15-Day Self-Launched Morocco: Imperial Cities & Sahara Magic

Arrive in Casablanca and check into your riad or budget hotel in the city centre. Get your bearings with a walk along the Corniche and grab dinner at a local snack restaurant. A hearty tagine or harira soup will set the tone for the 15 days ahead. No big plans today — rest up and acclimatise.

🚌Mohammed V International Airport to city centre: ONCF train (~£3) or petit taxi (~£8)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Casablanca city centre (e.g. Le Coq d'Or Hostel or similar) — ~£18–25/night

• →Check in to budget hotel/hostel near city centre
• →Evening walk along the Casablanca Corniche
• →Dinner at a local medina restaurant — try harira soup and msemen

An action-packed travel day through Morocco's north. Catch an early ONCF train from Casablanca Voyageurs to Rabat (45 min, ~£4). Visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan Tower — both free to enter the grounds. Continue by train or CTM bus to Asilah, a stunning whitewashed coastal town with murals and beach cafés. Then hop on a grand taxi or bus for the final leg north to Tangier. Check into your riad in the medina.

🚌Casablanca → Rabat: ONCF train ~£4; Rabat → Asilah: CTM bus ~£6; Asilah → Tangier: grand taxi or bus ~£3

🛏Budget riad or hostel in Tangier medina (e.g. Dar Sultan or El Minzah budget options) — ~£18–25/night

• →Visit Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat (free entry to grounds)
• →Visit Hassan Tower in Rabat (free entry)
• →Stroll the white-walled streets and Atlantic beaches of Asilah
• →Explore Asilah medina and street murals
• →Arrive and settle into Tangier medina

Spend the morning exploring Tangier — wander the Grand Socco, peek into the kasbah, and sip mint tea at a medina café. After lunch, catch a CTM bus to Chefchaouen (~3.5 hrs, ~£7). Arrive in the Blue City in the afternoon, check into your hostel, and lose yourself in the photogenic blue alleyways of the medina at golden hour.

🚌Tangier → Chefchaouen: CTM bus ~£7, 3.5 hours

🛏Hostel or small riad in Chefchaouen medina (e.g. Hostel Souika or Casa Perleta) — ~£15–22/night

• →Explore Tangier's Grand Socco and Kasbah
• →Mint tea at a traditional café in Tangier medina
• →Travel to Chefchaouen by CTM bus
• →Wander the blue-painted alleyways of Chefchaouen medina at dusk
• →Sunset views from the Spanish Mosque above the town (free)

Rise early for a last morning stroll through Chefchaouen — visit the central Plaza Uta el-Hammam and the 15th-century kasbah (small entry fee ~£1.50). Catch the CTM or Supratours bus to Fes (~4.5 hrs, ~£8). Arrive in Fes in the late afternoon, check into your medina hostel and explore the neighbourhood around Bab Bou Jeloud. Grab dinner at one of the cheap tagine restaurants near the main gate.

🚌Chefchaouen → Fes: CTM/Supratours bus ~£8, 4.5 hours

🛏Hostel or budget riad in Fes el-Bali medina (e.g. Riad Dar Bensouda or Funky Fes Hostel) — ~£15–22/night

• →Morning stroll through Chefchaouen's Ras El Ma waterfall area
• →Visit Plaza Uta el-Hammam and Chefchaouen Kasbah (~£1.50)
• →Bus to Fes — enjoy the Rif Mountain scenery en route
• →Arrive Fes and explore around Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) at dusk

Devote a full day to Fes el-Bali, one of the world's best-preserved medieval cities. Book a self-bookable guided medina walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20 pp) or hire a local official guide from the tourist office (~£20 for a half day). Visit the Chouara Tanneries (free from rooftop terraces of nearby leather shops), the Al-Quaraouiyine Mosque exterior (non-Muslims cannot enter but the surroundings are stunning), and explore the souks for spices, ceramics, and carpets. Lunch on a cheap msemen or brochette from a street stall.

🚌Walking and occasional petit taxi within Fes medina (~£2)

🛏Hostel or budget riad in Fes el-Bali medina — ~£15–22/night

• →Guided medina walking tour via GetYourGuide or official guide (~£15–20)
• →Visit Chouara Tanneries from a rooftop terrace (free with leather shop visit)
• →Al-Quaraouiyine Mosque exterior and neighbourhood
• →Explore spice souks, ceramic workshops, and Nejjarine Fountain
• →Visit Bou Inania Madrasa (~£2 entry)

An early start for the long but spectacular journey south to the Sahara. The easiest independent option is to book a shared minibus or group day-transfer from Fes to Merzouga (~£30–40 pp, bookable via local hostels or GetYourGuide). Alternatively, take a CTM bus to Errachidia then a grand taxi to Merzouga. The route passes Azrou cedar forests (spot Barbary macaques!), the Ziz Valley, and dramatic gorges. Arrive in Merzouga by evening in time for a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and overnight at a Berber desert camp under a sky full of stars.

🚌Shared minibus Fes → Merzouga ~£35 pp; or CTM bus to Errachidia ~£12 + grand taxi ~£8

🛏Berber desert camp in Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga — ~£30–45/night (typically includes dinner and breakfast)

• →Shared minibus/transfer from Fes to Merzouga (~£35 pp)
• →Stop at Azrou cedar forest to spot Barbary macaques
• →Views over the Ziz Valley and palm oasis
• →Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset (~£25–35 pp, book direct at camp or via GetYourGuide)
• →Overnight in a Berber desert camp (dinner and breakfast included)

Wake before dawn for the magical Sahara sunrise from atop the dunes — an unmissable moment. After breakfast at camp, camel trek back to Merzouga. Freshen up at your guesthouse, then arrange a shared grand taxi or seat in a shared 4WD to Ouarzazate via the dramatic Draa Valley (~£20–30 pp, ~5–6 hrs). En route, keep an eye out for kasbahs and palmeries. Arrive Ouarzazate in the late afternoon. The 'Hollywood of Africa' is worth an evening wander — the Taourirt Kasbah is spectacular lit up at dusk.

🚌Shared grand taxi or 4WD Merzouga → Ouarzazate ~£25 pp, 5–6 hours

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Ouarzazate (e.g. Chez Dimitri area or medina guesthouses) — ~£18–25/night

• →Sahara sunrise viewing from Erg Chebbi dunes
• →Camel trek back to Merzouga camp after sunrise
• →Shared 4WD/grand taxi to Ouarzazate via Draa Valley (~£25 pp)
• →Optional: Visit Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate (~£2 entry)
• →Optional: Visit Atlas Film Studios, the world's largest (~£8 entry)

Morning visit to the Taourirt Kasbah or Atlas Film Studios if you skipped them yesterday. Then catch a CTM bus or shared grand taxi over the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass (2,260m) to Marrakech (~4 hrs, ~£10–15). The views are jaw-dropping. Arrive in Marrakech by early afternoon, check into your riad in the medina, and take the evening easy with a wander around the Djemaa el-Fna as the square comes alive with storytellers, musicians, and food stalls.

🚌CTM bus Ouarzazate → Marrakech ~£10, 4 hours; or shared grand taxi ~£15

🛏Budget riad or hostel in Marrakech medina (e.g. Riad Mosaique or Hostel Waka Waka) — ~£18–28/night

• →Morning visit to Taourirt Kasbah (~£2) or Atlas Film Studios (~£8) if not visited on Day 7
• →Scenic bus/taxi journey over Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass
• →Check into medina riad in Marrakech
• →Evening at Djemaa el-Fna Square — watch performers and eat from street food stalls

Dive into Marrakech properly today. Start at the Koutoubia Mosque (exterior — Morocco's largest mosque, non-Muslims cannot enter but it's stunning from outside). Head into the souks — get lost in the labyrinthine alleys of the medina, browse leatherwork, lanterns, spices, and carpets. Visit the Majorelle Gardens and the YSL Museum in the same complex (book online in advance, ~£8 combined). Return to Djemaa el-Fna for sunset and dinner — try the famous snail soup and fresh orange juice from the square's stalls.

🚌Walking and occasional petit taxi within Marrakech medina (~£2)

🛏Budget riad or hostel in Marrakech medina — ~£18–28/night

• →Visit Koutoubia Mosque exterior (free)
• →Explore Marrakech souks — spices, leather, textiles, lanterns
• →Visit Majorelle Gardens and Berber Museum (~£8, book ahead online)
• →Optional: Bahia Palace (~£2 entry)
• →Optional: Ben Youssef Madrasa (~£2.50 entry)
• →Sunset at Djemaa el-Fna Square with street food dinner

Take an early Supratours bus from Marrakech to the windswept coastal gem of Essaouira (~2.5 hrs, ~£7 each way). This UNESCO-listed port city has a chilled, artistic vibe — whitewashed walls, blue boats, and a buzzing rampart walk overlooking the Atlantic. Explore the medina, stroll the ramparts (free), and visit the golden beach. Try fresh grilled fish at the harbour market for lunch (~£5). Return to Marrakech on the late afternoon Supratours bus.

🚌Supratours bus Marrakech ↔ Essaouira ~£7 each way; total ~£14 return

🛏Budget riad or hostel in Marrakech medina — ~£18–28/night

• →Supratours bus from Marrakech to Essaouira (~£7, 2.5 hours)
• →Walk the sea ramparts of Essaouira (free)
• →Explore Essaouira medina and its artisan woodwork shops
• →Grilled fish lunch at the harbour fish grills (~£5)
• →Relax on Essaouira beach
• →Return to Marrakech by Supratours bus (~£7)

If the original tour itinerary's Day 11 signals a return from Essaouira, use this as a flexible day. Option A: Stay an extra night in Essaouira (highly recommended — the town is magical at night with live Gnawa music) and return to Marrakech the following morning. Option B: Head back to Marrakech and use the day for a hammam spa session — a quintessential Moroccan experience. Try a traditional hammam near the medina for ~£8–15 including a scrub.

🚌If returning: Supratours bus Essaouira → Marrakech ~£7

🛏Budget guesthouse in Essaouira (if staying) or budget riad in Marrakech medina — ~£15–28/night

• →Option A: Second day in Essaouira — kitesurfing lesson on the beach (~£40), explore Gnawa music scene in medina cafés
• →Option B: Traditional hammam experience in Marrakech (~£10–15 including kessa scrub)
• →Leisurely lunch at a rooftop café with medina views
• →Late afternoon souk shopping for argan oil, pottery, and leather goods

A flexible day to revisit your favourite parts of Marrakech or explore what you missed. Consider a morning cooking class in the medina (~£35–45 pp, book via Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide) — you'll visit the souks to buy ingredients and cook a proper Moroccan meal. Alternatively, hire a bicycle (~£5/day) and ride through the Palmeraie on Marrakech's outskirts. The afternoon is perfect for any last-minute souvenir shopping or simply lingering over coffee in a rooftop café.

🚌Walking and bicycle hire within Marrakech (~£5)

🛏Budget riad or hostel in Marrakech medina — ~£18–28/night

• →Optional: Moroccan cooking class with souk visit (~£35–45, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Bicycle ride through the Palmeraie (~£5 hire)
• →Optional: El Badi Palace ruins (~£1 entry)
• →Rooftop café afternoon with mint tea and pastries
• →Evening at Djemaa el-Fna for last Marrakech night

Check out and catch the ONCF train from Marrakech to Casablanca (~3 hrs, ~£10). Trains are comfortable, punctual, and scenic. Arrive in Casablanca by early afternoon — check into your hotel or hostel near the city centre. Use the afternoon to visit the stunning Hassan II Mosque exterior and the surrounding corniche, or explore the Art Deco architecture of the city centre.

🚌ONCF train Marrakech → Casablanca ~£10, 3 hours

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Casablanca city centre — ~£18–25/night

• →ONCF train from Marrakech to Casablanca (~£10, 3 hours)
• →Check in to accommodation near Casablanca city centre
• →Afternoon walk along the Hassan II Mosque coastal promenade
• →Dinner in the trendy Gauthier or Maarif neighbourhood

Today is Casablanca day. The undisputed highlight is the Hassan II Mosque — the world's third largest mosque and one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Book a guided interior tour in advance (~£10–12 pp via GetYourGuide or direct at the mosque). The minaret stands 210m tall, visible for miles. Afterwards, explore the Old Medina (far smaller and less hectic than Fes or Marrakech — good for a calm stroll), then head to the Art Deco city centre. Try a café in Place Mohammed V and end the trip with a seafood dinner on the Corniche.

🚌Petit taxi within Casablanca (~£3–5)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Casablanca city centre — ~£18–25/night

• →Guided tour of Hassan II Mosque interior (~£10–12, book in advance)
• →Stroll through Casablanca's Old Medina
• →Explore Art Deco city centre and Place Mohammed V
• →Corniche seafood dinner to celebrate 15 days in Morocco

Final morning in Morocco. If time allows before your flight, grab a café cassette (Moroccan espresso) and msemen (Moroccan flatbread) at a local café — a perfect final breakfast. Head to Mohammed V International Airport via the ONCF train from Casa Voyageurs station (~£3, 35 mins). Safe travels!

🚌ONCF train from Casablanca Voyageurs to airport ~£3

• →Final Moroccan breakfast — café cassette and msemen at a local café
• →Check out and head to Mohammed V International Airport
• →ONCF train to airport from Casa Voyageurs (~£3, 35 mins)