Morocco reminds me a lot of California, which is something I never expected to say. The nation’s geography includes a wide variety of landscapes, from the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, to the Atlantic coastline. And the country, which is both Arab and African, frequently left me forgetting that I was in Africa at all.

While you may have a great time in the country in just a few days, I found that two weeks was the right amount of time to really see and delve into the country and its culture, and would encourage you to spend as much time as you can in this surprisingly diverse nation.

If you’re planning a 14-day adventure, here is the perfect itinerary that will take you through the highlights of this captivating country.

14-Day Morocco Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Tangier (1 Night)
Day 2: Chefchaouen (1 Nights)
Day 3: Volubilis & Meknes (Day Trip)
Days 3 – 5: Fes (3 Nights)
Days 6 – 11: Sahara Desert (6 Nights)
Days 12 – 14: Marrakech (3 Nights)
Day 14: Essaouira (Day Trip)
Day 15: Head home!

Day 1: Arrival in Tangier

Start your Moroccan adventure by flying into Tangier, a city with a fascinating blend of European and Moroccan influences. Spend your first day exploring the Kasbah, wandering through the medina, and savoring traditional Moroccan cuisine at one of the local restaurants.

Day 2: Chefchaouen

Early the next morning, embark on a scenic drive to Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City. This enchanting town is famous for its blue-washed buildings, narrow winding streets, and peaceful atmosphere.

Lose yourself in the maze-like streets, visit the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, and if you like hiking, head to the Akchour Waterfalls for a refreshing dip. If you want to hit the most Instagrammed spots, this is a great guide. I would screenshot the image or save the spots on Google Maps before you get there though — our internet while there was pretty lousy and it was hard to load the map or the photos.

Enjoy the sunset from the Spanish Mosque, a 20-30 minute walk from the medina, or 15 min from Ras El Ma. Then head back into town for dinner. Everyone told us to go to Restaurant Triana, and it was good, with live music, but definitely pricey and very slow. If you want a nicer experience, I’d say to go, but it’s not a must-eat.

For accommodation, we loved our stay at Dar Elrio, but would also recommend Dar Jasmine.

Day 3: Fes via Volubilis & Meknes

The next day, again early, drive to Fes via two historical gems — Volubilis and Meknes. Marvel at the well-preserved Roman ruins in Volubilis yourself, or hire a guide for 300 DH. He’ll take you on a one-hour tour that walks the entire site.

On your way from there, make sure to stop by Moulay Idriss, one of the holiest sites in Morocco. It’s about 5km from Volubilis and is the burial place of Moulay Idriss I, the first Islamic ruler of Morocco. The town is a pilgrimage destination for many Moroccan Muslims, and some say that 6 pilgrimages here is equivalent of one to Mecca.

From there, drive on to explore the imperial city of Meknes, known for its grand architecture and intricate city walls. Unfortunately, most of Meknes’ attractions are currently under construction and no one will tell you this, even if you book with a tour company. You can see the Mausoleum of Mouley Ismail and some Place Hedim, but that’s about it, until they finish restoration of the sites in 2024 (projected).

Drive on to stay the night in Fes, the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco.

Day 4-5: Explore Fes

Immerse yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of the Fes medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, and the tanneries.

Delight your taste buds with a traditional Moroccan meal at one of the rooftop restaurants, and don't forget to indulge in the famous Fassi pastries (also known as pastilla).

There’s not all that much to do in Fes, but you probably want to rest here another day before more driving into the desert (even if the drive is incredible). Take a day to go to a hammam, or enjoy a cooking class.

We loved our stay at Riad Fes and would definitely recommend. Everything they booked for us was top-notch, including our trip to Volubilis and Meknes in a Mercedes sprinter van we spread out in.

Alternatively, Palais De Fès Suites & Spa and Riad Rcif Alif Suite & SPA are great options. Palais Faraj is also really nice, but far from the medina.

Days 6-11: Desert Adventure

The desert was our favorite part of our trip. You absolutely must embark on the breathtaking journey into the Sahara Desert. Get on a tour, and take the drive from Fes to Merzouga, where you’ll meet your camel caravan to trek through the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, witness mesmerizing sunsets, and spend an unforgettable night in a traditional desert camp.

If you do this during the winter, make sure to leave early to ensure you have enough time to enjoy the sunset on your ride, as the sun sets much earlier in the winter than in the summer here.

From there, head south, and see the Skoura Ouasis, the Draa Valley, explore ancient Kasbahs, and experience the nomadic way of life. If you have time and energy, visit Mhamid and the Erg Chegaga dunes. This far south, you can also visit Tamegroute, a small village located in the Draa Valley of southern Morocco famous for its unique and distinctive pottery. The pottery of here is known for its rich green glaze, intricate designs, and historical significance. I’ve spent a lot of time in the pottery world and never seen anything like it.

On the way back from the desert, stop in Ouarzazate to see the Atlas Film Studios and Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou.

Days 12-13: Marrakech

Head towards the vibrant city of Marrakech, a melting pot of colors, sounds, and flavors. Explore the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, visit the architectural marvels of Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs, and get lost in the enchanting souks of the medina.

This is by far the most overwhelming city we visited, especially after the calm of the desert, but we enjoyed our time. Just know to watch for scams.

Day 14: Essaouira

Take a day trip to the coastal town of Essaouira, known for its beautiful beaches, charming medina, and fresh seafood. For lunch, eat at the Port, where you can get fresh seafood grilled. Be sure to bargain, though, and make sure they don’t quote you a price that’s not what is listed.

Make sure to stay for the sunset, as the sun setting over the ocean is stunning from here.

Customize Your Itinerary

If 6 days in the desert is not your happy place, spend an extra day in Marrakech, and add a cooking class to your itinerary. We did one in Fes with Cafe Clock, and it was such fun. M almost had to kill a chicken for our chicken pastilla dish. Almost.
We heard that Casablanca is super skippable, so that’s what we did, but if that’s where you fly in, or you’re dying to see it, add it on at the beginning (before Chefchaouen and skip Tangier), or after (continue on from Essaouira to Casablanca). I wouldn’t spend more than 1 day there, though.
If you love seafood and quaint seaside towns, you could spend another day in Essaouira. We found a day trip more than enough (as long as you can see the sunset!), but we get the charm of it.

If you only want to stay in a “desert camp” and ride camels without going all the way into the Sahara (Merzouga or Mhamid), you can go to Agafay, where there are plenty of luxury camps that would fit the bill. But I would advise against this. Agafay is kind of like mountains on the side of the highway. While technically desert, it doesn’t have the sand dunes you’re probably looking for. Merzouga is true sand dunes, and the drive is gorgeous the whole way, so while it’s long, it’s totally worth it.

Hire a Tour Company

If you want to experience the whole country but don’t want to book your own hotels or think about an itinerary, you can definitely book a 14-day trip with a tour company and have a splendid time. Here’s how to find and hire the perfect tour company for your trip to Morocco.

And if you need tips before you go, check out my 18 travel tips for Morocco.

The Perfect 14-Day Itinerary // Morocco