With ten days you can see both of Morocco's great medina cities, the blue town of Chefchaouen and the Sahara. The key is to fly into the north and out of the south (or the reverse), so the route runs in one direction.
The route at a glance
| Days | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Chefchaouen | Arrive via Tangier or Fes; blue lanes, Ras El Maa, Spanish Mosque viewpoint |
| 3–5 | Fes | Fes el-Bali with a guide, madrasas, tanneries, a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis |
| 6 | Middle Atlas to the desert | Cedar forests, Ifrane, Midelt, the Ziz Valley |
| 7 | Desert camp | A full day around Erg Chebbi; sunset and night in the dunes |
| 8 | Dades or Ouarzazate area | Todra Gorge, kasbah valleys |
| 9–10 | Marrakech | Aït Benhaddou en route; Marrakech medina, gardens and departure |
CTM buses reach Chefchaouen from Tangier in about two and a half hours and from Fes in four to five hours; book a day ahead on ctm.ma. The drive from Fes to Merzouga through Ifrane and Midelt takes about 7 to 8 hours without stops, so day 6 is a full travel day.
Days 1–2: Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is best experienced slowly. Arrive in the afternoon, wander the blue lanes once the day visitors have left, and walk up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views over the town.
Days 3–5: Fes and Meknes
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and is easiest to understand with a licensed guide on your first day. Use the second day to revisit places at your own pace, and the third for a day trip to the imperial city of Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Days 6–8: Through the Middle Atlas to the Sahara
The drive south passes cedar forests and the alpine-style town of Ifrane before descending through Midelt and the Ziz Valley towards the desert. Spend two nights near the dunes if you can; one full day lets you enjoy the desert without rushing.
Days 9–10: Marrakech
Drive west through the kasbah valleys and over the High Atlas, stopping at Aït Benhaddou. End the trip in Marrakech with a slow day in the medina and its gardens.
Adjusting the route
- Flying into Casablanca? Add a morning at the Hassan II Mosque, then take the train north to Fes.
- Prefer fewer road days? Drop the desert and add Rabat and Essaouira instead.
- Travelling with children? Split the Fes–desert drive with an overnight stop in the Middle Atlas.
The 10-Day Morocco Travel Blueprint
Imperial cities, the blue town and the Sahara in ten well-paced days.
See what's insideTravel details change. We review our guides regularly, but always confirm prices, schedules and entry requirements with official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
