Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca – Hassan II Mosque

Welcome to Morocco! Your 12 days Morocco tour from Casablanca begins at Mohammed V Airport, where your English-speaking driver meets you. In fact, this is one of the easiest tours from Casablanca airport, since you start exploring right away.

First, you visit the Hassan II Mosque, whose minaret rises about 210 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, it is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims on a guided tour. Afterwards, stroll along the Corniche at sunset and enjoy fresh seafood by the ocean. Learn more on VisitMorocco’s Casablanca page.

Driving time: about 45 minutes. Overnight: hotel in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Asilah

After breakfast, you drive about one hour to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. There, you visit the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas, part of the UNESCO site Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City. Rabat is also the start of our Morocco tours from Rabat.

In the afternoon, you continue north along the coast to Asilah, a whitewashed fishing town surrounded by old Portuguese ramparts. Then, stroll through its medina, where artists paint colorful murals on the walls. Finally, watch the sunset over the ocean from the ramparts.

Driving time: about 3.5 hours. Overnight: riad in Asilah.

Day 3: Asilah – Tangier – Cape Spartel – Chefchaouen

This morning, you drive to Cape Spartel, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Next, you explore Tangier’s Kasbah and enjoy a mint tea at the historic Café Hafa, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. On a clear day, you can even see the coast of Spain. Tangier is also the start of our Morocco tours from Tangier.

In the afternoon, you head inland into the Rif Mountains. Finally, you arrive in Chefchaouen, the famous blue city founded in 1471, in time for dinner and a first stroll through its blue lanes. To learn more, visit VisitMorocco’s Tangier page and VisitMorocco’s Chefchaouen guide.

Driving time: about 3 hours. Overnight: riad in Chefchaouen.

Day 4: Chefchaouen and the Akchour Waterfalls

Today is a relaxed day in the Rif Mountains. In the morning, you drive about 45 minutes to Akchour, where a trail follows a green river to waterfalls and natural pools. On a warm day, you can even cool off in the clear water.

Alternatively, you can stay in town and explore the blue lanes, the old Kasbah and the craft shops at your own pace. In the late afternoon, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for a golden view. If you later stay longer in Fez, you can return here with our Fes to Chefchaouen day trip.

Overnight: riad in Chefchaouen.

Day 5: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez

After breakfast, you drive south to the Archaeological Site of Volubilis, where Roman columns and floor mosaics are almost 2,000 years old. Meanwhile, your driver shares the history of this ancient city, once a Roman provincial capital. Moreover, the views over the olive groves are beautiful.

Then, you continue to the Historic City of Meknes, where you admire the grand Bab Mansour gate built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Finally, you arrive in Fez in the early evening and check in to your riad. For a single-day version of this route, see our Volubilis day trip from Fez.

Driving time: about 5 hours. Overnight: riad in Fes.

Day 6: Fez Guided Medina Tour

After breakfast, a licensed local guide leads you through the Medina of Fez, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. First, you admire the golden gates of the Royal Palace, then enter the medina through the Blue Gate.

Next, you visit the Bou Inania Madrasa and watch leather being dyed at the Chouara Tannery. Afterwards, you see the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, one of the oldest centers of learning in the world. Fez is also the starting point of all our Morocco tours from Fez. For details, read about our Fez medina guided tour.

Overnight: riad in Fes.

Day 7: Fez – Ifrane – Midelt – Merzouga Desert Camp

This morning, you climb into the Middle Atlas and pass Ifrane, nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco. Then, you cross the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often wait by the road. Gradually, the forests give way to open plains.

After lunch in Midelt, you follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley south. At sunset, you ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi, the highlight of this Sahara desert tour. Once at camp, dinner is served under the stars. If you only want this part, see our 3 days tour from Fes to Merzouga.

Driving time: about 7 to 8 hours with stops. Overnight: desert camp in Erg Chebbi.

Day 8: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Gorge

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to Merzouga for breakfast. Afterwards, you drive west through Rissani and Erfoud, where you stop at a fossil workshop to see how artisans polish ancient stones. Learn more on VisitMorocco’s Merzouga page.

In the early afternoon, you reach the Todra Gorge, where rock walls rise almost 300 meters above a clear stream. Then, you continue to the Dades Gorge, where the road winds up in tight hairpin bends. Finally, enjoy dinner at your hotel while the evening light turns the cliffs red.

Driving time: about 5 hours. Overnight: hotel in the Dades Gorge.

Day 9: Dades – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou

This morning, you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of the Rose Valley. Next, you pass the palm groves of Skoura, dotted with old mud-brick fortresses. Here, local cooperatives also sell rose water and natural cosmetics made from Damask roses.

After lunch in Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Africa, you continue to the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou and climb to the top for sunset. Afterwards, you spend the night here, once the day visitors have left. For a shorter visit, see our Ait Ben Haddou day trip from Marrakech.

Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: guesthouse in Ait Ben Haddou.

Day 10: Ait Ben Haddou – Tizi n’Tichka – Marrakech

After breakfast, you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass at about 2,260 meters. Along the way, you stop for photos of terraced fields and Berber villages clinging to the slopes. Moreover, the winding road offers some of the best views of the trip.

In the early afternoon, you arrive in Marrakech, the starting point of all our Morocco tours from Marrakech. In the evening, walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the lively heart of the Medina of Marrakesh, where musicians and food stalls fill the square at night. Then, enjoy dinner on a rooftop terrace.

Driving time: about 4 hours. Overnight: riad in Marrakech.

Day 11: Marrakech Guided Tour – Essaouira

After breakfast, a licensed local guide shows you the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the colorful souks. Along the way, your guide shares stories about the dynasties that built the Red City. For more ideas, see our day trips from Marrakech.

In the early afternoon, you drive west through the argan forest to Essaouira. Along the way, you stop at a women’s argan oil cooperative. Then, walk the Skala ramparts of the Medina of Essaouira and enjoy grilled fish by the harbor. If you prefer a shorter visit, see our Essaouira day trip from Marrakech.

Driving time: about 3 hours. Overnight: riad in Essaouira.

Day 12: Essaouira – El Jadida – Casablanca and Departure

On your last morning, watch the blue fishing boats unload their catch at the port. Afterwards, you drive north along the Atlantic coast to El Jadida, the old Portuguese City of Mazagan, and visit its underground cistern, where light falls through a single opening in the roof.

Finally, you continue to Casablanca, about 90 minutes away, along a modern motorway. Your driver drops you at Mohammed V Airport or your hotel, and your 12 days Morocco tour from Casablanca comes to an end. Learn more about the coast on VisitMorocco’s Essaouira page and El Jadida page.

Driving time: about 5 hours with stops.