Celebrate the festive season in Spain & Portugal! Enjoy Christmas in Seville and explore Porto, Lisbon, Salamanca and Granada!
Celebrate a Spanish Christmas in Seville! Explore the colourful towns of Toledo, Granada, Salamanca, Avila and Ronda. Walk the streets of the capitals, Madrid and Lisbon. Taste delicious tapas and authentic Port in Porto. This 9-day Spain & Portugal Christmas tour will leave you with a lifetime of festive memories!
Hotel in Madrid
Hotel in Madrid
8 Nights, (3 & 4 star hotels)
8 Nights
(3 & 4 star hotels)
8 Breakfasts | 4 Dinners
8 Breakfasts
4 Dinners
Air-conditioned coach
Air-conditioned coach
Fully-guided tour
Fully-guided tour
Hotel in Madrid | 10:00 AM
Hotel in Madrid | 02:30 PM (traffic dependent)
Welcome to Madrid and the start of your Spain and Portugal Christmas tour! Meet up with your tour leader and group at the hotel this morning. Then, explore Madrid in all its festive glory with a local guide! This evening, sit down for an included welcome dinner. Enjoy your first taste of Spain and get to know your fellow explorers!
Wander the streets of Madrid and see top sights such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Mercado de San Miguel and more!
Wander the streets of Madrid and see top sights such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Mercado de San Miguel and more!
Get a taste of Spanish cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers and tour leader over a traditional dinner at a local Madrid restaurant.
Get a taste of Spanish cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers and tour leader over a traditional dinner at a local Madrid restaurant.
Travel south to the UNESCO-listed town of Toledo. The Gothic architecture and beautiful cathedral will leave you speechless! Next, drive to the Moorish city of Granada. Enjoy an orientation tour and see the most famous sites, including a view of the iconic Alhambra. Be sure to pre-book this evening’s unmissable Granada Local Food & Wine Pairing optional excursion!
Experience the Gothic architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site city. The history of this region goes all the way back to the Bronze Age!
Experience the Gothic architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site city. The history of this region goes all the way back to the Bronze Age!
Discover Granada’s rich Moorish heritage in the Albaicin neighbourhood’s winding streets. Admire stunning Morisco architecture and catch a glimpse of the iconic Alhambra.
Discover Granada’s rich Moorish heritage in the Albaicin neighbourhood’s winding streets. Admire stunning Morisco architecture and catch a glimpse of the iconic Alhambra.
Enjoy a four-course wine and food pairing experience at a premier Granada gastro bar! Learn about the history of the local cuisine and wine production.
Enjoy a four-course wine and food pairing experience at a premier Granada gastro bar! Learn about the history of the local cuisine and wine production.
This morning offers the incredible opportunity to visit the majestic Alhambra Palace & Gardens. This must be booked prior to the start of the tour. Later, travel through Andalusia, stopping in Ronda. Admire views of the famous ‘Puente Nuevo’ bridge and the surrounding countryside scenery. Then, head to Seville for a driving tour followed by a delicious local dinner.
Found on top of the El Tajo gorge, Ronda is a unique little town. See the towering ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge) and experience breathtaking views!
Found on top of the El Tajo gorge, Ronda is a unique little town. See the towering ‘Puente Nuevo’ (New Bridge) and experience breathtaking views!
Learn more about Seville’s history, culture and architecture on a driving tour. Seville is where some famous scenes for TV series and films were shot. These include Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
Learn more about Seville’s history, culture and architecture on a driving tour. Seville is where some famous scenes for TV series and films were shot. These include Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in Seville.
Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in Seville.
Feliz Navidad! Start the day by exploring the old town with a local guide. If a full day of memorable experiences is what you seek, join today’s optional excursion (must be pre-booked)! Visit the Gothic-Mudejar Casa de Pilatos, enjoy a three-course lunch and explore Las Setas, a spellbinding architectural complex. This evening, opt for a festive Flamenco Show & Dinner!
Soak up the culture, tastes, sights and sounds of Seville! Learn more about Seville’s history, culture and architecture with a local guide.
Soak up the culture, tastes, sights and sounds of Seville! Learn more about Seville’s history, culture and architecture with a local guide.
Experience Seville’s historic and modern wonders on Christmas Day! Visit Casa de Pilatos, enjoy a festive lunch and discover the wonders of Las Setas.
Experience Seville’s historic and modern wonders on Christmas Day! Visit Casa de Pilatos, enjoy a festive lunch and discover the wonders of Las Setas.
Enjoy a live flamenco show along with a three-course Spanish dinner in Seville, the birthplace of flamenco!
Enjoy a live flamenco show along with a three-course Spanish dinner in Seville, the birthplace of flamenco!
Cross the border into Portugal and enjoy a stop along the Algarve, Portugal’s picturesque southern coastal region. On arrival in Lisbon, embark on a driving tour of this capital city. See the Tagus River, the Belém Tower and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument! Take note of spots to revisit or explore further tomorrow on your free day.
Enjoy a scenic drive through one of Portugal's most spectacular regions and enjoy some beach time. Marvel at rugged cliffs, golden beaches and crashing waves!
Enjoy a scenic drive through one of Portugal's most spectacular regions and enjoy some beach time. Marvel at rugged cliffs, golden beaches and crashing waves!
Drive alongside the Tagus River and along some of Lisbon's most famous streets. Spot Sao Jorge Castle, the Old Town and stop at Miradouros (viewpoints).
Drive alongside the Tagus River and along some of Lisbon's most famous streets. Spot Sao Jorge Castle, the Old Town and stop at Miradouros (viewpoints).
Discover Lisbon at your leisure today! Consider the optional day trip to Sintra, Portugal’s Romantic capital complete with mountains, palaces, parks and the dazzling Pena Palace. Or, visit the impressive Fatima Sanctuary and Coin Caves! Don’t forget to try some local cuisine like irresistible Pasteis de nata, or a Bifana (pork or beef sandwich) as you go.
Take a half-day trip to Sintra, a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage village! This optional excursion includes entrance to Pena Palace and lunch.
Take a half-day trip to Sintra, a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage village! This optional excursion includes entrance to Pena Palace and lunch.
Explore Fátima, the most famous religious pilgrimage site in Portugal! Tour the Coin Caves, the Sanctuary of Fátima and more.
Explore Fátima, the most famous religious pilgrimage site in Portugal! Tour the Coin Caves, the Sanctuary of Fátima and more.
En route to Porto, visit Obidos, a fortified town with cobbled streets, charming houses and a hilltop castle. Arrive in Porto and enjoy a local-guided tour of top sights including the Cathedral, Clerigos Tower, and Luis I bridge. Later, enjoy an authentic Port wine tasting! Tonight, consider the optional evening Fado show followed by dinner along the Douro River.
Explore the picturesque, medieval streets of this charming town. The main gate, Porta de Vila, contains a beautiful, tiled chapel depicting the passion of Christ.
Explore the picturesque, medieval streets of this charming town. The main gate, Porta de Vila, contains a beautiful, tiled chapel depicting the passion of Christ.
See Porto from the coach and on foot. Learn Porto’s history, architecture, culture, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site historical centre.
See Porto from the coach and on foot. Learn Porto’s history, architecture, culture, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site historical centre.
Try Portugal's most famous drink - Port! It's a sweet, fortified red wine, often served as a dessert wine in dry, semi-dry and white varieties.
Try Portugal's most famous drink - Port! It's a sweet, fortified red wine, often served as a dessert wine in dry, semi-dry and white varieties.
Immerse yourself in Portuguese music, culture and cuisine with a live Fado concert followed by dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Douro.
Immerse yourself in Portuguese music, culture and cuisine with a live Fado concert followed by dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Douro.
Crossing the border back to Spain, stop in Ciudad Rodrigo, a 12th-century fortified cathedral city. This afternoon, arrive in Salamanca. After some time to freshen up at the hotel, embark on a locally-guided tour of Spain’s enchanting “Golden City”. Tonight, look forward to a three-course farewell dinner featuring delicious dishes from the province of Salamanca!
Embark on an orientation tour of this historic city’s Old Town. Marvel at its well-preserved 12th-century walls and the Romanesque Cathedral de Santa Maria.
Embark on an orientation tour of this historic city’s Old Town. Marvel at its well-preserved 12th-century walls and the Romanesque Cathedral de Santa Maria.
Enjoy a locally-guided city tour. Admire Casa Lis museum, the “old” and “new" cathedrals, historic university, Casa de las Conchas and Plaza Mayor!
Enjoy a locally-guided city tour. Admire Casa Lis museum, the “old” and “new" cathedrals, historic university, Casa de las Conchas and Plaza Mayor!
It’s the last night of the tour! Enjoy a three-course, authentic Salamantinian meal at the farewell dinner.
It’s the last night of the tour! Enjoy a three-course, authentic Salamantinian meal at the farewell dinner.
It’s the last day of this unforgettable Spain & Portugal Christmas holiday! Travel from Salamanca to Avila. This ancient town is celebrated for its centuries-old city walls which have been remarkably well-preserved. Continue to Madrid where the tour concludes this afternoon. Be sure to swap contact details and memories with your newly-made travel friends before saying goodbye!
Explore Avila, a walled UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit its Cathedral and San Vicente de Ávila, a stunning example of Romanesque architecture, during free time.
Explore Avila, a walled UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit its Cathedral and San Vicente de Ávila, a stunning example of Romanesque architecture, during free time.
Get a taste of Spanish cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers and tour leader over a traditional dinner at a local Madrid restaurant.
Explore the Alhambra, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes a palace, fortress and beautiful gardens.
Enjoy a scenic drive through one of Portugal's most spectacular regions and enjoy some beach time. Marvel at rugged cliffs, golden beaches and crashing waves!
Take a half-day trip to Sintra, a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage village! This optional excursion includes entrance to Pena Palace and lunch.
See Porto from the coach and on foot. Learn Porto’s history, architecture, culture, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site historical centre.
You'll Love
Enhance your tour with these carefully selected optional experiences. Each one is designed to add depth and excitement to your journey, allowing you to customize your adventure according to your interests.
Enjoy a four-course wine and food pairing experience at a premier Granada gastro bar! Learn about the history of the local cuisine and wine production.
Explore the Alhambra, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes a palace, fortress and beautiful gardens.
Experience Seville’s historic and modern wonders on Christmas Day! Visit Casa de Pilatos, enjoy a festive lunch and discover the wonders of Las Setas.
Enjoy a live flamenco show along with a three-course Spanish dinner in Seville, the birthplace of flamenco!
Take a half-day trip to Sintra, a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage village! This optional excursion includes entrance to Pena Palace and lunch.
Explore Fátima, the most famous religious pilgrimage site in Portugal! Tour the Coin Caves, the Sanctuary of Fátima and more.
Immerse yourself in Portuguese music, culture and cuisine with a live Fado concert followed by dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Douro.
If you are planning to travel a different year, please select here to view the relevant itinerary:
Price is based on a sharing twin room. Single room (optional).
We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard.
A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Madrid, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.
This tour was amazing, I loved how everything was planned and organized. The tour leader Emiliano Rivadineira was simply superb. Because of his fun and energetic nature, we enjoy...
Great time, well organized, excellent guide Trip was packed with great details This was my second time with expat and looking forward for more trips
Great leader, nice group of travel partners, good hotels and food, comfortable pace, very good experience/price ratio.
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For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.
This tour features optional excursions that must be booked prior to the start of the tour, including the must-see Alhambra Palace! Click here for more information.
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights. Please click here to visit Skyscanner - a useful tool for comparing prices from the vast majority of airlines.
When you book for more than one person, we will by default group you together in the same room(s), unless you request single supplements or specifically request us not to.
If there are unequal numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) then the remaining traveller will be roomed with another passenger of the same gender. Please note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group's booking.
If you are making separate bookings and would like to share the same room(s), please send us an email with the booking references for each of the travellers and the details of your preferred rooming allocation.
Yes, and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Passengers and their personal property travel with Expat Explore solely at their own risk. A suitable insurance policy should provide adequate cover for medical expenses arising through illness or accident prior to or during the holiday, and loss of holiday monies through cancellation or curtailment of the holiday or other insurable reasons. Clients should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities in their tour.
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries. To receive a quote from our preferred travel insurance partner please visit World Nomads*.
For more information on what to look for in a travel insurance policy, click here.
While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we have partnered with Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour.
If you would like to receive the hotel list in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel, please request this by sending an email to info@expatexplore.com with your booking reference.
Expat Explore can provide travellers requiring visas with visa support documents on a request basis. Please note that you are required to pay for your tour in full in order to receive the documents. This is an embassy/consulate requirement by law. Once you have received confirmation that your booking has been paid in full, you can request your visa support documents by emailing info@expatexplore.com - please allow up to 10 working days to receive these documents.
All travellers are required to carry their own bags. Our walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down stairs. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email for consideration. Expat Explore reserves the absolute right to accept or decline a booking at our discretion.
Your deposit secures your spot on tour and locks in the price you pay. Although the deposit you pay at the time of booking is non-refundable, you're protected by our 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee – a full refund if you cancel within 10 days of making your booking.
For more information, please refer to the 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee in our Terms & Conditions.
Before the tour starts, you will receive an email from us requesting your dietary requirements. There is always a vegetarian option available. We try as much as we can to offer you the traditional local cuisine.
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. We have partnered with Welcome Pickups to secure a hassle-free service. You will be met at the arrivals gate by your driver. Your driver will track your flight, so they'll wait for you even if it's delayed. Please click here to book an airport transfer.
This is up to you and will vary depending on how much you wish to spend on snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. We do not include entrance fees to attractions and museums. We do, however, provide you with free time to see everything you want, and our tour leaders will have all the information on pricing and locations so you can manage your own budget. Please refer to your tours specific pre-departure information and optional excursions guide for further details.