Northern Morocco packs an astonishing variety into a small area: the cosmopolitan port of Tangier, whitewashed towns on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen in the Rif mountains and the medieval medina of Fes. This 7-day northern Morocco itinerary links them in a logical loop, with realistic travel times, ideas for each day and tips on where to sleep, so you spend your week exploring rather than sitting in traffic.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1–2: Tangier, with a half-day to Cape Spartel or Asilah
- Day 3: Tetouan on the way to Chefchaouen
- Day 4: Chefchaouen and the Akchour waterfalls
- Day 5: Transfer to Fes
- Day 6: The Fes medina
- Day 7: Meknes and Volubilis, or departure
The route works in either direction. Tangier and Fes both have international airports, so you can fly into one and out of the other and avoid backtracking.
Day 1: Arrive in Tangier
Settle into a riad or hotel near the medina, then walk up to the Kasbah for views across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain. Explore the Kasbah museum, wander down through the medina to the Petit Socco for a mint tea, and end the day with a sunset drink on a terrace or along the renovated port promenade. Our Tangier travel guide covers the highlights in detail.
Day 2: Cape Spartel, Hercules Caves or Asilah
In the morning, take a taxi west to Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the nearby Hercules Caves. In the afternoon, either return to Tangier for the Grand Socco and the American Legation, or continue south to the whitewashed seaside town of Asilah, famous for its murals and Atlantic sunsets. Asilah is less than an hour from Tangier by road or train.
Day 3: Tetouan and On to Chefchaouen
Leave Tangier in the morning for Tetouan, around an hour away. Spend a few hours in its UNESCO-listed white medina, the Royal Palace square and the artisan school, then continue into the Rif mountains to Chefchaouen, roughly another hour and a half. With a private driver this is an easy, scenic day; by public transport, take a bus or grand taxi to Tetouan and another onward. Read our Tetouan travel guide to plan your stop.
Day 4: Chefchaouen and Akchour
Get up early to photograph the blue lanes before the crowds arrive, then explore the kasbah and Plaza Uta el-Hammam. In the late morning, take a grand taxi to Akchour in Talassemtane National Park for a hike to the waterfalls or the natural rock arch known as God’s Bridge. Back in town, walk up to the Spanish Mosque at sunset for the best view over the blue city. See our Chefchaouen travel guide for more ideas.
Day 5: Chefchaouen to Fes
Chefchaouen has no train station, so the trip to Fes is by road and takes around four hours through the Rif foothills. CTM and other bus companies run daily services, and a private transfer lets you stop at viewpoints along the way. Book bus seats a day ahead in busy seasons. Arrive in Fes in the afternoon, check in to a riad in the medina and have a first gentle wander or a rooftop dinner.
Day 6: The Fes Medina
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, and a licensed guide for the first half-day is worth it. Highlights include the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the outside of the Al Quaraouiyine mosque and university, the Nejjarine fountain, and the Chouara tannery seen from a leather shop terrace. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace gates and the Mellah, then watch the sunset from the Merenid tombs above the city. Our Fes travel guide has the full details.
Day 7: Meknes and Volubilis, or Departure
If your flight is late or you have one more day, take a day trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the holy town of Moulay Idriss and the imperial city of Meknes with its monumental Bab Mansour gate. The three can be combined comfortably with a driver. Otherwise, use the morning for last-minute shopping in the souks. Our Meknes travel guide explains how to visit Volubilis.
Getting Around Northern Morocco
- Train: Tangier is linked to Fes by ONCF trains, either direct or with a change in Kenitra using the Al Boraq high-speed line, in roughly four to four and a half hours. It is a good option if you skip Chefchaouen or do the loop in reverse. Check the current timetable on the ONCF website.
- Bus: CTM and private companies serve Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Fes. Buses are cheap and comfortable but slower than a car.
- Grand taxi: shared taxis are quick for short hops such as Tangier–Tetouan or Chefchaouen–Akchour.
- Private driver or rental car: the most flexible way to follow this route, especially on days 3 and 5. Driving in the medinas is not possible, so leave the car at a guarded car park.
For more on each option, read our guide on how to get around Morocco.
Where to Sleep
- Tangier (2 nights): a riad in the Kasbah for views, or a hotel near the port or the new town for convenience.
- Chefchaouen (2 nights): a guesthouse in the medina so you can enjoy the quiet mornings and evenings.
- Fes (2–3 nights): a riad inside Fes el-Bali, ideally near a main gate such as Bab Boujloud so luggage is easier to handle.
Tips for This Itinerary
- Best seasons: spring and autumn. Winter is rainy and cool in the Rif, and summer is hot in Fes and busy on the coast.
- Slow down if needed: with more time, add a night in Asilah or Tetouan, or extend into the Middle Atlas.
- Want the desert too? Our 10-day Morocco itinerary continues from Fes to the Sahara and Marrakech.
- Cash and connectivity: ATMs are easy to find in all four cities; a local SIM helps with maps in the medinas.
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for northern Morocco?
Yes, a week is enough to see Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes at a comfortable pace, with time for one or two side trips.
Can I do this itinerary without a car?
Absolutely. Buses, trains and grand taxis cover every leg. A car or driver simply saves time on the mountain roads between Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Fes.
Conclusion
From the Strait of Gibraltar to the blue Rif and the ancient lanes of Fes, this one-week loop shows how much northern Morocco offers in a short distance. Keep the pace relaxed, start your days early and leave room for the unexpected: a long lunch in Tetouan or an extra sunset in Chefchaouen may become the highlight of your trip.
Featured image: the blue city of Chefchaouen on its hillside, photo by Büsra on Pexels.