Morocco Itinerary Guide: 7, 10 & 14 Days (Perfect for First-Time Travelers)
Private Morocco Tours & Tailor-Made Morocco Travel
From the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains to ancient medinas and Atlantic coastal towns, Morocco is one of the most diverse destinations in North Africa, and planning the perfect itinerary can feel both exciting and overwhelming for first-time visitors. In fact, one of the most common questions we get at Inner Morocco is: how many days do you actually need to visit Morocco?
The honest answer is that there isn’t one perfect trip length or one perfect way to do it. It really depends on your travel goals, interests, and how you like to travel. Morocco is incredibly diverse, from ancient cities and buzzing medinas to mountain passes, vast desert landscapes, and relaxed coastal towns. And that variety is exactly what makes it so special, but also what makes planning a bit tricky when you’re trying to fit everything into a limited amount of time.
The good news is that this guide is here to help with exactly that.
Below, you’ll find practical 7-day, 10-day, and 14-day Morocco itineraries designed for first-time visitors, so you can choose the route that best fits your time, pace, and travel style.
## Quick Overview of Morocco Itinerary Options
- 7 Days in Morocco → Best for travelers short on time who want to see the country’s main highlights quickly.
- 10 Days in Morocco → Ideal balance between cities, culture, and the Sahara Desert without feeling rushed.
- 14 Days in Morocco → Perfect for travelers wanting a deeper and more immersive experience, including coastal towns and slower travel days.
Things to Know Before Planning Your Morocco Itinerary
Before deciding on your Morocco travel route, it can be helpful to understand what getting around the country actually feels like on the ground. That’s right. Many first-time visitors are surprised by just how much longer journeys can feel once they’re actually on the road. Even when two places don’t look far apart on a map, the drive often stretches out once you factor in the terrain, winding roads, and the natural pace of travel through mountains and villages, with plenty of stops along the way for views and photo moments. Because of that, Morocco tends to feel less like a country where you “tick off” places quickly, and more like one where the travel itself becomes part of the experience. The landscapes keep changing, and our clients often tell us that the unexpected stops, small roadside views, passing villages, or stretches of quiet road, end up sticking in their memories just as much as the main highlights. This is also why a lot of travelers find that having a driver or a well-planned itinerary with a local Morocco travel agency like Inner Morocco makes a big difference. It takes away the pressure of navigation and timing, so you can actually take in the scenery instead of focusing on driving and checking the clock.
Driving Times Between Morocco’s Main Destinations
For cities connected by motorway, like Casablanca to Fes or Marrakech to Agadir, Google drive times are usually fairly accurate. However, on more rural routes, especially when crossing mountains or heading toward the desert, journeys can take around 25% to 50% longer than expected once you factor in road conditions, winding routes, and occasional stops along the way. Here are approximate driving times between key destinations:
- Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou: expect the trip to take between 3.5 and 4 hours
- Marrakech to the Sahara Desert (Merzouga): around 10 hours of driving time (excluding stops)
- Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains: the trip takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic
- Fes to Marrakech: the trip takes between 7 and 8 hours, depending on traffic
- Fes to Chefchaouen: expect the trip to take between 3.5 and 4 hours
- Chefchaouen to Rabat: around 4 hours
- Casablanca to Rabat: the trip takes between 1 and 1.5 hours
- Marrakesh to Agadir: 3 hours on the motorway
7-Day Morocco Itinerary (Fast-Paced Adventure)
A 7-day Morocco itinerary is best for travelers who want to see the country’s most iconic highlights in a limited amount of time. While it is absolutely possible to experience Morocco in a week, the pace will naturally be quite fast, with several longer driving days and shorter stops along the way.
DAY 1: Fes to Merzouga
After a few hours exploring Fes, home to the UNESCO-listed ancient medina of Fes el-Bali, and the famous traditional leather tanneries, it’s time to get on the road. Not long after leaving, the scenery will completely shift, taking you toward Ifrane, a charming town known for its alpine-style buildings and cool mountain air. From there, the route will continue into the majestic cedar forests around Azrou, where you may spot Barbary macaques moving through the trees, along with flashes of butterflies and occasional roadside stalls and signs of traditional Berber life along the way. As the journey continues toward Midelt, the pace of life will feel a bit quieter, with the road winding between mountain ranges and opening out into long, wide stretches of open landscape. Further south, the scenery will begin to transform once again as you enter the Ziz Valley. Palm groves will suddenly appear along the river below, stretching through an otherwise arid and dramatic landscape, and creating one of those striking contrasts Morocco is so well known for. If you keep up with that pace, by late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, right at the edge of the Sahara. Once there, settle into a traditional desert camp, where dinner will be served as the temperature drops and watch as the sky gradually fills with stars. First-time travelers tell us this moment feels almost surreal.
DAY 2: Merzouga: Sahara Desert Experience
For many visitors, Merzouga is where the Moroccan desert experience truly comes to life.One of the most unforgettable things to do here in the Sahara desert is to join a camel caravan into the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The landscape quickly opens up into endless waves of sand in every direction. Once there, no noise, no rush, just vast space and stillness, which is what a lot of visitors are after.Another unique experience is visiting a nearby nomadic family, offering a rare glimpse into a way of life that has adapted to the harsh desert environment over generations.People usually use the slower pace to explore the dunes at their own rhythm, relax at camp, or simply watch how the colours of the sand shift throughout the day as the light moves across the desert. As evening falls, traditional meals are shared back at camp, followed by one of the most memorable highlights, stargazing under clear skies!
DAY 3: Merzouga to Dades Valley
After sunrise in the Sahara, the journey continues west toward the Dades Valley, passing through changing desert landscapes, rocky plains, and small oasis towns along the way. As you approach the valley, the scenery becomes more dramatic, with winding mountain roads, deep canyons, and striking rock formations. One of the highlights here is the famous “Monkey Fingers” rock formations, shaped naturally by erosion over time. Along the route, you’ll also pass traditional Berber villages, old kasbahs, and narrow gorges that make this region one of the most scenic parts of southern Morocco.
DAY 4: Dades Valley to Marrakech
On the fourth day of this Morocco itinerary, visitors often continue to Skoura, a peaceful oasis region where vast palm groves stretch across the landscape and scattered ancient kasbahs dot small villages and open desert plains. It’s a quieter stretch of the journey, before the route continues toward Ouarzazate, a town strongly linked to Morocco’s film industry and surrounded by dramatic desert landscapes that have featured in many international productions. From here, the journey leads you to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the well-preserved mud-brick kasbah rises from the earth in layered tones of ochre and sand. We recommend walking through the narrow passageways and climbing toward the higher viewpoints for an epic view over the surrounding valley and desert plains. After exploring the site, the route continues across the High Atlas Mountains, where winding roads cut through rugged peaks, before gradually descending toward Marrakech
Day 5: Marrakech Exploration (Medina, Souks & Top Attractions)
Day five is set aside to experience Marrakech. The medina is often the first real immersion, with its maze of narrow streets filled with movement, colour, and sound. We’d also recommend visiting key landmarks such as the Bahia Palace and Koutoubia Mosque, before heading into the souks, a sprawling network of winding alleys where you’ll find everything from spices and lanterns to leather goods, textiles, and handcrafted ceramics. If you feel like a quiet stop after the medina, head to the famous Majorelle Garden, once the property of Yves Saint Laurent.
DAY 6: Marrakech to Ourika Valley
On day six, we recommend taking a break from the city and heading into the Ourika Valley for a completely different experience of Morocco. The drive out of Marrakech will quickly bring you into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where the scenery becomes greener and quieter. Along the way, you’ll pass small Berber villages dotted across the hillsides, offering a glimpse into traditional mountain life outside the city. Once in the valley, one of the highlights we recommend is a walk towards the Setti Fatma waterfalls. The trails are relatively short and take you through rocky paths, river crossings, and shaded natural spots.
Day 7 — Depart Marrakech
Depending on your flight time, you may have a slow morning. One last Moroccan breakfast — fresh bread, honey, mint tea, eggs. Then your driver takes you to the airport.
You will already be thinking about coming back.
Who Is This 7-Day Morocco Itinerary Best For?
This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want a fast-paced introduction to Morocco and are comfortable with longer travel days. It suits those who prefer seeing the main highlights in a short time rather than travelling slowly between regions.
10-Day Morocco Itinerary (Balanced Experience)
A 10-day Morocco itinerary (Best First-Time Morocco Travel Route) is one of the most popular options for first-time visitors because it allows more breathing space.
Day 1–2: Marrakech
Spend your first two days in Marrakech getting familiar with this iconic city. First-time travelers find that returning to places like Jemaa el-Fnaa and the surrounding souks at different times of day completely changes the experience, from quieter mornings when the square feels more open and relaxed, to the intense evening atmosphere when it fills with food stalls, smoke from grills, musicians, storytellers, and street performers. You’ll see everything from fresh juice vendors and henna artists to traditional Gnawa musicians, drumming circles, and yes, a few snake charmers who are part of the square’s long-standing traditions! Nearby, the souks spill into a maze of narrow alleys where you can browse spices, lanterns, leather goods, textiles, and handmade crafts, with each section having its own rhythm and energy. Other key landmarks include the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Majorelle Garden.
Day 3: Atlas Mountains and Ait Ben Haddou
On day three, travel through the High Atlas Mountains, following winding roads that cut through constantly changing scenery, with small Berber villages popping up along the way. This is, no doubt, one of the most scenic driving days of the journey, as the views constantly shift between valleys, peaks, and open mountain plateaus. Continue on up to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can walk through the clay-built ksar, explore narrow pathways, and climb to viewpoints overlooking the surrounding desert plains.
Day 4-5: Sahara desert
With two full days in the Sahara, the experience feels less rushed than in the 7-day Morocco itinerary. Visitors often appreciate having time to experience the dunes at different moments of the day. Camel treks into Erg Chebbi, time spent in the dunes, and optional experiences such as sandboarding or visiting nearby desert communities all add to the sense of immersion. Many of our clients describe this part of the journey as one of the most memorable highlights of their time in Morocco.
Day 6–7: Fes
Once in Fes, we’d recommend starting with a guided introduction to the medina to help bring structure to what can otherwise feel like a maze of streets and hidden corners. Highlights include the historic tanneries, artisan workshops, madrasas, and the winding alleys of Fes el-Bali, where daily life has continued in much the same way for centuries.
Day 8: Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is an iconic and beautiful mountain town known for its gorgeous blue-painted streets. One of the best things to do here is simply wander through the medina, where every corner is photogenic, with quiet alleyways, colourful doorways, and mountain views peeking through the buildings. You can explore small local shops or relax in cafés like Café Clock Chefchaouen, overlooking the streets. Visitors also enjoy walking up to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint at sunset, where you get sweeping views over the blue town set against the surrounding Rif Mountains.
Day 9: Rabat
On the second-to-last day, continue along the coast to Rabat. One of the highlights of the city is the Kasbah of the Udayas, where you can wander through quiet blue-and-white streets overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, explore small alleyways, and enjoy the peaceful gardens tucked inside the historic walls. From there, a lot of visitors head to the Hassan Tower and the nearby Mausoleum of Mohammed V, where open plazas and intricate architecture will give you a sense of the city’s history and scale.
Day 10: Casablanca
End your journey in Casablanca, Morocco’s modern economic hub and largest city. While it feels more contemporary than other stops, it still offers important cultural highlights. The Hassan II Mosque, for instance, is often the main highlight, set over the Atlantic Ocean and known for its impressive craftsmanship.
##Who Is This 10-Day Morocco Itinerary Best For?
This Morocco travel route is ideal for travelers who want a balance of cities, culture, and desert without feeling rushed. It is often considered the “sweet spot” for first-time travelers in Morocco.
14-Day Morocco Itinerary (Full Morocco Journey)
A 14-day Morocco itinerary offers the most complete experience, allowing travellers to experience Morocco’s different regions in more depth.
The 14-day Morocco itinerary we suggested below builds on the full 10-day route we’ve just highlighted above, taking you through Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert, Fes, Chefchaouen, Rabat, and Casablanca.
From Casablanca, the journey continues along Morocco’s Atlantic coastline, adding several days to explore a completely different side of the country, quieter coastal towns, open-ocean landscapes, and historic seaside cities.
Day 11: Casablanca – El Jadida
From Casablanca, the journey continues south along Morocco’s Atlantic coastline toward El Jadida, a relaxed coastal town with strong Portuguese influences. One of the main highlights here is the historic fortified city, where stone ramparts surround the old medina and open directly toward the ocean.
Once there, we recommend wandering through the quieter streets, exploring the old cistern and ramparts, and enjoying a lunch or dinner with a view.
Day 12: El Jadida – Essaouira
The route continues further along the coast to Essaouira, a city that feels completely different from Morocco’s inland destinations. Known for its whitewashed buildings, blue accents, and constant ocean breeze, Essaouira has a very relaxed coastal atmosphere. Highlights here include the UNESCO-listed medina, the historic sea-facing ramparts, and the lively fishing port where traditional blue boats return with the daily catch.
Day 13: Essaouira – Coastal Exploration (Sidi Kaouki & surroundings)
On day 13, head towards Sidi Kaouki, a quieter stretch of coastline known for its long, open beaches and natural, unspoiled scenery. The area is popular with travelers looking for a more peaceful coastal experience, rolling waves, and far fewer crowds. Here, you can walk along the beach, go for a swim, or even try surfing and windsurfing!
Day 14: Essaouira – Marrakech / Departure
On the final day, it’s time to drive back inland toward Marrakech. Depending on flight times, some travelers choose to spend a final night in Marrakech, while others check in for their flight.
## Who Is This 14-Day Morocco Itinerary Best For?
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want a truly immersive journey through Morocco, experiencing the country’s full variety in one trip. It brings together ancient medinas, Berber villages, mountain landscapes, the Sahara Desert, and towns along the Atlantic coastline, offering a complete picture of Morocco’s landmarks and culture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Morocco Itinerary
##Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
Yes, 7 days is enough to see major highlights like Marrakech, Fes, and the Sahara Desert. However, it is a fast-paced trip with long driving days. A 10-day itinerary is usually more balanced and relaxed, while a 14-day itinerary is ideal if you want a full, immersive experience including the Sahara, imperial cities, and the Atlantic coast.
