Mediterranean Marvels and Moorish Mysteries
Kick off in Barcelona and wrap up in Madrid on a 19–day Iberia–Morocco adventure that blends iconic cities with desert drama. You’ll tour Gaudí’s Barcelona, seaside Valencia and sun–kissed Alicante, then step into Andalusia’s heritage in Guadix and Granada. Sail the Strait to Morocco – expect Rabat’s royal sites, Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, Marrakech’s medina and Bahia Palace, the Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou, Todgha Gorge and the Sahara near Erfoud. Return to Spain for soulful Seville and a scenic Guadalquivir cruise, Roman Mérida, whitewashed Évora and hilltop Lisbon, before historic Cáceres and a grand finale in Madrid – parks, plazas and the Bernabéu.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
19 daysHotel Rating
3-5 star hotelsStarts
BarcelonaEnds
MadridMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Spain that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Countries
Spain, Morocco, PortugalPassengers
$5,401.75
$500.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Barcelona
Peniscola
Valencia
Alicante
Caravaca de la Cruz
Granada
Tangier
Asilah
Rabat
Casablanca
Marrakech
Ait Benhadou
Ouarzazate
Boumalne Dades
Todgha
Erfoud
Fez
Seville
Mérida
Évora
Lisbon
Cáceres
Madrid
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Barcelona
Welcome to Barcelona. We’ll transfer you to your hotel, after which you’ll have free time to settle in or explore the area. In the afternoon – please check the information board at hotel reception for details about the start of your tour.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Barcelona
In the morning, we take a panoramic tour of Barcelona – often cited as one of Europe’s most captivating capitals. Set on the Mediterranean, the city is renowned for Gaudí’s modernist architecture, its lively Ramblas and the legacy of its World Expositions and Olympic Games. Our tour ends at Maremagnum – a waterfront leisure and dining complex by the sea next to Columbus Square – where you can stroll through this bustling area. The afternoon is at leisure, so you can continue exploring at your own pace. We return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 3 - Barcelona - Peniscola - Valencia
We travel south along the Mediterranean, stopping in Peniscola – a medieval walled town edged by beaches – with time for a stroll. We continue to Valencia, arriving around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we tour this port city on Spain’s Levantine coast with a local guide, where more than 2,000 years of history are reflected in monuments from across the centuries, set against the modern architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences. After the visit, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. A traditional local dinner is included.
Day 4 - Valencia - Alicante - Guadix - Granada
We continue south through the Valencian Community to Alicante, a Mediterranean city with golden beaches and a characterful historic quarter overlooked by the Castle of Santa Bárbara. You’ll have free time for a stroll.We then cross the arid landscapes of Murcia – we’ll pause en route for lunch – before entering Andalusia. Our first stop is Guadix, noted for its inhabited cave houses and historic centre, home to a Renaissance cathedral, traditional neighbourhoods and views towards the Sierra Nevada. We continue to Granada, arriving in the late afternoon – dinner is included.
Day 5 - Granada
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Granada, a historic city dominated by the Alhambra. You could visit the cathedral, which houses the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs, wander the Albaicín neighbourhood and take in the views of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolás.Please note – admission to the Alhambra is not included on this tour. If you wish to visit, book via the official website https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es or through companies that organise visits in the city.
Day 6 - Granada - Tangier - Asilah - Rabat
We leave Granada and follow the Costa del Sol to Algeciras or Tarifa, where we board a modern ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar – ferry tickets included. You’ll need to carry your own luggage on the crossing, as the coach usually does not travel on the ferry. On arrival in Morocco, we continue to Asilah, a walled Atlantic town that was once a historic port and pirate stronghold, with time for lunch. We then head to Rabat, where dinner is included.
Day 7 - Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech
Morning panoramic tour of Rabat – we visit the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas. Around midday we continue to Casablanca for a short city tour with a local guide, including a stop to view the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque – one of the Arab world’s most significant religious landmarks. We then travel to Marrakech. After arriving at the hotel, you can take a traditional horse–drawn carriage ride to the famous Jemaa el–Fnaa square. Dinner is included.
Day 8 - Marrakech
This morning we explore Marrakech – the city that lends Morocco its name – on a guided tour taking in the city walls, the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Medina, the Koutoubia Mosque and the Bahia Palace – tickets included. We include lunch, after which you can relax by the pool or in the hotel garden, or browse the souks at your own pace. In the evening, you can choose to join the Fantasy Party, an optional excursion.
Day 9 - Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Boumalne Dades
We leave Marrakech to cross the Atlas Mountains, where palm groves give way to rugged valleys and peaks that are often capped with snow. Along the route we pass small Berber villages set against dramatic gorges. We stop at Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village famed for its appearances in numerous films, then continue to Ouarzazate, noted for its impressive kasbah. Travelling through the Valley of Roses, we reach Boumalne Dades, where dinner is included. Please note that roads may occasionally close in winter due to snow – if required, this section will be adjusted accordingly, and access to the Sahara Desert is subject to road conditions.
Day 10 - Boumalne Dades - Todgha - Erfoud
We journey through the Sahara region along the Valley of the Kasbahs – passing palm‑lined river valleys, rocky plains that give way to oases and adobe villages, and fortified settlements that once guarded ancient routes. We visit the Todgha Gorge, a canyon with cliffs rising over 100 metres, before stopping at a small adobe town near Khorbat to learn about a local desert community – access may be affected by weather, including river flooding. We then continue to Erfoud. After arrival, you can choose to join an optional 4x4 excursion to the Sahara sand dunes to watch the sunset. Lunch is included.
Day 11 - Erfoud - Fez
We depart early from Erfoud, crossing the Atlas once more through striking gorges and a high, chilly plateau inhabited by nomadic shepherds. We pause in Midelt – a commercial hub in the heart of the region – before continuing into the Middle Atlas for an included lunch by a lakeside setting. The landscape then shifts to dense forests where snow is common in winter. Near Azrou, we visit the House of Cedars in a national park – a small museum offering insight into the region – with the chance to observe the lively colonies of monkeys that live here. We continue to Bhalil, a small and peaceful Berber town with colourful lanes and houses that incorporate former caves. On arrival in Fez, we take in panoramic views of the ancient city from the Marinid Tombs before heading to the hotel. Dinner is included.
Day 12 - Fez - Tangier
This morning we set out on a guided tour of Fez, entering through the Royal Palace’s Bronze Gates and exploring the Jewish quarter, lively souks and the Tanners’ Quarter. The city is renowned for its vast medina, and we finish with an included lunch in a historic palace within its walls. In the afternoon we travel north by motorway to Tangier, arriving by evening for an included dinner.
Day 13 - Tangier - Seville
You have the morning at leisure in Tangier – ideal for a final stroll or some last minute shopping. We then take the ferry back to Spain. The coach will not travel on board – you will need to carry your luggage with you on the ferry. We arrive in Algeciras or Tarifa and continue by road to Seville, reaching the city in the evening – dinner included.
Day 14 - Seville
This morning we explore Seville on a guided city tour – we take in the cathedral and its Giralda, the banks of the Guadalquivir, and the atmospheric neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, we include a leisurely boat cruise on the Guadalquivir for panoramic views of the city. The evening is free – you can choose to attend a flamenco tablao performance.
Day 15 - Seville - Merida - Evora - Lisbon
We leave Seville, travelling through rolling hills and wide pasturelands as we head into Extremadura. In Mérida, we include admission to the Archaeological Ensemble – home to the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre – renowned for its excellent preservation and World Heritage status. You’ll have free time for lunch and a stroll in the pedestrian historic centre.We then continue into Portugal, stopping in Évora – also a World Heritage Site – known for its whitewashed streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral. We arrive in Lisbon in the evening.
Day 16 - Lisbon
This morning we embark on a sightseeing tour of Lisbon – the Portuguese capital of seven hills, with charming alleys, iconic tiles, a sense of saudade and clear Atlantic light – including a visit to the Belém neighbourhood, from where the great navigators set sail in the 15th century. The afternoon is free – you can wander at your own pace, head up to Bairro Alto and its viewpoint, or join an optional excursion to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. In the evening, we return to the hotel from lively Restauradores Square, surrounded by bars and cafés.
Day 17 - Lisbon - Caceres - Madrid
An early departure as we leave Portugal, crossing the picturesque Alentejo. We stop in Estremoz for a coffee – a charming town with a medieval castle, cobbled streets, beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere. We then cross into Spain and reach Cáceres, where you can have lunch and stroll its historic centre – an exceptionally well preserved medieval and Renaissance ensemble. We continue to Madrid, arriving in the evening with a transfer to Plaza Mayor – lively and packed with restaurants.
Day 18 - Madrid
We’ll begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, taking in Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We’ll then head to Retiro Park – a peaceful oasis in the city centre – to see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Entry to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is included. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.
Day 19 - Madrid
After breakfast, we conclude the tour in Madrid – your journey ends here. Wishing you a smooth onward journey.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Madrid
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Barcelona
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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