White plazas, blue medinas
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrive in Chefchaouen
You’ll probably be travelling from Fez, which is a 3.5 hour journey from your first destination: Chefchaouen. However, the town is also easily accessible in around two hours, from Tangier. We can arrange car hire from either point for you. If you’re driving from Fez, you’ll quickly leave behind the busy city streets and pick up a quieter road that journeys through cedar forests, green hills and then the peaks of the Rif Mountains. Don’t be surprised if you’re held up by a herd of goats crossing the road! Ater around three hours you will see the town of Chefchaouen built on the mountain slopes. The town owes its name to the high mountain peaks that rise above the city and resemble the horns of a goat. It’s often referred to as the ‘blue town’ because its walls are painted in shades of blue. You’ll stay in a charming riad on the edge of the medina. The day is yours to explore the cobbled streets of this picturesque town.
Day 2 – Hike in the Rif Mountains
Today you will stroll through the narrow blue streets of the medina with your guide. As you walk past fruit markets and spice stalls, your guide will share stories about local life. From the central square you have a clear view of the surrounding mountains – which is where you’re heading. You follow the river behind the city walls and continue towards the mountains, passing by farms, mountain streams and small Berber villages. Around midday you’ll stop for a picnic on the mountain meadows, overlooking the valley. Your hike ends in a small Berber village and you’ll be picked up by jeep and driven back to your riad. In the evening we recommend trying the local specialty – Bissara – which is a puree made from dried beans. You’ll find it on the menu in most of the restaurants.
Day 3 – From the mountains to the coast
After breakfast, depart Chefchaouen, travelling further across the green hills to the white-hued fishing town of Asilah, which is around three hours drive. On arrival you may feel like you’ve been transported to Andalucia! There’s a Mediterranean vibe to the town and it’s common to see Spanish dishes, such as paella, on restaurant menus. You’ll be staying in a charming Moroccan riad located within the medina, just five minutes stroll from the ocean. Your afternoon is free and it’s very easy to explore the town on foot. In the evening we highly recommend tasting some of the delicious Mediterranean-style fresh fish dishes for dinner.
Day 4 – Relax and explore in Asilah
Today is free to soak up the sun and the Mediterranean atmosphere. Your riad is just five minutes walk to one of Asilah’s popular beaches. Fifteen minutes walk south along the white city wall you’ll find the smaller, quieter Paradise Beach. Like Essaouira in the south of Morocco, Asilah has attracted lots of artists and many of the whitewashed walls of the old town are adorned with murals. You can wander for hours admiring the artwork.
Day 5 – Depart Asilah
Time to say goodbye to the picturesque fishing town of Asilah and continue your Moroccan adventure. You could follow the coastline south to the capital city of Rabat and begin your exploration of Morocco’s imperial cities.
Accommodation
