In just over two weeks you can experience much of Morocco: Atlantic coast havens, the High Atlas Mountains, Saharan sand dunes, palm-lined oases, rural hillside towns, and imposing imperial cities. Allow three weeks for a more relaxed pace.
Days 1 and 2: Tangier, Tetouan, and Chefchaouen
The best way to explore Tangier is on foot. Start at the 15th-century Kasbah, the highest point of the medina; take in the sea views before visiting the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures. Wind down the narrow medina streets to people watch from a café terrace on the Petit Socco. Visit the historic Tangier American Legation Museum commemorating the first diplomatic relations between the United States and Morocco, then dive into the food souk before emerging on the lively Grand Socco. Take a stroll along the sweeping Corniche before dinner. On Day 2, head southeast through the Rif Mountains to Tetouan, a city dating from the 8th century and UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue on to the stunning blue-hued mountain city of Chefchaouen for the night.
Day 3: Meknès and Volubilis
Start early on Day 3. Head south, stopping off at the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Spend at least 90 minutes walking the grounds; the Triumphal Arch, House of Orpheus, House of Dionysus and the Four Seasons, House of the Labors of Hercules, and House of Venus are must-sees. Then continue onto Meknès. Begin your tour by passing the monumental gate of Bab Mansour. Walk across the lively Place el-Hedim to the Hispano-Moorish Dar Jamai, built in the 19th century and now home to the National Museum of Music. Dip into open bazaars and the food souk, and visit the recently restored Moulay Ismail Mausoleum (all but the tomb is open to non-Muslims); the Imperial City’s Heri es Souani (Royal Granaries) is also recommended. Late in the afternoon, continue to Fez.
Top Picks for You
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Days 4 and 5: Fez
Spend Day 4 exploring Fez el-Bali, the world’s largest living medieval medina, and Fez el-Djedid with their ancient monuments, chaotic souks, artisans’ workshops, museums, cafés, and gardens. The blue-tiled gate of Bab Boujeloud is the gateway to one of the medina’s main arteries, the Talaa Kebira. The most important sites include the Bou Inania Medersa, Attarine Medersa, Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II, and the Karaouine Mosque, home to one of the world’s oldest universities (peek in to both from the doorways—they’re not open to non-Muslims). Visit the restored Musée Nejjarine des Arts et Métiers du Bois for some of the best examples of woodworking craftsmanship. Don’t miss a visit to the medieval Chouara tanneries to watch the ancient leather-making process before shopping for all manner of leather goods. For the morning of Day 5, you could sign up for a Moroccan cookery class and learn to rustle up a tasty tagine for lunch, or take a guided tour to watch the city’s famed artisans at work.
Day 6: The Middle Atlas to Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi
Rise early on the morning of Day 6, to start the seven-hour journey south along mountainous roads, passing through rural villages and verdant palm oases to reach Saharan sands. You’ll head over the Middle Atlas mountains, passing through Ifrane, dubbed the “Switzerland of Morocco” for its crisp air and Alpine-style architecture, and the cedar forests of Azrou, where you can see the indigenous Barbary macaques in their natural habitat. After three hours, you’ll descend into the apple-growing region around Midelt, where you can stop for an early lunch. After Midelt, the Ziz Valley and gorge lead you to the fringes of the desert around Erfoud, from where it’s another 50 minutes to Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Take the short journey to your desert camp by 4×4 or camel to arrive in time for a stroll around the dunes, a spectacular sunset, dining under a glittering, star-filled sky and music around the campfire.
Days 7 and 8: Todra Gorge, Dadès Valley, and Skoura
Rise very early on Day 7 to catch the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. After breakfast in the desert, get on the road, stopping off at some of the many fascinating fossil workshops around Erfoud before a visit to the spectacular Todra Gorge. Stay overnight in the dramatic region of the Dadès Valley. On Day 8, explore the rugged landscape on the kasbah route, passing sculpted cliffs and canyons and spending the night in a delightful boutique hotel in the palm-lined oasis of Skoura.
Days 9-12: Marrakesh and Essaouira
Devote Day 9 to driving the hairpin bends of the Tizi-n-Tichka pass to Marrakesh, after stopping off at the fortified villages of Aït Ben Haddou and Telouet. Spend Days 10 and 11 exploring the Jemaa el-Fnaa, labyrinthine medina, architectural monuments, and fascinating museums, making time for souk and boutique shopping. On Day 12, escape the crowds and head west to the calm coastal town of Essaouira for a breezy afternoon and evening by the Atlantic, ending the day with a fish dinner.
Days 13-16: Oualidia, Rabat, and Casablanca
Go north along the coast to Oualidia, and spend the night relaxing; be sure to sample some of the town’s famous oysters. Then on Day 14, head north, stopping off at El Jadida’s ancient Portuguese fortified city on route to Rabat, where you can savor your final taste of imperial Morocco at the 12th-century Kasbah des Oudayas. On Day 15, leave for Casablanca, an hour to the south, and spend the day checking out the stunning ocean-side Hassan II Mosque and making any last-minute purchases in the Quartier Habous, before cocktails and dinner at Rick’s Café.