10 Days in Portugal & Morocco - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Gems of Portugal & Morocco: Castles, Medinas & Mosques

With a mix of historical sites and cultural and culinary activities, this highlights itinerary is an excellent option for first-time visitors. You'll experience soulful fado music in Lisbon, take a river cruise in the Douro Valley, visit the iconic Pena Palace, wander the blue-hued city of Chefchaouen, taste street food in Marrakesh, tour the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, and more. 

Begin in Porto, Portugal, where you'll join a walking tour of the city that showcases modern and historic sites, including the UNESCO-listed city center. The following day, head to the Douro Valley for wine tasting and a river cruise. Next, you'll board a train to Lisbon for a guided tour of the capital city and a walk along the waterfront to the Torre de Belém. Take a day trip to Sintra, where you'll visit Moorish palaces and enjoy a stroll in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Continue to Cascais and visit the lighthouse at Cabo de Roca before catching a flight to Morocco's buzzing imperial city, Marrakesh. 

Familiarize yourself with Moroccan flavors, history, and culture on a tasting tour that includes Jemaa el-Fna square and the medina. Float above the city on a hot-air balloon at sunrise the next day before transferring to Rabat, where you'll tour the Royal Palace, the Chellah Necropolis, and other historically significant sites. You'll then visit the "Blue City," Chefchaouen, on Day 8 for a wander through the blue-hued medina followed by a visit to the Grand Mosque and the kasbah (fortress). Your journey concludes in Casablanca, where you'll tour the massive Hassan II Mosque, stroll Corniche Boulevard, and shop for souvenirs. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Outdoor Adventure in Portugal & Morocco

Active travelers will enjoy opportunities to experience the natural beauty, rich culture, flavorful cuisine, and historic sites on this Portugal and Morocco adventure. Zip around Lisbon in an electric tuk-tuk tour, explore the markets of Setúbal, hike to Sintra's palaces, and visit Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal. Then head to Morocco for an interactive cooking class, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride, a hike through Berber villages, and a camel ride and camping in the Sahara. Given the inclusion of some lengthy transfers, this itinerary may not be ideal for young children or those that are not comfortable in the car for several hours. 

Tour the cobblestone streets of Lisbon in an electric tuk-tuk and stop by a local bakery to taste your first pastel de nata (egg custard tart). Head to Setúbal on Day 2, where you can sample local seafood and shop for souvenirs in the markets, then catch a coastal sunset at Cabo Espichel in the Arrabida Natural Park. Spend a day in Sintra, where you might consider hiking to the Moorish castle and visiting the beautiful Pena Palace. Fly to Marrakesh on Day 4 and dive straight into the local cuisine with a cooking class in a traditional riad.

Greet the sunrise on a hot-air balloon ride over the city, then get a closer look on a guided tour of the historical landmarks, including the Bahia Palace and the Jewish Quarter. You'll then venture into the desert by visiting the famous kasbah of Aït Benhaddou and touring a movie studio in Ouarzazate en route to Boumalne Dades. Hike through rural landscapes and Berber villages before setting off for Merzouga, where you'll enjoy a sunset camel ride and a night in a Bedouin-style desert camp. Return to Marrakesh for some last-minute souvenir shopping in the city's souks before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Portugal & Morocco Foodie Adventure

Experience Portugal and Morocco through its cuisine on this food-forward itinerary. Opportunities to taste the authentic flavors of Portugal and Morocco include guided market tours, Douro Valley wine tasting, home-cooked meals with local families in Lisbon and Casablanca, and cooking classes in Porto, Marrakesh, and Essaouira.

Start your culinary adventure with a tasting tour of Porto's Bolhão Market, followed by a vintage car tour of the sites and a private cooking lesson with a top Portuguese chef. Take a trip to the Douro Valley the next day, where you'll spend the day touring vineyards, tasting wine, and cruising the Douro River. Then, hop on a train to Lisbon and explore the city's highlights, including views from the Elevador de Santa Justa and a fado (a traditional form of music) experience. Make the most of your final day in Portugal with a walking culinary tour of Lisbon, free time for shopping and sightseeing on your own, and dinner in a local home.

Fly to Marrakesh and join your local guide in the medina for a street food tour, then learn how to make chicken tajine in a cooking class at the Amal Center. On Day 8, you'll take a day trip to the coastal city of Essaouira, where you'll sample local specialties, such as ma'akouda (Moroccan potato cakes), on a culinary tour and participate in a mini cooking class in a local's home. Wrap up your journey in Casablanca with lunch at a fish market followed by a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque, open to non-Muslims, souvenir shopping in the souks, and dinner with a Moroccan family. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore the History & Heritage of Portugal & Morocco

History buffs and culture enthusiasts will appreciate the diversity of significant sites and engaging activities on this itinerary. Beginning in Porto and ending in Casablanca, the journey includes guided tours of historical sites and souks, a food and wine experience in Porto, an evening out at a fado restaurant in Lisbon, a visit to the ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis, and a stop at a handicrafts museum in Rabat. 

Visit family-run restaurants and specialty food shops as you taste some of Porto's finest food and wine on a culinary walking tour, then dive into the city's history and architecture on a tour of significant landmarks, including Porto Cathedral. Stop by Coimbra for lunch and wander around this medieval capital en route to Lisbon. Ride the tram, check out the city sites, including Lisbon Cathedral, then enjoy an evening out at a fado restaurant. Visit the iconic Pena Palace in Sintra on a day trip the next day and enjoy the coastal views (or, if you're a skilled surfer, catch some waves) at Guincho Beach before departing for Morocco. 

Catch a flight to Marrakesh, where you'll have two days to savor the sights, sounds, and smells as you embark on a street food tour, barter in the souks, stroll through the maze-like streets, and visit notable locations like the Majorelle Gardens. Transfer to Rabat for a guided tour of the Royal Palace, Chellah Necropolis, Hassan Tower, and Mausoleum of Mohamed V, then learn about regional handicrafts at Musée des Oudaïas. Spend your final full day admiring the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the Spanish-Moorish architecture in Meknes before ending your journey with one last Moroccan meal and some souvenir shopping in Casablanca. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Coastline & Culture in Portugal & Morocco: Lisbon to Casablanca

Opt for this itinerary for a tour of Portugal's and Morocco's coastal cities and cuisine. You'll experience Lisbon's food scene, sail and snorkel in the Algarve, sample fresh seafood and local wines, taste Moroccan tajines in Marrakesh's medina, visit an argan oil collective, and take the scenic coastal route to Casablanca.

On arrival in Lisbon, taste popular Portuguese dishes and learn some city history on a cultural walk through the Mouraria and Alfama neighborhoods. Marvel at palaces, Moorish castles, and mountain scenery on a day trip to Sintra the following day, then indulge in fresh seafood on your way to Cascais. Head south to the Algarve, where you'll go wine tasting at an estate before admiring the dramatic coastline on a sailing and snorkeling trip that includes stops at the Benagil Caves and Carvoeiro Beach. Say tchau (goodbye) to Portugal as you fly to Marrakesh and immerse in Moroccan culture and cuisine on a city tour.

Learn about the cosmetic and culinary uses of argan oil (and keep your camera handy to snap photos of the goats that love to climb argan trees!) on a visit to a local argan oil collective en route to Essaouira. Enjoy free time to wander the historic ramparts along the Atlantic and sample fresh-caught seafood before driving the coastal road to Casablanca, with stops for sightseeing in El Jadida and Azemour. Take a private tour of Morocco's largest mosque, the intricately designed Hassan II, then savor one last Moroccan seafood meal and a walk along Casablanca's waterfront before departure. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Portugal Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other 10-day Portugal itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.