Andalusia to the Sahara Crossing

Cross the sea from Seville via Tarifa, traveling through the Blue City, Fes, and the desert to Marrakech

A classic multi-country route combining southern Spain and Morocco, showcasing the shared Moorish heritage on both sides of the strait. A one-hour ferry from Tarifa takes you directly to Tangier's city port, followed by a private road trip through northern Morocco and the desert loop. Granada is omitted on the Spanish side to keep the duration manageable, while Rabat and Casablanca are skipped in Morocco, making this perfect for first-time visitors with plenty of time.

Seville and the desert are scorching hot in mid-summer; easterly winds in winter can cause ferry cancellations.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival in Seville

Seville（Plaza de España, Seville、María Luisa Park、Triana）

Take the airport bus to the city center (about 40 minutes). Spend the afternoon walking through plazas and parks, and cross the river to Triana in the evening.

Stay: Santa Cruz

Day 2 · Real Alcázar, Cathedral, and Santa Cruz

Seville（Real Alcázar of Seville、Seville Cathedral & La Giralda、Barrio de Santa Cruz、Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)）

Explore the heart of the old town entirely on foot; major sights are 5–15 minutes apart. Watch a flamenco show in the evening.

Tickets for the Real Alcázar and Seville Cathedral must be booked in advance.

Stay: Santa Cruz

Day 3 · South to Tarifa, Europe's Southernmost Tip

Tarifa（Tarifa Old Town & Puerta de Jerez、Castle of Guzmán el Bueno、Punta de Tarifa & Isla de las Palomas）

Take a long-distance bus from Prado de San Sebastián station to Tarifa (about 2.5–3 hours). Explore the old town on foot.

Stay: Tarifa Old Town

Day 4 · Cross the Strait to Tangier

Tangier（Grand Socco、Medina of Tangier、Kasbah of Tangier、Café Hafa）

Take a fast ferry from Tarifa to Tangier Ville Port (about 1 hour), then walk about 10 minutes into the Medina.

Bring your passport and get it stamped on board. Make sure you book to Tangier Ville Port, not Tangier Med.

Stay: Tangier Medina

Day 5 · Into the Rif Mountains to the Blue City

Chefchaouen（Chefchaouen Blue Medina、Spanish Mosque (Jemaa Bouzafar)）

Take a private transfer from Tangier to Chefchaouen (about 2.5–3 hours). Explore the Medina in the afternoon and head up to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint at dusk.

Stay: Old Medina Center

Day 6 · Roman Ruins to the Ancient Capital of Fes

Meknes（Volubilis、Bab Mansour (Meknes)）

Drive from Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes (about 5–7 hours including stops).

Stay: Bab Bou Jeloud

Day 7 · Full Day in Fes El Bali

Fes（Bab Bou Jeloud、Bou Inania Madrasa、Al-Attarine Madrasa、University of al-Qarawiyyin、Chouara Tannery）

The old medina is car-free, so you will be walking the entire time. Hiring a licensed guide for a 6-hour tour is highly recommended.

Stay: Bab Bou Jeloud

Day 8 · Through Cedar Forests to the Dunes

Fes（Ifrane、Cèdre Gouraud Forest） → Merzouga（Erg Chebbi Desert Camps & Camel Trek）

Drive from Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane and Midelt (about 470 km, 8–9 hours).

Depart early to ensure you arrive in time to ride camels into the desert camp before sunset.

Stay: Erg Chebbi Camps

Day 9 · Dune Sunrise to the Two Great Gorges

Merzouga（Merzouga / Erg Chebbi、Rissani Souk） → Dadès Valley & Todra Gorge（Todra Gorge、Dadès Gorges）

Drive from Merzouga to Dades Valley via Rissani and Tinghir (about 300 km, 5 hours).

Stay: Inside Dades Gorge

Day 10 · Valley of the Roses to the Ancient Kasbah

Dadès Valley & Todra Gorge（Valley of Roses, Kelâat M'Gouna） → Ouarzazate（Kasbah Taourirt、Aït Benhaddou）

Drive from Dades to Aït Benhaddou via the Valley of the Roses and Ouarzazate (about 170 km, 3 hours).

Stay: Ait Benhaddou

Day 11 · Over the Tichka Pass to the Red City

Ouarzazate（Tizi n'Tichka Pass） → Marrakech City（Koutoubia Mosque、Jemaa el-Fnaa）

Drive from Aït Benhaddou over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech (about 190 km, 4 hours).

Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa

Day 12 · Marrakech Palaces and Souks

Marrakech City（Bahia Palace、Ben Youssef Madrasa、Medina Souks、Jardin Majorelle / Musée Yves Saint Laurent）

Explore the Medina on foot. Take a taxi to Jardin Majorelle in the afternoon (about 15 minutes).

Jardin Majorelle tickets must be booked online in advance.