From the medinas to the dunes

Who it is for

For anyone who wants imperial cities, souks and desert in the same trip.

Not for anyone who wants few travel days; there are four bases, including the long road journey to the desert.

The strategy

Casablanca comes first, followed by Fez and Marrakech, with two nights in Erg Chebbi proposed for the desert. Check road journeys before allocating nights, including departure from Marrakech and the journey from the desert to your return airport. Plan fewer visits on transfer days and breaks along the road.

What you will see

• Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca. Designed by Michel Pinseau, built between 1986 and 1993 on a platform partly jutting into the Atlantic and funded by public subscription.
• Bou Inania Madrasa, Fez. Built between 1350 and 1355 by Abu Inan Faris, it's the only madrasa in Fez with a minaret and a Friday mosque, which makes it the largest of all.
• Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh. A square of about 4 ha, in continuous use since the 11th century, between the medina and the kasbah.
• Erg Chebbi, Sahara. Morocco's tallest and most accessible dune field: about 28 km long by 5–7 km wide, with crests rising some 150 m above the plain.

Day by day

Casablanca

1. 1
   Day 1: The mosque, the medina and the art deco

   1. 1Hassan II MosqueEssential
   2. 5Marché CentralUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 2Place Mohammed VEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: The sea, Anfa and late afternoon

   1. 8Museum of Moroccan JudaismWorth a visit
3. 3
   Day 3: Habous, the Slaoui Museum and the old slaughterhouses · if you have more time

   1. 6Quartier Habous and the Mahkama du PachaWorth a visit
   2. 7Abderrahman Slaoui MuseumUp to half an hourWorth a visit

Fez

1. 4
   Day 4: The descent through the medina

   1. Bab BoujloudIf there is time
   2. 1Bou Inania MadrasaEssential
   3. 9Zaouia of Moulay Idriss IIUp to half an hourIf there is time
   4. 2Al-Attarine MadrasaUp to half an hourEssential
   5. 6Seffarine SquareUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   6. 3Chouara TanneryUp to half an hourEssential
2. 5
   Day 5: Fes el-Jdid, the mellah and the view from above

   1. 7Dar Batha and Jnan SbilUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 8Marinid Tombs and Borj NordWorth a visit
3. 6
   Day 6: Crafts, a bath and the new city · if you have more time

Marrakesh

1. 7
   Day 7: The imperial medina, from the Koutoubia to the kasbah

   1. 2Saadian TombsEssential
   2. 6El Badi PalaceWorth a visit
   3. 7Bahia PalaceUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 1Jemaa el-FnaEssential
2. 8
   Day 8: Souks, trades and the north of the medina

   1. 5Ben Youssef MedersaWorth a visit
   2. 9Marrakech Museum and Almoravid KoubbaUp to half an hourIf there is time
3. 9
   Day 9: Gueliz, gardens and the Atlas on the horizon

   1. 8Jardin Majorelle and Musée Yves Saint LaurentWorth a visit

Sahara

1. 10
   Day 10: From the Ziz valley to the first dune

   1. 5Ruins of SijilmassaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 11
   Day 11: Taouz, the carvings and another night in the erg
3. 12
   Day 12: Souk, Gnawa and the edge of the erg

   1. 6Zaouia of Moulay Ali CherifUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 3KhamliaUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 9Dayet SrjiUp to half an hourIf there is time
4. 13
   Day 13: West, through the gorges

   1. 8Todra GorgeWorth a visit