+212 600 643 098 moroccoactiveadventures@gmail.com
Southern Spain and Morocco itinerary: Southern Spain and Morocco Itinerary: 10 Days from Seville to Marrakech
Home › Spain, Portugal and Morocco
10 days · Spain + Morocco

Southern Spain and Morocco Itinerary: 10 Days from Seville to Marrakech

Seville and Granada, the ferry to Tangier, then Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.

See the day-by-day route
10 days / 9 nightsStarts in SevilleEnds in MarrakechPrivate tour

About this southern Spain and Morocco itinerary

This southern Spain and Morocco itinerary fits two countries into 10 days without rushing the best parts. You start with three days in Seville and Granada, cross the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry and finish with a week in Morocco: the blue town of Chefchaouen, the Akchour waterfalls, Volubilis and the medina of Fes, a night in the Sahara and Marrakech.

It is the route we suggest most often to first-time visitors. The ferry saves you a flight, the journey goes one way from north to south, and you fly home from Marrakech. We arrange the Spanish days through our suppliers in Andalusia and run the Morocco days with our own driver and guides.

Background reading: Tangier on Wikipedia

Highlights of this southern Spain and Morocco itinerary

  • Seville, Granada: hotels, trains and transfers arranged through our trusted suppliers
  • The ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar from Algeciras to Tangier
  • Meet at the port of Tangier
  • Two nights in Chefchaouen
  • Akchour waterfalls hike
  • Volubilis & Meknes
  • Guided day in Fes

Southern Spain and Morocco itinerary: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Arrival in Seville

    Arrive in Seville and check in to your hotel near the old town. In the evening, walk through the lanes of Santa Cruz and stop for tapas.

    Stay: Hotel in Seville
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    Seville: cathedral, Alcázar & flamenco

    See the cathedral and the Giralda tower, then the palace and gardens of the Real Alcázar. In the evening, cross the river to Triana for a flamenco show.

    Stay: Hotel in Seville
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Granada & the Alhambra

    Train to Granada, then an afternoon at the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens (book the ticket weeks ahead). Sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín.

    On the road: Seville → Granada: about 2 h 30 by trainStay: Hotel in Granada
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Ferry to Tangier & Chefchaouen

    Transfer from Granada to Algeciras (about 3 hours) and ferry to Tanger Med (about 1 h 30). We meet you at the port and drive into the Rif to Chefchaouen.

    On the road: about 2.5–3 hStay: Riad in Chefchaouen
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Akchour waterfalls

    A river hike in the Talassemtane park to the waterfalls and God’s Bridge.

    On the road: about 45 min each wayStay: Riad in Chefchaouen
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Volubilis, Meknes & Fes

    The Roman town of Volubilis and the Bab Mansour gate of Meknes on the way to Fes.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with visitsStay: Riad in Fes
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    Fes

    A guided day in the medina, its madrasas, souks and tanneries.

    Stay: Riad in Fes
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    Middle Atlas to Merzouga

    Through the cedar forest and the Ziz Valley to the dunes, and a camel ride at sunset to the camp.

    On the road: about 7–8 h with stopsStay: Desert camp
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    Sandboarding & the Todra Gorge

    Sandboarding at sunrise, a walk in the Todra Gorge and on to the Dades Valley.

    On the road: about 5 h with the walkStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  10. 10day
    Day 10

    Aït Benhaddou & Marrakech

    The road of the kasbahs, Aït Benhaddou and the High Atlas to Marrakech.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stops

What’s included in this southern Spain and Morocco itinerary

Included

  • Spain: hotels, transfers and train or flight tickets, arranged through our trusted suppliers
  • 9 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 Seville 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

  1. Night 1Hotel in Seville
  2. Night 2Hotel in Seville
  3. Night 3Hotel in Granada
  4. Night 4Riad in Chefchaouen
  5. Night 5Riad in Chefchaouen
  6. Night 6Riad in Fes
  7. Night 7Riad in Fes
  8. Night 8Desert camp
  9. Night 9Riad in Dades Valley

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
  • MayBest
  • JunPossible
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepGood
  • OctBest
  • NovBest
  • DecPossible

What to bring for this trip

  • Passport (checked at the port)
  • Walking shoes with grip for Akchour
  • Swimsuit for the river pools
  • Light rain jacket for the Rif
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Fes
  • Scarf or cheche for the desert
  • Warm layer for the desert night
  • 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.

Southern Spain and Morocco Itinerary: your questions

Is 10 days enough for southern Spain and Morocco?

Yes, if you keep to Andalusia. Three days give you Seville and the Alhambra in Granada; seven days in Morocco cover Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech. With fewer days, drop the Sahara rather than rush it.

How do we get from Granada to the ferry?

Granada to Algeciras or Tarifa is about 3 hours by road. We arrange a private transfer through our suppliers in Spain, or you can take the bus to Algeciras.

Can we spend more time in Spain?

Yes. Add Córdoba or Málaga and the trip becomes 12 days; the Morocco part stays the same.

Is one night in the Sahara enough?

For most people, yes: you see sunset and sunrise on the Erg Chebbi dunes. If you can, a second night lets you relax in the camp and try sandboarding or a 4x4 tour.

Local team in MoroccoYour trip is planned and run by our own team on the ground.
Private, on your datesOnly you and your travel companions, starting when you want.
Every day can changeAdd a night, an activity or a slower pace – the plan adapts to you.
Answers on WhatsAppAsk us anything before you book: +212 600 643 098.

What our travellers say

5.0 ●●●●●
Moroccan Active Adventures on Tripadvisor
●●●●●

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…
A
Read all reviews on Tripadvisor

Activities on this trip

Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.

Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 8 – Middle Atlas to MerzougaDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in SevilleDetails →Cultural explorationCultural explorationDay 7 – FesDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 10-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Quad & buggy ridesOptional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy in the Agafay desert or the palm groveSee the activity →Desert camping & stargazingOptional · extraDesert camping & stargazingExtra night or luxury tent in the desert campSee the activity →4x4 & off-road safarisOptional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Cycling & mountain bikingOptional · extraCycling & mountain bikingCycling in the oasisSee the activity →Authentic culinary experiencesOptional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesFood tour or cooking classSee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 10-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

More Spain, Portugal and Morocco itineraries

10 days in Morocco: 12-Day Spain and Morocco Itinerary from Madrid12-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. 10 days in Morocco: 12-Day Spain and Morocco HoneymoonSpain and Morocco Honeymoon: 12 Days of Riads, Dunes and Alhambra SunsetsPrivate tour · Seville to Marrakech · Spain + MoroccoRomantic Seville and Granada, then the ferry to Morocco, luxury riads in Fes and Marrakech and a luxury camp in the Sahara. 10 days in Morocco: 14-Day Spain, Portugal and Morocco Itinerary: the Classic TripSpain, Portugal and Morocco Itinerary: 14 Days on the Classic RoutePrivate tour · Lisbon to Marrakech · Spain & Portugal + MoroccoLisbon, Seville and the ferry to Morocco – the classic three-country trip in two weeks.

See all 10 Spain, Portugal and Morocco itineraries and the map

Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 8 – Middle Atlas to Merzouga

Camel trekking Morocco’s Sahara is the slow, quiet way into the desert: a line of camels led by a guide on foot, swaying over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the light turns soft. Most of our guests ride at sunset to a camp in the dunes and come back at sunrise. It is calm, not sporty – anyone who can sit on a saddle for an hour can do it.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Agafay desert, Marrakech palm grove
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Easy, no experience needed for camels
Minimum age
Children ride with an adult; ask us for small kids
  • The classic Sahara moment
  • Local camel men
  • Slow travel
See the full activity page
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 1 – Arrival in Seville

Hiking Morocco’s High Atlas is a walk through a lived-in landscape: terraced fields, walnut trees, flat-roofed Berber villages built from the same red earth as the mountains, and mule paths that people still use every day. Our local mountain guides grew up around these valleys. They choose the route, set a steady pace and arrange lunch or a night in a village house.

Where
High Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Toubkal), Dades & Todra gorges, Merzouga dunes
Duration
Day hikes to 5-day treks
Level
Easy valley walks to challenging summit treks
Minimum age
Valley walks for families; Toubkal for fit teens and adults
  • Real mountains near Marrakech
  • Toubkal, the big one
  • Village life on the trail
See the full activity page
 Cultural exploration
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

On this trip: Day 7 – Fes

Our Morocco cultural tours are built around people, not just monuments. You walk the medinas of Fes and Marrakech with a guide who grew up there, drink mint tea in a Berber village in the Atlas, watch craftsmen cut zellige tiles or dye leather, and share a meal with a family. The aim is simple: to understand how Moroccans live today, and where those traditions come from.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day city walk to 10+ day tours
Level
Easy – mostly walking
Group
Private or small group
  • Living medinas
  • Amazigh heritage
  • Crafts you can watch being made
See the full activity page
 Hot air balloon ride
Air adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Optional extra: Sunrise flight before or after your trip

A hot air balloon Marrakech flight is the quietest way to see Morocco wake up. You leave the city in the dark, watch the burners light up the envelope, and lift off just as the sun climbs over the Atlas Mountains. Below you, red-earth villages, olive groves and dry riverbeds turn gold, and on clear winter mornings the snow on the High Atlas shines on the horizon.

Where
Countryside outside Marrakech (launch site set by the pilot each morning)
Duration
About 1 hour in the air, 4-5 hours door to door
Start time
Very early pick-up, before sunrise
Level
No experience needed
  • Sunrise over the Atlas
  • Silent, slow flying
  • Rural Morocco from above
See the full activity page
 Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

Optional extra: Quad or buggy in the Agafay desert or the palm grove

Quad biking Marrakech style means leaving the city noise behind in minutes: dusty palm grove tracks, Berber villages and the rocky hills of the Agafay desert, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Our guides ride in front, set the pace to the slowest rider and stop for photos and mint tea. You do not need any experience – we show you the controls and do a short practice loop before we leave.

Where
Marrakech palm grove (Palmeraie), Agafay desert, Merzouga dunes
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Beginner friendly, no experience needed
Minimum age
Drivers usually 16+; younger children ride as buggy passengers
  • Desert right next to the city
  • Quad or buggy, your choice
  • Real landscapes, not a track
See the full activity page
 Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

Optional extra: Extra night or luxury tent in the desert camp

Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Agafay desert near Marrakech
Duration
1 to 3 nights
Level
Easy, for all ages
Camp types
Nomad-style, standard and luxury tents
  • Real dunes
  • A sky full of stars
  • Choose your comfort
See the full activity page
 4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

Optional extra: 4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad families

A 4x4 tour Morocco style takes you where normal cars cannot go: around the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, across the black stone plains near Merzouga, up rough mountain tracks in the Atlas and down into dry riverbeds where nomads still water their flocks. You sit back with an experienced local driver who knows the pistes, the weather and the best places to stop.

Where
Merzouga & Erg Chebbi, High Atlas tracks, Dades & Todra gorges, Agafay
Duration
Half day to multi-day private tours
Level
Easy – you are a passenger, no driving needed
Group
Private vehicle for your family or group
  • Reach the hidden places
  • Drivers who know the pistes
  • Private and flexible
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

Optional extra: Cycling in the oasis

Mountain biking Morocco’s High Atlas means riding mule paths between Berber villages, rolling down terraced valleys and stopping for tea where the trail meets a walnut grove. Our guides know the tracks around Marrakech, the Ourika and Imlil valleys and the Agafay hills, and pick routes that fit your level – from easy dirt roads to longer climbs and technical descents.

Where
Agafay desert, Ourika and Imlil valleys (High Atlas), Dades and Todra gorges
Duration
Half day to multi-day tours
Level
Easy to challenging – routes chosen for you
Bikes
Mountain bikes and e-bikes, helmet included
  • Mountains near the city
  • Village trails, not empty parks
  • Huge variety
See the full activity page
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

Optional extra: Food tour or cooking class

A Morocco food tour is the quickest way into the country’s heart. With one of our local guides you taste fresh msemen pancakes at breakfast, follow the smell of cumin through the spice souk, try harira and grilled meat at the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, and learn why a tagine needs time. We take you where locals actually eat, not where the menus are in five languages.

Where
Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
3-hour food walk to full-day class
Level
Easy – come hungry
Diets
Vegetarian options on request
  • Street food you would not find alone
  • Markets as a lesson
  • Cooking with real cooks
See the full activity page
WhatsAppPlan my trip