Essential Morocco 2025

Your next stop is Mohammed V Square in the city center. The city tour includes also the Habous Quarter, one of the oldest areas in Casablanca. The district was built by the French in the 1930s as an attempted solution to the ongoing housing shortage. It marries the best of traditional Moroccan architecture with modern facilities and French ideals – even the mosque fronts onto a strip of grassy lawn just like a village church. After the tour, drive to Rabat via highway. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and overnight.

Accommodation: Villa Mandarine or similar (1 Night)

Next to the Mausoleum is the Hassan Tower, which is the towering minaret of the Hassan Mosque built in 1195. The morning ends with a visit of the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat’s Medina. This fortification is erected on a mountain, overlooking the ocean, and was constructed during the realm of the Almohads. Inside the Kasbah one can come across Moroccan gardens full of fountains, orange trees, flowers, and palms. Afternoon, drive to Chaouen (also called Chefchaouen), Upon arrival, we explore Chaouen, quite likely the most charming Berber village in Morocco with its Medina, Bab el Ansar, and the famed Ras el Maa (waterfall), where a short walk takes us to Rif Sebbanine, the laundry district and its 15th century mosque. Chaouen is all about losing ourselves in its streets. The Kasbah built in the 15th century is worth a detour. Overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation: Vancii Hotel or similar (1 Night)

Here, floors of what were once family dwellings are still covered with decorative tile mosaics depicting mythological beings, such as Orpheus charming animals with their lyre and Hercules performing his legendary 12 labors. The fact that so many of these tiles are still in place with their colors, after centuries of exposure to the elements, is astonishing! Then off to the imperial city of Meknes, the one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate with its Medina all-winding narrow streets and grand buildings that justify its stamp of Imperial City. Remnants of three sets of fortifications, ingeniously incorporated into the city roads network, emphasize its past importance and glory. The king’s tomb sits at the heart of what remains of the original imperial city, flanked by an almighty royal granary, and the magnificent Bab el-Mansour. Continue to Fez for overnight.

Accommodation: Riad Salam or similar (2 Nights)

Nearby is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. Then you’ll visit the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, a mosaic of elaborate tilework, and the fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted to a Museum of Carpentry. In the 13th Century, the Merinide Dynasty built Fez El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Koranic schools), souks and the city walls. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The wrought iron decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies of the old mansions are particularly outstanding. One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the leather souk with the oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back nine centuries. In addition to the tannery, you will visit a clay workshop, the artisan quarters, and other souks. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to your hotel to freshen up and get ready for a dinner at a local restaurant under traditional music. Back to your hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Riad Salam or similar

Known by the name of “the Gate of Sahara Desert”, Erfoud was built by the French around 1920 as an outpost and Foreign Legion stronghold. This frontier town on the Algerian border has a definite Wild West feel to it (in this case, Wild South). Fossilized bathtubs and moist-sweet dates are its current claims to fame. Then time to overland to Merzouga, the heart of the desert, and surf the sandy sea on a powerful 4-WD Land Rover. Dinner and overnight at the desert Camp.

Accommodation: Madu Camp or similar (1 Night)

We continue down the route of Kasbahs past acres of roses, and stop for a walk at a date oasis, one of the largest, most decorated Kasbahs in Morocco. The day concludes at Ouarzazate at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, film capital of Morocco, with everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Star Wars being filmed here.

Accommodation: Riad Dar Chamaa or similar (1 Night)

Ait Ben Haddou is a massive fortification made up of six Kasbahs all listed as UNESCO world heritage. You can spend time in its maze of winding streets until reaching a fortified granary at the top of which you’ll get an amazing view of the valley. We leave Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent TizIn Tichka pass to Marrakech, our home for the next two nights.

Accommodation: Longue Vie Hotel or similar (2 Nights)

You will continue to the 19th century stunning Bahia Palace and discover the intricate work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. The building includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a veritable labyrinth of corridors, a Koranic school, hammams, a harem, stables.

From there we will start exploring artisan quarters and the colorful Souks to interact with the real life of Marrakech people. Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum of Confluences, built in 1910 and was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the medina’s finest examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate white plasterwork and heavy carved cedar-wood lintels. Before sunset, we will be strolling in the square of which the city is so famed, Jemaa El Fna. Located at the entrance of the Medina, this triangular square is surrounded by restaurants, stands and public buildings, and provides everyday commercial activities and various forms of entertainment. It is a magical circus where

fortunetellers, henna artists, fire-eaters, snake charmers, dancing wild costumed monkeys, story tellers, hypnotic medicine men, cross dressers, tooth pullers, musicians including real Gnaoua, and acrobats gather in a cacophonic feast. After the tour, head to your hotel to freshen up. When you are ready, transfer to a local restaurant to enjoy your dinner. Back to your hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Longue Vie Hotel or simila

After the dancing class, you’ll be picked up for a unique gastronomic experience, at The Bennounas Farm. The cooking class takes place on the terrasse of a modern Berber-style villa, in a spectacular setting with the Atlas Mountains in the background. The 3-stars New York Times Chef Azzeddine Bennouna and his wife Marie will greet you in their property where you will discover the secrets of the Moroccan cuisine. The food you prepare is served for dinner with a glass of wine. While the food is cooking, you are welcome to jump in the pool -if season permits! The meal you prepared will be served as a late lunch before driving to Casablanca via highway. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and overnight.

Accommodation: Idou Anfa Hotel or similar (1 Night)