The right Morocco itinerary depends on three things: how many days you have, which city you fly into, and how much time you want to spend on the road. Morocco covers about 712,550 square kilometers, and the places most travelers want to see sit far apart. Marrakech to Fes alone is about six hours by car. A good route keeps the driving days reasonable and gives you time to enjoy each stop.
We plan these trips all year for travelers from the US and around the world. This guide brings all our routes together in one place, from short three day escapes to the full two week loop, so you can pick the one that fits you and then read the detailed day by day plan.
How Many Days Do You Need in Morocco?
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip. It covers the north, the Imperial Cities, the Sahara and Marrakech without rushing. Seven or eight days works if you focus on one region. Two weeks lets you add the coast, Tangier and slower days.
| Days | What fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 5 | Marrakech and the Sahara, or Marrakech to Fes through the desert | Travelers adding Morocco to a Europe trip |
| 7 to 8 | Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara, or a north to south line from Tangier | A first taste of the country |
| 9 to 11 | Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, Ouarzazate and Marrakech | First time visitors who want the highlights |
| 14 | All of the above plus Tangier, Asilah, a free day in Chefchaouen and Essaouira | A complete trip at an easier pace |
For a closer look at the trade offs, read our guide to Morocco in 7, 10 or 14 days.
Morocco Itinerary by Trip Length
Short trips: 3 to 5 days
Three to five days is enough for a taste of the desert, but most of the time goes to driving. The Sahara dunes at Merzouga are far from Marrakech, and driving there and straight back means about 10 hours on mountain roads, with many places worth stopping in between. That is why our short routes are one way trips or loops with overnight stops, never a rushed out and back.
- 3 Days: Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara, Fes crosses the country from Marrakech to Fes through the desert.
- 4 Days: Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara is a loop from Marrakech.
If you can add even two or three days, the trip becomes far more relaxed.
One week: 7 to 8 days
A week gives you two good options. The first stays in the south: Marrakech, the High Atlas, the Dades Valley, two nights in the Sahara, Ouarzazate, and two nights back in Marrakech. It is the best choice if you fly in and out of Marrakech.
The second runs north to south: Tangier, Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Meknes on the way to Fes, a guided day in Fes, the Sahara, the Dades Valley, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech. It covers more ground and suits travelers arriving from Spain. If you can add a day, use it for a second night in the desert.
- Southern loop: 7 night Morocco itinerary and the 7 nights private tour
- North to south: 8 days Morocco itinerary and the 8 days private tour
The classic: 9 to 11 days
This is the Morocco itinerary most first time visitors choose. Our 10 day route starts in Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque, then heads north through Rabat to Chefchaouen. Day three passes the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes before reaching Fes, and day four is a guided tour of the Fes medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Fes, you cross the Middle Atlas through Ifrane, the cedar forest of Azrou and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga, about seven hours with stops for tea and photos. Two nights in the Sahara follow, with a sunset camel trek and a night in a desert camp. The road back west passes the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley to Ouarzazate, then Ait Ben Haddou and the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech, where a guided tour fills the last full day.
- The 10 day Morocco itinerary, day by day
- 10 Days: The Highlights of Morocco, the private tour version
- Nine days: Culture and Landscapes (Marrakech to Casablanca) or Medina Magic to Desert Dreams (Casablanca to Marrakech)
- Eleven days: Ancient Medinas to Sahara Sands
- Five star version: Luxury Morocco tour
Two weeks: 14 days
Two weeks lets you see the whole country at an easier pace. The route starts in Casablanca and follows the Atlantic coast through Rabat and Asilah to Tangier. Chefchaouen gets two nights, including a free day. Then come Volubilis, Meknes and two days in Fes, two nights in Merzouga, the Todra Gorge and Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, and Marrakech. A day trip to the coastal town of Essaouira closes the trip.
- Two weeks in Morocco, day by day
- 14 Day private tour: Essence of Morocco
- Prefer fewer hours in the car? Read Slow Morocco.
Where to Start: Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes or Tangier
Casablanca and Marrakech are the two main gateways, and both work well. They are only about two and a half hours apart by highway, and we provide airport pickup and drop off in both cities.
- Casablanca is the usual arrival point for travelers flying from the US, and starts the trip with the Hassan II Mosque. It suits the classic loop north through Rabat and Chefchaouen.
- Marrakech puts you straight into the medina and the High Atlas. It suits the southern loop and shorter trips.
- Fes works as a start for routes that focus on the north and the Sahara.
- Tangier is the natural entry if you arrive from Spain, and the start of our north to south route.
One tip for the trip home: most US flights from Casablanca leave in the morning. If yours does, plan your last night in Casablanca rather than driving from Marrakech that day.
Read more in the best city to start your Morocco trip.
Choose by Travel Style
The same route can feel very different depending on hotels, pace and who you travel with.
| Travel style | What changes | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Private tour | Your own driver and guide, your own vehicle, a pace set around you | Morocco private tours guide |
| Luxury | Five star hotels, luxury desert camp, the same classic route | Luxury Morocco tour |
| Honeymoon | Romantic riads, a night under the desert stars, a slower rhythm | Honeymoon in Morocco |
| Slow pace | Fewer hotel changes, shorter driving days, more time in each city | Slow Morocco |
| Solo women | A private driver and guide, hotels chosen for location and comfort | Solo female travel in Morocco |
| First trip | The 10 day classic, with tips on what to expect | First time in Morocco |
If you want less walking. Some stops involve stairs and hills. The climb at Ait Ben Haddou is optional; you can walk the foothill and take photos from there. Chefchaouen is built on a mountainside, so we can shorten the walk there or leave it out of the route entirely.
Planning Your Morocco Itinerary
Driving times between stops
These are Google Maps driving times without stops. Real days are longer, because every leg has places worth a break.
| Leg | Driving time |
|---|---|
| Casablanca to Rabat | 1h30 |
| Casablanca to Marrakech | about 2h30 by highway |
| Chefchaouen to Volubilis | 2h |
| Volubilis to Meknes | 1h |
| Meknes to Fes | 1h |
| Fes to Merzouga, with stops | about 7h |
| Merzouga to Dades | 4h30 |
| Dades to Ouarzazate | 2h20 |
| Marrakech to Fes | about 6h |
For more city pairs, see distances between major cities in Morocco.
Getting around: private driver, train or rental car
We do not recommend internal flights. They are often delayed or canceled by weather, luggage goes missing, and the hours at airports add up. Overland, the journey itself becomes part of the trip: cedar forests, kasbahs, valleys and mountain passes you would miss from the air.
Trains are comfortable between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech, but they do not reach the Sahara, the Atlas or the valleys. Driving yourself is possible, and our guide to driving in Morocco explains what to expect. A private driver removes the stress of mountain roads, medina parking and navigation.
How many nights in the Sahara?
We recommend two nights in Merzouga. The first evening is the camel trek and sunset; the second day is for the desert itself: the Gnawa village of Khamlia, nomad families, fossils, or simply rest. One night means arriving tired and leaving at dawn. Read what to expect at a Sahara desert camp and how it compares in Agafay vs Merzouga.
When to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) bring the most comfortable weather for both cities and desert. Winter is quieter, with cold desert nights. Summer is hot inland. See the best time to visit Morocco for a month by month guide.
What a Morocco itinerary costs
The price of a private trip depends on the season, the hotel category, the number of days, and the size of your group: the per person price goes down as the group gets larger. Every quote we send is built around your dates and your route. Use the form at the end of this article to get yours.
Why Travel With a Private Driver and Guide
Every route in this guide can be done as a private tour. That means:
- Airport pickup and drop off
- A private, air conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver, for your group only
- Hand picked riads and hotels, plus a desert camp in Merzouga
- Daily breakfast, and dinners in selected cities based on your route
- Guided city tours, excursions along the route and the camel trek
- Guidance and support throughout the trip
You can see what past travelers experienced on our Instagram and Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough for a Morocco itinerary?
Yes. Ten days covers Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, two nights in the Sahara, Ouarzazate and Marrakech without rushing.
Is 7 days enough to see Morocco?
Seven days is enough for one region done well, such as Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. Trying to add Fes and Chefchaouen in a week means very long driving days.
Can I go from Marrakech to the Sahara and back in two days?
We do not recommend it. It is about 10 hours on mountain roads, and you would miss everything along the way. Plan at least one night in the Dades Valley, one in the Sahara and one in Ouarzazate.
Should I start in Casablanca or Marrakech?
Either works. They are about two and a half hours apart by highway, and the route can be built in either direction.
Should I fly between cities in Morocco?
We advise against internal flights. Delays, weather cancellations and lost luggage are common, and the overland route is part of the experience.
Can my Morocco itinerary be customized?
Yes. Every route here can change: more days in one city, fewer hotel changes, a different hotel level, or stops that match your interests.
Plan Your Morocco Itinerary With Us
You now know the main routes, how long each one takes and where to start. The next step is a plan built around your dates, your group and the pace you enjoy. Tell us about your trip in the form below, and we will send you a route and a quote for your private Morocco itinerary.
