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Morocco is a North African country located just a stone’s throw away from Europe. Despite its proximity, Morocco is a world unto itself, with a rich culture and history that is unique. While it’s hard to narrow Morocco down to just ten days, this Morocco itinerary covers all the must-sees: from Marrakech to Fez, Chefchaouen, the Sahara Desert, and more.
This itinerary lists how many days should be spent in every mentioned city. Of course, this is not set in stone and you can always adjust the Morocco itinerary to your own liking. This is just our guideline for those who are looking for a Morocco itinerary that hits all the major highlights in just 10 days.
We will also be providing alternatives for some of the Morocco itinerary stops. This is in case you find that a certain stop is not for you, or if you have extra time and want to add in another activity.
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Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco and, as such, is a bustling metropolis. Also, Casablanca is home to Morocco’s largest airport making it the perfect entry point for your Morocco trip.
Most visitors to Casablanca only come for a day or two before moving on to other parts of Morocco.
A street in Casablanca
While there is not much in the city in terms of historical sites, there are a few things worth checking out. The Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in Morocco and one of the few that non-Muslims can enter.
For a taste of Old Morocco, head to the Bab Marrakech the central souk in the city. Here you can find anything from spices to souvenirs. Habous neighborhood is also worth a visit for its traditional architecture.
>> Check our detailed post of all the things you can do in Casablanca
Casablanca is a city you can explore in just one day, and the perfect stop to spend a night before your head to the next destination. There are plenty of nice hotels in Casablanca. Sofitel is our favorite place but you can check booking.com for other options
>> See the best places to stay in Casablanca
Marrakech is the most popular tourist destination in Morocco. This is for good reason as Marrakech has a little bit of everything: from bustling markets to tranquil gardens, from ancient mosques to modern art museums.
No Morocco itinerary is complete without a stop in Marrakech. While 3 days is the perfect amount of time to explore Marrakech, 2 days is perfectly doable if you are short on time.
Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech
Some of the must-sees in Marrakech are the Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s main square which comes alive at night with food stalls and entertainment, the Saadian Tombs, the beautiful Bahia Palace, and the Majorelle Gardens.
>> Check our complete guide of all the things to do in Marrakech
To get an idea of how to spend these 2 days in Marrakech, check out 3 days’ Marrakech itinerary and simply skip day 3 or mix and match activities.
When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options in all price ranges. We always recommend staying in a Riad in the old Medina, as this is the most authentic way to experience Marrakech.
Some of our favorite Riads in Marrakech are Riad
>> Here are some other great places to stay in Marrakech
If you decide to add an extra day to your Morocco itinerary, we highly recommend taking a day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira.
Essaouira is a quaint sea town located about two and half hours’ drive from Marrakech. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy some beach time after all the tiring Souk tours in the Medina of Marrakech.
Handmade rug displays in Essaouira
We really love Essaouira and we think you will too. There is a different charm to it than what you will find in other parts of Morocco.
You can enjoy fresh seafood, go for a camel ride on the beach, and stroll around the medina which is much quieter than Marrakech’s. And if you are a water sports lover, Essaouira is also one of Morocco’s famous spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
>> Read our complete guide to visiting Essaouira
Essaouira is a small city that you can enjoy in just a day trip. If you think Essaouira sounds like a place you would like to visit, here is a day trip tour from Marrakech to Essaouira.
But if you decide you want to spend extra relaxed time in the city here are a few Riad and guesthouse options to choose from
There is nothing quite like spending a few days in the magical Sahara Desert in Morocco, that’s why we made sure to include it in our Morocco itinerary.
The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga (a town in the Sahara desert) is about 9 hours. A long but spectacular drive as you will be passing through the High Atlas mountains, cedar forests, and Todra Gorge.
Once in Merzouga, you will then drive to your camp in the Desert where you will be spending the next 3 days. Here you can go on camel treks, watch the sunset over the sand dunes, sleep under the stars, and more.
>> Read more: Sahara desert tour in Morocco (with tours recommendations)
On the last day of your Sahara desert tour, you will be driven back to Fez (a 5-hour drive from Merzouga).
Fez is Morocco’s cultural capital and home to Morocco’s oldest university. The beautiful city is divided into two parts, the old Medina (Fez el-Bali) and the newer Fez el-Djedid.
Having Moroccan mint tea on a Riad Rooftop in Fez
Fez el-Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which means this is where you will find the majority of the historical sites including the famous leather tanneries, the Medersa Bou Inania, the Nejjarine Fountain, and the Al-Attarin Medersa.
I have written a detailed post about all the things you can do in Fez which you can find here.
We highly recommend staying at Riad Fes Maya or Le Jardin des Biehn for your luxury feel of Fez.
>> Find more accommodation options in Fez
Meknes is just a short drive from Fez. You can also take the train it will cost you around $8 for a round trip.
Not as famous as its sister city Fez, Meknes is also one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. And although it’s often overshadowed by Fez, Meknes is a city that definitely deserves a spot on your Morocco itinerary.
Meknes has a more laid-back feel than Fez and its medina is a lot quieter which makes it the perfect place to escape for a day trip.
Bou Anania Madrassa in Meknes
Some of Meknes’ most popular tourist attractions are the Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Medersa Bou Inania, the Heri es-Souani, and the underground Qara prison.
To visit Meknes from Fez, we recommend taking a guided tour but you can also go on your own. If you are planning on going on your own, make sure to read our post about the best things to do in Meknes.
On the last day of your Morocco itinerary, you can drive from Fez to spend your last day exploring Chefchaouen.
Chefchaouen is Morocco’s blue city and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Morocco. The city is located in the Rif mountains and it is about a 2-hour drive from Fez.
Street in Chefchaouen
The best way to explore Chefchaouen is by getting lost in the narrow and blue-washed alleyways of the old medina. Make sure to visit the Ras el-Ma waterfall and take a hike to the Spanish mosque for panoramic views of Chefchaouen.
>> Read more: Top Things To Do In Chefchaouen
Your daily budget for Morocco will depend on your travel style. Morocco has something for every type of traveler and budget. From super luxury Riads to more affordable guesthouses, and hostels, you choose.
On a budget of $50 per day, you can expect to stay in budget hotels and hostels, eat street food simple meals in restaurants and use public transportation.
If you want to stay in nicer accommodations like Riads, eat in mid-range restaurants, and do more tours and activities, you should budget for $100-$150 per day.
Morocco can get very hot in the summer months (June-August) and super cold in the winter (December-February).
From our personal experience, the best time to visit Morocco is in the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November). During these months the weather is milder and most popular cities are not crowded with local visitors and tourists.
Absolutely, Morocco is a safe country to travel to. The people are nice and very tolerant of other religions. Also, most of the time, tourist cities and attractions are well monitored by the police to make sure everyone is safe.
However, as with any country, there are always risks when traveling. So, we to stay alert at all times, and don’t wander around late at night.
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