Morocco packs an astonishing variety into one country: imperial cities and medieval medinas, the High Atlas, Atlantic ports and the dunes of the Sahara – all within a day’s drive of each other. These are the ten places we recommend most often to guests planning their first private journey, with how long to stay and which of our tours includes each one.
At a glance. Best months: March–May and September–November · Ideal first trip: 8–12 days · Classic route: Casablanca or Marrakech → Fes → Sahara → Dades Valley → Marrakech · Getting around: private car with driver.
1. Marrakech
The Red City is Morocco at its most vibrant: the storytellers and food stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, the souks of the medina, the Bahia Palace and the cobalt-blue Jardin Majorelle – with some of the country’s most beautiful riads and restaurants. Stay three nights to enjoy it at a relaxed pace. See our guide to the best things to do in Marrakech.
2. Fes
Founded in the 9th century, Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and its spiritual and cultural capital. Its medina, Fes el-Bali, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world – a UNESCO World Heritage site of some 9,000 lanes, home to the Al Quaraouiyine university, beautiful madrasas and the famous leather tanneries. A private guide is essential here; plan two nights. Fes features on our 8-day and Imperial Cities tours.
3. The Sahara Desert at Merzouga
The dunes of Erg Chebbi rise up to 150 metres above the desert near Merzouga. Arrive by camel at sunset, spend the night in a luxury camp with dinner under the stars, and climb a dune for sunrise. With two nights, you have a full day to explore by 4×4, meet nomad families and hear Gnawa music in Khamlia. Read our guide to the best luxury desert camps in Merzouga, or see our 9-day tour with two desert nights.
4. Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
On the road between Marrakech and the desert, the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved earthen ksars in Morocco – you may recognise it from Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Nearby Ouarzazate, the “gateway to the desert”, is home to film studios and the Taourirt Kasbah. Both are visited on the way between the Dades Valley and Marrakech on our desert tours.
5. Chefchaouen, the Blue City
Tucked into the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its lanes washed in every shade of blue. It is a relaxed, photogenic town best enjoyed early in the morning or in the evening, after the day visitors have left – which is why we recommend staying the night. Visit it on our 10-day tour, or stay two nights on our 12-day tour.
6. The Atlas Mountains
Just an hour from Marrakech, the High Atlas offers cool air, walnut groves, waterfalls and Berber villages clinging to the slopes beneath Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. A day trip with an easy guided walk and lunch with a Berber family is one of the most authentic experiences in Morocco. It is included on our 11-day and Imperial Cities tours.
7. Essaouira
A breezy, whitewashed port on the Atlantic, Essaouira is the perfect place to slow down: walk the 18th-century ramparts, watch the blue fishing boats come in, eat grilled fish by the harbour and browse the art galleries of its UNESCO-listed medina. It is about two and a half hours from Marrakech, and the finale of our 13-day and 14-day tours.
8. Casablanca
Morocco’s largest city and main international airport is a modern, cosmopolitan place with Art Deco architecture and a lively corniche. Its highlight is the Hassan II Mosque, built partly over the Atlantic, with one of the tallest minarets in the world – and one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours. Most of our tours start here with a first night in the city.
9. Tangier
Facing Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier has long inspired writers and artists. Explore the kasbah and its museum, the Grand Socco and the cafés where Matisse and Paul Bowles once sat, then drive to Cap Spartel, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Tangier is also a convenient starting point for any of our journeys, especially if you arrive by ferry from Spain.
10. Rabat, the Capital
Calm, green and elegant, Rabat is Morocco’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the blue-and-white lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas above the ocean, and the Roman and Merinid ruins of the Chellah. Rabat is on the way between Casablanca and Fes or Chefchaouen on most of our tours, and has its own night on our Imperial Cities tour.
More Places Worth Including
Meknes and Volubilis
Between Rabat and Fes, Meknes was the grand capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with monumental gates such as Bab Mansour and vast royal granaries. A few kilometres away, Volubilis holds the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, with mosaic floors still in place and a triumphal arch standing among the olive groves. Both are visited on the way to Fes on most of our tours.
The Dades Valley and Todra Gorge
On the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” between the desert and Marrakech, the Dades Valley winds past rose fields, palm groves and earthen kasbahs, with dramatic rock formations and hairpin bends. Nearby, the Todra Gorge narrows to a corridor between 300-metre cliffs, wonderful for a short walk. We usually spend a night here to break the drive from the Sahara.
Ifrane and the Middle Atlas
Known as “the Switzerland of Morocco” for its Alpine-style houses, lakes and winter snow, Ifrane is a pleasant stop on the way from Fes to the desert. Just beyond, the cedar forests near Azrou are home to wild Barbary macaques.
Morocco’s fossil and mineral country
Around Alnif, Erfoud and the Kem Kem beds, the south-east is one of the richest fossil regions in the world, famous for trilobites and dinosaur remains. Our 11-day fossil tour, with a fossil and mineral expert, is designed for enthusiasts.
A Sample 10-Day Route
- Casablanca: arrival, the Hassan II Mosque and the corniche.
- Rabat and Chefchaouen: the capital’s Kasbah of the Udayas, then into the Rif mountains.
- Volubilis, Meknes and Fes: Roman ruins and an imperial capital on the way.
- Fes: a full day in the medina with a private guide.
- Ifrane and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga: cedar forests, then the desert.
- The Sahara: 4×4, nomad families, Khamlia, and a night in a luxury camp.
- Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley: canyons and kasbahs.
- Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas: to Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
- Marrakech: the medina, palaces and gardens with a private guide.
- Departure from Marrakech.
This is the route of our 10-day Morocco tour, with driving times, overnight stays and meals listed for each day.
The Best Places for Every Kind of Traveller
- Couples and honeymooners: a riad in Marrakech, a private dinner in the dunes of Merzouga and a few slow days in Essaouira.
- Families: camel rides and sandboarding in the Sahara, the film studios of Ouarzazate and the monkeys of the Middle Atlas – with shorter driving days.
- History and architecture lovers: the imperial cities of Fes, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech, Volubilis and the kasbahs of the south – see our Imperial Cities tour.
- Photographers: the blue lanes of Chefchaouen at dawn, the tanneries of Fes, sunrise over Erg Chebbi and the boats of Essaouira.
- Food lovers: Marrakech and Fes for markets and cooking classes, Essaouira for grilled fish, and Berber lunches in the Atlas villages.
- Walkers: the High Atlas around Imlil, the Todra Gorge and the Rif mountains around Chefchaouen.
Practical Tips for Travelling in Morocco
- Visas: citizens of the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit Morocco for up to 90 days without a visa – check the rules for your passport before you travel.
- Money: the currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). Cards are accepted in hotels and most restaurants; carry cash for markets and small purchases.
- Dress: light clothes that cover shoulders and knees are comfortable and respectful, particularly in medinas and villages. Pack warm layers for the desert and mountains.
- Languages: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are official, French is widely spoken, and English is common in tourism. Your driver and guides speak your language.
- Ramadan: travelling during Ramadan is perfectly possible; some restaurants close during the day, but evenings are especially lively.
How many days do you need?
7–8 days: Marrakech and the Sahara, or the imperial cities with one desert night – see our 7-day and 8-day tours. 10–12 days: add Chefchaouen and a second desert night – our 10-day tour is the most popular first journey. 13–14 days: the complete grand tour, ending by the sea in Essaouira. Every itinerary is private and can be adapted – tell us what you’d like to see and we’ll reply the same day.
Conclusion
From the medinas of Fes and Marrakech to the silence of the Sahara and the sea air of Essaouira, Morocco rewards travellers who take their time. With a private driver, certified local guides and hand-picked riads and desert camps, you can see the best of the country at your own pace. Browse all our private journeys or read what our travellers say.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Morocco?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal across the country. Winter is pleasant in the cities and the desert by day but cold at night; summer is very hot inland, though the Atlantic coast stays cool.
Where should I start my trip?
Casablanca and Marrakech have the most international flights, so most itineraries start in one and end in the other. Fes and Tangier also work well. All our tours are private, so they can start from any city.
Is it better to travel with a private driver?
For most visitors, yes. Distances are long and the most beautiful routes cross mountain passes. A private driver lets you stop wherever you like, and with local guides in each city you see far more than you would on your own.
Is Morocco safe for travellers?
Morocco is one of the most welcoming countries in Africa and is used to visitors. Take ordinary precautions in busy places; on a private tour, our team looks after you from arrival to departure, with support available 24/7.
More guides: 15 best things to do in Morocco, the best time to visit Morocco and a 10-day Morocco itinerary.
