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15 days in Morocco: between enchanting medinas, golden dunes, and the Atlantic breeze

An intense journey, from Marrakech to the Sahara, through the imperial cities and along the ocean shores !

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Février 2020

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Adult(s)

+ 11 years old

Children

2 - 11 years old

Babies

- 2 years old

inspiration Maroc paysage destination

A rich and unforgettable Moroccan journey

From the desert to the medinas, set your own pace

From Lyon, Morocco is never far away. Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, or Oujda — several Moroccan cities are accessible by direct flight, offering a multitude of gateways to begin your adventure. And since this country lends itself to countless itineraries, your arrival city doesn’t have to be the same as your departure: you could land in Marrakech and fly back from Casablanca, start in Fez and finish in Agadir, or even create a full loop.

What follows is therefore an example of a fifteen-day journey, fully adaptable to your desires, the time you have, and your chosen starting point. It’s here to inspire you, to provide a framework guiding you through a land of a thousand faces. Because Morocco is, above all, an invitation to travel: the vitality of its medinas, the beauty of its mountains, the magic of its Sahara, and the gentleness of its coastline come together to shape a trip that is uniquely yours.

Destination Maroc Marrakech souk marché couleurs ville

Step 1 – Marrakech (Days 1 to 3)

Marrakech, the Red City, is a dazzling introduction. Its medina pulses with the rhythm of artisans and merchants, while its souks unfold like a labyrinth of scents and colors. Jemaa el-Fna square, a true living theater, transforms from day to night: snake charmers, Gnawa musicians, and storytellers give way to bustling food stalls as evening falls. The Majorelle Gardens, with their exotic blues, contrast with the stone elegance of the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque. Here, one is carried away by a vibrant energy that intoxicates and immediately sets the tone for the journey.

Just a few kilometers away, the Atlas Mountains offer a different kind of breath. An excursion to the Ourika Valley or to Imlil allows you to leave the bustle behind and rediscover the silence of the peaks, walnut-lined paths, and Berber villages clinging to the slopes. Marrakech is a gateway, a promise, and an invitation to grand adventure.

Essaouira Maroc ville

Step 2 – Essaouira (Days 4 to 5)

Heading for the ocean, Essaouira reveals its dazzling whiteness. Swept by the winds, the “City of the Trade Winds” blends the atmosphere of a UNESCO-listed medina with the laid-back charm of a seaside town. The ramparts cut through the waves, seagulls circle above the rows of blue fishing boats in the harbor, and art galleries open their doors along shaded alleys. Here, the pace slows: you stroll, taste grilled fish at the market, or walk barefoot along the vast beach brushed by the waves.

Essaouira is also a city of light and art. Many artists have sought refuge here, enchanted by its bohemian spirit and the ever-changing shades of the ocean. In the surrounding countryside, argan tree groves dot the landscape, reminding visitors of how closely nature is intertwined with the country’s cultural richness.

Destination Maroc paysage Ouarzazate

Step 3 – Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate (Day 6)

Crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the road becomes spectacular, winding through the Atlas Mountains and opening onto dizzying panoramas. Around a bend in the valley, the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou appears, an ochre fortress of earth listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, seemingly frozen in time. Its earthen alleys tell the stories of caravans and trade, and its scenery has long fascinated world cinema.

A little further on, Ouarzazate extends this impression of the unreal. Known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” its very name evokes adventure. Between film studios, majestic kasbahs such as Taourirt, and hidden oases like Fint, it offers a contrasting face — both harsh and poetic.

Step 4 – Merzouga and the Desert (Days 7 to 8)

At the end of the road, the horizon opens onto infinity. Merzouga is the gateway to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a golden desert where time stretches out. You set off on camelback toward a camp, watch the sun set the sands ablaze, and gather around a fire with mint tea while listening to Berber rhythms. A night in the desert is a complete experience: the sky fills with stars, and silence turns into a song.

The next day, the excursion continues by 4x4 through Saharan villages and fossil quarries around Erfoud. Between shifting dunes and mineral plains, the impression is that of another world — a Morocco that seeps into your very soul.

Maroc désert dunes
Destination Maroc vallée

Step 5 – Dadès Valley and Todgha Gorges (Day 9)

Leaving the desert, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs runs along the Dadès Valley. The landscapes shift once again: red cliffs twist into strange shapes, while lush palm groves remind you that water is a precious treasure. Further on, the Todgha Gorges rise with their impressive walls — a narrow canyon where you walk alongside the river, feeling tiny against the towering rock faces. This stage is a mineral breath, a pause of nature and grandeur.

Maroc Fès ville couleur inspiration

Step 6 – Fez and Surroundings (Days 10 to 12)

Fez is a city to be earned. More secretive than Marrakech, and more spiritual too, it shelters one of the largest medinas in the world — a labyrinth where every alley leads to a story. The Chouara Tanneries, bursting with color, offer a sensory immersion, while the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas reveal the delicacy of Moroccan decorative arts. The Jnan Sbil Gardens, meanwhile, provide a breath of calm in the heart of the city’s density.

In the surrounding area, Meknes charms with its balance, its orderly squares, and its monumental gates. Volubilis, with its mosaics and columns, speaks of another heritage — that of Rome, set amid olive groves. Three days in Fez allow you to embrace this richness, blending spirituality, craftsmanship, and memory.

Maroc Chefchaouen ville bleu inspiration

Step 7 – Chefchaouen (Days 13 to 14)

The ascent into the Rif Mountains leads to a unique town: Chefchaouen, the Blue City. Its painted streets unfold in endless shades, from turquoise to cobalt, with every doorway seeming to tell a secret. Here, time slows: you wander, take photographs, and breathe in a peaceful atmosphere. Rooftop cafés open onto the sky, light dances on the walls, and children run through the alleys as if in a fairy-tale setting.

Just a few kilometers away, the Akchour waterfalls invite you to a refreshing hike, where clear water flows between the rocks. Chefchaouen is a gentle, almost meditative stop before returning to the energy of the big cities.

Step 8 – Casablanca and Departure (Day 15)

Casablanca, modern and vibrant, concludes this journey with a blend of grandeur and vitality. The Hassan II Mosque, set against the Atlantic, impresses with its monumental scale and the refinement of its details. The corniche invites you to a sunset stroll, while avenues lined with Art Deco buildings recall the city’s cosmopolitan spirit. Depending on your choice, you may depart from here or return to Marrakech by train to complete the loop.

Casablanca Maroc ville

5 Must-Do Experiences in Morocco

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cuisine marocaine
1

Savor a Traditional Couscous

You can’t leave Morocco without tasting a true couscous, prepared with patience. Traditionally served on Fridays, this emblematic dish brings families together around fine semolina, slow-cooked vegetables, and tender meat. Each region adds its own special touch, making it an endless culinary discovery.

Hurghada, Egypte
2

Venture on a Camel into the Sahara Desert

Spending a night in the heart of the dunes is a timeless experience. After a camel ride at sunset, you settle into a Berber camp for a dinner under the stars. The desert’s silence and the vastness of the landscape create unforgettable memories.

Marrakech
3

Relax in a Moroccan Hammam

The hammam is a true institution in Morocco, as much social as it is relaxing. Between the humid heat, black soap scrubs, and traditional massages, you emerge with a purified body and a soothed mind. A sensory experience that immerses you in the daily life of Moroccans.

4

Get Lost in the Colorful Medinas

Each medina is a world of its own. Strolling through the alleys of Fez, Marrakech, or Chefchaouen reveals a mosaic of colors, scents, and sounds. Among artisans, spice markets, leather shops, and pottery stalls, every step brings a new surprise.

Maroc montagnes randonnée Atlas activité
5

Hike in the Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains offer spectacular panoramas, perched Berber villages, and trails for all levels. It’s an opportunity to meet the locals, share a mint tea, and discover an authentic, unspoiled Morocco, far from the bustle of the big cities.