Seven days is the sweet spot for the north — long enough to feel the full character of the region, short enough to stay relaxed. The loop below is one we've refined over many private journeys: it balances the port city, the Atlantic coast, the blue mountain town and the Andalusian-Moroccan crossover of Tetouan, all from a single comfortable base in Tangier.
Day 1 — Arrive in Tangier: settle in above the Strait
Whether you fly in or cross by ferry from Tarifa, resist plunging straight into the medina. Let your kasbah guesthouse receive you: mint tea, a roof terrace at sunset, the Strait of Gibraltar laid out with the lights of Spain across the water. This first evening sets the tempo. Your driver-guide meets you at the airport or the port and walks you up to the door — part of the arrival ritual.
Day 2 — Tangier: the kasbah and medina at its own pace
Start early, while the lanes are quiet. Walk up through the medina from the Petit Socco to the kasbah and the Kasbah Museum in the old sultan's palace, with a licensed guide for the city's layered history. Lunch is grilled fish behind the port. The afternoon is yours — the American Legation Museum, the Grand Socco and Mendoubia Gardens, or simply a tea at Café Hafa above the sea before dinner.
Day 3 — Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules
Drive 14 km west to Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, marked by an 1864 lighthouse on the headland. Below it, the Caves of Hercules open to the sea through the famous Africa-shaped mouth. Take a long lunch at a beach restaurant on the Atlantic shore. Return to the city in the afternoon — the whole circuit is short, leaving time to wander the medina again.
Day 4 — Asilah and the Roman ruins of Lixus
Head 45 minutes south down the coast to Asilah, the whitewashed Atlantic town inside its Portuguese ramparts, painted with murals and immaculately kept. Walk the walls, wander the blue-and-white lanes and lunch on the catch by the little harbour. Continue toward Larache for the Roman ruins of Lixus — a theatre and temples above the estuary, one of the oldest sites in Morocco. Back to Tangier for the evening.
Day 5 — Chefchaouen: the blue city in the Rif
A two-hour drive south-east into the Rif Mountains brings you to Chefchaouen, Morocco's famous blue city. Spend the day in the blue-washed medina around Plaza Uta el-Hammam, walk up to the Spanish mosque for the panorama, and visit the Ras el-Maa spring at the medina's edge. An overnight here is lovely — the streets at dusk, without the day-trippers, are a different place. Otherwise return to Tangier for the night.
Day 6 — Tetouan: the Andalusian medina
Drive an hour east to Tetouan, whose UNESCO-listed medina was built and shaped by Andalusian refugees from Spain — a distinct, intricate old city quite different from Tangier's. Explore the souks, the Royal Palace square and the Andalusian architecture, and consider the short run to the Mediterranean beaches near Martil. Return to Tangier in the evening for a final seafront dinner.
Day 7 — A last Tangier morning and farewell
A relaxed final day. A last wander of the kasbah, a stop at the Librairie des Colonnes or the Terrasse des Paresseux for the cannon and the panorama over the port, and a final mint tea at Café Hafa. Then a transfer to the airport, or the ferry back across the Strait to Spain. Seven days, one region, a hundred memories — and the sense that you barely scratched the surface.
Frequently asked
Is seven days enough to see northern Morocco from Tangier?
Seven days is ideal for a relaxed northern loop based on Tangier: the city itself, Cap Spartel, Asilah, Chefchaouen and Tetouan, with room to breathe. Trying to add the deep south (Marrakech, the Sahara) on the same week means long drives and rushed stops — better to keep the north as its own trip.
What is the best time of year for a northern Morocco itinerary?
May–June and September–October give the best balance of warm days, sea breezes and clear skies. July and August are hot and busy along the coast and in Chefchaouen. Winter is mild but wet and windy in Tangier, with the Atlantic side catching the weather first — atmospheric, but pack a waterproof.
Should we arrive by ferry or fly into Tangier?
Both work well. Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport has European connections; the fast ferry from Tarifa lands you in the city centre in about an hour. Many guests combine a few days in Andalusia with the ferry crossing for a memorable Europe-to-Africa arrival. We meet you at either the airport or the port.
How much does a private 7-day northern Morocco tour cost?
Fully private, with a driver-guide, comfortable kasbah guesthouses, most meals and all transfers, expect US$1,800–3,500 per person depending on group size and accommodation category. Larger groups bring the per-person cost down considerably. We quote precisely after understanding your preferences.
Can we do this itinerary independently without a guide?
Yes — the roads are paved, trains reach Asilah, and buses serve Chefchaouen and Tetouan. That said, a private driver-guide unlocks local knowledge, handles the Chefchaouen round trip, navigates the medina and reroutes around closures. For a first visit, most of our guests find it transforms the experience.
What should we pack for a week in the north?
Light layers plus a windproof, water-resistant outer layer — Tangier's Strait breeze is constant and the Rif is cooler. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the steep medina and Chefchaouen's lanes. Swimwear for the Atlantic beaches in season, and a light scarf for the seafront and mosques. Bring a small daypack.
Ready to plan?
We'll build this itinerary around you.
Every Tangier Tours journey is private and bespoke — we adapt the pace, the accommodation category and the detours to suit your group. Reach out and we'll send a tailored proposal within 24 hours.