This northern Morocco itinerary takes you from the Strait of Gibraltar to the blue city of Chefchaouen in five relaxed days. It links Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and the waterfalls of Akchour, and it works equally well if you arrive from Spain by ferry or fly into Tangier. The distances are short, the roads are good and every stop has its own character.
Below you will find the main northern Morocco itinerary for five days, shorter and longer versions, tips on how to travel and where to spend each night. Each stop has a longer guide on our blog, and each trip can be booked as a private day trip or transfer.
Contents
Northern Morocco itinerary at a glance
Choose the length that suits you. The routes share the same logic: start on the coast, move inland to the mountains, and return by the road you prefer.
| Length | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Tangier, Asilah, Chefchaouen | A first taste of the north |
| 5 days | Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Akchour | The classic northern Morocco itinerary |
| 7 days | Add Larache, Lixus and Fes or Rabat | A full journey with imperial cities |
If you are still choosing your dates, read our guide to the best time to visit Tangier first.
Northern Morocco itinerary: 5 days step by step
Day 1: Tangier, the gateway
Spend the first day in Tangier: the Grand Socco, the medina, the Kasbah, Café Hafa and, in the afternoon, Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules. Our one day in Tangier itinerary gives the full walking route.
Day 2: Asilah and the Atlantic coast
Drive south to Asilah, 45 minutes from Tangier. Walk the ramparts, see the murals, have a fish lunch and swim at a nearby beach if the season allows. The guide to the things to do in Asilah has the details, and our Asilah day trip from Tangier makes it easy.
Day 3: Tetouan, then Chefchaouen
Leave early for Tetouan, whose Andalusian medina is a UNESCO site, then continue through the mountains to Chefchaouen. Our guide to the Tetouan medina explains what to see, and the Chefchaouen and Tetouan day trip combines both cities in one day.
Day 4: Chefchaouen and Akchour
Spend the morning in Chefchaouen before the crowds, then take the road to Akchour for the river and the waterfalls. The walk is easy to the first pools and longer to the upper falls: see our Akchour waterfalls hike guide.
Day 5: back to Tangier or on to Fes
Return to Tangier by the coast, or continue to Fes with a stop in Chefchaouen: the transfer from Tangier to Fes via Chefchaouen covers the drive. If you fly home from Tangier, leave plenty of time for the road.
The stops on a northern Morocco itinerary and what each is known for
The north is a meeting point of cultures: Berber, Arab, Andalusian and Spanish, with two seas and the Rif mountains behind. Here is what makes each stop special.
| Stop | Known for | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Tangier | Kasbah, medina, Cape Spartel, Caves of Hercules | 1 to 2 days |
| Asilah | White ramparts, murals, beaches | Half to 1 day |
| Tetouan | UNESCO medina, crafts, Andalusian houses | Half a day |
| Chefchaouen | Blue alleys, kasbah, mountain views | 1 day or a night |
| Akchour | River, pools and waterfalls | Half to 1 day |
The medina of Tetouan is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it is worth a slow walk.
A 3-day northern Morocco itinerary
With three days, keep it simple and avoid long drives.
- Day 1: Tangier medina, Kasbah, Café Hafa, Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules.
- Day 2: Asilah in the morning, Paradise Beach or a long lunch in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Chefchaouen on a day trip, returning to Tangier or travelling on.
This version is ideal for visitors who arrive from Spain and want to see the best of the north without changing hotels.
A 7-day northern Morocco itinerary with Larache and Fes
With a week, add the coast to the south and an imperial city.
- Days 1 to 4: follow the five-day route above.
- Day 5: Larache and the Roman ruins of Lixus on the way south.
- Day 6: Rabat, the capital, with the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas, or Fes.
- Day 7: continue to Casablanca or Marrakech, or return by the Al Boraq high-speed train.
See the Larache and Lixus day trip and the Rabat day trip for the trips, and the page for transfers from Tangier to Rabat if you prefer a one-way route.
How to travel on your northern Morocco itinerary
There are three practical ways to follow a northern Morocco road trip. A private driver is the most comfortable, as you can look at the view and the driver handles the road and the parking. A rental car offers freedom, but the mountain roads are winding and parking in the old towns is limited. Public buses connect the main towns, but they are slow and leave you on the timetable of the operator.
Trips that fit this
- Northern Morocco Private Transfers is a flexible way to plan a multi-day route with a private driver.
- Tangier to Chefchaouen Transfer connects Tangier and Chefchaouen directly.
- Tangier to Tetouan Transfer and the Tangier to Asilah transfer keep the stages short.
Where to sleep on a northern Morocco itinerary
For 5 days in northern Morocco, two bases are enough: Tangier and Chefchaouen, with day trips for the rest. If you prefer to change hotels, add a night in Asilah or Tetouan.
- Tangier: a riad in the medina for atmosphere, or a hotel in the new town for convenience and parking.
- Asilah: a small guesthouse inside the walls, which are quiet in the evening.
- Tetouan: a traditional house in the medina, if you like a slow pace.
- Chefchaouen: a guesthouse with a roof terrace, ideally near the old town gates.
A Tangier to Fes itinerary can use the same first four days, then continue east by the road through the mountains.
Tips for a northern Morocco road trip
- Sleep at least one night in Chefchaouen to see it early and late, when the streets are empty.
- Do not drive at night in the mountains: the roads are winding and animals cross.
- Book rooms early in spring and in summer, especially in Chefchaouen.
- Carry cash for small towns: cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Keep your passport in a safe place and carry a copy.
For safety, money and etiquette, see our Tangier travel tips and our guide to Moroccan culture and etiquette.
Frequently asked questions about a northern Morocco itinerary
How many days do I need for a northern Morocco itinerary?
Three days are enough for a first visit, five days are ideal for the classic route and seven days let you add Larache, Lixus and Fes or Rabat.
What is the best 5 days in northern Morocco?
Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Akchour, with one night in Tangier and one in Chefchaouen as a minimum.
Can I do a northern Morocco road trip without a car?
Yes. Private drivers and transfers connect the main towns, and buses run between them. A driver is more comfortable and quicker.
Is there a Tangier to Fes itinerary that includes Chefchaouen?
Yes. Drive from Tangier to Chefchaouen, spend the morning or the night there, and continue to Fes the next day.
Where should I stay on a northern Morocco itinerary?
Tangier for the first night, Chefchaouen for the mountains and, if you have time, a night in Asilah or Tetouan.
Is northern Morocco good for families?
Yes. Distances are short, and the sea, the towns and the waterfalls give children variety. Choose a private vehicle for flexible stops.
A northern Morocco itinerary does not need to be complicated: the coast, the Andalusian city, the blue town and the mountain river are all within a few hours of each other. Choose your length, leave early and keep an hour for tea.
Plan your northern Morocco route with us
Tell us your dates and your starting point: we will build the route and provide a private driver.
Photos: Mark Fischer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ideophagous / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dans / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ideophagous / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alisayem / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
