Coastal Morocco Tour: From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic - 16 Days

Highlights

• Watch the sunset from the white walls of the charming town of Asilah
• Stroll the photogenic streets of Chefchaouen, the famous "Blue City" 
• Make inland stops, like the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis near Fes
• Take a seaside stroll on the Atlantic coast while visiting Essaouira

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca, City Tour, Transfer to Rabat & Explore

Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival in Casablanca, your driver will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to Rabat. But first, you'll check out a few sites in the famous city of Casablanca. Admire the Art Deco buildings in the Hobous, walk the scenic Boulevard de la Corniche along the Atlantic coast, and take in views of the Hassan II Mosque from afar. Follow Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart's footsteps at Rick's Café, which recreates the famous scene in the legendary film.

After you get an introduction to Casablanca, hop back in the car for an hourlong transfer to Rabat, Morocco's capital. After you settle in, join a guided tour to discover the best of the city, such as the gates of the Royal Palace. Walk through the blue streets and alleyways of Kasbah of the Udayas, a citadel on a looming hill, then visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V.

Day 2: Transfer to Asilah, Explore

Today, enjoy a leisurely tour along the Atlantic coast from Rabat to the coastal town of Asilah. This area is rich in history and has archaeological sites highlighting 3,000 years of human settlement.

Your first stop is at the mouth of the Loukkos River to visit the well-preserved Roman city of Lixus and the former Spanish colonial town of Larache, where you'll lunch on fresh seafood between the arches of the Plaza de España, visit the archaeology museum, and explore a ruined fortress. Take a short detour inland to the fourth-century Msoura Standing Stones, 167 monoliths around a burial mound, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Morocco.

Continue along the coastal road to reach your final stop of the day, Asilah, a city that originated as a fortified Portuguese port in the 15th century. Today, Asilah is a relaxed artist colony famous for its clean beaches and extensive street art. Other highlights include the charming and compact Asilah Medina and climbing to the Asilah City Walls for the best sunset views. 

Day 3: Transfer to Tangier via Cape Spartel & Hercules Cave

Today, you'll follow the Atlantic coast to Tangier along a nearly unbroken chain of wide, sandy beaches until you reach Cape Spartel—the northwestern tip of Africa. Once you arrive, explore the scenic lighthouse, eat lunch at one of the oceanview restaurants, or swim at the sheltered Achakker Beach. You'll also visit the legendary Cave of Hercules, where Hercules (purportedly) slept while traveling to the Garden of Hesperides (in the ruins of Lixus).

Continue from Cape Spartel to Tangier, one of the gateways to Europe and Africa, known for its diverse culture and bustling commerce. Check into your hotel, then head down to the port through Tangier Medina's winding and shadowed alleys, home to some of the best seafood in town. Ascend to the hills above the Medina to the old kasbah, with incredible views of the Mediterranean and the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures.

Head east to Rue Belgique and Avenue de la Mexique, bustling streets that are the commercial heart of Tangier's downtown. These streets come alive in the evenings with people out on the promenade or getting dinner. Traveling east will take you to Tangier's chic new beachfront neighborhoods, where you'll find abundant trendy restaurants.

Day 4: Discover Tangier at Your Own Pace

Explore more of Tangier today. Enjoy views of the Strait of Gibraltar and, on a clear day, southern Spain. Head to the Old Medina, contained by the walls of a 15th-century Portuguese fortress. Stop for a coffee or tea break at the famous, 100-year-old Café Hafa. With several terraces, all providing fantastic coastline views, this bohemian café is known to attract artists, writers, and musicians from all over the world.

Visit the Petit Socco, a square in the Medina area of central Tangier, once home to many notable writers and affluent people. The square lies in the area of Tangier, where a Roman forum once stood. Petit Socco was once one of the greatest souks in Morocco, and people would flock from miles around to buy food and clothes.

If you have time, explore the American Legation Museum, a beautiful palace in the Medina of Tangier, home to the first American diplomatic mission to Morocco in December 1797. Now a museum, it preserves the heritage of America and Morocco and is the only historical landmark of the US abroad.

Day 5: Transfer to Chefchaouen, Hike to Akchour Waterfall

Meet your driver at your hotel for the 69-mile (112 km) drive south from Tangier to Chefchaouen. Settle into your hotel, then meet your guide for a quick, 45-minute drive to a trailhead, where you'll learn more about the surrounding region and the day's adventure. Begin the hike to the gorgeous Akchour Waterfall, a scenic cascade with many trails to explore. 

Trek along the easy, well-marked trail (the roundtrip hike is approximately 3-4 hours), passing through the dense forests of the Rif mountains. Keep an eye out for local Barbary macaque monkeys and other wildlife. Once you arrive at the end of the trail, marvel at the waterfalls, take photos, or swim in the pools, and then return to Chefchaouen.

Day 6: Explore the "Blue City" of Chefchaouen

Discover the sites, streets, and monuments of Morocco's famed "Blue City," Chefchaouen. Beautifully perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rifs, Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, an artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. Founded in 1471, it's known for its winding maze of picturesque streets, relaxed atmosphere, and some of the friendliest people in the country.

The old medina is a delight, with red-tiled roofs, bright-blue buildings, and narrow lanes converging on the busy Plaza Uta el-Hammam. Next, head to the Grand Mosque and kasbah. Although non-Muslims can't enter the mosque, anyone can admire its structure, tour the gardens, museums, and old prison cells of the Kasbah, and climb to the roof for a fantastic view of Chefchaoeun.

Then, wander into the Quartier Al Andalous, a district with distinctive white, green, and blue houses, decorated doors, and wrought-iron railings. End the day at Ras el Ma Spring and take a tea break at one of the quaint riverside cafés. Then, for an exceptional view of the city, walk past the walls and through its historic gates toward the Hotel Atlas, and continue up the path to enjoy the sunset from the Spanish Mosque.

Day 7: Transfer to Al Hoceima via Bades

Today you'll travel from Chefchaouen to Al Hoceima. Rise early to wander the streets during the rare in-between tourist time of the "Blue City" before meeting your driver. Travel north beneath the limestone cliffs of the Laou River Gorge, again being on the lookout for Barbary monkeys. The road now winds along the coast, ascending steep mountain cliffs with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Stop for lunch in the port town of El Jebha, and continue past the mountain coastline of Al Hoceima National Park. This preserve provides sanctuary for rare avian and marine wildlife and is dotted with ancient marabouts (religious shrines). Take a quick detour to explore the park at the tiny port of Bades, known for its iconic Spanish military enclave, Peñon de Vélez de la Gomera.

Finally, you'll reach Al Hoceima, a beautiful, whitewashed town straddling the clifftops around a picturesque bay. A sleepy resort town, it's famous for old villas, Spanish and Rifi Berber influences, perennial blue skies, and sandy beaches. Once you settle into your hotel, walk down to the fishing port, purchase fresh-caught seafood, and bring it to a nearby restaurant to be cooked on the spot. 

Day 8: Explore the History & Beaches of Al Hoceima

After breakfast, take the morning to explore the city of Al Hoceima. Start with the old town, which sits atop the cliffs overlooking Al Hoceima Bay. This area was built by Spanish forces and offers a colonial atmosphere. From here, It's only a short walk to a clifftop overlook where you can watch fishermen in rowboats at work and, on a clear day, see Spanish mountains on the horizon.

Stop for coffee at Café Miramar and enjoy the spectacular view before heading to the port for a fresh seafood lunch. After eating, you'll be transferred to the picturesque Sfiha Beach. Wander the beach and swim in sight of the spectacular Spanish island fortress of Peñón de Alhucemas. Once you're finished the beach, return to Al Hoceima and spend the afternoon exploring and relaxing.

Day 9: Transfer to Fez via Taza

Leave behind the dry and sunny Mediterranean coast and enter Morocco's Imperial heartland. Enter the Rif Mountains through the spectacular Tizi Ouasli Pass to the almond plantations around Aknoul. Cross the Tizi n' Taida Pass, with its dense forests and abandoned French military outposts, before descending into a landscape of steep, barren valleys. Continue south until you reach the mountain city of Taza, where you'll stop for lunch and explore the clifftop Medina of Taza.

From Taza, head to the town of Sidi Harazem, where you can bathe in hot springs before continuing to the vibrant and exciting metropolis of Fes. Once you check into your accommodations, end your day watching the sunset from the Marinid Tombs in the north or Borj Sud in the south (depending on where you're staying), offering fantastic views of this dynamic city and its timeless roots.

Day 10: Tour the Fes Medina, Hammam Experience

Today, take a self-guided tour through Fes, the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities. The entire fortified Medina of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and because the city never experienced much colonial influence, entering the Medina feels like stepping back in time. Wander the twisting cobbled streets, and stop to peruse the iconic souks (markets) for various spices, leather goods, ceramics, shoes, scarves, medicines, and more. 

Make your way to one of the oldest still-operating universities in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin University (founded in 859 CE), next to the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. Though the mosque is only open to Muslims, there are a few places to view its decorated interior. Next, head to the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa or Bou Inania Madrasa, both exquisite examples of Moroccan architecture.

Head to a traditional hammam (bathhouse) at the appointed time, a fantastic way to relax and wash off your stress and worries. The hammam experience includes a body scrub and wash, all in a beautiful setting, with additional add-ons like a massage or other spa services, if you wish.

Day 11: Guerrouane Region Winery Tour

Enjoy a fun and decadent day trip out of the city today with a trip to Morocco's Guerrouane region, just beyond Fes. Spend the day learning about the region's crops, history, traditions, and flavors with a winery tour and private tasting.

Moroccans have been cultivating and refining wine grapes for large-scale production since the Roman era. The winemaking tradition can be traced back to the region's Jewish communities and was later expanded by French settlers. Growers and vintners focus on red blends, rosé, and local brandies called mahia (water of life).

After a fun and informative vineyard tour, you'll sit down to an afternoon of tasting flights featuring various local styles of wine. Afterward, you'll return to Fes for the night. Make sure to bring a bottle of wine to crack open in the peaceful courtyard of your riad.

Day 12: Day Trip to the Roman Ruins of Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes

Discover Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins and one of its most famous imperial cities on a day tour from Fes. Meet your driver at your accommodation in Fes for your transfer, first to the ancient ruins of Volubilis. Along with your guide, explore the remains of this 2000-year-old complex, a massive collection of large merchant homes with visible heating systems and many colorful mosaics. 

Continue just down the street to Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco's holiest cities. Enjoy a tour of the town's compact, narrow streets where Moulay Idriss I introduced Islam to the region in 789 CE.

Next, transfer to Meknes, founded in the 11th century as a military settlement. Explore the Meknes Medina and visit the monumental city gates and ornamental decorations. Tour the city walls and stop at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, founder of the Alaouite Dynasty and sultan when Meknes was its capital city. To end your visit, peruse the Museum of Moroccan Art and view various regional handicrafts.

Day 13: Transfer to Marrakesh, Free Time

Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Fes to your accommodation in Marrakesh, about a 5.5-hour trip. After settling into your riad in Marrakesh, feel free to venture into the city. Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the gardens near the Koutoubia Mosque, then head to the lively Jemaa el-Fna Square as the sun sets. Here, you'll find musicians, performers, and food stalls.

Wander the square, an important trading bazaar for many centuries, or watch the show from above at a quieter café over the plaza.

Day 14: Explore the Historical Sites of Marrakesh, Traditional Cooking Class

After you've had a traditional Moroccan breakfast at your riad, meet your local tour guide for a tour of the Old Medina of Marrakesh. You'll be dazzled by the displays of djellabas (robes), bright babouches (leather shoes), intricate lanterns, and mounds of exotic spices. Your guide will share the history and stories of the Medina, the souk, and the Mellah (Jewish) sections, all within the city's rose-pink walls. 

Continue your private tour to explore more of the city. See the Bahia Palace, a sprawling complex dating to the late 19th century filled with colorful, intricate details. Explore the ruins of El Badi Palace, built in 1578, and the Majorelle Gardens, an artist's landscape garden created in 1923, with a charming on-site café. End your tour at the Tombeaux Saadiens (the Saadian Tombs), the historic royal necropolis.

In the afternoon, join a Moroccan cooking class to learn some typical recipes you can take home. With your class, purchase fresh, local ingredients in a nearby souk. Learn to make recipes such as traditional Moroccan mint tea, chicken tajine (meat stew braised in spices), or chebakia (sesame cookies). 

Day 15: Day Trip to Essaouira & the Atlantic Coast

Today, you'll take a day trip to the surfing town of Essaouira. The three-hour route takes you over rolling plains and through forests of endemic argan trees (which only grow here). Make a quick stop to visit an association of local women making argan oil or "liquid gold," known for its excellent health and beauty properties. 

Once you arrive in Essaouira, enjoy walking the impressive sea walls, discovering delights in the Old Medina area, or people-watching in the active fishing harbor. Jewish heritage is very present in Essaouira, where one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Morocco is located. 

Have a memorable meal of the freshest grilled or fried fish, and return to Marrakesh in the evening, for your final night in Morocco. 

Day 16: Morning Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Depart Marrakesh

Wake up before the sun and go to the fields outside Marrakesh for a hot-air balloon ride in the fresh morning air. As you soar over the city and the surrounding high plains, spot distant Berber villages, the faraway sands of the Sahara Desert, and the looming mountains. During the flight, your pilot will share fascinating insights about the landmarks, history, and culture of Marrakesh. After an hourlong flight, the balloon descends back down, where you'll enjoy a traditional Berber breakfast.

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