22 Days Maghreb Marvels

About the destination: Algiers is the capital and the largest city of Algeria. Algiers is a lively cosmopolitan city. In terms of population, it has grown rapidly of late. Indeed, the city is now home to over three million people, amounting to around a tenth of the population of Algeria as a whole. Modern Algiers is located in and around the waterfront area of the city. Most of the shops and restaurants can be found in this neighborhood, which is centered on the Rue Didouche Mourad. The seafront district of Baba-El Oued is home to Kettani Beach, a popular draw for both local families and visitors alike.

About the destination: Constantine is a city in Northeast Algeria. The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine. There are several bridges in Constantine, but the hanging one is the most spectacular. The view of the natural arch beneath is something that captivates you. Only for that bridge the visit to Constantine is justified. Other attractions in the city are the Ben-Badis Mosque, the Casbah, the Soumma Mausoleum, the Palace of Ahmed Bey and the ruins of the Antonian Roman aqueduct.

About the destination: Tunis, the bustling capital of Tunisia, is a fascinating blend of North African tradition and Mediterranean charm. Its heart is the old Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where narrow alleys wind between whitewashed houses, ornate mosques, and centuries‑old caravanserais. As you wander through the souks, you’ll find stalls overflowing with colorful ceramics, leather goods, spices, and traditional Djellabas, while the call to prayer echoes above the hum of everyday life. It’s a place where getting “lost” is part of the experience and often leads to hidden courtyards and local cafés. Just a short tram ride away lies the Bardo National Museum, one of the most important museums in the Mediterranean region. Housed in a former Beylic palace, it is renowned for its extraordinary collection of Roman mosaics, many rescued from archaeological sites across Tunisia. The museum offers a captivating journey through Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras, allowing visitors to understand how Tunis has long been at the crossroads of civilizations. No trip to Tunis is complete without exploring the ruins of ancient Carthage and the cliff‑top village of Sidi Bou Saïd, both easily reachable on the suburban TGM train. Carthage’s scattered remains—amphitheaters, baths, villas, and harbors—hint at the grandeur of a powerful empire that once rivaled Rome. Nearby, Sidi Bou Saïd charms with its iconic blue‑and‑white houses, bougainvillea‑covered lanes, and panoramic views over the Gulf of Tunis. It’s an ideal place to linger over mint tea with pine nuts as the sun sets over the sea. When it comes to practicalities, Tunis is relatively compact and easy to explore, with a mix of modern neighborhoods and historic quarters. The Ville Nouvelle, built during the French colonial period, offers wide boulevards, cafés, and shops, while the Lac district features contemporary hotels and a lively dining scene. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant times to visit, with mild temperatures perfect for sightseeing. With its layered history, vibrant street life, and access to both ancient sites and seaside charm, Tunis is an ideal introduction to Tunisia and the wider Maghreb.

About the destination: A pleasant Mediterranean port city, Tripoli is the capital and largest city of the North African country of Libya. Founded in the 7th century BC by the Phoenicians, there are multiple sites of archaeological significance in the city and in its surroundings worth exploring. Tripoli can be divided into three sections. At the western end of the harbor is the old city or Medina with its narrow streets, a number of restored houses and a synagogue. In the center, extending eastwards from Martyrs' Square, is the Italian colonial section of the city, centered on Maidan Al-Jezayir, where the Italians built their cathedral in the 1920s. Finally, at the western end of the harbor is the modern city, with its high-rise office blocks. The Assaraya al-Hamra or Red Castle dominates the city skyline and is located on the outskirts of the medina. The city has a bit of everything, a beautiful seaside location, a colorful fishing harbor, a picturesque medina with its minarets, souks, twisting alleys, and so much more. Come and see for yourself.

About the destination: Located on the Atlantic coast, Casablanca is the largest city and the economical hub of Morocco. Casablanca is a modern city with lively boulevards and many street cafes that give it a very European feel. Casablanca is a blend of both tradition and modernity. Visitors will find traditional buildings of Moorish, Roman, Jewish, Spanish and French influence alongside the new modern skyscrapers. Although the city is fairly modern in Moroccan standard, there are many historical sites and striking white colonial architecture. The oldest part of the city, the medina is relatively small in comparison with other medinas in Morocco, but still worth a stroll around its narrow alleys. Near the Medina you’ll find the City Hall, which has beautifully carved roofs. Casablanca’s main attraction is King Hassan II Mosque. Located on a beautiful setting on the Atlantic Coast, it is the largest mosque in Morocco and the third largest in the world, with the tallest minaret in the world. Visiting Casablanca is a must for many travelers who come to Morocco. Oriental yet modern, Casablanca is a city of many faces.

About the destination: Marrakech, often called the “Red City” for its terracotta-hued walls and buildings, is a vibrant gateway to Morocco that blends ancient traditions with modern energy. At its heart lies the medina, a maze of narrow alleys, riads with hidden courtyards, and lively souks where the scent of spices, leather, and incense fills the air. The city’s rhythmic pulse is most palpable in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, where street performers, storytellers, and food stalls take over every evening, turning the space into an open-air theater of Moroccan life. History and architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to explore. The Koutoubia Mosque, with its iconic minaret, is a landmark visible from many corners of the city. Nearby, the Bahia Palace showcases intricate stucco work, painted ceilings, and tranquil gardens that hint at Marrakech’s royal past. The Saadian Tombs, rediscovered in the early 20th century after being sealed for centuries, offer a glimpse into the opulence of the Saadian dynasty through elaborately decorated burial chambers. Marrakech also has a softer, more serene side. The Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, is a lush botanical retreat with cobalt-blue buildings, exotic plants, and shaded paths that provide a peaceful escape from the bustle of the medina. Outside the city, the landscapes shift quickly: within a short drive you can ride camels in the palm groves of the Palmeraie, visit Berber villages in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, or plan day trips to waterfalls and desert-like plains. For travelers, Marrakech offers a rich sensory experience and a variety of stays, from budget hostels to luxury riads with rooftop terraces overlooking the city’s rooftops and minarets. The local cuisine—tagines, couscous, pastilla, and freshly squeezed orange juice—adds another layer to the journey, best enjoyed in small neighborhood eateries or on rooftop restaurants at sunset. Whether you come for shopping, history, photography, or simply to wander and get lost, Marrakech promises an immersive introduction to the colors and culture of Morocco.

About the destination: Fez is the definition of magic, a cauldron of beautiful charms that’s been simmering since medieval times. The city has almost everything Morocco has to offer; the ringing hammers on sheets of brass, the squawks of chicken strolling all around, perpetual voices of endless talks, the deep voices of prayers passed on from a minaret to another, young women balancing trays of rolled dough on their heads, crowds of people in the narrowest of streets, the enticing aromas of brochettes on open grills, the sweet scent of cedar shavings and freshly cut mint leaves. The life size maze that is the medina, old city, is the largest and most difficult to navigate in Morocco; sometimes it's even easier to simply lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the various markets. Entering the medina through Bab Boujeloud, bear left immediately onto shop-lines, bamboo-shaded rue Talaa Kebira. Nearby to the left is the grain market, while further along is the entrance to Bou Inania madersap the finest Qur’anic university in Morocco. Built under the Merinid Dinasty in the 14th century its beautifully carved white plaster walls and mihrab remain in remarkably good conditions. The Zaouia de Moulay Idriss contains the tomb of Molay Idriss II, who made Fez the capital of Morcco in 808. The cedarwood portal is decorated with faded geometric patterns. Close by is the 14th century Al-Attarine Madrasa. Behind the superb bronze door lie intricately carved plaster walls topped by a cedarwood mantle and a splendid fountain. Other worthwhile places in Fez are the viewpoints to the north of the city or most parts of Fes el Jedid, with the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Museum Dar al Batha. Once the capital of the country, today Fez is Morocco’s third largest city but is considered the country’s religious, cultural and intellectual centre. Located between the Riff and the Middle Atlas Mountains, the city is made up of Fes El Bali, the old city, and Fes El Jedid, the New city. The King of Morocco’s wife, Princess Lalla Salma, was born in Fez which has made this medieval city even more popular.