The red city
Most trips begin in Marrakech, where the square of Jemaa el Fna fills with storytellers and food stalls every evening and the souks wind for miles. It has the best choice of riads and restaurants in the country, and the High Atlas villages and the Agafay desert are an easy day trip away.
The spiritual heart
Fes is the oldest of the imperial cities, with a car-free medieval medina, the Chouara tannery and craft workshops that have barely changed in centuries. Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis sit an hour away.
The blue town of the Rif
In the mountains of the north, Chefchaouen is a small, calm town of blue-washed lanes and gentle hikes. It is a welcome rest after the big cities and pairs well with Fes or Tangier.
The desert
A night in the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is the highlight of many trips. The road from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas and passes Ait Benhaddou and the Dades and Todra gorges, so most people take three days to get there and continue to Fes.
The Atlantic coast
Essaouira is a breezy, walled fishing port with a relaxed medina, grilled sardines on the harbour and steady winds for kitesurfing. It is three hours from Marrakech and the easiest place in Morocco to slow down.
Putting it together
A classic ten to twelve day route runs Marrakech, the desert, Fes and Chefchaouen, flying home from Fes or Tangier. If you have less time, pair Marrakech with Essaouira. Use the free trip planner to shape your route, and browse places to visit for food, culture and stays in each base.