Grand Morocco Tour: North-South – 11 Days

Welcome to Tangier. Tangier is the gateway between Europe & Africa. Tangier is located on the Maghreb Coast at the western entry to the Strait of Gibraltar. It has a unique mix of cultures and influences which have for centuries shaped this city, drawing artists, spies and eccentric foreigners. Although once considered a boring port city, Tangier is now a place that people love to visit.

After checking in, you’ll want to explore the surroundings. Depending on when you arrive, go to the medina to explore the maze of residential and commercial alleyways. Also, take note of the 15th-century Portuguese fortress. You can find a café in the trendy Zoco chico square to grab a bite and people-watch. Then, enjoy a late afternoon paseo as you walk along the bustling Corniche’s seafront promenade.

Start your day early to explore Tangier. You can also hire a guide to show you the Kasbah (old fortification). The beautiful Bab hahagate is located at the northeast corner of Place du Mechouar and leads to the medina’s Dar Baroud area. Although the kasbah itself is compact and easy to explore, a guide will give you more information about some of its highlights.

Just 20 minutes from the city are the stunning Caves of Hercules, which is named after Hercules. The cave complex is located near the Cape Spartel lighthouse in the middle of the 19th century. You can access it through an opening that faces the ocean. It resembles the shape and size of Africa, which was thought to have been created during the Phoenicians’ time. You can also purchase a guide to provide additional information.

Once you are ready, continue on to the blue-hued Chefchaouen within the Rif Mountains. If time permits, take the scenic route and stop along the way to hike (1-2 hours) to the Cascades d’Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour). Chefchaoen is a charming town with narrow streets and beautiful buildings. You can find Plaza Outa el Hammam to open a cafe or restaurant and watch the people eat.

The Grand Mosque, though not allowed to be entered by non-muslims, is worth a visit. You can explore the Kasbah nearby and visit the museum, garden, and old prison cells. To enjoy the panoramic view of the Blue City, follow a path beyond the city walls to Hotel Atlas. You can also climb up to the top of the building. You can also follow the street east, passing over the Ras el Ma Spring. Continue climbing the path (20-30 mins) until you reach an abandoned white Spanish Mosque. As the sun sets behind Chefchaouen, take a last look at Chefchaouen.

Driving time: 2 to 2.5 hours

You may get a half hour of peace while you walk the streets in the morning if you rise early. Some travelers leave early in the morning while others arrive later in the day. This is a great time to take unobstructed photos. Many shops close at 10 o’clock in the morning if you need to shop last-minute. You’ll leave Chefchaouen behind and drive towards Fes. There are two options: you can choose to stop to visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis or the imperial city Meknes.

Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains Morocco’s finest-preserved Roman ruins. It makes for a pleasant detour from nearby Meknes. Explore the vast complex and see large merchant houses with intact heating systems, temples, as well as colorful mosaics on-site. Volubilis, once the Roman Empire’s most extensive African reach, was ruled by the Roman Empire for 200 years. The empire became too big to manage and the people had to move on. The empire exported wheat and other exotic animals, such as bears, elephants, and lions, to its capital. This led to the destruction of large swathes of the local population.

For an optional detour, continue on to the smaller version of Fes, Mes for an introduction to your first historical imperial city. The main attractions are the Ville Imperiale, which is the Imperial City. You can visit Ville Imperiale to see the Bab al-Mansour Gate, the Mausoleum Of Moulay Ismail and the Royal Stables. You can also explore the medina, which is smaller than Marrakech and Fes. Other than the scattered souks, you may like to visit the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa and the Dar Jamai Museum, a beautiful 19th-century palace-turned-museum.

Continue east towards your second imperial capital, Fes. Fes, with its large and confusing old medina is worth exploring. You can drive up the hill and visit the Merenid Tombs just north of the city. Enjoy the panoramic view of historic Fes as well as the surrounding areas. You will find your Riad (a traditional Moroccan home with an indoor garden) at the top of the hill. Here you can relax and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Driving time: 4.5hrs (3.5 hours without stopping in Volubilis or Meknes).

Today we’ll be talking about Fes, one of the oldest imperial cities in Morocco and the most fascinating and interesting to explore. Its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest in the Arab World. Fes is a city that has not experienced colonial development. It feels like you are stepping back in time for hundreds of years. You can choose how you want to tour Fes and the highlights. Ask your local specialist for suggestions.

If you are interested in history and culture, and have the time, you can spend several days exploring the medina. You could also visit madrasas (Arabic to any type of educational institution) and explore beyond the walls of the medina. A full day of exploring the medina with a few highlights from outside might be sufficient for a shorter trip. To learn more about the city and navigate the medina, it is recommended to hire a professional guide for a half day tour.

Fes el Bali (« Old Fes ») are great places to begin your adventure. Moulay Idriss I was founded in the 8th Century. It welcomed refugees from Cordoba, southern Spain, and Kairouan, Tunisia (both capitals for western Islam at that time). Their skills in architecture and craftsmanship were a major factor in Fes’ organic growth over the next 100 years, creating its maze-like streets.

You will most likely spend your time and attention on the charming medina. You will find it difficult to avoid getting lost on the narrower, windier and steeper roads than in other imperial capitals. You can find a wide range of spices, vegetables and leather goods in the souks, which are also known as markets. You’ll find artisans working in small shops because so many are concentrated together.

You should also visit the Chouara Tannery which still uses traditional techniques from centuries past. You can view the masters at work from a local leather shop by making a small donation to the tanner. To soften and remove any fur, the hide is soaked in a mixture made up of limestone and pigeon droppings. The leather is then dyed in color using large stone vats. It can dry for around a week before being dried on hillsides or rooftops nearby. Keep some mint leaves handy to protect against the pungent smell.

You can find your way to the Al-Qarawiyyin University (859CE) located next to the Al-Qarawiyin Mosque. Although the mosque is closed to Muslims, you can still see inside its beautifully decorated interior from a few locations. You can then make your way to the Al Attarine or the Bou Inania. These are beautiful examples of Moroccan architecture, artisanship, and feature intricate Zellij tilework that is contrasted with dark cedarwood. You will find old student dorms with amazing views upstairs.

You can enter Fes el Bali via the famous Bab Boujeloud gate. The exterior is blue, which is the traditional Fes color, and the interior is green, which is the color of Islam. You will find many shops as you pass through the gate. You can shop for retail therapy, or visit the Museum Batha to see many Moroccan arts, including traditional pottery and carved wood. There is also a central garden.

The Fes El Jedid (« New Fes ») is located southwest of the old city. It was built in the 13th Century, when the Merenid Dynasty took power. The Batha Museum is open to the public. The museum, which is housed in a 19th century palace, houses a collection traditional Moroccan arts and crafts. Its highlight? Enjoy the Andalusian-style gardens, before heading to the Mellah (an old Jewish quarter and cemetery). You can take a panoramic shot of the city from this location. Continue south towards Ville Nouvelle to witness the dramatic changes in architecture.

Visit a Tile Collective to see how local artisans create wares. From shaping clay to painting designs, you can tour the Ceramics. You can also watch tile masters at work, assembling small pieces of tile into intricate mosaics.

Fes is a dynamic city with timeless roots. You can enjoy the sunset from either the Merenid Tombs north or the Borj Su south.

Create your tour

Today we’ll be talking about Fes, one of the oldest imperial cities in Morocco and the most fascinating and interesting to explore. Its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest in the Arab World. Fes is a city that has not experienced colonial development. It feels like you are stepping back in time for hundreds of years. You can choose how you want to tour Fes and the highlights. Ask your local specialist for suggestions.

If you are interested in history and culture, and have the time, you can spend several days exploring the medina. You could also visit madrasas (Arabic to any type of educational institution) and explore beyond the walls of the medina. A full day of exploring the medina with a few highlights from outside might be sufficient for a shorter trip. To learn more about the city and navigate the medina, it is recommended to hire a professional guide for a half day tour.

Fes el Bali (« Old Fes ») are great places to begin your adventure. Moulay Idriss I was founded in the 8th Century. It welcomed refugees from Cordoba, southern Spain, and Kairouan, Tunisia (both capitals for western Islam at that time). Their skills in architecture and craftsmanship were a major factor in Fes’ organic growth over the next 100 years, creating its maze-like streets.

You will most likely spend your time and attention on the charming medina. You will find it difficult to avoid getting lost on the narrower, windier and steeper roads than in other imperial capitals. You can find a wide range of spices, vegetables and leather goods in the souks, which are also known as markets. You’ll find artisans working in small shops because so many are concentrated together.

You should also visit the Chouara Tannery which still uses traditional techniques from centuries past. You can view the masters at work from a local leather shop by making a small donation to the tanner. To soften and remove any fur, the hide is soaked in a mixture made up of limestone and pigeon droppings. The leather is then dyed in color using large stone vats. It can dry for around a week before being dried on hillsides or rooftops nearby. Keep some mint leaves handy to protect against the pungent smell.

You can find your way to the Al-Qarawiyyin University (859CE) located next to the Al-Qarawiyin Mosque. Although the mosque is closed to Muslims, you can still see inside its beautifully decorated interior from a few locations. You can then make your way to the Al Attarine or the Bou Inania. These are beautiful examples of Moroccan architecture, artisanship, and feature intricate Zellij tilework that is contrasted with dark cedarwood. You will find old student dorms with amazing views upstairs.

You can enter Fes el Bali via the famous Bab Boujeloud gate. The exterior is blue, which is the traditional Fes color, and the interior is green, which is the color of Islam. You will find many shops as you pass through the gate. You can shop for retail therapy, or visit the Museum Batha to see many Moroccan arts, including traditional pottery and carved wood. There is also a central garden.

The Fes El Jedid (« New Fes ») is located southwest of the old city. It was built in the 13th Century, when the Merenid Dynasty took power. The Batha Museum is open to the public. The museum, which is housed in a 19th century palace, houses a collection traditional Moroccan arts and crafts. Its highlight? Enjoy the Andalusian-style gardens, before heading to the Mellah (an old Jewish quarter and cemetery). You can take a panoramic shot of the city from this location. Continue south towards Ville Nouvelle to witness the dramatic changes in architecture.

Visit a Tile Collective to see how local artisans create wares. From shaping clay to painting designs, you can tour the Ceramics. You can also watch tile masters at work, assembling small pieces of tile into intricate mosaics.

Fes is a dynamic city with timeless roots. You can enjoy the sunset from either the Merenid Tombs north or the Borj Su south.

You’ll cover a lot so get up early to start. To reach the Sahara dunes, take a southerly direction to Merzouga. You will pass through the town Azrou, climb to 7,146 feet (2.178 m), and then traverse the cedar forests of Middle Atlas. You can see the Barbary macaque monkeys in the area. After that, you will stop for lunch at Midelt (the « apple city ») and enjoy the nearby Moulouya River and its surrounding fruit orchards.

Continue onwards over the Tizi N’Talremt pass to the Ziz Valley . This area is known for its hidden oases, palm tree clusters, and other natural beauty. You will pass many fortified houses called ksars, built by merchants to guard precious wares such as gold, salt, and spices.

You’ll find the first signs of shifting Saharan sand dunes just before you reach Erfoud. An ancient method of water mining will be visible, a clever way to transport water to farms before the modern pump. You might have the opportunity to share a cup with a nomadic Berber family if time permits.

Continue on to Erfoud a busy market town, known for its date festival. It is also famous for its fossil mining operations and artisan factories. You may have seen fossils at the markets. You will pass hillside mines that extract large rocks from the earth. Stop by a local artisan group to learn more about the different fossils in the area. You can also see how the rock is turned into beautiful objects large and small.

Soon you’ll see the sand waves at Erg Chebbi. This large sea of sand dunes covers an area of 13.5 miles (35 km). The massive dunes are never stationary and move according to the wind. They also appear to change color depending upon the time of the day.

Near Merzouga you can take a short break and switch gears to ride a camel through the dunes to your already-prepared-for-you camp, arriving just before sunset. Enjoy the sunset from a nearby sand dunes before you return to camp for a tasty dinner and a relaxing evening by the campfire. An evening of Berber music will be followed by a night in a tent-style bedouin tent, under a vast night sky full of unhindered twinkling stars.

You can choose to spend the night in a Merzouga hotel or auberge if you prefer modern comfort and four walls.

Driving time: 7-8 Hours

Enjoy a stunning desert sunrise in the early morning, and then explore more of the Sahara. Rent a sandboard to test your skills on the dunes. You can also take the Erg Chebbi tour around the dunes. Or relax by the pool. You can visit Khemliya nearby, which is a traditional Saharan village, its inhabitants originally from Mali. Enjoy traditional drumming and dancing, and then take a short stroll around the settlement.

After leaving the Merzouga region, dunes, and desert behind, you will stop at Rissani to enter through its impressive gate. It’s well-known for its livestock auction. You’ll want to take a stroll around the traditional market and find the « donkey parking lot » to delight all your senses.

Continue on to Tinerhir. The desert town of Tinerhir offers spectacular views of nearby towns along the entire length of the river oasis (or 48 km) of palm trees. Incredible mesas, plateaus and buttes are all part of the surrounding desert landscape. The Todra Gorge is your final destination. The gorge is almost 1000 feet high (305 m). It was carved by the Todra river through red limestone. Here you can take a leisurely stroll in the gorge, and then relax in the cool waters below. You can relax or explore the rest of the evening.

Today’s journey will take you west along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Many of these kasbahs are in disrepair because they were built of pise mud. You will pass small towns that still use traditional farming methods as you travel towards Ait Benhaddou. As you travel through Boumalne Dades (a major town and bridge point over the Dades River), and then on to Kela’a M’gouna the « Valley of the Roses », be sure to watch out for nomads tending their animals. You can also visit a rose collective and see how rose petals are made into rose water or rose oil for cosmetic use.

You’ll next enter the growing town Ouarzazate. This is a popular stop along the desert routes as it provides a little more accessibility than smaller towns like Ait Benhaddou. You can visit one of the two movie studios in the town, either Atlas Corporation Studios or CLA Studios. This includes close-up views of props and sets.

Continue on to the desert hub of Ouarzazate. Stop first at the el Mansour resevoir, which is an important water source for the local farmers. You can tour Ouarzazate’s two movie studios to see the surrounding areas that have been used in many films. Black Hawk Down, American Sniper and Game of Thrones are just a few of the many films that have been made. The Musee de Cinema has more information about the history of the region and the filmmaking process.

Next, you will reach the medieval Ait Benhaddou kasbah, Morocco’s most renowned and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ksour is an old structure that dates back to the 11th century, when it was an important point along the trans-Saharan route between Marrakech and Ouarzazate. If you are able to, settle in your hotel in the old town before heading out to explore the narrow alleyways and passageways late in the afternoon.

You can climb up to the Granary, which is a great vantage point from which to view the kasbah area and the surrounding area. You can climb up to the top of a few old kasbahs for a small fee. Game of Thrones fans might want to walk down to the river to view the gates that were featured in the HBO series. You may recognize scenes from movies like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.

After your day of exploration, you can enjoy a peaceful dinner overlooking the valley.

Driving time: 3 Hours

To ascend the High Atlas mountain range, leave Ait Benhaddou and take the Tizi N’Tichka pass. You can see the majestic views from the top of the mountain, including the highest peak Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet (4.167 m), and the road that snakes down the mountainside.

Visit Taddert the first town after passing the pass. There you can learn about how local women extract oil from argan nuts to make oil for the cosmetic, health and food industries. As you descend the High Atlas you’ll notice a drastic change in the landscape and climate as the rocks shift to the foothills, then transition back into flat plains. You will soon be part of vibrant Marrakech.

After a tiring day on the road, you can relax in your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Jemaa El-Fna Square is alive in the evening with performers, snake charmers and games. There are also food stalls that offer a wide range of entertainment. You can also enjoy the sights from afar by visiting one of the cafes around the square. Enjoy a cup of mint tea with a savory dish.

Driving time: 4 to 5 hours

Marrakech is Morocco’s second largest metropolis. It is also known by the name « Red City » due to its natural red ochre pigment. As you explore this vibrant imperial city, be prepared for an explosion of sights, sounds and smells. Jemaa el-Fna is the best place to start understanding the layout. You’ll find the souks to the north and the Koutoubia Mosque & Gardens to the west. The kasbah with the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace to the south is also found here.

You can either hire one of the Caliche Horse Carriages located at the southwest corner or ask for a guide to take you to Jemaa el-Fna as a half-day tour. You’ll want to see the following sights, regardless of what you choose to do to explore Marrakech.

• The Koutoubia Mosque & Gardens: To the west of Jemaa el-Fna is the striking minaret at the Koutoubia Mosque. Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, but you can see the minaret at 253 feet (77 meters) high, which is the oldest tower built by the Almohad Dynasty. The original mosque’s 12-century-old foundations can be seen on the north side of this mosque. They were rebuilt to correspond with the direction of Mecca. The beautiful Koutoubia Gardens is located to the rear of the mosque. It’s filled with fountains and palm trees, as well as flowers. This is the ideal spot for a late afternoon walk when the sun sets behind the minaret.

• The Medina and Souks: You can spend a few days wandering the small streets and markets of the medina. As you walk, take in all the sights, sounds and smells. Some markets worth visiting are Souk el-Attarin for spices, Souk Haddadine for blacksmith wares, and Souk Smata ( babouches slippers). You should also keep an eye out for Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers’ market), where you can see people dying cloth and yarn, and drying them on the streets.

• Fondouks – You’ll see large open spaces and small courtyards that run off of some alleyways. These fondouks used to be medieval inns which provided shelter for merchants and travelers. Passing through, they slept on the upper floors and their animals remained on the ground floor. Some have been converted to residences while others can be visited as shops and workshops.

• Ben Youssef Madrasa (Koranic School), was built in 16th century. The beautifully renovated madrasa used to house students from the nearby mosque with the same name. You can admire the stucco plaster, carved cedar and tiled central courtyard. Also, take a walk through the old dorms, where up to 800 students used to live, and the prayer hall.

• Saadian Tombs – Hidden for centuries, this oldest tomb dates back to 1557. French authorities only discovered it in 1917. You will find a narrow passage that leads to a small garden and graves. There are three main pavilions. Here you can also marvel at the 500-year-old craftsmanship used in the mausoleum’s construction.

• Bahia Palace was built in 19th century and was the most extravagant palace of its time. You can still visit the gardens and courtyard today, and marvel at the intricate woodwork and painted ceilings.

• Majorelle Gardens (30 minute walk or quick taxi ride). These lush, spacious gardens are located near the bustle of the medina. They’re home to sub-tropical plants like bamboo, lilies and palms. This is a great spot to unwind and beat the afternoon heat.

You can also visit the following other sites:

• Almoravid Koubba – The Koubba is the only Almoravid monument that has survived. It was discovered again in 1948.
• El Badi Palace – Meaning « Palace of the Incomparable », this ruined palace from 17th century has a sunken garden, and an ornamental orange tree that you can visit.
• Marrakech museum: Located in the 19th century Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace the museum houses a collection modern and traditional art. It also includes artifacts from Islamic, Moroccan Jewish, and Berber cultures.
• Dar Di Said Museum – Also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, it features exhibits of clothing and jewelry.

Last-minute souvenir and gift shopping can be completed. Depending on your departure details you might also want to visit Majorelle Garden. These lush, expansive gardens are a great place to escape from the heat and noise of the medina. Take your memories with you as you travel home and leave the silence behind.