The Morocco Journey
The southern shore of the Andalusian story: from the Hassan Tower in Rabat to the Koutoubia in Marrakech, by way of the cities built on the northern coast by those who left al-Andalus.
Photos: Misa.stefanovic.07 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Hamed Gamaoun (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Adam Harangozó (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Martin Furtschegger (CC BY 3.0) · Angeline A. van Achterberg (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Petar Milošević (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Mzximvs VdB from Brussels, belgium (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Ideophagous (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Timothy A. Gonsalves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Phi (CC0) · August Dominus (CC0) · Tinuzzo (CC BY 4.0)
The trip at a glance
Base cities
- Rabat2 nights
- Tangier3 nights
- Marrakech3 nights
- Casablanca1 night
Dates
8 January 2027
30 Rajab – 9 Sha'ban 1448 AH
Dates shown in Riyadh time
Arrival and departure
Arrival: CMN
Departure: CMN
Meals
All meals are included — nine selected tables at fine restaurants, from the welcome dinner in Rabat to the farewell dinner in Casablanca, in addition to breakfast daily at the hotel. Each table includes starters, a main course, dessert and tea or coffee. There are no add-on packages and no separate options.
About this journey
The other shore of the story
Arab travellers know al-Andalus from Seville, Granada and Córdoba. Few know that the story began here — in Rabat and Marrakech — and that those who left al-Andalus built whole cities on the Moroccan coast that still carry their character today.
1 · The three minarets
In the twelfth century the Almohads built three kindred minarets: the Hassan Tower in Rabat, the Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville. This journey brings together two of the three — and explains the architectural relationship between them and the story that joins them.
2 · Cities built by those who left al-Andalus
Tétouan was built by those who left Granada, and its old town is Andalusian in plan, in architecture and in craft. Chefchaouen was founded by Andalusians in flight, and its blue houses still carry the same character. Andalusians settled in the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, and its garden bears their name to this day. Asilah is a walled coastal town on the same route of migration. These are not scattered monuments but a single continuous line, told to you from its sources.
3 · Without the usual friction
All the food is halal, with no asking and no searching. There are mosques in every quarter, and the programme is built around prayer times. Arabic is understood everywhere. Morocco spares you half the calculations a European trip demands, and leaves you only the enjoyment.
4 · Four worlds in ten days
The Atlantic at Rabat, Asilah and Casablanca. The strait and the Mediterranean at Tangier and Tétouan. Mountains that may be under snow in the High Atlas. A red city, souks and old quarters in Marrakech. One country, four different worlds, and reasonable distances between them.
5 · An easy rhythm that does not exhaust
Tours begin at 10:00 within the base city · lunch by 2:00 pm at the latest · open time every day for rest, shopping or cafés · three nights in Tangier and three in Marrakech — a settled stay, not packing every night · and the programme is built around prayer times, with dedicated stops for them.
6 · The Hassan II Mosque from the inside
On the ninth day we visit the Hassan II Mosque on a guided tour inside, with an accredited guide. It is among the largest mosques in the world, its minaret among the tallest, and part of its floor is glass, opening onto the ocean water beneath.
7 · Nine selected tables — fully included
Not meals but a social and cultural programme running alongside the journey. Fine restaurants we choose ourselves for the quality of the food, the character of the room, its Moroccan feeling and its ability to host the group in privacy. Each table includes starters, a main course, dessert and tea or coffee. All nine tables are included in the price for every traveller — from the welcome dinner in Rabat to the farewell dinner in Casablanca. The journey is a shared experience and the table is its best hour; when travellers split between those at the table and those looking for a restaurant alone, the group loses the best of itself. No add-on packages and no separate options.
8 · What other programmes do not include
A printed trip booklet with the programme, maps and pages on the Almohad minarets and the Andalusian migration · a welcome bag of practical travel items handed over on arrival · an emergency hotline running for every day of the journey · a tour manager with the group from reception to farewell · an accredited guide in the souks, who protects you from the unofficial guides and from their prices · a group chat and a digital programme that puts the day's schedule on your phone.
Weather in January
Marrakech is sunny by day and cold at night, the northern coast is mild with scattered rain, and the Atlas is cold with snow possible on the peaks. Bring layers, a waterproof coat and comfortable walking shoes.
Level of effort
The Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Marrakech and Atlas days involve walking in steep lanes and on mountain paths. Tell us of any mobility difficulty when you register and we will arrange comfortable alternatives.
The souks
An accredited guide accompanies the group in the souks. Do not accept the company of anyone offering their services in the street.
Insurance
Not included, and strongly recommended. It is best that it cover cancellation, medical cases and baggage.
Prices
Per person
| Category | Double room | Single room |
|---|---|---|
| 5-star hotels · all meals included | SAR 10,350 | SAR 12,220 |
Highlights
- Two of the three Almohad minarets: the Hassan Tower and the Koutoubia
- Andalusian Tétouan and blue Chefchaouen — two cities built by those who left al-Andalus
- The Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat and its Andalusian garden
- The Hassan II Mosque, visited inside with an accredited guide
- The High Atlas and the Ourika valley
- Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset and the souks with an accredited guide
- All meals included — nine selected tables
- Five-star hotels in all four cities
What's Included
- 9 nights in five-star hotels
- Breakfast daily
- The Tangier to Marrakech internal flight and a checked bag
- All transfers by premium touring coach
- Reception and farewell at Casablanca airport
- All meals — nine selected tables at fine restaurants
- Luggage carried from the hotel lobby to the rooms
- A request for priority early check-in or late check-out
- A tour manager with the group throughout
- A guest-services and information host
- Official local tour guides
- An accredited guide inside the souks
- Tickets for every visit listed
- Audio headsets for group commentary
- Water during tours
- The printed trip booklet
- The welcome bag and travel gifts
- A hotline for contact and emergencies
- A private group chat and a daily digital programme
What's Not Included
- International flights
- The visa and its fees, if one is required
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses and purchases in the souks
- Any service not listed
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1
Arrival and transfer to Rabat
Casablanca · RabatReception at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca and transfer to Rabat. The rest of the day is open for rest after the flight. Welcome dinner with the group.
Dinner - 2
Rabat · the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas and Chellah
RabatThe Hassan Tower, one of the three twelfth-century Almohad minarets. Then the Kasbah of the Udayas, where Andalusians settled, and the garden that still carries their name, then Chellah.
BreakfastLunch - 3
Walled Asilah on the Atlantic · on to Tangier
Asilah · TangierAsilah, a walled coastal town on the same route of Andalusian migration, with its white lanes inside the ramparts. Then on to Tangier.
BreakfastLunch - 4
The Kasbah of Tangier · Cape Spartel · the Caves of Hercules
TangierThe Kasbah of Tangier and its old town, then Cape Spartel where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the Caves of Hercules opening onto the ocean.
BreakfastLunch - 5
Andalusian Tétouan · blue Chefchaouen
Tétouan · ChefchaouenTétouan, built by those who left Granada, its old town Andalusian in plan, in architecture and in craft. Then Chefchaouen, founded by Andalusians in flight, whose blue houses still carry the same character. Return to Tangier.
BreakfastLunch - 6
Flight to Marrakech · Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset
MarrakechThe internal flight from Tangier to Marrakech. Then Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset, the hour the square becomes what it is known for.
BreakfastLunch - 7
The Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Madrasa
MarrakechThe Koutoubia, the second of the Almohad minarets on this journey, and its architectural kinship with the Hassan Tower. Then the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the souks with an accredited guide.
BreakfastLunch - 8
The High Atlas and the Ourika valley · the Majorelle Garden
High Atlas · Ourika · MarrakechThe High Atlas and the Ourika valley, the peaks sometimes under snow in January. Then the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech.
BreakfastLunch - 9
The Hassan II Mosque · the Habous quarter · the Casablanca corniche
CasablancaTransfer to Casablanca and a visit inside the Hassan II Mosque with an accredited guide — among the largest mosques in the world, its minaret among the tallest, and part of its floor glass, opening onto the ocean water beneath. Then the Habous quarter and the corniche. Farewell dinner.
BreakfastDinner - 10
Departure from Casablanca
CasablancaBreakfast at the hotel and farewell at Mohammed V airport.
Breakfast
Travel Information
Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Destination
Morocco
Destinations
- Rabat, Morocco(2 nights)
- Tangier, Morocco(3 nights)
- Marrakech, Morocco(3 nights)
- Casablanca, Morocco(1 night)
Flights
Not included
Difficulty
Moderate
Available Dates
Requirements
Visa
Not required
A visa, if your passport requires one, and its fees are not included. Check your passport's requirements before booking; we provide the booking letter, the programme and the hotel confirmations for your file if you need them. We strongly recommend travel insurance covering cancellation, medical cases and baggage.
Terms & Conditions
The journey is designed around the mid-year break in the Saudi school calendar. It includes an internal flight from Tangier to Marrakech with a checked bag. In the souks an accredited guide accompanies the group — do not accept the company of anyone offering their services in the street.