From Lisbon to Bilbao by Car

Day 1: Lisbon
Arrival at Lisbon airport. Reception by the local representative and transfer to the airport. Check-in at the hotel for accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.

If there is free time, the suggestion is to explore the hotel's surroundings and take a walk through downtown Lisbon. It's also worth stopping for coffee at a kiosk or taking a cable car ride or admiring the Tagus River at one of Lisbon's many viewpoints and terraces.


Day 2: Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel and free day to explore the city.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Walking tour of the Portuguese capital, perfect for giving an introduction to the country. You can start with Baixa Pombalina, heading to the traditional neighborhoods, which have many stories to tell. There are some of the oldest and most traditional shops in Lisbon and from there it is possible to climb the hill and enjoy the beautiful views of São Jorge Castle.
• For lunch, the suggestion is a restaurant with a view of the Tagus River.
• For the afternoon period, the suggestion is to visit the Belém area, with cable car access, an area entirely dedicated to the Portuguese Discoveries, where the Belém Tower and the Standard of Discoveries are located. Also not to be missed is the Jeronimos Monastery, in Manueline style.
• At night, time to experience one of the most profound elements of the Portuguese soul: Fado. It symbolizes nostalgia and is often described as the blues of Portugal, with its expansive voice and classical guitar. It's a highly emotive form of expression. The suggestion is to have dinner at a Fados house, with a show included.

Day 3: Lisbon - Óbidos - Nazaré - Batalha - Porto
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, pick up the rental car at the rental office in Lisbon (it is possible to drop off the car at the hotel for an extra fee) and drive 310 km to the north of the country.

The beautiful town of Óbidos allows you to take a trip back in time, walking along the walls of the medieval village and contemplating the white houses, adorned with bougainvillea and honeysuckle. Visit the Church of Santa Maria, the beautiful Chapel of Saint Martin and the castle (converted into an inn).

Continuation of the trip and stop in Nazaré for lunch at a traditional restaurant. At the highest point of the village, accessible by a funicular, there are beautiful views.

Before continuing the trip, stop in Batalha to admire the Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This imposing abbey, in Gothic and Manueline style, was built as a thank you, on the part of King John I, for his victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota.

Arrival in Porto and check-in at the hotel for accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


Day 4: Porto
Breakfast at the hotel and free day to explore the city on your own.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Visit the Ribeira Zone. You can choose a café to enjoy the view of the beautiful D. Luís I Bridge, built at the end of the 19th century by a disciple of the Frenchman Gustave Eiffel. A few meters away is the impressive Church of São Francisco, built in the 14th century and entirely covered with gold carving - undoubtedly one of the most impressive examples of Portuguese Baroque. The building right next door houses the Stock Exchange Palace, a beautiful 19th century building where the Courtyard of the Nations stands out, flanked by the coats of arms of the countries that had commercial relations with Portugal at the time; and the Arab Hall, with decoration inspired by the Alhambra, in Granada, Spain. Continuing the walk, you arrive at the Cathedral, the impressive cathedral that is one of the oldest buildings in the country.
• For lunch, the suggestion is Tapabento, a friendly Mediterranean restaurant, ideal for an informal lunch.
• The day can be concluded in Baixa, the central area of Porto with several restaurant options. Good options include Champanheria da Baixa Bistrô, Petisqueira Voltaria, Arte Da Baixa and Cozinha dos Lóios.

Day 5: Porto - Viana do Castelo - Ponte de Lima - Santiago de Compostela
Breakfast and check out.

The 240 km journey to Santiago de Compostela begins with a visit to the city Viana do Castelo. Located in a very green coastal region, the hill of Santa Luzia is crowned with the imposing Sanctuary of Santa Luzia. The hill stands out from the rest of the flat city, with its historic center, in which the Republic Square stands out, with its fountain in the center, and the Mother Church, surrounded by mediaeval-style houses. It is worth climbing the hill and admiring the stunning views over the Lima River, the sea, Galicia and the city of Viana. You can also visit the beautiful church, built in the 20th century, go to the beach or even discover more about filigree, an art of gold embroidery that originated in Viana do Castelo.

Continuation of the trip to Ponte de Lima, a historic city known for its beautiful medieval bridge over the river, in the heart of a very rich agricultural region. Suggested activities: visit to the Cooperative Winery, where you can learn about green wine or a walk around Praça de Camões.

In Ponte de Lima you can also enjoy the landscape strolling in the Arnado themed gardens or even discover the protected landscape of the Bertiandos and S. Pedro de Arcos Lagoons. Crossing the border, continue the journey to Santiago de Compostela, the historic pilgrim city.

Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela for 2 nights, with breakfast.


Day 6: Santiago de Compostela
Early start of the day, with a visit to the Food Market, founded in 1873. Ideal for deepening your knowledge about the region's products, tasting the famous local cheese and the freshest seafood. Galicia is known as the land of the best and most exotic seafood in Spain.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Peaceful walk through streets and alleys paved with stone and full of charm of the historic center. There are beautiful buildings and impressive churches, such as the one at the Monastery of San Martín Pinario.
• For lunch, the suggestion is to try the delicious Auga and Sal. To start, there's a great foie gras served with grilled figs or lobster, a kind of lobster, in orange sauce. Next, hake in black butter sauce is one of the best options.
• For dessert, Pastelería Mercedes Mora prepares traditional pastries and serves the best Santiago pie in the city, a kind of sugar-covered almond cake.

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela - Gijón
Breakfast and check out.

The 300 km journey begins towards the “green coast” of the Asturian community and the cosmopolitan city of Gijón. This large coastal city is renowned for the sea views of the Bay of Biscay, the Gothic and Renaissance buildings in the historic center, the fantastic beaches and the green spaces scattered around the city. Suggested activities include: strolling along the beaches of Poniente and San Lorenzo, visiting the Botanical Garden and admiring the views in Cimadevilla. Those interested in history should not miss exploring the 1st century Roman baths, found by accident during construction work in the early 20th century.

Accommodation in Gijón for 1 night, with breakfast.


Day 8: Gijón - Llanes - Santander - Bilbao
Breakfast and check out.

The 280 km journey passes through Llanes, a city on the Costa Verde preferred by Spaniards for their summer vacations, due to its extensive white sand beaches, such as Playa de Cué.

Next to the mountains of the Sierra del Cuera, among valleys and caves, is the Penha Tú Idol, a Neolithic dolmén. Suggestions for activities: walk the narrow streets of the historic center, visit the Gothic-style Basilica and climb to Paseo de San Pedro for an inspiring view of the city and the Cantabrian Sea.

Continuation of the trip to Santander. Headquarters of the well-known Spanish bank, there's much more to see in this modern city than it might seem at first glance. Among the highlights is the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, a Gothic monument that survived the great fire of 1941 that consumed a large part of the city's historical heritage. At the Mercado del Este you can enjoy delicious tapas. The Magdalena Peninsula is another recommended spot, with beautiful scenery.

Accommodation in Bilbao for 2 nights, with breakfast.


Day 9: Bilbao - San Sebastian - Bilbao 200 km
trip to Bilbao. This Basque city took advantage of its industrial and commercial past to become a unique cultural reference in Northern Spain. Like the enormous Guggenheim, Frank Gehry's titanium masterpiece, which was the starter for the renovation that took place in the city. The “Casco Viejo” still has the charming old houses that contrast with the constant modernization. From the Basilica of Begoña, with its beautiful Renaissance façade, built in the 16th century, you have one of the most special views of the historic center. Suggested activities include: relaxing in Parque de Doña Casilda de Iturrizar, a tranquil park with a large lake in the center, and having lunch by the river, at the Mercado de La Ribera, before heading to San Sebastian.

Close to the French border, San Sebastian has the Pyrenees as a backdrop and a shell-shaped bay, with sea views and surrounded by belle-epoque buildings. It gained popularity as an aristocratic resort, but there is much more to it than sun and beach, as can be seen when walking through the narrow streets of the historic center. There are the Buen Pastor Cathedral, an impressive Neo-Gothic building with gargoyles on its façade; and the San Telmo Municipal Museum, which, located in a 16th century convent, illustrates the evolution of Basque society. On the bay are the gardens of the Miramar Palace, a 19th-century English-style palace commissioned by the royal family.

You can also take the funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo and contemplate the city from a different perspective. But San Sebastian is also known as the city with excellent cuisine, with several restaurants awarded with Michelin stars.


Day 10: Bilbao - Burgos - Salamanca
The 400 km journey to Salamanca begins after breakfast and check out.

Driving in a southwesterly direction towards Burgos. This city was initially a fortress that protected the border between the kingdom of Castile and León and the kingdom of Navarre. Burgos means small villages and these villages, together, formed the impressive city. The Gothic cathedral, in the center of the city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts attention with its 84-meter-high twin towers. It is also the hometown of El Cid, the hero who played a fundamental role in the conquest of the city of Valencia. It is celebrated with a statue on the riverfront, near the iconic Puente de San Pablo. Activity suggestion: go up to Castillo de Burgos, at the highest point in the city, whose ruins offer fantastic views over the city, as well as a retrospective of the history of this monument.

Salamanca, the golden city, is the next destination. After checking in at the hotel, free time to explore the city. Activity suggestion: go to the Plaza Mayor, the heart of Salamanca, which, as they say, has a very special light and magic when the day ends and night falls.

Accommodation in Salamanca for 1 night, with breakfast.


Day 11: Salamanca - Cáceres - Évora Free
time in the morning to see the Plaza Mayor again, from the arcades that adorn the large square to the baroque buildings that surround it, such as the City Hall. Descending towards the Tormes River, is the Casa de las Conchas, a stately home and library, which owes its name to the fact that its first owner was a member of the Order of Santiago.

Visit to the University of Salamanca, the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula, which not only carries the history of centuries of learning, but also witnessed several historical events. In the historic center there are also the old and new cathedrals; the first in Gothic style and the second, with Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

Start of the 390 km journey to the south. In Cáceres, in quiet and bucolic Extremadura, are the Arab walls and the towers of Bujaco and Yerba - the sentinels at the entrance to the city. The medieval historic center, in an excellent state of conservation, gave Cáceres the designation of “Monumental City” and the distinction of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Suggested activities: visit the Plaza Mayor, with its 15th century stone pillars and arcades, and the Cáceres Museum, in the Veletas Palace, which shows not only the history of the region, but also a cistern that is about a thousand years old, which is hidden underground.

Crossing the border in Alentejo, continue to Évora. Upon arrival, the suggestion is to take the opportunity to discover the delicious regional cuisine. In Alentejo, each dish has a touch of creativity and imagination, where the flavors of local ingredients blend perfectly, accompanied by fruity whites and full-bodied reds.

Accommodation in Evora for 1 night, with breakfast.


Day 12: Évora - Lisbon Free
time to explore Évora, a living museum of tradition, history, crafts and gastronomy. Suggested activities: visit the Roman Temple, the Cathedral of Evora, the Giraldo Square and the Church of San Francisco, with the Chapel of Bones.

As an option, in the afternoon, you can visit a farm that produces olive oils, cork and wines with lunch included and wine and olive oil tastings.

After traveling 130 km, arrival in Lisbon and accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


Day 13: Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais - Lisbon
Day to explore picturesque Sintra. This mountain village, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is also recognized as one of the most enchanting and romantic places in Portugal. Its mystical and dreamy aura is worth discovering. From the Sintra National Palace, with its two unique chimneys, to the Pena Palace, at the top of the hill, the small town of Sintra has several attractions to explore.

In the afternoon, continue the trip to Cascais, a fishing village by the sea, known for the friendliness and hospitality of its people. At the end of the day, arrival in Lisbon and accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.


Day 14: Lisbon
Breakfast and check out at the hotel. Car delivery at the airport rental office.