Morocco is a country of contrasts, where ancient cities meet rugged deserts and tall mountains give way to windswept coastlines. This detailed 10 days Morocco itinerary and travel guide takes you across these splendid landscapes and age-old cities by car—the perfect way to see this country in a short time.
You’ll experience the stunning Mediterranean coast, the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert, stroll through the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, let your senses go on a journey in the ancient medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, and enjoy the cinematic landscapes of Ouarzazate.
Whether you’re craving culture, adventure, or a taste of the unknown, this Morocco road trip offers an unforgettable way to experience it all.
When to visit Morocco?
The best time to visit Morocco for this road trip is March to May and September to November. Spring and Autumn are the perfect periods for a 10-day trip to Morocco, as the weather is mostly pleasant throughout the cities, desert and mountains. Temperatures usually range from 13°C to 28°C.
The summers can get extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C and the winters are chilly, especially in the desert and mountains.
How to reach Morocco?
For this itinerary, you can reach Casablanca by flight. It’s a popular international airport to fly into and gives you the opportunity to check out its opulent mosque—the 2nd largest in Africa. You can fly out of Marrakech or back out of Casablanca.
The other option is to reach Tangier by taking a ferry from Tarifa in Spain to Tangier Ville in Morocco. This is how we reached Morocco as part of our 6-month world trip. We explored Morocco and took a flight out from Marrakesh.
The last option is to reach Marrakesh and fly out from here or Casablanca. You will have to alter the given itinerary slightly if you’re starting your trip in Marrakesh.
Remember that flying in and out of different cities will help save you time, while flying in and out of the same city will help save on the one-way car rental cost. So weigh both factors in and decide accordingly.
Renting a car for your Morocco road trip
Several people ask us whether renting a car is a common way to see this country. Yes, several tourists do it and you can too. Morocco is a vast country and a road trip is a superb way to see it, especially when you have just 10 days. Just read these two posts before you go so you know what to expect when renting a car and on the road trip.
- Renting a car in Morocco: Everything you need to to know before you book
- Driving in Morocco: Tips, Scams & What No One Tells You
You can easily rent a car from DiscoverCars. Just compare the cars and see what suits you best. Our two biggest tips for renting a car would be to rent one from a company with a good rating (above 8.0) and to get Full Coverage. While driving in Morocco, our windscreen got a sudden chip, and we were able to avail our insurance very easily. I can’t recommend DiscoverCars enough.
International Driving Permit
And if you’re wondering about an international driving permit, then you will not need one in Morocco. We were stopped by the police quite a few times and they didn’t ask to see one. You just need your actual driving licence from your home country and your passport.
That being said, we have a 3-year international driving permit, which gives us peace of mind in case one is ever needed. You can easily get an International Driving Permit here in 8 minutes (except if you’re from the US)
10 Days Itinerary for Morocco
Possible road trip start cities: Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh
Possible road trip end cities: Marrakesh, Casablanca, Tangier
Total Drive Distance: 1701–2129 km depending on where you start and end
Total Drive Time: 27 to 31 hour drive
No. of cities and towns: 7–8 cities
No. of days: 10-11 days, depending on your route and flight timings
No. of delicious mint teas: infinite!
Map of this 10-day Morocco Road Trip by Car
Day 1: Arrive in Tangier or Casablanca
Casablanca: Start your 10-day Morocco trip by flying into Casablanca. Rent your car, settle into your hotel and don’t miss checking out the iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world. Then take a relaxing walk along the Corniche for a taste of the modern side of Morocco.
Book a hotel with parking in Casablanca: Luxury |Premium | Mid-range | Family
Tangier: If you’re beginning your Morocco trip in the charming coastal city of Tangier, use this day to rent your car, settle into your hotel, stroll through the medina with its whitewashed walls, visit the Kasbah Museum, or take a short trip to the Caves of Hercules. Do eat at Restaurant Al Maimouni. I had the best chicken, olives and lemon tagine of the entire Morocco trip here!
Book a hotel with parking in Tangier: Luxury |Premium | Mid-range | Budget
Day 2: Chefchaouen
- Drive distance: 343 km from Casablanca OR 112 km from Tangier
- Drive time: 5 hours from Casablanca or 2.5 hours from Tangier
- Hotels in Chefchaouen: Premium | Mid-Range | Budget
- Must-visit: The Spanish Mosque and the blue medina
On Day 2, leave early for Chefchaouen, Morocco’s famous blue city located in the Rif Mountains towards the country’s north. As you drive from the coast to the mountains, you’ll see absolutely spectacular scenery—blue lakes, green hills and whitewashed towns.
You will also notice a lot of police along the way, which is normal. Just stop your car completely at the stop sign/police checkpoint, and only proceed when they tell you to go.
As you enter the city, you’ll also find people jingling keys by the roadside. They will try their best to stop you. They do this to show you a guest house to stay at. So instead of stopping, head straight to the media parking lot or your hotel, wherever your hotel instructed you.
Here’s how you can spend your day in Chefchaouen:
- Check into your hotel in the medina. Staying inside the medina will ensure you’re close to everything and can maximise your time in the old town. However, it isn’t necessary!
- Lunch: Cafe Clock is a really nice cafe with Moroccan and western food. We ate many meals here and loved them all.
- Afternoon & evening: Spend the afternoon wandering through the medina’s quaint streets full of blue-painted buildings
- Sunset: hike up to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views of the blue town. Sunsets in Chefchouen are incredible, especially with the view of the town. If you don’t want to hike to the mosque, you can also opt to order a mint tea on your hotel rooftop and watch a grand sunset from there. The view may not be the best, but it’s pretty great nonetheless.
- Dinner: Have dinner at the Moroccan restaurant, Assaada! It’s very well-located and the food is excellent.
If you’re wondering whether you should spend another night in Chefchaouen, then take it from there; you may get bored. We spent an extra day in Chefchaouen, mainly to create content and to take it slow, and thought it to be quite unnecessary. One night is enough. Just ensure you have an entire half day to spend in the town so leave from Tangier or Casablanca accordingly.
Tips for Chefchaouen
1. Don’t use Google Maps: Beware Chefchouen has a lot of steps and narrow alleyways. Google Maps absolutely fails here. Use Maps.me for this town and all others in Morocco.
2. Finding the main parking lot: You might have some trouble finding the medina parking lot—Place Outa El Hamam. You may have to ask around.
3. Parking fee: The parking lot is managed by some men so they will charge a small amount for parking. Ensure you haggle with them, as they may quote high prices. If you don’t get a good parking spot, you may have to leave your car keys with the parking lot guys. We had to do this and though we were sceptical, it all worked out.
4. ‘Let me show you the way’ scam: If you’re staying in a riad inside the medina (blue town), then you will have to take your luggage up to your hotel by foot from the parking lot. Depending on the location of your hotel, this might involve a long walk and lots of stairs.
Finding your hotel, especially if it’s not a famous one, can be very confusing due to the multitude of narrow alleys. This may attract scammers who will approach you like they’re helping you out. But after they help you to your hotel, they’ll ask for an exorbitant amount of money.
So try to find the way yourself and say ‘La, Shukran’ (no, thank you) to anyone who approaches you. And better yet, ask someone from the riad to come down to the main medina square or parking lot and guide you to the hotel.
Day 3: Fes
- Drive distance: 197 km
- Drive time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Hotels in Fes: Luxury| Premium | Mid-Range | Budget
- Must-visit: Chouara Tannery, Fes medina
Today’s journey takes you to Fes, one of Morocco’s oldest imperial cities. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Medina of Fez is probably the best conserved historic town of the Arab world. It is huge, with over 9,000 narrow streets and it is completely free of motorised vehicles (they probably won’t even fit on these narrow roads).
Arrive by noon, park your car outside the walled medina, enter the old city on foot through the blue gate, and check into a beautiful riad. We stayed at Dar Borj and it was so wonderful that we never wanted to step out.
Here’s how to spend this day in Fes:
1. Lunch: Cafe Clock is located here too and it’s definitely a great spot for lunch. If you’d like to eat elsewhere, try a local eatery in the medina.
2. Medina: Walk through the medina, taking in all the sights and smells
3. Bou Inania Madrasa: Visit this madrasa only if you have a lot of time or a special interest (personally, I think you can skip this if you’re visiting Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakesh). The one in Marrakesh is more beautiful and you definitely need not see multiple madrasas. I’m mentioning it anyway because its a popular site to visit.
4. Chouara Tannery: Head to this 11th-century tannery where leather dyeing traditions have remained unchanged since eons. Don’t go to the tannery itself but instead to either Shop 10 or Shop No. 64, which give good views of the tannery. You will have to tip the shopkeepers for their assistance and the mint they provide to alleviate the foul smell of the tannery.
5. Dinner: Have dinner at the Ruined Garden Restaurant. It’s surrounded by greenery and the food is tasty too. Just ensure you have a reservation with them, as they may not entertain you otherwise.
Tips for Fes
1. You will have to park your car at the parking lot outside the medina, which you will find easily. You will again be charged a small fee (about 3 euros/30 dirhams) per night for parking the car there.
2. Similar to last time, if you’re staying in the medina, ask your hotel to send someone to guide you to the hotel from the blue gate of the medina. We stayed at Dar Borj and they suggested this themselves and were extremely helpful.
Day 4: Merzouga
- Drive distance: 462 km
- Drive time: 7 hours, 20 minutes
- Camps in Merzouga: Luxury | Premium | Mid-Range | Budget
- Must-experience: Sunset over the dunes, stargazing
On Day 4 of your 10 days in Morocco, prepare for a long but scenic 7-hour drive to Merzouga, located at the edge of the Sahara Desert. This is where your road trip turns into a desert adventure. It’s truly mesmerising to drive amidst the sandy desert dunes. And don’t worry; this drive is totally doable with even a hatchback.
We chose to stay at the Zahra Luxury Desert Camp in the middle of the desert close to Merzouga, which was a whole experience. It had a bed, some basic furniture and a bathroom with hot water (all that we needed). We loved being surrounded by dunes and having access to them whenever we wanted.
We’d opted for a half-board package and I have to say that the dinner was fab. So many courses of food—it’ll surely make you really full. Just beware that if you’re vegetarian, you will get a lot of veggies and no protein even if you ask for it. After dinner, the camps have a bonfire evening with music and dance, which is a fun and interesting way to interact with the locals, learn their culture, and meet other travellers.
There was only one thing we didn’t enjoy about staying in the tent—it would get very stuffy at night. If you choose to stay in a tent and it does get stuffy, ask the folks at the camp if you can lay your bed outside under the stars. If this sounds like something you won’t be comfortable with, its better to simply opt for a hotel!
Tips for your drive to Merzouga
1. During your drive from Fes to Merzouga, be very careful about adhering to the speed limits. There are two spots during the drive where the police monitor your speed from afar. Since it’s a downward slope when speed is being monitored, it is very tough to maintain the requisite speed, which the police take advantage of.
It’s possible that even after this warning of ours, you will be fined—not once but twice. Instead of paying the actual fee and getting a receipt, just say you’re travelling on a budget and don’t have that much cash on you. Instead, offer to pay a smaller sum. They usually agree and it will cost you much less.
2. If you’re staying in a camp, there is no need to worry about parking. You will be asked to park your car at a hotel/kasbah nearby. You will be taken to your camp in a 4×4 or through a camel ride if you so wish.
Day 5: Full Day in the Desert in Merzouga
Must-experience: ATV ride on the dunes, swim in a pool amidst the desert
Start your morning with an ATV ride over the dunes. It cost us a hefty €80 per person but it was so worth it because the scenery is absolutely magical. We hadn’t planned on doing this activity at all, but it turned out to be one of our favourite experiences from our 6-month world trip.
You have two options for later this day
- Shift to a luxury hotel: Moving to a hotel like Sunrise Palace might be a great idea if you’d like to experience some luxury in the desert and rest up for the rest of your drive.
- Stay put at your camp: We chose to stay back at the same camp, as we did not want to keep moving hotels. However, since it gets very hot in the afternoon, the camp guys offered to take us to the nearest Kasbah where we had parked our car.
We spent the day having a fabulous lunch at the Kasbah and swimming in their gorgeous pool with a view of the sand dunes. They got us back to the camp in the evening and we spent the rest of the evening watching the sunset over the dunes. The Sahara is magical.
On this day, you can also try activities like sandboarding or visit a nomadic Berber camp for a deeper understanding of life in the Sahara.
Day 6: Ait Ben Haddou
Drive distance: 367 km
Drive time: 5 hours
Hotels in Ait Ben Haddou: Luxury (located in Ouarzazate) | Premium (in Ouarzazate) | Mid-Range | Budget
Must-visit: Ait Benhaddou, Todra Gorge
On Day 6, you’ll leave the desert behind and head to Ouarzazate. Along the way, stop at the Todra Gorge for a short hike or photo op in this stunning canyon. This was our first time driving in a gorge with a river flowing by—a short but serene experience that makes for a good break in the journey.
Once in Ouarzazate, visit the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s been featured in numerous films and TV shows like Game of Thrones, Prince of Persia and Gladiator. Even if you’re not interested in these movies, it’s a must-see, as it is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture.
The best way to see it is to hire a guide, because otherwise you’re not going to understand much. Simply message your hotel to see if they can arrange a short tour for you.
Day 7: Marrakesh
Drive distance: 193 km
Drive time: 3 hours, 17 minutes
Hotels in Marrakesh: While it is best to stay in a riad in the medina for this itinerary so most places are walkable, you can choose to stay in a hotel outside of it if you’d like. Here are some riad options:
Luxury | Premium | Instagrammable | Mid-Range | Budget
Must-visit: Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia Mosque
Your road trip continues with a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, leading you to Marrakesh, one of Morocco’s most famous cities. I kid you not, these mountainous landscapes will blow you away. Stop for a coffee or a mint tea at one of the many van shops on the mountain route.
After reaching Marrakesh, head to the parking lot of your choice. If you’re staying in a riad in the medina, chances are that you’ll have to park at the parking lot near Koutoubia Mosque since you can’t possibly drive a car inside the chaotic medina. Parking here also gives you an opportunity to see the Koutoubia Mosque itself, which has a beautiful minaret. You can’t enter the mosque, though, unless you’re Muslim.
Then head to your riad to check in. As always, if you’re staying in a riad, ask your hotel to send someone to lead you to the hotel.
Here’s what you can do this day:
- Relax at your beautiful riad. Riads typically have serene interiors and beautifully decorated rooftops, making for excellent spots to sip some mint tea and take a relaxing dip
- Souk Semmarine: Do some shopping at Souk Semmarine in the medina
- Jemma el-Fnaa: This is the main square of the Marrakesh medina, which comes to life with street performers, food stalls and merchants. Just ensure you stay away from the monkey people and henna women, as they’re usually trying to scam you. Better to observe from afar!
Day 8: Stroll in Marrakesh‘s Gardens
Day 8 of your 10-day trip to Morocco is dedicated to exploring the wonderful gardens and museums of Marrakesh.
9 AM – Medrasa Ben Youssef : Start with the stunning Medrasa Ben Youssef. Once a college, this madrasa stands out for the harmony of its architecture—the patterns and colours are mesmerising. Going there early in the morning will ensure you have the place to yourself for a bit before it gets crowded. Ticket price is MAD 50 (USD 5) per person
9:50 AM Bacha Coffee: As soon as you’re done with the madrasa, walk 550 meters to Bacha Coffee, a beautiful cafe situated inside the spectacular Dar el Bacha Palace. Fair warning: Bacha is popular so expect a huge queue, which can sometimes be up to an hour.
Get there as soon as possible after opening time, which is 10 AM. Head straight to the cafe to make a reservation. And while you’re waiting, check out the gorgeous museum inside (entrance fee is MAD 60/6 USD) so you won’t get bored. It’s absolutely worth checking out, as the interiors are stunning and the coffee at the cafe is delicious. You can opt to grab a bite here too, though there is another nice restaurant close by.
If waiting for an hour to get a table is not your jam, then head to Le Jardin Restaurant instead after you explore Le Jardin Secret!
12:30 PM—Le Jardin Secret: This is a tranquil garden right in the middle of the bustling medina. The complex dates back over 400 years but was rebuilt in the 19th century. It has since then been home to some of Morocco’s most important political figures. Entrance fee is MAD 110 (USD 11) per person.
Now walk to your car park and head to the few stops at 2:30 PM.
3 PM – Jardin Majorelle, Berber Museum and YSL Museum: Though small, the garden has about 300 species of plants from 5 different continents, an electric-blue art-deco villa, and a museum of the history of Berbers. All worth checking out! It was designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who also coined the term Majorelle Blue. It was later purchased by famous fashion designer Yves St Laurent.
To visit this garden and villa, you will need to purchase tickets online prior to the visit. The visit will be a short one since the entire garden route is one-way so you can’t really loiter around. You can visit the cafe on the premises too if you’re craving a mint tea.
4 PM: Yves Saint Laurent Museum: Housed in a striking contemporary building, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent is dedicated to the designer’s couture legacy and has a permanent display of hundreds of garments spanning his 40-year career. It also has a beautiful café, bookshop, archive library and auditorium.
This museum is located right by Jardin Majorelle. If you’re visiting both the garden and the museum, it’s best to get a combo ticket, which you will need to reserve prior to your visit.
7 PM: La Trattoria Since you’re already in the area, it’s best to have dinner at La Trattoria, a beautiful Italian restaurant set around a swimming pool and decorated with gorgeous lamps. You’ll arrive in the light and start with dinner and soon you’ll see the lamps light up and the atmosphere come to life. It’s stunning.
If you’re not in the mood for Italian, try Sahbi Sahbi nearby. This is a high-end restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine in sophisticated style.
Day 9: Explore Marrakesh‘s Heritage Buildings
With so much to see, a second day in Marrakech is a must. On this day, you’ll be visiting the palaces and tombs to learn about the history and witness the grandeur of Marrakech’s kings. If palaces and tombs don’t interest you, then consider taking a tour to the Ouzoud Waterfalls. Otherwise, continue with the itinerary below.
9 AM – Start with Bahia Palace. Built in the late 1800s for the Grand Vizier Si Moussa, the palace is spread over nearly 8 acres. It was designed to be one of the finest in the world. And it does impress you with its lavishly decorated rooms, tranquil courtyards, intricate tile work, and lush gardens. Entrance fee is 100 MAD / 10 USD.
11 AM – El Badi Palace: El Badi Palace offers a dramatic glimpse into Morocco’s royal past. Built in the late 16th century by a sultan of the Saadian dynasty, the palace was designed to showcase his wealth and power. But it is now in ruins, which makes it different from other such spots in Marrakesh and so very charming.
Don’t miss climbing up to the rooftop, where you’ll get panoramic views of Marrakesh’s skyline with the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Entrance fee is 100 MAD or 10 USD.
12 PM – Saadian Tombs: The beautifully decorated tombs date back to the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century but were only rediscovered in 1917! The most famous place to see here is the elaborately decorated Hall of the Twelve Columns, where the sultan and his family members rest in marble tombs. Entrance fee is 100 MAD (10 USD).
For the first three stops, it would be best to do a guided tour like this one so you can actually understand the significance of the monuments and learn about what you’re seeing. You can also visit these independently if you’d like to explore them at your own pace. And if you think that the entrance fees are adding up to a lot, then skip the Saadian tombs since it’s a relatively short visit for the price you’re paying.
1 PM Lunch: You can have lunch at the La Sultana hotel itself, where you’re heading for a spa next. La Table du Souk restaurant at the hotel is well known for its delicious food. Else, head to La Table de la Kasbah nearby.
2:30 PM Hamam at La Sultana: The hamam at La Sultana is truly a gorgeous one. So if you’re looking to get a traditional hamam scrub or a massage, this is an excellent spot! Just ensure you make reservations before your trip even starts to guarantee your experience.
5:30 PM Dardar Rooftop : End your time in Marrakesh with drinks at dinner at this rooftop restaurant and bar.
Day 10: Day Trip to Essaouira
Drive distance from Marrakesh to Essaouira: 177 km
Drive time: 2 hours, 50 minutes
On the last day of your 10-day Morocco itinerary, take a scenic drive to the coastal town of Essaouira. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and historic medina, Essaouira is a perfect place to spend a day before heading home.
Here’s how to spend your time in Essaouira:
- Park your car at the Parking Lot near Le Chalet de la Plage
- Explore the media: Enter through the Bab Sbaa gate and wander around this UNESCO-listed Medina. Unlike Marrakesh, it is a compact maze of narrow streets and vibrant shops. Stroll through markets and ensure you check out thuya wood items, which Essaouira is famous for. Essaouira’s souks are more relaxed than those in Marrakesh, making for an enjoyable shopping experience.
- Lunch: Head to Fishburger Essaouira for some crispy, fresh fish burgers. If you’re vegetarian, you could go to Mandala Society nearby for healthy food. If you want Moroccan, then go to Adwak.
- Walk the ramparts of Skala de la Ville: Head to this fortress along the seawall for stunning ocean views. You’ll also find old bronze cannons lined up here and can take in the views of the crashing waves that this 18th-century rampart is built to protect the medina from. End at the Sqala du Port, which has blue boats parked in front of it, making for the perfect view. You might recognise this entire area as the city of Astapor in Game of Thrones.
- Try Seafood: If you still have space in your tummy, try some fresh seafood at one of the local portside grills. These places offer freshly caught fish, calamari, and shrimp freshly prepared right in front of you.
- Plage d’Essaouira: Take a walk or relax along the wide, sandy beach that is a popular spot for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Return to Marrakech or head to Casablanca to catch your flight home this day or the next.
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beautiful place, thank you for creating this article
Bonjour,
Merci beaucoup pour avoir partagé votre périple fascinant et vos bons conseils. Vous avez fait ce voyage à quelle période de l’année s’il vous plaît ? Bonne journée. Caroline
Hey, we did this trip in mid-September