Morocco is an exhilarating land bursting with color, culture, food, and nature! We eagerly chose to explore both the vibrant major cities and popular tourist hotspots like Marrakesh. We also ventured into the stunning countryside, drive through the majestic Atlas Mountains, and experience the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert! Here is our Morocco itinerary by road in 10 days!
Morocco Itinerary: Day 1
We landed in Casablanca because we found a direct Air Maroc flight from Toronto. Casablanca is a lively, modern city, but it doesn’t have many historical or cultural spots to check out. If there was one place on our trip I’d consider skipping, it would be Casablanca. So would recommend to spend not more than a day there.
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If you do have Casablanca in your Morocco itinerary, there are two spots you’ve got to hit up: the Hassan II Mosque and the Old Medina. The Hassan II Mosque is the biggest mosque in the world outside of Saudi Arabia. It is also the only one in Morocco where non-Muslims can go inside. Tickets are 130 dirhams (about $13) and you can grab them at the museum ticket counter. You’ll need to join a guided tour to get in, which run every hour from 9 am to 4 pm. Except on Fridays when it is closed in the afternoon for prayers. This mosque is seriously impressive with its huge doors, stunning architecture, and beautiful minaret. It’s a must-see if you’re in Casablanca, even if you’re just there for a few hours.
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Tajine is a must-try dish in Morocco, so we made sure to have it on our first day. We stumbled upon this awesome spot called La Sqala on our way to the Hassan II Mosque and totally loved the food. They offer Tajine with chicken, lamb, beef, and vegetarian choices. Seriously, you have to try the lamb Tajine in Morocco—it’s amazing! We finished off with some Moroccan tea and continued on our way!
Stay
We figured we’d stay near the Old Median right in the city center. And were able to hang out there in the evening and then easily head back to our hotel. Like in most Moroccan cities, parking can be a hassle if you’re in or near the medina. After doing some digging, I found two hotels that seemed pretty nice and offered free valet parking. They are Kaan Casablanca and JM Suites Hotel. Both are perfect for a quick one-night stay and serve a full breakfast in the morning!
Morocco Itinerary: Day 2
We kicked off our journey from Casablanca and hopped onto the A3. This is a toll highway in Morocco that links the two cities. The drive on this fast road is pretty smooth, with stops for gas, food, and restaurants every 30-40 km. After about 4 hours (3 hours of driving plus a lunch break), we rolled into the lively city of Marrakesh! We had already chatted with our Riad manager about parking. They directed us to the nearest spot and helped with our bags. Overnight parking usually costs around 50-70 dirhams ($5-7) near the Medina.
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One of the most exciting ways to dive into a new city is by embarking on a walking tour with a local! It’s the perfect opportunity to soak in the city’s rich history and discover its highlight. You also get insider tips on the best places to shop and eat. We booked a tour through Guru Walk. Our guide was absolutely phenomenal—one of the best we encountered on our entire trip! He had an incredible knowledge of the city! He lead us from the stunning Koutoubia Mosque and showed us the main attractions in the medina. The tour wrapped up at the vibrant Jemaa el Fnaa square.
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We decided to step out of the medina for a livelier dinner at Palais Jad Mahal. It’s such a stunning place that you’d hardly believe it’s in Morocco! The food was alright, but we were really impressed by the drinks – especially the local wines! They also have an amazing show with fire performances, acrobats, and belly dancing. It’s a bit on the expensive side for Marrakesh, but with the atmosphere and entertainment, I’d say it’s worth it! Definitely dress up for this outing!
Stay
You can’t visit Marrakesh without crashing at one of the many Riads around the Medina. These Riads are like old ‘palaces’—they might look simple from the outside, but inside, they’ve got stunning open courtyards! Some of them have a pool or garden, perfect for staying cool in the summer. The decor is on point with amazing wall art, tile work, chandeliers, and paintings that make you feel like royalty while you eat. We chose Riad Nafis because it’s close to parking and offers awesome rooftop views of the Atlas mountains.
Morocco Itinerary: Day 3
The next day, we got up early for our hot air balloon ride. An unforgettable experience to catch the sunrise over the Atlas Mountains awaits.
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Marrakesh is an absolute must for hot air balloon enthusiasts! It ranks among the top 10 places in the world for this exhilarating experience! We couldn’t pass up the chance on our first visit! Companies conveniently pick you up from your Riad at around 6 am. And take you on a 30-40 minute drive into the enchanting desert. Upon arrival, you’re greeted with steaming hot tea or coffee. As you savour your drink, the crew prepares the balloons and delivers a safety briefing. Then, just before the break of dawn, you take off!
Our pilot’s timing was impeccable! It allowed us to marvel at the sun rising over the majestic Atlas Mountains from a breathtaking 1000 feet up. After landing, you’re treated to a delightful Berber breakfast—a simple yet utterly satisfying morning feast. We booked through Maroc Montgolfière and can’t recommend them enough! They provided an outstanding booking experience, top-notch customer service, and impeccable safety protocols!
Two additional attractions I suggest you visit while in Marrakesh are the Saadian Tombs, a 16th-century mausoleum of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and his family. And Bahia Palace, which also functioned as the residence of the French resident general in the city.
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Upon our return, our Riad provided us with a late breakfast. We then wrapped up our time in Marrakesh by watching the sunset from a restaurant in Jemaa el Fnaa square. As the sun went down, the snake charmers and acrobats departed, and the square came alive with food stalls and shops. The view was breathtaking as we sampled another Moroccan delicacy—Pastilla! This dish is essentially a sweet and savory pie, typically filled with chicken.
Stay
We chose to stay at the same Riad for two nights. However, if you’re traveling light, I suggest trying different Riads for several nights in the city to enjoy luxury and hospitality in various settings. It would be a great addition to your Morocco itinerary.
Morocco Itinerary: Day 4
The following day, we had to depart from Marrakesh early to drive to Ait Benhaddou. Along the way we planned for a brief detour to visit Morocco’s highest waterfall. A direct drive from Marrakesh to Ait Benhaddou would have taken just 3 hours, but our desire to see the waterfall extended the journey to 7 hours. This wasn’t too lengthy, as the roads are in good condition; just be mindful of the speed limits!
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In just about 3 hours, we arrived at the breathtaking Ouzoud Waterfalls! We drove straight to one of the parking areas and eagerly made our way down to the waterfall. Along the way, several ‘guides’ offered to take us on a hike leading to the waterfall. But we chose to explore on our own—and it was absolutely perfect! The views from the top of the waterfalls are simply stunning! You can also venture down to the very foot of the falls for a boat ride. We decided to soak in the magnificent views from above, and they were truly spectacular!
After a delicious lunch, we eagerly hit the road again towards Ait Benhaddou. We arrived at our hotel just in time to enjoy an amazing dinner before wrapping up an incredible day!
Eat
Rather than walking all the way to the bottom of Ouzoud waterfall, we chose to pause at one of the numerous restaurants along the path. Most of them have patios offering direct views of the waterfall. We opted for Café Restaurant Des Oiseaux, where the Tajine and salads were quite delicious. Compared to Marrakesh, this was much more affordable, and the view while dining was spectacular.
Stay
We anticipated that the 7-hour drive and the stop at Ouzoud waterfall would mean arriving at our hotel in Ait Benhaddou after dark. Therefore, we chose a hotel that offered dinner and wine after a long day. Guest House Baghdad Cafe fit the bill perfectly, and the service was outstanding!
Morocco Itinerary: Day 5
The next day was all about indulging our inner movie fans. We explored a bunch of spots where some famous films were shot over the years. And then made our way to Dades, taking in the stunning gorges and landscapes of Morocco!
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The day kicked off with an exhilarating tour of Ait Benhaddou. It is a breathtaking historic sand castle on the ancient caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakesh. It’s truly astounding to witness how this magnificent structure still stands today, earning its well-deserved status as a UNESCO site! You can explore this enchanting castle on your own. But I highly recommend taking a guide to dive deep into its rich history, visit a local’s home, and admire some stunning local artisan work.
Alternatively, embark on a solo adventure and hike to the top of the castle. You would be rewarded with spectacular views of the entire ksar, the city across the rivers, and the majestic Atlas Mountains in the distance. From this vantage point, you can also spot the iconic filming locations of Gladiator (the arena) and Game of Thrones (Yunkai). Local folks proudly display photos with Russell Crowe and Emilia Clarke—what a thrill!
The next exciting stop was Atlas Studios, just a short 30-minute drive from Ait Benhaddou. Here, movies like The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven were filmed! Their incredible sets are left intact for visitors to explore. For just 80 dirhams ($8), you get a guided tour of all the movie sets in the studio, leaving plenty of time to wander around and snap amazing pictures.
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After our amazing visit to the studios, we made a lunch stop in the vibrant city of Ouarzazate. It is just 10 minutes away from Atlas Studios. We discovered a true Moroccan treasure in the city – La Datte d’Or! The restaurant offered a fantastic selection of fixed menus, starting with fresh salads and moving on to delicious main dishes like Couscous, Tajine, and Pastilla. To top it all off, we enjoyed Moroccan cookies and tea! And the best part? The entire meal costs only 130-160 dirhams ($13-16) per person!
Stay
After lunch, we resumed our trip to the Dades Valley, approximately a two-hour drive from Ouarzazate. We chose to watch the sunset en route and stayed at Riad Rihana Dades, which offers a view of the Monkey Finger Mountains. In the morning, the balcony view from our room was stunning as we enjoyed coffee while admiring the majestic mountain formations. The hotel dinner wasn’t traditional Moroccan; instead, it was international cuisine, but it was delicious, and they also offer beer and wine!
Morocco Itinerary: Day 6
We were super pumped for this part of our trip—hitting the road to the Sahara desert! It was a 4-hour drive from Dades Valley. Since we had a whole day planned in the desert, we took it easy on the drive and stopped at a few viewpoints along the way.
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The first highlight was the incredible Dades Gorge, with its famously photographed twisty mountain roads that are simply a must-see! We made a stop at the charming Café-restaurant Timzzillite Chez Mohamed. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the valley and the road, all while savoring authentic Moroccan tea and soaking in the stunning landscape.
Our next destination, just a 1.5-hour drive away, was the most ‘touristy’ and undeniably the longest gorge in Morocco – Todgha! You can either drive through this magnificent gorge or take a leisurely walk. I highly recommend parking your car at one of the delightful restaurants right before the entrance and then strolling inside. This way, you’ll have the chance to snap amazing photos, explore some unique shops, and enjoy a refreshing drink if you like!
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We went back to the restaurant where we had parked our car for lunch. It was located next to Riad Lafleur on the main road, featuring a patio that offered views of the impressive mountains forming the gorge right before your eyes! The food was reasonably priced, and the service was swift.
Stay
After lunch, we eagerly continued our journey towards the breathtaking Sahara! We arrived in Merzouga just in time to witness a stunning sunset over the black desert (not Sahara)! It is the last motorable town that offers direct access to the desert. Our stay at Kasbah Azalay Merzouga was incredible, offering unobstructed views of the Sahara from the rooms, terrace, and restaurant. The drive to this spot involves a dirt road, but it’s nothing too challenging and doesn’t require a 4-wheel drive, contrary to what I read online before the trip. Since it was their low season, we had the entire Kasbah to ourselves for two amazing days!
Morocco Itinerary: Day 7
This day in our Morocco itinerary was dedicated to exploring the desert, visiting nearby villages, and basking in the sun!
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We kicked off our day with a morning private tour of the stunning Merzouga region! Our hotel organized this adventure in their 4×4, and it was an absolute steal at just $100 for the two of us. Our journey began with a visit to the fascinating old irrigation system next to the sand dunes, leading into the oasis known as Khettara. These wells, dug at various depths and connected by canals, still serve local families for irrigation and agriculture.
Next, we explored a captivating region of fossil formations, an old lead mining village and its remnants from the French colonization era. We also visited a nomad settlement, and even a seasonal lake with flamingos—yes, flamingos in the desert! At one of the stops, we were awestruck by three distinct desert formations: the white area where the lake is, the black region with fossils and lead mines, and the classic yellow/orange of Erg Chebbi/Sahara. It was truly mesmerizing to take in these three varied landscapes all at once!
In the evening, we eagerly hopped onto a camel (a dromedary, to be precise, with its single hump) and ventured into the desert to catch the sunset! Our guide led us on an 30-minute ride into the heart of the desert. He got us to a stunning high point between the dunes. There, we were treated to an absolutely breathtaking view as the sun dipped below the horizon. After the mesmerizing sunset, we joyfully made our way back to the Kasbah for an early and delightful dinner!
Eat
We figured we’d head back to our Kasbah for lunch. Sure, there are some cool spots to check out in the city, but we really enjoyed the food on our first night! And it was awesome having the whole place to ourselves! Just a heads up, they don’t serve alcohol (like most places in Morocco), so make sure to grab some before you get to Merzouga. Or do what we did and pick it up from one of the few places in town. We snagged a bottle of local Moroccan wine for 100 dirhams (about $10).
Stay
We ate all our meals at the Kasbah, and honestly, the food, the hospitality, and the views were just incredible! It’s also a fantastic place for stargazing at night (before the moon rises). We spotted three planets—Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn—the Andromeda galaxy, and a bunch of constellations. With the desert right in front of the Kasbah, it gets super dark and chilly at night, which is perfect for stargazing from the terrace. Just make sure to bundle up!
Morocco Itinerary: Day 8 and 9
The following day, we embarked on the longest drive of our trip, traveling from Merzouga to Fes. You can choose to stop in Meknes which is known for its wine region. However, given it was January, we chose not to since it was January, and drove directly to Fes. It was a 7-8 hour journey!
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Fes is the oldest city in Morocco and unquestionably the cultural heart of the country! The Medina is vast, boasting over 9000 enchanting alleyways, and I absolutely recommend getting a guide to lead you through its wonders. We once again chose a guide from Guru Walk, and it was fantastic! Our guide took us to the must-see spots in the medina. It included a visit to the vibrant Fez Tanneries and the stunning Al Attarine Madrasa. You also see several beautiful mosques, hidden alleyways, and finally, the bustling souk at the heart of the medina.
Fes is truly Morocco’s ultimate ‘shopping’ city! It is the perfect place to collect all your souvenirs, handicrafts, footwear, argan oil, and the delightful bitter orange fragrance! The guided tour was an exciting half-day adventure lasting 3-4 hours. And we wrapped up our day with a delicious meal and some shopping in the lively medina! If you’re traveling without internet on your phone or solo, I highly recommend returning to your Riad before sunset. There are some sketchy areas in the medina where locals might try to mislead you into an alley, hoping to then guide you to your Riad for a tip. We encountered a few of them, but thankfully, Google Maps helped us stay on track!
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Midelt is a charming small town located roughly halfway between Merzouga and Fes. It is nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountains. We paused for lunch at a restaurant along the highway just before reaching the city. And enjoyed a stunning view of the mountains and avoiding the crowds.
Stay
Fes is a huge city, but I suggest staying within or very close to the old medina. We reserved accommodation next to the parking lot, right at the entrance of the medina’s boundaries – Riad Layalina. This Riad had the most impressive courtyard we encountered during our entire trip. It was truly magnificent and straight out of the history books! We also dined at the Riad on our first night, and it turned out to be one of the best meals of our trip. The Riad provides an amazing view of the medina from the terrace, where you can watch the sunrise in the morning.
Morocco Itinerary: Day 10
We were absolutely ecstatic to celebrate our anniversary on this trip! And we couldn’t have chosen a more perfect place than the most charming and romantic city in Morocco—Chefchaouen! This enchanting blue city, nestled in the mountains, is a true gem! Just a 4-hour drive from Fes, it offers a completely different landscape. We were delighted to discover the lush greenery and thriving agriculture in this part of the country!.
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Chefchaouen is a lovely city with limited attractions, making a day sufficient for our visit. We explored the city, visiting historic neighborhoods where Spanish Muslim and Jewish refugees originally constructed homes and shops. The Kasbah in the city center isn’t worth the entrance fee, so I suggest saving your money. However, do visit the main square, Plaza Uta el Hamman, nearby for a cup of tea or coffee and some shopping.
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As we were celebrating, we wanted a special place for the occasion. And there’s only one restaurant in the entire city that offers both alcohol and delicious food—Restaurant Triana! Despite being off-season, the place was packed, yet they accommodated us and had live music starting at 8 PM. The wine selection is excellent, and the appetizers are outstanding. The cuisine is also very international.
Stay
We celebrated late into the night and therefore reserved a spot at Dar Elrio, which is conveniently near the restaurant. The place boasts distinctive decor, a stunning terrace view where they offered a welcome drink and breakfast, and clear views of the Spanish mosque atop the mountain from our room.
Morocco Itinerary: Day 11
The final day of the trip involved driving from Chefchaouen to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. We had no reason to stop in Rabat other than to be nearer to the Casablanca airport for our return flight. This four-hour journey begins in the mountains, continues through the verdant plains, and ultimately offers views of the Atlantic Ocean as you near the city of Rabat!
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As we only had half a day in Rabat, we aimed to visit two key attractions: Hassan Tower with the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Old Medina. We left our Riad on foot to explore the city and reach these locations. Rabat stands out from the rest of the country; it is very modern, developed, with beaches, and generally more open and diverse. Wandering around at night also felt entirely safe in the city!
Eat
Our final meal of the trip was a lively experience at a typical Moroccan restaurant. It is conveniently located near one of the entrances to the medina in Bab el Had Square. It’s called Dar Naji, and with its vibrant lighting, it’s impossible to miss while strolling through the neighbourhood. Authentic Moroccan dishes and lively local music await!
Stay
We chose to stay near the medina’s entrance, which also offered parking, and decided on the Riad Meftaha. This was the largest room we had in the different Riads during our journey, making it a perfect ending to our memorable trip to this beautiful country.
Read about our other adventures here!