You can travel from Fes to Marrakech in about six hours by motorway, but you would miss the best of Morocco. The scenic way goes south through the Middle Atlas to the Sahara, then west along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs. It takes three to five days and is one of the most rewarding journeys in the country.
The route, step by step
- Ifrane and Azrou: the alpine-style town of Ifrane and the cedar forest of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques.
- Midelt and the Ziz Valley: apple orchards, then a spectacular canyon full of palm trees.
- Merzouga: camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp, about 460 km from Fes.
- Todra Gorge: walk between rock walls rising around 300 m.
- Dades Valley: kasbahs, rock formations and the famous zigzag road.
- Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou: the film capital of Morocco and the UNESCO-listed ksar.
- Tizi n’Tichka: the High Atlas pass before descending to Marrakech.
3 days or 5 days?
The 3 Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech covers the main highlights with long driving days. The 5 Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech follows the same route at a relaxed pace, with more time in the dunes and overnight stops in the Dades Valley and Ouarzazate. If you have the time, five days is far more enjoyable.
Traveling between Fes and Marrakech? Turn the journey into the highlight of your trip.
See the tour details or message us on WhatsApp +212 771 979 097 / contact@indreamstravelmorocco.com for a free quote.
Going back to Fes instead?
If your trip ends in Fes, the 3 Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga is a round trip that brings you back to the imperial city.
Starting further north
From Tangier, combine Chefchaouen and Fes with the desert on our 5 Day Tour from Tangier to Marrakech.
Before you leave Fes
Give yourself at least one full day in Fes before the desert. Explore the medina of Fes el-Bali with a local guide, see the tanneries from a terrace, visit the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas and taste the local pastries. Our multi-day tours from Casablanca and Tangier include a guided day in Fes.
What you will see that the motorway misses
The motorway from Fes to Marrakech goes through Rabat and Casablanca: fast, but without the cedar forests, the Ziz canyon, the dunes, the gorges and the kasbahs. The desert route takes longer, but every hour of driving shows you a new landscape, and the night in the dunes is the highlight of most trips to Morocco.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to go from Fes to Marrakech via the desert?
At least three days, with one night in the Sahara. Five days is ideal for a relaxed pace.
Is it better to start in Fes or Marrakech?
Both directions work. Start from the city where you arrive and finish where your flight leaves.
Is the desert closer to Fes or Marrakech?
Merzouga is about 460 km from Fes and about 560 km from Marrakech, so it is slightly closer to Fes.