See how we explored Northern Morocco in just 5 nights, visiting Chefchaouen, Tetouan and Tangier — the perfect fast-paced itinerary for school holiday travel.
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We only had five nights to explore northern Morocco, but we packed a lot in — and we’re so glad we did. Like many families, we can only travel during school holidays, so when we do get the chance, we like to squeeze as much as possible out of every trip. This fast-paced northern Morocco itinerary took us through Rabat, Chefchaouen, Tetouan, and Tangier — giving us a great mix of history, culture, scenery, and local life.
If you’re looking for a short Morocco itinerary that covers a lot without feeling totally rushed, this route worked perfectly for us. Here’s exactly how we did it.
Why Northern Morocco?
Northern Morocco is surprisingly compact. The driving distances between cities are short, the roads are generally good, and you get a huge variety of experiences within just a few hours of each other. We saw the famous blue streets of Chefchaouen, walked through a real working medina in Tetouan, and finished by the coast in Tangier — all without spending half our trip in the car.
For anyone with limited time — whether it’s school holidays, limited annual leave, or a short break — this part of Morocco is ideal.
Our Travel Style: Fast-Paced, School Holiday Approved
We’re not slow travellers. If we have a week, we like to use every day. This itinerary isn’t for people who want to linger in one spot for days, but it’s perfect if you enjoy seeing as much as you can and don’t mind a bit of driving in between. That said, we never felt like we were just rushing from place to place — each stop gave us enough time to explore, eat, and enjoy.
Our 5-Night Northern Morocco Itinerary
Night 1: Quick Stop in Rabat
We landed late at Rabat airport and stayed nearby for convenience. There’s not much to say here — it was simply a functional overnight stay before we picked up our hire car the next morning and started the road trip. I actually really like Rabat but it wasn’t a focus for this trip.
Nights 2 & 3: Chefchaouen — The Blue City
Our first real stop was Chefchaouen. The drive from Rabat took around 4.5 hours through the Rif Mountains. The scenery was beautiful, and the roads were in decent condition.
Chefchaouen lived up to its reputation — the blue-painted streets were even more beautiful in person. The town feels peaceful and relaxed, and two nights here gave us time to:
- Wander through the narrow blue alleyways.
- Browse the local shops and markets.
- Eat some delicious food (with plenty of vegetarian options!)
- Hike up to the Spanish Mosque for stunning views over the town.
- Enjoy simple but delicious rooftop meals while taking in the mountain views.
We parked just outside the old city walls and paid 20 Dirham (around £1.60) per day. It felt a bit random at first — essentially an open car park with someone sitting under a tree taking cash — but it worked out perfectly for staying inside the medina. We could easily walk to our accommodation without having to navigate the narrow streets by car.
Chefchaouen was definitely a highlight of the trip, and well worth staying more than one night to fully enjoy it. We stayed here. It was in the perfect location, right in the medina. We got a family room for the five of us and it has a lovely roof terrace. It was great for a two night stay.
Night 4: Tetouan — A Working Medina
From Chefchaouen, we drove just 1.5 hours to Tetouan. We stayed inside the medina, which turned out to be one of the most interesting parts of the entire trip.
Tetouan’s medina felt very different from others we’ve visited in Morocco — it’s a real, working medina where locals go about their daily lives. There were no endless rows of tourist shops or pushy salesmen. Instead, we wandered through narrow alleys filled with locals buying bread, fish, and household goods. The whitewashed Andalusian architecture gave it a unique feel, and the entire experience felt more authentic and less staged than other medinas. I really loved it. Not a magnet in sight and highly recommended if you want to skip some of the overly tourist areas and see normal daily life. We also managed to fit in a trip to the beach nearby, which far exceeded my expectations.
Also, randomly, my son loves trifle so we had to try a Tetouan medina special.
One night was enough to explore, but it definitely left an impression.
Night 5: Tangier — Coastal City with European Influence
The next morning we made the quick drive to Tangier, our final stop. The city felt bigger, busier, and more modern — like a mix of Europe and Morocco. From the medina’s whitewashed alleys and colorful shops, we caught glimpses of the sea, and on a clear day, you can even spot Southern Spain across the water. Tangier’s blend of old-world charm and coastal vibe made it the perfect ending to our trip.
In the short time we had, we managed to:
- Walk through the historic Kasbah.
- Explore parts of the medina.
- Have dinner overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Go to the beach!
Tangier was a nice contrast to the smaller towns earlier in the trip and felt like a fitting place to end our short tour.
Final Day: Drive Back to Rabat
On our final day, we drove back to Rabat for our late-night flight home. The drive took around 3.5 hours and was really straightforward. We got back in time to nip into town for a late lunch before heading to the airport.
Driving in Northern Morocco: What You Should Know
- The roads: Overall, roads between cities were in good condition.
- Driving distances:
- Rabat to Chefchaouen: ~4.5 hours
- Chefchaouen to Tetouan: ~1.5 hours
- Tetouan to Tangier: ~1 hour
- Tangier to Rabat: ~3.5 hours
- The experience: Having a hire car gave us maximum flexibility and allowed us to see much more in a short time.
- Navigation: Google Maps worked perfectly for the entire trip.
Is 5 Nights Enough for Northern Morocco?
Yes — if you’re prepared for a fast-paced itinerary, 5 nights is enough to see a lot of what northern Morocco has to offer. Each city gave us something different, and we felt like we experienced a good cross-section of the region without feeling too rushed. Obviously more time would be good to experience places more deeply but if, like us, you can only travel during school holidays, time is of the essence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5 nights enough to see Northern Morocco?
Yes — this itinerary worked well for us as a quick trip with lots of variety.
Can you drive between cities in Northern Morocco?
Yes — the roads are good, and driving saves a lot of time.
Is Tetouan worth visiting?
Definitely. Tetouan’s working medina is one of the most authentic experiences we had on the trip.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn are ideal, but this itinerary also works for summer or winter school holidays with a bit of planning.
Do you need a hire car?
Highly recommended for flexibility and ease of travel between cities. It feels very safe. There is a heavy police presence, but we had no issues, just make sure you always stick to the speed limit.
Final Thoughts
For a quick school holiday trip, our 5-night northern Morocco itinerary gave us a perfect mix of history, culture, scenery, and local life. From the iconic blue streets of Chefchaouen to the authentic feel of Tetouan and the coastal vibe of Tangier, every stop offered something different. We left feeling like we’d seen a lot — and already thinking about what we’d explore next time.
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