Katie's Trip to Northern Morocco

Senior Travel Consultant Katie Hanes recently travelled to northern Morocco for a four-night trip where she visited Tetouan, Tamuda Bay, Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains.

“I've just returned from northern Morocco and was pleasantly surprised by what the region has to offer. The new direct flights from London Gatwick to Tetouan make this region far more accessible than many people realise. During my visit, I enjoyed the contrast between the sandy beaches and luxury hotels of Tamuda Bay, the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen and the dramatic scenery of the Rif Mountains. What struck me most was how peaceful and uncrowded it felt, even in beautiful weather. For travellers looking to experience a different side of Morocco, away from the busier tourist centres, it truly is a region well worth considering.”

If you are looking to plan a trip to the jewel of North Africa, contact Katie, or view our suggested itinerary ideas for Morocco.

With a new route between London Gatwick and Tetouan operated by Royal Air Maroc, offering non-stop direct flights twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, I arrived in Tetouan which is located on the northern tip of Morocco.

It is about a 20-minute drive to Tamuda Bay which is where I was based during my trip. Tamuda Bay offers a long sweeping sandy beach with lots of shells and clean water. With some excellent beach hotel options, it would be a great place to stay and decompress at the end of a longer tour. Aside from relaxing at the beach or resort pool, there are several guided excursions available including day trips to Tetouan, Tangier, Chefchaouen and Ouazzane, as well as visits to the Akchour waterfalls in the Rif Mountains. Activities such as quad biking, guided treks to traditional Berber villages, golf in Tamuda Bay, boat trips, private yacht charters and horse riding along the beach can also be arranged.

During the first morning of the trip, I took a sightseeing tour of Tetouan. The city doesn’t need long, 1 to 2 hours is enough to get a feel for it. The Medina is a UNESCO listed site with whitewashed buildings and narrow, winding lanes, and it feels genuinely lived-in rather than set up for tourism. There are lots of small shops selling everyday goods and second-hand items. We also visited a small synagogue dating back around 250 years, which was interesting but fairly simple. A brief stop in Tetouan provides a good experience of a traditional Moroccan Medina. I enjoyed lunch at Dar Bomba, a historic site which is now a restaurant space in the old medina of Tetouan. The name literally means ‘House of the Bomb/Cannon,’ reflecting its original role as an 18th-century arms workshop and defensive structure.

I also visited Chefchaouen (pronounced shef-sha-wen) as a day trip from Tamuda Bay, which took around 1½ hours each way through some very scenic mountain scenery. Chefchaouen is famous for its striking blue-painted streets and buildings. The city’s name comes from two words: ‘Chef’, meaning lookout or view toward the sea, and ‘Chaouen’, meaning two mountains, referring to the twin peaks overlooking the town. There are several reasons why the city is painted blue. One explanation is that Jewish refugees introduced the tradition in the 15th century, using blue to symbolise the sky and spirituality. Others believe the blue tones help keep homes cool, repel mosquitoes, or simply create a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Whilst I enjoyed the day trip, staying in Chefchaouen overnight or for two nights would allow you to explore early in the morning or later in the evening, before the day-trippers arrive, when I expect the town is at its most atmospheric. Overall, Chefchaouen is very picturesque and certainly worth visiting as part of a longer itinerary.

I also visited several hotels in Tamuda Bay during my stay. The St Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort stood out as the best option for style, ambience and value. The design is calm and understated, with soft white and blue tones throughout, giving it a relaxed, elegant feel. They open a bottle of champagne at sunset each day, offering guests a complimentary glass. Spa facilities are included for all guests to use (treatments extra), there is a lovely free-from pool and the restaurant food is excellent.

The Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay is the area’s most luxurious place to stay which is owned by the Moroccan royal family. First impressions were that it feels extremely polished and very well staffed with a quiet atmosphere. The design and build quality are excellent and each suite comes with its own bikes, which works well given the size of the resort. There’s a focus on wellness, with one of the largest wellness centres in Africa, including 8 treatment rooms and a juice bar.

Lastly the Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach & Spa is the best value option. It is a family-friendly resort with a very modern, contemporary feel. Service throughout felt first class and rooms were bright and modern with fantastic sea views — a real highlight was watching the sunrise from the room.