15-Day Morocco Itinerary: Complete Grand Tour
Two weeks let you link the north, the imperial cities, the Sahara, the Atlas and the Atlantic coast without turning every day into a transfer. This route changes transport mode along the way: train in the north, car or driver in the south — the only way to cover Chefchaouen, the desert and Essaouira without depending on a single network.
15 days from Tangier to Casablanca, via Chefchaouen, Fes, the Merzouga desert, the Dades valley, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Essaouira. The first stretch (Tangier-Fes) runs by train, comfortable and fast; the second (Fes-Merzouga-Marrakech) requires a rental car or a driver, since no train serves the desert or the Atlas. Plan 2 nights each in Chefchaouen, Fes, the desert and Essaouira for a sustainable pace. Train tickets from Tangier to Fes with a connection run 150-250 MAD, while a rental car from Fes for roughly 10 days costs €200-400 depending on season, plus €30-150 for the desert camp night in Merzouga. The loop also crosses the Tizi n'Tichka between the Atlas and Marrakech, the route's most spectacular road. For a shorter version, cut to 10 days by skipping Chefchaouen or trimming Essaouira to 1 night.
Step-by-step plan
| Day | Stop | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tangier | arrival and check-in |
| 2 | Chefchaouen | medina, monuments and souks |
| 3 | Chefchaouen | flexible rest day |
| 4 | Fes | train journey and sightseeing |
| 5 | Fes | medina, monuments and souks |
| 6 | Midelt | Atlas road and scenery |
| 7 | Merzouga | desert, dunes and bivouac |
| 8 | Merzouga | desert, dunes and bivouac |
| 9 | Dades | kasbahs and heritage |
| 10 | Ait Ben Haddou | kasbahs and heritage |
| 11 | Marrakech | arrival and check-in |
| 12 | Marrakech | medina, monuments and souks |
| 13 | Essaouira | coast, beach and port |
| 14 | Essaouira | flexible rest day |
| 15 | Marrakech / Casablanca | return and departure |
Compare available cars· Discover Cars
Two transport networks, one car rental
As far as Fes, the ONCF train covers everything: Tangier, then a connection to Fes for the medina. No car needed on this leg. From Fes onward, the route shifts to the desert and the Atlas, areas not served by rail: that's where you pick up a rental car, or opt for a driver for the rest of the trip (Merzouga, Dades, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech, Essaouira).
See available activities· GetYourGuide
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Indicative budget
- Train tickets (Tangier-Fes with connection): 150-250 MAD.
- Rental car (from Fes, ~10 days): €200-400 depending on season.
- Desert camp night in Merzouga: €30-150 depending on standard.
- Accommodation: €30-90 per night depending on city and standard.
Compare accommodation· Booking.com
Mistakes to avoid
Get online before you land· Airalo eSIM
Compare travel insurance· SafetyWing
Continue planning your trip
To slot experiences into each stop, bookable excursions are sorted by city in activities in Morocco, with the strongest gathered in best activities in Morocco.
