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Viking – Portugal’s River of Gold – 2026 River Cruise

ByFavorite Travel Blog

2026 Adventure to Spain & Portugal with a Viking River Cruise on Portugal’s River of Gold – River Cruise

If you never go, you will never know.
SPAIN | PORTUGAL

Viator – Excursion Search

Viking itinerary during – Portugal’s River of Gold – River Cruise

FLIGHT: Virgin Apr 21 ATL to MAD, Spain 8hr 10min

Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic

Depart: Atlanta to Madrid – Arrive 12:15pm | Depart: Barcelona to Atlanta – Arrive: 3:04pm
Transfer Flight: Madrid to Lisbon, IBERIA AIRLINES, Apr 26 @11:25am 1h 25m
Transfer Flight: Porto to Barcelona, VUELING AIRLINES, May 5 @8:35am 1h 50m

Note: Be sure to click the italic blue linked words for more information about each destination.

4 Nights Madrid – pre stay

HOTELS
InterContinental Madrid  – beginning APR 23, 2026
Corinthia Lisbon – beginning APR 26, 2026
Renaissance Barcelona – beginning MAY 5, 2026


ITINERARY – EXCURSIONS
APR 23 TO MAY 8 River Cruise on VIKING
Day 1 Madrid – Thur Apr 23
Day 2 Extension Madrid – Fri Apr 24 Panoramic Madrid Incl 4.5Hrs 9:30am E A/KD
Day 3 Extension Madrid – Sat Apr 25 *Toledo KD / TBD A
Day 4 Extension Madrid – Sun Apr 26 (None Listed)TBD A
Day 5 Extension Lisbon – Mon Apr 27 Cosmopolitan Lisbon & Maritime Museum Incl 4Hrs 8:45am E A/KD

April 28 Embarks
Day 6 Porto – Tue Apr 28 Batalna & Fatima 9Hrs 8:00am E A/KD? / Coimbra University Incl E A
Day 7 Regua – Wed Apr 29 Mateus Palace & Gardens Incl 5Hrs (2:45pm) E A/KD
Day 8 Barca dAlva – Thur Apr 30 *Marialva Castle & Lunch KD / TBD A
Day 9 Salamanca – Fri May 1 Day In Salamanca Incl 9.5Hrs 8:00am M A/KD
Day 10 Pinhao – Sat May 2 Favaios Bakery & Lunch Quinta Avessada Incl 6Hrs 8:45am M A/KD
Day 11 Regua – Sun May 3 Charming Lamego Incl 3Hrs 9:00am E A/KD
Day 12 Porto – Mon May 4 TBD A … Porto On Foot Incl M?

May 5 Debarks
Day 13 Barcelona – Tue May 5 (None Listed)TBD A Sagrada Familia
Day 14 Extension Barcelona – Wed May 6 Panoramic Barcelona Incl 5Hrs 9:00am E A/KD
Day 15 Extension Barcelona – Thur May 7 *Flamemco – Dance Night (Maybe Join KD?)
*K&D Excursions (E) Excursions


LISBON
LISBON HOTEL
PORTO
PINHAO \N REGUA
BARCA D’ALVA \N SCENIC SAILING: DOURO RIV
SALAMANCA
PINHAO \N REGUA
REGUA \N PORTO
PORTO
PORTO

4 Nights Barcelona – post stay

Screenshot


Madrid ideas:
Plaza Major – The Central Hub!
Madrid Travel Guide 2026

Explore Madrid:
Royal Palace of Madrid
Almudena Cathedral
Museo Nacional del Prado
Gran Vía – Madrid’s most famous street
El Palacio de Linares
Parque de El Retiro – one of the largest city parks in Madrid, Spain. Created: 1680 | MUST SEE*
Parque de El Capricho – free – considered one of the finest. created by María Josefa Pimentel, Duchess of Osuna (1752-1834)
Puerta de Alcalá –  Neo-classical gate in the Plaza de la Independencia Opened: 1778
Puerta del Sol – a public square in Madrid This is the centre (Km 0) Walking Tour
Plaza de Cibeles – a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become a symbol for the city of Madrid
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas –  is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain


Porto ideas:
São Bento (Portuguese for Saint Benedict)
Sao Bento  São Bento railway station in Porto, Portugal  known for its beautiful azulejo tilework depicting historical scenes

Recommended by Scott Zust: Quinta Dos Espinheiros Wine
Thank You Scott!

Dom Luis (Bridge)
Construction started:1880 Height: 45 meters (148 feet)
The bridge is a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the river Douro between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal.

Igreja Do Carmo   Igreja do Carmo is one of the must-see churches in the Portuguese city Porto

Igreja do Carmo

The catholic Church of Our Lady of Carmo, national heritage, is of the baroque-rococo style, belonging to carmelite laymen: the third religious order of Our Lady of Carmo (or Carmel, in english, after Our Lady of Carmel, the patroness of the Order). The Third Religious Order of Our lady of Carmo in Oporto was founded in 1736 and opened for worship on July 24 ,1768.

Masses everyday by 9:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and Sunday another mass by 12:30. Rosary: 2:30 p.m. everyday. One may visit the Touristic circuit by a small fee that helps to rebuild and restore its heritage: by 3,5 euros one may visit the Hidden House (narrowest house of Oporto), church, catacombs,

Livraria Lello “The Prettiest Bookstore In The World”
Palácio da Bolsa Rua de Ferreira Borges 11, Porto Stunning glass dome!

Majestic Cafe – More Info
Alice in Brewland Rua do Almada 334, Porto Unique cafe! Great coffee & bites

Capela Das Almas – Chapel of Souls, It is particularly noted for the blue azulejo tiles on its exterior walls.

Azulejos: The iconic Painted Tiles


Lisbon ideas: (24 civil parishes, freguesias, of Lisbon)

  1. Alfama The oldest Neighborhood in Lisbon
  2. Praca do Comercio (Terreio do Paco)
  3. Mostriro dos Jeronimos – A UNESCO site. One of Lisbon’s top attractions in Belem
  4. Torre de Belem – A historic fort by the Tagus River
  5. National Tile Museum
  6. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
  7. Castelo de São Jorge – A medieval castle on a hill overlooking Lisbon
  8. Santa Justa Lift
  9. Church of Saint Roch
  10. Tram 28 – provides one of the best tours of the city – iconic! also check out 12 & 25
  11. Livraria Bertrand – “World’s Oldest Operating Bookstore” Founded in 1732
  12. Palacio Fronteira – Amazing Gardens! – A Garden Visit

    Cafe A Brasileira – Iconic cafe in Lisbon! **** A Brasileira – 📍 Rua Garret 120, Lisboa
    Nicolau Lisboa Café – Located in the heart of old Lisbon. The food is good and reasonably priced. (several locations)

    📍 The Folks
    📍 Dear Breakfast

Pastel de Nata & Lisbon Stroll Tour
Pastéis de Belém Rua de Belém 84-92 Original secret recipe custard tart (Must Try!)
Nearby:
–Jerónimos Monastery – UNESCO World Heritage, ornate Manueline style
–Belém Tower – Iconic 16th-century river fortress

Manteigaria – Chiado Rua do Loreto 2, Time Out Market nearby
Nearby:
-Rua Garrett & Bertrand Bookstore – The oldest bookstore in the world

LISBON HISTORY – In 1755 8.5 Magnitude Earthquake – Explore Lisbon

CHECK OUT: Super Simple Lisbon Travel Guide 2024: We Wish We’d Have Known These 11 Things

Barcelona ideas:
  1. La Barceloneta – seaside neighborhood of La Barceloneta
  2. Parc De La Ciutadella – a park on the northeastern edge of Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. 
  3. Barrio Gotico –  Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic
  4. Gaudi Works –Outside
    A. Sagrada Familia – Construction began in 1882.
    B. Casa Batilo
    C. Casa Mila
    D. Casa Vicens
  5. Tibidabo
  6. Art Nouveau Buildings In Example –  some of the city’s main attractions*****
  7. Mercat De La Boqueria – simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
  8. El Born – district of El Born
  9. Glories
  10. Montjuic – Montjuïc is a hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
  11. Monument a Colom –  the Columbus Monument in Barcelona, designed by Gaietà Buïgas, was built in 1888
  12. Arc de Triomf – Arch of Victory, is a memorial arch in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. 
  13. Park Güell – a whimsical masterpiece designed by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century
  14. BAKERY – 📍Prima Salvaje (Great Sourdough!)
    Carrer de Girona, 181, L’Eixample, 08037 Barcelona

Where to stay: Renaissance Hotel Barcelona

Barcelona – The area

Note: England & Portugal History
***Coimbra – Monastery of Santa Cruz

Portugal History – Did You Know?

Why do castles have spiral staircases? Thoughts to consider …

Spanish – How To Say…

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