A 10-day Morocco itinerary for first-time visitors: Marrakech, Sahara, Fez and Chefchaouen

Ten nights is enough to see Morocco's big contrasts — a red city, golden dunes, a medieval medina and a blue mountain town — but only if you accept that this is a route with long travel days. Here is a first-timer's circuit that works, with the trade-offs spelled out so you can decide whether to keep it or trim it.

The route at a glance

• Marrakech — 3 nights
• Sahara (Merzouga, Erg Chebbi dunes) — 2 nights
• Fez — 3 nights
• Chefchaouen — 2 nights

It matches what our trip planner proposes for these four stops over ten nights.

Be realistic about the distances

Our planning data puts the main road transfers at roughly 9½ hours from Marrakech to the Sahara, 8 hours from the Sahara to Fez and 4 hours from Fez to Chefchaouen. Those are long days even with a private driver and stops for the views. If that sounds like too much, drop the Sahara and add nights to the other three places, or fly part of the route. Trains do not reach the Sahara or Chefchaouen — see Morocco by train for what the rail network covers.

Day by day

Days 1–3 — Marrakech

Arrive and go straight to Jemaa el-Fna at dusk. Spend day 2 in the souks with a guide and at the Bahia Palace or Ben Youssef Madrasa; day 3 at the Jardin Majorelle (book timed tickets ahead), a hammam and a rooftop dinner. Our Marrakech guide covers how long to stay and what to skip.

Days 4–5 — The Sahara

Day 4 is a long journey across the Atlas to the dunes near Merzouga — start early and break it up. In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and spend the night under the stars in a desert camp. Wake early for sunrise from the dunes before the long drive to Fez. Desert nights can be cold from November to February, and summer is extremely hot; see the best time to visit Morocco.

Days 6–8 — Fez

Fez is the country's craft and religious heart. Explore the old medina, Fes el-Bali, with a licensed guide — the FCDO warns about unofficial guides, and the maze is easy to get lost in. See the Chouara tannery terraces, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas and the potters' and zellige workshops. Add a cooking class or street-food walk, and watch the sunset from the Merinid Tombs. You can also take a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes.

Days 9–10 — Chefchaouen

Travel to Chefchaouen (about four hours) and spend the afternoon in the blue-washed medina. Watch the sunset from the Spanish Mosque viewpoint on day 10 and take the day slowly. Tangier's airport is the usual gateway for onward flights; check the road time for your date.

Day 11 — Home

Transfer to your departure airport. Direct flights to the UK are limited from some cities, so compare airports and consider an open-jaw ticket (into Marrakech, home from Tangier or Fez) to avoid a long backtrack.

What it may cost

These are indicative estimates from our own research — not quotes or live prices. For two travellers over ten nights at a balanced pace, excluding international flights, insurance, tips and shopping, the planner currently estimates:

• Essential: about £1,231 in total (£616 per person).
• Comfort: about £2,800 in total (£1,400 per person) — roughly £1,100 accommodation, £770 food, £288 activities and £642 transport.
• Luxury: about £6,311 in total (£3,156 per person).

Transport is a bigger share here than on a one-base trip, which is the price of covering so much ground. Adjust the numbers in the planner, and read how to budget for Morocco.

Shorter or slower alternatives

• Seven nights: try Marrakech and Essaouira.
• No long drives: Marrakech, the Atlas and Essaouira, with the desert saved for another trip.
• Culture-first: Fez, Meknes and Chefchaouen with a train-friendly first half.

Browse our experiences, including desert trips, or send your plan to our team so we can check real prices and availability.

Sources

• Travel times and cost estimates: UK Morocco planning data (2026.09), indicative only.
• FCDO: Morocco safety and security (unofficial guides, road safety)