My Journey Map

This map gives an overview of my 17-day journey across Spain and Portugal, covering Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Algarve, Lisbon, and Madeira, along with a few day trips.

I planned this route to be smooth and efficient, with no backtracking, so I could move in one direction without wasting time on repeated travel.

This blog focuses on the overall itinerary and budget, and I’ll be sharing detailed city-wise guides, stays, and booking links in upcoming posts..

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🗓️ 17-Day Itinerary Overview

Here’s how I structured my 17-day trip across Spain and Portugal, balancing city exploration, day trips, and travel time:

• Barcelona — 3 days

• Malaga — 3 days (with day trips to Nerja & Granada)

• Seville — 3 days (with day trips to Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas)

• Algarve — 2 days

• Madeira — 3 days

• Lisbon — 3 days (with a day trip to Porto)

This pace allowed me to explore each place comfortably without rushing, while still covering a variety of experiences.

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💰 Overall Budget for 17 Days

One of the biggest questions I had while planning this trip was how much it would actually cost to travel across Spain and Portugal comfortably.

After completing the journey, here’s a realistic breakdown of what I spent over 17 days. I didn’t aim for an ultra-budget trip, but I also didn’t go luxury. I chose a balance where I could enjoy good food, experiences, and comfortable stays without overthinking every expense.

✈️ Flights

• International flights (from India): ₹51,000 (~$610)

• Domestic flights (Barcelona → Malaga + Madeira return): ₹20,500 (~$245)

Flights were one of the bigger expenses, especially the international leg, but booking in advance helped keep the cost reasonable..

🚌🚆 Transport

• Malaga → Seville (bus): ₹1,777 (~$21)

• Seville → Lagos (bus): ₹3,317 (~$40)

• Lagos → Lisbon (bus): ₹1,164 (~$14)

• Lisbon ↔ Porto (train): ₹3,340 (~$40)

I mostly relied on buses and trains for intercity travel, which turned out to be both efficient and cost-effective..

Accommodation

• ₹80,000 (~$960) for 17 days

I stayed in a mix of well-located accommodations that made it easier to explore each city without spending too much time commuting.

🎟️ Activities & Experiences

• ₹75,000 (~$900)

This includes entry tickets, day trips, and experiences across different cities. These were absolutely worth it, as they added depth to the trip beyond just sightseeing.

🍽️ Food & Drinks

• ₹90,000 (~$1,080)

Food was a big part of my experience, and I didn’t hold back here. I tried local dishes, cafés, and some really good restaurants along the way, which added to the overall cost but made the trip much more enjoyable.

💸 Total Trip Cost

👉 ₹2,96,098 (~$3,550)

💡 Final Thoughts on Budget

Overall, this was a mid-range trip where I focused more on experiences than cutting costs. You can reduce the budget by choosing hostels, limiting activities, or eating more casually, but for me, spending on food and experiences made the trip much more memorable.

USD values are approximate and may vary based on exchange rates.

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