Spain, Portugal and Morocco Family Trip: 18 Days at a Child’s Pace
Short drives, beaches, camels and kasbahs – three countries at a pace that works for children.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this Spain, Portugal and Morocco family trip
This Spain, Portugal and Morocco family trip is planned around children: short drives, beach afternoons, and things to do rather than only things to see. Lisbon’s trams and aquarium, the gardens of Seville and the beaches of Cádiz and Tarifa, then camels in the Sahara, the Akchour waterfalls and the kasbahs of southern Morocco.
Eighteen days sounds long, but the slow pace is what makes it work with kids. Our suppliers in Portugal and Spain book family rooms and transfers; in Morocco our driver uses a comfortable vehicle, with child seats on request, and our guides know how to keep children interested.
Background reading: Todgha Gorge on Wikipedia
Highlights of this Spain, Portugal and Morocco family trip
- Lisbon, Seville, Cádiz: hotels, trains and transfers arranged through our trusted suppliers
- The ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar from Tarifa to Tangier
- Cap Spartel & Tangier medina
- Two nights in Chefchaouen
- Akchour waterfalls hike
- Volubilis & Meknes
- Guided Fes medina
Spain, Portugal and Morocco family trip: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Lisbon
Arrive in Lisbon and settle into a family room. Easy evening by the river at the Praça do Comércio.
- 2dayDay 2
Lisbon by tram
Tram 28 through the old hills, the castle of São Jorge and custard tarts in Belém.
- 3dayDay 3
The Oceanário
A morning at the Oceanário, one of Europe’s biggest aquariums, and the cable car over the Parque das Nações.
- 4dayDay 4
Fly to Seville
Short flight to Seville and a first walk to the Plaza de España, where children love the boats.
- 5dayDay 5
Seville: the Alcázar
The palace and gardens of the Real Alcázar, with its peacocks and maze, and an ice cream in Santa Cruz.
- 6dayDay 6
A free day in Seville
María Luisa Park, a boat on the river or a pool afternoon at the hotel.
- 7dayDay 7
The beach at Cádiz
Drive to Cádiz, one of Europe’s oldest cities, and an afternoon on the beach of La Caleta.
- 8dayDay 8
Tarifa & the Strait
Along the coast to Tarifa: the long sandy beaches, kitesurfers to watch and the mountains of Morocco across the water.
- 9dayDay 9
Tangier to Chefchaouen
Fast ferry from Tarifa to Tangier (about 1 hour). We meet you at the port or airport, stop at Cap Spartel where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and drive into the Rif to Chefchaouen.
- 10dayDay 10
Akchour waterfalls hike
A day in the Talassemtane park: river paths, green pools and the rock arch known as God’s Bridge.
- 11dayDay 11
Volubilis, Meknes & Fes
The mosaics of Roman Volubilis and the great gate of Bab Mansour in Meknes, then on to Fes.
- 12dayDay 12
The Fes medina
A guided day in the lanes of Fes: madrasas, tanneries, coppersmiths and a lunch of local dishes.
- 13dayDay 13
Across the Middle Atlas to Merzouga
Ifrane, the cedar forest and its macaques, Midelt and the Ziz palm groves, arriving at the foot of the dunes.
- 14dayDay 14
Desert day & camel ride
A 4x4 tour of the desert villages and a nomad family, then a camel ride at sunset to the camp.
- 15dayDay 15
Dunes at dawn & the Todra Gorge
Sunrise, a quad or buggy ride and sandboarding, then a walk in the Todra Gorge and on to the Dades.
- 16dayDay 16
Dades canyon walk & Aït Benhaddou
A morning walk in the Dades canyon, then Skoura and Ouarzazate to the ksar of Aït Benhaddou.
- 17dayDay 17
Over the High Atlas to Marrakech
The Tizi n’Tichka pass with stops in Berber villages, then the evening in Jemaa el-Fna.
- 18dayDay 18
Marrakech & departure
A guided morning in the medina and the Majorelle Garden before your flight.
What’s included in this Spain, Portugal and Morocco family trip
Included
- Spain & Portugal: hotels, transfers and train or flight tickets, arranged through our trusted suppliers
- 17 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 Lisbon and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport or port)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- 4x4 excursion in the desert
- 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 Lisbon
- Night 2Hotel in Lisbon
- Night 3Hotel in Lisbon
- Night 4Hotel in Seville
- Night 5Hotel in Seville
- Night 6Hotel in Seville
- Night 7Hotel in Cádiz
- Night 8Hotel in Tarifa
- 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 near Aït Benhaddou
- Night 17Riad 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
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel for the river pools
- Light rain jacket for the Rif
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- 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.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco Family Trip: your questions
What age is this trip for?
Children from about 6 and teenagers enjoy it most. With younger children we shorten the drives further and add more pool time – just tell us their ages.
Is the drive to the Sahara too long for children?
We split it with stops on the way: the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas, where Barbary macaques live, and the Ziz Valley viewpoint. Children usually love the camel ride at the end.
Is Morocco safe for families?
Yes – Moroccans love children and families are welcomed everywhere. With your own driver and guides you are never alone, and our team is on WhatsApp during the trip.
Can we book family rooms?
Yes: we ask for family or connecting rooms in Spain and Portugal through our suppliers, and in Morocco we choose riads and camps with family tents.
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 15 – Dunes at dawn & the Todra GorgeDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 14 – Desert day & camel rideDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 14 – Desert day & camel rideDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 4 – Fly to SevilleDetails →
4x4 & off-road safarisDay 14 – Desert day & camel rideDetails →
Kite surfing lift-offDay 8 – Tarifa & the StraitDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 18-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →
Optional · extraCycling & mountain bikingCycling in the oasisSee the activity →
Optional · extraCultural explorationExtra guided visit with a local guideSee the activity →
Optional · extraFaith & spiritual journeysSpiritual and heritage visitSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Request this 18-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
Morocco, Spain and Portugal Trip: the 21-Day Grand TourPrivate tour · Barcelona to Marrakech · Spain & Portugal + MoroccoBarcelona, Madrid, Lisbon and Seville, then two weeks across Morocco from Tangier to Marrakech.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco Tour: 21 Days with 11 Active Days in MoroccoPrivate tour · Madrid to Marrakech · Spain & Portugal + MoroccoMadrid, Seville and Lisbon, then a flight to Marrakech and 11 days of trekking, cycling, buggies and a balloon flight in Morocco.
Southern Spain and Morocco Itinerary: 10 Days from Seville to MarrakechPrivate tour · Seville to Marrakech · Spain + MoroccoSeville and Granada, the ferry to Tangier, then Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.
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