18 days in Portugal, Madrid & Barcelona Itinerary

Your inner history buff will appreciate Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and Palácio Nacional da Ajuda. Appreciate the collections at Pavilhao do Conhecimento and Carmo Archaeological Museum. Change things up with a short trip to Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra (about 34 minutes away). There's much more to do: get a taste of the local shopping with Chiado, pause for some serene contemplation at Church of St. Anthony, admire the masterpieces at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Igreja de Sao Domingos (Santa Justa e Rufina).

To see ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Lisbon day trip planner.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Lisbon is an approximately 13-hour flight. The time zone changes from Brasilia Standard Time (BRT) to Western European Standard Time (WET), which is usually a 3 hour difference. Traveling from Rio de Janeiro in December, things will get much colder in Lisbon: highs are around 18°C and lows about 8°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Porto.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Centro Historico de Guimaraes and Guimaraes Castle. Let the collections at FC Porto Museum and MMIPO - Museu da Misericordia do Porto capture your imagination. When in Porto, make a side trip to see Paco dos Duques de Braganca in Guimaraes, approximately Guimaraes away. The adventure continues: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco, sample some tasty brews at a beer tour and tasting, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Capela das Almas, and steep yourself in history at Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral).

For photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Porto trip itinerary tool.

Traveling by flight from Lisbon to Porto takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Porto can reach 18°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) so you can go by car to Coimbra.

Visit Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima and Castelo de Tomar for their historical value. Explore hidden gems such as Batalha Monastery and Convento de Cristo. Get out of town with these interesting Coimbra side-trips: Monastery of Alcobaca (in Alcobaca), Capelas Imperfeitas (in Batalha) and Castelo de Leiria (in Leiria). Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Praia da Nazare, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, and steep yourself in history at Igreja de Santa Cruz.

For traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Coimbra day trip site.

You can drive from Porto to Coimbra in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In December in Coimbra, expect temperatures between 18°C during the day and 7°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Madrid.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Royal Palace of Madrid and Plaza Mayor. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Prado National Museum and Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. Change things up with these side-trips from Madrid: Toledo (Synagogue of Saint Mary the White, Casco Historico de Toledo, &more). Next up on the itinerary: awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area, shop like a local with Barrio de Salamanca, contemplate the long history of Museo Cerralbo, and explore the world behind art at Museo Lazaro Galdiano.

For where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Madrid journey builder site.

You can fly from Coimbra to Madrid in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Coimbra to Madrid. Traveling from Coimbra in December, things will get slightly colder in Madrid: highs are around 14°C and lows about 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Barcelona.

Visit Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and Plaça de Sant Felip Neri for their historical value. You'll explore and learn at CosmoCaixa Barcelona and Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - MNAC. There's lots more to do: take a stroll through Ciutat Vella, admire the striking features of Casa Batllo, stop by Las Ramblas, and walk around Parc Guell.

To find traveler tips, photos, ratings, and tourist information, use the Barcelona online trip planner.

You can fly from Madrid to Barcelona in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Madrid in January, things will get a bit warmer in Barcelona: highs are around 17°C and lows about 7°C. On the 5th (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.