Iberian & Moroccan Wonders: Spain to Portugal

Welcome to Spain and the vibrant city of Barcelona. Renowned for its innovative cuisine, architectural wonders, edgy art scene and buzzing nightlife, it attracts travellers from across the globe.   

Your journey begins as soon as you step aboard your next-generation Discovery Yacht, Scenic Ikon. Be warmly welcomed by the Captain and crew before your personal butler shows you to your luxurious suite. As the evening draws near, join your fellow guests out on the open deck for a pre-dinner cocktail as you set sail.

Please book your flight to arrive into Barcelona prior to 02:00 PM.

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Palma, a popular resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca, is a place where history comes alive. Its rich cultural heritage has been inherited from the Romans, Moors and Catholics who lived here successively since 123 BC. Wander the narrow, cobbled streets of Palma’s Casco Antiguo (Old Town) and admire its elegant archways, grand historic palacios, medieval churches and charming squares.   

From Santa Maria Cathedral, a Gothic landmark, to La Almudaina, the Moorish-style Arab fortress converted into a royal residence, and Bellver Castle, a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape, Palma reveals a new chapter of history at every corner.

If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the Plaça Santa Eulàlia a jumble of tiny streets that made up the earliest settlement. Farther out, a ring of wide boulevards traces the fortifications built by the Moors to defend the larger city that emerged by the 12th century. The zigzags mark the bastions that jutted out at regular intervals. By the end of the 19th century, most of the walls had been demolished; the only place where you can still see the massive defenses is at Ses Voltes, along the seafront west of the cathedral.A torrent (streambed) used to run through the middle of the old city, dry for most of the year but often a raging flood in the rainy season. In the 17th century it was diverted to the east, along the moat that ran outside the city walls. Two of Palma's main arteries, La Rambla and the Passeig d'es Born, now follow the stream's natural course. The traditional evening paseo (promenade) takes place on the Born.If you come to Palma by car, park in the garage beneath the Parc de la Mar (the ramp is just off the highway from the airport, as you reach the cathedral) and stroll along the park. Beside it run the huge bastions guarding the Almudaina Palace; the cathedral, golden and massive, rises beyond. Where you exit the garage, there's a ceramic mural by the late Catalan artist and Mallorca resident Joan Miró, facing the cathedral across the pool that runs the length of the park.If you begin early enough, a walk along the ramparts at Ses Voltes from the mirador beside the cathedral is spectacular. The first rays of the sun turn the upper pinnacles of La Seu bright gold and then begin to work their way down the sandstone walls. From the Parc de la Mar, follow Avinguda Antoni Maura past the steps to the palace. Just below the Plaça de la Reina, where the Passeig d'es Born begins, turn left on Carrer de la Boteria into the Plaça de la Llotja (if the Llotja itself is open, don't miss a chance to visit—it's the Mediterranean's finest Gothic-style civic building). From there stroll through the Plaça Drassana to the Museu d'Es Baluard, at the end of Carrer Sant Pere. Retrace your steps to Avinguda Antoni Maura. Walk up the Passeig d'es Born to Plaça Joan Carles I, then right on Avenida de La Unió.

Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia is an inspiring blend of old and new. It has one of the largest historic centres in Europe, with buildings dating back to the 13th century, sitting close to modern architectural gems like the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Join the locals riding bikes, playing sport, listening to live music or just relaxing in the sun in the magnificent Turia Garden.  

Valencia is also famous for its food. Visit the impressive Central Market, an enormous Art Nouveau food hall selling everything from fresh fruit to charcuterie, pastries and wine. Make sure to try the city’s signature paella, made with excellent local seafood.

Valencia, Spain's third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular contemporary architecture, juxtaposed with a thoroughly charming historic quarter, making it a popular destination year in year out. During the Civil War, it was the last seat of the Republican Loyalist government (1935–36), holding out against Franco’s National forces until the country fell to 40 years of dictatorship. Today it represents the essence of contemporary Spain—daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine—but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia's history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile huerta that surrounds it.The city has been fiercely contested ever since it was founded by the Greeks. El Cid captured Valencia from the Moors in 1094 and won his strangest victory here in 1099: he died in the battle, but his corpse was strapped into his saddle and so frightened the besieging Moors that it caused their complete defeat. In 1102 his widow, Jimena, was forced to return the city to Moorish rule; Jaume I finally drove them out in 1238. Modern Valencia was best known for its frequent disastrous floods until the River Turia was diverted to the south in the late 1950s. Since then the city has been on a steady course of urban beautification. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), most of it designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, has at last created an exciting architectural link between this river town and the Mediterranean. If you're in Valencia, an excursion to Albufera Nature Park is a worthwhile day trip.

A prized location with one of the world’s greatest natural harbours at its doorstep and surrounded by rich mineral deposits, Cartagena is sure to surprise and delight. Once inhabited by the Romans, Cartagena is recognised for the wealth of ancient sites in and around the city. Step back in time as you explore Cartagena’s magnificent Roman Theatre, one of Spain’s most impressive archaeological restorations. Follow in the footsteps of Roman citizens along the Decumano Maximo, a remarkably preserved street that once formed the city’s bustling main artery. Roman murals and mosaics adorn historical villas while late 19th century architecture complements the picturesque Mediterranean coast.

A Mediterranean city and naval station located in the Region of Murcia, southeastern Spain, Cartagena’s sheltered bay has attracted sailors for centuries. The Carthaginians founded the city in 223BC and named it Cartago Nova; it later became a prosperous Roman colony, and a Byzantine trading centre. The city has been the main Spanish Mediterranean naval base since the reign of King Philip II, and is still surrounded by walls built during this period. Cartagena’s importance grew with the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century, when the Navidad Fortress was constructed to protect the harbour. In recent years, traces of the city’s fascinating past have been brought to light: a well-preserved Roman Theatre was discovered in 1988, and this has now been restored and opened to the public. During your free time, you may like to take a mini-cruise around Cartagena's historic harbour: these operate several times a day, take approximately 40 minutes and do not need to be booked in advance. Full details will be available at the port.

Framed by desert landscapes and the sparkling Mediterranean, Almería is a vibrant city where Moorish heritage meets coastal charm. Be sure to visit the fortress of La Alcazaba, once among the most formidable Moorish strongholds of the 10th century. While in the charming old town, savour some tapas and a glass of crisp Andalusian wine before a leisurely stroll through St. Nicholas Salmerón Park.

Nestled against the sparkling Mediterranean, Almería’s port serves as a majestic gateway to Andalusia, sitting right at the foot of the sprawling Alcazaba fortress. You can step off your vessel and immediately wander through sun-drenched palm groves and a vibrant waterfront promenade that links the azure sea to the city's historic, Moorish-inspired heart. This inviting harbor perfectly blends modern maritime convenience with old-world charm, offering a seamless transition from the deck to the enchanting tapas bars and ancient cathedrals of one of Spain’s sunniest coastal gems.

Spend today exploring the city of Málaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol, a coastal city rich in culture and charm. With roots dating back more than 3,000 years, Málaga has evolved from a thriving 15th-century trading hub to a vibrant cosmopolitan city that draws millions of visitors each year for its brilliant beaches and artistic roots.   

Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and proudly pays homage to the virtuoso with a dedicated museum. Savour local flavours such as ‘tinto de verano’, an iced summer wine, and wander the streets filled with architectural treasures from colourful baroque designs to an historic Roman theatre.

As you sail into Malaga you will notice what an idyllic setting the city enjoys on the famous Costa del Sol. To the east of this provincial capital, the coast along the region of La Axarqua is scattered with villages, farmland and sleepy fishing hamlets - the epitome of traditional rural Spain. To the west stretches a continuous city where the razzmatazz and bustle creates a colourful contrast that is easily recognisable as the Costa del Sol. Surrounding the region, the Penibéetica Mountains provide an attractive backdrop overlooking the lower terraced slopes which yield olives and almonds. This spectacular mountain chain shelters the province from cold northerly winds, giving it a reputation as a therapeutic and exotic place in which to escape from cold northern climes. Malaga is also the gateway to many of Andalusia's enchanting historic villages, towns and cities.

Perched on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar is a natural fortress, and a little slice of Britain tucked within the borders of Spain. The skyline is dominated by the imposing Rock of Gibraltar, a 426-metre-high limestone promontory, home to the only wild monkey population in Europe – the curious Barbary macaques. On the streets below, you can explore dozens of British stores and traditional pubs, and marvel that you’re a stone’s throw away from Spain.

Tagged on to the end of Iberia, the intriguing British outpost of Gibraltar is dominated by a sandy peninsula and the stunning 1,400-feet-high limestone Rock. Although small, Gibraltar has always been seen as having great strategic importance on account of its advantageous position where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, just 12 miles from the coast of Africa. Ever popular with British holidaymakers, Gibraltar is very much a home from home, boasting excellent duty-free shopping in many familiar British high street shops. Please note: Gibraltar’s small size and narrow winding roads mean that excursions are operated by 22-seater mini-buses, accompanied by a driver/guide. Local health and safety regulations prohibit the carriage of walking aids and collapsible wheelchairs on these vehicles. If you do wish to bring a mobility aid, we can arrange the Rock Tour by taxi, which has extra space. If this suits your requirements, please advise the Tours and Travel office when you join the ship, as numbers are limited.

At the northwestern tip of the African continent lies Tangier, guarding the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Tangier's allure is timeless, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and vibrant present.  

It’s known as the ‘White City’ for the whitewashed houses strewn along winding streets, and many cultures and civilisations have left their mark here over the centuries. A strong Spanish influence makes it an excellent showcase for Spanish-Moorish architecture and its celebrated café culture boasts over 1,000 establishments. Today, modernisation is in full swing, and Tangier is the busiest port in the Mediterranean.

A pivotal port city linking Africa and Europe, Tangier lies just nineteen miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from the Iberian Peninsula. Long coveted for its strategic location where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, numerous empires called it their own throughout history. The city’s vibrancy and multicultural air attracted all manner of artists in the late 20th century, including Henri Matisse and Paul Bowles. Tangier’s ancient, walled medina brims with the pleasures of Morocco, from intricate carpets and finely made slippers to fresh dates.

On the western Algarve, Portimão is a small port city with a bustling historic centre. Enjoy the day exploring this once well-known fishing port, now transformed into a breathtaking promenade lined with shops selling traditional items and fantastic restaurants. Portimão is much loved for the steep limestone cliffs that surround its sandy beach of Praia da Rocha.

Portimão is a major fishing port, and significant investment has been poured into transforming it into an attractive cruise port as well. The city itself is spacious and has several good shopping streets—though sadly many of the more traditional retailers have closed in the wake of the global economic crisis. There is also a lovely riverside area that just begs to be strolled (lots of the coastal cruises depart from here). Don’t leave without stopping for an alfresco lunch at the Doca da Sardinha ("sardine dock") between the old bridge and the railway bridge. You can sit at one of many inexpensive establishments, eating charcoal-grilled sardines (a local specialty) accompanied by chewy fresh bread, simple salads, and local wine.

Welcome to Lisbon, the colourful capital of Portugal and a city with a proud history of seafaring. As your final morning begins, enjoy one last breakfast wrapped in the comfort and elegance of your next-generation Discovery Yacht. Farewell the crew and your fellow guests as you depart, taking away memories to last a lifetime.

Please book your flight to depart out of Lisbon after 12:00 PM.

#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
^Experiences on board our helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.

Helicopter not operational in Morocco. Submersible not operational in Europe.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Lisbon has inspired explorers for centuries with its stunning setting at the Tagus River’s mouth. Its labyrinthine streets carry echoes of 16th-century navigators who sailed on the winds of the Age of Discovery. The city prospered greatly from its trade. And today’s streets are lined with the legacies of wealthy builders, including the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, stunning works that introduced Manueline architecture. Savoring local cuisine and port wine are favorite pastimes here. On any evening, the strains of fadospill from clubs in the historic Alfama District.