3 Weeks in Spain & Morocco - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Spain & Morocco

Cover the highlights of Spain and Morocco on this itinerary, ideal for travelers keen on arts, culture, and culinary experiences. Taste your way around Barcelona on a tapas crawl and admire Antoni Gaudí's architectural works, visit an Andalusian olive oil estate and enjoy a flamenco experience in Seville, shop in the souks of Chefchaouen, tour the Roman ruins of Volubilis, overnight in a Bedouin-style camp in the Sahara, observe music and dancing in Khemliya, sample street food in Marrakesh, and more.

Get your first taste of Spain with a tapas crawl in Barcelona, followed by a walking tour of some of Antoni Gaudí's architectural works, including the Sagrada Família. Visit the monastery in Montserrat, then walk the scenic trails before sampling cava in Penedès. Catch a train to Madrid to visit Museo del Prado and join a rooftop tour that offers some of the city's best views (and tapas!). Board a train on Day 6 to Seville, where you'll see the sites, including Seville Cathedral. Visit an Andalusian olive oil estate for a tour and tasting, then take a day trip to Córdoba, where you'll marvel at the Mudéjar architecture.

Capture views of Ronda's famous bridge and continue to Málaga for a sunset cruise. On Day 11, you'll ferry to Tangier, Morocco, and dive in with a tour that includes the Sultan's Palace. Transfer to Chefchaouen, shop in the souks, and check out the Grand Mosque. Tour the Roman ruins of Volubilis en route to Fes and watch the sunset from the Merenid Tombs. Next, you'll ride a camel into the Sahara to overnight at a Bedouin-style camp in Merzouga. Observe music and dancing in the Saharan village of Khemliya, visit Morocco's most famous kasbah in Aït Benhaddou, and sample street food in Marrakesh before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Nature & Adventure in Spain & Morocco

Those who enjoy active trips will appreciate the abundance of physical activities on this Spain and Morocco adventure that include hiking in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, cycling around Seville, horseback riding in Doñana National Park, trekking along the Caminito del Rey, swimming at Akchour Waterfall, sandboarding the Erg Chebbi dunes, and touring the maze of alleys in Fes. The pace and activities best suit energetic travelers who prefer a full itinerary.

See Madrid at sunrise from a hot-air balloon, then see the sites up close on a Segway tour. Head to Sierra de Guadarrama National Park for a hike to a glacial lake before taking the train to Seville, where you'll cruise around the city on a guided bike tour that includes the Guadalquivir riverfront. Watch for eagles and other wildlife on a hike and horseback ride in Doñana National Park and then catch a train to Granada on Day 6. You'll visit the Alhambra fortress and wander the labyrinthine streets. Join an e-bike excursion in Sierra Nevada Natural Park, then transfer to Malága for a trek along the infamous Caminito del Rey. 

Take the ferry to Tangier, Morocco on Day 10 and explore on your own (be sure to check out the views from Bab Bhar) before transferring to Chefchaouen. Hike to Akchour Waterfall for a dip in the lagoons and head to Fes for a walking tour of the Old Town. Check out chalet-style architecture in Ifrane and enjoy a camel ride and campfire at a tented camp in Merzouga. Try sandboarding at the Erg Chebbi dunes and learn about rose water production in Kelâat M'Gouna before touring a movie studio in Ouarzazat. Hike to the old granary at Aït Benhaddou and finally, shop for souvenirs in the souks of Marrakesh. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Culinary Adventure in Spain & Morocco

Discover Spain and Morocco destinations and cultures through local food and drink on this culinary-based trip. You'll have the opportunity to take a tapas tour and chocolate walk in Barcelona, sample Basque cheeses and wines in San Sebastián, enjoy a tasting at an olive oil estate near Seville, participate in a Moroccan cooking class in Fes, and join a tasting tour in Essaouira. While this itinerary is focused on food, it also includes other cultural experiences, such as a flamenco show and walking tours to historic sites. 

Sample small bites of Barcelona on a tapas tour, then indulge your sweet tooth on a chocolate walk. Select fresh ingredients at Boquería Market for your multicourse cooking lesson with a local expert the next day. Then fly to San Sebastián, where you'll nibble on pintxos (Basque-style tapas) paired with local wines in Old Town, sample cheese at a sheep farm and wine in the Txakoli region. Beach hop along the coast to Bilbao before flying to Seville, where you'll dine on tapas and attend a flamenco show. Visit an Andalusian olive oil estate for a tour and tasting, then transfer to Málaga with a stop at the famous bridge over El Tajo Gorge. 

Enjoy a barbecue on board a catamaran while cruising the Andalusian coast on Day 11 before boarding the ferry to Tangier, Morocco the following day. On a self-guided tour, visit the sites and souks, then head to Fes for a Moroccan cooking class. Feast on fresh produce in Midelt, known as "Apple City" for its many orchards, and continue to Merzouga for a desert dinner and Berber music. Learn about rose water and oil production in Kelâat M'Gouna and dive into Moroccan history at UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou. The trip concludes with a hammam (Turkish bath) experience in Marrakesh and a tasting tour of coastal Essaouira. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore the Cultural Gems of Spain & Morocco

Dive into Spain and Morocco's history with this itinerary as you experience archaeological and historical sites with culinary experiences (including wine tasting in Barcelona and a street food tour in Marrakesh) and hands-on activities, such as a tile decorating workshop in Granada. It's also suited to photographers and those interested in architecture and important religious sites such as Hassan II Mosque, the Santa Maria de Montserrat Benedictine Monastery, and Toledo's Christian, Muslim, and Jewish monuments. 

Experience a night of local food and wine on a tapas tour in Barcelona. Take a private tour of the iconic La Sagrada Família and visit Park Güell, then head to Montserrat, where you can see the monastery and stop for a cava tasting in the Penedès region. Fly to Granada and craft a keepsake in a traditional tile painting workshop before attending a flamenco show in a cave. Enjoy the viewpoints (and snap some photos!) along the Puerto de las Palomas before sampling olive oil at an estate near Seville. Visit Alcázar de los Reyes, a 14th-century palace in Córdoba, then take the train to Madrid on Day 9 for three nights. 

Tour Madrid's Habsburg district and Museo del Prado. Next, take a day trip to Toledo to see Christian, Muslim, and Jewish monuments in the "City of Three Cultures." Fly to Morocco's "Red City" of Marrakesh for a cooking lesson at Souk Mama and a street food tour. Admire the mosaics and architecture in Rabat before visiting the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Spend some time exploring the historic heart of Fes and the blue-hued streets of Chefchaouen. Finally, marvel at the massive Hassan II Mosque and its orate designs in Casablanca and celebrate your journey with a stroll and dinner at the beachside Boulevard de la Corniche. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Coasts of Spain & Morocco: Mediterranean & Atlantic Getaway

With plenty of chances to swim, sunbathe, and sail, this coastal getaway is best for beach and boat-loving travelers. The inclusion of romantic activities, such as a sunset cruise in Barcelona and swimming in hidden coves in Menorca, make it particularly appealing to couples and honeymooners. 

Learn how to order (and eat!) tapas on a tapeo (tapas crawl) in Barcelona. Take a walking tour, then enjoy a sunset sail, complete with Spanish olives, cheeses, cava, and live music. Spend a full day cruising the beautiful Costa Brava and swimming in hidden coves before readying for your flight to Menorca. Get the lay of the land—and sea—on a 4WD excursion followed by a catamaran cruise. Before flying to Valencia, hike to Casa Pila or lounge on one of the island's beaches, such as Cala Macarelleta and Cala Escorxada. Take a boat ride to Albufera Natural Park, where you'll learn about the wetlands and perhaps spot flamingoes.

Transfer to Seville and sip sangria while enjoying a flamenco performance. Cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco, where you'll learn about local life and history on a walking tour. Make a day trip to Tétouan to see the Great Mosque and the medina. Continue to Asilah, where you'll admire street art and visit the ancient ramparts and then shop for souvenirs in Rabat's souks, and wander Roman and Islamic ruins at the Chellah Necropolis. Take a scenic ATV ride along the beaches and shrublands of Essaouira, then cap off your trip with a Marrakesh street food experience and a guided tour of Casablanca. Learn more

More Great Morocco Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Morocco? Check out these other Morocco itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.