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Magnificent Morocco & Moorish Spain

Embark on an epic exploration of this cultural corner of the world, from vibrant Catalonia and Moorish Spain to the timeless cities of Morocco

From £4,499 per person


Follow the tracks of the ancient Moors from the shores of Spain to mystical Moroccan cities. Discover the diverse architecture of Barcelona and the treasures of Andalucía's capital, Seville, before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco.

Soak up Morocco's flavours in Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Meknes and Marrakech, and experience its rich culture when visiting a Berber village and watching traditional shows. Explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the modern 'White City' of Casablanca to experience the many contrasts of this diverse destination.

The itinerary for your journey
Unforgettable experiences

What’s included

Day 1 – London to Barcelona by First Class rail

Your holiday starts at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. We travel in spacious Eurostar Plus with a light meal served at our seats enroute. In the French capital, we continue by First Class rail to Barcelona.

Arriving late this evening, we check in to our stylish four-star hotel in a prime location in Barcelona near many of the city's significant buildings and attractions. The city comes to life in the evenings as locals head out to dinner and you are free to dine out independently in one of the city's enticing restaurants on arrival.

Day 2 – Getting to know Barcelona

Our first day in Barcelona begins with a buffet breakfast and a panoramic sightseeing tour by coach and foot. The city has a fascinating mix of architecture and a laid-back coastal ambience, and we soak up its culture with commentary from our guide. On the tour, we stroll down the city's famous La Rambla boulevard, known for its street performers, cafés and market stalls.

With a free afternoon, you may like to visit the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter or enjoy Catalan tapas at an al fresco eatery. It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not fall under the spell of Antoni Gaudí. Not far from our hotel are two of his distinctive buildings, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, while another of his creations, Park Güell, boasts colourful mosaic sculptures. However, his iconic La Sagrada Família is his masterpiece and is set to be completed in 2026 (pre-booking is required). This truly unique basilica was inspired by natural forms and features intricate towers carved from Montjuïc stone, similar to sandstone.

This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 - Welcome to Andalucía’s capital, Seville

Departing Barcelona, we travel by high-speed rail in Comfort Class (the local equivalent of First Class) to Seville, a destination filled with culture. Arriving this afternoon, we transfer by coach to our hotel in the Old Town, where we check in for two nights.

You then have a free afternoon to explore Seville at your own pace, and our central location means many of the city's landmarks are within easy reach. You could wander into the historic Santa Cruz district for a late lunch in one of the tapas restaurants or seek out the city's landmarks. Perhaps visit Torre del Oro, a striking golden tower next to the Guadalquivir river, or visit Seville's fine art museum, El Museo de Bellas Artes. Housed in a palace, which was also a convent, its walls feature Spanish artists from Spain's 'Golden Age' in the 17th century.

Alternatively, you could relax at the hotel's swimming pool or rooftop terrace before we dine locally this evening at a restaurant serving traditional flavours from Andalucía.

Day 4 – Exploring Seville and tasting its tapas

Our day starts with a guided walking tour of Seville. Strolling through the historic Santa Cruz district, we see Seville's Gothic cathedral, where the remains of Christopher Columbus are believed to be interred. The cathedral's Renaissance-style bell tower, La Giralda, offers panoramic views across the city. Our tour continues to the Real Alcázar, or Royal Palace, whose interiors feature Moorish, Mudéjar and Christian influences, with elaborate patios, decorative windows and geometric tiles. The palace gardens are a peaceful haven, with ancient water features, shaded seating areas and peacocks wandering among fragrant orange trees.

After our tour, we enjoy an 'introduction to tapas' experience with a local guide, which includes a tapa and drink at two local restaurants. The rest of your afternoon is free to look around independently - perhaps by crossing the wrought-iron Triana Bridge, also called Isabel II Bridge, to the district of Triana, known for its gypsy community and flamenco tradition.

With no group dinner, tonight is a chance to dine independently in one of the many inviting restaurants near our hotel.

Day 5 – Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco

New cultures and destinations beckon as we depart Seville by coach after breakfast and travel to the port of Algeciras. Here, we board a ferry for a short ride across the Strait of Gibraltar to the city of Tangiers in Morocco.

A coach awaits our arrival in Tangiers and takes us to the railway station for our onwards journey to Casablanca. We board the sleek Al Boraq - Africa's first high-speed train - and follow the Atlantic coast from Tangiers down to Casablanca. On arrival in Morocco's most modern city, we check in to our elegant five-star hotel for the night, situated close to the old medina.

Our day concludes with dinner at our hotel. Later, you might like to head up to the hotel's rooftop terrace, which offers excellent views across the city skyline.

Day 6 – Discovering Casablanca and Rabat

Explore Morocco's 'White City' and its many attractions this morning as we take a coach tour of Casablanca with a local guide. We see the modern face of Morocco, a glittering mass of pale towers stretching as far as the eye can see, and the city's ancient past. Our tour starts with a visit to the city's most iconic building, the Hassan II Mosque, where entry is included. We then continue to the Palace Mohammed V before visiting United Nations Square and the League of Arab Emirates Park.

Afterwards, we continue by coach to Rabat for a guided tour. In Morocco's capital, we wander the impressive boulevards and palm tree-lined seafront before seeing the old medina and kasbah, the monumental Oudaya Gate and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

We enjoy lunch before continuing our journey in First Class seats on the regular rail service to Fes, our next Moroccan destination. On arrival this evening, a short coach transfer takes us to our five-star hotel, where we have dinner and check in for the next three nights.

Please Note - For departures 7th September and 12th October we will stay at the Hotel Les Mérinides Fes.

Day 7 – Uncovering one of Morocco’s oldest cities

Today, we join a local guide on a coach tour of the fascinating city of Fes. Known for its thriving medina and ancient city walls, Fes is one of Morocco's oldest cities, founded in the 10th-century BC by Berber fishermen.

We discover architectural and cultural landmarks of this historic treasure trove, including the Great Gateway of the Royal Palace, the 17th-century fortifications at Kasbah Cherarda, the Kairaouine Mosque and University, the beautifully tiled Nejjarine Fountain, and the ancient gateway of Bab Boujloud. There's time to find lunch independently before continuing to the aromatic spice market and buzzing souks of the medina, home to a maze of gift stalls and mint tea cafés.

Returning to our hotel this afternoon, this evening you are at leisure to enjoy exploring the ancient streets of Fes, and possibly sampling local fare at a restaurant of your own choice for dinner. Alternatively, you could opt to eat at the hotel which has a variety of restaurants to choose from.

Day 8 – Ancient Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes

Setting out by coach with our local guide, today we visit one of Morocco's most important and best-preserved archaeological sites - the remains of the ancient city of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Volubilis was originally a Berber city taken over by Roman invaders, eventually growing into a proto-capital before being abandoned for the new centre of Fes. As we walk through the impressive site, we see Roman ruins featuring beautiful mosaics, an olive press, basilica, baths, temples and arches.

We then travel to the city of Meknes, where we have lunch at a local restaurant. The high walls of the city hide a tapestry of architecture inspired by Islamic traditions and European styles, and a guided tour reveals many examples, such as the Palace of Moulay Ismael and the Bab El Mansour gateway. We also see the ruins of Agoudal, including the Royal Gardens and the Royal Stables.

We return to our hotel in Fes, where the rest of your day and evening is free. You may like to spend time relaxing by the pool and find dinner locally in Fes.

Day 9 – Arrival in magical Marrakech

A morning transfer takes us to Fes's train station to join the local rail service to Marrakech, travelling in First Class. After journeying through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains by rail, we arrive in Marrakech later this afternoon.

Known as the Red City due to its red-pink-hued buildings and the ten miles of red sandstone walls surrounding the city, Marrakech is drenched in colour. From the pale peach, soft orange and ochres of townhouses to the dazzling reds, golds, blues and greens of the souks - all set off against the omnipresent Atlas Mountains.

After leaving the train, a coach transfers us to our five-star hotel, whose grounds offer a tranquil retreat from the city. We check in for the next four nights with time to settle in or possibly to stroll to one of the nearby gardens or parks, such as the Arts Garden, before dinner at our hotel.

Day 10 – Sights and folklore of Marrakech

After breakfast, a local guide takes us on a sightseeing tour of Marrakech, by coach and on foot. We drive past the red sandstone ramparts of the city on wide roads used by everything from luxury limousines to mopeds, bicycles and donkey carts. We visit the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, with its prominent minaret visible from every corner of Marrakech. Here, we may be lucky enough to hear the muezzin's 'call to prayer' - a hypnotic sound that floats over the entire medina.

Later, we visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa - an Islamic college, before exploring the winding alleys of the souks and stalls of Djemaa El Fna Square. The rest of the afternoon is free to soak up the atmosphere of this square, the heartbeat of the city filled with street-food vendors, snake charmers, nomadic musicians and storytellers.

This evening, you are free to dine independently. You may like to venture back into the medina to find an authentic restaurant, or enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner at the hotel.

Day 11 – A day in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains

Discover Berber country, an ancient semi-desert landscape still occupied by the same tribes who have lived here for thousands of years, as we journey by coach into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains today.

Making occasional photo stops, we see the old stone and mud houses of the valleys and, above us, the snow-dusted caps of the Atlas. We pass the Gorge of Oued Ourika, which follows the path of the Atlas' rivers. Here, we visit a traditional Berber house for a refreshing glass of Moroccan mint tea and traditional flatbread, known as tannour. Our excursion continues to a riad, where we enjoy an authentic cooking class amid stunning scenery. Guided by a chef, we create one of Morocco's best-loved dishes, a sweet and spicy tagine, and then we enjoy a delicious al fresco lunch of traditional foods.

After lunch, we return to our luxurious hotel, with the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend as you wish. You can dine in our hotel's restaurant this evening or head into the medina to explore its culinary options.

Day 12 – A final free day in marvellous Marrakech

Today is our last day in Marrakech, and it is yours to spend as you please, making the most of this enchanting city. Among other interesting sights you may like to experience are the Majorelle Gardens. Once the home of fashion designer Yves St Laurent, this is a fantasy world of cobalt blue and terracotta buildings, palm trees and water features.

In the medina, Musee Tiskiwin is a small, private museum housed in a traditional riad, which tells the stories of the culture and life of indigenous Berber people. The museum also covers the history of Marrakech itself. In the Musee de la Musique in the Saadian Quarter, you can view instruments and displays about the history of music in Marrakech. The reception of the music museum is a lovely example of Arab-Andalucían architecture.

This evening, we mark the final night of our holiday with a traditional Moroccan dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a folklore show.

Day 13 – Homeward Bound

On the last day of your holiday in Spain and Morocco, there may be a little free time to revisit sites, or do some last minute shopping before enjoying final glimpses of this extraordinary land on our coach journey from the hotel to Marrakech's international airport before our flight to London Heathrow. On arrival in London, your holiday reaches its conclusion and you are free to make your own way home.

Landmark collection

Our Landmark range offers an unforgettable mix of incredible experiences and First Class rail travel*, unique accommodation, tours with smaller groups, and one-of-a-kind experiences that you'll want to tell your friends about. Group sizes begin at 16 travellers, with an average of around 22 and a maximum of 30. *where available

Departure Dates
7 September 2026From £4,499
12 October 2026From £4,499

All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.

Trains
AVE
AVE

AVE is Spain's flagship high-speed service, connecting Madrid, Cordoba and Seville across dedicated high-speed tracks. AVE trains are based on the French TGV and Thalys, and the speed and comfort offered are similar. We travel on AVE Comfort Class (formerly known as Preferente) which offers reclining seats with power sockets for laptops and mobile phones.

Eurostar
Eurostar

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

TGV
TGV

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

TGV Morocco

Heralding major developments for the rail industry in Morocco and Africa, Morocco's new high-speed TGV train begun its first journeys in 2018, operating on a line between Casablanca and Tangier. Reaching speeds up to 200mph, this modern train is now the fastest in all of Africa, dramatically cutting the travel time between the iconic cities and offering its passengers comfortable and trendy carriages from which to enjoy the spectacles, landscape and scenery on offer.

Hotels
Hotel Catalonia Gracia, Barcelona
Hotel Catalonia Gracia

This superb 4-Star hotel is a short distance from the grand La Sagrada Família, Gaudi's renowned unfinished work. You can easily access the local shops and trendy district of Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona's main shopping boulevard. The hotel has a rooftop pool, where you can enjoy views of this wonderful city. Air-conditioned guest rooms are spacious and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, minibar, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez
Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez

This luxurious 5-Star hotel is situated in the heart of Fes, just 1 mile from the local train station and close to local attractions such as the Royal Palace and Synagogue Ibn Danan. There's an outdoor pool and a fitness centre for guests to use as they wish. Guest rooms are furnished with comfort in mind and includes a balcony. Amenities include free WiFi, air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, mini fridge, tea & coffee making facilities.

Hotel Casa Romana, Seville
Hotel Casa Romana, Seville

This 4-Star hotel has a fantastic location in the Regina area of the city, close to the centre and many of Seville's most popular tourist spots. On the roof terrace of the hotel is a wonderful cocktail bar with views of the Seville skyline. Air-conditioned guest rooms are stylishly decorated and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, ironing equipment, coffee machine, minibar, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, Marrakech
Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, Marrakech

Located just footsteps from the heart of Marrakech's central L'Hivernage district is the 5-Star Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech. This elegant retreat sits in a prime spot in the city, with the Medina nearby and grounds that include lush gardens and three pools. Guests can relax in the wellness centre, which includes a yoga studio and spa, dine in one of five on-site restaurants, or relax in the rooftop lounge. Each of the 503 guest rooms is impeccably designed and air-conditioned and features amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi, an LED TV, a safe, 24/7 room service, and tea & coffee-making facilities. 

Barceló Anfa Casablanca, Casablanca
Barceló Anfa Casablanca, Casablanca

This 5-Star hotel in the exclusive Golden Triangle area of Casablanca boasts stylish Art Deco design in a state-of-the-art building. On-site facilities include a spa, sun terrace and year-round outdoor swimming pool. Guests can relax at the pool bar, while the modern restaurant serves French, Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, ironing equipment, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Upgrades

We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!

Flight upgrades
Flight upgrades

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

London Hotels
London hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

UK rail connections
UK train tickets

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Door to door luggage service

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £169 per bag return one way only.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag. If flying to or from your destination, you will take your own luggage with you on the flight.

This page was printed from www.greatrail.com/tours/magnificent-morocco-and-moorish-spain/#MAG26 on 14 March 2026.
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