Morocco is a big country, with so many corners to see, but this itinerary for 14 days is a winner. In my eyes, two weeks is the perfect amount of time to spend in the country - it gives you just enough time to experience all the highlights, then whisks you back home just before the harassment starts to crawl under your skin. In fact, you can cover a great deal of Morocco in a 2-week itinerary.
Struggling to figure out how many days to stay in each location? When to go to Morocco? Which airport to fly into? Do it solo or by guided tour? Where to experience the best desert adventure? Where to find the best beaches? Loop itinerary or start and finish in different destinations? Is Casablanca or Rabat worth it? Where are the hidden gems? This 2 week itinerary and guide to Morocco helps with all that + MORE!
Before we dig deeper on our 14 day itinerary of Morocco, I am going to take a punt and say some of you might prefer a guided tour. Sometimes it’s just nice to relax knowing that your travel is all taken care of, particularly in a new destination such as Morocco. So take the trouble out of organising your own 14 day tour and have one organised for you. Browse the following travel tour operators.
Get in touch with Mimoun from Morocco Travel. He is super helpful, very friendly and operates one of the most professional local tour groups we have experienced. These private tours of Morocco come at a great price, and provide total flexibility. Click here to find out more about the 14 day tour with Morocco Travel. Check out these two 14 day options with Intrepid Travel - the Premium Morocco in Depth or the Best of Morocco. I also like the 15 day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech with G Adventures.
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One of the best resources you’ll find here in our itinerary for 14 days in Morocco are our links on where to stay. Well you can be sure that each of these hotels are in excellent locations and they come with super reviews. Where possible I have tried to find the quintessential riad stay, which are my favourite type of Moroccan hotels.
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On the map below you can see that this journey starts in Tangier and finishes in Marrakech. Therefore this 2 week itinerary is great for travellers who want to start and finish in different locations. Internal flights within Morocco are cheap, so a short flight back to Tangier could also close or complete this itinerary.
The guide in mention, also provides a summary of all of the destinations and regions listed below in our itinerary. Therefore it’s a really good overview and travel guide for planning your epic Morocco vacation.
Detailed Itinerary
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to spend two weeks in Morocco:
- Marrakech (3 nights)
- Essaouira (2 nights)
- Return to Marrakech (1 night)
- Sahara Desert (2 nights)
- Fes (3 nights)
- Chefchaouen (2 nights)
- Casablanca (1 night)
Now it’s time to look at those destinations in more depth. Let’s jump in.
Day 1: Tangier
Kick starting your trip through Morocco in Tangier. Start your Moroccan adventure by flying into Tangier, a city with a fascinating blend of European and Moroccan influences. The Kasbah and Medina of Tangier are a gentle start to the journey. In other words, it’s a lot more easy to navigate, and lot less easy to get lost or overwhelmed.
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There is an international terminal, which will suit travellers arriving from Europe. However, for visitors coming from the United States or Asia, then Casablanca or Marrakech will be a better itinerary starting point. In which case, you could travel this itinerary in reverse with an internal flight from Tangier back to your starting point.
Crossing from Spain on the FRS Iberia ferry into Port de Tangier Ville is easy. We did this a few years ago, when taking a day trip to Tangier from Tarifa, Spain. This is a good option if you’re combining your Morocco itinerary with a south Spain itinerary. Your second option is to fly into Tangier.
Spend your first day exploring the Kasbah, wandering through the medina, and savoring traditional Moroccan cuisine at one of the local restaurants.
Where to Stay: Kasbah Rose is a super little mid-range option for couples and families.
Day 2: Chefchaouen
I’ve already mentioned Chefchaouen above. This is the blue village in the Rif Mountains, where streets, walls, doors and basically everything in sight is painted blue. Early the next morning, embark on a scenic drive to Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City.
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Most people visit Chefchaouen for a night only. However I would give it two, especially if you’re there in and around the summer months. Then if you do, take a day trip to Akchour and God’s Bridge. This was one of our favourite off the beaten track destinations in Morocco. And after the flurry of tourists in Chefchaouen all trying to get the perfect blue tinted photos, you’ll welcome the day trip into the mountains.
This enchanting town is famous for its blue-washed buildings, narrow winding streets, and peaceful atmosphere. Lose yourself in the maze-like streets, visit the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, and if you like hiking, head to the Akchour Waterfalls for a refreshing dip.
From Tangier jump on the CTM bus, booking your tickets online a day or two in advance. Travel time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Day 3: Fes via Volubilis & Meknes
Drive to Fes via two historical gems - Volubilis and Meknes. The bus from Chefchaouen to Fes is best made with CTM again. Unless you’re self-driving Morocco, there is an easier way of carrying out the following steps in our itinerary. That is to take a multiple 2 or 3 day guided tour. And don’t worry, it’s not cheating. In fact many visitors to Morocco connect Fes and Marrakech with a guided tour.
Marvel at the well-preserved Roman ruins in Volubilis yourself, or hire a guide for 300 DH. He’ll take you on a one-hour tour that walks the entire site. On your way from there, make sure to stop by Moulay Idriss, one of the holiest sites in Morocco. It’s about 5km from Volubilis and is the burial place of Moulay Idriss I, the first Islamic ruler of Morocco.
From there, drive on to explore the imperial city of Meknes, known for its grand architecture and intricate city walls. Drive on to stay the night in Fes, the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco.
Day 4-5: Explore Fes
Immerse yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of the Fes medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The history, the culture and the riads of Fes are all a big wow for me. I loved negotiating our way around the Chouara Tannery and walking alongside the leather vats and chatting to the locals.
Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, and the tanneries. There’s not all that much to do in Fes, but you probably want to rest here another day before more driving into the desert (even if the drive is incredible). Take a day to go to a hammam, or enjoy a cooking class.
From Fes it’s a long journey into the Sahara desert.
Days 6-8: Desert Adventure
Welcome to the Sahara… the mighty Erg Chebbi dunes of Morocco. You could spend one or two days here. Though one day may be enough, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months. You absolutely must embark on the breathtaking journey into the Sahara Desert.
Many visitors to Morocco want to experience a camel ride. In all honesty, this is not something we chose to do and therefore I can’t comment. There is much discussion online regarding the ethics around the use of animals in tourism. Therefore we urge you to do your homework before booking a camel ride.
Travel in morocco for many people is one of the best opportunities to experience sand dunes and the desert. And the Moroccan desert is no less majestic than the Wahiba Sands of Oman, or the Empty Quarter of Abu Dhabi. So if given the chance, you have to experience the desert just once in your life. And a night in the desert in Morocco is particularly special. This is because most experiences include a night stay in a Berber camp. And throughout the evening you’ll eat local food and listen to beautiful local music.
Get on a tour, and take the drive from Fes to Merzouga, where you’ll meet your camel caravan to trek through the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, witness mesmerizing sunsets, and spend an unforgettable night in a traditional desert camp.
Where to Stay: Merzouga Sahara Luxury Camp is one of the best rated places to stay for location they score a 9.8 on Booking.com.
Day 9: Todra Gorge
You may not have considered Morocco well known for valleys and gorges. But the natural beauty of the mountains and gorges is truly one of our favourite parts of Morocco. They are also less frequently visited and as a result one of the truest experiences of this gorgeous country.
Stop in Ouarzazate to see the Atlas Film Studios and Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. If you are going by public transport - we recommend a night in Ouarzazate before spending the night in the Todra Gorge. If you’re self driving you can do it the other way around.
Where to Stay: Stay the night in Ouarzazate, or book a nights accommodation in Ait Ben Haddou. Ait Ben Haddou - Kasbah El Hajja is one of the only places to stay in the middle of the kasbah. Ouarzazate - Dar Kamar is located in the heart of the Kasbah Taourirt and very non-touristy.
Day 10-11: Marrakech
Next, you’re in Marrakech, one of my favourite cities and Medinas in Morocco. I strongly recommend you arm yourself with our Marrakech guide below. We visited Marrakech multiple times. From the madrasas and palaces to the gardens, the hammams and the street food.
From Roses Valley (Bou Tharar) or Todra Gorge you can take a taxi back to Ouarzazate and connect with the CTM bus back to Marrakech. Head towards the vibrant city of Marrakech, a melting pot of colors, sounds, and flavors. This is by far the most overwhelming city we visited, especially after the calm of the desert, but we enjoyed our time.
Explore the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, visit the architectural marvels of Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs, and get lost in the enchanting souks of the medina.
We do recommend 8 beautiful riads to book for a Marrakech stay, from budget and midrange through to luxury.
Day 12: Essaouira
Next you are faced with the tricky dilemma of deciding whether to go to Essaouira or the Atlas Mountains. And it’s not an easy choice to make. Essaouira… (sigh) so many words I have written and shared on this special little place. It’s not on everyones list of highlights but it is on mine. It’s just such a beautiful pace after busy Marrakech, but at the same time there is plenty to see and do.
Take a day trip to the coastal town of Essaouira, known for its beautiful beaches, charming medina, and fresh seafood. For lunch, eat at the Port, where you can get fresh seafood grilled. Be sure to bargain, though, and make sure they don’t quote you a price that’s not what is listed.
Given that we spent SO much time in Essaouira, I wrote a dedicated guide on getting from Marrakech to Essaouira. It explains everything you need to know, and is helpful in terms of understanding how public transport generally works in Morocco.
Where to Stay: We stayed in Ryad Watier, which I wrote a full review on.
Day 13: Atlas Mountains
Option number two for your final couple of days in Morocco. Does your preference steer you towards the mountains and valleys of the Atlas. If this is the case, we recommend booking this trip with our friend Ahmed.
From Marrakech transport will be arranged if you choose to book with Trek Atlas. Otherwise you can take a collective taxi to Asni, followed by a taxi to Imlil.
Where to Stay: As part of the tour with Trek Atlas, you’ll stay in a guesthouse in the small Berber village of Aroumd.
Day 14: Departure
Day spent wherever we are flying out from (potentially even returning to Spain because the flight back to Canada is significantly cheaper from there compared to from Morocco.
Dress code
There is no official dress code, so it’s based on your personal preference and philosophy. I prefer to dress modestly in Muslim countries. For me, that means shoulders and knees covered. I wore loose long pants that were comfortable in the heat and a short-sleeved top. I carried a white linen long-sleeved shirt for when it was chilly with too much air conditioning or when I wanted to cover up more.
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