Dreaming of a getaway that feels exclusive but without the crowds? I’ve uncovered hidden gems across Spain and Portugal that will elevate your travels. From secluded beaches to secret rooftop dining, these tips will make you feel like a VIP. Ready to upgrade your next adventure? Let’s dive in!
Have you ever dreamed of experiencing Spain and Portugal beyond the typical tourist traps? I sure have! After countless trips to the Iberian Peninsula over the years, I've discovered that the real magic happens when you venture off the beaten path. That's why I'm so excited to share this guide with you!
In this blog, I'll take you through the lesser-known destinations, unique experiences, and VIP travel tips that will transform your Spanish or Portuguese adventure from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're drawn to Spain's passionate flamenco rhythms and Gaudí's whimsical architecture or Portugal's melancholic fado music and colorful azulejos, these two countries offer the perfect blend of luxury, culture, and authenticity.
So grab a glass of Rioja or Port wine, and let's explore how you can experience these stunning Mediterranean neighbors like a true VIP. Trust me, your Instagram followers won't know what hit them!
Why Spain and Portugal Are Perfect for VIP Travel
I remember my first trip to Madrid years ago. I stuck to the typical tourist spots and had a good time, but it wasn't until my third visit—when a local friend showed me around—that I truly fell in love with Spain. The same thing happened in Lisbon. The "tourist" experience and the "insider" experience are worlds apart, and that's what makes these countries so perfect for VIP travel.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Both Spain and Portugal boast an incredible tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped their identities over centuries. In Spain, the Moorish legacy has left behind architectural masterpieces like the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Córdoba. These aren't just pretty buildings—they're living testaments to a fascinating multicultural history.
Portugal's identity, meanwhile, was profoundly shaped by its maritime adventures. The Age of Discovery launched from Lisbon's shores, and you can feel that seafaring spirit everywhere from the Monument to the Discoveries to the intricate Manueline architecture of Belém Tower.
What's really special about both countries is how accessible their UNESCO World Heritage Sites are—Spain has 49 and Portugal has 17! But unlike at the Colosseum or Eiffel Tower, you can often arrange private after-hours tours or special access experiences that make you feel like true royalty.
Luxurious Experiences
Want to feel like Spanish nobility for a day? How about staying in a converted castle or a historic parador? Or maybe you'd prefer a private flamenco performance in a cave in Granada? In Portugal, you can charter a vintage boat for a sunset cruise along the Douro Valley vineyards or have a Michelin-starred chef prepare dinner on your private terrace overlooking the Atlantic.
I'll never forget the time I splurged on a private wine tasting in a 300-year-old bodega in Jerez. The owner himself guided us through rare sherries that weren't available to the public, all while sharing family stories that went back generations. These are the moments money can buy, but most tourists never even know exist.
Accessibility and Convenience
One thing I love about traveling between Spain and Portugal is how seamless it can be. You can have breakfast in Madrid and lunch in Lisbon thanks to frequent direct flights that take just over an hour. Or take the scenic route via luxury train services that connect major cities.
Within each country, the infrastructure is excellent. Spain's high-speed AVE trains zip between cities at over 180 mph, and both countries have well-maintained highways if you prefer a road trip. For the ultimate VIP experience, helicopter transfers between destinations like Barcelona and Ibiza or Lisbon and the Algarve are surprisingly accessible options.
Planning a getaway with friends or family? Explore our top group trip experiences in Spain for unforgettable shared adventures.
Hidden Gems in Spain
Now let's get to the good stuff—the places your friends probably haven't heard of but will wish they had visited once they see your photos!
Ronda, Andalusia
Perched dramatically atop a deep gorge, Ronda looks like something out of a fantasy novel. The Puente Nuevo bridge spans a 390-foot-deep chasm, connecting the old Moorish town with the newer sections. Hemingway and Orson Welles spent many summers here, drawn by its authentic charm and the oldest bullring in Spain.
The real VIP move in Ronda? Book a suite at the Parador de Ronda, which sits right on the edge of the gorge. Request room 208 for the most jaw-dropping views right from your bed. Then arrange a private tour of the Reservatauro Ronda, a bull and horse breeding farm where you can learn about these majestic animals without the controversial bullfighting element.
For dinner, skip the tourist traps and head to Tragabuches for innovative Andalusian cuisine. Ask for a table on their hidden terrace—most tourists don't even know it exists!
Cadaqués, Catalonia
This whitewashed fishing village on the Costa Brava captured Salvador Dalí's heart, and it will capture yours too. The winding streets, Mediterranean views, and artistic vibe make it feel worlds away from Barcelona's hustle, despite being just a two-hour drive.
The VIP experience here is all about the water. Charter a private boat with Cadaqués Boats to explore the hidden coves of Cap de Creus Natural Park. They'll take you to secret swimming spots only accessible by sea and prepare a gourmet picnic featuring local wines and seafood on a private beach.
After a day on the water, check into the Villa Gala, a boutique hotel named after Dalí's wife. Their penthouse suite offers 360-degree views of the bay—perfect for sipping cava at sunset.
Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha
Halfway between Madrid and Valencia lies one of Spain's most unique cities. Cuenca's famous "hanging houses" (Casas Colgadas) seem to defy gravity as they cling to the cliffside above the Huécar River gorge. The medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but somehow it remains relatively uncrowded.
For the ultimate VIP experience, stay at the Parador de Cuenca, a converted 16th-century monastery with views directly facing the hanging houses. Book their "Cuenca from the Air" package, which includes a hot air balloon ride over the dramatic landscape at sunrise.
The real hidden gem is dining at Raff San Pedro, a Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away in a cave-like space. They limit reservations to just 20 diners per night, so you'll need to book weeks in advance—or have your hotel concierge work some magic.
San Sebastián, Basque Country
San Sebastián might not be a secret anymore, but few visitors know how to experience it properly. This elegant belle époque city boasts more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere else on earth, along with one of Europe's most beautiful urban beaches, La Concha.
The VIP move here is to hire a private pintxos guide—I recommend Mimo San Sebastián—who can take you to the locals-only bars and explain the intricate culinary traditions. They'll help you skip lines and access special off-menu items that regular tourists would never know to ask for.
For accommodations, avoid the well-known Hotel Maria Cristina and instead book a sea-view suite at Akelarre, a three-Michelin-star restaurant with six exclusive suites attached. Each features a private terrace with infinite views of the Cantabrian Sea and a direct line to the restaurant for room service from their legendary kitchen.
Hidden Gems in Portugal
Portugal packs an incredible amount of diversity into a relatively small country. Let's explore some of its most magical spots that deserve a spot on your VIP itinerary.
Sintra
Just 30 minutes from Lisbon, Sintra feels like stepping into a fairytale. The colorful Pena Palace, mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its initiation well, and the ancient Moorish Castle create a landscape that doesn't quite seem real. While day-trippers from Lisbon crowd certain spots, there's a way to experience Sintra like royalty.
The VIP move: Stay overnight at the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, an actual 18th-century palace with original frescoes and gardens. This lets you explore popular sites like Pena Palace at opening time (8:30 am) before the tour buses arrive at 10. Even better, book a private after-hours tour of Quinta da Regaleira through the hotel concierge—wandering those mystical gardens by twilight, with no one else around, is pure magic.
For dinner, skip the tourist restaurants in the historic center and head to Incomum by Luís Santos. Request their private dining room in the wine cellar for an intimate tasting menu paired with rare Portuguese wines.
Évora, Alentejo
In Portugal's sun-baked Alentejo region lies Évora, a UNESCO-listed town enclosed within Roman walls. Its crown jewel is the eerie Chapel of Bones, lined with the remains of about 5,000 monks. But Évora offers so much more, from prehistoric stone circles to beautifully preserved Roman ruins.
The VIP experience here centers around wine and history. Book a suite at the Convento do Espinheiro, a 15th-century convent where Portuguese kings once stayed. Their historic wing features rooms with original architectural details and frescoes.
Arrange a private tour of the megalithic sites around Évora with archaeologist Mario Carvalho, who can get you special access to sites not open to the public. Follow this with an exclusive wine tasting at Herdade do Esporão, where the winemaker can open rare vintages from their library collection.
Aveiro
Often called the "Venice of Portugal," Aveiro charms visitors with its network of canals plied by colorful moliceiro boats, art nouveau buildings, and delicious ovos moles (egg-yolk sweets). But beyond the obvious comparisons to its Italian counterpart, Aveiro has a character all its own.
For a true VIP experience, skip the touristy moliceiro rides and charter a private boat through Must Aveiro Boats. They'll customize a canal tour with stops for champagne and ovos moles, and can even arrange a romantic dinner on board as you glide through the waterways.
Stay at the Montebelo Vista Alegre Ílhavo Hotel, which occupies a historic porcelain factory with an attached palace. Book their "Porcelain Experience," where you'll create your own piece of Vista Alegre porcelain guided by master artisans—a souvenir unlike any other.
Madeira Island
This autonomous Portuguese region floating in the Atlantic has been attracting aristocrats and celebrities for centuries with its dramatic landscapes, perfect climate, and world-class hotels. Beyond the busy capital of Funchal lies an island of stunning diversity, from misty laurel forests to vertiginous sea cliffs.
The VIP way to experience Madeira starts with a stay at Belmond Reid's Palace, the legendary clifftop hotel where Winston Churchill once painted on the terrace. Book one of their presidential suites with a private balcony overlooking the Atlantic.
For a truly exclusive experience, have the hotel arrange a private levada walk with a local guide. These irrigation channels cut into mountainsides offer spectacular hiking opportunities, but a private guide can take you to sections closed to the general public. End your hike with a surprise gourmet picnic set up in advance at a scenic viewpoint.
Don't miss booking a private tasting of rare Madeira wines at Blandy's Wine Lodge. Their vintage collection includes wines over 100 years old, and a private tasting in their cellar is a transcendent experience for wine lovers.
Planning a getaway? Follow our 10-day Spain travel itinerary for the perfect mix of culture, coast, and cuisine.
VIP Travel Tips for Spain and Portugal
After years of exploring these countries, I've picked up some tricks that can elevate any trip from basic to extraordinary. Here are my top VIP travel tips:
Book Private Tours
The single biggest upgrade to your experience is booking private guides instead of joining group tours. Yes, they cost more, but the value is immeasurable. A good private guide will:
Customize the experience to your interests
Get you access to places not open to the public
Time your visits to avoid crowds
Share insights you won't find in guidebooks
Adjust on the fly if you're loving (or not loving) a particular stop
In Seville, I recommend Concepción Delgado for private Alhambra tours. In Lisbon, Miguel of Lisbon Private Tours can get you into palaces and museums before they open to the public. These guides often have personal connections with restaurant owners, shopkeepers, and artisans who will roll out the red carpet when they hear you're with their friend.
Stay in Boutique Hotels or Paradores
Spain's paradores and Portugal's pousadas are government-run hotels in historic buildings like monasteries, castles, and palaces. They offer an authenticity chain hotels simply can't match. Some of my favorites include:
Parador de Granada: Located inside the Alhambra complex, allowing you to stroll the gardens after all other tourists have left
Parador de León: A spectacular 16th-century monastery with cloisters and a stunning façade
Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães: A 12th-century Augustinian monastery with original architectural elements
Alternatively, look for small boutique hotels with fewer than 20 rooms. These properties typically offer personalized service impossible at larger hotels. The Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal and Hotel Viura in Spain's Rioja region are perfect examples.
Dine Like a Local (But Better)
Both Spain and Portugal are foodie paradises, but securing reservations at the best places often requires planning and connections. Some tips:
Book Michelin-starred restaurants months in advance, especially for weekend dinners
Ask your hotel concierge to recommend places where locals eat, not tourists
Consider lunch instead of dinner at top restaurants—same food, lower prices, easier reservations
Look for restaurants that don't translate their menus into English—that's often a sign of authenticity
For the ultimate experience, arrange a private cooking class. In Barcelona, Cook & Taste offers market tours followed by cooking classes in a 14th-century palace. In Porto, try Cooking & Nature for a hands-on lesson in traditional Portuguese cuisine with ingredients you'll help select from the local market.
Travel Off-Season
The shoulder seasons—May, early June, September, and October—offer the perfect balance of good weather, fewer crowds, and better availability at top hotels and restaurants. Even winter has its charms, especially in southern Spain where temperatures remain mild.
Visiting in January let me walk right into the Prado Museum in Madrid with no line and have entire galleries to myself. In Lisbon during November, I scored a reservation at the coveted Belcanto restaurant with just two days' notice—something impossible during high season.
The exception is August, when many locals go on vacation and some smaller restaurants and shops close completely. The major tourist sites remain open, but you miss out on the authentic local vibe that makes these countries special.
Conclusion: Plan Your VIP Trip to Spain or Portugal
Whether you're drawn to Spain's passionate flamenco and Gaudí's fantastical architecture or Portugal's melancholic fado music and colorful azulejos, the Iberian Peninsula offers endless possibilities for travelers seeking authentic luxury experiences.
From sipping rare sherries in private bodegas in Jerez to watching the sunset from a historic palace in Sintra, the memories you'll create in these countries will stay with you long after your tan fades. The real magic of Spain and Portugal lies not just in their famous attractions but in those hidden gems and special moments that make you feel like you've discovered something few others have experienced.
I hope this guide inspires you to look beyond the obvious when planning your Iberian adventure. With a little insider knowledge and strategic planning, you can experience these countries not as a tourist, but as a privileged guest.
Have you visited Spain or Portugal before? Which hidden gem would you most like to explore? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or reach out if you'd like more personalized recommendations for your trip. And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more VIP travel inspiration from around the world!
¡Buen viaje! Boa viagem!
FAQS Travel to Paradiso
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