The Ultimate Morocco Itinerary: An 18-Day Moroccan Adventure

 

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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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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,

Heather