If you’re planning the ultimate Morocco road trip, there’s one route that perfectly combines culture, mountains, waterfalls, desert landscapes, and laid-back coastal towns. It all starts in the city of Marrakech, with a large international airport.
From the colourful chaos of the medina to the peaceful coastal charm of Essaouira, this 2-week Morocco itinerary takes you through some of the most unforgettable places in the country: Marrakech, Ouzoud Waterfalls, the Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Tamraght, Taghazout, and Essaouira.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan the ultimate Morocco road trip, including where to stay, what to do, helpful travel tips, and hidden gems that make the journey even more special.
Our route looked like this: Marrakech → Ouzoud Waterfalls → Atlas Mountains → Ait Ben Haddou → Tamraght → Taghazout → Essaouira → Marrakech.
Driving a car in Morocco
Hiring a car in Morocco gives you the freedom to explore the country properly. You can stop at hidden viewpoints, local cafés, drive through the Atlas mountains and even drive between different surf spots. You just need to be prepared for winding mountain roads, changing landscapes, and plenty of police speed checks.
Police checks
One thing to know before driving in Morocco is that police speed checks are everywhere, and they take them seriously. You’ll often see officers waiting near villages, roundabouts, or hidden just behind road signs where the speed limit suddenly changes, especially from 80km/h down to 60km/h. They’re known for positioning themselves exactly where drivers are most likely to miss the change, so it’s important to slow down before the sign, not after. We saw this constantly throughout the trip. If you’re renting a car in Morocco, stay alert, stick to the limits, and don’t assume quiet roads mean no checks, you will get fined if you’re caught speeding.
We were fined for driving 70km/h (I assume it was during the transition from 80 to 60 and had to pay cash on the spot. Luckily it was only 15e but still.)
They hide in bushes then send a Whatsapp photo to the police waiting a few kilometers down the road. They’ll show you a photo of your licence plate and the speed you were going. Is there real proof it’s legit? Not really. But it’s better to just pay it and smile 
Hiring a car in Morocco
We hired our car with Discover Cars. They only work with one company in Morocco called Location Auto. I can’t tell you why their cars are 5x cheaper than all other cars in Morocco. There are quite a lot of negative reviews on Google, but for us, everything worked out fine. We did have to pay an extra 150e because we used a debit card, but even then it was still way cheaper than all other companies. The thing that made us feel confident booking with Location Auto (via Discover Cars) was the fact that we paid extra for the full insurance. Discover cars were then responsible for repayments within 10 days (we didn’t need this). For us, hiring a car in Morocco worked out well with this company, but do your research and choose what you feel comfortable with.
The Ultimate Morocco Road Trip – Best places to visit in Morocco
No ultimate Morocco road trip is complete without spending time in Marrakech, one of the most iconic cities in North Africa. The streets are vibrant, intense, and full of life. The medina is a maze of winding alleyways, hidden riads, rooftop cafés, souks, spices, scooters, and endless photo opportunities. Getting lost here is guaranteed, but it’s part of the experience.
Things to do in Marrakech:
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the beating heart of Marrakech and one of the city’s most famous squares. During the day, it’s filled with market stalls and fresh juice stands, while at night it transforms into a buzzing food market with musicians, smoke rising from food stalls, and complete sensory overload. It’s chaotic, but it’s a huge part of the Marrakech experience.
The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and dates back to the 12th century. Its 77-metre minaret can be seen from almost anywhere in the city and is one of Morocco’s most recognisable landmarks. Located right next to Jemaa el-Fnaa, it’s an easy stop while exploring the medina. Non-Muslims can’t enter the mosque itself, but the surrounding gardens are peaceful and worth visiting.
Bahia Palace is another must-visit, especially if you love architecture. It’s known for its intricate tiles, peaceful courtyards, carved ceilings, and beautiful traditional Moroccan design. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Marrakech, so visiting early is best to avoid the crowds.
One of the most underrated places in Marrakech is El Badi Palace. Built in the 16th century, it was once one of Morocco’s grandest palaces. Today, it stands beautifully stripped back to ruins, with sunken gardens, giant courtyards, stork nests, and incredible rooftop views over the city. It costs around 100 MAD to enter, and it’s best visited early morning or late afternoon as there’s very little shade. Climbing the walls gives you some of the best views in the city, and it’s usually much quieter than Bahia Palace.
Le Jardin Secret is another hidden gem inside the medina and offers a peaceful escape from the city noise. If you love photography and historic architecture, Ben Youssef Madrasa is also worth visiting for its stunning Islamic design and detailed tilework. One of the best things to do in Marrakech, though, is simply slowing down on a rooftop terrace at sunset. Sitting with mint tea, tagine, and the sound of the call to prayer in the background is one of those travel moments you never forget.
Ouzoud Waterfall
If you’re looking for nature during the ultimate Morocco road trip, Ouzoud Waterfalls should be high on your list. These waterfalls drop around 110 metres in multiple tiers and are surrounded by red rock cliffs, olive groves, and wild monkeys. The name “Ouzoud” actually means “olive” in Berber, which makes perfect sense once you arrive.
Ouzoud Waterfalls are around 3 to 3.5 hours from Marrakech, making them a very popular day trip. Because of that, they get extremely busy. We decided to stay overnight nearby in Palais d’Ouzoud and visited around 5pm when most of the tour buses had already left, and honestly, this made the whole experience so much better. I’d highly recommend doing the same.
If you decide to walk the falls, take the loop route instead of the standard stairs. When you arrive at the main restaurant square, go right instead of left. This takes you to the top of the waterfall first, across a bridge, and then down through the trees before returning via the main staircase. It’s a much better experience. You’ll likely see wild monkeys during the walk, so don’t feed them and keep your belongings close. The small boats also take you right to the base of the falls if you want a different perspective.
Normally I avoid eating at major tourist attractions, but Chez Mounir was genuinely excellent. The food was delicious, the staff were amazing, and the prices were insanely good.
Atlas Mountains
The drive through the Atlas Mountains is one of the highlights of the ultimate Morocco road trip. One moment you’re surrounded by dusty desert roads, and the next you’re driving through mountain curves, green valleys, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, palm trees, and ancient villages built into the landscape. Every few kilometres feels like a completely different country, and it genuinely surprised me how diverse Morocco is.
Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou feels like stepping into another world. This ancient fortified village looks like a movie set, but people really lived here for centuries. It once sat on an important trade route between the Sahara and Marrakech and is now partly preserved and partly lived in, with local shops inside old clay homes and incredible viewpoints across the valley.
It’s around 3.5 hours from Marrakech, and the drive through the Atlas Mountains alone makes it worth visiting. Go early in the morning before 10am or after 6pm to avoid the heat and crowds. Wear proper shoes because it’s steep, sandy, and uneven. The village itself is free to enter (go round the back) and some homes within the village charge a small fee to enter.
Climbing the hill opposite Ait Ben Haddou gives you the best panoramic view of the entire village (photo below). It was easily one of the most unique stops on our ultimate Morocco road trip.
Moroccan Coast: Tamraght & Taghazout
After all the inland adventure, heading to the coast feels like a complete reset. Tamraght and Taghazout are small surf towns near Agadir known for their relaxed atmosphere, beach cafés, yoga spots, and slower pace of life. I saw slower, but really, it’s getting more and more popular each year.
Surfing is the most prominent activitiy on the Moroccan coastline. There are surf shops and surf schools all along the coastal towns. Taghazout is the original hub, with a lot more people, but in walking distance from surf spots. Tamraght is known as the ‘overflow’ town, where people go when they can’t find accommodation in Taghazout. Tamraght has now become a popular destination on its own though, with a lot of new restaurants and housing, it’s a lot more modern and laid back. It’s also great for beginners.
The only downside is the 1km walk to the beach from the town, especially if you’re carrying a board. I imagine most surf schools will drive you to the seafront?
If the waves aren’t great, people head up to Taghazout Skatepark. Even if you don’t skate, the ocean views are beautiful and it’s one of the best sunset spots on the coast. Paradise Valley is also a popular day trip, with natural pools surrounded by palm trees and rocky cliffs, best visited early before the crowds arrive,and even better if you can go during the week!
Essaouira
Essaouira, one of the most charming coastal cities in Morocco. It has a completely different energy to Marrakech. Its blue-and-white streets, sea breeze, fresh seafood, artists, old city walls, and a slower rhythm of life. It’s one of those places people plan to stay for two days and accidentally stay for five.
Walking the medina in Essaouira is one of the best things to do because it’s much calmer than Marrakech, making it easier to actually enjoy wandering and shopping without the pressure. Eating fresh seafood at the port is another must. You can choose your fish fresh and have it grilled nearby, creating one of the simplest but best meals of the trip.
One of my favourite parts of visiting Essaouira, was walking through the fishing port. You can witness the locals bringing in their catch of the day, cheering, singing together, and then selling their produce on the market. A cool aspect is that you, as a tourist, can buy a fish, and take it to a guy who sits near the walls with a barbeque and pay him a small fee to cook your fresh fish for you!
The harbour itself, with its blue fishing boats, seagulls, and old harbour walls and canons, are one of the most photogenic parts of the city. And of course, long beach walks, surfing, horse riding, or simply slowing down by the sea make Essaouira the perfect final stop on the ultimate Morocco road trip.
If you’re planning a 2-week Morocco itinerary, this route is one of the best ways to experience a great mix within the country. You get the chaos of Marrakech, the beauty of Ouzoud Waterfalls, the drama of the Atlas Mountains, the history of Ait Ben Haddou, the surf vibes of Taghazout, and the charm of Essaouira, all in one unforgettable journey.
Morocco is a huge country, and to drive across it would take days. We planned to go to a desert, but it’s a 10 hour drive from Marrakech so we skipped it and are grateful that we did.
Morocco constantly changes around every corner, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. The ultimate Morocco road trip is full of surprises, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll leave already planning your return.
How long to spend in each location on your Ultimate Morocco Road Trip…
Marrakech: 2-3 nights/days
Ouzoud waterfall: 1 night/1 day
Atlas mountains: You could opt to stay in a traditional Berber accommodation to break up the drive. We didn’t do this but I would recommend doing it.
Ait Ben Haddou: 1 night/1 day. We stayed the night and I am so glad we did! We got to visit Ait Ben Haddou after 6pm when the tourists had left and we witnessed the sun setting. We also woke up early to visit it again in the morning before the buses arrived. This was an amazing experience.
Taghazout: 4-5 nights. This depends on you, but we chose to stay here for this many nights to surf. We also did a day trip to Essaouira (2.45h drive each way). You could split these nights between the two locations.
Contact me
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