Southern Morocco: Marrakech, Sahara & the Atlas Mountains – 9 Days

D 1 Arrive in Tangier overnight in chefchaouen

Welcome to Tangier – the gateway between Europe and Africa! Located near the south of Spain, visit the medina (old town), the cafés of trendy Zoco Chico square, or stroll along the promenade along the paseo. Or, head straight to Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif Mountains. Enjoy the scenic route, stopping along the way to hike to the Cascades d’Akchour (Akchour Waterfalls). Chefchaouen has endless winding narrow streets and picturesque buildings. Find a restaurant or café in Plaza Outa el Hammam and enjoy a meal while people watching.

Although non-Muslims are not allowed in, the Grand Mosque is still worth a visit. From there explore the nearby kasbah (old fortifications) and visit gardens, museums and some old prison cells. Follow a small path outside the city wall to the Atlas Hotel, climb to the roof, and enjoy the panoramic view of the Blue City. For the slightly more sporty, head east on the street past Ras el Ma Spring and up the trail (20-30 minutes) until you reach the abandoned White Spanish Mosque. Enjoy the last view of Chefchaouen as the sun sets.

Hiking time: 2-3 hours

D 2 Chefchaouen, Roman ruins of Volubilis, Fes

Get up early to snap photos of the deserted streets before heading to Fes. Along the way, stop at the UNESCO-protected ruins of Volubilis – the furthest point in Africa for the Romans. Wander through the complex and discover merchant houses with intact heating systems, temples, and many original mosaics. Continue to the smaller, less busy Fes Meknes to learn about this historic imperial city. The two main attractions are the Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the Medina. Be sure to visit the Bab al-Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the Royal Palace.

Continue to Fes, your second imperial city. With its impressive (and somewhat confusing) old medina, Fez is a city worth getting lost in. Before exploring the medina, take some time to visit the Merenid Tombs, located north of the city, and take in the historic panorama of Fez and the surrounding area. Descend and return to your riad (traditional Moroccan house with an indoor garden) for the night.

D 3 Fes: Exploring the Imperial City and medieval Medina

Fez is the oldest imperial city in Morocco (the others are Marrakech and Rabat), and perhaps the best worth exploring. A UNESCO-protected site, the city hasn’t experienced much colonial development, allowing you to experience its medieval charm. Fez is made up of two ancient medina districts, Fes el Bali (where you’ll spend most of your time) and Fes el Jdid (the newer part of the city), as well as the French-designed Ville Nouvelle in the early 20th century. Starting in Fes el Bali (789 AD), meet your guide who will help you navigate the narrow and labyrinthine ancient streets of the medina.

Notice the Spanish and Tunisian-influenced architecture as you pass the various souks (markets) selling spices, leather goods and pewter. Known for its tanneries and the pungent smells associated with them, visit the popular Chouara tanneries and climb to the roofs of nearby shops to get a better idea of ​​what’s going on. Visit the 14th-century Al Attarine Madrasa and admire zellij tiles, then visit one of the world’s oldest still functioning universities, Al-Qarawiyyyin University (859 AD). Find the mellah (Old Jewish Quarter) in Fes el Jdid for another panoramic view of the city.

Day 4 Rabat and Casablanca

Venture west to the imperial city and present-day capital Rabat. Explore the medieval fortifications of Chellah Necropolis and wander through Roman and Islamic ruins. Enter Rabat’s old city center through the gates of the Kasbah des Oudaias. From there, visit the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens, a peaceful space away from the crowds. Explore the Hassan Tower, the minaret of the Incomplete Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. It was a 12th-century project that has been abandoned, and today only the tower and around 200 columns remain.

Continue one of the best south along the Atlantic coast until you reach economic capital of Morocco (Casablanca). Stroll along Boulevard de la Corniche, the promenade along the Atlantic Ocean (often referred to as the Miami of Morocco) to the Hassan II Mosque. While interior tours are only offered in the morning, take the time to watch the sunset behind the architectural marvel. Grab a bite at Rick’s Café, a restaurant, bar and café reimagined to reflect the bar from the classic film Casablanca.

Day 5 Casablanca To Marrakech

Casablanca is the modern business capital of Morocco, home to the stunning Hassan II Mosque. It sits on an outcrop in the Atlantic Ocean and has a 690-foot (210-meter) minaret – the tallest building in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world! It is estimated that the courtyard could hold 80,000 worshipers and 25,000 inside. This mosque is unique in that it is one of the few mosques in the country that non-Muslims can enter. Take a morning tour to admire the exquisite and ornate artifacts: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble floor details and gilded cedar ceilings.

Arrive in vibrant Marrakech mid to late afternoon and settle into your riad before exploring the surroundings. For a unique way to see the Medina, board a calèche (French for horse-drawn carriage) and start orienting yourself. In the evening, the main square, Jemaa el-Fna, comes alive with entertainment from musicians, performers, snake charmers, games and food stalls. If you want to admire this spectacle from afar, enjoy a mint tea and a good meal at one of the many cafés around the square.

Day 6 Marrakech Tour Guide

Marrakech, nicknamed the “Red City” for its red sandstone walls and architecture, was once an important trading capital for Atlas mountain tribes and remains an exciting former imperial city. Start exploring Marrakech’s ancient medina from the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. While non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, it’s worth a visit for its 12th-century foundations and 253-foot (77-meter) minaret. Visit the fountain and pool that adjoin the gardens.

Indulge your senses by exploring the traditional maze of souks hidden behind the usual restaurants and shops. Head to Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari and Souk Smata for a variety of spices, woodwork and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit the Souk des Teinturiers, or dyers’ open-air market, to see how cloth and yarn are dyed traditionally. Next, admire Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Quranic school of Moroccan Islamic architecture, and note the ornate details inside: carved cedar ceilings, carved plaster, and zellij tiles.

D 7 Amizmiz and the High Atlas mountains

Today you will venture south of Marrakech to Amizmiz, a small town at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains (approximately an hour’s drive). Take time to explore the small markets of the old town, then join your mountain guide to hike through the narrow roads and mule trails in the surrounding mountains. Trek among small Berber villages and watch local farmers and shepherds tend to their animals and the landscape. You might even see children on their way to or from school, which is often shared by several nearby villages.

Stop to have lunch with a local family and gain insight into their daily lives while learning how to make homemade bread. Continue your trek until the afternoon before returning to another local Berber home where you will be welcomed for dinner and given a room to rest for the night.

Day 8 Return to Marrakech

Have breakfast with your hosts before saying goodbye and embarking on your journey. Continue exploring the local landscape and other nearby towns before returning to Marrakech.

Upon arrival in Marrakech, explore the Kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna, visit the Saadian tombs and discover the 500-year-old craftsmanship that went into their construction. Visit the sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace as you pass through the mellah (Jewish Quarter) and the 19th-century Bahia Palace. If you have time, you might want to visit the Dar Di Said Museum (also known as the Museum of Moroccan Art) to see exhibits of clothing, antiques, jewelry, and beautifully carved Hispano-Moorish cedar wood ornaments.

Day 9 Departure from Marrakech

If time permits, complete any last minute shopping or visit the Majorelle Gardens. Not far from the buzzing medina, a visit to these lush, sprawling gardens is the perfect place to escape the heat and bustle before your return flight back to Casablanca (three hours in traffic).