Plus green mountains and ocean towns along the way.
If we say you could drive from green mountains to cherry desert to blue oceans — as well as blue metropolis and ancient , tangle - like hamlet — you might think we ’re being overly ambitious for one vacation . ButMorocco ’s wide - ranging landscapesare packed into a country about the sizing of California , and can be seen over just a few mean solar day on an light route trip .
Starting at the northern tip near the Mediterranean Sea and within view of Spain , you ’ll want to expend about a week take south to Marrakech . Verdant mountain scenery hide in wildflowers transform into starry desert vistas , leading to chilled - out surf town by the sea , followed by dusty fence cities full of bustling souks . Morocco is an all - out fiesta for the sensesscattered along a 935 - mile - long route .
Few area mob the hospitality , versatile landscapes , andculinary trifectapunch of this storied North African state . Wind along wind roads surrounded by drop-off , indulge in stack platters of bracing oysters along the coast , and get lose in medinas before give up back in wind - swept coastal towns with mellow surf vibraphone .
Starcevic/E+/Getty Images
From Tangier to Marrakech — with closure in Fes , Chefchaouen , and Essaouira — here ’s how to drive through Morocco to see the most of the body politic .
Best time of year to visit Morocco
Morocco has been called the “ inhuman state with the hot sun . ” And if you ’ve ever bring down here during the winter and wish you ’d pack another level despite the streaming sunshine , that saying will make a lot of sentiency .
visitant are often surprised by just how chilly Morocco can be , particularly from November through January . Summer , on the other hand , ushers in absolute hair drier - style oestrus , with June through August bringing the mercury to the max . Temperatures lean to stay warm bookending that period , from late spring into fall .
Moroccans will often tell you their favorite season here is bounce , peculiarly March through May . temperature are meek , the Lord’s Day warms instead of sizzles , and orange blossoms perfume the melodic phrase . Spring is also the perfect time for a windows - down roadtrip , with coolheaded star - filled Nox still in the mix . But fortuitously Morocco is a class - cycle kind of shoes .
There’s more ocean, mountains, and greenery than you might think for a desert area.|Crevous/Shutterstock
How to drive in Morocco and rent a car
you’re able to rent a car in major Maroc cities at drome and ports of ledger entry , including in Tangier , Fes , Casablanca , and Marrakech . One - way lease are widely uncommitted and cheap ( sites like Orbitz and Expedia incline to offer well flock ) . Opt for a major international rental car company – Avis , EuropCar , Budget and the like – and be prepared that a hold will be set on your recognition card ( required for letting ) as a deposit .
Most roads in Morocco are paved and safe for non-4x4 vehicle . But be aware that most automobile renting companies rent primarily manual ( joystick faulting ) car . If you call for one with an machinelike transmission , expect rental rates to be considerably higher , and be sure to narrow that in advance of your arriver . Be indisputable to take picture of your rental car before leaving the mickle and make the company aware of any damages ( even minor dough ) to avoid any problems when you return it .
Avoid tug at night in Morocco as streetlights are not far-flung and there might be animate being on the route , as well as surprisal pot holes . Have your paperwork ready to hand for any police force stop on the road . Driving is on the right side of the route , same as the US , and seat belt are mandatory throughout the land . Cell phone usage is not allowed while driving unless you have a hands - free system .
Don’t expect burning heat all year.|franckreporter/E+/Getty Images
How Moroccan Women Are Taking Tourism Into Their Own Hands
Tangier to Chefchaouen
Whether you land in Tangier by ferry from Southern Spain ( gravy boat exit from Gibraltar , Tarifa , or Algeciras ) or flee into Tangier Ibn Battouta International Airport , prepare for sensational overload in the best way upon get in Morocco . The port urban center straddles the line between continents , with a whitewashed Al Madinah overlooking the cryptic blue Mediterranean sea .
After you ’ve toured the metropolis ’s impressive Kasbah and shopped for lanterns , spice , and the ubiquitous Berber carpets in its souks , descend in to feed on the fruits of the sea at Le Saveur de Poisson , a seafood restaurant nonchalantly gather inside an eighteenth - century palace with a fixed menu and Orcinus orca fish soup and tagines .
From Tangier , you ’ll want to start heading to Chefchaouen , Morocco ’s celebrated blue - bleached city , where you may get your Instagram fix in fifty shadiness of sky-blue . It takes about two hours to drive the 70 miles south along the N2 highway and up into the beautiful Rif Mountains .
Driving in Morocco is pretty easy for Americans.|T. Schneider/Shutterstock
But do n’t hurry this part of the journey . Before depart Tangier , roundabout way just west of the city to see the Hercules Caves and Cape Spartel , near the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar , where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean sports meeting .
Shortly before arriving in Chefchaouen , the Akchour Waterfalls make for another worthy roundabout way . Just 45 minute northeast of town , a inadequate jog east off the highway lead you to a big , unmortgaged pool , where you could sink in to refresh from the road .
Chefchaouen to Fes
The next stretch is a 3.5 - hour drive to Fes . Here , the journeying unspools along ribboning mountain roadstead with stunning views of the Rif . These peaks are particularly beautiful in spring clip , when they turn emerald green and flutter with red-faced poppy leap up in idyllic meadows .
It ’s deserving stay a few nights in a fabulous riad in the heart of Fes ’s medina , where there ’s only foot traffic ( as well as domestic ass , and the occasional hardihood moto ) to contend with . You ’ll want to park your car in one of the lots outside the walled old city , and take the air around the endless shops , marketplace stalls , and mosques .
Fes to Ifrane
You could break west from Fes and make square for the coast , but we love this option to guide in the south into the surprising cedar forests of Ifrane in Morocco ’s Middle Atlas mountains .
A goodish little university town , Ifrane is dotted with top out - roof , alpine - inspired computer architecture and is often predict Morocco ’s “ Little Switzerland . ” During the winter months , you may even get in some casual downhill run via the two ski lift at Michlifen Ski Station , a few miles outside of township .
yr round , you may spot barbary apes along the hiking track withinIfrane National Park , or stroll easier trail to see waterfalls at Source Vittel .
Ifrane to Essaouira
This part of the trip is about the route , with plenty of stop along the room . You ’re in for a bad driving day ( count on eight hour without stop ) as you deviate Ifrane ’s forested environment to head west to Morocco ’s Atlantic Coast . You ’ll have a chance to pull over in Rabat and Meknes , which is often likened to a mini Fe and has a particularly likeable medina .
Bypass in use Casablanca in favour of stopping for lunch along the pretty lagoon in Oualidia , a scenic spot that ’s considered the Moroccan oyster capital and where they ’ve been farm since the 1950s . There ’s no shortage of restaurants in Oualidia peddle oysters along with monumental lobster , mussel , clams , and sea urchin eggs . But it ’s hard to top the ocean take in fromLa Table de la Plage , a seafood restaurant at the spectacular lagoon front beach hotel , La Sultana Oualidia , where you might be tempt to stick the night in one of the 12 rooms .
If you do continue on to Essaouira , take aim to arrive in time to savor sunset from a pole along the metropolis wall or at the smart rooftop at Taros Bar . Here you ’ll often come up alive music , and you could sip a Moroccan wine or an inexpensive cocktail for a sundowner .
Chefchaouen is also known as the Blue City.|Kanuman/Shutterstock
Essaouira to Taghazout
Do n’t hie your time in Essaouira . This is where one of Morocco ’s prettiest and most place - back , white - washed medinas meets the visionary coastline . you may well spend a few days soak in the striking coastal scenery . Learn to rein in the wind with lesson fromAnanas Kitesurfing . Or feast on grill sard from casual booth right in the port . To save money , do like Moroccans do and grease one’s palms your sardines directly from the fisherman . Then bear a small-scale sum at most any seafood restaurant in townspeople to have them grill up and assist with Moroccan staff of life called khobz and tomato , onion , and cucumber salads .
On your fashion to Taghazout , Morocco ’s coolest surf town , detour about 30 minutes in the south to the uber - chill coastal enclave of Sidi Kaouki to see if the gallant is breaking at the reliable beach break . Sidi Kaouki Surf Stationhas boards for rent and offers moral if you ’re up for paddle out .
It ’s less than 90 miles south from there ( about 2.5 hours ) to reach Taghazout , which has been tempt the brave surf coiffe since the 1970s . The metropolis brims with dress shop hotel and villas catering to the Wave - meet - yoga recession ( DFrostandSurf Berberehave affordable weekly packet deals ) .
Fes is a labyrinth of a city.|Mitzo/Shutterstock
After a great day riding ( or just watching ) the Wave , sip something frosty for a sundowner atWorld of Waves , a family - run hotel and eating place right on the beach .
Taghazout to Marrakech
The thrust inland to Marrakech from Taghazout learn about four hours , go by through Berber villages and the rough landscapes of the Agafay Desert as you approach the fabled red - walled city that ’s the last stop on this route trip .
take spending a unagitated night in a Bedouin - style glamping tent under inky-black skies splash with stars at a fleck likeAgafay Luxury CamporSelina Agafaybefore finishing out your Moroccan adventure in the Marrakech fray .
In Marrakech , shop class for textiles , leather goods , and mosaic work out inthe medina ’s interminable souks . Or localise out on that vintage sidecar tour you ’ve seen all over Instagram . Or just kick back and take in the homo sideshow bang as the Jemaa El Fna that deal shoes every night in the metropolis ’s main square — a circus of nutrient vendors , snake charmers , storytellers , and more that feels like the very essence of why we travel the world , extract .
Ifrane is like the Little Switzerland of Morocco.|Marouane Hammou/Shutterstock
Essaouira is a beautiful coastal city.|streetflash/Shutterstock
Taghazout is Morocco’s surf town.|zodyakuz/Shutterstock
Marrakech is the bustling heart of Morocco.|Steve Photography/Shutterstock
