Morocco offers a diverse blend of geography, climate, and culture. With much to see and do, there's no shortage of options; the trick is fitting everything in. Here are some ideas to help you maximize your time in Morocco, whether you have a few days or a couple weeks to explore.
With 5-7 days to explore Morocco, you'll need to be selective where you focus your time. Are you interested in cities and culture? Perhaps a desert adventure, or hiking in the Atlas Mountains?
With 10 days or more in Morocco, you can focus on several regions such as the desert, mountains, coast, and imperial cities. Whether you're into active adventures, cultural exploration, culinary treats, or a little of everything, Morocco has something for everyone.
One week is a solid amount of time to explore Morocco's desert and Imperial cities at a moderate pace. In two weeks, you can add hiking in the Atlas mountains and relaxation on the Atlantic coast. With less than five days, it's best to focus your time: see Casablanca, Chefchaouen, and Fes in the north, or stick to Marrakesh and the Sahara in the south.
Whether you're fascinated by the charm of urban medinas or dying to explore the Sahara, you can do a lot with five days in Morocco. Divide your time between cities, mountains, and deserts, using imperial cities like Fes, Rabat, or Marrakesh as jumping-off points. You can discover northern Morocco and its "Blue City" and Roman ruins, trek the foothills of the High Atlas mountains and see Berber villages, or explore the Sahara and experience a sunset camel ride across the dunes.
With six days in Morocco, you can tour some of the country's best highlights, depending on what inspires you. You could devote your itinerary entirely to exploring Moroccan cities, where you can wander around mosques, souks, and centuries-old landmarks embellished with exquisite mosaics. Or you can split your time between a big city (for example, Marrakesh) and the desert. If you're a "more is more" kind of traveler, you can even add on time in an Atlantic coastal town.
Compact Morocco offers plenty to see and experience. In seven days, there's enough time to explore imperial cities in-depth as well as tack on an extra day for desert exploration or an added city, like the oft-overlooked Asilah or Zagora. Navigate the maze of historic medinas in old cities, hike the Todra Gorge, and trek the foothills of the Atlas mountains. Alternatively, linger in the picture-perfect "Blue City" of northern Morocco, discover the near-perfect mosaics of Volubilis, and make your way along old caravan routes into the Sahara.
With eight days in Morocco, you can take a grand tour of big-ticket cities like Casablanca and Fes or spend your time exploring off the beaten path, hiking through villages in lush countrysides, and enjoying cultural experiences, including cooking lessons and homestays. Of course, the iconic Sahara awaits: incorporate a desert adventure into a Tangier-to-Marrakech road trip or soar above the dunes on a luxury Morocco tour. Learn more about the best ways to spend eight days in Morocco below.
With nine days, you can hit the highlights of Morocco's famed Imperial cities and add time along the coast or the desert. Or, take a different approach by swapping in a trek through Berber villages in the Atlas mountains. If you're inspired to go off the beaten path, you can start in Marrakesh, head through smaller towns and mountain villages, swim at the base of a towering waterfall, learn how to press olive oil, and visit a saffron harvest. Read on for some unique options for your trip.
While most travelers experience Morocco in a week, adding a few days to your itinerary allows you to see more at a relaxed pace. Many first-time visitors try to see it all: visiting Morocco's highlights and adding side trips from major cities. Others spend less time in transit, focusing their time around an imperial city like Marrakesh, doubling as a gateway to the mountains and desert. And those who want to go off the beaten track can hike near M'Goun Mountain, carpet weave in Demnate, see waterfalls in Ouzoud, visit oasis-town Agdz, and relax at Tifnit beach.
Eleven days in Morocco allows you to visit many of the country's biggest draws, from electric city centers to its famous landscapes—all depending on what interests you. You can focus on the Imperial cities, then retreat to the Sahara or the Atlantic coast, discovering Berber villages en route. Adventurous travelers can start in recently reinvigorated Tangier and drive south through mountains and ancient trade routes. Or, dive into tradition with a visit to a traditional hammam and an intimate meal shared with a local family in their home.
If you have 12 days to spend in Morocco, you can see a wide swath of the country. Cover highlights on a classic itinerary that loops from Casablanca to Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, and Marrakesh. Spend more time in Fes, Marrakesh, and along the Atlantic, skipping the desert, or consider a route focusing on the less-touristic locales of Erg Chigaga, Zagora, Taroudant, and Agadir. Then there's the option to explore Morocco from Tangier in the north to Merzouga at the Sahara's edge and Essaouria on the west coast.
With 13 days, you can hit the must-sees and venture off the beaten track at differing paces. Focus on leisurely guided tours of Morocco's imperial cities, spend more of your trip immersed in the vast Sahara, or swap out your time in the desert for culture in the High Atlas mountains and the Atlantic coast. Alternatively, add a couple of lesser-known stops like El Jadida and Tétouan to your itinerary, or stick to Morocco's south for the coast and wild landscapes of salt flats, palm groves, and Erg Chigaga.
Two weeks in Morocco is enough time for a proper grand tour, from the souks of Fes and Marrakesh to the glittering Sahara, High Atlas mountains, and windy Atlantic Coast. If you want more than just the highlights—or if you're traveling during summer, when the desert can be oppressively hot—stick to the Imperial cities of the north, diving into the history of classic stops along with places most travelers miss, like Beni-Mellal and Tetouan.
With 15 days in Morocco, you'll have time to see many different regions and get an authentic taste of what the country offers. Explore Morocco's four imperial cities, relax in a "hammam" (traditional bath), or ride a camel through the Sahara Desert. There's also the opportunity for trekking in the Atlas mountains, hot air balloon rides, and visits to historic sites. Travelers who'd prefer to cool off by the beach can skip the desert and opt for an alternative route along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.
Marrakesh is the fourth-largest city in Morocco and is one of the country's major tourist spots. To see it, ideally, you'll want to allocate at least 2-3 days, although those with less time to spare can still enjoy the experience. Travelers who choose to stay for longer will have the opportunity to get to know the city and see it at a more relaxed pace. Read on for advice on how long to stay in Marrakesh.
