8-Day Seville, Granada, Marbella, Ronda, Lisbon Iberian Ring Tour with Madrid

Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport, we'll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. You'll have some free time until the tour begins. Please check the information signs in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.In the evening, we'll provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid's most famous neighborhood for nightlife and tapas restaurants. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference-options include Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The morning will begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, featuring highlights like Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcala, Plaza de Colon, and Plaza Mayor. We'll then visit Retiro Park, a beautiful oasis in the city center, where we'll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid-considered by many to be the best football club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we'll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

We will depart from Madrid early in the morning, heading south through La Mancha. Our first stop will be in Puerto Lapice, a charming Manchego village evocative of Don Quixote. We will then continue into Andalusia via Despenaperros, arriving in Granada, where lunch will be included. In the afternoon, if you have chosen the option that includes a visit to the Alhambra, we will explore the magnificent Alhambra Palace and its beautiful Generalife Gardens, both built during the Arab period, with a local guide.VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The number of visitors allowed into the Alhambra is strictly regulated by law. To ensure your admission, tickets will be issued upon confirming your tour reservation. It's essential to provide accurate personal details (full name and passport/ID number) at the time of booking. Please be aware that ticket costs are non-refundable in case of cancellation. In rare cases where the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will instead tour the Royal Alcazar of Seville, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.

Today we'll enjoy spectacular landscapes as we leave behind the Sierra Nevada mountain range. We'll then continue along the Mediterranean, on the so-called Tropical Coast, where the mild year-round microclimate allows for the cultivation of tropical fruits such as guavas, mangoes, and avocados, and in the past, sugar cane.We stop in NERJA, a charming seaside town with impressive cliffs. We continue on to MALAGA, the capital of the Costa del Sol, full of life and boasting a beautiful historic center. Time for lunch and a stroll through the city center.Afterward, we head into the Andalusian sierras and arrive in RONDA, a stunning white town famous for its dramatic gorge that splits the city in two.We continue to SEVILLE, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner included at the hotel.

In the morning, we'll embark on a city tour of Seville, where you'll see the cathedral with its famous Giralda, the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir River offering stunning panoramic views (included). In the evening, you'll have the option to attend a popular flamenco tablao.

We'll leave Seville, traveling through pleasant landscapes of rolling hills and expansive pasturelands as we head towards Extremadura. In Merida, admission is included to the Archaeological Ensemble of Merida, which features a Roman Theater and Amphitheater. This site is renowned for its excellent preservation and its designation as a World Heritage Site. You'll have time for lunch and a stroll through the vibrant pedestrian historic center, filled with restaurants and local charm. We will then continue to Portugal, stopping in Evora, another World Heritage Site, known for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces, and cathedral. We'll arrive in Lisbon in the evening.

In the morning, we'll embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, exploring the Portuguese capital of the seven hills, with its charming alleys, iconic tiles, the feeling of "saudade," and the beautiful Atlantic light. We'll also visit the Belem neighborhood, from where the great Portuguese navigators set sail to cross the oceans in the 15th century. Free time in the afternoon to walk and go to the Bairro Alto and its viewpoint; if you'd like to, you could take an optional trip to the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we'll return to the hotel from the lively Restauradores Square, filled with vibrant bars and cafes.

We'll depart from Portugal early, crossing the picturesque region of Alentejo. Our journey will include a coffee stop in Estremoz, a charming town known for its medieval castle, cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and calming atmosphere, all of which reflect Portuguese authenticity. We'll then cross into Spain. In Caceres, you'll have the chance to enjoy lunch and explore its historic center, renowned as one of the best-preserved medieval and Renaissance urban complexes in the world. We'll continue to Madrid, arriving in the evening.Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful and lasting memories.Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.