A week based in Fes is enough to go deep on the imperial north — the medina, the imperial-city loop and the blue city — or to pair Fes with a Sahara crossing. Here are two proven 7-day itineraries from Fes, and how to choose between them.
In this guide
Option A — Fes, the imperial cities & the blue city (north)
A culture-first week with short drives, built around Fes el-Bali: the world's largest car-free medina, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the gates of Meknes, and the blue lanes of Chefchaouen. Easy on the legs apart from the medina days, and the most rewarding introduction to old Morocco.
- Days 1–2: Fes — the Fes el-Bali medina with a local guide; the Chouara tanneries, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine medersas, the Kairaouine and the Nejjarine.
- Day 3: Day trip to Meknes, Roman Volubilis at golden hour and the shrine town of Moulay Idriss.
- Days 4–5: Chefchaouen, the blue city, two slow nights via the scenic Rif road.
- Day 6: Back toward Fes, with a stop for the Middle Atlas cedar forest and Ifrane.
- Day 7: A final medina morning and departure from Fès–Saïss (FEZ).
Option B — Fes & the Sahara
For travellers who want the dunes as well as the medina: two full days in Fes, then south-east through the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley to Erg Chebbi at Merzouga. Driving days are real but rewarding, and best done with a private driver who knows where to stop.
- Days 1–2: Fes — medina, tanneries, medersas, artisan workshops and a rooftop sunset.
- Day 3: South through Ifrane, the cedar forest and the Ziz Valley toward the desert.
- Day 4: Camel trek into Erg Chebbi and a night at a luxury camp.
- Day 5: Sunrise dune climb, then the road back north through the gorges country.
- Day 6: A final medina day in Fes — shopping and a cooking class.
- Day 7: Slow morning and departure from Fès–Saïss (FEZ).
How to choose
Pick the imperial north (Option A) for history, artisan culture, short transfers and cooler summers. Pick Option B if the Sahara is your dream and you don't mind two longer drives. Either can run open-jaw — fly into Fès–Saïss and out of Marrakech, say — which is a popular way to combine the two halves of the country across a longer trip.
Frequently asked
Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
Yes — a week from Fes comfortably covers either the northern imperial cities plus Chefchaouen, or Fes plus a Sahara crossing. Trying to add Marrakech and the deep south in the same seven days means too much driving; save that half for a return trip or a longer itinerary.
Can you do Fes and the desert in a week?
Comfortably. A 3-day desert loop from Fes (south through Ifrane and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga and back) leaves three to four days for the medina, the imperial-city day trips and the artisan quarters.
How much driving is a 7-day Morocco trip?
The Fes-and-Sahara week involves two longer driving days (roughly 6–8 hours) down to Merzouga and back; the imperial-cities week keeps transfers mostly under three hours, with the medina days entirely on foot. A private driver makes both relaxed rather than tiring.
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Itineraries
Fes & Morocco Itinerary: 10 Days
Ten days is the sweet spot — long enough to root yourself in Fes and the imperial north, drop south to the Sahara, and finish in Marrakech in one unhurried loop, with Chefchaouen or the coast as an optional add-on.
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Morocco
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best all-round times to visit Morocco and to base yourself in Fes — warm days, cool evenings and comfortable conditions for long hours on foot in the Fes el-Bali medina, plus easy day trips to Volubilis, Meknes and the Middle Atlas.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Fes sits squarely on Morocco's best rail line, so trains link it easily to Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. For Chefchaouen, Volubilis, the Middle Atlas and the desert, you'll want a private driver. The right mix depends on your route and pace.