12-Day Private Tour: Madrid–Córdoba–Granada–Seville–Tarifa–Tangier–Chefchaouen–Fez–Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh
This tour covers the main cities and attractions of Morocco and Spain. Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar with a 1-hour boat ride, you will witness the stark contrast between the two countries.
Days
12
Price
US$4,049 p/p
Best For
First-Timers
Best Time
Apr.to Oct.
Tour Highlights
See the city's famous monuments on foot to appreciate Madrid's brilliant history.
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba was built and extended over a period of nine centuries. It has some of the most beautiful architecture in Spain.
Alhambra Palace was established by medieval Moors of the Granada Emirate (1230–1492), it is recognized as the centerpiece of Moorish architecture in Spain.
Spain Square is Seville's iconic building cluster, the epitome of Moorish Revival architecture.
Chefchaouen is a relaxing tourist destination. Its medina (old town) of shady alleys and whitewashed houses with turquoise doors is perfect for photos.
Fez is the capital of the arts trade in Morocco, so there is no better place in the country to learn about Moroccan handicrafts. On this tour, you'll get a look at local craft manufacturing.
Visit the charming medieval fortress — the Kasbah of the Udayas. Look out from Rabat's ancient port and enjoy the beautiful ocean view. View the awesome Mausoleum of Mohammad V and Hassan Tower.
Admire the splendor of Bahia Palace. Visit Koutoubia Mosque, which is considered to be the most beautiful mosque in North Africa. Visit the Arab marketplace and handicraft quarters to witness a real-life scene from the Arabian Nights fairy tales and feel the vitality of local people's life.
Hassan II Mosque is the third largest mosque in the world. Located by the ocean, a third of the mosque was built over the sea to commemorate the fact that Morocco's Arab ancestors came from the sea.
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our travel adviser Albee Ning prepared a wonderful itinerary taking us to great locations with creative activities highlighting local culture.
We traveled with Asia Highlights (Lissie was our agent) several years ago when we went to Saigon, and the experience was so positive, we automatically went to Asia Highlights again for an extensive trip to Southeast Asia.
Itinerary Details
The itinerary below is just one of countless possible tours we could organize for you. We can customize your trip based on your needs. Let us know your preferences, and our travel experts will tailor-make the tour to suit your interests, tastes, and budget. During the trip, our guide will help you with hotel check-ins, meals, and transfers.
On arrival, your personal guide and driver will meet you and drive you to your hotel. Stay overnight in Madrid.
After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you around Madrid. Explore the city's famous monuments through a walking tour of the city center.
The afternoon is free for you to discover the city on your own. Then spend a second night in Madrid.
After breakfast, you will be taken to the train station where you will catch a train to Córdoba.
Upon arrival, meet your Córdoba guide and check in to your hotel. Drop off your bags and head to the city center, where you will see the Mosque-Cathedral.
The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the area, as you will spend the night in Córdoba.
After a sumptuous breakfast, check out from your Córdoba hotel and head to Granada.
Upon arrival, your guide will take you to visit Alhambra Palace, Spain's most famous monument from its Moorish heritage. It is one of the country's most visited tourist attractions. Walk around the fortress, palace, patios, and gardens, which are undoubtedly some of the most significant accomplishments of Islamic architecture.
You will have enough time to stroll through the magnificent gardens of Generalife, a royal summer residence from Moorish times (from the 13th/14th century). They are considered to be the most beautiful gardens in the world, filled with water features, diverse flora, and architecture of indescribable beauty. Both Alhambra Palace and Generalife are World Heritage.
Stay overnight in Granada.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and continue your journey onward to Seville.
Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will take you to visit the historical highlights of the city, where you can learn about its rich history — from its royal heritage to the lives of its citizens. The afternoon is free for you to explore the nearby areas.
Spend the night in Seville.
Have breakfast, then check out from your Seville hotel, and we'll transfer you to Tarifa Port. There, you will take a 1-hour ferry ride to Morocco.
Transfer to your hotel in Tangier, where dinner will be served.
Explore Tangier with your guide and then leave for Chefchaouen.
Chefchaouen is one of the most beautiful cities in the Rif, the mountainous massif that is the last natural "rampart" of Morocco before the Mediterranean Sea and the Iberian Peninsula.
Chefchaouen is known for its medina of shady alleys and whitewashed houses with turquoise doors, wrought iron windows, and tile-covered roofs. It is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Tangier and Spain.
Your driver will then take you to Fez, where you will stay overnight. Enjoy the convenience of dinner at your hotel.
Visit Fez, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Your guide will take you to see the old part of Fez. With its numerous souks (alley markets), Fez is a paradise for artisans, whose timeless crafts will charm you. Visit Bab Bou Jeloud (Fez's ornate city gate), the leather workshops, and the Nejjarine Fountain.
You may opt for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to stroll through the city's alleys to truly admire the architectural marvels of the Bou Inania Madrasa (only the Islamic school's entrance is viewable), Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and Karaouine Mosque & University (the oldest university in the world).
Stay overnight in Fez with dinner provided in your hotel.
After breakfast, head to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. Visit Mechouar, the Oudayas Garden and Kasbah, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and Hassan Tower. Your guide and driver will then take you to Casablanca. Stay overnight in Casablanca and enjoy the dinner at your hotel.
After breakfast at your hotel, spend the morning exploring Casablanca. You have the option to have lunch at a local restaurant there. Visit Mohammed V Square, Anfa residential area, and Hassan II Mosque (viewed from outside).
Continue to Marrakesh, check in to your hotel, and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner provided.
After having breakfast, you will have a full day to explore Morocco's second-oldest imperial city after Fez.
Marrakesh is also known as "the Red City of Morocco". Founded by Almoravids in the 11th century, the city is home to prestigious monuments bearing witness to the history of North Africa.
The most renowned historical attractions of this city include the Koutoubia Mosque, Agdal Gardens, which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the Bahia Palace (only the impressive entrance will be viewed), and Saadian Tombs.
Stay overnight in Marrakesh with dinner served at your hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca airport to take your flight back home.
Hand-picked Hotels
Price Includes
Price from: $4,049 (Tour code: gh-mr-11)
Trip Notes
These trip notes give more information about the tour details. Every element of the tour can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.
1) English-Speaking Drivers
Your English-speaking drivers will meet you with your name sign and see you off at the airport, as well drive for you among the cities of Morocco and Spain.
2) Private City Guides
Local English-speaking guides are provided and entrance fees are prepaid during visits to the following cities and attractions: Tangier, Casablanca: Hassan II Mosque (viewed from the outside), Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fez: Bou Inania Madrasa and Nejjarine Fountain, Marrakesh: Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, Madrid, Córdoba: Mosque-Cathedral, Granada: Alhambra Palace, and Seville: Real Alcazar.
Your guides who will guide you to discover the place and share their local knowledge and perspective with you. Feel free to ask questions as our guides are available to provide you insight into their local culture, history, and life.
3) Meals
Breakfasts are included in the tour. Usually, buffet breakfasts are available in hotels.
Lunch and dinner are not included in Spain. Set meals for dinner are included in Morocco. Feel free to ask your guide for restaurant suggestions, or we could tailor your tour to include more meals.
4) Transportation between Cities: Views along the Way
A private vehicle is the main transportation tool for getting between cities in Morocco. Some days you may have a 3–5-hour drive to the next destination. Your private driver will make some stops along the way to help ease your journey and to soak in the views.
5) Accommodation
We've chosen our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels with a taste of local flavor. Please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may differ from Western standards.
Why Travel with Global Highlights During the Pandemic
- Tailor-made experience: All of your ideas/needs will be carefully considered to create your ideal trip.
- Worry-free planning: Your 1:1 travel consultant in Asia will take all the uncertainty out of your planning, helping you navigate any travel restrictions.
- No-risk booking: 100% refund policy! (prior to 3 weeks before departure, more details)
