What to do in Morocco: 10-day itinerary

Going to Morocco had been a dream of mine for a very long time. When I first visited Spain, my plan was to cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier, and then continue on to Fes and Marrakesh. Long story short: I fell so in love with Spain that I put the Moroccan adventure on hold. I later regretted it and ended up having to wait nearly three decades to finally set foot in Morocco.

Not only had I matured and had more time to research everything there is to see and do in Morocco, but the country itself had also become better prepared to welcome visitors. Could I have gone sooner? Definitely. But what matters is that I went, and now I’m here to tell you all about it.

We followed this ten-day itinerary through Morocco as two women traveling together, but I can already tell you it works for just about anyone, including families with children. You can also adapt this route whether you’re renting a car or joining tours, like this eight-day Morocco tour (which includes a night in the desert), or this seven-day option, to which you can add a three-day extension for the Sahara Desert in Merzouga.

Also, check out this post where I share everything you need to know before going to Morocco: from the best time to visit to what to wear. It’s a handy compilation of tips and information to help make your trip every bit as memorable as mine!

First of all, follow me on Instagram @danae_explore – that’s where you can keep up with my trips, find lots of travel tips, and send me a DM anytime! I love chatting about travel

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Overview of our 10-day Morocco itinerary

After much research, discussing with my travel mates, we decided on this itinerary:

1️⃣ Arrival in Casablanca, drive to Rabat
2️⃣ Morning in Rabat, afternoon transfer to Chefchaouen
3️⃣ Full day in Chefchaouen
4️⃣ Visits to Volubilis and Meknes, arriving in Fès by evening
5️⃣ Full day in Fès
6️⃣ Drive to Merzouga, overnight in a Sahara desert camp
7️⃣ Drive to Ouarzazate
8️⃣ Morning drive to Marrakesh, afternoon in Marrakesh
9️⃣ Full day in Marrakesh
🔟 Another full day in Marrakesh
On the 11th day, we flew back home with Royal Air Maroc, departing early from Marrakesh with a layover in Casablanca.

This itinerary was simply perfect! We managed to do everything we hoped for: explored historic towns and their medinas, visited the famous “blue city,” spent a magical night in the desert, drove through breathtaking valleys that felt like mirages, crossed the Atlas Mountains multiple times, and ended on a high note in Marrakesh. It wasn’t just the places we saw, the sequence of the itinerary itself couldn’t have been better.
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Why didn't we include Casablanca in the itinerary?

Although our flight landed in Casablanca, we chose not to explore the city.

Based on what we’d read on travel blogs and heard from friends who had already been to Morocco, we got the impression that there wasn’t much in Casablanca that we wouldn’t see in other places along our route.

The city’s main attraction is the Hassan II Mosque, which does look stunning and quite grand. Still, after weighing the pros and cons, and considering our limited time, we decided to save Morocco’s largest city for another trip. I don’t regret that choice. If you're planning differently, though, you can check out some activities to do in Casablanca here.
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Where to stay in Morocco

Where to stay in Rabat

After landing in Casablanca, we met up with our guide and driver and headed straight to Rabat (about 90 km away). We stopped for lunch along the way and arrived in Rabat early in the afternoon. Our guide took us to Euphoriad, a beautifully renovated riad located right in the medina of Rabat. Since cars can’t access the narrow streets of the medina, our driver dropped us off at one of the entrances, and we walked about three blocks to reach the accommodation (yet another reason why I always travel with just a carry-on!). Although the room we stayed in was on the small side, the hotel itself was excellent. The central courtyard was lovely, the décor was tasteful, the rooftop bar and small pool were perfect for relaxing, and breakfast was beautifully prepared.

Riads are traditional Moroccan homes, commonly found in medinas. They’re built around an inner courtyard, usually with a garden or a fountain, and decorated in classic Moroccan style with intricate mosaics and carvings. Many of these historic homes have been restored and converted into charming guesthouses, showcasing the country’s unique architecture and warm hospitality. On this trip, we stayed exclusively in riads, and I couldn’t recommend the experience more!
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Where to stay in Chefchaouen

In the maze of blue-washed alleyways and houses, we stayed at Lina Ryad, a true oasis among souvenir shops. The hotel is set in a traditional house, offering all the charm and authenticity you’d hope for, while also being very comfortable. It had one of the coziest beds of the entire trip, a fantastic shower, and a delicious, well-served breakfast.

Important note: Chefchaouen is built on a hillside, so expect a lot of ups and downs, with plenty of stairs. Cars can only go so far, and from there, it’s a steep walk. The hotel itself doesn’t have an elevator (our room was on the second floor). I wouldn’t recommend visiting Chefchaouen for anyone with mobility issues, knee or hip problems, or difficulty with stairs
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Where to stay in Fes

Still on our mission to stay in traditional Moroccan accommodations, we chose another riad, Dar Lys Riad, located in Fès medina. While it has the layout of a classic riad, much of the building is a modern construction. Our room was spacious, and the bathroom was very good, but unfortunately, the cleanliness left to be desired. It’s the only place on our itinerary that I don’t recommend (and for that reason, I won’t even link it here).

That said, I do highly recommend staying inside the medina of Fès. There are plenty of options, ranging from simple riads to the most luxurious ones. Have a look at the map and choose what best fits your style and budget:

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Where to stay in Merzouga – Sahara Desert

We left Fès for the Sahara Desert, in Merzouga, to spend a night in a real glamping camp. There are several camps in the desert, and ours was amazing: Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp.

I loved everything about the camp. There are several “tents” arranged around a central space with a fire pit, where we stayed at night after dinner, talking and watching the starry sky.

From the outside, the rooms looked like Bedouin tents, but they were real rooms, spacious, with a large double bed and a single bed. The bathroom was excellent (hot water with strong pressure), there was air conditioning, tasteful decor, and everything was very clean.

The accommodation includes half board: dinner on the day of arrival and breakfast the next morning, served in a "master tent." The food was very good (one of the best meals of the trip), and the service was impeccable (also the best of the trip). No matter how hard I try, I can’t think of a single negative point about this experience. We brought a bottle of Moroccan wine (we bought it on the way in Ifrane), which we gave to the hotel staff when we arrived, and it was served at the perfect temperature with our meal.

Also included in the stay was a dromedary ride through the dunes to watch the sunset. The ride is very gentle, but the moment the dromedary stands up, and then sits down, is quite something! Hold on tight and laugh!

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Where to stay in Ouarzazate

The next stop on the trip was Ouarzazate, on the way from Merzouga to Marrakesh. Although I loved the desert camp, the Riad Hotel Ksar Ighnda was my favorite of the entire trip.

This region of Morocco is known for its kasbahs, which are fortress-citadels, historical structures with Berber clay architecture. Many have been converted into inns and hotels, as was the case with ours.

The hotel is made up of several restored old buildings. Our room was very comfortable and well equipped, but the pool and the view of the valley were the highlights. The accommodation included half board (dinner and breakfast), which was great, as there isn’t much around the hotel; getting a decent dinner would probably have required driving to Ouarzazate
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Where to stay in Marrakesh

Marrakesh was our last stop on this ten-day itinerary through Morocco. You know that saying, save the best for last? Well, that’s exactly what we did.

In Marrakesh, we stayed at the sensational Les Jardins de La Koutoubia, which has the best location ever. I don’t know how it could have been better located: right at the entrance to the Marrakesh medina, between the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Having easy access to the medina made all the difference during our stay in Marrakesh. The hotel is beautiful, with rooms surrounding a central courtyard dominated by a large and inviting pool. Our room was huge, the bathroom was a proper salle de bain, the staff was very attentive, and the breakfast was one of those delicious spreads that leaves you rolling out the door. Overall, I highly recommend it
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What to do in Morocco

Here’s a quick overview of the main attractions in each city we visited. But don’t forget to also check out my post with a full compilation of ips for traveling to Morocco: when to go, what to wear, whether it’s safe for women to travel alone, and more.

What to do in Rabat

Rabat was the first city on our Morocco itinerary. It’s the capital of the country and, like most capitals, it was the cleanest and most organized city we visited. We spent about twenty-four hours in Rabat, which was enough to see the main parts of the city and get a taste of what was ahead.

For one day in Rabat, the suggestion is to start with a walk along the city's waterfront, located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. There’s a small pier there (Quai de Bouregreg), with some restaurants and kiosks; we walked around there on a very pleasant late afternoon.

Near the mouth of the river is the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a medieval fortified city with narrow streets and white houses now filled with shops and tourists, plus the Andalusian Gardens and the souk (market).

We also went by car to the Royal Palace, seat of the Moroccan government, but it’s only possible to visit the exterior.

From there, we continued to the Mausoleum of King Mohamed V (and his two sons, including King Hassan II), a marble pavilion with beautiful mosaics and a green-tiled roof. Across Yacoub Al Mansour Square is the Hassan Tower, built in the XII century as part of what was meant to be the largest mosque in the world, but the project was soon abandoned. The tower follows the same style as two others built during the reign of Sultan Yacoub El Mansour: the Koutoubia in Marrakesh and the Giralda in Seville.

We did all of this with our guide, and it was excellent, but if you’re traveling independently, I highly recommend taking a guided tour of Rabat.

In the afternoon we went to Chefchaouen, it's 340km, it took us about 5 hours (with a stop along the way).
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What to do in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, the Moroccan blue city catapulted to fame by social media..

An absolutely touristy village, with blue-painted houses as far as the arm can reach, selling “typical” trinkets, and every corner and staircase turned into an Instagrammable spot.. Contrary to my expectations, I found Chefchaouen quite pleasant—the prices were reasonable, the food was tasty, and (some of) the trinkets were actually charming (although many were clearly made in China).

The idea there is to simply wander through the alleys and stop for photos, have some of the ubiquitous mint tea or juice (they’re delicious, enjoy!), get lost among the staircases and narrow streets, and, yes, take more photos. We had a guide, but if you don’t, it’s possible to book a guided tour of the town and I highly recommend it.

We stayed two nights in Chefchaouen. If you’re short on time, stay just one night, but in that case, I recommend leaving Rabat early so you can enjoy the whole afternoon in the city.

If you're entering Morocco via the Strait of Gibraltar, it's just on your way. For us, it was a bit out of the way, at 340 km from Rabat. We even considered cutting it from the itinerary. Thank goodness we didn’t: I really enjoyed the place.

But a word of caution: Chefchaouen is built on a hillside, and the entire town is a series of ups and downs, with stairs everywhere. I don’t recommend it for people with reduced mobility, knee or hip pain, or similar conditions
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What to do in Meknes / Volubilis

We continued our journey towards Fès, stopping along the way to visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.

Volubilis was a prosperous city at the far southwest edge of the Roman Empire, with everything a city of that time typically had: a temple, a forum, baths, mosaic floors, residential and artisan quarters, and even a triumphal arch, all surrounded by 2.6 km of walls.

It reached its peak between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD, and was later occupied by other peoples, including Idris ibn Abdallah, founder of the first Muslim state in Morocco. At some point, it was abandoned and eventually suffered its final blow in the 1755 earthquake (the same one that destroyed Lisbon). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it makes for a pleasant and very interesting visit.

We then continued to Meknes, the former capital of Morocco, known for its 40 km of walls and for housing what is considered the most beautiful gate in Morocco: Bab Mansour Gate. We also visited the Mausoleum of Mulai Ismail, who ruled the country from 1672 to 1727 and moved the capital from Marrakesh to Meknes.

This is a very worthwhile trip and, if you travelling independently, you can join a tour departing from Casablanca or Fez.

The entire journey that day covered about 250 km. We left Chefchaouen early and arrived in Fès at 6 p.m
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What to do in Fez

Fès was the first capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, founded in 789 by Mulei Idris. . I recommend starting your exploration at Borj Nord, , a fortress built in 1582, whose layout was inspired by the architecture of 16th-century Portuguese fortresses. It was one of the largest watchtowers in the city and also served as a cannon factory. From there, you get a sense of the vastness of the medina, whose narrow alleys will soon leave you lost.

After this panoramic view, it’s time to enter the largest medina in the world. Founded in the 9th century, it’s a maze of alleys and narrow streets that would disorient even the best navigator. This vast market, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the oldest university in the world ( Al Quaraouiyine University), beautiful madrassas (Islamic religious school) – we visited the Madrassa Cherratine and Bou Anania, several mosques, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, as well as tanneries, textile workshops, marquetry artisans, and foods ranging from the usual to the exotic (we even saw a dromedary head!). In short, it’s an organized chaos of colors and smells of all kinds, enough to fascinate anyone.

It’s a good thing we had a guide, because first, I would have gotten incredibly lost, and second, I wouldn’t have understood even a tenth of the history and culture of the place — I highly recommend hiring a guided tour of the medina of Fès.

Another stop is the Royal Palace, but it’s only possible to visit the outside, which is enough to admire the beautiful doors.

The next day, we left early for the Sahara Desert, in Merzouga. It was a long day on the road — approximately 500 km — and we arrived at our desert camp in the late afternoon
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What to do in the Sahara Desert – Merzouga

As I said on Instagram, there was no way I was going to Morocco and not going to the Sahara!I knew it was far, but let me tell you: it’s really far. It took an entire day to get there, on single-lane roads with endless curves. We made a short stop to stretch our legs in Ifrane and had a quick lunch along the way. Our guide and driver took us to Arfoud, where we switched to a 4x4 with a Berber driver who took us to the camp in the middle of the dunes.

Despite the distance, Merzouga is absolutely worth the trip. The first glimpse of the dunes from inside the car is breathtaking. When I arrived, I felt like I was in a dream. You know that desert you used to draw as a kid, that movie desert that lives in your imagination? It’s right there, in front of you. I had visited deserts before (most recently, in northern Argentina), but the Sahara in the Merzouga region was the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.

Accommodation at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp ncludes a camel ride (actually, a dromedary, the one-humped camel typical of North Africa) through the dunes at sunset (don’t miss it, it’s amazing), but once there, you can book other tours as well, including camel or ATV rides. I also recommend, after dinner, walking a few meters away from the camp lights (don’t worry, just go about ten meters!) and looking up at the night sky.

The next day, after breakfast, we drove 350 km toward Ouarzazate, with several stops along the way.

If you’re traveling through Morocco without a guide and driver, I recommend booking a specific tour for this part of the route, as there’s no way to reach the dunes without a 4×4. There are options that leave and return to Marrakesh or that leave Marrakesh and end in Fès.

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What to do on the way between Merzouga and Ouarzazate

I dare say this was the most beautiful stretch of my journey in Morocco, and one of my personal top ten. One of the reasons I wanted to go to Merzouga so much was because I knew that, on the way, we would pass through this region, known as the Road of 1000 Kasbahs.

The first stop was in inghir, where we visited the Todra Canyon. Then, the road winds through thousands of curves along the Atlas Mountains, in a very arid landscape where, suddenly, you come across, oasis villages filled with palm trees and adobe houses. Like a mirage, kasbahs appear: historic structures that served as fortresses, administrative centers, and protection from the elements. They are made of adobe, a sun-dried mix of clay, straw, and manure, a traditional material with excellent thermal regulation that can last for centuries.

One of the best-known kasbahs is Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, which has been used as a filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, Troy, Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and others. Founded in 757, the existing buildings are estimated to date back to the 17th century, but they follow the same traditional construction techniques. Another preserved and important kasbah is Kasbah Taourirt.

Ouarzazate is the main film hub in North Africa. There are several studios there, the most famous being Atlas Studios, which can be visited and which, according to film enthusiasts, is very interesting.

We enjoyed the end of the afternoon at our amazing Riad Hotel Ksar Ighnda (my favorite of the trip) and the next day we left early for Marrakesh (about 180 km).

It is possible to visit this region – which I highly recommend – with a day trip from Marrakesh.

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What to do in Marrakesh

Marrakesh is a destination for 11 out of 10 visitors to Morocco. And it’s no wonder: the city is full of attractions, has excellent tourist infrastructure, and is easily accessible. If your time in Morocco is limited, make the most of it.

But as the country’s main tourist city, Marrakesh also has its drawbacks. Prices are higher, attractions are more crowded (some absurdly so), and practices that shouldn’t exist anymore (like animal exploitation) still happen in the main square. At the same time, it feels like a much more open and tolerant city, and we felt very safe walking around both day and night.

We stayed 2 and a half days in Marrakesh. I thought it was a reasonable amount of time, but the city has enough attractions to easily fill another day or two. Also, for those who don’t want to venture to Merzouga (or don’t have the time), it’s possible to visit the Agafay desert, about 40 km from the town, either on a late afternoon tours or by staying overnight in the desert.

A must-see in Marrakesh is Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, that market square that has a little bit of everything — and plenty of chaos. During the day, it’s full of juice stands, vendors, and, unfortunately, people exploiting animals. At night, the juice stands are still going strong, and all of a sudden, hundreds of other stalls appear selling typical foods (some I’d even call questionable), and the place becomes packed. Tourists and locals flock to the square, and street performers and sellers offering all kinds of trinkets take over the scene.

In the heart of Marrakesh’s medina, Jemaa El-Fnaa Square was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2008, recognized for its oral tradition, music, folk medicine, and performance art. When in Marrakesh, you can’t miss the square. Even if you don’t look for it, you’ll suddenly find yourself there. Take it in.

The Medina of Marrakesh is another essential experience in town. It’s that chaotic market, with shops selling everything imaginable, maze-like alleys, and, when you least expect it, beautiful and important historical sites, like Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Medersa, the Saadian Tombs, and the Koutoubia Mosque and Tower. I recommend visiting all of them
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The next day, we went early to the Majorelle Garden and Yves Saint Laurent Museum, one of the most beautiful – and pleasant – places we visited in Morocco.

In 1924, painter Jacques Majorelle began creating his retreat near Marrakesh, combining art and botany. He built his art deco studio and painted it in an intense blue that eventually became his signature color: Majorelle blue. In 1947, the garden was opened to the public, but after Jacques’ death in 1962, it was abandoned, until none other than Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased and restored it in 1980.

Today, in addition to strolling through the garden, you can visit the Berber Museum and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum — I highly recommend both! But a heads-up: tickets are timed and must be purchased in advance on the official website. The Majorelle Gardens are open every day of the week, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the last entry at 6:00 p.m.

Other places we visited included the Menara Garden and the dazzling Hotel La Mamounia - since our budget didn’t allow us to stay there, we at least went to see it and had lunch at L’Italien par Jean-Georges
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Complete map of our 10-day Morocco itinerary

Our ten days in Morocco are detailed on the map below — just click and save it to your Google account. When you're planning your next trip to Morocco, you'll know where to start 😉

In this post, I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan my trips. It’s a great tool for saving locations, calculating routes and distances, and organizing your entire journey. I highly recommend giving it a try!

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How to use this map: click the menu tab in the upper left corner of the map to access different layers, including points of interest and routes. You can toggle layers on and off by checking the corresponding boxes. To see details about specific locations, click the icons on the map.

To save this map to your Google Maps account, just click the star icon next to the map title. To access it later on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap the menu button, go to “Your Places”, select “Maps”, and you’ll find this map saved there.
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Here are the websites I always use to plan my trips:
– 🛌 Accommodation: Booking
– ☀️ Tours & activities: Civitatis & Get Your Guide
– 📱 eSIM for mobile data: Airalo e-SIM – use promo code DANAE2375
– 🚗 Car rental: RentCars – use promo code DANAE

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Let’s Stay Connected!

Have questions or thoughts to share? Reach out on social — I love chatting about all things travel! 😉

And before you go, don’t forget to SAVE THIS PIN to your PINTEREST account for easy access to this post on our ten-day Morocco itinerary whenever you need it!