Best Things to do in Morocco
Our 10-day Morocco itinerary started in Chefchaouen, but you can easily do this route the other way around. If you have the time, we would recommend extending the itinerary to 12 days (instead of 10) to have one more day in Chefchaouen and one extra for the Sahara Desert Tour. Take as much time as you can to enjoy the magic of Morocco!
From the airport, take a taxi to the gare routiรจre (bus station), which is 1.5 km away. All buses, including CTM, will leave from here. Or, get a rental car from the airport in Morocco. You can also split the cost of a taxi to Chefchaouen with other travelers and pay around 15 USD each. This will save you 2 hours of time on the bus and ultimately give you more time on your Morocco itinerary.
Day 2 – Explore the Blue City of Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is the one place you shouldnโt skip while creating your Morocco itinerary. Itโs a mountain village painted in 100 shades of blue. Wander the beautiful streets here, explore the city’s hidden gems, and take pictures of cute doorways and cute kittens in this photographerโs paradise!
Spend one extra day in this city if you are able to, and use this day to enjoy the nature of the Riff Mountains surrounding the city.
Day 3 – Traveling to Fes
Getting from Chefchaouen to Fes is a 4-hour bus ride along beautiful roads. You really get to see the countryside of Morocco, which is a great view besides the big cities. If you’ve got your own transportation, you can also drive to Fes yourself, passing through the diverse landscape of the country.
We recommend to rent a car in Morocco through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Day 4 – Wandering Around Fes
Fes is very hard to bore of, with lots of things to do in and around the city. It has one of the oldest medinas, which is also the largest car-free urban area in the world! We especially loved joining a guided walking tour through the Old Medina to learn about it’s rich history. It is also surprisingly not that touristy, as it’s not on most peopleโs Morocco itinerary.
The city is a must-see to experience true medieval and authentic Morocco, often feeling like a step back in time! Discover towers of spices, colorful rugs, leather tanneries, and steamy hammams in this fascinating city.
Read more: best things to do in Fes, Morocco
Day 5 – Travel to Merzouga (Sahara Desert Morocco)
Merzouga is a town on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. From here, it is a 45-minute drive to the camp where you will be staying for the night. It is an unforgettable moment on your Morocco itinerary as you witness the rippling orange and red sands for the very first time.
In our experience, it’s best to do a 3-day Sahara Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech. From Fes to Merzouga is a spectacular 5-hour drive through beautiful landscapes and the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. A tour will take you right into the Sahara Desert and give you a true feel for these landscapes and the friendly people that live here.
Read more: Sahara Desert Tour (Discount code available for the tour)
Day 6 – Sunrise in the Sahara and Marrakech
It is an early morning wakeup on day 6, after a great evening with music, dinner, and some of the best star-gazing in the world! Hop out of bed, and go for a walk with a camel before trekking along the tops of the dunes to see a stunning Saharan sunrise. This is one of the most breathtaking moments on our Morocco itinerary!
Please note: Since this trip in 2016 we have learned a lot about animals used in tourism. For that reason, we don’t recommend riding a camel! Learn more about different forms of wildlife tourism and the better alternatives here.
After sunrise, breakfast is served before getting back in the car again to carry on your 10-day Morocco itinerary. The car takes you to Boumalne Dades as a place to sleep on your way to Marrakech. This is a beautiful town situated on the edge of the desert, surrounded by uniquely shaped cliffs and gorges. If you’re visiting in Spring, there may be an opportunity to see the valleys full of red and pink flowers!
You will visit a lot of wonderful sights on your way to Boumalne Dades, including many typical, earthen villages of the Sahara.
Day 7 – Heading to Marrakesh
On the last day of the tour, you will be visiting Ait Benhaddou, a breathtaking town! Here, houses look like giant sandcastles and are built against a hilltop, surrounded by beautiful palm trees. The incredible scenery of this town has made it a popular filming location for many movies. Additionally, you will visit one of the highest points in the Atlas Mountains. The views from up here are spectacular!
By the end of the day, you will arrive in Marrakesh, probably ready to dip in the refreshing waters of a swimming pool. Because of this, make sure to book into a great riad in Marrakesh.
Day 8 + 9 – Marrakesh
Marrakech is a fantastic city to end your Morocco itinerary. Wander through the Medina, bargain for some souvenirs, enjoy the many colored buildings and palmtree-filled parks, and stay in the most stunning riads (guesthouses). This city is full of gems to discover, and best of all, itโs also a foodie heaven!
Spend days hunting for treasures in the maze of souks, and end them by enjoying the Moroccan delights of tagine and mint tea on one of the many beautiful roof terraces in the city.
Read more: Best things to do in Marrakech, Morocco
Day 10 – Flying Home
Enjoy your last delicious Moroccan breakfast, and fly home from Marrakech International Airport.
Want to see more of Morocco? Head out to Essaouira or go surfing in Taghazout. There are endless beautiful places to explore in Morocco, and your itinerary can be adjusted to account for other new and exciting places.
Is Morocco Safe to Travel?
Yes!! Morocco is really safe as a country to travel to. People are friendly and will often smile and chat. They will also politely let you know when they donโt want you to take a picture of them. Though at night, make sure not to walk alone and try to stay in the city center (medina) to ensure safety.
Travel Insurance
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Is Morocco Safe to Travel Solo as a Woman?
Yes, it’s definitely safe! However, keep in mind that this is a Muslim country, and men are not really used to ‘Western’ women. Blonde hair, in particular, will draw a lot of attention. It’s helpful to wear clothes that cover up your shape a little, so no shorts or mini skirts, for example.
This is also more respectful when traveling in a Muslim country. Itโs a good idea to pack a few scarves to take out with you, just in case there are situations when you may need to cover your shoulders and arms (for religious sites, for example).
Traveling Morocco, as a woman, can definitely be an enjoyable experience. However, it’s always safer to travel together with someone else if there is the option.
Morocco Budget
Traveling in Morocco can be as cheap or expensive as you make it! A group tour to the Sahara will cost around 150 USD, and a private tour around 600 USD. Trains and buses are very cheap, whereas taxis can get pricey very fast, especially if you get stuck in Moroccan traffic! Expect food to cost anywhere between 2 and 12 USD, and fresh orange juice only 0,50 to 3 USD.
Best Time to Visit Morocco
We would recommend avoiding Morocco in July and August, as it can get unpleasantly hot in the cities. We visited in February, and we only needed a light jacket for a few days of the trip, which was the perfect climate for us.
The country is at its most beautiful from March to May when the landscape bursts into spring. During this time, you can expect to see valleys of flowers and fields of green. During Autumn (September to October), temperatures are also very pleasant, which makes traveling throughout the country more comfortable.
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Hey Nick & Hannah,
great blog about our Marocco trip. We also did a very similiar tour back in 2018. We were really suprised about the variety in landscape and the beautiful country.
For us Fรจs was the most amazing city as it was still small enough without a lot of tourism to feel the spirit there, whereas Marrakesch was already very tourisitc. How did you felt about this?
Best regards,
Chris & Jasmin
Hi guys, thank you so much! Yes, we liked Fes too – Marrakesh is amazing too but it’s too focused on only tourism. But Morocco as a whole, was fantastic!