The Perfect Group Road Trip: A 10-Day Itinerary in Portugal and Spain

Originally published February 2020. Refreshed June 2026 with updated hotels, restaurants, and current visiting info!

We chose Portugal and Spain for a giant road trip through several destinations, and planned 10 days in Spain and Portugal. Both are friendly and fun countries, easy to navigate and perfect for groups with several different interests. My husband and I met another couple shortly after we moved to London that we got on with swimmingly.

A couple years in the making, we found time where all of us could do a holiday together. Our budgets were decent, but we wanted to maximize our time and our funds among the four of us. When you find those perfect friends that you know would be amazing to go on a trip with, you should jump on the opportunity!

Plan your Spain and Portugal road trip

Here’s a few practical things to know before you go, especially if you’re traveling as a crew of four like we did.

When to go: I lived in Seville year-round and can tell you the south of Spain gets seriously hot in July and August (think 100°F days that make sightseeing feel like a chore). For a group road trip, late spring (April to June) or early fall (September to October) are the sweet spots. You’ll get warm beach weather without the worst of the inland heat, and the crowds at the Alhambra and Real Alcázar are far more manageable. November in the Algarve can still be lovely for swimming. January and February get rainy in southern Portugal and Spain.

Flying in and out: Most groups will fly into Faro (Algarve) and out of Málaga (Costa del Sol), which is the route we did. Alternatively, fly into Lisbon and reverse the itinerary. Both work, but flying open-jaw avoids backtracking.

Currency, language, and driving: Both countries use the Euro. Spanish and Portuguese are different languages and not mutually intelligible despite what some travelers assume (Portuguese speakers often understand Spanish, but not always the other way around). Driving between countries is straightforward with no border checks (both are in the Schengen Area and EU), but Portugal uses electronic tolls (Via Verde) that can be tricky for rental cars. Ask your rental agency how toll billing works before you drive off the lot.

Schengen visa note: US passport holders don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day window across the Schengen Area. As of 2026, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is rolling out, so leave extra time at border crossings for biometric registration.

Group size sweet spot: Four people in one rental car is the sweet spot for budget and logistics. Six gets harder (you’ll need a bigger vehicle and bigger hotel rooms). Two is perfectly doable too, but some of the splurge hotels in this itinerary scale better with a group splitting costs.

Jump to a section

• Day 1-2: The Algarve and Southern Portugal
• Day 3-4: Lisbon
• The Car Switch (the smart group trick)
• Day 5-7: Seville
• Day 8-9: Granada and Ronda
• Day 10: Marbella

Day 1-2: The Algarve and Southern Portugal

Flying into Faro, we pick up our car booked through Auto Europe at the airport and headed west. The first place to greet us in the sunny Algarve region of Portugal is the Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort & Spa. A gorgeous haven in the hills, with sprawling green property wrapping around endless luxury amenities.

We had a blast drinking mimosas for breakfast overlooking the beautiful water installations, then watching in wonder the live acts over our outdoor BBQ dinner. The main restaurant, Olive Tree, serves Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes on a terrace overlooking the pool.

Hidden beaches are only a stone’s throw from Vale d’Oliveiras too – although the water was chilly! We dove in anyway and took turns jumping off rocky cliffs, snorkeling and sun tanning. Do note that a lot of these beaches require a quick hike in the heat to reach, and some are clothing-optional, so check signage when you arrive. But it’s all worth the experience, as they’re some of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen. Keep an eye out specifically for Praia do Carvalho, which I think is the best.

Day 3-4: Lisbon, Portugal

A first for me, I was so excited to finally make it to Lisbon on my 4th trip to Portugal. NOTE: We did this a bit backwards, so you could fly into Lisbon, head south to the beach and then venture into Spain.

It’s about a two-and-a-half hour drive, but you can take your time along the coastal route too for some beach breaks. Our sanctuary in the city is the award-winning Altis Belém Hotel & Spa. It’s located on the river near the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument, and as of 2026 it’s part of the Marriott Bonvoy program through its Design Hotels partnership (useful to know if you’re collecting Marriott points).

Indulge in spectacular harbor views, a Michelin-star restaurant onsite and individually themed rooms that feel more like small apartments. Sleek common spaces with muted concrete and artwork details made for a sophisticated ambiance to be enjoyed between bouts of sightseeing.

It was the perfect oasis to return to after a couple of days of riding the famous trams through Lisbon and admiring the vibrant street art. The Michelin-starred Feitoria Restaurant is now led by Chef André Cruz, with signature cuisine and one of the best wine lists in Lisbon.

We also loved the hidden escape below Altis Belem – a modern spa space available to guests for some soaking and relaxing. At the end of the day it’s virtually empty, so we were able to float through the hot-and-cold pools in privacy.

We didn’t have to look far for beautiful things to do (and eat) in Lisbon right from the hotel. A quick walk brought us to the front door of Pastéis de Belém, one of the original bakeries serving the famous custard pastry. Although not as fresh, it was fun to realize they serve these until late night, so we’d grab a few on the walk back to the hotel after dinner.

And here’s a few more ideas for Lisbon foodies

Time Out Market: Just a short ride away, this massive food hall has stalls from some of Lisbon’s top chefs. It’s perfect if your group can’t decide on just one cuisine.

Cervejaria Ramiro: A legendary seafood spot famous for its giant prawns and crab. Open since the 1950s. It’s popular, so be prepared for a line, or book ahead through TheFork to skip the wait.

Want to try it all? This walking tour hits the best local taverns and hidden gems in town

The Car Switch (the smart group trick)

While our budget was not super limited for a road trip within Europe, we did realize it would drastically change if we had a car rental for the full ten days. Most rental companies tack on a massive fee for a one-way trip when it crosses country borders. We were quoted an additional 600 euro for this route!

Luckily, the amazing people at Auto Europe offered a simple alternative: two separate rentals. We had one car for our driving trip in Portugal for the first five days, then a second car for the second five days. It was a slight inconvenience, but it’s only a two-hour drive between Faro in southern Portugal to Seville in southern Spain. It’s simple to take an Uber, car share program or bus between the destinations and you can then use your saved funds to splash out later.

Day 5-7: Seville, Spain

My favorite city in the whole world. After studying abroad in Seville, then returning later as an au pair, it seemed as no time passed at all. The rich Spanish-style architecture, lovingly protected and celebrated as true Sevillano wonders. At first, we spent a night in the Helipolis neighborhood to enjoy a little pool-time in the staggering heat at Eurostars Al-Ándalus Palace, then headed into the barrios of the old town.

The Vincci La Rábida Hotel is super close to the giant gothic cathedral and the Alcazar Palace in Seville, so most attractions are easily accessible through the narrow cobblestone streets. This hotel has classic archways and a cool courtyard for a drink and a treat. Head up to the rooftop to see the top of the cathedral too.

I don’t know which was better, this rooftop view or the picturesque yellow-trimmed courtyard with fountain you can indulge for breakfast. (Note that the rooftop El Mirador restaurant is seasonal, generally open in spring and summer.)

One thing that had popped up right before I moved back to the U.S. was the Setas de Sevilla (originally called Metropol Parasol, now officially branded as Setas de Sevilla). I know it’s a futuristic-looking structure with a mall on the ground floor but didn’t realize how many layers could be explored until we went with our group at dusk.

Erected to avoid ancient ruins discovered below its surface, the ‘mushroom’ offers rooftop views of the city from a fresh angle. Tickets currently run €15-18 per adult and include a curvy catwalk flanked by a sign to highlight points of interest, plus a free drink at the bar there.

As for meals, we were lucky to stumble on the Casa Pepe Hillo. If you can move past the bullheads that decorate the walls, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best tapas I’ve had in the city. It’s near the famed bullring and is open until midnight.

And here’s a few more ideas for Seville foodies:

• El Rinconcillo: Known as the oldest bar in Seville (founded in 1670!), this spot is standing-room only and oozes history. It’s a must-visit for the atmosphere alone.
• Eslava: A modern classic that wins awards for its creative tapas. If you go, you must try the “cigar” tapa (cuttlefish and algae) it’s famous for a reason!
• Seville Tapas & Flamenco Tour: Combine dinner and a show! This tour is the perfect way to taste your way through the city while enjoying authentic Andalusian culture.

Before leaving we swung by the Plaza de Espana and spontaneously decided to take one of the rowboats around the mini waterway. Impromptu flamenco song wafted through the air as we floated by the horseshoe of Renaissance and Moorish revival architecture. It’s a must-see, and for a couple of euro, hilarious to row through too.

Day 8-9: Granada and Ronda, Spain

The drive onwards from Seville was scenic and lovely, with a stop in the staggering cliff-top town of Ronda, about 2 hours’ drive prior to Granada. It was so hot so our trip was quick, but it was worth the pit stop to have lunch and marvel at the deep gorge in the main part of town.

To deal with the oppressive heat (besides blasting the air conditioning in the car) on our drive to Granada, we found a wild swimming hole near Benaojan and Ronda called the Cueva del Gato.

It’s off the main road and mostly frequented by locals, but don’t miss the chance to take a dip. Bring some tapas and get ready for a crazy cold but crazy refreshing swim in the clear waters. Some people jumped from the mini waterfall with loud shouts and machismo behavior, which did ruin the chilled-out mood a little. But we still loved it and it was a welcomed break from the winding, bumpy roads.

If Cueva del Gato is too crowded (it has gotten more popular in recent years), the Zahara de la Sierra reservoir is about 30 minutes from Ronda and gorgeous, with turquoise water and trees you can swim out to. The Genal River near the village of Júzcar (often called the “Smurf village” because it was painted blue for a Smurfs movie promotion) is another quieter family-friendly option about 25 minutes from Ronda.

Granada is rich in Moorish tradition, with its iconic Alhambra Palace perched on a hill overlooking the city below. You must buy tickets in advance to see this modern world wonder and be prepared for lines to get into some of the more spectacular areas of the complex. As of 2026, I recommend booking 2-3 months ahead for peak season (May-September). People might disagree, but I think if you also enjoy Seville, you can do one or the other – either the Alhambra or the Alcazar. Both are stunning and worth an afternoon of photo taking and soaking up the beautiful designs.

You can book public or private tours of the Alhambra through Viator and skip all the lines!

Besides the Alhambra, we were on a tapas hunt. In Granada, you can order a drink at the bar and they will offer a free snack. There is a real pizzazz to this method of eating and grazing. Be ready for your group to often get the same tapas, so warn the picky eaters. The guys didn’t catch on fast enough and kept asking for pints – but if you plan several rounds, it’s better to go for halves or small glasses of wine to get the best results.

Tapas-time evolved into flamenco-time. We had heard not the best things about the touristy caves and wanted to still see some of this artform up close. We went to Le Chien Andalou, a small cave-style venue on Carrera del Darro. It was intimate and unassuming, and the late-night performance moved a few people to tears.

Note for 2026 visitors: Le Chien Andalou’s current operating status is unclear (some sources report it as permanently closed; others as rebranded to “El Soniquete Andaluz – Tablao Flamenco” at the same Carrera del Darro address). I recommend checking current operating status before relying on it. Two alternative intimate flamenco venues in Granada worth booking instead: Jardines de Zoraya in the Albaicín neighborhood (often said to be one of the best small-venue flamenco in the city) and La Alboreá near the cathedral, which also runs intimate nightly shows.

A lot of ‘bebidas’ has us feeling a little rough the next morning, so a session at the Hammam al Andalus was just what was need to cure our blues. I didn’t think I’d like the cave-style hammam, especially with the hot weather outside, but it was wonderfully quiet and pleasant. Mint tea, steam rooms, hot stone areas and pools carved with Arabic/Moorish design transported us to another time and place. It’s well worth the time for you and friends to fully relax.

Our hotel was also a highlight of visiting the city. My parents are huge fans of Marriott hotel properties as am I. However, I had not heard of the Autograph Collection before and think it’s the perfect blend of brand-name service and local charm. The Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, Autograph Collection is under the Marriott name and boasts an old converted convent and traditional courtyard true to Granada style.

The property was fully renovated in 2023, and my room had a lofted wood beamed ceiling, modern bathroom and swinging dark wooden window shutters. It’s one of the most aesthetically-pleasing rooms I’ve seen and a perfect base for exploring the rest of Granada by foot.

Day 10: Marbella

It was time to handle the heat one more time before making it to the coast. Near Granada is a sparkling turquoise reservoir that welcomes swimmers all year round. The Embalse de los Bermejales is gorgeous and located in a valley. Have a plan for shade as it’s totally out in the open, but you can drive right onto the beach close to the water.

Before driving on, you must have a massive meal at the Complejo Rural El Molinillo overlooking the reservoir. We ordered way too many things and dug through piles of calamari, roasted pork, and fresh salads. There was a huge birthday party indoors, and the wait staff brought a few free tapas to apologize for the short wait. (Worth noting they’re both a hotel and restaurant, so if you want to break up the drive and stay overnight rather than push through to Marbella, this is an option.)

A few long days of driving definitely earned us some luxurious rest at the end of an incredible trip. As we pulled up to the grand entrance of Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort, I knew we were somewhere special. I knew the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama had stayed at this property on her own trip to Spain. So our group was thrilled to experience some similarly lavish digs. While the ambiance of the pool area and spa was wonderful, we also spent part of the day at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace beach club.

Although the property doesn’t have direct beach access it should not be overlooked as a flaw; you can take a driver down five minutes to the shore any time during the day for a swim and a snooze under the cabanas. With a bottle of bubbly ordered to the room as the sun went down, we had our friends over to our spacious balcony and enjoyed one more evening in the balmy nighttime weather before returning.

A little adventure and a lot of luxury are what made our 10 days in Spain and Portugal unforgettable.

Have you taken a trip with your friends before? What’s your travel style?

More Pure Wander group travel guides

• Portugal in 5 Days: An Itinerary and Tips to Love
• Portuguese Foods for Picky Eaters in the Algarve
• Stuck in a Rainy Rut in Seville, Spain
• What Makes Spain’s Capital #MustSeeMadrid

Have you taken a trip with your friends before? What’s your travel style?