Marrakech is a magical city that attracts visitors from all over the world. In the old town, the Marrakech Medina is the highlight. Surrounded by stunning walls, tourists can experience the traditional souks and markets, as well as see landmarks like the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and Jemaa el-Fna Square.
A trip to Morocco isn’t complete without visiting the Sahara Desert. You can go on a camel ride through stunning landscapes, see the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes, and camp under the stars at a traditional Berber camp.
The Tunis Medina is an ancient and historic district of the city filled with narrow streets, massive gates, and stunning buildings lined with intricate tiles, arches, and carvings. UNESCO added it to the world heritage list for a good reason.
Carthage, once a great civilization rivals Rome, now is a set of ruins to be explored. The Archaeological Park of Carthage can take up to half a day to visit and see the Antonin Baths, Punic ports, along with stunning views of Tunis from the hilltop.
Located in the Rif Mountains, the Blue City of Chefchaouen is known for the traditional buildings painted blue. Visitors can stroll through the winding alleys, take in stunning views of the mountains, visit the famous Kasbah Museum and the local market, and relax in nearby hot springs.
The Moroccan coastal town of Asilah has a picturesque harbor and a beautiful beach for visitors to enjoy. A stroll through the historic medina and the ramparts built by the Portuguese can also be an adventure in itself.
The final destination in the North African adventure is the charming coastal city of Essaouira. It's a perfect place to end the trip as visitors can experience the bustling fishing port, the charming medina, and the stunning beaches, all with a relaxed atmosphere.
To cover all these destinations, the best way to travel around North Africa is by hiring a car, as many destinations are not accessible through public transportation. Traveling by car also enables visitors to travel at their own pace and explore different parts of cities and the countryside. Cost varies but estimated costs are around $150-$200 per day for car rental and gas. Total travel time will be about 28 hours for driving, so planning rest stops or overnight stays may be necessary.
If tourists have more time, they can visit Marrakech’s botanical gardens, explore archaeological sites like Volubilis, or go trekking in the Atlas mountains from Marrakech. For those with less time, fully experiencing the Sahara desert will take up a lot of time, and consider skipping Asilah beach or Essaouira fishing port to save some time. It is also good to be prepared before traveling to North Africa by reading up on the culture, weather, and clothing requirement.
The two main international airports in this itinerary are Marrakech's Menara Airport and Tunis-Carthage International Airport. Menara Airport is only a 20-minute drive away from Marrakech’s center and has many options for car rentals or taxis. Tunis-Carthage International Airport is about 15 minutes’ drive from the Tunis Medina and has bus and taxi services that can get visitors to the center easily.