18 Day Inspiring Spain, Portgal & Morocco

Bienvenidos – welcome to Spain! Your adventure begins in Barcelona with a welcome meeting at 6.00 pm. Check with hotel reception or look for a lobby notice to confirm the time.

If you arrive early, take time to explore this dynamic city known for its striking art and architecture. Hotel check-in is from 3.00 pm, but you can store your luggage at reception and start discovering the local area.

Note: Airport transfers aren’t included, but you can pre-book them through our transfer portal in your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed (fees apply). Early check-in may be possible, subject to hotel availability.

After breakfast, explore Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter on a guided walking tour, followed by a panoramic bus tour of the city.

The rest of the day is yours to discover more of this vibrant city, where beachy vibes meet proud Catalan culture. Admire the unique architecture of Antoni Gaudi, including his masterpiece—the towering Sagrada Familia. Art, history, and design lovers will find inspiration at every turn.

Wander Las Ramblas, the bustling boulevard alive with cafes, street performers and local flair. Take in panoramic views from church spires, stroll world-class museums, or simply sip a cortado at a sidewalk café. And don’t miss the tapas—small, flavour-packed bites best enjoyed at the bar, just like the locals.

After breakfast, travel south along the stunning Mediterranean coast to València.

En route, explore Peñíscola—a charming fortified town with a fairytale castle, narrow streets, and dramatic mountain views.

Spend the night in laid-back València, known for its beautiful churches, beaches, and as the birthplace of paella, Spain’s iconic dish.

Arrival is expected late afternoon. We recommend dinner at your hotel or nearby for a relaxing evening before tomorrow’s adventures.

After breakfast, get ready for an exciting journey to sunny Andalusia, Spain’s historic southern gem.

This region is rich with Roman, Moorish, and Christian heritage—and home to passionate flamenco, bullfighting, stunning beaches, and charming whitewashed villages under bright Mediterranean skies.

We’ll stop in Alicante for free time—climb Santa Barbara Castle for breathtaking coastal views or stroll along the beach.

By evening, arrive in Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. This Moorish jewel offers incredible architecture, lively tapas bars, and plenty to explore at your leisure.

After breakfast, explore the iconic Alhambra and Generalife Gardens—expect around three hours of walking, so bring comfy shoes! Your transfer will take you there for a self-guided audio tour (download the official app and bring headphones, as no devices are provided).

This stunning Moorish fortress and palace complex towers over Granada’s old Arabic quarter, boasting intricate palaces, lush gardens, and breathtaking Islamic art and architecture—a true masterpiece of Spain’s rich history.

Afterwards, enjoy free time to wander Granada’s charming streets. Discover the Albaicín’s maze of alleys, fountains, and whitewashed houses, browse crafts at the Alcaiceria bazaar, or relax in one of the city’s many lively tapas bars.

End the afternoon with a walk to a famous viewpoint offering spectacular views of the Alhambra. Evening is yours to soak up the magic of Granada at your own pace.

It’s an earlier start this morning, with a transfer to Algeciras to board the ferry to Morocco. Accompanied by your European guide, you’ll sail from Europe to Africa, crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.

Upon arrival, meet your Moroccan guide and journey by bus along the coast. We’ll stop in Asilah, a small city on the northwest tip of the Atlantic coast. The city is a living art gallery, thanks to its renowned month-long art festival every summer, where artists paint wall murals throughout the medina. Here you’ll have free time to explore.

We’ll then head to Rabat, the diplomatic and administrative capital, for the night.

After breakfast, your tour leader will guide you through Rabat’s highlights: the stunning Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of the Udayas, and the Royal Palace.

Next, head to romantic Casablanca, known for its art deco charm and the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque—Africa’s largest (entrance not included). Marvel at its intricate tiles, carvings, and glass floor that seems to float over the ocean.

Then, journey to exotic Marrakech—a sensory feast of spice markets, vibrant colours, lively music, and rich culture. After settling in, explore the bustling old medina by night and soak up the city’s magical atmosphere.

After breakfast, join your local guide for a morning stroll through Marrakech’s old medina—the city’s vibrant historic heart. Wander winding streets alive with shops, markets, and fragrant spices, all enclosed by 12th-century orange-red walls.

Visit the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, famous for its minaret that inspired others worldwide, surrounded by lovely gardens.

Then, explore the bustling Djemaa el-Fna square, a lively hub of street food, henna artists, snake charmers, and shoppers—a true sensory experience.

The afternoon is yours to dive deeper into the medina or browse the bazaar. Savor Moroccan delights like tajines, couscous, and pastilla, and don’t forget to relax like a local with sweet mint tea at a café as you watch the city pulse around you.

After breakfast, journey to the Sahara via Morocco’s highest pass, Tizi n’Tichka (2,260m), arriving at the ancient ksar of Ait Benhaddou—famous from Game of Thrones. This UNESCO site offers a stunning glimpse of traditional southern Moroccan clay architecture.

Explore the grand kasbah on a walking tour, then drive to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where iconic films like Lawrence of Arabia were made.

Tonight, relax in the beautiful Dadès Valley with a shared Moroccan dinner to end the day.

This morning after breakfast, we’ll depart for Todra Gorge, a breathtaking natural wonder with towering cliffs rising over 250 metres. Here, we’ll enjoy a walk through the dramatic gorges before stopping for coffee.

Our journey continues to Erfoud, known as the gateway to the Sahara. Upon arrival, the group will have free time, often spent in the desert to witness a stunning sunset.

Later, we’ll return to the hotel for a delicious buffet dinner.

After breakfast, head to Midelt, a market town nestled beneath the towering Mount Ayachi—a perfect place to pause and recharge on the journey from the Sahara.

Next, arrive in Fes, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual heart. Explore its well-preserved medieval medina at your own pace—wander ancient alleys, visit famous tanneries, or see the world’s oldest university during your free time.

This morning, explore Fes with your guide, starting at the royal palace’s seven golden gates and the old Jewish Quarter. Enter the medina through Bab Bou Jeloud, the famous blue gate, and wander its maze of narrow streets where artisans craft, vendors sell leather and oils, and locals shop and pray—no cars, just donkeys.

In the afternoon, travel to Tangier, Europe’s gateway to Africa. This coastal city blends African and European cultures and offers a lively medina filled with shops, teahouses, and winding alleys. Relax at the Grand Socco square, a bustling hub perfect for people-watching. The rest of the day is yours to explore.

Enjoy a relaxing morning, as in the afternoon you’ll be transferred to the port to meet your European guide and board your ferry back to Spain.

On arrival in Algeciras, you’ll be taken to Seville, capital of Andalusia. This bustling port is known for being a joyous town; famous for oranges, tapas and flamenco.

Seville is another Andalusian city that has roots linked to North Africa as seen through its architecture and cuisine. But it is flamenco for which Seville is truly famous. Originating as an expression of oppression by the region’s gypsy population, this area is the birthplace of the guitar, first designed for use in flamenco music. Today, the town is still the world capital of flamenco.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided orientation tour in the irresistible city of Seville. Seville is home to the country’s best Fiestas and the site of some well-known scenes in big films. Afterwards, perhaps visit the city’s colossal Gothic cathedral and its famous Giralda, or bell tower. The Seville Cathedral is the third largest church in the world as well as the largest Gothic church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the final burial place of Christopher Columbus. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure further discovering this enchanting city.

After breakfast, we’ll set off for Portugal today. On the way, we’ll stop in the charming town of Faro (time permitting).

On arrival in Lisbon, you will have the evening to relax after a long day of travel.

This morning after breakfast we will set out on a morning orientation tour of charismatic Lisbon.

We’ll visit traditional neighborhoods and take in the Belem district, a relaxed area on the Tagus River known for its fresh seafood restaurants and colourful houses. We invite all our travellers to try a “Belem cake”, an exquisite local delicacy. This area is the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century. Along our tour we will see Belem Tower and the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The afternoon following our guided tour is free for you to relax or explore this great city independently.

It’s a long day of travel to Madrid, Spain’s elegant capital. On the way we’ll stop in Mérida, with its imposing Roman theatre taking us back to the Roman Empire.

On arrival into Madrid, you will have the evening to relax and explore after a big day of travel.

Enjoy one last breakfast this morning, before your adventure comes to an end after checking out of your hotel.

Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.