Marrakech, Gibraltar, Casablanca… Sounds like music, really? If you have been wanting to go to Morocco for a long time, but don’t know how to approach planning your trip – you want to see everything at once! — use the ready-made itinerary compiled by our travel expert.
Marrakesh → Ouarzazate → Fes → Chefchaouen → Tangier → Gibraltar → Casablanca
Days 1–3. Marrakech
Marrakesh, or the “Red City,” is considered the center of the Moroccan east. It’s exotic, chaotic and vibrant.
We suggest you stay in Marrakech for three days and devote one of them entirely to visiting the city of Ouarzazate and the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou.
Stay two nights in one of the traditional riad hotels:
- Riad Dar Nadwa
- Gem Riad
- Riad Azahar
Jemaa el-Fna Square and Medina
The square in the center of the Medina does not know what peace and tranquility is: all day long trade is in full swing here and the performances of street musicians, acrobats and storytellers do not stop. And in the evening the square turns into a huge open-air restaurant, where you can try any traditional and exotic dishes.
Around the square is the most colorful and authentic district of the city – Medina. Here, hundreds of narrow streets intertwine with each other, forming oriental bazaars and shops selling Moroccan products: ceramics, carpets, scarves and shoes.
Square address: Rue El Ksour, 38, Marrakech
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is the most iconic religious building and symbol of Marrakesh. It heads Jema el-Fna Square, and its 77-meter minaret is the tallest building in the city.
Only Muslims can enter the mosque, and visitors of any other faith have the opportunity to examine the ancient elements of the mosque from the outside.
Behind the mosque, take a stroll in the cozy Lalla Hasna Park with picturesque views and swimming pools.
Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace is one of the richest monuments of Moroccan architecture of the 19th century. Its interior is decorated with elegant ornaments and characteristic courtyards with columns.
Entrance is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00, and the ticket will cost 70 MAD.
Address: Avenue Imam El Ghazali, Marrakech
El Badi
El Badi is the ruins of a once majestic 16th century palace. Here you can stroll through the square with a huge swimming pool, internal corridors and rooms of the former palace. From its upper platforms there are views of the territory of El Badi and the surrounding area.
Working hours: from 9:00 to 17:00.
Ticket price: 70 MAD
Address: Ksibat Nhass, Marrakech
Menara Gardens
Photo: karkozphoto/Depositphotos.com
The Menara Gardens are spread over a vast area, where you can relax from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. Mostly olives, palms, oranges and other fruit trees grow here. Some of them are up to three hundred years old.
The main attraction of the gardens is the “Lighthouse” pavilion, standing on the shore of the pond. Be sure to look at it from the opposite side of the pond – from here you can see the most picturesque view of the pavilion, palm trees and mountains towering on the horizon.
Admission to the park is free, you can enter from Avenue de la Ménara from 9:00 to 17:00 daily.
Majorelle Garden
The impressive creation of the French painter Jacques Majorelle is the Majorelle Garden. Here you can admire a collection of plants brought here from all over the world, small ponds and a villa built in the Art Deco style. There is also a museum of Berber culture.
The garden is open from 8:00 to 18:00, a ticket will cost 70 MAD.
Address: Rue Yves St Laurent, Marrakech
Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
On the second day of the trip, we suggest you go to the city of Ouarzazate and the fortress of Ait Benhaddou. To get there, we recommend taking a day tour from Moroccan Guides.
The tour starts at 7:30 and ends at 18:00. The price includes all transfers and a ticket to the fortress.
The fortress of Ait Benhaddou is a world heritage site and is included in the UNESCO list. Ksar (fortified city) has served as a filming location for films and TV series many times. The fortress is notable for its massive ocher-brick walls, standing in several tiers. Walking along it, you can feel like a hero from an oriental fairy tale.
At the foot of the fortress, life is in full swing in the traditional streets of the medina. There you can also buy interesting things and locally made souvenirs. In addition to visiting the fortress itself, be sure to look at it from a distance: the landscape of the ancient structure, surrounded by fluffy palm trees, leaves no one indifferent.
Days 3–5. Fez
On the third day of your trip, head to the ancient city of Fez. A convenient train departs from Marrakech railway station at 19:00. You will spend 6.5 hours on the road and at 01:30 you will already be at the station in Fez.
The cost of a train ticket is 195 MAD. Details can be found here. The best way to get to the hotel is by taxi.
In Fes, we suggest staying at the Riad Fes Baraka, located at the beginning of the Medina:
- Riad Fes Baraka
Fes el Bali
Take a day to stroll through Fes el Bali, the oldest part of the city, made up of 6,000 medina streets and a UNESCO heritage site. Check out the oriental bazaars where you can buy locally made goods: leather goods, authentic ceramic tagine, traditional babouche slippers or items made of silver and gold.
You can also check out one of the dyehouses in the tanners’ quarter, where leather is dyed different colors in the traditional way.
Day 5. Transfer to Tangier. Chefchaouen
On the morning of the fifth day of travel, go to Tangier. And on the way, stop by the town of Chefchaouen.
To get to Chefchaouen, take the CTM bus at its Chefchaouen station (CTM Bus Station). The journey will take about 4 hours.
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is famous for its houses and streets painted blue. Arriving at Chefchaouen train station (Gare Routière), go for a walk in the old town. From the station, head towards the Bab El Ain gate. The journey to them will take about 20 minutes.
After passing through the gate, you will find yourself in a fabulous perimeter of narrow streets and passages. Traditional house doors and staircases are especially charming, where local cats can often be found. On the streets you will find a variety of restaurants serving Moroccan dishes, as well as shops selling souvenirs and clothing and household items.
In the evening, take the CTM bus to Tangier. The bus takes about 2.5 hours.
Days 5–7. Tangier and Gibraltar
You will spend two days in Tangier, one of which we suggest setting aside for a trip to Gibraltar.
We have selected two accommodation options for you:
- Kasbah Rose
- Mimi Calpe
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a small state that is an overseas territory of Great Britain. The official language here is English, and the currency is the Gibraltar pound.
To get here, take the FRS Iberia ferry. It will take you to the Spanish city of Tarifa. There is a bus from Tarifa to Gibraltar. The total travel time will be about 2 hours.
Once you arrive in Gibraltar, head to its spectacular attractions:
Europa Point is a picturesque spot on the tip of Gibraltar. From here you can see the coast of Africa. Stroll along the grounds and paths, see the lighthouse and enjoy the mountainous landscape of Gibraltar. The white Ibrahim al-Ibrahim mosque stands nearby.
The most significant object of Gibraltar is its nature reserve: an area that occupies about 40 percent of the country. To get there, use the cable car. Its station is located at Red Sands Rd. At the top you will have breathtaking views of the highest peak of the state – the Rock of Gibraltar and the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Afterwards, go down the Signal Station Road and cross the Wall of Charles V. There is a colony of Barbary monkeys – Magoths. Be careful with them – they like to snatch everything out of your hands, so hold your phone and camera tightly.
The cost of the cable car ride is 16 GIP.
To enter the reserve, we advise you to immediately purchase a ticket that includes visits to all attractions in the park. Its cost is 12 GIP.
Another attraction that offers breathtaking views is called the Sky Walk, a transparent glass walkway at an altitude of 340 meters. From its territory you will have panoramic views of Gibraltar. Not far from the path you can walk across the Windsor Suspension Bridge.
Be sure to take a stroll through the Old Town of Gibraltar. Here you will find a mixture of European and English architecture, many shops and restaurants.
Tangier
The Bab Kasbah gate, Place du 9 Avril 1947 and the port border the most colorful and oldest district of the city – the Medina. Head here for a stroll through the narrow streets, where numerous vendors sell locally made items and souvenirs.
After enjoying the Moroccan architecture of the Medina, see the ancient Kasbah fortress, built by the Portuguese. The fortress is open from 10.00 to 18.00, and the ticket price is 20 MAD.
In the port area you can see the exquisite Mosque of the East.
Days 7–9. Casablanca
Photo: milosk50/Shutterstock.com
On the evening of the seventh day, go to the Tanger Ville train station. A transfer to Casablanca awaits you.
We suggest taking the flight at 19:00. The train passes through the town of Kenitra, where you will need to change trains to Casablanca. The total travel time will be about 3 hours. Route details can be found here.
Casablanca is the most populous city in Morocco. The word “blanc” in the name appeared due to the fact that all the houses are painted white.
You will have one full day to explore the city.
We have selected two accommodation options:
- Kenzi Basma
- Onomo Casablanca City Center
Hassan II Mosque
First, head to the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco. The majestic building features detailed mosaics, marble columns and floors, stucco moldings and carved ceilings.
Outside the mosque, look at its 200-meter minaret and stroll around the grounds – it offers excellent views of the city and the coast.
Address: Boulevard de la Corniche, Casablanca
Medina
Medina traditionally lies not far from the Hassan II Mosque. Here you will find narrow streets, small squares and white houses, many of which are painted with graffiti.
Palace of Mahkama du Pasha
Photo: xabi_kls/Shutterstock.com
The Mahkama du Pasha Palace is a luxurious building with 64 halls and rich decoration. You can only go here accompanied by a guide. Almost always, guides stand at the entrance to the palace and offer their services to travelers.
The doors of the palace are open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00. Admission is free.
Address: 12 Rue Moulay Ismail, Casablanca
Expert advice
- To plan your travel in and between cities, use the Rome2Rio service.
- Use offline maps Citywalks.me and Maps.me.
- The import and export of national currency is prohibited in Morocco, so when flying to Russia you will need to spend the remaining dirhams or exchange them for another currency at the exchange office.
- In crowded places, keep valuables with you and keep them safe.
- Please note that to visit Gibraltar you will need a Schengen visa valid for at least 7 days at the time of your planned departure from the country.
