Morocco 10-Day Itinerary: The Perfect First Trip from Casablanca to Marrakech

Ten days in Morocco is the sweet spot: long enough to experience the full contrast between the Atlantic coast, the imperial cities, and the Sahara desert without feeling rushed, and short enough to work within most people's annual leave allowance. The route below — Casablanca arrival, Fez, the Sahara, Marrakech — is the most complete single circuit of Morocco available in 10 days, covering the country's four greatest experiences. We have been running variations of this tour for over a decade, and it works.

Day 1: Arrive Casablanca. Most international flights to Morocco land at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport. Transfer to the city and spend the afternoon at the Hassan II Mosque (guided tour), followed by a walk through the Art Deco Habous quarter. Dinner at a traditional restaurant near the Corniche. Night in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca to Fez via Rabat and Meknes. Drive north through Rabat (the modern capital — the Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas, and the royal palace district deserve 2 hours), then east through Meknes (Bab Mansour gate, Moulay Ismail mausoleum, the granaries and stables of an 18th-century royal capital), arriving in Fez by evening. Night in a medina riad in Fez.

Day 3 & 4: Fez medina. Two full days in Fez el-Bali with a licensed local guide. Day 3 covers the main circuit: Bou Inania Madrasa, Chouara Tanneries, Al-Attarine souk, Nejjarine square, the Mellah Jewish quarter, and the Blue Gate. Day 4 is more exploratory: the Andalusian Quarter across the river, a cooking class or craft workshop, the ceramic quarter of Ain Khleij, and the panoramic view from the Merenid Tombs above the medina at sunset. Two nights in Fez.

Day 5: Fez to Merzouga via Middle Atlas. Early departure south through Ifrane (Swiss Morocco), Azrou cedar forest (Barbary macaques), the Ziz Gorges, and the palm-lined Ziz Valley. Arrive Merzouga late afternoon for the camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and the first night in the desert camp. Day 6: Sahara. Sunrise over the dunes, Rissani market, optional quad biking or 4x4 excursion in the afternoon, second night in the camp. Day 7: Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge and Dades Valley — the most spectacular driving day of the tour. Day 8: Ait Benhaddou, the Tizi n'Tichka pass, and arrival in Marrakech. Days 9 & 10: Marrakech — medina, souks, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden, Djemaa el-Fnaa. Transfer to Marrakech airport for departure.