16-Day Portugal, Andalusia & Morocco Tour from Madrid

Lisbon, PORTUGAL The capital city of Portugal, Lisbon is one of Europe's most important economic centers. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations. Historically significant locations include Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, which are recognized by UNESCO.

• Alfama District Alfama, with its winding passages of narrow streets and steep stairways, is Lisbon's oldest district. Its name derives from Arabic because of the city's medieval Muslim rulers. Alfama is home to many restaurants and cafes that showcase live Fado music.
• Tower of Belem This fortified tower off the coast of Lisbon, also known as the Tower of St. Vincent, was built to defend the city in the 16th century. It was built in the Portuguese Manueline style of architecture of the 16th century.
• Jeronimos Monastery The Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon was once the home of the city's Hieronymite religious order, and one of the best examples of the Portuguese Manueline style of architecture. Today, the facility houses the National Archaeology Museum and the Marine Museum.

Sintra, PORTUGAL Sintra has the most historic buildings and equipped with the natural scenery that signifies the beauty of Portugal. It is approximately 18 miles from Lisbon to Sintra where is also known as the most enchanting city.

Cascais, PORTUGAL Cascais is a wealthy, coastal suburb of the city of Lisbon. There are many activities to do in the area, from beach sports like surfing and sailing to gold and tennis.

Costa de Estoril, PORTUGAL Estoril is a town in the Municipality of Cascais, Portugal, on the Portuguese Riviera.It is famed as a luxury entertainment destination on the Portuguese Riviera, as home of the Casino Estoril.

Fatima, PORTUGAL Fatima is a civil parish in the municipality of Ourem, in the Portuguese Santarem District.

• Sanctuary of Fatima The Sanctuary of Fatima is a large, open public facility dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The site features many buildings, including a minor basilica and two small chapels.
• Basilica of the Santissima Trinidade One of the largest Christian church in the world, construction on this basilica was completed in 2007. With its thoroughly modern design, it looks completely unique from most other European churches.

Caceres, SPAIN Caceres is the capital of Caceres province, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. The municipio has a land area of 1,750.33 km2 (675.81 sq mi), the largest geographically in Spain. The walled city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seville, SPAIN Seville is the capital of Andalucia and the cultural and financial centre of southern Spain. A city of just over 700,000 inhabitants (1.6 million in the metropolitan area, making it Spain's 4th largest city), Seville is Andalucia's top destination, with much to offer the traveler.

• Parque de Maria Luisa On the riverbanks of Sevilla, Maria Luisa Park is a large public area that features lovely foliage, fountains, and walkways in the middle of this beautiful city. Within the park are many statues of famous Spanish figures.
• Plaza de Espana A large section of Maria Luisa Park in Sevilla, the Plaza de Espana is a large open space featuring buildings of Renaissance revival architecture. Most of the buildings are currently used for government purposes.
• Seville Cathedral The third-largest church in the world (and the largest cathedral), the Seville is a massive Gothic building. Each of its facades has multiple entrances that are all exquisitely and ornately adorned. It was built over an old mosque.
• La Giralda La Giralda was once a minaret for the Muslim population in medieval Sevilla, but was converted to a church bell tower after Christian forces had regained power in Iberia. Its design has influenced many other towers around the world.
• Santa Cruz (Jewish Quarter) The barrio of Santa Cruz in Sevilla was once the city's Jewish Quarter, and is now the most popular tourist are in the city. The narrow, winding streets and alleyways of this neighborhood remind visitors of a labyrinth.
• Royal Alcazar of Sevilla This is a massive palace complex in Sevilla, originally constructed by the city's Muslim rulers. Originally constructed as a military fort, it is the oldest European palace still in use, and is one of the best examples of Spanish-Muslim architecture.

Cordoba, SPAIN Cordoba is a city in Andalusia, Spain, and the capital of the province of Cordoba. The city is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, and its easy access to the mining resources of the Sierra Morena satisfies the population's needs.

• The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba The interior of this dual mosque-cathedral perfectly reflects the religious power-struggle of medieval Spain. The conversion of the church into a mosque lasted from 784 to 987. The complex is massive and features many small chapels.
• Jewish Quarter Cordoba's Jewish Quarter is marked by narrow and irregular streets. It houses a medieval Synagogue and the Sephardic House. Unfortunately, this neighborhood was a focal point of the Spanish Inquisition, during which Cordoba played a large role.

Ronda, SPAIN Ronda is a city in the Spanish province of Malaga. It is located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of the city of Malaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia.

• Puente Nuevo Bridge This 18th century bridge crosses a 390-foot deep ravine that divides the small Andalusian city of Ronda. There is a central chamber underneath the bridge's walkway that today houses a small exhibit about the bridge's history.

Marbella, SPAIN Marbella is a Mediterranean city on Spain's Costa del Sol, with breathtaking beaches and coastline. The city is also home to several museums and theaters.

Marbella, SPAIN Marbella is a Mediterranean city on Spain's Costa del Sol, with breathtaking beaches and coastline. The city is also home to several museums and theaters.

Tangier, Morocco Tangier is a major city in northern Morocco. The history of Tangier is very rich, due to the historical presence of many civilizations and cultures starting from before the 5th century BCE.

Casablanca, Morocco Casablanca is largest city of Morocco, located in the western part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. It is also one of the largest and most important cities in Africa, both economically and demographically.

• Hassan II Mosque This mosque in Casablanca is the largest in the country and the seventh largest in the world. At 60 feet, the minaret towers above the surrounding promontory, standing watch over the Atlantic Ocean.

Marrakech, Morocco Marrakech is a major city in the northwest African nation of Morocco. It is the fourth largest city in the country after Casablanca, Fes and Tangier, and is the capital of the mid-southwestern region of Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz.

• Jemaa el-Fnaa This marketplace is the main public square in Marrakech, located in the city's old medina district, and is still one of the best local spots for food and artisan craft goods.
• Old Medina The Medina district of Marrakech is the city's oldest section, with beautiful architecture and narrow streets and alleyways. It is centered around the Jemaa el-Fna marketplace.
• Koutoubia Mosque Located in Marrakesh's medina quarter, this mosque is the city's largest, built around the 12th-century B.C.E., and located near the Jemaa el-Fna marketplace. At night, the entire complex is illuminated by floodlights.
• Saadian Tombs This system of tombs dates back to roughly the late 1600s, and was rediscovered in the early 1900s. The tombs are now one of Marrakech's major tourist attractions because of their intricate designs.
• Bahia Palace "Bahia" means "brilliance," and one would be hard-pressed to come up with a more apt descriptor for the Bahia Palace in Marrakech, a 19th-century complex that was intended to be the most magnificent palace in the world.

Meknes, Morocco Meknes is a city in northern Morocco. Meknes was the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail (1672-1727), the founder of the Alaouite dynasty.

• Bab el-Mansour Named for its architect, the Bab el-Mansour is a large gate into the city of Meknes, covered with intricate mosaic designs. The interior of the gate is often used as an art gallery to exhibit local pieces.

Fez, Morocco The third-largest city in Morocco, Fez features beautiful historic architecture that showcases the incredible works of the Arab world.

• Fes el Bali The Fes el Bali is one of two medina quarters in the city of Fes, Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The district is surrounded by historic walls, and features excellent examples of Arab Moroccan art and architecture.

Granada, SPAIN Granada is a mid-sized provincial capital in the Andalucia region of Spain. Rich in history and culture, Granada is arguably the single most worthwhile city in Spain for visitors. Spring and autumn are also both excellent times to visit.

• Alhambra The Alhambra is a massive complex consisting of multiple palaces and fortresses. It originated as a Spanish-Muslim fortress in the 9th century, but subsequent rulers, both Muslim and Christian, continually added additions and renovations.
• Caves of Sacromonte The soft rocks on the hillsides in the Granada neighborhood of Sacromonte were carved into cave-dwellings by the nomadic Gitano people in the area in the 19th century, many of whom still inhabit these caves.

Toledo, SPAIN Toledo is known as the "Imperial City" for having been the main venue of the court of Charles I, and as the "City of the Three Cultures", having been influenced by a historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims and Jews.