Need help with Spain Itinerary & side trip to Morocco.

I have only been to Tangiers, but it was a nice addition to my trip to Spain last May. We took a ferry from Tariffa to Tangiers. But, the highlights of the trip to Morocco came when we ventured out of Tangiers on a bus to the town of Chefchouen (sp) and the seaside town of Assilah. Both of those places were amazing and if you have time I would check them out. We spent the night in Chefchouen and just had a few hours of wndering and shopping in Assilah. You can see my photos of my trip on my website at terrykathrynlawrence.com

I'd dump the Costa del Sol in a heartbeat and give all that time to Marrakech. I wouldn't even bother with Tanger.

Not having been there, perhaps I should not make a recommendation, but I would omit Costa Del Sol - this is based on other comments here on the site, as well as from reading about it, and from comments of native Spanairds regarding it. Recommend you read The New Spaniards, John Hooper, and Madrid, by Elizabelth Nash before your travels. I would spend two days and one night in Toledo (check La Posada De Manolo - excellent location and facility) and in Sevilla I would stay two days at a minimum (La Patio De Santa Cruz). Marrakesh would be not on my list as well. Rather than Escorial, I would prefer Salamanca. 20 minutes or so longer by train (which has a stop near the Escorial), and much more to see and do.

we did Spain/Morocco 2 years ago (took ferry over into Tangiers for a night, took train to Fes for 4 days). My advice for what it worth?... if all youre doing is one day in Morocco, skip it altogether and put that extra day on Granada or Seville. (It just wouldnt be worth it, and i dont think Tangiers or Marrakesh is a true picture of Morocco). Save Morocco for your "Africa" trip!

Ed offers good advice: dump the Costa del Tourismo, and spend those days in Morocco. I wouldn't go to Morocco for just a day (which is what you're gonna get) - I'd especially not bother with Tangiers at all. Consider this twist (I'm assuming you can't change your flights in to Barcelona and out of Madrid - if you can make that change, consider reversing the order): Fly to Barcelona for a few days. Fly from Barcelona to Marrakesh or Fes (if you go to Fes, spend 1-2 days there then take the train to Marrakesh). 2 days in Marrakesh. Fly Marrakesh to Madrid. A few days in/around Madrid. Consider spending the night in Toledo rather than do it as a day trip with the other 5,000 tourists who do a day trip there. Madrid to Sevilla via fast train; stop in Cordoba for most of the day (do Cordoba as a day trip along the way). A couple days in Sevilla Fast train to Granada. 1-2 days there.
Bus back to Madrid, then fly out the next day. Keep in mind that there are lots of options for flying to/from Morocco (cheaply) from several cities in Spain - check out the discount carriers. Hope that helps.

One addition I would make is a visit to Gibraltar - take the tram to the top of the rock and walk back down with a visit to St. Michael's Caves. If you do decide to go to Tangier (which we did for a day) Tarifa is a good spot to catch the ferry from - it is shorter ferry ride than from the town close to Gibraltar. Tarifa itself is an interesting town - different than the other towns along the Costa Del Sol. We enjoyed a couple of days in Nerja - treated the days like a break from museums, churches, etc and spent the time hang around the town with the locals.
Happy travels.

Thanks for the advice. I have been considering many of the options recommended here. A couple of addition questions that have been plaguing me... Is a day and a half enough time for Granada? (primarily Alhambra of course, but other sites as well) Is Salamanca preferable to Segovia for a day trip from Madrid? Is there any particular Costa Del Sol beach/town/activity anyone would recommend? I know its touristy, but the primary appeal of this area to me is variety from the museums up north. Has anyone been to Marrakesh? What would you recommend there? If I go, should I hire a guide? I've also considered Fes, but Marrakesh is easier to get to in the limited time I have available. Thanks!
-Mark

A day and a half is plenty for Granada. You'll be twiddling your thumbs at the end of the first day. You're nuts if you substitute Salamanca for Segovia - - the aquaduct is one of the three best in the world and the city itself ain't so shabby. If you absolutely have to go to the Sun Coast, make it Nerja. There's no need for a guide in Marrakech. Read up a little and go wander around. It's probably the best city for a first time visit to Morocco. You might get lost, but don't worry about it, that's half the fun and nothing will go wrong. For clarification, Tarifa is not on the Costa del Sol, it's well to the southwest of it by close to a hundred miles. The city near Gibraltar with the ferry is Algeciras and it's just across the bay.

1 and a half day is enough in Granada! Nerja is beautiful must see on the cost! Take time out to see Gibralter ! Stay in Tarifa or ALgeciras !
We drove from Granada to Algeciras to take a ferry to Tangier. Stopped for an hour in marbella and had lunch in Nerja and spent 4 hours to go see the caves. Drove to Algeciras and spent the night there and did day trips to Gibralter ad Tangierthe next 2 days. It worked out just fine ! So Day 13 Do gibralter if you can !

Well it sounds like you are doing some of the same as us, we've been tweaking and changing things.. I did a lot of research on accom in Seville, if you are driving there are a few considerations to make.. Today, I booked Hotel Murillo in Seville, it gets great reviews in tripadvisor and is in a great location... Just after I booked ..( The apartmentos Murillo went on sale in Booking.com) They look awesome value for money ...
Parking is 5 mins away, as with most of these Seville hotels parking is minimal.. I would read the comments in Tripadvisor and bookings.com Patio de La Alameda also has great reviews for an excellent price but it's a 15 min walk to the cathedral and alcazar Palace.. Hotel Amadeus & La musica also gets rave reviews in both booking.com and tripadvisor.. I had planned Marbella for a few days ( meeting sister there who lives in the UK) I've now booked a hotel near Puerto Banus called Hotel Cortijo Blanco, my sister is on more of a budget than I .. But this didn't look bad at all and a triple room for 3 nights, HALF BOARD worked out at Euros 205.65 including taxes.. All inclusive was only an extra 30 euro's and included drinks.. But I know my sister and it would ave restricted me to the hotel!! Cheers

P.S. I was planning on a 1/2 day visit to Gibraltar, however after reading these comments on Tripadvisor, may re-consider.... Re: Is Gibraltar worth a visit? If you are short on time (IMO) give Gib a miss. The view from the very top is wonderful but the town area is a dump! A cultureless experience Have to agree with JCB. Unless you have a day when you are kicking your heals/nothing to do, give Gib a miss. Apart from the view from the top of the rock its the pits and a rip off. Re: Is Gibraltar worth a visit? Destination Expert for Torrox
You have been advised well stancruzer, and made the right decision. Gib is a dump and the food is lousy as well. Happy Travels !!

Thanks for the hotel advice. Right after I get my itinerary finalized, that's my next task :-). I'm considering a number of Paradors. They look awesome, even if most of them are somewhat out of the way. I briefly considered Gibraltar, but since I've been to London 4 times in the last 5 years, I figured it'd be more interesting to get a taste of Moroccan culture instead (both figuratively and literally :-)