Road trip in a converted van along Morocco’s Atlantic coast
Itinerary from Tangier to Essaouira. Recommendation: 15 days
For this first van trip of 2025, we’ve opted for Morocco to take advantage of its sunny climate in winter with pleasant temperatures (15-20 degrees), its delicious and inexpensive food, the discovery of its small coastal villages and finally Moroccan culture. This trip between city and nature, ocean and lagoons, will be an opportunity to try out vanlife in Morocco, campsites, “wild” camping, water and toilet management, learn about safety in the country, good tips, Moroccan cuisine, etc…
We’ll be leaving with the Fiat Ducato CAMPEO model, perfect for a trip for two or a family of up to 4 people. See the Burstner CAMPEO van presentation.
It’s always a unique feeling to link Europe and Africa by boat, and even more magical to make the trip in a converted van. VanBreak is the only agency in southern Spain that offers the possibility of renting a van and leaving for Morocco with the appropriate insurance. We invite you to discover our full itinerary, with practical advice on how to make the most of your next van vacation in Morocco.
Preparing your roadtrip
To cross the Mediterranean with our CAMPEO van, we used the website https://www.directferries.fr, a platform for comparing ferry prices between southern Spain and Morocco, which is very useful for selecting the ideal route. We chose to depart from the port ofAlgeciras and arrive at Tangier Med. The port ofAlgeciras is only 1h30 by car from the VanBreak Malaga parking lot (located exactly in Alhaurin de la Torre). The price is generally lower than a departure from Tarifa, further west towards Cadiz. The advantage of departing from Tarifa is that you arrive directly in Tangier city, with a potentially faster and simpler crossing, as the port infrastructure is smaller. It’s also a real pleasure to arrive in Tangier and immediately discover this magnificent city in northern Morocco(see next article: https: //www.vanbreak.com/roadtrip-au-maroc-en-van-amenage/). It’s also very easy to park below the city walls of Tangier in a large parking lot close to the port.
We opted for FRS DFDS, purchasing tickets directly from their website https://www.frs.es/fr/. This means you can CHECK IN online and pick up your e-tickets via e-mail. It’s quick and easy. We recommend arriving at the port 2 hours before departure time, to ensure peace of mind even if there are often delays.
To check your papers on arrival in Morocco, you need to have your passport, the vehicle’s official papers and the vehicle’s authorization to leave the country (these documents are provided by the VanBreak team at the CHECK IN). Please note that it is forbidden to travel to Morocco with a drone in your luggage. Once on the ferry to Morocco, you’ll need to fill in one form per person to present to the authorities during the crossing on the boat. A VISA will be given to you when you pass through customs, so it’s important to keep this small document with your vehicle’s papers.
We recommend taking cash, which can easily be exchanged for dirhams in Tangier Ville or other Moroccan tourist towns without any problems. Euros are accepted locally, but it’s always more practical to have dirhams on hand to facilitate day-to-day transactions. Generally speaking, when paying in euros on the spot, 1 euro = 10 dirhams.
As far as INTERNET is concerned, you can buy a SIM card for Morocco to insert into your phone. For our part, we opted for a small portable modem where we could insert a Moroccan SIM card and use an Internet router to connect our cell phones to WIFI via a password. We opted for an ORANGE mobile card. There are many ORANGE sales outlets in Tangier city, for example.
Driving a converted van in Morocco
Morocco has a high-quality motorway network, with a number of very clean freeway service areas, such as the Afriquia service stations. Please note that freeways are subject to a toll system. You can also use the off-road network. If you’re using a GPS, which often offers you the shortest routes, often passing through the city center, we recommend that you find alternative ways of getting around these heavy traffic areas.
Before you set off, we advise you to draw up a roadmap of the various natural sites and towns you wish to visit, with an indication of where you plan to spend the night for each day. For this last point, you can easily find campsites using Google Map, or download the Park4night application for more convenient use. It’s important to keep 2 or 3 days free on your itinerary to have more flexibility during your roadtrip. For our trip in January 2025, we decided to focus solely on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, with its surfing and kitesurfing. Mind you, Morocco is a huge territory, so it’s best to visit only a specific part of the country in order to travel in complete tranquillity, enjoy the richness of the Moroccan territory and limit the time spent behind the wheel.
Our van itinerary in Morocco
ASILAH
Asilah
On arrival at Tanger Med, the largest industrial port in Africa and the Mediterranean, we set off for the small town ofAsilah, 40km south of Tanger Ville. It’s about a 2-hour drive around Tangier City from the south. Asilah is a magnificent fortified village, with many paintings in its alleyways, and an immediate vacation feeling overcomes us as we discover this little corner of paradise. There are many Spanish residents and the climate is very pleasant in winter. A perfect stopover for 1 or 2 days to get your stay off to a good start and enjoy the splendid beaches and hot mint tea.
Things to see and do in Asilah
The medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-see. The atmosphere is very relaxed in the center, with many local craftsmen. The facades of the houses are white, with blue or green windows. A wall built in the 15th century by Alfonso V of Portugal protected the city from invaders and storms. Don’t miss the Caraquia viewpoint, where you can enjoy the sunset over the ocean, with street musicians in the vicinity.
Dinner at the Dar Al Maghrebia restaurant: delicious chicken tagine, fruit juice and excellent Moroccan pastries or fruit salad. A small restaurant popular with tourists, it’s a pleasant cocoon when it’s cool outside.
Breakfast at Café Daya, south of town on the coast. You have to go around the city walls to get to this waterfront restaurant. Magnificent view to observe the return of the fishing boats and enjoy the moment to the rhythm of the waves. A perfect spot for tea or coffee at the end of the day too.
Where to sleep in a converted van in Asilah
Parking at the city port near the Borj Al Kasbah stone gate (indicated in Park4night) 50 dh for the night, or 5€.
CASABLANCA
Casablanca
It’s the country’s economic capital, with over 5 million inhabitants. Of course, it’s best to avoid driving into the heart of this huge city in a van, as the traffic is very, very heavy. We’ll recommend a quiet, secure parking lot where you can spend the night, then it’ll be easier to get around the city by cab from the same guarded parking lot.
Things to see and do in Casablanca
Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the 3rd largest mosque in the world. Visits take place only in the morning at specific times, and tickets can be purchased on site with a guided tour included. Different guides are available, with the option of taking the tour in French, English or Spanish. This is an absolute must-see in Casablanca.
It’s a true architectural jewel, 200m long, 100m wide and 65m high, representing a total of 365 meters and the 365 days of the year. The mosque was built from 1987 to 1993 above the sea, with a total of 10,000 workers working day and night. The architect is French, Michel Pinseau. A modern mosque with a capacity of 25,000 worshippers inside and 85,000 outside. The ablutions hall is magnificent, with numerous fountains. In summer, the mosque ‘s roof can be opened automatically to keep worshippers cool.
Stroll along the boulevard de la corniche, discover the old medina, the Place de Mohammed V and the nearby Arab League Park.
Where to sleep in a converted van in Casablanca
Parking Boulevard de l’Océan (opposite Mausolée Sidi Abderrahman) 50 dh
Basic, secure 24-hour parking with a janitor facing the ocean. Convenient to be outside the city, with a bus station nearby (an opportunity to promoteeco-tourism) and the possibility of taking a cab to the mosque and other tourist sites for 30 dirhams.
ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira
Essouira is undoubtedly our favorite Moroccan town, a fortified city dating back to Phoenician times, which became a Portuguese fortress in 1506, with its medina listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a fishing town with shallow waters and a continuous, refreshing breeze. We recommend spending at least 3 days here, to take full advantage of this seaside resort and its beaches, tasting fresh orange juice in its little terraced cafés. This southern town is a haven of peace.
Things to see and do in Essaouira
The medina, the ramparts and their cannons, the port and the return of the fishermen with a tasting of seafood and fresh fish cooked on site, the Essaouira museum. Restaurant Océan Vagabond with breathtaking views overEssaouira bay. Enjoy a cup of tea on the roof-top terrace of the Salut Maroc restaurant. The countless restaurants in the medina where you can enjoy fish: sardines, sea bass, sole and sea bream at ridiculously low prices, and other Moroccan specialties.
Surf & kitesurf lessons with Kite life Watersport school
Meet Moncef & Ariane for a sporty experience during your roadtrip, they know theEssaouira area inside out and will be able to offer you a range of activities: surfing, kitesurfing, wingfoil, yoga, etc... Thanks to Kitelife Essaouira we had a unique experience on a secret surf spot (“second beach”) and typical Moroccan cuisine with wood-fired tajines on the beach. A truly magical moment, we experienced authentic Morocco.
Where to sleep in a converted van in Essaouira
Guarded parking Sidi Kaouki (next to the building known as “ Le Marabout de Sidi Kaouki“) 20 dh. This was the highlight of our trip.
We decided to head out of town to Sidi Kaouki, a magnificent surf spot with a huge beach. We recommend the nearby Chez Momo restaurant for breakfast and dinner. You can also sleep in Essaouira, using park4night.
Sidi Kaouki is all about surfing, dromedaries, chill & relax, to the rhythm of the derboukas on the beach. A unique natural spot for 100% relaxation.
OUALIDIA
Oualidia
After our roadtrip through the south of the country to Sidi Kaouki, we start heading back towards Tangier with our first stop in the coastal town of Oualidia. This town is a real surprise, very well kept, green and with a huge lagoon that flows into the ocean. There’s a thrivingoyster-farming industry here, and you can sample oysters just about everywhere, as well as Riads and luxury hotels.
Things to see and do in Oualidia
Taste oysters and seafood, take a boat trip on the lagoon (250 dh for 2 people for 1 hour), kayak and swim in the crescent-shaped bay, stroll through the village and take some great photos, hammam and massage at the Palace La Sultana hotel.
Where to sleep in a converted van in Oualidia
Night spot: Camping Laguna Park at the entrance to the town. 100 dh, extra 30 dhs for electricity.
We took advantage of this campsite to fill the clear water and empty the black & grey water. Very warm welcome, the manager even offered us Moroccan bread in the morning. View over the lagoon, very quiet.
It’s also possible to sleep at the motorhome park in town (see exact location on Park4night), a huge site in the heart of town, close to the fresh oyster vendors and with access to the lagoon.
MOULAY-BOUSSELHAM
Moulay-Bousselham
Another stopover in this town south of Tangier to rest up before the end of the road trip in a BURSTNER CAMPEO van. The seafront is magnificent, with a huge lagoon, but unfortunately the town is very dirty. We recommend just spending the night here and having breakfast before continuing on your way.
For breakfast, you can go to the café opposite KABANO Beach, called Coffee Break, with its magnificent ocean view and Moroccan cuisine prepared by a Berber family. This café is located in a street perpendicular to the traffic circle at the end of town known as “La redonda” on the N27.
Where to sleep in a converted van in Moulay-Bousselham
Redonda N27 or near the Coffee Break restaurant 20 dh
TANGER
Tangier
To finish on a high note, we kept 2 days of our roadtrip in a converted van in the city of Tangier, nicknamed the Pearl of Morocco. Tangier is cosmopolitan and forms the link betweenEurope andAfrica. It boasts a new marina, a huge traditional market and fast-growing economic activity, notably with the port of Tangier Med and its factories in the automotive sector.
Things to see and do in Tangier
The souk, theold medina district, Cap Spartel (15 minutes from the center, take a cab for a tour), the ramparts of the Kasbah, the Kasbah Museum, which recounts the history of the city, breakfast at the AZUR restaurant overlooking the port, the Saveurs de poisson restaurant: delicious with an intimate atmosphere, but there are only a few tables, so it’s not unusual to queue for lunch.
Where to sleep in a converted van in Tangier
Luxury camping MIRAMONTE. 200 dirhams. Ultra-clean campsite, impeccable shower and toilet facilities, restaurant with ocean view. Friendly welcome. Perfect for water management and cleaning the van before returning to Spain.
Conclusion
This Morocco road trip in a nutshell:
- The feeling of freedom with a converted van
- A warm welcome from the Moroccans
- Luxuriant nature on the Atlantic coast.
- Incredible African sunsets
The best time for a roadtrip in Morocco: November to March. Minimum 15 days. Ideal temperature (15-20 degrees), few tourists.
To rent a van click here: https: //www.vanbreak.com/search/
