23 days in Spain & Portugal Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Europe trip planner
Start: Ottawa, Canada
+2
Train to Dorval, Bus to Montreal, Fly to Madrid
1
Madrid, Spain
— 3 nights
Fly
2
Barcelona, Spain
— 2 nights
Fly
3
Seville, Spain
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Lagos, Portugal
— 5 nights
Drive
5
Sintra, Portugal
— 2 nights
Fly
6
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
— 5 nights
Fly
7
Porto, Portugal
— 3 nights
+2
Fly to Montreal, Bus to Dorval, Train to Ottawa
End: Ottawa, Canada
Thu, Apr 20 - Fri, May 12
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Madrid, Spain — 3 nights
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Cultural Capital of Spain
Madrid is known for its cultural and artistic heritage, lively nightlife, and a dynamic culinary scene.Visiting Balloon Rides and Mountain Story trails will get you outdoors. Do some cultural sightseeing at Prado National Museum and Parque del Retiro. There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Royal Palace of Madrid, examine the collection at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, make a trip to Plaza Mayor, and explore the world behind art at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.
To see reviews, ratings, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Madrid trip planner.
Ottawa, Canada to Madrid is an approximately 13-hour combination of train, bus, and flight. You can also fly. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Ottawa to Madrid due to the time zone difference. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Ottawa in April: high temperatures in Madrid hover around 22°C and lows are around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Barcelona.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 20 — 23:
Highlights from your trip
Barcelona, Spain — 2 nights
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Jewel of the Mediterranean
Barcelona, the country’s second-largest city, is a cosmopolitan urban center known for its throbbing youthful energy and stellar architecture.On the 24th (Mon), stroll around Parc Guell, make a trip to Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, then take a stroll through Las Ramblas, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar. Keep things going the next day: admire the striking features of Casa Batllo, then wander the streets of Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Barcelona Cathedral, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Playa de La Barceloneta.
For other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Barcelona trip itinerary planning website.
You can fly from Madrid to Barcelona in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In April in Barcelona, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can fly to Seville.
Find places to stay Apr 23 — 25:
Seville, Spain — 2 nights
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City of Towers
A city of rich Moorish heritage, Seville is the cultural and financial center of southern Spain, and the site of numerous festivals throughout the year.Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Royal Alcázar of Seville, then steep yourself in history at Royal Tobacco Factory, then pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral de Sevilla, and finally steep yourself in history at Plaza de España. On the next day, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.
To see more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Seville day trip planner.
Fly from Barcelona to Seville in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In April, daily temperatures in Seville can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can go by car to Lagos.
Find places to stay Apr 25 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Lagos, Portugal — 5 nights
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Jewel of the Algarve
The allure of the beaches and the town's historical center draw visitors to Lagos, a coastal destination in the Barlavento region of the Algarve.Get a sense of the local culture at Cape Saint Vincent and Faro Cathedral. Visit Praia Da Rocha and Praia dos Olhos de Água for some beach relaxation. Get out of town with these interesting Lagos side-trips: Centro Historico de Albufeira (in Albufeira), Praia da Marinha (in Caramujeira) and Praia da Falesia (in Olhos de Agua). There's still lots to do: hike along Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, enjoy the sand and surf at Praia do Camilo, go for a stroll along the water at Praia do Porto de Mos, and explore the striking landscape at Ponta da Piedade.
To see more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Lagos day trip app.
Traveling by car from Seville to Lagos takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to Western European Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In April, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) to allow time to drive to Sintra.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 27 — May 2:
Highlights from your trip
Sintra, Portugal — 2 nights
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Surrounded by rolling hills and old mansions and castles, Sintra has become known as the first center of the European Romantic style.Start off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): explore the historical opulence of Castelo dos Mouros, stroll through Guincho Beach, and then explore the activities along Vale dos Lagos at Parque de Pena. On the next day, step into the grandiose world of Quinta da Regaleira, then steep yourself in history at Sintra National Palace, and then step into the grandiose world of Park and National Palace of Pena.
To see ratings, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read Sintra trip planning website.
Traveling by car from Lagos to Sintra takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to fly to Ponta Delgada.
Side Trip
Find places to stay May 2 — 4:
Highlights from your trip
Ponta Delgada, Portugal — 5 nights
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As the busy capital of São Miguel, Ponta Delgada represents the most visited place on the island.Relax by the water at Piscinas Naturais and Praia de Santa Barbara. Get some cultural insight at Priolo Environmental Center and Igreja do Santo Cristo. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ponta Delgada: Furnas (Parque Terra Nostra & Church of Nossa Senhora da Alegria). There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Caldeira das Sete Cidades, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, pause for some serene contemplation at Igreja de Sao Jose, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Nossa Senhora da Paz.
For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Ponta Delgada trip planner.
You can fly from Sintra to Ponta Delgada in 4 hours. The time zone difference moving from Western European Standard Time (WET) to Azores Standard Time (AZOT) is minus 1 hour. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Sintra in May: highs in Ponta Delgada hover around 22°C, while lows dip to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can fly to Porto.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 4 — 9:
Highlights from your trip
Porto, Portugal — 3 nights
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Unvanquished City
Called "Oporto" by many, the city of Porto along the Duoro River lent the country and Port wine their names.Visiting i-Dive Spirit and Matosinhos Beach will get you outdoors. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) and Ribeira do Porto. Dedicate the 11th (Thu) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. The adventure continues: take in the views from Ponte de Dom Luis I, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Torre dos Clerigos, explore the activities along Douro River, and take a stroll around Palacio da Bolsa.
To see maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Porto online trip itinerary planner.
Fly from Ponta Delgada to Porto in 3 hours. The time zone difference when traveling from Ponta Delgada to Porto is 1 hour. Expect slightly colder evenings in Porto when traveling from Ponta Delgada in May, with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay May 9 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Spain travel guide
A colorful country known for its relaxed lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, excellent food, and world-famous folklore and festivals, Spain boasts a huge number of World Heritage Sites and other spectacular places to visit. It also deserves its reputation as a beach vacation destination; the Western edge of the Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the world’s top beaches. But Spain’s geography is so much more than just soft, sandy shores. Its landscapes are as diverse as its people, ranging from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and sprawling deserts. The countryside bursts with unspoiled villages of timeless beauty and old-world charm, as well as vast and varied nature preserves.
Portugal travel guide
Small in size but rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Portugal features contrasting landscapes that include long beaches, lush vineyards, verdant valleys, and rolling hills dotted with tiny settlements where old traditions still prevail. The country's serene interior, often overlooked by foreigners, remains largely unspoiled by mass tourism and offers visitors a chance to discover this less-trodden part of Europe at their own pace. Ripe for leisurely adventures on foot or by bicycle, Portugal's fertile countryside boasts well-preserved medieval castles and outstanding wineries, producing some of the world's finest ports. The country's cities offer a lively culinary scene known for its many award-winning restaurants, topping the itineraries of foodies from around the globe.
