Madrid to Marrakech



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Walk the cobbled streets and fascinating bazaars of Spain, Portugal and Morocco
Enjoy a first-hand experience of Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan lifestyles on this 15-day adventure through three vibrant countries. Travelling from Madrid to Marrakech, immerse yourself in the history of each destination, exploring ancient cultures through art, design, language and religion, trying local delicacies along the way. From Spanish dancing to the Algarve coastline to the fascinating Islamic architecture in Morocco, you’ll experience a collision of old and new, European and African. See a traditional Fado performance, explore museums, watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean and discover bustling medinas which overwhelm the senses.
4.8
125 reviewsStart: Madrid, Spain
End: Marrakech, Morocco
- Duration
- 15 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Wander around Salamanca's lit up Plaza Mayor by night and explore the cobblestoned streets of Seville by day – Andalusia's largest city.
- Enjoy an unforgettable Fado performance in Coimbra. Fado is an emotional form of Portuguese music which often expresses the hard realities of daily life, balancing both resignation and hopefulness.
- Make the most of your free time in Lisbon – this city has so much to offer, from its beautiful museums, monuments and parks to its famous trams, bars and restaurants.
- Buy fresh local produce at the morning market during your stay on The Algarve and soak up the sun on the calm beaches. As the day winds down, experience the magic of an unforgettable sunset over the vast Atlantic Ocean.
- Explore the twisting, colourful labyrinthine streets of the Fes and Marrakech medinas with a local guide to lead you to all of the best spots and ensure you don't get lost!
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in Madrid, the central capital known for its boulevards and expansive, manicured parks. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your group and local leader. After the meeting, head out for an optional group dinner where you can get to know your fellow travellers. As there's limited time for sightseeing in Madrid, consider flying in a few days early to explore and maybe while away the hours along the Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) or maybe discover more about the modern Spanish masters like Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR13
- Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
- Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
- Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR12
- Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR14
- Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR99
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Say farewell to Madrid this morning and head north-west by public transport to the university town of Salamanca. Sitting among pastures and rolling green hills on Spain's northern plateau, the medieval town of Salamanca is great to explore on foot. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk when you arrive, where you can explore the central Plaza Mayor and the Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free. You can explore the detail of the Casa de Las Conchas (House of the Shells), see the contrasting Old and New Cathedrals, or climb to the top to get a view across the terracotta-coloured rooftops. Thanks to the large student population the town has a vibrant nightlife, so maybe soak up the vibe tonight, go dancing or grab a couple of drinks.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Salamanca - Orientation walk
- Salamanca - Art Nouveau & Art Deco Museum - EUR5
- Salamanca - Unamuno House Museum - EUR4
- Salamanca - New Cathedral - EUR5
- Salamanca - Old Cathedral - EUR5
- Salamanca - University of Salamanca - EUR10
- Salamanca - Casa de Las Conchas - Free
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Head further west on your private bus today and cross the border into Portugal to the laidback city of Coimbra – your base for the next two nights. Sitting on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the capital of the county, and its royal heritage can be felt in its ancient streets. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the maze of alleyways. Half the fun of Coimbra is wandering and exploring, so maybe use your free time getting to know the city on foot. Coimbra features many white stone buildings with excellent examples of the colourful azulejos tiling. Some of the historical structures were originally built in the 12th century (like the Cathedral Se Velha), and you can find some of Portugal's best examples of Romanesque churches and elegant museums here. The University of Coimbra – the oldest in Portugal – and the famous baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina are great places to start.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Coimbra - Orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Today is a free day to explore Coimbra. Maybe head into the countryside in search of ancient Roman ruins – the ruins of Conimbriga are rich in well-preserved mosaics and offer a great insight into Roman life. There are several options to return, including a 3-km walk through the countryside to the rural town of Condeixa or a half-hour bus ride. If you have time, you can take a short boat tour to see Coimbra from a different angle. Alternatively. head out to Porto for the day. Stretching along the banks of the River Douro, Porto is one of Portugal's most romantic cities, known for majestic bridges, medieval riverside district with its cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes. Back in Coimbra for the evening, you’ll head to a traditional Fado performance. Fado songs must follow a particular structure, and though this traditional music can really be about anything, it popularly features mournful tunes with lyrics about the sea or the life of the poor. In Coimbra, university students would often serenade their sweethearts with this music!
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
- Coimbra - Mondego River Boat Trip - EUR10
- Coimbra - Cathedrals - EUR5
- Coimbra - Conimbriga Ruins - EUR10
- Coimbra - Portugal Dos Pequenitos - EUR15
- Coimbra - Joanine University Library Guided Tour - EUR14
If you are planning to visit University of Coimbra and the Joanina Library, consider prebooking your tickets to ensure availability tickets should be booked on the official website: https://visit.uc.pt/en/
Today, take a train through the countryside of central Portugal to Lisbon. As one of Europe's most affordable capital cities, Lisbon combines the best elements of Portuguese life, offering a multicultural population, delicious seafood and non-stop nightlife. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk on the banks of the Tagus (Tejo) River. Much of Lisbon’s character and lies in its beautifully renovated buildings, grand boulevards and impressive castles and churches. Visit the medieval citadel in the city centre, the Citadel of Sao Jorge Castle, which dates back to Moorish times and sits on the highest point of the Old Town. Your evening is free to explore at your own pace, so maybe head to the grand Naval Museum for an insight into the history of Portuguese navigation. If you want to jump into the local nightlife, head to Barrio Alto.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lisbon - Sao Jorge Castle
- Lisbon - Orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Today is free for you to explore more of Lisbon, or you can take a 45-minute train ride out to the mountainous region of Sintra – a jewel of Portugal where you’ll see the Pena Palace. This area offers great walking opportunities, cliff-top palaces and unique Moorish architecture. The 8th-century Castle of the Moors looks down on the Old Town, and the views from the battlements across the Serra de Sintra Mountain Range are worth the trip.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Sintra - Palacio Nacional - EUR13
- Sintra - Palacio da Pena - EUR20
- Sintra - Return Train Ticket - EUR10
- Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros - EUR12
- Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR7
- Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR25
- Lisbon - Fado Show with Dinner - EUR50
- Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
- Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR5
- Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR8
- Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5
- Lisbon - Traditional Boat Tour - EUR15
- Lisbon - Canned Fish Tasting - EUR7
Take a bus journey to the southern coastline of Portugal – the Algarve, known for fertile plains rich with orange and olive groves, fig trees, almonds and maize fields. Your base will be in Faro – the capital of the region known for its Old Town, which you enter through the neoclassical Arco da Vila. When you arrive, check into your home for the next two nights and use the rest of the day to explore. Maybe wander the cobbled streets, see the 13th-century Faro Cathedral of head to the Municipal Museum set in a 16th-century convent, which displays prehistoric and medieval artifacts as well as religious art.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Faro is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a series of barrier islands, creating a beautiful landscape of canals, salt pans, lagoons and sandbanks. Today, you’ll board a local passenger boat and head out to one of these islands where you can wander along a series of boardwalks leading away from the fishermen’s settlements. You'll cross over dunes and lagoons to beaches that are so long that they disappear into the horizon. Return to Faro in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Maybe use the area's great walking paths to access some of the Algarve's lesser known spots or find a good spot to watch the sunset.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Algarve - Island Day Trip by Boat
- Algarve - Birdwatching Tour - EUR35
- Algarve - Marine Wildlife Watching Tour - EUR45
- Algarve - Boat Trip Rio Formosa - EUR30
- Algarve - Fishing Trip - EUR40
Leave Portugal behind and return to Spain, travelling by private vehicle to the city of Seville. If the legends are to be believed, Seville was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. To the Romans it was Hispalis, and to the Moors it was Isbiliya. After the Christian reconquest, it became thought of as the portal to the 'New World' and today is the largest city in southern Spain, well-known for its oranges, tapas and flamenco. When you arrive, head out for a short orientation walk around the main sites, then enjoy some free time in the late afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Seville - Orientation Walk
- Seville - Real Alcazar - EUR14
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
If you wish to visit the Royal Alcazar of Seville, it’s best to pre-book your tickets before the tour. Please check https://www.alcazarsevilla.org/en/ for more information and availability.
This morning, rise early to start your long journey to Chefchaouen. You'll head toward Tarifa and then leave Europe behind as you make your way to Africa. After leaving the ferry, you'll be picked up by the Moroccan crew and make your way to a mountain town peppered with blue-washed buildings and ambient restaurants – Chefchaouen, the centre of an agricultural region. There may not be much time to explore this rural retreat by the time you arrive today, but you might just have time to look over the 15th-century Grand Mosque and the medina. Tonight, maybe tuck into some popular local goats’ cheese or a tajine before settling into your hotel.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Please have your passport handy as today you'll head over to Morocco. Your leader will change when you arrive into the port of Tangier. After an introduction, your European leader will return to Spain, while your Moroccan leader will take care of you on the Moroccan part of the trip.
Meet your local guide early in the day to explore the maze of streets in Chefchaouen. The ‘blue city’ is arguably one of the prettiest places in Morocco. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen’s medina has been lovingly cared for with striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways. The medina is filled with handicrafts, while the main square has shops selling woven goods and sweets. Learn about general life in a small Moroccan community, visit a communal bakery and walk up to a former mosque for a great view over the town. As a popular shopping destination for handicrafts, carpets, blankets or woollen garments, you may also see the artisans at work. After your walking tour, maybe head to a traditional Moroccan hammam to relax.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Chefchaouen - Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Chefchaouen - Hammam (public baths) - MAD150
- Chefchaouen - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
Say farewell to Chefchaouen today and jump on a private minivan trip to the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Arrive in the city of Fes and step back in time to the medieval medina, thick with tantalising smells, tastes and sounds. Vibrant, noisy and fascinating, the medina is a feast for the senses. With your free afternoon, maybe have a glass of mint tea and some sweet Moroccan dates to refuel, then continue exploring. Tonight, you might like to try some local specialities like harira (chickpea soup) or chicken-stuffed pastilla with couscous. Watch the sunset over the medina, then head back to your accommodation for a night’s rest.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Take a guided walking tour of the Old City, known locally as Fes el Bali, and step back in time to the labyrinth of the medina. Alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries and mosques, you’ll pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souks. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and its libraries are legendary. Its mosques are of great renown. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Pass the Belghazi Museum, Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine – a beautifully restored 18th century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. After the tour, the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Fes - Medina walking tour
You'll be on your feet for at least 5 to 6 hours today to explore the medina. We highly recommend you wear appropriate footwear. Today’s experience will also include some visits to carefully selected shops. As the receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry, Intrepid has established a centralised system of receiving and distributing payments from these recommended suppliers. For more information, please refer to the ‘Important Notes’ section or talk to your Tour leader on the ground.
Travel by train this morning to Marrakech. When you arrive, head out with the group for a quick visit to the main square – Djemaa el-Fna. The square is filled with a hive of activity. Henna painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies. From a distance, you'll see the Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret – famous throughout the world as one of the greatest minarets and the 'sister' to the Giralda in Seville. You can have dinner here or ask your local leader for a great local restaurant recommendation and celebrate a trip well-travelled with your group.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
- Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
- Marrakech - Hamam (public baths) - MAD250
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
After breakfast this morning, your adventure comes to an end. As there's not much time spent in Marrakech, it’s recommended you book an extra few nights of accommodation. If you would like to extend your stay, maybe explore the ruins of Palais Badi – once one of the most beautiful palaces in the world – or head to the bazaar, where every step to a new souq brings a new smell, a new sight or a new gift. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD650
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
Inclusions and activities
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Train, Ferry, Metro, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Hotel (14 nights)
- Salamanca - Orientation walk
- Coimbra - Orientation walk
- Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
- Lisbon - Sao Jorge Castle
- Lisbon - Orientation walk
- Algarve - Island Day Trip by Boat
- Seville - Orientation Walk
- Chefchaouen - Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Fes - Medina walking tour
- Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR13
- Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
- Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
- Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR12
- Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR14
- Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR99
- Salamanca - Art Nouveau & Art Deco Museum - EUR5
- Salamanca - Unamuno House Museum - EUR4
- Salamanca - New Cathedral - EUR5
- Salamanca - Old Cathedral - EUR5
- Salamanca - University of Salamanca - EUR10
- Salamanca - Casa de Las Conchas - Free
- Coimbra - Mondego River Boat Trip - EUR10
- Coimbra - Cathedrals - EUR5
- Coimbra - Conimbriga Ruins - EUR10
- Coimbra - Portugal Dos Pequenitos - EUR15
- Coimbra - Joanine University Library Guided Tour - EUR14
- Sintra - Palacio Nacional - EUR13
- Sintra - Palacio da Pena - EUR20
- Sintra - Return Train Ticket - EUR10
- Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros - EUR12
- Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR7
- Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR25
- Lisbon - Fado Show with Dinner - EUR50
- Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
- Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR5
- Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR8
- Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5
- Lisbon - Traditional Boat Tour - EUR15
- Lisbon - Canned Fish Tasting - EUR7
- Algarve - Birdwatching Tour - EUR35
- Algarve - Marine Wildlife Watching Tour - EUR45
- Algarve - Boat Trip Rio Formosa - EUR30
- Algarve - Fishing Trip - EUR40
- Seville - Real Alcazar - EUR14
- Chefchaouen - Hammam (public baths) - MAD150
- Chefchaouen - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
- Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
- Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
- Marrakech - Hamam (public baths) - MAD250
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure - MAD640
- Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD650
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
This trip generates 26 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- This trip covers a lot of ground and the majority of travel is done by trains, ferries and public buses. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe and Morocco have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- Space is at a premium in Europe and Morocco and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
- Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
EUROPEAN HOTELS
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Gran Legazpi Hotel
Paseo de la Chopera 71
Madrid
SPAIN
Phone: +34 915396600
Description
The Gran Legazpi Hotel is located in the Legazpi neighbourhood of Madrid, next to the emblematic Plaza de Legazpi, close to Madrid's shopping, cultural and financial centre. It is situated on Metro line 3, with a ride into the centre of Madrid taking approximately 15 minutes. The Gran Legazpi is a modern hotel, offering fully equipped rooms with the latest amenities.
Instructions
Madrid International Airport Barajas (airport code MAD) is located within the city limits, just 9km from the city centre. From the airport take metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios metro station and then metro line 6 (circular line clockwise) to Legazpi metro station. Alternatively metered taxis are available in taxi ranks outside any of the main terminal exits. Please note that the metro line from the airport to the city centre is particularly notorious for pickpockets, and travellers with backpacks or suitcases are indeed a target. Please ensure you are careful with your valuables on the metro.
If you have pre book an arrival transfer, you must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel. Upon landing, please proceed to airport arrivals and your driver will be waiting for you holding a board with the Intrepid logo or your name. If you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact our local operations office at +49 8677 918 6657 and dial 1 for Transfers.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for transport tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
3. Your leader will change when you arrive into the port of Tangier. After an introduction, your European leader will return to Spain, while your Moroccan leader will take care of you on the Moroccan part of the trip.
4. Please provide your full name and passport details at the time of booking so that we can secure train tickets for you.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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