Highlights
- Unearth unique architectural styles in Lisbon and Porto
- Visit the famous Knights Templar in Tomar
- Tour the Alhambra in Granada, explore sunny Seville, and see Spain's Roman ruins
- Explore Morocco's colorful Marrakesh and imperial Rabat with a guide
- Take a day trip to Aït Benhaddou and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Foodie Experience | Porto |
| Day 2 | Porto Architecture & World Heritage Tour, Six Bridges Cruise | Porto |
| Day 3 | Private Transfer to Lisbon via Tomar & Knights Templar | Lisbon |
| Day 4 | Architectural & Historical Highlights of Lisbon | Lisbon |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Mérida (Spain) via Évora or Elvas | Mérida |
| Day 6 | Private Guided Visit of Mérida | Mérida |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Seville via Zagra & Itálica | Seville |
| Day 8 | Self-Guided Walking Tour of Seville | Seville |
| Day 9 | Train to Granada, Tour the Alhambra | Granada |
| Day 10 | Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Private Guided Tour | Marrakesh |
| Day 11 | Day Trip to Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate | Marrakesh |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Rabat, Private Guided Tour | Rabat |
| Day 13 | Day Trip to Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis | Rabat |
| Day 14 | Depart Rabat |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Foodie Experience
Olá and welcome to Portugal! Today you'll arrive in Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Drop your bags, refresh, and start exploring. Venture down to the famous Ribeira neighborhood first. Set along the Douro River, admire the narrow and colorful dockside houses and enjoy its views of the iconic double-decked Dom Luís I Bridge. Sit on a café terrace for some wine and people-watching ahead of your foodie adventure later.
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: Porto Architecture & World Heritage Tour, Six Bridges Cruise
Today you'll explore architecture, history, and battles, and learn how Porto gained the nickname "Invicta" (Unbeaten City) when you trek the city center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with an architecture expert. Admire renowned Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and neoclassical monuments and sites, and have the buildings come alive with expert insights and colorful anecdotes. Start at Aliados Avenue, and pass the Rivoli Theater and the Old Cinema Batalha. Visit the Centro Português de Fotografia, in a former prison, and end the tour along the Douro River in the Ribeira neighborhood.
Day 3: Private Transfer to Lisbon via Tomar & Knights Templar
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today you'll venture south to Lisbon by private transfer, traveling back in time along the way. En route, you'll stop at Almourol Castle, one of Portugal's trademarks and most famous "postcards" in the country. The 12th-century fortress sits at the center of a small granite island, just 1,000 feet long (310 m) and 250 feet wide (75 m), in the middle of the Tagus River. Afterward, pass through Constância, a charming village where Luis de Camões (one of the most famous Portuguese poets) lived and used to write lyrical poems.
Next, you'll reach Tomar, where you can visit the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, the headquarters of the Knights Templar and a pantheon of all Grand Masters. Tomar was land given as a fief to the Templars, and it was especially important in the 15th century. End the day at the UNESCO-protected Convent of Christ, a magnificent monument and a Templar stronghold constructed under the orders of crusader Gualdim Pais. Finally, your transfer will arrive in Lisbon, dropping you at your hotel in the city center.
Day 4: Architectural & Historical Highlights of Lisbon
This morning you'll explore the dense history of Lisbon in three architectural tales with a private walking tour. First, discover the "dreamed city." After the 1755 earthquake, the Marquis of Pombal created a world reference for seismic-resistant design in Lisbon's downtown district. Then, discover the "modern city" where from the 1940s, the powerful dictatorship ruled the national image and architectural style with middle-class housing projects, new markets, and the airport. Finally, step into the "future city" in Parque de Nações, an area developed during Lisbon's World Expo '98.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Lisbon. Get lost in the colorful city streets, seek out the sights of the Belém district, hunt for the best Portuguese custard tart, and explore day-to-day life at your pace. Visit the city's biggest traditional daily market, Mercado da Ribeira, and order lunch next door at the trendy Time Out Market food hall. Or visit the LX Factory, a former cloth and textile factory that has been transformed into a buzzing district filled with small shops, restaurants, and bars. Stop for dinner here, or walk down to the waterfront Docas where restaurants and bars line the Tagus River.
Day 5: Transfer to Mérida (Spain) via Évora or Elvas
Today you're hitting the road for beautiful Spain with a private transfer to Mérida. En route, you can choose to stop at either Évora or Elvas, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region, you can explore the city's medieval walls, see the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal, and visit the São Francisco Church with its curious Chapel of Bones. In Elvas, near the Spanish border, you can explore military history, Elvas Castle, and see the Amoeira aqueduct.
Mérida, located in Spain's Extremadura region, is a captivating city steeped in ancient history. You'll explore impressive Roman ruins tomorrow with an expert, so today, you can just enjoy the city's picturesque streets, beautiful parks, and vibrant culinary scene.
Day 6: Private Guided Tour of Mérida
Explore the historic center of Mérida with a local expert. Founded as a Roman colony in the year 25 CE by Emperor Octavio Augustus, this was the capital of Roman Lusitania, and you'll find more extensive Roman ruins here than anywhere else in Spain. After the barbarians invaded in the fifth century, Mérida became the capital of the Visigoth kingdom of Hispania. In 713, the city fell into Muslim hands until the Christian reconquest in 1230. With a guide, you'll explore the open-air Roman Theatre, Puente Romano bridge, Circo Romano (ancient hippodrome), and Casa del Mitreo.
Later this afternoon, you could explore an extensive collection of Roman artifacts and art at the National Roman Art Museum of Mérida at your own pace. Or visit the Mérida Cathedral, an impressive Renaissance-style cathedral; walk through Cornalvo Natural Park; stroll by the Guadiana River; or simply relax and enjoy the local cuisine.
Day 7: Transfer to Seville via Zagra & Itálica
Today you'll take a private transfer from your hotel in Mérida to Seville, making two special stops along the way. First up, take a self-guided tour of Zafra, a typical Andalusian white town that was once a Muslim settlement. Explore narrow streets lined with Baroque churches, old shops, glass-enclosed balconies, and traditional houses.
Continue to Itálica, where you'll meet a local guide and unlock this authentic jewel of Andalusian heritage, just a few minutes from Seville. A Roman colony founded in Hispania in 206 BCE, explore Itálica's fascinating amphitheater and feel like a gladiator. Walk the old streets, view beautiful mosaics of stately homes, and see the old baths and other remains that will help you understand what day-to-day life was like for an inhabitant of Itálica. Finally, you'll reach Seville, where you can use the rest of the day to explore as you wish.
Day 8: Self-Guided Walking Tour of Seville
Today is yours to indulge in a self-guided walking tour of Seville. Start at the stunning Plaza de España, admire the Moorish architecture of the Real Alcázar (Royal Alcázar), and visit the majestic Seville Cathedral—three key historic sites in Seville. To step inside the Royal Alcázar, you'll need to plan ahead—buying same-day tickets is nearly impossible. Those three sights will easily fill a morning—or a whole day—but you'll need to stop for lunch. Usually, the biggest meal of the day, take your time and try Freiduría Puerta de la Carne, Vineria San Telmo, or La Azotea on Calle Zaragoza.
Later, meander through the Santa Cruz neighborhood and walk above the city on the Metropol Parasol, an impressive wooden structure that looks like a mushroom and offers panoramic views across Seville. Cross over the Guadalquivir River to explore the lively Triana district and visit the local market hall.
Day 9: Train to Granada, Tour the Alhambra
Granada was once the last bastion of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) when the Moors ruled it, and today you'll see striking examples of this ancient history as you discover the evocative Spanish city. Make your way to Seville train station for the 2.5-hour journey to Granada. Depending on the service, you may need to change trains in Córdoba. Drop your bags at the hotel upon arrival, then head out to explore.
Dramatically topping a hill overlooking Granada, the imposing Alhambra was a Moorish palace until the Christian reconquest in 1492. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and today you'll explore the building's history and the beautiful Generalife Park and Gardens, filled with vibrant flowers and fountains. Alhambra receives more than two million visitors annually, but your small group tour will offer unique insights with a knowledgeable guide.
Day 10: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Private Guided Tour
This morning you're destined for Marrakesh, "the Red City." Take a transfer to the Granada airport for your flight to Morocco. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags and join a private guide to explore 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 (walled old town), visiting different artisan areas within the souks where you can barter for souvenirs or gifts.
Spend the rest of your afternoon bartering for last-minute souvenirs or gifts, book yourself a relaxing hammam or traditional Moroccan bathhouse experience, or take a taxi to Majorelle Gardens and enjoy the lush, expansive gardens filled with sub-tropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. When night falls, venture to the central square of Jemaa el-Fna for an energetic and exciting evening in Morocco.
Day 11: Day Trip to Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate
Marrakesh is surrounded by dramatic desert, towering mountains, and a rugged coastline that's dotted with rushing waterfalls, idyllic Berber villages, and even ski resorts. Today a guide will pick you up after breakfast to cross the Tizi n' Tichka mountain pass, which is the highest in Morocco at 7,414 feet (2,260 m). You'll venture 113 miles (183 km) east toward Aït Benhaddou, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of ancient earthen buildings.
Defensive walls, angled towers, and an armored gate surround Aït Benhaddou's earth homes. Learn about pre-Saharan earthen construction techniques and see the famous film location up close. If you'd like, you can pay a small fee to enter a few of the kasbahs (fortresses) and climb up to the rooftop for pretty views of the surrounding ksours (individual kasbahs) and the Ouarzazate Valley, an oasis in the red desert.
Day 12: Transfer to Rabat, Private Guided Tour
This morning, take a comfortable 3.5-hour private transfer to Rabat, the capital of Morocco since 1956. Arrive at the bustling UNESCO World Heritage city and embark on a self-guided tour, starting at the Royal Palace of Rabat and the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis, where you can wander the Roman and Islamic ruins. Stroll through the medina 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.
Head back to the historic medina and immerse yourself in the souks. Browse the colorful array of goods, from rugs to spices to slippers to leather and beyond—and don't forget to bargain for the best price! Afterward, find tranquility at the Andalusian Gardens, a 20th-century oasis with lush terraces filled with exotic plants, flowers, and fruit trees. Finally, head to the magnificent Kasbah des Oudaïas and the Musée des Oudaïas handicrafts museum, and marvel at the stunning white and blue architecture before returning to your accommodation to relax.
Day 13: Day Trip to Meknes & the Roman Ruins of Volubilis
Discover one of Morocco's famous Imperial Cities and visit the remains of the Kingdom of Mauretania's former capital. A private driver will take you from Rabat to the well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis, a 2,000-year-old complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore impressive merchant homes, temples, and vibrant mosaics, and learn about its history as an important part of the Roman Empire, exporting wheat and exotic animals.
Continue to Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco's holiest cities and where Islam was introduced in the region in 789 CE. Then, head to Meknes, founded in the 11th century. 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, founder of the Alaouite Dynasty and sultan when Meknes was its capital city. End your visit at the Museum of Moroccan Art to view various regional handicrafts before your transfer back to Rabat.
Day 14: Depart Rabat
Your two-week adventure through Spain, Portugal, and Morocco has come to an end. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
More Great Portugal Itineraries
Map
