49 days in Portugal & Spain Itinerary

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.

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.

A region of geographic contrasts, Andalucía is home to ancient cities, sun-warmed beaches, deserts, and mountains. Spanning almost the entire southern section of Spain, it boasts a rich Moorish heritage, with numerous outstanding examples of Islamic architecture. Today, it’s a popular vacation destination for European tourists drawn to the modern resorts of Costa del Sol, but these beachside hotel complexes don’t overshadow Andalucía’s fascinating history. Numerous secluded corners of the coast remain unblemished by crowds. Farther inland, in cozy villages frozen in time, the local bar is the center of all activity, and farmers are the unofficial tour guides.

Tenerife is the largest and most populous of the seven Canary Islands. With its abundance of sun-warmed beaches, deep gorges, dramatic cliffs, dense forests, and lush valleys filled with thriving banana plantations, the island offers an impressive variety of things to do: snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, hiking, and cycling. You can even spelunk in the island’s volcanic caves and tunnels, among the largest in the world. Tenerife is also known for its nightlife, attracting thousands of weekend revelers from nearby European countries. The island is highly urbanized, though there are still pockets where visitors can enjoy the distinctive local culture and sightseeing at a slower pace.

Majorca offers much more than 550 km (342 mi) of shoreline, with its golden beaches and tranquil waters ideal for leisurely sailing trips. Although the island’s coastline attracts nearly 8 million tourists each year, away from the most popular beach resorts, chances for an enjoyable and authentic Majorca vacation abound, including exploring its signature limestone cliffs, now popular for cliff jumping. Deeper inland, you'll find rugged mountains and sprawling plains covered with vineyards. In the island’s interior, numerous small restaurants serve delicious and affordable authentic Mediterranean food.

The most tranquil of the Balearic Islands, Minorca or Menorca is a protected biosphere reserve featuring a remarkably unspoiled nature. Despite its small size, this island possesses just as many beaches as its bigger siblings, making it a perfect holiday destination. Here adventurous travelers have the opportunity to leisurely explore the natural attractions that abound, and quite possibly could have a pristine beach all to themselves. But more than just these untouched beaches and secluded bays along the coast, the island does have several modern yet very peaceful resorts, noted for a wide range of outstanding tourist facilities and a myriad of alfresco dining options.