How to enjoy a delightful 2 Weeks Morocco Itinerary

Spending a wonderful 2 weeks Morocco itinerary will allow you to tick some must-see destinations off your travel wish list. A heady mix of colourful cultures and ancient traditions, Morocco engages your senses from the minute you arrive. Behind every fortified wall is an adventure in art, architecture and cuisine. Beyond the cities, awesome landscapes await.

Stretching from the Mediterranean Shores and Rif Mountains in the north to the Atlantic coastline in the west, and the Sahara Desert in the south, Morocco has one of the most diverse landscapes in the whole of Africa. Running through the middle of the country, the Atlas Mountains are a hikers paradise, while the fertile plains are home to Morocco’s imperial cities, Marrakesh and Fez.

It’s a big country, but in two weeks you can comfortably cover most of Morocco’s must-see locations. Follow this 2 weeks Morocco itinerary to make the most out of the marvellous country.

2 week Morocco Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Casablanca
Days 2-3: Chefchaouen
Days 4-5: Fez
Days 6-7: Sahara Desert
Day 8: Todra Gorge
Day 9: Ait Ben Haddou
Day 10: Aroumd, High Atlas Mountains
Day 11-12: Essaouira
Days 13-14: Marrakech
Day 15: Head Home

Day 1: Casablanca

Fly into Casablanca airport

Casablanca is a popular starting point for travellers wishing to explore Morocco. Since you’re only here for one night, opt for a hotel close to the Old Medina. Easily explored on foot, the Old Medina is the oldest surviving part of the city and is characterised by its labyrinth laneways lined with colourful spice stalls and busy cafes.

Where to stay in Casablanca

Located in the heart of Casablanca, close to the Old Medina, is the five-star Hyatt Regency. Decked out in contemporary style, the luxurious rooms include thoughtful touches like fancy bathtubs and comfy armchairs, while some of the rooms afford spectacular views of the Great Hassan II Mosque.

Where to Eat in Casablanca

If you’re in the mood for music, head to La Bodega, a lively Spanish-style tapas bar where every night is a fiesta. For a more classy establishment, Le Rouget De L’Isle serves up old school french dishes. With only 12 tables, be sure to make a reservation.

Day 2-3: Chefchaouen

4 hours, 40-minute drive from Casablanca

Dubbed the “Blue Pearl of Morocco,” Chefchaouen is a beautiful picture of blue and white buildings and gorgeous alleyways. Tucked away in Morocco’s Rif Mountains, with a rich history and a melting pot of cultures, Chefchaouen has something to offer every type of traveller.

Get lost in the city’s narrow, blue-hued streets, before finding your way to Chefchaouen’s colourful medina, one of the loveliest medinas in Morocco. Small and uncrowded, the medina is easy to explore and is packed full of local artisans selling handmade goods including handwoven blankets and patterned bags, silver plates and jewellery, as well as other intricate trinkets. In the heart of the medina is the cobbled Plaza Uta El Hammam, lined with cafes and restaurants that overlook the 15th century Grand Mosque.

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ll find it in the stunning Tessalamante National Park, home to the impressive Grand Cascade and Gods Bridge. The park can be reached in under 45 minutes from Chefchaoeun. For something more challenging, take on the 9-hour ascent to the top of Jebel El Kelaa for spectacular views over Chefchaouen.

Where to stay in Chefchaouen

Among the city’s iconic blue lanes, Lina Ryad is a luxe guesthouse close to the medina and mosque. It has large, comfy rooms decorated with intricate archways and ornate floor tiles, as well as balconies or terraces. For something more modest, Dar Gabriel offers a cosy and comfortable option in the historic quarters. Rooms are simple yet stylish, and the hotel’s rooftop terrace offers gorgeous views over the town.

What to eat in Chefchaouen

Follow your nose through the winding streets of Chefchaouen to find the best local cuisine. Set yourself up for a day of sightseeing with a traditional pastry from Hamsa Cafe. For lunch, try Chefchaouen’s signature tagine, made with more than 30 fresh spices including turmeric, cardamom, cumin, paprika and ginger. Tissemlal is a small family-run affair, serving up traditional dishes in a cosy and authentic environment. Don’t be surprised if you’re served a cup of mint tea with dinner, which is believed to cleanse the palate and help digestion after a hearty meal.

Day 4-5: Fès

3.5-hour drive from Chefchaouen

Set in the lowlands between the Rif and Middle Atlas mountain ranges, the city of Fès has long been regarded as Morocco’s cultural and spiritual heartland. The city’s two original ancient quarters – Fès el Bali (old Fès) and Fès el Djedid (new Fès) – together form the UNESCO-protected Medina of Fès.

Fès el Bali is considered the medina’s heart and soul, where you’ll find labyrinthine streets lined with atmospheric souks, ornate fountains and local hammams. The Chaouwara tanneries are one of the city’s most iconic sites, offering a window into the leather tanning process – traditional methods that have remained the same for centuries.

At the heart of the medina, the Kairaouine Mosque is one of Africa’s biggest mosques, which stands adjacent to the world’s oldest university, with origins dating back to the mid-9th century.

Where to stay in Fès

Situated on the edge of the Ville Nouvelle, Hotel Sahrai blends the comforts of modern luxury with Moroccan heritage. Indulge at the Givenchy Spa, browse the luxury boutique or take a dip in the pool.

Where to eat in Fès

Learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine in an authentic cooking class. The Clock kitchen and Fès Cooking School both take you on a tour of the markets to buy fresh ingredients to make a traditional Moroccan meal. For those who don’t want to work for their meal, the Chez Rachid serves tasty tagines at modest prices. Or, for something swanky, dine above the medina in the rooftop restaurant, L’Amandier.

Days 6-7: Merzouga/Sahara Desert

7-hour drive from Fès

Merzouga sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert, overlooking the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. There are few places on earth that compare to the undulating landscape of the Sahara Desert. Here, camels create the perfect silhouette stomping through the shifting sands that rise dramatically from the land. Spend your days sandboarding, explore the dunes by 4WD, or join a camel safari – by far the most authentic way to experience the desert. Many tour operators include an overnight stay at a desert camp or a Berber village. For something extra special, take in the spectacular Sahara landscape from above on a hot air balloon ride.

Where to stay in Merzouga

After a long drive from Fès, check in to the Riad Azawad – a comfortable and convenient location in Merzouga, complete with a pool, restaurant and bar. The following day, travel deep into the Erg Chebbi desert for an overnight stay at the Desert Luxury Camp. Far from traditional camping, each luxury suite is beautifully decorated and equipped with a king-size bed, a seating area and an ensuite bathroom. Hammocks, cushioned seating areas and campfires are dotted throughout the main camp.

Where to eat in Merzouga

There isn’t a huge choice of food options in Merzouga, and most visitors dine at their lodgings. However, Restaurant Cafe MORENO and Cafe Restaurant Merzouga are both reasonable options.

Day 8: Todra Gorge

3-hour drive from Merzouga

On approach to the Dade Valley, the magnificent Todra Gorge wows with its scale. Here, a 300m-deep fault splits the orange limestone into a deep ravine that’s just wide enough for a river and hiking path to pass through. Rock climbers come from all over the globe to take on the heights of these gigantic rock walls, but if that sounds too adventurous, there are plenty of hiking routes, many of which pass through Berber settlements.

Where to stay in Todra Gorge

Overlooking the river on one side, and facing the gorge on the other, the Auberge De La Vallee is a comfortable and convenient option for travellers looking for a no-frills motel. Or, check into the eco-friendly Auberge Le Festival where you can spend your evenings soaking in the hot tub or dining in the hotel’s a la carte restaurant.

Where to eat in Todra Gorge

Most travellers take their meals at their hotels. The best option is to pack a picnic, otherwise, good dining spots include Camping le Soleil and the restaurants in the small village of Aït Baha Tizgui.

Day 9: Aït Benhaddou

3-hour drive from Todra Gorge

Situated in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains in the Province of Ouarzazate, the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, is a striking example of Moroccan architecture. Dating back to the 12th century, the UNESCO World Heritage site is an impressive labyrinth of crumbling dwellings surrounded by earthen ramparts and towers. After exploring the ksar, climb to the top of the hill for spectacular views of the village.

Where to stay in Aït Benhaddou

Located in the heart of the historic ksar, Kasbah Tebi is a traditional B&B is an authentic Berber Kasbah. Served on the terrace at the top of the kasbah, overlooking the valley, breakfast here is a real highlight.

Where to eat in Aït Benhaddou

Just before the footbridge across to the ksar, Cafe-Restaurant Amlalte is a laid-back eatery serving soups, salads and tagines. For lunch with a view, the terrace at Auberge Cafe Restaurant has a great a la carte menu.

Day 10: Aroumd, Atlas Mountains

6-hour drive from Aït Benhaddou

Peppered with remote Berber villages and spectacular flora filled valleys, the Atlas Mountains offer both a peaceful retreat and a haven for hiking. The small Moroccan settlement, Imlil, sits at an elevation of 1,800 metres and is the last stop on the tarmac road. From here, take a guided mule ride up the mountain to the Berber village of Aroumd where visitors can experience traditional hospitality away from the trekker’s path. Adventurous travellers can scale the summit of Toubkal Mountain, Morocco’s highest peak.

Where to stay in Aroumd

You won’t find a huge choice of accommodation in this mountain village, but the Dar Imperial is a comfortable country house, complete with a terrace and an onsite restaurant.

Where to eat in Aroumd/Imlil

There are a few simple restaurants in Imlil, but the options are limited in Aroumd. Most hotels, including the Dar Imperial, will prepare a picnic lunch upon request.

Day 11-12: Essaouira

4-hour mule ride and drive from Aroumd

The quiet, laid-back coastal town of Essaouira is a painter’s dream location with a blue-and-white medina, encircled by sand-coloured ramparts and fortified gates. The town’s name means “little picture” in Arabic and when you step inside this secluded medina it’s immediately clear why. Within the walls, visitors wander the maze of shops selling everything from leather goods and straw bags, to spices, rugs and jewellery. The town has become a creative hub for painting and sculpture, with small galleries and studios dotted all over town. Beyond the colourful port, sandy coves and lofty waves make Essaouira a year-round hotspot for surfers.

Where to stay

Built into the walls of the medina, overlooking the ocean, Heure Bleue Palais is the most sought after address in town. The luxurious hideaway offers peaceful rooms and a heated rooftop pool. For something more modest, Villa Beldi Essaouira is an artist-owned abode, where wellbeing and relaxation are the daily mantras.

Where to eat

For traditional Moroccan cuisine, Adwak has got your cravings covered. If your tastebuds are tired of tagines, Silvestro is an authentic, Italian-run eatery that serves up delicious pizza and pasta dishes. For lunch, join the hipsters at Beach and Friends, a harbourfront restaurant serving up a selection of international and local dishes.

Days 13-14: Marrakech

3-hour drive from Essaouira

Nothing can prepare you for the heady sights, sounds and smells of Marrakech. Take a sensory wander through the colourful and chaotic souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, lined with snake charmers, musicians and dancers.

After hours of haggling, the Le Jardin Secret (Secret Garden), in the midst of the medina, is a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle. Sip traditional mint tea on the second-floor terrace while you take in panoramic views of the city. Just a short walk from the medina, Jardin Majorelle – an Eden-like garden restored by Yves Saint Laurent – is a must-see for art enthusiasts.

When your legs need a rest, renew the mind, bold and soul in one of the city’s many hammams (a Moroccan bathhouse) – a traditional, Moroccan bathing ritual that’s as much about cleansing as it is relaxing. Though the experience may vary from place to place, the hammam is usually split into three steps: Bare all in a hot steam room; get lathered and scrubbed to remove dead skin; and finally, bathe in cold water for a refreshing finish.

Where to stay in Marrakech

Just a short walk from the medina, La Maison Arabe is an intimate guest house that offers unpretentious luxury. Be sure to book into the riad’s in-house restaurant, home to the city’s oldest Moroccan cooking school.

Where to eat in Marrakech

As dusk falls, head to the famous Djemaa el Fna Square, in the heart of Marrakech, to enjoy a warming dish of lamb tagine. Just behind Hotel Marrakesh is Katsura, famed for its delicious Thai food.