Morocco is one of those countries that one can come back to over and over again and discover new treasures. This was our third time here and we decided to do a road trip through some of the top places in this diverse and interesting country.
From all of our experiences we have put together what we believe is the perfect 10 day Morocco travel itinerary to help you go to the most jaw dropping places and miss some of the not so great ones – like our nightmare night in the Sahara. Crafting a comprehensive Morocco itinerary can be challenging, but we hope this guide simplifies your planning.
In our Morocco travel itinerary you will be starting in Casablanca. However, you can begin at any of the other large hubs. This is a doable but very fast paced Morocco itinerary which can be stretched from 10 days to 12 or even 14 days to make it more leisurely if you prefer a slower pace for your travel itinerary Morocco.
During this Morocco travel itinerary you will be visiting Rabat, Volubilis, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Monkey Forest, Sahara desert, Todgha Gorge, Dades Gorge, Aït Benhaddou, Game of Thrones sets, Marrakesh and Essaouira. This packed Morocco 10 days itinerary ensures you experience a wide array of what the country offers.
Along the way we share driving tips, where to eat and to stay to make your journey amazing. We hope that you enjoy our Morocco travel itinerary as much as we did.
A Note on Pace for this Morocco Itinerary: This Morocco 10 days itinerary is ambitious, designed to maximize sightseeing for those with limited time. It involves several long driving days and early starts.
If you prefer a more relaxed exploration of Morocco, we suggest adding 2-4 days to this travel itinerary Morocco, allowing for shorter driving distances on some days or an extra night in key locations like the Gorges or Fes.
Remember that travel in Morocco can sometimes include unexpected delays, so building in a little buffer is always wise.
Car Rental for your Morocco Travel Itinerary
Renting a car is one of our least favorite things to do. There are so many gotchas with car rental companies to ruin your trip!
For our Morocco travel itinerary we actually found a car rental company that was easy to interact with, was the cheapest of the lot and even covers 3rd party insurance. Since we do not have a base, a home or a car, we do not have that covered. Yes, many credit card companies cover CDW – but they do not cover 3rd party insurance.
Therefore, we can recommend Aircar for their price (it was at least half price of the bigger chains), ease of use and 3rd party insurance coverage inclusion for a seamless Morocco trip itinerary.
However, as you would with any other car rental company, make sure to take a good video of the car before you take it and when you return it (including the windshield). Hold on to those videos for a few months after your visit – just in case.
Day 1 – Rabat
After renting a car you will drive the 2 hours or so north to Rabat. Unfortunately the drive is mostly an uneventful toll road. However, arriving in the green and uber clean capital of Morocco you will immediately feel the ocean air and see the beauty of Rabat.
Stay at the Hotel des Oudaias overlooking the ocean, corniche and Kasbah. You can pull into one of the hotels parking spots right in front and start your journey through the medina of this pretty city.
As you wander through the tiny alleyways, buy some freshly expressed Argan oil (they will make it right in front of your eyes). You can find lunch all over the medina – either in one of the small kiosks or if you want something more substantial, then visit Dar al Fawakih Rabat – Medina
Visit the Hassan tower – the famous red sandstone landmark which is a remnant of a 12th-century minaret that was never finished. Continue on to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V next door. This Royal family mausoleum & mosque is known for its ornate Alaouite architecture & green tiled roof.
Continue on to the Chellah and have a walk around this UNESCO world heritage site. Originally a Roman settlement, the Chellah was transformed into a fortified Muslim necropolis by the Marinid dynasty in the 14th century.
Today, visitors can explore a blend of ancient Roman ruins, including a triumphal arch and baths, alongside intricate Marinid structures like a towering minaret, serene gardens, and royal tombs.
However, what we loved the most there were the giant storks that make nests all over the ruins. Watching storks land on their nests is something extraordinary to watch. They fly in as if starting a crash landing with their back feet stretched out, aiming at the nest. Quite hilarious to watch!
Make sure to go to the Kasbah des Oudayas at golden hour to catch the light on the cobblestone streets. For sunset, continue through the Kasbah to the Cylinder of Oudaya to catch the gorgeous sunset. You can also get a good view of the sunset from the Corniche de Rabat.
For dinner go to Kasr al Assil where the food is traditional, fresh and served well. Rob really liked the brochette poulet (smokey chicken skewers) with fresh bread. The tea service is quite special and we highly recommend it.
Day 2 Volubilis and Chefchaouen
After a fabulous breakfast at the hotel, drive the 2.5 hours from Rabat to Volubilis to spend a few hours in this archaeological Roman site. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Volubilis reveals Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins and was once a vital provincial capital.
Visitors can explore mosaics, the remains of grand houses, a triumphal arch, and a basilica, all offering a vivid window into ancient Roman urban life and its later historical layers.
To truly explore this archaeological gem we highly recommend getting a guide to take you through it’s highlights. Nabil Ezzaouaoui is a well known guide for the area and can be contacted at [email protected]
Grab lunch on the go or at Restaurant Volubilis (if you have time) which serves traditional Moroccan food.
From Volubilis continue the additional 3 hours to Chefchaouen. Stay at the Dar Kisania (they will help you park your car and bring your bags to the hotel).
As the golden hour approaches, hike the 25 minutes straight up to the Spanish Mosque to catch the views of this Blue City and watch the sunset from above.
When you come back down make sure to walk around the medina – it is gorgeous in the evening. Grab dinner at Restaurant Bab Ssour serving traditional Moroccan food at reasonable prices.
Day 3 Fes
In the morning, after getting a great breakfast spread at your hotel, head back out to the medina and make sure to visit the Plaza Uta el Hamman (the main square of the town) with a huge tree in the middle. There are many paths that lead around the Lavadero de la ciudad Ras El Ma area where they sell oranges, juice and smoothies cooled by the river flowing from the mountains.
Grab some provisions to take with you in the car for lunch or a snack as you may not find anything good along the way.
Drive the 3.75 hours from Chefchaouen to Fes. You should arrive mid afternoon. Settle into your hotel. We highly recommend the Riad Dar Borj They will help you park your car and get into the medina.
From here you will start your exploration of the largest medina in Morocco which is known for its intricate maze of alleys which has an estimated 9,500 narrow passages, and is considered the largest car-free urban area in the world.
Arrange with the Riad to have an English speaking guide take you through the medina and it’s secret hiding places. Because of it’s size, it is very easy to get lost.
You can go to the tannery and get some information about how the hides are colored and processed – but only if you have the stomach for it. Honestly, the mint leaf , which they provide stuffed inside my face mask was not enough to cut the horrid smell. So enter at your own risk.
If you still have time, walk around the outside of the Royal Palace of Fes to take some pictures.
For dinner we recommend the El Forno Restaurant for it’s traditional and very fresh food. It is situated in a lovely part of the medina and the food is flavorful with options for vegans that are tasty and not just the same vegetable tajine that every other place offers.
Day 4 Monkey Forest and Midelt
The drive from Fes all the way down to Merzouga is just too long to do in one shot. Therefore we recommend that you break up the drive with a stop in the Monkey Forest to see the interesting creatures and then continue on to Midelt to get a good night’s rest.
There isn’t much there to see, but the accommodations are a nice place to recharge. Riad Villa Pomme d’Or B&B is a good option. They will cook you a tasty dinner and breakfast for a reasonable price.
Day 5 Merzouga and the Sahara Desert
Get up early and drive down to Merzouga to see the Sahara Desert dunes. This is a popular overnight destination reached by camels or 4X4s from the city of Merzouga. Folks then stay in cramped plastic tents either called regular or luxury. The only difference is that the luxury tents have a toilet and shower, while the regular tents do not.
We had a very bad experience that we called a Nightmare Night in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Check it out if you are considering a night out there as we provide many tips for a better experience.
Better yet, we recommend staying in one of the hotels near the dunes which still have the amenities that you may need and less of a circus tent experience.
One of these is called Desert Villa: boutique Hotel Merzouga, you will be next to the dunes and the brothers who run the hotel can take you out to the desert in a more authentic way.
In addition, they will provide you with excellent food either in the hotel or as a picnic in the dunes.
Day 6 Todgha Gorge and Dades Gorge
After a great breakfast at the hotel, we drove about 3 hours to Todgha Gorge stopping to take pictures along the way in Tinghir. For a quick lunch, the Dar Relax Hostel is a good option. And if you have a few minutes, ask the owner to see the views of the valley from the balcony of the hostel in the back.
He is a very helpful and friendly guy. However, if you have more time, then continue north as there will be another opportunity for an even better lunch at Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge.
Continue north, stopping to see the Todgha Gorge itself: A narrow passageway between the rocks and the river.
A bit further north of here you will see a path crossing the road to the castle looking Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge. This is one of the best hotels in the area and offers fantastic food. So if you have a bit more time, have lunch here!
From Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge continue north on the same road – the N12 until it splits a bit after Tamtatouchte. Take road P7104 (which has recently been paved). It links the 2 gorges together. Todgha to the Dades Gorge. The drive snakes through the Atlas mountains with super gorgeous views of villages and the festive nature of this place.
Once you reach the other side, make a left onto R704 headed south towards Msemrir. The road will turn and twist through the mountains with vistas at every corner. Here you will pass through the Dades Gorge – it is another narrow passage through the rock’s narrow opening.
A bit past this area you will see many cars and motorcycles on the right of the road. Make sure to stop at this viewpoint called – Point de vue sur la route en lacet. There is a small cafe here and the famous viewpoint of the snaking road below you where you will jockey for position to take a picture.
Keep on driving south until you reach the Monkey Paw mountains. The name refers to the distinctive rock formations that resemble a hand with elongated fingers rising from the canyon floor. A little later south you will be passing through the Monkey Fingers formations which are similar and equally photographic.
At the end of your very busy day pull off for a good nights sleep at Riad Dades Birds where they will make you a nice meal to cap off your evening.
Day 7 Ouazazate: Atlas Studios, Game of Thrones Kingdom of Heaven, Ait Benhaddou and Gas Haven
Atlas Studios & Game of Thrones Kingdom of Heaven Set
This day will start early to pack in as much as possible. For me, the Atlas Studios were a bit ho-hum as I have never seen any of the movies shot here. However, Rob loved the buzz and the sets. Therefore, it’s up to you whether to spend the time or not.
The cost of entry for Atlas Studios was about $8 USD per person. The tours start every 20 minutes in English and run for about 45 minutes.
About 1 km behind the studios is the giant castle set from the Game of Thrones series for their Kingdom of Heaven episodes. It is an extra $3 USD to be added to your Atlas Studios entry fee or you can pay the man directly at the set $4 USD. Everything is paid in cash here.
Being fans of the Game of Thrones series, we had a lot of fun climbing around the large set and thought it was worth 30 minutes of our time.
Ait Benhaddou
A short drive from the studios is Ait Behaddou with it’s massive Ksar Aït-Ben-Haddou – a fortified village since the 11th century which is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Around the Ksar feels more like a tourist trap with many tour buses, restaurants and shops. However, few people actually step foot in the ancient earthen clay buildings. There is a good place to take some pictures of the Ksar prior to arriving where all the buses park.
If you chose to miss the Atlas Studios experience, you will have some time to wander the village. For lunch we can recommend Restaurant Zaytoune – good local fare at reasonable prices and good service.
From here we headed towards Marrakesh, however recommend making a short stop. The 15 minute detour will take you to an old dusty American looking gas station which was the set of a 2006 horror movie The Hills Have Eyes.
Everything there remains as it was during the shoot along with cars from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Although there is currently no price for entry, we highly recommend giving the maintenance guy a little money as he works hard to keep the place functioning and feeds the stray dogs in the vicinity.
After this last stop, get ready for a 3 hour drive to Marrakesh which will take you through some additional pretty vistas.
Stay in Riad Palais Sebban, which is a 5 star hotel at a reasonable price. Their rooftop terrace is amazing!
Day 8 Marrakesh – 2 nights
Start your stay in Marrakesh with a free walking tour. We really liked the GuruWalk Marrakech: Historical & Cultural Sightseeing Tour. It is supposed to last about 2.5 hours, but our guide Maaffar exceeded our expectations and toured us around for over 3 hours.
The tour starts at Jemaa el-Fna, the main town square of the city and continues through the top sights to provide essential information about the medina and it’s hidden treasures including the Madrasa Ben Youssef – a 16th century school of religious studies that has beautiful tiles and wood carvings from that time.
The underground centuries old bakery, where they still bake bread in a wood fueled oven was one of our favorite things to do in Marrakesh and there is no way that we would have either found this place or been allowed inside on our own. And tasting the bread straight out of the oven was out of this world!
We also wandered around the non touristy parts of the market where little alley ways took us to blacksmith areas, shoe making lanes and overall artisan areas that are outside of the general tourist areas.
Have lunch at Oscal Progrés and enjoy their traditional and authentic Moroccan food at reasonable prices.
It is hard not to notice the beautiful and giant Koutoubia Mosque at the entrance of the medina. This 12th-century Almohad-style mosque has a plaza with gardens & a fountain. Non muslims cannot go inside, but you can enjoy the mosque from the gardens.
Continue on to visit Bahia Palace, which was built in the 19th century. It has intricate tilework and wood carvings along with a garden courtyard.
Dinner is lovely at Malah within the Jewish Quarter. They even have real vegan options where you don’t have to explain that you are not a vegetarian.
HEALTH TIP: In case you may have hay fever, keep in mind that there are hundreds of horse drawn carriages all over Marrakesh. This caused Rob to have a strong hay fever reaction where Claritin wasn’t fully helping and he had to use an inhaler.
Our guide told us that he always takes a Claritin prior to heading out to do a tour. So if you are allergic, be prepared.
A Morocco 10 day itinerary usually only has 2 nights in Marrakesh. However, if you want to pull an extra day from Essaouira to Marrakesh, then go for it. But we don’t recommend it as Essaouira is just so gorgeous and much more intimate than Marrakesh.
Day 9 & 10 Essaouira
One of our favorite places for a Morocco itinerary is artsy Essaouira. This UNESCO world heritage site is a port city and resort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
Its medina is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts, which were designed by European engineers. Old brass cannons line the walls, and there are ocean views. Strong “Alizée” trade winds make the city’s clean and wide crescent beach popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
For these 2 nights stay at Riad Dar Awil. This guesthouse has a great vibe, central medina location and a fabulous rooftop terrace overlooking everything.
Essaouira’s, well-preserved Medina is a maze of whitewashed alleys filled with local crafts and historical sites like the Jewish Quarter and Bayt Dakira.
Visitors can explore the impressive ramparts, including the Skala de la Ville and Skala du Port, for panoramic Atlantic views and a glimpse into the city’s past, famously featured in “Game of Thrones”, where it was the city of Astapor and the Free City of Pentos.
The active fishing port provides a colorful spectacle of daily life and fresh seafood, while the expansive golden beaches are perfect for relaxation and renowned for world-class kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfing due to consistent winds.
This city is also a haven for artists, the city has an art scene in numerous galleries and hosts the acclaimed Gnaoua World Music Festival which is typically in the middle of June. There is even a cafe honoring Jimi Hendrix’ life just outside of Essaouira. Some say that he passed through these parts, other claim it was a legend. However, Rob really enjoyed the experience (pun intended) of visiting.
Our favorite restaurants in Essaouira
Culinary delights range from fresh catches at the port – especially grilled octopus – to traditional Moroccan cuisine, with opportunities to take cooking classes and explore the lively fish market.
Café Resto Amira only serves grilled octopus at 150 MAD. If you want to dine after 8 pm, we highly recommend making a reservation as this place fills up!
Butterfly Space serves traditional Moroccan food as well as fish and burgers. There are a few vegetarian options as well which can be made vegan.
Shyadma’s Vegan Food is homestyle Moroccan and 100% vegan. Their cauliflower tajine and fresh juices (Beetroot and ginger) is pure yum, however, beware of slow service as they make everything to order.
Restaurant Khmissa is a family run restaurant where the Mom is the chef and makes extraordinary Moroccan concoctions. Try the dried fruit and shrimp or chicken tajines as well as the fish soup.
Enjoy a final Moroccan breakfast at the Riad and any last-minute souvenir shopping in Essaouira’s charming medina before heading off to the airport. The drive is super scenic as you pass small villages and ocean vistas along the way.
Depending on your flight schedule from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), you’ll need to allocate around 4 hours for the scenic drive, plus time for the car rental return (which is at Terminal 1 of the airport), as well as airport procedures.
Factor all of this carefully into your Morocco 10 days itinerary to ensure a stress-free departure.
Driving Tips for your Morocco Itinerary
After driving for weeks through Morocco we have many stories to tell! Here are our top tips for a safe Morocco travel itinerary.
Traffic Police
Beware that traffic police are abundant in Morocco especially around Essaouiraa and Chefchaouen. The typical speeding infraction is 150 MAD (approximately $17 USD) in cash – and they do take Euros. However, if they don’t give you a receipt – ask for one.
In addition, if you think that you should not be receiving a ticket like we did, then tell the police officer that you are going to call your embassy.
For context, Rob was driving in front of a police check and didn’t fully stop at the small stop sign on the ground because the officer was waving him through. When they tried to charge him 300 MAD he offered to call the embassy and the cop told him to get going.
We have heard lots of stories from others who were charged up to 400 MAD for exceeding the speed limit by 6 km. They were not given a receipt either. That is illegal in Morocco.
Tolls
The toll roads in Morocco are quite nice and well paved. We only saw one police stop on the toll road during all of our time here. For the 2000 km that we drove we paid a total of $35 USD and most of the tolls accept credit cards.
Casablanca
Beware of driving in Casablanca. The city is quite congested and the traffic rivals that of Rome – which is one of the craziest places to drive in the world!
Morocco Travel Itinerary Tips
Currency: In Morocco the currency is the Moroccan Dirham – MAD. It is a closed currency, so you will not be able to exchange it outside of the country. While credit cards are accepted in some places (gas stations, higher end restaurants, shopping malls), cash is essential for smaller purchases,souks, and some guesthouses.
Dress Code: Although Morocco is less conservative than some of it’s neighbors and Instagrammers still wear some crazy outfits, dressing modestly (covering shoulders and knees, especially when entering religious sites or in more rural areas) can be helpful and is a sign of respect.
Bargaining: Bargaining in souks is a must. Have you ever noticed that in some countries merchants ask you, “Where are you from?”. They are doing this to gauge what to charge you. If you answer German, they will charge you the most, while South American citizens will be asked to pay the least.
Language: Arabic and or Amazigh and French are widely spoken throughout the country. Some may also speak a bit of English – especially in tourist hubs. Having an English to Arabic translation app ready and downloaded on your phone is highly recommended.
Wrap up – Morocco Travel Itinerary
For us, Northern Africa is a magical and very diverse place filled with history, desert, stunning gorges and captivating people. It is an area that we come back to often! Our Morocco travel itinerary captures the best of the country from Rabat, the uber clean capital of this nation, to the Volubilis’s Roman remains, Chefchaouen’s blue-painted streets, and Fes’s old medina.
After a stop in the cedar forests to see the Barbary macaques, we headed towards the Sahara. This part of our journey, which we hoped would be a highlight, ended not so well. However, in this Morocco travel itinerary we share tips on how to enjoy the Sahara without falling into the tourist traps that we did.
The Todgha and Dades Gorges were an absolute highlight of our Morocco itinerary. And later the ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a fortified village recognizable from ‘Game of Thrones’ was also a delight.
Our Morocco itinerary concluded with experiencing the craziness, elegance and expat community of Marrakesh. The coastal setting of Essaouira was definitely another highlight of this trip and is a must on any Morocco itinerary.
This journey forms the core of an unforgettable Morocco trip itinerary. If we were to pick the absolute highlights of our Morocco travel itinerary, they would be: Chefchaouen, the Todgha and Dades Gorges and Essaouira.
We truly believe this outlines the Perfect 10 days Morocco Travel Itinerary for adventurous souls. Have you been to Morocco? What was your favorite place? We would love to hear from you and learn about your experiences with your own Morocco travel itinerary in the comments below.
