Morocco is the perfect destination to visit in early Spring. Daytime temperatures are mild, and sitting outside in the evenings is still enjoyable, unlike in Summer. However, swimming might be too cold for most people. Unless you find a heated swimming pool.
We took a flight from Brussels to Fez and rented a car from Sunnycars to begin our road trip through Northern Morocco. Driving in Morocco can be hectic and chaotic. Keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for people and animals crossing at random times and places. Nonetheless, I recommend renting a car to see more of this enchanting country.
Exploring the Medina in Fez
The first few days, we strolled around the medina of Fez and explored the many shops. Although we had a bit of bad luck and went exploring on Friday, which is apparently Prayer’s Day, and many shops are closed then. Whoops! It’s quite unique to explore the medina without the crowds.
When in Fez, it’s a must to visit one of the three tanneries. We found someone willing to lead us to a viewpoint and paid about 40 MAD. I can’t say which tannery we visited, but I’m guessing it doesn’t matter much. There are a few scams happening around the tanneries, so perhaps Google it first to avoid being duped!
After exploring and getting lost in the Medina, we could relax at our beautiful riad, Dar Bensouda. Stepping through the doors of the riad felt like heaven. The moment the door closes behind you, the sounds outside fade away and you can relax.
The Blue Pearl of Morocco
Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco, and probably on everyone’s bucket list! You’ll see why immediately after arriving. Walls, streets, stairs, and almost everything else have been painted blue. It’s really fun to walk around in the medina here and try to find some hidden gems that are not photographed a thousand times over.
The city’s best views are from the Spanish Church on top of the hill outside Chefchaouen. You’ll find the path at the Eastern gate of the medina, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the top. Don’t be surprised to find it full of people by sunset; watching the sun go down is spectacular.
An Oasis in Tanger
We didn’t spend much time in the city of Tanger because we were tired and needed some rest. Our hotel, Mimi Calpe was an oasis in the middle of the city and was perfect for napping and reading.
Mimi Calpe was built in the 1860s and is beautifully preserved. We stayed in the Kasbah room, which has a beautiful bath. You have access to several lounges of the building, or you can enjoy a stroll through the luxurious gardens where you can find a pool. As I said, we took a rest day and enjoyed some time reading in the sun.
Rabat, the Capital of Morocco
Fully rested, we arrived at the last destination of our road trip through Northern Morocco. Sale, across the Bou Regreg river from Rabat. Sale is not a major tourist city, but that’s why we liked it. It’s fairly quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of most Moroccan towns. Our hotel, the Repose had a fabulous rooftop where we enjoyed our breakfast every morning.
To reach Rabat from Sale, you can take the boat across the river, which takes about 2 minutes and a few dirhams. Alternatively, you can also take the tram, which we did on the way back.
Unfortunately, the Hassan Tower was closed for an event, so we visited the Oudaias Kasbah instead. We discovered the winding streets of the Kasbah and explored the beautiful gardens inside. And of course, we also visited the medina.
After Rabat, we drove back to Fez to catch our flight home.
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