MOROCCO IN 10 DAYS: A Non-Stop North African Adventure
We spent ages planning our trip, carefully handpicking every single spot to visit!
We wanted to listen to the crashing waves of the Atlantic, soak up the vibrant local vibes in the Atlas Mountains, and enjoy dinner in a Berber village at sunset in the desert.
✈️ We flew into Casablanca and checked into our hotel. Pro tip: stay in the Maarif district—it's the city's liveliest, trendiest, and most central neighborhood. It makes getting to all the landmarks a breeze, whether by taxi or on foot.
🔸Day 1: Casablanca - The largest city in Morocco, often treated as just a layover spot by travelers. But trust me, there's plenty to see here.
📍What to see: Hassan II Mosque, El Hank Lighthouse, the Corniche promenade, Arab League Park, Mohammed V Square (where you'll find the giant 'Casablanca' sign for a photo op), the Medina and its vibrant markets, including the seafood market. You absolutely have to try the fresh oysters—locals sell huge ones right on the street downtown for just 10 dirhams a pop!
The city has a really unique vibe and feels incredibly diverse—especially when you explore it on foot!
🔸Day 2: Rabat - Morocco’s capital. Compared to Casablanca, it's so much calmer, cleaner, and more organized! I absolutely loved this town and its laid-back rhythm. Wandering through the old Medina is pure bliss, soaking in the charming, narrow streets painted in striking blue and white.
📍What to see: We took the high-speed train from Casablanca and started exploring on foot. There’s some amazing street art on the buildings along the way to Nouzhat Hassan Garden. Next up were Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V—the city's crown jewels of architecture. You should also stroll through the Medina and the Salé neighborhood. And Kasbah of the Udayas? Totally mind-blowing! It’s an ancient citadel right in Rabat, boasting stunning Moorish architecture from the Almohad era. Don't miss a walk along the Rabat Corniche to watch the locals cliff-jumping off the citadel walls into the water).
🔸Days 3-4: Tangier - A historically rich city sitting right at the gateway to Europe. Fun fact: you can actually see the coast of Spain perfectly from the city’s promenade! It’s surreal! This town is fascinating, boasting a totally different flavor and architectural aesthetic. Honestly, it barely feels like Morocco.
By this point, we’d picked up a rental car, met up with friends, and made a beeline for Paradise Beach Kaf Lahmam.
📍What to see: A trip to Cape Spartel is a must. Climb to the top of the lighthouse (hold onto your hat, the wind is no joke up there)—this is the northwesternmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. It’s breathtaking. If you have time, check out the Caves of Hercules, a mythic spot with epic views. (Though, full disclosure, it felt a bit too touristy for our taste).
The city itself deserves a shoutout because the boutique accommodations here are one-of-a-kind. Definitely book a place with a rooftop terrace—the views are to die for.
🔸Day 5: Chefchaouen (Chaouen) — Hands down one of the most picturesque spots in Morocco. This is the iconic "Blue Pearl," completely drenched in azure tones. After wandering the streets, you’ll look up and swear the sky itself looks a little less blue by comparison!)
📍What to see: Spend your morning just getting lost in the maze of its narrow alleyways. The whole town is an absolute photographer's dream. Every few steps in the old Medina, locals will offer you access to cute little photo sets they’ve created just for tourists, usually for about 10 dirhams. It’s basically snap-snap-snap everywhere you look.
🔸Day 6: Heading to Fes. This is the longest drive of the trip, taking around 4-5 hours. You can break up the journey with stops at the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the city of Meknes. Meknes is famous for its excellent gray wine, and the city itself is well worth exploring. Fes is Morocco's spiritual and cultural heartbeat, famous for its sprawling medieval Medina packed with an endless maze of streets and alleys! Your head will literally spin, so brace yourself.
📍What to see in Fes: Block out an entire day to tackle the Fes Medina—one of the largest urban labyrinths on the planet. The absolute highlight is checking out the ancient Chouara Tanneries to see a leather-making process that hasn't changed in centuries. And yes, this is where everyone gets those iconic photos, but expect to tip for the view! Fair warning: the smell is pretty intense since the tanning techniques are genuinely medieval. But it’s a totally unique spectacle and 100% worth it.
Pro tip: This place is incredibly easy to get lost in. Be ready for pushy "helpers" offering to guide you for cash. We opted to hire an official guide and spent about 6 hours touring the city as a group.
🔸Days 7-8: Marrakech (via the Atlas Mountains and Ait Benhaddou). Brace yourself—this will be the most action-packed and visually stunning day of the trip. Head out from Fes bright and early.
· Atlas Mountains: The drive south winds through the Tizi n'Tichka pass (sitting at 2,260 m) and dishes up jaw-dropping panoramic views - the journey can take about 8 hours with stops .
📍What to see in Marrakech: The most tourist-heavy, high-voltage city in Morocco! It’s pure chaos and noise, with everyone hustling and trying to sell something to someone! :
Here you need to immerse yourself in the chaos and colors of the medina, visit the buzzing Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the opulent Bahia Palace and the ruins of El Badi Palace . You can also pop over to the Mellah (the historic Jewish quarter).
🔸Day 9: Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert
A One-Day Adventure: This is the perfect way to experience Morocco's striking natural contrasts all in a single day.
📍What to see:
Atlas Mountains: Drive out to the foothills, for example, to Imlil village — the "gateway" to Toubkal National Park. You'll get to see traditional Berber villages, sweeping mountain vistas, and hike out to some local waterfalls .
Agafay Desert: Just 30 km outside of Marrakech, you'll find a rocky desert dotted with white dunes that gives off major Sahara vibes. It’s the perfect place for a short camel trek to catch a stunning desert sunset.
🔸Day 10: Back to Casablanca. Hotel with a Pool.
· This is your downtime day. The drive isn't too long, so use this time to soak up the ocean views and decompress from all the noise and hustle!
We took a detour through the coastal town of Essaouira, though we ran out of time to hit up the resort city of Agadir. Maybe next time. Plan your time carefully, as the driving distances are pretty hefty overall. You want to make sure you aren't rushing!
You can't pack everything into just one post, so I’ll be dropping more content soon covering specific cities, the food scene, and local quirks 🥘 🐫 🦪 stay tuned for new posts!
💡 Essential Road Trip Tips
· Rentals and Roads: The highways connecting major cities are solid, and there are toll roads available. However, absolute chaos reigns in the cities; traffic laws are frequently ignored, especially in Marrakech and Fes . Consider renting an all-wheel-drive vehicle, especially if you're planning on tackling the mountains or the desert.
· Safety: Avoid driving at night, particularly on winding mountain passes . Also, use extreme caution during rain or snow (up in the passes), as roads can shut down without much warning .
· Parking: Trying to park in the Medinas (old towns) is a massive headache. Your best bet is to leave your car in a secure parking lot near your hotel and rely on taxis to navigate the city .
Speed cameras and cops are literally everywhere on the roads, especially right before toll booths—we actually snagged a few speeding tickets ourselves. Fines run anywhere from 150 to 400 dirhams. So seriously, stick to the speed limit strictly!
This itinerary ties together Morocco's greatest hits, giving you the ultimate cross-section of the country—from the crashing ocean surf to soaring mountain peaks and rugged deserts. Have an amazing trip, and I hope my guide helps you out!