This is the route the caravan takes when it leaves Morocco the slow way — up through the north to Chefchaouen and the Rif, then out through Tangier onto the ferry to Spain. It is a week of overland travel that ends with the Strait of Gibraltar sliding past the deck, and it is the smartest way I know to turn a Morocco trip into the start of a bigger one.
The route at a glance
| Day | Base | The point |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Fes | The medina, tanneries, the old caravan gateway north |
| 3–4 | Chefchaouen | The blue city and a Rif mountain walk |
| 5 | Tetouan | A whitewashed, under-visited medina |
| 6–7 | Tangier | The city of writers, then the ferry to Tarifa |
Fes to Chefchaouen
Start in Fes — if you have come up from the desert on the longer overland loop, you are already here. Give it two days, then take the midday bus north (about four hours) as the land greens and folds into the Rif. Chefchaouen appears blue against the mountainside like something someone dreamed.
Chefchaouen and the Rif
Two nights. One for the blue lanes and the rooftop light at sunset, one for the walk up to the Spanish Mosque or a longer hike into the Rif. It is the most photographed town in Morocco for good reason, and still, an hour after dawn, entirely yours.
Tangier and the ferry to Spain
From Chefchaouen it is a half-day north to Tangier, with an optional stop in Tetouan’s whitewashed medina. Tangier earns a full day — the kasbah, the cafes that fed a century of writers, the Atlantic meeting the Mediterranean. Then the fast ferry to Tarifa (about an hour) or the longer crossing to Algeciras, and Europe is on the other side.
Practical notes
- The whole route runs on CTM and local buses — no car needed. See getting around Morocco.
- The Tarifa fast ferry needs your passport stamped before boarding — do it at the port police desk, not on the boat.
- Tangier Ville is the central station; Tanger Med (the ferry port) is 40 km east — leave time for the shuttle.
How long is the ferry from Tangier to Spain?
The fast ferry from Tanger Ville to Tarifa takes about one hour; the crossing from Tanger Med to Algeciras runs 1.5–2 hours. Tarifa is the quicker, more scenic option and lands you right in an Andalusian town.
Do you get your passport stamped before the ferry?
Yes — for the Tarifa route your exit stamp is done at the port police desk before boarding, not on the ship. Skipping it causes problems on arrival, so find the desk early.
How many days do you need for the north Morocco route?
About a week is comfortable — two days in Fes, two in Chefchaouen, and two around Tangier with the ferry. You can compress it to four or five days if you skip Fes and start further north.
For the country beyond this northern thread, start at the Morocco travel guide.