Marrakech vs Fes Desert Tour: Which Route Should You Choose?

Marrakech vs Fes for your Morocco desert tour: compare the routes, scenery, driving times, stops and which city to start from. An honest comparison to help you choose.

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Written by Hassan, host at Hotel Les Roches Merzouga — hosting Sahara travellers since 2004.

Both Marrakech and Fes lead to the same place — the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga — but the journeys are quite different. Here is an honest comparison to help you pick, plus the option many travellers love: doing one each way.

The Marrakech route

From Marrakech you cross the High Atlas over the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass, visit the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, pass the Ouarzazate film studios and follow the Dades and Todra gorges to the dunes. It is the more famous, more cinematic route. See Marrakech desert tours.

The Fes route

From Fes the road runs north-to-south through Ifrane and the Middle Atlas cedar forests (home to Barbary macaques), past Midelt and down the palm-lined Ziz Valley. It is greener, cooler and quieter, and slightly shorter. See Fes desert tours.

Side-by-side

	From Marrakech	From Fes
Driving to dunes	~9 hours	~7–8 hours
Signature stops	Aït Ben Haddou, gorges	Ifrane, cedar forest, Ziz Valley
Scenery	High Atlas, kasbahs	Middle Atlas, valleys
Crowds	Busier	Quieter

The best of both: a one-way tour

If your flights allow, the smartest option is a one-way tour between the two cities — start in Marrakech and finish in Fes (or vice versa). You see both routes, never drive the same road twice, and cover the whole of central Morocco. Our desert tours guide explains how.

So which should you choose?

Choose Marrakech for Aït Ben Haddou and the classic Atlas crossing; choose Fes for a quieter, greener drive and if you're already in the north. Choose a one-way tour if you have the flexibility. Still unsure? Tell us your plans and we'll recommend the best route. For getting-there logistics see our how to get to Merzouga post.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to do a desert tour from Marrakech or Fes?

Both reach the same Merzouga dunes. Marrakech offers Aït Ben Haddou and the High Atlas; Fes offers the Middle Atlas, cedar forests and Ziz Valley and is slightly shorter. A one-way tour between them is the best of both.

Which is faster, Marrakech or Fes to the desert?

Fes is a little closer to Merzouga (about 7–8 hours) than Marrakech (about 9 hours).

Can I start in Marrakech and finish in Fes?

Yes — a one-way desert tour between Marrakech and Fes is popular because it avoids backtracking and shows you both routes.

Which route is more scenic?

Both are beautiful. Marrakech is more dramatic (High Atlas, kasbahs); Fes is greener and quieter (cedar forests, Ziz Valley). Many travellers do one each way to enjoy both.

Which route is better for first-timers?

The 3-day tour from Marrakech is the classic first-timer choice for its famous stops, but the Fes route is equally rewarding and less crowded.