Choosing where to go
| Destination | Best for | Days to spend | Best months | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | Medina, palaces, gardens, food, day trips | 3–4 | March–May, Oct–Nov | MarrakechIn-depth guide |
| Fez | The largest car-free medina, crafts, madrasas | 2–3 | March–May, Sept–Nov | FezIn-depth guide |
| Chefchaouen | The blue town, Rif hikes | 2 nights | April–June, Sept–Oct | ChefchaouenIn-depth guide |
| Merzouga | Sahara dunes, desert camps | 1–2 nights | October–April | MerzougaIn-depth guide |
| Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou | Kasbahs, film sets, valleys | 1–2 nights | October–May | OuarzazateIn-depth guide |
| Atlas Mountains | Toubkal, Imlil, Ourika, Ouzoud | 1–5 days | April–June, Sept–Oct | AtlasIn-depth guide |
| Essaouira | Walled port, beaches, wind sports | 2–3 nights | April–October | EssaouiraIn-depth guide |
| Casablanca | Hassan II Mosque, Art Deco, arrivals | 1–2 | Year-round | CasablancaIn-depth guide |
| Rabat | Capital, Kasbah of the Udayas, Chellah | 1–2 | Year-round | RabatIn-depth guide |
| Tangier | Kasbah, Strait of Gibraltar, ferries | 1–2 | May–October | TangierIn-depth guide |
The big cities
MarrakechIn-depth guide is where most trips start. The red-walled medina, Jemaa el-Fna, the Bahia Palace and the Jardin Majorelle fill two or three days, and the city is the launch point for the High Atlas, the Agafay desert and Essaouira.
FezIn-depth guide is the cultural heart of the country. Fes el-Bali, founded in the 9th century, is a UNESCO-listed maze of madrasas, fondouks and workshops; a licensed guide for the first day saves time. Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis are an easy day trip.
CasablancaIn-depth guide and RabatIn-depth guide sit an hour apart by train. Casablanca has the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours; Rabat, the capital, is calm, green and walkable.
TangierIn-depth guide faces Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. The Al Boraq high-speed train links it to Rabat and Casablanca, and ferries arrive from Tarifa and Algeciras.
Mountains and desert
The Atlas MountainsIn-depth guide range from easy day trips to the Ourika valley to the two-day ascent of Toubkal (4,167 m), for which a licensed guide is required.
Ouarzazate and Aït BenhaddouIn-depth guide lie south of the High Atlas, on the road to the desert: the earthen ksar of Aït Benhaddou, the film studios and the palm groves of Skoura.
MerzougaIn-depth guide is the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Plan at least one night in a desert camp; it is 9–10 hours by road from Marrakech, so most people include it in a 3-day loop.
The coast and the north
EssaouiraIn-depth guide is a relaxed, windy port town three hours from Marrakech, with a UNESCO-listed medina, a working fishing harbour and long beaches.
ChefchaouenIn-depth guide is the blue town of the Rif Mountains, best combined with Fez or Tangier, with walks to the Akchour waterfalls.
Other places
Asilah, Tetouan, Meknes, Ifrane, Agadir, Taghazout, Taroudant, the Todra and Dades gorges, Zagora and Dakhla appear in our itineraries. You will find all of them, with GPS coordinates and a short description, on our map of Morocco.
How to combine them
- One week: Marrakech, the High Atlas, a night in the Sahara and Essaouira — see the 7-day itinerary.In-depth guide
- Ten days: Marrakech to Fez via the desert, then Chefchaouen — see the 10-day itinerary.In-depth guide
- Two or three weeks: the full loop from the north to the coast — see the 14-day and 21-day itineraries.In-depth guide
Getting between them is covered in our transport guide, and the best season for each region in when to visit Morocco.In-depth guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the best city to visit in Morocco for a first trip?
Marrakech is the easiest first stop: direct flights from Europe and beyond, a compact medina and many day trips. Fez is the better choice if you are mainly interested in history and crafts.
How many days do you need in Morocco?
One week is enough for Marrakech, the Atlas and a night in the Sahara. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Fez, Chefchaouen and the coast without rushing.
Can you visit the Sahara from Marrakech?
Yes, but Merzouga is 9–10 hours away by road, so plan a 3-day trip. For a shorter taste of the desert, the stony Agafay desert is about 40 minutes from Marrakech.
Which Moroccan city is the most relaxing?
Essaouira and Chefchaouen are the calmest, followed by Rabat. Marrakech and Fez are more intense, especially in the medinas.
This guide was last reviewed in November 2026. Entry rules, opening hours, transport timetables and prices change; check official sources shortly before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.