Highlights
- Explore the countryside, coastline, and cities of Portugal
- Hike in Peneda-Gerês National Park and Sintra
- Join foodie experiences in Porto and Marrakesh
- Visit small towns and a desert oasis in Morocco
- Spend two nights at a luxury Saharan desert camp
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Foodie Experience | Porto |
| Day 2 | Explore Porto by E-Bike, Free Time | Porto |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Hike in Peneda-Gerês National Park | Porto |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Lisbon via Mira De Aire Caves, Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour | Lisbon |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park | Lisbon |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Sintra & Hike | Lisbon |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to the Alentejo: Cork & Olive Oil Jeep Safari | Lisbon |
| Day 8 | Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Cooking Class | Marrakesh |
| Day 9 | Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Tour of Marrakesh | Marrakesh |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Boumalne Dades via Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou | Boumalne Dades |
| Day 11 | Hike Through Berber Villages | Boumalne Dades |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Merzouga, Desert Camp & Sunset Camel Ride | Merzouga |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Marrakesh | Marrakesh |
| Day 14 | Depart Marrakesh |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Foodie Experience
Bem-vindo (welcome) to sunny Portugal! A driver will be waiting for you at Porto's airport, ready to transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Drop your bags, refresh, and start exploring Portugal's second-largest city.
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.
This afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace—and on two legs. Start in the Ribeira neighborhood, which sits right along the Douro River. Famed for its narrow and colorful dockside houses and its views of the iconic double-decked Dom Luís I Bridge, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is simply a must-see. Sit on a café terrace with wine and people-watch, or even venture to the river's south bank for a port wine tasting at one of Gaia's famous cellars.
Day 3: Day Trip to Hike in Peneda-Gerês National Park
If you're a nature lover then Peneda-Gerês National Park is the most exciting destination in Portugal. Just an hour from Porto, the country's only national park is filled with beautiful landscapes, endless hiking, waterfalls and lagoons, ancient villages, tasty local gastronomy, and even wild horses. Today you'll jump in a 4WD vehicle, ready to discover hidden secrets only locals know about.
Day 4: Transfer to Lisbon via Mira De Aire Caves, Guided Tuk-Tuk Tour
Pack up and hit the road—it's time to journey to Lisbon. There are plenty of cute towns, old churches, and artifacts to explore along the three-hour drive, but none are as impressive as the Mira De Aire Caves. These are the largest underground caves in Portugal, formed during the Middle Jurassic Age more than 150 million years ago. Follow your guide underground, descending 683 human-made steps (about 340 ft/110 m) into a fascinating world of strange mineral formations such as stalagmites and stalactites.
Arrive in Lisbon, drop your bags at the hotel, and board an electric tuk-tuk to tour the "City of Seven Hills" in style this afternoon. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you'll zip through the charming capital's modern and historic districts, from the neoclassical avenues of Baixa to the cobblestone alleys of bohemian Bairro Alto. Discover the city's fascinating history and hidden corners, and stop at stunning panoramic viewpoints such as São Pedro de Alcântara, Parque Eduardo VII, Senhora do Monte, and Santa Luzia.
Day 5: Day Trip to Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
If you like wandering through local markets, today's day trip to Setúbal is unmissable. This morning you'll wander one of the best and most authentic markets in Portugal—and the world—where you can see what's in season, explore the variety of Portuguese seafood, and pick up delicious souvenirs. After, venture up to the Forte de São Filipe for views of the Sado Estuary and Tróia Península and its resorts.
Setúbal was once a large industrial city but now shines in the shadow of the Arrábida Natural Park. Within the protected reserve, you'll find endless bushland and pristine beaches. Take a scenic drive along the hilltop, stopping by Cabo Espichel—a wild, desolate spot where giant waves crash against sheer, towering cliffs. It is a place to appreciate the raw beauty of nature and is often a great place for sunset before returning to Lisbon.
Day 6: Day Trip to Sintra & Hike
UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sintra and its mystical hills, dotted with fairy-tale palaces and extravagant villas, have enchanted visitors for centuries. This place inspired poets and writers, such as Lord Byron, and now it's your turn to fall in love.
More than a day trip, today you'll hike through amazing scenery up to the incredible Moorish Castle, which dates back to the eighth century, and admire the marvelous Palácio da Pena at the top of the mountain, a favorite of the region. This 6-mile (10 km) hike will venture through the dense forest and the exotic natural environment, discovering the best trails and places in this fascinating region. After, your guide to drop you back in Lisbon.
Day 7: Day Trip to the Alentejo: Cork & Olive Oil Jeep Safari
Swap cobblestones for countryside when you journey into 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 4WD 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 and meet the warm locals.
Day 8: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Cooking Class
This morning you're destined for Marrakesh, "the Red City". Take a transfer to the Lisbon airport for your flight to Morocco. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags and rest up before venturing out to explore the sights, sounds, and scents of this exciting city.
This afternoon you'll relax in the kitchen of a Marrakesh riad (traditional townhouse) as you learn to cook some of this country's most famous foods. Traditional Moroccan dishes have fused the flavors of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East into something unique, dynamic, and delicious. Start by baking bread and preparing a tasty starter. Then you'll move on to the main course and dessert. Once the food is ready, savor your creations at a meal served on the patio or on the terrace by the riad's pool.
Day 9: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Tour of Marrakesh
Witness the desert landscape of Marrakesh from above with a hot-air balloon ride. Despite the early wake-up call, it's worth it to witness the sunrise over the red desert. The serene atmosphere created by the pastel colors, soft lighting, and crisp early-morning air offers a stark contrast to the vibrant hustle and bustle of Marrakesh. Admire the stunning scenery as you float over arid hills, quaint villages, and patches of greenery, all set against the stunning mountain backdrop. Indulge in a delicious Moroccan breakfast pastry while still in the air, then float back to earth.
Later this afternoon, a guide will meet you at the hotel for a half-day guided visit, leading you past 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. Later you may like to visit the peaceful Majorelle Gardens or sign up for a relaxing and invigorating hammam spa experience.
Day 10: Transfer to Boumalne Dades via Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou
Rise early for today's six-hour transfer to Boumalne Dades, with a few stops planned. First, you'll cross the Tizi n' Tichka mountain pass, the highest in Morocco at 7,414 feet (2,260 m). Enjoy sweeping vistas over the peaks, noting the highest summit of Mount Toubkal, which sits at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Continue east to Aït Benhaddou, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of ancient earthen buildings. Home to Morocco's most famous kasbah, it once held an important spot on the trans-Saharan trade route.
You'll pause for lunch here at a women's cooperative created to generate income for women in the village. Explore the alleys and passageways before hitting the road again. Next, take a break at Morocco's Hollywood—the town of Ouarzazate—where you can tour a movie studio or visit the Musée du Cinema. As you approach Boumalne Dades, you'll cross the Dades River 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.
Day 11: Hike Through Berber Villages
On today's adventure, you're unlikely to see any other tourists as you hike between real Berber villages that hug the mountainside. Along the way, take notice of the local farmers, shepherds, mules, goats, and dogs sharing the landscape. Look for terraced farming plots, which local farmers have built to make the steep mountainsides suitable for farming. Look closely and you'll see small irrigation canals. With your mountain guide, you can hike as far, long, or difficult as you like. The views get better the higher you go, so arrive feeling ambitious and ready to hike!
Day 12: Transfer to Merzouga, Desert Camp & 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 color show across the sands. Back at camp, enjoy dinner, a campfire, and traditional Berber music.
Day 13: Transfer to Marrakesh
Today it's time to leave the dunes behind and return to Marrakesh. You'll spend much of today in the car on an 8.5-hour private journey from the dunes to the city, pausing to discover new spots as you cross the High Atlas. You could ask the driver to visit the incredible Kasbah of Amerhidil, located in Skoura, the largest oasis in the Dadès Valley. This gigantic desert grove has more than 70,000 palm, olive, fig, almond, and pomegranate trees. Continue to Marrakesh, ready to make the most of your final night in Morocco.
Venture into the central square of Jemaa el-Fna, which comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls, and more after dark. If the excitement is too intense on the ground, look for a rooftop café on the square and relax while watching the fun.
Day 14: Depart Marrakesh
It's time to say goodbye to Portugal and Morocco. If you have time before your flight today, venture into the souks and shop for last-minute spices, slippers, and souvenirs. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for a quick transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
More Great Portugal Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other Portugal itineraries, explore other ways to spend two weeks in Portugal and Morocco, or discover the best time to visit Portugal.
Map
