You might wish that you had unlimited time to spend in the magical country of Morocco. We have had travelers come back over and over to explore all the diversity that Morocco offers. However, we know that most people are not able to pack up and visit another country without time (and budget!) restraints. So how many days do you need to experience Morocco?
You don’t want to travel all the way to Morocco and then feel rushed the whole time. We’ll break down what you will be able to see with different amounts of time so that you can make the choice that is best for you.
Less than 5 days:
As a bottom line, we would recommend more than 5 days in Morocco (read below for some exceptions). This is because there aren’t great options for domestic flights and it takes a long time to drive between cities. People are usually surprised when they find out the driving times and distances between the places they want to see in Morocco. You don’t want to spend all your time in the car!
There are some ways that you can still enjoy Morocco even if you really can’t spend more than 5 days there.
- Focus on Marrakech only. This is a good option for those who really can’t take more time for their itinerary. Marrakech has an international airport (RAK), so you don’t need to waste precious time traveling to and from your arrival and departure. Marrakech can easily fill two days by itself, so you can use the other time to either visit a nearby area such as Essaouira or the Atlas Mountains. There are some desert-like camps outside of Marrakech as well if you want a taste of the desert without having the time to make it to Merzouga.
- Northern Morocco: We have a lot of travelers ask about combining Morocco with Spain or Portugal. In this case, you will likely fly or take the ferry into Tangier (northern Morocco). With 4-5 days, you would be able to see both Tangier as well as Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco.
Recommended for: Those combining Morocco with another travel destination/travel purpose.
Not recommended for: The people who have Morocco high on their bucket list or are visiting for the first time.
6-9 days:
This is a good amount of time if you are interested in seeing the historical cities of Morocco like Fes, Rabat and Marrakech. If you are a history or architect lover, this is a great option for you! This is also good if you are interested in getting some variety while minimizing driving times. There will be a few driving days on the itinerary, but you will still have enough time to feel settled. If you are looking at 6-7 days, an itinerary visiting the imperial cities will feel fast paced, but not unreasonable. You can maximize your time by arriving in Casablanca and departing from Marrakech or vice versa. If you have the availability to spend 8-9 days in Morocco, you will be able to have more down time. This is perfect for adding in extras like artisanal workshops, cooking classes, the spa, or extra relaxing time.
Recommended for: Those looking to minimize driving or culture & history lovers.
Not Recommended for: Those who consider the desert a must-see.
10-12 days:
If you are looking for a good overview of the must-sees of Morocco, you will need 10-12 days. This allows you to see Fes, Marrakech, Rabat as well as the desert circuit. Be aware – there will be some long days of driving in this itinerary! That is unavoidable if you visit Merzouga, where the big sand dunes of the Sahara Desert are located. If you do this circuit in 10 days, it will feel fast paced but doable. 12 days will allow you to schedule in some down time, either for extra cultural activities or to break up the drives. We would recommend this amount of time for the first-time traveler to Morocco or anyone who is wanting to get a broader experience of the rural areas of Morocco as well as the cities.
Recommended for: Almost all travelers – it’s a great overview!
Not Recommended for: Those who don’t want a lot of time in the car
12-14 days:
If you have the luxury of being able to spend two weeks traveling, Morocco is the perfect place for you. With 12-14 days, you are able to see all the main sights of Morocco while also visiting some of the smaller towns without feeling too rushed. Perhaps you would be interested to see Chefchaouen, the blue city in the North. Or perhaps you are interested in the Atlas Mountains in the South. Or perhaps you are the kind of person that likes to spend 3 or more nights in each location to really settle in and dig deep into the culture. You will not be bored with two weeks in Morocco!
Recommended for: Photographers, seasoned travelers
Not recommended for: Those on a tight budget
In the end:
You know best what your travel goals and abilities are. But, we highly recommend talking to a Morocco expert to see how to match up your dreams with the amount of time you have. We have had many travelers come to us with an over ambitious itinerary and later tell us they were so thankful to cut some things out in order to better enjoy their time.
Take a look at some of our itineraries today, or reach out to custom design your own trip to Morocco.