Travel and suggested itineraries in Morocco

A wide range of options

Unless you stay for weeks, it's hardly possible to see everything in Morocco in a single trip. This means you'll need to make geographical choices or focus on the essentials. Whatever the length of your stay and/or your arrival city in the country, there will always be plenty of circuit options. In almost all cases, having a vehicle (especially from Marrakech) will make things much easier.

From Marrakech

Marrakech is the main tourist entry point to Morocco. After visiting the city, which requires at least two full days, several options are available, each taking about 10 to 15 days for a thorough visit.

Those looking for nature and vast mountain or desert spaces will head toward Ouarzazate, stopping at the unmissable ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. From Ouarzazate, you can then choose the Valley of the Roses, the Dadès Gorges, the Todra Gorges, the Draa Valley, or even the oasis route toward Guelmim, the route toward Taroudant, or even an itinerary including Toubkal National Park. In short, choices are mandatory, but in all cases, you’re guaranteed a complete change of scenery.

For those who prefer the sea or relaxation, a loop passing through Essaouira and Agadir should satisfy them. For a mix of both, you could plan a journey from Marrakech passing through Ouarzazate (or Toubkal Park) and Agadir.

From Agadir

Generally, if you choose to arrive in Agadir, it’s primarily to enjoy a beach and relaxation stay. Nevertheless, the seaside resort offers several nearby excursions (Taroudant, Tiznit, Sous-Massa National Park). Otherwise, Essaouira, Marrakech, or even the southern oases can serve as focal points for a few days’ journey.

From Casablanca

This isn’t necessarily the most practical entry point for exploring the country. Given the city’s location, unless you stay on the El Jadida–Rabat route, you’ll have to choose between heading east toward the imperial cities of Fes and Meknes or going south toward Marrakech. In both cases, there are quite a few kilometers you could easily avoid by arriving directly in those cities.

From Fes/Meknes

In addition to these two superb cities (and the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis), you can also discover the mountainous landscapes and parks of the Ifrane and/or Taza regions. For those who also want to enjoy the beaches, you can extend the trip to Rabat on the Atlantic coast.

From Oujda or Nador

Generally, if you choose to arrive in this part of Morocco, it’s to enjoy the Mediterranean beaches, from Saïdia to Al Hoceima, against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains. The country’s other points of interest are somewhat distant.

From Tangier

For a short circuit combining beaches, nature, and culture, you can limit yourself to the northern tip of Morocco, with Asilah, Larache, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, and the nearby Talassemtane National Park on the program. Otherwise, Rabat, Fes, and Meknes are not far away.

Some itinerary ideas

Several "circuit" ideas (add yours!) covering almost the entire country and requiring between one and two weeks to visit. For longer stays, you can combine these itineraries...

Itinerary "Around Marrakech" - Around 200 km over 6 days: Marrakech > Toubkal Region (Toubkal National Park, Ourika Valley and Oukaïmeden, Lalla-Takerkoust Lake) > Marrakech.

Itinerary: "Marrakech and the Route of 1000 Kasbahs" - Around 1,500 km over a dozen days: Marrakech > Tizi-n-Tichka Road > Aït Ben Haddou > Ouarzazate > Skoura > Valley of the Roses > Boumalne Dadès > Dadès Gorges > Todgha Gorges > Tinerhir > Merzouga > Zagora > Draa Valley > Ouarzazate > Marrakech.

Route: "South of Marrakech" - Around 1,300 km over ten to twelve days: Marrakech > Tizi-n-Tichka Road > Aït Ben Haddou > Ouarzazate > Draa Valley > M'Hamid > Taroudant > Tizi-n-Test Road > Toubkal National Park > Marrakech.

Marrakech-Agadir-Essaouira Itinerary - Around 750 km over ten days: Marrakech > Toubkal National Park > Tizi-n-Test Road > Taroudant > Agadir > Essaouira to Agadir Road > Essaouira > Marrakech.

Itinerary: "Marrakech-Casablanca and the Imperial Cities" - Around 1,300 km over fifteen days: Marrakech > El Jadida > Casablanca > Rabat-Salé > Meknes, Volubilis, Fes > Ifrane and Ifrane National Park > Khénifra National Park > Beni Mellal > Ouzoud Waterfalls > Aït Bougmez Valley > Marrakech.

Route "South of Agadir" - Around 900 km over seven days: Agadir (and surroundings) > Sous-Massa National Park > Tiznit > Mirleft > Sidi Ifni > Guelmim > Amtoudi > Tafraout Ammeln Valley > Taroudant > Agadir.

Route: "Tangier and the Imperial Cities" - Around 1,100 km over fifteen days: Tangier > Cape Spartel and Hercules Caves > Asilah > Lixus > Rabat-Salé > Meknes, Volubilis, Fes > Ifrane and Ifrane National Park > Tazzeka National Park > Chefchaouen and Talassemtane National Park > Tetouan > Tangier.