10 Days in Morocco: The Complete Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip
Ten days in Morocco is the sweet spot — enough time to experience the country’s iconic highlights at a comfortable pace while adding destinations that a week simply cannot accommodate. This 10 days in Morocco itinerary adds Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast to the classic Marrakech-Sahara-Fes circuit, creating a journey that spans the full breadth of the country’s extraordinary diversity.
Overview: 10 Days in Morocco at a Glance
- Days 1–2: Marrakech
- Day 3: Atlas Mountains day trip and Essaouira
- Day 4: Essaouira
- Day 5: Marrakech to Sahara
- Day 6: Sahara Desert
- Day 7: Sahara to Fes
- Day 8: Fes
- Day 9: Fes to Chefchaouen
- Day 10: Chefchaouen — departure
Days 1–2: Marrakech
Follow the same two-day Marrakech program as the 7-day itinerary — Djemaa el-Fna, Bahia and El Badi Palaces, the souks, and Majorelle Garden. With 10 days in Morocco, you have the luxury of a slightly more relaxed pace in the city — leave time for a traditional hammam experience on day two, and consider the Saadian Tombs (70 MAD) which a tighter itinerary might skip.
Day 3: Ourika Valley and Journey to Essaouira
A morning excursion to the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas (approximately 1 hour from Marrakech) for a hike to the Setti Fatma waterfalls, returning to Marrakech for lunch, then continuing by CTM bus or private transfer to Essaouira (approximately 3 hours). Arrive in Essaouira in the early evening and walk the ramparts at sunset.
Day 4: Essaouira
A full day in Morocco’s most beautiful coastal city — the medina, the harbor fish market, the Skala de la Ville ramparts, a seafood lunch at the harbor grill stalls, and an afternoon on the windswept beach. Essaouira provides a complete contrast to the intensity of Marrakech and is one of the finest days of this 10 days in Morocco itinerary for travelers who appreciate atmosphere over sightseeing.
Return to Marrakech by CTM bus in the evening, or alternatively base yourself in Essaouira for night 4 and travel directly to the Sahara departure point the following morning.
For the complete guide to Morocco’s Atlantic coast city, read our Essaouira travel guide.
Day 5: Marrakech to the Sahara
Identical to Day 3 of the 7-day itinerary — the spectacular drive through the Atlas via Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate to Merzouga, arriving in time for the sunset camel trek. With 10 days in Morocco, you can afford a slightly more relaxed pace on this drive, with longer stops at the Tizi n’Tichka pass viewpoints and Ait Benhaddou.
Day 6: Sahara Desert
With a full day in the Sahara on this 10 days in Morocco itinerary (rather than the brief morning of the 7-day version), you have time to explore beyond the immediate camp — a longer camel trek into the dunes, sandboarding, a visit to the Gnaoua musicians’ quarter in Merzouga, and an afternoon visit to the small lake at the edge of the dunes where flamingos occasionally gather. A second night in the desert camp is warmly recommended for anyone who can arrange it.
For full details on choosing camps and what to expect, read our Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech guide.
Day 7: Sahara to Fes via Todra Gorge
Follow the same route as Day 4 of the 7-day itinerary, with the addition of more time in the Todra Gorge — consider a proper hike rather than a brief roadside stop, and allow time for a lunch of fresh trout at one of the restaurants beside the river in the gorge itself.
Day 8: Fes
Follow the same full-day Fes program as Day 6 of the 7-day itinerary, with the addition of the Dar Batha Museum (Moroccan art and crafts in a beautiful 19th-century palace, 10 MAD) and a more leisurely afternoon in the potters’ and ceramics quarter.
Day 9: Fes to Chefchaouen
The morning bus from Fes to Chefchaouen takes approximately 4–5 hours via CTM. Arrive in Chefchaouen in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day simply being in the blue city — wandering the medina, finding the best viewpoint above the kasbah, watching the light change on the blue walls in the late afternoon. The hike to the Spanish Mosque for sunset is the evening highlight.
For everything to do in the blue city, read our Chefchaouen travel guide.
Day 10: Chefchaouen — Final Morning and Departure
An early morning walk through the medina before the day visitors arrive — Chefchaouen at 7 AM, with soft light in the blue alleyways and almost no other tourists, is one of the finest single experiences in this 10 days in Morocco itinerary. A final mint tea, a final browse of the wool craft shops, and then onward — by bus to Tangier for international connections, or back to Fes or Casablanca for flights.
10 Days in Morocco: Practical Summary
Total distance (driving option): approximately 2,000 kilometers
Accommodation: 9 nights
Budget estimate (mid-range): approximately 11,000–16,000 MAD per person
Best months: March–May and September–November
For transport between cities, read our Morocco train travel guide. For official tourism information, visit Visit Morocco.
