Quick answer: A good 10-day Morocco itinerary is Marrakech (2–3 nights), a 3-day drive via Aït Benhaddou, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge to a desert camp in Merzouga, then Fes (2 nights), Chefchaouen (1–2 nights) and Rabat or Casablanca on the way out, with Volubilis and Meknes as a stop. Ten days lets you see the Sahara, the imperial cities and the blue town without exhausting yourself.
If someone asks us how long they need for Morocco, we usually say ten days. It is enough to feel the contrast between the red city of Marrakech, the silence of the Sahara and the medieval lanes of Fes, and still have a morning to do nothing on a riad terrace. Below is the route we recommend most, based on the roads we drive every week.
The Route in One Sentence
Start in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas to the desert, drive north through the Middle Atlas to Fes, detour into the Rif Mountains for Chefchaouen, and finish on the Atlantic coast at Rabat, from where Casablanca's airport is about 1.5 hours away (or fly from Tangier or Fes).
Day-by-Day 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1–2: Marrakech
Arrive, settle into a riad, and spend a full day on the city's highlights: Jemaa el-Fna, the Koutoubia, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Majorelle Garden and the souks. If you have an extra half-day, a trip to the Ourika Valley or the Agafay stony desert is an easy escape.
Day 3: Over the Atlas to Aït Benhaddou and the Dades Valley
Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), visit the Telouet kasbah if time allows, then explore Aït Benhaddou, the famous ksar used in countless films. Continue through Ouarzazate and Skoura to sleep in the Dades Gorge. Around 330 km and 7–8 hours with stops. Our guide to visiting Aït Benhaddou covers the details.
Day 4: Todra Gorge to Merzouga
Walk through the Todra Gorge near Tinghir, then drive about 200 km to Merzouga via Tinejdad and Erfoud. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi for sunset, dinner by the fire and a night in a desert camp.
Day 5: A Full Day in the Desert
This is the day most 7-day trips cannot afford, and it makes all the difference. After sunrise, take a 4x4 loop to the nomad families, the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, the fossil beds and the Rissani souk. Spend a second night in the dunes or in a kasbah hotel on the edge of the erg.
Day 6: Merzouga to Fes
A long but scenic drive (about 470 km, 8–9 hours): the Ziz Valley's palm gorges, Errachidia, Midelt at the foot of the Jbel Ayachi, the cedar forest near Azrou with its Barbary macaques, and Ifrane. Arrive in Fes for dinner.
Day 7: Fes
A guided day in Fes el-Bali: the Chouara tannery, the Bou Inania Madrasa, Al Quaraouiyine (founded in 859), the Nejjarine fountain and the metalworkers' square. In the evening, look down over the medina from the Merenid Tombs.
Day 8: Fes to Chefchaouen
Around 200 km and 4 hours through the Rif foothills. Spend the afternoon wandering the blue lanes, and walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset over the town.
Day 9: Chefchaouen to Rabat via Volubilis and Meknes, or a Slow Morning
Either return south via Volubilis (Roman ruins, UNESCO-listed) and Meknes, the city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, before continuing to Rabat, or spend a relaxed morning in Chefchaouen and drive about 250 km (3.5 hours) directly to Rabat. For context on these cities, read our guide to Morocco's imperial cities.
Day 10: Rabat and Departure
See the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the Atlantic, then transfer to Rabat-Salé airport or to Casablanca Mohammed V airport (about 1.5 hours).
Distances at a Glance
| Leg | Approx. distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech – Dades Gorge | 330 km | 6 h |
| Dades – Merzouga | 280 km | 4.5–5 h |
| Merzouga – Fes | 470 km | 7.5–8.5 h |
| Fes – Chefchaouen | 200 km | 4 h |
| Chefchaouen – Rabat (direct) | 250 km | 3.5 h |
Variations on the 10-Day Loop
- Beach ending: replace Chefchaouen and Rabat with Essaouira by starting in Fes and ending in Marrakech, then driving 3 hours to the coast.
- Trekking add-on: swap one Marrakech day for a night in the Imlil valley below Jbel Toubkal.
- Train legs: the high-speed Al Boraq train links Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca, and regular trains run Fes–Rabat in about 2.5–3 hours, useful if you go independently in the north.
- Slower desert: make it 3 nights in the Merzouga area and drop Rabat.
Private or Shared Transport?
The desert section is where transport choice matters most. Shared tours are cheaper but fixed; a private driver-guide lets you stop for photos, choose your hotels and leave when you want. Our comparison of private and group tours in Morocco sets out the pros and cons honestly.
Best Months for 10 Days in Morocco
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) give the best balance of temperatures across mountains, desert and cities. In winter, the Atlas passes can occasionally close for a few hours after snow, and desert nights are cold. Summer is hot inland but pleasant in Chefchaouen and on the coast.
Build Your 10-Day Trip with Us
Our 9-day Morocco experience through the imperial cities and the Sahara follows this route closely and is easy to extend by a day, starting from €1,190 per person. Get in touch with our team with your arrival and departure airports, and we will draw up a private 10-day plan around them.
