Luxury Tour of Northern Morocco

Take a luxurious round trip around northern Morocco, where you’ll dive into bustling marketplaces, unwind in finely-appointed riads, and discover the magic of the kingdom’s Imperial Cities. This trip plan is a great option if it’s your first visit to Morocco or if you’re interested in combining time here with another destination. You’ll travel through time with visits to ancient ruins, medieval relics, and contemporary hot spots.

Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Chefchaouen via Rabat

Your adventure in Morocco begins with a jump start today. Your driver will pick you up from the airport in Casablanca, and you’ll head straight toward Chefchaouen, the Instagram-worthy Blue City.
En route, you’ll stop in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, and home to the royal family.  Visit the imposing Hassan Tower monument, the minaret of a 12th-century mosque, a lofty construction project that was ultimately abandoned. All that remains today is the red sandstone tower, standing at 145 feet (44 m), and about 200 columns where a more extensive complex was meant to be. After you wander the ruins, check out the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, which serves as a stellar taste of the intricate tilework, mosaics, and craftsmanship that you’ll see throughout the land. 
Lunch will be on your own with recommendations from your driver. Consider sampling some super-fresh seafood, grilled simply, accompanied by the traditional bold flavors of Morocco’s cuisine. 
In the afternoon, you’ll snake your way into the heart of the Rif Mountains for your final stop: Chefchaouen. This little city is a visual delight in blue; walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways – everything is a combination of soft pastel sky blue and deeper, more vivid hues. 
After you check in at your riad, explore the town at your own pace or relax. Outa el-Hammam is the main square and the place to watch the world go by. Walk up the tiny alleys to find the everyday life of the town. There’s great (and budget-friendly) shopping here: think handcrafted wool garments, woven blankets, cedarwood furniture, and other artisanal work.  Be sure to order a Maqlouba (upside-down) coffee and enjoy it while watching the local women retrieve water and wash their laundry in the nearby spring. Dinner will be on your own.
Driving time: 6 hours

Day 2 : Chefchaouen to Fes – Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, and Meknes

Enjoy your morning in Chefchaouen; if you’re inspired to wake before dawn, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic sunrise from the Spanish mosque, perched high atop the town.  Or take it easy with a languid breakfast, followed by exploration in the medina. You can also spend a relaxing time with a cup of fresh mint tea in Place Outa el-Hammam, watching the city come to life from a cafe. 
Later in the morning, you’ll hit the road to travel through Morocco’s royal past. You’ll first head south toward Fes. En route, you’ll stop to visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins. Wander the massive complex and explore large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many well-preserved mosaics. If you’d like to dive deep into the history here, you can hire your own private guide. Because you’re traveling with a private driver, you can stay as long as you like at the ruins, as well as any other sites you visit on your trip.
After, you’ll move on to Moulay Idriss, which, from a distance, looks like a sitting camel. Moulay Idriss was founded in 789 CE;  Morocco’s first Islamic capital, the city remains a site of ongoing cultural significance. Check out the unique round minaret here, the only one of its kind in Morocco. Your driver will help you find a great option for lunch, but if you can snag reservations early enough beforehand, you can enjoy a private dining experience at the city’s most exclusive restaurant. 
Your next stop is the prosperous city of Meknes, which features a smaller medina and friendlier shopkeepers than you will see in larger cities. Your driver will lead you through the Ville Impériale (New City) area, where you can see gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Many of these palaces were constructed with materials taken from Volubilis, so be on the lookout for Roman columns hidden in unexpected places! 
You’ll end your royal road trip today in Fes, one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. After you check in to your luxury riad in the historic medina, the rest of the day is yours. The unforgettable medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of winding alleys that climb up both sides of a steep river valley and is the largest car-free urban area in the world.
If you lose yourself are exploring the medina on your own, pay attention to whether you are going up or downhill as you walk.  Walking uphill will generally take you to the edge of the medina, where it is much easier to get your bearings and catch transportation.
Driving time: 5 hours

Day 3:Fes – Exploring the Imperial City, Medieval Medina & Hammam

Fuel up with a delicious breakfast, then meet up with your private tour guide (a Fes local) to explore the UNESCO-protected medina. Your guide will share hidden stories and show you the secluded corners of this thriving epicenter; take in the minutiae of daily life and the magnificence of madrasas and palaces. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, ask your guide for lunch suggestions — there are many luxurious restaurants hidden behind unassuming doorways. 
You’ll also dive into traditions and craft today; you’ll visit tanneries and mosaic workshops to observe traditional crafting methods still in use today and connect with the artisans at work. 
Relaxation is the keyword for this afternoon. Return to your riad to unwind for a bit, then visit the local hammam (traditional public bath) for some pampering and rejuvenation.  Most hammams provide a variety of services, including massages, baths, and an extensive treatment menu using locally-sourced argan oil products. Whatever you choose, start with a traditional steam, soak, and scrub, the perfect hammam trifecta. 

Day 4:Fes to Casablanca: Rabat and Salé

Today you will depart Fes toward Casablanca. On the way, you’ll return to Rabat and visit the charming suburb of Salé.
As Morocco’s political capital, Rabat has a bustling culinary scene. Although you’ll find good Moroccan food around the city, head to the embassy quarter of the new city (just inland from the medina) for some of the best French and Italian dining in the country. 
In the afternoon, travel to the nearby city of Salé, where you can tour the historic madrasa, where you’ll find striking architecture and Moroccan craftwork. Be sure to also check out the Bab Antare and Bab Mellah, spectacular walls and gates that divide up the city.
In the early evening, you’ll arrive in Casablanca, where you will have the night to explore and dine on your own.
Driving time: 3.5 hours

Day 5: Depart from Casablanca

It’s time to say goodbye to Morocco. Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to do some last-minute sightseeing in Casablanca or enjoy tea at one of the traditional cafés. When the time comes, you’ll head to Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport for your flight.