11 Days in Morocco - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Morocco's Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert

Spend eleven days taking a grand tour through the best of Morrocan culture in Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, and Marrakesh, and through the romance of desert sand seas and tiny villages.

Touch down in Casablanca, where you'll have the morning to channel your inner Humphrey Bogart at a replica of Rick’s Cafe and fit in a visit of the wonderful, contemporary Hassan II Mosque; be sure to duck inside as this is one of the very few working religious sites whose interior is open to non-Muslims. You’ll then jaunt over to Rabat, the imperial city (and country’s capital) for the rest of the day and night. Then it’s off to the breathtakingly vivid Blue City of Chefchaouen, where you’ll enjoy turquoise-washed streets and quiet alleyways begging for contemplative exploration. 

On Day 3, keep the royal vibes going with a visit to three cities with imperial roots: the ancient Volubilis, captivating Meknes, and thrilling Fes, your home base for the next few nights. Spend your days touring the city’s incredibly preserved medieval medina and marketplaces; a guide will shepherd you through complex networks of tiny streets and souks, as well as the city’s iconic tanneries which still employ the same traditional techniques artisans have used for centuries. You’ll get a broader sense of Fes as you visit the Mellah — the old Jewish quarter — modern neighborhoods, and a fascinating tile collective, where you’ll see craftspeople at work. 

Snake your way through the Atlas mountains on Day 6, passing through lush oases in the Ziz Valley, until you greet the desert. The ever-shifting undulating dunes of Erg Chebbi’s sand sea are sure to enchant you. Then mount a camel and trek through the desert for a spectacular night of camping under the stars; dine by the fire as Berber musicians serenade you. You can tackle the sand the next day with fun adventure sports or lose yourself in charming nearby villages. 

Travel through old caravan routes, through stunning ochre valleys and oases, stop at an 11th-century desert fortress, and spend the evening in the setting of your favorite Hollywood productions (hello, Game of Thrones). You’ll retreat from the desert through the mountains on Day 9 and will spend your final two nights based in the magic of Marrakesh. Tour the iconic Red City with an expert and take in the exquisite details of the mosques and madrassas. End your evenings either entrenched in or overlooking the spectacle of Jemaa el-Fna Square before you return to Casablanca for your departure on Day 1. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Explore Moroccan Cities, Berber Villages & the Coast 

If you’re interested in understanding the breadth of Moroccan culture, both urban and rural, consider this trip plan, which uses city centers like Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Fes as jumping-off points to discover tiny towns and pastoral enclaves. Along the way, you’ll meet city folk and farmers, see ancient ruins, medieval medinas, and tranquil seaside communities.

Bookend your trip with Casablanca, where you’ll have time to explore contemporary Morocco before you head to Rabat, home to the spectacular Hassan Tower monument. On Day 3, dive into the intimate medina in Meknes (it’s easier to navigate than those you’ll see later in your trip) and wander the immense Roman ruins of Volubilis before you settle in Fes. 

Although Fes serves as your home base for the next three nights, you’ll explore the city and its UNESCO designated Medina in-depth with an expert guide. Juxtapose your urban experience with a fascinating day trip to Ahinajen, a rural Berber village where you’ll meet local farmers working their land. More historical Berber communities await when you navigate through the Atlas mountains on Day 6; see if you can spot the region’s famed Barbary  Apes en route! You’ll be based in Marrakesh for the next three days, so kick off your first evening with dinner overlooking the bustle of Jemaa el-Fna Square or jump right into the fray! 

You’ll discover the traditions and secrets of Marrakesh’s medina with an expert, then will taste your way through the city on a guided food tour; many royal chefs hail from Marrakesh, Morocco’s culinary capital, so you’re bound to the delicious local flavors here. Escape the rhythm of the city with a beautiful day trip to the Ourika Valley, where you’ll hike to a stunning waterfall, then head to the seaside for some tranquility. You’ll spend the night in the coastal town of Essaouira, which boasts a beautiful harbor, fortified sea walls, easy-to-navigate medina, and well-preserved Jewish quarter. Then drive along the Atlantic as you make your way back to Casablanca for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Grand Morocco Tour from North to South

Travel Morocco from top to bottom on this epic trip plan that begins in Tangiers and takes you through mountains, deserts, centuries-old medinas, and ancient caravan routes on your way to Marrakesh. This is a perfect itinerary if you’re interested in seeing the country’s highlights as well as its hidden gems. 

Kick-off your adventure with two days in the north; you’ll start in the dynamic hum of Tangier, a port city that has majorly overhauled its reputation as a destination while still maintaining its age-old bohemian allure. Take some time to explore coastal treasures like the Caves of Hercules before heading south to the Blue City of Chefchaouen, a tranquil town that’s so much more than an Instagram backdrop. There’s much to explore around the city, but save the abandoned hilltop Spanish Mosque for sunset so you can enjoy stellar panoramic views. 

As you venture farther south toward Fes, you’ll trek through the ages as you stop through towns with imperial heritages and breathtaking landmarks. Gear up to shop the souks in Meknes, as the medina here is smaller and easier to navigate than those that await you in bigger city centers. You’ll then have three nights and two full days to take advantage of all that Fes has to offer; during your exploration, tour a local tile collective, lose yourself in the UNESCO-designated medina, and marvel at the exquisite craftwork of spots like Al Attarine Madrasa and Bou Inania Madrasa. 

Trade city vibes for breathtaking remote expanse on Day 6 when you venture through the Atlas mountains and make your way to the iconic sands of the Sahara; along the way, pass through hidden oases and charming market towns before you ride a camel through the desert to the cozy tent where you’ll spend the night. Take in the drama of unobstructed celestial vistas and incredible sunrise views from your spot in the Sahara, then explore more of the desert and its nearby communities however you like — wander through towns or sand surf your way across the land!

Go deeper into Morocco’s desert, mountains, and rural communities as you continue navigating south and west. As you trek the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, visit iconic cinematic backdrops, the country’s oldest fortress, and an Argan-oil collective en route to Marrakesh, where you’ll spend the rest of your trip. Tour the sandstone Red City however you like (or hire a guide for a more in-depth discovery), wander through the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens, and sample delicious delicacies from street food vendors in the electrifying whirl of Jemaa el-Fna Square. After breakfast on Day 1, you’ll head to the airport for your return flight or your next adventure. Learn more. 

Itinerary #4: Imperial Cities and Natural Landscapes 

Looking to dive deep into Morrocan culture, see the country's highlights, and take advantage of its spectacular landscapes? Check out this trip plan, which incorporates guided tours in epicenters like Fes with opportunities to enjoy a traditional spa experience in a hammam and hike to a gorgeous waterfall off-the-beaten path. 

Get to know Morocco with time in Casablanca, followed by a visit to the modern-day capital of Rabat and the ever-charming Blue City of Chefchaouen, which you’ll tour with a private guide. Retreat to nature with a sensational waterfall hike nearby and explore Volubilis, a sprawling complex of ruins from the Roman empire. The enchanting bustle of Fes awaits: discover the city with a guide, then head out on your own to find your favorite spots in the labyrinth of the medieval medina. 

Enjoy a spectacular drive through the mountains on your way to Merzouga, where you’ll adventure through the Sahara on camelback before enjoying a delicious dinner al fresco, serenaded by Berber musicians. You’ll glamp out here in the desert’s expanse, then visit tiny local communities en route to the spectacular Todra Gorges, comprised of a series of epic limestone river canyons. The next two days takes you through the heart of Morocco — visit centuries-old kasbahs, heritage sites, and an unforgettable drive through the Atlas mountains via the spectacular Tizi N'Tichka pass — to Marrakesh. 

Explore the bustle of the Red City or rest up until you head to a local hammam for an evening of traditional spa experiences. You’ll spend the next day hiking through hillside Berber villages and connecting to local families as you dine with them in their homes. In the morning, you’ll return to Marrakesh for some last-minute shopping (if time allows) before you head to the airport. Learn more

More Great Morocco Itineraries

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