Catalonia, Iberia & Morocco - Cruise & Land Journey: 14 days Barcelona to Lisbon

Welcome to Barcelona, one of Europe’s most culturally rich and visually extraordinary cities. As the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, Barcelona occupies a singular position in the European imagination – a place where Roman foundations, medieval grandeur, and the audacious vision of modernist architecture exist side by side. The city was founded as the Roman settlement of Barcino around 133 BC, and its layered history – shaped by Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and the Crown of Aragon – is legible at almost every turn.

This evening, meet your  Tour Director for a welcome dinner at a Scenic-selected restaurant, the first taste of Catalan hospitality that will define the days ahead.

Barcelona rewards those who explore it on foot, and today you do exactly that. Your Tour Director leads you through the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), the city’s oldest neighbourhood, where the streets preserve the footprint of Roman Barcino – including sections of the original 4th-century defensive wall and the 2nd-century Temple of Augustus, still standing within a medieval courtyard. Though the quarter was extensively restored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in preparation for the 1929 International Exhibition, its winding laneways and medieval palaces retain a tangible connection to the city’s deep past.

From the Gothic Quarter, you stroll the famous La Rambla, Barcelona’s great tree-lined promenade that stretches from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront. A visit to the La Boqueria Market – officially the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, which has occupied this site since 1217 – immerses you in the extraordinary abundance of Catalan food culture: vivid seasonal produce, charcuterie, seafood, and local cheeses that speak to the region’s proud culinary identity.

Today you travel north to the Costa Brava, one of the most dramatically beautiful stretches of Mediterranean coastline in Europe. The rugged headlands, hidden coves, and crystalline waters of this Catalan shore have long drawn artists and writers seeking light and solitude. None more famously than Salvador Dalí, who was first brought to Cadaqués as a child and remained entranced by it for the rest of his life. As early as 1916, the stark landscape of the town had begun to appear in his paintings, and from the 1930s onwards he transformed a fisherman’s hut in the nearby cove of Portlligat into a labyrinthine house and studio that became the epicentre of his creative world.  The whitewashed village of Cadaqués itself – with its narrow lanes climbing from a curved bay, its church silhouetted against the hills – remains one of the most photographed places in Spain, beloved by Picasso, Magritte, and Max Ernst, all of whom visited during the years Dalí held court here. 

Scenic Enrich
Your Scenic Enrich experience today at Mas Llunes Cellar is as rich in history as it is in flavour. The Mas Llunes estate in Garriguella sits within the Empordà wine region, and one of its vineyards occupies the site of a Republican airfield used during the Spanish Civil War – the scene of the last aerial battle fought in Catalonia. Shelters and bunkers survive among the vines, offering a deeply moving encounter with 20th-century history before you settle in for a guided tasting of five regional wines and three estate olive oils. 

Tonight, your Scenic Special Stay is the Hotel Peralada Wine and Golf Spa, a property that combines the elegance of a historic estate with the distinctive character of the Empordà. 

The medieval city of Girona is one of Catalonia’s finest discoveries. Your walking tour centres on the Call, one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, home to a thriving Sephardic community of scholars and philosophers from the 10th century until the expulsion of Spain’s Jews in 1492. The Bonastruc ça Porta Centre – named for the great Catalan rabbi Nahmanides, born in Girona in 1194 – houses the Museum of Jewish History on the site of the community’s last medieval synagogue, alongside a 13th-century mikveh and a remarkable collection of Hebrew inscriptions. The medieval walls and remains of the Gironella Tower complete a richly layered morning, before lunch immerses you in the depth and originality of Catalan cuisine.

This afternoon, the jagged peaks of Montserrat rise dramatically from the Catalan plains, home to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria founded in 1025 and the beloved La Moreneta – the 12th-century Black Madonna, patron of Catalonia.

Scenic Enrich
This evening you dine in the Saló de Pedra, a historic stone hall within the monastery that has welcomed pilgrims since the 16th century – a setting that transforms the act of sharing a meal into something quietly ceremonial.

Your final morning in Barcelona invites a deeper look at the city’s extraordinary architectural legacy. Visit Casa Vicens, where Antoni Gaudí first revealed his distinctive vision through bold forms, intricate ceramics and Moorish influences, an early masterpiece that set the tone for his later work. Continue to the Barcelona Cathedral, whose Gothic façade, soaring interiors and peaceful cloister offer a striking contrast in style and atmosphere.  Enjoy lunch at Port Olímpic, the revitalized waterfront created for the 1992 Olympic Games, where the city opens to the Mediterranean. This afternoon, transfer to your Scenic Discovery Yacht, where the Captain and crew welcome you on board. Settle into your suite, raise a glass of Champagne, and ease into the next chapter of your journey as you prepare to set sail.

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. 

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. 

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.   

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. 

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.  

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.   

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. 

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.   

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.