Trip Itinerary Advice Needed: Lisbon and Southern Spain (May 31 - June 16, 2025)

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 16-night trip starting and ending in Lisbon, focusing on nature, history, food, and activities such as surfing. Here’s my current itinerary with the number of nights in each location. I'll have a car when departing from Lisbon:

- May 31 - June 2 (3 nights): Lisbon
- June 3 - June 4 (2 nights): Carvoeiro
- June 5 - June 6 (2 nights): Tavira
- June 7 - June 9 (3 nights): Seville
- June 10 - June 11 (2 nights): Granada
- June 12 - June 13 (2 nights): Córdoba
- June 14 (1 night): Mérida
- June 15 (1 night): Évora
- June 16: Lisbon (departure)

Does this itinerary look balanced? Are there any cities I should replace or additional recommendations for must-visit places, great food spots, nature hikes, or surfing spots? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

I can’t speak to surfing, but even so, I hope my comments prove of some use.

Have you already booked your flights? If not, you might want to explore options for flying into Lisbon and out of, say, Seville (or vice versa) so you don’t have to backtrack.

If you already have your flights in and out of Lisbon, or if you’ve chosen a loop intentionally, you might consider reversing your direction so you can put all your time in Lisbon at one block at the end. I could be wrong, but I think you can get to Evora reasonably easily by public transportation after landing in Lisbon. Then (if crossing multiple time zones) spend 2 nights in Evora so you’ll be safe to drive. Pick up the car and off you go! (Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to go straight to Carvoeiro, but I think that would prove more difficult.)

I think it’s great that you’re giving both Cordoba and Granada two nights. FWIW, 3 nights (two days) would not be enough time for my interests in either Lisbon or Sevilla. (For me, each of those cities warrants a minimum of 5 nights.) YMMV. Depending on what you want to see / experience, 1 night in Evora won’t give you much time for its treasures, but maybe you’re viewing it as just a place to overnight on your way back to Lisbon.

One other thing to consider: There are some interesting hiking options in Las Alpujarras, outside of Granada. You'd have to add time to Granada to be able to take advantage of those opportunities.

If you do go to Evora, I can wholeheartedly recommend the restaurant, Origens.
https://origensrestaurante.com/

Enjoy your planning and your trip!

Best surfing is on atlantic facing coast

Although you are heading south after Lisbon, one hour drive north brings you to Ericeira. A wonderful fishing village, now fashioned into a great vacation spot and considered by some the premier/best surfing area in Europe. Hundreds off surfers ride the waves every day on the numerous Ericeira based beaches.

The whole trip could also be done by bus and train

If you are looking for surfing I would go to Sagres and Praia da Arrifana, these are the best places in the Algarve for surfing. You will not find any surfing in Carvoeiro and Tavira and only small waves in Lisbon.

You've got an excellent blend of history, nature, and food. A few of thoughts: Tavira is lovely, but if you enjoy surfing, you might prefer Sagres or Costa Vicentina for better waves. Also, if you can fit Ronda between Seville and Granada, it's well worth driving for the vistas. If you detour that way, make sure to try salmorejo in Córdoba and espeto de sardinas in Málaga. I hope you have a fantastic trip!