Two weeks beginning in Tangier is enough to cover Morocco's full sweep: the northern gateway and the Rif, the imperial cities, the High Atlas, the kasbah road and a night in the Sahara — all at a genuinely unhurried pace, ending in Marrakech.
In this guide
Why start a 14-day trip in Tangier?
Beginning in the north makes geographic sense and lets you arrive by the most atmospheric route of all — the fast ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, or a short flight into Ibn Battouta Airport. From Tangier you can soak up the gateway city and the Rif (Chefchaouen, Asilah, Tetouan), pick up the Al Boraq high-speed train or your driver south to Fes, cross to the Sahara, and finish in Marrakech — a clean north-to-south line, with two or three days in each highlight rather than a rushed night.
The driving distances in southern Morocco are real, and the routes are genuinely beautiful — the cedar forests of Azrou, the gorges of the Dadès and the Todra, the palm-filled Drâa Valley — so the transfers are part of the experience. With a private driver-guide for the southern legs, each stretch is a narrated journey rather than dead time.
Day-by-day: north to south
This outline assumes arrival in Tangier (by ferry or TNG) and departure from Marrakech (RAK), a classic open-jaw routing that removes all backtracking. Days can be adjusted for ferries, flights, pace and personal interests.
- Days 1–2: Tangier — the kasbah, the medina, the Soccos, Café Hafa and Cap Spartel.
- Day 3: Asilah and Tetouan, the whitewashed Andalusian towns of the coast.
- Days 4–5: Chefchaouen — the blue medina and Rif mountain walks; two slow nights.
- Days 6–7: Fes — the Chouara tanneries, Bou Inania madrasa and the souks; a private historian guide is essential.
- Day 8: Meknes (Bab Mansour, the royal granaries) and Roman Volubilis at golden hour.
- Day 9: Azrou cedar forest and the Middle Atlas plateau south to Midelt.
- Day 10: Gorge country — the Dadès and Todra gorges; overnight in the valley.
- Day 11: East to Merzouga — afternoon camel trek to a desert camp; dinner under the stars.
- Day 12: Sunrise on the Erg Chebbi dunes, then west through the Drâa Valley to Ouarzazate.
- Day 13: Aït Ben Haddou kasbah; Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas to Marrakech.
- Day 14: Marrakech — medina, Jardin Majorelle, a hammam; departure.
How much travel does this 14-day trip involve?
The northern legs from Tangier are short — Asilah under an hour, Tetouan around an hour, Chefchaouen about two and a half hours — and the run to Fes can be covered by the fast train. The southern circuit from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara covers roughly 1,500–1,800 km across several driving days, typically 3–6 hours each. The desert and gorge stretches are where a knowledgeable driver and an early start make the most difference.
Variants and add-ons
If you'd rather stay in the north, drop the Sahara leg and add more time on the Atlantic — Larache and Roman Lixus, longer in Asilah, and beach days around Cap Spartel — before taking the train south to Marrakech direct. For a deeper Rif experience, add a guided walking day around Chefchaouen. Couples and families can add a second Sahara night at the wilder Erg Chigaga.
Frequently asked
Is 14 days enough to see Morocco starting from Tangier?
Yes — beginning in the north, two weeks covers Tangier and the Rif, the imperial cities, the Sahara and Marrakech comfortably, without feeling rushed. A few far-flung destinations fall outside a 14-day radius, but most travellers finish with a full trip rather than a frustrated one.
What is the best 14-day route from Tangier?
A north-to-south open-jaw line: Tangier and the Rif (Chefchaouen, Asilah, Tetouan), then south to Fes, the Middle Atlas, the kasbah road and the Sahara, finishing in Marrakech. This removes all backtracking and follows the natural grain of the country.
What is the best time of year for this trip?
March to May and September to November. Spring and autumn give comfortable weather in the north, walkable desert days, and the High Atlas passes free of snow. Summer is pleasant in Tangier thanks to the sea, but the desert and Marrakech at 40°C+ make the southern leg punishing.
Should I arrive by ferry or fly into Tangier?
Either works. The fast ferry from Tarifa (about an hour) is the most atmospheric arrival and pairs well with time in southern Spain; flying into Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) is simplest if you're coming from further afield. Departing open-jaw from Marrakech removes backtracking.
Can I do this circuit by train and bus?
The northern section (Tangier–Tetouan–Chefchaouen–Fes) is well served by the fast train and CTM bus. South of Fes — the gorges, the Sahara, the kasbah road — public transport is slow and infrequent, so a private driver is strongly recommended for that half.
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The Best Time to Visit Tangier & Northern Morocco
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best all-round times for Tangier — warm but not heavy, the Strait breeze still gentle, and ideal conditions for the kasbah, the beaches and day trips to Chefchaouen, Asilah and Tetouan.