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Are you heading to Morocco? Wanting to have that dream Moroccan adventure but don’t know where to start or where to go? No worries because I have it all planned out for you right here. This is my exact Morocco itinerary covering so much of the country over 18 days. Use it to relax and forget the stress. Instead, get out there and enjoy Morocco!Morocco is known for its medinas, souks, colorful cities, and of course, the Sahara desert. There are many cultural influences including French, Spanish, and Berber. The people are friendly, the terrain diverse and motorhome travel is popular. My Morocco itinerary takes you all around Morocco including where to stay, eat, and what to do. Here is how to spend 18 days in Morocco!
18-Day Morocco Itinerary
DAY 1-Arrival in Marrakech
We flew into Marrakech and transferred from the airport to our riad located on the edge of the medina.
We took the rest of the day easy, explored some of the medina and then called it a night early to get a good night’s sleep.
Travel Tips
Kosybar
Riad Dar Anika
DAY 2-Day Trip to Ouzoud Falls from Marrakech
On your first full day, take a day trip to the amazing Ouzoud Falls. Can you say waterfalls, rainbows, and monkeys? Oh, my! 😜 It’s a perfect day trip for families but here are things to know when traveling to Morocco with kids. This takes up the entire day so when you return to Marrakech, it will be time to freshen up and have a nice dinner.
DAY 3-Travel to Essaouira
Say goodbye temporarily to Marrakech (you’re coming back), but today you’re taking the bus to the coastal town of Essaouira. I know this sounds a little incohesive, but you can’t fly into Essaouira (internationally). And, since Essaouira is a bit out of the way (in the opposite direction) and Marrakech is the point of departure for the Sahara desert, why not get a good night’s sleep your first night in the country and break up the heat of Marrakech with a breezy, beach getaway?
Upon arrival in Essaouira, check into your riad or hotel. Then, spend time wandering through perhaps my favorite medina in Morocco-here’s a great guide to shopping in Morocco to help!
Afterwards, wind down the day with a leisurely dinner.
Travel Tips
Best Things to Do in Essaouira: Exploring a Moroccan Beach Town
Marrakech to Essaouira is 3 hrs (1 bathroom stop)
La Table by Madada
Riad Perle d’Eau
DAY 4-Essaouira
After a big breakfast on the rooftop of the riad, have a lazy, relaxing day. Check out Skala du Port (great views of the town), the Essaouira Citadel (with all of its blue fishing boats), and Skala du Ville (GoT filming location) before heading over to take a stroll along Essaouira Beach.
Take an afternoon break for piña coladas and head back to explore more of the medina. Enjoy the cooler, coastal climate and get ready for dinner.
DAY 5-Travel Back to Marrakech
Beach break is over! Today you head back to Marrakech and arrive in the mid-afternoon. After checking into your riad, have lunch and then get out and explore Marrakech or spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool as we did. Check out the post below to see why we could NOT tear ourselves away!
Venture out somewhere nice for dinner and call it a perfect day!
Travel Tips
The Royal Mansour: A Royal Experience at the Best Luxury Hotel in Marrakech
Essaouira to Marrakech is 3 hrs (1 bathroom stop)
Le Jardin, Amaia
Royal Mansour Marrakech
DAY 6-Marrakech
Today, after another fabulous Moroccan breakfast at your riad (the freshly squeezed OJ in Morocco is like none other), head over to Ben Youssef but check first to see if it’s reopened as it was closed for restoration when we were there.
Also, check out Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, as well as Jardin Majorelle. However, avoid the tanneries in Marrakech as most of them are scams. Finish up with the medina and have dinner. This would also be a great time to do a Moroccan food tour!
Travel Tips
The Royal Mansour: A Royal Experience at the Best Luxury Hotel in Marrakech
Le Grand Balcon Café Glacier
Royal Mansour Marrakech
DAY 7-Marrakech to Atlas Mountains-Ourzarzate-Dadès Gorges
Get excited because today you start your long (but amazing) journey to the Sahara Desert via the Atlas Mountains. Learn about the Atlas Mountain range, the Berber people, visit kasbahs, and the Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate. Spend the first night in Dadés Gorges.
DAY 8-Dadés Gorges to Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
Finally, the day is here! But…before you get to the Sahara Desert, see Todra Gorge and Valley Todra with the old kasbah villages. Eventually, the terrain changes and you see the start of the bronze sand. Then, off-road it to camp in the 4×4.
Arriving in the Sahara Desert is amazing…
Be sure to take a sunset camel ride!
DAY 9-Sahara Desert to Fes
Eat a big breakfast and grab some snacks, this will be the longest day in the car (10-12 hours depending on stops). Go through the Michlifene Cedar Forest and if you’re lucky, see families of wild monkeys!
Finally, arrive in Fes, check into your riad and have dinner.
You might also like: WHAT TO WEAR IN MOROCCO: THE ULTIMATE PACKING LIST FOR WOMEN
DAY-10 Fes
The best OJ in all of Morocco was in this Fes riad. Powered by it and a great breakfast, head out to see all Fes has to offer. Be sure to wander through the medina and see Rainbow Street and all the colorful purses and shoes. Also check out the Medrasa, all of the gates and Borj Nord and Sud (North and South Towers).
This is also where you want to visit a tannery. The Fez Tannery Medina is pretty cool and is not a scam. Quite the opposite actually. They were friendly and expected nothing in return.
DAY 11-Day Trip to Meknes and Volubilis from Fes
A day trip to Meknes and Volubilis is easy from Fes and are cool locations to check out. After returning, finish up anything you’ve yet to explore in Fes and grab dinner!
DAY 12-Fes to Chefchaouen
Today, you head to my favorite city, Chefchaouen, by bus. Chefchaouen is known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco and I’m sure you can see why. After you arrive and check in at your riad, have some free time to explore the medina before dinner.
Travel Tips
Things to Do in Chefchaouen: Exploring the Blue Pearl of Morocco
Fes to Chefchaouen is 4 hrs (1 bathroom stop)
Riad Rifandalus
DAY 13-Chefchaouen
Continue your exploration of the beautiful blue city today. Take your time, don’t be in a hurry. There’s a laid-back quality to Chefchaouen. There’s a heavy Spanish influence and the people are extremely friendly. Don’t miss Instagram Alley, the Rainbow Steps, and all the BLUE you can find! Watch the sunset from the Spanish Mosque!
DAY 14-Chefchaouen to Asilah
Unfortunately, you leave the Blue City today but you travel to the coastal town of Asilah. We shared a taxi with a couple we met who were also from the US. We were all staying in the same riad in Asilah so it cut down the cost and it was fun swapping travel stories with our new friends. However, you if plan on renting a car check out these tips for driving in Morocco.
After you arrive in Asilah and check into your riad, explore the medina. Asilah is very artsy and has lots of pretty doors and murals. I even bought a colorful mini dress at Nieve’s Store on Commerce Street!
Travel Tips
Chefchaouen to Asilah is 2 hrs 30 min (avg)
Christina’s House
DAY 15-Asilah to Rabat
Today, it’s time to head to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, via train. Two first-class train tickets only cost 28 USD. Once we arrived in Rabat, we had about a 15-minute walk to our Airbnb. Have lunch, explore the medina, and end the day indulging in a private Moroccan Hammam Spa experience.
Travel Tips
Yamal Acham
Airbnb near the Grand Poste
DAY 16-Rabat
On your second day in the Moroccan capital, have lunch somewhere new and then check out Kasbah Oudaias and see their “blue city”. Visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Then it’s time for dinner!
Travel Tips
Dar Naji, Cosmopolitan
Airbnb near the Grand Poste
DAY 17-Rabat to Casablanca
Time to head to the final city on this 18-day Morocco Itinerary. Today, travel from Rabat to Casablanca via train. After you arrive in Casablanca and check into your hotel, visit the Hassan II Mosque. It’s a pretty cool experience. Later, check out Arabia Parc League, the Sacre Coeur, and the Square. Have dinner somewhere iconic!
Travel Tips
One Day in Casablanca, Morocco: Hotel, Highlights & Historical Eats
Rabat to Casablanca is 1 hr 30 min
Rick’s Cafe
Grand Mogador Casablanca
DAY 18-Travel Home or Onward
And just like that, it’s day 18 and time to go home or travel onward. If you’re looking to travel onward, we spent the next week in Paris which paired well with Morocco’s high French influence.
If You Have Less Time…
Omit:
- Asilah
- Rabat
- Meknes and Volubilis
Change:
- Marrakech from 4 days to 2 days
- Fes from 3 days to 2 days (with the omission of Meknes and Volubilis)
- Essaouira from 2 days to 1 day
Keep:
- Marrakech to Fes (or the reverse) 3-day Sahara Desert Tour. It will be the favorite activity of the entire adventure! Also, it really can’t be done pleasantly in less than 3 days due to its remote location.
- Chefchaouen
If You Have More Time…
Extend Your Stay:
- Chefchaouen
What To Wear
So glad you asked! 😉 For everything I packed including the two items that were ROCK STARS (both in terms of knockout things to wear and popularity with Moroccans), see what to wear in Morocco!
Best WiFi Access
Check out what kept me connected to wifi throughout my trip in Morocco including my time in the Sahara Desert! 🙌
PIN IT!
My trip to Morocco was an extraordinary adventure that I highly recommend if you get the chance. Morocco is uniquely different and the varying landscapes were pleasantly surprising!
Have you been to Morocco? What was your favorite city to visit or activity to do? If you haven’t been, what place in Morocco would you like to visit most? Let me know below!
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
Thanks for including a section on what to wear in Morocco. I have Morocco on my bucket and it’s good to have options on what attire to carry along with me. Your photos are amazing.. there are very beautiful places in Morocco. An 18-day must have been a lot of fun!
Hi Lora-I’m so glad you like the post and found it helpful. Also, thank you for the compliments on my photos. Morocco is very easy to photograph because it is so colorful and pretty. I hope you get to go soon and are well-prepared with the right clothes. To help even more, I have this post on what to wear and pack for Morocco too! Thanks for reading! 🙂
This Morocco itinerary looks like exactly what I was after, everything I knew I wanted to see plus a few stunning spots I had not heard of. Thanks for sharing, it has saved me a ton of time.
Hi Paula-So glad it was helpful. Morocco is beautiful and I hope you get to go soon. Thanks for reading! 🙂
This itinerary seems to cover everything Morocco can offer! Great city stays like in Fes, Casablanca, or Chefchaouen, the desert experience at sunset, a relaxing Hamman treat… We would probably spend a few more days in Essaouira for kitesurfing since this is a great spot there.
Hi Patricia-Yes, Essaouira is perfect for kitesurfing if you do that. So I would definitely plan longer there! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to do a camel ride through the Sahara – so inspiring to see your pictures and read about getting there! The medinas sound like they’d be a lot of fun to see and to experience.
Hi Jim-It was a lot of fun…I highly recommend doing it if you get the chance. It was one of those surreal life experiences for me. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Morocco is a bucket list destination for me. For someone budgeting for this trip, what did you spend per person?
Hi Kristina-Great question! I need to check a couple of things to really answer it correctly so I will email you! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I have loved your Morocco content. 18 days. Wow! Ouzoud Falls is still absolutely stunning and I love all the colors of Morocco.
Hi Jenn and Ed-Ouzoud Falls is gorgeous and Morocco is so fun and most definitely colorful. I’m glad you have enjoyed all of my posts. There are a couple more still to come. Thanks for reading! 🙂
I’m so happy I found this post, Morocco has been on my list of places I need to visit for so long! You have really made the city shine in its vibrant and enticing colors and designs! Looks like an artists dream. I think the Sahara Desert ride looks amazing! Such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thanks for all the very valuable information. Will keep this post in mind for when I make the move to visit!
Hi Samantha-Thank you, I’m so glad you like it! Yes, the desert is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for sure and my favorite part I think! Morocco was so great because it was so colorful. Hope you get to visit soon. Thanks for reading! 🙂
This is really useful, were hoping to go to Morocco in the near future so this will be really valuable when we’re planning where to visit. It’s somewhere we’ve wanted to visit for a while and your photos really capture it so well, it just look beautiful.
Hi Nic-So glad you find it useful! You will love Morocco. I hope you get to go soon and this post helps you plan your trip well. Thanks for reading! 🙂
I have never been but have always wanted to go. I didn’t realize going to Ouzoud Falls would take a full day, so good to know for when I plan my day there. I think Chefchaouen would be my favorite city too. There is just something about everything being blue there! Heading over now to read your post on what to wear in Morocco 🙂
Hi Candy-Yes, Ouzoud Falls is a good day trip and Chefchaouen is so pretty! Hope you get to go soon and find the what to wear post helpful. Thanks for reading! 🙂
What a delightful itinerary! This is something for everybody…city stays in Fez and Marrakesh for the urban explorer and stays in the desert for the adventure lover. Chefchaouen is such a pretty destination <3 I never tire of looking at travel photos from Morocco…it is such an interesting country. Plus the crafts and the food are amazing!
Hi Mohana and Aninda-I totally agree! It is quite an interesting country and I love Chefchaouen! Have you been to Morocco? Thanks for reading! 🙂
Therese was just there — as you know — and we’re heading back for our own 18 day adventure in a few months. Will be fun to share notes. Nice capture of the blue boats and bird in Essaouira! And REALLY like the camel silhouette … well done!!!
Hi Michael-You’re going back? Yay! You will love it and obviously, Therese did. Thank you so much-Essaouira is so much fun for photography and can’t exactly take credit for the camel silhouette. Our guide took it! I thought we did a great job posing though! LOL! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Such a comprehensive list! I want to go to Morocco so bad, especially after your post. I’ll probably start with the pretty ones like Chefchaouen! Love the fact that there is everything for each kind of traveler.
Hi Ketki-I’m glad you like it and Chefchaouen is absolutely beautiful. Hope you get to go to Morocco soon! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I think this is on many people’s bucket list, so the more we know the more inspired we are to travel there. Me included! Almost planned for earlier this year, but it got bumped.
I love how you outlined your post with the full itinerary. As I was reading, I was thinking I would want to add a few more days to Chefchauen and the Sarah Desert. And then read your suggestions about switching up number of days, what to extend or drop.
I am saving this post for future reference.
Hi Renee-I’m glad you found it helpful. I would totally spend more time in Chefchaouen and the Sahara. By far my favorites on the 18-day tour! I hope you get to go to Morocco soon, you will love it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
You really hit all the spots I want to visit in Morocco with this great itinerary. I looked into going about 2 years ago but the timing didn’t work out. Ouzoud Falls looks marvelous and I really want to go explore the Atlas Mountains.
Hi Alice-Morocco is really cool…so colorful and diverse. I think you will love it. Ouzoud Falls is particularly beautiful especially with its rainbows and monkeys! Hope you get to go soon and thanks for reading! 🙂