Portugal and Spain reward slow travelers. Lisbon rolls over seven hills toward the Tagus River, its azulejos gleaming under Atlantic light; Seville glows with Moorish courtyards, Gothic spires, and life lived in plazas. This 9-day itinerary favors unhurried mornings, scenic viewpoints, and long, conversation-filled meals.

Expect layered history at every turn—Age of Discovery monuments in Belém, fairy-tale palaces in Sintra, and Seville’s Royal Alcázar, where Mudéjar craft meets royal grandeur. Fun fact: Lisbon’s pastel de nata has roots in 18th-century monastic kitchens, while Seville’s oranges flavor marmalade shipped to Britain for centuries.

Practical notes: Your budget of 74/100 fits boutique hotels, comfortable transfers, and a handful of guided experiences. Book popular sights (Sintra palaces; Seville’s Alcázar) in advance. For flights and trains within Europe, search on Omio. For stays, compare Hotels.com Lisbon and VRBO Lisbon plus Hotels.com Seville and VRBO Seville.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of viewpoints—miradouros that make you pause. Trams rattle through Alfama, fado spills from tucked-away taverns, and tiled facades catch the late sun. Belém celebrates Portugal’s maritime age with monasteries and a riverside tower.

Top highlights include the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, the Time Out Market for a curated taste of Lisbon’s kitchens, the LX Factory’s creatives, and the castle-topped streets of Alfama and Graça. For day dreams: Sintra’s misty palaces and coastal cliffs.

• Stay: Boutique to polished—Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (classic views and spa), Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel (garden oasis), Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites (apartment-style comfort), or Lisbon Destination Hostel (design-forward and social). Browse more on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Getting in: Fly into Lisbon (LIS). Compare Europe routes on Omio.

Day 1: Arrival and Riverside First Impressions

Afternoon: Land in Lisbon and check in. Shake off jet lag with a flat walk along the Tagus from Cais do Sodré to Praça do Comércio. Coffee and a pastel de nata at Manteigaria Cais do Sodré keeps it sweet and simple.

Evening: Early dinner at Pharmacia (playful “petiscos” in a historic pharmacy; book ahead). If you prefer low-key, Sea Me for modern seafood or Barrio do Avillez’s Páteo for shared plates. Nightcap at Miradouro de Santa Catarina as the bridge lights glow.

Day 2: Old Quarters by Tuk Tuk + Miradouros

Morning: Easy breakfast at The Mill (Aussie-Portuguese café: great granola bowls and flat whites). Glide through Alfama, Mouraria, and Graça on a private tuk tuk—perfect for a relaxing intro without the hills.

True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!

Afternoon: Lunch near the cathedral at Prado Mercearia (seasonal plates) or Zé da Mouraria (hearty, traditional—arrive early). Meander to Castelo de S. Jorge or just enjoy viewpoints: Miradouro da Graça and Senhora do Monte.

Evening: Dinner at Cervejaria Ramiro (shellfish ritual; go early) or Taberna da Rua das Flores (walk-in, cozy). Optional mellow fado at Mesa de Frades in Alfama after.

Day 3: Belém, Gardens, and a Tasting Walk

Morning: Tram or taxi to Belém. Visit Jerónimos Monastery (Manueline stone lacework) and the riverside Belém Tower. Grab still-warm tarts at Pastéis de Belém. Coffee at Choupana Caffe Belém or Heim Café on your way back.

Afternoon: Stroll MAAT’s riverside curve and the Champalimaud Foundation esplanade. Light lunch at À Margem (calm riverside) or Ponto Final across the river (short ferry—book for a waterside table).

Evening: Join a relaxed small-group food tour to learn what—and how—Lisboetas really eat and drink.

Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour

Day 4: Sintra’s Palaces and Atlantic Cliffs (Day Trip)

Full-day small-group excursion: misty forests, tiled palaces, cliffside views. Expect colorful Pena Palace, the esoteric wells of Quinta da Regaleira, and sea-breeze stops near Cabo da Roca or Cascais.

Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Dinner back in Lisbon: Atira-te ao Rio or Restaurante Ponto Final for sunset over the 25 de Abril Bridge—both tranquil after a big day.

Day 5: LX Factory, Tiles, and the Slow Lane

Morning: Breakfast at Copenhagen Coffee Lab (Rua Nova da Piedade) or Dear Breakfast (Chiado). Visit the National Tile Museum (Museu do Azulejo) for 500 years of azulejo artistry—quiet, gorgeous, and underrated.

Afternoon: Wander the LX Factory’s bookstores and studios; lunch at Rio Maravilha (rooftop) or Café na Fábrica. If you crave green, detour to Jardim da Estrela for a shady bench and an easy loop.

Evening: Time Out Market works best early; otherwise book Bairro do Avillez’s Páteo or A Cevicheria for modern seafood. Toast the city from Park Bar (rooftop over Bairro Alto).

Seville

Seville is Andalusia distilled: orange trees, palm-fringed parks, and layers of Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance artistry. Life moves outdoors—tapas-hopping in Santa Cruz, sunset on the Guadalquivir, and flamenco rhythms echoing in intimate tablaos.

Highlights include the Royal Alcázar’s Mudéjar palaces, the vast cathedral and Giralda tower, Plaza de España’s tiled alcoves, and Triana’s ceramics and riverfront. Food is soulful—think salmorejo, espinacas con garbanzos, sherries, and bite-size tapas meant for conversation.

• Stay: For grandeur, Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Stylish comfort at Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento. Friendly-budget in the center: Hotel Abril or social vibes at La Banda Rooftop Hostel. Compare more options on Hotels.com and VRBO.
• Lisbon → Seville: Morning flight ~1h10m (often $50–$130) or bus ~6–7h (~$25–$40). Compare on Omio flights and Omio buses.

Day 6: Travel to Seville, Riverside Strolls

Morning: Fly to Seville (SVQ). Taxi or rideshare to your hotel. Coffee and a light bite at Torch Coffee Roasters by the river—airy, calm, and good for planning.

Afternoon: Gentle orientation walk: Plaza de España’s sweeping arcades and tiled maps, then shaded paths in María Luisa Park. Late lunch at Vinería San Telmo (inventive, sit-down) or La Azotea (refined tapas).

Evening: Sunset along the Guadalquivir. Dinner in Santa Cruz at La Bartola (cozy) or El Rinconcillo (historic 1670 tavern); both suit a relaxed first night.

Day 7: Alcázar, Cathedral, and Giralda Views

Morning: Breakfast at La Cacharrería (great toasts and pastries). Skip the lines with a guided visit covering Seville’s two big hitters—the Royal Alcázar and the Cathedral—with time to ascend La Giralda’s ramps for a gentle climb and stellar views.

Alcazar and Cathedral of Seville Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

Afternoon: Lunch at Bodeguita Romero (order the montadito de pringá). Siesta time or quiet ceramic browsing on Calle San Jorge in Triana.

Evening: Flamenco at Casa de la Memoria or Museo del Baile Flamenco (intimate, authentic atmosphere). Late tapas at La Brunilda (book if possible) or Eslava (a local favorite).

Day 8: Triana, Tiles, and a Tasting Evening

Morning: Coffee at Virgin Coffee (micro-roastery) or Parceria Café. Cross Triana Bridge to the Mercado de Triana for a slow market stroll—fresh jamón, olives, and cheeses for a picnic by the river.

Afternoon: Easy-paced exploration of the Cerámica Triana museum and the colorful Calle Betis riverfront. Rest at your hotel pool or patio in the heat of the day.

Evening: Join a guided tapas walk through four bars that locals love—no overplanning, just great flavors and stories.

Sevilla Food Tour: Tapas, Wine, History & Traditions

Day 9: Slow Brunch, Last Strolls, Departure

Morning: Brunch at Paradas 7 (bright, Spanish brunch) or Jester (smoothie bowls near the river). Pick up artisanal tiles or olive oil to take home.

Afternoon: Depart Seville. If flying elsewhere in Europe, compare options on Omio. Until next time—¡hasta pronto!

Optional Add-Ons if You Want a Touch More

• Lisbon: Swap Day 3’s afternoon for an electric-vehicle heritage loop if you adore guided storytelling.
  Old Lisbon : Private Guided Tour by Electric Quad & Tuk Tuk

  

• Seville: Late-afternoon river cruise for golden-hour photos and a breezy reset (check schedules seasonally; book locally or via Omio experiences if available).

Booking Cheat Sheet

• Flights/Trains/Buses in Europe: Omio flights, Omio trains, Omio buses, Omio ferries.
• Lisbon stays: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites, Lisbon Destination Hostel, plus Hotels.com Lisbon and VRBO Lisbon.
• Seville stays: Hotel Alfonso XIII, Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento, Hotel Abril, La Banda Rooftop Hostel, plus Hotels.com Seville and VRBO Seville.
• Featured tours used above (book early): Lisbon tuk tuk, Lisbon food tour, Sintra day trip, Seville Alcázar+Catedral, Seville tapas walk (see links in daily plan).

Across nine days, you’ll collect sunlit views, leisurely meals, and a richer sense of Iberian life—from Lisbon’s river breeze to Seville’s jasmine-scented patios. With smart pre-bookings and relaxed pacing, this trip stays unhurried while hitting the icons you’ll remember.