15-Day Morocco Tour with Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima and Imperial Cities

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Day 01

Arrive in Casablanca and Transfer to Rabat

• Your private driver will pick you up from the airport when you land in Casablanca today. Then, head directly to your accommodation in Rabat for check-in. After your flight, you'll have the evening free to relax or perhaps venture out a little on your own.
• Visit the Hassan Tower and Chellah, a fortified medieval necropolis and archaeological site, as you stroll through Rabat. Initially constructed as a Phoenician trading post and repurposed by various empires over thousands of years, Chellah is a fantastic introduction to the area's archaeology.

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Day 02

Ancient Ruins and Coastal Drive to Asilah

• The following day, take a leisurely journey from Rabat to Asilah along the Atlantic Coast. Visit the Spanish and ancient Roman ruins at the mouth of the Loukkos River.
• Start with Lixus, a beautifully preserved Roman city with breathtaking views. Then cross the river to the once-Spanish town of Larache, where you can enjoy a seafood lunch beneath the arches of Plaza de Espaa, explore an abandoned fortress, and visit the archaeology museum.
• You can also make a brief inland detour to reach the Msoura standing stones. Thought to have been constructed by the Mauritanian kings in the third or fourth century BCE, Msoura features 167 monoliths arranged in an ellipse around a burial mound. You'll arrive in Asilah in the late afternoon. Once a fortified Portuguese port in the 15th century, Asilah still reflects the architecture of that era. Today, it is a laid-back artist community known for its pristine beaches and abundance of street art. Spend the rest of the day exploring and eating.

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Day 03

Cap Spartel and the Hercules Caves

• Follow the Atlantic Coast until you reach Cap Spartel, Africa's northwesternmost point, travelling along a nearly uninterrupted chain of broad, sandy beaches.
• If the weather is nice, ask your driver to stop anywhere you'd like to go swimming or boating in the ocean. Tahaddart Beach is the first beach you'll pass after Asilah. Moroccan families on summer vacation often frequent this area because paddle boats can be rented here, and it is great for families with young children.
• Once you arrive, visit Cap Spartel Park. This pine-covered mountain offers scenic drives, hiking trails, a picturesque lighthouse, and eateries where you can enjoy lunch while looking out over the ocean.
• After that, visit the Hercules Caves. These caves have been used by humans for a very long time, and according to legend, Hercules slept here on his way to the Garden of the Hesperides in the ruins of Lixus. Nearby Achakkar Beach is surrounded by cliffs on both sides, making it a protected, beautiful, and popular swimming spot. Later today, continue to Tangier for your final stop.

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Day 04

Discover Tangier on a Self-Guided Tour

• The medina, or old town, of Tangier is genuinely magical and brimming with attractions, from glimpses of traditional life to the more material rewards of the souks. Begin your self-guided tour by wandering through the medina, then visit the American Legation Museum. Established in December 1797 by George Washington as the first diplomatic mission to Morocco, this lovely palace now serves as a museum preserving both Moroccan and American cultural traditions.
• Then continue to Petit Socco. Located where the forum of the former Roman city of Tingis once stood, this city square was once frequented by numerous famous authors and wealthy residents. If you climb the hills above the medina, you'll reach the old kasbah. Here, you'll find beautiful views of the Mediterranean along with the fascinating Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures, home to artefacts, antiques, and statues from the region.

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Day 05

Tetouan and Arrival in Chefchaouen

• After breakfast, continue in the direction of Chefchaouen. Along the way, you'll pass through Tetouan, a gem of a city tucked between the Rif Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The ancient medina of Tetouan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, appears to have remained largely unchanged for many years.
• Continue on to Chefchaouen, a blue wonderland. The walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways are all painted in combinations of soft pastel blue and deeper, more striking hues.
• After checking in at your riad, a traditional home with a courtyard, explore the town at your own pace. Place Outa el-Hammam, the city's central square, is a great place for people-watching. You can also discover the local way of life by wandering through the tiny alleyways leading away from the busier tourist areas.

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Day 06

Rif Mountains Hike and Chefchaouen at Leisure

• In the morning light, the blue buildings of Chefchaouen glow beautifully. You may want to rise early to watch the sunrise over the mountains from the Spanish Mosque. This is also a wonderful opportunity to stroll through the peaceful town, as many shops do not open until 10 am.
• After that, continue to a guided hike in the Rif Mountains. From here, you can hike to God's Bridge and the Akchour Waterfall, while also exploring the area's natural rock formations.
• When you return to Chefchaouen, spend the evening unwinding or exploring the medina.

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Day 07

Scenic Journey from Chefchaouen to Al Hoceima

• As you explore Chefchaouen's streets in the early morning peace and quiet, you'll have the chance to take unobstructed photographs. Then continue north through the limestone cliffs of the Laou River Gorge, keeping an eye out for Barbary apes along the way. When you reach the coast, enter Oued Laou and notice the distinctive local clothing, especially the hats.
• Visit the area and have lunch in the port city of El Jebha. From here, you can walk for two hours roundtrip, or hire a fishing boat, to reach the famous crater at Marsdar Bay, where you can swim and explore one of Morocco's more remote beaches.
• Continue past the mountainous coastline of Al Hoceima National Park, a refuge for rare marine and birdlife. If you would like to take a side trip into the park, visit the tiny port of Bades to see the famous Spanish military outpost of Peón de Vélez de la Gomera.
• You will soon arrive in Al Hoceima, a lovely whitewashed town surrounded by cliffs. The culture here is a blend of Spanish and Rifi Berber influences, and as you stroll past the town's old villas, you may hear Rifi Berber, or Tarifit, being spoken.

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Day 08

Al Hoceima Exploration and Seaside Relaxation

• Explore Al Hoceima in the morning, beginning with the old town perched on the cliffs above the bay. Developed by Spanish forces, the area still retains a colonial atmosphere. A short hike leads to a clifftop overlook where you can watch fishermen working in rowboats and, on a clear day, see the mountains of Spain in the distance.
• Pause for a coffee and admire the breathtaking scenery before heading to the port for lunch. Fishermen bring in their catches throughout the day, and you can buy fresh fish by the water to have it cooked in a nearby restaurant.
• After lunch, continue to Sfiha Beach. Swim and stroll along the shore while admiring the magnificent Spanish island fortress of Peón de Alhucemas. Spain still maintains a military presence on this island and on two other nearby islands that were ceded to it in 1559.
• Once you've finished at Sfiha Beach, return to Al Hoceima and spend the rest of your time there relaxing and exploring.

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Day 09

Journey to Fes via Taza

• Leave the dry, sunny Mediterranean coastline behind as you enter the imperial heartland of Morocco.
• After crossing the breathtaking Tizi Ouasli Pass in the Rif Mountains, you'll enter the High Eastern Rif, where the climate is noticeably cooler than along the Mediterranean coast. Up to the city of Aknoul, you'll pass almond and pine plantations. This tranquil town is the centre of northern almond farming, and in April the landscape is covered in white and pink blossoms. Stop for coffee and visit the monument honouring the Rifi revolt, which contributed to the end of the protectorate era.
• After leaving Aknoul, continue across the Tizi n'Tada Pass, marked by thick pine forests and abandoned French military outposts, before descending into a region of rocky, desolate valleys. Travel south until you reach a mountain opening, where you will stop for lunch and tour the clifftop medina in the mountain city of Taza.
• From Taza, join the highway for a quicker journey to Fes. Along the way, you'll pass Sidi Harazem, where you can stop for a hot springs bath before continuing on to Fes.

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Day 10

Guided Exploration of Imperial Fes

• After breakfast, meet your tour guide and begin a day of medina exploration in Fes. This UNESCO-protected medina is filled with alleyways barely wider than an arm span and roads just wide enough for donkeys. Your guide will share mysterious tales and lead you to the medina's hidden corners.
• You will discover not only the beauty of Fes' madrasas and palaces, but also the details of daily life. You'll meet local artisans to learn about the importance of their professions and their history. You'll also visit tanneries and mosaic workshops to see how traditional manufacturing techniques are still practised today.
• Return to your riad in the late afternoon to unwind before ending the day with a bath in a genuine Moroccan hammam, or traditional bath.
• Learn about the origins of the hammam and enjoy a restorative experience at one of Fes' most popular spa destinations. Most hammams offer a variety of services, including massages, baths, and a wide range of treatments using locally sourced ingredients such as argan oil.

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Day 11

Winery Tour in the Guerrouane Region

• Today, enjoy a fun-filled and opulent day trip outside the city as you travel to Morocco's distinctive Guerrouane agricultural region, located just beyond Fes. With a winery tour and private tasting, spend the day learning about the region's crops, history, customs, and flavours. Moroccans have been cultivating and improving wine grapes for mass production since the Roman era. The area's Jewish communities are believed to have begun the winemaking tradition, which was later developed by French settlers. Vintners and growers focus on red blends, rosé, vin gris, a rosé-like drink made from red grapes, and the regional brandy mahia, or water of life.
• Guerrouane is Morocco's agricultural centre, where favourable weather conditions for orchard fruits such as apricots, plums, and oranges combine with good soil, rain, and sun to support the region's prized grapes. Coteaux de l'Atlas 1er Cru, Morocco's only AOC wine, is produced in this undiscovered gem.
• After an engaging and educational vineyard tour, sit down for an afternoon of wine-tasting flights featuring a variety of regional styles.
• Then spend the evening in Fes. Relax in your riad's courtyard while enjoying your favourite bottle from the day's wine discoveries.

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Day 12

Meknes and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis

• Leave early for your day trip to Meknes, stopping at the Roman ruins of Volubilis along the way. Although Meknes and Fes are only about an hour apart by road, they feel very different. The medina in Meknes is smaller, less crowded, and has less aggressive shopkeepers than the one in Fes. Before lunch, tour the Ville Impériale, the medina, the magnificent Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.
• After that, continue to Volubilis via Moulay Idriss. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can explore the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. The site includes large merchant houses with visible underfloor heating systems, temples, and many vibrant mosaics that remain in excellent condition.
• Wander through the ruins in search of candid photo opportunities and memorable moments. Once your exploration is complete, return to Fes for dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

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Day 13

Travel from Fes to Marrakech via Casablanca

• Depart Fes and travel via Rabat and Casablanca, stopping in Casablanca for lunch along the way. Make the most of your coastal setting by enjoying exceptionally fresh Atlantic fish prepared with Moroccan flair.
• After lunch, return to the road and drive across the plains to Marrakech, also known as the 'Red City' because of the vermillion-hued clay used in its buildings. Arrive at your riad and relax for the rest of the afternoon.
• In the early evening, Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech's central square, comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls, and many other attractions.
• Join in the spectacle and sample the treats sold by street vendors. If you prefer, you can also watch the scene unfold from a café overlooking the square while enjoying a delicious meal. Whatever dining experience you choose, Marrakech is known as Morocco's culinary capital, so you can expect to be treated to wonderful flavours.

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Day 14

Marrakech Medina and City Highlights

• After breakfast, take a tour of Marrakech's breathtaking old medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the maze-like lanes of the vibrant souk, you'll find displays of djellabas, colourful babouches, intricate lanterns, exotic spices, and the lively bustle of everyday life.
• Your tour guide will introduce you to the history and legends of the souk, the mellah, or Jewish quarter, and the medina, all enclosed within the city's rose-pink walls. After the tour, enjoy lunch at a neighbourhood restaurant.
• Continue your private tour in the afternoon to discover more of the city. Visit the Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace. Marrakech is home to some of the best food in the country, especially street food, which you definitely should not miss. Many of the top chefs serving the Moroccan royal family come from this city.

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Day 15

Final Morning in Marrakech and Departure

• Take a half-day tour to explore Marrakech one last time in the morning before heading to the airport for your departure after lunch. Happy travels!