The Desert from the Spiritual Capital

Many travelers who begin their Morocco trip in the city of Fes wonder whether they can reach the Sahara Desert from there, rather than only from Marrakech. At Morocco Tours Fun we are happy to confirm that the answer is a definite yes, and in fact the route from Fes to the desert is one of the most scenic and rewarding in the whole country.

Fes, the ancient spiritual capital of Morocco, makes an excellent starting point for a desert adventure, with a journey that crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, and dramatic changing landscapes on the way to the great dunes of Merzouga. In this guide we explain the route, the stops, and how to combine the imperial city with the Sahara. Starting from Fes opens up one of the most scenic desert drives in the whole country. The long drive south from Fes is, in itself, one of the most scenic and varied journeys in the whole country. Our Discover Chefchaouen – Day Trip from Fes (The Blue City) connect Fes with the great desert of Merzouga.

The Route from Fes to Merzouga

The journey from Fes to Merzouga heads south through some genuinely spectacular and varied scenery. It begins by climbing up into the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing through the town of Ifrane, widely known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ for its alpine appearance, and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to lively troops of Barbary macaques.

The route then descends gradually through the Ziz Valley, with its stunning palm groves and dramatic viewpoints, and the town of Errachidia, before reaching Erfoud and finally Merzouga at the foot of the great dunes of Erg Chebbi. It is a long but endlessly scenic drive, full of contrasts. The journey itself is a genuine highlight of the trip, thanks to the sheer variety of the scenery. The variety of landscapes on this route is one of its greatest pleasures. Our 7 Days Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca follow the scenic route from Fes through the Middle Atlas to the dunes.

How Long Does the Journey Take?

Like the route from Marrakech, the journey from Fes to Merzouga takes a full day of travel, so it is best not to try to rush it. The distance and the mountain roads mean the desert is ideally experienced over at least two to three days, allowing time to enjoy the spectacular stops, spend a night in the desert, and travel at a comfortable pace.

A common and excellent option is a tour from Fes to Merzouga and onward to Marrakech, or vice versa, which turns the desert into the centerpiece of a grand journey across the country rather than a there-and-back trip. This clever routing makes the very most of the long distances involved in reaching the desert. It is a wonderfully efficient way to see Morocco, linking two great highlights without backtracking. Spreading the long drive across a few relaxed days turns the considerable distance into a genuine pleasure rather than a tiring chore. Our Tours From Marrakech link Fes and the desert over the ideal number of days.

The Scenic Stops Along the Way

The route south from Fes is wonderfully rich in memorable stops. Ifrane, with its tidy alpine chalets and gardens, offers a surprising contrast to the rest of Morocco, while the cedar forests of Azrou are a real delight, especially for the chance to spot the playful Barbary macaques in their natural habitat.

Further south, the Ziz Valley unfolds in a breathtaking ribbon of green palm groves winding between arid mountains, with spectacular panoramic viewpoints along the way. The changing landscapes, from alpine forests to desert oases, make this one of the most varied drives in Morocco. Every single stage of the drive brings something new, from cool alpine forests to warm desert oases along the way. Our Day Trip to Meknes and Volubilis from Fes include the finest scenic stops on the road from Fes.

Combining Fes with the Desert

One of the great advantages of starting from Fes is the ease with which you can combine the imperial city with the desert in a single trip. After exploring the ancient medina of Fes, the largest car-free urban area in the world, you can set off for the Sahara, experiencing two of Morocco’s greatest highlights in one seamless journey.

This combination works especially well as part of a longer itinerary that continues on to Marrakech through the desert, taking in the spectacular gorges, valleys, and ancient kasbahs of the south along the way. It is one of the most complete ways to see the country. The variety it offers is hard to match anywhere else in the country. Few travel combinations anywhere capture the striking contrasts of Morocco quite so completely and memorably as this one. Our Discover Chefchaouen – Day Trip from Fes (The Blue City) combine the imperial city of Fes with the great Sahara desert.

The Best Way to Make the Trip

As with any long desert journey in Morocco, the best and most comfortable way to travel from Fes is with an organized private tour. The distances are considerable, the mountain roads demanding at times, and a dedicated driver who knows the route well lets you sit back, relax, and enjoy the ever-changing scenery without any stress at all.

A private tour also allows you to stop whenever you like for photos and breaks, adapt the pace entirely to your own wishes, and travel in full comfort and safety the whole way. With the logistics and timing handled around realistic distances, the journey from Fes to the desert becomes a pleasure from start to finish. It is the way we recommend for a relaxed and memorable journey from Fes to the sand. Our 7 Days Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca include comfortable private transport from Fes to the dunes.

Reach the Desert from Fes with Morocco Tours Fun

So can you do a Morocco desert tour from Fes? Absolutely. The scenic route heads south through the Middle Atlas, past Ifrane and the cedar forests of Azrou, down the beautiful Ziz Valley, to reach Merzouga and the great dunes of Erg Chebbi, a full day’s drive best spread over two to three days. Starting from Fes also makes it especially easy to combine the ancient imperial city with the desert in one trip, ideally continuing on afterward to Marrakech.

The team at Morocco Tours Fun organizes desert tours from Fes with realistic timing, comfortable private transport, and the finest scenic stops along the way, often as part of a grand journey right across the country. To reach the Sahara from Fes, get in touch using the button below. Starting the journey from Fes turns the Sahara into a natural part of a grand, unforgettable cross-country journey through Morocco. Our Tours From Marrakech are your gateway to the desert from the spiritual capital.

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