Imperial Cities & Atlantic Coast

This sample itinerary is an excellent example of what we can customize for you.

Day 1: Arrival in Tangier & Travel to Chefchaouen: Tetouan & the Rif Mountains

Beautiful Lighthouse of Cap Spartel close to Tanger city and Gibraltar, Morocco in Africa

Today will begin your Morocco adventure. You will arrive in Tangier, and your driver will pick you up from the terminal. You will then make your way towards Chefchaouen. On the way, you will go through Tetouan, which is a jewel of a town in a striking location at the foot of the Rif Mountains, just a few kilometers from the sea. The ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, looks like it has not changed in several centuries. You will be able to tour this town on your own with recommendations form your driver. Lunch will be on your own.

Continuing on, you will arrive in Chefchaouen, a visual delight in blue; walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways – everything is a combination of soft pastel sky blue and deeper, more powerful hues. After your check-in at your riad, you are free to explore the town at your own pace or simply relax. Outa el-Hammam is the main square and the place to watch the world go by. Walk up the tiny higgledy-piggeldy alleys away from the more tourist orientated areas and you will find the every-day life of the town. Your driver will be there for you if you want any recommendations. Dinner will be on your own.

Day 2: Roman ruins at Volubilis – Imperial cities of Meknes and Fes

Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, an artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. You will have some time in the morning after breakfast to explore the medina. The old medina is a delight of Moroccan and Andalusian influence with red-tiled roofs, bright-blue buildings, and narrow lanes converging on busy Place Uta el-Hammam and its restored breathtaking Kasbah.

You say goodbye to Chefchaouen and head south toward Fez. On the way, we will stop at Volubilis to see the Roman ruins. This UNESCO world heritage site contains Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins and makes for a nice detour. You can wander the massive complex with a guide, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems underneath, temples, and many colorful mosaics in a quite good condition.

You move on to Moulay Idriss, which from a distance looks like a sitting camel. The oldest town in Morocco, it was founded by Moulay Idriss I in 789, having fled Mecca because of religious and tribal conflicts. It was here that the Idrisid dynasty was founded, and the town has the only round minaret in Morocco. Lunch is on your own here, with recommendations from your driver.

Your last stop before Fez is the prosperous city of Meknes. It has a smaller medina than Fez and can allow you time to explore at a more leisurely pace, without worrying about the more aggressive shopkeepers. Your driver will lead through the Ville Impériale area, where you can explore gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables.

You end today in Fez, one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities, where you can relax and prepare for tomorrow’s fascinating tour around this delightful medieval city. You will be taken to your riad, which will be located in the old city. Dinner will be on your own with recommendations from your driver.

Day 3: Fez to Casablanca: Rabat and Salé

Leather dying in a traditional tannery in the city Fes, Morocco

Today you will depart Fez toward Casablanca. On the way, you will make a detour and tour Hassan Tower in Rabat, as well as visit Salé, a smaller suburb of Rabat. Rabat is the Capital of Morocco and home to the Royal family. Here you will visit Hassan Tower monument, which is one of the most magnificent buildings of the Almohad Dynasty. Hassan tower is a minaret of the incomplete mosque and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. A 12th-century project that was abandoned, where all that remains today is the red sandstone tower standing at 145 feet (44 m) and about 200 columns. Lunch will be on your own with a recommendation from your driver. In the afternoon you can head to the nearby city of Salé, where you can tour the historic Madersa. The stunning architecture and Moroccan craftwork will be something that not many other travels will get to experience. You can also check out the Bab Antare and Bab Mellah, walls and regions that divide up the city. In the early evening, you will finish your travel to Casablanca where you will have the night to leisure and dinner on your own.

Day 4: Casablanca to Essaouira: The Atlantic Coast & Portuguese Ports

Today, you will head to Essaouira via the coastal route with stops in some other seaside cities along the way. The first city you will encounter is Azemour, which has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades, some of whom have chosen to live here. Life there is still traditional despite its close proximity to the cosmopolitan art market of Casablanca. A crumbling 16th-century medina squeezed between the Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) and the ocean provide plenty of artistic inspiration. The second city is El Jadida. There, you can tour the hauntingly beautiful Portuguese cistern. You can also spend your time walking the ramparts and can visit the Church of the Assumption. Your last stop is Safi, know for its excellent surfing beaches and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch will be on your own. Once in Essaouira, you will check into your hotel, and have the evening on your own. I recommend walking the rampart and watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. Dinner on your own.

Day 5: Essaouira to Marrakesh: Jemaa el Fna Square

After breakfast, you will have the morning to your leisure. For lunch, make sure to have some fresh seafood before heading back to Marrakesh.
You will head back to Marrakesh in the afternoon. The evening will be on your own. If you have not already, I recommend visiting the main square, Jemaa el Fna Square, with its musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls and more. If you want to enjoy from a distance, there are many cafes surrounding the square where you can sit and watch the show over a meal. Dinner is on your own tonight.

"The trip was excellent. The Riads were First rate, The guides were knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Our driver, Mohamed Samouk, was one of the best parts of the trip. He became our friend, part of the family! We will recommend Morocco Off the Beaten Track to anyone wishing to explore Morocco."

Mary A

"This trip was like a dream, everything went just perfect and as planned. Yassine was incredibly patient and accommodating, he listened to us, responded to every question we had and made sure we would be happy with our finalized itinerary. Our trip started in Casablanca, our flight was more than four hours delayed due to bad weather in Montreal, our driver Mohammed was patiently waiting for us and it was a relief to see him there and greeting us with a smile, we immediately felt welcomed and safe. All of our accommodations were unbelievable nice and charming, it was definitely a huge part of our whole experience, we mostly stayed at riads, which were the perfect selection for us. We were provided with a small cel phone for anything that we needed at any time. Our driver Mohammed was incredibly helpful and friendly, and most importantly, drove us with professionalism and great skills all around Morocco, which involved a lot of driving! I will definitely be using Morocco Off the Beaten Track services again and would recommend to anyone planning their next adventure!"

Lucy K

"From beginning to end, we were extremely well taken care of. From our first communication, Yassine patiently helped us prepare an itinerary that was perfect for our group. Once we arrived in Morocco, everything was seamless and well organized. Our driver Mohamed was polite, helpful and charming. He helped make the long drives between cities enjoyable and assured that we were always comfortable. We were quite pleased with the selection of riads; all three were beautiful and special, each in their own way. Guides were polite and well-informed. Ali in Marrakech did a great job choosing restaurants for us, and we had a few memorable and delicious dining experiences thanks to him. All in all, we had an excellent trip and were extremely satisfied with the level of service from Morocco Off the Beaten Track. We would do it all over again if we could. Thank you for a wonderful experience!!"

Anda P

"Trip was wonderful. The contacts were responsive and super-helpful. Our arrival time changed and it was easy to contact both Yassine and Ali and adjust accordingly."

Alissa H

"Our entire experience with Morocco Off the Beaten Track was effortless. From the initial and follow-up planning with Yassine to the final follow-up was a great experience. We were met at Marrakesh airport by a young man named Ismael. We could not have asked for a better person to be our driver and to spend the trip with. He was engaging, courteous, helpful and a very cautious and competent driver. Interacting with him was one of the highlights of our trip..."