Exploring the Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula is the type of place you visit once and then never leave, enchanted by the late sunsets, flowing wine, long lunches, and the laidback lifestyle.
Sep 15 – 17, 2023: Porto (2 nights)
Sep 17 – 20, 2023: Lisboa (3 nights)
Sep 20 – 22, 2023: Sevilla (2 nights)
Sep 22 – 23, 2023: Granada (1 nights)
Sep 23 – 25, 2023: Madrid (2 nights)
Sep 25 – 28, 2023: Barcelona (3 nights)
Weather in Spain & Portugal in September is generally warm and pleasant, with countrywide temperatures averaging around 77-82°F (25-28°C) during the day and dropping to around 68-72°F (20-22°C) at night. In the north of the Iberian Peninsula, you should expect temperature ranges of 60-80°F, while the south will be hotter, around 70-90°F.
Travel Requirements
U.S. passport holders don't need any special visa when visiting Spain or Portugal for tourism.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
We have designed some great playlists for you to enjoy during your trip through Portugal & Spain full of local talent to discover!
The second-biggest Portuguese city is in the midst of a travel renaissance, with an uptick of tourists also bringing new restaurants, bars, cafes, and cultural events. But in a rare instance of having your pastel de nata and eating it too, Porto hasn’t lost its soul that made it so attractive in the first place. The brightly colored buildings, lazy lunches, and riverside wine bars are an ingrained way of life in Porto and simply too good to give up.
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the arrivals hall of the airport and transport you to your hotel. They will hold a sign with your name on it.
Booked By scenset
Check into your hotel and unwind before the afternoon's activities
We are happy to provide restaurant recommendations and should you wish we can also make reservations for you.
While in Porto, enjoy a guided visit and Port Wine tasting at Taylor's Port, one of the most iconic and well-established Port houses of the world.
Booked by scenset. Shared Experience
Why we love it for you: The Yeatman is a wine hotel in the Historic Port Wine Cellar District in Oporto (Portugal). It is the city’s address of choice for discerning travelers and wine lovers as well as those visiting Oporto and the north of Portugal. Why this hotel? Discreet but attentive service from a knowledgeable and friendly team makes every guest feel welcome and at ease.
Global Winner at the 2020 World Luxury Spa Awards in the category 'Luxury City Hotel Spa', the Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa at The Yeatman offers a choice of wellbeing and relaxation facilities including a Roman bath, hammam, shower experience and sauna as well as a relaxation area enjoying stunning panoramic views. These have direct access to The Yeatman’s indoor panoramic infinity pool.
Opening Hours:
- Massages and Treatments: Morning to evening
- Indoor Pool & Gym: Morning to evening
By booking through us you get spa credit at the Yeatman!
This is a total credit per room, to be used in one reservation.
- Treatments must be booked in advance with the hotel's Concierge/Spa team or through scenset.
Discover the city of Porto through its monuments and flavors. A local guide will greet you at the hotel lobby this morning to take you on a journey of history and flavor.
On your first day in Porto, embark on a 'walk and taste' tour of this historic city!
This is the perfect family activity as it has something for everyone, the foodies, the culture buffs, the wine lovers, and the kids!
Together with your expert local guide, you will visit some of the most important monuments of the historic parishes of Porto - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at the S. Bento train station, a true neoclassic jewel, and the outside of the Clérigos Church and the Cathedral.
Your exclusive foodie stops in charming locations include traditional specialties: cheeses, smoked sausages, cured hams, breads, fruit, olive oil, and gourmet canned fish. To top it all off, visit one of the most prestigious Port Wine cellars and have your first introduction to Port wines!
Booked by scenset.
On the same day you will get to visit the Lello bookshop, the world's most beautiful library. This bookshop is a cultural jewel and inspiration of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.
Built in 1906, this building is recognized as "one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world" as well as an architectural jewel. Your private English-speaking guide will tell you all about its history!
- Includes priority access to the Livreria Lello
Booked by scenset.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the area and enjoy the amazing grounds of your hotel.
The Yeatman
Superior Room
- Breakfast included
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, although it was practically rebuilt from scratch after a 1755 earthquake. The only neighborhood to survive was the Alfama district, where cobbled streets and the sounds of fado music recall a nostalgic past. Throughout the rest of Lisbon, new restaurants and bars continue to reinvent the seaside city, often by serving modern takes on traditional tasca cuisine like fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and local wine.
Your English speaking driver will greet you at the lobby of the hotel this morning and transport you to the airport for your flight to Lisbon.
Booked By scenset
Board your flight to Lisbon this morning to continue your journey through Portugal
Booked by scenset.
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the arrivals hall of the airport and transport you to your hotel. They will hold a sign with your name on it.
Booked By scenset.
Upon arrival you will have time to check in and relax at your hotel before evening activities.
Meet up with your private guide this afternoon as you explore the streets of Lisbon. Your guide will help you become acquainted with the rich cultural history of this city on seven hills by electric tuk tuk.
- Visit Saint George's Castle. Located at one of the highest points of the city, it offers some of the best views of Lisbon.
- Continue on foot to Baixa, an area that became the heart of Lisbon after its destruction in the 1755 earthquake. The Marquês de Pombal took it upon him to have avenues and plazas created and laid out within a grid plan.
- Continue to the enchanted Chiado and visit the famous Elevador de Santa Justa, a remarkable iron elevator built in the late 19th century.
- Go the Alfama district, the unmistakable soul of the capital. Alfama unfolds through a charming network of slender cobbled streets, with charming traditional old houses and many of Lisbon’s most important historic buildings.
- Enjoy some free time for lunch down towm before transfering back to your hotel.
Booked by scenset
Why we love it for you: Situated in the heart of this noble, bohemian and inspiring city, where tradition meets irreverence at every corner, the Bairro Alto is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and a pioneer when it comes to 5-star luxury boutique hotels in Portugal.
Today, explore one of the biggest monuments in all of Portugal, the UNESCO-protected town of Sintra, filled with palaces. You will feel as if you've stepped into history and a fairytale alike.
With your expert guide, private transfer to Sintra for the day. This charming UNESCO town in the foothills of the Serra de Sintra has long been a favorite destination of Portuguese royalty, and it’s known for its many whimsical palaces and villas – including the Pena Palace and the magical garden of Quinta da Regaleira.
Booked by scenset.
We will be happy to recommend our favorite locations where you can enjoy some Fado music, Portugal's UNESCO protected folklore singing.
This is a recommendation, it is not included in the itinerary
Bairro Alto
Classic Tejo Room
- Breakfast included
Immerse yourself in the local culture with this intimate gastronomic experience. Led by a professional chef who'll take you on a visit to the local market (31 Janeiro Market in Lisbon) where you'll buy the fresh ingredients for the cooking class. Afterwards the chef will take you to his home where you'll prepare lunch together (3-course meal: starter, main course and dessert), sharing the meal in the end at the table. Wine, water and coffee are included.
Booked by scenset.
Bairro Alto
Classic Tejo Room
- Breakfast included
In Sevilla, it’s easy to pretend you’re an explorer preparing to set off for the New World. The labyrinthine streets, the towering Gothic cathedral, and the tranquil gardens of the Alcázar have preserved their seductive charm through the centuries, while newer neighborhoods continuously reinvent themselves with new bars, restaurants, and art.
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel in Lisbon and transport you to your next city stop Seville!
Booked By scenset
Board your flight today and head to Seville to continue your Iberian adventure
Booked by scenset.
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the arrivals hall of the airport and transport you to your hotel. They will hold a sign with your name on it.
Booked By scenset
Upon arrival you will have the time to unwind and enjoy your first afternoon in Andalucia, Spain!
This afternoon you will take a deep dive in the history of Seville, from the Moorish times to the Christopher Colombus era.
Accompanied by your expert guide, you will explore in depth the Alcázar Real. The complex displays an extraordinary juxtaposition and intermixing of artistic traditions in its collection of palaces and gardens from different ages.
Then, visit the Cathedral of Seville. It is the largest Gothic church ever constructed and contains 80 chapels, countless works of art, the burials of several princes and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Christian temple was erected in the 15th century on the site of the great mosque. The ancient Muslim sanctuary still shows its bygone splendour, in its Orange Tree Courtyard and the Giralda, the lofty minaret transformed into the bell tower, today the symbol of Seville.
This fundamental visit of Seville would not be complete without a stroll through the neighbouring Santa Cruz quarter which once housed and important Jewish community. This historic quarter maintains a distinctive character, purely Sevillian, between the bustle of its taverns and central streets and the quietness of its fascination maze of passageways, landscaped plazas and intimate patios.
Booked by scenset.
Flamenco is the passion of Seville, a way of life and the expression of a century-old art; it is the manifestation of the contribution of the various cultures that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula.
This evening, enjoy a spectacular show at an intimate flamenco venue where you can witness some of the best flamenco musicians and dancers interpret famous alegrias.
Booked by scenset.
Why we love it for you: A tiny corridor in the hip Alfama neighborhood takes you to an almost hidden doorway, which opens up like a portal to a secret garden that seems impossibly spacious. Everything at Corral del Rey is coolly laidback, from the traditional Andaluz breakfast on the patio to sherry tastings in the evening. You’ll likely be on a first-name basis with the owners by the time you leave, who enthusiastically share their love for Seville with the best insider recommendations.
On this day choose to either spend a day at leisure in Seville or to visit a bull farm for an introduction to the tradition of bullfighting.
This morning, visit a bull ranch where you can admire the “Toro Bravo” in its natural environment. The bull ranch is located in a typical rural Andalusian setting near Seville and provides an opportunity to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour.
You will meet your driver at your Seville hotel for a private transfer in a luxury vehicle to the bull farm. The tour of the bull ranch is conducted by expert guides who will take you into the world of these iconic animals that have so enriched Spanish tradition and culture.
On prepared trailers and accompanied by staff, you will be taken to the pastures to view the bulls and you will also learn about their life, breeding, and nobility.
Back at the farm:
- Try your hand at the art of Capea.
The Capea is the art and ability to handle the capote (the famous red cape of the toreros). Learn about this art and practice it safely with a heifer, in an experience that combines apprenticeship, adrenaline and amusement.
- Experience a Rejoneo, the bullfighting on a horse.
This experience consists of a private bullfight, just for you, performed by a rejoneador, his horse, and a young bull (Becerra). The Rejoneo is the art of vying the bull, performed by the knight and his horse. The horse will respond to the orders of the rider, thanks to extended training and complicity, in order to brave the valiant young bull. There is no blood during this experience.
- Take part in a private corrida with a calf.
This experience consists of a private bullfight, just for you, with a three-year calf, and without causing any blood. The spectacle starts by admiring how the torero gets dressed in its traje de luces (lights’ suit). This performance requires a professional bullfighter, a sword assistant, and three
peons (helpers) dressed in a short country dress.
Afterwards, if desired, we can look for tickets to a bullfight if availability exists.
- Availability for this needs to be confirmed; it is not currently included in the itinerary.
Corral del Rey
Grand Deluxe Room
- Breakfast included
Granada is the folkloric heart of Andalucia, where the influence of its Moorish past still thrives over five centuries later. You can feel it in the dizzying streets of the Albaicín neighborhood, guided by the sounds of Spanish guitar and the stomping of a flamenco dancer. You can see it as well, in the omnipresent Alhambra palace guarding over the city. You can even taste it in the neverending tapas plates that Granada is known for.
This morning a private English Speaking driver will greet you in the lobby of your hotel and transport you to your next trip location, the majestic city of Granada, nested in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Booked by scenset.
Check into your hotel and get refreshed before embarking on a journey to explore the last remaining Moorish Palace of the world, preserved in an impeccable condition, in the city of Granda.
Perched high on a strategic hill dominating Granada, the citadel of the Alhambra displays a collection of lush gardens and magical palaces, the only royal residences of an Islamic dynasty still standing since the Middle Ages.
Courtyards, where water is omnipresent, and walls, covered by refined geometric and floral motifs, recreate in a codified manner the image of the Garden of Eden.
During the tour, your guide, an expert in Islamic Art, will explain the secrets and symbols contained in these palaces worthy of the Arabian Nights - the mathematical achievements, the philosophical concepts and the metaphors of the poems carved on the walls, a reflection of a whole civilization.
- IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the limited capacity in the monument, it is highly advisable to book the tour long in advance. Tickets to the UNESCO monument are nominative.
Booked by scenset.
You will need your passports to enter Alhambra. Be sure to bring them with you on this tour.
Why we love it for you: Tucked away in Alhambra's stunning landscapes, Seda Club Hotel is an oasis for luxury-seeking travelers. Combining modern elegance with traditional charm, this enchanting property promises an exceptional experience. With impeccable service, opulent amenities, spacious rooms, a rejuvenating spa, and exquisite dining, the hotel epitomizes sophistication.
The appeal of Spain’s capital city is how laidback it is. Visitors don’t come for the big-name attractions, but for the local lifestyle. Wander labyrinthine streets through colorful neighborhoods, stumbling in and out of tapas bars along the way. Meals are served late and last for hours since the locals would never rush good food, wine, and company. Of course, there are some sights you can’t miss, including a glitzy royal palace and cherished art museums.
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel in Seville and transport you to your next city stop Madrid!
Booked By scenset
Board your regional flight for Madrid this morning! The Spanish capital awaits you!
Booked by scenset
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the arrivals hall of the airport and transport you to your hotel. They will hold a sign with your name on it.
Booked By scenset
Check into your hotel and relax before embarking on a first introduction to Madrid!
On this tour walk through and get to know the main spaces belonging to the kingdom of the Habsburgs families.
Accompanied by your expert guide, you will learn the history and funny anecdotes to admire one of the best areas preserved in Madrid.
You’ll walk from there to the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation, where your guide will talk to you about Saint Pantaleon’s blood. Then, come back towards Oriente Square, with its very special equestrian statue, and the Royal Palace, where the Spanish Habsburg dynasty used to live since Philip II’s reign.
Afterwards, continue along Mayor Street, the most important street in Madrid of the Habsburgs but also witness shocking events from later epochs. Stop at the Square of the Villa in order to know its history and see some of the most emblematic buildings in the city, as the ancient City Hall Proceeding by the Mercado de San Miguel, and go around Mayor Square towards the Square of Puerta Cerrada, where you'll learn about the most ancient history of Madrid. In the Square of the Province, see the ancient Court Jail and then walk towards Mayor Square, where you will finish the tour with the history behind such amazing stones.
During this visit to the Habsburg Quarter, you will make 3 stops on three different traditional taverns to try up to 6 tapas and 4 drinks typical of the Spanish gastronomy such as: a tortilla skewer, croquette, shrimps, Iberian ham or Manchego cheese among others.
Booked by scenset.
Why we love it for you: The nondescript cement facade of the hotel offers no clues as to what’s inside, and as you’re ushered through the front door all you see is a white spiral staircase. You’re always left eagerly awaiting what’s to come, and the results never disappoint. It has mastered the niche of urban luxury, where classy decor of white tones and mahogany mesh with the tropical colors of the awarded restaurant. The real treat is the rooftop infinity pool, which is unparalleled in the city center.
Today, explore the Prado Museum at your leisure. Transportation and entry tickets will be provided.
If desired, a guided tour of approximately two hours with an expert guide can be arranged.
Enjoy discovering the evolution of painting history from the 13th to the 20th century through amazing canvases that showcase the artists' intensive work.
Discover paintings by artists such as Velázquez, Rubens, Titian, Hieronymus Bosch, Goya, and Raphael, among others.
- Includes transport and museum tickets.
Booked by a scenset. Self-guided visit.
On your free time in Madrid, make sure you have tasted churros, the unofficial national desert of Spain.
We recommend Chocolatería San Ginés, one of the most traditional makers that has been open since 1894.
Recommended by scenset.
Madrid EDITION
Superior Room with Balcony
- Breakfast included
It’s clear from the moment you step foot in Barcelona that it’s unlike any other Spanish city. The boulevards are wider, the architecture is quirkier, and, if you have an ear for languages, you may hear that the locals are speaking Catalan, not Spanish. A well-known architect's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, is just one of his architectural gems scattered about the city. With something to offer art enthusiasts, adventurous foodies, and beach loungers, it’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of Europe’s top destinations.
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel in Madrid and transport you to your last city stop Barcelona!
Booked By scenset
Board your regional flight for Barcelona this morning!
Booked by scenset
Your private English speaking driver will pick you up at the arrivals hall of the airport and transport you to your hotel. They will hold a sign with your name on it.
Booked By scenset
Check into your hotel and regroup before heading out to explore this vibrant city.
With your expert guide, you will walk through the oldest part of Barcelona, discovering the most interesting corners of its history! There is so much to discover in the Gothic Quarter, including the Cathedral, and Royal Palace where it is said that the Catholic Monarchs received Columbus on his return from America, or Plaça Sant Felip Neri - one of the city’s most beautiful squares, away from the tourist crowds. Here you will also find the baroque church Sant Felip Neri, as well as the old Jewish Quarter.
After your visit head to the Pablo Picasso museum and learn about the work and life of this exceptional artist. This is the only Picasso Museum inaugurated when the artist was alive.
Booked by scenset.
Why we love it for you: In a city as cool as Barcelona, the Almanac Hotel injects that avant-garde vibe into every detail of the property. The art deco design harmonizes with Barcelona architecture, tapas are served on a painter’s palette in homage to Dalí, and the rooftop pool with views of the Sagrada Familia is the indisputable crown jewel. Centrally located, most of Barcelona’s landmarks are just a casual stroll away.
Almanac Barcelona
Almanac Room
- Breakfast Included
Today, explore the flavors of a capital city in Catalonia!
This culinary experience takes place at the famed markets of Barcelona. Together with your guide, choose the Mercado de Sant Antoni, the Mercado de la Conception or the Boqueria market on the Ramblas, where your hostess will show you some unique stands, as well as her favorite places to buy produce for use in her own kitchen. If you can find a stool, you may decide to stay under the modernist iron canopy and enjoy lunch in one of the small eateries inside La Boqueria.
Booked by scenset.
Almanac Barcelona
Almanac Room
- Breakfast Included
On your last morning in Barcelona, explore the most important masterpieces of Gaudi and the most emblematic buildings of Barcelona, giving it its unique essence and character.
This morning meet your driver and expert guide for a tour of Barcelona. You will visit The Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's most famous work and a worldwide symbol for Barcelona. The temple is a synthesis of his overall conception of architecture. Your guide will provide in depth knowledge on its detail and significance giving you an insight into the fascinating and extraordinary mind and genius of Gaudí. You will also visit the Park Güell where Gaudí worked for 14 years and considered the second most important work of the architect.
Booked by scenset.
Almanac Barcelona
Almanac Room
- Breakfast Included
Sadly all good things must come to an end. Today you will board your flight back home.
Your private English-speaking driver will greet you at the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Booked by scenset.