16 Mar THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP MOROCCO: 2-WEEK ITINERARY
Morocco is a country of contrasts: from rugged mountain landscapes and vast deserts to bustling medinas and charming coastal towns. For surfers, Morocco is a true paradise with its beautiful beaches, while food lovers can indulge in a culinary journey full of tagines, couscous, and spices. All the ingredients for an unforgettable road trip through Morocco!
Road trip Morocco
With this 2-week itinerary, you’ll experience an amazing road trip through Morocco, perfectly blending culture, nature, and adventure, immersing yourself into a completely different world. Get ready for an incredible journey through colorful Morocco!
Traveling through Morocco by car
In our opinion, renting a car is the best way to explore Morocco. The roads are in good condition and the distances are manageable. The landscapes are breathtaking and we were continuously surprised by the stunning scenery. A rental car also gives you the flexibility to make stops along the way, such as at scenic viewpoints or for lunch.
However, be mindful of the traffic police. They frequently set up speed checks, especially where speed limits suddenly drop (speed limits can change quickly on Moroccan roads). They will try to fine you, so be careful. To avoid a speeding ticket of around €15, pay close attention to the speed signs. Tip: download the Waze app, which alerts you to police checkpoints along the road.
When is the best time for a road trip in Morocco?
In general, Morocco is a great destination year-round. However, the best time to visit is during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when temperatures are pleasantly warm but not too hot. In summer, cities like Marrakech and Fez can become extremely hot, as well as the southern desert regions.
Also, keep in mind the Ramadan period. While traveling is still possible, many restaurants may be closed during the day, especially outside major cities. We visited Morocco during the last two weeks of September and enjoyed fantastic weather with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30°C! Perfect weather for a 2-week road trip, read on to discover this 2-week itinerary through Morocco.
View from Fez
The 2-week itinerary road trip Morocco
Our 2-week road trip through Morocco followed this itinerary:
Go off the beaten track at Taroudant
Start your journey in Fez – The Spiritual City (3 Nights)
Our trip began in Fez, the cultural heart of Morocco. Get lost in Fes el-Bali, the world’s largest medina (the old city), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It truly feels like stepping into another world. Be sure to visit the famous tanneries (beware of the smell!) and admire the Bou Inania Madrasa, a mosque that also serves as a school.
You can also enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the Marinid Tombs. It’s a bit of a walk which also passes through a cemetery to get there, but the panoramic view over the medina is spectacular. In the evening, enjoy a delicious traditional dinner in one of the many local restaurants in the medina.
We stayed in Fez for three nights at Dar Elinor, a traditional Moroccan riad with a beautiful courtyard, a lovely rooftop terrace, and adorable cats.
Chefchaouen – The Blue City (day trip from Fez)
From Fez you can take day trip up north to Chefchaouen, a photogenic town where all the houses and streets are painted blue. You’ve likely seen this “Blue City” on social media— and it’s absolutely worth the hype. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the scenery is stunning. From Fez, the drive north takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, with a few beautiful stops along the way. Many tourists choose to stay overnight, but we found spending three hours in Chefchaouen was plenty, making it perfect for a day trip.
You can get there by your own rental car or hire a tour company, which we did. While you’re there, do stroll through the blue-painted medina, hike to the Spanish Mosque for a panoramic view (especially stunning at sunset), and enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Clock.
The Morocco Road Trip Begins: Off to the Desert, Merzouga! (3 Nights, Including Stopover)
The drive from Fez to Merzouga takes about 7-8 hours. Some travelers do this in one day, but we found it too long, so we stopped overnight in Midelt (a 4-hour drive from Fez). There isn’t much to see in Midelt, but we stayed at Atlas Room, a colorful guesthouse run by a friendly local host. He recommended a nice restaurant run by his friend, which made this short stay a nice local experience overall.
The next day, the road trip continues to Merzouga, a town that serves as the gateway to the Sahara Desert. We spent our first night at Kasbah du Berger, a beautiful accommodation at the edge of the sand dunes with a pool overlooking the desert. So photogenic! Our second night was spent at Nomada Domes Camp, a luxury dome camp in the middle of the dunes—an absolutely magical experience!
To get there, you get picked up in Merzouga and can choose to arrive at the campsite by 4×4 or camel. In the desert, you can go quad biking through the dunes or take a camel ride at sunrise. End the day with a traditional dinner and live Berber music around a campfire. Our time in the desert was truly unforgettable – one of the highlights of our trip!
Nomada Domes Camp
Into the Rugged Mountains: Todra Gorge (1 Night)
After returning to Merzouga, the road trip continues with a 3.5 hour drive to the Todra Gorge in the Atlas mountains. This breathtaking canyon features towering red cliffs up to 300 meters high, popular among hikers and rock climbers. We stayed in Auberge Le Festival, a unique accommodation built partly into the rocks, where we slept in a cave! To get there, you have to drive a few kilometers into the canyon, whereas most tourists stay at the village at the entrance of the canyon.
In the Todra Gorge you can do a 3-hour hike to the top of the gorge, passing through traditional Berber villages where families still live in traditional tents with their livestock. Because of the surroundings you get the feeling of being on another planet! Ask your accommodation where the exact starting point of the hike is, since it is not specified on Google Maps.
Hollywood of Morocco: Ouarzazate & Aït-Ben-Haddou (1 Night)
After all the driving, hiking and exploring, we personally needed a short break, so we stayed at Sawadi Ecolodge. This is a hidden oasis with a relaxing pool, excellent food and good massages. The next day, we explored Ouarzazate, known as Morocco’s Hollywood, where many famous films were shot at the Atlas Studios. You can visit these Atlas Studios as well. Near Ouarzazate is Aït-Ben-Haddou, an ancient ksar (fortified village) famous for appearing in movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tip in Aït-Ben-Haddou: Stop by Tawesna Salon de Thé, a women-run cooperative teahouse where you can enjoy a delicious lunch while supporting local women’s economic empowerment. This is special because in many rural areas in Morocco, women often have limited job opportunities. Cooperatives like Tawesna help break this cycle this by giving them economic opportunities and a voice in the community. So by visiting this tea house, you will support the local women that run this tea house!
Lively, Colorful & Enchanting: Marrakech (2-3 Nights)
A 3-3.5 hour drive from Aït-Ben-Haddou, is Marrakech, a city bursting with life and color. Must-see attractions include the Jardin Majorelle, the Koutoubia Mosque, and get lost in the vibrant souks while shopping for souvenirs. At night, the Djemaa el Fna square comes alive with many street performers and food stalls. We also experienced a traditional Moroccan hammam and a cooking class, which we highly recommend. Marrakech has many great restaurants, and unlike other parts of Morocco, alcohol is widely available here.
We stayed at Dar El Qadi, a beautiful riad in the medina. Since we visited Marrakech before, we only stayed 2 nights. However, for first time visitors I can recommend a stay of at least 3 nights!
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Coast, Surf & Relaxation: Essaouira (3 Nights)
End your trip on the Atlantic coast in Essaouira, a charming fishing town with a laid-back artistic vibe, just a 3-hour drive from Marrakech. We loved its relaxed atmosphere, fresh seafood, and beautiful beach. Try surfing at Sidi Kaouki Beach, just 20 minutes from town. Even if you’re not a surfer, this beach is worth visiting! Lunch tip: in the harbor you can pick out your own freshly caught fish, which will be prepared right in front of you.
We stayed at Riad Lyon-Mogador in the center of Essaouira. This riad had a lovely rooftop terrace where breakfast was served each morning. You can also stay a little bit outside of Essaouira, in a secluded hotel to fully relax these final days of your road trip, for example hotel Le Jardin des Douars. Read more about this magnificent hotel and more tips for Essaouira here. On the last day of your 2-week roadtrip through Morocco, drive from Essaouira to Marrakech airport to return our rental car and fly back home.
End of this 2-week road trip in Morocco
This 2-week road trip through Morocco following this itinerary gave us the best of Morocco: ancient cities, breathtaking nature, endless dunes, and charming coastal towns. It was truly one of our favorite trips ever!
*Eline is one of our travel editors based in Utrecht.
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