Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Spain - Portugal - Bilbao - Llanes - Pontevedra - Porto - Sabrosa - Salamanca - Burgos
100% customisable for you
Your family road trip to the Iberian Peninsula begins today. Rally the youngsters, head to the airport and whizz through security to relax in the lounge before your departure. Flights to Bilbao take around two hours, giving everyone plenty of time to refresh their Spanish (or, failing that, squeeze in a good movie) before touchdown.
When you arrive in Bilbao, check in for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the city centre. After a spot of unpacking, it’s time to start your exploration in style with a visit to Frank Gehry's iconic Guggenheim Museum – tickets at the ready. The permanent collection here includes works by Jeff Koons, Yves Klein, Eduardo Chillida, Louise Bourgeois and many others. There’s enough here to (hopefully) spark curiosity in every member of your tribe.
The largest food market in Europe, Ribera is a must-see during your time in Bilbao, and its proximity to the historic centre has the added bonus of making it an easy family excursion. Situated in a grand Art Deco building, the market is made up of a series of stalls and pintxos (small snacks) bars. Peckish? The main restaurant offers a wide range of tapas and Basque specialities, including kokotxas (hake chin with garlic and olive oil) and txipirones (cuttlefish served with ink sauce). Time to expand your children’s taste palates.
It’s time to hit the road. After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, collect your hire car and set off on the (just under) two-hour drive to the coastal town of Llanes, in the Asturias region. Let the road trip antics begin...
When you arrive, settle in for two nights in another charming hotel. Having spent a couple of hours in the car, now’s the perfect time to stretch your legs and burn some of the little ones’ seemingly endless energy (no siestas here). Thankfully, Llanes is has plenty of pretty coastal paths, ideal for a scenic mid-afternoon stroll.
Once everyone’s worked up an appetite, round up the troops for a delicious dinner. Not sure where to go? Your trusty Concierge will be on hand with stellar restaurant recommendations.
Make sure everyone fuels up with a hearty breakfast this morning, because you have an exciting day of maritime adventure ahead of you. Accompanied by a local guide, head to the port of Llanes for a private walking tour focused on the city’s angling origins. While everyone’s hooked (get it?), you’ll learn about the region’s relationship with fishing and how the daily catch is sold in the markets. Make sure you come armed with any burning questions, because you’ll meet a local sailor at the end of the walk for a tour of his equipment – cue looks of wide-eyed wonder from your youngsters.
To round off your angling adventure, sit back with a refreshing drink while the children enjoy a hands-on workshop.
This morning, bundle back in the car for the four-and-a-half-hour drive to the pretty city of Pontevedra, nestled at the bottom of an idyllic inlet.
After a couple of games of I-Spy and a few family singalongs, check in for two nights in your next hotel. Then, drop your bags, freshen up and head out to explore the car-free city centre while the sun is still shining – a fitting contrast to your day of driving.
The rest of your time in Pontevedra can be spent however you (or really, your children) like. Between stops for filloas (Galician crepes) and sand-castle competitions on the nearby beaches, set aside some time to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Gothic buildings of the old district and the monuments scattered about town.
Bid a (temporary) farewell to Spain this morning as you cross the border into Portugal – time to swap gracias for obrigado. Continue on the road for just under two hours until you reach Porto, the country’s second-largest city, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights.
Once you’ve checked into your hotel and the children have divvied up their beds, head out for your first evening in Portugal. Anyone up for francesinhas (meat-loaded sandwiches)?
It’s your first full day in Porto, and what better way to scope out the lay of the land than on a private walking tour with a clued-up local guide? With your youngsters in tow, set off on foot to discover the storied streets of this hilly haven. Nothing is planned in advance, meaning you can be as spontaneous (and as picky) as you please.
Once everyone’s had their fill of exploration, head back to the hotel for some wind-down time – and, if you tag-team child watching duties, maybe even a siesta – before venturing back into the city for dinner this evening.
Frequently famed as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, Lello is a must-see on every Porto trip. This local legend was founded in 1906, but thanks to its neo-Gothic interior, gorgeous glass roof and carved wooden staircase, it feels like stepping much further back in time. While the youngsters are gawking at the sky-high shelves, you can thumb through the magnificent collection of books lining the walls. And, before you leave, don’t forget to snap a photo of each member of your clan on the central staircase – it's a rite of passage, after all.
Swap coastal chill for countryside charm this morning as you head to Sabrosa. In Portuguese, sabrosa means tasty, which is fitting because the town is nestled within the UNESCO-listed Douro wine region. The drive is just over an hour, meaning it’s time to dip back into those trusty road trip games. And on the music front, if you’re in need of a switch-up, check out our destination-specific playlist.
When you arrive, check in for two nights in the heart of the countryside. Spend the rest of today kicking back in your scenic surrounds. You could head out for a family stroll through the valley, or, if everyone’s tuckered out, simply enjoy the peace and quiet of your new home away from home.
Having dabbled in a spot of nautical adventuring with your family fishing tour in Llanes, it’s time to level up and don your seafaring hats for a private rabelo (traditional Portuguese boat) cruise down the Douro River. Originally used to transport wine barrels between the upstream wine regions and production towns, rabelo boats are an iconic fixture of the area.
Accompanied by an expert skipper, cruise past the picturesque village of Pinhao, the surrounding vineyards and their quintas (wine estates). The route reveals one of the most beautiful parts of the river, not visible from the coastal roads, which stretches all the way up to the Quinta da Romaneira – a wonderful way to spend your final day in Portugal.
As promised, it’s back to Spain today. Strap in for the three-hour drive (snacks at the ready) to Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its stunning 18th-century plaza.
When you arrive, check in for two nights in a charming hotel where you can unpack, unwind and start thinking about dinner – time to tuck into some of those famous Iberian cold cuts.
You have one full day to soak up the sights of Salamanca, so hit the ground (or should we say cobbled streets?) running. Start with some amazing architecture at the new and old cathedrals. Then, double up on the aesthetics by heading to the Plaza Mayor, a beautiful Baroque-style square. In fact, why stop there? Visit the Casa de las Conchas, or ‘House of Shells,’ before checking out the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Travelling with a budding art lover? You could also wander through the Art Nouveau and Art Deco museums. When little tummies start to rumble, be sure to stop for some chorizo. And, if you have teens in tow, make sure you’re outside at the sunniest point of the day, when the whole city is bathed in an Instagrammable glow. After all, who needs ‘Golden Hour’ when you’re in the ‘Golden City’?
Rise and shine, it’s your last full day on the Iberian Peninsula. Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning because today, it’s time to set off on the final portion of your epic family road trip: the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Burgos. Anyone up for one last group singalong?
When you arrive, settle in for the final night of your trip, nestled in the historic centre of Burgos.
Once everyone’s had some time to freshen up and poke around your suave new digs, head out to explore the streets of this captivating city. Between slow-paced strolls and plenty of stops for sweet treats, don't forget to enter St. Mary's Cathedral to admire the interior of another gorgeous Gothic gem.
For dinner tonight, bid Spain a fitting farewell by wiling the night away over a medley of delicious – and conveniently shareable – tapas. Salud!
Sadly, all great adventures must come to an end, but don’t worry, those family memories will last a lifetime. This morning, hop back in your hire car for the last time for the two-hour drive to the airport in Bilbao. When you arrive, whizz through security, browse some souvenirs and settle into the lounge. The flight back to the UK is another speedy two-hour stint, giving everyone plenty of time to sit back, relax and start dreaming up your next family adventure.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
