9-Day Spain & Portugal Itinerary: Barcelona to Lisbon
Planning a 9-day trip through Spain and Portugal? This meandering paced itinerary takes you through these three cities: Barcelona, Seville, and Lisbon with day trips to Montserrat and Sintra.
It is easily possible to spend a whole week in Spain and Portugal. Still, with limited time and much to see, I recommend choosing strategic bases and minimizing travel between cities. This itinerary is ideal if you want to visit Barcelona, Seville, and Lisbon in one trip, while still keeping a meandering pace.
Base #1: Barcelona (4 Days)
Barcelona deserves at least four days to explore its world-renowned Gaudí architecture and vibrant neighborhoods. The city is easily navigable using public transportation and walking.
Day Trip to Montserrat
This stunning mountain monastery is just one hour from Barcelona by train, followed by a scenic cable car ride to the top. For a more adventurous experience, you can hike up instead of taking the cable car.
→ For a full breakdown of how to spend your time in Barcelona including the day trip to Montserrat, read the complete 4-Day Barcelona guide:
Base #2: Seville (2-3 Days)
Seville is compact, walkable, and rich with history. To get from Barcelona to Seville, you can take a high-speed train (~6 hours) from the Barcelona station. I booked my tickets through Iryo.
Inside the train, there is a hook on the seat in front for you to hang a small bag, and there are trays to bring down as well. Make sure you give yourself ample time to navigate through the large Barcelona station.
Iryo Website: https://iryo.eu/en/home
Seville is walkable, and honestly, walking was sometimes faster than using public transportation.
→ See my full Seville guide for more details on where to go and where to eat:
Base #3 Lisbon (2-3 Days)
Flying made the most sense for this leg of the trip and only takes about an hour. Lisbon is highly walkable, and we navigated most of the city using public transportation with occasional Ubers when needed.
→ Browse my Lisbon travel guide
Day Trip to Sintra
Just one hour by train from Lisbon, Sintra is a must-visit for castle lovers. The colorful Pena Palace and the dramatic Castle of the Moors offer stunning architecture and panoramic views that make this day trip unforgettable.
→ Read my day trip to Sintra from Lisbon guide:
This 9-day route through Spain and Portugal balances iconic sights with enough downtime to truly experience each city. By focusing on three strategic bases, you'll minimize transit time and maximize exploration. Ready to start planning your trip?