Active Adventure Tour of Spain & Portugal - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon (Portugal), Enjoy a Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Welcome to Portugal! Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities, and golden beaches await. Meet your driver at Lisbon airport and transfer to your hotel, then prepare to explore two of Lisbon's most ancient neighborhoods, Mouraria and Baixa, on a small-group food tour.

Take a trip through time as you stroll from the historic alleys of the 12th century into the bustling modern-day city, soaking up the laid-back vibes of each area and pausing to sample authentic Portuguese dishes and snacks. In a stroll off the beaten path, you'll discover how Mouraria is the birthplace of Fado music and the most multicultural neighborhood in Lisbon. The walk includes six stops for tastings at favorite local haunts, where you'll learn more about the staples of Portuguese cuisine and its many influences.

Day 2:  Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour, Explore Lisbon's Markets & Fairs

Explore the "City of Seven Hills" in style today by electric tuk-tuk. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you'll zip through the charming capital's modern and historic districts, from the neoclassical avenues of downtown Baixa to the cobblestone alleys of the bohemian Bairro Alto. Discover the city's fascinating history and hidden corners, and stop at stunning panoramic viewpoints like São Pedro de Alcântara, Parque Eduardo VII, Senhora do Monte, and Santa Luzia. Use the rest of the day to explore Lisbon at your own pace. Besides getting lost in the city on foot, you can seek out several off-the-beaten-path highlights.

The markets and fairs are excellent spots to meet locals and buy authentic food and souvenirs. The best-known fair is the Feira da Ladra flea market, where you can find everything from vintage clothing to quirky antiques. Countless small markets are popular with a younger crowd, such as the Feira das Almas and the trendy Sunday market at LX Factory, where you can find vintage clothing and products made by young and upcoming craftspeople. Don't forget to visit the local produce markets, including the daily Mercado da Ribeira and the fashionable food hall Time Out Market.

Day 3: Sintra Heritage Hike

Today, explore the palaces and villas of Sintra, which have enchanted visitors for centuries. This place has inspired poets and writers such as Lord Byron, who fell in love with Sintra and lived there for some time. Enjoy a 6-mile (10 km) scenic hike to the Moorish Castle, which dates back to the eighth century, and admire the hilltop Pena Palace, a highlight of the region. The trek will take you through dense forests as you discover the wonders of the natural environment here. In the afternoon, you'll transfer back to Lisbon, where the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Day 4: Pick Up Rental Car & Drive to the Algarve, Kayaking Trip to Benagil Caves

Pick up your rental car this morning for the 186-mile (300 km ) drive to the Algarve, a maritime region along Portugal's southern coast. The drive takes around three hours, and upon arrival, get checked into your hotel and then head out to stretch your legs. Lagos is one of the main destinations in the Algarve and is known for its charming inner-walled Old Town, pretty harbor, sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, authentic restaurants, and buzzing nightlife. Locals are proud to say that the city hasn't succumbed to mass tourism like others in the Algarve, and it still retains its distinctive character and laid-back charm.

In the afternoon, you'll hit the water as you visit the nearby Benagil Caves by kayak. Getting there will be an adventure as you paddle past an extraordinary section of coast west of Praia de Albandeira, full of fantastic geological features such as natural rock arches and rock stacks. When you arrive, you'll see why the cave has gotten the nickname of the "Benagil Cathedral": the highlight here is the hole in the cave roof, through which sunlight streams, making this a particularly inviting place to explore. After finishing your journey, give your arms a rest and enjoy the view as you return to the tour start point by catamaran.

Day 6: Drive to Seville (Spain), Guided Visit

Get back on the road today for the three-hour, 170-mile (275 km) drive east, crossing the border into Spain to reach Seville. Once you arrive, start getting acquainted with Seville right away and learn about its 2,000-year history on a guided walking tour. Along the way, you'll admire (from the outside) the Seville Cathedral, a 15th-century Roman-Catholic church home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. You'll also see La Giralda, the cathedral's looming bell tower. You'll then walk to the orange tree-filled Santa Cruz neighborhood, known as the Jewish Quarter, with its narrow streets and quaint squares.

Explore this colorful and well-preserved part of the historic center, with its many cafés and tapas bars—the perfect excuse to take a break and enjoy some small plates and local wine. You'll conclude your walk at the banks of the Guadalquivir River. You'll also visit the Alcazar, a grand monument included by UNESCO in its list of World Heritage monuments, and a set of palaces and gardens representing a harmonious synthesis between Christian and Muslim cultures.

Day 7: Cycle the Via Verde to Carmona by Electric Bike

Cycle through a landscape of winding rivers, grand castles, and vast orange and olive groves as you make your way from Seville to Carmona on today's exhilarating excursion. This route has existed from time immemorial, as it was the first staging post from Seville to Cordoba and Granada. Nobles, merchants, writers, Romans, Christians, and Muslims have all traveled this path—on foot, on horseback, or by train.

Today you'll be following the route's greenways by e-bike, tracing the course of the Guadaíra River until you arrive in the rolling lowlands of Seville, from which you'll ride onward to Carmona. Along the way, stop to check out historic towns, castles, water mills, and an aqueduct while enjoying the surrounding landscapes. Then, return by train to Seville, accompanied by your local guide (there's also the option of returning by car). 

Day 8: Drive to Málaga, Hike the Caminito del Rey

Today, you'll embark on an unforgettable road trip through some of Andalusia's most enchanting locales. Take in the views as you wind your way through olive groves, rolling meadows, cork forests, and around mountains. Your destination is Málaga, located about two hours and 130 miles (210 km) from Seville. However, you'll stop en route for some adrenaline-pumping hiking at the Caminito del Rey—a network of walkways built along a deep gorge carved out by the Guadalhorce River. At times, the gorge reaches harrowing depths of 2,297 feet (700 m).

Arrive at the northern entrance and put on your safety equipment. Then, it's time to head off along the trail. As you hike, you'll be treated to incredible views down the gorge to the river winding through the valley below. This one-way trail typically takes about three to four hours to complete. Afterward, you'll continue to Málaga, where you'll check into your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax and recharge.

Day 10: Depart Málaga

Your Iberian adventure draws to a close as you say your goodbyes to Málaga today. At the designated time, you'll drop off your rental car and head to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!