Explore the North of Morocco
Ready to dive deep into Morocco's most captivating region? This isn't your typical packaged tour – we're talking about eight days of pure adventure through ancient medinas, Roman ruins, and coastal gems that most travelers never discover. From the crossroads of Africa and Europe in Tangier to the medieval maze of Fes, you'll experience the real Morocco alongside locals who know every hidden corner.
An 8-Day Adventure Through Imperial Cities & Hidden Gems | May 17-24, 2026
May 17/Day 1: Touch Down in Tangier
Where Africa Meets Europe
Your Moroccan adventure begins the moment you step off the plane or ferry. We'll whisk you away from the chaos of arrivals straight to your home base – a beautifully restored riad tucked away in the heart of the medina. Think traditional architecture meets modern comfort, where the sound of the call to prayer mingles with the distant crash of Atlantic waves.
After settling in and perhaps enjoying some traditional mint tea on the rooftop terrace, it's time to get your bearings. The old Kasbah awaits – this isn't just sightseeing, it's time travel. Wander through narrow alleys that have barely changed in centuries, where every turn reveals another slice of authentic Moroccan life. Local kids playing football in tiny squares, artisans crafting leather goods in shops the size of closets, and the intoxicating aroma of tagines simmering in hidden courtyards.
Dinner at your riad or a local favorite our team will book – because the best meals are always where the locals eat.
May 18/Day 2: Tangier Like a Local
Beyond the Guidebook
Today you'll see Tangier through the eyes of someone who calls it home. Your local guide isn't just knowledgeable – they're passionate about sharing the stories that don't make it into travel magazines. Start at the Kasbah again, but this time you'll hear the legends, the gossip, and the real history that brings these ancient stones to life.
The medina comes next, and trust us – this isn't a quick walk-through. We're talking about getting properly lost in the maze of souks, learning to bargain like a pro, and discovering that perfect carpet you never knew you needed. Petit Socco, the tiny square that was once the beating heart of international intrigue, tells tales of writers, spies, and dreamers who found refuge in this cosmopolitan crossroads.
The American Legation Museum is a must – it's literally the first piece of American soil outside the U.S., and the stories it holds will blow your mind. Then we head to where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean at Cape Spartel. The views are Instagram-worthy, but the feeling of standing where two oceans meet? That's something you can't capture in a photo.
Hercules Caves round out the morning – part mythology, part geology, all fascinating. Lunch means the freshest seafood you've ever tasted, caught that morning and prepared the way Tangier families have done for generations.
May 19/Day 3: From Spanish Influences to the Blue Pearl
Tétouan to Chefchaouen
Time to leave Tangier behind and discover why Northern Morocco feels like nowhere else on Earth. First stop: Tétouan, where Spanish colonial architecture meets Moorish design in the most beautiful way possible. This isn't just another UNESCO World Heritage site – it's a living, breathing example of how cultures blend and create something entirely new.
The souks here feel different from Tangier's – more intimate, more family-oriented. You'll see three generations working side by side in tiny workshops, creating everything from traditional textiles to modern interpretations of ancient crafts. The whitewashed streets tell the story of a city that's been shaped by everyone from Berbers to Andalusians to Spanish protectorates.
But the real magic happens when you start climbing into the Rif Mountains. The landscape changes with every mile, and then – suddenly – there it is. Chefchaouen. The Blue Pearl. The most photographed city in Morocco, and for good reason.
Spending the afternoon here isn't about checking boxes on a tourist list. It's about understanding why this mountain town decided to paint itself blue, about discovering the tiny cafés where locals gather to play chess and drink coffee, about finding those perfect photo spots that aren't overrun with tour groups. Every blue-washed wall has a story, and every winding street leads to another "how is this place real?" moment.
May 20/Day 4: Roman Ruins to Imperial Grandeur
Chefchaouen to Fes via History
Your last morning in Chefchaouen is yours to savor. Maybe it's a sunrise walk through empty blue streets, or perhaps shopping for those handwoven blankets that Chefchaouen is famous for. Either way, soak it in – because places like this don't exist anywhere else in the world.
Then we're off to one of Morocco's best-kept secrets: Volubilis. These aren't just "some old Roman ruins" – this is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in North Africa. Picture this: 2,000-year-old mosaics so detailed they still tell stories, ancient olive presses that you can actually understand, and views over rolling hills that make you realize why the Romans chose this spot for their African outpost.
Meknes comes next, and if Fes is the cultural capital, then Meknes is where you go to understand imperial power. Bab Mansour isn't just a gate – it's a statement. The royal granaries could feed an army (which was the point), and the ancient prison will give you chills. This is where you start to grasp the sheer ambition of Morocco's sultans.
By evening, you'll reach Fes, and checking into a traditional riad in the old city means falling asleep to the sounds of a medieval world that somehow still exists.
May 21/Day 5: Lost in Time in Fes
The Ultimate Medina Experience
Today is the big one. Fes el-Bali isn't just the world's largest car-free urban area – it's a living medieval city where 9,000 alleys create a maze that locals still get lost in. Your certified guide doesn't just know the way; they know the families, the stories, and the secrets.
The tanneries hit you first – the smell, the colors, the sheer impossibility that leather is still being made exactly the way it was 1,000 years ago. Al-Qarawiyyin University (the world's oldest continuously operating university) will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about centers of learning. The artisan quarters are where you'll witness craft traditions that haven't changed since the Middle Ages – and yes, that metalwork/pottery/woodcarving you're watching? You can actually buy it.
But here's what makes this different from every other Fes tour: we're not rushing. We're not checking boxes. We're getting lost, finding unexpected courtyards, stumbling onto family workshops that don't appear in guidebooks, and having those "I can't believe this place exists" moments that make travel addictive.
By the end of the day, you'll understand why people say that to know Morocco, you have to know Fes.
May 22/Day 6: Capital Vibes and Hidden History
Rabat and Salé
Time for a change of pace. Rabat might be the political capital, but it's also one of Morocco's most underrated gems. The Kasbah of the Oudayas combines stunning architecture with killer ocean views – it's where Moroccan royalty chose to build their fortress, and one look at the setting tells you why.
The Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower aren't just monuments – they're statements about modern Morocco's relationship with its past. The craftsmanship is mind-blowing, and the symbolism runs deep.
But here's where your day gets really special. After lunch, we're heading across the river to Salé – Rabat's often-overlooked twin city. You'll meet a local historian who's made it their life's work to preserve and share Salé's incredible story. This isn't a standard tour; it's a conversation with someone who knows every stone, every legend, and every restoration project.
The medina here feels different – less touristy, more authentic. The towers and underground dungeons tell tales of pirates and prisoners, of a time when Salé was one of the most powerful ports in the Islamic world. Your historian guide will share insights about medina restoration that you simply can't get anywhere else – it's like getting a masterclass in urban archaeology.
May 23/Day 7: Coastal Magic and Artistic Surprises
Moulay Bousselham to Asilah
Your final full day is all about Morocco's stunning Atlantic coast – but we're not talking about typical beach tourism. We're talking about hidden lagoons, bird sanctuaries, and art-filled medinas that most travelers never discover.
Moulay Bousselham is where Morocco's coast gets wild. The lagoon here is a bird-watcher's paradise, but even if you can't tell a flamingo from a stork, the boat ride through these pristine waters is pure magic. It's one of those "Morocco has everything" moments – desert, mountains, imperial cities, and now this incredible coastal ecosystem.
Asilah is where art meets the sea in the most beautiful way possible. This coastal town has transformed itself into an open-air gallery, where international artists come to paint murals on medina walls. Lunch by the ocean, with waves crashing just meters away, fresh fish caught that morning, and views that stretch to the horizon.
The medina here is small enough to explore thoroughly but packed with surprises – art galleries tucked into traditional buildings, cafés where artists and locals mingle, and ramparts that offer sunset views you'll never forget.
After a roadside tagine stop for lunch that will leave you feeling stuffed, you're back in Tangier, but it's not the same city you arrived in eight days ago. Now you know its secrets.
May 24/Day 8: Until Next Time
Departure with a Difference
All adventures must end, but this one ends with a difference. As we transfer you to the airport or ferry port, you're not just leaving Morocco – you're taking with you stories that don't exist in guidebooks, connections with people who showed you their real world, and an understanding of a country that's far more complex and beautiful than you ever imagined.
This isn't goodbye – it's "until next time." Because once Morocco gets into your blood, it stays there.
Ready to experience the real Morocco? This isn't just a trip – it's the beginning of a love affair with one of the world's most fascinating countries. Every detail is handled, every experience is authentic, and every moment is designed to show you something extraordinary.
If your journey ends today, you’ll be dropped off in Marrakech for a final night in a hotel before your departure flight the following day. Your overnight stay and transportation to the airport will be organized.
What’s Included & How to Book
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Per person price for a room for two people with a private bathroom. (2 twin beds or 1 queen bed to share)
Included:
inbound & outbound transfers to airport/ferry port
Accommodation (7 nights) in a double/twin room with ensuite bathroom & daily breakfast
Guided tours in Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Rabat/Sale, and guided site visits
Entry to any visited monuments/sites
Hammam & massage experience
Dinner on nights 1 & 7
Privatized transportation in a luxury van with an English-speaking driver
Thoughtful welcome kit & gift
Fresh drinking water throughout the trip
Gratuity for staff & hotel/city taxes
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Private room & bathroom
Included:
inbound & outbound transfers to airport/ferry port
Accommodation (7 nights) in a double/twin room with ensuite bathroom & daily breakfast
Guided tours in Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Rabat/Sale, and guided site visits
Entry to any visited monuments/sites
Hammam & massage experience
Dinner on nights 1 & 7
Privatized transportation in a luxury van with an English-speaking driver
Thoughtful welcome kit & gift
Fresh drinking water throughout the trip
Gratuity for staff & hotel/city taxes
Get started with a $500 deposit to secure your spot. Payment plans available - please email for invoicing.
Exclusions
At meals, we provide drinking water for the table. Any other alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages are not included.
Purchased souvenirs, lunches, dinners 2-6 are not included.
Got questions?
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