Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

From Tangier to Essaouira
Morocco’s Magical Atlantic Coast

Tangier - Moulay Bousselham - Rabat - El Jadida - Oualidia - Essaouira

Starting from between £1,880 to £2,605 per person for 9 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Explore artistic Tangier with a local
  • Relax on a number of beautiful beaches
  • Visit lesser-known seaside resorts like Moulay Bousselham and Oualidia
  • Visit an argan oil cooperative with a private guide in Essaouira
The cities of the Moroccan coast are made to welcome you. With an attractive mix of Roman, Marinid, Andalusian and Portuguese influences, their old medinas have a special charm. These riches are enhanced by vast expanses of sand bordered by the sparkling sea, and a mild climate all year round. Your journey begins in Tangier, a city torn between two continents at the crossroads of the sea and the ocean. A walk with a local will unravel the secrets of this fascinating place that has inspired artists and writers for generations. You’ll then head to Moulay Bousselham, a little fishing village and seaside resort that has yet to be tarnished by mass tourism. In this haven of tranquility, you can enjoy some splendid sea views. A little further south is Rabat, the country’s capital, that’s full of bustling souqs and intriguing cultural spots. Oualidia is your next stop, one of the most authentic seaside spots on the Moroccan coast. Here, you’ll feast on fresh spider crab, oysters and octopus caught that day, or spend some time surfing the waves. Your last days in Morocco will be spent in the bohemian city of Essaouira. Here, you’ll live to the rhythm of the sea, whether on the long sandy beach or on the pier as you tuck into fresh sardines. We’ll also arrange for you to take a private tour of an argan forest and cooperative while you’re here. During this trip, you’ll travel along Morocco’s coast by rental car, meaning that along the way you can visit the charming towns of Asilah and El Jadida. Before you set off, we’ll arm you with an app full of restaurant recommendations and great places to visit as you travel, but if you need any more help during you trip, just ask our local Concierge.
Essaouira - Maroc © Soufiane Bouhali/Villa Maroc
Essaouira - Maroc © Soufiane Bouhali/Villa Maroc
Maroc © Salva Lopez
Maroc © Salva Lopez
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Essaouira - Maroc © Salva Lopez
Essaouira - Maroc © Salva Lopez
Tanger - Maroc © ynos/stock.adobe.com
Tanger - Maroc © ynos/stock.adobe.com
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Tanger - Maroc © juriskraulis/stock.adobe.com
Tanger - Maroc © juriskraulis/stock.adobe.com
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Tanger -  Maroc © Marion Osmont
Tanger - Maroc © Marion Osmont
Tanger - Marco © Mimi Calpe
Tanger - Marco © Mimi Calpe
Maroc © Matthieu Salvaing
Maroc © Matthieu Salvaing
Région de Rabat - Maroc © Malte Jaeger/LAIF-REA
Région de Rabat - Maroc © Malte Jaeger/LAIF-REA
Maroc © Véronique Durruty
Maroc © Véronique Durruty
Rabat - Maroc © SmallWorldProduction/Lena Langendoerfer/stock.adobe.com
Rabat - Maroc © SmallWorldProduction/Lena Langendoerfer/stock.adobe.com
Maroc © Terence Connors
Maroc © Terence Connors
Moulay Bousselham - Rabat-Salé-Kénitra - Maroc © Julian Schaldach/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Moulay Bousselham - Rabat-Salé-Kénitra - Maroc © Julian Schaldach/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Oualidia - Maroc © Azalai Beach Cottage
Oualidia - Maroc © Azalai Beach Cottage
Rabat - Maroc © Riad Kalaa
Rabat - Maroc © Riad Kalaa
Maroc © Nuria Val/Coke Bartrina
Maroc © Nuria Val/Coke Bartrina
Maroc © SmallWorldProduction/Lena Langendoerfer/stock.adobe.com
Maroc © SmallWorldProduction/Lena Langendoerfer/stock.adobe.com
Oualidia - Maroc © Azalai Beach Cottage
Oualidia - Maroc © Azalai Beach Cottage
Asilah - Maroc © Chris Griffiths/REDUX-REA
Asilah - Maroc © Chris Griffiths/REDUX-REA
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Tanger - Maroc © Faustine Poidevin
Rabat - Maroc © rudiernst/stock.adobe.com
Rabat - Maroc © rudiernst/stock.adobe.com

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Your trip to Morocco’s Atlantic coast begins with a three-hour flight to Tangier. When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your accommodation for the next two nights: a 19th-century house surrounded by lush gardens that has plenty of spaces for relaxing and enjoying your surroundings. This afternoon, take a dip in the pool or take in the view from the terrace.

Your guide for today knows the city like the back of their hand. This morning, they’ll lead you through Tangier’s maze of streets, showing you their favourite spots and tailoring the walk to what you’d most like to see and do. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in history, in a place where artists and adventurers have long sought inspiration. From Barbara Hutton’s incredible palace to the Petit Socco, where the likes of Truman Capote and Elizabeth Taylor once lounged, your guide will reveal the secrets of the city to you one by one.

Tangier has seen novelists, artists and adventurers travel from far and wide to leave their mark and if you like, we can extend your tour so you can dive deeper into its artistic past and present. From the Villa de France to the places painted by Matisse, you’ll experience this city’s inescapable creativity through its unmissable cultural venues and artists’ studios.

Today you’ll pick up your rental car and drive on to the charming seaside town of Asilah, 45 minutes away. Surrounded by ramparts built by the Portuguese in the 15th century, Asilah is also close to beautiful sandy beaches; its medina and whitewashed houses sit at the edge of the Atlantic. As you wander its pretty streets, you might come across colourful murals painted by artists.

When you’ve spent some time walking the city walls and tucking into some fresh seafood, you’ll drive on to Moulay Bousselham. Your home for the night is a stylish guesthouse complete with a swimming pool, hammam and bar. Outside your door, the small town looks towards the Atlantic on one side and the Merja Zerga lagoon on the other, and owes its name to its patron saint. While travellers flock to this town’s endless beautiful beaches, it’s also perfect for wildlife enthusiasts who can spend time seeking out the many different species of birds that live here.

Your next stop is Rabat, about an hour and a half away. You’ll spend tonight in a charming Riad in the heart of the medina. When you’re not relaxing on the large terrace, lounging by the pool or taking a trip to the spa, there’s plenty to fill your time in this vibrant capital: visit King Mohammed V’s mausoleum; admire the Hassan Tower; browse the souqs in search of treasures and souvenirs; and stroll in the calm of the Jardins d’Essai botanical garden. This is your chance to get to know a city that’s often, but wrongly, overlooked in favour of Casablanca or Marrakech.

You’ll journey on towards Oualidia today, stopping at El Jadida on the way. This former Portuguese trading post was built in 1506, and its history is intrinsically linked to the sea. Here, you’ll find plenty of beaches and some charming architecture, including the minaret of the Great Mosque which once served as a lighthouse for ships. From here, it will then take around an hour and a half to reach Oualidia. You’ll spend two nights here in a house that immerses you in the world of great writers such as Hemingway, Marguerite Yourcenar and Jack London. Don’t miss a dip in the sublime swimming pool or a lazy few hours on a hammock as you listen to the sounds of the waves.

This charming fishing village is the perfect seaside destination. While you’re here, admire the sparkling crescent-shaped lagoon, chat to locals and Moroccan tourists or get out on the water to try surfing, fishing or sailing. Whenever you’re hungry, take a seat beside the ocean and enjoy some spectacular fresh seafood as you look out across the waves.

Your final stop is Essaouira, about two hours and 45 minutes away. When you arrive, you’ll drop off your rental car and begin to slow to the pace of this laid-back Moroccan city. Relax on the fine sand of the long beach, head out for some surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing, and stop for some spectacular sardines on the pier. Known for its picturesque port and idyllic beach, this city also seduces with it bohemian spirit and the charming streets of its medina. You’ll spend two nights here in an elegant riad full of enticing patios, passageways and terraces.

For your final day in Morocco, we’ll arrange for you to take a walk through an argan forest. This species of tree is endemic to south-west Morocco and a true emblem of the Essaouira region. You’ll then visit an argan oil cooperative where you’ll see the meticulous work carried out by women to extract the precious oil. Finally, an Amazigh family will open their door to you so you can enjoy a cup of steaming mint tea in an authentic setting.

Today, we’ll privately transfer you to the airport where you’ll take your return flight back to the UK.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

COOKING WORKSHOP IN ESSAOUIRA



Simply choose between sweet and savoury and members of the non-profit El Khir Women’s Association will introduce you to the tricks and secrets of Moroccan cuisine. From almond ‘gazelle horn’ pastries to chicken tagine with preserved lemons, these dishes are guaranteed to impress back home, and there’s the added bonus that you’ll be supporting a good cause as you learn.

Why visit Morocco with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Morocco

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £1,880 to £2,605 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £2,260 per person.

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