Are you planning a trip to Morocco and unsure of where to start? Look no further! I’ve been to and explored Morocco’s best cities and I have created the BEST 10 day Morocco itinerary.
I think 10 days in Morocco is the perfect amount of time for a visit. You’ll be able to see a lot of this country from exploring the bustling markets of Marrakech to hiking in the Atlas Mountains. This 10 day travel itinerary for Morocco has everything you need for planning an amazing trip.
10 day Morocco Itinerary Overview
DAY 1: Arrive in Casablanca – travel to Rabat
DAY 2: Travel to Chefchaouen
DAY 3: Travel to Fes
DAY 4: Fes
DAY 5: Travel to Marrakech
DAY 6: Marrakesh
DAY 7: Travel to Essaouira
DAY 8: Essaouira – Travel to Marrakech
DAY 9: Marrakech
DAY 10: Travel back home
All of the places you’ll visit in Morocco.
Getting to know Morocco
Morocco is one of those places that it seems like EVERYONE has either been to or is planning on visiting. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Morocco twice and it’s a country that I really love.
In this 10 day travel itinerary for Morocco you’ll experience a country steeped in history where its ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life. From the medinas of Marrakech and Fes to the serene blue city of Chefchaouen. Every city in Morocco has its own unique charm and character.
As you wander through the narrow alleyways of the medinas you’ll take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Morocco. Morocco has some of the most amazing architecture from their mosques to their palaces. Everywhere you look you’ll see colorful tiles and intricate carvings.
Morocco has some of the most diverse landscapes from the beaches off the Atlantic coast to the Atlas Mountains. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, sipping mint tea in a traditional riad, or haggling with shop keepers in the markets, immersing yourself in Morocco’s rich culture is the best way to explore this country.
About this Moroccan Itinerary
Most people who fly into Morocco will land at the Casablanca International Airport. However there are some cities in Europe where you can fly directly to Marrakech. This 10 day Moroccan itinerary will begin in Casablanca and even if you don’t start there you can still use this itinerary. You’ll just need to change up the order of places you visit.
Day 1: Arriving in Morocco
You’ll arrive at the Casablanca International Airport but you won’t be spending time in Casablanca. Honestly, I found Casablanca to be kind of bland and not much to see there. If you want to explore it though you can add it on to the last day when you come back to Casablanca to head home.
After you land and get through customs you’re going to be heading to the capital of Morocco, Rabat. Rabat is just an hour north of Casablanca. You can either hire a private driver (taxi) to drive you there or take the train.
If you’re planning on staying in Morocco longer and want to know more about getting around the country, I’ve written all about how to get around Morocco.
Taking a taxi
The easiest and fastest way to leave Casablanca for Rabat is to hire a driver, although it will cost the most. After you arrive and get through customs you’ll head to the taxis just outside the arrivals hall to get a cab.
Official taxis are white and you’ll be charged a flat rate of 60€. This is the current rate but of course that price could change. The ride should take around 1.5 hours.
Taking the train
If you’re on a budget and want to save some money then you can take the train. The Casablanca Airport has a train station on Level -1 of the airport. The train leaves the airport at least once an hour and will cost around $9.
You can either purchase your train ticket online or at the train station. I would actually wait until you arrive just in case your plane is late or if customs is really busy. The Casablanca Airport is located about 30 miles from the center of Casablanca.
The airport is located in the pink circle below. You’ll travel from there to the train station in Casablanca and then on to Rabat.
Taking the train is a two step process. You’ll take the train from the airport to the “Casa Voyageurs” station OR the “Casa Port” station in the city of Casablanca. From there you’ll take the connecting train on to the city of Rabat.
When you purchase your train ticket at the Casablanca Airport, you’ll choose either the Casa Voyageurs station OR the Casa Port station AND you’ll also choose the “Rabat Ville” station where you’ll end your train journey. From there you’ll take a taxi to your hotel.
The time it takes for the train to travel from the Casablanca Airport to Rabat depends on the connecting station you choose. Trains leave from the airport once an hour. Some go to the Casa Voyageurs station and some go to the Casa Port station. But only ONE train per hour will leave.
If you take the train that travels from the Casablanca Airport to Casa Voyageurs and then to Rabat Ville, the total time you travel will be about 1.5 hours. Your connection time will be 7 minutes. It should be enough time.
If you take the train that travels from the airport to Casa Port and then to Rabat Ville, the total time you travel will be around 2.5 hours. Your connection time will be 34 minutes. You’ll definitely have plenty of time to get on the next train.
The train you take will depend on the time you arrive at the airport, get through customs, and then get to Level -1 to purchase your train ticket. If you happen to arrive when the longer train is next then you’ll want to take that. It won’t make sense to wait an hour for the shorter train ride.
I know it sounds like a LOT of work to take the train but it’s really not.
Steps to purchasing the train ticket
1. Head to the lower level of the airport (-1) to get to the train station.
2. Purchase your train ticket and choose a Casablanca station AND the Rabat Ville station.
3. Get on the train and then at the Casablanca station catch your connecting train to Rabat.
4. Get off the train at the Rabat Ville station and catch a taxi to your hotel.
Day 1: Arrive in Rabat
Can you believe it’s still just day 1??? You’re almost a pro at navigating your way through Morocco! Getting to Rabat seems like a lot of work but it’s not. Now that you’re in Rabat, check in to your hotel and then head out to explore a few places.
You don’t need a long time in Rabat because there’s really just a few places worth visiting. Well, there may be more but the places below are the most popular places to check out in Rabat.
- Hassan Tower (free)
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V (free)
- Explore the Kasbah (free)
- Check out the outside of the Royal Palace – cannot go in but the outside is worth a look (free)
Day 2: Travel to Chefchaouen
Get up early and travel to Chefchaouen from Rabat. You can either take the CTM bus or hire a driver. The bus will cost around $16 and take between 5-8 hours to reach depending on the bus.
The other (and better) option is to hire a driver (taxi) to take you there. You can arrange this with the hotel in Rabat. They will find a driver for you. This will cost around $60 for the vehicle but you will arrive in Chefchaouen in just 3 hours. This leaves plenty of time to explore Morocco’s Blue Pearl.
- Explore the blue washed medina – you will get lost and that’s okay!
- Catch the sunset from the mosque at the top of the hill – a 20 minute “hike”
- Check out the main square Plaza Uta el-Hammam and the old fortress located there
Where to stay in Chefchaouen
I recommend staying in a riad in the medina. It’s all about the experience! If you want a luxury hotel option then consider Casa Hassan. It’s beautiful and you won’t have to hike up too many stairs.
We stayed at Dar Solaiman and loved our location. It’s a mid-range budget and nothing fancy but we had a lot of room inside our room and it was affordable. If you have a lot of luggage you may need help with your bags but trust me, you’ll have people offer. This is not a free service.
And if you are on a tight budget and saving your dollars for more trips (YES!) then consider staying at Vallparadis Pension Familiar. You’ll have great views of the mountains and city and is very inexpensive.
Where to eat in Chefchaouen
I have a few recommendations of places to eat. These places are right in the main square of Place Outa El Hamam. You can’t miss the square…it’s where the castle/fortress is.
Bilmos has an AMAZING crepe breakfast. Even my husband who is not a big breakfast eater thought it was so delicious. Bilmos is right in the square across from the castle.
Next is The Magic Lamp House of Aladin. This is also in the main square and this was so good that we had lunch and then went back for dinner. The have the most amazing rooftop with views of the entire city.
And finally, also in Place Outa El Hamam is Chez Hicham. Great food and also views of the city. Their spaghetti bolognese was really delicious and tasted pretty authentic. I base this off of living in Italy for a year and have a LOT Of spaghetti bolognese meals.
FYI: Just in case you’re wondering if Morocco is a dry country, it’s not. Read all about Drinking in Morocco and how to properly take part in it in a Muslim country.
Day 3: Travel to Fes
Today you’ll travel to Fes and you can either take the bus or hire a driver. Again, you can ask your hotel/riad to arrange this for you. They always know someone who does this. The bus will cost about $11 a person and take 4.5 hours to reach Fes.
Hiring a driver will cost around $60 for the car which is a good deal depending on how many people are in your group. However, hiring a driver will have you in Fes in just 3 hours.
Once you arrive and have checked in to your hotel you can explore the medina a bit but understand that you will get lost. There are over 10,000 alleyways in the Fez medina and it’s confusing.
Day 4: Explore Fes
I recommend hiring a guide for your second day in Fes. It’s totally worth it! Your guide will take you through the Fez medina to visit all the major highlights as well as taking you to significant places of interest outside of the Fes medina. This is the BEST way to see everything in just 1 day.
I’ve taken this Fez Guided Tour and it was one of the best I’ve ever been on. The guides know this city and the medina and will take you to all of the following places.
- Fez Medina
- Chouara Tannerie
- The Jewish Quarter
- Royal Palace Gate
- Bab Boujloud Gate
- Moulay Idriss Mausoleum
- Neggarine Fountain and more
Trust me when I say that getting a tour is the very best way to explore Fes and to see all of the major sights in Fes in just one day.
Where to stay in Fes
I recommend staying at a Riad in the Fes Medina. There’s not a lot of stairs in the Fes medina like there is in Chefchaouen but staying in the medina is a once in a lifetime experience and since you’re here you have to do it!
There are a ton of choices so I would look through them and find something that matches your budget. The one thing I recommend is finding a place that is near an entrance to the medina so you won’t get lost.
Day 5: Travel to Marrakech
Today you’ll travel to Marrakech by train. Traveling by train is the quickest way to get to Marrakech. You’ll need to buy your tickets in advance at least a few weeks to a month to ensure you actually get tickets.
The train will take 6.5 hours and costs $40 a person. You’ll choose the train, pick your seat, and just relax. If you take the early train that leaves around 7:30am you’ll be in Marrakech by early afternoon. You can check into your hotel and then start exploring Marrakech.
Here’s some places you might want to check out on your first day in Marrakech
- Jardin Majorelle and the Museum of Berber Arts
- Bahia Palace
- Badi Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- Menara Gardens
- Mederssa Ben Youssef
- Djemaa el-Fna Square at night
Day 6: Explore Marrakech
You have the whole day to explore more of Marrakech. While there are plenty of places to see in Marrakech you might want to consider taking a day trip to some sights just outside Marrakech.
Day Trip 1: Full day trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou. These are UNESCO sites and where the Atlas Film Studios is and moves are filmed. It’s the largest film studio in the world.
Day Trip 2: Visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls where you can hike on the trails, take a boat ride, and learn about argan oil and the Berber culture.
Where to stay in Marrakech
There are a hundreds of beautiful riads you can choose from to stay at while in Marrakech. Trust me every place you see you’ll want to stay there but you don’t have time to stay at all of them.
We stayed at both Riad Le Pelerin and Riad Yamina. Both places were in the medina on opposite ends and both are beautiful. Riad Le Pelerin is newer and has a very boho vibe. Riad Yamina is older but has been renovated and is a more traditional style riad.
We were able to get a tour of Riad Yamina and the rooms are to die for! So pretty! You can’t go wrong with either of those. I could look at photos of these riads all day.
Day 7: Travel to Essaouira
Today you’ll travel to the coastal town of Essaouira. There isn’t a train station so you’ll have to either take the bus or hire a driver. Again, ask your Marrakech hotel to help arrange for a driver (you know the drill).
The drive to Essaouira is just 3 hours from Marrakesh. We hired a driver and paid $15 per person (5 of us). If you leave first thing in the morning you’ll be in Essaouria in time for lunch and to explore the town.
Essaouira is a small beach town and you can pretty much see everything in just one day. Some of the places to see in Essaouira that you may want to visit includes the following:
- The historic port of Essaouira and fish market
- Visit Skala de la Ville – the 16th century fortification with cannons
- The medina which is enclosed by city walls – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to stay in Essaouira
The medina is located within the old fortress walls and there aren’t any stairs to contend with. There are a lot of choices in Essaouira but the one we stayed at and really liked was Chems Bleu. Our room was very large and we had great views of the ocean.
Where to eat in Essaouira
There are a lot of good places to eat in Essaouira and with the ocean RIGHT THERE, the seafood is fresh. But you HAVE to go to KSOU Cafe & Restaurant! This place is a total experience with great food and a fantastic show.
There’s music, there’s fire, there’s dancers…I cannot give this restaurant an accurate description that will do it justice so please just go and see for yourself! Make sure you go in the evening.
Day 8: Essaouira & Travel to Marrakech
If you want to explore more of Essaouira before heading back to Marrakech then you can use the morning to see a little more. When you’re ready to leave you’ll head back to Marrakech.
I recommend hiring another driver so you’ll be back in Marrakech quickly. You also have the option to to take a CTM bus which would save money but you may need to leave earlier in the day instead of spending more time in Essaouira.
Spend the rest of the day and evening checking out more places in Marrakech.
Day 9: Explore Marrakech
There are a lot of things to do in Marrakech so explore some more places and find the perfect souvenir to bring home from Morocco if you haven’t bought enough yet. 🙂 I always seem to have to buy a small piece of luggage when I travel to fit all of my treasures!
You can either spend the entire day and evening visiting more places in Marrakech or choose to take an evening tour to the desert. I highly recommend the Agafay Desert with a Sunset Dinner & Camel Ride. It’s just 30 minutes from Marrakesh and the perfect way to end the trip!
Day 10: Travel back home
Today is your last day in Morocco. If you’re flying out of the Casablanca International Airport then you should head there this morning. IF you have time then stop off at the Hassan II Mosque. The mosque is located right off the sea and it’s really impressive.
You can either just walk around the outside or take a tour of the inside. The Hassan II Mosque is one of two Moroccan mosques where non-Muslims are allowed to go inside on a guided tour.
Once you’re done then head to the airport for an evening flight out of Morocco.
Final Thoughts on 10 days in Morocco
There is a LOT to see and do in Morocco and the possibilites of places to visit are endless. This 10 day Morocco itinerary is just one way to visit the best places in Morocco.
If you have more than 10 days in Morocco then I would still stick to this itinerary but add some extra time in Chefchaouen or Essaouira. Those are two of my favorite places in Morocco and are great places to add some down time to just enjoy the towns.