. Late morning, your private driver transfers you to Barcelona Sants station for the high-speed AVE train to Madrid — a smooth ride that cuts across the Spanish heartland in under three hours, the landscape shifting from coastal green to the tawny plains of Castile. Your private driver meets you at Madrid Atocha station and delivers you to your hotel near the Puerta del Sol. The rest of the day is yours: walk the elegant Paseo del Prado, browse bookshops on the Cuesta de Moyano, or find a terrace in Plaza de Santa Ana and order a glass of Verdejo as the Madrileño evening begins.

High-speed AVE train across the Spanish heartland
Private station transfers in Barcelona and Madrid
Free afternoon to explore Madrid at your own pace

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Madrid

Day 5

Madrid Highlights

The capital reveals its Habsburg heart.

Your private guide meets you after breakfast for a morning that peels back Madrid's grand, theatrical layers. Begin at the Royal Palace — the largest functioning royal palace in Europe, with its Bourbon opulence, Tiepolo ceilings, and Stradivarius violins. From the palace, walk through Plaza Mayor, the arcaded heart of Habsburg Madrid, past the bustling Mercado de San Miguel, and into the narrow streets around Puerta del Sol where Madrid's history was written. The afternoon is free — the Prado Museum for Velázquez and Goya, the Reina Sofía for Picasso's Guernica, or the rooftop bar at Círculo de Bellas Artes for a sundowner with the city spread beneath you.

Private guided tour of the Royal Palace
Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol & historic centre
Mercado de San Miguel tasting at leisure

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Madrid

Day 6

Madrid to Lisbon

From Castilian grandeur to Atlantic light.

A final Madrid morning — perhaps a quick visit to the Prado, a last churros con chocolate at San Ginés, or a quiet walk through the Retiro before the city fully wakes. Your private driver transfers you to the airport for the short flight to Lisbon — barely ninety minutes in the air, but the shift is palpable: the golden plateau of central Spain gives way to the terracotta rooftops and blue water of the Tagus estuary. Your driver meets you at Lisbon airport and delivers you to your hotel in the Chiado or Baixa — the kind of neighbourhood where every cobblestoned street tilts toward the river. The rest of the day is yours: ride the iconic Tram 28, stroll through Praça do Comércio, or simply find a café terrace and order a pastel de nata with a bica.

Flight from Madrid to Lisbon
Private airport transfers in both cities
Free afternoon to discover Lisbon's light and hills

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Lisbon

Day 7

Lisbon: Alfama, Belém & the Age of Discoveries

A city that launched a thousand ships — and still feels like a secret.

Morning begins with your private guide in the Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, where the streets are barely wider than your outstretched arms. You'll wind through whitewashed alleys to panoramic miradouros, ride the funicular to Bairro Alto for castle and neighbourhood views, and explore the charming Chiado district. The route continues through the Baixa to Rossio Square — rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake — the ancient Sé Cathedral in the Alfama, and Commerce Square at the water's edge. Your guide brings Lisbon's layered history alive: Moorish, medieval, Manueline, and modern. The afternoon is free to visit the MAAT museum, taste the original pastéis de Belém, or simply sit by the Discoveries Monument and watch the cargo ships glide up the Tagus.

Private guided walking tour of Alfama and historic Lisbon
Funicular to Bairro Alto for panoramic views
Rossio Square, Sé Cathedral and Commerce Square
Free afternoon in Belém or along the waterfront

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Lisbon

Day 8

Lisbon to Porto

Trading the Tagus for the Douro.

A leisurely final morning in Lisbon — perhaps a last pastel de nata at a neighbourhood bakery, or a quiet stroll through the Príncipe Real gardens. Late morning, you'll board a comfortable express train for the three-hour journey north to Porto, watching the landscape shift from Lisbon's coastal sprawl to the green river valleys of central Portugal. Your private driver meets you at Porto's São Bento station — itself worth a pause, with its entrance hall clad in thousands of blue-and-white azulejo tiles. Check into your hotel near the Ribeira district, where the medieval buildings lean over the Douro and the iron lacework of the Dom Luís Bridge frames the sunset. The rest of the afternoon is yours to discover Porto's riverside terraces or simply sit with a glass of white port and watch the rabelo boats drift by.

Express train through the Portuguese countryside
Arrival at the azulejo-tiled São Bento Station
Free afternoon along Porto's Douro riverfront

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Porto

Day 9

Porto: Ribeira, Azulejos & Port Wine

The city that gave a country — and a wine — its name.

Your private guide meets you after breakfast for a morning that reveals Porto layer by layer. Begin in the Ribeira, the medieval riverside district and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where narrow lanes climb steeply from the waterfront. Your guide leads you past the storied Lello Bookshop — one of the oldest in Portugal — the ornate São Bento Railway Station with its azulejo murals, the Porto Cathedral perched above the city, and the gilded interior of São Francisco Church. Late morning, cross the Dom Luís Bridge on foot into Vila Nova de Gaia, where the historic port wine lodges line the waterfront. A private tasting awaits in a cellar that has been ageing wine since the eighteenth century. The afternoon is free to explore the Bolhão Market, or simply get lost in Porto's endlessly photogenic streets.

Private guided walking tour of the Ribeira district
Lello Bookshop, São Bento Station and Porto Cathedral
Private port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia

Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ centrally located hotel, Porto

Day 10

Departure

Adeus, adiós — until next time.

A final Iberian breakfast, a last coffee at the corner bar you've come to think of as yours, and a moment to take in the Douro and the port wine lodges one more time. Your private driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Porto Airport in plenty of time for your flight. If your departure is later in the day, we can arrange a morning walk along the Foz do Douro where the river empties into the Atlantic, a visit to the Serralves contemporary art museum, or simply a late checkout. Your travel specialist remains on call until you're home — and we'll follow up a few days later to hear about the highlights.

Private airport transfer to Porto Airport
Optional morning along the Foz do Douro or Serralves museum

Meals: Breakfast

Where You'll Stay

Hand-picked hotels, every night.

We choose properties for character, location, and the kind of service that makes you feel looked after — not just checked in. Every hotel can be swapped for an alternative if you prefer.

Barcelona

3 nights

4–5★ centrally located hotel

Eixample / Gothic Quarter

Walking distance to Gaudí landmarks and the Gothic Quarter

Madrid

2 nights

4–5★ centrally located hotel

Centro / Sol

Heart of the city, walking distance to Prado and Retiro

Lisbon

2 nights

4–5★ centrally located hotel

Chiado / Baixa

Walking distance to the Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Tagus waterfront

Porto

2 nights

4–5★ centrally located hotel

Ribeira / city centre

Steps from the Douro riverfront and historic wine district

Hotels shown are indicative of the standard we book. Upon request, we will provide a detailed itinerary with specific hotel options tailored to your preferences and budget.

What's in the Price

Included

9 nights in 4–5★ centrally located hotels (double occupancy)
Daily breakfast at each hotel
Airport meet & greet on arrival
Private airport transfers in Barcelona and Porto
High-speed AVE train ticket Barcelona–Madrid
Flight Madrid–Lisbon (economy class)
Express train ticket Lisbon–Porto
All inter-city station transfers in private vehicles
Private port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Skip-the-line access at all major sites
Private expert guides in every city (architects, historians, sommeliers)
Skip-the-line Sagrada Familia entry
Private Lisbon highlights walking tour
Private Porto Ribeira walking tour
24/7 travel specialist support throughout your trip
All entrance fees and museum tickets
Hamilton & Chase digital travel booklet with restaurant & tip recommendations

Not Included

International flights to Barcelona / from Porto
Travel insurance (required — we can arrange coverage on request)
Lunches and dinners
Personal expenses (shopping, additional drinks, spa treatments)
Gratuities for guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)
City tax (collected directly by hotels, typically €1–4 per person per night)

Good to Know

This itinerary is a starting point — every detail can be adjusted to suit your preferences, pace, and interests.
Hotels are confirmed at booking based on your travel dates. Upgrades and alternatives are always available.
All guides and experiences are arranged exclusively for your party �� never shared with other groups.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Lisbon and Porto are hilly cities with cobblestoned streets — expect 3–5 hours on foot most days.
Flexible booking: adjust or postpone your dates up to 60 days before departure at no charge.

Make It Yours

Optional add-ons & upgrades.

Every trip is different. These extras can be woven into your itinerary — just let your travel specialist know what catches your eye.

Fado evening in Lisbon

An evening at a traditional fado house in the Alfama — dinner and live performance

From €85 pp

Sintra & Cabo da Roca day trip

UNESCO palaces, romantic gardens, and the westernmost point of mainland Europe

From €175 pp

Douro Valley wine cruise

Full-day cruise upriver from Porto through terraced vineyards with tastings and lunch

From €195 pp

Prado Museum private tour

Skip-the-line guided visit with an art historian — Velázquez, Goya, El Greco

From €120 pp

Flamenco show in Madrid

Reserved seats at an intimate tablao in the La Latina neighbourhood

From €90 pp

Catalonian cooking class

Market-to-table class at a Barcelona cooking school — Boqueria shopping included

From €110 pp

Professional photo session

1-hour portrait session at iconic locations with a local photographer

From €350

Airport VIP lounge

Fast-track security and private lounge at Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, or Porto airport

From €55 pp

"Two countries in ten days sounded ambitious, but Hamilton & Chase made every transition feel effortless. The port wine tasting in Porto, the pintxos in Madrid, the light inside the Sagrada Familia — each day topped the last. We didn't want to come home."

Catherine & David R.

Toronto, ON · Spain & Portugal, October 2025

Common Questions

Questions about this trip.

Can I change the hotels?

Absolutely. The hotels listed are our default selections for this route, chosen for location, character, and consistency. If you have a specific property in mind — a pousada in Lisbon, a parador in Madrid — we'll adjust the itinerary and pricing accordingly.

Is this trip suitable for children?

Yes. We regularly run this itinerary for families. For younger children, we'll adjust the pacing, swap in family-friendly guides, and add age-appropriate activities. Park Güell and the Porto riverfront are particular favourites with kids.

What if I want to extend my trip?

Easy. Common extensions include Seville and Granada (3–4 nights for Andalusia), the Algarve coast in southern Portugal (2–3 nights), or San Sebastián and Basque Country (2–3 nights). We'll build the extension seamlessly into your existing itinerary and pricing.

When is the best time to visit Spain and Portugal?

April through June and September through October offer the best balance of weather, crowds, and pricing. July and August bring peak heat to Madrid and inland Spain, though Lisbon and the coast stay comfortable. Winter travel is possible and can be charming, especially in Lisbon and Barcelona.

Do I need a visa for both countries?

Both Spain and Portugal are in the Schengen Area, so a single Schengen visa covers your entire trip. US, Canadian, UK, and EU citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. We recommend checking current entry requirements for your nationality before booking.

How far in advance should I book?

For peak season (May–October), we recommend booking 3–6 months ahead to secure first-choice hotels and guides. Off-season trips can often be arranged with shorter notice.

What affects the price?

The starting price is based on double occupancy in our default 4–5★ hotels during shoulder season. Prices vary with travel dates (peak summer and holidays cost more), hotel upgrades, group size, and optional add-ons. Single supplements are available. We'll provide an exact quote once we know your dates and preferences.

What is your cancellation policy?

A 20% deposit secures your booking. The balance is due 60 days before departure. Cancellations made more than 60 days out receive a full deposit refund. Between 30–60 days, 50% of the deposit is refunded. Within 30 days, the deposit is non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected changes.

What should I pack?

Comfortable walking shoes are the single most important item — Lisbon and Porto are hilly, and cobblestones are everywhere. Layers work well as temperatures vary between cities. Spain's churches generally require covered shoulders and knees. We'll send a detailed packing guide with your travel booklet.

Private Package Journey

Spain & Portugal

10 days / 9 nights

From €4,730

per person

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