Barcelona & Lisbon Self-Guided Holiday Package

Day 1 – Arrival & Gothic Quarter, El Born & Barceloneta

Touch down in Barcelona and let the city’s Gothic heart pull you in. After dropping your bags, weave through Barri Gòtic’s medieval catacombs of stone streets—pause in the moss‑dappled cloister of the Barcelona Cathedral and step inside to admire its soaring vaults and whisper‑quiet chapels. Slip around to Plaça del Rei, where Roman ruins lie beneath glass panels, then duck into the nearby MUHBA to explore layers of the city’s ancient past. Exiting the Gothic Quarter, cross into El Born, once Barcelona’s medieval port quarter, now home to the Picasso Museum (housed in a 13th‑century palace) and the graceful Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. Wander through its warren of boutiques and vermouth bars before heading to Barceloneta—but first, detour down Carrer de Blai in Poble Sec for pintxos. At Barceloneta Beach, rent a towel from a chiringuito, sip a cold Estrella Damm, and watch the Mediterranean’s afternoon shimmer. As sunset sets the sky ablaze, stroll Port Vell’s marina—and end your first night in a tucked‑away tapas bar, sampling patatas bravas spiced with smoked paprika.

Day 2 – Gaudí’s Masterpieces, Modernisme & Hidden Gems

Rise early to marvel at Gaudí’s Sagrada Família before coach tours arrive: inside, shafts of kaleidoscopic light dance across organic columns that twist like tree trunks. From here, take a short taxi to the Hospital de Sant Pau, Domènech i Montaner’s mosaic‑tiled Modernisme gem whose pavilions are linked by flower‑lined gardens. Next, glide on the metro to Passeig de Gràcia, where alongside Casa Batlló and La Pedrera you’ll find Casa Vicens, Gaudí’s colorful first commission. Pause for a cortado at Café de l’Opera, then head uphill to Park Güell, exploring its gingerbread‑style gatehouses and winding mosaic terraces that overlook the city’s terracotta rooftops. In the afternoon, discover the bohemian Gràcia neighborhood—browse artisan workshops on Carrer de Verdi and sample traditional coca at a family‑run café. As evening falls, return downtown to El Born; slip into a vaulted wine cellar for vermouth on tap, then wander to Plaça de Sant Pere for a selection of pintxos under fairy‑light canopies.

Day 3 – Montjuïc’s Hilltop Treasures & Sunset Vistas

Spend your morning ascending Montjuïc via cable car from Paral·lel, then explore Montjuïc Castle’s ramparts as fishing boats drift below. Wind your way through the terraced gardens of the Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera, home to one of Europe’s largest cactus collections, before diving into art at the Fundació Joan Miró, where vibrant sculptures punctuate indoor galleries. Descend toward the MNAC, whose domed façade houses Romanesque frescoes and Catalan modernist masterpieces—don’t miss the rooftop terrace for a sweeping panorama. Below the national museum lies Poble Espanyol, a living‑museum village with a replica of Spanish regional architecture; sample Jamón Iberico at a bodega or watch craftsmen spin glass. Late afternoon, return to the coast for a sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel—an old anti‑aircraft site turned secret viewpoint where locals gather on blankets to watch the sky flush pink over Barcelona’s grid. Afterward, slip into Poble Sec for garlic‑scented bombas and vermut paired with live jazz.

Day 4 – Flight to Lisbon & Historic Baixa, Chiado & Carmo

Catch a short morning flight to Lisbon, then make your way to the rebuilt Baixa district. In Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio), study the wave‑patterned cobbles under the Verde e Rosa marble canopy of the train station, then stroll toward the wrought‑iron Santa Justa Elevator—take it to the Carmo Convent ruins, their Gothic arches suspended in mid‑air since 1755. Meander down Rua Garrett in Chiado, pausing at A Brasileira for a bica and pastel de nata, and duck into Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest bookstore. Continue to Praça do Comércio, where the Tagus laps against grand arcades. For a taste of local life, climb the hill to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, then wander the narrow lanes of Bairro Alto, scouting rooftop bars for an early evening Ginja sour.

Day 5 – Alfama’s Labyrinth, Viewpoints & Fado Nights

Lose yourself in Alfama’s maze of cobblestone streets: visit the Sé de Lisboa to see Romanesque crypts, then climb to Castelo de São Jorge, whose terraces yield 360° views of red‑tiled cityscape and the Tagus estuary. On your descent, pause at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol, framed by azulejo‑tiled benches, and the florist‑lined Miradouro de Santa Luzia. If your visit coincides with a Tuesday or Saturday, browse the treasurers at Feira da Ladra flea market for vintage postcards and filigree jewellery. Next door, the National Pantheon’s baroque dome dominates the skyline—climb its spiral ramp for a dizzying close‑up. As afternoon wanes, catch the rattling Tram 28 through Graça and Mouraria back to Baixa, disembarking for a bifana sandwich. After freshening up, return to Alfama or Bairro Alto for dinner—choose an intimate casa de fado where a single guitar and singer’s voice fill the candlelit room with saudade.

Day 6 – Belém’s Maritime Legacy & Modern Waterfront

Devote your morning to Belém, starting at the ornate Manueline façades of the Jerónimos Monastery—explore its cloisters before crossing to the sculpted prow of the Monument to the Discoveries. Snap photos at Belém Tower, then stroll to the Pastéis de Belém bakery; taste the original custard tart warmed on a rack, sprinkled with cinnamon. For a deeper dive, visit the Coach Museum, admiring gilded royal carriages, or the contemporary MAAT with its rippling glass roof. In the afternoon, head back toward the city center and walk the riverside path through Docas de Santo Amaro, dotted with colorful boats and seafood stalls. Continue to Parque das Nações, where the Oceanário’s vast tanks are home to sharks and sea otters. Finish your day at LX Factory, a graffiti‑strewn former factory complex now brimming with design shops, craft breweries, and a rooftop bar overlooking the 25 de Abril Bridge. Savor one last before planning your journey home—or onward adventures.

Day 7 – Farewell Lisbon & Journey Home

On your final morning in Lisbon, wake early to the gentle glow of dawn spilling across terracotta rooftops. Treat yourself to one last pastel de nata and a bica at a quiet café in Chiado, listening as the city stirs to life around you. If time allows, wander down through Alfama’s winding lanes one final time—admire the kaleidoscope of azulejo tiles at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia or inhale the salt‑tinged breeze at the Tagus waterfront. Back in Baixa, pick up any last souvenirs—perhaps a hand‑painted tile or a bottle of local olive oil—from the shops near Praça do Comércio. Then, gather your bags and call a taxi (or catch the Aeroporto metro line) for the 30‑minute ride to Humberto Delgado Airport. As you settle into your seat, flip through your photos of Gaudí’s sinuous spires and Lisbon’s sun‑dappled vistas, savoring the memories of this Iberian adventure before the engines roar and the cityscape recedes beneath you. Safe travels home!