Spain and Portugal are fascinating international locations with loads to supply. Each have a wealthy cultural and historic heritage which can be price experiencing. Spain has closely influenced the Philippines by way of faith and tradition. There’s loads to see, do, and eat when you begin planning your journey.

Getting a visa

You’ll want a Schengen visa to enter both Portugal or Spain. A few of the primary necessities for visa purposes embody:

• Legitimate passport
• Photograph (35x45mm)
• Itinerary
• Lodging affirmation
• Utility kind
• Proof of occupation or enterprise registration
• Proof of funds (financial institution certificates, bank card statements, financial institution statements, and so on.)

You may verify these web sites for extra info:

Spain
Portugal

Get into Europe

There aren’t any direct flights from Manila to most international locations in Europe. You’ll need to transit within the Center East, Turkiye, or one other Asian nation. E book your tickets months upfront to get deal. You may apply for a Schengen visa as early as six months. This offers you greater than sufficient time to seek out an appropriate flight value that’s inside your price range. You should utilize Skyscanner or different related websites to seek out flights. As soon as you discover one, I might suggest that you simply e-book immediately with the airline.

Itinerary and locations to go to

*You’ll begin your journey in Lisbon, Portugal then finish it in Madrid earlier than returning to the Philippines. This itinerary assumes you’ll begin with one full day.

Lisbon

Day 1

Relying on the airline and schedule you select, you’ll arrive in Lisbon within the morning or afternoon. It’s straightforward and handy to get to the town from the airport. You may take public transportation such because the bus or metro to the town middle at an inexpensive value.

You’ll more than likely be drained from the lengthy journey. Verify into your lodging and get your self acquainted with the neighborhood you’re staying in. Lisbon is compact with many sights inside strolling distance of one another. Some locations which can be removed from the middle are simply accessible by public transportation. Get some relaxation so that you’ll have vitality to discover Lisbon the subsequent few days.

Day 2

The best option to discover Lisbon is to group sights collectively. Some locations are close to or a brief journey away from the town middle whereas others are in one other district additional away. After breakfast, get on a tram or bus certain for Torre de Belem, one of the crucial well-known landmarks within the nation. The tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site that dates to the 16^th century. After taking images and studying in regards to the tower, stroll all the way in which to a different landmark, the Monument to the Discoveries. The latter commemorates the Portuguese navigators that explored unknown territories (from the European perspective) within the 15^th century. 

Inside strolling distance from the monument is one other UNESCO World Heritage Web site, the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. Identical to the Monument to the Discoveries, the monastery is one other image of Portugal’s Age of Discovery. The complicated homes the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Seize a chew at a close-by cafe or restaurant earlier than heading over to the Palacio Nacional da Ajuda. The latter was the Portuguese Royal Household’s residence. Right here one can find collections of furnishings, gold and silverware, work, porcelain and different gadgets, and rooms its residents used. After a complete day of sightseeing, take a look at both LxFactory or Time Out Market Lisboa for snacks, drinks, and/or dinner.

Day 3

After breakfast, take a look at of your lodging and depart your issues within the storage space. Have a relaxed day strolling round Lisbon’s stunning neighborhoods and see a few of its most well-known sights. Make your option to Igreja do Carmo, one among Lisbon’s oldest church buildings. It dates to the 14^th century. A robust earthquake within the 18^th century virtually leveled the whole church and killed a number of churchgoers. It was by no means rebuilt after the pure catastrophe. The construction you’ll see now could be the ruins of the previous church. 

Not too removed from the church is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most recognizable landmarks, the Elevador de Santa Justa. The latter’s inauguration befell within the early 1900s. The elevator was a go-to mode of transportation as a result of it connects commuters to the Bairro Alto district. Nevertheless, it’s now largely vacationers who board it to have a novel expertise whereas exploring Lisbon. The road will get actually lengthy, and also you might need to attend to board (you’re higher off simply taking an image of it from the skin truthfully). 

After a number of images, stroll alongside Rua Augusta, one of many metropolis’s most touristy areas. Right here you’ll discover many eating places and retailers. You may seize a chew someplace right here earlier than visiting a number of extra sights. After consuming, make your option to Arco da Rua Augusta. The latter is a well-known landmark the place many vacationers and locals go to. The arch dates to the 19^th century. You may pay to go to the highest of the arch to get overlooking views of the sq.. Go to the Se, a widely known and delightful cathedral within the metropolis. Its consecration befell within the 12^th century. The church mixes architectural types. After sightseeing head on over again to your lodging to select up your issues and go to Porto. You may have the choice to take the bus or practice. You may e-book bus tickets on-line or you may go to the practice station to purchase a ticket. 

Porto

Day 4

Porto is a compact metropolis that’s handy to discover so long as you don’t thoughts the occasional steep hill. You are able to do a variety of sightseeing in in the future, however Porto is the sort of metropolis you’d wish to savor. It has loads of old-world allure to elicit a way of nostalgia from guests regardless of not being native. Begin your sightseeing on the Avenida dos Aliados. This space is lined with stunning buildings, retailers, cafes, and eating places. Subsequent cease is the Clerigos Tower. The latter is without doubt one of the most recognizable landmarks within the metropolis. It dates to the 18^th century and is round 75m excessive. In the event you’re as much as it, you’ll have to climb greater than 200 steps to succeed in the highest of the tower the place you’ll get a chook’s eye view of the environment. 

The Livraria Lello is a brief stroll from the tower and is without doubt one of the metropolis’s hottest sights. It’s often called the “most stunning bookshop on the earth.” It’s a small library/bookshop however I’d agree that it’s fairly with its distinctive picket staircase. Nevertheless, I’ll depart it to you to agree or disagree with the title “most stunning bookshop on the earth.” From the bookshop, make your option to the gorgeous Igreja do Carmo. Its blue and white tiles will seize your consideration as you method it. After visiting the church, make your option to Sao Bento station. The station comprises stunning tile work depicting the historical past of Portugal. 

After your temporary cease on the station, head on over to the Sé. The cathedral has an extended historical past courting to the 12^th century. Inside you’ll discover extra of the detailed tilework that metropolis is thought for. One of many causes guests go right here is due to the overlooking views it gives. Snap some images of Porto from above earlier than heading out.  Because the day ends, make your option to Cais de Ribeira, to hang around by the river, and to get one thing to eat and drink. One of the best overlooking view of this district is from the historic Dom Luis I Bridge.

Day 5

Go on a relaxed day journey and see one among Portugal’s oldest cities, Guimarães. The latter was based within the 10^th century and is the nation’s first capital. Its historic middle is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and is an instance of the evolution of Portuguese structure. You may see relics of the town’s previous whereas exploring; one such instance is the fort not too removed from the middle. Wander across the slender and serpentine streets of the historic middle to get a glimpse of the previous. Enter one of many church buildings or museums to study extra in regards to the metropolis’s historical past or just eat and drink at one of many cafes and eating places. 

You should purchase bus tickets to this quaint metropolis right here. You may as well simply present up on the practice station to purchase a ticket.

Day 6

Try of your lodging and have a slow-paced day in Porto earlier than returning to Lisbon. When you’ve got the price range, you may dine on the atmospheric Café Majestic. It has an Artwork Nouveau exterior and a classic inside. I had a snack there simply to expertise its ambiance. In the event you’re up for extra sightseeing earlier than leaving, you may take a look at some locations such because the Palacio da Bolsa, World of Discoveries, Parque das Virtudes, Vila Nova de Guia, Igreja de São Francisco, and the Music Home simply to call a number of. It’s completely effective to only hand around in Cais de Ribeira, take a look at Mercado do Bolhão, and/or Baixa. You may hang around, eat, and drink in these areas.

You may have the choice to take the bus or practice again to Lisbon. You may e-book bus tickets on-line right here or right here. You may as well go to the practice station to purchase a ticket.

Lisbon

Day 7

Try of your lodging and spend your final full day in Portugal wandering round Lisboa. By now, you’ve visited a lot of the essential sights in the course of the first two days of your journey. Town is residence to many free statement decks (yey!) that present stunning overlooking views. I spent a great deal of time wandering round Lisbon’s slender alleys and quaint streets. Town is a good place to loosen up and chill in due to the various eating places and cafes. You’ll additionally discover loads of museums and artwork galleries, for those who’re all for checking them out. Some locations you may wish to go to embody: Castelo de Sao Jorge, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Museu do Oriente, Museu Nacional do Azulejo, and others. After dinner, put together to your in a single day bus to Seville, Spain.

You may e-book bus tickets right here.

Seville

Day 8

The in a single day bus may’ve been tiring, so after arriving at your lodging, depart your baggage on the reception or storage space and relaxation for some time earlier than heading out. After resting take a look at a number of of the town’s sights at a gradual tempo. Make the Plaza de España your first cease. This sprawling plaza is without doubt one of the most well-known sights in Seville. Take a leisurely stroll round to admire the ornamental tile artwork or watch an impromptu flamenco dance. The Plaza de España is contained in the Parque Maria Luisa. The latter is a historic inexperienced area lined with bushes, embellished with fountains, swimming pools, and tile artwork. The park is a perfect spot to only unwind and loosen up. In the event you’re as much as visiting a museum or two, you may take a look at the Archeological Museum and the Museo Artes y Costumbres Populares. In the event you’re on a price range, may as effectively save your cash for the Actual Alcazar and the Seville Cathedral. 

From the park, make your option to Barrio de Santa Cruz. In your approach there, you’ll more than likely move the Actual Alcazar and the cathedral – save a go to to these two for the subsequent day. Seville is a beautiful metropolis to discover on foot. Barrio de Santa Cruz is a maze of winding paths by way of historic streets and buildings. Stroll all the way in which to Setas de Sevilla, one of many metropolis’s famend landmarks. Its distinctive form contrasts with the old-world environment of the town. You may go up the construction to get overlooking views. I’d suggest watching a flamenco efficiency. There are a number of theaters which have dwell performances at night time. I caught a present on the Casa de la Memoria.

Day 9 

After breakfast, it’s time to take a look at extra sights in Seville. Head on over to the Actual Alcazar as your first cease of the day. This UNESCO World Heritage Web site gives guests with a glimpse of Seville’s Islamic previous with its distinct structure and manicured gardens. It was a fort for the Caliph of Cordoba again within the 10^th century. Subsequent rulers had further buildings and constructions constructed over the centuries. After the Christians expelled the Moors, the Alcazar underwent a reconstruction based mostly on the Mudejar aesthetic. Discover the rooms, courtyards, halls, and gardens throughout your go to. 

E book your tickets on-line to scale back ready occasions.

After the Actual Alcazar, make your option to the Seville Cathedral, the most important Gothic cathedral on the earth. Inside you’ll discover elaborate chapels and woodcarvings which can be centuries previous. Make your approach up the tower to get overlooking views of the environment.

E book your tickets right here.

Not too removed from the cathedral and the Actual Alcazar is the Archivo Normal de Indias. This constructing homes Spanish colonial period paperwork akin to their administration of territories. After museum- and church-hopping, you may have a late lunch or snack (for those who already ate lunch in between sights) someplace within the space across the Seville Cathedral or in Barrio de Santa Cruz. 

The Actual Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is without doubt one of the locations I used to be eager on visiting. It’s an area the place bullfighting takes place. Right here you’ll discover details about this Spanish custom by way of numerous reveals. You may stroll across the bullring to think about the spectacle going down. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be in Seville throughout bullfighting season, you may wish to watch the precise occasion. After sightseeing, hang around and dine in your favourite spot within the metropolis.

Charges:

• €13.50 – Actual Alcazar
• €12 – Seville Cathedral
• €10 – Actual Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla

Day 10

Go on a day journey to Cordoba to see one other metropolis in Andalusia. Cordoba has an extended and storied previous that spans centuries. Town was underneath Muslim rulers for a considerable a part of its historical past. You’ll see vestiges of Islamic affect in numerous elements of Cordoba, particularly the UNESCO World Heritage-listed La Mezquita. The latter dates to the 8^th century when it was constructed as a mosque. The Catholic monarchs transformed it right into a cathedral within the 16^th century. The interiors of the Mosque-Cathedral is an fascinating mixture of its Islamic and Christian historical past.

Cordoba is an atmospheric metropolis to discover. Simply outdoors the La Mezquita is the Puente Romano or the Roman Bridge. It’s a relic of the town’s Roman heritage. Wander across the previous Jewish Quarter and discover its slender alleys that result in quaint squares and flower-decorated patios. Different locations you is likely to be all for visiting whereas in Cordoba embody Museo de Bellas Artes, Jardín Botánico de Córdoba, Palacio de Viana, and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. 

Essentially the most inexpensive option to do Cordoba as a day journey is to take the bus. E book your tickets upfront to get decrease costs. You may e-book your ticket right here.

Day 11

Try of your lodging. In your final day in Seville, take a look at Barrio de Triana. This historic quarter oozes with old-world allure with its winding cobblestone streets. You’ll additionally discover ceramic workshops the place you should purchase colourful ceramic tiles. Take a leisurely stroll alongside the riverfront or simply hang around and dine at your favourite cafe or restaurant earlier than departing for Granada within the afternoon.

Essentially the most inexpensive option to go to Granada is to take the bus. E book your tickets upfront to get decrease costs. You may e-book your ticket right here.

Granada

Day 12

In your first full day in Granada, plan for a complete day journey to the Alhambra. The latter is a big complicated that showcases the historical past of Granada’s Moorish monarchs. Ibn al-Ahmar established the Nasrid Dynasty. He had the Alhambra constructed on a plateau towering over Granada. Building commenced in 1238. His successors continued the growth and improvement of the whole complicated. After the moors have been expelled within the 1490s, Charles V redesigned some elements of the Alhambra to observe the Renaissance aesthetic. Invaders and pure disasters severely broken the complicated through the years. Subsequently, many initiatives managed to revive the complicated to its former glory. The Alhambra consists of courtyards, fountains, palaces, gardens, and different belongings you’ll possible see contained in the fortresses of monarchs from centuries previous. Strolling by way of the whole complicated will make you are feeling such as you walked right into a time warp. The Alhambra additionally gives a number of the greatest overlooking views of the town. 

***Make the Nasrid Palaces your first cease as soon as within the complicated. The administration strictly enforces the time slot guests select.

• Purchase your tickets upfront (they promote out shortly) and select a timeslot. You may e-book right here.
• An grownup entrance ticket prices €19.09. You will get a reduction for those who match the parameters. 

Day 13

After breakfast and trying out of your lodging, go to a few of Granada’s sights earlier than leaving for Madrid. Go to the Capella Actual de Granada, which comprises the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, and different members of the royal household. You’ll additionally discover stunning statues of the monarchs throughout your go to. Not too removed from the chapel is the Catedral Santa Maria de la Encarnacion. Queen Isabella had this eye-catching Renaissance church constructed as a monument to the defeat of the Moors. The cathedral’s inside is simply as beautiful as its beautiful exterior with detailed sculptures, an elaborate altar, and work by famend native artists. 

After visiting the church buildings, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Albaicin Arabic quarter. Discover the winding and slender streets lined with white homes. As you go up the neighborhood, you’ll see fetching views of the town. You’ll additionally get stunning views of the Alhambra. One of the best viewpoint is on the Mirador of San Nicolas. One other noteworthy neighborhood you may discover is Sacromonte. This gypsy quarter has winding hillside paths that take you to extra viewpoints, gypsy homes, a museum, and caves. 

After exploring Granada, you may take the late afternoon or night bus or practice to Madrid. E book tickets upfront to get discounted costs.

Bus
Practice: right here or right here

Madrid

Day 14

Relying on the time of your flight again to Manila, you are able to do a bit extra sightseeing and memento buying. You will get to the airport from the town middle by bus, metro, or practice. Public transportation is your least expensive choice. Nevertheless, you may rent a non-public switch or a taxi to get you to the airport. Bus Categorical Line 203 departs from Atocha Station to Madrid Airport. In the event you’re taking the practice, board line C1 or C10 practice certain for the airport. In the event you’re planning to take the metro, you’ll need to get on the Line 8 (pink) metro practice to the airport.

How a lot will you spend?

A price range of roughly €75 per day for one individual covers lodging in a dorm room, public transportation, entrance charges to some museums and sights, price range meals (with the occasional splurge), bus fare between cities, and grocery meals. You may spend much less by visiting fewer sights and solely consuming grocery meals or shopping for from bakeries. Taking the practice is the sooner and extra comfy choice, nevertheless it’s costlier than the bus. E book tickets for both one upfront to get discounted costs. This price range doesn’t embody buying and flights from Metro Manila. The sky’s the restrict for those who’re prepared to splurge. – Rappler.com

Joshua Berida is a author that likes to journey. He blogs at www.thewanderingjuan.web.