Self-Launched Andalusia & Morocco from Madrid — 12 Days

Start early and take the high-speed AVE train from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Córdoba (~£30–40, ~1h 45m). Spend 3–4 hours exploring the unmissable Mezquita-Catedral (entry ~£11, bookable direct at mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es) and wander the atmospheric Jewish Quarter (Judería) for free. Grab lunch at a local tapas bar — a menú del día costs around £8–10. In the afternoon, jump on another AVE to Seville (~£15–20, ~45m). Check in to your hostel in the historic centre and take an evening stroll along the river.

🚌AVE high-speed train Madrid → Córdoba → Seville. Book via Renfe.com for best prices. Total train cost approximately £45–60.

🛏Sevilla Urbany Hostel or similar well-rated hostel in the Triana/Santa Cruz area — dorm from ~£18–25/night, private room from ~£45.

• →AVE high-speed train Madrid → Córdoba (~£30–40)
• →Visit the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (entry ~£11, book direct online)
• →Explore the Judería (Jewish Quarter) — free
• →Tapas lunch in Córdoba — menú del día ~£8–10
• →AVE train Córdoba → Seville (~£15–20)
• →Evening walk along the Guadalquivir riverside

A full day in one of Spain's most captivating cities. Start at the Cathedral of Seville and climb the Giralda tower for panoramic views (entry ~£12, book via the cathedral website to skip queues). Cross into the Santa Cruz quarter — cobbled lanes and orange trees — which costs nothing to explore. Head to María Luisa Park for a shaded midday stroll and admire the breathtaking Plaza de España (free). In the evening, join a free walking tour (tip-based) to get local context, then find a neighbourhood bar for Seville-style tapas.

🚌On foot — Seville's old town is compact and walkable.

🛏Same hostel as Day 1.

• →Visit the Cathedral of Seville & Giralda tower (entry ~£12, book online)
• →Explore Santa Cruz quarter — free
• →Walk through María Luisa Park — free
• →Visit Plaza de España — free
• →Free tip-based walking tour of Seville
• →Evening tapas crawl in the Alameda neighbourhood

Catch an early bus from Seville's Plaza de Armas bus station to Ronda (~£12–15, ~2.5h via ALSA or Comes). Ronda is built on a dramatic gorge and the walk across the Puente Nuevo bridge and along the clifftop path is entirely free — a genuine highlight of the trip. Allow 2–3 hours to soak it up, grab a coffee on the terrace with the view, then take an afternoon bus or train down to the Costa del Sol (Málaga or Fuengirola, ~£8–12). Check in to a beachfront hostel and enjoy a sunset on the Mediterranean.

🚌ALSA bus Seville → Ronda, then bus or Renfe cercanías train to the coast.

🛏Oasis Backpackers Málaga or similar beachside hostel — dorm from ~£16–22/night.

• →Bus Seville → Ronda (~£12–15, book via ALSA.es)
• →Walk the Puente Nuevo bridge and gorge viewpoints — free
• →Explore Ronda's old town and bullring (optional entry ~£8)
• →Bus/train Ronda → Costa del Sol (Málaga or Fuengirola) (~£8–12)
• →Sunset walk on the beach

Head to Tarifa — the southernmost tip of mainland Europe — by bus from Málaga (~£10–14, ~2h via Comes/ALSA). From Tarifa's ferry terminal, take the FRS or Inter Shipping passenger ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier Med or Tarifa–Tangier (foot passenger ~£30–40 each way, book at frs.es). On arrival in Tangier, take the CTM or Supratours overnight bus to Fez (~£10–16, ~5–6h) or an ONCF train (~£12–18). Arrive Fez late evening and settle into your riad guesthouse in the Medina.

🚌ALSA/Comes bus to Tarifa, FRS ferry to Tangier, CTM or ONCF train/bus to Fez.

🛏Riad Dar Bouanania or similar Medina guesthouse in Fez — from ~£18/night.

• →Bus Costa del Sol → Tarifa (~£10–14)
• →Ferry Tarifa → Tangier (FRS or Inter Shipping, foot passenger ~£30–40, book at frs.es)
• →CTM/Supratours bus or ONCF train Tangier → Fez (~£10–16)
• →Check in to a Medina riad — atmospheric budget guesthouses start from ~£15–22/night

Fez el-Bali is one of the world's largest living medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) and wander into the labyrinthine souks — entirely free. Visit the exterior of the Royal Palace (7 gates of Dar el-Makhzen). Head into the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and seek out the Chouara Tannery viewpoints (leather goods shops nearby offer free views from their terraces). Book a Fez Medina guided walk via GetYourGuide (~£15–22) to navigate the maze with context. In the evening, try a local tajine at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Medina (~£6–10).

🚌All on foot within the Medina.

🛏Same riad as Day 4.

• →Morning walk through Bab Bou Jeloud and the souks — free
• →Visit exterior of the Royal Palace (7 gates) — free
• →Explore the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) — free
• →View the Chouara Tannery from terrace viewpoints — free/tip
• →Guided Fez Medina walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–22)
• →Rooftop tajine dinner in the Medina (~£6–10)

Take the morning ONCF train from Fez to Rabat (~£8–12, ~2h). In Rabat, visit the exterior of the Royal Palace, the stunning Mausoleum of Mohamed V (free entry, one of Morocco's most beautiful monuments), and the Hassan Tower — all within easy walking distance of each other. Allow 2–3 hours then catch the ONCF train from Rabat Agdal to Marrakech (~£12–18, ~3.5h). Arrive early evening — check in to your riad near Jemaa el-Fna and take your first stroll into the famous square as the food stalls and entertainers come to life.

🚌ONCF trains throughout — reliable, comfortable, and significantly cheaper than private transfers. Book at oncf.ma.

🛏Equity Point Hostel Marrakech or a budget Medina riad — dorm from ~£12–18/night, private from ~£30.

• →ONCF train Fez → Rabat (~£8–12)
• →Visit exterior of Royal Palace of Rabat — free
• →Visit Mausoleum of Mohamed V — free
• →Visit Hassan Tower — free
• →ONCF train Rabat → Marrakech (~£12–18)
• →Evening wander around Jemaa el-Fna Square

A full day immersed in Marrakech's sights and sensory overload. Morning: visit Menara Gardens (free, peaceful olive groves and a reflective pool) and admire the exterior of the Koutoubia Minaret — the city's iconic landmark — from the surrounding gardens (free). Mid-morning: book entry to Bahia Palace (~£2–3 at the door) for its stunning tilework and carved cedar ceilings. Afternoon: join a guided Marrakech souks and artisans' tour via GetYourGuide (~£18–25) covering woodworkers, ceramicists, leatherworkers and spice vendors. Evening: return to Jemaa el-Fna for street food dinner — budget £5–8 for a memorable meal at the outdoor stalls.

🚌On foot and occasional petit taxi within the Medina (~£1–2 per ride).

🛏Same riad/hostel as Day 6.

• →Visit Menara Gardens — free
• →Exterior visit to Koutoubia Minaret — free
• →Visit Bahia Palace (entry ~£2–3)
• →Guided souks & artisans tour via GetYourGuide (~£18–25)
• →Street food dinner at Jemaa el-Fna (~£5–8)
• →Optional: Fantasia Chez Ali dinner show (self-book direct, ~£40–55)

A flexible day to explore at your own pace — exactly what independent travel is all about. Popular options: take a day trip to the Ourika Valley or Atlas Mountains (shared minibus tours from Jemaa el-Fna from ~£20–30), visit the Saadian Tombs (~£2) and Ben Youssef Medersa (~£5), explore the Mellah and Lazama Synagogue, or simply get lost in the souks. Alternatively, book a hammam experience (traditional Moroccan bathhouse) — budget options from ~£8–15. Spend the evening on a rooftop terrace with mint tea watching the square come alive.

🚌On foot, petit taxi, or shared minibus for excursions.

🛏Same riad/hostel as Day 6.

• →Optional: Day trip to Ourika Valley / Atlas Mountains (~£20–30 via shared tour)
• →Visit Saadian Tombs (~£2)
• →Visit Ben Youssef Medersa (~£5)
• →Traditional hammam experience (~£8–15)
• →Free exploration of the souks and Mellah
• →Rooftop mint tea at sunset

Take the morning ONCF train from Marrakech to Casablanca (~£10–14, ~3h). On arrival, drop your bag at the hostel and head to the Hassan II Mosque — one of the world's largest mosques and an architectural marvel. Exterior views are free; guided interior tours run at set times (~£10–12, book at mosquee-hassan2.com). Walk along the Boulevard de la Corniche by the Atlantic Ocean, and visit United Nations Square in the city centre. For dinner, try a classic Casablanca fish restaurant near the port for fresh Atlantic seafood (~£10–15).

🚌ONCF train Marrakech → Casablanca Voyageurs. Book at oncf.ma.

🛏Auberge de Jeunesse Casablanca or similar budget hostel — from ~£12–18/night.

• →ONCF train Marrakech → Casablanca (~£10–14)
• →Exterior visit to Great Mosque of Hassan II — free
• →Optional guided interior tour of Hassan II Mosque (~£10–12)
• →Walk along Boulevard de la Corniche — free
• →Visit United Nations Square — free
• →Fresh seafood dinner near the port (~£10–15)

Take the early morning ONCF train from Casablanca to Tangier (~£15–22, ~5.5h — or take an overnight train the previous evening to save time). From Tangier Port, catch the FRS or Inter Shipping ferry back across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa (~£30–40 foot passenger). You're back in Europe — check in to a Tarifa hostel. Tarifa itself is a kite-surfing mecca with a lively beach scene. Enjoy a quiet evening meal and a well-earned rest ahead of the Granada push.

🚌ONCF train to Tangier, FRS/Inter Shipping ferry to Tarifa.

🛏Melting Pot Hostel Tarifa or similar — dorm from ~£18–24/night.

• →ONCF train Casablanca → Tangier (~£15–22, book at oncf.ma)
• →Ferry Tangier → Tarifa (~£30–40, frs.es)
• →Explore Tarifa's old town and beaches — free
• →Optional: kite-surfing lesson on the beach (~£50–70)

Take the ALSA bus from Tarifa to Granada via Algeciras (~£18–25, ~3–3.5h, book at alsa.es). Arrive early afternoon and, crucially — head straight to redeeming your Alhambra tickets (book online AT LEAST 2–3 weeks in advance at alhambra-patronato.es, entry ~£14). The Alhambra palace complex and Generalife Gardens together represent the pinnacle of Moorish architecture and are an absolute must. Allow 3–4 hours. In the evening, head up to the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín quarter for the iconic sunset view of the Alhambra — one of Spain's most magical moments, and completely free.

🚌ALSA bus from Tarifa (via Algeciras) to Granada.

🛏Oasis Granada Hostel or similar Albaicín-area hostel — dorm from ~£16–22/night.

• →ALSA bus Tarifa → Granada (~£18–25, alsa.es)
• →Visit Alhambra palace complex (pre-book essential, ~£14, alhambra-patronato.es)
• →Explore the Generalife Gardens (included with Alhambra ticket)
• →Wander the Albaicín Moorish quarter — free
• →Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás — free
• →Tapas crawl on Calle Navas (Granada's tapas are free with drinks!)

Take the early ALSA bus or Renfe train from Granada to Madrid (~£18–30, ~4.5h). Stop en route in Toledo — disembark at the Toledo bus station (some direct Granada–Toledo services exist; alternatively travel to Madrid first and take a short detour, ~30 min by AVE, ~£8). Toledo's medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — explore the Cathedral (entry ~£11), the panoramic viewpoints over the Tagus River, and the winding lanes of the Jewish Quarter. Late afternoon, hop back on the bus or AVE to Madrid Atocha. The adventure ends in the capital — celebrate over cervezas and patatas bravas!

🚌ALSA bus or Renfe from Granada, with a Toledo stop, finishing in Madrid Atocha.

🛏No accommodation needed — tour ends in Madrid.

• →Bus/train Granada → Toledo (direct or via Madrid, ~£18–30)
• →Guided walking tour of Toledo old town (self-led with audio guide app ~£3–5, or GetYourGuide tour ~£12)
• →Visit Toledo Cathedral (entry ~£11)
• →Walk the Judería (Jewish Quarter) and viewpoints — free
• →Bus/AVE Toledo → Madrid (~£8–12)
• →Celebratory dinner in Madrid