Morocco, Spain and Portugal Trip: the 21-Day Grand Tour
Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon and Seville, then two weeks across Morocco from Tangier to Marrakech.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this Morocco, Spain and Portugal trip
This Morocco, Spain and Portugal trip is the grand tour: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon and Seville in a week, then two weeks across Morocco from Tangier to Marrakech – Chefchaouen and the Akchour waterfalls, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes, the Sahara at Merzouga, the Todra Gorge, Aït Benhaddou and a balloon flight over Agafay.
Three weeks is enough to enjoy each place instead of collecting cities. Our suppliers in Spain and Portugal arrange your hotels, trains and flights between the cities, and our own team in Morocco takes over at the ferry in Tangier.
Background reading: Todgha Gorge on Wikipedia
Highlights of this Morocco, Spain and Portugal trip
- Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Seville: hotels, trains and transfers arranged through our trusted suppliers
- The ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar from Tarifa to Tangier
- Ferry from Spain to Tangier
- Tetouan medina
- Akchour waterfalls hike
- Volubilis & Meknes
- Guided Fes medina
Morocco, Spain and Portugal trip: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Barcelona
Arrive in Barcelona and check in. Evening in the Gothic Quarter and the El Born district.
- 2dayDay 2
Barcelona: Gaudí & the beach
The Sagrada Família and Park Güell in the morning, the beach of Barceloneta in the afternoon.
- 3dayDay 3
Fast train to Madrid
High-speed train to Madrid and an evening walk to the Plaza Mayor.
- 4dayDay 4
Madrid
The Prado museum, Retiro Park and tapas in La Latina.
- 5dayDay 5
Fly to Lisbon
Short flight to Lisbon and an evening in the Alfama, with fado if you like.
- 6dayDay 6
Lisbon & Belém
The Belém tower and monastery, tram 28 and sunset at a miradouro.
- 7dayDay 7
Fly to Seville
Flight to Seville, then the cathedral, the Real Alcázar and flamenco in Triana.
- 8dayDay 8
Tangier
Transfer from Seville to Tarifa (about 2 h 30) and fast ferry to Tangier (about 1 hour). We meet you at the port, then visit the kasbah, Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules.
- 9dayDay 9
Tetouan & Chefchaouen
Walk in the white medina of Tetouan, then climb into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen.
- 10dayDay 10
Akchour waterfalls hike
Follow the river in the Talassemtane park to the waterfalls and God’s Bridge.
- 11dayDay 11
Volubilis & Meknes
The Roman ruins of Volubilis and the gate of Bab Mansour in Meknes, then on to Fes.
- 12dayDay 12
The Fes medina
A guided day in the medina, its madrasas, souks and tanneries.
- 13dayDay 13
Middle Atlas to Merzouga
Ifrane, the cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, arriving at the edge of the dunes in the evening.
- 14dayDay 14
Buggy & camel ride
A buggy ride and sandboarding in Erg Chebbi, then camels at sunset to the desert camp.
- 15dayDay 15
Sunrise & the Todra Gorge
Sunrise over the dunes, a walk in the Todra Gorge and on to the Dades Valley.
- 16dayDay 16
To Aït Benhaddou
Along the road of the kasbahs to Aït Benhaddou, with a horse ride around the ksar in the late afternoon.
- 17dayDay 17
Over the High Atlas
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech for an evening in Jemaa el-Fna.
- 18dayDay 18
Marrakech & hammam
A guided visit of the Bahia Palace and the souks, then a traditional hammam.
- 19dayDay 19
Balloon & Agafay
A hot air balloon at sunrise; in the afternoon a quad ride and camels in the Agafay desert.
- 20dayDay 20
High Atlas day hike
A walk in the valleys around Imlil and lunch in a Berber home, back in Marrakech for dinner.
- 21dayDay 21
Cooking class & departure
Cook a tagine in the morning, then transfer to the airport.
What’s included in this Morocco, Spain and Portugal trip
Included
- Spain & Portugal: hotels, transfers and train or flight tickets, arranged through our trusted suppliers
- 20 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Barcelona and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport or port)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Local guide for the guided visits
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Hotel in Barcelona
- Night 2Hotel in Barcelona
- Night 3Hotel in Madrid
- Night 4Hotel in Madrid
- Night 5Hotel in Lisbon
- Night 6Hotel in Lisbon
- Night 7Hotel in Seville
- Night 8Riad in Tangier
- Night 9Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 10Riad in Chefchaouen
- Night 11Riad in Fes
- Night 12Riad in Fes
- Night 13Riad in Merzouga
- Night 14Desert camp
- Night 15Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 16Riad in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 17Riad in Marrakech
- Night 18Riad in Marrakech
- Night 19Riad in Marrakech
- Night 20Riad in Marrakech
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
Spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to October) are the best months for Spain, Portugal and Morocco together: warm days in the cities and comfortable nights in the desert. July and August are very hot in Seville and the Sahara; in winter the cities are quiet and the desert nights are cold.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Passport (checked at the port)
- Walking shoes with grip for Akchour
- Light rain jacket for the Rif
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Warm layer for the balloon and the desert night
- Long trousers for the horse ride
- Swimsuit for the hammam
- Small overnight bag for the camp
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
Morocco, Spain and Portugal Trip: your questions
How many days do you need for Morocco, Spain and Portugal?
Three weeks is ideal: about a week for Spain and Portugal and two weeks for Morocco. With two weeks, choose Lisbon and Andalusia only.
Barcelona to Lisbon – train or flight?
Fly: there is no direct fast train. On this trip you take the fast train from Barcelona to Madrid, then a 1 h 15 flight from Madrid to Lisbon.
Is it better to start in Morocco or in Spain?
Either works. Starting in Barcelona suits flights from North America; starting in Marrakech means the most adventurous part comes first, while you have the most energy.
Can we add Porto?
Yes: add two days in Porto before Lisbon (about 3 hours by train) and the trip becomes 23 days.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 14 – Buggy & camel rideDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 14 – Buggy & camel rideDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 14 – Buggy & camel rideDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 19 – Balloon & AgafayDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 3 – Fast train to MadridDetails →
Authentic culinary experiencesDay 21 – Cooking class & departureDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 21-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →
Optional · extraCycling & mountain bikingMountain biking on Atlas trailsSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →
Optional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Request this 21-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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12-Day Spain and Morocco Itinerary from Madrid to MarrakechPrivate tour · Madrid to Marrakech · Spain + MoroccoMadrid and Andalusia by fast train, then Morocco from Tangier to Marrakech with two nights in the Sahara.
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