Spain, Portugal & Morocco Trip Guide
Three countries, two continents, one logical circuit. Itineraries, transport connections, budget, food, and the tour that takes you from Tangier to Marrakech through the Sahara.
A trip to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco is one of the best multi-country itineraries in the world. The three countries share a history — 700 years of Moorish rule across the Iberian Peninsula left its mark on Andalusian architecture, food, and music in ways that make Morocco feel like a continuation of southern Spain rather than a departure from it. The 35-minute ferry from Tarifa to Tangier is the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa. You step off in another continent.
This guide covers the practical details of combining all three countries in one trip — the best itinerary structures for different trip lengths, how to travel between each country, where to cross to Morocco, what to budget, what to eat, and how the Morocco leg connects to the desert tours from Tangier that take you south through the Sahara to Marrakech.
Why Spain, Portugal & Morocco Work as One Trip
Most travellers who combine these three countries do it as a one-way circuit rather than a loop. The geographic logic is straightforward: Portugal is the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain’s Andalusia is the southern edge. Morocco begins 14 km across the Strait of Gibraltar. You can travel from Lisbon to Marrakech overland and by ferry without a single flight — and the journey is part of the experience.
Portugal is the most undervisited country in Western Europe for its size. Lisbon’s Alfama district, the Belem Tower, Sintra’s hilltop palaces, and the long beaches of the Algarve cover a range of experiences in a compact geography. Porto in the north has the best wine tourism in Europe and a well-preserved historic centre.
Allow 3 to 4 days minimum. Fly into Lisbon or Porto. Exit south by bus or train to Seville.
Andalusia is the Spain that connects most directly to Morocco. Seville has the finest Gothic cathedral in the world, the Moorish Alcazar palace, and tapas culture that runs from 8pm until midnight. Granada’s Alhambra is the most visited monument in Spain — book tickets 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Tarifa is the southernmost point of continental Europe and the ferry port for Morocco.
Allow 2 to 4 days. Exit south to Tarifa by bus from Seville (2 hours).
Morocco is the most diverse country of the three — Mediterranean port in the north, Rif mountain towns, imperial cities, Sahara desert, High Atlas range, and Atlantic coast, all within a country the size of France. The circuit from Tangier to Marrakech covers the full sweep in 7 days without repeating a road.
Allow 7 to 10 days minimum for a meaningful Morocco experience. Fly home from Marrakech.
Sample Itineraries — 10, 14, and 21 Days
10 Days — Morocco Focus (Best Value for Time)
Fly into Seville or arrive by train from Madrid (2.5 hours by AVE high-speed). One afternoon and evening covers the Alcazar, a walk through the Barrio Santa Cruz, and dinner with multiple tapas rounds. Leave the next morning for Tarifa by bus (2 hours).
FRS or Balearia fast ferry from Tarifa to Tangier Ville. 35 minutes crossing. Arrive at the port in the city centre, 10 minutes walk from the medina. Tangier is the start of the Morocco leg.
Private tour from Tangier to Marrakech covering Chefchaouen, Fes, the Ziz Valley, Erg Chebbi and the Sahara desert, Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou, and Marrakech. Pick up in Tangier on day one. Drop off in Marrakech on day seven. Fly home from Marrakech on day eight.
14 Days — The Full Iberian + Morocco Circuit
Fly into Lisbon. Alfama and Belem on day one, Sintra (30 minutes by train) on day two. Pasteis de nata at the original Pasteis de Belem bakery near the tower. Exit by Rede Expressos bus to Seville (3 hours) on day three morning.
Seville (2 nights) — Alcazar, cathedral, Triana district, flamenco. Bus to Granada (3 hours). Granada (1 night) — Alhambra in the morning (book tickets 3 to 4 weeks ahead), Albaicin quarter in the afternoon. Bus from Granada to Tarifa via Algeciras (3 hours). Ferry to Tangier from Tarifa (35 minutes).
Private 7-day tour from Tangier: night one in Chefchaouen, nights two and three in Fes, Sahara desert camp at Erg Chebbi on night four, Merzouga hotel on night five, Dades Valley on night six, Ait Ben Haddou day stop, Marrakech on night seven. Fly home from Marrakech.
21 Days — The Complete Circuit
Add Porto (2 nights) at the start of the Portugal leg, Algarve (2 nights) between Lisbon and Seville, Cordoba as a day trip from Seville (1 hour by train, the Mezquita is unmissable), and Tarifa as a night stop before the ferry. In Morocco, extend the Fes stay to 3 nights and add Meknes and Volubilis as a day trip. Everything else stays the same.
How to Travel Between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco
Rede Expressos bus: 3 hours, around €20. Iryo/Renfe train via Badajoz: around 5 hours with connection. Bus is faster and more direct for this specific route.
Comes bus from Seville Plaza de Armas: 2 hours, around €15. Multiple daily departures. Alternatively Seville to Algeciras by bus (2 hours) for the Tangier Med vehicle crossing.
FRS or Balearia fast ferry: 35 minutes, foot passengers only, from around €40 return. Arrivals at Tangier Ville port, city centre location. Book online at frs.es or balearia.com.
ONCF trains connect Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes, and Meknes. CTM buses for cities not on the rail network. Private desert tour for the south — no practical public transport on desert routes.
Marrakech Menara (RAK) and Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) have the most frequent connections back to European cities. Book the return flight when you confirm the tour dates.
You can take a hire car from Spain to Morocco but check hire car terms carefully — many Spanish hire companies prohibit driving in Morocco. A car rented in Morocco is the cleaner option for the Morocco leg.
Best Time to Visit Spain, Portugal & Morocco Together
The best time to visit Spain, Portugal, and Morocco together is April to May or September to October. These windows work well across all three countries simultaneously — comfortable temperatures in Portugal and Spain, and the optimum conditions for Morocco (not too hot in the cities, excellent desert weather).
- April to May — the rose harvest in Morocco’s Dades Valley, almond blossom in the Atlas, wildflowers on the Spanish plains, and green hills in the Algarve. The most atmospheric time for the full circuit. Book accommodation in Morocco 2 to 3 months ahead for Easter week.
- September to October — summer crowds clear from Portugal and Spain. Morocco is excellent — October has some of the best desert light of the year. Prices drop from the August peak. One of the best underrated windows for the full trip.
- November to March — off-peak across all three countries. Portugal and southern Spain are mild (14 to 20°C). Morocco’s cities are pleasant. Desert nights are cold (5 to 8°C at camp). Cheapest flights and accommodation of the year.
- July to August — avoid for Morocco’s interior and the Sahara (40 to 45°C). Portugal and northern Spain are busy and expensive. Tarifa has reliable wind for kitesurfing. If summer is the only window, base in coastal areas.
The Morocco Leg — 7 Days Tangier to Marrakech
The most logical Morocco itinerary for travellers arriving from Spain by ferry is the one-way route from Tangier to Marrakech. It picks up where the ferry drops you and covers the full length of Morocco from north to south in 7 days — arriving in the city you fly home from without any backtracking.
Private tour from Tangier to Marrakech. Pick up from your Tangier hotel on day one. Drop off at your Marrakech riad on day seven. English-speaking driver-guide, 6 nights accommodation with dinner and breakfast, and the sunset camel trek at Erg Chebbi included.
For all tours starting in Tangier — including shorter 5-day options and custom routes — see the Tangier desert tours page. For a custom itinerary that fits your specific dates and group size, contact us directly and we will put together a quote within a few hours.
The same route in 5 days — available in reverse for travellers ending the Spain trip in Tangier and flying home from Marrakech.
See 5-day tourEvery tour starting in Tangier — all durations, all routes south to Marrakech and the Sahara.
Browse Tangier toursFor travellers who travel Portugal and Spain independently and arrive in Marrakech by flight — this adds the Sahara as a 3-day round trip.
See 3-day tourMust-See Destinations — First-Time Travellers
Portugal
- Lisbon — Alfama district — the oldest neighbourhood in the city, perched above the Tagus estuary. Tram 28, viewpoints (miradouros), and fado music in the evening.
- Belem Tower — the 16th century maritime fortress on the river, 6 km from central Lisbon. The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos next to it is the finest example of Manueline architecture in Portugal.
- Sintra — 30 minutes by train from Lisbon. Three palaces in the hills above the Atlantic, including the colourful Pena Palace. Book the Pena Palace ticket online before you go.
- Porto — the old city (Ribeira) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dom Luis bridge, the Livraria Lello bookshop, and wine tasting in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river.
Spain (Andalusia)
- Seville — Real Alcazar — the Moorish royal palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe. The gardens alone take an hour. Book tickets online at least a week ahead.
- Granada — Alhambra — the Nasrid Palace complex is the most visited monument in Spain. Book tickets 3 to 4 weeks ahead for the Nasrid Palaces specifically (timed entry). The Generalife gardens and Alcazaba are excellent even without the palaces.
- Cordoba — Mezquita-Catedral — the Great Mosque with a cathedral built inside it. One of the most extraordinary architectural interiors in the world. A 1-hour AVE train from Seville makes it a very easy day trip.
Morocco
- Chefchaouen — the blue medina in the Rif Mountains. Best before 9am.
- Fes el-Bali — the medieval medina, the tanneries, and Al-Qarawiyyin. Two full days minimum with a licensed local guide.
- Erg Chebbi, Merzouga — the Sahara sand dunes. Sunset camel trek, luxury desert camp, sunrise.
- Ait Ben Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage kasbah on the road between Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
- Marrakech — Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souks, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden (book ahead).
Budget Considerations for Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Budget: €60–90/day (hostel + cafes). Mid-range: €100–160/day (hotel + restaurant meals). Lisbon is cheaper than Barcelona or Paris at the same accommodation tier.
Similar to Portugal. Seville and Granada are cheaper than Madrid and Barcelona. Tapas culture keeps food costs low — €2 to €3 per tapa at a local bar, €10 to €15 for a full lunch menu.
€30–60/day for a comfortable mid-range experience (riad accommodation, restaurant meals, medina entry fees). Morocco is significantly cheaper than either Iberian country.
Private desert tours from around €150 to €200 per person per day (all-inclusive). This covers transport, accommodation with dinner and breakfast, and the camel trek. Cheaper per person with larger groups.
Cheapest when booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Flying into Lisbon and out of Marrakech gives the best one-way circuit price. Ryanair and easyJet cover most of the relevant connections.
Portugal and Spain use euros. Morocco uses Moroccan dirhams (MAD). Withdraw dirhams at the airport on arrival — you cannot buy them outside Morocco. ATMs in all Moroccan cities.
Food — What to Eat in Each Country
Portugal
Pasteis de nata (custard tarts) at Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon — the original since 1837, always a queue, always worth it. Bacalhau (salt cod) in dozens of preparations — bacalhau com natas (with cream) or pasteis de bacalhau (cod fritters) are accessible starting points. Ginjinha — sour cherry liqueur served in a tiny shot glass with or without a preserved cherry. Bifanas (pork sandwiches from street stalls) as a lunch staple. Pastel de feijao (bean cake) from the Alentejo as a regional sweet.
Spain (Andalusia)
Tortilla española — Spanish omelette with potato and onion, served at room temperature in bars everywhere. Jamón ibérico — cured ham from free-range black pigs, best eaten simply on pan con tomate (bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil). Gazpacho and salmorejo (a thicker, creamier version) are cold tomato soups specific to Andalusia. Pescaito frito in Cádiz and Tarifa — crispy fried fish served in a paper cone, eaten standing at the bar.
Morocco
Pastilla in Fes — the finest version of Morocco’s sweet-savoury pie. Mechoui — slow-roasted whole lamb, sold by weight at specialist stalls in the medina, eaten with cumin and salt. Tagine throughout the country — lamb with prunes and almonds in the south, chicken with preserved lemon in Marrakech, seafood in Essaouira. Harira soup — thick, filling, with bread and dates, the standard lunch in any local cafe. Mint tea — served three times at every interaction of significance, poured from height, always sweet.
Safety — Travelling Across All Three Countries
All three countries are safe for tourists. The risks are different by country and all are manageable with standard precautions.
- Portugal — consistently one of the safest countries in Europe by crime statistics. The main issue is petty theft in crowded tourist areas — Lisbon’s tram 28 and the Santa Justa Lift area see occasional pickpocketing. Keep phones in front pockets and use a money belt on crowded transport.
- Spain — similarly safe. Barcelona’s Las Ramblas is the most pickpocket-intensive street in Spain. Seville and Granada are significantly calmer. Flamenco performances and late-night tapas bars are safe; keep the same phone-in-pocket caution as anywhere in Europe.
- Morocco — safe for tourists with one main specific issue: persistent unofficial guides in Fes and Marrakech who approach you and offer directions or tours. They lead to commission shops. A licensed local guide eliminates this for the city days. The desert routes and Chefchaouen are notably relaxed and have no meaningful safety issues.
- The ferry crossing — safe and routine. The Tarifa to Tangier crossing is the busiest short sea route in the Strait of Gibraltar. Thousands of crossings per year without incident.
Packing for Spain, Portugal & Morocco
- Type C or E plug adapter — Morocco and mainland Europe (Portugal, Spain) all use the same two-round-pin standard. One adapter covers all three countries. UK and US travellers need an adapter; US travellers also need a voltage converter for non-dual-voltage devices.
- Layers for the desert — daytime desert temperatures in spring and autumn are 20 to 30°C. Night-time at the camp drops to 10 to 15°C. A thin down jacket or fleece packs small and is necessary.
- Light scarf — for Morocco’s medinas (respectful in mosques and religious sites), the desert wind on the camel trek, and the cold evenings in Chefchaouen.
- Comfortable walking shoes — Lisbon’s hills are steep and cobbled. Fes and Marrakech medinas are uneven stone. The Alhambra involves 2 to 3 hours on foot. Trainers or walking shoes handle all three better than sandals or dress shoes.
- Sun protection — SPF 50 sunscreen for Morocco (the desert sun is strong even in the breeze of the camel trek). A wide-brim hat for the open desert sections.
- Cash in both currencies — euros for Portugal and Spain, Moroccan dirhams (withdrawn at the airport ATM on arrival, not before). Dirhams cannot be purchased outside Morocco.
- Modest clothing for Morocco — shoulders and knees covered in medinas and at religious sites. Two or three versatile pieces that layer work better than multiple single-purpose items.
Frequently Asked Questions — Spain, Portugal & Morocco
What are the essential tips for planning a trip to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco?
Plan the trip as a one-way circuit — fly into Lisbon or Madrid, travel south through the Iberian Peninsula, cross to Morocco by ferry from Tarifa, travel Morocco north to south, and fly home from Marrakech or Casablanca. Book the Morocco segment — particularly desert camps and riads in Fes — 2 to 3 months ahead in spring. Carry euros throughout and withdraw Moroccan dirhams at the airport on arrival.
How can I create a practical itinerary covering all three countries efficiently?
For 10 days: Seville (1 night) — ferry to Tangier — 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour — fly home. For 14 days: Lisbon (2 nights) — Seville and Granada (3 nights) — ferry to Tangier — 7-day Morocco tour — fly home. For 21 days: add Porto, Algarve, Cordoba, and extended Fes. The Morocco leg is always the 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour.
Which are the must-see destinations for a first-time traveller?
Portugal: Lisbon (Alfama, Belem Tower) and Sintra. Spain: Seville (Alcazar), Granada (Alhambra — book ahead), Cordoba (Mezquita). Morocco: Chefchaouen (blue medina), Fes (tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin), Erg Chebbi desert (camel trek, camp), Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech (Jemaa el-Fnaa, Majorelle Garden).
How safe is it to travel between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco?
All three countries are safe for tourists. Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe. Spain has petty theft in tourist areas (Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, crowded sites). Morocco is safe — the main specific issue is persistent unofficial guides in Fes and Marrakech, eliminated by booking a licensed local guide. The ferry crossing is safe and routine.
How can I travel between all three countries using public transport?
Lisbon to Seville: Rede Expressos bus (3 hours). Seville to Tarifa: Comes bus (2 hours). Tarifa to Tangier: FRS or Balearia ferry (35 minutes). Within Morocco: ONCF trains for Tangier–Fes–Casablanca, CTM buses for other cities, private tour for the desert south.
What budget should I plan for this trip?
Portugal and Spain: €80–160 per person per day (mid-range). Morocco cities: €30–60 per day. Morocco desert tour: from €150–200 per person per day all-inclusive (cheaper per person with larger groups). Cheapest flights booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead, flying into Lisbon and out of Marrakech for best one-way pricing.
What local foods should I try in each country?
Portugal: pasteis de nata, bacalhau, ginjinha. Spain (Andalusia): tortilla española, jamón ibérico, gazpacho, pescaito frito. Morocco: pastilla in Fes, mechoui (slow-roasted lamb), tagine, harira soup, mint tea. Morocco is significantly cheaper for food than either Iberian country — a full restaurant lunch costs around 80 to 120 MAD (8 to 12 EUR).
What packing tips apply to the diverse climates across all three countries?
One medium carry-on plus daypack is sufficient for up to two weeks. Key items: Type C or E plug adapter (covers all three countries), layers for Morocco’s cold desert nights, a light scarf for medinas and desert wind, comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets and medina lanes, SPF 50 sunscreen, and modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) for Moroccan religious sites. Withdraw Moroccan dirhams at the airport ATM — you cannot buy them before entering Morocco.
Arriving from Spain? We Pick You Up in Tangier
The 7-day Tangier to Marrakech tour connects your ferry arrival to the full Morocco circuit — Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, and Marrakech in one private trip with no logistics to manage.