Tour overview

This 25-day small-group journey crosses three countries and two continents, from the university cities of Spain and Portugal to the mountains, desert and Atlantic coast of Morocco. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader for the Iberian section and a new leader from Marrakech. You travel by private bus, train, ferry and 4WD, and stay 24 nights: mostly in hotels, with a riad in Essaouira, one night in a family-run mountain gîte and one in a desert camp, both shared with other travellers. Breakfast is included daily, with three lunches and two dinners.

From Madrid you travel to Salamanca, a golden medieval university town, and cross into Portugal for two nights in Coimbra, with an orientation walk and an evening fado performance. In Lisbon your leader guides you through Belém and its riverside monuments, with a taste of pastéis de nata. A train takes you south to Faro in the Algarve, where a local passenger boat carries you out to one of the barrier islands. Back in Spain, you visit Seville's Real Alcázar before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry to Africa.

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In Morocco you explore the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains with a local guide, then walk through the labyrinthine medina of Fes el Bali, alive with craftsmen, tanneries and mosques. After two nights in Marrakech and its great square, Djemaa el-Fna, you hike with mules to the Berber village of Aroumd in the High Atlas.

Crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass, you walk through the ancient ksar of Aït Benhaddou, visit the old library and underground kasbah of Tamegroute, and ride camels at sunset before a night in a Sahara camp. The route continues to Tata and Tafraoute, with a hike through the Ameln Valley's Amazigh villages, a women's argan cooperative and two nights in a riad in Essaouira, with a guided walk around its medina and sea walls, before returning to Marrakech.

The physical rating is medium, with long travel days, hikes and simple shared nights. This trip suits adventurous travellers with time to see how Europe and North Africa connect.

Trip highlights

  • Fado in Coimbra (Day 3)
  • Lisbon's Belém and an Algarve island boat trip (Days 6–8)
  • Seville's Real Alcázar and the ferry to Africa (Days 9–10)
  • Chefchaouen and the medina of Fes (Days 11–13)
  • A High Atlas village and a Sahara camel ride (Days 16–18)
  • The Ameln Valley and Essaouira (Days 21–23)

Your route

18 stops from Madrid to Essaouira

25-day route: Madrid – Lisbon – Algarve – Seville – Chefchaouen – Fes – Marrakech – Sahara – Essaouira – Marrakech
  1. Madrid Day 1
  2. Salamanca Day 2
  3. Coimbra Days 3–4
  4. Lisbon Days 5–6
  5. Faro (Algarve) Days 7–8
  6. Seville Day 9
  7. Tarifa Day 10
  8. Chefchaouen Days 10–11
  9. Fes Days 12–13
  10. Marrakech Days 14–15 & 24
  11. Imlil Day 16
  12. Aroumd Day 16
  13. Ait Benhaddou Day 17
  14. Zagora Day 18
  15. Erg Chigaga Day 18
  16. Tata Day 19
  17. Tafraoute Days 20–21
  18. Essaouira Days 22–23

Why choose this tour

Three countries and two continents in one journey, crossing to Africa by ferry. Cities, mountains, desert and coast, with a strong mix of included activities.

Best suited to

  • Travellers with time for a long trip
  • Adventurous travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
  • Travellers who enjoy variety
The traditional tanneries of Fes from above

Day-by-day itinerary

25 days from Madrid, Spain to Marrakech, Morocco

  1. Day 1 · Madrid Arrive in Madrid

    A welcome meeting at 6pm.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Salamanca Salamanca

    Travel to the medieval university town for an orientation walk.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Coimbra Coimbra

    Cross into Portugal for a walk and an evening of fado.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Coimbra Free day in Coimbra

    Explore at leisure, perhaps visiting the Roman ruins of Conimbriga.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Lisbon Lisbon

    A train through central Portugal to the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Belém, Lisbon Belém

    A leader-led walk and a pastéis de nata tasting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Faro The Algarve

    A train south to Faro.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Ria Formosa Island day

    A local boat to one of the barrier islands.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Seville, Real Alcázar Seville

    Return to Spain to visit the Real Alcázar.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Tarifa, Chefchaouen Ferry to Africa

    Cross the Strait of Gibraltar and travel to Chefchaouen.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  11. Day 11 · Chefchaouen Chefchaouen

    A walking tour of the blue city with a local guide.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Fes Fes

    Travel by minibus to Fes.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Fes el Bali Fes medina

    A guided walk through the medieval medina.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Marrakech, Djemaa el-Fna Marrakech

    A train to Marrakech and a visit to the great square.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Marrakech Free day in Marrakech

    Explore at your own pace and meet your new leader.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Imlil, Aroumd High Atlas

    Hike with mules to a Berber village.

    Hotel
    Mountain gîte, shared rooms
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  17. Day 17 · Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Benhaddou Aït Benhaddou

    Cross the high pass and walk through the ancient ksar.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Zagora, Tamegroute, Sahara Into the Sahara

    Visit Tamegroute, then ride camels at sunset.

    Hotel
    Desert camp, shared tents
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  19. Day 19 · Tata Tata

    Sunrise over the dunes, then a 4WD drive to Tata.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Tleta Tagmoute, Tafraoute Tafraoute

    See oasis granaries on the way to Tafraoute.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · Ameln Valley Ameln Valley

    A hike through Amazigh villages.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  22. Day 22 · Argan cooperative, Essaouira Essaouira

    Visit an argan cooperative on the way to the coast.

    Hotel
    Riad
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Essaouira Essaouira

    A guided walk around the medina, port and sea walls.

    Hotel
    Riad
    Meals
    Breakfast
  24. Day 24 · Marrakech Back to Marrakech

    A free morning, then a bus to Marrakech.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · Marrakech Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A camel caravan crossing the Sahara dunes

Where you stay

  • Madrid (1 night) Hotel
  • Salamanca (1 night) Hotel
  • Coimbra (2 nights) Hotel
  • Lisbon (2 nights) Hotel
  • Faro (2 nights) Hotel
  • Seville (1 night) Hotel
  • Chefchaouen (2 nights) Hotel
  • Fes (2 nights) Hotel
  • Marrakech (2 nights) Hotel
  • Aroumd (1 night) Mountain gîte, shared rooms
  • Aït Benhaddou (1 night) Hotel
  • Sahara (1 night) Desert camp, shared tents
  • Tata (1 night) Hotel
  • Tafraoute (2 nights) Hotel
  • Essaouira (2 nights) Riad
  • Marrakech (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 22 nights in hotels and a riad, 1 in a mountain gîte and 1 in a desert camp
  • Meals 24 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Private bus, trains, ferry and 4WD transport
  • Fado in Coimbra, a Belém walk and pastéis de nata in Lisbon
  • Algarve island boat trip and Seville's Real Alcázar
  • Guided walks in Chefchaouen, Fes and Essaouira
  • High Atlas hike, Aït Benhaddou, Tamegroute and a Sahara camel ride
  • Leaders throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Madrid and from Marrakech
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A classic tram in Lisbon's Alfama district

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a private room every night — two nights are shared
  • You dislike long drives — some travel days are long
  • You want luxury — hotels are simple to mid-range
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Salamanca Cathedral and the Roman bridge

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,350 per person, twin share, tour only. 67 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How do we cross to Morocco?

By ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar from Tarifa.

What are the shared nights like?

One night in a family-run gîte in the High Atlas and one in a Sahara desert camp, both in shared rooms or tents.

Do I need to carry my luggage in the mountains?

No. Main luggage is stored and mules carry overnight bags to Aroumd.

Will the group change?

A new leader and some new travellers join in Marrakech on Day 15.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors do not need a visa for Spain, Portugal or Morocco for a holiday stay.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £3,350
See dates & prices