Imperial Cities of Morocco: Self-Launched 7-Day Adventure

Make your way to Algeciras, the departure point for the Strait of Gibraltar ferry crossing. This is a transit day — settle into a budget hostel, grab some tapas, and prep your bags for an early departure tomorrow. The port is walkable from the town centre. Pick up any last supplies (sunscreen, a travel towel, a power adapter for Type C/E sockets) at a local supermarket.

🚌Arrive by train from Málaga or Granada to Algeciras (~£10–18 via Renfe)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Algeciras — e.g. Hostal Nuestra Señora de la Palma (~£25–35/night)

• →Check in to a budget hostel or guesthouse in Algeciras town centre
• →Walk to the Algeciras ferry port to confirm tomorrow's crossing times (FRS or Baleària lines)
• →Explore the Algeciras waterfront and grab tapas at a local bar
• →Stock up on supplies at a local supermarket

Take the morning ferry from Algeciras to Tangier Med port (operated by FRS or Baleària, ~35 minutes, book online in advance). Clear Moroccan border control at Tangier Med, then jump on a CTM or Supratours long-distance bus to Fez (approximately 5–6 hours, very comfortable). Alternatively, take a train from Tangier Ville station to Fez (~5.5 hours on ONCF). Arrive in Fez in the evening, check into your riad or hostel in or near the medina, and head out for a dinner of harira soup and tagine.

🚌Ferry Algeciras–Tangier Med (~£25–35 one-way). CTM/Supratours bus Tangier–Fez (~£8–14) or ONCF train (~£10–14).

🛏Riad or budget hostel inside or just outside Fez el-Bali medina — e.g. Riad Maison Bleue area guesthouses or Hostel Bab Bou Jeloud (~£15–25/night)

• →Take the FRS or Baleària ferry from Algeciras to Tangier Med (~£25–35 return fare, book one-way for flexibility)
• →Clear border control at Tangier Med port
• →Board a CTM bus or ONCF train from Tangier to Fez (~£8–14)
• →Check in to a riad or medina hostel in Fez
• →Dinner of harira soup, tagine, and mint tea at a local restaurant near Bab Bou Jeloud

Spend a full day exploring Fez el-Bali, one of the world's largest and best-preserved medieval medinas. Start at the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud gate (the Blue Gate), then wind through the labyrinthine souks toward the Royal Palace's ornate golden doors (7 doors of Bab Makina). Visit the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) with its distinctive architecture and the historic synagogues. Walk the grand medina's main artery, and try to spot (and smell!) the famous Chouara Tanneries from a rooftop leather shop. Consider booking a half-day guided walking tour via GetYourGuide for context (~£18–25pp), or hire a local certified guide at the medina entrance (~£20 for 3–4 hours). Evening dinner included at a traditional restaurant.

🚌Walking day — the medina is entirely pedestrian

🛏Same riad/hostel as Night 2 in Fez (~£15–25/night)

• →Walk through Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) and explore the medina souks
• →Visit the exterior of the Royal Palace of Fez — Dar el-Makhzen (Bab Makina, the 7 golden doors)
• →Explore the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and its historic synagogues
• →View the Chouara Tanneries from a rooftop terrace
• →Wander through the grand medina and Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque area (exterior)
• →Optional: Book a half-day guided medina walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£18–25pp)
• →Dinner at a traditional Moroccan restaurant in the medina

This is the longest travel day — a cross-country sweep through three cities. Take the early ONCF train from Fez to Rabat (~2.5 hours, ~£8). In Rabat, walk to the Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower (both free, adjacent to each other), then view the exterior of the Royal Palace. Grab a quick lunch at a local café. Board another train from Rabat to Casablanca (~1 hour, ~£4), where you can walk the Corniche (Boulevard de la Corniche), visit United Nations Square, and admire the exterior of the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Take a late-afternoon CTM bus or train from Casablanca to Marrakech (~3–3.5 hours by train, ~£10–14). Check into your riad in Marrakech and rest up.

🚌ONCF trains: Fez–Rabat (~£8), Rabat–Casa (~£4), Casa–Marrakech (~£12). Total ~£24 transport.

🛏Riad or medina hostel in Marrakech — e.g. near Jemaa el-Fna Square (~£15–28/night)

• →ONCF train from Fez to Rabat (~£8, ~2.5 hours)
• →Visit Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower in Rabat (free entry)
• →Walk past the exterior of the Royal Palace of Rabat
• →Lunch at a café in Rabat medina (~£5–8)
• →Train from Rabat to Casablanca (~£4, ~1 hour)
• →Walk Boulevard de la Corniche and United Nations Square in Casablanca
• →Admire the exterior (and optionally interior) of Hassan II Mosque — guided tours bookable on-site (~£10)
• →Train or CTM bus from Casablanca to Marrakech (~£10–14, ~3–3.5 hours)
• →Check in to riad or hostel in Marrakech medina

A full day to soak up Marrakech's magic. Start at the tranquil Menara Gardens for a morning stroll with Atlas Mountain views. Head into the medina to the Koutoubia Minaret — the city's most iconic landmark. Visit the Bahia Palace (entry ~£2), a stunning 19th-century vizier's palace. Spend the afternoon exploring the souks and artisan quarter (Marrakech's craft guilds: leather workers, weavers, coppersmiths). As the sun dips, head to Jemaa el-Fna Square — the greatest open-air theatre on earth — for snake charmers, storytellers, food stalls, and music. Book a self-guided or guided cooking class or a hammam experience via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£20–35). Dinner at the food stalls on the square (~£5–8).

🚌Walking and petits taxis for longer distances (~£2–5 per trip)

🛏Same riad/hostel as Night 4 in Marrakech (~£15–28/night)

• →Morning walk through Menara Gardens (free entry)
• →View the Koutoubia Minaret exterior (free)
• →Visit Bahia Palace interior (~£2 entry)
• →Explore the medina souks and artisan guild quarter
• →Sunset at Jemaa el-Fna Square — watch performers, musicians, and food vendors
• →Dinner at the Jemaa el-Fna night food stalls (~£5–8)
• →Optional: Traditional hammam experience via GetYourGuide (~£20–35)
• →Optional: Marrakech city highlights guided tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£18–28pp)

Take a morning train from Marrakech to Casablanca (~3.5 hours, ~£12). Depending on your ferry timing, you may have time for a final stroll along the Corniche or a coffee in the Art Deco city centre. Head to Casablanca's Mohammed V port area or take a taxi to the Casa-Port train station and then onward to Tangier for the return ferry. Note: if your ferry is early the next morning, consider an overnight bus/train to Tangier instead and sleep there. Check into a budget hotel near Tangier port for an early departure tomorrow.

🚌ONCF train Marrakech–Casablanca (~£12). CTM bus or train Casa–Tangier (~£14–18).

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Tangier near the port (~£15–22/night)

• →ONCF train from Marrakech to Casablanca (~£12, ~3.5 hours)
• →Optional: Final walk along Boulevard de la Corniche or Art Deco city centre
• →Afternoon CTM bus or ONCF train from Casablanca to Tangier (~£14–18, ~5.5 hours)
• →Check in to budget guesthouse near Tangier Ville port

Take the morning FRS or Baleària ferry from Tangier Med back to Algeciras (~35 minutes). Clear Spanish border control and make your way back to Málaga or your onward destination via bus or train. The Algeciras–Málaga bus runs regularly (~£8–12, ~2 hours). Alternatively, connect by train from Algeciras to Granada or Seville. Your Moroccan adventure is complete — budget some time at a café in Algeciras to debrief over churros and coffee before heading home.

🚌Ferry Tangier Med–Algeciras (~£25–35). Bus Algeciras–Málaga (~£8–12).

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Morning ferry from Tangier Med to Algeciras (~£25–35 one-way)
• →Clear Spanish border control
• →Onward bus or train to Málaga, Granada, or Seville
• →Celebratory coffee and churros in Algeciras before departure