Straddling the edge of Africa and brushing shoulders with Europe, Morocco is a land where ancient pulse meets present-day edge. Itโs not just a destination โ itโs a shift in tempo. A country best felt on two wheels, where every horizon hides contrast: desert and mountain, silence and noise, past and future.
From the switchbacks of the High Atlas to the endless flats of the Sahara, Morocco throws every kind of terrain at you. Tight gravel tracks, dune-cutting sand trails, winding tarmac through cedar forests โ this is riding that demands focus and rewards flow. You donโt just cruise here โ you commit.
Every town, every turn, delivers sensory overload. Snake charmers in Marrakesh, storytellers in Fes, Amazigh shepherds in the Rif โ this isnโt performance, itโs life in motion. The countryโs heritage isnโt curated โ itโs alive, unfolding in souks, kasbahs, and roadside tea stops where time slows down.
Tagines simmered over coals. Couscous shared from one bowl. Bread still hot from the village oven. In Morocco, food isnโt just nourishment โ itโs ritual. Sweet mint tea fuels conversations. Dates and olives greet you at every table. And somewhere out there, a stranger will offer you the best meal of your trip.
Ride through mud-brick villages older than empires. Cross gorges where caravans once moved salt and silk. Camp under Saharan stars where silence hums like an engine cooling down. Morocco doesnโt just show you history โ it puts you in it.
Languages: Arabic, Berber (Tamazight), French widely spoken
Weather in May:
Marrakesh: 18ยฐCโ30ยฐC (64ยฐFโ86ยฐF)
Sahara: 35ยฐC+ (hot days, cool nights)
Notable Events: ๐น Rose Festival, Dades Valley โ late May (music, parades, markets)
Morocco is not a passive ride.
It demands presence, adaptation, and curiosity.
Youโll sweat. Youโll get lost. Youโll find magic.
Itโs not just a route.
Itโs a rite of passage.
๐๏ธ Day 7 โ May 23: Tarifa โ Chefchaouen (via ferry to Tangier)
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the real shift.
Youโre crossing continents, rolling off the European map and onto African soil. This ainโt just a border day โ itโs a cultural punch in the face (in the best way), ending in one of Moroccoโs most iconic towns: the Blue City itself.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~120 km (in Morocco)
โฑ๏ธ Total Time: ~4โ5 hours (1h ferry + 3h ride + 0.5โ1h border & port chaos)
๐งญ Route: Tarifa โ ๐ข Ferry โ Tangier Med โ Tรฉtouan (bypass) โ Chefchaouen
๐ Map Link: Tarifa to Chefchaouen
๐ Border Crossing Game Plan
๐ข Ferry Options: FRS or Intershipping. Buy in advance or at the terminal โ first boat leaves ~9:00 AM.
โฑ๏ธ Border Timing: Give yourself 30โ60 minutes for customs (can be longer). Stay cool, smile, and be patient.
๐ Docs Youโll Need:
Passport
Bike registration (original)
Green Card insurance (or buy Moroccan coverage at port)
Entry form (available onboard or at port)
Tip: Use โimportation temporaire du vรฉhiculeโ signs. They'll stamp your bike in and give you a paper โ DONโT lose it.
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐ฃ๏ธ N16 Coastal Highway: From Tangier, roll along the Atlantic coast before turning inland. Wide curves, rolling hills, and the first whiff of Moroccan grit.
๐๏ธ Rif Mountains: As you climb, the road tightens โ switchbacks, drop-offs, goats, and Berber shepherds.
๐ฆ Arrival in Chefchaouen: The Blue City. One of the most photogenic towns in North Africa, nestled in the mountains, painted like a dream.
๐ก Destination: Chefchaouen (Population ~45,000)
Founded in 1471 as a Moorish fortress, Chefchaouen blends Andalusian flair with Berber roots. It's calm, cool, and full of cats, color, and quiet. The medina is compact, walkable, and magical โ especially at dusk.
๐ Fun Fact
The town was closed to non-Muslims until 1920. Its signature blue walls? Theories say it keeps mosquitoes awayโฆ or reminds residents of heaven.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Flavor
๐ Tagine (Chicken, Lamb, or Veg): Slow-cooked Moroccan stew served in the namesake clay pot.
๐ซ Mint Tea (โWhiskey Berbรจreโ): Sweet, strong, poured from a height with showmanship.
๐ฅ Khubz + Olives: Bread is sacred here โ eat it with everything.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐ Riad Hicham: Central, classic Moroccan architecture, safe bike parking nearby.
๐๏ธ Casa Perleta: Cozy rooftop views over the blue maze.
๐ Evening Moves
๐ถ Get lost in the medina: Blue alleys, tiled walls, warm lights.
๐งฟ Visit Ras el-Maa springs: Locals wash clothes here at sunset. Itโs peaceful and unreal.
๐ท Photo ops: Every. Single. Corner.
๐ง Next-Day Prep
๐งฝ Clean your visor โ bugs + dusk = blind curves tomorrow
โฝ Fuel up before leaving town โ next leg is longer, and you donโt want to search for gas in the Rif
๐ฐ Get Dirhams โ ATMs are everywhere, but carry small cash for roadside stops
๐๏ธ Day 8 โ May 24: Chefchaouen โ Fez
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The dream continues โ but today, the road gets wild.
You're deep in the Rif Mountains now, riding through Berber territory, across forgotten passes, and into the beating, chaotic heart of Morocco: Fez.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~230 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~5.5โ6 hours
๐งญ Route: Chefchaouen โ Bab Taza โ Bab Berred โ Taounate โ Fez
๐ Map Link: Chefchaouen to Fez (Scenic Route)
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐๏ธ Rif Mountain Roads: You're leaving the tourist routes now. These roads are narrow, cracked, and twisty โ with barely any traffic and constant elevation shifts.
๐ฟ Berber Villages: Bab Taza and Bab Berred are small, sleepy, and stunning โ get fuel if you see it, and grab a mint tea with the locals.
๐พ Taounate Region: Opens into wide agricultural valleys โ olive trees, wheat, and wide-open stretches perfect for throttling up.
๐ Arrival in Fez: Say goodbye to quiet. Fez hits you like a wall โ people, smells, horns, heat, life. Youโll feel it the moment you roll in.
๐ก Destination: Fez (Population ~1.1 million)
Founded in the 8th century, Fez is Moroccoโs oldest imperial city and its cultural and spiritual capital. The medina (Fez el-Bali) is a UNESCO World Heritage site โ a labyrinth of over 9,000 alleys and dead-ends, filled with artisans, donkeys, spice merchants, and centuries-old madrasas.
๐ Fun Fact
The worldโs oldest operating university, Al Quaraouiyine, is in Fez โ founded in 859 CE by a woman named Fatima al-Fihri.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Flavor
๐ Khlea: Preserved spiced beef, often served with eggs โ ancient, salty, and rich.
๐ฅฃ Harira: Tomato-lentil soup with chickpeas, often eaten during Ramadan.
๐ง Camel or Lamb Head (optional!) โ If you're bold, find the stall in the medina. Respect if you try.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐จ Riad Laaroussa: Luxurious and tranquil โ hidden inside the medina.
๐๏ธ Dar Hafsa: Simple, authentic, and super welcoming.
๐ต Pro tip: Park outside the medina walls. Many riads offer porters and guarded lots.
๐ Evening Moves
๐ฐ Medina Wander: Let yourself get lost. Thatโs the point.
๐งด Visit a Tannerie: Smell of death, color of dreams โ bring a mint leaf for your nose.
๐ฏ๏ธ Rooftop Dinner: Catch the call to prayer echo across the city from above. Itโll shake something loose inside.
๐ง Next-Day Prep
๐งญ Double-check GPS setup โ Fez exit routes are tricky and full of one-ways
โฝ Fuel before leaving the city โ the Middle Atlas doesnโt play
๐ค Sleep deep โ tomorrow you ride into the cedar forests, past monkeys, and over 2,000m mountain passes
๐๏ธ Day 9 โ May 25: Fez โ Midelt
ย time to shift gears.
After the madness of Fez, you're heading back to the mountains. Todayโs ride is a short, stunning one โ a breath of clean, crisp air as you climb into the Middle Atlas. Less distance, more altitude. This is the calm before the desert.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~210 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~4.5โ5 hours
๐งญ Route: Fez โ Imouzzer Kandar โ Ifrane โ Azrou โ Col du Zad โ Midelt
๐ Map Link: Fez to Midelt
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐งญ Imouzzer Kandar: A chilled mountain town โ first sign you're climbing out of the lowlands.
๐ก Ifrane: Nicknamed the "Switzerland of Morocco" โ clean streets, alpine houses, and cedar trees. Surreal after Fez.
๐ Azrouโs Cedar Forest: Watch for Barbary macaques along the road โ they're wild, curious, and cheeky as hell.
๐๏ธ Col du Zad (2,178m): A beautiful high-altitude pass with long sweeping bends, cool mountain air, and open skies.
๐ค๏ธ Arrival in Midelt: A quiet, windswept town at the foot of the High Atlas โ halfway between the mountains and the Sahara.
๐ก Destination: Midelt (Population ~45,000)
Midelt is a dusty outpost town with one foot in the mountains and one in the desert. Itโs a logistics town for travelers, not a cultural gem โ but the landscapes make up for it. Surrounded by peaks and plateaus, itโs the ideal staging point for your descent into the Sahara.
๐ Fun Fact
Midelt is known for apple orchards โ a weirdly alpine crop for this part of Morocco. They even have an annual Apple Festival in September.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Flavor
๐ฒ Berber Couscous: Light, fluffy, and earthy โ try it with lamb and vegetables.
๐ฅ Vegetable Tagine: Simple, warming, and served with flatbread in almost every riad.
๐ Fresh Apples: If youโre offered one, take it โ theyโre grown right here.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐จ Hotel Kasbah Asmaa: Classic stop for moto travelers โ garden oasis feel, good food, secure parking.
๐๏ธ Camping Jurassique: A bit outside town, but wild, quiet, and star-heavy.
๐ Evening Moves
๐ Walk outside town for wide desert views and mountain silhouettes.
๐ท Sunset light here is no joke โ golden and dramatic. Perfect photo stop.
๐ฅ Fireplace Riad Vibes: Midelt nights are cold โ enjoy that tagine by the hearth.
๐ง Next-Day Prep
๐ ๏ธ Bike Check: Youโre going into harsher terrain. Air filter, chain tension, tire pressure.
๐ข๏ธ Fuel Up: No joke โ next day is a remote stretch, top off before leaving.
๐งค Layer Up: Youโll start cold and climb โ then descend fast into desert heat.
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๐๏ธ Day 10 โ May 26: Midelt โ Merzouga
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You ride into the fire.
This is the transition. Youโre leaving the green highlands behind and carving your way down into the red, dry lungs of the Sahara. Itโs a day of descent โ in altitude, temperature, and terrain. Welcome to the edge of the void: Merzouga.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~330 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~5.5โ6 hours
๐งญ Route: Midelt โ Er Rich โ Ziz Valley โ Tunnel du Lรฉgionnaire โ Source Bleue de Meski โ Errachidia โ Erfoud โ Merzouga
๐ Map Link: Midelt to Merzouga
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐๏ธ Tizi nโTalghaumt Pass (1,907 m): Smooth tarmac, open mountain views, and gentle sweepers through high desert terrain.
๐ด Ziz Valley: Suddenly โ palms. The road winds along cliffs above an endless string of oases, kasbahs, and mudbrick villages.
โ๏ธ Tunnel du Lรฉgionnaire: A rough military-carved tunnel with a dramatic overlook โ pull over for a panoramic view of the Ziz Gorge.
๐๏ธ Source Bleue de Meski: Natural spring and old Legion outpost โ a cool, shady oasis perfect for a mid-ride pause.
๐ฌ๏ธ Erfoud to Merzouga: The final stretch. Flat, hot, and straight. Youโll start seeing dunes on the horizon. They get closer. And bigger. And then suddenly, boom โ Sahara.
๐๏ธ Destination: Merzouga (Population ~5,000)
Merzouga is a sandy outpost at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes โ massive golden waves that rise up to 150 meters high. Itโs the classic Sahara image burned into your childhood brain, but now itโs real. The village itself is chill and touristy, but small. The silence and starlight out in the dunes? Thatโs where the magic is.
๐ Fun Fact
Erg Chebbi dunes are said to have been formed by divine punishment โ legend says a rich family turned away a poor woman, and a sandstorm buried them.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Flavor
๐ณ Berber Omelette: Cooked in a clay dish, filled with tomatoes, onions, and spices โ perfect recovery food.
๐ซ Medfouna (Berber Pizza): Flatbread stuffed with meat, onions, eggs, and herbs โ hearty as hell.
๐ฐ Dattes (Dates): Sweet, rich, and grown locally โ grab a handful at any stop.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐๏ธ Camp Nomad: Luxury or basic desert bivouacs โ includes dinner, drums, and stars.
๐ Auberge Les Roches: Great moto spot with a pool, secure parking, and dune views.
๐ซ Camel Camps: Book ahead for a sunset camel ride to your tent under the stars.
๐ Evening Moves
๐ช Camel Trek at Dusk: Ride out into the dunes. Sand turns gold. The wind whispers. The silence hits hard.
๐ฅ Desert Drum Circle: Most camps offer music, fire, and mint tea โ sit back and breathe it in.
โจ Stars. All of Them. No light pollution. Just sky.
๐ง Next-Day Prep
๐๏ธ Optional Sand Play: Air down your tires if you want to ride the dunes โ or stick to packed earth tracks.
๐ ๏ธ Dust Check: Blow out filters, lube that chain, shake out your boots. Sand gets everywhere.
โ๏ธ Hydrate: Youโre gonna be parched, even at rest. Start drinking water early.
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Chango โ saddle up for one of the most epic rides of the entire route.
Today is long, twisty, and legendary. You're carving west out of the Sahara, climbing into the gorges, conquering the serpentine switchbacks of the Dadรจs Gorge, and ending in a cinematic desert fortress: Aรฏt Benhaddou. This is why you ride.
๐๏ธ Day 11 โ May 27: Merzouga โ Aรฏt Benhaddou (via Dadรจs Gorge)
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๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~380 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~7.5โ8 hours
๐งญ Route: Merzouga โ Erfoud โ Tinghir โ Dadรจs Gorge (up and down) โ Boumalne Dadรจs โ Skoura โ Aรฏt Benhaddou
๐ Map Link: Merzouga to Aรฏt Benhaddou via Dadรจs Gorge
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐ค๏ธ Desert Highway to Tinghir: Flat, hot, fast. Enjoy the horizon before the terrain folds.
๐๏ธ Tinghir & Todra Gorge (optional detour): Massive vertical canyon walls โ worth a quick side ride if time allows.
๐ Dadรจs Gorge Switchbacks: THIS IS THE ONE. The famous zigzag climb into the canyon โ Insta-famous, but 100% earned. Twist, climb, breathe.
๐ด Skoura Oasis: Back to green. A palm-filled valley dotted with old kasbahs, like time forgot this place.
๐ฐ Aรฏt Benhaddou Arrival: The road rolls in toward this ancient fortress village. Dirt, mudbrick, silence. It hits you like a mirage.
๐ฏ Destination: Aรฏt Benhaddou (Population ~1,000)
Aรฏt Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a ksar (fortified village) thatโs been used in everything from Gladiator to Game of Thrones. Built from red mudbrick, it rises from the desert like a memory of a world long gone. At sunset, it glows.
๐ Fun Fact
Some families still live inside the ksar with no electricity or running water. You can walk across the riverbed and step 1,000 years back in time.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Flavor
๐ข Kefta Brochettes: Grilled spiced meat skewers, eaten roadside or in the riad.
๐ต Mint Tea with Desert Herbs: Slightly different flavor in this region โ more sage, more desert.
๐ซ Homemade Flatbread: Still baked in mudbrick ovens around the village.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐จ Kasbah Valentine: Gorgeous views of the old ksar, moto-friendly, great terrace.
๐๏ธ Riad Maktoub: Old-school Moroccan hospitality with a pool and charm.
๐๏ธ Wild Camp Option: Ask locals where to roll your mat near the dunes โ stars here donโt quit.
๐ Evening Moves
๐ถโโ๏ธ Walk the Ksar: Cross the dry river and wander the narrow alleyways. Touch the past.
๐ฌ Sunset Photo Op: Youโre standing in a real movie set โ but better, because itโs real.
๐ฅ Dinner on the Rooftop: Let the wind cool your sunburn while you eat tagine under the stars.
๐ง Next-Day Prep
๐งญ Early Start Alert: Tomorrowโs route winds through the south Atlas and ends at the Atlantic. Itโs a full ride day.
๐ ๏ธ Coolant & Oil Check: Youโve done heat and altitude. Give the bike a once-over.
๐งฝ Chain Clean: Dusty day today. Donโt let it eat your sprockets.
โฝ Fuel Early: Skoura has stations. Donโt wait โtil the mountains.
๐๏ธ Day 12 โ May 28: Aรฏt Benhaddou โ Agadir
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~360 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~6.5โ7 hours
๐งญ Route: Aรฏt Benhaddou โ Tazenakht โ Taliouine โ Taroudant โ Agadir
๐ Map Link: Aรฏt Benhaddou to Agadir
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐๏ธ Tazenakht Plains: Open desert roads โ big sky, full throttle.
๐บ Taliouine: Saffron capital of Morocco. Stop for tea and local spice.
๐งฑ Taroudant: Walled city known as โLittle Marrakechโ โ worth a quick loop.
๐ Agadir Arrival: The ocean hits your nose before your eyes. First coastal breeze in over a week.
๐๏ธ Destination: Agadir (Population ~420,000)
Agadirโs a modern beach city โ rebuilt after a 1960 earthquake. Itโs not ancient, but itโs got vibe: wide boulevards, beach cafรฉs, and cold beer. Good place to rest and recharge.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Bites
๐ Grilled Sardines โ Beachfront, fresh, simple.
๐ Seafood Pastilla โ Sweet & savory filo pie, coastal twist.
๐ฆ Moroccan Gelato โ Yes, itโs a thing.
๐๏ธ Where to Crash
๐จ Hotel Sindibad โ Moto-friendly and central.
๐๏ธ Anezi Tower Hotel โ Pool, sea views, parking.
๐ Night Moves
๐๏ธ Walk the promenade, breathe the ocean.
๐ป Rooftop drink โ youโve earned it.
๐ค Sleep well โ tomorrow, Essaouira and Marrakech.
๐ง Quick Check
โฝ Fuel early โ coast roads can surprise you.
๐ฉ Chain + fluids โ yesterday was long and hot.
๐ถ๏ธ Clean visor โ salt air ahead.
๐๏ธ Day 13 โ May 29: Agadir โ Marrakech (via Essaouira)
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~360 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~6.5โ7 hours (with stops)
๐งญ Route: Agadir โ Essaouira โ Chichaoua โ Marrakech
๐ Map Link: Agadir to Marrakech
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐ฌ๏ธ Coastal Run to Essaouira: Windy cliffs, sea spray, goats in trees.
๐๏ธ Essaouira Stop: Old Portuguese port, chill medina, killer seafood.
๐๏ธ Inland Curve-Up: Twistier, hotter, drier โ the rhythm changes fast.
๐ Marrakech Arrival: Loud, chaotic, legendary. A city like no other.
๐๏ธ Destination: Marrakech (Population ~1 million)
Red walls, snake charmers, riads, rooftop calls to prayer. Youโve arrived at the heartbeat of Morocco. Dive into the medina โ or hide in a hammam. Both work.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Bites
๐ Djaj Mโhammar โ Slow-roasted chicken, saffron-heavy.
๐ข Kebabs off Jemaa el-Fnaa โ Eat standing up, nap later.
๐ฎ Sellou or Chebakia โ Sweet street snacks with sesame and honey.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐ Riad Nesma โ Calm oasis near the medina.
๐ง Equity Point Hostel โ Great rooftop, traveler crowd.
๐ช Park outside the medina and walk in.
๐ Night Moves
๐งญ Get lost in the souks โ thatโs the point.
๐ฅ Watch performers in Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
๐ Fresh orange juice or hot snail soup โ your call.
๐ง Quick Check
โฝ Fuel up before tomorrowโs long northbound push.
๐ Mid-trip chain and oil check โ youโre at the halfway point.
๐ Secure your gear โ pickpockets are quick in crowds.
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๐ค Day 14 โ May 30: Marrakech (Rest Day)
time to breathe.
After over 3,000 km across mountains, deserts, and madness, today you donโt ride. You soak it in. Marrakech will seduce, overwhelm, exhaust, and inspire โ all before lunch.
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๐บ๏ธ Ride Overview
๐ Distance: 0 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: 0 hours
๐งญ Route: From your bed to the souk and back (maybe)
๐ What to Do
๐งญ Get Lost in the Medina: Over 9,000 alleyways. No GPS. Just instincts and bartering skills.
๐ด Jardins Majorelle: Yves Saint Laurentโs garden escape โ cool, quiet, blue as Chefchaouen.
๐ Bahia Palace or Ben Youssef Madrasa: Stunning Islamic architecture. Tiles for days.
๐งผ Hit a Hammam: Steam, scrub, rinse, repeat. Your body will thank you.
๐ฝ๏ธ What to Eat
๐ Mechoui: Slow-roasted lamb from a pit oven โ melt-in-your-mouth.
๐ฅ Beef & Prune Tagine: Sweet and savory. Old school.
๐ซ Mint Tea: Youโve earned your place on a rooftop with a pot and a breeze.
๐๏ธ Where to Chill
๐จ Stay Put or Upgrade: If your riad has a rooftop or plunge pool, todayโs the day to enjoy it.
๐ง Hammam Ziani or Les Bains de Marrakech for a full reset.
๐๏ธ Bonus Missions
๐งค Buy gear or gifts: Leather, lamps, spices โ haggle or be hustled.
๐งณ Ship stuff home: Youโve got 10+ days left. Drop weight if needed.
๐ง Light Bike Check
๐ฉ Chain tension, lube, tire pressure โ give her love after that desert work.
๐ Battery top-off and GPS/charging gear check.
๐บ๏ธ Tomorrowโs a long ride north โ Casablanca is calling.
๐๏ธ Day 15 โ May 31: Marrakech โ Casablanca
time to roll north.
Youโve soaked in the chaos of Marrakech, now it's throttle-on. Todayโs ride is fast and direct โ built to cover ground, not break records. The goal: Casablanca, the port city of myth, film, and modern Moroccan hustle.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~240 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~3.5โ4 hours
๐งญ Route: Marrakech โ Settat (optional break) โ Casablanca
๐ Map Link: Marrakech to Casablanca
๐ฃ๏ธ Ride Highlights
๐ค๏ธ Fast, Flat, Functional: This is a national highway ride โ straight shot, not scenic. Good asphalt, decent signage.
๐ Optional Stop in Settat: Refuel (you and the bike). Small town, big plates.
๐๏ธ Casablanca Arrival: Suddenly, you're in a different Morocco โ glass towers, port cranes, Atlantic breeze.
๐ Destination: Casablanca (Population ~3.7 million)
Moroccoโs biggest city and business capital. It ainโt romantic like the movie, but itโs got muscle. Modern, loud, and alive. Itโs where Morocco works โ and where you get your last big city fix before crossing back into Europe.
๐ Fun Fact
The Hassan II Mosque has the tallest minaret in the world โ 210 meters. Built over the sea. Open to non-Muslim visitors.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Bites
๐ Grilled Fish at the Port โ Fresh and fiery, served fast.
๐ฅช Moroccan Sandwiches โ Lamb, sardines, kefta, or omelette โ grab it and go.
๐ฎ Avocado Juice or Almond Milk Smoothies โ Classic Casawi fuel.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐จ Hotel Moroccan House: Colorful and central. Moto parking inside.
๐ Ibis Casa Voyageurs: Near the train station. Clean, quiet, easy.
๐ Night Moves
๐ Hassan II Mosque at sunset โ golden hour magic.
๐ฅ Rickโs Cafรฉ (touristy, yes โ but iconic) if you're feeling nostalgic.
๐ถ Corniche Walk โ feel the Atlantic air before crossing it tomorrow.
๐ง Quick Check
โฝ Fuel up โ youโre heading for the border tomorrow.
๐ Get documents in order โ ferry crossing the next day.
๐งณ Time to sort what youโre taking home and whatโs just road dust.
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๐๏ธ Day 16 โ June 1: Casablanca โ Tarifa (via Tangier Med Ferry)
back across the water.
Today you leave Morocco. Ferry lines, border agents, and a bittersweet throttle twist as you ride back into Europe. Youโre not done yet โ but youโre closing the loop.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~320 km (plus ferry crossing)
โฑ๏ธ Time: ~7โ8 hours total (ride + border + ferry)
๐งญ Route: Casablanca โ Asilah (optional stop) โ Tangier Med โ ๐ข Ferry โ Algeciras โ Tarifa
๐ Map Link: Casablanca to Tarifa
๐ฃ๏ธ Ride Notes
๐ Autopista All Day: Fast, wide, and not much to see โ this is a transit stage.
๐ Asilah Stop (optional): Chill coastal town for lunch and one last Moroccan breath.
๐ข Tangier Med Port: Get there 2 hours before departure. Paperwork, customs, inspection. Be cool, be ready.
๐ Border Crossing Tips
๐ Have your temporary import form (D16) ready for your bike
๐ ๏ธ Expect inspection of panniers and VIN
๐งพ Stamp out passport, and keep a smile. Moroccans are helpful if you stay chill
๐ง Patience is your best tool โ lines are slow but steady
๐ Ferry Crossing
โฑ๏ธ ~1โ1.5 hours
๐ณ๏ธ FRS and Intershipping are the go-tos
๐ข Some ferries include customs onboard, others at port โ ask ahead
๐ Land in Algeciras, and roll ~45 min west to Tarifa
๐๏ธ Destination: Tarifa (again โ pop. 18,000)
Youโre back where the African leg began. The wind still howls, the surfers still dance, and now youโre different. Youโve crossed a continent.
๐ฝ๏ธ What to Eat
๐ Pulpo a la Gallega: Galicia on a plate, on the coast of Cรกdiz.
๐ Pescado Frito: Simple, golden fried fish with lemon.
๐ป Cold beer, no helmet: Youโve earned it.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐ La Cocotera Hostel โ Back where you started. Rooftop, relaxed.
๐จ Hotel Hurricane โ Just outside town, right on the beach. Quiet finish.
๐ง Quick Check
๐งฝ Clean the bike โ salt spray and ferry grime are no joke
โฝ Fill up โ tomorrowโs route winds deep into Portugal
๐ธ Reflect โ the Africa chapter is closed. Let it settle in
ย
๐๏ธ Day 17 โ June 2: Tarifa โ Moura โ Portalegre
welcome to the backroads.
Today you leave the coast, cross the hills of western Andalucรญa, and ride into the Alentejo โ Portugalโs most overlooked gem. Olive trees, slow curves, sleepy towns. No rush. Just road.
๐บ๏ธ Route Overview
๐ Distance: ~440 km
โฑ๏ธ Riding Time: ~6.5 hours
๐งญ Route: Tarifa โ Aracena โ Serpa โ Moura โ Portalegre
๐ Map Link: Tarifa to Portalegre
๐ Highlights of the Ride
๐๏ธ Sierra de Aracena: Rolling hills, tight corners, cork oak forests. Stop in Aracena for cafรฉ and fuel.
๐ต๐น Cross into Portugal near Serpa: The vibe shifts โ less traffic, more calm.
๐ณ Alentejo Landscapes: Open plains, stone walls, dry fields, slow curves.
๐๏ธ Moura & Alqueva: A glimmering reservoir and one of the quietest roads in Europe.
๐ก Destination: Portalegre (Population ~15,000)
Set against the Serra de Sรฃo Mamede, Portalegre is a historic hill town with cobbled streets, old convents, and a laid-back pace. Perfect spot to cool your boots, sip wine, and watch the shadows crawl over the red-tiled rooftops.
๐ Fun Fact
The region is famous for tapestry weaving and some of Portugalโs best olive oil.
๐ฝ๏ธ Local Flavor
๐ Porco Preto (Black Iberian Pig): Grilled or cured โ rich, smoky, unforgettable.
๐ท Alentejo Wine: Bold, earthy reds. Ask for the house bottle โ you wonโt go wrong.
๐ฅ Sericaia: A cinnamon egg pudding typical of the region.
๐๏ธ Where to Sleep
๐ Hotel Josรฉ Rรฉgio: Central, comfy, good bike parking.
๐ก Convento da Provenรงa: Outside town in the hills โ rustic, peaceful, stunning.
๐ Evening Vibes
๐ Grab a glass and sit in the square โ watch life move slowly.
๐ Sunset from the castle ruins if youโve still got leg strength.
๐ง This nightโs about recharging. Tomorrow you ride home.
๐ง Quick Check
โฝ Fuel up โ tomorrow is your last push
๐งฝ Wipe down the bike โ start the return clean
๐ง Put on your best playlist โ next ride is the grand finale