Morocco Travel Itinerary 10 Days: Casablanca to Sahara

After breakfast at your hotel, your 10 Days Morocco Travel Itinerary begins with a short visit to one of Casablanca’s most iconic landmarks—the Hassan II Mosque. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this is the second-largest mosque in Africa and a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship, making it a memorable start to your journey.

From Casablanca, the route leads to Rabat, Morocco’s capital and one of its four imperial cities. Here, you’ll explore several key historical sites including the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the charming Kasbah of the Udayas, a fortified district with white-and-blue Andalusian-style houses. The viewpoint from the kasbah offers a sweeping panorama of the Bou Regreg River, Morocco’s longest river, where it meets the Atlantic coastline.

Continuing north, you’ll journey into the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen, the famous blue town tucked away in the hills. Arriving in the late afternoon or evening, you’ll be taken to your riad in the heart of this peaceful and artistic village. If time allows, take a relaxed walk through the medina, where cobbled streets, colorful murals, and art galleries create a serene and photogenic atmosphere. Overnight in a charming riad in Chefchaouen.

Today is a relaxed, self-paced day in Chefchaouen, offering the perfect opportunity to explore this peaceful blue-washed town at your own rhythm. You can spend time wandering through the quiet medina, where the winding alleys reveal charming corners, cozy cafés, and local shops selling handmade crafts and textiles.

Consider visiting the 15th-century Kasbah, a small fortress and ethnographic museum located in the heart of the town, offering a glimpse into Chefchaouen’s past. A traditional Moroccan hammam is also a great way to unwind and experience local wellness culture.

As you stroll through the medina, you’ll encounter small shops with regional products, perfect for picking up a unique souvenir or enjoying a friendly conversation with the Rif Berber locals. Just outside the town, natural springs and quiet walking paths offer a refreshing change of scenery.

Before dinner, you might hike up to the Spanish Mosque, perched on a hill overlooking Chefchaouen. From here, the sunset view over the mountains and blue rooftops is truly unforgettable. Dinner and overnight stay in the same riad or hotel. 

After breakfast, your journey continues as we leave Chefchaouen and head toward Fes, with enriching stops along the way. The first is Volubilis, a remarkable Roman archaeological site dating back to the 3rd century. Here, you’ll explore well-preserved ruins including stone arches, ancient basins, crumbling walls, and beautifully detailed mosaics—an open-air museum of Morocco’s Roman past.

Next, you’ll visit the imperial city of Meknes, once the capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail. Surrounded by massive old fortress walls and expansive gardens, Meknes offers a more tranquil alternative to Morocco’s larger cities. After a break for lunch, you’ll explore the medina, where echoes of the 17th century still remain. Surviving palaces and military structures—some rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake—give a glimpse into the powerful reign of the Sultan.

By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Fes, one of Morocco’s most culturally rich and historic cities. You’ll be taken to your accommodation, a traditional riad tucked within the medina, where you’ll settle in and prepare for a deeper exploration of Fes the following day.

After breakfast, your day begins with a guided walking tour of Fes, Morocco’s cultural and spiritual heart. Your local guide will meet you at your riad and take you through the city’s labyrinth of history, tradition, and architecture.

You’ll start with a visit to the golden gates of the Royal Palace, an impressive example of Moroccan craftsmanship surrounded by towering city walls. From there, the tour continues into Fes el-Bali, the oldest part of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, you’ll explore the vibrant tanneries, the intricately designed Medersa Al Attarine, and the historic Nejjarine Fountain.

A highlight of the tour is a visit to Al-Qarawiyyin University, considered the world’s oldest continually operating university. The surrounding medina offers a sensory journey filled with spice stalls, artisan workshops, and traditional Berber carpets. Every narrow alley reveals something unique, making Fes a true living museum.

After lunch at a local restaurant tucked inside the medina, you’ll return to your riad for a restful evening in this timeless city.

Today begins early as you leave Fes behind and set out on a long but scenic journey toward the Merzouga Desert. The drive takes you through the lush and surprising landscapes of northern Morocco, passing through regions often referred to as Moroccan Switzerland. With their alpine-style houses, green pastures—or snow-covered hills in winter—and even grazing cows, these areas feel a world apart from the desert you’re heading toward.

A major highlight of the day is a drive through Ifrane National Park, home to one of the largest cedar forests in the country. If you’re lucky, you may encounter the friendly Barbary macaques, who roam the forest freely and are known to come close to visitors. While feeding is allowed, it’s best done with caution.

The journey continues across the Middle Atlas Mountains, with stops for snacks and to soak in the mountain views from scenic overlooks. As the road winds down through the southern side of the range, the landscape becomes drier and rockier, gradually giving way to the desert plains of Erfoud. Here, you’ll stop at a local workshop where skilled artisans create beautiful home items and jewelry from regional fossil discoveries.

By late afternoon, you arrive at your hotel or desert camp on the edge of the Sahara, where the first golden dunes rise just beyond your doorstep. As the sun begins to set, you’ll head out on a peaceful camel ride into the dunes, a magical experience made for unforgettable memories and stunning photos. Overnight in Merzouga.

After an abundant Moroccan breakfast featuring tajine-style eggs, fresh bread, olives, and sweet pastries, your 10 Days Morocco Travel Itinerary continues with a full-day desert adventure by 4×4. Today’s focus is all about experiencing the heart of the Sahara beyond the dunes.

You’ll begin by driving across the vast Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping at fossil-strewn plains and the remnants of ancient kohl mines, once used for traditional eyeliner. The tour also includes a visit to a Gnawa music house, where you’ll be welcomed with centuries-old rhythms and learn about the spiritual and cultural roots of this Afro-Moroccan musical tradition.

Later, you’ll be invited to share tea with a local nomad family under their hand-woven wool tent. It’s a rare opportunity to engage with desert life as it has been lived for generations. For lunch, you’ll enjoy Madfouna, often called Berber pizza, served at a regional spot where it’s sometimes baked over open fire—a real taste of the Sahara.

The afternoon is yours to relax or continue exploring. Whether you prefer a quiet walk across the sand or want to try sandboarding, your camp or hotel will happily provide a board for the adventure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at your desert camp or hotel in Merzouga.

After a leisurely breakfast in Merzouga, your journey continues west as you leave the Sahara behind and travel toward Boumalne Dades, passing through one of Morocco’s most scenic and historically rich regions—the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. This route was once a vital part of the ancient trans-Saharan trade network, and even today, its landscape is dotted with crumbling kasbahs, fortified villages, and lush river oases that hint at its storied past.

Along the way, you’ll witness bizarre rock formations, expansive date-palm valleys, and dramatic desert scenery. Your first major stop is at the awe-inspiring Todhra Gorge, located at the base of the High Atlas Mountains near the town of Tinghir. With its towering cliffs, narrow canyon walls, and a cool stream flowing through the center, it’s one of the most breathtaking natural sights in southern Morocco.

Later, you’ll continue to the striking Dades Gorge, where steep canyon walls and winding roads offer more unforgettable views. After a short visit here, you’ll be taken to your accommodation in Boumalne Dades, a peaceful town nestled in a valley surrounded by reddish rock formations and terraced fields.

After breakfast, the journey westward continues as you leave Boumalne Dades and make your way to Marrakech—but the road is filled with unforgettable stops and landscapes. The first part of the drive takes you through the fragrant Valley of the Roses, where the air is filled with the scent of locally grown damask roses. In this region, you’ll find artisanal shops offering rose-based products like perfumes, soaps, creams, and essential oils—all made from the seasonal harvests.

Next, you’ll arrive in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s film capital, often called the “Hollywood of Africa.” The nearby desert landscapes and ancient kasbahs have made this area a popular filming location for international productions.

Not far from Ouarzazate lies the famous Ksar Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most iconic mud-brick villages. This beautifully preserved ksar has served as a set for countless films and series, including Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. You’ll have time to explore its alleyways and enjoy the stunning views from its hilltop vantage point.

From there, the road climbs back into the High Atlas Mountains, with a stop at the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, sitting at an elevation of 2,260 meters. The panoramic views from the top are absolutely breathtaking before the descent begins toward the plains and the city of Marrakech.

Depending on your arrival time, you’ll be transferred directly to your riad or hotel in Marrakech to rest after this full and scenic travel day.

The day begins with your first full morning in Marrakech, where you’ll enjoy a typical Moroccan breakfast—think fresh pita bread, eggs cooked in a tajine, and a warm cup of sweet mint tea to start the day right. After breakfast, your local guide will meet you at your riad or hotel for a half-day walking tour of this colorful and vibrant imperial city.

Over the course of around three hours, you’ll explore some of Marrakech’s most iconic historical sites. Highlights of the tour include the Koutoubia Mosque, known for its impressive minaret visible from across the city, the Saadian Tombs, which were hidden for centuries and rediscovered in 1917, and the elegant Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of 19th-century Moroccan architecture filled with lush courtyards and intricate tilework.

In the afternoon or evening, you’ll have free time to visit the legendary Jemaa el-Fna Square at your own pace. This lively square comes alive with street performers, storytellers, market stalls, and the sounds and scents of traditional Moroccan life. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city before heading back to your accommodation for the night.

On the final day of your 10 Days Morocco Travel Itinerary, we’ll arrange your transfer to the airport in either Marrakech or Casablanca, depending on your flight schedule. Whether you’re flying out in the morning or later in the day, we’ll ensure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.