Marrakech or Fes: Which City Should You Start Your Morocco Desert Tour From?
One of the most common questions travelers ask Explore Morocco Trips is whether they should begin their Sahara adventure from Marrakech or from Fes. Understandably, both cities serve as excellent gateways to the desert, yet each offers a distinctly different route, pace, and set of highlights along the way. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences so you can confidently choose the best starting point for your Morocco desert tour.
→ Check out our Morocco tours:
- 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
- 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
- 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Fes
- 4-Day Tour from Marrakech to Fes
- 3-Day Tour from Fes to Marrakech
Why the Starting City Matters
Although both Marrakech and Fes eventually lead to the golden dunes of Merzouga, the roads leading there pass through entirely different regions of Morocco. Therefore, your choice of departure city shapes not only your travel time but also the landscapes, kasbahs, and towns you’ll experience en route to the Sahara.
Starting Your Tour from Marrakech
Marrakech is Morocco’s most popular tourist hub, and for good reason. Tours departing from here, such as our 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, typically cross the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, then continue through Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the Dades Valley before reaching the desert.
Consequently, this route is ideal for travelers who want to combine mountain scenery, iconic UNESCO kasbahs, and cinematic desert landscapes all within a relatively compact itinerary. Furthermore, Marrakech’s international airport and vibrant medina make it a convenient and exciting place to begin or end your Moroccan journey.
→ Check out our : tours from Marrakech
Starting Your Tour from Fes
On the other hand, tours from Fes, such as our 3-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga or the shorter 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Fes, follow a route through the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing Ifrane, often nicknamed “Little Switzerland,” and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild Barbary macaque monkeys.
As a result, this route offers a cooler, greener mountain landscape in its early stages, contrasting beautifully with the desert’s golden dunes later in the journey. Additionally, Fes itself is one of Morocco’s great imperial cities, making it a fantastic bookend for travelers who want to pair their desert adventure with deep cultural and historical exploration.
→ Check out our: tours From Fes
Comparing the Two Routes
| Factor | Starting from Marrakech | Starting from Fes |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain range crossed | High Atlas Mountains | Middle Atlas Mountains |
| Key stops en route | Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley | Ifrane, Azrou, Ziz Valley |
| Best paired with | Beach or coastal extensions | Imperial city exploration |
| Popular tour options | 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga | 3-Day Fes to Merzouga, 2-Day Fes |
| Ideal for | First-time visitors wanting iconic sights | Travelers interested in cooler mountain scenery |
Can You Combine Both Cities in One Trip?
Absolutely, and in fact, many of our travelers choose to do exactly that. For example, our 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes and 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech both allow you to experience the Sahara while traveling between these two iconic cities, rather than needing to choose one over the other entirely.
Moreover, for travelers with more time available, our longer Grand Tours from Casablanca incorporate both Marrakech and Fes into a single, comprehensive Moroccan journey, covering the desert, mountains, and imperial cities without needing to compromise.
So, Which Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the right starting point depends on your travel priorities. If you’re drawn to dramatic mountain passes and iconic filming locations like Ait Ben Haddou, starting from Marrakech may suit you best. On the other hand, if you’re interested in cooler mountain scenery, cedar forests, and pairing your desert trip with deep imperial city culture, Fes could be the better fit.
Either way, both routes lead to the same unforgettable Sahara experience, camel treks across Erg Chebbi, nights beneath a blanket of stars, and the unmistakable magic of the Moroccan desert.