Merzouga to Fes: Best Road to the Moroccan Alps in 1-Day

Road Trip Merzouga to Fes

IAfter two weeks on the road in Morocco—covering more than 2,500 km in a tiny Fiat 500—we were slowly reaching the end of our adventure. We had explored Fes, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakech, Imlil, Telouet, Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, and Merzouga. All that was left was the long drive back to Fes, where our journey began.

To make the return easier, we planned a stop in Ifrane, a unique alpine-style town just one hour before Fes. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up our Morocco road trip and enjoy a completely different side of the country.

Ifrane is nestled in the Middle Atlas Mountains, known for its cedar forests, ski slopes, and European-inspired architecture. Its famous lion statue, leafy Parc la Prairie, and nearby waterfalls make it a surprising contrast to the desert landscapes of Merzouga.

In this article, we’ll take you along our road trip from Merzouga to Ifrane and back to Fes—sharing what to expect, where to stop, and how to make the most of this final stretch of a Morocco itinerary.

Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary

Merzouga

Leaving the desert camp

Waking up one last time in the desert felt bittersweet. We got up around 6:30 to catch the dawn light and watch the sunrise over the dunes—it was the perfect way to say goodbye to Merzouga. After breakfast, we took a few more photos and videos to capture the moment, then packed up and hit the road around 10 am, ready for the long drive back toward Fes.

Where to Stay in Merzouga

We stayed two nights glamping in Merzouga, and honestly, we’d recommend the same if you can. Spending just one night in a Merzouga desert camp gives you a taste of the Sahara, but with two nights you get a full day in the dunes—time to relax, explore, and really soak in the magic of the desert.

Here is the Luxury desert camp we stayed at: Sahara Desert Luxury Camp.

Merzouga to Ifrane/Azrou

Road to Azrou

From Merzouga, we started the long drive north toward Azrou, where we had booked a farm stay for the night. The journey is about 400 km and takes around six hours, so be prepared for a full day on the road. Azrou is just next to Ifrane, making it a convenient stop before reaching Fes. The change in scenery is incredible—you go from the golden dunes of the desert to the green cedar forests and alpine feel of the Middle Atlas.

Barbary macaques & Forest

On the way to Azrou, the landscape changed completely as we drove through the Middle Atlas cedar forests. This area is famous for its population of Barbary macaques, and sure enough, we spotted plenty of them right by the road. Some were lounging in the trees, others walking around on the roadside, and a few even came close to the cars hoping for food.

It’s a fun stop, but keep in mind that feeding the monkeys isn’t recommended, as it can harm their health and make them dependent on tourists. Still, just watching them in their natural habitat was a highlight of the drive.

By late afternoon, we reached our accommodation outside Azrou, a quiet farm stay surrounded by nature—the perfect spot to rest after such a long day on the road.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

Where to stay in Ifrane

(€): Gite du barrage
(€€): Ferme d’hôte la vallée
(€€€): Michlifen Resort & Golf | Ifrane – Maroc

Don’t forget to book your accommodations in advance – the best places always fill up quickly.

Ifrane

We took it slow on our last morning—enjoyed breakfast at the farm stay, went for a little walk, and then paid our bill for dinner and breakfast. After checking out, we drove the short distance to Ifrane.

In Ifrane, we easily found free parking on the street and went for a stroll around town. The alpine-style architecture really makes you feel like you’re somewhere in Europe, but the town itself is quite small. After about an hour of walking around, we hopped back in the car and made our way to Fes, where our Moroccan road trip came to an end.

Merzouga to Fes Itinerary

Day 1:

Enjoy a last morning in the desert.
Drive to Azrou or Ifrane
Enjoy the night in a cool accommodation.

Day 2:

Visit Ifrane
Return to Fes

Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary

About the authors

We are Alex and Tina, a French-Serbian couple who met in China back in 2014. We spent three incredible years there before making France our home. Our shared passion for travel has been the heartbeat of our relationship for over 12 years, taking us across 44 countries and counting.

We launched TheDailyPackers in 2019 as a way to document our adventures. In 2026, we reached a major milestone by officially turning our blog into our full-time job. While we are still growing toward financial independence through this platform, every article we write is fueled by our mission to make your voyages easier through in-depth guides, honest advice, and the lessons we’ve learned from our own mistakes.

Our journey has not been without its storms. In 2023, our world changed forever when our first son, Poppy, was stillborn on November 25th. It was, and remains, the hardest chapter of our lives. In 2025, we were blessed with our second little boy, Milo. He has since joined our traveling tribe, and you’ll be seeing him—and the reality of traveling with a little one-on the blog more and more.

We hope to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity and resilience. Thank you for being part of our story.