Dreaming of exploring historical medinas and historic kasbahs? Crossing the rusty dunes of the Sahara Desert and climbing the arid peaks of the Atlas Mountains? Sitting underneath the swaying fronds on a palm oasis or strolling by way of the blue metropolis of Chefchaouen whereas listening to the decision to prayer? Whereas many individuals planning a visit to Morocco will solely keep just a few days in Marrakech, or mix a go to with a visit to Spain or Portugal, this nation in North Africa has a lot to supply that it’s price visiting by itself and planning a 7 day Morocco itinerary.
Morocco is shortly turning into a sizzling journey vacation spot not only for younger vacationers, however many households are selecting to go to Morocco with children. But determining the right Morocco journey itinerary is usually a problem, particularly as a result of there are such a lot of stunning locations in Morocco.
Preserve studying for 3 choices in your Morocco itinerary relying on how a lot time it’s a must to spend in Morocco.
- 7-Day Morocco itinerary (4 days in Marrakech, 3 days in Fes)
- 10-Day Morocco itinerary (3-4 days in Marrakech, 1 night time in Skoura/Ourzazate, 2 nights Merzouga/desert, 3 nights Fes)
- 14-Day Morocco itinerary (Day 1 Casablanca / Rabat, Day 2 Rabat to Chefchaouen, Day 3 Chefchaouen, Day 4-7 Fes, Day 7-8 Sahara Desert camp, Day 8-10 Skoura, Day 10-14 Marrakech)
How A lot Time SHould You Spend in Morocco?
Two weeks is basically the perfect period of time to go to Morocco. Nevertheless, you possibly can positively get an excellent really feel for the nation with only one week or, even higher, not less than 10 days. Relying on how a lot time you possibly can spend in-country, you’ve got some robust decisions to make about what you retain in and what it’s a must to pass over of your Morocco journey itinerary.
For instance, if you happen to dream of using camels within the Sahara desert and staying in a single day in a desert camp, it’s laborious to suit that right into a one-week Morocco itinerary as a result of it’s not less than an eight-hour drive from Fes to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara, and even farther from Marrakech.
Equally, you actually can’t match within the attractive Blue Metropolis of Chefchaouen if you happen to solely have a ten day Morocco itinerary. Not less than not until you’re prepared to surrender a visit to the desert!
However that’s okay, I’m going to stroll you thru what a 7, 10, or 2-week Morocco itinerary might seem like!
Do you want assist planning your journey? In case you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t have the time or sources to wade by way of tons of knowledge and query your choices, I assist shoppers plan a customized itinerary, tailor-made to your pursuits and journey type. Be taught extra about my journey planning providers.
Possibility 1: 7 Day Morocco Itinerary
Be aware: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. For those who click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee for gratis to you.
For those who solely have one week in Morocco, I might advocate that you simply fly into Marrakech. For those who discover a higher deal or a direct flight flying into Casablanca, simply remember that most guests don’t spend way more than a day in Casablanca to see the Hassan II Mosque, and that it’s roughly three hours from Marrakech.
With 7 days in Morocco, you should have time to go to two locations. I might advocate both Marrakech and Fes or Marrakech and Merzouga within the Moroccan Sahara.
- Days 1-4: Marrakech
- Days 5-7 Fes
Plan to spend three nights in Marrakech (4 if you wish to do a day journey). Chances are you’ll select to remain in a conventional Moroccan riad, or at one of many resorts just like the 4 Seasons Marrakech or the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, exterior of metropolis middle. Some good riad choices embrace:
- Riad Kaiss in Marrakech – most attraction (that is the place we stayed for 2 nights after which we cut up our time between the riad and the 4 Seasons for 2 nights)
- Villa des Orangers — for a splurge riad
- Riad Kniza — extra moderately priced
Day 1 – Marrakech Souk
Spend your first full day soaking within the metropolis with a half-day tour of Marrakech souk. This will go away you loads of time to wander by way of the medina and store after the tour. It is possible for you to to see locations the place they hand-dye textiles, do steel working, and different handicrafts. Simply remember that many shopkeepers don’t need you to {photograph} the merchandise with out permission or financial compensation. (Additionally, it’s offensive within the Islamic tradition to {photograph} folks’s faces.)
Whereas exploring the souk, you might need to cease into one of many pharmacies for natural treatments and merchandise like rose water, argan oil, or Moroccan tea. A go to to one of many spice distributors can be a visible delight, simply watch out when buying gadgets like saffron as there are numerous fakes within the medina too. It helps to ask an area the place to buy.
Within the night, make sure you take a stroll by way of Jemaa-el-Fna Sq.. It may be fairly the spectacle, with snake charmers, meals distributors, and all kinds of products on show. Simply maintain an in depth eye in your valuables and if you happen to cease to take an image of the snake charmers, you’ll need to tip them. You’ll quickly study that tipping is predicted in Morocco, even when somebody offers you instructions or helps you in any method.
Close to the sq., you possibly can stroll by the Kutubiyya or Koutoubia Mosque and Minaret, which is the most important mosque in Marrakesh.
Day 2 – Marrakech Meals
In your second full day, I might recommend that you simply dig deeper into the delicacies with a cooking class & market go to or meals tour with Marrakech Meals Excursions. We took a cooking class with Souk Delicacies, which was superior.
It began with a go to to the market the place our information gave us every a procuring checklist and cash and helped us buy what we would want to organize a meal. We then went to an area’s house to organize the meal, with their assist, together with strolling our bread to the native bakery oven. Then we loved an genuine Moroccan meal ready with our personal fingers.
Within the afternoon, take a while to calm down at your riad or lodge. There are various nice eating places in Marrakech if you happen to really feel like exploring different cuisines as the remainder of your time in Morocco you will notice the identical dishes on the menu, together with kefta, couscous, tagine, pastille, and briouats.
Day 3 – Marrakech Museums & Palaces
In your third day in Marrakech, there may be nonetheless a lot to see however two points of interest you shouldn’t miss embrace the Dar El Bacha Museum and the Bahia Palace. Positioned close to the doorway of the medina, the Dar El Bacha was as soon as the house of Thami El Glaoui, the pacha of Marrakech.
The structure of the museum is the principle attraction, though there are fascinating artifacts inside that symbolize the assorted cultures of Morocco together with Berber, Arabic, and Jewish. The museum has unimaginable wood carvings, stunning tilework, and a stunning courtyard with aromatic orange timber.
Bahia Palace is a good looking mid to late Nineteenth-century palace that was first constructed by Si Musa, grand vizier of Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, in 1859 after which continued and expanded by his son Si Ba Ahmed ibn Musa, grand vizier of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz between 1894 and 1900.
There are stunning mosaics, carvings, and tilework that present a wonderful backdrop for images. We selected to have household images right here by Flytographer.
If in case you have extra time, you might need to go to among the main points of interest comparable to:
- Les Jardins Majorelle botanical gardens and YSL Museum
- Museum of Marrakech
- Dar Si Stated
- Saadian Tombs
Day 4 – Day Journey
If in case you have a fourth day in Marrakech, I might advocate selecting an tour that pursuits you exterior of town. These are primarily full-day excursions, though some could possibly be half-day.
Some day journey choices embrace:
- Day journey to Essaouira — Essaouira is a picturesque seaside city. The primary sq. was utilized in Orson Welles’ Othello. The bay is widespread with kite and wind surfers, and you’ll head right down to the water to see the fishing boats after which stroll alongside La Skala, one of many port bastions.
- Excessive Atlas Mountains / Berber Villages — head into the Excessive Atlas Mountains and go to just a few genuine Berber villages, together with a cease for lunch at an area’s house. You possibly can even embrace a camel journey.
- Ouarzazate and Ait Ben haddou — take a full day journey throughout the Atlas Mountains to see the traditional kasbah of Ait Ben haddou (you might acknowledge this from Gladiator or Recreation of Thrones) and the “Hollywood within the Desert” of Ouarzazate.
- Rock Desert and Camel Journey — take a half-day tour into the close by rocky desert and climb on board a camel for a journey by way of a palm grove. This tour will sometimes cease for conventional mint tea in an area village.
- Different choices embrace quad biking, horseback using, and excursions of Marrakech through bike sidecar.
Day 5 – Journey to Fes
Within the curiosity of time, from Marrakech, I might advocate taking a brief one-hour flight to Fes. An alternative choice could be to take a practice however that takes 6.5 hours (though it’s a good price range choice.) The previous city of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and options the most effective medina in Morocco. It is named the mental and religious coronary heart of Morocco, whereas Marrakech is extra touristy.
For those who proceed to Fes, that is the place I might positively advocate staying in a conventional riad within the medina, even if you happen to opted for a resort or a riad exterior of the medina in Marrakech. Some nice choices embrace:
- Riad Fes — Relais & Chateaux luxurious riad (that is the place we stayed)
- Karawan Riad — attractive property, better of the most effective
- Dar Roumana — extra price range pleasant however fairly conventional and good
Upon arrival, I might head out on a Fes meals tour (until you took one in Marrakech, then possibly attempt a cooking class with Riad Fes.) For those who aren’t a lot of a foodie, then I might recommend taking a medina tour or visiting the tanneries to see this necessary a part of the native tradition and economic system. Fes is unquestionably an ideal spot to do a few of your memento procuring! We ended up shopping for pottery, leather-based items, and steel merchandise in Fes.
Or, if you happen to simply need to calm down, check out one of many conventional hammams for a soak, scrub, and therapeutic massage.
Day 6 – Fes Tour
Your second day in Fes is when it’s best to actually dig into exploring this wonderful metropolis. I might advocate hiring a information to get the total historical past and background, however you could possibly actually discover many of those locations by yourself. Among the highlights embrace:
- Historic Medina – a lot extra genuine than Marrakech, it’s simple to get misplaced on this labyrinth but in addition enjoyable to find the completely different sections, comparable to fancy attire, steel working, spices and meals, and so on. Simply remember that among the extra generic memento kinds of outlets close to the Blue Gate promote items which can be made in Asia, not Morocco. Search for outlets the place you possibly can see the artisans at work and be ready to cut price! It’s a sport that Moroccans take pleasure in.
- Royal Palace (Fes Palais Royal Dar El Makhzen) with its golden gates – you can’t go inside however it’s enjoyable to take images in entrance of the attractive golden doorways
- Outdated Jewish Quarter (or Mellah) – positioned close to the Royal Palace you possibly can stroll by way of a gate into the quarter, go to the synagogue and Jewish cemetery, and go to the outlets (it is a huge jewellery district.)
- Pottery quarter – you possibly can go to a cooperative to see every step of the pottery making course of. It is a good spot to by genuine souvenirs.
- Close by fortresses of Borj Sud and Borj Nord – these forts had been in-built 1582 and supply nice views over Fes.
You possibly can see all of those websites in sooner or later however you will have a automobile to get to many of those spots so hiring a information is one of the simplest ways to go.
Day 7 – Return
In your final day in Morocco, it’s good to get again to your metropolis of departure. You would both fly again to Marrakech, or you could possibly rent a driver to take you to Casablanca through Meknes and Rabat.
Possibility 2: 10 Day Morocco Itinerary
With three further days to play with, you should have time to get to the Sahara desert if you happen to don’t thoughts spending quite a lot of time in a automobile. Begin your journey out in Marrakech, as I’ve outlined above, however in your fourth full day (not counting your arrival day), both lease a automobile or rent a driver in your three-day journey into and out of the desert.
- Days 1-4: Marrakech (as outlined above)
- Day 5: Eit Ben Haddou / Skoura
- Day 6-7: Merzouga, Sahara Desert
- Days 8-10: Fes
Day 5 – Drive to Eit Ben Haddou & Skoura
I can’t stress sufficient how lengthy the drive is from Marrakech out to Merzouga within the Sahara Desert. You’ll want to cease in a single day to interrupt up the journey. Even then, the driving can really feel a bit countless and it may be sluggish going, particularly if you happen to get behind a truck.
As soon as you permit Marrakech, you’ll journey throughout the plains that encompass Marrakech and over the Tichka Go of the Excessive Atlas Mountains. Make sure you cease for some wonderful views of this winding highway. The primary cease will both be the historical kasbah of Telouet, or head straight to Ait Ben Haddou.
Ait Ben Haddou is the most effective preserved kasbah in Morocco. The village is an Eleventh-century assortment of kasbahs which can be nonetheless inhabited by a handful of households. It should look acquainted as a result of it has been used because the backdrop to many motion pictures and TV reveals.
There aren’t actually any indicators or markers inside the city, so to get essentially the most out of the expertise, I might advocate hiring an area information. If in case you have a driver, they will most likely assist prepare this. Anticipate to pay round 200 Dirhams (about $20) for a brief tour (see my Morocco journey price range to study extra about what a visit to Morocco prices.)
From Ait Ben Haddou, you’ll undergo Ouarzazate. As we speak this ex-French international legion outpost is a bit touristy and the middle of the film trade. You possibly can cease and go to the movie studio however I’m undecided whether it is price it.
On the finish of the day, you’ll arrive in Skoura, a palm oasis, the place you possibly can spend the night time. In case you are on the lookout for luxurious, Dar Ahlam is the place to remain. Nevertheless, we stayed on the L’Ma Lodge, which options a big backyard of palms and fruit timber with a pool and welcoming leisure areas. We beloved this essentially the most of all of our lodging on the journey. It was such a calming place to sit back out.
Day 5 – Drive to Merzouga
Your subsequent day is spent driving from Skoura to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara desert. You’ll cross by way of the Dades Valley and Kelaa M’Gouna (which sits on the head of the “Rose Valley”) and Todra Gorge. If in case you have time, cease at one of many ladies’s rose cooperatives to buy rose oil, rose water, and different locally-made merchandise.
Cease for lunch close to the Todra Gorge and you’ll take a straightforward hike by way of the higher a part of the gorge. Todra Gorge is a sandstone ravine with 300-meter cliffs on both facet of a really slender passage.
From there, you’ll proceed on to reach in Merzouga earlier than sundown. For those who select, you possibly can prepare for a sundown camel trek into the desert to get to your desert camp.
There are fairly just a few desert camps on this space, so it isn’t like you’re alone within the Sahara. The one we stayed at was Jaimas Madu, which had luxuriously-appointed tents with personal lavatory amenities (a should for us!) We had been shocked by how good our tent was and the meals was scrumptious. It was such a particular expertise.
Day 6 – Sahara Desert
Spend the day having fun with camp and the actions out there within the desert together with sand boarding, four-wheel drives, and night time time star gazing.
Day 7 – Drive to Fes
At the present time is devoted to the lengthy drive over to Fes. You’ll cross by way of the Center Atlas Mountains. Make sure you cease earlier than you get to the Swiss-inspired college city of Ifrane to feed the macaques. You possibly can’t miss them as you’re driving by and there are distributors promoting peanuts.
When you arrive in Fes, you possibly can decide up from the one-week Morocco itinerary above to finish your journey.
Possibility 3: 14 Day Morocco Itinerary
If in case you have two weeks to spend in Morocco — fortunate you! With two weeks, you possibly can take a special strategy than the 7 day or 10 day Morocco itineraries outlined above. I might recommend utilizing the next schedule:
Day 1 – Arrival
On your two-week Morocco itinerary, I might attempt to fly into Casablanca and out of Marrakech, or into/out of Casablanca (until you’re connecting by way of Europe, then it will be preferrred to start out in Tangier if you happen to might.)
Upon arrival in Casablanca, you could possibly both spend your first night time there (go to the Hassan II Mosque and Rick’s Cafe) or head as much as Rabat, Morocco’s capital metropolis.
In Rabat, you possibly can hit just a few of town’s highlights: Hassan Tower, Kasbah des Oudaias, Chellah, and the Medina earlier than the four-five hour drive to Chefchaouen.
Day 2 – Chefchaouen
Most of this present day can be spent touring to Chefchaouen as sadly, there isn’t any simple technique to get there. Many individuals have requested me, “is Chefchaouen price it?” And you probably have lower than two weeks in Morocco, then it’s positively not price all of the journey to get there. Nevertheless, if you happen to do have two weeks or extra, I completely beloved this little gem.
Possibly it was as a result of we had been there in March and never “excessive season” for all of the Instagrammers, however I discovered it charming and genuine, so long as you possibly can ignore these posing for photos (which wasn’t a ridiculous quantity.)
Chefchaouen is named the Blue Metropolis and tourism is booming after many have fallen in love with its blue-washed partitions and secret alleyways after seeing it on Instagram (confession – I’m responsible!) It’s arguably the prettiest metropolis in Morocco, nestled between two peaks of the Rif Mountains.
Lodging are considerably scarce in Chefchaouen and never the identical stage of luxurious that yow will discover in different cities. We stayed two nights on the Lina Ryad, and in addition thought-about the Riad Cherifa.
Day 3 – ChefChaouen Exploration
You’ll have a bit of over a day to discover the winding alleyways and markets of Chefchaouen. Uncover the previous Jewish quarter, and go to the Ras El Ma spring, the place native ladies wash their garments.
In case you are feeling adventurous, you possibly can take a hike to the previous Spanish Mosque/fort on a hill exterior the medina. From right here you possibly can see stunning views of the valley and in case you are fortunate, catch a good looking sundown.
We employed a information, which helped us to not get misplaced, however actually I don’t suppose you want a information to discover as town is pretty compact and you’ll normally discover your method again to the place you got here from.
Day 4 – Drive to Fes
From Chefchaouen it’s a 4 hour drive to Fes, the place you’ll decide up from the 7-day itinerary above, however in reverse order.
Day 5-6 – Fes
You’ll spend three nights in Fes earlier than heading into the desert. Chances are you’ll contemplate taking a day journey to Meknes from Fes to see the partly excavated Berber-Roman ruins of Volubilis. Consult with the Fes part underneath the 7-day itinerary above.
Day 7-8 – Merzouga
Since you’ve got time, I might advocate spending two nights within the desert so that you’ve got extra time to do actions like sand boarding and dune busting, in addition to the sundown camel journey. See particulars within the 10-day itinerary above.
Day 9-10 – Skoura
Then, in your method out of the desert, you possibly can spend two nights in Skoura to interrupt up the driving. See particulars within the 10-day itinerary above.
Days 11-14 – Marrakech
You’ll then proceed on to Marrakech through Eit Ben Haddou. You’ll spend three to 4 nights in Marrakech and might both fly out of Marrakech, or prepare a three-hour switch again to Casablanca on the finish of your journey. See particulars within the 7-day itinerary above.
Attending to Morocco
Most guests coming from the USA will fly into Casablanca, though you could possibly fly into Marrakech if you happen to join by way of Europe. U.S. cities with direct flights to Morocco embrace New York, Washington D.C., and Miami. In Europe, some cities with direct flights to Morocco embrace Paris, London, Lisbon, and Madrid. Most main airways supply direct flights to Morocco, together with Air France, British Airways, and Royal Air Maroc. There are additionally a number of price range airways that supply flights to Morocco, together with Ryanair and Easyjet.
Getting Round Morocco
I’ve an entire put up in regards to the execs and cons of driving in Morocco, however the backside line is that whereas it’s fully potential to drive your self safely round Morocco, it’s also way more nice to have a driver if the price range permits.
For those who resolve to self-drive, simply beware that there are pace traps arrange exterior of just about each city. Many roads are slender and winding, with many vans to cope with. One other nice good thing about hiring a driver is that they may know the most effective locations to cease and eat, use the lavatory, or sights to go to alongside the way in which.
Our driver Hassan was such a gem. He stuffed us in on a lot native historical past and customs throughout our lengthy drives, giving us a deeper appreciation of Morocco throughout our go to.
On the lookout for extra info in your Morocco itinerary?
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.
