Itineraries · 3 min read
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days: The Perfect Route from Marrakech (2026)
Quick answer
A perfect 10-day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech: 2 days in Marrakech, 3 days to the Sahara via Ait Benhaddou, the Dades and Todra gorges and Merzouga, 2 days in Fes, 1 day in Chefchaouen, 1 day via Rabat and Casablanca, and a final day in Essaouira or Marrakech. It works as a self-drive, private tour or combination of tours and transfers.
Ten days is our favourite trip length for Morocco: enough time to see the country's big contrasts without exhausting yourself. Here is the route our drivers run most often.
Day by day
Day 1 — Arrive in Marrakech. Airport transfer to your riad, evening at Jemaa el-Fna.
Day 2 — Marrakech. Guided medina walk, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden. Use our 3-day Marrakech itinerary for ideas.
Day 3 — Marrakech → Ait Benhaddou → Dades valley (≈ 7 h with stops). Tizi n'Tichka pass and the UNESCO ksar.
Day 4 — Dades → Todra gorge → Merzouga (≈ 5 h). Sunset camel trek and night in a desert camp.
Day 5 — Merzouga. A slow day: Khamlia's Gnawa music, Rissani market, sandboarding, a second night by the dunes. Read things to do in Merzouga.
Day 6 — Merzouga → Midelt → Ifrane → Fes (≈ 8 h). Ziz valley, cedar forests and Barbary macaques.
Day 7 — Fes. Guided medina tour, tanneries, madrasas. See the Fes travel guide.
Day 8 — Fes → Chefchaouen (≈ 4 h). Afternoon in the blue city — read the Chefchaouen guide.
Day 9 — Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca (≈ 5 h). Kasbah of the Udayas and Hassan II Mosque.
Day 10 — Casablanca → Marrakech or Essaouira. Fly home from Casablanca, or continue to Marrakech (2 h 40) for your flight.
Alternatives
- Coast lovers: skip Casablanca and finish with 2 nights in Essaouira.
- Less driving: replace Merzouga with Zagora (2 days) and add Imlil.
- Open-jaw flights: fly into Marrakech and out of Fes to save a day.
How to travel this route
- Private tour: our 10-day grand tour of Morocco follows this itinerary with a private driver, riads, the desert camp and a guide in Fes.
- Mix and match: Marrakech on your own, the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, then trains to Rabat and Casablanca.
- Self-drive: see renting a car in Morocco.
Where to sleep each night
| Night | Town | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Marrakech | Riad in the medina |
| 3 | Dades valley | Kasbah hotel |
| 4–5 | Merzouga | Desert camp + riad by the dunes |
| 6–7 | Fes | Riad near Bab Boujloud |
| 8 | Chefchaouen | Small riad with terrace |
| 9 | Casablanca or Rabat | Hotel |
Book Fes and Chefchaouen riads early in spring and October; in the desert, decide between a standard and a luxury camp before you travel.
Budget
Expect roughly €1,200–1,800 per person for a mid-range 10-day trip with a private driver, or less on shared tours and trains. Check our Morocco trip cost guide.
Shorter trip? See the 7-day Morocco itinerary.
FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Morocco?
Yes. Ten days lets you combine Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and the coast at a comfortable pace.
What is the best route for 10 days in Morocco?
A loop from Marrakech south to the Sahara, north to Fes and Chefchaouen, then back via Rabat and Casablanca, finishing in Marrakech or Essaouira.
Should I rent a car or hire a driver for 10 days?
Both work. A driver costs more but makes the long desert and mountain drives relaxing; self-drive is cheaper on the motorways.
Can I fly between cities to save time?
Domestic flights exist (for example Fes–Marrakech) but are infrequent; the drive through the desert is part of the experience.
Morocco Travels Team
Written by the Morocco Travels team in Marrakech — local guides and drivers who run these routes every week. We update our guides each season with current prices, opening hours and road conditions.
