Where to Stay in Morocco for a 10 Day Trip (By Route & Budget)
Where to stay in Morocco for a 10 day trip depends on your route more than the hotel name itself. A beautiful riad can be a bad choice if it adds extra walking, difficult luggage access or another unnecessary hotel change.
I’m Kamal, a licensed Moroccan tour guide, and when I help travelers plan a 10-day Morocco itinerary, I usually look at three things first: how many nights they have in each place, how long the driving days are and whether a riad or hotel makes more sense for that stop.
For most travelers, the biggest mistake is moving too often. Morocco is much more enjoyable when you spend enough time in Marrakech, Fes or the desert instead of packing your bags every morning.
In this guide, I’ll show you where I would stay on the most practical 10-day routes, how many nights I would allow in each place and when I would choose a riad, hotel, guesthouse or desert camp.
You’ll also find accommodation price ranges, local booking advice and the mistakes I see travelers make most often.
If you are still deciding on the route itself, start with my 10 Days in Morocco Itinerary. For wider trip planning, use my Morocco Travel Guide.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Best 10-Day Morocco Routes and Where to Stay
Before choosing hotels or riads, decide which route actually fits your 10 days. Your route determines where it makes sense to spend extra nights and where a one-night stop is enough.
Route 1: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Desert → Fes
Best for: First-time visitors who want Marrakech, the Sahara and Fes in one trip.
Typical night split:
- Marrakech: 3 nights
- Ait Ben Haddou or nearby: 1 night
- Desert: 1 night
- Fes: 2 nights
- Remaining nights: use them for Marrakech, Fes or an additional stop depending on your flights
This is the route I recommend most often when travelers want a classic Morocco trip. The important thing is not to add too many extra cities along the way.
Route 2: Casablanca → Chefchaouen → Fes → Marrakech
Best for: Travelers who want northern Morocco and historic cities without the long desert journey.
Typical night split:
- Casablanca: 1 night
- Chefchaouen: 1–2 nights
- Fes: 2 nights
- Marrakech: 3–4 nights
This route works well if the Sahara is not a priority. It gives you more time in the cities and makes it easier to choose riads without constantly moving.
Route 3: Marrakech-Based Trip
Best for: Families, slower travelers or anyone who wants fewer hotel changes.
You can spend most of the trip in Marrakech and add day trips to places such as the Atlas Mountains, Essaouira or Agafay.
A typical stay might be:
- Marrakech: 6–7 nights
- Atlas Mountains: 1 night, optional
- Agafay: 1 night, optional
This is not the route for someone trying to see the whole country, but it works very well if comfort and a slower pace matter more than covering distance.
Which Route Would I Choose?
For a first visit, I would usually choose Route 1 if you want the desert, or Route 2 if Chefchaouen is more important to you.
The main rule is simple: do not choose accommodation first and then try to build a route around it. Decide where you are going, how many nights each stop deserves, and then choose the best area and type of stay.
If you want the complete day-by-day route, see my 10 Days in Morocco Itinerary.
Where to Stay in Morocco for a 10 Day Trip: Marrakech
For most 10-day Morocco itineraries, Marrakech is one of the main overnight stops. I usually recommend spending around 3 nights here if you are continuing toward the desert and Fes.
For a first visit, the Medina is usually the best choice because you can walk to the souks, palaces and main sights. If easy vehicle access, larger rooms or a modern hotel matter more, Gueliz or Hivernage can make more sense.
The important thing is to choose accommodation that fits the rest of your route. If you are arriving late or leaving early for a long drive, easy access can be more useful than staying deep inside the Medina.
I would not split a short three-night stay between several hotels. Choose one area, stay there, and avoid adding another unnecessary check-in.
For a full neighborhood-by-neighborhood comparison, riad advice and specific accommodation options, see my Where to Stay in Marrakech guide.
Where to Stay Between Marrakech and the Desert
If your 10-day route continues from Marrakech toward the Sahara, one overnight stop between the city and the desert can make the journey much more comfortable.
For most travelers, I would choose the Ait Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate area rather than adding a separate mountain stay. It breaks the long drive, gives you time to visit Ait Ben Haddou without rushing and keeps you on the natural route toward Dades, Merzouga or the south.
A simple guesthouse or small hotel is usually enough here. I would focus more on location, parking and easy access than on luxury.
If your trip is slower and the mountains are a priority, an overnight around Imlil can work well, but I would treat that as a separate mountain experience rather than forcing it into a fast desert route.
For more detailed accommodation advice in this region, see my Where to Stay in Ouarzazate guide.
Where to Stay in the Desert on a 10-Day Morocco Trip
If the Sahara is part of your 10-day route, I usually recommend one night in a desert camp rather than trying to turn the desert into a separate multi-day stay.
For most first-time visitors, Merzouga is the easiest choice because it fits naturally into the classic Marrakech → desert → Fes route and offers a wide range of camps.
The main decision is not only budget. Check whether the camp has private bathrooms, heating or cooling when needed, easy luggage arrangements and a location that works with your transfer or driver.
A luxury camp can be worth the extra cost if comfort matters to you, but I would not choose a camp only because the photos look impressive. Location and service matter more.
If you prefer a more remote desert experience, Chegaga can be a good alternative, but it usually requires more off-road travel and does not fit every 10-day itinerary as easily.
For this type of trip, one well-planned desert night is enough for most travelers. If you want to compare the different desert areas and understand the route in more detail, use my Morocco Sahara Desert Tours guide.
Where to Stay in Fes on a 10-Day Morocco Trip
For a 10-day route, I usually recommend 2 nights in Fes. That gives you enough time to explore the Medina without making the trip feel rushed.
For most first-time visitors, staying in or close to Fes el-Bali makes the most sense because you are close to the historic center and can experience the city properly.
The main thing to check is access. Some riads are deep inside the Medina, so I prefer places where the staff can help with luggage or meet you near a gate, especially if you arrive later in the day.
If you prefer easier car access or a modern hotel, the New City can work, but for a first visit I would usually choose the Medina unless convenience matters more than atmosphere.
For a full area-by-area comparison, use my Where to Stay in Fes guide.
Where to Stay in Chefchaouen on a 10-Day Morocco Trip
Chefchaouen can fit into a 10-day Morocco trip, but only if your route already takes you through northern Morocco or if you are skipping the desert.
For most travelers, 1 to 2 nights is enough. The best choice is usually a riad or guesthouse inside or just above the Medina, where you can walk easily through the blue streets and reach the main viewpoints without needing transport.
I would avoid choosing a place too high on the hillside if you are traveling with heavy luggage, because the climb can become tiring.
If your itinerary already includes Marrakech, the Sahara and Fes, I would usually leave Chefchaouen for another trip rather than adding another long transfer.
For a deeper look at neighborhoods and accommodation options, use my Where to Stay in Chefchaouen guide.
Accommodation Budget for a 10-Day Morocco Trip
Accommodation prices in Morocco vary a lot depending on the season, location and type of stay. A simple guesthouse in a small town can cost very little, while a luxury riad or desert camp can easily become one of the most expensive nights of the trip.
For planning purposes, these are reasonable accommodation ranges for two people sharing a room:
| Budget Level | Price per Night | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €30–70 | Simple riads, guesthouses and private rooms |
| Mid-range | €80–150 | Comfortable riads and well-located hotels |
| Upper mid-range | €160–250 | Boutique riads, upgraded hotels and better desert camps |
| Luxury | €300–600+ | High-end riads, resorts and luxury desert camps |
Local Booking Advice
For a 10-day Morocco trip, I recommend booking the most important stays first: small riads in Marrakech and Fes, desert camps, and any property you really want during busy travel periods.
Riads often have only a handful of rooms, so the best-located ones can fill quickly. Desert camps are similar, especially when you want a specific comfort level or private bathroom.
I also recommend checking access before booking. A beautiful riad deep inside a Medina can be inconvenient if you arrive late, travel with heavy luggage or need an early departure.
For long driving days, convenience matters. In those cases, I often prefer a well-located hotel or guesthouse over a more romantic property that adds extra walking or difficult access.
If you want help matching your route with the right stays, contact me on WhatsApp and I can help you organize the trip step by step.
If you want to compare riads and hotels before booking, I recommend checking current prices, guest reviews and cancellation terms on Booking.com.
FAQs About Where to Stay in Morocco
What is the best area to stay in Morocco for a 10-day trip?
There is no single best area because it depends on your route. For most first-time visitors, I recommend a riad in the Medina in Marrakech or Fes, an easy-access guesthouse around Ait Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate, and one desert camp if the Sahara is included.
How many nights should I spend in Marrakech and Fes?
For a 10-day trip, around 3 nights in Marrakech and 2 nights in Fes works well for many travelers. Adjust this depending on your arrival and departure cities and whether you include the desert or Chefchaouen.
Is it better to stay in riads or hotels in Morocco?
Riads are a good choice in historic Medinas if you want atmosphere and walkability. Hotels can make more sense when easy car access, larger rooms, pools or early departures matter more.
How far in advance should I book accommodation in Morocco?
For popular riads, desert camps and busy travel periods, I recommend booking earlier rather than waiting until the last minute. Small properties can fill quickly because they often have only a limited number of rooms.
Final Advice From a Local Guide
Where you stay in Morocco can completely change how a 10-day trip feels. I would choose accommodation around your route first and the hotel name second.
In Marrakech and Fes, a well-located riad can give you the atmosphere most first-time visitors are looking for. On long travel days, an easily accessible hotel or guesthouse can make more sense. In the desert, I would spend a little more for the level of comfort that matters to you rather than choosing a camp only because it looks luxurious online.
Most importantly, avoid changing accommodation every night. A good 10-day Morocco itinerary should give you enough time to enjoy each stop rather than constantly packing, checking out and driving to the next one.
If you are still deciding on your route, use my 10 Days in Morocco Itinerary to see how the nights fit together before booking your accommodation.
Disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places and services I would feel comfortable suggesting to my own travelers.
