Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Allow 1–2 hours at Marrakech Menara Airport for passport control, baggage, and finding your driver. A pre-arranged transfer to the medina usually takes 15–30 minutes depending on traffic, but many riads are inside pedestrian-only lanes: expect to be dropped at the nearest accessible point and walk the final few minutes with luggage. A petit taxi is cheaper, though agree on the fare or insist on the meter before leaving the airport.
After checking in and taking a short break, go first to Bahia Palace in the Mellah. Its tiled courtyards, painted cedar ceilings, and quiet garden spaces are best enjoyed before closing, when the light is softer and the larger groups begin to thin. Allow about an hour; admission is generally around 70 dirhams, but opening hours and ticket arrangements can change, so check locally that it is still admitting visitors when you arrive. From here, walk north through the medina toward Jemaa el-Fnaa—roughly 15 minutes, with plenty of turns and small souk lanes along the way.
Reach Jemaa el-Fnaa as the square changes character: food stalls begin setting up, musicians gather, and the atmosphere becomes livelier after sunset. Take a slow circuit rather than stopping immediately, and keep phones and wallets secure in the crowd. Then settle upstairs at Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier for mint tea and a broad view over the square; budget approximately 40–80 MAD per person. The terrace is about the view and location rather than refined food, so it is a good first-evening stop without committing to a long dinner.
Finish at Dar El Bacha Museum, only if it remains open and you still have time before closing; otherwise leave it for Day 2 rather than rushing. The former palace is reached through the medina’s winding lanes, and its hours can be variable, particularly around religious holidays or private events. If it is closed, simply return to your riad or have dinner nearby—your first evening is best kept gentle after the airport, with the medina still available for a fuller wander tomorrow.
Start early in the northern medina at Ben Youssef Madrasa, ideally around 9:00 before the lanes become busy. Allow about an hour for the carved cedar, zellij tilework, and quiet central courtyard; entry is usually around 50 MAD, but check the current ticket arrangement locally. From there, walk a few minutes to the Marrakech Museum, housed in the former Dar Mnebhi palace. Give it roughly an hour, and treat the collection as secondary to the building itself—opening hours and temporary closures can vary, so confirm at the door.
Continue south through the medina to Souk Semmarine, the main artery of the souks. This is a good time to browse textiles, leather goods, lamps, and small crafts, but keep the pace relaxed and agree prices before accepting anything. For lunch, settle at Nomad near the Spice Market; its rooftop is especially pleasant for a view over the rooftops, and a meal generally costs about 150–250 MAD per person. Reserve ahead if you want a terrace table, though walk-ins are often possible outside the busiest period.
After lunch, wander toward Mouassine and spend about an hour at Le Jardin Secret, a restored riad garden that offers a welcome break from the souk’s noise. The shaded courtyards and water channels are best enjoyed without rushing; allow roughly 80–100 MAD for admission, depending on the current rate. Then return north for Maison de la Photographie, where historic images give useful context to the landscapes, clothing, and daily life you have been seeing. It is a compact final stop, usually around an hour, and the rooftop is worth visiting if open. Between stops, walking is easiest; use a petit taxi only to the nearest accessible road, since most of these lanes are pedestrian-only and drivers will not reach the entrances.
Leave Marrakech around 7:00 with your private driver, allowing 5–6 hours overall for mountain stops, sightseeing, lunch, and arrival in Ouarzazate. The route over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass is scenic but slow, with winding roads and occasional roadworks; carry water and a light layer, as the pass can feel cool even when Marrakech is warm. The first substantial stop is Telouet Kasbah in the Ounila Valley, reached by a detour from the main road. Allow about an hour to see its richly decorated interior and weathered outer buildings. Entry is usually inexpensive, often around 20–30 MAD, but local arrangements and opening times can be informal.
Continue to Aït Benhaddou, where you should eat before exploring at Café Restaurant La Kasbah. Expect a simple Moroccan meal—tajine, couscous, salads, or omelette—for roughly 80–150 MAD per person; service can be leisurely, so allow the full hour. Afterwards, cross the riverbed or use the footbridge into the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou ksar. Spend around two hours wandering its narrow lanes and climbing gradually towards the upper viewpoints. The light is particularly good later in the day, but wear shoes with grip and carry water: the earthen paths are uneven, and there is little shade. A local guide is optional; agree the price before starting if you decide to hire one.
Continue to Ouarzazate for check-in, then visit Taourirt Kasbah in the city centre for about 1½ hours. Its courtyards, stairways, and decorated rooms give a more intimate sense of kasbah life than the open-air views at Aït Benhaddou; allow roughly 20–30 MAD for entry and confirm the day’s closing time locally. Finish at CLA Studios on the outskirts, about a 10–15-minute drive away, for a 1½-hour tour of the film sets behind the city’s “Ouallywood” nickname. Studio access and opening availability can vary with filming, so ask your driver or hotel to confirm before setting out; return to town by taxi or pre-arranged driver rather than relying on a late public connection.
Leave Ouarzazate around 8:00 with your driver, following the N10 through Skoura toward the Dades Valley. Allow roughly 3–4 hours overall with stops and hotel check-in; the road is easy by Moroccan standards, but the final valley sections are slower. Your first stop is Amridil Kasbah, one of the country’s most atmospheric earthen kasbahs, set among palms and small fields. Allow about an hour for the courtyards, carved details, and rooftop views; entrance is typically around 40–50 MAD, though opening times and the exact entrance arrangement can vary.
Continue with a gentle guided walk through the Skoura palm oasis, where irrigation channels, date palms, olive trees, and mud-brick villages make a welcome contrast to the open road. Plan about 1½ hours and wear closed shoes—paths can be uneven or muddy after irrigation. Arrange the walk through your driver or accommodation rather than accepting the first tout at the kasbah; a local guide adds much more context and helps you avoid wandering onto private farmland.
Drive on to Chez Pierre in Boumalne Dades for a relaxed lunch with valley views, budgeting around 120–220 MAD per person. This is a good place not to rush: the route from Skoura is scenic, and service in the valley is deliberately unhurried. After lunch, continue into Dades Gorge, where the road narrows between red limestone walls and you can stop for a short walk among the rock formations. Allow about two hours, including photo stops; bring water, sun protection, and a layer for the cooler gorge air.
Late afternoon is reserved for Monkey Fingers viewpoint near Aït Youl. The distinctive folded rock landscape is especially attractive as the light softens, so leave enough time after the gorge for the approach and a relaxed hour at the viewpoint. From there, continue to your accommodation in Tinghir or the Dades Valley—confirm the exact drop-off in advance, since the two areas are separated by a substantial drive. Keep cash available for small rural purchases, and do not rely on mobile coverage throughout the valley.
Leave Tinghir around 7:30 with your driver, following the N10 and N12 toward Merzouga. The drive takes roughly 4–5 hours without stops, so allow 5–6 hours overall for sightseeing, fuel, lunch, and the desert-camp handover. First, visit Todgha Gorge, about 15 minutes from Tinghir: the short walk beneath the sheer canyon walls takes around 1.5 hours. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring water; the gorge is cooler in the morning, while the road and footpaths can be busy later with excursion groups. Continue to the Tinghir palm oasis for an easy one-hour walk through irrigation channels, terraced gardens, and date palms—your driver can arrange a local guide if you want help understanding the traditional water-sharing system.
Continue east via Erfoud and Rissani, with the landscape gradually changing from green oases to stark desert. Have lunch at Restaurant Cafe Nora in the Merzouga area, budgeting approximately 80–150 MAD per person for a simple Moroccan meal. Keep the stop to about an hour and confirm the exact camel-transfer meeting point with your camp before leaving Tinghir; many camps use a specific auberge or parking area on the edge of the dunes. Carry a small overnight bag rather than taking your full luggage on the camels, and keep your passport, phone, medication, and a warm layer with you.
Arrive at the agreed pickup point in Merzouga with plenty of time before sunset, then begin the pre-booked Erg Chebbi camel trek. The crossing takes around 1.5–2 hours, with a pause on a dune ridge for photographs and the changing evening light; trousers and closed shoes are more comfortable than shorts or sandals. At the Erg Chebbi desert camp, settle into your tent, have dinner, and spend some time away from the camp lights for the best view of the stars. Nights can feel surprisingly cold even after a hot day, so ask for extra blankets and keep a fleece or light jacket accessible.
Leave Merzouga around 7:00 with your private driver for the long transfer to Fes. Allow 8–10 hours door-to-door, including fuel, food, viewpoints, and the final approach into the city; this is a day for travelling rather than sightseeing, so keep luggage and water easily accessible. Near Erfoud, stop at a Ziz Valley viewpoint for about 30 minutes. The oasis appears unexpectedly below the dry plateau, and the morning light is usually best. Ask your driver to choose a safe pull-off rather than stopping directly on the roadside.
Continue toward Midelt, where Restaurant Ali Pacha makes a practical lunch stop—budget roughly 80–150 MAD per person for a straightforward Moroccan meal. Allow about an hour, and do not linger too long: the most scenic stretch still lies ahead. After lunch, the landscape changes from desert plains to the cooler Middle Atlas. Near Azrou, take a 45-minute leg-stretch in Cèdre Gouraud Forest. Stay on the established paths and avoid feeding or approaching wildlife; any Barbary macaques here are accustomed to visitors but remain wild.
Continue through Ifrane, where a 30-minute break at the Ifrane Lion is enough for a quick look and photographs. The town feels markedly different from southern Morocco, with alpine-style roofs, tidy streets, and cooler air. From there, allow roughly 1–1.5 hours for the final drive into Fes. A riad in Fes el-Bali may be inaccessible by car, so arrange the exact drop-off point in advance and expect a short porter-assisted walk with luggage. Arrival after dark is entirely possible; check in, eat near the riad, and save the medina exploration for tomorrow rather than trying to navigate unfamiliar lanes tired.
Begin at Bab Bou Jeloud, the blue gate at the western edge of Fes el-Bali, around 8:30–9:00. It is a useful meeting point if you have hired a guide, and the nearby taxi drop-off is much easier than taking a car into the medina. Spend about 30 minutes getting oriented, then walk uphill along Talaa Kebira to the Bou Inania Madrasa. Allow roughly an hour for its carved cedar, stucco, and zellij details; opening hours and admission arrangements can change, so check locally and arrive early.
Continue back toward Bab Bou Jeloud for the Dar Batha Museum, housed in a former palace just outside the busiest lanes. Its traditional Moroccan arts collection is worth about an hour, but treat the visit as conditional: museum opening days and hours are not always consistent, and it may close around midday. If it is closed, use the time for a slow walk through the surrounding artisan lanes rather than trying to force another major sight into the morning.
Have lunch at Café Clock on Talaa Kbira, a short walk from the madrasa and museum. The restored riad has a relaxed courtyard and a more social atmosphere than many medina restaurants; budget approximately 120–220 MAD per person, and allow 1½ hours. After lunch, follow the lanes toward the Spice and Henna Souk and visit Al Attarine Madrasa, allowing about 45 minutes. The route is easy to lose, so a local guide is helpful, particularly if you want to avoid persistent shop invitations.
Late afternoon is the right time for the Chouara Tannery viewpoint in Fes el-Bali, when the light is softer and the vats are usually active. The viewpoint is reached through an adjacent leather shop; you may be offered mint tea or encouraged to browse, so be clear if you only want the view. Allow 45 minutes, wear comfortable shoes, and keep valuables secure in crowded passages. From there, walk back toward the western medina gates or ask your riad for a trusted petit taxi pickup point—cars cannot enter the narrow lanes.
After leaving Fes around 8:00, allow roughly 4.5–5.5 hours door to door to Chefchaouen, including reaching the bus station, a possible roadside stop, and the final taxi or hotel transfer. If you have not booked the CTM service in advance, a private car is the more comfortable fallback; shared grand taxis can be less predictable with luggage. Check in or leave your bags at your accommodation, then walk uphill into the medina toward Uta el-Hammam Square. Settle here for about 45 minutes—this is the best place to get your bearings and watch the town’s unhurried afternoon rhythm.
For lunch, take a rooftop table at Aladdin Restaurant, overlooking the blue lanes and square. Expect around 100–180 MAD per person for Moroccan dishes; service is relaxed, so allow a full hour rather than trying to rush through. After lunch, visit the Chefchaouen Kasbah Museum, directly on Uta el-Hammam Square, for about an hour. Its exhibits explain the town’s regional history, while the enclosed garden offers a welcome quiet break. Opening hours can change seasonally, and the museum may close on a regular weekly day, so check locally before relying on entry; budget roughly 20–30 MAD.
From the square, spend the afternoon slowly exploring the Chefchaouen medina lanes, first drifting toward Bab el-Ain and then following the blue-painted streets east toward Ras el-Ma. This is more enjoyable as an unhurried loop than as a checklist: look for handwoven textiles, woven baskets, and small craft workshops, but compare prices before buying. The lanes are steep and uneven in places, so comfortable shoes matter, and the strongest blue walls are often found just beyond the busiest square. Allow around two hours, with time for mint tea or photographs; ask before photographing people or entering working workshops.
Finish at Ras el-Ma, on the eastern edge of the medina, where the spring and small cascades provide a cooler, calmer end to the day. Allow about 45 minutes here, ideally arriving before sunset when the surrounding hills begin to soften in color. From the square, the walk is mostly downhill and takes around 10–15 minutes; return by the same route or use a petit taxi from the lower town if your accommodation is outside the medina. Keep some small cash for taxis and drinks, and expect many medina businesses to wind down after sunset.
Leave Chefchaouen around 7:30 with your private driver, allowing roughly 4.5–6 hours to door via Tetouan and the A1 motorway, including a coffee or rest stop and Rabat’s urban traffic. Have the driver drop you near your accommodation rather than attempting to enter the narrow lanes of the Medina; if you are staying inside the old town, confirm the nearest practical vehicle access point in advance. After check-in or leaving bags, take a petit taxi—usually around 15–30 MAD within central Rabat—to the Kasbah of the Udayas.
Spend about 1.5 hours wandering the Kasbah of the Udayas, especially its quiet white-and-blue lanes and the Andalusian Garden. This is best enjoyed slowly rather than as a checklist; the riverfront viewpoints are particularly pleasant once the midday heat eases. Then stop at Café Maure, inside the kasbah, for mint tea overlooking the Bouregreg River. Allow around 45 minutes and expect roughly 25–60 MAD per person; service is relaxed, so this is a good pause rather than a quick café stop.
From the kasbah, take a petit taxi toward the Hassan district, allowing 15–25 minutes depending on traffic, or walk along the river if you prefer a longer route. Visit Hassan Tower and the surrounding esplanade for around 45 minutes, then continue directly to the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which stands beside it. Allow another 45 minutes for the exterior details, ceremonial guards, and richly decorated interior spaces if visitor access is open. Opening arrangements can vary with official ceremonies and religious observances, so treat entry as conditional and dress modestly; the monumental grounds remain worthwhile even if the interior is closed.
Finish at Le Dhow in the Bouregreg Marina, a short taxi ride from the Hassan complex. Reserve ahead if possible, particularly for a riverside table, and allow about 1.5 hours for dinner aboard the boat restaurant. Main meals generally cost around 200–350 MAD per person. Afterward, arrange a taxi through the restaurant or your accommodation rather than relying on a passing car late at night; the marina is easy to reach, but the medina’s lanes can be confusing after dark.
Take the morning train from Rabat Ville to Casa Voyageurs, then continue by petit taxi or tram and taxi toward the Ain Diab waterfront. Allow 1.5–2 hours door to door, including getting to the station, waiting for the train, and the final city transfer. Ask your taxi to use the oceanfront approach rather than dropping you deep in the city center; the mosque plaza is spacious and easy to navigate once you arrive.
Visit the Hassan II Mosque on the guided interior tour if a suitable departure is available. Tours are tied to the mosque’s schedule rather than running continuously, so check the official booking channel or ticket office in advance and leave some flexibility around the time. Allow about 1.5 hours, including security and the tour; modest clothing is required, and shoes are removed inside. The exterior plaza and Atlantic setting are worth seeing even if the interior tour is unavailable.
Take a taxi from the mosque to Rick’s Café in Sidi Belyout, usually 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Reserve ahead, particularly for lunch, and expect around 250–400 MAD per person for a meal inspired by the film setting. Afterward, walk northwest into the Old Medina of Casablanca. This is a compact, lived-in quarter rather than a polished tourist souk: spend about an hour following the market lanes, looking for household shops, small food stalls, and glimpses of everyday city life. Keep valuables secure and agree on the taxi fare before setting off.
Use a taxi to return toward La Corniche and Ain Diab, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes in normal traffic. A relaxed walk along the Atlantic promenade is the right final stop—pause for the sea air, cafés, and broad views rather than trying to fit in another museum. For Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, leave the waterfront at least 2–3 hours before your intended airport arrival time; the road transfer can become slow, and you still need check-in and security. For an international flight, arriving around three hours before departure is the safer choice, especially if travelling with checked luggage.
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