10 Days in Morocco - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Casablanca to Marrakesh: Imperial Cities, Hiking & the Desert

Balancing culture, history, and adventure, this highlights itinerary is perfect for first-timers to Morocco looking to visit the country's imperial cities, the Sahara desert, and the Atlas mountains. Throughout your journey, you'll wander the picturesque "Blue City" of Chefchaouen, tour Fes' medinas, ride a camel to a desert camp, and visit the 11th-century Aït Benhaddou. Plus, with multi-night stays in Fes and Marrakesh, there's time to slow down and enjoy your surroundings between scenic drives.

Welcome to Morocco! After landing in Casablanca, kickstart your trip with a tour of Hassan II Mosque, then head to Rabat, where you'll spend the evening exploring Roman and Islamic ruins and the 20th-century Andalusian Gardens. Continue to Chefchaouen next to wander among its blue-hued buildings, and stop by the UNESCO-listed Volubilis ruins and the historic imperial city of Meknes en route to Fes. The following day, explore both of Fes' medina quarters, Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, alongside a guide, and if time allows, visit the more modern Ville Nouvelle.

Wake up early on Day 5 for a transfer to Merzouga, breaking up the drive with a stop in Erfoud to meet local artisans and admire the "desert sea" of Erg Chebbi. Upon reaching Merzouga, you'll climb atop a camel and traverse the dunes to your desert camp. After a morning of sandboarding, travel through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate, where you'll visit the 11th-century fortified village of Aït Benhaddou. Descend to the "Red City" of Marrakesh next and spend your final days soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna, the city's main square. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Marrakesh, Grand Desert Tour, Hiking & the Coast

Crafted for those looking to keep on the move while limiting the distance between destinations, this faster-paced itinerary takes you from the desert oasis of Erg Chebbi to the laid-back port city of Essaouira. Along the way, meander around Marrakesh's medinas, spend the night in a Berber House, ride a camel across sand dunes, and explore the dramatic Todra Gorge. Top it off with a visit to the often-overlooked towns of Alnif and Amizmiz.

Begin your fast-paced trip in Marrakesh, enjoying the ambience of Jemaa El-Fna and enlisting the help of a guide to learn about the Ben Youssef Madrasa school of Islam and roaming the city's labyrinth of souks. Over the following two days, cross the High Atlas mountains and head east to Erg Chebbi, stopping along the way to tour the Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert, check out the movie hotspot of Ouarzazate, and explore the impressive Todra Gorge. Upon reaching Merzouga, trek over dunes atop a camel and spend a memorable night camping in the desert.

After a desert sunrise, hit the road west to Aït Benhaddou and spend a night in the Old Town. Next, return to Marrakesh and get your fill of sightseeing before transferring to the small town of Amizmiz, nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas. Delight in a guided hike and an overnight stay in a Berber home, then pass through Marrakesh once more on your way to the historic beach town of Essaouira. Here, feast on seafood, hang out on the seafront ramparts and explore the old medina until it's time to catch your flight out from Marrakesh. Learn more

Itinerary #3:  Morocco Grand Tour: Cities, Desert & the Coast

Pack in visits to the imperial cities of Meknes, Fes, and Marrakesh, along with desert towns and Essaouira, on this grand tour loop of Morocco. Ideal for those eager to make the most of their time in the country, you'll keep on the move while enjoying scenic drives through Ziz Valley, the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, and over the top of Tizi n'Tichka pass. Top that with city tours, time to wander bustling souks and markets, and a stop at an argan oil cooperative, and you'll also get a thorough introduction to Moroccan culture.

Your Moroccan journey begins in Casablanca, where you'll shrug off jet lag while wandering the old medina and strolling along the Boulevard de la Corniche. Meet your driver the following morning and begin your journey east, stopping to explore Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis before arriving in Fes. A guided city tour awaits you the next day, which includes stops at Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate) and Al-Qarawiyyin Library and Mosque. Then, head into the desert through the palm-filled Ziz Valley and by way of the Tizi n'Talremt pass, and eventually reach the dunes of Erg Chebbi to camp for the night.

Nearing the halfway mark of your adventure, transfer through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate, a gateway to the Sahara Desert made famous by the film industry. Spend the night, then stop by the famous Aït Benhaddou before descending into Marrakesh. After checking out Marrakesh's highlights, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace, the laid-back seaside city of Essaouira will be a welcome sight. Your final days will be spent walking the Skala de la Kasbah fortifications and relaxing on the beach until it's time to return to Casablanca for one last night in the city. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Morocco Mountain & Desert Adventure: Fes, Merzouga, Boumalne Dades, Marrakesh & More

This Morocco adventure is about the desert and Atlas mountains, perfect for travelers looking for a unique route filled with breathtaking hikes, thrilling drives, and time spent alongside locals. Get your bearings in Fes, then ride a camel to a camp in Erg Chebbi, embark on a walk in Todra Gorge, spend a day with locals in the Valley of Roses, and go off-roading on your way to Aït Bouguemez. You'll also join a carpet-weaving workshop in Demnate and hike to a waterfall in Ouzoud before ending your trip in Marrakesh.

Upon landing in Fes, your Morocco adventure begins with back-to-back guided tours of the medina and other city highlights, including the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter, and the Al-Qarawiyyin University. Then it's off to the desert, traveling through the Middle and High Atlas mountains to Merzouga, followed by a camel ride to your camp in Erg Chebbi. After a memorable night, continue your journey to Boumalne Dades, a quaint town in the Dadès Valley. Here, spend a day in the company of a local family in the nearby Valley of Roses, learning the secrets of Moroccan cooking and helping to prepare lunch.

Before leaving Boumalne Dades, hike through the M'Goun River Valley and savor lunch at a local home. Then, delight in a thrilling off-road adventure in the High Atlas to Aït Bouguemez, where you'll choose a rewarding hike and enjoy a night's rest until continuing to Demnate for a carpet-weaving workshop. From there, transfer to Marrakesh, stopping en route for a stunning hike to the top of a 330 feet high (100 m) waterfall. Upon arriving in Marrakesh, an expert guide will accompany you through the city's highlights, and you'll celebrate this epic journey from a balcony overlooking Jemaa el-Fna Square. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Southern Morocco Nature & Culture: Marrakesh, Boumalne Dades, Essaouira & More

Combining the must-see destinations of Marrakesh and Essaouira with lesser-known gems like the oasis town of Agdz at Kasbah Tamnougalt, this 10-day Morocco itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking a laid-back tour of Southern Morocco. While going over the High Atlas mountains and into the Sahara, there's plenty of time to stop and get to know the locals. Then, end your trip by relaxing on Tifnit Beach and enjoying the relaxed vibe of Essaouira.

Start your Morocco adventure in the colorful city of Marrakesh, following an expert guide through the city's souks and maze-like alleys and wandering the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna on your own. Next, transfer over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and follow the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades, stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. After a day spent with locals in the Valley of the Roses, you'll make the four-hour drive to Merzouga. Here, you'll hop onto a camel and trek to the dunes of Erg Chebbi for a bucket-list-worthy night camping in the Sahara.

Wake up early the following day for a brilliant sunrise before heading to the musician's village of Khemliya and spending an evening relaxing in the oasis town of Agdz at Kasbah Tamnougalt. Next, stop at the markets of Taroudant while making your way to Tifnit Beach. This secluded beach retreat is the ideal spot to dedicate a day to relaxing on golden sand beaches. Then, keep the laid-back vibes going during a day in Essaouira, where you can let your dinner at Mulay El-Hassan Square linger well into the night as soon it'll be time to transfer to Casablanca and catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Cultural Highlights of Northern Morocco

Slower-paced travelers will delight in this Northern Morocco itinerary, filled with informational city tours and plenty of time to relax and explore independently. With two or more nights each in Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Fes, there's ample opportunity to indulge in each city's unique food scene, lose track of time meandering through medinas, and tour the many mosques and museums.

Your culture-packed Northern Morocco trip begins on a knowledge-packed guided tour of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Then, travel to Tangier, located on the northern tip of Morocco, where you'll get a tasty introduction to the country's flavors on a food tour and dedicate a day to exploring Cap Spartel, the Cave of Hercules, and the artistic town of Asilah alongside a guide. A journey south to Chefchaouen is next on the agenda, and while here, admire the Grand Mosque, Plaza Uta el-Hammam, and Ras el Ma Spring on your own and join a guided hike to Akchour Waterfall in Talassemtane National Park.

After an evening spent decompressing at one of Chefchaouen's hammams, make your way to Fes, breaking up the drive with a stop to admire the Roman Ruins of Volubilis. Fill the following day with a tour of the fortified medina, a visit to the famous Chouara Tannery, and a delightful dinner of Moroccan classics at one of the city's top restaurants. Then, following a free day in Fes, transfer to Rabat. While your trip may be coming to an end, there's still time to visit the Royal Palace and wander through the Andalusian Gardens before returning to Casablanca to catch your flight home. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Morocco Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Morocco? Check out these other 10-day Morocco itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.