Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Morocco. It is enough time to get lost in two great medinas, cross the High Atlas, sleep under the stars in the Sahara and still have a few slow mornings with mint tea on a riad terrace. This 10-day Morocco itinerary follows the classic loop from Marrakech to Fes through the south, the route most travellers dream of, with practical advice on pacing, transport and where to break the long drives.
Your 10-Day Morocco Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1–3: Marrakech (two full days, plus arrival)
- Day 4: Over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Ait Ben Haddou
- Day 5: Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Dades Valley
- Day 6: Todra Gorge, then on to Merzouga for a night in the dunes
- Day 7: Sunrise in Erg Chebbi, then the long road north
- Days 8–10: Fes, with an optional day trip to Meknes and Volubilis
The southern section (days 4 to 7) is easiest with a driver, a small-group tour or a rental car. Public buses do cover the route, but connections are slow and you lose the freedom to stop at viewpoints and kasbahs along the way. Our guide on how to get around Morocco compares the options in detail.
Days 1–3: Marrakech
Arrive, check into a riad inside the medina and spend the first evening on Jemaa el-Fna, the main square, when the food stalls light up and the storytellers and musicians gather. Do not try to see everything on day one: the medina is intense, and a slow start helps you adjust.
Use your two full days to cover the highlights at a comfortable pace:
- Day 2: the souks in the morning, when they are calmer, then the Ben Youssef Medersa, the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs. End with sunset from a rooftop café.
- Day 3: the Jardin Majorelle early to beat the crowds, an afternoon in a hammam, or a half-day trip to the Ourika Valley if you need a break from the city.
For neighbourhoods, monuments and restaurants, see our full Marrakech travel guide.
Day 4: Tizi n’Tichka and Ait Ben Haddou
Leave Marrakech early and climb into the High Atlas on the N9. The road winds up to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at about 2,260 metres, with Berber villages clinging to the slopes and argan and walnut trees giving way to bare rock. Stop at viewpoints rather than rushing; the drive itself is one of the highlights of the trip.
On the southern side, take the quieter road through the Ounila Valley to reach Ait Ben Haddou by mid-afternoon. Sleeping here is worth it: once the day-trippers leave, you can climb to the granary at the top of the ksar for sunset almost alone. Read our Ait Ben Haddou travel guide for tips on visiting.
Day 5: Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Dades Valley
Pass through Ouarzazate, where you can visit Taourirt Kasbah or one of the film studios, then continue east along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs”. The palm grove of Skoura makes a lovely short stop, and the rose-growing area around Kelaat M’Gouna leads to the Dades Valley. Spend the night in or above the Dades Gorge, where guesthouses look straight onto the red cliffs.
- Drive up the gorge road to see its famous hairpin bends from above.
- Walk among the eroded rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers.
- More ideas in our Boumalne Dades travel guide.
Day 6: Todra Gorge and a Night in the Sahara
A short drive brings you to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, where the canyon walls narrow to just a few metres apart. Come in the morning, when the light reaches the bottom of the gorge, and walk through the palm grove below the town if you have time.
After lunch, continue via Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Most desert camps meet you in the late afternoon for a camel ride to camp in time for sunset, followed by dinner, drumming and a night sky full of stars. Our Erg Chebbi travel guide explains how to choose a camp.
Day 7: Sunrise in the Dunes and the Road North
Climb a dune before dawn to watch the sun rise over the Sahara, then ride back to Merzouga for breakfast and a shower. Today is the longest drive of the trip, north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Fes. Plan for a full day on the road with breaks; Midelt and Ifrane are good places to stop for lunch or coffee.
Days 8–10: Fes and Its Medina
Fes el-Bali, the old medina, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and feels like a step back in time. On your first full day, hire an official guide for a few hours: it is the easiest way to understand the layout and see the key sights, including the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine medersas, the Nejjarine fountain and the tanneries.
Use the next day to explore on your own, or take a day trip to Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. On day 10, travel onward or fly home; Fes has an international airport and rail links to Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier. See our Fes travel guide for where to stay and eat.
Tips for Planning This Itinerary
Choose the Right Season
Spring and autumn are ideal for this route, with mild days in the cities and comfortable nights in the desert. Summer is very hot in the south, and winter brings cold desert nights and occasional snow on the Tizi n’Tichka. Our month-by-month guide has the details.
Book Open-Jaw Flights
Flying into Marrakech and out of Fes, or the reverse, saves you a long journey back to your starting point. If you can only find return flights, finish in Fes and take the train back towards Casablanca or Marrakech, allowing a full day for the trip.
Do Not Overpack the Days
- Mountain and desert roads are slower than maps suggest. Plan driving days with time for photo stops and lunch.
- If you have only seven days, skip the Todra Gorge or shorten Marrakech to one full day.
- With two weeks, add Chefchaouen after Fes, or a few days on the coast in Essaouira at the start.
Pack for Two Climates
Even in spring and autumn, you will move from warm city afternoons to chilly mountain passes and cold desert nights. Bring layers, a warm jacket, a scarf for sun and dust, comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen.
FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Morocco?
Yes, 10 days is enough for a rewarding first trip covering Marrakech, the High Atlas, the Sahara and Fes. You will not see the whole country, but you will experience its most iconic landscapes and cities without rushing.
Can I do this itinerary without a car?
Yes. Many travellers book a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech that ends in Fes, which covers days 4 to 7 of this route. Alternatively, hire a private driver for those days, which gives more flexibility.
Should I start in Marrakech or Fes?
Either works. Marrakech has more international flights, so it is usually the easier starting point. Starting in Fes can feel calmer for first-time visitors and lets you end the trip with the energy of Marrakech.
Conclusion
This 10-day Morocco itinerary balances city life, mountain roads, kasbah valleys and the silence of the Sahara. Keep the pace relaxed, sleep in the right places to avoid marathon drives, and leave a little room for the unexpected: an invitation to tea, a village market or an extra hour on a dune at sunset.
Featured image: Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, photo by Ed Duvico on Pexels.