Spain, Portugal & Morocco Encompassed - 23 days
Spain, Portugal & Morocco Encompassed - 23 days
Spain, Portugal & Morocco Encompassed - 23 days
23 Days Starting in Barcelona and ending in Madrid
Visiting: Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, Porto, Lisbon, Caceres, Cordoba, Seville, Costa del Sol, Tangier, Fes, Rabat, Marrakech, Granada, Toledo
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 24
Age range:
No minimum age
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
COACH TOUR: Our longest Spain tour departs from Barcelona to explore the best of Portugal, Andalucia and Morocco! Visit La Sagrada Familia and tour Barcelona before taking the train to Madrid. Eat authentic Tapas and visit Salamanca en route to Porto for a Douro River cruise. See the sights in Lisbon and Seville, unwind on the blissful beaches of the Costa del Sol and visit the Alhambra in Granada. Take the ferry to Morocco for guided sightseeing in Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat and Fes, and end your adventure back in the Spanish capital, Madrid.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Barcelona
On arrival in Barcelona, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free for you to head out and explore the city.
Day 2: Barcelona
Location: Barcelona
Meals Included: Breakfast
We enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour in Barcelona this morning. Driving down the city's main streets, we will admire some of Gaudi's impressive modernist works, such as Le Pedrera and Casa Mila. We stroll through Montjuic Park to admire the surrounding views of the city and we end our tour with a visit to La Sagrada Familia. This is the crown jewel of Gaudi's work and is due to be completed in 2026, exactly 100 years since the great architect died. Entrance to the cathedral is included. After our tour, the rest of today is free for you to continue exploring Barcelona. Perhaps head for a walk along the beach, find some dinner along La Rambla, or head to Parc Guell to see even more of Gaudi's work!
Day 3: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Barcelona - Madrid. After breakfast this morning there is an included transfer to the train station, from where you will take the high speed train to Madrid - you will travel unescorted but will be met by your guide when disembarking in Madrid. There's an included transfer to the hotel, and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 4: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we take an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid. Highlights of the excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería region, Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol central square, Plaza Mayor and the Neptuno Fountains. These are dedicated to Neptune, a Roman water god. In the more modern part of the city we see the Salamanca district, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste. We also see the Santiago Bernabeu, the football stadium of Real Madrid, the most successful European club.
The rest of today is free for you to relax in the hotel or head out and explore further at your own pace. Tonight we enjoy a group dinner at a local Tapas restaurant. Get to know your fellow travellers and enjoy some authentic Spanish cuisine.
Day 5: Salamanca
Location: Salamanca
Meals Included: Breakfast
Madrid - Salamanca - Porto (Portugal). Departing Madrid after breakfast, we make a stop in the university city of Salamanca, with free time to enjoy a stroll around. After our visit, we cross the border into Portugal and complete our drive to Porto. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto is located along the Douro River estuary and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Day 6: Porto
Location: Porto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is spent exploring Porto with a number of included activities. We enjoy a guided city tour, taking in highlights such as the Cathedral, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church. We also take a cruise on the Douro River, which runs through the heart of Porto. And we visit one of the riverfront Port Wine Cellars, with included tasting of this local drink.
Day 7: Porto
Location: Porto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Porto - Coimbra - Fatima. Departing Porto after breakfast, our first stop today is in Coimbra. This riverfront city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which was established in 1290. It was also the birthplace of Fado music. There's free time to explore.
We complete our drive to Fatima, another important site in Christianity. It is here, at the Cova da Iria that the Virgin Mary appeared before three local shepherd children - Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, who are buried at the Sanctuary of Our Lady Fatima, the country's most important pilgrimage site. Tonight, we may be able to attend the candlelit procession at around 22:00.
Day 8: Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fatima - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. This morning we visit the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery, a 14th Century Gothic masterpiece, built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. We then enjoy some free time in the quaint fishing village of Nazare before arriving in Alcobaca, where we can see the even older 12th Century monastery located here. This is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. After admiring the monastery, we complete our journey to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. The evening is at leisure.
Day 9: Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our day starts with a city sightseeing tour, taking in many of Lisbon's highlights. We see the city's main plazas, the fortified Belem Tower, Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers and the Marquis of Pombal Square roundabout.
The afternoon is free, and we recommend you head into the Alfama Quarter, the oldest part of Lisbon. Crowned by the Sao Jorge Castle, this part of the city features narrow alleyways and colourful 'tabernas'.
Tonight, there is an included group dinner at one of the oldest Fado venues in Lisbon.
Day 10: Caceres
Location: Caceres
Meals Included: Breakfast
Lisbon - Caceres (Spain) - Cordoba. After breakfast we say farewell to Lisbon and head back into Spain, specifically the southern region of Andalusia. Before we reach mainland Spain's southernmost region, we stop in Caceres. The Old Town here is UNESCO-listed, known for its blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. There's time for a walk through the Plaza Mayor Square and the Old Town. We then climb back on board our coach and complete the journey to Cordoba, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 11: Cordoba
Location: Cordoba
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cordoba - Seville. This morning we tour Cordoba, an important Roman city that was also an Islamic centre during the Middle Ages. The most important landmark here is the sprawling La Mezquita mosque-cathedral, which dates back to 988 AD. Entrance to the mosque is included on our tour and we also take a stroll through the Jewish Quarter before departing the city and travelling south-west to Seville, capital of Andalusia.
Day 12: Seville
Location: Seville
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we explore Seville on a guided tour. Entrance to the city's cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world, is included. We also visit the Santa Cruz Quarter, where the famous opera 'Carmen' is largely set. Wander through Maria Luisa Park and the picturesque Plaza Espana. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to further explore Seville at your own pace.
Day 13: Costa Del Sol
Location: Costa del Sol
Meals Included: Breakfast
Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol. Leaving Seville after breakfast, we pass through quaint Andalusian villages and make a stop in the picturesque mountain-top town of Ronda, where there is free time to explore and admire the view of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Continuing our journey, we stop at a local Almazara, olive oil mill. Here we can walk through the olive groves and taste some of the delicious organic olive oil produced here. We then reach the stunning Mediterranean coast of the Costa del Sol, where we will usually stay in Malaga or Torremolinos. The evening is at leisure.
Day 14: Costa Del Sol
Location: Costa del Sol
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is completely free for you to enjoy the sunshine and beaches of the Costa del Sol. Grab a sunbed and a book, head for a walk along the seafront or taste some fresh seafood in one of the area's fabulous restaurants.
Day 15: Tangier
Location: Tangier
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Costa del Sol - Tarifa - Tangier (Morocco) - Meknes - Fes. Today we say goodbye to Spain, as we drive along the coast to the port town of Tarifa, and board a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier. After clearing customs, we head to to the imperial city of Meknes, before continuing on to Fes. Your first evening in Morocco is at leisure, and dinner is included.
Day 16: Fes
Location: Fes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we enjoy a tour of ancient, UNESCO-listed Fes, most important of the imperial cities in Morocco and the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. On our tour we will wander down some of the old walled city's 9,400 alleyways and take in the heart of the medina. We also see the seven gates of the Royal Palace, explore the Jewish Quarter and admire the ornate gate of Bab Bou Jeloud, built by the colonial French administration in 1913. Tonight there is an optional show with dinner included - book and pay locally.
Day 17: Rabat
Location: Rabat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Fes - Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. Today is a big day of sightseeing for us in Morocco! We start with a guided tour of Rabat, taking in the ornate Royal Palace from the outside, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan Tower. Hassan Tower is the minaret of an incomplete mosque which was intended to be the largest mosque in the world, but failed quite comprehensively! Commissioned by Caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur in the 12th Century, construction was abandoned after his death in 1199.
After our tour we leave the city and travel to Casablanca. On our included sightseeing tour we will see United Nations Square, the Boulevard de la Corniche and the exterior of the iconic Hassan II mosque. The magical city of Marrakech is our final destination for today.
Day 18: Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Marrakech - Casablanca. Our sightseeing of Marrakech today begins in the tranquil Menara Gardens. On our included sightseeing tour we also see the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Bay Palace, Saadian Tombs necropolis and the atmospheric Djemaa el Fna main square - where fortune tellers, snake charmers, market sellers and acrobats entertain and enthral the crowds. It's the heart of the city and a fascinating place to explore.
After time for lunch at the hotel, we head back to Casablanca.
Day 19-20: Tangier
Location: Tangier
Meals Included: Breakfast
Casablanca - Tangier - Tarifa (Spain) - Costa del Sol. After breakfast on day 19 we depart Fes and make our way back to the port city of Tangier. Here we board the ferry and retrace our steps back across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa in Spain. From here we return to the Costa del Sol, and enjoy our first evening back in Spain.
Day 20 is free for you to enjoy some more leisure time on the beaches of the Costa del Sol - time to top up that tan!
Day 21: Granada
Location: Granada
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Costa del Sol - Granada. Today we travel to Granada and enjoy an included visit to the Alhambra complex. This famous 13th century palace and fortress is one of the best-preserved examples of early Islamic architecture anywhere in the world, as well as being home to important Spanish Renaissance architecture. We'll tour Alhambra and the adjacent Generalife Palace and Gardens. The gardens have historically inspired many authors, including Washington Irving. This American author wrote his Tales of the Alhambra in 1832 whilst visiting the area.
Back in the city, there is some free time before we enjoy an included group dinner and Flamenco show.
Day 22: Toledo
Location: Toledo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Granada - Toledo - Madrid. We return to the Spanish capital of Madrid today, stopping in the imperial hilltop city of Toledo en route. This picturesque location is surrounded by the Tagus River and is protected by UNESCO. It's also something of a confluence of culture, with Christians, Jews and Muslims having lived side by side for centuries. We enjoy a short tour of the historic Old Town before completing our journey back to the Spanish capital, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 23: Madrid
Location: Madrid
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
4 - 5 star hotels -
22 nights 4-5-star hotels
-
22 breakfasts & 7 dinners
-
Escorted by an English-speaking Spanish tour leader with the services of local guides for city sightseeing (please note you will have a different tour leader in Morocco)
-
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 23
-
Transportation by deluxe coach with Wi-Fi and audio headsets
-
High-speed train ticket in Tourist Class from Barcelona to Madrid (unescorted)
-
Return ferry from Tarifa - Tangier
-
Guided sightseeing in Barcelona, Madrid, Porto, Lisbon, Cordoba, Seville, Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Granada & Toledo
-
Entrance to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
-
Douro River Cruise & wine tasting in Porto
What's Not Included
-
Additional meals and drinks unless specified
-
International flights and visas
-
City tax of approximately €4.95 per person per night in Barcelona and €2 per person per night in Porto and Lisbon (approx €17.90 in total per person). To be paid directly to the hotel at check-in/out. Please note we recommend paying your city tax when che
-
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Check out our Q&As
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Saturday
Sep 27, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Friday - Saturday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Friday - Saturday
Oct 11, 2024 - Nov 02, 2024Friday - Saturday
Oct 18, 2024 - Nov 09, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.