Morocco by train

Today you’ll depart from your selected airport with connecting flight(s) along the way.

Upon arrival in Morocco, you’ll be welcomed at the airport by our local partner and transferred to your hotel. This evening, you will spend the night in Casablanca.

Depending on your flight’s arrival time, you may wish to spend the rest of the day exploring Casablanca at your own pace. Of course, you’re also welcome to simply unwind after your journey.

This evening, you’ll be welcomed to Morocco with a delicious welcome dinner.

Your day will begin with a guided city tour of Casablanca. One of the real highlights here is a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, which was inaugurated in 1993. It’s among the largest mosques in the world and, impressive as its size is, it’s the breathtaking architecture that truly leaves an impression. What’s more, it’s one of the few mosques in Morocco non-Muslims are permitted to visit.

Afterwards, you’ll continue on to the railway station and board a train heading north to the city of Tangier. The journey takes a couple of hours, so you can sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the scenery.

At the station in Tangier, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights.

In many ways, it almost feels as if you’ve arrived in a different country! Casablanca is Morocco’s economic hub: a huge city with over three million inhabitants, filled with towering buildings and people always on the move. Tangier, on the other hand, has a markedly bohemian atmosphere. The sky seems bluer, the buildings whiter, and the air clearer. The Atlantic in Casablanca is a deep blue, while Tangier’s Mediterranean shimmers in a shade close to turquoise.

The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish.

From 1924 to 1956, Tangier was designated as an international zone, enjoying a significant degree of autonomy, even though it was managed under international administration. This arrangement was established after the First World War ended, as Tangier’s location was simply too strategic for any one nation to claim full control. There was also a need for stability in the region to ensure that trade could continue uninterrupted. Consequently, in 1923, a conference in Paris saw numerous countries agree to grant Tangier a form of self-governance, albeit under international oversight. Among other things, this meant that Tangier became a free trade zone, with highly attractive customs and tax privileges. This in turn drew in adventurers and entrepreneurs alike, and so Tangier’s bohemian spirit began to flourish.

Today, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the city. You’ll, of course, explore the old town, the medina, where it’s all too easy to lose yourself in its maze of winding streets and alleys. The tour also takes you to some of Tangier’s most beautiful viewpoints, as well as the striking Cap Spartel lighthouse, perched near the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

The afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you wish.

You will have the entire day free to explore Tangier at your own pace.

For example, you might visit the Kasbah Museum, located in the former sultan’s palace, take a stroll through the atmospheric Kasbah district, or soak up the lively buzz of the petite yet vibrant Petit Socco square. If you’d like to experience Tangier’s more contemporary side, take a walk along the marina lined with cafés and restaurants. Don’t miss the phenomenal views from the 3,000-year-old Phoenician tombs, which you can easily combine with a visit to the legendary Café Hafa.

You will also have the option to purchase a full-day excursion to the charming Blue City, Chefchaouen, located around 100 km south of Tangier.

The day trip to Chefchaouen must be booked at the same time as your main tour.

It’s time to bid farewell to the Mediterranean and Tangier. You will be collected from your hotel and driven to the station, where you’ll take the train to Morocco’s capital, Rabat—a journey of approximately 1½ hours.

When you arrive in Rabat, you’ll once again be met at the station and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll spend two nights.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Rabat at your leisure.

At sunset, the square around the kasbah—the city’s old fortified quarter dating back to the 1100s—is a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. There are several restaurants in the area, many of which could be the perfect setting for a delightful dinner this evening. If you wish, ask at your hotel for recommendations or help with reserving a table.

The day is free for you to discover Rabat at your own pace. The city is compact, charming, and elegant. The medina is easy to navigate, and the Atlantic breeze ensures a pleasant climate year-round. There are several excellent museums, and the long seaside promenade beneath the kasbah is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

There’s also an opportunity to add on a full-day excursion to the historic city of Fes.

If you wish to visit Fes, you’ll need to book the day tour at the same time as your main tour.

Your morning will begin with a guided tour of Rabat, including a visit to the Hassan Tower – the minaret of an unfinished mosque that was once planned to be the largest in the world. Sadly, construction halted when the Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur died in 1199, but today you can see the columns and the original foundations.

You’ll enjoy lunch in Rabat before catching the train to Marrakech. The journey from Rabat to Marrakech takes around 5 hours, depending on the train service.

Upon arrival in Marrakech, you’ll be met by our guide at the station, who will escort you to your hotel. This evening, a dinner awaits on one of the city’s iconic rooftop terraces.

Later in the morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel for a different kind of experience. Cuisine is a key part of any tour of Morocco. Here, fresh ingredients are transformed into aromatic dishes, full of spices, offering depths of flavour and delightful combinations of sweet and savoury.

Today, you’ll have the unique opportunity to get involved in preparing your own lunch. This takes place at the Amal Women’s Training Centre, an NGO dedicated to empowering women with a career in the restaurant industry. Trained chefs guide both you and the women assisting you, providing hands-on learning while you enjoy a delicious meal and support a worthy cause at the same time.

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech’s medina. Founded over a thousand years ago, Marrakech’s medina, like the one in Fes, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The medina forms the historical heart of the city, where you’ll find ancient mosques and madrasas. It’s here that artisans practise their crafts, and bustling trade brings the narrow, maze-like streets to life. Your guide will typically ask about your interests and tailor your tour to ensure you get the most out of your experience.

We highly recommend a visit to Madrasa Ben Youssef, an architectural gem renowned for its harmonious symmetry and exquisite decorations. Of course, you can’t miss the expansive central square, Jemaa el-Fna. And towering above it all is the city’s iconic Koutoubia minaret—the tallest building in Marrakech and an unmistakable landmark you’re sure to spot.

This evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure, giving you the perfect opportunity to discover some of the many wonderful restaurants in the area.

It’s time to bid farewell to Morocco for now. In good time before your departure, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return journey.

You’ll arrive home after an eventful rail tour through some of Morocco’s most captivating cities.