Highlights
- Enjoy the beaches and souks of Tangier and Asilah
- Explore the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco at Volubilis
- Wander amid the brilliant blue houses of Chefchaouen
- Dine in a local family home in Fes
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tangier, Family-Friendly Activities | Tangier |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Asilah | Tangier |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Chefchaouen, City Tour, Akchour Waterfall | Chefchaouen |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Fes, Roman Ruins of Volubilis & Meknes | Fes |
| Day 5 | Fes Medina Tour & Mosaic Workshop | Fes |
| Day 6 | Ifrane National Park Day Trip, Dinner with Local Family | Fes |
| Day 7 | Depart Fes |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tangier, Family-Friendly Activities
Welcome to Tangier! Your local driver and guide will collect you from the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the city's historic medina (old town). Enjoy a welcome tea at your riad (traditional Moroccan townhouse) and settle in. Once your kids have had some time to rest, head out into the city with a local guide for some family-friendly exploration.
Start in the heart of the medina, wandering through the labyrinth of commercial and residential alleyways. Check out Petit Socco Square, known for its buzzy markets, craft shops, and cafés. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat, people watch, and even catch a snake charmer performance! Your kids' jaws will drop as the charmer and his two tambourine-tapping assistants charm a live snake out of its basket.Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 2: Day Trip to Asilah
Explore another beautiful coastal town today on a day trip to Asilah. Around 28 miles (45 km) south of Tangier you'll find this charming walled city, renowned for its pristine beaches and interesting Portuguese history. Browse the craft shops and pick up some souvenirs for the whole family. If you're traveling in the spring, the city comes alive with various festivals and cultural moussems (seasonal or holiday celebrations), which are fun to watch and take part in. Kids might also like to ride in one of the city's distinctively decorated horses and carriages—the perfect way to see the sights while staying in the shade!
Day 3: Transfer to Chefchaouen, City Tour, Akchour Waterfall Hike
Say goodbye to Tangier this morning as you make the roughly 2.5-hour journey to Chefchaouen. Along the way, witness the flat plains and green hills transform into the rugged Rif mountains. Perched beneath these jagged peaks is the famous city of Chefchaouen, whose historic buildings and lanes are washed in striking shades of blue. Founded in 1471 as a stronghold in the fight against the Portuguese, it's considered a holy town, with eight mosques and several zaouias (Sufi institutions) and marabouts (religious leaders).
After settling into your accommodation, head out to explore "Chaoeun," as the locals call it. Twist through the city's winding maze of picturesque alleys, a delightful blend of Moroccan and Andalucian styles with red-tiled roofs, blue buildings ranging from sky to azure, and narrow lanes that converge on Plaza Uta el-Hammam and its restored kasbah (fortress). Because of all the steps, no cars or motorbikes drive here, so your kids can walk and run freely through the streets. Browse the souks or head to the Grand Mosque and Kasbah, where you can admire the outside and tour the gardens, museums, and old prison cells.
Later on, if you and your kids have plenty of energy, you could embark on a guided hike to the Akchour Waterfall. The trailhead is about a 45-minute drive from town, and the round-trip hike takes up to four hours, so this is a better option for families with older children who don't need an early dinner or bedtime. Trek through the dense forests of the Rif mountains and keep a look out for playful Barbary macaques. You can cool off with a swim in the refreshing waterfalls before hiking back.Day 4: Transfer to Fes, Roman Ruins of Volubilis & Meknes
Leave colorful Chefchaouen today and travel approximately five hours to Fes. Break up the journey with some fascinating stops en route. After leaving the Rif mountains behind, your first stop is Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins. This town was one of the most remote parts of the Roman Empire, with the Romans ruling for about 200 years and leaving in 285 CE. Kids with an interest in ancient history will enjoy wandering through the massive complex, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and colorful mosaics.
Continue to Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Under his reign (1672-1727), Meknes grew from a small town to a magnificent capital. Stroll through the compact medina, which is less busy and more laid back than other cities. Visit the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa and the impressive 19th-century palace of Dar Jamaï, now a museum. In the Ville Impériale area, explore gardens, palaces, the impressive Bab al-Mansour Gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.Before settling into your accommodation in Fes, drive up to the Marinid Tombs, from where there are lovely views of the old city. You may see leather drying in the sun on the hillside below. Settle into your riad accommodation and enjoy a relaxed dinner.
Day 5: Fes Medina Tour & Mosaic Workshop
Creative kids (and parents) will get the chance to express themselves during today's fun, hands-on workshop. Start with a city tour of Fes, winding your way down tight, narrow alleyways and onto the rooftops, from where you can see the tanneries, the oldest university in the world, craftspeople at work, and all the wonderful workings of the medina. The traces of Fes' rich past are still very present today, with many historical buildings, including hammams (baths), mosques, religious schools, caravanserai, and mausoleums.
Later, have a go at making some of the beautiful arts and crafts you've seen on display throughout the city. Through a guided workshop, see how mosaics are made the traditional way and create your own artwork. Cut tiles into small pieces before assembling them into beautiful zellige mosaics inspired by the colors and patterns of the medina. Kids, young and old, will love seeing the results of their own handiwork and having a special keepsake to take home with them.Day 6: Ifrane National Park Day Trip, Dinner with Local Family
After so many fascinating cultural activities, perhaps your kids would appreciate a day out in nature. Today your destination is the Ifrane National Park, a protected area south of Fes, home to wolves, wild pigs, rodents, birds, and Barbary macaques. En route, stop at the beautiful Lake Daiet Aoua, where you can see the neighboring hills reflected in its waters. Reach Ifrane, built as a hill station by the French in a unique Alpine style, then visit the ski resort of Michlifen and descend to the Berber town of Azrou, stopping at the cedar forest to look for macaques.
Return to Fes in the afternoon and spend some time relaxing at your accommodation and recharging for your evening activity with a local family. Morocco sits at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, creating a mix of cultures fully expressed in the local gastronomy. And while you can find many restaurants serving beloved dishes and recipes, the best food is often found in family homes. Join a local family for dinner in the medina, a memorable experience during which you'll learn about Moroccan culinary history and chat with your hosts.
Day 7: Depart Fes
It's time to say goodbye to Morocco. Depending on your time of departure, there may be time for you to take a final walk in the medina, shopping for souvenirs to take home with you. When the time comes, you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Bon voyage!
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