Marrakech Itinerary 12 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech

When you land at Marrakech Menara Airport, your private driver will greet you and take you to your riad in the heart of the medina (about 15 minutes by car). Riads are traditional Moroccan guesthouses built around an inner courtyard, peaceful retreats from the busy streets outside. If your flight arrives early, you could take a short walk through the nearby souks, stop by a spice shop, or enjoy mint tea on the rooftop terrace. This evening is free for you to dine in the riad or try one of Marrakech’s many restaurants serving Moroccan and international cuisine. Overnight in Marrakech.

Day 2: Marrakech City Tour

After breakfast, you’ll meet your local guide for a full-day exploration of Marrakech. Start with the Bahia Palace, famous for its colorful tile work and tranquil gardens, then visit the Saadian Tombs, resting place of a 16th-century dynasty. The Koutoubia Mosque, with its 77-meter minaret, is an important landmark you’ll see from different angles during the day. Wander through Jemaa el-Fna square, where fresh juice stalls, food vendors, and street performers create an ever-changing scene. After lunch, stroll through the Majorelle Gardens and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, or explore the hidden alleyways of the medina. Return to your riad in the evening.

Day 3: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades Valley (270 km / 5.5 hrs)

Today you’ll travel into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. Stop at panoramic viewpoints to photograph terraced fields and Berber villages. Around midday, arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its earthen kasbahs, which have been filming locations for many movies. Continue through Ouarzazate, passing the Taourirt Kasbah, and follow the road through the Valley of Roses to reach the Dades Valley, nicknamed the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.” Dinner and overnight in a hotel with views of dramatic rock formations.

Day 4: Dades Valley → Todra Gorges → Merzouga (270 km / 4.5 hrs)

This morning, drive through winding roads in the Dades Gorge to see the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations. Continue to the palm groves of Tinghir, where you’ll take a short walk into the Todra Gorges, a canyon with walls rising up to 300 meters. In the afternoon, reach Merzouga at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Swap your vehicle for camels and ride across the sand to your desert camp, arriving in time for sunset. Dinner is served under the stars, and you’ll spend the night in a private tent with an en-suite bathroom, enjoying the quiet of the Sahara.

Day 5: Explore Merzouga Area (Local touring)

Wake early to see the sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast. Today’s 4×4 tour includes a visit to Khamlia village, home to Gnaoua musicians, a drive along desert tracks to look for seasonal lakes, and a stop at a nomadic family’s tent for tea. You’ll also visit fossil sites and small desert oases. Lunch will be in a village near Merzouga. Return to your camp or hotel in the late afternoon for some rest before dinner.

Day 6: Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Fes (470 km / 7 hrs)

After breakfast, drive north through the Ziz Valley, stopping to admire one of Morocco’s largest palm groves. Pass through mountain landscapes to reach Midelt, a town between the High and Middle Atlas ranges, where you’ll have lunch. In the afternoon, cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, stop at the cedar forest near Azrou to see Barbary macaques, and pass through Ifrane, known for its alpine-style architecture, before arriving in Fes. Overnight in a riad inside the medina.

Day 7: Fes City Tour

Today you’ll explore Fes with a local guide, starting in the medieval Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO site. Visit the Al Quaraouiyine University, one of the world’s oldest, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and the Nejjarine Fountain. At the Chouara Tanneries, see the centuries-old process of dyeing leather. Walk through the bustling souks selling spices, textiles, and traditional crafts. Lunch is in a local restaurant, and the afternoon can be used to continue sightseeing or relax at your riad.

Day 8: Fes → Chefchaouen (200 km / 4.5 hrs)

After breakfast, travel through rolling hills into the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen, Morocco’s famous blue city. Arrive around midday and spend the afternoon strolling through its photogenic streets, relaxing in Outa el Hammam square, or walking up to the Spanish Mosque for a view over the town. Overnight in a riad with views of the medina.

Day 9: Chefchaouen → Casablanca (340 km / 5.5 hrs)

Today’s drive takes you to Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial hub. In the afternoon, visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, located right on the oceanfront. Take a short walk along the Corniche before checking into your modern hotel. Dinner can be at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.

Day 10: Casablanca → Essaouira (370 km / 5 hrs)

Head south along the Atlantic coast to reach Essaouira, a port city with Portuguese, French, and Moroccan influences. Walk along the sea walls, explore the medina’s artisan workshops, and visit the fishing harbor. Essaouira is also famous for fresh seafood, so consider trying grilled fish for lunch or dinner. Overnight in a riad in the old town.

Day 11: Essaouira → Marrakech (190 km / 2.5 hrs)

Enjoy a relaxed morning — perhaps shopping for argan oil products or visiting art galleries, before driving back to Marrakech. Once there, you can unwind at your riad, visit a hammam, or spend your last evening enjoying a rooftop dinner overlooking the medina.

Day 12: Departure from Marrakech

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping or a stroll in the medina before your driver transfers you to Marrakech Menara Airport, concluding your 12-day Marrakech itinerary.