Iberian Ring: Self-Launched Madrid, Granada, Seville & Lisbon
9 days · Spain & Portugal
Europamundo charges £1,090
No-markup version: ~£690 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Europamundo's popular Iberian Ring tour takes you on a loop from Madrid through Andalusia's highlights — Granada, Seville, and the Andalusian coast — before crossing into Portugal via Mérida and Évora to Lisbon, then returning to Madrid. Swap the guided coach tour for high-speed trains, regional buses, and self-bookable city tours. You'll stay in well-rated hostels and budget hotels, book your own Alhambra tickets in advance, and explore the same iconic landmarks at a fraction of the commercial price. All cost estimates are approximate and based on budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Arrive in Madrid and get your bearings. Check into your hostel in the lively La Latina or Malasaña neighbourhood. Spend the evening wandering around Plaza Mayor and the surrounding tapas bars — this area is buzzing with locals and travellers alike. Grab a caña and some patatas bravas and soak it all in.
🚌Metro or bus from Madrid Barajas Airport to city centre (~£5)
🛏Generator Madrid or Safestay Madrid Retiro (~£20-28/night in dorm, ~£55-70 private)
- →Explore Plaza Mayor and La Latina on foot
- →Dinner in tapas bars around Plaza Mayor — try Bar Txirimiri or Casa Lucas
- →Evening stroll around the streets of La Latina
Madrid City Day
Madrid, Spain
A full day exploring central Madrid. Walk the Paseo del Prado, see the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains, pass through Puerta de Alcalá and Plaza de Colón, then head into Retiro Park to visit the lake and the stunning Palacio de Cristal (free entry). In the afternoon, head out to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — book a self-guided stadium tour via the official Real Madrid website or GetYourGuide.
🚌Walking and Metro day pass (~£8)
🛏Generator Madrid or Safestay Madrid Retiro (~£20-28/night dorm)
- →Self-guided walk along Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, and Puerta de Alcalá
- →Visit Retiro Park — lake and Palacio de Cristal (free entry)
- →Self-guided tour of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (~£25, book via realmadrid.com or GetYourGuide)
- →Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor exploration
Madrid to Granada
Granada, Spain
Take the early ALSA bus or Renfe train from Madrid to Granada (approximately 4-5 hours). Book your Alhambra tickets well in advance — they sell out weeks ahead — via the official Patronato de la Alhambra website (alhambra-patronato.es). Visit the Alhambra Palace and the Generalife Gardens in the afternoon. End the evening with a walk through the historic Albaicín quarter.
🚌ALSA bus Madrid–Granada (~£20-35)
🛏Oasis Backpackers Hostel Granada or The Spot Granada (~£18-25/night dorm)
- →Travel Madrid to Granada: ALSA bus (~£20-35 booked in advance, ~4.5 hrs) or Renfe train (~£30-45)
- →Visit Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens — BOOK TICKETS WELL IN ADVANCE at alhambra-patronato.es (~£15-18)
- →Evening walk through the Albaicín neighbourhood and Mirador de San Nicolás for views of the Alhambra
Granada to Seville via Nerja, Málaga & Ronda
Nerja / Málaga / Ronda / Seville, Spain
This is a long scenic travel day along the Andalusian coast and highlands. Take an early bus from Granada to Nerja (ALSA, ~1 hr 30 min, ~£8) for a quick look at the famous Balcón de Europa. Continue by bus to Málaga (~1 hr) and explore the historic centre briefly — the Alcazaba is free or low cost. Then head to Ronda by bus (~1 hr 45 min from Málaga, ~£7) and see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge. Finally, take the bus or train to Seville (~2.5 hrs from Ronda by bus). This day involves multiple legs — an early start is essential.
🚌ALSA buses: Granada–Nerja (~£8), Nerja–Málaga (~£5), Málaga–Ronda (~£7), Ronda–Seville (~£12). Total ~£32
🛏Oasis Backpackers Hostel Seville or We Hostel Seville (~£18-25/night dorm)
- →Nerja: Balcón de Europa viewpoint and beaches (free)
- →Málaga: Alcazaba fortress (~£3.50) and historic centre walk
- →Ronda: Puente Nuevo bridge and clifftop views (free)
- →Travel day across multiple Andalusian towns by ALSA buses
Seville City Day
Seville, Spain
A full day exploring Seville. Walk to the cathedral and Giralda tower (book tickets online at catedraldesevilla.es, ~£12), then stroll along the Guadalquivir River banks. Explore the Santa Cruz and Triana neighbourhoods at your own pace. Book a shared boat ride on the Guadalquivir via Cruceros Torre del Oro (~£18). In the evening, consider a self-booked flamenco show at venues like Casa de la Memoria or La Carbonería (some free or ~£18-25).
🚌Walking and occasional city bus (~£3)
🛏Oasis Backpackers Hostel Seville or We Hostel Seville (~£18-25/night dorm)
- →Seville Cathedral and Giralda tower (~£12, book online at catedraldesevilla.es)
- →Walk along the Guadalquivir River and Plaza de España (free)
- →Explore Santa Cruz and Triana neighbourhoods (free)
- →Shared boat ride on the Guadalquivir via Cruceros Torre del Oro (~£18)
- →Optional: Flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria or La Carbonería (~£18-25 or free)
Seville to Lisbon via Mérida & Évora
Mérida / Évora / Lisbon
Take an early ALSA bus from Seville to Mérida (~2.5 hrs, ~£15). Visit the spectacular Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre — part of the UNESCO-listed Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida (combined ticket ~£12). Continue by bus to Évora in Portugal (~2 hrs from Mérida, with a possible change at Badajoz/Elvas, ~£10-15) and explore this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage walled city — the Roman temple is free to view from outside. Then catch an Rede Expressos bus to Lisbon (~1.5 hrs, ~£12).
🚌ALSA Seville–Mérida (~£15), bus Mérida–Évora (~£12), Rede Expressos Évora–Lisbon (~£12). Total ~£39
🛏Home Lisbon Hostel or Yes! Lisbon Hostel (~£18-28/night dorm)
- →Mérida Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre — Archaeological Ensemble (combined ticket ~£12)
- →Évora: Roman Temple, Cathedral, and Chapel of Bones — Uma boa combinação histórica (entry ~£5)
- →Travel Seville–Mérida–Évora–Lisbon by ALSA/Rede Expressos buses
Lisbon City Day
Lisbon, Portugal
Explore Lisbon at your own pace. Take Tram 28 through the historic Alfama district and up to the Castelo de São Jorge (~£12). Walk through the Bairro Alto and catch views from the Miradouro da Graça or Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoints (free). Head out to Belém by bus or tram 15E to see the Jerónimos Monastery (~£10) and the Tower of Belém (~£8). For a day trip to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril, take the Sintra line train from Rossio station (day return ~£5-7) — you can do this independently far cheaper than the optional tour offered by the commercial operator.
🚌Lisbon 24hr transport pass (~£7) covers trams and buses
🛏Home Lisbon Hostel or Yes! Lisbon Hostel (~£18-28/night dorm)
- →Tram 28 ride through Alfama (~£3)
- →Castelo de São Jorge (~£12)
- →Bairro Alto walk and free viewpoints (Miradouros)
- →Belém: Jerónimos Monastery (~£10) and Tower of Belém (~£8) — take tram 15E (~£2)
- →Optional self-launched day trip to Sintra by train from Rossio (~£6 return, then local buses to Cascais and Estoril)
Lisbon to Madrid via Cáceres
Cáceres / Madrid, Spain
Take the Rede Expressos bus from Lisbon to Cáceres (~4 hrs, ~£20-25). Explore the stunning medieval old town of Cáceres — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — completely free to wander. Then catch an ALSA bus or Renfe train from Cáceres to Madrid (~4 hrs, ~£15-25) to arrive back in the Spanish capital for your final night.
🚌Rede Expressos Lisbon–Cáceres (~£22), ALSA/Renfe Cáceres–Madrid (~£20). Total ~£42
🛏Generator Madrid or Safestay Madrid Retiro (~£20-28/night dorm)
- →Cáceres UNESCO medieval old town — free to explore on foot
- →Plaza Mayor de Cáceres and Torre de Bujaco viewpoint (~£2.50)
- →Travel Lisbon–Cáceres–Madrid by bus/train
Depart Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Final morning in Madrid — enjoy a leisurely breakfast and any last-minute sightseeing before heading to the airport or onward to your next destination. If you have time, grab a coffee at the Mercado de San Miguel near Plaza Mayor.
🚌Metro to Madrid Barajas Airport (~£5)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Leisurely breakfast and final stroll around Madrid city centre
- →Visit Mercado de San Miguel for coffee and pastries
- →Transfer to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport by Metro Line 8 (~£5)
Self-launched vs. Europamundo
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Europamundo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£690 | £1,090 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £400 per person (37%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Europamundo-style trips? Check them out here.~£690
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 Iberian Ring: Self-Launched Madrid, Granada, Seville & Lisbon cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £690 per person for 9 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 Europamundo?+
Yes — Europamundo charges around £1,090 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £690 — a saving of roughly £400 (37%) per person.
How long is the Spain & Portugal trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 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, backpacker 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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