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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Magnificent Morocco & Moorish Spain

Spain and Morocco by rail, 13 days, Barcelona to Marrakech, escorted

Illustration of Magnificent Morocco & Moorish Spain

Vacations By Rail's 13-day escorted tour traces a path from Barcelona through southern Spain and into Morocco's four imperial cities. The journey begins in Barcelona with a panoramic coach tour and free time to explore on foot; Day 3 carries you by high-speed TGV Comfort Class rail to Seville, where a guided walking tour covers the Gothic cathedral, La Giralda, and the Real Alcázar, followed by a tapas introduction. Day 5 is the turning point: coach to Algeciras, ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangiers, then the Al Boraq high-speed train southward along the Atlantic coast to Casablanca. From there, a Tour Manager leads you by coach and rail through Rabat, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech, visiting Roman ruins at Volubilis, medina souks, and palaces. Day 11 takes you into Berber territory in the Atlas foothills for a tagine cooking class and mint tea with a local family. You stay in four and five-star hotels throughout, with breakfast each day, four lunches, and six dinners included. This tour suits history enthusiasts, food-curious travellers, and those who prefer guided comfort with named trains and experienced local knowledge.

What to know before you look closer

  • International flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; confirm arrival logistics with Vacations By Rail before booking.
  • The itinerary names specific hotels for Barcelona, Seville, Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakech, but does not specify where you stay in Tangiers or Rabat on Day 5-6.
  • Vacations By Rail rates this tour Mobility Rating 3, reflecting significant walking in cities and medinas; it is not suitable for those with limited mobility.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Barcelona

    Arriving on Spain's Mediterranean Coast

    Arrive in Barcelona and make your own way to the four-star hotel to meet the Tour Manager.

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Getting to know Barcelona

    Panoramic sightseeing tour by coach and on foot, viewing the exterior of La Sagrada Familia and strolling La Rambla, with a free afternoon for Gaudi sites such as Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Park Guell.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Seville

    Welcome to Andalucia's capital, Seville

    High-speed rail in Comfort Class from Barcelona to Seville, transfer to the Old Town hotel with a free afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Seville

    Exploring Seville and its tapas

    Guided walking tour of Santa Cruz, Seville's Gothic cathedral and La Giralda, the Real Alcazar, and an introduction-to-tapas experience.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Casablanca

    Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco

    Coach to Algeciras, ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangiers, then the Al Boraq high-speed train along the Atlantic coast to Casablanca.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Fes

    Discovering Casablanca and Rabat

    Coach tour of Casablanca including the Hassan II Mosque, then on to Rabat for the old medina, kasbah, Oudaya Gate and Mausoleum of Mohammed V, before First Class rail to Fes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Fes

    Uncovering one of Morocco's oldest cities

    Coach tour of Fes including the Royal Palace gateway, Kasbah Cherarda, Kairaouine Mosque and University, the Nejjarine Fountain and the medina souks.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Fes

    Ancient Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes

    Guided tour of the Roman ruins of Volubilis, then Meknes including the Palace of Moulay Ismael, Bab El Mansour gateway and the Agoudal ruins.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9railovernight: Marrakech

    Through the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech

    First Class rail from Fes through the Atlas foothills to Marrakech, transfer to the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Marrakech

    The sights and folklore of Marrakech

    Guided sightseeing tour including the Koutoubia Mosque, Ben Youssef Madrasa and Djemaa El Fna Square, with free time in the afternoon and evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Marrakech

    A day in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains

    Excursion into Berber country and the Gorge of Oued Ourika, including mint tea at a traditional Berber house and a tagine cooking class with al fresco lunch.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  12. Day 12overnight: Marrakech

    A final free day in Marrakech

    Free day, with suggestions including the Majorelle Gardens and Musee Tiskiwin, concluding with a traditional Moroccan dinner and folklore show.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Tour conclusion

    Final breakfast at the hotel, then check out at leisure and travel home independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Panoramic sightseeing tour of Barcelona viewing the exterior of La Sagrada Familia and strolling La Rambla.
  • Day 5Day 5: Ferry crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, then the Al Boraq high-speed train along Morocco's Atlantic coast to Casablanca.
  • Day 8Day 8: Guided tour of the Roman ruins of Volubilis, then Meknes including the Palace of Moulay Ismael and Bab El Mansour gateway.
  • Day 11Day 11: Excursion into Berber country and the Gorge of Oued Ourika, with mint tea at a traditional Berber house and a tagine cooking class.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 4 lunches, 6 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Barcelona to Seville, Tangier to Marrakech

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes TGV Comfort Class rail Barcelona to Seville, the Al Boraq First Class train Tangiers to Casablanca, First Class rail Fes to Marrakech, and all ferry and coach transfers.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish, and includes all guided tours and excursions throughout the 13 days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. The package also includes four lunches and six dinners; other meals are at your own cost.
Which hotels are named?
Hotel Catalonia Gracia in Barcelona (2 nights), Casa Romana Hotel Boutique in Seville (2 nights), Barcelo Anfa Casablanca (1 night), Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel in Fes (3 nights), and Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech (4 nights).
How much walking is involved?
The tour is rated Mobility Rating 3, meaning significant walking through cities, medinas, and historical sites, plus stairs and uneven terrain in places like Volubilis and the Atlas foothills.
Are flights included?
No. International flights and airport transfers are not included and must be arranged separately.

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