Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Itinerary Day - Arrival at destination
Today you arrive in Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia. Please note that flights from Australia or New Zealand typically depart the day prior in order to arrive on Day 1. Upon arrival, please make your own way to your hotel and check in. Take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your long-haul flight.
Arrival & Check-in information
The easiest and most convenient way to travel from Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) to your hotel is to book airport transfers using your Traveller Hub (booked 7+ days in advance). Alternatively, the airport is well served by metro, train, taxi and rideshare services that connect directly to the city centre. Hotel check-in time is at 3pm; early arrivals can leave luggage with reception.
Special Information
Australian and New Zealand passport holders require ETIAS authorisation for Schengen entry. Please ensure your ETIAS application is approved before travel.
Day 2 - Itinerary Day - Arrival at destination
Today is yours to explore Barcelona at your own pace. The Gothic Quarter sits at the heart of the old city, with narrow medieval lanes leading to Barcelona Cathedral and the Plaça del Rei. The wide tree-lined boulevard of Las Ramblas runs from Plaça de Catalunya down to the waterfront, lined with cafes, street performers and the famed La Boqueria market.
Antoni Gaudí's distinctive architecture is found throughout the city, with the Sagrada Família basilica, Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia and the hillside Park Güell among the most visited sites. The waterfront Barceloneta district offers seafood restaurants and a wide sandy beach, while the Montjuïc hill provides sweeping views over the city and Mediterranean.
Day 3 - Itinerary Day - Arrival at destination
A second full day in Barcelona to delve deeper into the Catalan capital. Consider a morning at the Picasso Museum in the El Born district, a stroll through the modernist Eixample neighbourhood to see Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and other Gaudí works, or a half-day trip out to the dramatic mountain monastery of Montserrat (around 90 minutes by train).
In the afternoon, relax with tapas and a glass of cava in one of the city's many plaças, take the Telefèric cable car up to Montjuïc Castle, or simply wander the seafront promenade before tomorrow's embarkation.
Day 4 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your own way to the Barcelona Cruise Terminal. Welcome aboard Norwegian Star, your home for the next 10 nights. Take time to explore the ship, settle into your stateroom and enjoy lunch onboard. The ship sails from Barcelona at 5:00 PM, with views of the Catalan coastline and Montjuïc as you depart south into the Mediterranean.
Special Information
Departure from Barcelona at 5:00 PM. Cruise terminal transfers are not included.
Day 5 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
A full day at sea as the ship sails south-west along the Spanish coast towards Andalusia. Settle into the rhythms of life onboard with breakfast in one of the complimentary dining venues, a turn around the open deck, and time to explore the ship's bars, lounges and entertainment programme.
Day 6 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Today you arrive in Motril, a coastal town on the Costa Tropical of Andalusia. The town itself offers historic churches, a sugarcane heritage museum and the relaxed Playa de Torrenueva beach. Motril is also the gateway to the historic city of Granada, around an hour inland, where the magnificent Alhambra palace and fortress complex is one of Europe's finest examples of Moorish architecture. Both the town and the broader region reward the day's stop in port.
Special Information
In port from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Day 7 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Dock at the historic Spanish port of Cadiz, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. From here, you can explore Cadiz itself with its compact Old Town, golden beaches and seafood markets, or take a shore excursion inland to the city of Seville. The capital of Andalusia is around 90 minutes from the port and offers the magnificent Seville Cathedral, the Real Alcázar palace and the colourful Plaza de España. The ship remains in port until late evening, allowing time for a full day exploring.
Special Information
In port from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Optional shore excursions to Seville are available with NCL.
Day 8 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and economic capital. The city's defining landmark is the Hassan II Mosque, the largest functioning mosque in Africa and one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. The mosque sits dramatically on the Atlantic coast, with one of the world's tallest minarets. Beyond the mosque, the central market, the Habous quarter and the seaside corniche all offer a glimpse of Casablanca's blend of French colonial architecture and modern Moroccan life.
Special Information
In port from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Day 9 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Today the ship arrives in Agadir, a modern Moroccan beach city on the Atlantic coast. Rebuilt after a 1960 earthquake, Agadir is now one of the country's most popular beach destinations. The wide, palm-lined promenade stretches along a sweeping sandy bay, with cafes and restaurants set behind it. The historic Kasbah ruins on the hill above the city offer panoramic coastal views, and the Souk El Had is one of Morocco's largest markets, ideal for browsing local crafts, spices and leather goods.
Special Information
In port from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Day 10 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Welcome to Lanzarote, one of the most striking of the Canary Islands. Arrecife, the island's capital, has a small Old Town centred on the lagoon-side El Charco and the 16th-century San Gabriel Castle. The island's defining landscape is Timanfaya National Park, a moonscape of volcanic craters and lava fields formed by 18th-century eruptions, with geothermal demonstrations at the visitor centre. Throughout the island, the distinctive whitewashed architecture and signature works of artist and architect César Manrique blend dramatic volcanic settings with striking modern design.
Special Information
In port from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
Day 11 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Today you arrive in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, capital of the largest Canary Island. The city offers an attractive waterfront, modernist architecture including the dramatic Auditorio de Tenerife by Santiago Calatrava, and a lively central market. Beyond the city, the island is dominated by Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak and an active volcano, with the surrounding Teide National Park offering some of the most striking landscapes in the Atlantic. The island's golden and black sand beaches are within easy reach of the port.
Special Information
In port from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Day 12 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
Arrive in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira, an Atlantic outpost famed for its fortified wine, dramatic cliffside scenery and subtropical gardens. The historic Old Town leads down to the harbour, with the Funchal Municipal Market a colourful introduction to the island's flora, fish and produce. Cable car rides climb to the hilltop village of Monte, where traditional wicker toboggans run back down the steep streets to the city. Beyond Funchal, the island's interior is criss-crossed with levada walking trails offering some of the best coastal and mountain views in Europe.
Special Information
In port from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Day 13 - 16 Day Spain, Morocco & Portugal - 10 night Norwegian Star Cruise Barcelona to Lisbon
A final day at sea as the ship sails north-east towards Lisbon. A relaxed day to enjoy the ship at a leisurely pace. Take a final breakfast in one of the complimentary venues, attend an onboard talk or activity, treat yourself to a spa session, or settle into a comfortable spot on deck to watch the Atlantic roll by. Use any remaining Free at Sea specialty dining credits this evening.
Day 14 - Itinerary Day - Last day / Flight Day
Arrive in Lisbon in the early morning. After a final breakfast onboard, disembark Norwegian Star at the cruise terminal. Make your own way to your hotel for the next two nights. The afternoon is yours to enjoy your first taste of Lisbon. The Alfama district is the city's oldest neighbourhood, with narrow cobbled lanes climbing up to Saint George's Castle and views across the Tagus River. To the west, the Belém district is home to the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower and the original Pastéis de Belém custard tart bakery, all within easy reach by tram or bus.
Special Information
Ship disembarkation begins at approximately 7:00 AM. Transfers from the cruise terminal to your hotel are not included.
Day 15 - Itinerary Day - Last day / Flight Day
A second full day to explore Lisbon at your own pace. Tram 28 traces a famous route through the hilltop districts, passing many of the city's landmarks. For a more relaxed afternoon, settle in at one of the city's many miradouros, terraced viewpoints offering panoramic views of the river and red rooftops below.
If you have not yet visited Belém, today is a good chance to do so. Alternatively, the Time Out Market at Cais do Sodré offers a curated mix of Portuguese food and drink under one roof, and the LX Factory in the Alcântara district is a hub of design shops, bookstores and restaurants set in a converted industrial complex. A farewell dinner at one of the city's many traditional restaurants is a fitting way to mark the end of your journey.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your way to Humberto Delgado Airport for your return flight to Australia or New Zealand. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope your Spain, Morocco and Portugal voyage has been a memorable one.
Special Information
Airport transfers from your hotel to Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book this transfer for an easier departure experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Due to the time difference between Europe and Australia or New Zealand, customers typically arrive home one to two days after departing Lisbon.
