Our 10-day driving from Casablanca to Tangier turned into one of the biggest surprises of our travels.
When we added Morocco to our world tour, we honestly didn’t know what to expect. Looking back now, I think we completely underestimated it.
In just ten days, we found ourselves driving through an incredible variety of landscapes. One day we were exploring busy medinas filled with colors, spices, and handmade goods. The next we were winding through mountain roads, crossing lush valleys, or watching golden dunes stretch into the distance.
What surprised me most was how diverse Morocco felt. Every stop seemed to reveal a different side of the country. From coastal cities to desert camps, from bustling markets to quiet villages, there was always something new waiting around the next corner.
Before arriving, I had read a few reviews describing Morocco as chaotic, dirty, and difficult to travel through. That wasn’t our experience at all. We found a country that was welcoming, full of character, and clearly investing in making travel easier. Of course, like anywhere, there were challenges along the way, but those challenges became part of the adventure.
One of our biggest regrets was not staying longer. Ten days gave us just enough time to fall in love with Morocco, but nowhere near enough time to see everything it had to offer.
Even now, years later and after many more countries, Morocco remains one of those places that still stands out in our memories.
Driving or Bus?
One of the best decisions we made in Morocco was renting a car.
As a family of five, having the freedom to travel at our own pace made a huge difference. We didn’t have to worry about dragging luggage through bus stations or trying to coordinate transportation between destinations. Instead, we could stop whenever something caught our attention, stretch our legs when the kids needed a break, and enjoy the journey just as much as the destinations.
We booked our car with Aircar Car Rental in Casablanca. It was very easy and quick to get our car. Over the course of ten days, we drove more than 1,400 kilometers through mountains, valleys, deserts, and cities. Some of our favorite moments weren’t planned at all. They happened somewhere along the road while admiring the changing scenery outside the window.
If you’re traveling solo or on a tighter budget, Morocco’s bus network can be a great option. But for us, the flexibility of having our own vehicle made this road trip even more memorable.
Drive time and distance:
- Casablanca to Marrakesh: 3 hours – about 242 km
- Marrakesh to Ouarzazate: 4 hours – about 195 km
- Ouarzazate to Merzouga: 5 hours – about 366 km
- Merzouga to Fez: 7 hours – about 466 km
- Fez to Chefchaouen: 3:30 hours – about 212 km
- Chefchaouen to Tangier: 2 hours – about 129 km
Here is our itinerary that took us around part of Morocco!
Casablanca
Casablanca was our first stop in Morocco after flying in from Egypt. Before arriving in Morocco, we had spent several days exploring Egypt as part of our world tour. You can read more about that adventure here. As always when arriving in a new country, there was a mix of excitement and curiosity. We picked up our rental car, loaded our bags, and headed into the city, eager to begin exploring.
Although Casablanca wasn’t the Morocco I had imagined before arriving, it was an interesting introduction to the country. Compared to some of the places we would visit later, it felt more modern and European, offering a glimpse into a different side of Morocco.
What did we see?
Our first stop was the Grande Mosquée Hassan II, the largest mosque in Africa and one of the largest in the world. Standing beside it, it was impossible not to feel small. Its minaret rises 210 meters above the city, making it the tallest minaret in the world. Even from a distance, it dominates the skyline.
I had also read about El Hank Lighthouse, also known as Pointe d’El Hank Light. Built in 1919, it helped guide ships safely past the sandy banks along Casablanca’s coast. From what I had read, visitors could once climb to the top and enjoy beautiful views over the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we discovered it had been closed due to damage and disturbances caused by visitors.
Moments like that always make me wonder why some people forget that these places are someone’s home, history, and heritage. We all want visitors to treat our own communities with respect, and the same should apply wherever we travel.
We also spent some time at Morocco Mall, the second-largest shopping center in Africa. Normally shopping malls aren’t high on our list when visiting a new country, but traveling with kids often means finding a balance between history, culture, and a little fun. The mall has a large aquarium and sits right along the ocean, making it a pleasant place to stop for lunch with a view.
Before leaving the city, we drove through part of the Old Medina. We weren’t quite ready to dive into serious shopping yet, knowing there would be many more medinas waiting for us throughout the trip. Instead, we continued toward our next destination, excited to discover what the rest of Morocco had in store.
Where did was stay?
We stayed at Hôtel Les Saisons and found it to be a great base for our first night in Morocco. We had two spacious rooms, free parking, breakfast included, and a delicious restaurant next door where we enjoyed dinner. The staff was friendly, and the location worked well for exploring the city before continuing our road trip.
Marrakech
I’ll be honest: before arriving in Marrakech, I wasn’t completely convinced we should go.
I had read quite a few negative reviews. Some people described it as too chaotic, too touristy, or simply not worth the visit. For a while, I seriously considered changing our plans. Thankfully, we didn’t.
Marrakech ended up being one of those places that reminded me how subjective travel really is. What one person dislikes, another person may absolutely love. It’s a good reminder not to let someone else’s experience become your own before you’ve even arrived.
For us, Marrakech felt like the Morocco we had imagined.
While Casablanca felt more modern and European, Marrakech immediately immersed us in the colors, scents, sounds, and atmosphere that had drawn us to Morocco in the first place. It felt vibrant, alive, and full of character.
What did we see?
We didn’t have a detailed itinerary or a list of places we absolutely had to see. Instead, we parked the car and simply started walking.
And walking. And walking some more.
By the end of the day, our feet were exhausted, but it was one of our favorite days of the trip.
The medina is a maze of narrow streets, hidden corners, colorful shops, and endless souks. Around every turn there seemed to be something new to discover. One moment we were admiring handmade crafts, and the next we were stopping to smell piles of brightly colored spices or sample fresh fruit from a market stall.
I loved how Marrakech felt like a feast for the senses. The colors seemed brighter, the scents stronger, and the energy more intense than almost anywhere else we had visited.
Rather than rushing from attraction to attraction, we spent most of our time simply wandering and observing daily life around us. Looking back, those are often the moments I remember most.
For both lunch and dinner, I highly recommend finding one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the medina. Getting there with a stroller wasn’t always easy, but the views made every staircase worth it. Watching the city from above while the sounds of Marrakech drifted up from below was one of my favorite parts of our visit.
Where did we stay?
For our stay in Marrakech, we chose Riad Nejma Oriental. If you’re visiting Morocco, staying in a riad at least once is an experience in itself. Traditional riads are built around beautiful interior courtyards, creating peaceful little oases hidden behind the busy streets outside.
Reaching ours involved parking the car and walking through a network of narrow streets that were far too small for vehicles. It felt like stepping into another world.
The courtyard was beautiful, and breakfast each morning felt a little more special because of the setting.
The only downside was that sound traveled easily, and we could hear quite a bit of what was happening outside. Still, for the atmosphere and experience, we were very happy with our choice.
Ouarzazate
Our next destination was Merzouga and the Sahara Desert, but before reaching the dunes, we made an overnight stop in Ouarzazate.
Many travelers use Ouarzazate as a place to break up the long drive between Marrakech and the desert, and after doing it ourselves, I completely understand why.
The journey there was an adventure in itself.
As we left Marrakech, we climbed into the Atlas Mountains along winding roads that seemed to twist endlessly through the landscape. At first, the weather wasn’t on our side. Fog reduced visibility, and road construction slowed us down even more as crews worked to improve and widen sections of the highway.
For a while, it felt like one of those travel days where you simply focus on getting from one place to another. Then suddenly everything changed. The fog lifted.
The mountains opened up. And some of the most beautiful scenery of our Morocco trip began to appear around us.
Years later, I don’t remember much about the road construction or the delays. What I remember is the moment the fog lifted and the landscape suddenly revealed itself. Sometimes the parts of a journey that seem frustrating in the moment become the parts that stay with you the longest.
Small villages clung to hillsides. Valleys stretched out below us. The colors of the landscape constantly changed as we continued south. Looking back, the drive itself became one of the highlights of the journey.
What did we see?
While researching Ouarzazate, I discovered something I hadn’t expected: it is home to Atlas Studios, one of the largest film studios in the world by acreage.
Located on the edge of the desert, the studios have been used as filming locations for countless movies and television series. Many of the sets remain standing long after filming has finished, creating a fascinating place to explore. Some productions filmed here include Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Babel, Prison Break, and even parts of Game of Thrones.
For our kids, it felt a little like stepping behind the scenes of a movie set. Walking among the giant structures and imagining the stories filmed there was a fun and unexpected experience after a long day on the road.
Where did we stay?
We stayed at Oscar Hotel by Atlas Studios, located right next to the film studios.
One of the perks of staying there was receiving complimentary admission to Atlas Studios, which made it a convenient and enjoyable stop for our family.
After spending most of the day in the car, the kids loved having space to run around and explore the different movie sets. Our room even overlooked part of the studios, which added to the experience. The staff was friendly, the food was good, and overall it turned out to be the perfect place to recharge before continuing toward the Sahara Desert the following day.
At the time, Ouarzazate was simply a convenient stop on our way to the Sahara. Looking back, it became much more than that. Between the mountain drive, the changing scenery, and the unexpected movie sets, it ended up being one of those places that pleasantly surprised us.
Merzouga
After nearly five hours on the road, we finally reached one of the places we had been looking forward to most: the Sahara Desert.
As we drove closer to Merzouga, the scenery slowly began to change. The villages became fewer, the landscape more open, and then suddenly, there they were, the dunes.
No matter how many photos you see beforehand, there is something special about seeing them for the first time with your own eyes.
Like many travelers, we arrived with a certain picture in our minds of what our Sahara experience would look like.
The desert, however, had other plans.
Instead of calm skies and peaceful dunes, we were welcomed by strong winds that seemed determined to blow sand absolutely everywhere.
And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere.
Poor Luca probably consumed more Sahara sand than anyone should in a lifetime.
The camp offered camel rides to reach the tents, which is something we had originally hoped to do. Unfortunately, the weather made that impossible, and we decided it was best to skip it. At first, I was disappointed.
But travel has taught us many times that experiences don’t need to go according to plan to become memorable. The wind may have changed our plans, but it certainly didn’t stop the kids from having fun.
One of their favorite activities was sledding down the dunes. Every run ended with laughter, a face full of sand, and the immediate desire to climb back up and do it again.
Desert Evenings
Normally, guests enjoy dinner outside while watching the sunset over the dunes, followed by music and drumming around a campfire under the stars.
The weather had other ideas. As the wind continued to strengthen, dinner and the evening drumming session were moved inside the main tent.
It wasn’t the Sahara experience we had imagined, but it was still one we won’t forget.
In many ways, those unexpected moments are often what make a trip unique. Years later, I don’t remember feeling disappointed about missing the perfect desert evening. I remember laughing about the wind, shaking sand out of our clothes, and watching the kids embrace the adventure anyway.
Where did we stay?
We stayed at Sirocco Luxury Camp and were extremely happy with our choice.
This was my first experience staying in such a luxurious desert camp. Our tent had comfortable beds, a private bathroom, and even a shower, certainly a different experience from the camping trips I grew up with!
Because the weather kept us indoors more than expected, having a comfortable tent made a big difference.
Even with the wind, Merzouga became one of those places that reminds us why we travel. Sometimes the most memorable experiences aren’t the perfect ones. They’re the ones that don’t go according to plan but leave you with stories you’ll still be telling years later.
Fez
The drive from Merzouga to Fez was our longest of the trip in Morocco, covering nearly 500 kilometers.
Fortunately, the roads were good, the weather had improved, and the scenery continued to surprise us. What could have felt like a very long travel day turned into another opportunity to admire the incredible variety of landscapes Morocco has to offer. By the time we reached Fez, we were ready to stretch our legs and dive into one of Morocco’s most famous medinas.
What did we see?
Like we had done in Marrakech, we parked the car and simply started exploring.
One of my favorite things about Morocco’s medinas is that you never really know what you’ll discover around the next corner. The narrow streets twist and turn endlessly, creating a maze of shops, workshops, markets, and daily life.
As we wandered through the smaller side streets, Emma spotted a shoemaker quietly working in his tiny workshop. At first, she simply wanted to show me what he was doing. Then we noticed something. One of her boots had developed a hole. Instead of replacing it, we asked if he could repair it. A few minutes later, it was fixed.
In a world where so many things are thrown away and replaced, it was a wonderful reminder that many things can still be repaired. Sometimes the biggest lessons while traveling come from the smallest experiences.
Of course, no visit to Fez would feel complete without seeing the famous leather tanneries.
Before entering, we were each handed a sprig of mint. Very quickly, we understood why. The smell is unforgettable. The mint certainly helped, but only to a point! Standing above the tannery, we watched workers carrying out a process that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Animal hides are first soaked in a mixture that softens the leather and removes the hair before being transferred into large dyeing vats. The dyes themselves come from natural materials, including cedar wood, henna, saffron, mint, indigo, and poppy flowers, creating the beautiful colors that Moroccan leather is known for around the world.
We were lucky enough to walk through part of the tannery area, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure how long I was going to last. The smell was so strong that I started feeling lightheaded and briefly wondered if I was going to fall right into one of the dye vats!
As we continued exploring the medina, we discovered artisans working on all kinds of traditional crafts. We watched carpet weaving demonstrations, browsed countless shops, and simply enjoyed observing daily life unfolding around us. One of the things I love most about places like Fez is that the medina isn’t just a tourist attraction. It is a living, working part of the city where people continue traditions that have been passed down for generations.
And of course, if you decide to buy something, another Moroccan tradition begins: negotiating the price!
Where did we stay?
We stayed at Aparthotel Les Oliviers Suites & Spa and thoroughly enjoyed it. After our night in the desert, having a spacious apartment felt like a luxury. We had plenty of room to spread out, relax, and recharge before continuing our journey north. Breakfast was included, and it was a wonderful way to start another day of exploring Morocco.
Chefchaouen
Of all the places we visited in Morocco, Chefchaouen was the one I had dreamed about the longest.
Years before our trip, I had seen photos of its blue streets and staircases and immediately added it to my mental list of places I hoped to visit one day.
When we finally arrived, I couldn’t wait to start exploring. And somehow, it was even more beautiful in person.
One of the best ways to experience Chefchaouen is to simply wander. There was no need for a detailed itinerary. No list of attractions we felt compelled to check off.
Instead, we spent our time getting wonderfully lost among the winding streets, small squares, colorful doorways, and endless shades of blue. Every corner seemed different. Every staircase seemed more photogenic than the last. And every few steps I found myself stopping to take another picture.
The city has a peaceful atmosphere that feels very different from the busier medinas we had visited earlier in the trip. While Marrakech and Fez buzz with energy, Chefchaouen invites you to slow down, wander, and simply enjoy being there.
Why Is Chefchaouen Blue?
Like many visitors, I became curious about the reason behind the city’s famous color. There are several theories.
One suggests that the blue paint helps keep mosquitoes away. Another traces the tradition back to Jewish refugees who settled here in the 1930s and used blue to symbolize the sky, heaven, and spirituality.
Whatever the original reason may have been, the result is undeniably magical. The different shades of blue transform an already beautiful mountain town into a place that feels almost dreamlike.
Sometimes a destination builds up so much anticipation that it struggles to live up to expectations. Chefchaouen wasn’t one of those places. It was everything I had hoped for and more. Even now, years later and after visiting many other beautiful places around the world, I can still picture those blue streets winding through the hillsides of northern Morocco.
Just like in Fez and Marrakech, I highly recommend finding a rooftop restaurant and taking in the view from above. Looking out over a sea of blue rooftops as the sun begins to soften is an experience that’s difficult to forget.
Where did we stay?
We stayed at Balcon Bleu, located just a short walk from the center of town. The location was excellent, parking and breakfast were included, and it offered great value for money. Most importantly, it allowed us to easily explore Chefchaouen on foot and soak up every moment we could in this enchanting little city.
Tangier
Our final stop in Morocco was Tangier.
By this point, we had crossed mountains, wandered through medinas, explored the Sahara Desert, and driven more than 1,400 kilometers across the country. As we headed north toward the coast, it was hard not to reflect on everything we had experienced in just ten days.
Tangier was meant to be our final Moroccan city before continuing on to Spain.
Unfortunately, we made one small mistake. We didn’t realize that Tangier has two different ports. One is located much closer to the city center, while the other is about an hour away. Since our ferry to Spain departed from the farther port the following morning, we ended up staying nearby instead of exploring the city itself.
At first, I was disappointed. After hearing so much about Tangier, I would have loved to spend at least a day wandering through its streets and seeing another side of Morocco.
But that’s part of travel too. Sometimes plans work perfectly. Sometimes they don’t. And occasionally a destination becomes a reason to come back one day.
Crossing into Spain from Morocco
Even though we missed out on exploring Tangier, we were excited about what came next. For the first time in a while, we would be changing countries by boat instead of by plane. Traveling as a family of five with multiple bags is rarely the most efficient operation, and maneuvering everything through the ferry terminal definitely required some teamwork.
Thankfully, as we’ve experienced so many times while traveling, there were kind people willing to lend a helping hand along the way. It’s funny how often those small acts of kindness become part of our memories of a place.
Where did we stay?
We stayed at Hôtel Tanger Med, which worked perfectly for our situation. Its location near the port made our early departure much easier, and it provided a comfortable place to spend our final night in Morocco before boarding the ferry to Spain.
Looking Back on Morocco
As we boarded the ferry the next day, I remember feeling grateful that Morocco had surprised us so completely.
We arrived expecting to enjoy the trip. We left wishing we had planned more time.
In just ten days, we experienced bustling medinas, mountain roads, movie sets, desert camps, colorful markets, and one of the most beautiful blue cities we had ever seen.
Of course, there were challenges along the way. Construction slowed some of our drives, the Sahara greeted us with fierce winds, and not everything went according to plan. But that’s often how the best travel memories are made.
Even now, years later and after many more adventures around the world, Morocco remains one of those countries that exceeded every expectation we had.
And if there’s one thing we would do differently, it would simply be this: We would stay longer.
