A Morocco highlights tour takes you through the country’s best-known places in one loop: Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar, blue Chefchaouen, the medina of Fes with Meknes and Volubilis, the Sahara dunes at Merzouga, the kasbahs of the south and Marrakech. Ten days covers it at a comfortable pace, which makes it the right trip for first-time visitors.
Morocco covers 712,550 square kilometers, so a good highlights route is about choosing well. This guide explains what belongs on the list, why each stop earns its place and how to plan the trip.
The Highlights at a Glance
| Stop | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | Arrival city and home of the Hassan II Mosque |
| Tangier | A port city facing Spain, with a kasbah, a lively medina and Cap Spartel |
| Chefchaouen | The blue mountain town, made for slow walks and photos |
| Fes | One of the largest car-free medieval medinas in the world, with its tanneries and workshops |
| Meknes and Volubilis | An imperial city and the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco |
| Merzouga (Sahara) | A camel trek into the dunes and nights in a desert camp |
| Todra Gorge and Dades Valley | Canyon walls, rock formations and winding mountain roads |
| Ait Ben Haddou | A UNESCO-listed fortified village of earthen buildings |
| Marrakech | Jemaa el-Fna square, souks, palaces, gardens and some of Morocco’s best food |
The North and the Imperial Cities
Tangier. On the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier has a hilltop kasbah, a lively medina, the Caves of Hercules and Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. It is the natural first stop in the north before Chefchaouen. Tangier adds time to a highlights loop, which is why it is part of our 14 day tour. Read our Tangier visitor guide and our list of the best hotels and riads in Tangier.
Chefchaouen. The blue-painted town sits on a mountainside, so expect hills and stairs. Give it an unhurried evening and morning rather than a quick photo stop. If you prefer to avoid climbing, the visit can be shortened or removed. Read our Chefchaouen visitor guide.
Fes. Plan two days here: one to arrive and settle in, and one for a guided tour of the medina, where a local guide makes the difference between getting lost and understanding what you see. See the best things to do in Fes.
Meknes and Volubilis. Whenever Fes is on the route, these two come with it. Meknes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, with Fes, Marrakech and Rabat. Volubilis, nearby, holds Roman mosaics and columns in open countryside. More in our guide to the imperial cities of Morocco.
The Sahara and the South
Merzouga. This is the heart of a highlights tour. The drive from Fes is 468 km, about 7 hours with stops at Ifrane, Azrou and the Ziz Valley, and it is explained stop by stop in Fes to Merzouga. Plan two nights in the Sahara, so you have a full day in the dunes instead of a rushed overnight. The camel trek is included, and quad biking is an optional extra. See what to expect at a Sahara desert camp.
Todra Gorge and Dades Valley. On the way west from the desert, the road passes towering canyon walls and the rock formations of the Dades Valley.
Ait Ben Haddou. A fortified village of earthen buildings near Ouarzazate, on the way to Marrakech. The climb to the top is optional: you can walk the foothill and take your photos from there.
Marrakech, the Finale
Marrakech deserves more than a single day. Spend two nights: one to arrive and see the city come alive at dusk, and one for a guided tour of the medina. Highlights include:
- Jemaa el-Fna: the main square, quiet by day and full of food stalls, musicians and storytellers at night
- The souks: covered markets of leather, lanterns, rugs, spices and ceramics, where bargaining is part of the fun
- Koutoubia Mosque: the 12th century minaret that marks the skyline
- Bahia and El Badi palaces: grand palaces that show the craftsmanship of royal Marrakech
- Saadian Tombs: richly decorated royal tombs, hidden for centuries and rediscovered in the 20th century
- Ben Youssef Madrasa: a former Islamic college with carved cedar, stucco and zellige tilework
- Majorelle Garden: a cobalt-blue villa among cactus and palms (tickets are not included, so book online)
- Food and hammams: tagines and mint tea from street stalls to rooftops, and a hammam to end a long trip
For more, read visit Marrakech and the things to do in Morocco.
How Long Should a Highlights Tour Be?
| Trip length | What changes | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| 9 days | The same route with one night in the Sahara instead of two | Ask us for a 9 day quote |
| 10 days | The full highlights loop with two Sahara nights | 10 day Morocco itinerary |
| 14 days | More time in each place, plus Tangier and Essaouira | Two weeks in Morocco |
Short on time? See the 8 day itinerary from north to south, or compare every option in our Morocco itinerary planner.
What a Private Highlights Tour Includes
- Private transportation with your own driver and guide
- Hand-picked hotels and riads at your chosen level: Standard 3*, Affordable Lux 4* or Deluxe 5*
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Daily breakfast, plus dinner at the Sahara camp and at selected stops
- Guided city tours, excursions along the route and the camel trek
You fly into and out of the same city, either Casablanca or Marrakech. For typical prices, see our guide to Morocco trip costs. To choose where to go, see the best cities to visit in Morocco.
Morocco Highlights Tour FAQ
Ten days covers the main route with two nights in the Sahara. With 9 days, the route stays the same with one Sahara night. With 14 days, the pace slows and Essaouira is added.
Most travelers use it as the arrival or departure city and visit the Hassan II Mosque. The imperial cities of Morocco are Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Rabat.
No. On a private tour, transport, guides and hotels are arranged together as one trip.
Yes. Stops can be added or removed to suit your interests and mobility.
On our tours you fly into and out of the same city, either Casablanca or Marrakech.
Yes, Tangier is a highlight of the north, with its kasbah, medina and Cap Spartel. It fits best on a longer trip, such as our 14 day tour, before Chefchaouen.
Plan Your Morocco Highlights Tour
Tell us your travel dates, the number of travelers, your hotel level (Standard, Affordable Lux or Deluxe) and the city you are flying in and out of. Fill in the form below and we will send you a day by day itinerary and a quote.
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