Planning a Morocco 10 day itinerary might seem daunting at first. This fascinating kingdom offers such diversity that you could spend months exploring its winding medinas, vast deserts, and mountain ranges. However, with careful planning, ten days provides the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in Morocco’s highlights while diving deep into its culture and traditions.
This itinerary has been carefully crafted to balance must-see destinations with authentic experiences. From the bustling souks of Marrakech to the endless dunes of the Sahara, we’ll guide you through an adventure that showcases the best this country has to offer.
The key to a successful Morocco 10 day itinerary lies in the timing. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer ideal conditions, with comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Consider hiring a driver for parts of the journey – though Moroccan roads are well-maintained, local knowledge proves invaluable for navigating between destinations.
Marrakech – The Red City: Days 1-3
Your journey opens in Marrakech, where Africa meets the Middle East in a sensory feast. Founded in 1062, this former imperial capital showcases its grandeur through magnificent rose-gold walls, while its legendary medina continues to captivate visitors with timeless energy.
Day 1: Discovering the Medina
The UNESCO-listed medina offers the perfect introduction to Moroccan culture. Unlike other North African old cities, this medina maintains its original purpose as both residential quarter and commercial hub, following the same medieval layout that has organized trade here for centuries.
Your riad serves breakfast around 8 AM. Traditional morning meals feature freshly baked bread, local honey, and mint tea – perfect preparation for the sensory journey ahead.
Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Head to Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s legendary central square. Originally a place for public ceremonies, it’s now a living theater where Morocco’s traditions come alive. Watch as snake charmers practice ancient Berber arts, storytellers preserve oral histories, and Gnawa musicians play hypnotic spiritual melodies. Don’t miss the fresh orange juice vendors – they serve nature’s perfect refreshment.
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Venture through the surrounding souks, each dedicated to specific crafts passed down through generations. The medieval markets follow the same layout they’ve had for centuries, with sections organized by trade. Wander through Souk el Attarine for traditional spices and perfumes, visit Souk Seffarine to watch metalworkers craft intricate lanterns, and discover the rainbow-colored displays of the wool dyers’ souk.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
As Djemaa el-Fna transforms into North Africa’s largest open-air restaurant, food vendors set up hundreds of stalls, filling the air with an intoxicating mix of spices and grilled meats. Sample traditional tanjia (Marrakech’s signature slow-cooked meat), try harira soup, and end your evening with mint tea at a rooftop café overlooking the square.
Day 2: Historical Monuments
Today explores the architectural treasures that earned Marrakech its reputation as the “Pearl of the South.” These monuments tell stories of sultans, artists, and scholars who shaped Morocco’s golden age.
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech’s most important religious building. This 12th-century wonder established the design principles that influenced religious buildings across North Africa. Explore Morocco’s largest mosque and its iconic minaret, surrounded by serene gardens perfect for morning reflection.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6:00 PM)
Discover palaces and monuments that showcase Morocco’s imperial grandeur. Visit Bahia Palace to admire its intricate tilework and serene courtyards, explore the Saadian Tombs’ masterful craftsmanship, and wander through Ben Youssef Madrasa’s stunning Islamic architecture.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
Savor modern Moroccan cuisine in historic settings. Try dinner at Le Foundouk, housed in a restored caravanserai, or enjoy rooftop drinks at La Mamounia’s historic bar while taking in views of the illuminated monuments.
Day 3: Modern Marrakech & Gardens
Today bridges Marrakech’s historic soul with its contemporary heart. The city’s newer districts showcase how Morocco embraces modernity while honoring tradition. You’ll discover spaces where artists, designers, and tastemakers are reshaping Moroccan culture.
Arrive at Grand Café de la Poste by 8:30 AM, where colonial-era charm meets French patisserie. Secure a prime people-watching spot on the terrace.
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Visit the Jardin Majorelle, a masterpiece of botanical art and Moroccan modernism. Restored by Yves Saint Laurent, these gardens tell the story of Morocco’s artistic renaissance. The morning light creates perfect conditions for exploring the stunning botanical gardens with rare desert plants, visiting the Berber Museum showcasing indigenous culture, and discovering the YSL Museum celebrating Moroccan influence on fashion.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6:00 PM)
Discover Gueliz, Marrakech’s modern heart, where contemporary Morocco thrives. This French-built district offers a fascinating contrast to the medina’s medieval charm. Visit contemporary art galleries featuring Moroccan artists, browse modern boutiques blending tradition with trends, and relax at trendy cafes and juice bars.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
Immerse yourself in Marrakech’s sophisticated nightlife scene. The modern districts come alive after sunset with a mix of traditional and contemporary entertainment. Dine at Nomad for modern takes on Moroccan classics, enjoy cocktails at Sky Bar for panoramic city views, and end your evening with late-night desserts at Patisserie des Princes.
Sahara Desert Adventure: Days 4-5
No Morocco 10 day itinerary would be complete without the majesty of the Sahara. The journey itself becomes part of the adventure, crossing the Atlas Mountains and following ancient caravan routes to reach the golden dunes of Merzouga.
Day 4: Journey to the Desert
Pack light but bring layers – desert temperatures vary extensively between day and night.
Morning (7:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Your path to the Sahara crosses the Atlas Mountains. The route takes you through dramatic landscapes and historic sites. Climb the mighty Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, where traditional Berber villages cling to mountainsides. Ancient kasbah ruins dot the landscape as you enter the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, each bend in the road revealing new wonders.
Afternoon (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Continue through the changing landscape as mountains give way to desert. Stop at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Game of Thrones and Gladiator were filmed. Visit Ouarzazate’s film studios before continuing through Todra Gorge’s towering canyon walls. Make a final stop at Erfoud’s fossil workshops, where ancient marine life becomes decorative art.
Evening (5:00 PM onwards)
Arrive at Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara. Meet your camel caravan for a sunset trek into the desert, watching the dunes change color at golden hour. Arrive at your luxury desert camp for a traditional dinner under the stars, where local musicians perform around the campfire.
Day 5: Desert Experience & Return Journey
The Sahara reveals its most spectacular colors as night transitions to day. Watch sunrise from atop a golden dune, followed by breakfast in camp where fresh bread is baked in the sand and tea is prepared over an open fire.
Early Morning (5:30 AM – 9:00 AM)
Professional photographers consider this the “golden hour” for desert photography, when the dunes cast long shadows and the sand glows with warm hues. Climb the highest nearby dune for sunrise viewing, join a desert photography session with expert tips, and try sandboarding on the smaller dunes near camp. Enjoy a traditional Berber breakfast featuring freshly baked bread and local specialties.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
The journey to Fes takes you through several distinct regions of Morocco, each with its own character and charm. Visit an authentic nomadic Berber family camp with a local guide to learn about desert life. Stop for traditional lunch in Midelt, known as “The Apple City” of Morocco, then drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Explore Azrou’s famous cedar forests, home to Barbary macaques, and visit traditional Berber markets and craft cooperatives along the way.
Evening (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Arrive in Fes as the sun sets over the world’s largest medieval medina. This imperial city has maintained its status as Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital for over a millennium. Check into your restored traditional riad in the heart of the medina, take a guided orientation walk through your historic neighborhood, and enjoy panoramic views of the ancient city from a rooftop terrace. End your evening with a traditional dinner featuring Fasi specialties at Dar Roumana, followed by a mint tea ceremony and cultural introduction by your local host.
Fes – The Cultural Capital: Days 6-7
Fes stands as Morocco’s intellectual and cultural heart, home to the world’s oldest university and largest car-free urban area. During these two days, you’ll discover why UNESCO considers the entire medina a World Heritage site and immerse yourself in the city’s living traditions firsthand.
Day 6: Exploring the Medieval Medina
Unlike other Moroccan cities, Fes has maintained its role as a functioning medieval city, with thousands of residents still living and working as their ancestors did centuries ago.
Your riad serves local culinary traditions through morning pastries, fresh fruits, and hand-pressed juices from 7:30 AM, giving you time to prepare for a full day of exploration.
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Enter the medina through Bab Boujloud, the famous blue gate that serves as the main entrance to Fes el Bali. This medieval maze contains over 9,000 narrow streets, each offering glimpses into traditional crafts and daily life. Take a guided walk through the spice and perfume souk, where merchants still sell traditional remedies. Visit the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa, one of the few religious buildings in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter. Tour the ancient leather tanneries with their iconic color wells, and explore the carpenter’s souk where artisans craft intricate designs using ancient techniques.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6:00 PM)
Delve deeper into the medina’s specialized craft districts. Watch artisans at work in a traditional weaving cooperative, where ancient patterns come to life on massive looms. Visit ceramic workshops in the pottery district, where craftsmen create Morocco’s distinctive blue and white ceramics. Tour the metalworkers’ quarter to see craftsmen shape brass and copper into intricate lamps and decorative items. End at a traditional herbalist to learn about Moroccan natural medicine and beauty secrets.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
Savor Fes’s renowned culinary scene, considered the finest in Morocco. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a restored palace restaurant, where centuries-old recipes are prepared with modern precision. Take an evening walk through illuminated medina streets, stopping for dessert and tea at Café Clock. Listen to classical Andalusian music performed by local musicians before ending your night with rooftop views of the floodlit city from Riad Fes.
Day 7: Cultural Immersion
Your second day in Fes focuses on deeper cultural experiences and the city’s surroundings. Fes serves as a living museum of Moroccan traditions, and today you’ll participate in some of its most cherished customs.
Traditional breakfast fills your riad’s courtyard, then prepare for a day of hands-on cultural experiences. Most activities unfold from 9 AM onwards, giving you time to enjoy a leisurely morning meal.
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Immerse yourself in Moroccan culinary traditions through a cooking class in a traditional home. Your morning shopping trip reveals how to choose the freshest spices and produce in local markets. Watch a traditional bread baking demonstration, then participate in a hands-on cooking class featuring classic Fasi dishes. Learn the secrets of spice combinations and how to prepare preserved lemons, an essential ingredient in Moroccan cuisine. End the morning by enjoying your own creations with a local family.
Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6:00 PM)
Explore the hills surrounding the medina for a different perspective on Fes. Visit the Merenid Tombs for panoramic views of the entire medina, then tour the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) and its historic synagogue. Explore the ornate doors of the Royal Palace and visit the Jewish cemetery, which tells the story of Fes’s once-thriving Jewish community. Learn traditional pottery techniques at a workshop in the hills, and end your afternoon at a local women’s cooperative where traditional crafts sustain families.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
Your final evening in Fes celebrates the city’s reputation for hospitality and refinement. Visit a traditional hammam for relaxation and cultural insight into this important social ritual. Enjoy dinner at NUR Restaurant, where modern interpretations of Moroccan classics showcase the evolution of local cuisine. Join an evening meditation session at a local zawiya (Sufi lodge), then conclude your night with farewell drinks at Hotel Sahrai’s trendy rooftop bar, taking in final night views of the illuminated medina.
Chefchaouen & Tangier: Days 8-9
Your Morocco 10 day itinerary now takes you north to discover two distinctly different cities that showcase Morocco’s diversity. Moving from the imperial grandeur of Fes, you’ll discover the ethereal beauty of Chefchaouen’s blue-washed streets before ending in cosmopolitan Tangier.
Day 8: The Blue Pearl of Morocco
Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains, offers a striking contrast to the imperial cities. Known for its blue-washed buildings and relaxed atmosphere, this mountain town provides a peaceful interlude in your journey.
The journey from Fes takes approximately 4 hours through the picturesque Rif Mountains.
Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
The journey to Chefchaouen reveals Morocco’s northern landscapes. As you climb into the Rif Mountains, the vegetation changes and the air becomes noticeably cooler. Take photo stops at panoramic viewpoints featuring ancient kasbahs, visit Derdara’s local cheese-making village, and enjoy morning refreshments in a mountain café overlooking terraced hillsides.
Afternoon (12:30 PM – 6:00 PM)
Explore the medina’s famous blue streets, where every turn reveals perfect photo opportunities. Visit the 15th-century kasbah and its ethnographic museum, shop in authentic artisan markets known for handwoven blankets, and hike to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views over the blue city.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
Immerse yourself in Chefchaouen’s intimate evening atmosphere. Enjoy traditional mountain cuisine at Casa Hassan, sip mint tea in Plaza Uta el-Hammam, and watch the medina transform under evening lights.
Day 9: Tangier – Where Mediterranean Meets Atlantic
Tangier has long served as Morocco’s gateway to Europe, creating a unique cultural fusion that sets it apart from the rest of the country. This cosmopolitan port city blends diverse architecture, multicultural neighborhoods, and sophisticated arts scene, telling stories of its fascinating international past.
Your final morning in Chefchaouen precedes the scenic two-hour journey north. The road winds through the Rif Mountains before descending to the coast, offering spectacular views of both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Make the most of your final hours in Chefchaouen. The morning light gives the blue city a completely different character, with the rising sun creating long shadows along the winding streets. Take an early photography walk through quiet blue streets, visit the authentic farmers’ market, and enjoy a traditional breakfast of fresh locally-made goat cheese and honey before your scenic coastal drive to Tangier.
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Tangier’s medina differs dramatically from others you’ve seen on your Morocco 10 day itinerary. Here, traditional Moroccan elements blend with European architecture, creating an atmosphere that feels more Mediterranean than African. Visit the newly renovated Kasbah Museum, explore the American Legation, and enjoy traditional mint tea at the cliff-side Café Hafa, a favorite of Beat Generation writers. End your afternoon shopping for antiques and curiosities in the Grand Socco’s historic market.
Evening (7:00 PM onwards)
Tangier’s sophisticated evening scene reflects its international heritage. The port lights twinkle as ships cross the Strait of Gibraltar, and the evening air fills with a mix of Spanish, French, and Arabic conversations. Enjoy sunset aperitifs at Sky Bar overlooking two continents, followed by a seafood feast at Le Saveur de Poisson. Take a twilight promenade along the corniche watching ships in the strait, then enjoy live music at the historic Tanger Inn.
Return to Marrakech on Day 10
Your final day brings your Morocco 10 day itinerary full circle, returning to where your journey began. While primarily a travel day, Tangier’s modern side offers fascinating contrasts to the historic medina you explored yesterday.
Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Explore Tangier’s modern side, where the Ville Nouvelle showcases French colonial architecture alongside contemporary Moroccan design. Take breakfast at the historic Gran Café de Paris, watching the city wake up. Visit Cape Spartel where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, and explore the legendary Caves of Hercules with its Africa-shaped opening. Take in final views of the Strait of Gibraltar from the Bella Vista viewpoint.
Afternoon (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
The journey back to Marrakech offers time for reflection on your Moroccan adventure. Whether flying or taking the train, you’ll see the country’s varying landscapes one final time. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the port before departure, then make your way to your chosen departure point. Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon and check in to your final riad.
Evening (6:00 PM onwards)
Your final evening deserves a memorable celebration. Marrakech takes on a magical quality at night, as lanterns illuminate the medina’s narrow streets. Savor sunset drinks at La Mamounia’s legendary Churchill Bar, followed by a farewell dinner at Al Fassia, known for its refined Moroccan cuisine. Take one final walk through the illuminated souks before ending your journey with a nightcap at your riad’s rooftop lounge.
Practical Tips for Your Morocco 10 Day Itinerary
Success in navigating this diverse country relies on understanding a few key aspects of Moroccan travel. This Morocco 10 day itinerary covers significant distances and various cultural zones, so proper preparation ensures a smoother journey.
Transportation
Morocco offers several reliable ways to navigate between destinations. Trains connect major cities like Tangier, Fes, and Marrakech, while private drivers are essential for desert excursions and mountain routes. Consider hiring a driver for the Marrakech to Merzouga segment – they often serve as informal guides and can stop at scenic points along the way. Within cities, petit taxis provide reliable transportation for short trips.
Accommodation
Book accommodations in advance, especially during high season. Traditional riads in medinas offer authentic experiences with courtyard gardens and rooftop terraces. Desert camps range from basic to luxury, but always include proper beds and traditional entertainment. Modern hotels in larger cities provide international amenities when you need a break from traditional lodging.
Cultural Considerations
Respect local customs to enhance your experience. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, especially in religious sites. Learn basic Arabic phrases – even simple greetings are appreciated. Always ask before photographing people, and use your right hand for eating and passing items. Accept offered mint tea as a gesture of hospitality.
Weather & Timing
Pack according to your season of travel. Spring and fall offer ideal temperatures, while summers can be very hot in cities and the desert. Winter brings cold temperatures to the mountains but mild weather in cities. Desert temperatures vary dramatically between day and night, so pack layers year-round.
Budget Planning
- Mid-range daily cost: $100-200 covering accommodation, food, and transportation
- Riad accommodation: $50-300 per night depending on luxury level
- Local dining: $5-15 per person
- High-end restaurants: $30-50 per person
- Professional guides: $50-100 daily
- Site entrance fees: $5-10 per location
- Desert excursions: $150-300 per person for quality experience
Making the Most of Your Morocco 10 Day Itinerary
This Morocco 10 day itinerary provides a comprehensive introduction to one of Africa’s most fascinating countries. From imperial cities to Saharan dunes, you’ll discover Morocco’s diverse landscapes and rich traditions. While the schedule is full, it allows flexibility for personal interests and unexpected discoveries. Remember that some of the best moments come from unplanned encounters – leave room in your schedule for spontaneous exploration and cultural encounters.rs.