5-Day Tour from Tangier: Chefchaouen, Fes & the Blue City

5-Day Tour from Tangier: Chefchaouen, Fes & the Blue City

Tour Description

This 5-day tour from Tangier is a perfect introduction to the history and beauty of Northern Morocco. Starting from the gateway to Africa, you'll explore the white city of Tetouan, the enchanting blue city of Chefchaouen, and the ancient imperial city of Fes. It's a journey packed with culture, history, and stunning scenery.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore Tangier, the gateway to Africa, including Cap Spartel.
  • Visit Tetouan, the 'White Dove,' a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Spend ample time in the magical blue city of Chefchaouen.
  • Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Fes, the cultural heart of Morocco.

Why Choose This Tour?

This tour is a perfect deep dive into Northern Morocco's history and beauty. It focuses on the key cities of the north, offering a rich cultural experience without long travel days to the south.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tangier Arrival & Tour (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

9:00 AM - Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG) or at the port, your private driver will greet you with a sign displaying your name.

9:30 AM - Transfer to your comfortable vehicle and begin your exploration of Tangier, Morocco's gateway to Africa.

10:00 AM - Visit Cap Spartel, the dramatic headland where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy spectacular views and learn about the strategic importance of this location.

10:45 AM - Explore the mythical Caves of Hercules, a natural cave with an opening shaped like the African continent. Learn about the legends associated with this ancient site.

11:30 AM - Visit the Kasbah of Tangier, the old fortified district with its narrow streets and historic buildings.

12:30 PM - Lunch break at a local restaurant in Tangier (not included). Enjoy fresh seafood with views of the Mediterranean.

2:00 PM - Explore Tangier's vibrant medina with its unique blend of Moroccan and European influences. Wander through the souks and discover local crafts.

3:30 PM - Visit the American Legation Museum, the first American public property outside the United States, and learn about Tangier's international diplomatic history.

4:30 PM - Stroll along the Boulevard Mohamed VI for stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar. On clear days, you can see the coast of Spain just 14 kilometers away.

5:30 PM - Check into your charming riad in Tangier. Settle in and refresh after your journey.

6:30 PM - Evening at leisure. Enjoy dinner at your riad or a local restaurant (not included) while soaking in the atmosphere of this international city.

Day 2: Tangier → Tetouan → Chefchaouen (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

8:00 AM - Breakfast at your riad in Tangier.

9:00 AM - Depart Tangier and travel to Tetouan, known as the "White Dove" for its distinctive white architecture.

10:00 AM - Arrive in Tetouan and explore its UNESCO World Heritage medina. Discover the unique Spanish-influenced architecture that sets this city apart from others in Morocco.

11:00 AM - Visit the Tetouan Museum of Moroccan Arts, housed in a former fortress, to learn about the region's rich cultural heritage.

11:45 AM - Explore the royal palace and the Hassan II Square, the heart of the city with its beautiful fountains and gardens.

12:30 PM - Lunch break in Tetouan (not included). Enjoy Andalusian-influenced cuisine unique to this region.

2:00 PM - Depart Tetouan and continue your journey through the scenic Rif Mountains toward Chefchaouen.

3:30 PM - Arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous "Blue City" of Morocco. Check into your traditional riad in the medina.

4:00 PM - Begin your exploration of the enchanting blue-washed streets. Your guide will explain the history of why the walls are painted blue.

5:00 PM - Visit the main square, Place Outa el Hammam, with its 15th-century kasbah and waterfall.

5:30 PM - Climb to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views of the entire blue city and surrounding Rif Mountains.

6:00 PM - Evening at leisure to explore Chefchaouen at your own pace. Enjoy dinner at your riad or a local restaurant (not included).

Day 3: Chefchaouen → Fes (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

8:00 AM - Breakfast at your riad in Chefchaouen.

9:00 AM - Morning exploration of Chefchaouen's hidden gems. Visit the local markets and artisan workshops to discover traditional wool products and leather goods unique to this region.

10:00 AM - Free time for personal exploration. Options include:

  • Visit the Ras El-Ma waterfall just outside the city
  • Shop for unique souvenirs in the medina's craft shops
  • Relax at a café in the main square and people-watch
  • Take photographs of the most photogenic blue streets

11:30 AM - Lunch break at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the medina (not included). Enjoy traditional Rif cuisine while surrounded by the blue cityscape.

1:00 PM - Depart Chefchaouen and begin your scenic journey to Fes.

2:30 PM - Stop at the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk among the impressive ruins of this once-great Roman city.

3:30 PM - Continue to the nearby imperial city of Meknes. Visit the grand Bab Mansour gate, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco.

4:00 PM - Brief visit to the Sahrij Souani basin, the massive water reservoirs that once served Sultan Moulay Ismail's palaces.

5:00 PM - Continue to Fes, Morocco's cultural and spiritual capital.

6:00 PM - Arrive in Fes and check into your traditional riad in the ancient medina.

7:30 PM - Dinner at your riad (not included). Relax and prepare for tomorrow's comprehensive Fes exploration.

Day 4: Fes Full Day Guided Tour (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

9:00 AM - Breakfast at your riad, followed by a full day guided tour of Fes with a local expert guide.

9:30 AM - Begin at the famous Chouara Tannery, where leather has been produced using traditional methods for over a thousand years. Watch the tanning process from the surrounding terraces.

10:30 AM - Visit the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, founded in 859 AD and considered the oldest continuously operating university in the world.

11:15 AM - Explore the Bou Inania Madrasa, a stunning example of Marinid architecture with intricate cedar carvings and zellij tilework.

12:00 PM - Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in a beautifully restored funduq (caravanserai).

1:00 PM - Lunch break at a traditional restaurant in the medina (not included). Try authentic Fassi cuisine such as pastilla or tagine with preserved lemons.

2:30 PM - Continue exploring the medina's souks. Visit the spice market, metal workshops, and textile stalls.

3:30 PM - Visit the Royal Palace of Fes (Dar el Makhzen) and admire its magnificent golden brass doors and intricate tilework.

4:00 PM - Explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) with its unique architecture and historical significance.

5:00 PM - Return to your riad. Evening at leisure to explore the medina on your own or enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (not included).

Day 5: Fes → Tangier (8:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

8:00 AM - Breakfast at your riad in Fes.

9:00 AM - Morning free time for last-minute activities in Fes. Options include:

  • Visit the Borj Nord and Borj Sud fortresses for panoramic views
  • Return to the souks for any final souvenir shopping
  • Relax at a traditional hammam (spa) for an authentic Moroccan experience
  • Explore more of the medina's hidden corners

11:00 AM - Check out from your riad.

11:30 AM - Depart Fes and begin your journey back to Tangier.

12:30 PM - Stop at a scenic viewpoint in the Rif Mountains for photos and to appreciate the beautiful countryside.

1:30 PM - Pass through agricultural plains and traditional Berber villages, enjoying the rural Moroccan landscape.

2:00 PM - Arrive in Tangier. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel, the port, or Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG), marking the end of your Northern Morocco tour.

Note: Please allow sufficient time for your departure based on your flight or ferry schedule.

What to Bring

  • Comfortable shoes for walking in medinas.
  • A good camera to capture the blue and white cities.
  • An extra layer for cooler mountain evenings.
  • An interest in history, art, and architecture.
  • Sunscreen and a hat.