How to Spend 10 Days in Morocco

Back in February 2020 (right before the world shutdown), my husband, Colin, and I spent 10 days in Morocco exploring blue cities, bustling medinas, ancient palaces and scenic desert landscapes.

At the time, we were living abroad in Prague and had spent most of our time travelling through Europe. Visiting Morocco was a completely different experience!

Morocco is a beautiful country. The architecture, the food, the history, the people and the culture were all so captivating that it quickly became one of my favourite countries and trips from our year abroad.

Morocco offers something for everyone and completely different vibes depending on where in the small country you find yourself. We experienced both absolute stillness and chaotic traffic jams – sometimes within the same city!

But with so much on offer, how do you figure out how to spend your time in Morocco? There’s only so much that can fit on a Moroccan itinerary!

Below, I’m sharing my itinerary for a first time trip to Morocco, spending 10 days travelling across the country. I’ve also included Morocco itinerary FAQs, where to stay and what to do if you have more or less time in the country.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

My top 3 experiences on this Morocco trip

I thoroughly loved every bit of the time we spent in Morocco but if I had to narrow it down to just three highlights, they would be:

1. Exploring the Fes medina on a private tour
2. Wandering through the gorgeous Bahia Palace in Marrakesh
3. Watching the sun go down in the Agafay Desert

And of course, all of those experiences are included in my 10 day itinerary below!

10 day Morocco itinerary summary

Here is a summary of how you’ll spend your 10 days in Morocco:

• Chefchaouen (2 nights)
• Fes (2 nights)
• Marrakech (3 nights)
• Atlas Mountains (1 night)
• Agafay Desert (2 nights)

PS: You may notice a few different spellings of these places around the internet (e.g. Fes vs Fez or Marrakech vs Marrakesh). That’s because there are different spellings for the English, French and Arabic names.

All are correct, but I’ll generally be sticking to the Arabic spelling for this post as that is one of the main languages in Morocco.

Day 1-2: Chefchaouen

How to get to Chefchaouen

We crossed over from Spain to Morocco, taking a ferry from Tarifa to Tangier and then a bus to Chefchaouen. From Tangier it’s a 2.5 hour bus or private transfer to Chefchaouen.

Note: If you take the bus, you’ll be dropped off in the more modern part of Chefchaouen but you’ll probably be staying in the kasbah old city. It’s a quick taxi ride or 30 minute walk from the bus station into the old town.

We were able to share a taxi with some other people from our bus into the old city where our riad host met us to walk us to the riad.

Many streets in the old city are pedestrian-only, narrow passageways. So even if you take a taxi or a private transfer from Tangier, be prepared for a small walk. If you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, talk to your accommodation ahead of time or choose an accommodation that is accessible by car.

Unfortunately, Chefchaouen doesn’t have its own airport or train station, so you’ll have to arrive by bus or car. The closest airport is in Tangier, so I’d recommend flying or ferrying to Tangier to start your Morocco trip.

Check out the bus options to Chefchaouen here or book a private transfer.

Chefchaouen itinerary

Chefchaouen, also known as Morocco’s Blue City, might be familiar to you from the many photos on social media. This city is very literally washed in blue and yes, the photo opportunities are endless.

I think Chefchaouen is the perfect place to start your 10 days in Morocco because it’s a relaxing introduction to the country. Chefchaouen is a smaller town and not as busy or hectic as some other cities on this itinerary.

We headed to Morocco after a busy week in Spain and long bus/ferry/bus journey from Seville. So we were definitely looking for a few days of relaxation. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in Chefchaouen!

Spend your two days (more like 1.5 after accounting for the bus ride) taking it easy and admiring the beautiful blue city.

Enjoy rooftop breakfast at your riad, wander the streets with no destination in mind, count how many cats you come across and take too many photos in front of blue doors.

Shop at the medina, visit the Kasbah Fort and eat a delicious meal at Aladdin Cafe overlooking the entire city. I was smiling so big during our lunch there!

If you’re feeling slightly more adventurous, you can head up the hill to the Spanish mosque for a beautiful sunset view. There are also hikes to nearby waterfalls, parks and mountains.

Where to stay in Chefchaouen

I’ve mentioned the word “riad” a few times already so you might be wondering, what is a riad?

A riad is Morocco’s version of a B&B. It’s a traditional Moroccan home, often with an inner courtyard, and rooms on each floor. Expect beautiful decor, exceptional hospitality, great prices and a delicious breakfast in the morning!

We stayed at riads throughout our time in Morocco and I can highly recommend them. In Chefchaouen, we stayed at a riad called Hotel Honey Suckle.

Our hosts were so kind – coming out to the town square to walk us to the riad late at night when our bus got in. And I loved eating breakfast up on their rooftop overlooking the city!

Book your room at Hotel Honey Suckle here!

Day 3-4: Fes

How to get to Fes

From Chefchaouen, hop on a 4-5 hour bus ride to the busy city of Fes. You could also take a private transfer or taxi from Chefchaouen to Fes.

Warning: There are some winding roads on this route so load up on your anti-nausea medicine. Our bus had to pull over because one lady was sick (and I wasn’t far behind her!).

Book your bus to Fes here or private transfer to Fes here.

Fes itinerary

Fes can be overwhelming. It’s home to one of the largest medinas in the world, with over 9000 streets and alleys. It’s not a matter of if you will get lost, but when.

My advice? Just give into the hustle and bustle. Don’t try to understand the dizzying maze of roads and vendors.

Accept that you are in the middle of something beyond your comprehension and just enjoy getting lost and seeing what you find along the way.

As a travel blogger since 2012, I usually love to plan every hour of my trips. But in Fes, I was very happy to hand it over to an expert. So Colin and I booked this 6 hour guided tour of the Fez Medina.

Since we only paid $25 CAD ($18 USD) per person for the tour, I was expecting to be shuttled around the medina with a group of 30 other travellers. But it ended up being a private tour!

And PS: It’s on sale from just $14 USD per person (as of March 2024)!

Our tour guide, Kamal, was incredible. Rather than just a tour of the medina, Kamal took us out to see more of Fes.

We visited the Royal Palace, walked through the Jewish Quarter, watched pottery being made at a local co-op and saw a beautiful view of the entire medina from Borj Nord.

Back in the medina, Kamal was essential for leading us through the maze of streets and pointing out important craftsman, monuments and shops.

We stopped in at a gorgeous school, watched Berber carpets and scarves being weaved, visited an apothecary, had a delicious lunch and, of course, went to the famous leather tanneries.

The leather tanneries are probably what Fes is most well-known for. And yes, they do smell! Luckily, mint leaves are handed out which help distract your nostrils.

But despite the smell, I still think the tanneries are very worth seeing in person.

Throughout the tour, there were opportunities to buy things but I never felt pressured to spend, like I have on some other tours.

We also told Kamal that we were budget travellers with backpacks, so not in a position to take home rugs, leather goods, dishware, etc. He completely understood and always advocated for us if a shopkeeper ever got too pushy.

That being said, we did buy a couple of little things. While I would’ve loved to buy stuff to fill my home back in Vancouver, I settled for a small ceramic tile and a scarf.

We actually forgot our tile at one point and hours after the tour, Kamal came all the way back to our riad to return it to us. He was amazing!

Book this incredible guided tour of Fes here!

For your two days in Fes on this Morocco itinerary, I’d recommend doing the full day tour on your second day, since you’ll be arriving a bit later on your first day having come from Chefchaouen.

That still gives you an afternoon free on day one and an evening free on day two. We used that time to do a bit more exploring in the medina, try pastilla (a Moroccan meat pie with icing sugar on top) and hang out at our riad.

Where to stay in Fes

We stayed at Riad Taryana right in the Fes medina and I thought it was perfect for our trip. It was fun to be directly in the heart of the old city but down an alleyway so our riad still felt quiet and peaceful.

Like all the riads we stayed at, our host was so kind. He chatted with us for a long time when we checked in and seemed genuinely curious to get to know us.

The riad itself was beautiful. I’ll never get over how gorgeous Moroccan architecture is. And breakfast in the morning was delicious!

Book your stay at Riad Taryana here!

Day 5-7: Marrakech

How to get to Marrakech

From Fes, we took a 6.5 hour train ride to Marrakech. The train ride was all right – it was pretty empty for the first half of the ride and then started to fill up.

The seats we had were quite warm and some people were smoking, but overall it wasn’t too bad and I’d take the train again. We were in second class seats, so you could upgrade to first class if you wanted a bit more luxury.

We chose the train because it wasn’t too long or too expensive; we paid $26 CAD ($19 USD) per person. For an even cheaper option, you can bus, but it will take closer to nine hours.

If you’re in a hurry, you can also fly from Fes to Marrakech in 70 minutes. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to get from the city centre to the airport and arrive early to go through security.

Book your train to Marrakech here (this link also includes bus, flight and drive options).

Marrakech itinerary

Marrakech is one of the bigger cities in Morocco, home to palaces, gardens, bustling markets and the gateway to Morocco’s deserts and mountains.

To be honest, Marrakech was my least favourite stop on our Moroccan itinerary. I found the city busy and crowded, but without the charm of Fes.

However, I do still think it’s worth a stop on your Morocco itinerary and it is a convenient base for onward travel. Plus, a lot of people love Marrakech – you might be one of them!

You’ll spend most of your first day just getting from Fes to Marrakech. Check into your riad and take a walk through the medina, including Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square. This place is pretty lively at night, so enjoy!

The next day, I’d recommend touring the palaces of Marrakech, which were actually my favourite part of the entire city. I’d go back to Marrakech just to see these beautiful palaces!

Badi Palace features ruins from the 1500s which are a lot of fun to walk around. While Bahia Palace is slightly more modern (1800/1900s) and has room after room of stunning architecture. The ceilings blew me away!

Controversially, I would suggest you skip the famous Jardin Majorelle (aka the Yves Saint Laurent garden). Not only is it a bit of a walk from the old town but I found it overpriced, overcrowded and overrated.

After waiting in a very long line and paying $10 CAD ($7 USD) to get in, we shuffled along with the crowds through a garden that honestly was not that impressive. I don’t get the hype!

Instead, stick to Marrakech’s palaces, museums and monuments, like Madrasa Ben Youssef, Koutoubia and the Saadian Tombs. You could also visit a traditional hammam (Moroccan bathhouse). That’s plenty to fill your second and third day in Marrakech.

Of course, you’ll also want to ensure you spend some time in the medina, shopping for goods and enjoying some delicious food.

We had a fun dinner at one of the rooftop restaurants surrounding Jemaa el-Fnaa. We filled up on tajine and mint tea and enjoyed the view!

Where to stay in Marrakech

We stayed at Riad Marraplace in Marrakech and once again it was another beautiful, comfortable and affordable riad stay.

This riad was just a short walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa, so very central, while still being quiet and serene. The wifi was strong (not always the case in Morocco) and I particularly loved having breakfast on the rooftop.

Book your stay at Riad Hôtel Marraplace here!

Day 8: Atlas Mountains

How to get to the Atlas Mountains

The easiest way to get to the High Atlas Mountains is with a tour or private transfer. You can also choose to rent your own car and sightsee independently. The drive is about 2-3 hours from Marrakech, depending on where in the mountain range you plan to go.

There are no train or flight services and buses will be extremely limited.

Atlas Mountains itinerary

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the Atlas Mountains while we were in Morocco but I’ve heard wonderful things from friends and fellow travel bloggers. It’s high on my Morocco bucket list!

But with this 10 day Morocco itinerary, you do have time! I’d recommend going out on a full day or overnight tour. You’ll visit Berber villages, tour ancient kasbahs and ruined monuments, hike along valleys and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.

This will be completely different than anything else you do in Morocco, and a far cry from the busy city of Marrakech you just left. Whether you want something more active, more immersive in nature, more historic or more cultural, you can find an Atlas Mountain itinerary perfect for you.

Most of these tours include pick up and drop off from your riad in Marrakech. Some are overnight (2 day) while others are just day trips.

Atlas Mountain tour options:

• Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon Ride with Berber Breakfast and Desert Camel Experience
• Full Day Biking Trip through the Atlas Mountains
• Atlas Mountains and 3 Valleys & Waterfalls with Camel Ride
• High Atlas Mountains and 5 Valleys Day Trip from Marrakech
• 2-Day Atlas Mountains Trek with Village Stay

Where to stay in the Atlas Mountains

If you choose an overnight tour, you’ll stay in the Atlas Mountains with accommodation arranged by your tour company. On some tours, you even get to stay in a local home in a Berber village.

Otherwise, if you choose a day tour, you’ll return to Marrakech for the night.

Day 9-10: Agafay Desert

How to get to the Agafay Desert

From Marrakech, the Agafay Desert is less than an hour’s drive, but it feels worlds away. The easiest way to get there is by taxi or private transfer, which your desert accommodation can help organize for you.

Agafay Desert itinerary

Many people head to the Sahara Desert. But if you only have 10 days in Morocco, you might not want to spend two of those days just getting out to the Sahara and another day to get back.

Instead, you can enjoy a desert experience at the nearby Agafay Desert.

While it’s not the lush sand of the Sahara, it’s still a pretty epic desert and you can still have your dream glamping experience.

We spent our final night in Morocco in the Agafay Desert and it was the best way to end our trip. We enjoyed drinks by the fire, sleeping in a cozy tent and looking up at the stars.

Of course if you want to be more active than us, you can ride or walk with camels, head out on a buggy, quad or bike, take part in a cultural workshop or go out on a guided desert hike. You can also hang by the pool, stargaze or take a yoga class.

Where to stay in the Agafay Desert

We’re not seasoned glampers by any means, but I thought it would be a fun opportunity to splurge and stay at the Inara Camp in the Agafay Desert.

And by “splurge” I mean it cost us $360 CAD ($265 USD) for one night but that included pick up and drop off in Marrakech, dinner for two and breakfast for two. So I’d still say we got a great deal!

This camp was absolutely stunning! It really felt like we had our own little oasis in the desert. The food was delicious, the bed was so comfortable, and we stayed warm with a cute little wood fire stove.

Book your stay at Inara Camp here!

How to get home

Sadly, your 10 days in Morocco have come to an end. From quiet towns to bustling medinas and from rugged mountains to glamping in the desert, you’ve really seen and done so much!

From the Agafay Desert, transfer back to Marrakech (apx 45 minute drive). Your accommodation should be able to organize this for you.

From there you can head to the train station or international airport and take off to your next destination or head home.

More time? How to spend more than 10 days in Morocco

If you have more than 10 days in Morocco, that’s awesome! This small country has so much to offer and there is a lot more you can discover with more time.

Here are a few more places to fill your longer Morocco trip itinerary:

Essaouira

Essaouira is Morocco’s beach town. On the coast, this town is more laidback and a great way to relax and see the ocean while in the country.

Sahara Desert

Of course, the Sahara Desert could be a great place to spend a few nights if you have more time in Morocco. Many companies have multi-day packages that will pick you up and drop you off in either Marrakech or Fes.

Rabat

Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, located on the coast between Chefchaouen and Casablanca. Rabat is known for its parks, government buildings, cultural landmarks and for being the home of the royal family.

Casablanca

Casablanca is a city many people end up visiting in Morocco, simply because it’s the main gateway for international flights. And while I’ve heard there’s not much to do there, I’m sure it’s still worth exploring for a day or two.

PS: The movie Casablanca was not actually filmed in the city Casablanca. But there is a replica cafe you can visit if you’re a big fan.

Spain

As I mentioned at the beginning of this 10 day Morocco itinerary, we started our trip travelling from Spain to Morocco (taking the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier). So Spain makes a great addition to a Morocco vacation.

You can easily take the ferry (or fly) and explore Andalusia. Don’t miss my favourite city, Seville. You could even extend your travels from Morocco into Spain and Portugal.

Less time? Check out this 7 day Morocco itinerary

If you only have a week to spend in Morocco, here’s how you could shorten my original 10 day itinerary.

First, it will depend where you’re arriving into Morocco. If you have round trip flights to Marrakech, it probably makes sense to cut Chefchaouen, since it’s the farthest away.

It will also depend on your interests and priorities. I know Chefchaouen, the Blue City, is top of the bucket list for many people. I really enjoyed my few nights in Chefchaouen, so I do think it’s worth seeing.

To try and fit in all of the highlights, I’d suggest a 7 day Morocco itinerary that looks like this:

• Day 1: Take an early bus from Tangier to Chefchaouen, spend the day exploring
• Day 2: Explore Chefchaouen a bit more in the morning before taking an afternoon bus to Fes
• Day 3: Go on a guided tour of the Fes medina
• Day 4: Take the train to Marrakech, explore the medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
• Day 5: Visit the palaces of Marrakech
• Day 6: Go on a full day tour of the Atlas Mountains
• Day 7: Spend the day in the Agafay Desert and stay overnight in a glamping tent

This 7 day itinerary is pretty fast, so if there’s something that doesn’t interest you, I’d recommend cutting it and slowing down a bit.

But if you want a little taste of a lot of Morocco, I think this is a great way to spend your week!

FAQs about travel in Morocco

Is 10 days enough for Morocco?

Yes, I think 10 days is enough to enjoy your time in Morocco. 10 days allows you to discover cities big and small, mountains and deserts, glamping tents and riads.

Of course, 10 days isn’t enough to see ALL of Morocco. There’s a lot more to see and do in the country, which just means you have a great reason to come back.

When is the best time of year to go to Morocco?

We visited in mid-February and I thought it was the perfect time to visit Morocco. The crowds were small and the weather was pleasant.

I would advise visiting in the winter, like we did, or in the early spring/late fall. I don’t do well in the heat, so have no desire to visit Morocco in the summer.

You’ll also want to be aware of any religious holidays, like Ramadan, that may affect your sightseeing plans.

What should you wear in Morocco?

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country and dressing conservatively is respectful and sometimes mandatory to enter certain places. Your shoulders and knees should be covered, and opt for looser fabrics if you can.

This is another reason to visit in the winter, when longer layers are more comfortable to wear. You may also find it helpful to carry a scarf around, so you can cover up as needed.

Money in Morocco: What currency should you use?

Morocco uses the Moroccan Dirham as their currency. Don’t confuse this with the United Arab Emirates Dirham, which is a different currency altogether.

The Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency – meaning it is only available in the country. So you can’t buy dirham ahead of time and if you leave with dirham on you, you will have a hard time exchanging it.

Euros are accepted by larger vendors and at most tourist sites, though you shouldn’t count on getting a good exchange rate.

While credit cards are occasionally accepted, I found that cash is king in Morocco. You will want to take cash out as soon as you arrive, and have some Euro on you just in case you can’t find an ATM.

Which is exactly what happened to us when we got off the ferry in Tangier – not an ATM in sight! Luckily, we had just enough Euro to get to the bus station where they, thankfully, had an ATM.

What do you need to know about the religion in Morocco?

The official religion of Morocco is Islam. This means you’ll hear the call to prayer a few times a day, won’t see as much alcohol or pork for sale, and will see people dressing more conservatively.

As a non-religious Canadian who has lived most of my life in Western countries, I enjoyed hearing the call to prayer throughout the day. It was fascinating to see religion practiced as part of daily life – from clothing and prayer to books and greetings.

If you’re interested, I’d encourage you to learn more about Islam and Muslim customs in Morocco. I found our riad hosts were always happy to share more about their religion and culture and answer any questions.

A tour guide could also provide you with more information. Do note that most mosques don’t allow non-Muslims to enter, so that likely won’t be part of your learning.

What’s the best way to get around Morocco?

We took a ferry to Tangier from Spain, a bus to Chefchaouen, a bus to Fes, a train to Marrakech, a private car to the Agafay Desert and then a flight from Marrakech back to our home in Prague. So we did it all!

The train in Morocco is affordable and clean; I’d recommend it if you’re travelling along train routes.

When there isn’t a train available, your choices are usually bus or private car. Of course, the bus is much more affordable, but maybe not as comfortable. You’re also stuck on the bus’s schedule.

You can fly between major cities in Morocco. Once in a city, you can take grand taxis or petit taxis. The grand taxis cover larger distances and often wait to fill up before they go. The petit taxis are for shorter distances and more direct, though can also be shared.

What languages do they speak in Morocco?

Many languages are spoken in Morocco. If I ever felt bad about only being able to speak English, this is the place that will rub that in.

The official languages of Morocco are Modern Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber, though many people also speak French.

Of course, English is also widely spoken, thanks to tourism. And Spanish is spoken in the north, given the proximity to Spain. We also heard people speaking German and Italian.

Is Morocco safe to visit?

Before going to Morocco, I had read a lot of articles about safety and scams. As an experienced traveller, I was prepared to be on guard. But I quickly realized that wasn’t necessary.

After a few days, I had to remind Colin that we could stand down, and that it would be okay for us to say “hello” back to friendly locals.

Now, I’m not trying to say there are no scams in Morocco and everywhere is safe. Of course scams do exist and you should be cautious.

I also want to point out that while I felt safe the entire time we were in Morocco, we rarely went out at night and I was always with Colin. I know travelling in Morocco as a solo female can be very different.

So my advice would be to do your homework, be vigilant, remove yourself from any situation you’re not comfortable with – but also keep an open mind. Remember: More people want to help you than harm you.

Wrapping up your 10 days in Morocco

One of the things I noticed straight away about Morocco is how welcoming the people are.

Every time we arrived at a riad, we were never just shown to our room and given the wifi password.

The owner of the riad would sit us down in the lounge, serve us tea and then spend a minimum of 15 minutes answering our questions, pointing out places on a map, and generally making us feel cared for and welcomed.

We felt this same kindness when we interacted with everyone from servers at restaurants to tour guides and taxi drivers.

So if there’s one thing I hope you experience during your 10 days in Morocco, it’s the warmth of the wonderful people. But of course, I know you’ll experience so much more.

From the people and the culture to the cuisine, history, architecture and nature, Morocco is truly a wonderful country with so much to offer.

When we visited Morocco in February 2020, we got a great introduction. But I’d love to go back and explore so much more. I’d also love to bring my parents to Morocco, as I think they’d really enjoy it and would be surprised that it’s not what they expected.

Plus, I have to return because I need more of that delicious Moroccan mint tea!

I’d love to know: Have I convinced you to book a trip to Morocco? What part of this Morocco travel itinerary are you most excited about?