Morocco Itinerary 12 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Upon your arrival at Mohammed V International Airport, your driver will welcome you and assist with your luggage. You’ll be transferred to your hotel in Casablanca for check-in. If your flight arrives early, you’ll have the chance to visit the Hassan II Mosque, a stunning architectural wonder sitting on the Atlantic coastline. This mosque is among the largest in the world and offers guided tours that reveal intricate tilework and towering minarets.

In the evening, consider dining at Rick’s Café, a stylish venue modeled after the café in the movie “Casablanca.” The ambiance is charming and a great introduction to Morocco’s cultural flair. Get a good night’s rest as your Moroccan adventure begins.

=►Accommodation: Hotel in Casablanca            =► Meals: No meals

DAY 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Volubilis – Fes

After breakfast, head toward Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Begin with a visit to the Oudaya Kasbah, perched on the edge of the Atlantic. Its peaceful Andalusian gardens and narrow alleys contrast with Rabat’s broader modern areas. Then, you will see the majestic Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, which are important historical sites that reflect Morocco’s royal legacy.

Next, make your way to Meknes, once an imperial city under Sultan Moulay Ismail. Explore the famous Bab Mansour Gate, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, and the grand Heri es-Souani granaries. From there, head to Volubilis, the well-preserved Roman ruins where mosaic floors and crumbling columns reveal Morocco’s ancient Roman past. Stop for photos in Moulay Idriss, a holy town nestled on two hills, before reaching Fes.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 290 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 4 hrs

DAY 3: Full-Day Fes Cultural Tour

Start your day in Fes with a traditional Moroccan breakfast at your riad. Your local guide will take you on a walking tour through the bustling medina, the largest and oldest in North Africa. Begin at the impressive Royal Palace gates, then explore the Jewish Quarter with its synagogues and fascinating history. Head to Borj Sud for a panoramic view of the medina’s labyrinth.

Next, you’ll visit a ceramic and mosaic workshop to see how artisans create intricate zellij tilework. Learn about this Moroccan craft and shop for authentic souvenirs. Back in the medina, continue to Al-Qarawiyyin University, the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Visit the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum and the beautiful Nejjarine Fountain. End the day at the Chouara Tanneries, where leather is dyed using ancient techniques. Enjoy a hearty Moroccan dinner before relaxing at your riad.

DAY 4: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Today’s journey takes you southeast through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, a town often referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco” due to its alpine-style architecture and cleanliness. Take a short walk around and snap photos by the stone lion statue.

Then continue to Azrou, where you’ll visit a cedar forest home to Barbary macaques. You can feed them and stretch your legs before driving to Midelt, a town nestled between the mountains, for a relaxing lunch. Afterward, enjoy spectacular views of the Ziz Valley, a palm-filled gorge shaped by the river.

Arrive in Merzouga late afternoon and prepare for your Morocco desert tour highlight. Mount a camel and cross the orange sands of Erg Chebbi, stopping on a dune to watch the sunset. At your luxury desert camp, sip mint tea, enjoy a traditional dinner, and listen to Berber drumming under a starlit sky.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 480 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 8 hrs

DAY 5: Explore Merzouga Desert by 4×4

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, a 4×4 vehicle will take you on an excursion around the desert. Visit a hidden oasis and see the traditional irrigation system still in use. Drive to the seasonal lake, which fills during the winter and attracts migrating birds.

In Khamlia village, you’ll meet the Gnawa musicians and hear their spiritual songs rooted in West African traditions. Then visit nomadic Berber families and learn how they live off the land. Next, explore the Mifis mines, historically important for their salt and lead extraction.

Return to Khamlia for a lunch of Berber pizza. In the afternoon, head to a comfortable hotel near the dunes where you can relax, swim, or walk on the sand at sunset.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 30 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 2 hrs

DAY 6: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – DADES VALLEY

After breakfast, drive to Rissani, a historic caravan town where you can visit the local market and admire its old ksars (fortified villages). Then pass through Erfoud, famous for fossils and date production.

Continue through the lush Todra Valley and reach the Todra Gorge, a narrow canyon with towering 300-meter walls. Take time to walk along the riverbed and marvel at the natural formations. After lunch, drive through small Berber villages and along the winding Dades Valley. Take photos at the Monkey Fingers rock formations before arriving at your charming hotel.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 265 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 5 hrs

DAY 7: DADES VALLEY – AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH

Begin your morning with a drive through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Travel past the fragrant Rose Valley (especially blooming in May) and reach the palm-filled Skoura Oasis. In Ouarzazate, tour the Taourirt Kasbah, once the residence of the Glaoui family.

A short drive away is Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its striking mudbrick buildings and cinematic fame. Wander through its alleys and take in panoramic views. After lunch, cross the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass with scenic stops.

By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in vibrant Marrakech. Settle into your riad and enjoy dinner at leisure.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 360 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 6 hrs

DAY 8: Full-Day Marrakech Guided Tour

Today is all about Marrakech, the Red City. Your local guide will start the tour with the Koutoubia Mosque, followed by the ornate Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace. Then, dive into the medina to explore the souks and artisan workshops.

Visit a spice shop, see blacksmiths at work, and enjoy the energy of Djemaa el-Fna Square. Depending on your interests, you may visit the tranquil Majorelle Gardens or Le Jardin Secret in the afternoon. Return to your riad to unwind.

DAY 9: Day Trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls

Leave Marrakech in the morning and drive through the Tadla plains, covered in olive groves, to reach the Ouzoud Waterfalls. Upon arrival, follow the walking trail down to the base, where mist from the 110-meter-high cascades cools the air.

Watch monkeys leaping through trees and enjoy lunch at a riverside café. After relaxing, walk back up and meet your driver to return to Marrakech by evening.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 160 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 3 hrs

DAY 10: Marrakech – Essaouira

Depart westward towards the Atlantic coast. Along the way, stop at an argan oil cooperative run by local women. Once in Essaouira, enjoy free time to explore the medina, ramparts, and beach.

Try local seafood and shop for handicrafts in laid-back souks. Walk along the Skala de la Ville, a seafront wall lined with cannons overlooking the ocean.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 180 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 3 hrs

DAY 11: Essaouira – Safi – El Jadida – Casablanca

Drive along the scenic coastal road, stopping in Safi to visit ceramic workshops. Continue to Oualidia for a seaside lunch, famous for oysters. In El Jadida, explore the Portuguese cistern and ramparts before heading to Casablanca for your final night.

=►Driving distance: Approximately 350 km            =► Driving time: Approximately 6 hrs

DAY 12: Departure

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Casablanca airport. Take with you unforgettable memories from your 12-day Morocco itinerary.

• Add Chefchaouen: Extend your itinerary with a visit to Morocco’s famous blue city in the Rif Mountains.