Qs10dayadventures

I will be traveling from Córdoba to the following cities. I'm considering two options:

1. Sevilla (train from Córdoba, 4 nights) - Tarifa/Tangier (bus from Seville,ferry 2 nights) - Malaga (bus from Tarifa, 2 nights) - Lisbon (plane from Malaga)

2. Malaga (train from Córdoba, 2 nights) - Tarifa/Tangier (bus from Malaga,ferry 2 nights) - Seville (bus from Tarifa, 4 nights) - Lisbon (plane from Seville)

Does anyone have experience with this exact route? Which is the better route or are there other alternative routes given my time frame (Oct 1-9). What are the best modes of transportation for each leg?

Also, I prefer to take the morning ferry to Tangier, but the earliest bus from Seville or Malaga leaves at 8:00am (not quite early enough), will I have to spend the night in Tarifa (or anywhere close) to make a morning ferry ride?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

MmePerdu

I have no experience with the routes, except ferries back & forth Tangier/Tarifa. On a relatively long stay in Morocco I took the ferry just for fun and stayed several nights in Tarifa before returning to Morocco. The only downside was the wind and otherwise thought Tarifa a very nice place to hang out. Better, I think, than larger cities, but then I prefer smaller places in general. It also has the advantage of a ferry that drops you right on the edge of the Tangier medina, whereas those from other places on the south coast (Algeciras+ most often/always?) now use Tangier Med, some way out of town. So I'd consider an overnight in Tarifa no hardship at all.

Bedar

I think I'd prefer your option #1 because there should be more flights to Lisbon from Malaga, but the options are basically the same, just going in opposite directions. Well, of course, you'd prefer the earliest ferry to Tangier, but if that's impossible, so what. The ferries run all day, and it's a very short crossing. I'd hop the first ferry possible and spend that night and the next in Tangier.

Qs10dayadventures

Thanks MmePerdu. Good to know.

Bedar, a later ferry is always a possibility. Less hassle and stress. Another recommendation I got was to visit all the Spain cities first, ferry to Morocco then fly out of Morocco to Lisbon. This will save me some time too. What are your thoughts?

MmePerdu

I think one issue would be whether you want to see more of Morocco. I like Tangier and it's distinctive personality, all Moroccan cities/towns are unique from one other. If you only have time for Tangier then choose the route with the best connections (time & cost). If you'd like to see more of Morocco and have the time, I'd certainly recommend going farther afield & flying to Lisbon.