Malaga, Marrakesh & Barcelona - 9 Days

Touch down in Malaga, a vibrant coastal city that blends rich history with contemporary charm, and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city’s Old Town. Start with a visit to Plaza de la Constitución, the beating heart of Málaga, and stroll along Calle Marqués de Larios, a lively pedestrian street lined with boutiques and cafés. As evening approaches, head to Plaza de la Merced, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and enjoy dinner on your own at a traditional Andalusian restaurant. Try local specialties like espeto de sardinas (grilled sardines) and ajoblanco, a chilled almond soup. End your night with a relaxed walk along the palm-lined Muelle Uno waterfront promenade.  

Breakfast at your hotel. Begin your day with a guided visit to the Alcazaba, a well-preserved Moorish fortress that offers sweeping views of the port. From there, walk up to the Castillo de Gibralfaro, the hilltop castle that once protected the Alcazaba. The path offers panoramic vistas—perfect for photos. After descending, enjoy lunch on your own at El Pimpi, a Málaga institution known for its rustic charm and celebrity-signed wine barrels. In the afternoon, visit the Picasso Museum, housed in a beautiful Renaissance building, to see over 200 works from the artist.  Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Malaga. (B)

Start your morning with breakfast at your hotel and enjoy a free day in Malaga. In the mid-morning, head to the Atarazanas Market, a vibrant local spot where you can browse stalls bursting with fresh fruits, cheeses, olives, and seafood. Grab some small bites or freshly squeezed juice and soak in the local atmosphere. Later, spend your afternoon by the beach—take a walk or rent a bike to reach Playa de la Malagueta, where you can sunbathe, swim, or enjoy a casual lunch at a beachfront chiringuito (beach bar). Don’t miss trying espeto de sardinas, grilled over open flames right on the sand. After a relaxing few hours seaside, return to the city and explore the Soho arts district, where bold murals and contemporary galleries like CAC Málaga offer a modern contrast to the city’s older landmarks—or find a lively local tapas bar for a casual and delicious end to the day. Overnight in Malaga. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Head to the airport today to catch a flight to Morocco. Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to start discovering this wonderful city. A walk through the Medina allows you to enjoy the best of its architecture and the unique, colorful atmosphere of the city. Overnight stay in Marrakesh.(B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a guided visit to two of Marrakesh’s architectural highlights: the Bahia Palace, with its intricate tilework and lush courtyards, and the Saadian Tombs, known for their stunning decorative carvings. Then visit the Koutoubia Mosque (viewed from the outside if you're not Muslim), whose 12th-century minaret dominates the city skyline.  Enjoy free time for lunch and head to the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where storytellers, snake charmers, and musicians perform under the open sky. Enjoy a casual dinner at one of the rooftop cafés overlooking the square, such as Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier, and watch the square come alive in the golden twilight. Overnight stay in Marrakesh. (B)

Breakfast at your hotel. Today is reserved for a scenic escape to the Agafay Desert, just under an hour from Marrakesh. Unlike the golden dunes of the Sahara, Agafay offers a striking rocky and lunar landscape—perfect for a desert adventure without the long drive. Start your morning with a 4x4 transfer or camel ride into the desert, where you can enjoy tea with a local nomadic host, quad biking, or even yoga under the open sky, depending on your preference. Enjoy an included traditional Berber lunch in a desert camp with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains in the distance. You’ll return to Marrakesh by late afternoon. Take the evening to relax, perhaps with a rooftop drink at El Fenn or Kabana, watching the sunset paint the city in shades of amber and pink. Enjoy a light dinner on your own or visit a nearby music lounge for a taste of Marrakesh’s evolving nightlife. Overnight in Marrakesh. (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind as you transfer to the airport for your flight to Barcelona. Arrive in the Catalonian capital and transfer to your hotel. A vibrant city, known for its artistic heritage and the amazing architecture of Gaudí, spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the historic streets of the Barrio Gothic or strolling along the seafront in the old fishing neighborhood of Barceloneta. Overnight stay in Barcelona. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the morning with a guided tour (or timed-entry visit) to La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s world-renowned basilica still under construction after over a century. Take your time admiring the intricate façades and kaleidoscopic stained-glass interior. From there, head to Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona’s elegant shopping avenue lined with Modernist architecture, including Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (Casa Milà). Enjoy free time for lunch at the bustling Mercado de La Boqueria—where you can snack on Iberian ham, seafood, or fresh juice— then head to Park Güell, a colorful mosaic-covered wonderland designed by Gaudí.  As the sun sets, head down to La Rambla, the famous tree-lined promenade, and enjoy the lively street performers and vibrant ambiance.  Overnight in Barcelona. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. After an unforgettable journey through Spain and Morocco's ancient sites and idyllic sites, it's time to bring your trip to a close. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US.