7 Days in Morocco : Explore Northern Morocco Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Rabat

Day 1: Arrive in Tangier & Explore

1. Tangier
   8h
   Welcome to the historic and vibrant city of Tangier, the gateway between Europe and Africa. Stretching along the Maghreb coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier offers a unique blend of cultures. Several influences have shaped the city for centuries, attracting artists, spies, and eccentric foreigners. While not always a tourist hub, Tangier has undergone a makeover. Its new marina area (a nice place for a quick walk) and the refreshed old quarter now attract visitors worldwide.
   
   Start in the Medina (old town) and explore its labyrinth of commercial and residential alleyways. Wander around Petit Socco Square, known for its buzzy markets, craft shops, and cafés. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat or people-watch. For an incredible view over the city, visit the cannons at Faro Square and savor scenes of the Medina, harbor, and Bay of Tangier.

Day 2: Tangier to Chefchaouen

1. Chefchaouen
   10h
   Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Tangier to your accommodation in Chefchaouen, which takes about two and a half hours. Enjoy the scenic drive as flat plains and springtime green hills transform into the rugged landscape of the Rif Mountains. After settling into your accommodation, head out to explore Chefchaouen, or simply "chaoeun," as the locals call it. Twist through the city's Medina and its winding maze of picturesque streets while appreciating the relaxed atmosphere.
   
   Beautifully perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rif, Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, an artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. It was founded in 1471 by Idrissid shorfa, descendants of the Prophet Mohammed, as a stronghold in the fight against the Portuguese. However, the town expanded with the arrival of Muslim and Jewish refugees from Granada in 1494, who built the whitewashed houses.

Day 3: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis & Meknes

1. Fez
   9h
   Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Chefchaouen to your accommodation in Fes, which takes about four and a half hours. Along the way, your driver will stop in the imperial city of Meknes and the Roman ruins at Volubilis. To make the most out of your morning, wander the quiet streets of Chefchaouen for a final look at the "Blue City."
   
   After saying goodbye to the scenic Rif Mountains, your first stop is Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins. Wander through the massive complex, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many colorful mosaics. This town was one of the most remote parts of the Roman Empire, with the Romans ruling about 200 years and leaving in 285 CE.

Day 4: Tour of Fes Medina & Transfer to Rabat

1. Fez
   5h
   Discover the vibrant and fortified Medina of Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco, with the help of a local. Your private tour guide will meet you in the morning and lead you through the twisting maze of cobbled streets as you pass markets, shops, mosques, and more. You'll explore lively souks, learn about medieval Marinid architecture, and visit historical monuments as you absorb Fes's old-fashioned charm.
   
   Pass through the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), a Moorish gate with three arches acting as the old town's main entrance, and wander the bustling souks (markets). You'll find unique, hand-crafted goods in alleys, streets, and open-air squares. Enjoy the bright colors of rugs, jewelry, and leather goods, or indulge in the towers of spices, dried fruits, and culinary delicacies.
2. Rabat
   5h
   Once you've finished your tour, you'll transfer to Rabat, which takes about two and a half hours. Upon your arrival, take some time to relax before heading out into the city.
   
   Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the bustling city of Rabat, the capital of Morocco, since 1956. As the second-largest city in the country, it tends to attract fewer tourists than other Moroccan hubs. But thanks to its signature white architecture, Rabat earned UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2012, and there's much to do and see in the city.
   
   Start at the Royal Palace of Rabat and the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis, where you can wander the Roman and Islamic ruins. Stroll through the Medina (old town) to find the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. This abandoned 12th-century project features the minaret of an incomplete mosque and some 200 columns.

Day 5: Rabat to Marrakech via Casablanca

1. Casablanca
   6h
   The Hassan II Mosque is Casablanca's premier attraction, sitting scenically on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Its massive complex includes a museum, baths, Koranic school, library, and prayer room supported by 78 granite and marble pillars. As the second-largest mosque globally, the prayer room holds 25,000 people, and the outside courtyard can accommodate an additional 80,000 worshippers. The mosque's 650-foot (200-m) minaret is the tallest structure in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world.
   
   Casablanca is the country’s most modern city and a conglomeration of stark-white buildings. The present city, known colloquially as “Casa” or “El Beida,” was founded in 1912. Straddling east and west, it's the commercial and financial capital of Morocco where tradition and modernity co-exist.
2. Marrakech
   5h
   Upon arrival in Marrakech, settle into your accommodation and relax before heading out into the city. Enjoy a stroll in the gardens near the stunning Koutoubia Mosque, then head to the lively Jemaa el Fna Square as the sun starts to set. Here, you'll find musicians, performers, and food stalls. Wander the buzzy square (an important trading bazaar for many centuries) or watch the show from above at a quieter café situated over the plaza.

Day 6: Tour of Marrakech & Explore Majorelle Gardens

1. Marrakech
   9h
   Marrakech is Morocco's second-largest metropolis, known as the "Red City," thanks to the natural red pigment in its walls. Explore the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells as you wander through its bustling center. Start with one of the most beautiful palaces and monuments in Marrakech, the Bahia Palace. Built at the end of the 19th century, the name means "brilliance," and you'll quickly understand why! Enjoy its beautiful courtyard and gardens and the building's interior with intricate woodwork and ornamented ceilings.
   
   Next, your guide will take you to the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens, the city's largest mosque. Although non-Muslims can't enter, you can still admire the grounds and exterior, including its remarkable minaret. Pass through one of the Medina's historical gates and meander its twisting alleyways to the souks (markets) and hidden Fondouks (historic caravanserai once used as hotels for travelers and merchants).

Day 7: Depart Marrakech

1. Marrakech
   4h
   Time to wave goodbye to Morocco with your transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) to catch your flight home or onto your next adventure.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels