Morocco 14-day bucket-list itinerary: From coast to city to desert

This bucket-list 14-day Morocco trip is designed to be a see-all, do-all voyage of discovery through a country that is unparalleled in its blend of culture, adventure, great landscapes and exhilarating towns. 

Morocco is a unique country with a vast diversity of landscapes, and this fast-paced journey combines adventure, culture and city life with quiet time on the road. We’ve been planning trips in Morocco for more than 20 years and will fill your bucket-list adventure with colorful, extraordinary moments that will stay in your memory for a long time to come.

Use this sample bucket-list Morocco itinerary as inspiration, then reach out to have us plan your next custom vacation. We’ll get to know you and plan your perfect trip.

The two-week Morocco bucket-list itinerary at a glance

  • Day 1: Casablanca to Rabat – Discover the charms of Morocco’s capital city, Rabat. Explore the ancient Oudaya Kasbah with its Andalusian Gardens, visit the Kings’ Mausoleum and wander through the bustling Medina. 
  • Days 2-3: Chefchaouen – Get lost in the “blue city” medina, discover the old Jewish quarter, visit Ras El Ma waterfalls and take a short hike in the surrounding Rif Mountains.
    Days 4-5: Fez – Explore the country’s most impressive medieval medina: visit old koranic schools, tombs, the world’s oldest university, leather tanneries and stock up on the famous Fez blue pottery. 
  • Days 6-7: Sahara Desert (Merzouga) – Travel by camelback to your luxury desert camp. Give sand surfing a try and sit by a campfire under the stars. 
  • Days 8-9: Skoura – Discover ancient kasbahs, date palm and olive groves and the Valley of Roses. 
  • Days 10-12: Marrakech, Morocco’s red city. Sip mint tea, watch artisans at work, eat world-class street food, learn to cook, or step back in time at local museums.
  • Days 13-14: Essaouira – Try your hand at water sports, horse ride down the beach, buy fresh fish at the port and have it grilled and explore a medina full of art galleries, or just relax and wind down with a sundowner. 
  • Day 15: Casablanca – Catch a ride back to Casablanca full of two weeks of Morocco memories before you catch your flight home.

When to go:
September – May

Ideal trip length:
14 days

Adventure level:
Active adventure

Days 1: Casablanca to Rabat

Welcome to Morocco! You’ll land in the cosmopolitan city of Casablanca nowhere a private driver will be waiting. Take a short detour to visit the unmissable Hassan II Mosque before heading to the country’s capital, Rabat. This mosque is a celebration of Moroccan craftsmanship, is one of the largest in Africa and can hold 105,000 worshippers. 

After an hour drive you’ll arrive in Rabat, a calm city with some of the country’s best examples of French colonial architecture, a walled medina and Andalusian influences. Explore the Oudaya Kasbah, situated overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, which once protected the city from pirates. Visit the Mausoleum of the Kings or the ancient Chellah Necropolis and wander the wide boulevards of the new city.

We never plan the same trip twice. Reach out to have Epic curate your custom Morocco itinerary at info@epic.travel

Days 2-3: Chefchaouen 

The next morning, wake up for your first Moroccan breakfast – a certified feast with varieties of bread never before seen. After, your private driver will continue north as you head into the hills of the Rif Mountains, where the famously picturesque blue city of Chefchaouen awaits. 

Get lost in the blue-washed maze of Chefchaouen’s medina as you explore the winding alleys to discover the markets where craftsmen sell distinctive Riffian handicrafts. Close to sunset, embark on a short hike to the old ‘Spanish Mosque‘, a ruin situated on a hill outside the medina. Here you’ll have panoramic views across the city. Alternatively, stay in town and find a rooftop café to sip mint tea while the sun disappears.

For the more adventurous, there are many hikes in the Rif Mountains where you can walk trails to waterfalls, such as the Akchour waterfalls trails.

Days 4-5: Fes

Wave goodbye to the Rif Mountains as you venture south into the Middle Atlas Mountains where the ancient city of Fes lies. En route you’re private driver can stop by the Roman ruins of Volubilis (yes, the Romans ruled in north Africa!) and the holy town of Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco’s most important archaeological sites. 

Eventually you’ll reach fantastic Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the intellectual and spiritual heart of Morocco. This ancient city boasts some of the country’s finest craftsmen and most impressive medina and monuments. 

Kick off your exploration with a Fes medina tour. Known as Fes el-Bali, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the world’s largest car-free urban areas where some 9,000 narrow alleys are packed with souks, tanneries, mosques, and historic madrasas. A tour is needed so you don’t get lost! Within you’ll see the University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859, which is considered the oldest existing and continually operating university in the world. And visit the famous Chouara Tannery, where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for over a thousand years.

The following day you’ll join a cooking class with a local Fes family. Enjoy this immersion into Moroccan culture and family life as you learn how to choose spices and tips and tricks behind Moroccan cuisine. Together with the family you’ll go shopping at the souks, visit a local bakery, and prepare a meal.

Did you know that every Epic trip includes a 24/7 concierge service? It’s not an emergency number – it’s a personal contact of a person dedicated to making your stay easier and more pleasant.

Days 6-7: Merzouga

As the drive climbs up through the Middle Atlas Mountains, you’ll pass through ancient cedar forests where you can often encounter native Barbary apes, a species of macaque monkey. Watch as the mountain landscape fades as you near the desert plains on the approach to Merzouga. 

Merzouga is a small village known as the gateway to the vast dunes of Erg Chebbi. On arrival you’ll swap from the car to camels and make the trek into the Sahara Desert for an overnight stay in luxury tents. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset surrounded by a sea of sand before a dinner banquet. After dark, sit around the campfire beneath a canopy of stars listening to Berber music and thinking about how wonderful life really is.

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Days 8-9: Skoura

Depart the desert and venture through yet another surreal landscape en route to the lush Skoura oasis. Here you’ll explore mazes of olive and date palm groves that hide centuries-old kasbahs with a guide. Along the way, visit a local cheese maker, a traditional pottery workshop, and a small but insightful Berber museum that offers a glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage. 

While in this area of Morocco, you’ll make a quick detour to the neighbouring Valley of Roses. Visit a local cooperative to stock up on some Moroccan rose oil and rose water – two famous products of this fragrant valley.

Days 10-12: Marrakech

Today you’ll venture to Marrakech, a buzzing city with an exotic energy and rich history. En route you’ll pass through Ouarzazate, making a quick visit to the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou to admire the earthen clay architecture that has made this UNESCO World Heritage site a top filming location. You’ll also drive through the stunning Ounila Valley to the ancient kasbah of Telouet. Enjoy fantastic panoramic mountain and valley views as you reach the Haouz Plains that lead to the red city of Marrakech. 

While Marrakech is filled with monuments and museums, the main drawcard is the colourful, lively atmosphere. Your private driver will drop you at your riad – an elegant, traditional Moroccan home-turned-boutique-hotel. Take a moment to refresh in your personal oasis before stepping out to explore Marrakech by vintage sidecar motorbike. Take in some of the more hidden aspects of the medina, new town and Palmeraie, discovering flea markets, secret gardens, traditional riads and historical villas. 

Later, get your hands dirty at a practical pottery workshop, introducing you to traditional pottery techniques used in Morocco. You’ll learn how to knead the clay, and how to fire and glaze your own souvenir. Towards sunset, visit Jemaa el Fna, a massive square that transforms into a hub of entertainment by night. Think storytellers, snake charmers and sizzling street food stalls – it’s a feast for all the senses.

The following day, escape the buzz of Marrakech with a full-day trip to the Atlas Mountains. Here the crisp air and quiet valleys offer a refreshing contrast. Explore the scenery around Imlil on foot, a charming Berber village nestled beneath the towering Jebel Toubkal. The area is characterised by stark peaks, verdant cultivated valleys, adobe brick villages and a way of life which has hardly changed in centuries.

Four or 14 days…. let Epic handle the details of your custom Morocco itinerary at info@epic.travel

Day 13-14: Essaouira

Venture back to the cool Atlantic coast of Morocco when you visit Essaouira, a striking 18th-century fort town. Between the weather-beaten whitewashed medina, busy working fishing port, and wide sweeping sandy bay, there’s loads to do in this relaxed town.

Try your hand at water sports, horse ride down the beach, buy fresh fish at the port and have it grilled and explore a medina full of art galleries, or just relax and wind down with a sundowner. It’s a great destination to buy souvenirs as the locals offers a hassle-free atmosphere for bartering.

Dat 15: Casablanca 

It’s the final day and your Moroccan adventure comes to an end. When the time is right your private driver will transfer you back to Casablanca International Airport for your departing flight.

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How we choose accommodation

Our approach to accommodation is all about personality and place. Instead of big-name hotels, we handpick stays that feel special – whether it’s a cosy riad tucked inside a historic medina, a stylish boutique hotel blending Moroccan heritage with modern flair, or a high-end retreat offering indulgent comfort. From laid-back charm to luxury escapes, we match you with spaces that suit your vibe and make your trip feel truly yours.

If you’re planning an adventure to Morocco in 2025 or beyond, we can plan your custom Morocco family itinerary. Just reach out at info@epic.travel 

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