With ten days you can go beyond the highlights and travel Morocco from the Sahara to the Atlantic — combining Marrakech, a full desert experience at Merzouga, the medieval city of Fes, the blue streets of Chefchaouen and the imperial coast at Rabat and Casablanca.
This 10-day Morocco itinerary is a one-way journey from Marrakech to Casablanca, giving you a complete picture of the country without rushing.
10-Day Morocco Itinerary at a Glance
Route: Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Dades → Merzouga (Sahara) → Fes → Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca
Best for: Travellers who want cities, desert, mountains and coast at a relaxed pace
Start & end: Marrakech to Casablanca (open-jaw)
Day-by-Day 10-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech
Settle into the Red City and take an evening stroll through the medina to Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Day 2: Marrakech City Tour
A full guided day: Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, Ben Youssef Madrasa, the souks and a garden, with free time in the afternoon.
Day 3: Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Cross the High Atlas to the famous kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, then follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
Day 4: Dades → Todra Gorge → Merzouga
Walk through Todra Gorge and continue via Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga for a sunset camel trek and a night in a Sahara camp.
Day 5: Full Day in the Merzouga Sahara
Explore the desert by 4×4 — visit a nomadic family, Khamlia village and its Gnawa music, and enjoy sandboarding and a second desert sunset.
Day 6: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Fes
Travel north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas cedar forests (Azrou, Ifrane) to Fes.
Day 7: Fes Guided Tour
A full day in Fes el-Bali with a local guide — tanneries, madrasas, souks and artisan workshops.
Day 8: Fes → Volubilis → Meknes → Chefchaouen
Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis and imperial Meknes, then continue into the Rif Mountains to the blue city of Chefchaouen.
Day 9: Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca
Enjoy the blue medina in the morning, then travel to the capital Rabat for its Kasbah and Hassan Tower before continuing to Casablanca.
Day 10: Casablanca → Departure
Visit the vast Hassan II Mosque beside the Atlantic before your departure transfer.
Who Is This Itinerary For?
Ideal for travellers who want the complete Morocco experience — cities, Sahara, mountains and coast — with enough time for a full desert day and the northern Blue City.
Best Time to Do This Itinerary
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons across all regions. Summer is hot inland and in the desert; winter is mild by day but cold in the desert and the Rif Mountains at night.
How to Travel This Route
A private tour with a driver-guide is the easiest way to link these regions, especially the desert and the north. It can run one-way from Marrakech to Casablanca, or be reversed to start in Casablanca.
Itinerary Variations
Prefer a round trip? End back in Marrakech instead of Casablanca. Love the coast? Add Essaouira after Marrakech. Short on time? The 7-day itinerary covers the essentials.
Final Thoughts
Ten days is the ideal length for a first in-depth trip: you get a proper desert experience, two guided imperial cities, the Blue City and the Atlantic coast, all at a relaxed pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough to see Morocco?
Ten days covers the country's main regions — Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast — comfortably. Two weeks lets you add Tangier, Essaouira and more time in each place.
How many nights in the desert on a 10-day trip?
This itinerary includes two nights around Merzouga — one in a desert camp and one in a hotel — so you get a full day to explore the Sahara.
Can this itinerary be reversed?
Yes. It works equally well from Casablanca to Marrakech, which suits travellers flying into Casablanca's main international airport.
Is Chefchaouen worth including?
Yes — the blue city is a scenic, relaxed contrast to the imperial cities and fits naturally between Fes and the north coast.
Should I book a private or group tour?
A private tour offers the most flexibility over pace and stops. Shared group tours are a cheaper option focused mainly on the desert leg.
