A refined 7-day luxury Morocco itinerary tracing the northern and imperial cities — Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar, the blue medina of Chefchaouen, the great medina of Fes, Roman Volubilis and Meknes, and the capital at Rabat. Fully private and chauffeured, staying only in characterful riads and grand houses, with private historians and an unhurried, cultured pace.
Day by day
Your 7-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive Tangier · the Strait & kasbah
A private welcome at Tangier and a characterful riad within the kasbah. As the afternoon cools, a first mint tea at clifftop Café Hafa, gazing across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Spanish coast, then a quiet courtyard dinner to begin.
- Kasbah riad
- Café Hafa over the Strait
- Private welcome
- 2
Day 2
Tangier privately & Cap Spartel
A private guide for the white city — the kasbah palace and museum, the Petit Socco and the old medina lanes — then out to the lighthouse at Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet, and the nearby Caves of Hercules. A long seafood lunch by the water and a free afternoon at leisure.
- Private historian
- Cap Spartel lighthouse
- Caves of Hercules
- 3
Day 3
Tangier to Chefchaouen · the blue city
A scenic chauffeured drive south into the Rif mountains to the blue-washed medina of Chefchaouen — roughly two hours. A gentle first wander through the indigo lanes with your guide, time among the wool and craft workshops, and a rooftop tea over the blue rooftops at dusk.
- Blue medina
- Rif mountain drive (~2h)
- Rooftop tea at dusk
- 4
Day 4
Chefchaouen at leisure, then to Fes
A sunrise walk through the empty blue lanes before any day-tripper arrives, with an optional climb to the Spanish mosque viewpoint above the town. After a relaxed morning, the chauffeured drive on to Fes through olive country — roughly four hours — arriving at a grand riad deep in Fes el-Bali for a quiet first evening.
- Sunrise blue lanes
- Spanish mosque viewpoint
- Grand riad in Fes (~4h drive)
- 5
Day 5
Fes, deeply · the great medina
A full private day with a medieval historian in the largest living medieval medina in the world: the Karaouine — among the oldest universities anywhere — the Bou Inania and Attarine medersas, the Chouara tanneries viewed from a leather-merchant's terrace, and a master zellige and brass workshop. An afternoon hammam ritual at the riad, then a Fassi family dinner of pastilla and slow-cooked tagine.
- Karaouine university
- Chouara tanneries
- Master craftsman & Fassi dinner
- 6
Day 6
Volubilis, Meknes & on to Rabat
West toward the coast with two great stops: Roman Volubilis, its mosaics and triumphal arch best seen in the soft morning light with a private archaeologist, and the imperial city of Meknes — the colossal Bab Mansour gate, the royal granaries and stables. Then on to the capital, Rabat — roughly two and a half hours in all — and a refined stay near the medina.
- Roman Volubilis
- Meknes & Bab Mansour
- Rabat (~2.5h)
- 7
Day 7
Rabat the capital & departure
A final private morning in the elegant capital — the Kasbah of the Udayas with its Andalusian garden above the river mouth, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and a stroll through the calm, walkable medina. A last courtyard lunch, then a chauffeured transfer to Rabat or Casablanca airport for your onward flight.
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Hassan Tower
- Private airport transfer
Good to know
Practical notes
- Seven days is ideal for the northern and imperial circuit at a comfortable pace, with short, scenic chauffeured transfers rather than long road days — Tangier to Chefchaouen is about two hours, Chefchaouen to Fes about four, and Fes through Volubilis and Meknes to Rabat about two and a half.
- Staying inside each medina in a characterful riad or grand house is the difference between seeing these cities and living in them; two nights in Fes earns you the great medina at an unhurried pace.
- Spring and autumn are loveliest in the north — green Rif hills and comfortable city days. Summer is warm but tempered by the Atlantic; winter is mild and atmospheric, with the occasional shower. Drive times are approximate and we pad them for stops.
- The whole journey is private and chauffeured throughout, with private historians in each city — no shared groups at any point.
Frequently asked
Is this northern Morocco itinerary good if we don't want the desert?
Yes — this route is built entirely around the north and the imperial cities, with no long desert crossing. It pairs Tangier and the Strait, the blue city of Chefchaouen, the great medina of Fes, Roman Volubilis and Meknes, and the capital at Rabat, all linked by short scenic transfers. It suits travellers drawn to history, craft and medina life over the Sahara.
Is seven days enough for the northern and imperial cities?
Comfortably. Seven days covers Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Volubilis, Meknes and Rabat without rushing, with two nights in Fes — the most rewarding stop. If you would also like Marrakech, the High Atlas or the Sahara, we would suggest extending to ten or more days.
How private is this trip?
Entirely private. From the welcome in Tangier to the final transfer it is just your party with a dedicated chauffeur-guide and vehicle, hand-picked riads and grand houses, and a private historian in each city. Every day is fully adjustable to your interests and pace.
Private & tailored
Want this Morocco trip priced for you?
Every itinerary is private and fully adjustable — change the dates, pace, riads or length. Tell us your group and travel window and we'll send a written plan and an itemised quote within 24 hours.
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