Six Day Tour to Morocco from Spain

From the moment you step foot at Tangier Port, our seasoned guide will be there to welcome you. With their in-depth knowledge and passion for Morocco's history and culture, they will be your trusted companion on the journey to Fez, ensuring you don't miss any significant locations along the way.

Today is the day of time travel! This journey will take you from imperial Rome to the ninth century A.D. Unlike the movies, this temporal voyage will take almost the entire day. (Of course, there will be stops along the way.)

Our first stop is the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, a living testament to the grandeur of the imperial Roman department of Mauritania. This city, once under the reign of Caracalla, is remarkably well-preserved, allowing you to witness the genius of Roman urbanism. The intersection of the two central streets, the Cardo and Decumanus, is the heart of every Roman city, and there, you will find the ruins of the old forum, a place steeped in history.

Jumping forward in time and just a few minutes away is the venerated citadel of Moulay Idris, founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss Al Akbar, grandson of the Prophet Mohamed (s.a.w.s). This citadel is the cradle of Sufism in Moroccan society and the first Islamic capital for the premier Arab dynasty. The city was created primarily for the indigenous population that migrated with Moulay Idris from the Middle East.

You will drive around 15 miles to your next stop, the imperial city of Meknes. Meknes is a 17th-century city built by Moulay Ismail to rival Fez. It is also considered to be the Versailles of Morocco.

Finally, you have reached your destination, the ninth-century city of Fez. In the evening, you will taste the greatest of the Imperial Cities. Next, you will visit the sights outside the ancient walled city, including the ramparts, the gates, and the Borjs (Moorish Forts). After this introductory aperitif to Fez, you will dine in your hotel and prepare for day three: Fez!

Undeniably fascinating, Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells. The most ancient of the imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outside its walls. Fez owes nothing to the Western world; save electricity.

Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path. Your morning will be spent visiting the Medina. Our specialized guide will take you on a historic discovery of Fez, starting at the King’s Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates.

Next, you will explore the Jewish quarter, a 15th-century citadel with Moorish maze architecture and medieval glory. The highlights of this part of town include visits to Sephardic synagogues and mausoleums of holy Rabbis.

Then, we will drive to Merinides Hill to visit their necropolis. Here, you will enjoy the best panoramic view of the old walled Medina, brimful with countless minarets to call for prayers in a city that has responded to these calls for 12 centuries. Finally, drive down the hills to the gate of Bab Guissa to leave your vehicle and enter an ancient world. Fez has preserved its Medina as it was centuries ago. Not even a bicycle can be used as a tool of transportation. Only donkeys, mules, and horses can help move all the city produces and needs as supplies.

The first guilds you will immediately encounter are the cobblers, the saddlers, and blacksmiths, interlaced by some caravansaries for tribespeople who come from the surrounding areas to trade and supply their needs. Down the hill to Juteya, you will encounter all sorts of crafts, but noticeably carpenters and leather workers as one of the traditional tanneries is close. This walk will lead you to El Ashabinesquare, which has various activities. From there, you will walk to the Sgha square, which will lead you to Attarine, Souk el Henna, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, the founder of Fez. Next to it, you will visit the Nejjarinesquare with its famous fountain, its guild of carpentry, and the folk-art museum at the Fondouk.

You will walk to the tannery and visit the Great Mosque University of Al Quarrawiyyine, passing by Shemma’ine, the dried fruit market. After that, you will see the MedersaAttarine and walk to Sbetryyine, a guild of bookbinders, which will lead you to the Seffarine Square, where the tapping of metalworkers is still deafening passersby as it was the case for centuries. Finally, you will have a break for lunch and then continue exploring the marvels of Fez Medina. These will highlight the Dyers souk, FoundoukTetouani, and the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani.

You will end your walk at Foundouk Lihoudi, where a local Fez family will host you for traditional mint tea in their home. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodation.

You will spend your day discovering the rural environs of the Atlas Mountains’ Berber villages, wards, and nomadic settlements. Covered with evergreen pines, tall cedar trees, and poplars and laced with flowing streams, your first view of the Middle Atlas will appear oddly un-Moroccan. Passing by Imouzzer, with a quick stop at the Swiss-like town of Ifrane, you will soon come across the first real town of the Middle Atlas, Azrou.

Azrou is an important market center for the region’s Berber tribes, located at a major junction of mountain routes. Your driver will take a little detour in a cedar forest to introduce you to one of the oldest inhabitants of this region, the Barbary apes. This may also coincide with the encounter of a nomadic family at its temporary encampment. As nomads are hospitable people, we are invited at least for a mint tea under their tents whenever we encounter them.

At Khenifra, the Middle Atlases give way to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks are visible through the haze, soaring to over 12,000 feet. After lunch, you will descend the Atlas Mountains, finally arriving in the foothills overlooking the magnificent oasis city of Marrakech Alhamra. Some stops include visits to Berber villages, scenic views, and traditional markets. You will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodation at your hotel.

You will devote your morning to exploring Marrakech’s many historical sites, starting at the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, reflecting the image of an exquisite Moorish edifice. It was constructed in 1866 for dignitaries who enjoyed glorious sunsets with the ethereal Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. The pool is an innovative irrigation system serving dry life in the desert.

Your tour will cover many impressive sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain) and the Saadien tombs, demonstrating Moorish architecture at its best. The tombs consist of sixteenth-century mausoleums, which had lain walled-in and undiscovered until 1917. Next, you will explore the gardens of the Agdal and then the Marjorelle. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodation.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will depart for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. You will reach Rabat, a city styled in a spaciously elegant European grid, yet slightly aware of its modernity. Only a river separates Rabat and its twin city, Sala Colonia, but they are historically worlds apart. Nevertheless, they have an ancient legacy that spans hundreds of generations. Each civilization that has inhabited each city has left its mark, resulting in a wide variety of architectural styles, including those from the Phoenician and Roman eras.

You will spend your day discovering the delights that Rabat has to offer. First, your guide will take you on a historical and lively tour of the Jewish quarter, the Mellah in the Heart of the city, starting at Place SidiMakhlouf. The 12-century ramparts are best seen from this landmark. Next, walk up to Bab Chellah in the medina and cross SidiFateh St. This will lead you to the traditional Souk Laghzel (Yarn market). Your guide will introduce you to the importance of this guild in a textile role in Moroccan society.

Later, you will cross to the citadel of the Oudaya Kasbah, entering from its 12th-century main gate to explore an extraordinary Medieval Moorish marvel overlooking the delta of the Bourgreg River. You will have the opportunity to visit the old-fashioned Moorish gardens, stop in a traditional coffee house for mint tea, and, in between, explore the Oudaya Museum of tribal arts and Crafts. Finally, a docent will introduce you to conventional Berber Textiles.

You will continue your quest by exiting the Oudaya Kasbah and up the hill to visit the Hassan Tower and Mohamed the V Mausoleum, an emblem of authentic Moroccan architecture at its finest. Next, you will reach the Royal Palace and the Necropolis of Chellah at the end of your tour. Finally, you will return to the hotel for dinner and other accommodation.

Travel directly to Chefchaouen for lunch and a historical visit to Belue City. After concluding your afternoon tour of Chefchaouen, your driver will take you to Tangier Port to catch your ferry back to Spain.