8-Day Chefchaouen, Essaouira & Marrakech TourTwo Very Different Blues
8 days / 7 nights·Max 12
About this journey
This route links Morocco's two most photogenic blues — Chefchaouen's blue-washed medina in the Rif Mountains and the Atlantic blue of Essaouira's harbour — without a single day spent in the Sahara or the Atlas Mountains. The journey runs Casablanca to Chefchaouen first, then south to Marrakech, and finally west to Essaouira for a two-night close on the coast. It's a genuinely different shape to our desert-focused circuits. This suits travellers who want Morocco's cities, mountains-adjacent scenery, and coast, but have no particular interest in the desert or high-altitude trekking. It's also a strong second-trip option for anyone who's already done a Sahara circuit. Essaouira closes the trip deliberately — after a week of medinas and driving, two nights on the Atlantic coast works as a genuine wind-down before flying home.
- Blue-washed Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains
- Marrakech's medina and gardens
- Two nights in Essaouira on the Atlantic coast
- No desert or high-altitude mountain driving
- A genuinely different shape to our Sahara-focused circuits
Day by day
Your guide meets you at the airport for a short orientation drive past the Hassan II Mosque. Overnight in Casablanca before heading north tomorrow.
- Hassan II Mosque exterior
A stop in Rabat takes in the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas before continuing north to Chefchaouen, the blue-washed town in the Rif Mountains, arriving as the medina catches the late-afternoon light.
- Rabat: Hassan Tower and Kasbah of the Udayas
- Arrival in Chefchaouen
A relaxed day exploring the blue medina on foot, with an easy afternoon walk to the Ras el-Maa waterfall at the edge of town. A local guide joins for a morning walking overview before the afternoon is left free.
- Chefchaouen blue medina walking tour
- Ras el-Maa waterfall walk
The longest driving day of the trip, heading south past Rabat and Casablanca to Marrakech. It's a full transit day, broken into stops, arriving by evening with time to settle in before exploring tomorrow.
- Long transit day south
- Arrival in Marrakech
Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in the morning, then a guided walk through the medina — Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, and the Bahia Palace. The afternoon is free to explore independently.
- Jardin Majorelle and YSL Museum
- Marrakech medina walking tour
A relaxed two-and-a-half-hour drive west brings you to Essaouira, a walled Atlantic port town with a completely different rhythm to anywhere else on this trip. Afternoon free to explore the ramparts and medina.
- Coastal drive to Essaouira
- Free time in the Essaouira medina
A local guide walks you through the Essaouira medina — the Skala ramparts, the woodworking souks, and the fish market at the port — with the afternoon left open for a beach walk or a seafood lunch on the harbour.
- Essaouira medina walking tour
- Skala ramparts
- Free beach or harbour afternoon
The drive back to Marrakech takes around two and a half hours, timed to connect with your onward flight.
- Transfer to Marrakech
- Flexible airport drop-off
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- 7 nights accommodation (hotels and riads throughout)
- All transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Licensed English-speaking guide for the full 8 days
- 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners
- Local guides for Chefchaouen, Marrakech and Essaouira walking tours
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches (budget $8–$16/day)
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Alcohol and personal purchases
Choose your style
Small-Group Tour
- Max 12 travellers
- No desert or high-altitude mountain driving
- 7 nights accommodation included
- English-speaking guide throughout
What travelers say
“Chefchaouen and Essaouira back to back was such a good contrast — blue mountain town, then blue ocean town, completely different feels.”
“Day 4 was genuinely long but everything either side of it made up for it, especially Essaouira at the end.”
“Recommend this specifically to anyone who's already done the desert tour and wants something different for a return trip.”
Why choose AZA Morocco Tours
- Local expert guides — born and raised in Morocco
- Small groups capped at 10 people maximum
- All-inclusive pricing — no hidden fees
- Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
- Weekly departures year-round (except desert tours Jul–Aug)
- Verified reviews on TripAdvisor
Questions about this tour
Chefchaouen and Marrakech are on opposite ends of the country, and this route doesn't include the desert or mountains that other tours use to break up the journey. It's the trade-off for combining both blue towns in one week.
Yes — it's designed for travellers who specifically want cities and coast without the Sahara or high-altitude driving. If you want those too, our classic or grand circuits include them.
About two and a half hours each way.
March to June and September to November for the most comfortable temperatures across the whole route.
Yes — it's a popular route for solo travellers who want variety without the longer commitment of a full grand circuit.
As a guideline, $8–$10 per traveller per day for the guide and $5–$6 per day for the driver, given directly at the end of the tour.