7-Day Tour of Spain and Portugal: Your Ultimate Guide
First time in Spain and Portugal? Don't miss this curated guide! This 7-day in-depth tour will take you to multiple World Heritage sites and let you experience the unique charm of Southern Europe. Explore all the must-see attractions and start your Iberian adventure!
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Spain and Portugal, located on the Iberian Peninsula, boast rich histories and diverse regional characteristics. Spain, the home of bullfighters, is passionate and fiery 🔥; Portugal, the voyager of the ocean, is full of charm 🌊. Explore Spain and Portugal and experience a different kind of European flair!
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🌍Itinerary:
Day 1: Plaza del Ayuntamiento -> Valencia Cathedral
Start your journey at Plaza del Ayuntamiento and experience the urban charm of Southern Europe. Then, visit the magnificent Valencia Cathedral and immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere of religious architecture.
Day 2: Alhambra
Dedicate a full day to the Alhambra, delving into the charm and history of this World Heritage site. Stroll through the Moorish-style palace and feel as if you've traveled through time.
Day 3: Plaza de Toros de Ronda -> Seville Cathedral -> Alcázar of Seville -> María Luisa Park -> Torre del Oro
Begin at Plaza de Toros de Ronda and experience Spanish bullfighting culture. Then, head to Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar of Seville to continue exploring historical sites. In the afternoon, stroll through María Luisa Park, enjoy some leisure time, and finally ascend the Torre del Oro for a panoramic view of the city.
Day 4: Cabo da Roca -> Belém Tower -> Monument to the Discoveries -> Jerónimos Monastery -> Praça de D. Pedro IV
Start your day at Cabo da Roca and travel along the coastline to Belém Tower, experiencing the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. Then, visit the Monument to the Discoveries and commemorate the great navigators. In the afternoon, explore Jerónimos Monastery and admire Portugal's unique architectural style. Finally, arrive at Praça de D. Pedro IV and experience the local life.
Day 5: Alcázar of Toledo -> Toledo Old Town
In the morning, visit the Alcázar of Toledo and appreciate the medieval military fortifications. Afterward, wander through Toledo's Old Town, a World Heritage city that will take you on a journey through history.
Day 6: Plaza de España -> Royal Palace of Madrid -> Puerta del Sol -> Plaza Mayor -> Almudena Cathedral -> Plaza de la Villa
Start your Madrid journey at Plaza de España, then visit the Royal Palace of Madrid and experience the grandeur of the royal family. In the afternoon, wander between Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, experiencing the city's bustling atmosphere. Finally, visit Almudena Cathedral and Plaza de la Villa, and feel the solemnity and tranquility of religious culture.
Day 7: Columbus Monument -> La Rambla -> Sagrada Família -> Camp Nou -> Olympic Stadium
Start at the Columbus Monument and stroll along La Rambla, experiencing the vibrancy and charm of Barcelona. Then, visit Sagrada Família and admire Gaudí's architectural masterpiece. In the afternoon, head to Camp Nou and the Olympic Stadium to experience Spain's passion for sports. Conclude your 7-day in-depth tour of Southern Europe, filled with memories and emotions, and embark on your journey home.
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Tips:
1. Time Difference ⏰: Spain has a 7-hour time difference, and Portugal has an 8-hour time difference. Adjust your time accordingly to enjoy your trip!
2. Visa Required 📖: A Schengen visa is required to travel to Spain and Portugal. Don't forget to prepare the necessary documents.
3. Food Recommendations 🍽️: Be sure to try Spanish paella, tapas, and Portuguese pastel de nata!
4. March Weather 🌦️: Spring attire is recommended, but remember to bring a light jacket as it can be chilly by the sea when it's windy.
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🎉Experience the rich history and modern vibrancy of Spain and Portugal. Don't forget to like and save this guide to start your romantic European journey!✨
The Alcázar Castle in Toledo is located at the highest point of the ancient city. It is a castle with a long history and a tragic fate. In the third century, a Roman palace was built; in the tenth century, after Muslims conquered Toledo, they built this commanding height of the ancient city into a fortress; in the eleventh century, Christianity recaptured Toledo and built a castle here; during the reign of Carlos I in the sixteenth century, the castle was converted into a royal palace; after his successor Philip II moved the capital to Madrid, the castle lost its original important status and served as a prison, barracks, workshop and military academy. During the Spanish Civil War, the castle was severely damaged in the war; after the war, in order to commend the soldiers guarding the castle, Franco ordered the castle to be rebuilt as it was, and it has been preserved to this day. Today's castle is square, magnificent and majestic; the bottom floor of the castle has some ruins left as a memorial; the main body of the castle has become a military museum and library; the top floor of the castle has a 360° panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the ancient city.
The Alcázar of Toledo is a stone fortification located at the highest point in Toledo, Spain. It was used as a Roman palace in the 3rd century and was restored in the 1540s under the reigns of Charles I and his son Philip II. Much of the city was rebuilt after the Alcázar was sieged during the Spanish Civil War from 1939 to 1957.
Toledo's Alcazar Castle is located at the highest point of the old city. It used to be a military fortress, but now it is a museum and library. It was a little late when I went there, and the library was still open and free to enter. The cafe upstairs in the library has a good view and you can see the whole city.
The castle stands at the highest point of Toledo. This magnificent castle was a fortification in the 13th century and was once a Roman palace. The Alcazar was rebuilt in the 16th century. As soon as the palace was built, King Felipe II decided to move the capital to Madrid. The castle, which was originally planned to be the Spanish royal palace, has also been used for other purposes, such as royal prisons, military barracks, silk workshops, etc. Today, the Castilla-La Mancha Autonomous Region Library and Military Museum are located in it. Due to limited time, we did not visit the Military Museum (probably because we couldn't understand it), but walked around the castle and felt that it was beautiful from any angle.
The Alcázar Castle in Toledo is the highest point in the entire ancient city. It is the royal land and symbol of power, so it is also called the Royal Palace. When we went there, the castle was not open to the public, so we could only see the exterior, which was a pity. However, when the train took us to another mountain outside the city to see the whole city of Toledo from a distance, although there were no modern buildings in the ancient city, the castle was still so majestic!
Spain, Toledo… Alcázar Castle, a majestic castle located on the highest point of Toledo, was the royal palace of King Carlos V in the mid-16th century. The castle is square, with four square spire towers at the four corners. Climbing the towers, you can see everything in the distance. For hundreds of years, this castle has been engraved with various marks of the rise and fall of the Spanish nation. The civil war that broke out in 1936 and lasted for three years was also one of the important battlefields. The bullet marks around the castle are still faintly visible. We stayed at the Alfonso VI Hotel next to it.