18-Day Self-Launched Iberia & Morocco Loop from Madrid
18 days · Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Remaz Tours GmbH charges £3,950
No-markup version: ~£1,430 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Remaz Tours' 18-day coach loop from Madrid through Portugal, Andalusia and northern Morocco. You'll hit the same highlights — Porto's Douro and port cellars, Fátima, Lisbon's Belém, Cáceres, Córdoba's Mezquita, Seville, Ronda, the Costa del Sol, a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar, Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Granada's Alhambra and Toledo — but using Spain's excellent Renfe/Alsa buses and trains, Portugal's Comboios de Portugal, and Moroccan trains (ONCF) plus a shared/coach transfer for the Tangier leg. Book attractions yourself via GetYourGuide or official sites (Alhambra and Mezquita sell out — book well ahead). Expect guesthouse/private-hostel and budget-hotel standard rather than the tour's 4-stars. This is a fast-paced route; you'll want to pre-book key transport legs and the Morocco ferry. All costs are approximate backpacker/mid-budget rates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Madrid → Salamanca → Porto
Porto, Portugal
Start in Madrid. Take a Renfe/ALSA bus or train to Salamanca (~2h45, £20-28) for a lunch stop in the golden-stone Plaza Mayor and old town, then continue by ALSA bus or Renfe+CP combo to Porto (~3.5-4h from Salamanca, £20-30). Alternatively take a direct Madrid-Porto train/flight and skip Salamanca. Check into a Ribeira or Trindade guesthouse. Evening stroll along the Douro and a cheap francesinha or bifana.
🚌Renfe/ALSA to Salamanca (~£24), then ALSA/CP onward to Porto (~£25)
🛏Guesthouse/private hostel room in central Porto (~£20-28)
- →Plaza Mayor, Salamanca
- →Ribeira riverside evening walk
- →Francesinha dinner
Porto: Douro cruise, port cellars & old town
Porto, Portugal
Self-guided day mirroring the tour's panoramic loop. Morning walk to Porto Cathedral and São Bento station's azulejo hall, then a 50-minute Douro river cruise from Ribeira (book via GetYourGuide, ~£15-18). Afternoon port cellar visit and tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia (Sandeman/Graham's/Calém entry+tasting ~£15-20). Cross the Dom Luís I bridge upper deck for views.
🚌Walking + metro/tram (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse/private hostel room in central Porto (~£20-28)
- →Porto Cathedral & São Bento station
- →Douro river cruise
- →Port wine cellar tasting in Gaia
- →Dom Luís I bridge
Porto → Coimbra → Fátima
Fátima, Portugal
Morning train (CP) Porto to Coimbra (~1h, £10-13). Wander the university hill and Joanina Library exterior, then bus/train onward to Fátima (~1h30, £8-12). Late afternoon at the Sanctuary of Fátima, Cova da Iria and the Chapel of the Apparitions. If travelling on the 12th/13th of a month, stay for the evening candlelit procession.
🚌CP train Porto-Coimbra (~£12), bus/train Coimbra-Fátima (~£10)
🛏Guesthouse/pilgrim hotel near the sanctuary (~£18-25)
- →Coimbra university quarter
- →Sanctuary of Fátima
- →Chapel of the Apparitions
- →Candlelight procession (if dates align)
Fátima → Batalha → Nazaré → Alcobaça → Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
Do this stretch by local bus (Rede Expressos/Tejo) or, for speed, book a small-group day tour from Fátima/Lisbon via GetYourGuide (~£45-60 including entries). Independently: Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro da Batalha, ~£6), Nazaré's clifftop viewpoint and beach, and Alcobaça Monastery with the tombs of Pedro and Inês (~£6). Arrive Lisbon by evening. Optional evening fado show in Alfama (~£18-25).
🚌Rede Expressos/regional buses (~£18 total); or small-group tour transfer
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Baixa or Alfama (~£22-30)
- →Batalha Monastery
- →Nazaré clifftop and beach
- →Alcobaça Monastery
- →Optional fado show
Lisbon: Belém, Alfama & castle
Lisbon, Portugal
Morning self-guided Belém loop: Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery (book entry ~£14), Monument to the Discoverers, Coach Museum (~£6) and a pastel de nata at the original bakery. Afternoon tram 28 or walk up to Alfama and Castelo de São Jorge (~£10). Sunset at Miradouro da Graça. Buy a Viva Viagem card for cheap metro/tram rides.
🚌Tram/metro with Viva Viagem card (~£5)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Baixa or Alfama (~£22-30)
- →Belém Tower
- →Jerónimos Monastery
- →Coach Museum
- →Alfama walking loop
- →Castelo de São Jorge
Lisbon → Cáceres → Córdoba
Córdoba, Spain
Long transit day. Take the Rede Expressos/ALSA bus or train from Lisbon to Badajoz then onward, or book a Lisbon-Cáceres bus (~5h, £25-35). Break in Cáceres for a self-guided walk of the Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Santa María and the medieval old town (free). Continue by bus/train to Córdoba via Mérida/Sevilla (~4h, £25-35). Aim to arrive by late evening.
🚌Lisbon-Cáceres bus (~£30), Cáceres-Córdoba via Sevilla (~£30)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Córdoba's Judería (~£22-30)
- →Cáceres Plaza Mayor
- →Cáceres old town
- →Evening in Córdoba's Judería
Córdoba: Mezquita & Jewish Quarter
Córdoba, Spain
Book the Mezquita-Catedral entry ahead (official site or GetYourGuide, ~£13-16; free early-morning slots exist). Add the Roman Bridge, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (~£5) and the old Jewish Quarter with its synagogue. Evening flamenco at a small tablao if you like. Shopping narrow Calleja de las Flores.
🚌Walking (~£2)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Córdoba's Judería (~£22-30)
- →Mezquita-Catedral
- →Roman Bridge
- →Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
- →Jewish Quarter walking tour
Córdoba → Seville
Seville, Spain
Short AVE/Avant or bus ride to Seville (~45min-1h30, £10-18). Morning/afternoon self-guided loop: Seville Cathedral and Giralda (~£15), the Santa Cruz lanes, María Luisa Park and Plaza de España (free). Evening flamenco at Casa de la Memoria or Triana's venues (~£18-22). Tapas crawl in Triana.
🚌Renfe/bus Córdoba-Seville (~£14)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Centro or Triana (~£22-30)
- →Seville Cathedral & Giralda
- →Santa Cruz quarter
- →Plaza de España
- →María Luisa Park
- →Flamenco show
Seville → Ronda → Costa del Sol
Nerja or Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
Bus from Seville to Ronda (~2h, £10-12): Puente Nuevo gorge views, old town and Plaza de Toros exterior. Continue by bus/train from Ronda down to the coast (~2h, £10-12), base yourself in Nerja or Torremolinos. Cheap coastal bus makes getting around easy. Evening swim and relaxed dinner.
🚌Bus Seville-Ronda (~£11), bus Ronda-coast (~£11)
🛏Beachside hostel/guesthouse on the Costa del Sol (~£25-32 in shoulder, more in summer)
- →Puente Nuevo, Ronda
- →Ronda old town
- →Costa del Sol beach evening
Costa del Sol: free day
Nerja or Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
Flexible beach/reset day. Options: Nerja's Balcón de Europa and Frigiliana white village by local bus (~£3), kayaking/snorkelling in Nerja's coves (~£25), or a day trip to Málaga's Picasso museum and Alcazaba (~£12 + bus). Stock up on travel snacks and confirm tomorrow's ferry/ticket across to Morocco.
🚌Local buses (~£5)
🛏Beachside hostel/guesthouse on the Costa del Sol (~£25-32)
- →Nerja Balcón de Europa
- →Frigiliana day trip
- →Optional kayaking or Málaga museums
Costa del Sol → Tarifa → Tangier → Casablanca
Casablanca, Morocco
Bus to Tarifa (~2h, £10-14), then a fast ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier (FRS/AML, ~1h, £25-35 one way; passport control at Tarifa can be slow). Alternatively join a GetYourGuide day-trip transfer Tangier with onward overnight bus. From Tangier take the ONCF train to Casablanca via Rabat (~4h30, £14-18 in 2nd class) or a CTM coach. Arrive Casablanca for a late dinner near the medina.
🚌Bus to Tarifa (~£12), ferry to Tangier (~£30), train Tangier-Casablanca (~£16)
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Casablanca Centre (~£18-25)
- →Strait of Gibraltar crossing
- →Tangier medina quick stop
- →ONCF train journey
Casablanca → Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco
Morning: Hassan II Mosque exterior (or a guided interior tour slot ~£12 if timings allow), Anfa Boulevard and Nations Square. Midday ONCF/coach to Marrakech (~3h15, £10-14). Afternoon: Koutoubia Tower exterior, Saadian Tombs (~£6), Bahia Palace (~£6). Evening walk through the souks to Jemaa el-Fna square for street food and performers.
🚌Train/coach Casablanca-Marrakech (~£12), local taxis (~£5)
🛏Riad/guesthouse or budget hotel in the medina (~£20-28)
- →Hassan II Mosque exterior
- →Koutoubia Tower
- →Saadian Tombs
- →Bahia Palace
- →Jemaa el-Fna square
Marrakech → Rabat → Meknes → Fez
Fez, Morocco
Big transit day by ONCF train: Marrakech to Rabat (~3h30), break for the Hassan Tower, Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Royal Palace exterior (all free/cheap), then train onward via Meknes (~1h) to see Bab el Mansour and Moulay Ismail's mausoleum (free entry, modest dress). Continue Meknes-Fez (~45min, £3-5). Total rail ~£18-25. Arrive Fez by night.
🚌ONCF trains Marrakech-Rabat-Meknes-Fez (~£22), petit taxis (~£6)
🛏Riad/budget guesthouse in the Fez medina (~£20-28)
- →Hassan Tower & Mohamed V Mausoleum
- →Royal Palace Rabat exterior
- →Bab el Mansour, Meknes
- →Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
Fez medina day
Fez, Morocco
Join a half-day medina walking guide (booked via GetYourGuide or through your riad, ~£18-28; a guide is genuinely worthwhile in Fez to avoid dead-ends and touts). See Bab Bou Jeloud, the tanneries, Bou Inania madrasa, the Mellah and the Royal Palace gates. Afternoon: café rooftop views. Optional evening dinner with Moroccan music show (~£15-20). Agree tannery 'guide' tips upfront.
🚌Walking + petit taxis (~£5)
🛏Riad/budget guesthouse in the Fez medina (~£20-28)
- →Fez medina guided walk
- →Bab Bou Jeloud
- →Chouara tanneries
- →Bou Inania Madrasa
- →Mellah & Royal Palace gates
Fez → Tangier → Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol, Spain
ONCF train Fez to Tangier (~4h, £15-20) or CTM coach. Cross back to Tarifa by ferry (~£30) and bus up the coast (~£12). If timings are tight, take an afternoon ferry and overnight on the coast. Another long transit day — pre-book the ferry and keep passport easy to hand.
🚌Train Fez-Tangier (~£18), ferry to Tarifa (~£30), bus to coast (~£12)
🛏Beachside hostel/guesthouse on the Costa del Sol (~£25-32)
- →Return Strait of Gibraltar crossing
- →Coastal evening
Costa del Sol: rest & optional tours
Costa del Sol, Spain
Recovery day. Options include a Málaga city day, boat trips, or a mountain village bus to Mijas/Ronda region. Otherwise beach, laundry and prep for Granada. Book your Alhambra ticket tonight if not already done — Nasrid Palaces slots sell out days/weeks ahead (£16-19).
🚌Local buses (~£5)
🛏Beachside hostel/guesthouse on the Costa del Sol (~£25-32)
- →Beach day
- →Málaga old town day trip
- →Laundry and prep for Granada
Costa del Sol → Granada: the Alhambra
Granada, Spain
Bus to Granada (~2h, £10-14), stay in the Albayzín or Centro. Afternoon Alhambra visit including the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens (pre-booked ~£16-19, or a GetYourGuide guided entry ~£30-40). Evening in the Albayzín for sunset over the Alhambra, then a Sacromonte cave flamenco show (~£18-22). Free tapas culture with each drink in Granada.
🚌Bus to Granada (~£12), local bus to Alhambra (~£3)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Granada Centro or Albayzín (~£22-30)
- →The Alhambra & Generalife Gardens
- →Albayzín sunset viewpoint
- →Sacromonte flamenco show
- →Free tapas crawl
Granada → Toledo → Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Train Granada-Toledo via Madrid Atocha (~4h, £35-45) or bus to Madrid then short train. Spend a few hours in Toledo's historic old town — Cathedral exterior, Alcázar, the Jewish Quarter and Tagus river viewpoints by foot. Continue to Madrid to finish (~35min, £8-10). If you're flying home, Madrid-Barajas is easy by metro/Cercanías.
🚌Renfe Granada-Toledo via Madrid (~£40), Toledo-Madrid (~£9)
🛏Not included — onward travel or optional hostel in Madrid (~£25)
- →Toledo historic old town
- →Toledo Cathedral & Alcázar exterior
- →Tagus river viewpoints
Self-launched vs. Remaz Tours GmbH
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Remaz Tours GmbH | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,430 | £3,950 |
| Duration | 18 days | 18 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,520 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Remaz Tours GmbH-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,430
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 18-Day Self-Launched Iberia & Morocco Loop from Madrid cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,430 per person for 18 days in Spain, Portugal & Morocco. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Remaz Tours GmbH?+
Yes — Remaz Tours GmbH charges around £3,950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,430 — a saving of roughly £2,520 (64%) per person.
How long is the Spain, Portugal & Morocco trip?+
This itinerary runs 18 days, covering 18 day-by-day stops through Spain, Portugal & Morocco.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Spain, Portugal & Morocco, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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