Gems of Portugal & Morocco - 21 Days

Highlights

• Join foodie experiences in Porto, Lisbon, Marrakesh, and Fes
• Go wine tasting in the Douro Valley and visit the wonders of Sintra
• Explore the countryside, coastline, and cities of Portugal
• Visit small towns and a desert oasis in Morocco
• Spend two nights at a luxury Saharan desert camp

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: Explore Porto by E-Bike, Free Time

Those who know Porto's hilly landscape and narrow cobbled lanes may think that a bike tour around the city is something worthy of an Olympic feat—but today, you'll take to the streets in the form of electric bikes. E-bikes make it surprisingly easy to ride and explore the historic center. Your private ride will take in some of the most iconic places and highlight the best historic architecture in town over three hours.

Later this afternoon, you'll have free time to explore the city at your pace. You could venture toward the Ribeira neighborhood, which sits right along the Douro River. Known for its narrow and colorful dockside houses, as well as its views of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must for any visitor to the city. Pause for a glass of port at one of the riverfront terraces and soak up the lively atmosphere.

Day 3: Day Trip to Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Embark on a remarkable journey through the picturesque Douro Valley, where you will explore traditional wineries, savor a delicious lunch at a renowned quinta (a country estate), and unwind on a scenic river cruise. A private driver will transfer you from the city streets to the vineyards and valleys of the famous wine region. You'll spend the day visiting traditional wineries and learning about the region's fascinating UNESCO-protected wine heritage. After a wine tasting at a magnificent vineyard, enjoy a traditional lunch at one of the valley's famous quintas.

Then it's time to hop aboard a traditional wine boat for an hourlong cruise down the tranquil Douro River. Relax and admire the beautiful scenery of the valley, where the vines roll down to the riverbank while sipping on a glass of port. At the end of the day, return to Porto, where you can spend your final evening in the city at leisure.

Day 4: Train to Lisbon, Tour Lisbon with a Local

After breakfast, make your way to Porto's São Bento train station for your 3.5-hour journey to Lisbon. It's best to arrive early, not only so you don't miss your train, but to admire the incredible entrance hall, which is decorated with more than 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting historical scenes and events in Portugal's history. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel, drop your bags, and get ready to explore Lisbon's historical highlights with a local.

Start at the Elevador de Santa Justa, a century-old iron lift that rises above the city, offering views across Lisbon. Then, along with your Lisbon local, you'll continue through cosmopolitan and literary Chiado and bohemian Bairro Alto neighborhoods, getting to know the cobbled streets of one of Europe's coolest cities. Later in the evening, you could return to Bairro Alto for a special night at one of the city's best fado restaurants, where good food and the melancholic tones of traditional fado music come together for an authentic evening.

Day 5: Free Time, Portuguese Cooking Class

This morning is yours to explore Lisbon at your pace. Choose to visit picture-perfect Belém to see the Jerónimos Monastery, one of the few buildings to survive Lisbon's devastating 1775 earthquake. Then explore the LX Factory, where a former textile factory is now a hub of street art, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Or seek out art at the fascinating Museu Calouste Gulbenkian or artistic heritage at the National Azulejo Museum, set within a 16th-century convent.

This afternoon, dive deeper into delicious, rich, and simple recipes of Portugal with a cooking class. Learn to prepare a traditional three-course Portuguese meal with a fish dish, meat dish, and dessert. A local chef will guide you through the dishes, sharing stories as you prepare your feast in this hands-on experience. At the end, sit down to enjoy your own traditional meal paired with new friends and excellent Portuguese wines. 

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 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 7: Transfer to the Algarve, Explore Lagos

A private driver will collect you from your Lisbon hotel 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.

Day 8: Boat Trip to Benagil Caves, Beach Time

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 the Algarve's most photographed beach, 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. HuffPost even named this idyllic spot the most beautiful beach in the world. 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 9: Discover the Rural Algarve, Sagres Sunset Experience

Get off the beaten path today when you discover some of the western Algarve's most remarkable landscapes in a 4WD Jeep. Your guide will take you along remote, off-road routes, showing you a glimpse of the region's slower way of life, where locals produce honey and medronho (fruit brandy) using traditional methods. Venture up to Foia, the highest peak in the Algarve, for breathtaking 360-degree views, then stop for lunch high in the mountains, where you'll finish the meal with a sampling of deserts and a thimble of medronho and melosa (honey liqueur) while learning about rural traditions.

Day 10: Transfer to Évora, Self-Guided Visit

This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, you'll be picked up for a three-hour private transfer to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the cultural and gastronomic capital of the Alentejo region. After checking into your hotel, set out to explore this ancient, compact city. Wander past the well-preserved ruins of the Templo Romano, proof of Évora's Roman past, and witness the golden age of Portuguese maritime discoveries. The King of Portugal lived here during the 1400s, bringing the influence of the royal court to the small city.

Wander between whitewashed houses and pop into the cute shops that line its narrow streets. Discover the hauntingly beautiful Chapel of Bones, an eerie yet fascinating ossuary adorned with human bones; delight in the architecture of the Sé de Évora (Évora Cathedral); and enjoy the grandeur of Praça do Giraldo, the city's lively plaza. Find a local tavern or tasca for dinner, and try hearty Alentejo dishes such as grilled black pork and seracaia (a flan-like dessert).

Day 11: Cork & Olive Oil Jeep Safari

Swap cobblestones for countryside when you journey the iconic landscapes of the Alentejo on an off-road safari. The pace of life here slows as golden plains dotted with cork trees, olive groves, and whitewashed villages take over. Sitting in the back of a Jeep, you'll drive through a cork forest to learn about one of the few trees that can be harvested without cutting. After, visit an olive oil farm to learn about the production and sample a variety of zesty, fresh olive oils. Stop for a traditional Alentejo lunch, where you'll have the chance to try regional dishes before returning to Évora. 

Day 12: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Street Food Tour

This morning you're destined for Marrakesh, "the Red City." Take a 90-minute transfer back to Lisbon, headed for the airport. On arrival in Morocco, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags and rest up before venturing out to explore the bustling city.

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. 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 13: Marrakesh Medina & City Tour

Enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast, then join a private guide to explore Marrakesh. Together you'll wind your way through the colorful and lively UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina (walled old town), visiting different artisan areas within the maze-like souks. You're sure to be dazzled by displays of djellabas (outer robes), brightly colored babouches (slippers), intricately-pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense hubbub of medina life as your guide regales you with stories of the Red City.

Pause for a local lunch before continuing to see historic sites, such as the 19th-century Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs. You'll also explore Majorelle Gardens, the famous retreat built by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later inhabited by designer Yves Saint Laurent. Stroll through 2.5 acres (1 ha) of peaceful water gardens, visit Morocco's only museum dedicated entirely to Berber art and culture, and explore Yves Saint Laurent's gallery, all within the walls of this urban oasis.

Day 14: Transfer to Aït Benhaddou via Telouet

Marrakesh is surrounded by a vast desert, snowcapped mountains, and a rugged coastline dotted with authentic Berber villages. After breakfast, a private driver will take you toward Aït Benhaddou, a three-hour drive. Cross the Tizi n' Tichka mountain pass, the highest in Morocco at 7,414 feet (2,260 m), and enjoy sweeping vistas over the peaks. Visit the Telouet Kasbah, the former capital of the Glaua country, before the independence of Morocco. See the palace ruins, hear local stories, and pause for lunch.

Continue to Aït Benhaddou, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient earthen buildings that's home to Morocco's most famous kasbah and once held an important spot on the trans-Saharan trade route. Many famous movies were filmed here, including "Lawrence of Arabia," "The Mummy," and "Gladiator." Watch the sunset from the top of the hill and settle in for the night.

Day 15: Transfer to Boumalne Dades via Skoura & Valley of the Roses

Today your journey toward the vast dunes of the Sahara continues. Your private driver take you toward Boumalne Dades, a two-hour drive away. Your first stop is Morocco's Hollywood—the town of Ouarzazate—where you can tour a movie studio or visit the Musée du Cinema. Continue to the incredible Amerhidil Kasbah, located in Skoura, the largest oasis in the Dadès Valley, which sits at the foot of the Atlas mountains. This gigantic desert grove has more than 70,000 palm, olive, fig, almond, and pomegranate trees.

Back in the car, continue toward El Kelâat M'Gouna, the "Valley of the Roses." Admire cultivated rose bushes and discover how the petals become rose water and oil for the cosmetic industry. Finally, you'll reach Boumalne Dades, your stop for the evening. Settle in and relax ahead of another big day.

Day 16: Transfer to Merzouga via Tinghir & Erfoud, Sunset Camel Ride

Return to the road today for a comfortable 4.5-hour private transfer to your Bedouin-style tent accommodation in Merzouga. You'll start early again to make a few cultural stops to meet desert communities in the Sahara. The first is Tinghir, a desert town with fantastic views of neighboring villages set along an extensive river oasis with 30 miles (48 km) of palm trees. Visit Ali Ait el Haj, the old Jewish quarter, and admire its interesting architecture. Continue to the 984-foot-high (300 m) Todra Gorge to walk through the red-stained limestones or relax in the cool shallow water.

Just before reaching Erfoud, you'll start to see the ever-shifting Saharan dunes. Erfoud is a busy market town known for its Date Festival, fossil mining, and artisan factories. Visit a local collective to see how fossil-rich rock is turned into beautiful objects like tables, plates, and bowls. Near Merzouga, take a short break to enjoy a camel ride through the dunes before you reach your luxury desert camp just before sunset. Settle in, then climb up the nearest dune to watch the sunset display its colorful show across the sands. Back at camp, enjoy dinner, a campfire, and traditional Berber music.

Day 17: Desert Adventure in Erg Chebbi

Explore the vastness of Erg Chebbi and learn more about the surreal landscape of dunes and tall peaks formed by wind-blown sand. This particular erg stretches over 17 miles (28 km) from north to south, with some peaks reaching nearly 500 feet (150 m). Explore the dunes in a private Jeep, discovering hidden secrets of the landscape with a guide. As you dip into valleys and conquer hills, you'll learn about the region's history and cultural influences. Meet a local nomadic family that calls the dunes home, and enjoy a cup of tea as you hear their stories.

Next, visit Khemliya village to meet a Gnawa family and listen to their spiritual healing Gnaoua music. This repetitive yet lively music is traditionally practiced throughout the country but originates here in the sub-Saharan region. Later in the afternoon, you'll have free time. Rent a sandboard to test your skills on the dunes, join a quad tour, or simply relax at camp. Tonight you can enjoy another special sunset from the top of a dune and an evening with delicious food and Berber music around the campfire. Before you head to bed, take a look at the unhindered night sky.

Day 18: Transfer to Midelt via Rissani, Errachidia & the Middle Atlas

This morning, with a private driver, you'll make tracks for Rissani, a town known for its livestock auction and as the birthplace of the current Alawi dynasty. To the right of the Ksar Aber, a 19th-century fortress, you can find the tomb of its founder, Moulay Ali Cherif, behind a monumental door covered in green ceramics and crowned by a dome. Continue on to Erfoud again, stopping for panoramic views at the oasis of Aoufous. Later, pass through Errachidia, known as the military city. You'll pause at the impressive Hassan Adakhil Dam to take photos. 

Then, next to the Ziz River, you'll enjoy the beautiful scenes of the Ksours and Ziz gorges and pass through the Legionary Tunnel (Zaabal). The journey continues through the Middle Atlas, where you'll cross the Tizi N'Talghom pass at 6,256 feet (1,907 m). Finally, after four hours on the road, you'll arrive in Midelt, a handy pause between the desert and Fes. Check into your hotel and relax for the evening.

Day 19: Transfer to Fes via Azrou & Ifrane

After breakfast, the journey to Fes continues with a 3.5-hour private transfer. Enjoy the wonderful views of snowcapped peaks on the way to Azrou, a Berber city once populated by the Zenayas, nomadic shepherds who moved from the peaks of the Atlas in summer to the valleys of Meknes in winter. Stop here to explore the city and enjoy a local lunch. After, you'll have the opportunity to see the famous 800-year-old tree called Cedre Gouraud and meet the monkeys in the cedar forest.

Continue to Ifrane, "The Switzerland of Morocco.” This city shows how Morocco is a country of contrasts. View the stone lion, a stone sculpture dedicated to the Lion of the Atlas, one of the cats that lived in this area and that has become the emblem of the city. Visit the University of Akhawayn (Two Brothers), the most important in the country, before finally reaching Fes, the country's cultural and spiritual heart and the oldest of Morocco's four Imperial Cities. 

Day 20: Guided Tour of Fes, Market Cooking Class

Today a private guide will lead you through the world's largest living medieval medina, the UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali. The labyrinth of more than 9,000 narrow winding streets, intricate mosaics, and ornate doorways will take you back in time. Discover hidden stories and secluded corners, and observe both the minutia of daily life and the magnificence of the madrasas (Quranic schools) and palaces. Fes is a hub of Moroccan crafts and arts, and you'll meet artisans to learn about the history of their trades. Visit tanneries and mosaic workshops to observe traditional crafts still in use today.

Later, you might choose to dive deep into Moroccan cuisine. This country sits at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, so it's no surprise that traditional Moroccan dishes have fused the flavors of these regions into something unique, dynamic, and delicious. Venture to a nearby souk to shop for produce, then prepare a traditional four-course meal, complete with fragrant spices, vibrant saffron, and the ubiquitous preserved lemon. You'll learn about traditional Moroccan cooking methods and sit down to enjoy your delicious dishes.

Day 21: Depart Fes

It's time to say goodbye to Portugal and Morocco. If you have time before your flight today, do some last-minute shopping to pick up spices, slippers, and souvenirs. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for the 25-minute transfer to Fes Sais International Airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

More Great Portugal Itineraries