19 Day Portugal, andalusia and morocco

Day 1: WELCOME TO MADRID!

After arriving at Madrid-Barajas Airport, we will be greeted and transferred to our hotel.

We will have the rest of the day to relax and begin enjoying the capital of Spain.

Madrid, lively and awake at all hours, is famous for being an open city where people of all kinds and from anywhere come together.

In addition to its well-known museums, lively avenues with all kinds of shops, world cuisine restaurants, and incomparable nightlife, Madrid surprises with quiet historic corners full of charm for strolls.

There, we will find centuries-old taverns with family traditions where friends gather for a drink, neighborhoods of all styles, and alternative cultural centers away from the more touristy circuits.

At the same time, this city has an authenticity that is hard to match. It is hospitable, diverse, and undoubtedly one of the most interesting in Europe.

Day 2: FROM MADRID TO PORTO

After a tasty breakfast and at the agreed time, you will depart for Porto City. 

On your way there, you will stop in the city of Salamanca. You will enjoy some free to know more about this university city, Heritage of Humanity of great architectural and artistic wealth.

You will continue your way towards the Portuguese border until you reach Porto.

The city lies along the Douro River and is world-famous for its port wine. Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and is the commercial and industrial center. The historic center of Porto was designated a World Heritage site in 1996.

Day 3: PORTO: CAPITAL OF THE NORTH

After a delicious breakfast, you will embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Porto.

Our first stop will be the Stock Exchange Palace (Palacio de Bolsa). This National Monument, situated in the historic center of the city and recognized as a World Heritage Site, was constructed by the Porto Commercial Association on the remains of the Church of Saint Francis.

It has become the epitome of Porto’s grandeur, hosting distinguished visitors such as Monarchs, Presidents, and Ministers from around the world. It has also become the most visited monument in northern Portugal.

Next, we will visit one of the renowned wine cellars, where you can indulge in a delightful wine tasting. Following that, we will embark on a boat excursion, offering one of the most breathtaking experiences in the city.

The afternoon is yours to explore and uncover the hidden gems of this beautiful city.

Day 4: FROM PORTO TO FATIMA

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. This prestigious institution was constructed on the grounds of a former palace and is renowned for its Baroque Joanina Library and impressive 18th-century bell tower.

Coimbra is also recognized as the birthplace of traditional Portuguese music, known as fado. Take some time to explore this captivating city at your own pace and delve into its unique cultural offerings.

Next, we’ll continue our journey to Fatima, a significant center of the Christian Faith and a revered World Pilgrimage Sanctuary. You’ll be awestruck by the grandeur of the Sanctuary of Fátima and the sacred Cova da Iria, the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.

Day 5: FATIMA, BATALHA, NAZARE, ALCOBAÇA, LISBON

After breakfast, you’ll set off for the Batalha Monastery. This magnificent Dominican Convent was constructed to commemorate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.

Over the next two centuries, this site became the primary architectural endeavor of the Portuguese monarchy. The monastery boasts a distinctive national Gothic style, heavily influenced by Manueline art, with its crowning jewel being the exquisite Royal Cloister.

Continuing our journey, we’ll make our way to Nazare, a charming coastal village that has retained its vibrant fishing traditions. It’s a popular tourist destination, and you’ll have the opportunity to witness the fishmongers donning the traditional seven skirts—a delightful sight to behold.

Next, we’ll visit Alcobaça, home to a Gothic church and Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century. The monastery holds great historical significance and showcases remarkable architectural beauty.

As the day draws to a close, we’ll arrive in Lisbon, where you’ll be staying for the duration of your trip.

Day 6: BEAUTIFUL LISBON

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll join a local guide to explore the key attractions of Lisbon at the mouth of the Tagus River.

Our first stop is the iconic Tower of Belém, initially built as a defensive fortress but later transformed into a customs center and lighthouse. Constructed between 1515 and 1519 by Francisco de Arruda and declared a World Heritage Site in 1983.

Just nearby, we’ll visit the Jerónimos Monastery, where you’ll find the tomb of Vasco da Gama, a renowned Portuguese explorer who opened the spice route to India.

We’ll also visit the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a fascinating landmark that celebrates Portugal’s Age of Discovery and its rich history.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. We highly recommend taking a stroll through the enchanting Alfama neighborhood, known for its picturesque low houses, narrow streets, and vibrant street art. Lose yourself in its charming labyrinthine alleys, which reflect the Arab influence on the city’s layout.

Lastly, you should visit the National Tile Museum, where you can delve into the history of this unique art form that adorns the city’s streets and buildings.

Day 7: FROM LISBON TO ANDALUSIA

​Early in the morning and after breakfast, you will leave to Andalusia, a region full of history, culture, festivals, natural areas and excellent food.

During the Middle Ages, the area was occupied by the Muslims, who had a great influence on Andalusian culture, becoming an extremely rich and powerful political force that actively cultivated the intellectual value of the population and made important advances in many other areas. Until today, evidence of this culture can be found especially in architecture, language and traditions, for example, flamenco or gypsy music and dances. Andalusia shows the essence of Spain abroad.

Our first stop will be the city of Cáceres. This city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its architectural mix of Romanesque, Islamic, Gothic and Italian Renaissance. A walk around the Plaza Mayor and the old town together with its medieval quarter is highly recommended.

Then, you will continue to Cordoba, which was the capital of the Caliphate, an Islamic state ruled by the Umayyad dynasty from 929 to 1031.

Day 8: FROM CORDOBA TO SEVILLE

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to visit the captivating Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. This architectural marvel showcases the unique fusion of Islamic and Christian influences. Originally built as a mosque during Islamic rule, it was later transformed into a cathedral after the Reconquista campaign. This building stands as a testament to the historical coexistence of different religions and cultures in the city of Córdoba.

In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to Seville.

Day 9:SEVILLE: AN INSPIRING DESTINATION

After a delicious breakfast, you will visit the city accompanied by our guide and we will know its most important points. Seville is an emblematic city, with a great historical, cultural, and artistic past that makes it one of the favorite destinations for all visitors around the world.

You will visit the María Luisa Park, designed by the French landscaper Forestier for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 where you will be able to appreciate the neosevillain style that served as inspiration and influence for the other Spanish public parks of the first third of the century.

You will continue our visit to the Plaza de España, which with its semi-elliptical shape symbolizes the embrace of Spain to its former American territories. It is known as the masterpiece of the Sevillian architect Anibal Gonzalez with a total area of 50,000 square meters, making it undoubtedly the most imposing square in Spain.

The tour ends by contemplating the exterior of the imposing Cathedral and the Giralda and the typical Barrio de Santa Cruz with its streets, squares, and narrow alleys.

The rest of the day will be free to continue enjoying this wonderful city.

Day 10: SEVILLE, RONDA, AND COSTA DEL SOL

After a delicious breakfast, we will head towards our next destination, Ronda, along the White Towns Route.

Ronda is a charming town situated on a gorge overlooking the Guadalevín River. Its historic center is a treasure trove of iconic monuments, including its renowned bullring, one of the most famous in the world. The town is also known for its ancient bridge and Arab baths, adding to its historical and monumental appeal.

You will have free time to explore this beautiful Andalusian town before continuing your journey to the Costa del Sol, a modern and popular tourist destination.

Day 11: FROM EUROPE TO AFRICA

Our day will begin with an exquisite breakfast at the hotel, and at the agreed time, we will be picked up to start the route to your next destination, Morocco.

After a two-hour tour of the Costa del Sol, we will arrive at the port where we will board the ferry to Tangier. Upon your arrival in Tangier, our guide will receive and accompany you to the vehicle to transfer you to the hotel, and will help you with the registration.

Once we arrive in Morocco, we will disembark and continue our way to Meknes, where we will have a brief stop. The city served as the capital of Morocco during the 17th century under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail.

It is known for its well-preserved historic Medina (old town), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as its impressive monuments, such as the Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Meknes is also famous for its vibrant markets, traditional crafts, and rich cultural heritage.

Our final destination of the day will be the magical city of Fez, where we will have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 12: FEZ, THE HEARD OF MOROCCAN FAITH

After breakfast, we’ll begin our visit to the enchanting city of Fez, famous for its traditional crafts like pottery, leather work, and textiles. You can wander through the bustling souks to admire and buy these handmade treasures and soak up the lively atmosphere of the markets.

We’ll tour the city’s iconic landmarks, such as the Royal Palace with its seven bronze doors representing the days of the week and levels of monarchy, the historic Medina (old quarter) featuring the Bou Anania Madrasa (Islamic school),  theNejjarine Fountain, the Karaouine Mosque housing a vast library and the University of Fez, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, Morocco’s revered saint.

Founded in the late 8th century by Idris I, Fez quickly became a significant hub for trade, religion, and learning in the region as the capital of the Idrisid dynasty.

After lunch, you’ll have free time to further explore Fez.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at our hotel and spend the night.

Day 13: FROM FEZ TO RABAT, CASABLANCA AND MARRAKECH

After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, we will go to the imperial city of Rabat, the capital of the kingdom and the second most populous city in Morocco. The visit will begin with the Royal Palace of Rabat and the seat of government, Dar-el-Makhzen, where more than two thousand people reside.

Later we will visit the Kasbah of the Oudaya, a fortified space of Berber origin dating back to the 12th century, a World Heritage Site. You will continue through the Mausoleum of Mohamed V (10 years of work and the collaboration of more than 400 artists), the unfinished Mosque and the Hassan Tower, and monuments of the Berber dynasty of the 12th century.

In the afternoon we will continue our adventure in Casablanca, the biggest city in the country. There we will visit such as the United Nations Square, the Corniche Boulevard and the exterior of Hassan II mosque.

At the end of the visit, we will have free time for lunch and continue exploring the city bifore continueng the route to Marrakech, where we will have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: MARRAKECH, THE PEARL OF THE SOUTH

After a tasty breakfast, we will dedicate our day to exploring the city of Marrakech. The visit will begin at the Menara Gardens, located to the west of the city of Marrakech, at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

One of its most prominent features is a large rectangular pool known as the “Menara Pool” that reflects the mountains and the pavilion at the end of the pool. The pavilion itself is a modest structure with columns and green roofs, and it is a popular spot to enjoy panoramic views of the gardens and mountains.

We will also visit the majestic minaret of the Koutoubia, which stands at about 77 meters tall and is known for its impressive Islamic architecture. It was built during the reign of the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu’min in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The design of the minaret has influenced the construction of other minarets in the Maghreb region.

Our city tour will end at the iconic Jemaa el Fna square, one of the liveliest and most emblematic places in the city and often considered the cultural and social heart of Marrakech.

We will return to our hotel for lunch before leaving back to Casablanca, where we will have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 15: FROM CASABLANCA BACK TO SPAIN

After our breakfast, we will continue our adventure back to Spain.

We will embark again on our ferry to return to Costa del Sol, where we will have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 16: FREE DAY AT COSTA DEL SOL

Today we will enjoy a free day at the famous Costa del Sol. If we wish, we can spend a relaxing day soaking up the sun on one of the Costa del Sol’s beautiful beaches. Whether you prefer bustling beach resorts or secluded coves, there’s a beach to suit every taste.

We can also spend the day shopping in one of the Costa del Sol’s bustling towns or shopping centers. From designer boutiques to traditional markets, there’s something for every shopper.

Day 17: COSTA DEL SOL AND GRANADA

After breakfast, we will head to the city of Granada. As we reach Sabikah Hill, prepare to be captivated by the rosy walls of the Alhambra Palace. With our “skip-the-line” access, we will enter the palace without delay and embark on a tour of this extraordinary masterpiece.

The Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World will transport you to a realm of opulence and beauty. From the royal palace to the palatial city and fortress, every corner tells a fascinating story.

Accompanied by our guide, you will explore the intricately designed rooms, courtyards, and gardens, discovering the rich history of this 9th-century fortress. The Alhambra showcases a unique blend of Islamic and Renaissance architecture, with the Nasrid and Charles V Palaces showcasing the harmony of these different styles.

Day 18: FROM GRANADA TO MADRID

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will head north to the magnificent Imperial City of Toledo. Nestled amidst the majestic Tagus River, this city emerges towards the sky of Castilla. Prepare to be enthralled by its captivating beauty.

Toledo has been honored as a UNESCO World Heritage City, where the harmonious coexistence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews has shaped its rich history and culture. It is a living testament to Spanish art, history, and spirituality, making the entire town a remarkable National Monument.

Upon returning to Madrid, you will be responsible for your own transfer to the hotel, allowing you to unwind and relax after a fulfilling day of exploration.

Day 19:  SEE YOU SOON MADRID!

After savoring a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to Madrid-Barajas International Airport at the designated time to catch your international flight.