Portugal, Andalusia, and Morocco 18-Day Trip

Portugal, Andalusia, and Morocco 18-Day Trip

Day 1: Madrid - Ávila – Salamanca - Porto

Leaving from the center of Madrid at 8:30 am, we'll head West towards Castilla-Leon, stopping in Ávila, a city known for its famous medieval wall. Then we'll continue the tour towards Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you'll have free time to explore the city, before we cross the border into Portugal and make our way to Porto, spending the night in the city.

Day 2: Porto

Breakfast in the hotel and a guided tour of Porto, a city famous for its bridges over the Douro River. You'll have free time here, and will again spend the night in the city.

Day 3: Porto – Coimbra - Fátima

After breakfast in Porto, we'll leave for Coimbra, known for its Portuguese fado. Having enjoyed your free time there, the tour will make its way to Fátima, one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in Europe, before head to our accommodation for the night.

Day 4: Fátima – Batalha – Nazaré – Alcobaça - Lisbon

Having left the hotel in Fátima, we'll make our way to the Batalha Monastery - a masterpiece of Manueline, or Portuguese late gothic. Then we'll head to Nazaré, one of Portugal's most beautiful fishing villages, and with some of the world's largest swells, making it the location for any number of big wave surf competitions. Then having visited the historic Alcobaça villa we'll spend the night in Lisbon.

Day 5: Lisbon

The day will be spent getting to know the charming Portuguese capital - and again we'll spend the night in a hotel in the city.

Day 6: Lisbon - Cáceres - Córdoba

We leave Portugal behind and make our way to Cáceres, where you'll be able to appreciate its stunning mix of arab, medieval, and renaissance cultures and architectures. And we'll hit the road again, heading southwards to Córdoba, the ancient capital of the Caliphate.

Day 7: Cordoba – Seville

Explore the old town of Cordoba and tour the Mosque – Cathedral, considered by many as one of the most impressive monuments of Moorish architecture. Afterwards, head to the old medieval Jewish Quarter and you’ll be able to admire the Moorish influence still visible in the typical whitewashed houses with their romantic patios. In the afternoon, you’ll head to Seville, where you will spend the night.

Day 8: Seville

Set off on a panoramic tour of Seville, one of the most-visited cities in Spain. Marvel at the majestic Cathedral and the Giralda, originally built as a minaret during the Moorish period. Next, you’ll visit the authentic Sevillian neighborhood called Santa Cruz. Then, your guide will lead you to the Maria Luisa Park, along the Guadalquivir River and to the beautifully decorated Plaza de España. For lunch, you’ll have time to eat at your own leisure and continue exploring the metropolis.

Day 9: Seville – Ronda – Costa del Sol

On the eighth day, you’ll travel through the White Towns (Pueblos Blancos) of Andalusia and marvel at the picturesque whitewashed walls of the little village houses. Upon arrival in Ronda, one of the oldest cities of Spain, you’ll have free time to explore the dramatic landscape of this mountaintop town which sits above a deep gorge. In the afternoon, you’ll head to one of the most popular summer destinations in Spain, Costa del Sol. You’ll spend the night in Torremolinos, an appealing town with long clean sandy beaches.

Day 10: Costa del Sol

You’ll have the whole day to enjoy the marvelous beaches of Torremolinos, some of the best in Spain.

Day 11: Costa del Sol – Tarifa – Tangier – Rabat – Casablanca

Travel from Costa del Sol to Tarifa, a pretty village by the sea where you’ll board a ferry to Morocco. Upon arrival in Tangier and after proceeding through customs, you’ll take a bus to Rabat, Morocco’s political and administrative capital.

In Rabat, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, where you’ll be able to see beautiful examples of Almohad architecture like the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the unfinished Hassan Tower. After the tour is finished, you’ll continue the journey to Casablanca, where you’ll have the afternoon to explore the city at your own leisure.

Day 12: Casablanca – Marrakech

After breakfast, you’ll take a tour of Casablanca, the main city in Morocco. You’ll explore Boulevard d’Anfa, United Nations Square and Hassan II Mosque. Next, you’ll head to Marrakech, the most important city in the south of the country. Here, you’ll visit the Koutoubia Mosque, which has inspired the Giralda of Seville, then the see the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace. You’ll also follow your guide through the narrow streets of the Medina and shop in the bazaar and admire the impressive Jamaa el Fna Square.

Day 13: Marrakech – Meknes – Fez

On the twelfth day, you’ll head northeast to the imperial city of Meknes, located in the heart of the Middle Atlas. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and stop in front of the beautiful Bab Mansour Gate. After visiting Meknes, you’ll continue to Fez, the oldest, wealthiest and most mysterious of the four imperial cities.

Day 14: Fez

In Fez, you’ll discover its Medina accompanied by your English-speaking guide and walk to the seven golden gates that give entrance to the Royal Palace of Fez, which is unfortunately closed. You’ll also admire the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and cross the monumental Blue Gate (Bab Bou Jeloud).

Day 15: Fez – Tangier – Tarifa – Costa del Sol

On the fourteenth day, you’ll leave Morocco and return to Spain on a ferry from Tangier by sailing across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa. Here, you’ll take the coach back to Costa del Sol.

Day 16: Costa del Sol

Enjoy a whole day of sunbathing, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea and exploring the Costa del Sol at your own pace.

Day 17: Costa del Sol – Granada

Head to Granada, the last bastion of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Besides visiting the city, you’ll also follow your guide into the breath-taking Alhambra and the gardens of the Generalife. You'll then have time to discover the city at your own pace. 

Day 18: Granada – Toledo – Madrid

On the last day, you’ll head back north to Castilla-La Mancha region and stop at Toledo, cradle of civilizations where the Muslims, Hebrews and Christians left their imprints still visible to this day. Your professional guide will point out the main monuments and traces of Arabic, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque style architecture. After visiting the “Imperial City”, you’ll learn about Toledo’s renowned Damascening metalwork.     

Hop back on the coach, and head to Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, where the tour will end at approximately 7:30 pm.  

Accommodation

The tour includes 17 nights of accommodation in the following 4-star and 4+ star hotels, depending on the type of accommodation you choose upon booking:

Standard 4-Star:

• Porto: Hotel Tryp Porto Expo
• Lisbon: Hotel Lutécia or Hotel Roma
• Fátima: Hotel Estrela de Fátima or Aurea Fátima
• Cordoba: Tryp Córdoba Hotel
• Seville: Hotel Catalonia Santa Justa or Catalonia Giralda
• Costa del Sol: Hotel Sol Príncipe or Sol Don Pablo
• Casablanca: Prince de Paris Hotel or Mogador Marina
• Marrakech: Hotel Kenzi Basma or Mogador Kasbah
• Fez: Hotel Menzeh Zalagh
• Granada: Alixares Hotel

Superior 4+ Star:

• Porto: Hotel Tryp Porto Expo or Bessahotel Boavista
• Lisbon: Lutécia Hotel
• Fatima: Hotel Estrela de Fátima or Vila Gale Opera
• Cordoba: Hesperia Cordoba Hotel
• Seville: Silken Al-Andalus Palace or Hesperia Sevilla
• Costa del Sol: Sol Don Marco/Sol Don Pablo Hotel
• Casablanca: Hotel Farah Casablanca orGrand Mogador City Center
• Marrakech: Asni Hotel or Palm Plaza
• Fez: Hotel Zalagh Parc Palace
• Granada: Gran Hotel Luna or Catalonia Granada

Pricing

The prices are per person staying in a double room. You'll be charged a supplement if you're traveling by yourself and want a single room.

Children's fares: A maximum of one child under 4 years old per reservation can travel free, and a maximum of one child 4-7 years old per reservation can travel at a reduced price. In both cases, they will share a room with two accompanying adults.

Meeting Points

When booking, you can indicate to start the tour at one of the following meeting points:

• Hotel Riu Plaza España
• Hotel Princesa Plaza Madrid