12 Day Northern Morocco: Amazing History, Landscapes, and Cities

Chefchaouen city in Morocco

What to expect on this itinerary

Venture off the beaten path in northern Morocco during this 12-day adventure. This is the experiential side of Morocco that is full of stories and secrets. Chefchaouen is a blue-washed and baffling city that pulls you under its spell, and Tetouan is an Andalusian-inspired city with a highly unique history. Explore the enchantment of Fes, escape to Morocco’s lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and savor the great flavors of the country with a private cooking course.

Countries Visited

Morocco

Places Visited

Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Tetouan

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Tangier – A Rich and Beautiful History

Civilizations have come and gone in Tangier for more than 2,500 years. You will land at the city’s international airport, and your driver will greet and transfer you to a boutique riad or guesthouse on the coast. When you are ready, you can set off on a city tour that will have you visiting Sh’ar Raphael Synagogue, wandering past a Spanish church, and discussing how the city influenced Beat Generation writers and musicians like The Rolling Stones. You will then immerse yourself in the old medina to see how ornamental stucco fills the lanes and how the Grand Mosque used to be a Portuguese Cathedral.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Dinner
Day 2

Tangier – Larache, Lixus, and Asilah

Day 3

Tetouan – A Whitewashed Jewel

Day 4

Tetouan – A World Heritage Medina

Day 5

Chefchaouen – A Surprising History

Day 6

Chefchaouen – Spa Experience and Cooking Class

Day 7

Chefchaouen – Hiking to the Akchour Waterfalls

Day 8

Fes – Discovering Berber Villages

Day 9

Fes – Historical and Cultural Tour of Fes

Day 10

Fes – Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, and Meknes

Day 11

Fes – Unique Foodie Tour

Day 12

Fes – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Share the stories and secrets of Chefchaouen, which is a blue-washed town that has left a unique imprint on the country
  • Explore the enchantment of Fes with a day dedicated to its gardens and palaces
  • Escape to another of Morocco’s lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage destinations with days the in Andalusian-inspired town of Tetouan
  • Begin your trip in Tangier, sipping mint tea while gazing over the water toward Gibraltar
  • Discover the towns of the Atlantic Ocean coast and compare Tangier with Larche and Asilah
  • Travel further back in history at the Roman cities of Lixus and Volubilis
  • Connect with the Riffians on a journey through the Rif Mountains to visit Berber people with a distinctive language and history
  • Savor the great flavors of Morocco with a Chefchaouen cooking class and a Fes foodie tour
  • Hike to the Akchour Waterfalls in Chefchaouen and enjoy a Moroccan hammam experience

Detailed Description

Northern Morocco has a long and complicated history that is unique from the rest of the world. The great north of Morocco is where you can live out the stories that have been passed down through the generations. This vacation is handcrafted for you to discover the experiential highlights of Northern Morocco. Each destination is different, although the contrasts can only be truly understood once you arrive. Tangier is rich in the most complicated of histories. You will travel to Tetouan to find a whitewashed town with a Moorish-Andalusian history. The city is the least-visited of all of Morocco’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites; it is a living and breathing piece of the past that you can enjoy for two relaxing days on the coast. There is a wonderful authenticity here that is seductive and surreal.

From white to blue, you will travel to the mountains for several days in Chefchaouen. Striking blue buildings will set the scene, and local encounters will maintain the mood. You will indulge in a cooking class, a waterfall hike, a hammam experience, and the secrets of a local market. You will also spend a day traveling through the Rif Mountains to meet Berber Riffians in their villages before spending several days and nights in Fes. One day will explore local history and culture, and another will be dedicated to palaces and monuments. There will also be time for a day trip to two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Meknes and Volubilis, in addition to a flavorful afternoon in a city that has always had a flavorful history.

Starting Price

$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 109 reviews

Spain, Morocco Trip Review: Barcelona, Andalucia, Chefchaouen, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Architecture, Art, Riads, 2 Weeks

Flawless doesn't begin to describe how incredible and meticulous the planning and taste that went into designing our Spain and Morocco trip. I reached out to Zicasso’s travel specialist far in advance, describing a dream vacation for my husband and me that included a near-impossible amount of locations to cover through both countries in only two weeks. We had tried coming up with an itinerary with another planner prior to meeting the travel specialist, but it did not work out. When we shared our vision with the travel specialist, he materialized it on paper in a way that made sense and even made adjustments that fit within our budget. We got to see every location with enough time to savor each.

The order of travel from Barcelona to Andalucía to Morocco was an intricate weave that told a story of cross-cultural exchange. We started off with Gaudí architecture and the Sagrada Família, sunsets at the Puente Nuevo, Alhambra, and Córdoba, marveled at the grandeur of the mosque cathedral, savored seafood paella and Picasso art in Málaga. We finished off road-tripping in Morocco, starting from the blue city of Chefchaouhen, continuing our journey through Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains. It was nothing short of magical.

We will never forget the beauty of the sun rising above the Atlas Mountains, private candlelit dinners on our private terrace in the riads, the colors of the souks, and the hospitality of our Moroccan hosts. Each riad was carefully selected and far exceeded our expectations. And of course, our driver in Morocco was an absolute delight and went above and beyond. Besides providing transportation, he acted as a friend who showed us the ins and outs, helping us see Morocco in a way that we would not have if we went in a large group or had chosen to come alone. Overall, my husband and I cannot recommend our travel specialist enough.

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Morocco Tour Review: Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, Marrakech, Camel Ride, 1 Week

Every detail of the itinerary was amazing. Thanks to Zicasso’s travel agent. From our driver to the riad and hotel accommodations, and each location we visited (Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Atlas Mountains, a camel ride at sunset with glamping in the Sahara Desert, and Marrakech), we were partnered with a local guide who showed us magnificent sights and enriched our experience with historical information. Everything was beyond our expectations!

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Morocco Trip Review: Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Hiking, 11 Days

We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide and company. Our travel agent really saved our trip. We reached out just a few weeks before our 11-day visit to the country. We were so impressed at how well he listened to what we wanted to do, as well as our challenges with trying to meet up with our daughter. Despite that, he was able to pull together a magnificent itinerary for Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains.

We needed a driver the whole time and our driver was so much more than that. The riads our travel agent found, the restaurants, and the cultural experiences were just perfect. Plus, we had ample downtime. The guides were knowledgeable and accommodating to our requests.

From the minute we arrived in Rabat to the moment we left, we felt in good hands. We are so grateful to their expertise and to Zicasso for connecting us to such an excellent person and company. We will reach out to Zicasso the next time we plan a trip abroad. Meanwhile, we tell everyone we meet about your services.

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Morocco Vacation Review: Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Desert, Medina, Local Cuisine, 6 Nights

Our trip to Morocco was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Our driver was excellent and an excellent companion throughout the journey—reliable, friendly, and always helpful.

The guided tour through the medina in Marrakech with our guide was a standout experience, especially with the bonus of dining at a fantastic restaurant he recommended. Two major highlights of the trip were the unforgettable hot-air balloon ride and our magical night in the desert.

Although our time in Casablanca was brief, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our guide in Rabat was knowledgeable and made the experience engaging and informative. We ended our trip in the stunning town of Chefchaouen, where another guide provided an exceptional tour—he was informative and passionate about his city.

The accommodations were perfect at every stop, and we truly appreciated the welcome gifts and meals provided by Zicasso's travel specialist and his team. Their attention to detail made all the difference.

I would highly recommend him and his company to anyone planning a trip to Morocco. It was an unforgettable experience that I will be sharing with friends and family for years to come.

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Morocco Vacation Review: Marrakech, Merzouga, Fes, Chefchaouen, Medinas, Desert, Camel Ride, Gardens, Museums, Cooking Class, 11 Nights

We had the most amazing time in Morocco, thanks to our wonderful Zicasso trip planners. From the very beginning of the planning stages, our agents were not only super-accommodating, but provided great ideas to make our trip as special as could be!

Once we landed, our guide and driver made sure we were comfortable throughout our trip. We visited Marrakech, Merzouga, Fes, and Chefchaouen. Each of these destinations were special in their own way and we had amazing tours in the medinas, visited gardens and museums, had a cooking class and, of course, a wonderful night in the desert.

None of this could have been possible without the expertise of the entire team at the travel agency. The logistics were impeccable, the hotels so beautiful, and suggestions for shopping and meals were perfect as well!

We cannot thank the team enough for such a special experience and we hope to work with them in the future! Thank you so much!

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Morocco Vacation Review: Marrakech, High Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Merzouga, Sahara, Fes, Food Tour, Camel Trek, Private Guide, 1 Week

This was our fourth trip with Zicasso and, like the others, it was amazing and memorable. Even being back home for a while now, I’m still constantly thinking about how fun and unique this experience was. Morocco isn’t easy to navigate, but Zicasso, our travel specialist, and our team expertly guided and educated us on the special history, culture, food, traditions, and sites of this beautiful country.

We started in Marrakech and had night and day food tours in the medina. It was immersive and interesting, and almost an assault on the senses–super-cool experiences. We learned about the cultural influences through the centuries and our guides were experts in their historical and local knowledge. The street food night tour was an evening to remember, sampling all sorts of local foods at places that would be impossible to find on the web.

After our days in Marrakech, we traveled in a loop around Morocco for several days, passing through the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Merzouga, and the Sahara, followed by two and a half days in Fes, another cultural gem. It was an unforgettable journey, filled with highlights:

The boutique hotel in a literal oasis was beautiful and so well appointed–such friendly staff and owners, and perfect food.

Ait Ben Haddou (a kasbah) was like nothing we’d ever seen–no wonder it has been used in so many films. Our private guide there had been in nine movies!

The Sahara trek was unbelievable and my personal highlight. I almost still can’t believe it. A one-hour guided walk on a camel (they were friendly!), stopping to watch a beautiful sunset. It reminded me of the "Dune" movies. The moon literally rose on the opposite horizon as the sun was setting. Then, another 30 minutes on the camels under moonlight to a luxury camp. I say “camp,” but the small restaurant was deluxe and our tent was warm, luxurious, and, of course, had a full, regular bathroom. So not exactly camping!

Fes was super-interesting and our driver and guide ensured we saw so much of what makes Fes the cultural capital.

This was, overall, such a fun experience that will stay with me forever. We’ve recommended Morocco to many since returning!

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews