Exploring Morocco: 2-Week Road Trip – Route, Tips & Highlights

Impressive desert landscapes, fascinating mountain ranges, picturesque scenery, ancient royal cities and kasbahs, remote small Berber villages, oriental markets, plenty of culinary highlights, and incredibly friendly and helpful people – all of this makes Morocco a unique travel destination that will captivate you.

We’ve captured the route of our 2-week road trip across Morocco by rental car, along with all the tips and highlights, in the following post for you.

ROAD TRIPS THROUGH MOROCCO: TRAVELING ALONE OR IN A GROUP?

You can either join one of the many organized tours, some of which are available in different languages, or embark on the road trip on your own.

Since we wanted to be flexible and long bus rides aren’t really our thing, we planned and organized the road trip ourselves. Going solo always means a little adventure too.

Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure of the country and the helpful locals, a self-organized road trip is perfectly feasible without any concerns.
If you’re traveling alone, it’s best to have some knowledge of French.
Even as a woman, it's not unusual nowadays to travel alone in the country, but you should always use common sense and follow general safety precautions.

GETTING AROUND DURING THE ROAD TRIP

Traveling across Morocco in your own rental car is certainly the most exciting and intense way to get to know the country and its people.
That's why we rented a car for the entire road trip, which we picked up right after arriving in Fès.
We also believe that a rental car is primarily worthwhile for those with only a few vacation days and still want to discover as much as possible, as you set the pace.

To avoid unnecessary stress on-site and start right away, we booked the rental car in advance through rentalcars.com.
The prices for a rental car are in the mid-range, depending on the car class. For our vehicle, we paid about 35$ per day with full insurance and an additional driver.
More information about getting around the country can be found in our post “Morocco: Tips & General Information for Your Dream Trip”.

Of course, it’s possible to travel the country by public transportation, such as bus or train.
However, this option wasn’t for us because it would have taken too much time, and we wouldn’t have been able to reach all the places off the main roads.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU PLAN FOR A MOROCCO ROAD TRIP?

That depends mainly on what you want to see and where these sights are located. In our opinion, you should plan for at least two weeks, or even better, three weeks.

Despite our two-week trip, we quickly realized during route planning that, due to the size of the country, we wouldn’t be able to visit all the sights we wanted to see.
So, we focused on the most important ones for us.

OUR ROUTE THROUGH MOROCCO

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN FÈS & CONTINUATION TO TANGIER

Distance driven: 407 km, 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Panoramic Ocean View Condo, Tangier
Our highlights there: The Kasbah & the kilometer-long beach

The first day was purely a travel day. After arriving in Fès, we drove for about four and a half hours, mostly on the highway, north to Tangier.
After a long day, we were greeted by a fantastic Airbnb with a stunning view of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Our tip: Parking is as difficult in Tangier as in all Moroccan cities, so when booking your accommodation, make sure it has parking if you're traveling by rental car.

At sunset, we took a stroll along the kilometer-long sandy beach of Tangier, right outside the door, which in summer probably attracts locals and tourists alike for sunbathing.
Since it was the weekend, the promenade was particularly crowded. Locals gathered with their children to play or simply to have a nice chat.

DAY 2 – EXPLORING TANGIER & ITS SURROUNDINGS

Tangier was our first destination in Morocco and, in retrospect, the perfect introduction to the fascinating oriental world and the exciting culture of the country.
In this port city, Western modernity meets oriental flair due to its proximity to Europe. Religion is lived here comparatively less strictly, and the very Western-oriented locals are also more tolerant than in other parts of the country.

Despite its 1 million inhabitants, the North African city isn’t very large, yet there’s plenty to see and experience, enough to fill one or two days easily.

Tangier is divided into the old town and the new town. We found the old town to be much more worth seeing, as the new part, where our Airbnb was located, consists mostly of tall concrete buildings. You can explore both parts on foot, or for longer distances, take one of the many Petit Taxis.

At the highest point of the city is the Kasbah, which is worth seeing.
Kasbah is the Arabic term for a fortress located inside or outside a city, within which a small city of houses with narrow alleys was built. There are hardly any shops there.
Our café tip: Visit the Juice Bar on the edge of the Kasbah. Enjoy a freshly squeezed orange juice and a small snack on the beautiful rooftop terrace.

Below the Kasbah begins the Medina (old town) with the lively Souk (market alleys) of Tangier.
In the labyrinth of alleys, you’ll find various small food shops (fruit, vegetables, spices, bakeries, etc.), small artisan businesses, souvenir shops, carpet sellers, as well as small cafés and restaurants.

In the middle of the Medina, there’s a small market hall that you shouldn’t miss. Before entering, however, you should know that a market in Africa is quite different from those in other parts of the world. Besides fragrant herbs and fresh fruits and vegetables, you’ll also find plucked chickens, both with and without heads, goat heads, and bleeding rabbits being slaughtered on-site, which is completely normal there.

To explore the area around Tangier, we booked a tour with local Hamza via Airbnb.

In a Grand Taxi, we drove about 25 minutes to Cape Spartel, located 300 meters above sea level.
Cape Spartel is at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, and from there, you have a stunning view of the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Beneath Cape Spartel are the Hercules Caves, a cave with a view of the water.

Afterward, we drove along the coast to a nearby beach, where the highlight of the tour awaited us – a camel ride on the beach at sunset.

Our conclusion: The tour, especially the sunset camel ride, was truly unique for us! We can highly recommend it.
During the entire four-hour tour, Hamza not only shared interesting information about the respective sights but also provided us with countless helpful tips for Morocco and our onward route.

DAY 3 – FROM TANGIER TO CHEFCHAOUEN AND FÈS

Distance driven: 305 km, 6 hours
Accommodation: Riad Fes Madaw, Fès
Our highlights there: The Medina of Fès & the landscape on the way to Fès

Early in the morning, we headed to the small town of Chefchaouen, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tangier.
The route, through the Rif Mountains on narrow, winding country roads, is a real eye-catcher, as contrary to our expectations of Morocco, the landscape here was largely green.

STOP IN CHEFCHAOUEN

Chefchaouen, better known as the blue city of Morocco, is a small town built on a hill, whose main attraction is the blue-painted house facades in the Medina.
However, no one could give us an exact explanation of why the facades in the Medina were painted blue; there are several stories about it.
What everyone agrees on, though, is that the city has become a real tourist magnet due to its color.

Luckily, there were hardly any tourists in the city during our visit in December. In the summer months, however, tourists reportedly flock through the narrow alleys with many stairs in the hilltop town. Some are just looking for the famous blue stairs, made famous by Instagram.

The Medina is too small to get seriously lost, so we simply let ourselves drift both on the main street and in the side alleys.
We highly recommend doing the same, as we believe the side alleys offer just as beautiful, and likely less crowded, photo opportunities.

We spent a good two hours in Chefchaouen, which we found to be more than enough.

Is it worth visiting the city? In our opinion, yes, if Chefchaouen is roughly on your northern Morocco tour.
However, visiting the city on a day trip and spending 4 hours or more in the car/bus is, we think, a waste of time. Without the blue facades, the city resembles any other in Morocco.

Parking is scarce in Chefchaouen. There are no parking spots in front of the Medina, and cars are packed closely together.
We parked our car here for 10 Dirhams: Google Maps Link. From there, it’s only a few minutes uphill to the Medina.

The drive from Chefchaouen to Fès takes another four hours. Along the way, you’ll pass more picturesque landscapes and sparsely populated areas, which amazed us more than once.

For our stay in Fès, we returned the rental car to the rental company, as the parking situation here is also very limited.

DAY 4 TO 5 – EXPLORING FÈS

The most authentic and at the same time most beautiful Medina in the country is in Fès, the third-largest city in Morocco.
Fès is one of Morocco’s four royal cities and should not be missed on any road trip!

We’ve shared a detailed account of our fantastic stay in the city in our separate post ”Fès in Morocco– Sights, Highlights & Tips".

Good to know: As tempting as it sounds to book accommodation right in the heart of the Medina, we advise against it. Why?
Because the Medina is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, where even Google Maps struggles. Once you’re inside, it’s hard to get out, especially at night.
‍Our beautiful Riad was located on the edge of the Medina, right by the only street leading to the gate of the Medina – the ideal location for us.
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Upon arrival after dark, we were fortunately able to find the Riad without difficulty and didn’t have to carry our luggage through the narrow alleys.
As Morocco novices, we wanted to take a short walk through the Medina in search of a restaurant, but we quickly abandoned this idea.
The alleys are not only very narrow and winding but also poorly lit in places. Additionally, various people, especially groups of youths, roam the alleys at night, offering to show you the way out for a fee, which is often a lie. Plainclothes police are no longer on patrol at this time.

DAY 6 – FROM FÈS ACROSS THE MIDDLE ATLAS TO ERFOUD

Distance driven: 420 km, 7 hours
Accommodation: Riad Nour, Erfoud
Our highlights there: The spectacular landscapes of the Atlas Mountains

Day 6 brought us the longest drive of our trip. Once again, we traveled solely on country roads to our destination.

Our tip: Plan for more time than Google Maps and similar tools suggest. On long stretches that are mostly country roads, the time estimates are often overly optimistic.
You’ll quickly realize you need at least one-third longer than predicted.

From bustling small towns, we ascended through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Ifrane National Park with its mighty cedar and cork oak forests, as well as the town of the same name, often referred to as the Switzerland of Morocco due to its houses.
From December onward, the peaks, which rise over 3,100 meters, are covered in snow. However, the Ifrane ski resort hadn’t yet received snow.
The further we drove, the colder, barer, and more sparsely populated it became.
Endless expanses dominated the scenery for a long time. Time and again, donkeys, goats, and sheep crossed our path.
On either side of the road, you’ll occasionally see small Berber tribes living in either mud houses or nomadic tents.

Good to know: Small shops and gas stations are often miles apart. So, make sure you have enough fuel and plenty to drink in advance.

Along the road, you’ll frequently encounter Berbers hitchhiking, as well as begging children and adults.
Since this area is so sparsely populated, you can bring great joy to both the children and adults by offering bottles of water and small snacks (sweets, nuts, etc.).
However, you should purchase these items in advance.

As we neared Erfoud, the landscape changed once again.
We descended past a large reservoir, through impressive gorges, palm oases, bizarre rock formations, and smaller towns.

We reached Erfoud shortly after sunset. Our conclusion on the route: The Middle Atlas offers a dramatic contrast to the bustling cities of the country.
The unique nature of the mountain landscapes often feels quite solitary. However, the peace and fascination these landscapes evoke are hard to put into words.

DAY 7 – FROM ERFOUD TO MERZOUGA AND INTO THE DESERT CAMP

Distance driven: 60 km, 1 hour
Accommodation: Aiour Luxury Camp, Merzouga
Our highlights there: The desert camp, the camel ride at sunset & the 4x4 desert tour

Spending a night in the Moroccan desert was at the top of our bucket list, so we were especially excited for this day.

After a short drive, we could already see the first dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert in the distance, and we could barely contain our excitement.

Our beautiful desert camp is just a few kilometers from the 500-inhabitant village of Merzouga, which relies entirely on tourism.
Like the village, the camp is located on the edge of the desert.

Before starting the nearly four-hour 4x4 jeep tour, which we had booked in advance through the accommodation, we were greeted at the camp with traditional mint tea and cookies.
Our guide began the tour with a drive through the surrounding villages of Merzouga and Taouz.
Then we went off-road through the stony desert to a viewpoint on a hill, offering a view of the 200-meter-high dunes of Erg Chebbi and the border with Algeria.
Afterward, he showed us an abandoned mine and took us to a nomadic tribe living on the edge of the desert.
While the men of the tribe work as laborers in Merzouga during the day, the women, along with their children, try to earn a little money by selling tea to passing tourists.

At first glance, the very simple life of the desert nomads may seem shocking, but we got the impression that despite the difficult living conditions, they lead a happy life.

By the way, the children are especially happy when you bring them a small treat. Just ask your guide before the tour.
Our guide spontaneously bought chocolate milk, water, and chocolate wafer cookies for the child of the family we visited.
Of course, you can also bring joy to the nomads by offering them some money.

After letting some air out of the tires, the driver began the drive over the dunes on the edge of the desert.
The impressions we gathered during the tour were truly unique and made this experience something special for us.

Back at the desert camp, we were able to settle into our luxury tents (the accommodation is an absolute recommendation!) for a short rest before heading out on camels to watch the sunset in the desert.

Good to know: Even during our stay at the end of December, it was very warm at 25°C during the day. But after dark, temperatures drop into the single digits, so it was a chilly 8°C in the evening and a very fresh 2°C in the morning. So don’t forget to pack some warm clothes and make sure your accommodation has heating.

An hour before sunset, the camels and their guides were ready in front of the tents. After about a 30-minute ride through the sand hills, we reached a high sand dune, which we climbed with great effort to watch the sunset from there. The camels waited at the bottom of the dune for us.

This setting, surrounded by seemingly endless towering sand dunes at sunset, is breathtaking and unforgettable!
We had been looking forward to this magical sight the entire time in advance!

Afterward, we rode the camels back to the camp, where we were greeted with a bonfire and a delicious dinner in the restaurant tent.
Thanks to the clear night, we were also able to see the magnificent starry sky over the Moroccan desert after dinner. This sight was also (despite the cold) once in a lifetime!

Our conclusion: Opinions are divided about a stay in Merzouga. Some see it as nothing more than an artificial village designed to take money from tourists, while others, like us, consider it the highlight of the trip. Yes, it’s true, the village itself isn’t worth seeing. But the area around the village is simply stunningly beautiful and unique.
We can only recommend spending a night in Morocco’s Sahara. If you’re still looking for suitable accommodation, we can recommend our accommodation, the Aiour Luxury Camp.‍

By the way: Save water during your stay! In a desert country, especially in the desert region, it’s even more important to conserve water.
If you’re staying in a desert camp, you should refrain from showering, as bringing water to the desert requires enormous energy.
The same applies to camps like ours, located on the edge of the desert. Save water in this place and shower at your next accommodation, which is located outside the desert.

DAY 8 – FROM MERZOUGA ACROSS THE ATLAS TO OUARZAZATE

Distance driven: 372 km, 6 hours
Accommodation: Dar Amoudou, Ouarzazate
Our highlights there: The entire landscape during the drive

Day 8 was another full travel day. We spent almost the entire day on various country roads traveling from the desert over the Atlas to the next major city, Ouarzazate.

Once again, we passed through unique landscapes, which often reminded us of the USA.
Along the way, you’ll encounter not only picturesque scenery but also heavily overloaded trucks, plenty of sheep and goat herds, fully loaded donkeys along the roadside, Berbers, shepherds, children, and much more, so we had to make frequent photo stops.

We arrived at our accommodation, Dar Amoudou, late in the afternoon. If you're looking for a place to stay for an overnight stop, we can absolutely recommend this great accommodation. However, we suggest having dinner in the city, as the prices at the accommodation are relatively high.

DAY 9 – FROM OUARZAZATE VIA AÏT-BEN-HADDOU TO MARRAKECH

Distance driven: 216 km, 4 hours
Accommodation: Riad Azzar, Marrakech
Our highlights there: The Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the hustle and bustle of Marrakech

Before continuing our journey, we wanted to visit the only real sight in the transit city of Ouarzazate – the Atlas Film Studios.

The studios offer guided 40-minute tours every 30 minutes. Scenes from well-known films such as Prison Break, The Mummy, Cleopatra, James Bond, Gladiator, Kundun, and Game of Thrones were filmed in the studios.

In retrospect, we can say that while the tour and the studios are interesting, you won’t miss much if you don’t visit them.

STOP IN AÏT-BEN-HADDOU

Just a 40-minute drive from Ouarzazate is the old village of Aït-Ben-Haddou, which is rightly a popular stop on the route to Marrakech.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Aït-Ben-Haddou is located on the banks of the usually dry Wadi Mellah and was built long ago on a mountain of red sandstone.
What makes the village special is that all the houses are made entirely of clay. This has made Aït-Ben-Haddou popular not only among tourists but also with filmmakers worldwide, as the village has appeared in several films and series, including Game of Thrones.

You should plan one to two hours for your stay.

Some visitors take a day trip from Marrakech to the clay village, but we think this is a waste of time if the trip is solely for visiting Aït-Ben-Haddou.
You’ll spend at least six hours (round trip) in the car. However, if the trip is about exploring the area around Aït-Ben-Haddou, the long drive may be worth it.

Beyond Aït-Ben-Haddou, a narrowing country road leads further to Telouet. This was a tip from the desert camp owner. He said it takes only slightly longer than the route suggested by Google Maps but is much more beautiful. He wasn’t lying! The road is sometimes very narrow, but you’ll see plenty of unique nature alongside sleepy mountain villages.

Whichever route you choose, you must cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, Morocco’s highest pass road at 2,260 meters, to reach Marrakech.
Between December and March, the pass is often difficult to drive due to heavy snowfall. However, there was no sign of snow during our drive at the end of December.
The winding road passes through fertile green valleys, which gradually become more barren, brown, and desert-like.
The slopes are often very steep, and unlike in other parts of the world, falling rocks are not secured with wire or similar measures.

The well-developed pass road offers stunning viewpoints, where a stop is definitely worth it.
Additionally, during your stop, you should try a coffee from one of the coffee vehicles run by the locals.
The fresh coffee at a small price comes from an espresso machine located in the trunk of the cars. A nice chat with the barista is included for free.

We arrived in Marrakech late in the afternoon.
‍Parking tip: As in all Moroccan cities, parking is scarce, especially parking for several days.
From our accommodation, we received a tip to park for several nights at a fair price of 9$ per day at the edge of the Medina: Parking link.

DAY 10 TO 12 – EXPLORING MARRAKECH

Marrakech, another of Morocco’s royal cities, is for many the epitome of 1001 Nights.

We’ve shared a detailed account of our fantastic stay in the city in our separate post “Marrakech – Sights, Highlights & Tips”.

Good to know: As tempting as it sounds to book accommodation right in the heart of the Medina, we advise against it. Why?
Because the Medina is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, where even Google Maps often struggles. Once you’re inside, it’s hard to get out, especially at night and with all your luggage.
‍Our beautiful Riad was located on the edge of the Medina, which was the perfect location for us.

DAY 13 – FROM MARRAKECH TO CASABLANCA

Distance driven: 288 km, 3.5 hours
Accommodation: Airbnb C011, Casablanca
Our highlights there: The Hassan II Mosque & the Marina Juice restaurant

On Day 12, we were glad to leave all the hustle and bustle of Marrakech behind and continue to Casablanca.
The entire route is along the highway and is therefore quite unspectacular, a far cry from all the country roads we had driven so far.

EXPLORING CASABLANCA

Casablanca, with its over 3 million inhabitants, is not only the largest city but also the economic center of the country.
Thanks to the film of the same name, the metropolis is known far beyond the country’s borders.

Casablanca is unlike any other city in the country. Why?
Because you’ll already notice on arrival that the cityscape, both in the center and outside, is dominated by towering concrete buildings.
Oriental flair? None. The city is choked with traffic, the smog is visible from afar, and there are hardly any sights.
The gap between rich and poor is likely greater here than in any other Moroccan city. Slums are adjacent to the country’s most expensive neighborhoods.
On one hand, Casablanca wants to appear modern and luxurious as a showcase city for the West, but on the other hand, it can’t hide the poverty and associated suffering in many areas.

Both Casablanca and the capital, Rabat, are often left out of many Morocco tours. However, to get a complete picture of the country, we believe a visit to one of the two cities is essential.

THE LARGEST MOSQUE IN AFRICA – HASSAN II MOSQUE

Built on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean, the mosque is Casablanca’s must-see sight.
Not only because of its location but also due to its size and the 200-meter-high minaret, the Hassan II Mosque impresses every visitor.

The prayer hall can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers. The underfloor heating and the automatically opening roof of the huge prayer hall are unique technical features of this mosque.
The Hassan II Mosque, whose construction took just seven years, was inaugurated in 1993 to mark the 60th birthday of King Hassan II.
About 35,000 artisans and workers contributed to the completion of the project.

This gigantic structure is one of only two mosques in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims on a guided tour.
From Saturday to Thursday at 9, 10, 11 am, and 2 pm (except during Ramadan), the mosque can be toured in multiple languages (English, French, German, Spanish, and Arabic).
The entrance fee is 12$ (as of 2023) per person and can be purchased on-site. The only downside is that the groups often consist of up to 40 people.

THE OLD MEDINA

At least a little oriental flair and Moroccan feeling can be found in the oldest part of the city, the old Medina.
Although the Medina isn’t as narrow and winding as those in Fès or Marrakech, the numerous and various shops and market stalls invite you to take a leisurely stroll.
You won’t find many souvenirs or other tourist goods here. In general, we had the feeling that during our visit in January, very few tourists ventured to this place.
We were surprised that no one approached us or tried to sell us anything during the entire time.

THE PROMENADE

Casablanca’s promenade is modern, several kilometers long, and on weekends, it’s a mix of a catwalk and a children's playground.
If you have the time and desire, you can take a long walk from the Hassan II Mosque to the Morocco Mall.
Along the way, you’ll pass various beach sections and several cafés, where you can take a cozy break while overlooking the Atlantic.

THE MOROCCO MALL

A shopping mall in Morocco? That’s the last thing we expected. But it exists! The largest mall in Africa, with 600 stores, is located on the outskirts of Casablanca.
Well-known brands like Zara, H&M, etc. are represented in the Morocco Mall – it couldn’t be more Western.

For us, it doesn’t quite fit together because, in Morocco, you shop in the souks.
So our conclusion is: you can see it, but you definitely don’t have to, as you’ll likely find these stores in your own country as well.

Restaurant tip: Delicious food in a cool, trendy atmosphere? Then Marina Juice is the place to be. The menu has a comprehensive selection, so you’ll find the right meal for any time of day.

DAY 14 – DAY TRIP TO RABAT

Distance driven: 87 km, 1 hour
Our highlights there: The artisan district

The capital of Morocco, which is also one of the four royal cities, was on the agenda for Day 14.
Rabat is comparable to Casablanca – modern instead of oriental flair, numerous high-rise buildings, streetcars, chic shops, and very clean.

Despite all the modernity, there is a Medina with traditional souks, selling handicrafts, spices, and other goods.
However, you won’t get lost here, as the streets are wide and barely winding.

Above the Medina, situated on a rock and surrounded by a tall, kilometer-long wall, is the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Andalusian Gardens.
The main entrance to the Kasbah is the Bab Oudaïa Gate, built of reddish ochre stone. Pass through the gate, and you’ll find the narrow alleys typical of a Kasbah, with beautifully decorated doors that are blue and white, reminiscent of Greece and perfect for photos.
At the highest point of the Kasbah, you’ll have a magnificent view of the Atlantic, the city beach, and the river mouth – something you shouldn’t miss!

Did you know? In some Moroccan cities, you’ll still find traditional scribes with their typewriters.
A scribe is someone who writes texts professionally, either from dictation or a written template provided by the client, such as texts for authorities or official purposes.
This service is mainly used by older people who either don’t have their own computer or can’t read or write.

Below the Kasbah, a modern, two-kilometer-long promenade along the Bou Regreg river offers a perfect place to sit in a café or restaurant, watching people stroll by, boats sail, or fishermen cast their lines.
‍Parking tip: There are several parking lots behind the promenade, where you can park for free during the off-season.

Rabat’s landmark is the Hassan Tower and the adjacent Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Both structures are located at the end of the promenade, atop a hill.
The 44-meter-high tower was originally intended to be nearly twice as tall, and the minaret was supposed to be part of one of the largest mosques. However, this never happened.
The unfinished building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755, leaving only a few columns and the incomplete Hassan Tower.

The mausoleum was built in memory of Mohammed V, the father of Moroccan independence and the grandfather of the current king, by his son.

Café tip: The Boho Café and Café El Bahia in the center are among our favorite cafés in the city.
Before heading back to Casablanca, we made a small detour to the artisan district, located a bit outside the city center.

If you’re traveling by van or your own car in Morocco, this could be a real hidden gem for you. Even if you're traveling with a suitcase, there’s bound to be a little something that will fit.
Search on Google Maps for Artisans Vannerie, Fer forgé, bois sculpté Oulja, and you’ll end up in the middle of this small artisan district.
In the numerous small shops, which produce handcrafted items on-site, you’ll find everything from pottery to dining tables – plenty of handicrafts to buy.

You should plan for a half or full day in Rabat.

DAY 15 – FROM CASABLANCA TO MEKNÈS AND BACK TO FÈS

Distance driven: 300 km, 3.5 hours

On Day 15, it was time to say goodbye to Morocco and head back for our flight. However, we first had to drive the last 3.5 hours back to Fès with our rental car.

Since our flight wasn’t until the evening, we made a stop in Meknès. With Meknès, we had visited all four royal cities (Rabat, Fès, Marrakech, and Meknès).

However, we don’t have much to report about Meknès, as the beautiful entrance gates along the kilometer-long city wall, including the gigantic Bab Mansour, were pretty much the only things we truly enjoyed in the city.
Although there is a Medina with traditional souks, most of the stalls were closed during our visit. In general, the Medina can’t be compared to those in Marrakech or Fès.

OUR CONCLUSION

Morocco is not only beautiful but also incredibly diverse and is the perfect introduction to Africa.

Thanks to the flexibility the rental car gave us, we were able to discover so many different facets of the country.
Therefore, we can only encourage you: if you want to see a lot of Morocco in a short time, a rental car is a must.
We found traveling throughout the country to be very straightforward and easy.
Some knowledge of French would have been helpful at times, but we managed quite well without it.

A trip in the off-season (December to January over Christmas and New Year’s) proved to be the perfect decision for us.
Of course, it’s not swimming season, and nighttime temperatures can drop into the single digits, but we didn’t mind.
During the day, we could comfortably enjoy all the sights in pleasant 18°C to 24°C without sweating and without the crowds of tourists.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Incredible Tours across Morocco
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• The best Travel Guides for Morocco

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