Morocco Itinerary 10 Days
/Morocco Itinerary 10 Days
The Perfect Morocco Itinerary for 10 days: All the Best Things to Do
Jake and I decided on our Morocco trip a little last minute. At the time, our primary goal was to reach one of my dream destinations: the Sahara desert, but apart from this ultimatum, we had no agenda and decided on a ten-day adventure to get back in time to our respective countries—France and Australia, just before the holiday season. Although ten days felt like the perfect length for a short introduction to the flavors and beauties of this country, I do hope to find the time to return soon and explore more of the regions, cultures, and landscapes that Morocco has to offer. Here, I am sharing our morocco itinerary!
For this itinerary, you’ll want to fly into Fès and out of Marrakech. We decided to take that route because we were very keen on seeing the desert, but we also wanted to explore both of these very different but iconic cities in Morocco. We flew out from Paris in early December and landed in Fès where we spent our first three days.
Morocco Itinerary: when to travel?
Let me preface this by saying: Morocco in December is not warm! Although Morocco sits in the north of Africa, its climate is moderate and temperatures in winter average about ten-degree celsius. I won’t hide the fact that I was a bit disappointed by the temperatures, hoping I would be basking in the warm sunshine during this adventure. That being said, I loved traveling in December. Winter is traditionally the low season and the streets were pleasantly void of tourists. We never had to wait anywhere and were greeted by a ray of heart-warming sunshine almost every day.
Morocco Itinerary: what to pack?
If you are interested in sustainability while exploring the world, be sure to check out this helpful guide regarding green packing: Sustainable Travel Packing List.
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days: the breakdown
Day 1-3: Fès
Day 4: Chefchaouen
Day 5-7: Desert Tour
Day 8-10: Marrakech
Morocco Itinerary: Views of sunrise from the Sahara Desert
Morocco Itinerary: In the atlas valleys, on the last day of our desert tour
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days: Fès
Fès is often referred to as the laid-back version of Marrakech, which I would say is true, and I loved it. The vendors here were less forceful than in Marrakech and although we had some insistent street encounters, it was rather easy to ignore the chaos. Fès was my favorite city we visited in Morocco: combine the beautiful and ancient Medina and the medieval tanneries and you will understand why Fès is considered such a gem.
Getting Around
Getting around Fès is best done on foot! Although taxis are cheap and very easy to hail, getting immersed in a city also means walking it, especially when you are interested in photography. Fès is a heaven for street photographers and travel photographers alike. There are colorful rugs and ceramics in every corner and while it’s imperative to be respectful of people and vendors before snapping away, you’ll find countless opportunities to fulfill all your colorful photography dreams in this city. You can check out my travel camera bag here and get inspired by my kit!
What to Do: best 6 activities in Fès
Shopping in the souks
Visit the Tanneries: Chouara Tannery
Royal Palace
Explore the Medina
Check out the View from Merenid Tombs
Experience a Hammam Spa
What to Eat in Fès
Moroccan food is one of my favorite cuisines in the world, and rest assured that during your Morocco itinerary there will be countless opportunities to indulge in the discovery of these flavors. My favorite food options are in Fès and Marrakech. These two cities offer an incredible range of restaurants, cafes, and bars, all more delicious than the previous and very much caters to all budget types. If you are looking for inspiration, check out this updated 2020 guide to my favorite restaurants in these two cities (coming soon!).
Morocco Itinerary: The souks of fes
Morocco Itinerary: View from the top of the city
Morocco Itinerary: The INFAMOUS Tanneries
Where to Stay in Fès
With an array of options for accommodation, where to stay in Fès is a question that a lot of visitors to the country’s second-biggest city ask themselves, particularly first-timers. Should you stay in a Moroccan riad or in a hotel? Well, first off, let’s explain what a riad is. A riad is a multi-stories traditional Moroccan house with a built-in interior courtyard. Because riads used to be the homes of government officials and wealthy merchants and courtiers, they are highly decorated with rich details in wood carvings and tiles. Nowadays a lot of them have now been converted into accommodation and, in my opinion, staying in a riad is one of the best ways to get immersed in the Moroccan way of life. Jake and I booked two different riads through Airbnb and loved both of them. You can check them out HERE.
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days: Chefchaouen
Fès is a popular starting point for a day trip to the blue city of Chefchaouen. Sadly, in a Morocco itinerary that only lasts 10 days, you will only have the chance to give a quick visit to this amazing city; however, Chefchaouen is not a big place and a day trip should give you enough time to hit up all the best spots.
What to Do in Chefchaouen
Take a million pictures
Hike up to the Spanish Mosque
Explore the Old Kasbah
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days: Desert Tour
Halfway through your trip already and it’s time to head to the Sahara Desert. First, let me preface this section by saying just how much we loved this section of our trip! The desert was our absolute highlight and I cannot imagine traveling to Morocco for the first time without making it to the dunes. Since you have limited time on this morocco itinerary 10 days, I advise that you get on an organized tour from Fès to Marrakech which crosses through the Merzouga Desert.
There are many different agencies that organize such tours both private and in groups but personally, after much research online, Jake and I settled on a private tour with Authentic Sahara Tours and I’m so happy with our decision. Our private driver and guide, Aboubakr, was reliable, experienced, and incredibly kind and he made our experience completely unforgettable. If you want more information regarding this experience: check out my desert guide which complies useful tips and dreamy visuals to inspire your desert photoshoot.
What you will see in this Sahara Tour
On the first day of the tour, you’ll travel through the beautiful Atlas Mountains and see a surprising cedar forest, full of Barbary apes, ideal for snapping amazing wildlife photos like these ones. You’ll end your first day on the back of a camel, riding through the dunes of the Sahara at sunset. On the second day, you’ll wake up for sunrise over the dunes and head towards the impressive Todra Gorges to sleep the night in the Dades Gorge. On your last day, you will travel through a luscious oasis and visit the incredible and iconic village of Ait Benhadou before finishing the tour in Marrakech.
Morocco itinerary: in the sahara
Morocco itinerary: Atlas mountain backdrop
Morocco itinerary: Monkeys in the cedar forest
Morocco Itinerary 10 Days: Marrakech
Known as the Red City, Marrakech is the most famous city in Morocco and while it certainly has its charm, Marrakech feels a lot more touristy than Fès does. If you are planning on shopping while in Morocco, I don’t necessarily recommend doing it in Marrakech. The options are plentiful but the prices are often exorbitant and the vendors much less friendly than they are in Fès. As Africa’s first capital of culture; however, the city abounds with museums, great restaurants, and impressive and detailed architecture and provides the ideal setting for unrestrained and adventurous exploration.
What to Do: best 5 activities in Marrakech
Take a hot air balloon in Marrakech
Jardin Majorelle
Souk Semmarine
El Badi Palace
Jemaa el-Fna Square
Maison de la Photography
Find more specifics on each location and why I loved them so much by reading my BEST ACTIVITIES IN MARRAKECH GUIDE, HERE.
Where to Stay in Marrakech
Looking for some inspiration for where to stay in Marrakech? The possibilities seem endless! So many beautiful and grand riads it will make your head spin! Jake and I spent a lot of time narrowing down our Airbnb list but we finally settled on the following selection and were very satisfied with our respective choices. The Riad Vert, in Marrakech, was particularly delightful with its large rooftop terrace and a wonderful in-house restaurant that even serves a selection of wines.
Where to Eat in Marrakech
Marrakech has some of the tastiest food I have ever had! From market juicy dates to fancy dining in a five-star hotel, Marrakech will delight all the food lovers around the world. We even stumbled on a female-run vegan restaurant that completely won us over with the very first bite so if you are looking for inspiration, you’re in the right place: check out this updated 2020 guide to my favorite restaurants in Marrakech and Fès (coming soon!)
Known as the Red City, Marrakech is the most famous city in Morocco and for good reasons! As Africa’s first capital of culture, the city abounds with museums, great restaurants, and impressive and detailed architecture, which provides the ideal setting for unrestrained and adventurous exploration. Here is my Green Wanderlust take on the best activities to do while in Marrakech, hope you enjoy!