Tangier makes sense if you are arriving by ferry from Spain or flying into northern Morocco. From here, the route south is straightforward: Chefchaouen, then Fes, across the Middle Atlas, and down to the Erg Chebbi dunes before finishing in Marrakech.
Tangier is not Marrakech or Fes. The medina is smaller, the pace is slower, and you still feel the city's connection to Spain and the Mediterranean. For travelers coming from Europe, it is a natural entry point, and the drive south feels like a proper journey rather than a transfer.
Chefchaouen is only a few hours from Tangier. After that, the road continues to Fes, through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, and then south toward Merzouga. From the desert, you can keep going through the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas to Marrakech.
We are a small team based in Merzouga. We live here, so we know the desert and the roads that lead to it from both directions. Our private Morocco tours are built around your dates and the places you want to see. You have your own driver and vehicle, and we adjust the pace when you want more time somewhere.
If you are arriving in Tangier and want to head south through Morocco, have a look at the tours below. Or get in touch with your dates, number of travelers and where you want to finish, and we will suggest the route that makes the most sense.
Whether you are arriving by ferry from Spain or flying into Tangier, these routes take you from northern Morocco to the mountains and Sahara.
A good choice if you want to see the main highlights without spending a full week on the road. Visit Chefchaouen, explore the Fes medina, cross the Middle Atlas cedar forests, ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes, and continue through the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech.
An extra day gives you more time to enjoy the route. Spend a full morning in Chefchaouen, explore Fes, continue south to Merzouga and take a 4x4 excursion around the dunes before heading through the Dades Valley and High Atlas to Marrakech.
Seven days gives you more time in northern Morocco before heading south. Add Asilah, the Roman ruins of Volubilis and Meknes to the route, then continue through Fes, the Middle Atlas and the Sahara before crossing the High Atlas to Marrakech.
This route works well if your trip ends in Fes. You still visit Chefchaouen, travel through the Middle Atlas and spend time in the Sahara, then continue through the Ziz Valley and cedar forests before arriving in Fes.
Tangier is a practical entry point for travelers coming from Europe or the north. Here is why:
There are regular ferry connections between southern Spain and northern Morocco, making Tangier an easy starting point if you are arriving by sea. We can pick you up directly from the port and start the journey from there.
If you are flying, Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport also makes it easy to begin your tour without first traveling south to another city.
Starting in Tangier puts Chefchaouen naturally on your route. You can spend time walking through the blue streets before continuing south toward Fes.
If Chefchaouen is on your list, starting in Tangier saves you from making a separate trip north from Marrakech or Casablanca.
From Tangier, you move south through the Rif Mountains, Fes and the Middle Atlas before reaching the Sahara. After Merzouga, you continue through the Dades Valley and Ouarzazate before crossing the High Atlas to Marrakech. You keep moving forward without unnecessary backtracking.
Clear, honest answers to help you plan your Tangier desert tour with confidence.
Yes, especially if you are arriving from Spain or northern Europe. Tangier puts Chefchaouen naturally on the route before you continue to Fes and the Sahara.
The downside is the distance to Merzouga. If you only have three or four days, starting closer to the desert in Marrakech, Fes or Errachidia makes more sense.
Regular ferries run from southern Spain to Tangier. You can also fly directly to Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport from several European cities. We can arrange pickup from either the port or the airport.
At least 5 days if you want to include Chefchaouen, Fes and the Sahara without spending most of the trip in the car. With six or seven days, the route becomes more relaxed and you have more time for the places along the way.
Yes. Our Tangier to Marrakech desert tours travel south through Chefchaouen and Fes before crossing the Middle Atlas to Merzouga. From the desert, the route continues through the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before reaching Marrakech.
Yes. Our 5-Day Tangier to Fes via the Sahara is designed for travelers who want to finish in Fes rather than continue to Marrakech.
It is possible, but it is tight. You would need to skip either Chefchaouen or some of the stops farther south, or accept longer driving days. We recommend 5 days as the minimum for a comfortable trip.
March to May and September to November are generally the most comfortable months. Summer is hot in the south, but early starts help avoid the hottest part of the day. Winter brings cold nights in the Sahara and cooler weather in northern Morocco, but the desert is quieter.
A mix of riads, hotels and guesthouses along the route, plus a private tent at our desert camp in Merzouga. We confirm the exact places before you book.
Yes. These are private tours, so you can add a night in Chefchaouen, spend longer in Fes, stay an extra night in the desert or finish somewhere other than Marrakech. Tell us what you want to see and how much time you have, and we will adjust the route.
Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small overnight bag for the desert, and warm clothes for the evening. The Rif Mountains can be cool, while desert temperatures change considerably between day and night.
Full refund for cancellations more than 48 hours before departure. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.
Real feedback from travelers who started their Morocco circuit in Tangier.
"We took the ferry from Tarifa and our driver was waiting at the port. Chefchaouen was our first stop, then Fes, the desert and finally Marrakech. It was a lot to see in five days, but the route made sense and we never had to backtrack."
"Starting in Tangier made things much easier. We visited Chefchaouen first, then continued to Fes and the desert. Our driver knew where to stop along the way and we never felt like we were just driving from one hotel to another."
"The six-day tour was the right choice for us. We had more time around Merzouga, including the 4x4 trip into the dunes, and the drive to Marrakech was much more relaxed."
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