With two weeks you can make a genuine circuit of Morocco without rushing from one long drive to the next. This itinerary starts in Tangier and finishes on the Atlantic coast at Essaouira, taking in the Rif Mountains, the imperial cities, two nights in the Sahara, the kasbah valleys, the High Atlas and Marrakech.
Driving times are approximate and exclude stops unless stated. The route works equally well in reverse.
The route at a glance
- Day 1: Arrive Tangier
- Day 2: Tangier – Chefchaouen
- Day 3: Chefchaouen – free day
- Day 4: Chefchaouen – Fes
- Day 5: Fes – medina day
- Day 6: Fes – Meknes and Volubilis day trip
- Day 7: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Merzouga
- Day 8: Merzouga – full day in the desert
- Day 9: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
- Day 10: Dades – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou
- Day 11: Ait Ben Haddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech
- Day 12: Marrakech
- Day 13: Marrakech – Essaouira
- Day 14: Essaouira – Marrakech for departure
Days 1–3 – Tangier and Chefchaouen
Day 1 – Tangier
Arrive by air or by ferry from Spain. Spend the afternoon in the kasbah and the medina, then head to Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. See our Tangier guide.
Day 2 – To Chefchaouen
Drive: about 2–2.5 hours
A short drive through green hills brings you to Chefchaouen by lunchtime. Spend the afternoon in the blue lanes and finish at the Spanish Mosque viewpoint for sunset.
Day 3 – Free day in Chefchaouen
Rest, explore the medina, or take a hike in the Rif Mountains. A relaxed day here early on sets a good rhythm for the trip.
Days 4–6 – Fes and the imperial heartland
Day 4 – Chefchaouen to Fes
Drive: around 3.5–4 hours
Arrive in Fes in the afternoon and settle into a riad in or near the medina.
Day 5 – Fes medina
A full guided day in Fes el-Bali: the Bou Inania Madrasa, the tanneries from the terraces, the copper-beaters' square, and a lunch of local dishes. Our Fes guide has more.
Day 6 – Meknes and Volubilis
Drive: Fes to Meknes about 1 hour; Meknes to Volubilis about 45 minutes
Explore the Roman ruins at Volubilis, then the imperial gates and granaries of Meknes. Return to Fes for a second night. This works as a relaxed day trip to Meknes and Volubilis.
Days 7–8 – The Sahara
Day 7 – Fes to Merzouga
Drive: around 7–8 hours via Ifrane and Midelt
The longest drive of the trip, through cedar forests, high plateaus and the Ziz Valley. Arrive at Erg Chebbi in the afternoon and ride a camel into the dunes for sunset and a night at camp. Camel riding is not recommended with back problems or during pregnancy; 4x4 transfer to camp is usually possible.
Day 8 – A full desert day
Sunrise over the dunes, then a day to choose:
- A 4x4 desert excursion to the villages and dune edges
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Rissani's market and old ksour
- Sandboarding or quad biking in designated areas
- An afternoon nap in the shade, which is underrated
A second night at camp gives you another chance at the stars – weather and moon phase permitting. Our Merzouga desert activities guide covers the options.
Days 9–11 – Valleys, kasbahs and the High Atlas
Day 9 – To Todra and Dades
Drive: about 3 hours to Tinghir, then around 1 hour to Dades
Walk into the Todra Gorge between its high cliffs, then continue to the Dades Valley for the night.
Day 10 – Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
Drive: about 2 hours to Ouarzazate, then 30 minutes to Ait Ben Haddou
Splitting this stretch gives you a gentler day. Stop at the rose-growing area around Kelaat M'Gouna (the rose festival is usually in spring), Skoura's palm groves, and Ouarzazate's Taourirt Kasbah. Sleep at Ait Ben Haddou and explore the ksar in the soft evening or early-morning light, when it is quieter.
Day 11 – Over the Atlas to Marrakech
Drive: about 3.5–4 hours
Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass (around 2,260 m), with stops at Amazigh villages and viewpoints. Arrive in Marrakech in the early afternoon.
Days 12–14 – Marrakech and the coast
Day 12 – Marrakech
A guided morning in the medina and souks, then free time for gardens, a hammam or a cooking class. See our Marrakech guide.
Day 13 – Essaouira
Drive: about 3 hours
Head west through argan country to Essaouira, a breezy fortified port town. Walk the ramparts, watch the fishing boats come in and enjoy fresh seafood.
Day 14 – Return to Marrakech
Drive: about 3 hours
Return to Marrakech for your flight, or extend with another night by the sea.
Variations
- Casablanca start: fly into Casablanca, visit the Hassan II Mosque and Rabat, then join the route at Chefchaouen (Rabat to Chefchaouen is roughly 4–4.5 hours).
- Add the High Atlas: replace Day 13 with a night in Imlil, about 1.5 hours from Marrakech, for village walks. Keen hikers could look at a Toubkal trek.
- Add the Draa Valley: a route via Zagora is possible, but Zagora to Merzouga is around 5–6 hours, so it needs an extra day.
Practical notes
- Pacing: only Day 7 is a really long drive, and it is followed by a full day in one place.
- Season: spring and autumn are most comfortable; winter brings cold desert nights and occasional snow on the Tichka pass.
- Accommodation: a mix of riads, guesthouses, kasbah hotels and a desert camp. Camp categories range from simple to luxury – compare them in our Sahara camp guide.
- Private driver: recommended for a circuit of this length, so you can adjust stops each day.
Start planning
Our 14-day complete Morocco tour follows a similar circuit and can be tailored to your flights and interests. If two weeks feels like too much, compare our 10-day itinerary or the Morocco grand tours guide. Send us your dates on WhatsApp via the contact page, or build your own version with build your tour.
