our two week morocco itinerary | the ultimate road trip

By: Gate to Paradise | Published: May 27, 2025 | Last Updated: May 27, 2025 | Jump to Comments

Our start was a little bumpy, to say the least. But once we adjusted to the rhythm of Morocco, everything began to unfold beautifully. We embraced the culture, learned to navigate the chaotic traffic and found ourselves falling in love with the different landscapes and the deep history woven into every city and village. For two unforgettable weeks, our Morocco road trip turned into one of the most adventurous travel experiences we’ve ever had. In this post, we’re sharing our full 2-week Morocco itinerary – complete with cultural highlights, road trip tips, must-see destinations, and lessons we learned along the way. No matter how you dream of your trip to morocco, this guide will help you plan a journey thats as enriching as it is unforgettable.

Our first night in Morocco was spent in the heart of Marrakech, at the Riad Rose Meryam – a place that was okay for the night (though it didn’t quite meet the parking expectations set by the website). Since we arrived in the evening, we were just happy to rest for one night before our big adventure began. To be honest, we had also been advised not to drive at night in Morocco, so it was a wise decision to settle in early.

We kicked off the road trip early the next morning, with our first destination being the stunning Ait Ben Haddou, about a 3.5-hour drive from Marrakech. Parking is available on-site (though it’s a paid service, costing around 1 CHF), and from there, it’s a leisurely 8-minute walk to the famous Kasbah. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and it’s easy to see why so many famous films and TV shows were shot here.

The entrance fee is minimal, around 2 USD per person, which is well worth it. However, the experience is slightly marred by locals at nearly every corner trying to collect additional “fees” – don’t be fooled by these unofficial requests, you’ve already paid at the entrance. We simply walked in the opposite direction or past them when possible to avoid any hassle.

For our overnight stay, we chose the Riad Chay in Ouarzazate, just a 35-minute drive from Ait Ben Haddou. This riad was absolutely gorgeous! Though it’s a bit remote (with a bumpy road leading to it), the clear signage made it easy to find. Being in a quiet, more secluded spot, we opted to enjoy a traditional dinner at the riad itself. The meal was delicious, and since they’re famous for their Chay (Moroccan tea), it was no surprise that both the food and tea were perfect, offering a wonderful start to our Morocco adventure.

This was by far the longest driving day of our entire trip. We drove directly to Midelt, a 7-hour drive from our previous destination, with plans to stop and explore the fascinating Dadès Gorge along the way. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the entire gorge was inaccessible, so we decided to turn it into a full driving day and head straight to our traditional riad in Midelt.

Midelt is essentially a stopover for travelers, and you can really feel that when you’re there. There’s not much to see or do in the town itself, as it’s mostly just a pitstop on the way to other destinations. Our riad, Riad Villa Midelt, was fine for a one-night stay, but the highlight was definitely the traditional dinner. It was absolutely delicious, and the portions were huge! Perfect for satisfying our appetites after such a long day on the road.

Refueled and ready, we continued our journey to Ifrane, a 2.5-hour drive away, often referred to as “Switzerland of Morocco.” This small, tranquil town is unlike any other in Morocco. With European-style buildings and a cool climate, it even gets snow in the winter — yes, you read that right! The locals are even known for their winter hobby: skiing! We had no idea about that before our visit.

On the way to Ifrane, we drove through a small forest area, so keep your eyes peeled for wild monkeys! It’s a pretty unique experience.
From Ifrane, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive to the bustling city of Fès. As we got closer, we could already feel the intensity — the chaotic traffic started right in the suburbs, and it was a challenge to navigate, to say the least! Up until then, we’d been cruising along calm country roads, enjoying the changing landscapes, but once we hit Fès, our focus was solely on avoiding the madness of the traffic while trying not to hit anyone!
We arrived in Fès sweaty but excited, and checked into our stunning riad, Maison Bleue & Spa. Luckily, they had parking, so we could leave the car behind and dive into our three-day stop in the city.

Honestly, Fès is a whole other world — chaotic, yes, but incredibly authentic. It has the true Moroccan vibe that you expect when you visit Morocco. The best part? Our riad was just a stone’s throw away from the famous Fès Medina, one of the largest and oldest medinas in Morocco and North Africa!

With no idea what we were doing, we threw ourselves into the maze of Fès Medina. It swallowed us whole and, a few hours later, spit us out. Trust us, navigating the narrow, winding alleys is nearly impossible without a guide. The GPS doesn’t work, as it gets totally overwhelmed by the maze of streets, so we lost our bearings pretty quickly (and probably walked in circles). Pro tip: Don’t wander aimlessly through the 9,000 alleyways like we did, because you’ll get lost faster than you can say “Medina!” Also, be prepared for locals offering to guide you for a fee or even leading you into their shops — they’re persistent! So try to stay aware and keep your bearings as best as you can.
Despite all that, the hustle and bustle, the smells, the leather goods, and the food — it’s all so mesmerizing. You’ll quickly feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

If you want to visit one of the world’s oldest tanneries, Fès is home to the famous Tanneries de Fès. We recommend going early in the morning before the big tour groups arrive. But be cautious! There are many scammers around the tannery, as we’ve heard some not-so- pleasant stories. That said, our experience at the Tanneries de Fès was fine. Yes, the guide tried to sell us some leather goods at the end of the free tour, but just politely decline if you’re not interested.