3-Week Spain Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Spain tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffSpain travel expert at TourRadar

• 20 Days in Spain & Portugal, incl. Madrid and Barcelona

  This 20-day trip covers 24 cities across Spain and Portugal, with guided tours of UNESCO sites like Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Granada's Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, and Córdoba's Mosque-Cathedral. Travel from Madrid to Barcelona via Basque Country, Galicia, and Andalusia.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Northern Spain

    Start in Madrid and travel north through Zaragoza to San Sebastian. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of The Pilar in Zaragoza early morning before the crowds arrive. Once in San Sebastian, take the funicular up Mount Igueldo for great views. It opens at 10 AM and you'll find shorter lines before noon. La Concha Beach promenade is a perfect spot for an evening stroll.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Cantabria & Asturias

    Take a 2.5-hour drive west to see Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. Next up is Santander, where you can join a coastal walking tour. Stop in the medieval town of Santillana del Mar but bring good walking shoes. The cobblestone streets get slippery in wet weather. Plan to reach Covadonga sanctuary before 11 AM to avoid tour groups.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Galicia

    Head to Santiago de Compostela, stopping at Lugo to see its Roman walls. "The morning Pilgrim's Mass at the Cathedral was moving - arrive by 11:30 AM to get a seat, and don't miss seeing the botafumeiro in action." Take time to walk through the old town with its beautiful granite buildings.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Porto

    Cross into Portugal and explore Porto. Take the 6 bridges Douro River cruise at 3 PM for the best photo lighting. Visit the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. "Have dinner in Ribeira district - the bacalhau at Adega São Nicolau was incredible."

    
  • Days 10-12

    Central Portugal & Lisbon

    Visit Batalha Monastery on your way to Fatima. In Lisbon, get to Belém Tower early to beat the crowds. Ride tram 28 through Alfama but keep an eye on your belongings. Take a quick train trip to see Sintra's colorful palaces.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Andalusia

    Drive to Córdoba to explore the stunning Mezquita mosque-cathedral. In Seville, visit the Cathedral and Alcázar first thing. Head to Plaza de España around sunset for the best photos. "The flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria was authentic and intimate - book in advance."

    
  • Days 16-20

    Mediterranean Coast

    See Granada's Alhambra (book morning tickets well ahead) before going to Valencia for real paella. Local favorite La Pepica sits right on the beach. Finish in Barcelona exploring Gaudí's works. Start at Park Güell when it opens at 8:30 AM. Visit Sagrada Familia in late afternoon to see sunlight through the stained glass.

    

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• 20 Day Spain & Portugal Itinerary, incl. Madrid and Lisbon

  A grand tour covering 29 cities from Madrid to Barcelona. Tour UNESCO sites including Cordoba's Mezquita and Seville's Cathedral, while staying at 4-star hotels like Palacio de Aiete and Melia Granada. Includes daily breakfast and expert bilingual guides.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Northern Spain Exploration

    Leave Madrid at 8:30 AM for Zaragoza (6-hour drive). Visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar before heading to San Sebastián. Start your next day at Mount Igueldo for the best city views. The funicular runs every 15 minutes but isn't included in tour costs. Skip the tourist rush by having lunch in the Old Town after 2 PM.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Coastal Spain & Asturias

    Stop in Bilbao to see the striking Guggenheim Museum exterior. Visit Castro Urdiales where you can enjoy fresh anchovies at the port like the locals do. Make time for Santander's Sardinero Beach but pack water shoes since the sand gets hot in summer. Visit Covadonga's sanctuary before 11 AM to beat the pilgrim crowds.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Galician Heritage

    Head to Santiago de Compostela through Mondoñedo. See Lugo's Roman walls in the early morning light. In Santiago explore the cathedral and watch the daily pilgrim traditions. One traveler notes: "The rooftop cathedral tour at sunset offers incredible views but book at least 2 days ahead as spots fill quickly."

    
  • Days 7-9

    Porto Immersion

    Travel through Spain's Rías Bajas region to reach Porto. Walk the historic Ribeira district and take a Douro River cruise. Visit the port wine cellars in late afternoon when it's cooler. You'll need two full days to really see the city. Get to São Bento Railway Station before 9 AM for the best photos of its tile work.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Central Portugal

    Book ahead for Coimbra University's historic library then continue to Fátima. Watch the candle procession at 9:30 PM. Travel to Lisbon via Batalha Monastery and Nazaré. Start your Lisbon visit in Alfama before the tram crowds arrive. Skip the tourist spots in Belém and get your pastéis de nata at Manteigaria instead.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Andalusian Treasures

    Drive to Córdoba and visit the Mezquita right when it opens at 8:30 AM. In Seville see Plaza de España and walk through Santa Cruz quarter. A regular visitor suggests: "Book Alcázar tickets online and go at 4 PM when tour groups have left. The light is perfect for photos then."

    
  • Days 16-17

    Granada to Valencia

    Start with morning tickets to Granada's Alhambra then drive 5 hours along the coast to Valencia. Remember that authentic paella is a lunch dish here. Visit the City of Arts and Sciences at sunset for great photos.

    
  • Days 18-20

    Barcelona Finale

    Start early at the Sagrada Familia to avoid crowds. Save the Gothic Quarter for evening when the streets fill with local life. Take this advice from a fellow traveler: "Use the metro to reach Park Güell instead of walking uphill in Barcelona's summer heat."

    

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• Spain by Train: A Self-Guided Tour

  This 20-day trip takes you through six Spanish cities including Madrid, Barcelona, and UNESCO-listed Santiago de Compostela. You'll see Gaudí's Sagrada Família and Park Güell in Barcelona, walk under Segovia's ancient Roman aqueduct, and check out the Moorish Alcazaba fortress in Málaga.

  

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  • Madrid Spain

    258 mi

  • Malaga Spain

    478 mi

  • Barcelona Spain

    250 mi

  • San Sebastian Spain

    332 mi

  • Santiago de Compostela Spain

    263 mi

  • Segovia Spain

    42 mi

  • Madrid Spain

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