Coastline & Culture in Portugal & Morocco - 14 Days

Highlights

• Explore history and culture in Porto and Lisbon
• Visit Pena Palace in Sintra and eat seafood by the beach
• Join an Algarve catamaran cruise to Benagil Cave
• Eat street food and learn to cook in Marrakesh
• Experience Morocco's coastal charm in Essaouira and Casablanca

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Foodie Experience

Olá and welcome to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city! Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to your hotel in the city center. Drop your bags and freshen up before you dive into Porto's rich culinary scene.

This afternoon you'll join a 3.5-hour walking tour of the historic downtown. A local guide will share a firsthand look at Porto's culinary renaissance, including the rebirth of specialty food shops and new restaurants adopting old methods. Stop at old-school family-run businesses to taste simple, quality products and traditional Portuguese recipes made with love. Learn why these spots are an integral part of what makes gastronomy in Porto unique. Finish the experience with an introduction to Porto's famous drink, port wine, and taste three different styles.

Day 2: Half-Day Porto Walking Tour

Discover the rich history and culture of Porto this morning with a private half-day guided walking tour. Start exploring Boavista Avenue and Foz, then head to the UNESCO-listed city center to marvel at various Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and neoclassical monuments and sites. You'll learn about the city's heroes, battles, and the reason it's called "Invicta" (the Unbeaten City), plus you'll visit the São Bento railway station, Clerigos Tower, Church of St. Francis, Lello Bookshop, Santa Catarina Street, Majestic Café, Bolhão Market, and more.

After visiting the imposing Porto Cathedral with its grand silver altarpiece, your guide will lead you to the banks of the broad Douro River. Here, you can take in breathtaking views of Ribeira Plaza and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, the perfect spots to capture some unforgettable photos. Whether it's your first or second day in the city, this walking tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Porto's charm and make the most of your visit.

Day 3: Day Trip to Matosinhos

Close to the center of Porto, Matosinhos is where Porto's residents come to kick back by the coast and dine on fresh seafood. This oceanfront suburb has one of the best beaches in the Porto area, with surf-friendly waves year round. This area was also the main source of the city's fish and seafood. Start with a visit to the local market, a curved white pavilion that dates back to 1944, to see the breadth of fresh seafood and explore the studios of young designers on the renovated top floor.

Then find somewhere for a grilled fish lunch. As it once made a living from the ocean, Matosinhos has an affinity for seafood, and the place to get in touch with this tradition is on Rua França Júnior. After, head to the beach and admire the waterfront with its 17th-century defensive forts, stop in at the Sea Life aquarium, or visit the Piscina das Marés. These remarkable saltwater swimming pools were cut into the rock face and are hammered on one side by the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Day 4: Transfer to Lisbon via Nazaré & Aveiro

Pack up and hit the road—it's time to journey to Lisbon. There are plenty of cute towns, old churches, and amazing beaches to explore along the three-hour drive, and today you'll make a day of it by stopping at the coastal Art Nouveau city of Aveiro and fishing town of Nazaré, home to the world's biggest waves. An hour south of Porto, beautiful Aveiro sits at the edge of an extensive coastal lagoon and features a network of canals. Explore the energetic university city on foot or in a moliceiro—a colorful boat traditionally used for seaweed harvesting but now repurposed for canal cruises.

You'll continue to Nazaré, a traditional fishing village famous for its long, sandy half-moon-shaped beach and some of the biggest waves in the world. Admire the beautiful wooden fishing boats and the local women who still wear the traditional seven skirts. If you're lucky, the world-record-breaking waves might be pumping, attracting top surfers from all over the world. Finally, continue to Lisbon, where after check-in, you can relax and explore the streets of Portugal's colorful capital.

Day 5: Full-Day Lisbon Walking Tour

Fill up on breakfast this morning before you join a walking tour of hilly Lisbon. Board one of the quintessential yellow trams to Bairro Alto and Chiado, where the great 20th-century writers and philosophers used to gather. Continue to 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 6: 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 the beautiful Palácio da Pena, a 19th-century romanticist palace that mixes Moorish and Portuguese late-Gothic architectural styles, with your guide. Next, enter Monserrate Palace to enjoy the beauty of the rugged and verdant Sintra-Cascais Natural Park before venturing toward the coast for a seafood lunch at a traditional restaurant on the beach.

Wind your way through the mountainous landscape toward the dramatic coastal cliffs of the Cabo de Roca, continental Europe's westernmost point. 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 7: Transfer to Lagos, Explore the Algarve

After breakfast this morning, a private driver will transfer you to the Algarve, a three-hour drive south. Before reaching Lagos, you'll 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. Use the rest of the afternoon to laze on the nearby beaches, Meia Praia or Praia Dona Ana, or explore the historic center.

Day 8: Boat Excursion to Benagil Caves & Carvoeiro Beach

Explore the Algarve's iconic soaring cliffs and curious coastal formations today with a private boat 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's stunning views. 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.

The rest of the day is yours to explore. Choose to wander the charming whitewashed town, hike along the coast, or relax at the beach. This evening you could join a special excursion and witness a beautiful sunset from the most southwesterly point in continental Europe. As twilight approaches, you'll spectate from the Cabo Sao Vicente of Sagres, where you can watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean as you enjoy a glass of Portuguese wine with bread and chorizo.

Day 9: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Street Food Tour

This morning you're destined for Marrakesh, "the Red City." Take a transfer to the Algarve airport in Faro for your flight to Morocco. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags, refresh, and venture out to see the lively city where there's always something happening.

When night falls, venture to the central square of Jemaa el-Fna for an energetic and exciting food-focused evening in Morocco. Arrive with an empty stomach and open mind—this street food tour goes beyond Jemaa el-Fna, diving down streets and back alleys of the medina (walled old town). Follow your guide to their favorite haunts, stopping to taste dishes only made there or at unassuming spots the locals have loved for 30 or more years.

Day 10: Cultural Tour of Marrakesh

This morning a private guide will lead you through the center of Marrakesh, exploring historical sites such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadien Tombs, the 19th-century Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Quarter. Wind your way through the colorful and lively UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina, visiting different artisan areas within the souks where you can barter for souvenirs or gifts.

Spend the rest of your afternoon browsing the souks, book yourself a relaxing hammam or traditional Moroccan bathhouse experience, or take a taxi to Majorelle Gardens and enjoy the lush, expansive grounds filled with sub-tropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. When night falls, venture back to the central square of Jemaa el-Fna for an energetic and exciting evening.

Day 11: Cooking Class at Amal Center, Free Time

Today you'll discover the unique and varying flavors of authentic Moroccan cuisine with a cooking class. Learn how to cook traditional chicken tajine with olives and pickled lemons in a shady corner of the Amal Center's garden. While your tajine cooks, hear stories of the center, an NGO that helps women from disadvantaged backgrounds to become independent by teaching them social and cooking skills, along with reading, writing, and hospitality. After four months of training, the women are ready for employment!

The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy in Marrakesh. You could visit the beautiful Bacha Coffee, an elegant and glamorous café set within the spectacular Dar el Bacha Palace. Relax, enjoy a slice of cake, and choose from more than 40 coffees sourced from around the world.

Day 12: Transfer to Essaouira, Argan Oil Tour & Seafood Lunch

This morning you'll head to Essaouira, a picturesque coastal city known for its surfing, beaches, and historic medina. During the three-hour private transfer from Marrakesh, you'll traverse rolling plains and argan forests. Argan oil is a significant Moroccan export that is world-renowned for its health and beauty benefits. You'll stop at a female-run co-op to learn more. Keep an eye out for goats grazing on argan tree fruits—they like to sit high up in the tree branches! 

Finally, you'll reach Essaouira, where life revolves around the active fishing harbor. It's a loud, vibrant, and pungent place to people watch and see the fishermen returning with the catch of the day. Your driver can recommend a great spot for lunch so you enjoy the freshest seafood from the Atlantic before exploring the laid-back city. Use your free time to enjoy the souks, street vendors, leafy plazas, and whitewashed houses with ornate wooden doors. Stop into various traditional shops to pick up ceramics, spices, leather goods, and shoes.

Day 13: Transfer to Casablanca, Tour the Hassan II Mosque

Early this morning, you'll take a private 4.5-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, join a 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.

Day 14: Depart Casablanca

It's time to say goodbye to Portugal and Morocco. If you have time before your flight today, venture into the more modern souks of Casablanca and shop for last-minute spices, slippers, and souvenirs. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for the 45-minute transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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