How Many Days to Spend in Morocco

How many days should you spend in Morocco? That's one of the most frequently asked questions from our customers. Generally, we suggest 8-10 days for first-time visitors to Morocco. This duration allows you to enjoy the classic cities, including Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat, and maybe spend a couple of days in the Sahara Desert.

You may wonder whether it is possible to explore Morocco within one week, or what if you want to take two weeks or even longer for a holiday in Morocco. In this guide, you will find answers to these questions, along with ideas to help you plan a proper itinerary.

8-10 Days in Morocco: Most Popular Duration

Last year, we took hundreds of visitors to Morocco, and about 45% of them spent 8-10 days in the country. Normally, this is enough time to explore the classic highlights, such as the famous imperial cities of Morocco and the Sahara Desert.

The itinerary can be arranged as below:

Casablanca (Day 1) - Rabat (Day 2) - Meknes & Volubilis (Day 3) - Fez (Day 4) - Merzouga (Day 5) - Skoura (Day 6) - Ouarzazate (Day 7) - Marrakech (Day 8-9/10)

As the economic hub of the country, Casablanca is the most common arrival city for visitors. However, it is not really a major tourist city. So, you can spend just one day here to see the city's landmark, the beautiful Hassan II Mosque.

On the second day, head to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco and one of the country's imperial cities. Here, you can wander through the ancient ruins of Chellah, admire the unique architecture of Hassan Tower, visit Kasbah of the Udayas, and appreciate the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Rabat and the solemnity of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

From Rabat to Fez, you can explore Meknes and Volubilis along the way. Spend two nights in Fez, where you can walk through the old medina and feel the rich history all around you. After Fez, your journey will take on a completely different atmosphere as you spend the next three days exploring the famous Sahara Desert. The drive from Fez to Erfoud (the gateway to the Sahara) is quite long, taking about seven hours. From Erfoud, you can take a 4×4 jeep into the golden dunes of Merzouga.

A luxury desert camp in Merzouga is highly recommended. Just imagine how wonderful it is: watching the sunrise and sunset over the golden dunes and spending a quiet night around a campfire under the stars. After that, continue to Skoura, passing the spectacular Todra Gorge along the way. Then visit Aït Benhaddou near Ouarzazate, a famous filming location that appeared in the TV series Game of Thrones. It is a great place for photos and for learning about Morocco's history and architecture.

The final destination is Marrakech, where it is worth spending two or three days exploring. There are many fascinating places to visit, including Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, and Jardin Majorelle. Don't forget to spend an evening exploring the lively souks at Jemaa el-Fna, one of the best places to experience local life.

Note: Marrakech also has an international airport, making it convenient to connect with your flight home. If you enter Morocco from Marrakech instead of Casablanca, you can simply follow the itinerary in the opposite direction.

About 2 Weeks in Morocco: Ideal for Family, Honeymoon or See More

Although the duration of 8-10 days is popular, it may not suit every traveler.

If you are on a family vacation with kids, you may need two or three more days because children usually need more breaks during a trip. With a longer itinerary, you can leave extra free time so your kids can rest. For example, you could break down a day's exploration into two days, leaving each day with a free afternoon if possible. Instead of rushing, you might spend two days exploring Rabat and three days in Fez, which can help make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.

If you are planning a honeymoon or an anniversary trip and would like to include several beach days, spending about two weeks in Morocco may fit your needs better. In this case, you can extend your trip to Essaouira after visiting Marrakech. This laid-back coastal city enjoys pleasant weather almost all year round. It's a great place to relax after days of sightseeing and spend some sweet time with your loved one.

Of course, if you are someone who likes to see as much as possible, about two weeks will give you more options. You could add Tangier after Rabat to visit Cape Spartel and the famous Hercules Caves, where you can see the natural opening shaped like the map of Africa. Then continue to Chefchaouen to enjoy its charming blue-and-white buildings set against the mountain scenery. After that, you can connect your journey to Volubilis, Fez, and the other destinations mentioned earlier.

Is 5-7 Days in Morocco Enough?

Is 5-7 days in Morocco enough? After reading what we mentioned above, you might think the answer is "probably not." However, it is still possible to tick off some of the highlights.

With this limited time, it is recommended that you focus on one region and choose 2-4 classic destinations instead of trying to see everything. Here are some itinerary ideas:

• Sahara Desert Tour: Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Erfoud - Marrakech
• Imperial Cities: Marrakech - Fez - Rabat - Casablanca
• Northern Morocco: Tangier - Chefchaouen - Fez - Rabat - Casablanca
• Atlas Mountains Hiking: Marrakech - Imlil - Marrakech

Plan Your Morocco Tour With Odynovo

Morocco is a vast country, so planning the itinerary and arranging connections between destinations can be quite complicated, especially for first-time visitors. Odynovo, with over two decades of experience in providing private and tailor-made Morocco tours, can be your ideal travel companion.

Click to contact us or write to [email protected], and we will create a personalized trip that fits your travel duration and helps make every day in Morocco unforgettable.