NEW TRIP
From Casablanca to Lisbon aboard the Diana
Exploring the Iberian Coast: Morocco to Portugal
Booking Discount
Back to back booking discount when combined with Cruising the Coast from Senegal to Morocco
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Overview
Trace the influence of Moorish culture on this cruise aboard the expedition ship Diana. Starting in Casablanca's bustling streets, you'll cruise along the North African and Iberian coast, discovering the historical treasures of Tangier, venturing into the Sahara Desert, immersing yourself in Andalusian villages, experiencing Seville's Moorish architecture, and delving into Portugal's maritime history. Explore the scenic beauty of Lagos before ending in Lisbon, one of the world's oldest cities.
Arrive: Casablanca, Morocco
Depart: Lisbon, Portugal
Highlights
- Discover the charming whitewashed villages of Spain's Las Alpujarras
- Spot flamingos and storks in Doñana National Park, Europe's largest wetland with shifting sand dunes and pine forests
- Explore Seville's Alcázar, a stunning palace with intricate Moorish architecture
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, showcases a fusion of French, Moorish, and Art Deco styles in its downtown neo-Mauresque structures. The prominent Hassan II Mosque, finished in 1993, features a towering 690-foot minaret with laser projections, and the 18th-century medina's lively alleyways provide a glimpse into the city's historical charm. Place Mohammed V, with palm trees and an elaborate fountain, symbolizes Casablanca's dynamism.
Please Note: An arrival airport transfer, one pre-cruise hotel night and transfer from the hotel to the ship on Day 1 is included for guests arriving one day early. For guests arriving on Day 1, an airport to ship transfer will be provided.
Tangier, Morocco's northern port city, has been a gateway to Africa for centuries. Founded by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago, Tangier's long, complex history is reflected in its labyrinthine Medina, 15th-century Portuguese fortress, and Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures with its mosaic of Venus. Today, Tangier is a contemporary Moroccan city with a buzzing café culture and modern port.
Motril, nestled among the Sierra de Lújar and Sierra Nevada mountains, is the capital of the Tropical Coast. Its mild subtropical climate supports sugarcane cultivation. Known for this "sweet gold," its rich sugar history features a sugar museum, mills, and rum distilleries. Motril also provides access to the whitewashed villages in Las Alpujarras valleys and gorges, and Granada, home to the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Puerto Banús, a luxury hotspot on the Costa del Sol, is famous for its upscale marina, lined with high-end boutiques, bars, and restaurants, drawing the rich and famous. It's also a center for activities like sailing and dolphin watching. Just 4 miles away, Marbella's old town offers a contrast with its Renaissance-era whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, and highlights like Plaza de los Naranjos and Salvador Dalí sculptures along Avenida del Mar.
At the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, Sanlúcar's 3-mile coastline features sandy beaches like Bajo de Guía, renowned for its seafood and as the gateway to the natural wonders of Doñana National Park with its shifting sand dunes and pine forests. A haven for biodiversity, Doñana is home to the elusive Iberian lynx. The park is Europe's largest wetland marshes, teeming with flamingos, storks, and other migratory bird species.
A city renowned for passion, culture, and flamenco, Seville's intoxicating atmosphere will infuse even the weariest traveler with a celebratory spirit. The capital of Andalusia is revered for the grandeur of its monuments as well as for exquisite tapas dishes. The magnificent Catedral de Sevilla lords over the historic center a short distance from the Alcázar (palace), a royal complex of rooms and gardens hidden behind modest terracotta walls.
Lagos, on the Algarve coast surrounded by golf courses, is a small port famed for its walled old town and sandy Atlantic beaches. Praia do Camilo cove is accessed via wooden steps, and nearby Ponta de Piedade cliffs offer panoramic views with a lighthouse. The old town features charming shops and restaurants, with the 18th-century Igreja de Santo António church and the Castelo dos Governadores, a baroque castle known for its watchtowers.
Disembark in Lisbon. Spread over seven hills with São Jorge Castle views, bustling Lisbon is one of the world's oldest cities. Elegant Baixa, hilltop Alfama with its yellow tram, and scenic Graca overlooking pastel buildings, are top areas. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a World Heritage Gothic site. The classic Portuguese pastel de nata custard tarts are a local treat. Europe's longest suspension bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, crosses the river Tagus.
Please note: A ship to airport transfer is provided for guests departing after disembarkation.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Launch boats are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to view cultural sites.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.