Quick answer
A northern Morocco loop from Casablanca works well in 5 to 7 days: Fez (2 to 3 nights, with optional Meknes and Volubilis), Chefchaouen (1 to 2 nights) and Tangier (1 night), then back to Casablanca in about 2 hours 10 minutes on the Al Boraq high-speed train. Expect roughly 290 km to Fez, 200 km from Fez to Chefchaouen and 115 km on to Tangier.
- Recommended length
- 5 to 7 days
- Casablanca to Fez
- ≈ 290 km, about 3 h
- Fez to Chefchaouen
- ≈ 200 km, 3.5 to 4 h
- Chefchaouen to Tangier
- ≈ 115 km, 2 to 2.5 h
- Tangier to Casablanca
- Al Boraq ≈ 2 h 10
- Best seasons
- Spring and autumn
The ancient medina of Fez, the blue lanes of Chefchaouen in the Rif mountains, and Tangier looking across the Strait of Gibraltar: northern Morocco makes an easy multi-day loop from Casablanca. Distances are manageable, the roads are good, and the high-speed train brings you back from Tangier in just over two hours. Below is a practical itinerary with realistic drive times, a leg-by-leg transport comparison and the local tips we share with our own passengers.
How many days do you need for Fez, Chefchaouen and Tangier?
You can do the loop in 5 days if you keep moving, but 6 to 7 days gives you breathing room, a side trip to Meknes and Volubilis, and a full day in Chefchaouen. Give Fez at least two nights: the medina is vast, and one rushed afternoon rarely does it justice.
A 6-day northern Morocco itinerary
- Day 1: Casablanca to Fez. About 290 km on the motorway, roughly 3 hours of driving. Arrive by early afternoon and walk to Bab Boujloud at sunset.
- Day 2: Fez medina. A full day in Fes el-Bali with a licensed guide: tanneries, madrasas, souks.
- Day 3: Meknes and Volubilis (optional). A round trip from Fez. Volubilis is about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes away, and Meknes fits neatly on the way back.
- Day 4: Fez to Chefchaouen. Around 200 km of mountain road, 3.5 to 4 hours. Spend the afternoon in the blue medina and catch sunset at the Spanish Mosque.
- Day 5: Chefchaouen or Akchour, then Tangier. A free morning or a waterfall hike, then about 115 km to Tangier (2 to 2.5 hours).
- Day 6: Tangier to Casablanca. Kasbah and medina in the morning, Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules, then the Al Boraq train to Casablanca in the evening.
On a 5-day trip, drop Day 3. With 7 days, add a second night in Chefchaouen or Tangier.
Distances and driving times between each stop
These are non-stop driving estimates. Allow extra time for a coffee break and for city traffic, especially leaving Casablanca on a weekday morning.
| Leg | Distance | Estimated driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca to Fez | ≈ 290 km | ≈ 3 h (motorway) |
| Fez to Meknes to Volubilis and back | ≈ 170–180 km loop | ≈ 2 h 30 to 3 h in total |
| Fez to Chefchaouen | ≈ 200 km | 3.5 to 4 h |
| Chefchaouen to Akchour (one way) | ≈ 30 km | ≈ 50 min |
| Chefchaouen to Tangier | ≈ 115 km | 2 to 2.5 h |
| Tangier to Casablanca | ≈ 340 km | ≈ 3.5 h by road, ≈ 2 h 10 by Al Boraq |
What to see in Fez in two days
Fes el-Bali, the medieval medina, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. It is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, and getting lost is part of the experience.
- Bab Boujloud: the famous blue gate and the easiest meeting point in the medina.
- Bou Inania Madrasa: a 14th-century Quranic school and one of the few religious buildings in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Entry is around 20 DH; it closes during prayer times and is usually closed on Fridays, so check hours locally.
- Al Quaraouiyine Mosque: the prayer hall is open to Muslims only. You can glimpse the courtyard through some of the doorways and see the green-tiled roofs from nearby terraces.
- Chouara Tannery: viewed from the terraces of the leather shops around it. Go in the morning, when the dye pits are busiest and the light is softer.
- Seffarine Square: the coppersmiths' square, where the sound of hammering is part of the soundtrack of Fez.
Do you need a guide in the Fez medina?
On a first visit, yes. Book an official licensed guide through your riad or the tourist office. You will save time, avoid the unofficial guides who approach visitors near the gates, and understand far more of what you see. Tell your guide up front if you do not want long stops in shops.
Meknes and Volubilis: worth the extra day
The imperial city of Meknes (UNESCO 1996) and the Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO 1997) combine easily as a day out from Fez. Volubilis takes about two hours to explore: mosaics still in place, a triumphal arch and a basilica, all set among olive groves. In Meknes, El Hedim Square and the monumental Bab Mansour gate are a good first taste.
Bring water and a hat, because Volubilis has very little shade. Mornings or late afternoons are best from spring to late summer.
Chefchaouen: the blue medina and the Akchour waterfalls
Chefchaouen is a place to wander rather than tick off sights. The highlights are few, and the real pleasure is slow walking through the blue alleys.
- Outa el-Hammam Square and the kasbah: the heart of the medina, lined with café terraces.
- Ras El Ma: the spring at the edge of the medina, where you can still see traditional wash basins.
- Spanish Mosque viewpoint: a 20 to 30 minute uphill walk from Ras El Ma for a view over the whole town at sunset.
- Akchour waterfalls: about 50 minutes by road. From the dam, the first waterfall is roughly an hour on foot, and God's Bridge, a natural rock arch, about 45 minutes along the other trail. Wear proper walking shoes.
There is no train station in Chefchaouen, so you arrive by car, taxi or bus.
Tangier: kasbah, Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules
Tangier feels different again: a port city, cosmopolitan, facing Europe. One full day covers the essentials.
- Kasbah and its museum: at the top of the medina, with views over the strait.
- Medina and Grand Socco: best explored on foot, with a mint tea at the Petit Socco.
- Cape Spartel: the lighthouse headland where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.
- Caves of Hercules: about 14 km west of the city, near Cape Spartel. Entry was around 60 DH for a foreign adult in 2023, so check on arrival.
With a vehicle, Cape Spartel and the caves fit into half a day before you head to Tanger Ville station.
Train, bus or private driver: which is best for each leg?
Each option has its place. Compare them below, and check timetables and fares before you travel.
| Leg | Train (ONCF) | Bus (CTM, Supratours) | Private driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca to Fez | Yes, ≈ 3 h 30 to 4 h, frequent departures | ≈ 4 to 5 h | ≈ 3 h, door to door |
| Fez to Chefchaouen | No rail line | ≈ 4 to 5 h, a few departures a day | 3.5 to 4 h, stop where you like |
| Chefchaouen to Tangier | No rail line | ≈ 2.5 h | 2 to 2.5 h |
| Tangier to Casablanca | Al Boraq ≈ 2 h 10, roughly hourly | ≈ 5 to 6 h | ≈ 3.5 h |
The train is the clear winner between Tangier and Casablanca: Al Boraq covers the route in about 2 hours 10 minutes, with second-class tickets generally between 99 and 224 DH depending on date and time. The bus is the budget choice for Fez to Chefchaouen, but it is slower and you carry your bags to and from the bus station. A private driver makes the most sense on the legs with no rail line, for groups and families, when you have lots of luggage, or when you want to stop at Volubilis on the way.
How much does a private driver cost with Alfa Evasions?
There are two ways to book, depending on how you like to travel. All prices are per vehicle for 1 to 7 passengers, from our 2025 rates.
One-way transfers from Casablanca
| Route | Price per vehicle |
|---|---|
| Casablanca to Fez | 2,000 DH (≈ €191) |
| Casablanca to Chefchaouen | 2,500 DH (≈ €239) |
| Casablanca to Tangier | 2,500 DH (≈ €239) |
A popular combination: a private transfer from Casablanca to Fez, the bus for the middle legs, then Al Boraq back. You can also reverse it, taking the train up to Tangier and a transfer back, or go straight to Chefchaouen from Casablanca.
A driver for the whole loop
For the full circuit, multi-day chauffeur hire is more flexible: 1,800 DH per day (200 km included), 10 DH per extra kilometre, and 400 DH per night for the driver's accommodation outside Casablanca. Example for Day 1: 290 km to Fez comes to 1,800 DH plus 90 km × 10 DH, so 2,700 DH, plus 400 DH for the driver's night. Your driver then stays with you for Volubilis, Chefchaouen and Tangier.
Legs that do not start in Casablanca (Fez to Chefchaouen, Meknes, Volubilis, Chefchaouen to Tangier) are quoted on request: send us your plan and we will come back with exact figures.
When is the best time to visit northern Morocco?
- Spring (March to May): the best window. Mild days and green hills around Chefchaouen and Volubilis.
- Autumn (September to November): also very pleasant, and usually quieter than spring.
- Summer (June to August): Fez gets very hot, often above 35 °C in the afternoon. Visit the medina early and rest during the hottest hours. Tangier and Chefchaouen stay cooler.
- Winter (December to February): Chefchaouen, up in the Rif, is cold and often rainy, and riads are not always well heated. The Fez to Chefchaouen road can be slower in bad weather. The trip is still doable with warm layers.
Ramadan and Fridays: what to know
During Ramadan (its dates move about ten days earlier each year), daily rhythms change: many restaurants close during the day, some sites shorten their hours, and traffic gets busy just before sunset when people head home to break the fast. Evenings, on the other hand, are lively in the medinas. Avoid eating or drinking openly in the street during the day.
On Fridays, the day of the main weekly prayer, many shops in the Fez medina close around midday and some religious sites limit access. It is a good day for a travel leg or for Volubilis.
Practical tips for your northern Morocco trip
- Cash: carry dirhams. Small shops, taxis, some site entrances and tips are cash only. Cities have ATMs; around Akchour they are scarce.
- Luggage: cars cannot enter the Fez and Chefchaouen medinas. A porter with a handcart will take your bags from the car park to your riad for a small fee.
- Dress: cover shoulders and knees for religious sites, and wear closed shoes for the lanes and the Akchour trail.
- Train tickets: book Al Boraq a few days ahead in high season and at weekends.
- Flying in: if you start the loop straight from the airport, our Mohammed V airport arrival guide will help. For your last evening, see our list of things to do in Casablanca.
How Alfa Evasions can help
We are based in Casablanca, in Quartier Florida, Sidi Maarouf, and we are the transport partner of the Casablanca Suites & Spa hotel. Our licensed drivers use air-conditioned Hyundai Staria and Renault Trafic vans with free Wi-Fi and a welcome basket of water and treats. We can arrange a single transfer to Tangier, Fez or Chefchaouen, or a driver for the whole loop, 24/7. Message us on WhatsApp at +212 641 99 11 13 or call +212 522 97 20 52 for a quote built around your itinerary.
