Independent self-drive touring in Spain and Portugal
Take an independent, self-drive, touring holiday in Spain or Portugal and discover a land of contrasts. Stunning beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery, monumental cities and untouched villages, haute-cuisine and superb local fare, all criss-crossed by ancient pilgrim ways and trading routes.
With low-cost flights to all key points and ferries to Bilbao and Santander it’s never been easier to take a Portuguese or Spanish (or cross-border) touring holiday. The Iberian Peninsula, in all its magnificent glory, is the backdrop for the holiday of a lifetime!
If you’re interested in touring Spain or Portugal, travelling at your own pace and staying in delightful, small, independent hotels why not call and let our team of experts put together the perfect bespoke itinerary.
Where we travel in Spain
Where we travel in Portugal
Why our clients love our tours
Your satisfaction is our Nº 1 priority – read independent reviews of our holidays on AITO.com
Featured tours in Spain & Portugal
Take an independent, self-drive, touring holiday and discover a different side of Spain or Portugal. To see all our tours click here.
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[name] => Picos de Europa & North Spain Coast
[slug] => cantabria-asturias
[description] => Take a trip to Santander, Oviedo or even Bilbao, get out and get active in the mountains or the surf-washed beaches, or just relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery…
[introduction] => A short tour taking in the best of Cantabria & Asturias where the Picos de Europa mountains come down to meet the sea. Discover the lovely seaside villages of Santillana del Mar, Comillas & Lastres, to name but a few, and the medieval charms of Potes nestling in the Liebana valley.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Asturias: Picos & Dinosaur Coast
[introduction] =>
[description] => Picos de Europa soaring directly above the coast
Mirador del Fito – the best view of the Picos & the coast
Jurassic footprints by the beaches
Canoe down the Sella or get out on a fishing boat
Oviedo’s fine Pre-Romanesque architecture
San Vicente, Comillas or Santillana del Mar, historic seaside villages
Sandy beaches and craggy protected coves
Carmona, Barcena Mayor in the beautiful valleys
World heritage cave paintings at Altamira
Wonderful walks along the coast or in the rolling hills
Breathtaking mountain scenery, walks & activities for all
Wildlife, butterflies to birds of prey, bears too!
Make a pilgrimage to Santo Toribio
Cable car at Fuente De whisks you up to 1800m
Medieval Potes, historic yet full of life
Local mountain gastronomy, cider & orujo
Add a stop in Bilbao, La Rioja or both!
Explore the western highlands of Asturias
or the rugged west Asturian coast
Ask about superior rooms, a larger rental car or better cabins on the ferry
or more economical options if you're on a budget...
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
Two faces of the Picos de Europa
Medieval Santillana & the Cantabrian coast
Dinosaur coast – Jurassic Museum & fossil footprints
Seaside charm; Comillas, San Vicente & Lastres
Santander, the city on the bay
Oviedo with its pre-romanesque architecture
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[name] => Discover Andalucia Tour
[slug] => guadalquivir-tour-andalucia
[description] => The circular route heads from chic Málaga and Granada deep inland to Ubeda, before following the river through Córdoba and Sevilla, south towards Cadiz then picking across the Grazalema mountains and Ronda, back to the start.
You’ll find great cities, high Sierra mountains, endless orange and olive groves as well as the legacy of great civilisations from Tartesians to the Moors – the only constant being the famous Andalucian vitality, humour and hospitality!
The full route takes two weeks but you can do as little, or as much, as you like.
[introduction] => The Guadalquivir river, into which flowed the riches of the Americas, forms the backbone of this wonderful two week tour of Andalucia.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Malaga
[introduction] =>
[description] => Eat, shop or stroll in style in the stylish new port area
Thyssen, Pompidou – art galleries galore
Tapas bars, street music, Flamenco shows
Dip into Axarquia – stunning scenery, pretty villages
Visit Antequera, Moorish heritage, unique ‘Torcal’ landscape
The Alhambra Palace – city of the Nasrid Sultans
Atmospheric Albaicin with night time views to the Alhambra
Cathedral, resting place of the Catholic Kings
Wonderful bars, incredible tapas – many free!
Take a trip to the Sierra Nevada, mainland Spain’s highest mountains
Spain’s finest Renaissance architecture
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003
Sierra de Cazorla, Spain’s largest nature reserve
Source of the Guadalquivir at the heart of the park
Traditional ‘Alferería’ pottery – moorish in origin
The Great Mosque – western Europe’s largest Islamic building
Lose yourself in the Jewish Quarter
Marvel at the patios overloaded with potted geraniums
Medina Azahara archaeological site of on the outskirts
Montilla – Moriles wines – handle with care!
Roman ruins of Hispania Ulterior & Baetica
Gateway to the New World & all its riches
3 World Heritage Sites in Sevilla’s Old Town!
Colossal Cathedral, Moorish Alcázar Palace & Giralda Tower
Carmona, Sevilla in miniature, just half an hour away
Thriving Flamenco culture & lively atmosphere of Barrio de la Santa Cruz
Cádiz, steeped in history, Europe’s oldest city
Doñana National Park one of Europe’s best bird reserves
Spectacular white beaches
Jerez; famous sherry wines and dancing horses
Moorish pueblos blancos, Véjer, Medina Sidonia Bolonia
Hemingway’s Ronda, the most famous of the ‘Pueblos Blancos’
Spain’s oldest bullring
Wonderful wildlife and birdwatching in the Sierra de Grazalema & Sierra de las Nieves
Pueblos Blancos: Grazalema, Olivera, Arcos de la Frontera, Zahara de la Sierra
Extend your stay at any of the stops - they are all worth it!
Swap Sevilla for Carmona and stay at its historic Parador
Or combine with a stay in Madrid or Toledo - easy access from UK and worldwide plus fast train links to Sevilla and Córdoba
Ask about train travel between the cities - or a mix or car and train
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
Malaga – Mediterranean seaside chic
Granada´s Alhambra Palace
Renaissance gems Ubeda & Baeza
Cordoba’s magnificent mezquita
Carmona & Sevilla, rich moorish heritage
Cadiz, white beaches and sherry
Grazalema, Ronda & the ‘Pueblos Blancos’
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[name] => Discover North Portugal
[slug] => caminando-north-portugal
[description] => Vineyards and nature, delicious local food and world-class wine. From start to finish you’ll find stunning landscapes, wonderful walking, great cities and lovely, well preserved towns to investigate.
The full route takes ten days but you can do as little, or as much, as you like.
[introduction] => A longer tour taking in all the highlights of North Portugal yet without too much driving. Start in style in historic Porto and the Douro valley which marks the southern limit of the region, then head north to Guimaraes and Braga, the Lima Valley, and on towards the border with Spain to discover the windswept Costa Verde, Minho Valley fortress towns and Peneda-Geres, Portugal’s only National Park.
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[title] => Day 1 & 2 – Porto
[introduction] =>
[description] => Ribeira, Porto’s fascinating historic centre, a World Heritage site
Cross the impressive Dom Luis I iron bridge to the Port Wine Lodges
Art for all from finest museums to simple galleries
Walk the lanes, sail the river, live and breathe Porto
Ferry to Afurada and the golden beach of Estrela
Fabulous Douro scenery – take an unforgettable boat trip
World Heritage Douro vineyards, the World’s oldest!
Romantic Amarante on the River Tamega
Lamego – famous stairs of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
Superb gastronomy in the atmospheric “adegas” taverns
Stunning Guimaraes – World Heritage Site, full of culture and art
Historic Braga with Portugal’s oldest Cathedral
Bom Jesus del Monte with its famous baroque staircase
Lively Barcelos – oldest market in the north, a must!
Celtic Citania de Briteiros, 2500 years of history
National Park Peneda – Geres: boulder strewn granite peaks, forests and waterfalls
Hiking, biking, horse riding, routes and water sports
Spa town of Geres at the heart of the park
Swim in turquoise rivers; marvel at the waterfalls in the Arado valley
Visit the “espigueiros” grain stores in striking Soajo
Delightful Caminha and the fortress towns of Valença, Monção and Melgaço, dotted along the river Minho
Historic step in the Portuguese Santiago pilgrim way
Imposing Viana do Castelo with its long surfy windswept Atlantic coastline
Graceful Ponte de Lima with its Roman bridge
Sample the Vinho Verde wine and hearty local fare
Fly into and back from Santiago and explore the city or the Rias Bajas
If you fly via Santiago, explore the Galician Ribera Sacra wine region
Add a stop in Viseu and the Dao wine region - south of the Douro Valley
or extend your stay at any of the stops - they are all worth it!
Call us to talk through all the options - we'd love to hear from you!
World class Port wines Douro and Vinho Verde
Historic Porto and its charming old quarter
World Heritage Arquitecture, Art and Culture
Breathtaking valleys, Douro, Lima and Minho
The Camino Portugues – St James’ Way
Boulder-strewn mountains of Peneda-Geres
