16 days in Iberia Itinerary

Called "Oporto" by many, the city of Porto along the Duoro River lent the country and Port wine their names. Portugal's second-largest metropolis dates back to the 4th century, representing both a rich cultural past and industrial present through its architecture and style.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) and Ribeira do Porto. Kids will enjoy Palacio da Bolsa and Ponte de Dom Luis I. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Porto: Guimaraes (Largo da Oliveira, Centro Historico de Guimaraes, &more). And it doesn't end there: explore the world behind art at Museu Serralves, pause for some photo ops at Monumento aos Herois da Guerra Peninsular, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Torre dos Clerigos, and steep yourself in history at Igreja da Ordem Terceira de São Francisco.

To find ratings, maps, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Porto trip itinerary builder tool.

Zurich, Switzerland to Porto is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Zurich to Porto, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In October, Porto is a bit warmer than Zurich - with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can go by car to Aveiro.

Aveiro is a city and a municipality in Portugal. Kick off your visit on the 25th (Tue): get engrossed in the history at Museu de Aveiro, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Convento de Santo Antonio Church, then see the interesting displays at The Maritime Museum of Ilhavo, and finally have fun and explore at Museu do Brincar.

To see photos, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Aveiro travel route builder app.

Drive from Porto to Aveiro in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to drive to Coimbra.

The university town of Coimbra exudes modern flair while embracing its roots as the medieval capital of Portugal.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Museu dos Fosforos, take in the spiritual surroundings of Convento de Cristo, then pause for some serene contemplation at Igreja de Sao Joao Baptista, and finally enjoy the scholastic atmosphere at University of Coimbra. Keep things going the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Capelas Imperfeitas, then steep yourself in history at Batalha Monastery, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Ermida da Memoria.

To see reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Coimbra trip builder site.

You can drive from Aveiro to Coimbra in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In October, daytime highs in Coimbra are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. You'll set off for Miranda do Douro on the 28th (Fri).

Miranda do Douro or Miranda de l Douro is a town and a municipality in the district of Bragança, northeastern Portugal. Kick off your visit on the 28th (Fri): pause for some serene contemplation at Concatedral de Miranda do Douro and then see the interesting displays at Museu da Terra de Miranda.

To find maps, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Miranda do Douro trip website.

Traveling by car from Coimbra to Miranda do Douro takes 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) so you can drive to Salamanca.

Salamanca is one of the most visited cities in Spain.

On the 30th (Sun), examine the collection at Museo del Comercio y la Industria, contemplate the long history of New Cathedral (Catedral Nueva), then pause for some serene contemplation at Ieronimus, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Ciudad Vieja de Salamanca. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Mon): take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Stephen's Convent (Convento de San Esteban), then take in the spiritual surroundings of Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja), then admire the masterpieces at Museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco Casa Lis, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at La Purisima Church.

To find other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Salamanca tour builder site.

You can drive from Miranda do Douro to Salamanca in 1.5 hours. The time zone changes from Western European Standard Time (WET) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 1 hour difference. In October, daily temperatures in Salamanca can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to catch the train to Segovia.

As one of Spain’s most well-preserved medieval cities, Segovia is known for its 1st-century Roman aqueduct that runs through the city center.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Tue): stroll the grounds of Panteon de Infantes, then steep yourself in history at Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and then explore the world behind art at Royal Glass Factory of La Granja. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Acueduct of Segovia, contemplate the long history of Plaza del Azoguejo, take in the spiritual surroundings of Catedral de Segovia, then brush up on your military savvy at Alcazar of Segovia, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Santuario de Nuestra Senora de la Fuencisla.

For ratings, photos, maps, and tourist information, read our Segovia travel planner.

Traveling by train from Salamanca to Segovia takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Salamanca in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Segovia, with lows of 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to drive to Avila.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): contemplate the long history of Basilica de San Vicente, contemplate the long history of Las Murallas de Avila, steep yourself in history at Catedral de Avila, then admire the striking features of Real Monasterio de Santo Tomas, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at The Four Posts.

To find more things to do, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read Avila trip itinerary planning site.

Traveling by car from Segovia to Avila takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Segovia in November, Avila is a bit cooler at night with lows of 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough to go by car to Valladolid.

A city of booming industry with a strong emphasis on leisure and cultural involvement, Valladolid is also known for its historical heritage and medieval feel.

On the 4th (Fri), explore the historical opulence of Palacio Marques de Villena, examine the collection at Museo Nacional de Escultura, then explore the world behind art at Colegio de San Gregorio, and finally contemplate the long history of Plaza Mayor de Valladolid.

To find more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, read Valladolid road trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Avila to Valladolid takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In November, daily temperatures in Valladolid can reach 13°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Burgos.

Burgos is a city in northern Spain and the historic capital of Castile. Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sat): learn more about the world around you at Cartuja de Miraflores, then find something for the whole family at Territorio Artlanza, and then make a trip to Historic Center of Burgos. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Sun): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral De Burgos and then admire the landmark architecture of Cimborrio.

To see ratings, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Burgos trip planner.

Traveling by car from Valladolid to Burgos takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. November in Burgos sees daily highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.