Discover the Highlights of Morocco & Southern Spain - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakesh (Morocco), Foodie Tour

Welcome to Morocco! The history of this North African country dates to antiquity, and it's a melting pot of cultures. Here you'll find influences from Europe and Africa, plus a long history of Islam and Judaism. Few cities exemplify Morocco's diversity, energy, flavors, and beguiling spirit better than Marrakesh.

Known as the "Red City," Marrakesh is one of four historic Imperial Cities that once were Morocco's capital. Today the capital is Rabat, but at various times through history, beginning with its founding in the 11th century, the capital was Marrakesh. Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to your hotel in the city.

In the afternoon, you'll meet a local expert guide and venture out to discover the flavors of Morocco on a food tour. On this curated culinary adventure, you and your guide will visit some of the most authentic local spots around the city. You'll go to souks and try street-food staples like pastilla (chicken pie) and msemen (Moroccan square pancakes). You might also stop at a family-run restaurant for a tajine, a traditional stew that is slow-cooked in an earthenware pot. Know that all dishes you eat here are Moroccan mom-approved. 

Day 2: Marrakesh Guided Tour

In the morning, meet a local guide and embark on a half-day tour around the city. It begins in popular areas like bustling Jemaa el-Fna, the main square in the city's medina. Nearby is the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, which dates to 1147. Just south of it is the Kasbah, home to historic landmarks like the Saadien Tombs, Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Quarter.

Throughout the tour, you'll browse the souks and vendors in the merchant districts. You'll also visit Marrakesh's famous tanneries. The city is known for its leather goods; local families have been plying this trade since the 11th century. Another fun stop is at Majorelle Garden, which French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent once owned. You can wander around this 2-acre (1 ha) garden filled with subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. At the end of the tour, return to your hotel for some rest before exploring on your own.

Day 3: Day Trip to a Berber Village

After breakfast, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation, and you'll hit the road south out of the deserts and up into the High Atlas mountains. This iconic range is known for its rugged snowcapped peaks, fertile mountain valleys, gorges, waterfalls, and dramatic mountain passes. This region has also been home to Berbers (Indigenous North Africans) for centuries. Their villages are dotted throughout this scenic mountain region, where you're headed on this full-day trip.

Upon arrival, you'll leave the car behind. Then embark on a scenic 1-to-2-hour hike (or ride a mule) to one such remote village. On the way, watch for unique wildlife like the Barbary stag (a red deer native to North Africa) and northern bald ibis (a distinct blackbird).

Once in the village, you'll be welcomed at a local Berber house with a cup of hot tea, after which you'll sit down for a traditional lunch (you might even dine al fresco under the walnut trees). The food you'll eat reflects the Berbers' local agrarian culture. Typical fare includes hearty soups, rustic bread, and couscous. After lunch, you'll return to Marrakesh, arriving in the late afternoon.

Day 4: Free Day in Marrakesh

Today is yours to enjoy optional activities in and around Marrakesh. If you like, participate in a cooking class during which you'll learn the secrets to making a tremendous Moroccan stew. You can also sign up for a pottery workshop or hit the souks and browse Morocco's famous ceramics, brassware, silks, leather goods, spices, and much more.

Or, if you like, hop back in the car for another day trip. Return to the High Atlas mountains and Ourika Valley, where you can visit waterfalls and enjoy a sunset camel ride. Another scenic drive will take you over the Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass to Ouarzazat, a beautiful mud-brick city featured in productions like "Gladiator" and "Game of Thrones."

Or, if you like, drive to the coast and Essaouira, a well-preserved fortress city overlooking the ocean. Here, you can laze on nearby beaches and stroll along the waterfront. Also, visit its famous 18th-century defensive forts like the Borj El Barmil and the Skala de la Kasbah.

Day 5: Casablanca City Tour, Fly to Málaga (Spain)

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the 2.5-hour ride to the coast to Casablanca. Here, you'll meet a local guide for one last tour in Morocco. As the country's commercial capital, this metropolis has much to see. However, the undisputed highlight is the Hassan II Mosque. Sitting in a picturesque location on the ocean, its 690-foot (210-m) minaret is the tallest in the world. Even more unique is that this mosque is one of the few in the country where non-Muslims are permitted to enter.

After touring the mosque, you'll transfer to the airport and catch a one-hour flight north to Málaga, Spain. This city, located in the southern Andalusia region of the country, is a sun-kissed delight. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. You'll then have the rest of the day free to enjoy this charming metropolis, which happens to be the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.

Day 6: Guided City Tour & Cooking Class

After a Spanish breakfast at your hotel, you'll meet a local expert guide and embark on a walking tour through the center of Málaga. Highlights you'll visit include the remodeled Port of Málaga (perfect for a waterfront stroll) and the 16th-century Málaga Cathedral, which features 131-foot ceilings, 15 chapels, and church organs with more than 4,000 pipes. As you go, your guide will help bring the city to life by revealing stories about Málaga's culture and history. Of course, you won't miss the famous Picasso Museum, which houses 200 works by the master of cubism and Málaga's favorite son.

After the tour, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free. If you like, you can travel to a village in the nearby Montes de Málaga mountains and participate in an optional cooking class. This hands-on gourmet workshop takes place in an al fresco kitchen with amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

During the experience, you'll learn how to prepare delicious Andalusian cuisine using stellar local ingredients like olives, almonds, seasonal vegetables, and of course, fine Andalusian olive oil. When the cooking is finished, you'll sit on a grapevine-covered terrace to enjoy your delicious creations. Afterward, return to your hotel in Málaga.

Day 7: Transfer to Granada, Tour the Alhambra

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for the 1.5-hour ride up to Granada, a city that rivals any other in Spain for history and beauty. Granada was once the last bastion of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) during the 400-year reign of the Moors, which lasted from 711 to 1086 CE. You can see examples of this history at Granada's most famous landmark, the Alhambra, which receives more than two million visitors annually. Upon arrival, you'll head to this 26-acre (12 ha) Muslim fortress for a guided tour.

Built atop a hill overlooking the city, the Alhambra dates to the ninth century. It was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Nasrid Dynasty and served as a Moorish palace until 1492, when, after the Christian reconquest, it became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. During this three-hour tour, you'll walk its grand halls and stroll the Generalife Gardens, which are filled with colorful flowers and fountains and offer panoramic views of the city below. Afterward, you'll transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

After the tour, spend some free time enjoying Grenada on your own. You can walk around the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin and Sacromonte quarters. You can visit landmarks like the Granada Cathedral, Royal Church, Alcaicería (old silk market), and Madrasa (medieval Koranic school) in these historic neighborhoods.

Day 8: Transfer to Seville, Hike the Caminito del Rey

In the morning, you'll hop back in the car for the 2.5-hour drive west to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. During the drive, enjoy the views as you pass olive groves, rolling meadows, cork forests, mountains, and the region's famous "white villages"—ancient hilltop towns famous for their whitewashed buildings.

About halfway through the drive, you'll stop for some adrenaline-pumping hiking at the Caminito del Rey—a stunning network of walkways built along a deep gorge carved out by the Guadalhorce River. At times, the gorge reaches harrowing depths of 2,297 feet (700 m). You'll don your safety equipment upon arrival and start hiking along the cliffs. You'll be treated to incredible views down the gorge to the winding river below as you go. This one-way trail typically takes about 3-4 hours to complete.

Afterward, continue to Seville, where you'll check into your hotel. You'll then have the rest of the day to relax and recharge before sampling the city's delicious tapas scene.

Day 9: City Bike Tour, Optional River Cruise

After breakfast, you'll meet up with a local guide and hop on a bike for a three-hour cycling tour of one of Spain's most romantic cities. Pedal all around this ancient metropolis, whose historic center dates back to the eighth century BCE. The route passes by scenic areas and landmarks like the Plaza de España, Guadalquivir Riverfront, Las Setas Marketplace, Plaza de San Francisco, and some of the city's most beautiful gardens and parks. A real highlight is the Seville Cathedral, a 15th-century Roman-Catholic church home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

During the excursion, your expert guide will share anecdotes and explain the mysteries and stories that define Seville. Overall, it's a fun, educational, and healthy way to get a feel for the city. Following the tour, you'll have the rest of the day to spend as you please, perhaps taking a long paseo (stroll) along Seville's ancient streets.

One optional activity is a scenic ride on the Guadalquivir River, the arterial waterway that cuts through the city. It begins with a walk to the main dock. You'll meet your captain there, who will welcome you aboard a luxury cruiser with comfy seats and refreshments. Cruising quietly along, you'll enjoy views of Seville's most emblematic landmarks, such as Triana Bridge, the bullring, and San Telmo Palace, the seat of the Andalusian government.

Day 10: Depart Seville

Unfortunately, it's time to put down the fork and pack your bags. In the morning, a driver will transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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