My OAT Northern Spain & Portugal Review

Northern Spain & Portugal's
Historic Towns, Fine Wine,
and the Douro Valley:
Why You'll Fall In Love

While Madrid and Barcelona get much of the attention, this Northern Spain and Portugal itinerary turned out to be one of our absolute favorite travel experiences.

It's also a remarkably unexpected gem in the Overseas Adventure Travel lineup. This trip combines historic small towns, wonderful food and wine, spectacular scenery and the unforgettable Douro Valley into one surprisingly diverse adventure.

Even better, OAT frequently offers special pricing and some excellent last-minute deals on this route, making it an extraordinary value for the depth of culture and experiences you get to enjoy.

If you're looking for a European trip that takes you beyond the famous big cities, this one deserves a very close look.

"UNEXPECTED" The Word Defining the
OAT Northern Spain & Portugal Adventure

Planning Your First
OAT Adventure?

If you're considering Northern Spain & Portugal or another Overseas Adventure Travel trip, I hope my experiences and tips help you decide whether OAT is right for you.

I've now taken 19 OAT adventures and have another one booked. If you decide to travel with OAT, I'd really appreciate your telling them (when booking):
"I was referred by Jesse Slome
OAT #932019."

It costs you nothing and it helps me earn a credit toward a future adventure.

So far, 88 travelers have told OAT they were referred by Jesse Slome.

If you decide to take an OAT adventure, I hope you'll be #89!

Thank you - and I hope to see you somewhere in the world!

This likely won't be your first trip to Europe — and perhaps not even your first OAT adventure. That said, if this is your first OAT trip, I certainly hope you'll tell them that I referred you. Thanks in advance!

So, you're probably reading this review to answer one simple question: Is this trip worth taking?

My answer is an emphatic YES.

This is another of what I call OAT's overlooked gems. The company often offers Special Deal pricing on this itinerary — which is what we secured — and sometimes has departures with no single supplement. If you're able to score either of those deals — or, even better, both — grab them. I don't think you'll regret it.

Overseas Adventure Travel's Northern Spain & Portugal itinerary stands out for one simple reason: It delivers an unexpected depth of culture, scenery and experiences that many of Europe's famous destinations simply can't match.

Unexpected walkable intimacy. These are the kinds of places where you can wander narrow streets and historic plazas at your own pace. In many of the smaller cities, tourists feel like the exception rather than the norm. The journey takes you from Bilbao's striking avant-garde architecture to the historic plazas of Pamplona and the grand Gothic heritage of León.

Unexpected countryside. From the misty green hills of Galicia to Santiago de Compostela and then on into Northern Portugal, the scenery continually changes. And then there is the Douro Valley — with its dramatic terraced vineyards climbing the hillsides above the river — followed by the riverside charm of Porto.

Unexpected new knowledge. Before taking this trip, we had never heard of trekking the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Route of Saint James. Maybe you have — especially since the number of Americans walking this ancient pilgrimage route has grown dramatically.

Of course, trekking the entire 500-mile route isn't realistic for most of us. This tour offers a perfect solution. You get to walk actual segments of the Camino, share moments with modern-day pilgrims and experience some of the emotional pull of arriving in Santiago de Compostela — all without having to hike for a month straight.

I want to conclude with one more unexpected delight.

While I love OAT, I will admit that food has not always been what I consider one of their greatest strengths. We're not the kind of travelers who seek out Michelin-starred restaurants. What we enjoy discovering are unique local treats — especially desserts, which happen to be one of my personal passions.

That said, the Port-tasting luncheon included as part of the tour was probably the most memorable great food experiences we've enjoyed as part of any OAT tour.

And on this trip, you'll find plenty of them.

That alone added one star to my rating.

¡Buen viaje! (bwen VYAH-heh) — Safe travels in Spanish.

Boa viagem! (BOH-ah vee-AH-zhem) — Safe travels in Portuguese.

When We Took This Trip: November 2–24, 2024
Jesse's Thrifty Senior Traveler Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Tips & Advice: Northern Spain & Portugal Trip

Here are some things we learned along the way — including a few ways to save money, avoid unnecessary expenses and get even more out of this excellent trip.

Book Your Own Airfare?
Of course, that's entirely up to you, but we did.

Getting to Bilbao is relatively easy, and a taxi from the airport to the city center cost us about €30. Bilbao is also a very walkable city, making it a good place to arrive a day early if you're concerned about flight delays or simply want a little extra time to overcome jet lag.

Wait for Your Guggenheim Museum Visit
If you arrive early, don't rush out and pay for your own admission to the Guggenheim.

OAT includes admission as part of the city tour. And frankly, while the building itself is absolutely spectacular, I didn't find the museum's collection alone worth paying an additional admission price to see twice. Enjoy the building. Save your money.

Be Sure to Eat the Ham
I'm talking about Jamón 100% Ibérico de Bellota — sometimes called Pata Negra.

This is the gold standard of Spanish ham. It comes from purebred Iberian pigs raised in oak forests and fed acorns during their final months.

Look for “Etiqueta Negra” — the Black Label — which identifies 100% acorn-fed, purebred Ibérico ham. Yes, it's expensive in restaurants.

Our solution? We bought it at local shops, picked up some fresh bread and created our own little feast. Worth every cent.

Bring a Foldable Umbrella — and an Insulated Water Bottle
We were lucky and didn't encounter much rain. But you'll be doing a fair amount of walking, so packing a small foldable umbrella is probably a smart idea.

And here's another Thrifty Senior Traveler tip for coffee lovers: bring an insulated water bottle. A little coffee from the breakfast buffet can be enjoyed later during one of OAT's many rest breaks.

Optional Tours: My Honest Opinion
OAT offers two optional tours on this trip.

We took the first, which visited Pontevedra and Combarro. Frankly, I think this one should simply be included in the itinerary. Would I take it again? Yes, primarily because there wasn't much else to do that day.

Was it exceptional? No. But it was an enjoyable way to fill the day and see more of the region.

The second optional tour takes place while you're in Porto. We skipped that one — and frankly, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend it without knowing exactly what you enjoy.

Porto is a beautiful city, and for us, simply walking and meandering through its streets — and across the river — was far more enjoyable. We even took the trolley to its final stop at the Atlantic Ocean, where we discovered a small local bistro and had a terrific lunch.

For us, that was a better use of our time.

Don't Miss Seeing the Porto McDonald's
Yes, I am serious.

McDonald's Imperial, located on Porto's Praça da Liberdade, is worth a quick stop — even if you're not hungry. It occupies the beautifully restored historic Café Imperial and is often described as one of the world's most beautiful McDonald's restaurants. Outside, a giant bronze eagle greets visitors. Inside, you'll find soaring ceilings, crystal chandeliers and impressive stained-glass windows.

How often do you get to put a McDonald's on your European sightseeing list?

And While At McDonald's - Try An Ice Cream
We make a point of stopping at a McDonald's in virtually every citiy we visit. Never for a Big Mac, but rather for a cheap sundae or ice-cream treat. McDonald's uses local and regional suppliers in many countries, so the quality and taste can be surprisingly different from what you get at home. Creamy vanilla ice cream. Rich chocolate sauce in Belgiam.

And let's be honest: after a long day of sightseeing, a cheap ice-cream sundae can be one of the great pleasures of international travel.

A Must-Try Meal in Porto
Don't leave Porto without trying a Francesinha (fran-seh-ZEEN-yuh).

This legendary Portuguese sandwich is not for the faint of heart. It can include steak, fresh sausage, ham and linguiça, all covered in melted cheese, topped with a fried egg and swimming in a rich, flavorful sauce. Our Trip Director took us to try one — and even treated us!

But if yours doesn't, seek one out yourself. Grab a fork and knife and dig into one of Porto's great comfort foods.

Your Free Day in Porto: Take the Tram to the Atlantic
One of our most memorable outings in Porto was riding the city's vintage Tram Line 1 out to where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

There are several places to board in the city. Stay on until the final stop, wander around and explore. For us, it was a wonderful way to spend part of a free day — and far more memorable than sitting on another bus tour.

Definitely Visit Lisbon
We didn't book OAT's organized post-trip extension. Instead, we traveled from Porto to Lisbon on our own.

The train is direct and relatively inexpensive.

Personally, we enjoyed Porto more than Lisbon. But Lisbon is still absolutely worth seeing while you're already in Portugal.

For us, two full days was enough, although you could certainly spend three if you prefer a slower pace.

One Lisbon Must-Do: Pastéis de Belém
If you visit Lisbon, don't miss Portugal's famous warm, flaky egg custard tarts — pastéis de nata.

One of the most famous places to try them is Pastéis de Belém, located near the Jerónimos Monastery. It's easy enough to reach by taxi or rideshare, or you can take the scenic Tram 15E along the waterfront.

Go hungry. Order more than one. You'll understand why.

Avoid Non-Bank ATMs
Here's a money-saving tip.

Avoid the bright yellow and blue Euronet ATMs whenever possible. Their currency conversion and transaction charges can be considerably higher.

Instead, use official bank-affiliated ATMs. In Spain, look for banks such as CaixaBank, BBVA or Santander. In Portugal, use machines clearly associated with the Multibanco network or established banks.

Beware of the Portuguese Couvert
When you sit down at a restaurant in Portugal, servers may bring small appetizers to your table — olives, bread, cheese or regional spreads.

Here's the important part: they aren't necessarily free. You pay for what you eat.

If you don't want them, politely decline or simply leave them untouched and ask that they be removed.

A small expense isn't going to ruin your trip — but it's nice to know what you're being charged for before the bill arrives!

Ordering Coffee in Spain and Portugal
Coffee terminology changes as you cross the border. In Spain, you might order a café con leche for coffee with plenty of milk or a cortado for espresso with just a little milk.

In Portugal, try a bica in Lisbon or a cimbalino in Porto for a simple espresso.Want milk? Ask for a galão, typically served in a tall glass, or a meia de leite, usually served in a regular cup.

Of course, you can always point and smile.

But knowing a few of the local coffee terms makes you look like you've been there before!

Enjoy a few trip photos taken by Jesse Slome

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published August 24, 2026 | Last updated August 24, 2026