Morocco Itinerary 7 Days: The Perfect First Trip

Seven days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Morocco. It is enough time to experience a vibrant imperial city, cross the High Atlas mountains, sleep in the Sahara and still enjoy a slower day at the end. Below is the itinerary we recommend most often to our guests, along with an alternative if you would rather focus on the cities of the north.

Itinerary 1: Marrakech, the desert and Fes (our favourite)

Day 1 – Arrive in Marrakech

Check into a riad in the medina and head to Jemaa el-Fna square at dusk, when food stalls, musicians and storytellers fill the space. Keep the first evening light: you will have plenty of time to explore.

Day 2 – Discover Marrakech

Visit the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Madrasa in the morning, then get lost in the souks. In the afternoon, find some shade in the Jardin Majorelle or in a rooftop café overlooking the Koutoubia minaret.

Day 3 – Over the Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley

Your private driver picks you up for the road trip south. The Tizi n'Tichka pass climbs to 2,260 metres with spectacular views, and the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is the perfect lunch stop. Sleep in the Dades Valley.

Day 4 – Todra Gorge and the Merzouga dunes

Walk between the towering walls of Todra Gorge, then continue to Merzouga. Ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi for sunset and spend the night in a desert camp. Read more in our guide to what to expect on a Sahara desert tour.

Day 5 – From the Sahara to Fes

After the sunrise, drive north through the Ziz Valley and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, where you may spot Barbary macaques. Arrive in Fes in the evening.

Day 6 – The medina of Fes

Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. A local guide helps you find the Chouara tanneries, the Al-Attarine Madrasa and the hidden workshops of coppersmiths and weavers.

Day 7 – Departure or extension

Fly home from Fes, take the train to Casablanca or Tangier, or add a night in the blue town of Chefchaouen, about four hours away.

This route is very close to our 5 Days Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara tour, with two extra days in Marrakech.

Itinerary 2: The imperial cities

If deserts are not your priority, or you are travelling in the height of summer, a city-focused week works beautifully:

• Day 1: Casablanca (Hassan II Mosque) and Rabat
• Day 2: Chefchaouen
• Day 3: Volubilis and Meknes, overnight in Fes
• Day 4: Fes
• Day 5: Through the Middle Atlas to Marrakech
• Day 6–7: Marrakech

See the full day-by-day plan in our 7 Days Imperial Cities tour.

Tips for planning your week

• Distances are long. Marrakech to Merzouga takes the best part of two days by road. A private driver lets you break the journey wherever you like.
• Fly into one city, out of another. Open-jaw flights (for example into Marrakech and out of Fes) save you a long drive back.
• Do not over-pack the schedule. Leave room for long lunches, mint tea and unplanned stops — they are often the best memories.
• Check the season. Read our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.

Want us to tailor this itinerary?

Every trip we organise is private and flexible. Tell us your dates and interests with our Build Your Trip tool and we will send you a personalised proposal.