Ever dreamed of exploring the real Morocco, far from crowded tour buses and souvenir shops? A road trip is the best way to discover the country’s hidden gems. When you travel by car, you set the schedule and wander into non-touristy places in Morocco that most visitors never see. Our guide will show you how to plan a road trip from renting a car to exploring the best routes through mountains, coasts, and deserts.
Traveling by train or bus is possible. However, these options only cover the major cities. You'll need your own car to reach hidden places in Morocco, like small Berber villages, remote mountain passes, or quiet Atlantic beaches. When you drive, you can sip mint tea in a hilltop town, take a scenic detour through the mountains, or spend more time in a place that captures your heart. Public transport can’t offer that kind of flexibility.
Another reason to drive is that it can save money if you're with a group. Splitting a rental car between friends or family often costs less than buying multiple bus tickets or booking private tours. For a family of four, hiring a car is usually cheaper than relying on buses or trains. Driving is also quicker. Getting from one point to another takes fewer hours by car than several transfers by public transport. Most importantly, a road trip lets you connect with authentic Moroccan culture.
Driving in Morocco gives you full freedom, but there are a few things to know. Pick-up and drop-off spots matter. Avoid heavy city traffic by starting from less crowded airports like Agadir instead of Casablanca. This helps you ease into the drive. For navigation, navigation apps work well. Grab a local SIM card at the airport so you always have data. A paper backup like a Michelin map is also helpful in case you lose signal. Most road signs are in Arabic and French, but big junctions are usually clear.
Fuel stations are easy to find on highways and near towns. In remote areas like the Atlas Mountains, fill up when you can. Attendants will pump the gas for you. You can tip around 5 to 10 dirhams if you wish. Keep coins for toll roads such as Casablanca to Marrakech. On open roads, stay alert for animals, bicycles, or carts. Use your horn only to warn, not in anger. At police checkpoints, slow down and have your documents ready. Avoid night driving in rural areas for safety and better views.
The Mediterranean coast of Al Hoceima is a hidden gem often called “Morocco’s Maldives” for its crystal-clear waters. The Rif Mountains offer a green, untamed side of Morocco up north. Your road trip might start in Tangier (the gateway city on the Strait of Gibraltar) and then snake east or south into the Rif region. The roads here wind through pine-covered hills and small farms, occasionally revealing panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Chefchaouen, the famous “Blue City,” is in these mountains. While it’s on many itineraries, you can avoid the mid-day tour crowds by staying overnight and wandering its blue lanes in the early morning or late afternoon. Even better, use your car to go beyond Chefchaouen. For example, drive an hour to Akchour to hike to the stunning Akchour Waterfalls and God’s Bridge rock formation.
Another worthwhile stop is Tetouan, a city with a rich Spanish-influenced heritage. Its white-washed old medina is less touristy than Fes or Marrakech. From Tetouan, consider driving the coastal road eastward. You’ll discover pristine beaches and hidden coves along the Mediterranean. In summer, you can enjoy beach towns like El Jebha or Al Hoceima, yet there are few international tourists.
Morocco’s Atlantic shoreline stretches nearly 2,000 km. With a car, you can cruise from one seaside village to the next. You can taste local seafood and enjoy beaches where the only footprints might be your own. One gem from the north is Moulay Bousselham, a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Tangier. This peaceful fishing village sits by the Merja Zerga lagoon and is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers. You can take a little boat tour into the lagoon to spot flamingos and other migratory birds.
Further south near El Jadida is Oualidia, a small town built around a crescent-shaped lagoon. This spot is known as Morocco’s oyster capital, and you can sample fresh oysters and seafood pulled straight from the lagoon’s waters. A sandbar protects the beach here. The inner lagoon waters are great for paddle-boarding.
As you continue down the coast, you’ll find Safi. It is famous for its pottery; you can pop into workshops to see artisans painting ceramics. Another is Essaouira, the windy old port town beloved by artists and musicians. Essaouira is fairly popular, but it’s still a mellow contrast to big cities. Just 30 minutes south of Essaouira lies Sidi Kaouki, a small beach village that’s a favorite escape for surfer. With wild sandy beaches and argan-covered hills, Sidi Kaouki feels like a throwback to simpler times. Ride a camel along the shore or just laze in a beachfront hut with a plate of freshly caught fish.
Heading into the deep south of the Atlantic coast, you reach places like Mirleft and Sidi Ifni. These were once Spanish-colonial towns. Between Mirleft and Sidi Ifni is the famous Legzira Beach, where a colossal red rock arch towers over the waves. It’s a lonely, windswept beach perfect for a quiet walk at sunset when the rocks glow fiery red. Few visitors venture this far, so you’ll likely share Legzira only with a few fishermen.
Driving into Morocco’s Atlas Mountains shows you a quieter side of the country. These roads take you through Berber villages, cool forests, and high passes with stunning views. The Middle Atlas and High Atlas ranges cut across the land, but many parts are easy to explore with a regular car. From Fes, head toward Marrakech and stop in Ifrane, a tidy alpine-stle town with red-roof houses. Just past it is Azrou, known for its cedar forests and Barbary macaques. This area is green and cool, making it a peaceful break from the heat. Further along, drivers with a 4x4 can take the rough Cirque de Jaffar loop near Midelt. It’s wild, scenic, and great if you want something far from the usual path.
Crossing the High Atlas, most people follow the Tizi n’Tichka Pass on the N9 road. The climb brings you up to 2,260 meters, where views stretch across rocky peaks and deep valleys. Stop at lookout points or try mint tea in quiet towns like Telouet, home to an old kasbah that’s half-ruin, half-museum. Another scenic but more daring road is the Tizi n’Test Pass. It links Marrakech and Taroudant through sharp curves and narrow turns. If you’re not used to mountain driving, take it slow or stick to the main route. The views are worth it. Don’t skip the valleys. The Aït Bouguemez Valley, called the Happy Valley, has friendly locals and scenic farms.
A desert road trip in Morocco takes you into a world of kasbahs, oases, and endless dunes. Driving from Marrakech or Fes to Merzouga, you’ll pass dramatic places like the Todra Gorge, with towering red canyon walls, and the Dades Gorge, where the road zigzags up a cliff. The views are incredible, especially from Café Timzzillite. Nearby, the Monkey Fingers rock formations add a surreal touch to the landscape.
Further south, the Draa Valley stretches across palm groves and old mud-brick kasbahs. Villages like Agdz and Tamnougalt feel untouched by time. Walking through their narrow lanes, you’ll see homes made from sun-dried mud. The massive Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga offer unforgettable views and starry nights in Berber camps. Though popular, they’re still worth visiting. For fewer crowds, drive to Zagora or M’Hamid. From there, arrange a trek to the remote Erg Chigaga dunes. It’s harder to reach, but you’ll have the desert.
To round out your journey, consider venturing into the Anti-Atlas. The Anti-Atlas Mountains in southwest Morocco are a hidden treasure for road trippers. This range is less visited than the High Atlas, but the scenery is just as stunning. Picture pink granite mountains, twisting valleys, and argan trees dotting the slopes. Here, the roads are empty and peaceful. You might drive for an hour without seeing another car.
A good place to base yourself is Tafraoute, a small town surrounded by glowing rock formations. At sunrise and sunset, the boulders turn deep orange and soft pink. You can hike around, scramble over rocks, or visit the nearby Aït Mansour Gorge, a green canyon filled with palm trees. One of the most famous sights near Tafraoute is the Painted Rocks, a group of large boulders painted blue and pink in the 1980s by a Belgian artist.
Driving the loop around Tafraoute, you’ll pass tiny Amazigh villages, where locals still follow old traditions. You’ll see women in colorful shawls, donkeys carrying loads, and Berber dialects spoken more often than Arabic. In Tafraoute, the shops are small but welcoming. They sell almond oil, woven rugs, and local crafts you won’t find in bigger cities. From Tafraoute, you can either head west to Tiznit and the Atlantic Coast or go deeper south toward Guelmim, known as the gateway to the Sahara. Guelmim has a famous camel market, and the town marks the beginning of vast, empty desert roads.
By now you’ve seen how a car unlocks authentic experiences in Morocco. It starts from Rif mountain roads and hidden beaches and ends with high Atlas villages and Sahara dunes. As you plan, mix the well-known highlights. There’s nothing wrong with visiting popular spots like a royal city or famous medina.
Final Rentals is a trusted car rental service in Morocco, with pick-up spots at all major airports, including Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir. Depending on your routes, you can choose from compact cars to SUVs. Booking is fast, with instant confirmation, no hidden fees, and 24/7 support. Start your road trip with ease and discover Morocco at your own pace.
