A five-day loop through Morocco's north from Fes: two days in the imperial medina, the blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif mountains, the whitewashed UNESCO medina of Tetouan, the port city of Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar, and Roman Volubilis with imperial Meknes on the way back.
Day by day
Your 5-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Fes el-Bali medina
A full guided day in the medieval medina: enter at Bab Bou Jeloud, then the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine medersas, the Kairaouine mosque and university, the Nejjarine fountain and the Chouara tanneries from a terrace above the dye pits. Time in the souks of Talaa Kebira, finishing with a Merinid Tombs sunset over the old city.
- Bab Bou Jeloud
- Bou Inania Medersa
- Chouara tanneries
- Kairaouine University
- Merinid Tombs sunset
- 2
Day 2
Fes crafts, then north to Chefchaouen
A morning in the Fes craft quarters — pottery and zellige cooperatives, the Andalusian quarter and the Jnan Sbil gardens — then drive about four hours north through the Rif foothills to Chefchaouen, the blue city. Arrive in the late afternoon to wander the indigo lanes and the Outa el-Hammam square, and climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset over the blue rooftops. Overnight in the old town.
- Fes craft cooperatives
- Rif mountain drive
- Blue medina lanes
- Outa el-Hammam square
- Spanish Mosque sunset
- 3
Day 3
Chefchaouen to Tetouan
A relaxed morning in Chefchaouen's blue medina before the crowds, then drive about two hours north to Tetouan. Its whitewashed medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, shows strong Andalusian and Spanish influence — the Hassan II square, the royal palace facade, the artisan school and the maze of covered souks. Overnight in Tetouan.
- Chefchaouen morning
- Tetouan UNESCO medina
- Andalusian architecture
- Hassan II square
- Covered souks
- 4
Day 4
Tangier & the Strait of Gibraltar
Drive an hour or so to Tangier, the storied port at the meeting of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Explore the kasbah and its museum, the medina and the Petit Socco, the Grand Socco and the terrace views over the strait toward Spain. Continue to Cap Spartel, where the two seas meet, and the Caves of Hercules with their sea-shaped opening. Overnight in Tangier.
- Tangier kasbah
- Petit Socco & Grand Socco
- Strait of Gibraltar views
- Cap Spartel
- Caves of Hercules
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Day 5
Volubilis & Meknes back to Fes
Drive south and break the return journey with two UNESCO sites: the Roman city of Volubilis, with its mosaics, basilica and triumphal arch, and imperial Meknes — the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the Heri es-Souani granaries and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Continue the short hop east to Fes by evening, closing the northern loop.
- Roman Volubilis
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
- Bab Mansour, Meknes
- Heri es-Souani granaries
- Return to Fes
Good to know
Practical notes
- Chefchaouen, Tetouan and Tangier have no rail links to each other, so a private driver is the comfortable way to run this northern loop.
- Mornings are best for photos in Chefchaouen, before the day-trip crowds arrive from Fes and Tangier.
- Tangier can also be a start or end point if you are arriving by ferry from Spain — the loop works in either direction.
- Volubilis is open and exposed; bring a hat and water for the Roman site on the way back.
Frequently asked
What is the best northern Morocco itinerary from Fes?
A five-day loop works well: two days in Fes, then north to Chefchaouen's blue medina, the UNESCO old town of Tetouan, and Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar, returning via Roman Volubilis and imperial Meknes. It covers the Rif, the north coast and three UNESCO sites in one trip.
How far is Chefchaouen from Fes, and Tangier from Chefchaouen?
Chefchaouen is about four hours by road north of Fes through the Rif mountains. Tetouan is roughly two hours further north of Chefchaouen, and Tangier about an hour beyond Tetouan, so the north is easy to chain together by private transfer.
Is 5 days enough for Fes and northern Morocco?
Five days comfortably links Fes with Chefchaouen, Tetouan and Tangier, with Volubilis and Meknes on the return. It is a balanced pace — city days broken up by scenic Rif and coastal drives — without feeling rushed.
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