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Magnificent Morocco & Moorish Spain

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13 days From £4,399 £3,999 per person
4.2 stars(39 reviews)
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Embark on an epic exploration of this cultural corner of the world, from vibrant Catalonia and Moorish Spain to the timeless cities of Morocco

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Save up to £300pp on Europe 2026 holidays, when you book by 31st October 2025.

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Mobility Rating 3

2026 Tour code: MAG26

About the tour

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.

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Unforgettable experiences

Touring the fascinating cities of Barcelona and Seville
Touring the fascinating cities of Barcelona and Seville
Explore two of Spain's most impressive cities on guided tours, including Gaudí's Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona and the stunning cathedral and Real Alcázar in Seville.
Discovering Morocco’s four imperial cities
Discovering Morocco’s four imperial cities
Tour Morocco's unique destinations, including the modern 'White City' of Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Meknes and Marrakech, on expertly guided tours that showcase points of interest and historic monuments of each city.
Uncovering the UNESCO-listed Roman ruins of Volubilis
Uncovering the UNESCO-listed Roman ruins of Volubilis
Soak up the remains of ancient Volubilis – one of Morocco's best-preserved archaeological sites and a former Berber city – on a guided tour of its Roman ruins and many historically significant sites.
Experiencing Morocco’s time-honoured traditions
Experiencing Morocco’s time-honoured traditions
Find yourself immersed in the country’s unique culture while taking part in a cooking class, visiting an authentic Berber village, sharing traditional flatbread and mint tea, and watching traditional dance and folklore shows.

What’s included

Itinerary

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.

Includes
  • Eurostar Light Meal
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
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.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

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 times

Travel timings in your Holiday Confirmation are provisional and are subject to change. We will confirm your travel times in your final itinerary around 10-14 days before your departure. Eurostar or Flight times will be confirmed to you approximately 30-50 days before departure.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Catalonia Gracia

Hotel Catalonia Gracia, Barcelona

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Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez

Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez

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Casa Romana Hotel Boutique

Casa Romana Hotel Boutique, Seville

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Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, Marrakech

Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, Marrakech

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Barceló Anfa Casablanca, Casablanca

Barceló Anfa Casablanca, Casablanca

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Trains

AVE
Eurostar
TGV
TGV Morocco

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections
Door to door luggage service

Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 39 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (17)
  2. 4 stars
    (15)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (2)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Dunthorn

5 stars

Submitted 29/Sep

An amazing holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

Matthew Rachel

5 stars

Submitted 21/Sep

Absolutely magnificent tour. Embracing so many cultures. Be prepared for lots of travelling. We had a couple of delays - but has to be expected!!! Tour was run so smoothly by Great Rail Journeys and our tour manager was thoroughly professional!!

Collected by Trustpilot

Geoff Turner

5 stars

Submitted 27 Sep 2024

I've travelled with Great Rail Journeys on several occasions and again, this terrific tour met the high standards that I have come to expect. Excellent transportation, quality hotels, interesting local guides and an outstanding Tour Manager, who escorted us throughout. What's not to like ??

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Geoff Turner
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Douglas McEwan

5 stars

Submitted 22 Sep 2024

Fascinating tour - excellent guides

Collected by Trustpilot

June Johns

5 stars

Submitted 25 May 2024

A fantastic journey filled with the amazing sights of cultures both exotically foreign and familiar. And train travel between the featured cities is definitely the way to go. Highly recommend this trip!

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June Johns
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K Wales

5 stars

Submitted 25 May 2024

A delight. Wonderful sensory experience. Like the 'Arabian Nights'.

Collected by Trustpilot

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