Quick answer: Two weeks in Morocco lets you do a full loop: Casablanca and Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Meknes, Fes, two nights in the Merzouga desert, the Todra and Dades gorges, Aït Benhaddou, Marrakech and a final few days in Essaouira. Allow 2 nights in Fes and Marrakech, 2 in the desert, and never more than one 8-hour drive in a row.
Two weeks is the trip we most enjoy planning. It is long enough to slow down, to spend two nights in the dunes instead of one, and to see the north, the desert and the coast without living in a car. Here is the loop we recommend, with honest drive times and ideas for where to linger.
Where to Start and End
Most long-haul and many European flights land in Casablanca (Mohammed V airport, CMN), so a loop starting and ending there works well. If you can find good flights into Casablanca or Tangier and out of Marrakech, even better: you can finish with Essaouira and fly home from Marrakech (RAK) without returning north.
The 14-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca
Arrive and visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims on guided tours. Stroll along the Corniche at sunset.
Day 2: Rabat, then Chefchaouen
Drive 90 km to Rabat for the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas, then continue about 250 km to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains.
Day 3: Chefchaouen
A full day in the blue town: the medina, the Ras el-Maa spring, and a short hike to the Spanish Mosque or into Talassemtane National Park for more active travellers.
Day 4: Volubilis and Meknes to Fes
Drive south to the Roman city of Volubilis with its mosaics, the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, and Meknes with the monumental Bab Mansour gate, before arriving in Fes (about 280 km in total). Our explainer on the imperial cities of Morocco helps you make sense of this day.
Day 5: Fes
A guided day in the medina of Fes el-Bali: tanneries, madrasas, souks and artisans' workshops.
Day 6: Fes to Merzouga
About 470 km and 8–9 hours through Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley. Arrive at a kasbah hotel on the edge of Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon.
Day 7: The Desert
A slow morning, then a 4x4 excursion to the nomad families, Khamlia's Gnawa musicians and the Rissani market. In the afternoon, ride camels to camp for sunset and a night among the dunes.
Day 8: Sunrise, then the Todra Gorge
Watch sunrise from a dune, ride back for breakfast, then drive around 200 km to Tinghir. Walk the Todra Gorge in the afternoon when the tour buses have left.
Day 9: Dades Valley
A short driving day: the rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers, the hairpin road above the Dades Gorge, and a guided walk through the villages and fig and almond gardens. Our guide to the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge lists the best walks.
Day 10: Skoura, Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou
Visit the Kasbah Amridil in the Skoura palm grove, then drive to Aït Benhaddou and sleep nearby so you can see the ksar at sunset and sunrise without the crowds.
Day 11: Over the Atlas to Marrakech
Cross the Tizi n'Tichka (2,260 m) and arrive in Marrakech around lunchtime, about 4 hours of driving.
Day 12: Marrakech
Palaces, madrasas, gardens and the souks, finishing at Jemaa el-Fna in the evening.
Days 13–14: Essaouira
Drive 190 km (about 3 hours) to the Atlantic, passing the argan country. Enjoy the ramparts, fresh grilled fish at the port and a quieter pace, then return to Marrakech or continue to Casablanca (about 4.5 hours) for your flight.
How the Two Weeks Break Down
| Region | Nights | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic north | 1 | Casablanca, Rabat |
| Rif Mountains | 2 | Chefchaouen |
| Imperial north | 2 | Fes, Meknes, Volubilis |
| Sahara | 2 | Erg Chebbi, Khamlia, Rissani |
| Kasbah route | 3 | Todra, Dades, Skoura, Aït Benhaddou |
| Marrakech and coast | 3 | Marrakech, Essaouira |
Tips for a Two-Week Trip
- Balance long drives with rest days. The Fes–Merzouga day is the longest; follow it with a slower desert day.
- Pack for several climates. In spring you might wear a jacket in Ifrane and a T-shirt in Merzouga on the same day.
- Carry cash for the south. ATMs exist in Erfoud, Rissani and Tinghir, but cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Book riads early for Easter, May and October, the busiest periods.
- Consider a driver. Self-driving is possible, but medinas are car-free and parking near riads is tricky; a driver-guide removes that stress. Our article on choosing between private and group tours goes into detail.
Shorter on Time?
If two weeks is too long, the northern and coastal parts are the easiest to trim. See our 10-day itinerary for a version that keeps the desert and Fes but drops Casablanca and Essaouira.
Best Time for Two Weeks in Morocco
Because this loop crosses the coast, two mountain ranges and the desert, spring and autumn suit it best. April and October are close to perfect. In summer, reverse the loop to reach the desert early in the trip and end on the cool Atlantic coast.
Let Us Plan Your Two Weeks
Our 12-day Grand Morocco tour from Casablanca covers almost exactly this loop and can be extended to 14 days with Essaouira, starting from €1,650 per person with private transport and hand-picked stays. Tell us your dates and interests, and we will send you a tailored two-week plan.
