Europe’s doorway to exotic adventures is none other than the Kingdom of Morocco, a country equally rich in culture and history. This North African nation sits between Spain and Algeria, and its unique geography is one of the reasons Morocco so effortlessly provides such unique experiences to travellers from around the world.
In a single trip, you could find yourself surfing on mighty North Atlantic swells in Essaouira, staying overnight in traditional Berber accommodations and discovering the magical Sahara Desert on camelback. Whatever experience calls to you, Morocco can answer…and then some.
So if you’re ready to take the leap and book your next trip to the gateway of Africa, then use this helpful guide, inspired by our friends at Intrepid Travel, to plan two perfect weeks in Morocco.
What city should you arrive in Morocco?
If you’re arriving from outside of North Africa, most airlines will land in Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport or Menara Airport in Marrakech. Starting in Casablanca first works well because it’ll allow you to cover the best parts of the country in a way that makes sense geographically.
How can you get around Morocco?
Without being biased, a tour is the most stress-free way to manoeuvre around Morocco, without sacrificing visiting any of the more remote (i.e. difficult to reach) hidden gems.
While exploring solo is undoubtedly possible, public buses and trains can be challenging to coordinate as they typically only bring you to major cities, which risks a limited experience of the country. Renting a car is also a possibility but be careful: there’s a high collision rate, and locals drive more aggressively than what you may be used to at home.
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Where should you visit in Morocco?
- Casablanca
- Rabat and Meknes
- Volubilis
- Fes
- Midelt
- Sahara Camp
- Todgha Gorge
- Ait Benhaddou
- Aroumd
- Essaouira
- Marrakech
Casablanca
How long to stay: 2 nights
Considered to be the heart of the country, Casablanca is a port city dripping in old-world charm and cosmopolitan elegance. The city’s buildings are distinctly French inspired, and the art deco buildings are guaranteed to impress you. If you’re short on time, a day or two is long enough to explore Casablanca. Make sure you visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the only mosques that permit non-Muslim visitors inside. Dress respectfully and enjoy the elegant interior and imposing exterior equally.
Spend an afternoon wandering the Old Medina and its city walls before taking a short taxi ride to visit the New Medina, called Quartiers des Habous. Finish the day with a walk along the Corniche, watching the locals play football on the beach, or take it easy with a glass of sweet mint tea in one of the many cosy cafes and rest easy knowing your deep-dive into Moroccan culture has only just begun.
Rabat and Meknes
How long to stay: Both can be done in one day
After a couple of days in Casablanca, catch a short train ride to the historical town of Rabat, also the country’s capital. Rabat has a colourful past involving ancient dynasties dating back to the 15th century, and a walk through the city can transport you back in time. Walk through the heart of Rabat to discover a city, within a city: Chellah, a medieval fortification wrapped in flowers, overgrown plants and both Roman and Islamic ruins. Afterwards, walk up to Kasbah des Oudaias and take in impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Next, catch another train ride and move on to the imperial city of Meknes, one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco. Meknes is comprised of two distinct districts, each one has unique vibes, and both are entirely explorable on foot. Visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismail, the Heri es Souani Granary or sit down to savour a camel burger and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.
Volubilis
How long to stay: A morning in Volubilis will do!
Leave Meknes and travel through picturesque olive groves all the way to the Unesco World Heritage site of Volubilis where you can spend a couple of hours taking a tour around the ruined outpost of a formally powerful empire. Enjoy the extraordinary and nearly intact mosaics along the Decumanus Maximus, Volubilis’ main thoroughfare.
Fes
How long to stay: 2 nights is ideal
After a few hours in Volubilis, carry onward to Fes, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. The best way to begin a day in Fes is with a guided walking tour of the old city. Watch the city spring to life around you with its colourful markets, pungent tanneries and elegant mosques. Navigate through narrow alleys filled with locals and packhorses (in this case, donkeys) as you approach the souk to participate in the hustle and bustle of a typical Moroccan shopping experience.
Make sure you visit the Medersa Bou Inania, right at the entrance of the Old Medina. Built by Sultan Bou Inan in the 14th century, this former college for Muslim intellectuals has been expertly restored to better show off its brilliant mosaics, plaster carvings, delicate lattice screens, and imposing doors. Be sure also to make time to visit the picture-perfect Medresse el Attarine. It’s a little smaller than the Medersa Bou Inania, but its central courtyard is just as magnificent, and the intricate mosaics provide a nearly mesmerizing effect.
If you’re great at time management you should also be able to fit in a visit to the Merenid Tombs, the Dar el Makhzen (viewable from the outside only), the Jewish quarter Mellah and of course the Chouara Tannery, where you can observe the ancient craft of tanning and dying at the oldest tannery in the world.
Midelt
How long to stay: 1 night
After two chaotic and dizzying days in Fez, drive four hours towards the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains where you’ll find the sleepy town of Midelt. Consider this place more of a stopover on your way to the desert than anything else. Spend your afternoon watching the nomadic shepherds taking care of their flocks. Take a little walk and head over to the village of Bremmem to watch the local farmers in action. Finish your day in Midelt by listening to local musicians perform traditional Moroccan music. You’ll need your rest for the coming days.
Sahara Camp
How long to stay: 1 night
Come morning, take a five-hour drive towards the famous Sahara Desert, stopping only to admire the Kasbahs and lush valleys that will surround you. On the way, you should also visit the oasis towns of Erfoud and Rissani, each a pleasant pit stop with markets and local produce to try (dates, dates and more dates). Eventually, you’ll reach the small Saharan settlement called Merzouga which provides a wonderful feeling of serenity thanks to its isolated location.
Channel your inner Indiana Jones and hire a camel for a sunset ride through the desert. If you arrange it in advance, you can even spend the night in a desert camp under the stars which for many is a quintessential Moroccan experience. On a clear night, be prepared to see a sky crowded with more stars than you ever thought possible.
Todgha Gorge
How long to stay: 2 nights
After a night under the stars, return from the desert and head towards Todgha Gorge, a series of limestone river canyons in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. If you can make the time, you should visit El Khorbat Oujdid, a fortified village that is also home to a modest little oasis museum.
Once you finally arrive in the valley of the gorge, enjoy a full day of exploring the stunning natural scenery. Take a guided hike through the gorge and choose one of several circuits to hike, each at varying lengths and difficulties but many of them entirely manageable. If you take the most popular trail, you’ll be wandering alongside high walls of grey and pink rock, and passing by Berber villages and green palmeraies along the way. It’s impossible to be anything less than invigorated after a couple of days exploring the valley in this majestic gorge.
Ait Benhaddou
How long to stay: 1 night
Four hours from Todgha Gorge lies Ait Benhaddou, the most famous ksar in the Ounila Valley and a current UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way you’ll pass by ancient kasbah ruins, mountains, palm tree filled valleys and even former colonial military outposts, making for a truly scenic drive. If you’re a cinephile, you could stop in Ouarzazate to see where movies like Black Hawk Down and the iconic Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. You can even take a tour of the Atlas Movie Studios.
Ait Benhaddou and the surrounding area has appeared in more than ten movies, and its mud-brick buildings are often used as a replacement for Jerusalem. Explore the city on foot to get a lasting impression of life in the Ksar. If you’re lucky enough to arrange a cooking demonstration from some local experts in Ait Benhaddou, you’ll learn how to prepare couscous and tagine from scratch, particularly cool souvenirs to take home with you.
Aroumd
How long to stay: 1 night
After a night in Ait Benhaddou, you can say goodbye to the Sahara and head towards the sleepy mountain village of Aroumd. You can reach Aroumd via a relatively easy one-hour trek upwards or by riding a mule from Imlil, another small settlement in the High Atlas Mountains. If you’re serious about trekking and extending your time in Morocco beyond two weeks, then Armoud will likely make it onto your itinerary as the village is often used as a base or overnight stop for popular trekking companies.
For those who are sticking to a more laid-back two-week adventure, don’t fear: Aroumd has something for you too. This little village, perched on a rocky outcrop, provides unforgettable views of the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to acquaint yourself with the traditions and hospitality of the Berber community.
Essaouira
How long to stay: 2 nights
Spend two of your final four days in Morocco exploring the coastal resort city of Essaouira, a scenic five-hour drive from Aroumd. This colourful port city is the laid-back anthesis to buzzing Marrakesh and spending two days here will allow you to bask in its old world charm thoroughly. You can join a walking tour and explore the narrow streets of the old medina and Jewish mellah.
Peruse the local art galleries and vibrant shops before watching the fisherman at work in the nearby port. Afterwards, stop in one of the local restaurants to enjoy a generous plate of their daily catch and watch the waves roll in.
If you have the time, visit one of the city’s local baths, called a hammam. The baths are separated by gender and are considered one of the common ways for locals to spend hours chatting with friends. Upon entry, you’ll receive a bucket, mat black soap and exfoliating gloves. Spend a couple of hours relaxing in pools and unwinding in the steam rooms. Depending on which hammam you visit, you may receive an extra layer of service from the attendants who will guide you through the experience.
Marrakech
How long to stay: 2-3 nights
So you’ve just about finished your 2-week expedition through the jewel of North Africa, but there’s one more place left before completing your trip to Morocco: beautiful Marrakech. This lively, colourful and aromatic city is the ideal place to end your time in Morocco.
Start off in Jemaa El-Fnna, the city’s main square, and walk throughout thousands of stalls where vendors will be selling everything from lamps and carpets to dates, mint tea and even fried donuts. If you arrive closer to sunset, you can pay a small cover charge to unwind at a nearby rooftop lounge and watch the bustling market as the sun goes down.
Other mandatory experiences include getting lost in the winding alleyways of the medina and honing your haggling skills in the city’s souks. Consider taking an hour to get away from the crowds with a visit to the former gardens of the French painter Jacques Majore at Jardin Majorelle. Fit in a visit to the ruins of the Palais Bahia, where a climb of its walls will provide astounding views of the city.
Finally budget a few more hours to explore the former resting place of Moroccan royalty, the magnificent Saadian Tombs. The main mausoleum is the more impressive of the two, but you’ll find incredible decorative tiles and Quranic inscriptions throughout the entire complex. Sound intense? That’s Marrakech for you. The good news is you’ll be thoroughly and excessively immersed in all the best Morocco has to offer by the end of your few days in this extraordinary city.
What do you think? Have we missed any of the essential must-have experiences for a two week trip to Morocco? Let us know your favourite things to do in Morocco, and we’ll add it to our itinerary.
