Morocco is such a fascinating country, with a rich and vibrant culture, delicious food and stunning landscape. With its mix of North African, European, and Middle Eastern influences, Morocco is a unique and exciting destination. This, 10 days in Morocco itinerary for first time visitors will take you through some of the country’s most iconic cities and natural wonders, from the bustling souks of Marrakech to the peaceful Sahara desert, the working medina of Fes to the ancient capital of Volubilis and the cosmopolite Tangier to the rustic Chefchaouen.
Travelling to Morocco for the First Time
I didn’t think I would love Morocco so much when I booked my first trip here. I imagined it would be a little bit like Egypt – beautiful but chaotic. I was so wrong! I booked flights to Morocco for my first big trip after the dreadful lockdowns. I needed to find my inner explorer again, to navigate foreign streets, to get curious about a different culture again, and to rekindle my love for travelling, which the pandemic had reduced to ashes. I needed to find myself again and rediscover why I loved travelling so much. The idea of travelling long haul again was uncomfortable, so I picked a country relatively close but culturally different: Morocco. And, as soon as I landed in Morocco, I felt that spark again. Everyone greeted me with kindness, from the immigration officer to the taxi driver who drove me to my Riad. The owner of the Riad came to pick me up at the gate of the Medina and welcomed me with hot mint tea and cookies, despite the fact that the clock was about to strike midnight.
As a solo female traveller, I found Morocco to be a very safe destination. I had no problems travelling by myself in taxis or trains, I walked alone after dark in Marrakech and I navigated the Medinas of Morocco without feeling harassed. Sure, sellers in the souks tried to get my attention, but in a polite way and always with a smile on their face.
Morocco grew on me from the first day, and continued to amaze me for the next three weeks I spent there.
About This 10 days in Morocco Itinerary
This 10 days in Morocco itinerary is aimed at first time visitors, and includes a little bit of everything Morocco has to offer its visitors: culture, architecture, nature, good food, and plenty of traditions. We are going to visit the country starting from the ocean coast to the tallest peaks in the High Atlas Mountains, passing through heritage cities, historical kasbahs and the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.
This is a fast paced itinerary for which I recommend booking transport in advance, or hiring your own car. Driving in Morocco is not hard at all, as long as you avoid the centre of the main cities, where the traffic is very busy. From my experience, most of the roads around Morocco were quite empty and pleasant to drive on. There are also plenty of petrol stations along the way, many with small shops and cafes attached where you can buy food, coffee and snacks.
The hotels I will be recommending in this 10 days in Morocco itinerary are the ones I stayed at during my trip here. Most of them are budget but beautifully decorated in a Moroccan style, with colourful accents. All of the hotels have air conditioning.
How to Travel Around Morocco
Travelling around Morocco is quite easy, with plenty of both public and private options available. Marrakech is connected by train to Casablanca and Rabat. There is also a high speed train connecting Casablanca to Tangier. From my experience with taking the train in Marrakech, they are clean, reliable and on time. I bought the ticket on the same day, half an hour before the train left, directly from the station.
When it comes to buses, I’ve been told that the safest and most reliable company is Supratours. They cover the entire country and sell tickets online, so you don’t have to go to the station to buy one. It is recommended to book in advance, especially if you are travelling to Morocco during a peak season. You can click here to check the schedule or buy a ticket (the website is in French).
Money in Morocco
The national currency in Morocco is the dirham, and the current currency exchange is roughly 12MAD per 1£. There is no need to try and get Moroccan dirhams before you arrive in Morocco, as there are plenty of ATMs everywhere in the cities. I use Monzo Bank, which has no charge for withdrawals up to £200 from an ATM whilst abroad.
I used different ATMs during my trip around Morocco, and each of them had their own fees. I found that in general, the Moroccan banks had a much lower fee than the international ones such as Societe Generale for example. Try to avoid the Euronet ATMs, which are placed near touristy areas and at the airport, as they charge a hefty fee. I’ve always said that these ATMs are simply scams, as the exchange rate is very poor as well. Avoid them if you can.
Morocco is a country where cash is king, so make sure you have plenty with you. I took out 1500 dirhams at a time, and found that to be enough for a week (not counting accommodation costs).
The 10 Days in Morocco Itinerary Highlights:
- The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Wandering around the blue streets of Chefchaouen
- The intricate Medina of Fez
- Sunset in the Sahara desert
- Ait Benhaddou
- The souks of Marrakech
Day 1: Visit Casablanca
The starting point of this 10 days in Morocco itinerary is Casablanca, and for the Hassan II Mosque. This impressive Mosque has been built over a ridge above the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the 7th largest Mosque in the world, and one of the few in Morocco which can be visited by non-Muslims as a part of a guided tour.
It took 7 years to build the Hassan II Mosque, it was commissioned as one of the most ambitious projects ever built in Morocco. This impressive structure was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, who used verses of the Quran into its architectural plan.
At the time of the inauguration, the Mosque had the tallest minaret in the world, standing at 210 m tall, and capped with a light that shines in the direction of Mecca. The Mosque has a capacity of 25,000 people inside, and another 80,000 on the esplanade.
You can visit the Mosque by booking a guided tour. To guarantee a spot, you have to book it in advance, as there is only one a day. You can click here to book your ticket.
For the rest of the day, I recommend booking a guided tour of the city. Casablanca was the only city in Morocco where I didn’t really feel that safe as a female solo traveller. In fact, on my way back to the hotel from the restaurant where I’d had dinner, two policemen insisted on driving alongside me, ensuring I was getting there safely. During the day the city looked and felt ok, at night it felt a bit different.
Highlights of Casablanca:
Hassan II Mosque: One of the most impressive Mosques in the world. It is an architectural gem which can be visited only on a guided tour.
The Corniche: This five mile promenade faces the sea and it is dotted with restaurants, cafes, and bars. The promenade is flanked by a row of palm trees, resembling an Islamic garden.
Rick’s Café Casablanca: This café has been built to recreate the same atmosphere as in the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic movie Casablanca. If you liked the film, you must come here for a drink.
Where to stay in Casablanca: Hotel Campanile. Click here to check the Tripadvisor Reviews, and click here to check the latest rates on Booking.com
Day 2: Chefchaouen via Tangier
The second day of this 10 days in Morocco itinerary will take us from Casablanca to Chefchaouen, via Tangier. The drive to Tangier is about 3 hours, on the motorway.
I really wanted to include Tangier in this itinerary because it is very different from the other ones I included in this itinerary. Tangier is a modern city with a European feel, and no wonder as it is Africa’s gateway to Europe. Ferries connect Tarifa in Spain with Tangier, it takes just over an hour for the crossing.
Tangier has large boulevards, a large urban beach, marinas and freight harbours as well as a well preserved Medina.
Exploring the Medina of Tangier reminded me of walking on the narrow streets of a whitewashed Spanish village. I went on a guided walking tour of the Medina so I could learn more about the history of Tangier. I learned that most people living in the Medina are born here. Generation after generation choosing not to leave this area of the city. There are plenty of things to see, walking down the maze-line streets inside the Medina, one of them being the tomb of Ibn Battuta – Morocco’s most famous traveller.
Petit Socco is where the alleys of the Medina meet, in a small square populated with cafes, restaurants, and buildings with beautiful stucco facades and iron balconies. Back in the 1950s, Petit Socco was where bankers and diplomats had their offices.
After spending a few good hours exploring Tangier, continue the journey to Chefchaouen. The road changes, from an uninspiring motorway to a beautiful windy mountain road. I arrived in Chefchaouen just after sunset.
Highlights of Tangier:
The Kasbah: A maze of alleyways leading to even narrower souks, between white buildings, all leading to Petit Socco which is a square lined with cafes and shops.
The tomb of Ibn Battuta: The resting place of one of the greatest travellers of its time. He wrote about his 30 years of adventures, providing an insight on what the 14-th century world looked like.
The American Legation Museum: Morocco was the first country to recognise the independence of the United States. This led to the Sultan of Morocco to gift this building to the US government, to serve as their first diplomatic post abroad. The building became the first building abroad to be owned by the US, and it is now the only American National Historic Landmark located outside of the States.
Where to stay in Chefchaouen: Hotel Madrid. Click here to check the Tripadvisor Reviews, and click here to check the latest rates on Booking.com
Day 3: Explore Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen, also known as the blue city of Morocco and is a photographer’s dream. The third day in this 10 day Morocco itinerary will be relaxed, exploring the pretty streets of the town, finding hidden alleyways and photographing all the cats.
It seems that Chefchaouen has the most amount of cats I have seen in any other city in Morocco. And they are all so photogenic, posing from baskets filled with souvenirs, or sitting tall on stools in front of walls decorated with carpets.
The entire town of Chefchaouen seems to be a large souk, but there are plenty of left and rights which you can take to escape the crowds. There seems to be one main road that leads from the main square in town to the river and the waterfalls. As soon as you break from this road, you will find a much quieter town, with children playing football on the steep stairs, neighbourhood ovens baking bread, and tiny hairdressers big enough to fit only one other person inside. There are actually quite a few things to do in Chefchaouen to fill up your day.
For a better view of the city, find a rooftop café. A great restaurant to try the local Moroccan specialities of the area (goat tagine and goat cheese) is Bab Ssour.
The most popular place for watching the sun setting over the blue city is the Spanish Mosque, which is a 30 minute hike up the hill.
Besides exploring the city, you can also go hiking on one of the trails around Chefchaouen, in the Rif Mountains. Click here to check out some hiking options.
Highlights of Chefchaouen:
The Medina: Everyone comes to Chefchaouen to let themselves be fascinated by the blue colour of the city. Take your time to wander around the Medina, to find the best photo spots and befriend the many cats coming your way.
The Ras el Maa Waterfall: This is a very popular place for locals, located on the outskirts of the medina. The waterfall is small and pretty, flowing down the hill. There are many cafes directly on the side of the river, where you can enjoy mint tea with a cool breeze, and even dip your feet in the water.
The Spanish Mosque: The views from the Spanish Mosque over Chefchaouen are pretty special. At sunset, even more so. The mosque was built in 1920 by the Spanish, but was never used. It now makes a perfect scenic spot.
Day 4: Travel to Fes via Volubilis
The drive from Chefchaouen to Fes is around 4 hours, on pretty mountain roads. On this day I visited Volubilis, the incredible ruins of a Roman-Berber city in Morocco. The site is very well preserved, with stunning Roman mosaics, columns, and arches that are still intact.
The best way to explore Volubilis is with a guide that can point out the main features of the site, the main buildings as well as explain the history. Volubilis used to be the capital of the Kingdom and now it’s a Unesco Heritage site. Even so, it doesn’t receive at all the hordes of tourists that other Unesco sites do.
Volubilis remained an active city until the 18th century when the Lisbon earthquake reduced it to ruins. Marbles from the site have been taken away, to build Meknes, a nearby town.
If you have time, you can also visit the quaint Moulay Idriss hilltop village, five kilometres away from Volubilis.
You can also book a day trip from Fes that includes Volubilis and Meknes by clicking here.
Where to stay in Fes: Hotel Mounia. Click here to check the Tripadvisor Reviews, and click here to check the latest rates on Booking.com
Day 5: Explore Fes
Fes is one of many historic cities in Morocco and also one of the most cultural, unique in so many ways. First, it has one of the oldest Medinas which is motor-free, making it one of the largest urban areas in the world without any cars or motorbikes. You can easily get lost in the Medina if you don’t go on a guided tour with a local. The alleys are so narrow, sometimes wide enough for only one person to walk through. The Medina in Fes is functional, with souks, workshops, and the famous tanneries.
The Medina of Fes is also home to many cultural sites, such as the Al Attarine Madrasa, the Qarawiyyin Mosque or the Royal Palace with its seven golden doors.
Start your day in Fes at the Royal Palace, before exploring the Jewish Mellah,which is just around the corner. Here the architecture of the houses is different from the rest of Fes. Instead of the balconies facing the interior garden, in a Moroccan Riad, here they are facing the outside world. The windows and doors are also larger, allowing sunlight into the houses.
Next, climb to the Borj Sud Fortress for a birds eye view over Fes. From here you will see how large and compact the Medina of Fes is, with so little space between the buildings and with the minarets of the Mosques rising above the rooftops.
On the way to the Medina, stop at a mosaic atelier and see how Fes’s most famous craft is made. Then, let your senses absorb the aromas, noises, flavours and colours of the Medina. You can spend hours here just wandering around the alleys, but please book a guided tour in advance, to make sure you don’t get lost. Click here to see a great affordable and highly reviewed tour.
The most famous tannery in Fes is Chouara, said to be the oldest in the world. From the top floor of the building you can see the men at work, tanning the leather. I was given a small bunch of mint to cover the smell, but I didn’t think it was that bad.
In the evening, take part in a traditional Moroccan music performance, inside a gorgeous palace, at Restaurant al Fassia.
Highlights of Fes:
Explore the rooms at Al Attarine Madrasa: a Madrasa is an Islamic educational institution. The Al Attarine Madrasa has an intricate interior decoration, with walls covered in intricate mosaics and carved stucco ceilings.
Take the Pulse of Place Seffarine : Place Seffarine is a small but very busy place in the Medina of Fes. The square dates from the Middle Ages and it is surrounded by coppersmith workshops where you can observe the craftsmen creating pots, pans and other pretty utensils. On one side of the square you will find the Qarawiyyin library.
Visit a Tannery: Tanneries have been a long part of the city’s culture. The oldest, Chouara tannery, has a history of over 1000 years of producing high quality leather goods.
Day 6: Travel to Merzouga
The sixth day of this Morocco itinerary takes us to the Sahara desert, on the outskirts of Merzouga. This is a long travel day, as the distance between Fes and Merzouga is just shy of 500 kilometres.
To break the road trip up, there are several places along the way you can stop and look around. Ifran is a small town in the mountains known as the “little Switzerland”. It is said that this was the last place where the now extinct Berber lion was seen for the last time. Irfan is also home to one of the few ski resorts in Morocco.
Another place where you can stop before reaching Merzouga is Erfoud, also known as the date town of Morocco because of the high quality fruits that grow here. This small oasis town is the gateway to the desert, and it is surrounded by many fossil workshops. You can stop at any of the small shops off the road, to see how they make different objects from the fossils they found in this area.
Where to stay in Merzouga: Auberge De Charme Les Dunes D´Or. Click here to check the Tripadvisor Reviews, and click here to check the latest rates on Booking.com
Day 7: Merzouga
Merzouga is a small town close to the border with Algeria in the Sahara Desert. It is known as the gateway to the sand dunes from Erg Chebbi. In fact, this is where most of the secluded accommodation options are.
I’d heard from friends who visited Morocco before me, that sleeping in a tent under the stars in the Sahara Desert whilst wonderful, was also an extremely cold experience. To avoid this, I chose to stay in a hotel that looked just like an oasis in the desert. I still got to enjoy the stars, the traditional Berber music sung by the staff around a fire on the sand, but I also slept in comfort, in a bed and in warmth. This hotel was practically surrounded by sand dunes.
There are a few things to do around Merzouga, one of the most popular being going on a camel ride to the dunes, at either sunrise or sunset. The camels are well looked after, as they are their owner’s only source of income. Their owners are educated and taught on how to best look after their camels by SPANA charity, whose goal is to improve the welfare of working animals in the world’s poorest communities.
Highlights of Merzouga:
Attend a Gnawa music performance: Khamlia is a village near Mezouga with a Sudanese nomad community which you can visit. They welcome tourists with mint tea and a Gnawa music performance. This is a genre of ethnic music that was born in the 11th century among the slaves brought to Morocco from Sub Saharan Africa. You can book such an experience by clicking here.
Camel ride on the dunes at sunset: Riding a camel in the desert, and then climbing up a sand dune to watch the sunset from the top of it is quite special.
Stargazing: The Sahara desert is one of the most magical places in the world to stargaze. Without any light sources, the stars shine so bright and seem so closer to Earth. Its as if you could reach up with your arm and touch them.
Day 8: Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou
This is going to be another long driving day, but with plenty of stops along the day. In the morning we will visit the dramatic Todra Gorge, a canyon in the High Atlas mountains. The rocky walls reach a height of over 400 metres which make this place an attraction for climbers. You can see many iron hooks in the rocks, and I even witnessed two daredevils climbing up without any security cords or helmets.
The next stop on the itinerary is the city of Ouarzazate, Morocco’s Little Hollywood. Here you can visit the film studio where famous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Gladiator and the Mummy were produced. One of the main attractions in town besides the studios, is Kasbah Taourirt, a palace dating from the 19th century which has 300 rooms. This is a Unesco heritage site.
The last stop of the day is Ait Benhaddou, a historic fortified village on the old caravan route in Morocco. Whilst the village might seem inhabited and used only for tourism, there are actually five Berber families still living here.
The atmosphere on the alleys of Ait Benhaddou is relaxed, with most of the shops belonging to artists who paint with sugar on white paper. It’s fascinating to watch them work, burning the sugar and revealing the final scenery on their canvases.
You will also recognise Ait Benhaddou from the TV series ‘Game of Thrones’, the site being one of the locations where the series was filmed in Morocco.
Where to Stay in Ait Benhaddou: La Rose du Sable. Click here to check the Tripadvisor Reviews, and click here to check the latest rates on Booking.com
Day 9: Travel to Marrakech via the High Atlas Mountains
Our 10 days in Morocco are coming to an end. On the ninth day you will cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the highest in the Atlas Mountains. The scenery from up here is breathtaking and you can see the entire beauty of the mountains below you. The road snakes through the cliffs, crossing to the other side of the mountains.
About halfway to Marrakech there is an opportunity to make a detour and visit Imlil, a small mountain village that marks the start of the path to Toubkal and also the second highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro.
You will reach Marrakech by the afternoon, which will give you time to explore the Medina and the souks, preparing for a full day of sightseeing.
Where to Stay in Marrakech: Riad Kamal. Click here to check the Tripadvisor Reviews, and click here to check the latest rates on Booking.com
Day 10: Marrakech
The last day in this Morocco itinerary is dedicated to Marrakech. As there are so many things to do in the city, this will be a day full of activities.
Start the day with visiting Majorelle Gardens and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, as they are the furthest away from the Medina. These are very popular sites in Marrakech and it’s best to either visit them early in the morning as they open, or late in the afternoon, after the crowds of tourists have left.
Once you return to the Medina, head to the Bahia Palace and admire the beautiful interiors and the incredible wooden ceilings. Near the Bahia Palace you will find Badi Palace and Saadien’s Tombs, another two must see places in Marrakech. My personal recommendation would be to stroll around the Mellah and visit the Jewish Cemetery, two of the off the beaten path places in Marrakech. I thought this part of the city was different and without too many tourists.
Another great place to visit in Marrakech is Dar Si Said – the carpet museum. The museum is hosted inside a gorgeous palace and again, this is not a touristy place.
In the evening, head over to the Jamaa el Fna Square to see and feel the vibrance, and how alive with people is it. There are street food stalls, games, storytellers, and a great atmosphere in general. As with any crowded places, watch your pockets and enjoy the spectacle.
End the evening with a session at the hammam, for a good night sleep.
If you are staying here longer, check out my article about unique things to do in Marrakech.
Highlights of Marrakech:
Bahia Palace: This 19th century palace has 150 rooms and numerous courtyards where you can find some peace from the noises of the city. The architecture makes Bahia Palace one of the must sees in Marrakech.
Majorelle Gardens: Majorelle Gardens are one of the most famous tourist attractions in Marrakech. It is an artistic landscaped garden with a large collection of cacti and a Cubist villa designed by the French architect Paul Sinoir.
Dar Si Said: The carpet museum was a highlight of my visit to Marrakech. It’s not just a great place where you can learn about the traditional motifs from each part of Morocco, but also a fantastic palace with incredible architecture and an oasis in the courtyard.
Extra Days?
Essaouira
Essaouira was one of my favourite cities in Morocco. I didn’t include it on this Morocco itinerary because it would have meant cutting at least two days off, due to where the “Windy city” is located. With this itinerary I want you to get a taste of everything Morocco has to offer, so I replaced Essaouira with Tangier, which makes more sense timewise.
However, if you have two extra days, you have to visit Essaouira.
Click here to read my article about the best things to do in Essaouira.
Imlil
Imlil is a small town in the High Atlas Mountains, the gateway to climbing Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Even if you are not attempting to do such a serious hike, this area is still a wonderful place to visit for a taste of the Moroccan mountains. There are plenty of other trails here that are, much easier.
I stayed in a homestay in a nearby village, accessible by foot on an easy trail. The view from the house was incredible, with the sun shining over the snow covering the peak, making it shine. This is a great place to visit if you want a relaxing break in the mountains.
Click here to check different homestay options in Imlil.
Meknes
Meknes is an imperial city, founded in the 11th century. In the 17th century, Meknes was the capital of Morocco, under Sultan Moulay Ismail. If you have an extra day, you can add Meknes as an overnight stop between Chefchaouen and Fes. There are quite a few things to see here, such as the Royal Stables, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and the Heri es-Souani underground granaries.
Ifran
For a change of scenery and a European feel in the Rif mountains of Morocco, consider adding Ifran to this Morocco itinerary. This picturesque town is known for its alpine-style architecture, with houses that have rooftops designed to repel the snow. There are plenty of things to do in and around Irfan, from hiking and cycling, to skiing in winter.
Read more about travelling to Morocco:
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Oh, I am so happy to read about Morocco! It is so high on my list, and I really want to go visit soon. I’m glad to find out that you felt safe there. Chefchaouen looks amazing and I hope I get to see it. I have also read much about Marrakech all though I heard it is more touristy. I love all the colours in Riads and would definitely want to book one instead of a bigger hotel.
This is cool! I hope I’ll be able to visit Morocco sometime in future. However, 10 days might be a bit too much for me but I can use this to set up my 3-4 days itinerary. For someone who loved historical architecture, I wouldn’t miss Casablanca, it’s stunning. As you righty say, indeed, Chefchaouen is every photographer’s dream and I wouldn’t miss it.
I love how you have planned this trip to Morocco – you managed to see a lot on your time there. You make me think about visiting Morocco and I am pleasantly surprised to learn that you felt safe during your time there – when travelling solo. That mosque in Casablanca is definitely a must-visit while Tangiers, Atlas Mountains, Marrakech and Chefchouen sound completely a must-include in a trip to Morocco. Thanks for this super comprehensive write-up.
This is my kind of an itinerary. For one it covers all the places I wanted to include and two… You have optimized thr time well. I am in awe of the mosque in Casablanca and the historic charm of Fes. I like the vibes of the blue city of Chefchouen … Something I want to compare to the blue city of India. Good tips included. Thanks for the same