Wellness, adventure or culture, you can have it all on one of these Morocco road trips.
Morocco road trips: Our top five driving routes
Is Morocco good for road trips? Absolutely. With its hidden gems, iconic landmarks and diverse landscapes, exploring the North African nation by car is the ideal way to experience the country’s beauty. Check out these five Moroccan road trip itineraries and start planning your next getaway.
1. Tour Morocco’s classics from the Atlantic to Sahara
Tick off the iconic sites from sea to sand dunes – 562 miles
- Best time to go: Spring is the best time for mild temperatures in the desert.
- Highlights: Ksar Ait Bennhaddou and the Sahara desert are two of the best places to visit in Morocco
The first of our road trips in Morocco starts in Casablanca, a city blessed with vast sandy beaches, renowned culinary hotspots and rejuvenating hammam spas. Enjoy a revitalising feast of comforting slow-cooked stews and gut-loving herbal tea before driving inland. Soak up the energy of the Marrakesh markets and marvel at Medersa Ben Youssef and Bahia Palace. Then head to the quiet riverside town of Sti Fadma and hike through the Atlas Mountains’ Ourika Valley, passing almond orchards and waterfalls.
When you double back and loop around the massif you’ll reach the Ksar Ait Benhaddou. Continue to Todra Gorge, following trails along the shallow river between the orange limestone rock faces. Then, drive 120 miles towards the Algerian border as the Sahara’s rose-gold dunes come into sight. In Merzouga, explore the dunes on camelback and enjoy spectacular stargazing after sunset – you might even spot the Milky Way.
2. Hit the northern loop highlights
A circuit of the historical highlights of northern Morocco – 516 miles
- Best time to go: October and November you can miss the crowds while the main attractions remain open.
- Highlights: Chefchaouen and the Volubilis Archeological Site are bound to impress.
This Moroccan road trip kicks off in the northern port city, Tangier, which sits 18 nautical miles from Gibraltar. A sprinkle of Spanish culture adds a unique flavour to this city. Peak behind the 15th-century fortress wall to a labyrinth of colourful alleyways dotted with artisan workshops. Head out of the centre for a dip at Merkala Beach and around the corner of Cap Spatel Park to the hidden archaeological complex, Hercules Caves. Drive south, parallel to the stretches of quiet sandy beaches and small, historic coastal towns. Pause at the 4th-century Lixus Archeological Site to explore the remains of Roman temples and baths.
Drive on to see Morocco’s capital, Rabat, and discover the Kasbah of the Udayas, a majestic fortress you enter through an ornate archway. Afterwards, join the A2 road to the hilltop city of Meknes – stopping at the Roman ruins of Volubilis Archeological Site on the way. In Meknes, tour the elegant tiled archways and historic sites by horse and cart. Continue to Morocco’s cultural capital, Fez, and swing by Bab Boujloud to admire the spectacular mosaic tile display on the arched entrance of the old city. Return north to discover the mystical blue streets of Chefchaouen, where the locals craft masterpieces from cloth, pottery and leather. Finally, take a detour to the crystalline pools and waterfalls of Grande Cascade D’akchour nature reserve.
3. Cruise the coastal point-to-point trail
Take Morocco’s best coastal road trip – 406 miles
- Best time to go: June and July you’ll be guaranteed long days of sunshine.
- Highlights: Don’t miss Oualidia and Essaouira.
Begin your road trip where the Draa River meets the ocean. Explore the palm-shaded gardens, contemporary art galleries and popular restaurants of Morocco’s ocean-front capital. Before leaving, pay a visit to the 12th-century fortress, Kasbah of the Udayas. Inside, you can wander through the alleyways lined with white- and blue-washed homes. Following a visit to the mosque and museum, rest beneath the orange trees in the Andalusian Gardens. Drive along the coast, dotted with sandy beaches, and arrive at Casablanca to take a look around the Hassan II Mosque which sits on a platform stretching into the sea.
Take a pit stop at the small village of Oualidia to shuck a fresh catch of oysters before surfing the waves. If it’s spring or autumn while you’re there, keep an eye out for migrating flamingos in the salt marshes. Next, see Morocco’s oldest cone-shaped pottery kilns in Stafi before an irresistible lie down on the beach. When you arrive in the port city of Essaouira you’ll notice it has more of a relaxed beach town atmosphere. Spend the last chapter of your road trip sipping mint tea on rooftop cafes, exploring the Medina and chilling out on the beach.
4. Drive the daring adventure route
An action-packed trail with high roads and diverse terrain – 1011 miles
- Best time to go: September and October to keep cool while you’re active and for good weather in the mountains.
- Highlights: You’ll have plenty to keep busy in the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains and Todra Gorge.
The next of our Morocco road trips starts in Agadir. Set the tone with cliff jumping and rock climbing in the glens of Paradise Valley. Afterwards, hike around the clear natural pools and hunt for hidden grottos and waterfalls. When you’re done, beeline for the Atlas Mountains. Start ascending the vertigo-inducing winding, narrow roads to Tizi N’ Test pass. Drop around 1,000m to the rusty-red Ouirgane Valley to test the mountain biking trails and chill out in the Berber villages. Head north and take a detour to Toubkal National Park. Say goodbye to civilisation for two or three days before a challenging trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal (guides are legally required for this).
When you’re back on the road, follow the N9 into the calming green oasis of Draa Valley. Leave the palm groves for the small Saharan village of Merzouga to go sand surfing and quad biking. Motor back towards the heart of Morocco and pull over at Todra Gorge. Shortly after, stop at the Valley of Roses and Les Gorges Agouti to hike the scenic trails which are particularly striking in spring when the landscape is blanketed with pink roses. Pause at the hillside, terracotta-hued city of Ouarzazate. And for one last adventure before Marrakesh, you could go horse trekking from Asif Ounila to see the ancient Ksar of Ait Benhaddou.
5. Roll along the tranquil oasis trail
A laid-back road trip along the coast to Marrakesh – 593 miles
- Best time to go: April or May for lush green landscapes.
- Highlights: Oualidia and Ouzoud Falls are both hidden gems you must see.
The last of our Morocco road trips begins in the laid-back coastal city of Essaouira. After a mint tea with a view from one of the rooftop cafes, pick up some argan oil while you’re in the region where it’s produced. Drive north to the charming seaside village of Oualidia and keep an eye out for migrating flamingos in the nature reserve. Weave around rural Moroccan towns towards the Atlas Mountains. Stop at Ouzoud Falls and watch the water tumble from 110m over the El-Abid River Gorge.
Head deeper into the heart of the country until you reach Fint Oasis – a green paradise of palm trees and tiny villages along a river. After exploring the walking trails, visit the nearby terracotta-hued city of Ouarzazate to look around the spectacular interiors of Kasbah of Taourirt. Drive back towards the coast and spend a while in the Ksar Ait Benhaddou. Inspect the red-hued houses and rectangular towers built from traditional earthen clay in the 17th-century. Pass Asif Ounila river to the secluded Kasbah Telouet – a crumbling red village with a dark past. Finish the Morocco road trip with the markets of Marrakesh and a wander around Jardin Majorelle.
Tips for seamless Morocco road trips
Morocco driving advice
- Respect local culture and dress conservatively.
- Keep an eye out for scammers – such as fake guides, false directions and anything offered as ‘free’.
- Stick to daytime driving to prevent any mishaps.
- Aim to keep your fuel above the halfway mark to avoid running out – petrol stations can be scarce.
- Allow plenty of driving time for journeys through slow mountain roads.
- Be aware of the strict drink-driving law – the limit is 20mg per 100ml of alcohol in the bloodstream.
Cultural fact file
North Africa’s highest peak is in the Atlas Mountains.
Morocco is considered a Muslim country.
The national animal is a Barbary lion.
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