Quick answer: Two weeks is the ideal time for Morocco. Spend 3 nights in Marrakech, a day in Essaouira, cross the Atlas to the Sahara (Merzouga) via the Dades and Todra gorges, then continue to Fes, Chefchaouen and Rabat and finish in Casablanca for your flight.
With 14 days you can see Morocco’s highlights without rushing. This 2-week Morocco itinerary is the route we recommend most often to first-time visitors from the US and Europe, and it works in both directions.
Itinerary overview
| Days | Where | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Marrakech | 3 |
| 4 | Essaouira day trip | – |
| 5 | Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Dades valley | 1 |
| 6 | Todra gorges to Merzouga desert camp | 1 |
| 7 | Merzouga dunes, rest day or 4×4 tour | 1 |
| 8 | Middle Atlas & Ifrane to Fes | 1 |
| 9–10 | Fes & Volubilis/Meknes | 2 |
| 11–12 | Chefchaouen | 2 |
| 13 | Rabat | 1 |
| 14 | Casablanca & departure | – |
Days 1–4: Marrakech and Essaouira
Spend your first days in the medina: Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, the Bahia Palace and the Majorelle Garden. Use our 3-day Marrakech itinerary. On day 4 take a day trip to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast.
Days 5–7: Over the Atlas to the Sahara
Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visit Ait Ben Haddou and sleep in the Dades valley. The next day walk through the Todra gorges and reach Merzouga in time for a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp. Having a second night in the desert gives you time to rest, visit nomad families or ride a 4×4 around Erg Chebbi.
Days 8–10: Fes, Volubilis and Meknes
Drive north through the Ziz valley and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Fes. Take a guided tour of the medina, the tanneries and Al-Qarawiyyin, and a half-day trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes. See things to do in Fes and our Volubilis and Meknes guide.
Days 11–12: Chefchaouen
The blue city in the Rif mountains deserves two nights: wander the blue lanes early in the morning before day-trippers arrive and hike to the Spanish Mosque for sunset. Read our Chefchaouen travel guide.
Days 13–14: Rabat and Casablanca
Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum in Rabat, then continue to Casablanca to see the Hassan II Mosque before your flight from Casablanca airport.
Variations
- Arriving from Spain by ferry? Reverse the route and start in Tangier – see ferry from Spain to Tangier.
- Prefer the south? Replace Chefchaouen with Erg Chegaga, Tafraoute and Agadir.
- Travelling with kids? Add a pool day in Marrakech – see Morocco with kids.
- Shorter trip? Try our 10-day or 7-day itinerary.
Tours related to this guide
- 13-Day Cultural Circuit: Marrakech, Desert, Fez & North
- 12-Day Circuit: Imperial Cities, Desert & North
- 12-Day Circuit from Tangier
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Frequently asked questions
Is 14 days enough for Morocco?
Yes. Two weeks lets you combine Marrakech, the Sahara desert, Fes, Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast at a comfortable pace.
What is the best route for 2 weeks in Morocco?
A loop from Marrakech over the Atlas to Merzouga, then north to Fes and Chefchaouen, ending in Rabat and Casablanca, covers the main highlights without backtracking.
Should I rent a car or hire a private driver?
Driving between cities is possible, but medinas, mountain roads and desert tracks are easier with a local driver. See our comparison of private driver vs self-drive in Morocco.
Which airport should I fly into?
Fly into Marrakech and out of Casablanca (or the reverse) to avoid backtracking.