Why This Trip?
This one is for the traveller who wants to slow down, not tick off monuments. If you’ve ever suspected that a country’s true soul lives in its everyday rituals, Morocco will prove you right. Over 12 days, you’ll trade rushed sightseeing for the gentle rhythm of café terraces and tea glasses, moving from the Mediterranean cool of Tangier to the Atlantic energy of Casablanca. I still remember my first glass at Café Tingis — the mint leaves still unfurling, the sugar sinking slowly to the bottom, the sound of backgammon tiles clacking somewhere behind me. That, more than any monument, is what stays with you. It’s a chance to sit with locals, sip, listen, and let the mint tea do its quiet work. This is the moroccan cafe culture 12 days, done properly.
About Tangier
Tangier sits at the very top of Africa, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic and Europe is a short ferry ride away. For centuries, this position made it a prize fought over by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and Portuguese — and later a strange, glamorous international zone administered by several powers from 1923 to 1956. That cosmopolitan past drew writers like Paul Bowles and William Burroughs, who found here a city of blurred edges and cheap, endless coffee. Walk the old medina today and you’ll feel it. Whitewashed lanes climb the hillside above the port, opening onto sudden views of Spain. The Grand Socco and the Petit Socco remain social hearts, where café chairs spill onto the square. Tangier’s café culture is distinct: less polished than Marrakech, more lived-in, with a strong tradition of literary haunts and working-men’s tea stalls. It rewards aimless wandering and long, unhurried sits.
Your 12 days Itinerary
Days 1-3: Tangier. Arrive and settle into the medina. Day one: a gentle orientation walk through the Petit Socco and a first glass of mint tea at Café Tingis. Day two: explore the Kasbah, the American Legation Museum, and the Café Baba terrace for sunset. Day three: a morning at the Grand Socco market, then an afternoon ferry-hop to Tarifa or a coastal walk to Cap Spartel.
Days 4-5: Asilah and the coast. Take a shared taxi south to Asilah, a whitewashed artists’ town. Wander the muralled medina, drink tea at a sea-facing café, and eat grilled sardines at the port. Day five: a slow morning, then return to Tangier for the evening train.
Days 6-7: Train to Casablanca. The comfortable ONCF train runs south along the coast. Arrive in Casablanca and head straight to the Quartier Habous, a 1930s neo-Moorish d
istrict with excellent café culture. Day seven: visit the Hassan II Mosque (one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslims), then spend the late afternoon in a Habous tea house with almond pastries.
Days 8-10: Casablanca deep dive. Day eight: the old medina and the Marché Central for coffee and people-watching. Day nine: the Corniche, Ain Diab, and a long seaside lunch. Day ten: a day trip to El Jadida by train, exploring the Portuguese cistern and its quiet cafés.
Days 11-12: Return and reflect. Day eleven: a final Casablanca morning at a favourite café, then a farewell dinner. Day twelve: departure from Mohammed V Airport, or a train back to Tangier if flying out from there.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Tangier and Casablanca ranges from characterful medina riads to modern business hotels. Book ahead in spring and autumn. Prices are per room per night.
| Option | Area | Vibe | Price per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dar Nour | Tangier medina | Intimate guesthouse, rooftop views, literary feel | from 700-1200 MAD (~EUR 65-110) |
| Hotel Continental | Tangier medina | Historic, faded grandeur, budget-friendly | from 400-700 MAD (~EUR 35-65) |
| Hotel Transatlantique | Casablanca centre | Art Deco landmark, central, good value | from 600-1000 MAD (~EUR 55-90) |
| Four Seasons Casablanca | Ain Diab Corniche | Oceanfront luxury, pool, calm | from 2500-4000 MAD (~EUR 230-370) |
Getting There & Around
Morocco’s rail and road network makes moving between Tangier and Casablanca straightforward. Trains are punctual and comfortable; shared taxis and buses cover smaller towns.
| Route | Best option | Duration | Approx cost (MAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangier to Casablanca | ONCF train (Al Boraq high-speed) | 2h 10m | 150-250 |
| Casablanca to Asilah | Train (via Tangier) | 4h 30m | 180-280 |
| Tangier to Asilah | Shared grand taxi | 45m | 30-50 |
| Casablanca to El Jadida | Train | 1h 30m | 40-70 |
Budget Estimate
Look, Morocco can be as cheap or as expensive as you let it be. The numbers below assume a comfortable mid-range trip with the odd splurge — a nice riad here, a long seaside lunch there. Solo travellers will pay a single supplement on rooms, so budget accordingly. My honest tip: you can eat extraordinarily well for very little if you stick to where the locals eat. A bowl of harira and a plate of grilled sardines by the port in Asilah cost me less than a coffee back home. Keep some cash on you for small cafés, and don’t stress the small stuff.
| Item | Solo (MAD / EUR) | Couple per person (MAD / EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 6,000-12,000 / 550-1,100 | 4,000-8,000 / 370-730 |
| Food & drink | 2,400-4,800 / 220-440 | 2,000-4,000 / 180-370 |
| Getting around | 1,200-2,000 / 110-180 | 1,000-1,800 / 90-165 |
| Activities & tours | 800-1,500 / 75-140 | 700-1,300 / 65-120 |
| Total | 10,400-20,300 / 955-1,860 | 7,700-15,100 / 705-1,385 |
Book Your Stay on MoroccanChapter
Ready to let the steam rise from your glass in Tangier and Casablanca? MoroccanChapter handpicks riads, guesthouses, and hotels that understand the art of the long sit. Browse our curated stays, read honest reviews, and book directly through moroccanchapter.com. Your table by the window is waiting.