Iberian Peninsula
Journey across the Iberian Peninsula on a profound Catholic pilgrimage that weaves together the lives, tombs, and enduring spiritual legacy of some of the Church’s greatest saints, set amid the dramatic landscapes and historic cities of Spain and Portugal. From Madrid and Ávila to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Montserrat, and Barcelona, pilgrims walk in the footsteps of apostles, mystics, martyrs, kings, and reformers whose faith shaped Western Christianity—venerating the tomb of St. James the Apostle, praying before St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross, honoring St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. John of God, St. John of Ávila, St. Isidore the Laborer, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, and the Fatima visionaries, and kneeling at Marian shrines that have drawn the faithful for centuries. This carefully designed pilgrimage balances daily Mass, unhurried time for prayer, and expert-guided visits to cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, and sanctuaries, inviting travelers not merely to see sacred places, but to encounter the living faith that still radiates from them—making the Iberian Peninsula not just a destination, but a spiritual journey into the heart of Catholic history and devotion.
Visit: Saints Isidore the Laborer, María de la Cabeza, John of the Cross, Teresa of Ávila, John of Ávila, John of God, Ferdinand III of Castile, Saint Francisco Marto, Saint Jacinta Marto, Elizabeth of Portugal, James the Greater, Isidore of Seville, Raymond of Peñafort, Eulalia of Barcelona, and Christopher Columbus. Cathedral of Almudena, Real Basilica Colegiata de San Isidro, Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, Monastery of St. John of the Cross, Convent & Basilica of Saint Teresa, Basílica de Santa Teresa, Basilica of Saint John of Ávila, Basilica of Saint John of God, Cathedral of Seville, Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon, Belém Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon Cathedral, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Episcopal Palace of Astorga, Basílica de San Isidoro, Sanctuary of Loyola, Basílica del Pilar, Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza, Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, Cathedral of Barcelona, Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar, Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Sagrada Família
Your trip includes
-
Round-trip airfare from Dulles International Airport
-
Coach transportation from your parish to Dulles (IAD) and back.
-
All airport taxes and fuel surcharges
-
Hotel accomodations:
-
1 night: Avila, Spain
-
1 night: Merida, Spain
-
1 night: Granada, Spain
-
2 nights: Lisbon, Portugal
-
1 night: Fatima, Portugal
-
1 night: Santiago de Compostela, Spain
-
1 night: Burgos, Spain
-
1 night: Zaragota, Spain
-
2 nights: Barcelona, Spain
-
-
Single supplements, while available
-
Transfers as per itinerary
-
Breakfast and dinner daily
-
Wine and mineral water with dinners
-
Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
-
Tour escort throughout
-
Assistance of professional local Catholic guide(s) as appropriate
-
Sightseeing and admission fees as per Itinerary
-
Mass daily and spiritual activities
Not included:
-
Lunches and beverages not mentioned
-
Travel Insurance
-
Tips to your guide & driver. (est. $100 total)
-
Church donations (budget $2.00-$5.00 per Mass)
-
Passports, visas, and any required travel documentation
Itinerary
Dulles International Airport
Day 1
After a pilgrimage Mass at your parish, transfer by coach bus to Dulles International Airport to catch an evening flight for a morning arrival in Madrid.
Day 2
We arrive in Madrid early in the morning and begin our pilgrimage with a visit to the Real Basilica Colegiata de San Isidro, where we venerate Saint Isidore the Laborer and his wife, Saint María de la Cabeza. This sacred site, deeply tied to the faith and identity of Madrid, offers a powerful introduction to the city’s Christian heritage. From here, we continue on foot to the Cathedral of Almudena, the principal church of the Archdiocese of Madrid, before walking onward to the monumental Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, renowned for its immense dome and rich artistic legacy. After completing these visits, we enjoy time for lunch in the historic heart of the city.
In the afternoon, we board our motorcoach and depart Madrid for Segovia, where we visit the Monastery of St. John of the Cross, a place closely associated with the great Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church, Saint John of the Cross. Following this reflective stop, we continue to Ávila, the walled city of saints and mystics. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, gather for dinner, and settle in for an overnight stay, preparing our hearts and minds for the deeply spiritual experiences that await in Ávila.
Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain
The New Cathedral of Salamanca
Day 3
After breakfast, we set out on foot through the historic streets of Ávila to the Convent and Basilica of Saint Teresa, built over the birthplace of Saint Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church and one of the great reformers of religious life. Here pilgrims have time for prayer and reflection at a site deeply connected to her extraordinary spiritual legacy. We then continue to the nearby Cathedral of Ávila, a remarkable fortress-like cathedral integrated into the city walls, symbolizing the strength of faith that characterized Teresa’s life and mission.
Leaving Ávila, we drive to Alba de Tormes, where we visit the Basilica of Saint Teresa, which houses the tomb and relics of Saint Teresa of Ávila. After time for prayer and lunch, we continue on to Salamanca to visit both the Old Cathedral of Salamanca and the New Cathedral of Salamanca, masterpieces of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Here we celebrate Mass, giving thanks for the saints and scholars who shaped Spain’s Catholic heritage. In the late afternoon, we depart for Mérida for hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight.
Day 4
After breakfast, we depart Mérida and travel south to Montilla, where we visit the Basilica of Saint John of Ávila, an important shrine dedicated to one of Spain’s greatest saints. Here pilgrims honor Saint John of Ávila, a renowned preacher, spiritual director, and Doctor of the Church whose teachings deeply influenced the Catholic reform in Spain, including figures such as Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross. Time for prayer and reflection allows pilgrims to connect with his enduring legacy of holiness, learning, and pastoral zeal.
Continuing onward, we arrive in Granada, where we visit the shrine of Saint John of God, patron saint of hospitals, the sick, and caregivers. At the basilica dedicated to him, pilgrims encounter a powerful witness to Christian charity and service to the poor. After our visit, we transfer to our hotel in Granada for check-in, enjoy dinner together, and settle in for an overnight stay, concluding a day rich in Spanish Catholic spirituality and saintly witness.
Basilica of Saint John of God
Chapel of St. Isidore at the Cathedral of Seville
Day 5
We start the days by traveling south to Seville, one of Spain’s most historic and vibrant Catholic cities. Here we visit the magnificent Cathedral of Seville, the third largest church in the world, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within its vast interior, pilgrims venerate Saint Ferdinand III of Castile, the saintly king who reconquered Seville in the 13th century and restored Christian worship to the city. We also see the tomb of Christopher Columbus, whose remains are honored here, offering a moment to reflect on Spain’s pivotal role in spreading Christianity to the New World.
Following our visit, we continue our journey westward into Portugal, crossing the border en route to Lisbon, a city shaped by centuries of faith, exploration, and resilience. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and gather for dinner together, enjoying a restful evening and overnight stay. This day beautifully bridges Spain and Portugal, uniting sacred history, royal sanctity, and global Catholic influence as our pilgrimage continues.
Day 6
The day begins in Lisbon with visits to some of the city’s most iconic and faith-filled landmarks. We stop at Belém Tower, a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, before continuing to the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This great monastery is closely associated with Saint Jerome and served as a spiritual center for explorers who carried Christianity across the seas. Its vast church and cloisters invite reflection on faith, sacrifice, and missionary zeal that shaped Portugal’s Catholic identity.
We then proceed to the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa), the city’s oldest church, where centuries of Christian worship have endured through conquest, earthquakes, and renewal. Our pilgrimage continues at the Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon, built on the site traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most beloved saints in the universal Church. Time here offers a special opportunity for prayer and devotion before returning to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Lisbon.
Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon
Fatima, Portugal
Day 7
We travel to Fátima to spend a full and deeply spiritual day at one of the most important Marian shrines in the world. Upon arrival, we enter the vast Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, built on the site of the 1917 apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima to the three shepherd children—Saint Lucia of Fátima, Saint Francisco Marto, and Saint Jacinta Marto. We visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the spiritual heart of the sanctuary, built on the exact spot where Our Lady appeared, offering time for prayer, reflection, and personal devotion.
Our time in Fátima also includes visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the tombs of Saints Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia are located, and the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Throughout the day, pilgrims have opportunities for Mass, private prayer, and walking the expansive esplanade that has welcomed millions of faithful from across the globe. We remain overnight in Fátima, allowing time to fully immerse ourselves in the peace, prayer, and powerful Marian presence that make this holy place such a profound destination for pilgrims.
Day 8
An early departure brings us to Coimbra, one of Portugal’s great centers of faith and learning. Here we visit the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, which houses the tomb of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal. Known for her deep charity, peacemaking, and care for the poor, Saint Elizabeth stands as a powerful model of Christian virtue lived within royal life. Time here allows for prayer and reflection at her shrine. If arrangements permit, we may also visit the Carmel of Coimbra, a place closely associated with Saint Lucia of Fátima, who spent the final years of her life in contemplative prayer within this Carmelite community.
Continuing northward, we journey into Spain to Santiago de Compostela, the legendary destination of the Camino and one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage sites. Upon arrival, we visit the majestic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, built over the tomb of Saint James the Greater, one of the Twelve Apostles and patron saint of Spain. For centuries, pilgrims from across Europe have walked the Camino to venerate Saint James at this sacred shrine. After our visit, we transfer to the hotel for check-in, gather for dinner, and enjoy an overnight stay in this holy city that has drawn pilgrims for more than a thousand years.
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Episcopal Palace of Astorga
Day 9
Departing Santiago de Compostela after breakfast, we journey east to Astorga to visit the remarkable Episcopal Palace of Astorga, designed by the famed architect Antoni Gaudí. This striking Neo-Gothic palace, set along the Camino de Santiago, reflects the Church’s enduring presence and creativity in Spain and offers insight into Astorga’s role as an important episcopal and pilgrimage center. Our stop here connects sacred architecture, pastoral history, and the centuries-old pilgrim tradition that continues to shape northern Spain.
We then continue to León for lunch and a visit to the Basilica of San Isidoro, one of the most significant Romanesque churches in Spain. This basilica is associated with Saint Isidore of Seville, Doctor of the Church, and is famed for its royal pantheon and richly symbolic medieval frescoes that testify to León’s deep Christian roots. In the afternoon, we transfer to Burgos for hotel check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay, concluding a day that highlights the spiritual, artistic, and historical legacy of the Camino regions.
Day 10
After breakfast, we travel to the Sanctuary of Loyola, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in northern Spain. Located in Azpeitia, this sanctuary is built around the birthplace and family home of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. Here pilgrims reflect on the dramatic conversion of Saint Ignatius, whose spiritual journey following his battlefield injury led to the creation of the Spiritual Exercises and a global missionary movement that profoundly shaped the Catholic Church. Time at Loyola offers an opportunity for prayer and meditation at the very place where this great saint’s call to holiness began.
Following our visit, we continue by motorcoach to Zaragoza, traveling across the scenic landscapes of northern Spain. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel to settle in and enjoy a restful evening. This day traces the path of deep interior conversion and missionary zeal inspired by Saint Ignatius, preparing us for the rich spiritual and Marian heritage that awaits in Zaragoza.
Day 11
The day begins in Zaragoza with a visit to the Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza, also known as La Seo, a remarkable cathedral that reflects centuries of Christian worship through its Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar, and Baroque elements. From here, we walk to the nearby Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, one of the most revered Marian shrines in the Catholic world. According to ancient tradition, Our Lady of the Pillar appeared here to Saint James the Greater in the first century, making it the oldest Marian devotion in Christianity. Time at the basilica offers pilgrims an opportunity for prayer at the sacred pillar that has drawn the faithful for nearly two millennia.
We then journey east into Catalonia to visit the dramatic mountain sanctuary of Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, perched high among jagged peaks and home to the revered image of Our Lady of Montserrat, affectionately known as La Moreneta. This Benedictine abbey has been a place of pilgrimage, prayer, and monastic life for over a thousand years, offering a powerful setting for reflection and devotion. In the late afternoon, we continue on to Barcelona, where we check into our hotel, gather for dinner, and enjoy an overnight stay, concluding a day rich in Marian devotion and sacred history.
Day 12
The day begins in Barcelona with a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, where we honor Saint Raymond of Penyafort, a great Dominican theologian and canon lawyer, and Saint Eulalia of Barcelona, the city’s beloved patroness whose relics rest within the cathedral. This historic Gothic church, set in the heart of the old city, offers a powerful introduction to Barcelona’s deep Christian roots and enduring witness of faith through scholarship, martyrdom, and pastoral service.
Our pilgrimage continues with visits to several of Barcelona’s most iconic sacred sites, beginning with Sagrada Família, the extraordinary basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí, where architecture, Scripture, and theology unite in stone and light. We then ascend Montjuïc to the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, overlooking the city and dedicated to Christ’s kingship and merciful love. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic devotion built by the faithful of the medieval city. We return to the hotel for a final dinner together and an overnight stay, bringing our pilgrimage to a prayerful and fitting close before returning home.
Day 13
Depart Barcelona for a flight to Washington Dulles. After landing, a motorcoach will meet the group and return you to the parish from which you set out, completing your pilgrimage together.
AMDG Travel Disclaimer
From time to time, local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the sequence of activities or result in the omission of certain sites or events. While every effort will be made to operate the itinerary as planned, it should be understood that the itinerary serves as an indication of the planned schedule rather than a binding guarantee of specific stops or events.
