Viking – Portugal’s River of Gold – 2026 River Cruise - Favorite Travel Blog | Discover Hidden Gems, Foodie Adventures & Cultural Travel

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

Depart: Atlanta to Madrid – Arrive 12:15pm | Depart: Barcelona to Atlanta – May 9 @11:35 / Arrive: ATL 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

Viking itinerary during – Portugal’s River of Gold – River Cruise
Ship: VIKING HELGRIM
Embarkation – Porto April 28, 2026 | Disembarkation – Porto May 5, 2026
ITINERARY – EXCURSIONS
APR 23 TO MAY 8 River Cruise on VIKING
Day 1 Madrid – Thur Apr 23 GetYourGuide | Prado Museum and the Royal Palace Guided Tour
11:30am

Where to go Pl. de España, 9, Moncloa – Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain
Naturanda Tourist Office

Madrid – Gourmet Food Market Experience | Try MAS & Olive Stand Watch!
Mercado De San Miguel
Day 2 Extension Madrid – Fri Apr 24 Panoramic Madrid Incl4.5Hrs 9:30amE A/KD
Day 3 Extension Madrid – Sat Apr 25 *Toledo KD / TBD A
Day 4 Extension Madrid – Sun Apr 26 (None Listed)TBD A (Flight Madrid to Lisbon)
Day 5 Extension Lisbon – Mon Apr 27 Cosmopolitan Lisbon & Royal Treasure Museum Incl 4Hrs 8:45am E A/KD Royal Treasure Museum

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 Incl5Hrs (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
Salamanca, Spain: What to see on a day trip Watch!
Day 10 Pinhao – Sat May 2 Favaios Bakery & Lunch Quinta Avessada Incl6Hrs 8:45amM A/KD
Day 11 Regua – Sun May 3 Charming Lamego Incl3Hrs 9:00amE 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 (Flight Porto to Barcelona)
Day 14 Extension Barcelona – Wed May 6 Panoramic Barcelona Incl 5Hrs 9:00amE A/KD
Day 15 Extension Barcelona – Thur May 7 *Flamemco – Dance Night (Maybe Join KD?)
*K&D Excursions (E) Excursions
Day 16 Extension Barcelona – Fri May 8 TBD A Last Full Day!
5 Best Things to See and Do Watch!
Day 17 FLY HOME Sat May 9

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

Madrid ideas:
Plaza Major – The Central Hub!
Madrid Travel Guide 2026
Botin Restaurant. The oldest in the world! Founded in 1725
Nun Cookies at Monasterio del Corpus Christi

Madrid – City 3D
Madrid – 24 hours
How to spend 3 days in Madrid, Spain
Best things to do in Madrid, Spain 2026

Madrid, Spain: 5 Things to See and Do, Senior Solo Travel Watch!

Explore Madrid:
Royal Palace of Madrid MUST SEE*
Almudena Cathedral
Museo Nacional del Prado MUST SEE*
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

3 days in Madrid

Madrid Travel Guide 2026

The PERFECT Trip to Madrid Spain! Best Things to Do & Eat (Travel Guide)

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

Porto, Portugal: What to see in 24 hours! Watch!

Lisbon ideas: (24 civil parishes, freguesias, of Lisbon) The capital of Portugal
More Lisbon Ideas

Lisbon In A Day – 2026 video
Sao Jorge Castle – Cost 17E

Alfama The oldest Neighborhood in Lisbon
Praca do Comercio (Terreio do Paco)
Mostriro dos Jeronimos – A UNESCO site. One of Lisbon’s top attractions in Belem
Torre de Belem – A historic fort by the Tagus River
National Tile Museum
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Castelo de São Jorge – A medieval castle on a hill overlooking Lisbon
Santa Justa Lift – Elevador $6E or consider stairs
Church of Saint Roch
Tram 28 – provides one of the best tours of the city – iconic! also check out 12 & 25
Livraria Bertrand – “World’s Oldest Operating Bookstore” Founded in 1732
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:

La Barceloneta – seaside neighborhood of La Barceloneta
Parc De La Ciutadella – a park on the northeastern edge of Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Barrio Gotico – Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic
Gaudi Works –Outside
A. Sagrada Familia – Construction began in 1882. MUST SEE*
B. Casa Batilo
C. Casa Mila
D. Casa Vicens
Tibidabo
Art Nouveau Buildings In Example – some of the city’s main attractions*****
Mercat De La Boqueria – simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
El Born – district of El Born
Glories
Montjuic – Montjuïc is a hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Monument a Colom – the Columbus Monument in Barcelona, designed by Gaietà Buïgas, was built in 1888
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.
Park Güell – a whimsical masterpiece designed by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century
BAKERY – 📍Prima Salvaje (Great Sourdough!)
Carrer de Girona, 181, L’Eixample, 08037 Barcelona