Morocco road trip: the ultimate 7-day itinerary for first-timers
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Vibrant cities, rich culture, and fascinating landscapes. Morocco is a country full of life and full of colour. Its incredible diversity, dating back centuries, makes it an enchanting destination with experiences that will take your breath away.
You’ll find bustling medinas of Fes and Marrakesh, infinite dunes of the Sahara desert, remote Berber villages, towns nestled in the Atlas mountains, and cities stretching along the coast, inviting surfers and beach lovers from all around the world.
The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to creating the perfect Morocco road trip.
This itinerary is an ideal starting place for first-timers. You’ll be setting off on a 1600-kilometre journey through the country's hot spots and hidden gems, uncovering everything the kingdom of light has to offer. Each day, you will discover something new.
Let’s look at the ultimate Morocco itinerary for first-timers day by day.
Aït Benhaddou — a famous ksar
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Day 1: Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco
To start your trip, fly into Fes, dubbed as Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital. Founded in 798 AD, it is the oldest city in the country — and a fascinating entry point into the Arab world for a first-time visitor.
Fes is known for a bustling historic medina, stunning palaces, mosques and museums, and ancient leather tanneries. Pick up your rental car at the airport and let's start the road trip.
Depending on your arrival, you might have limited time to explore the city. If that's the case, I’d recommend just two activities. Diving into Fes el Bali, i.e. the Medina of Fes, and visiting one of the leather tanneries inside.
Fes el Bali
The Medina of Fes is a fascinating place that will make you feel like you’ve stepped inside the movie Alladin.
The narrow streets will take you up and down, left and right, and soon upon entering, you will lose track of where you are.
It’s a total maze. Enter with an open mind and see where the path takes you while discovering countless shops with clothes, accessories, or food.
There are shops and sellers on every corner
The Medina of Fes is a maze
Tanneries of Fes
While you’re inside the Medina, make sure to check out one of the famous tanneries in Fes. The largest ones are the Chouara Tannery and the Sidi Moussa Tannery. According to local tradition, they have both been around since the foundation of the city.
The best way to see them is from the terraces. This is free, but to enter, you’ll need to walk through a leather shop. The shopkeeper will likely either try to sell you something — or will expect a tip.
Aside from the terraces, you can apparently also get down and see the tanneries and their workers up close for a small fee.
This tannery supposedly dates back centuries
Zooming in on one of the tannery workers
Before exiting the Medina, enjoy Moroccan mint tea and tajine for dinner in one of the many restaurants near Bab Boujloud, also known as the Blue Gate. This gate is a grandiose piece of work, separating the old city from the newer part of Fes.
Drive up to the ruins of Marinid Tombs at sunset for some spectacular views.
Fes from above — view from the Marinid Tombs ruins
If you have time, other places to visit in Fes include: Bou Inania Madrasa — a religious building that was once a school, Kairaouine Mosque and University, Al Attarine Madrasa, or the Royal Palace.
A word about hustlers
A fair word of warning: the Medina of Fes is chock-full of hustlers. They will act friendly and interested and eager to show you around. But what seems like an act of kindness is, in fact, a transaction. They take you to where you want to go — and you pay. If you refuse to do that or offer too little, they will cause a scene.
To an unprepared foreigner, and especially someone who is rather soft-spoken towards strangers like me, this can feel like a slap in the face. This article offers some wonderful insights as to how you can deal with such situations.
Fes is an overwhelming yet fascinating place at the same time
There are a few ways you can avoid having to rely on hustlers for directions. Allow yourself as much time as you can inside the Medina. That way, you can get lost and find the right way again by yourself.
If you’re genuinely struggling, try to ask other tourists or passers-by who look like they’re just going about their business. There are kind souls in Fes, who will help you without expecting anything in return — you just have to look a little harder.
Day 2: From north to south, visiting the largest desert in the world
🚗 Starting point: Fes
📍 End point: Merzouga
🗺 Driving distance: 460+ kilometres
🕒 Driving time: 7 hours 30 minutes
On the second day of your Morocco road trip, you’ll leave the bustling city of Fes behind and head south to spend the night in the largest hot desert in the world — the Sahara.
Get ready for a long drive. The nearly 500-kilometre journey from Fes to Merzouga, the entry point into the Sahara desert, is an intense one. Luckily, the diverse and spectacular landscapes you’ll see on the way more than make up for it.
Ifran, rural towns & Ziz river
Just a little more than an hour into the drive, you’ll reach Ifran — a small town in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Its surrounding nature is home to rare species of flora and fauna.
One of them is the barbary macaque, which you might be lucky enough to spot!
Nap time
We spotted a whole family of macaques
Small towns and villages further down south, such as Azrou and Zaida, provide a refuge from the heat of the road and possibilities to grab some food.
Note that these places are less frequented by tourists. This means that — especially as a white woman — even when dressed modestly, you are likely to get stares.
As you continue toward Merzouga, the landscape gradually changes from green to orange. Stop to take photos of the Ziz River gorge (which may be blue but it may also be brown depending on when you’re visiting) and notice the green oases in the river’s vicinity.
Scenery on the way from Fes to Merzouga
Arriving in Merzouga
The moment you first spot the desert in the distance is like none other. In the middle of nothingness, peaks of orange suddenly pop from the ground. The sight is so bizarre, yet so incredible.
Park your car at the base of your accommodation provider. They’ll give you more details about your overnight desert experience and provide the option to get to your camp on a camel.
Sahara is full of incredible patterns and colours, from golden brown sparkling in the heat of the day to soft hues of orange and pink as the sun makes its way under the horizon.
As you sit on the camel, you can only imagine what it must have been like to cross the desert as a merchant in a camel caravan. The silence and the vastness of the desert are truly out of this world.
Riding into the sunset
Hues of gold, orange, and pink
Day 3: Driving through Berber towns and villages
🚗 Starting point: Merzouga
📍 End point: Aït Benhaddou
🗺 Driving distance: 530 km via Todra Gorges
🕒 Driving time: 6 hours 30 minutes via Todra Gorges
Day three of the road trip gives you a unique opportunity to discover the world of Berbers — descendants of the pre-Arab inhabitants of North Africa, indigenous to the Maghreb region.
Berber people, also known under the name Amazigh, have a strong sense of community and are known for their artistic skills as well as traditional architecture and building techniques.
Waking up in Desert Berber Fire-Camp & traveling to Aït Benhaddou through Berber towns
Waking up in the desert
Waking up in the Sahara will be one of the most magical experiences on your Morocco road trip. The peace and tranquility of the desert when the first sunrays appear from below the horizon is something unforgettable.
After a traditional Berber breakfast, your experience provider will typically give you a bit of time before you’re taken back to Merzouga. Use these moments to marvel at the shapes and textures of the surrounding sand dunes, try out sandboarding, or just relax.
Textures and patterns of the desert
A calm morning
The ride from the desert camp to Merzouga in a double cabin pick-up is an exhilarating experience, a cherry on top of the cake that is the visit to the Sahara.
Todgha (Todra) Gorges
From Merzouga, you’ll be off to another long but fascinating drive, through Berber towns and villages to Aït Benhaddou. It’s the second-longest drive on this trip. Luckily, Moroccan landscapes are, once again, sure to keep you entertained.
There are two ways to drive. Either via Tazzarine, a village and an oasis near the Zagora desert, or via Tinghir, a town located near the Todgha Gorges — a group of limestone river canyons. We went with the latter option.
A visit to Tinghir will give you a nice glimpse into the life of local Berbers.
Entering Tinghir
Todgha Gorges (also known as Todra Gorges) is yet another example of Moroccan natural beauty. It’s a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The well-known photo spot can be tricky to find so if you get lost, just ask a local to show you the way.
A well-known photo spot in Todra Gorges
Impressive rock formations
If you have an extra day to add to the road trip, spend the night in Tinghir and explore the winding road of the Dades Gorge, and the towns of Skoura and Ouarzazate before coming to Aït Benhaddou and checking into gorgeous local accommodation with breakfast, such as the Auberge Ksar Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 4: Aït Benhaddou, the world-famous ksar
🚗 Starting point: Aït Benhaddou
📍 End point: Marrakesh
🗺 Driving distance: 180 km
🕒 Driving time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Aït Benhaddou is a fascinating destination that has starred in many movies and TV series, including The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones as the city of Yunkai. As such, it deserves at least a full day on your road trip.
This UNESCO heritage site is a ksar — a fortified village made up of earthen buildings, typical of Berber architecture. It’s impossible to enter by car, so visiting it feels like stepping back in time.
Horseback riding tour
A horseback riding tour is a great way to explore the surroundings of Aït Benhaddou, as well as learn more about the place and its local people.
We didn’t book ours in advance or even plan it. While walking towards the gate of the ksar, we just saw a French-Moroccan couple riding horses in the dried-up river bed, and they offered to give us a tour on the spot.
A horseback riding tour allows you to see Aït Ben Haddou from below and from above
Strolling around Aït Benhaddou
If you finish the tour at the top of the hill, start slowly walking down through the narrow streets. Take your time, imagine living the life of the locals of the past while sipping on fresh orange juice, and visit a museum inside the ksar.
Once you’re done, enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants with a view. We chose one on the other side of the Ounila River because it had amazing views of the entire ksar and an indoor area to hide away from the sun.
When we visited in early June, there was no water in the river and you could easily cross the dry river bed on foot.
There are many shops inside the ksar
The buildings are made of a mixture of mud and straw
The three-hour drive from Aït Benhaddou to Marrakesh will unveil yet another layer of Morocco’s fascinating landscapes. Settle into your accommodation for the next two days before enjoying dinner in the bustling city streets.
Day 5: Marrakesh, feeling the Moroccan spirit
Marrakesh is buzzing with life. From vibrant architecture and rich culture to bustling souks, this city encapsulates the Moroccan spirit.
It’s a place of opulent riads, skilfully displaying an array of colours and patterns, soul-soothing hammams, and lively streets lined with typical orange houses.
Nowhere else will you find contrast so stark, such as that which exists between the peace and tranquility of the city’s hidden gardens, and the hustle and bustle of its main marketplace.
One of the many mosques in Marrakesh
Bustling city streets & markets
Bahia Palace
All the noise, the smells, and the chaos of Marrakesh can feel overwhelming — but the city holds many jewels, and you should try to see at least a couple of them on your Morocco road trip.
One you definitely shouldn’t miss is Bahia Palace. It’s a 19th-century complex with stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. To beat the crowds, make sure you come as soon as the palace opens. The entrance fee is 70 dirham per person.
Scenes from Bahia Palace
The sun can be pretty harsh around mid-day and early afternoon so you have a few options after you visit the palace: find refuge in one of the many city gardens or enjoy resting at your riad before heading to the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Jemaa el-Fnaa
After sunset, Jemaa el-Fnaa truly comes to life. Dancers, storytellers, and magicians all find their stage at this famous marketplace that is frequented by tourists and locals alike. Dozens of food stall operators are calling you to try out their delicacies as you walk through the square.
It’s a fascinating display of sounds, smells, and colours — and a great way to end your first day in Marrakesh.
Jemaa el-Fnaa during the day
Make sure you get some good sleep because, on day six, you’ll be waking up early for a once-in-a-lifetime experience right outside Marrakesh.
Riad Full Moon is an ideal place for the traditional riad experience in Morocco.
Day 6: Diving deeper into Marrakesh
🚗 Starting point: Marrakesh
📍 End point: Casablanca
🗺 Driving distance: 245 kilometres
🕒 Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes
The Atlas Mountains are a series of mountain ranges, spanning 2500 kilometres across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
While you may not have the time to venture too deep into the mountains on your first visit to Morocco, you can most definitely enjoy seeing its peaks from above. Specifically, from a hot air balloon!
Sunrise from a hot air balloon & diving deeper into Marrakesh
Sunrise above the Atlas Mountains
In Marrakesh, you’ll find a number of companies offering a hot air balloon ride at sunrise with a traditional Berber breakfast. Is it touristy? Hell yes. But is it a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is worth being added to your bucket list? Absolutely.
Even though there are many options to book this experience online in advance, I would advise against it. Why? Booking on the spot can save quite some money. Just talk to a couple of providers in the city and see which one can give you the most interesting offer.
Morocco’s landsapes from above
A spectacular sunrise
Gardens of Marrakesh
Once you return to the city, take the time to explore some more gardens. Two popular options are Le Jardin Secret (the Secret Garden) in the middle of the medina, or Jardin Majorelle near the famous Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Both have paid entrance.
Exotic plants
A great place for some iced coffee
Bustling souks
A visit to Marrakesh would not be complete without checking out one of the many souks, i.e. market places. Colourful and chaotic in equal measure, the souks of Marrakesh are the largest in Morocco.
They have just about any product you can think of, from spices to shoes and accessories, pottery, jewelery, and cosmetics. Ideal for picking out souvenirs.
Carpets or accesories, there’s a lot to chose from
The souks provide refuge from the sun
Last but not least, make sure you check out the impressive Koutoubia Mosque — the largest one in Marrakesh. Non-Muslims are not allowed to go inside, but you might get a quick peek when the doors are open for locals to come and pray.
Now it’s time to wave goodbye to Marrakesh and head towards the next destination on your Morocco road trip: the coastal city of Casablanca.
Day 7: Beach vibes in Casablanca, Morocco's biggest city
🚗 Starting point: Casablanca
📍 End point: Fes
🗺 Driving distance: 300 kilometres
🕒 Driving time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Out of all the cities you’ll visit on this trip, Casablanca is the one that feels the most Western. However, this coastal city has something that none other does — the largest functioning mosque in Africa.
Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is one of the two mosques in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. It’s a stunning example of Islamic Moroccan architecture and its minaret reaches an incredible 210 metres.
You can only enter outside prayer times at specific hours and with a guide. While that may not be your preferred choice in other destinations, a local guide can offer some very interesting stories about the mosque, as well as insights into the local culture and way of life.
The minaret of Hassan II Mosque is more than 200 metres tall
There are separate entrances for Muslim men and women to the mosque
Food scene & beaches in Casablanca
After six days of eating tagine, especially as a vegetarian, you may be craving slightly different cuisine. The food scene in Casablanca offers pretty much anything your heart desires.
Smoothie with a view
Round off your stay in Morocco’s largest city with some shopping or a drink at one of the beaches before driving back to the starting point — Fes — and completing the road trip by enjoying one more night in a stunning riad.
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One week is a good amount of time to get acquainted with some of Morocco’s main attractions and encounter its many natural landscapes.
However, this itinerary is a fast-paced one and covers a lot of distance in just a short amount of time. If you have the possibility, I recommend you to stretch it out and spend a little more time in each of the destinations mentioned.
Morocco is an incredibly rich and diverse country. Regardless of how long you stay, there will be more to explore on your next visit!
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Have you visited Morocco? What spots would you recommend for first-timers in Morocco? Leave a comment below!