Morocco Grand Tour: Cities Desert & Coast – 11 Days

Casablanca, welcome! The Hassan II Mosque is the best place to visit in Casablanca, which is also the commercial capital of Morocco. It is located in a beautiful location overlooking the ocean. The minaret, which measures 690 feet (690 m) tall, is the highest minaret in the entire world. The mosque’s exterior and surroundings are stunning, but what makes it so unique is that non-Muslims can enter. Take a morning tour to the mosque and see the exquisite craftsmanship: intricate marble floor details, hand-carved stone, wood and gilded ceilings.

North to the capital of Rabat, the former imperial city. (Meknes and Fes are the other options). You can explore the medieval fortification at the Chellah Neopolis and wander through the Roman-Imperial ruins. Through the grand entrance of the Kasbah des Oudaias , you will reach Rabat’s old town center. You can then visit the 20th century Andalusian Garden, and take a break from the crowds. The Hassan Tower is a minaret from the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. It was a 12th-century project, which was abandoned.

Enjoy a day exploring the blue-painted streets in Chefchaouen

Today, head north towards Chefchaouen, a striking blue city in the Rif Mountains. You can stop just before reaching Chefchaouen to take a short hike through lush vegetation to see the Cascade d’Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour), which is a hidden treasure. You will arrive in charming Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen, which has remained largely unchanged since the 15th Century, offers a friendly atmosphere and some of the most welcoming people in the country. It is also known for its historic medina (old neighborhood) blue-washed buildings. You can explore the narrow streets and alleyways that cling to the north hillside of the mountains.

The main square, Plaza Outa el-Hammam is named after the number of hammams that used to surround it. Before you browse the shops selling traditional wares, find a cafe or restaurant to grab a bite. You can visit the Grand Mosque, kasbah, an old fortress or fortification, and take a tour of the kasbah’s museum, garden, and some of its prison cells. As evening draws near, climb the path to the abandoned white Spanish Mosque (between 20 and 30 minutes) for a last glimpse of Chefchaouen before the sun sets behind them.

Begin your journey south towards Fes by meeting your driver. Stop and stretch your legs along the way to see the Roman ruins at Volubilis. It is a UNESCO-protected site that was established in the 3rd Century BCE and remains remarkably well-preserved. Stop by Meknes to continue your exploration. Meknes is a smaller version of Fes. Shopkeepers are less pushy and Meknes has a more peaceful medina. Although Meknes is large, two areas that are most interesting to visitors are the Ville Imperiale and the medina. Make sure you visit the magnificent Bab al Mansour Gate and the Mausoleum Of Moulay Ismail.

Continue eastward towards Fes. For a panoramic view of the medieval city, take your driver and drive up the hill together before you venture into the medina. At dusk, the best time to visit these tombs is. As the city lights start to glow, the muezzin’s calls for worship can be heard throughout the valley. For a warm meal, return to your riad and settle in for the evening.

Fes is the oldest imperial city in Morocco and one of the most fascinating and interesting to explore. It has also been subject to very little colonial development, adding to its medieval appeal. Fes is the largest medina in the Arab World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of three main points: Fes el Bali, (old Fes and where you will spend most time), Fes el Jdid (‘new’ Fes), as well as the French-influenced Villa Nouvelle. Your guide will help you navigate the medina and provide information about Fes’ history and culture.

Begin your tour at Fes el Bali by visiting the Bab Boujeloudgate, which will welcome you to Talaa Kebira. As you travel through the Spanish- and Tunisian-influenced architecture, discover the souks and shops. The tanneries are one of the most striking sights in Medina. Chouara Tannery has no exception. For a better view, climb up to the roof of a nearby leather shop. Follow the guide to Al-Qarawiyyin library and Mosque (859 CE). You may get a glimpse inside the Library if you are lucky.

Create your tour

Today you’ll cover a lot of ground as you travel south towards Merzouga, your final destination. You will ascend the Middle Atlas mountains via fragrant cedar forests and the Col du Zadpass. You can rest your legs at the « Apple City », Midelt, which is well-known for its fruit trees. Also, eat lunch near the Moulouya River. Continue on to the Ziz Valley through the Tizi n’Talremt Pass, stopping to admire the numerous fortified ksars traders who built them to stockpile their valuable goods (gold, salt and spices).

To learn more about the fossils in the area, visit Erfoud. You can find dunes that are over 600 feet high in the sea of sand at Erg Chebbi. Meet your camel in Merzouga and get on board to trek to your accommodation, a Bedouin-style tent. You can race to the top of a nearby dunes to see the sunset over the dunes, then return to your campsite for dinner and a campfire beneath the starry night sky.

Before you rent a sandboard, catch the sunrise. To visit a traditional Saharan village, its inhabitants are originally from Mali, leave the dunes behind and go to Khemliya. Continue on to Rissani. Rissani is a market town and home to a livestock auction. It also has a « donkey parking area ». This site is worth hearing and experiencing. You will reach the 984 foot (300 m), deep Todra Gorge. Enjoy the gorge, and then relax in the cool waters of the Todra River.

Explore the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Although many kasbahs have fallen into disrepair, some families still live in them. Nomads may be seen tending to their livestock. Go west to Kela’a M’gouna. This area is known for its Festival des Roses. Here you will find extensive cultivated farmland, dotted with fragrant rosebushes. Continue on to Ouarzazate to reach the Sahara Desert gateway, which has been popularized by the film industry. Take a studio tour to see the desert landscapes of the area featured in many films.

You can travel to Ait Benhaddou. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ait Benhaddou dates back to the 11th Century, when it was an important point along the trans-Saharan route between Marrakech and Ouarzazate. For a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes, follow the narrow streets to the Granary. Then leave Ait Benhaddou behind and begin your ascent to the High Atlas mountain range. At 13,671 feet (4.167 m), you will find Mount Toubkal. This mountain is the highest peak in the mountain range. Visit Taddert for a visit to an Argan Oil cooperative, and learn about the different uses of argan nuts and fruits.

You will see a drastic change in the landscape and climate as you descend the High Atlas. Soon, you’ll be part of the hum of Marrakech. After a tiring day on the road, you can relax in your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The main square, which is the busiest in Africa, Jemaa El-Fna comes 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 spectacle from afar by visiting one of the cafes around the square, where you can enjoy a cup or mint tea and a delicious meal.

Marrakech, also known as the « Red City », is a major economic hub. Its red sandstone buildings and walls are over 1000 years old. Marrakech is Berber-based and has been a major trading center for the Atlas mountain tribes. Marrakech’s lively Jemaa el Fna Square is a good place to start. The souks can be found to the north and the Koutoubia Mosque, Gardens, and Gardens to west. To the south, you will find the kasbah with the Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace. The Majorelle Gardens can be found in the Ville Nouvelle.

A caleche is a unique way of touring the medina. The fondouks were medieval inns that provided shelter and supplies for merchants and travellers. Many of these have been transformed into large shopping areas, residences, and workshops that you can visit. You can find your way to the Koutoubia Mosque, and enjoy a break from the heat in the gardens with fountains and palms. It is not possible to enter the mosque by non-muslims. However, it is worth visiting its 12th-century foundations as well as its minaret.

For a half-day sightseeing, meet your guide and explore the Ben Youssef School of Islam’s exquisite detail. You will be amazed at the Moroccan craftsmanship: carved cedar and sculpted plaster; arabesques; Islamic calligraphy; and colorful Zellij (mosaic tileswork). Visit the prayer hall and wander the old dormitories where up to 800 students lived.

Dar Di Said Museum, also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, houses exhibits of clothing and antiques. It also features beautifully carved Hispano–Moorish decorations. After exploring the complex labyrinthine souks hidden behind regular shops and restaurants, you can indulge your senses. For a variety of spices and woodwork, visit Souk el Attarin and Souk Chuari and Souk Smata for a selection and babouche traditional Moroccan slippers. To see how leather hides are dyed, visit Souk des Teinturiers.

You can leave the bustling city behind and travel west to the Atlantic coast to reach the laid-back beach community of Essaouira. You will travel along extensive rolling plains as well as through endemic argan forest. You may be able to see goats grazing on argan fruits if you are lucky. This is a rare sight when grass pasture is scarce or unavailable. You can stop at the Argan Oil Cooperative along the way to learn how the valuable and costly oil is extracted from this nut.

You can spend the day in Essaouira (a port city) and enjoy a pleasant contrast to hectic Marrakech. The Skala de la Kasbah, an 18th-century seafront fortress, is a great place to walk along the coast. European engineers designed the wall with old brass canons that offer views over the Atlantic. Before you head to the beach, explore the UNESCO-protected Medina. Jimi Hendrix lovers may wish to take a taxi to Diabat at Essaouira’s end, where he is said to have spent some time. Enjoy freshly caught seafood as you walk back to Essaouira.

Essaouira, also known as « Windy City », is well-known for its strong alizee trade winds which hit the crescent beach. Enjoy the sunrise to observe the kiteboarders and windsurfers, or take a lesson before you return to Marrakech.

Depending on your flight details, you might want to visit the kasbah region south of Jemaa el-Fna. The Saadian Tombs is a 500-year-old work of craftsmanship. As you make your way through the Mellah, a Jewish quarter, and the 19th-century Bahia Palace, stop by the sunken gardens. The only Almoravid monument that remains is the 12th century Almoravid Koubba. Next, visit the Marrakech Museum which is located in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace. Enjoy traditional Berber and Moroccan art.