Highlights
- Explore Porto's UNESCO-listed historic center
- Discover 2,000 years of history on a tour of Évora
- Visit Sintra's iconic hilltop castles and palaces
- Wander through the sprawling Roman site of Volubilis
- Get to know Fes' medieval medina with a local guide
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Enjoy a Foodie Experience | Porto |
| Day 2 | History & Heroes of Porto Tour | Porto |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Braga & Guimarães | Porto |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Évora via Coimbra | Évora |
| Day 5 | Tour the Monuments of Évora, Transfer to Lisbon | Lisbon |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Tour of Lisbon, Evening of Fado | Lisbon |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to the Forests & Palaces of Sintra | Lisbon |
| Day 8 | Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Evening Street Food Tour | Marrakesh |
| Day 9 | Half-Day Cultural Tour of Marrakesh | Marrakesh |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Rabat & Tour the Capital | Rabat |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Fes via Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis | Fes |
| Day 12 | Tour the Medieval Medina of Fes | Fes |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Casablanca, Tour the Hassan II Mosque | Casablanca |
| Day 14 | Depart Casablanca |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Enjoy a Foodie Experience
Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Porto's airport, you will be met by your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to rest before you start exploring. In the early afternoon, learn more about Porto and its cuisine with a 3.5-hour walking tour of the historic downtown. Guided by a local expert guide, this small-group excursion offers a firsthand look at the culinary renaissance that the city is experiencing, including the rebirth of specialty food shops and new restaurants that are adopting old methods.
Visit several distinct tasting locations that harken back to an era of simple, quality products and recipes. Learn about these family-owned businesses and why they are an integral part of Porto's gastronomy, and witness the revival of Portuguese cuisine as you explore local restaurants, cafés, and stores. The evening, of course, wouldn't be complete without an introduction to Porto's most famous drink: port wine. Taste three different versions, including one vintage, as you learn about the history of this timeless drink.
Day 2: History & Heroes of Porto Tour
Explore Porto on a guided tour today. Learn all about the city's history, heroes, and battles as you make your way through its trendy areas and cultural districts. Wander down Boavista Avenue, one of the city's most important streets, and visit Foz, home to some of the most revered museums and modern local treasures.
Next, head to Porto's historic center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—to admire its renowned Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and neoclassical monuments and sites. These include the São Bento Railway Station, Clerigos Tower, Church of St. Francis, Lello Bookshop, Santa Catarina Street, Majestic Café, and Bolhão Market, to name a few. After visiting the imposing Porto Cathedral with its grand silver altarpiece, finish the tour along the banks of the immense Douro River with views of Ribeira Plaza and the Dom Luís I Bridge.
Day 3: Day Trip to Braga & Guimarães
Today, your driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you north to Guimarães, Portugal's national birthplace. The city has preserved a medieval atmosphere and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by your local guide, visit the imposing 10th-century Guimarães Castle and the majestic Dukes of Bragança Palace. The palace's exterior shows the influence of 14th-century French architecture, but the vibe here is still Portuguese at heart.
After a lunch break, hop back in the car and head to Braga, the oldest Portuguese city and religious capital of Portugal. For centuries, this city has been an archiepiscopal seat and pilgrimage site. Visit the 11th-century Braga Cathedral, followed by a visit to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on one of the hills surrounding the city. Take some free time to enjoy Braga before heading back to your hotel in Porto.
Day 4: Transfer to Évora via Coimbra
After breakfast and check-out at your hotel in Porto, you'll be picked up at the hotel for the four-hour journey to Évora. About halfway through the trip, make a stop in Coimbra. This was the medieval capital of Portugal and the site of the country's oldest and most influential university: the University of Coimbra, established in 1290.
Coimbra is known for its weighty importance in Portuguese history and its multicolored collage of buildings that span nearly a millennium. The city's historic core cascades down a hillside, creating a lovely setting along the east bank of the Mondego River. Once you've taken some time to explore, move on to Évora and check into your hotel.
Day 5: Tour the Monuments of Évora, Transfer to Lisbon
Day 6: Full-Day Tour of Lisbon, Evening of Fado
Get your bearings around Lisbon on a guided tour of its most happening neighborhoods. Board one of the city's iconic trams and head into Bairro Alto. Continue on to Chiado, where famous 20th-century writers and philosophers used to gather. Next up is the picture-perfect neighborhood of Alfama. Here, walk along narrow cobblestoned streets, and see the stunning 12th-century Lisbon Cathedral. After lunch, head over to Belém, one of Lisbon's most historical and monumental areas. Visit the medieval Torre de Belém, 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 pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) and still follows the original recipe used by local monks in the 18th century. In the evening, return to Bairro Alto and spend an evening at one of the city's best fado restaurants. Enjoy the excellent food, atmospheric setting, and melancholic tones of fado music as you savor a truly authentic night out in Lisbon.
Day 7: Day Trip to the Forests & Palaces of Sintra
Head out for a full-day tour of Sintra and its surroundings, accompanied by a private local expert guide. Located just half an hour east of Lisbon, this resort town in the Sintra Mountains is known for its forested hills, upscale villas, and Moorish palaces. Accompanied by your guide, visit the Palacio Nacional da Pena. This 19th-century romanticist castle mixes Moorish and Portuguese late-Gothic architectural styles. You will also visit Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where you can enjoy dramatic views of the surrounding area.
Some can't-miss locales here include the dramatic coastal cliffs of the Cabo de Roca, the wide and inviting Guincho Beach (a popular surf spot), and the glamorous town of Cascais.
Day 8: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Evening Street Food Tour
A driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Lisbon Airport this morning, from where you'll fly to Marrakesh in Morocco. Once there, catch a private transfer to your accommodation. Check in, and then spend the rest of the afternoon resting up ahead of this evening's food tour.
On this tour, you'll explore the city well beyond the central square of Jemaa el-Fna. An official, licensed Moroccan guide will take you on a deep dive into Marrakesh's street food culture. Stop to taste dishes that are only made here and pop into spots that locals have been visiting for decades. You'll also visit the Souk Mama, where you'll get a crash course in Moroccan staples like couscous and tajine. By the end of the experience, you'll have enjoyed a full meal. Be sure to come with an empty stomach and an open mind for this immersive gastronomic experience!
Day 9: Half-Day Cultural Tour of Marrakesh
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Prepare to discover the "Red City" of Marrakesh today. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a half-day guided visit. Explore the main historical sites, such as the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadien Tombs, Bahia Palace, and Jewish Quarter. Then wind your way through the different artisan areas in the souks (markets).
After the guided visit, you'll have time to explore other areas of the city on your own, including Marrakesh's tanneries. If you have time, a 30-minute walk or quick taxi ride will take you to the Majorelle Gardens. Not far from the hustle and bustle of the medina, you can wander these lush, expansive gardens filled with subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. This is a perfect place to relax and escape the noise and afternoon heat.
Day 10: Transfer to Rabat & Tour the Capital
Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Marrakesh to your accommodation in Rabat, a journey of about 3.5 hours. Once you arrive, prepare to explore Morocco's bustling capital with a private local guide on a half-day tour. Your guide will lead you through the Royal Palace and the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis, where you can wander the Roman and Islamic ruins. Stroll through the medina (old town) to find the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. This abandoned 12th-century project features the minaret of an incomplete mosque and some 200 columns.
Spend time exploring the historic medina and roaming through its charming streets. Stop at the souks to peruse local crafts and goods. Next, visit the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens, and enjoy the serene space away from the crowds. End your tour at the grand door of the Kasbah des Oudaïas, the gate out of Rabat's old city center. The Kasbah des Oudaïas is home to the city's oldest mosque, as well as the Musée des Oudaïas handicrafts museum. Stop here to admire the white and blue architecture and learn about traditional regional crafts.
Day 11: Transfer to Fes via Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis
Your first stop on today's three-hour transfer west will be the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Along with your guide, explore the remains of this 2,000-year-old complex. Wander through the collection of large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many colorful mosaics. This town was one of the remotest parts of the Roman Empire, with the Romans ruling for about 200 years and leaving in 285 CE. Continue just down the street to the town of Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco's holiest cities. Enjoy a tour of the town's compact and narrow streets, where Moulay Idriss I introduced Islam to the region in 789 CE.
Next, transfer to Meknes, founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement. Explore the medina, and visit some of the monumental city gates and ornamental decorations highlighting Spanish-Moorish architecture. Tour the city walls and stop at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty and sultan when Meknes was its capital. To end your visit, peruse the Museum of Moroccan Art and view various regional handicrafts. Afterward, continue on to Fes, where you'll spend the night.
Day 12: Tour the Medieval Medina of Fes
Learn about Fes, the oldest of Morocco's Imperial Cities, accompanied by a private local guide. The Fes medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the most complete of its kind in the Arab world. You can shop at its iconic souks for a variety of spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves, medicines, and more. Next, visit the Karaouine Mosque, founded in 859 by Fatima Al-Fihri, which is considered the most magnificent and historic religious attraction in the city.
Take a break for lunch, then move on to the Marinid Tombs, located on a hill north of Fes. Explore the superb architectural masterpieces of Bou Inania Medersa, Al Attarine Medersa, and the Nejjarine Fountain. Afterward, visit the fondouks (caravanserais), where donkeys and their owners congregate. End your day of exploration by watching the sunset from the Marinid Tombs or Borj Sud. Both viewpoints offer fantastic panoramas of this dynamic city.
Day 13: Transfer to Casablanca, Tour the Hassan II Mosque
Transfer from Fes to your accommodation in Casablanca, which takes about four hours. After settling in, visit the massive Hassan II Mosque. Artisans from across Morocco contributed to this superb architectural masterpiece. From the outside, admire its impressive exterior and 690-foot (210 m) minaret. The mosque's sprawling complex includes a museum, baths, Quranic school, a library, and a prayer room supported by 78 granite and marble pillars. As one of the world's largest mosques, the prayer room holds 25,000 people, and the outside courtyard can accommodate an additional 80,000 worshippers.
Casablanca was founded in 1912 and is the commercial and financial capital of Morocco, where tradition and modernity coexist. The city's handsome Moresque buildings, which meld French-colonial design and traditional Moroccan style, are best admired in the downtown area. Spend some time in the Habous Quarter and the beachside suburb of Aïn Diab, enjoying the city's unique blend of local flavors, historic charms, and modern amenities.
Day 14: Depart Casablanca
More Great Portugal Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other Portugal itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in Portugal and Morocco, or discover the best time to visit Portugal.
Map
