2 Week Morocco Itinerary plus a week in Lisbon
 

Looking for guidance and recommendations for a 2 week Moroccan itinerary. We will be flying into Casablanca in May of 2023. We luv architecture, ruins, temples, castles and of course food. While we enjoy walking through cities and scenic areas we aren't major outdoor hikers, although I have read about some amazing waterfalls that might be worth going to see. We are fairly experienced travelers but we are completely limited to English.

I am trying to plan out a train/bus itinerary that is affordable, as quick as possible, and avoids too much backtracking.

Thinking 2 days in Casablanca - we really want to go to the Mosque and figure we'll be jet lagged and need a couple of easy days.
Then thought we'd take the train down to Marrakesh for probably 4 or 5 days. Any suggested day trips?
We've decided not to try a deep desert trip since it seems like it takes at least 3 days.
From Marrakesh we are then considering either going back through Casablanca to Rabat, then on to Fes via train or perhaps we fly to Fes from Marrakesh and then take a train back through Fes, Meknes and Rabat? Pretty sure we'll have to take a plane from Casablanca to Lisbon. Should we be looking at other cities? Other day trips? Anyway, any and all suggestions are very welcomed.

No need to fly. The long distance bus service from Fez to Marrakesh is very good. We did a round trip landing in Marrakesh and then taking the train from there to Meknès and the Fez, returning to Marrakesh by bus.

Day trips were to Azrou on market day and Sefrou from Marrakesh:

https://flic.kr/p/7nAYUz https://flic.kr/p/7nEUaj
and Volubilis and Moulay Idriss from Meknès:

https://flic.kr/p/7nARVV https://flic.kr/p/7nEPnj
We had a guide (unofficial) during out stay in Meknès who arranged the visits around the city and the day trip. Stepping out of hour hotel we were accosted by guide wannabes, and insisted on having an English speaking guide. He also took us to local restaurants for the midday meal, and we paid for his meal too. We had a guide from the tourist office for one of our days in Fez. If you go into the old towns on your own, be aware that as soon as you accept the friendly offer of directions the individual expects to be paid.

Thanks so much. Appreciate the inclusion of pictures. Do you think Azuro and Sefrou were worth the time? We will certainly be going to Volubilis.

For Azrou it should be when they have the regional open air market outside the town proper. But things could have changed since 1993. Recent guidebooks could have more information about both towns.

Thank you

two weeks itinerary in morocco
 

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech

• Arrival at Marrakech airport and transfer to hotel
• Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city and get accustomed to the time difference

Day 2: Marrakech

• Full day city tour of Marrakech including visits to the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque
• Explore the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the souks (markets) in the old town
• Overnight in Marrakech

Day 3: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate

• Drive to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous film location
• Explore the kasbah and the nearby village
• Continue to Ouarzazate for overnight

Day 4: Ouarzazate - Dades Gorge

• Drive through the Dades Valley to reach Dades Gorge
• Visit the Todra Gorge and enjoy a walk through the canyon
• Overnight in a traditional Berber village

Day 5: Dades Gorge - Merzouga

• Drive to Merzouga and explore the nearby desert oasis and sand dunes
• Camel ride to reach the camp in the dunes and enjoy a traditional Berber dinner and music
• Overnight in a desert camp

Day 6: Merzouga - Erfoud - Midelt

• Drive to Erfoud and visit a fossil workshop
• Continue to Midelt for overnight

Day 7: Midelt - Ifrane - Fes

• Drive to Ifrane, a mountain town known for its ski resort
• Continue to Fes for overnight

Day 8: Fes

• Full day city tour of Fes including visits to the Royal Palace, the Madrasa Bou Inania, and the famous Al Quaraouiyine Mosque
• Explore the ancient medina and the souks
• Overnight in Fes

Day 9: Fes - Chefchaouen

• Drive to Chefchaouen, a charming mountain town known for its blue-painted houses
• Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the town and enjoy the mountain views
• Overnight in Chefchaouen

Day 10: Chefchaouen - Casablanca

• Drive to Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and economic hub
• Visit the Hassan II Mosque and the nearby central market
• Overnight in Casablanca

Day 11: Casablanca - Rabat

• Drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco
• Visit the Royal Palace, the Kasbah des Oudaias, and the Mohamed V Mausoleum
• Overnight in Rabat

Day 12: Rabat - Marrakech

• Drive back to Marrakech
• Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city
• Overnight in Marrakech

Day 13: Marrakech

• Full day excursion to the nearby Ourika Valley
• Visit a Berber village and enjoy a traditional lunch
• Return to Marrakech in the evening
• Overnight in Marrakech

Day 14: Departure

• Transfer to the airport for departure

I’m posting my trip report which has a lot of photos of a 2 1/2 week trip my husband and I took to Morocco in 2018 and might give you a sense of what you want to focus on. We used an agency and had driver so didn’t take public transportation, which allowed us to cover a lot of territory in a relatively short amount of time.

https://www.fodors.com/community/afr...urney-1653790/

progol, what an amazing trip report! You made such a good decision to have a driver guide. If it hadn’t been for our guide in Egypt , I think we would still be there fighting off the touts!
The way you planned your trip seems to have benefitted you greatly and your photography is out of this world. Thanks for sharing your travels!

Happy, thank you for your kind words! Salem has become a friend since that trip and we were very lucky to have met him.

And our experience most definitely served us well when we were in Egypt in November, though it’s a tossup as to which country was more challenging with the touts!