Tour overview

This 15-day small-group journey travels from the heart of Spain through Portugal and across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. Groups have no more than 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout and local guides in Chefchaouen and Fes. You travel by train, public transport, private bus and ferry, and stay in comfortable hotels. Breakfast is included every day, with lunch on the day you cross to Africa. The trip is land-only, starting in Madrid and ending in Marrakech.

From Madrid you head to Salamanca, a golden university town on Spain's northern plateau, then cross into Portugal for two nights in Coimbra, an old capital on the River Mondego, with an evening fado performance and a free day for the Roman mosaics of Conímbriga. A train takes you to Lisbon for a leader-led walk through Belém, with its grand riverside monuments, and a tasting of pastéis de nata, the city's famous custard tarts, plus time for Sintra.

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On the Algarve you base yourself in Faro for two nights and take a local boat out to one of the barrier islands that separate the town from the Atlantic, with time on the beach. Back in Spain, Seville offers an orientation walk and a visit to the Real Alcázar, a royal palace of courtyards, tiles and gardens. Next morning you drive to Tarifa and take the ferry across to Africa, where your Moroccan crew drives you into the Rif Mountains.

Chefchaouen, the blue city, gets two nights, with a local guide leading you through its maze of painted lanes. In Fes, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, a guided walk explores the medieval medina of Fes el Bali, with its craftsmen, souks, madrasas and tanneries. A train then takes you to Marrakech for a first evening in the great square of Djemaa el-Fna, with its storytellers, musicians and food stalls, beneath the Koutoubia minaret.

The physical rating is medium, with plenty of walking and some long travel days. This trip suits travellers who want to see three countries and two continents in one journey, using local transport at a relaxed, city-focused pace.

Trip highlights

  • Salamanca and a fado evening in Coimbra (Days 2–3)
  • Lisbon's Belém district and a pastéis de nata tasting (Day 6)
  • A boat trip to the Algarve's barrier islands (Day 8)
  • Seville's Real Alcázar (Day 9)
  • The ferry to Africa and the blue city of Chefchaouen (Days 10–11)
  • The medina of Fes and Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech (Days 13–14)

Your route

12 stops from Madrid to Marrakech

15-day route: Madrid – Salamanca – Coimbra – Lisbon – Faro – Seville – Chefchaouen – Fes – Marrakech
  1. Madrid Day 1
  2. Salamanca Day 2
  3. Coimbra Days 3–4
  4. Conímbriga Ruins Day 4
  5. Lisbon Days 5–6
  6. Sintra Day 6
  7. Faro Days 7–8
  8. Seville Day 9
  9. Tarifa Day 10
  10. Chefchaouen Days 10–11
  11. Fes Days 12–13
  12. Marrakech Days 14–15

Why choose this tour

Three countries and two continents in 15 days, crossing from Europe to Africa by ferry. Travels by train and local transport where possible, with free time in each city.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who enjoy cities, history and food
  • Anyone wanting to combine Spain, Portugal and Morocco
  • Sociable travellers comfortable with public transport
  • Travellers who like free time to explore
Plaza Mayor in Salamanca, Spain

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Madrid, Spain to Marrakech, Morocco

  1. Day 1 · Madrid Arrive in Madrid

    Welcome to Madrid, a capital of grand boulevards and manicured parks. Meet your leader and group at the welcome meeting at 6pm, then perhaps head out for tapas.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Salamanca Salamanca

    Travel north-west by public transport to Salamanca, a medieval university town of golden sandstone on Spain's northern plateau, for an orientation walk around its Plaza Mayor and old colleges.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Coimbra Into Portugal to Coimbra

    Cross into Portugal by private bus to Coimbra, a former capital on the River Mondego with one of Europe's oldest universities. After an orientation walk, enjoy an evening performance of fado.

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

    A free day to explore Coimbra, or head into the countryside to the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, known for their well-preserved mosaics.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Lisbon Train to Lisbon

    Take the train through central Portugal to Lisbon, a city of hills, trams and viewpoints over the Tagus. The rest of the day is free to explore.

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

    Join your leader for a walk through Belém, with its riverside monuments and ornate Manueline architecture from Portugal's Age of Discovery, and taste pastéis de nata. The afternoon is free, perhaps for the palaces of Sintra.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Faro Train to the Algarve

    Take the train south to the Algarve, a land of orange and olive groves, and settle in Faro, the region's capital, with its walled old town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Ria Formosa, Faro Algarve island trip

    Faro is separated from the Atlantic by a chain of barrier islands, lagoons and sandbanks. Board a local passenger boat to one of the islands for time on the beach.

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

    Return to Spain by private vehicle to Seville. Take an orientation walk and visit the Real Alcázar, a royal palace of courtyards, tiles and gardens.

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

    An early start for the drive to Tarifa and the ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. Your Moroccan crew meets you and drives you into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, with lunch on the way.

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

    A local guide leads you through the maze of blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, set in a wide valley between two peaks of the Rif. The afternoon is free.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Fes To Fes

    Travel by private minibus to Fes, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco, and step into its medieval medina, full of smells, sounds and colour.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Fes el Bali, Bou Inania Madrasa, Chouara Tannery The medina of Fes

    A guided walk explores Fes el Bali, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, with its souks, craftsmen, madrasas and the Chouara tannery.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Marrakech, Djemaa el-Fna, Koutoubia Mosque Train to Marrakech

    Take the train to Marrakech and visit Djemaa el-Fna, the great square of henna painters, storytellers and food stalls, with the Koutoubia minaret rising beyond.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Marrakech Trip ends in Marrakech

    The trip ends after breakfast. As there is little time in Marrakech, staying an extra night or two is recommended, perhaps for the Bahia Palace, a cookery class or a hammam.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Coimbra on the River Mondego, Portugal

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 (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in hotels
  • Meals 14 breakfasts and 1 lunch
  • Transport trains, public transport, private bus and the ferry from Spain to Morocco
  • Guided visits Salamanca, Coimbra, Belém, Seville and its Real Alcázar, Chefchaouen with a local guide and the medina of Fes
  • A fado performance in Coimbra, a pastéis de nata tasting in Lisbon and a boat trip to an Algarve island
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights to Madrid and from Marrakech
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities and entrance fees, such as Sintra's palaces or Marrakech's monuments
  • Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Belém Tower on the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want flights included — they are not
  • You want most meals included — breakfasts and one lunch
  • You prefer a slow pace — the trip has nine bases
  • You want time in Marrakech — there is only one night, so consider extending

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Morocco · UK FCDO travel advice for Portugal · UK FCDO travel advice for Spain
A classic tram in Lisbon's Alfama district

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,845 per person, twin share, tour only. 80 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 from Tarifa across the Strait of Gibraltar on Day 10. A Moroccan crew meets the group on arrival and drives you to Chefchaouen.

How do we travel between places?

By a mix of train, public transport and private bus in Spain and Portugal, and by private minibus and train in Morocco.

How long do we spend in Marrakech?

One night, with a first evening in Djemaa el-Fna. Many travellers add an extra night or two to see more of the city.

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day and lunch on Day 10, the day you cross to Morocco. Other meals leave you free to try tapas, Portuguese seafood and Moroccan tagines.

How active is the trip?

The physical rating is medium, with plenty of walking in cities, often on hills and cobbles, and some long travel days.

Are flights included?

No. You fly into Madrid and out of Marrakech, so an open-jaw ticket works well.

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

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