Best of Spain & Portugal — Self-Launched Edition
14 days · Spain & Portugal
G Adventures charges £2,200
No-markup version: ~£880 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 14-day self-launched Iberian adventure from Lisbon to Barcelona, covering Moorish Lisbon, Seville's flamenco, Granada's Alhambra, Córdoba's Mezquita, Madrid's art museums and Gaudí's Barcelona. Everything on the G Adventures itinerary, done independently using trains, buses and self-booked entry tickets — for roughly a third of the group tour price.
Day-by-day
Arrive Lisbon — Belém & Alfama
Lisbon, Portugal
Land in Lisbon and check into a hostel in Baixa or Alfama. If you arrive early, head straight to Belém (tram 15E, €3.20) for the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower — note most Belém attractions close on Mondays. Spend the evening getting lost in Alfama's alleys and catch sunset from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte with a €2 glass of vinho verde.
🚌Airport metro to city centre €1.80 (~£1.60); local tram/metro day ticket €6.80
🛏Hostel dorm in Baixa/Alfama (e.g. Home Lisbon Hostel, Yes! Lisbon) — approx £22/night
- →Self-guided Belém walk (Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower)
- →Alfama wander & viewpoint sunset
- →Optional: time-out market dinner
Lisbon — Belem, Castelo & Food Crawl
Lisbon, Portugal
Do your own orientation walk of central Lisbon: Praça do Comércio, Rossio, then up to Castelo de São Jorge (€15 entry, book online to skip queues). Afternoon trip back to Belém for Pastéis de Belém (€1.40 each) and the Museu Nacional do Azulejo if time allows. Join a pay-what-you-wish walking tour (tip-based, ~£8-10 tip) in the late afternoon for the local history context G Adventures' CEO would give you.
🚌Metro/tram day pass €6.80 (~£6)
🛏Same hostel, Lisbon — £22
- →Castelo de São Jorge entry €15
- →Free/pay-what-you-wish walking tour (tip ~£9)
- →Pastéis de Belém tasting
- →Optional: Lisbon food tour via GetYourGuide (~£45)
Sintra Day Trip
Sintra, Portugal
Train from Rossio to Sintra (€4.80 return, ~40 min). Tick off Pena Palace (€20 online) and Quinta da Regaleira (€20), then walk to Monserrate or just enjoy the Moorish Castle views. Buses 434/435 loop the palaces for €6.50. Back to Lisbon by evening.
🚌Rossio–Sintra train return €4.80 (~£4)
🛏Same hostel, Lisbon — £22
- →Pena Palace entry €20
- →Quinta da Regaleira entry €20
- →Sintra local bus loop €6.50
Lisbon → Seville by Bus
Seville, Spain
Long travel day: Alsa/FlixBus Lisbon–Seville runs ~7 hours (€25-40 if booked ahead). Alternatively fly Ryanair/TAP (~£35). Arrive Seville, check into a hostel in the Centro or Triana district. Evening stroll along the Guadalquivir and tapas hopping on Calle Betis.
🚌Alsa/FlixBus Lisbon→Seville ~£30 (or cheap flight ~£35)
🛏Hostel in Seville Centro/Triana (e.g. La Banda Rooftop) — approx £24/night
- →Evening riverside walk
- →Triana tapas crawl
Seville — Alcázar, Cathedral & Flamenco
Seville, Spain
Book the Real Alcázar online in advance (€14.50, sells out weeks ahead). Visit the Cathedral and Giralda (€12) next door, then explore Plaza de España and the Alcázar gardens. In the evening catch an authentic flamenco show — Casa de la Memoria (€22) or La Casa del Flamenco (€25) are excellent value compared to hotel-show tickets.
🚌Walking city; occasional tram €1.40
🛏Same hostel, Seville — £24
- →Real Alcázar entry €14.50
- →Seville Cathedral & Giralda €12
- →Flamenco show €22-25
- →Plaza de España (free)
Córdoba Day Trip — Mezquita
Córdoba, Spain
High-speed AVE or Avant train Seville–Córdoba (~45 min, €15-25). Visit the extraordinary Mezquita-Catedral (€13, free 8:30-9:30am if pre-booked) — built as a mosque in 785 then transformed with a Christian cathedral inside. Wander the Judería, cross the Roman Bridge, and see the patios. Return to Seville for the night.
🚌Avant/AVE Seville–Córdoba return €20-40 (~£30)
🛏Same hostel, Seville — £24
- →Mezquita-Catedral entry €13
- →Judería & Roman Bridge walk
- →Optional: Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos €5
Seville → Granada
Granada, Spain
Bus (Alsa, ~3h, €15) or train to Granada. Check into a hostel in the Albayzín or Centro. Afternoon explore the Albaicín's whitewashed lanes and the Sacromonte caves district, then sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás with the Alhambra lit up in front of you. Book your Alhambra tickets tonight for tomorrow (or ideally weeks earlier).
🚌Alsa bus Seville→Granada ~£15
🛏Hostel in Granada (e.g. Oasis Backpackers) — approx £22/night
- →Albaicín & Sacromonte wander
- →Mirador de San Nicolás sunset
- →Optional: Sacromonte flamenco cave show €20
Granada — The Alhambra
Granada, Spain
Full day at the Alhambra — the Nasrid Palaces are the highlight and require a timed entry (book on the official Alhambra website, €19.09 general ticket). Budget 3-4 hours. Spend the afternoon in the Generalife gardens, then free tapas crawl in the evening (Granada gives you a free tapa with every drink).
🚌Walking / minibus C30/C32 to Alhambra €1.40
🛏Same hostel, Granada — £22
- →Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces entry €19
- →Generalife gardens (included)
- →Free-tapa evening crawl
Granada → Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Train or budget flight to Madrid (~4.5h train or 1h flight, £25-45). Check into a hostel near Puerta del Sol or Malasaña. Evening explore Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace exterior at golden hour, and grab churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés.
🚌Renfe or Iberia/Volotea Granada→Madrid ~£35
🛏Hostel in central Madrid (e.g. Casa de la Juventud, The Hat) — approx £26/night
- →Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace exterior
- →Churros at San Ginés
- →Malasaña bar hop
Madrid — Art Triangle
Madrid, Spain
Art day: the Prado (€15, free 6-8pm Mon-Sat), Reina Sofía (€12) for Picasso's Guernica, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza if you have energy. A combined Paseo del Arte ticket is €32. Afternoon relax in Retiro Park and row a boat (€6). Evening tapas on Calle Cava Baja.
🚌Metro 10-trip ticket €12.20 (~£10)
🛏Same hostel, Madrid — £26
- →Prado Museum €15 (free evening slot available)
- →Reina Sofía €12
- →Retiro Park rowboat €6
- →Cava Baja tapas crawl
Madrid → Valencia
Valencia, Spain
AVE train Madrid–Valencia (~1h45, €30-45 if booked ahead). Check into a hostel in El Carmen. Afternoon explore the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (exteriors free, Oceanogràfic €35 optional), the Cathedral, and the Central Market. Dinner of authentic paella valenciana in the Carmen district.
🚌AVE Madrid→Valencia ~£35
🛏Hostel in Valencia El Carmen (e.g. Home Backpackers) — approx £22/night
- →City of Arts & Sciences walk (free)
- →Valencia Cathedral & Miguelete tower €2
- →Central Market visit
- →Paella dinner in El Carmen
Valencia → Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
Train or bus to Barcelona (~3h by AVE €30-50, or ~4h bus €20). Check into a hostel in the Gothic Quarter or El Born. Afternoon explore La Rambla, the Boqueria market, and the Gothic Quarter's cathedral. Evening tapas and vermouth in El Born.
🚌Renfe/OUIGO Valencia→Barcelona ~£30
🛏Hostel in Barcelona Gothic Quarter (e.g. Kabul Party Hostel, Sant Jordi) — approx £28/night
- →Gothic Quarter self-walk
- →La Boqueria market
- →El Born tapas & vermouth
Barcelona — Gaudí & Paella Class
Barcelona, Spain
Morning at La Sagrada Família (book online, €26 — sells out days ahead) and Park Güell (€10). Afternoon join a paella cooking class in the Gothic Quarter — several operators (GetYourGuide, Klook, Cookly) run 3-hour classes with market visit from ~£50 including dinner and wine. This is the self-booked equivalent of the Mescladis paella class on the group tour.
🚌Metro T-casual 10-trip €12.55 (~£11)
🛏Same hostel, Barcelona — £28
- →La Sagrada Família €26
- →Park Güell €10
- →Paella cooking class with market visit ~£50
Barcelona — Beaches & Farewell
Barcelona, Spain
Final day: stroll the La Barceloneta boardwalk, swim if the weather allows, and visit the Picasso Museum (€12) or the beachside neighbourhood of Barceloneta for a farewell lunch. Head to El Prat airport for departure (Aerobús €7.25) or extend your stay.
🚌Aerobús to airport €7.25 (~£6.50)
🛏Same hostel, Barcelona — £28
- →La Barceloneta beach & boardwalk (free)
- →Optional: Picasso Museum €12
- →Farewell seafood lunch
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£880 | £2,200 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,320 per person (60%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£880
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Best of Spain & Portugal — Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £880 per person for 14 days in Spain & Portugal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £880 — a saving of roughly £1,320 (60%) per person.
How long is the Spain & Portugal trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Spain & Portugal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Spain & Portugal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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