Coastline & Culture in Portugal & Morocco: Lisbon to Casablanca - 10 Days

Highlights

• Listen to soulful fado melodies and sample local fare in Lisbon
• Sail along the Algarve and explore sea caves around Lagos
• Taste aromatic tajines and indulgent sweets in Marrakesh's medina
• Climb seafront ramparts and buy fresh fish cooked to order in Essaouira
• Step inside Morocco's largest mosque in coastal Casablanca

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon (Portugal), Afternoon Roots, Food & Cultural Walk

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Lisbon airport, your private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city center. After checking in and enjoying some downtime after your flight, you'll head out on a small group food tour to explore two of Lisbon's most ancient neighborhoods: Mouraria and Alfama.

Take a trip through time as you stroll from ancient 12th-century alleys into the bustling modern-day city, soaking up the laid-back vibes of each area and stopping along the way to sample authentic Portuguese dishes and snacks. The walk includes six stops for tastings, and you'll learn more about the staples of Portuguese cuisine and its many influences. You'll also find out why Mouraria, the birthplace of fado music and the most multicultural neighborhood in Lisbon, is so unique.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Lisbon

Fill up on breakfast this morning before you join a walking tour of hilly Lisbon. Board one of the quintessential yellow trams to the Bairro Alto and Chiado, where the great 20th-century writers and philosophers used to gather. Continue to see more picture-perfect Alfama, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon. Here, walk along narrow cobblestoned streets, and see the stunning 12th-century Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral).

After lunch, head over to Belém, one of Lisbon's most historic and monumental areas. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Torre de Belém (Belém Tower), and tour the National Ajuda Palace, once home to the Portuguese royal family. Don't leave without stopping by Pastéis de Belém. This bakery claims to be the original home of the pastéis de nata and still follows the original recipe monks in the area used in the 18th century.

Day 3: Day Trip to Sintra, Cascais & Estoril

UNESCO World Heritage-protected Sintra, with its romantic palaces, Moorish castle, and mystical forested hill, is Lisbon's best day trip. Explore Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace), a 19th-century romanticist beauty that mixes Moorish and Portuguese late-Gothic architectural styles, with your guide. Continue to Monserrate Palace, where you'll explore the lavish interior, marveling at its exquisite design and rich history. Wind your way through the mountainous landscape of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park toward the dramatic coastal cliffs of the Cabo de Roca, continental Europe's westernmost point.

Stop for a delicious seafood lunch at a beachside restaurant, then continue along the ocean to Guincho Beach, an expansive stretch of golden sand that's popular with surfers, before reaching upmarket Cascais. This former fishing village is now a premier beach destination and was once the coastal playground of Portuguese royalty. Admire the many lavish mansions and historic manor homes in Cascais and Estoril before returning to the city. 

Day 4: Transfer to the Algarve, Lunch & Wine Tasting at a Rural Quinta

A private driver will collect you from your Lisbon hotel today for the three-hour, 186-mile (300 km) drive south to the Algarve. Before reaching Lagos, pull up at a magnificent traditional quinta for a winery visit and seasonal lunch. The table is at the heart of many Algarvian families, a pinnacle of daily life that inspires joy, passion, and debate over what, how much, and who gets what. Sit under a 2,000-year-old olive tree that overlooks old vines and share a simple menu paired with a flight of four wines from the estate.

After lunch, continue to Lagos, a charming coastal destination with a walled Old Town, a pretty harbor, dramatic sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, authentic restaurants, and buzzing nightlife. While the Algarve is a popular destination for summer holidays, Lagos still retains its distinctive character and laid-back charm.

Day 5: Sailing Trip to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Explore the Algarve's iconic soaring cliffs and curious coastal formations today with a two-hour catamaran cruise. Depart Lagos destined for the world-famous Benagil Cave. Along the way, you'll pass the beaches of Carvoeiro and Algar Seco, as well as the Alfanzina Lighthouse and Praia da Marinha. Relax on the catamaran's twin sunbathing nets and enjoy the gentle breeze as you cruise along this unforgettable coastline, exploring secret spots only accessible by sea. Anchor in the coves of João de Arens to swim and snorkel before returning to shore.

Spend the rest of today discovering some of the Algarve's spectacular beaches at your own pace. Praia Dona Ana is a 534-foot (160 m) sandy stretch flanked by rugged rock formations, while Ponta da Piedade, or "Mercy Point," is hidden behind tall cliffs, brimming with crystal-clear water. Head to Praia do Pinhão for a tranquil, wilder beach hidden behind tall ocher cliffs, or opt for one of the most iconic Algarve beaches at Praia do Camilo, where a dramatic staircase winds down to a small patch of sand where you can explore grottoes and rocky outcroppings.

Day 6: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Culinary Night in the Medina & Jemaa el-Fna

Today, jet off to North Africa for the next leg of your adventure through vibrant Morocco. First, make an early morning transfer to Lisbon and then catch a two-hour flight south from Lisbon to Marrakesh. A driver will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can get settled and take some time to relax. Then it's time to join your local guide for a tour through the energetic center of the city, where you'll learn about the vibrant flavors and colors of Morocco through its food.

Starting in the central square of Jemaa el-Fna, smell frying fish and grilled meat as you watch street performers and fortunetellers captivate their audiences. Taste harira soup and then move on to the medina (the ancient quarter) and its backstreets, where your guide will reveal more hole-in-the-wall spots and local favorites for a rich cultural and culinary experience.

Take a seat at a restaurant to learn about the many ingredients that go into a tajine, then duck into a hidden restaurant called Souk Mama to taste couscous served with vegetables and chicken and meet the two women who share their recipes every night with visitors and locals. 

Day 7: Marrakesh Cultural Tour

After yesterday's introduction to Marrakesh by night, see more of the city as it wakes, following your local guide to well-known sites and hidden local experiences. Hear the call to prayer resonate from Koutoubia Mosque, stroll the courtyard of the 16th-century Bahia Palace, and see the intricately-tiled necropolis of Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour at the Saadien Tombs. Explore one of Morocco's oldest Jewish neighborhoods in the Mellah, and learn how it was recently restored to reflect its origins.

After lunch with your guide, continue to see more of Marrakesh on your own. Head east of the medina to shop for leather goods or escape the heat with a visit to the tranquil, palm-covered Majorelle Gardens and its Yves Saint Laurent museum dedicated to the designer and his work.

Day 8: Day Trip to Essaouira, Visit an Argan Oil Collective

Transfer to the charming coastal city of Essaouira today and discover a different side of Morocco. This city has a long history of diverse influences, from Indigenous Berbers and Phoenicians to Romans, and today it's a hub for the artsy and young surfer crowd. Along the scenic three-hour drive from Marrakesh, you'll pass through rolling plains and argan forests—keep an eye out for goats that often climb the trees to reach the tasty fruit!

Make a stop en route at a local argan oil collective, where local women produce this popular export. Learn more about the product and its many benefits, and pick up a bottle or two for yourself. Then it's time to get back on the road and continue to the coast, where you'll get settled into your hotel and then start exploring Essaouira at your own pace. Wander the medina, with bright and wide streets that cover an impressive 75 acres (30 ha), or visit the bustling port with its bobbing blue boats and fortified walls. Watch the day's catch being brought in, then sit down to a seafood lunch—ask your driver for the best local spots.

Day 9: Transfer to Casablanca via Coastal Towns, Tour the Hassan II Mosque

Early this morning, you'll take a private three-hour transfer to Casablanca, the Art Deco capital of Africa. You'll drive via the coastal route, visiting two old Portuguese fortified cities along the way. Stop at El Jadida to tour the hauntingly beautiful Portuguese cistern and walk the ramparts, then continue to Azemour, a place that has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades. Life here is still traditional despite its proximity to cosmopolitan Casablanca. Your driver will take you to a local fish market for lunch, where nearby restaurants grill up the freshest fish from the Atlantic.

On arrival in Casablanca, take a private guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque. The largest mosque in Morocco, and the only one open to non-Muslim tourists, you'll explore the superb architectural masterpiece and learn about its history. Your guide will help you admire the ornate design with beautiful green hues and mosaic tiles, lavish wood, marble and carved stone interiors, and arched ornamented ceilings.

Day 10: Depart Casablanca

Spend your last morning in Morocco taking a walk along Casablanca's waterfront, and then catch a private transfer from your hotel to the airport to go on to your next destination.

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